"May Great Tang endure ten thousand years!"
Inside Taiji Hall, Li Chengqian looked up at his father's back and spoke the praise with complete sincerity.
Li Shimin turned around. He meant to pat his son's head. His hand paused halfway, then settled instead on the young man's shoulder.
"Ten thousand years is far away. Even a thousand years is illusion. If the flourishing age of Tang can last a hundred years, I would already be satisfied."
He had not called himself "We." That alone showed how relaxed the conversation was. Hearing it, Li Chengqian loosened up as well. He even straightened his back a little more.
"I am the crown prince of an emperor for the ages. Why should I not attempt it? What if it can be done?"
Li Shimin lowered his eyes and examined his eldest son. The boy had already grown to his chest in height. After measuring him with a quick gesture, he finally laughed.
"Then go and try. No matter when, remember that your father stands behind you."
It was still morning. Sunlight poured in through the doors of Taiji Hall. The broad hall became bright and clear. The light caught the crown on the young prince's head, adding another layer of brilliance. It also illuminated the large map behind him.
After their conversation in Ganlu Hall, Li Shimin had worried that his son might not absorb too much at once. So while attending to government affairs in Taiji Hall, he had summoned the boy from time to time and explained matters slowly.
Here stood an enormous world map, detailed and precise.
In the past, Li Shimin had loved to place a lamp beside it, step barefoot upon the surface, and gaze across the lands of Tang. Standing there, he would plan the territories yet to be taken and imagine distant horizons.
But explaining things carefully to his son in that manner would not have been appropriate.
So the massive map had been mounted and turned into a great folding screen.
Just moments ago, Li Shimin had used that map to explain how that later "Great Tang" had defeated all enemies in the Western Regions and brought those lands once more under Chinese rule.
No wonder Li Chengqian felt excited.
His father had long told him that when he grew older and gained greater understanding of military affairs, the Western Regions would become the final trial marking his coming of age.
As for the fate of that other "Li Chengqian," his father had only described it briefly.
He said the fault lay with himself, which caused discord between father and son. Later, wicked men sowed further division until they turned against each other completely, producing a disaster much like the old tragedy of the Crown Prince Li.
For Li Chengqian, who had just witnessed the revelation of the future through the light screen in Ganlu Hall, the rest was easy to imagine.
His mother's death. His father's grief. The slow breakdown of harmony within the family.
And finally catastrophe.
With that, the position of crown prince had been left empty. Only then had history produced the younger brother who later received the temple name Gaozong.
But now things were different.
Li Chengqian himself cared little about those distant outcomes. He only wished to follow his father's instructions and display the learning he carried in his heart.
Li Shimin smiled inwardly.
He understood very well what his son truly cared about, because he himself had once passed through the same years.
What is youth?
To look upon the world as though nothing can block the path.
To measure the height of heaven with one's own ambitions.
To believe the universe itself should bear one's name.
That was why he dared to tell his son selected parts of future history.
At this age, young men rarely produce poisonous schemes. Instead, they seek to correct their own future disasters. They want to surpass their brothers' achievements.
And for now, the result proved once again that no one knew a son better than his father.
Li Shimin's promise that he would stand behind him had clearly excited Li Chengqian even more.
But after the excitement faded, the crown prince grew puzzled.
"Recently Father has ordered me to study matters of disaster relief and the management of refugees. You also told me to learn methods of preventing epidemics from Sun Yaowang. Could it be that disaster approaches again?"
Li Shimin sighed softly.
"It is already the ninth month. Only three months remain in the sixth year of Zhenguan."
Li Chengqian immediately grew alert.
"Does that mean the future records say that after Zhenguan Year Six…"
Li Shimin nodded.
"We have spoken of the Zhenguan years before. Only the fifth and sixth passed peacefully. In the remaining twenty years, every year brought calamity."
He paused before continuing.
"Hebei is especially important. That region has suffered long warfare. The farther north one goes, the more Hu and Han peoples live mixed together. The local customs are fierce."
"If Hebei is stable, Great Tang is stable. If Hebei grows resentful, Tang grows endangered. If Hebei rebels, Tang collapses."
"This matter must be examined carefully. It must also be handled with great caution."
These instructions made Li Chengqian slightly uneasy.
But the feeling quickly passed.
"Your son will not fail the trust placed in him. I will treat the elders among the people with the same respect I give Uncle Zhangsun. I will care for the people's children just as I cherish Zhi Nu."
Li Shimin did not truly believe his son could accomplish all that.
Still, having such a mindset was good enough.
After thinking a moment, he waved it aside with a relaxed tone.
"Very well. Then my instructions are mostly finished."
"It is already the ninth month. The next viewing of the light screen will be in early October."
"After we watch it…"
"Chengqian, you will depart."
Li Chengqian suddenly raised his head.
His father had repeated the plans for the coming years many times before. But this was the first time he had spoken clearly about when the journey would begin.
Li Chengqian understood his father's hesitation. He also understood his mother's reluctance.
But he longed even more to roam the wider world.
He wanted to see with his own eyes the empire his father had conquered and might one day place in his hands.
When he looked up again, his father had already turned away.
It seemed he had finally made up his mind.
The emperor of Tang began calmly outlining the remaining arrangements.
"There are a little more than twenty days left. Hebei is far colder than Chang'an. Winter clothing and supplies must be prepared by the Eastern Palace."
"Before armies move, grain moves first. This journey is the same."
"I understand."
"Keming once reported that followers of the Jingjiao faith from the Western Regions have come to pay respects to me. They arrived in Chang'an several days ago."
"You will receive them in my place."
"With Keming beside you, there is no need to worry. But remember one thing. Listen to their words, yet do not believe their talk of spirits and gods."
"If the records of later generations are correct, the western lands are filled with followers of this Jingjiao. Their power to persuade may be formidable."
"You must be cautious."
Li Chengqian grinned.
"Father need not worry. No matter how skillfully foreign monks speak, can they truly rival the wonders of the light screen?"
Li Shimin chuckled.
"True enough."
Then he remembered something else.
"Do not forget your younger brothers and sisters."
"Qingque and Lìzhì are close to your age, but you are still the eldest brother. Before you depart, you must leave them lessons and instructions. When you return, you must test them."
"Zhi Nu and Chengyang are still young. Spend more time with them. Otherwise when you return, they might not even recognize you."
"And Mingda…"
"I understand."
Li Chengqian smiled.
"I am the eldest brother. These things are naturally my responsibility."
Then another thought struck him.
"Father, earlier I said that girls should also have proper names. Why not give Chengyang a name first?"
At present, Li Chengqian had three sisters.
The eldest sister and the youngest were both favored and already had names.
Only Princess Chengyang still lacked one.
Li Chengqian worried that when they grew older, she might feel unfairly treated.
Li Shimin nodded.
"I will remember."
Then he added casually.
"And the memorial I told you to write about this matter. When will it be finished?"
Li Chengqian's expression immediately turned miserable.
"Soon. Very soon. Please grant your son a few more days…"
Li Shimin nodded.
His voice hesitated slightly before continuing.
"And your mother."
"She is sensible. She will not stop you from leaving."
"But that does not mean she will not miss you."
Li Chengqian listened quietly as his father continued speaking.
The emperor's voice gradually carried a hint of emotion.
The young crown prince committed every word firmly to memory.