Chapter 17: The Turmoil of Princess Wencheng’s Marriage Alliance
“Princess Wencheng going to Tibet?” Li Chengqian’s lips curled into a smile tinged with ambiguity.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly froze. Fang Xuanling and Ma Zhou exchanged glances, seeing shock and worry reflected in each other’s eyes.
“I do not agree!” Li Chengqian’s voice thundered through the silent hall like a sudden storm.
Fear immediately clouded Fang Xuanling and Ma Zhou’s faces. Ma Zhou abruptly rose and hurried to the center of the hall.
With a thud, he knelt and urgently spoke, “Your Majesty! This is something the late emperor approved.”
“Last year, our Tang Dynasty carefully prepared for this marriage alliance, with six emissaries sent for the marriage trials. This matter has long since spread and become a celebrated story.”
“If Your Majesty now goes back on your word, how will the world view our Tang Dynasty?”
Fang Xuanling followed by kneeling as well, lowering his head with furrowed brows, hoping this act might sway the emperor’s decision.
Li Chengqian sneered coldly, “A celebrated story? Hmph. Indeed, Songtsen Gampo is a commanding and strategic leader of Tibet.”
“In the eighth year of Zhenguan, he sent envoys to Tang with an astonishingly generous marriage proposal. Yet, my father did not consent at the time.”
“But what happened next?”
Li Chengqian’s voice rose, his eyes flashing with fury.
“After Songtsen Gampo’s proposal was rejected, he shamelessly used the excuse of interference by Tuyuhun to launch a military attack against them.”
“Tuyuhun was no match for Tibet. Their forces quickly collapsed under Tibet’s fierce assault.”
“The Tibetan army pursued their victory relentlessly, forcing Tuyuhun to retreat beyond Qinghai Lake to the north.”
“I want to ask—was this not a provocation to Tang by Songtsen Gampo?”
“Did he think he could use this to threaten our Tang?”
“Does he see Tang as nothing but a monkey to intimidate at will?”
Silence engulfed the hall. The four ministers fell speechless, fully aware of the gravity of the situation, yet knowing every word of the emperor’s was true.
“After defeating Tuyuhun, Tibet’s power surged eastward like a runaway horse, constantly threatening the security of Tang’s western borders.”
“They even carried out wanton military actions in our western borderlands—burning, killing, looting, committing all manner of atrocities. Songzhou, once our Tang land, was pillaged by Tibet.”
“At that time, Tang was beset by internal and external troubles, unable to counter their savagery.”
“Do you think I can marry Princess Wencheng to such a man?”
“Am I to swallow my pride and send our princess into the jaws of wolves?”
Li Chengqian suddenly stood, sweeping his robe with a flourish.
“Zhang Xianhuai!”
He called out loudly.
“At your command, Your Majesty!” Zhang Xianhuai stepped forward, kneeling on one knee.
“Go inform the Tibetan envoy, Ludongzan.”
“If they want to propose marriage, let Songtsen Gampo himself come to Chang’an to ask. I care nothing for these so-called ‘six trial marriage’ tales. I am emperor; I have my own judgment.”
“A new emperor, a new court—I will never accept this forced marriage imposed on Tang!”
“If Tibet dares to make war, I will face it head-on. If I do not crush their dynasty to ruin and extinction, I shall go to the ancestral temple and end my own life to apologize to the world!”
Li Chengqian’s words struck the hall like a bell, echoing powerfully.
“As you command!”
Zhang Xianhuai bowed slightly, eyes shining with firm resolve. He knew the emperor had made up his mind.
Li Chengqian swept his gaze over the ministers kneeling before him, his eyes sharp as knives.
“I might as well use today to warn you all.”
“I am not Tang Taizong Li Shimin, but I have been crown prince for fifteen years.”
“I have braved waters and fire, worked in Xianyang, wandered among the provinces—an iron-willed man forged in hardship!”
“I have read every book you have read, and also those you have not!”
“In Xianyang, I slaughtered corrupt officials from noble families for three whole days and nights! Heads rolled, and I did not flinch.”
“Am I afraid of Songtsen Gampo’s threats?”
All four ministers remained prostrate, silenced by the volcanic fury and determination radiating from the emperor.
“Since you are all here today, I shall set the spirit of our Tang dynasty. Future rulers must follow this.”
“From me onward! In the Li Tang dynasty, no marriage alliances, no tribute payments, no territorial concessions, no vassalage. The emperor guards the borders; the king dies for the realm!”
His words rang like a mighty bell, shaking the souls of those kneeling.
“Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty forever!”
The four exclaimed in unison.
…
Within the Jiangxia Prince’s mansion, gloom weighed heavily.
Li Daozong stood outside his daughter’s chamber, grief etched deep in his eyes. Watching his daughter being adorned by the maids, ready to depart for Tibet, his heart felt as if countless sharp knives were slicing him painfully to the bone.
Li Xueyan sat expressionless before her dressing table, the maids busy with her preparations.
Her gaze was hollow, as if her soul had been lost. When the exquisite makeup was finished, the breathtaking beauty of her flawless face struck Li Daozong profoundly. Those delicate brows and scarlet lips were stunning to the point of suffocation, yet they only deepened his sorrow.
“Xueyan, you truly resemble your mother,” Li Daozong murmured involuntarily, his voice choked with emotion.
Li Xueyan forced a smile, one more painful than tears. “Father, now that I am to enter Tibet, I fear I may never see you again, nor repay my filial duty at your side in old age.”
Her eyes reddened, tears gathering in their depths.
Two streams of murky tears traced Li Daozong’s cheeks. His trembling hands grasped his daughter’s tightly.
“Xueyan, it is your father’s failure. Though I am Prince of Jiangxia, I cannot even protect my own daughter!”
Li Xueyan bit back tears and said shakily, “Father, I do not blame you. This is the emperor’s will. I know you cannot help it. Since I am a member of the Li Tang clan and enjoy its privileges, for the sake of Tang’s border stability, I am willing to marry for peace!”
“My daughter! My dear daughter! Your father cannot bear to part with you!”
Li Daozong broke down, crying in despair and reluctance.
“I will personally escort you to Tibet. If you change your mind along the way, I will take you back myself!”
His words carried unshakable resolve, as if clutching the last straw.
Hearing this, Li Xueyan’s tears burst forth like a dam breaking.
“Father…”
…
“Your Highness, the Tibetan envoy Ludongzan waits at the mansion gate.”
A servant respectfully reported outside.
Li Daozong took a deep breath, wiped his tears, and replied with forced composure, “Understood. Let him wait.”
“Yes, Your Highness! But the Tibetan envoy says, please hurry, the longing can be continued on the road!”
The servant added.
Li Daozong clenched his fists, knuckles whitening, eyes flashing with anger.
Yet he knew he must not act rashly—not be the one to ruin the friendship between the two nations.
His tightening fist gradually loosened. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Understood!”
For the stability of Tang, he could only swallow his pride.
“Come, my dear daughter, your father will protect you on this journey!”
He turned gently to Li Xueyan.
She nodded heavily, eyes brimming with gratitude. “Thank you, Father. With you by my side, I feel much more at ease.”
At Jiangxia Prince’s mansion gate, the grand Tibetan wedding procession stretched down the street.
Ludongzan, Tibet’s prime minister, rode a tall horse, adorned with a magnificent hat and brightly colored Tibetan robes, standing proudly at the front, awaiting Princess Wencheng’s arrival.
As Li Daozong led his daughter slowly out the mansion gates, the procession erupted with deafening drums and gongs, filling the air with jubilant noise.
Seeing such a solemn escort, a faint trace of gloom lifted from Li Daozong’s eyes.
Ludongzan dismounted and respectfully approached Li Daozong and Princess Wencheng. “Prince of Jiangxia, please escort Princess Wencheng to the sedan chair.”
Li Daozong nodded awkwardly, his gaze never leaving his daughter’s, filled with reluctant sorrow.
He gently held her hand, step by step helping her into the bridal sedan.
Ludongzan nodded with satisfaction. “This journey will be arduous. I fear it will trouble Your Highness.”
Li Daozong said nothing, silently beckoning.
From the mansion, a thousand elite soldiers in gleaming armor and weapons marched out in orderly formation, radiating imposing might.
“Your Highness, what is this?” Ludongzan frowned, suspicion flashing in his eyes.
Li Daozong glanced at him coldly. “The road is long, and I fear for her safety.”
Ludongzan narrowed his eyes, speaking firmly, “Your Highness, that is too many. At most two hundred. No negotiation.”
His gaze left no room for argument.
Anger flared in Li Daozong’s heart, wishing to order his soldiers to drive out these Tibetans immediately.
But he could not. He would not be the one to shatter peace between the two nations.
His clenched fist relaxed again. Drawing a deep breath, he chose to yield.
“Two hundred then.”
Turning, he ordered the soldiers behind him, “Two hundred accompany me. The rest return to the mansion!”
“Yes, Your Highness!” the soldiers responded in unison.
The wedding procession resumed, grand and imposing, setting off toward Chang’an’s city gate.
Ludongzan’s heart was tense, eyes constantly scanning for threats.
Once beyond Chang’an, no one could stop their party.
Feeling reassured, Ludongzan thought, since Li Shimin had agreed, this matter was settled. Tang would not shamelessly block the procession.
He relaxed completely, riding proudly toward the city gate.
Lately, however, Chang’an’s soldiers had noticeably increased in number, patrolling streets with vigilant eyes.
Chang’an bustled with excitement.
Crowds surged onto the streets, eager to glimpse Princess Wencheng’s beauty.
The princess, dressed in splendid robes and exquisite accessories, sat gracefully in a magnificent carriage.
The wedding procession stretched for miles, a spectacular scene.