The news that Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang, had two sons soon spread to the streets and alleys. Who was Li Yuan? He was the emperor's nephew and a popular seven-year-old Duke of the Tang Dynasty. Everyone had to curry favor with him. Therefore, the Tang Public House was supposed to be preparing for the new year before the new year. However, the threshold of the gate of the Public House was almost broken by the officials who came to congratulate him. They couldn't go empty-handed. They had to bring something and send some red packets. Coming to the Duke's residence to invite the bride to drink, 180 strings of wine would definitely not be presentable. It would make people look shabby. If not 1,000, it would be 500. Dou shi, who had just given birth and was lying in the inner courtyard to bask in the sun, felt a little dizzy when she saw the servants carrying red bags wrapped with money and walking towards the treasury.
When the lanterns were lit, Yu Wenshu was carried into the Yuwen Manor's carriage drunkenly by the servants. The noisy Public House finally quieted down. The steward of the Public House instructed the servants to clean the house and the banquet in an orderly manner. Li Yuan walked into the treasury and looked at the money in the half-filled warehouse."God, my son is too valuable. Just the red packet alone is worth twenty years of my salary. This is a good way to earn money.”
With the arrival of the Spring Festival, the turmoil caused by Li Yuan's two legitimate sons gradually calmed down. These days, Li Yuan had been smiling so much that his mouth was trembling, and his hands were soft when collecting money. He had ruthlessly restrained himself and spent a rather happy Spring Festival with his family. As the High Duke's Public House had just earned a sum of money, the entire servants of the High Duke's Public House had benefited a lot. The New Year's gift money and this month's salary had increased a lot, and even their families had a comfortable time. A year with fish and meat.
At that time, Li Yuan was thirty-three years old, his wife Dou was thirty years old, his eldest son Li Jiancheng was nine years old, his second son Li Shimin was about to reach one year old, his third son Li Bing and his fourth son Li Yuanba.
On the first day of the first lunar month, Li Yuan's wife had just had two sons. This year's ceremony was particularly grand and lasted for two days. Therefore, when the Tang Public House opened its doors to welcome guests, it was already the third day of the first lunar month.
On the third day of the first lunar month, Li Yuan had just finished his breakfast and was reading in the study when a servant suddenly came over and reported,""Xiao Kui is here to visit." Li Yuan quickly got up and said to the servant,""Quickly invite Country Ruler Liang in and prepare tea immediately.”He then walked quickly to the living room.
Xiao Kui, also known as Renyuan, was the second emperor of the Later Liang Dynasty during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. The Later Liang Dynasty was a split-dynasty of the Liang Dynasty. Its territory was mainly in the Xiangyang and Jingzhou regions of present-day Hubei. Xiao Kui's father, Xiao Cha, was not on good terms with Emperor Xiao Yi of Liang Yuan. After Xiao Yi succeeded to the throne of Liang, Xiao Cha defected to the Western Wei and was conferred the title of King of Liang by the Western Wei Emperor. He called himself emperor in his territory, but in fact, the "emperor" of the Later Liang did not have real sovereignty over their territory. For a long time, the Northern Dynasty had set up Jiangling managers in the Later Liang. On one hand, they were used to supervise the monarch of the Later Liang, and on the other hand, these managers had military power to protect the Later Liang from being attacked by the Southern Dynasty. After Xiao Cha's death, his son, Xiao Kui, succeeded the throne as crown prince in 562.
Xiao Kui's year title was Tianbao. He continued his father's policy of uniting the Northern Dynasty to resist the threat of the Southern Dynasty. After Yuwen Yong, Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, destroyed the Northern Qi Dynasty, Xiao Kui personally went to Chang 'an to congratulate him, so he was deeply trusted by Yuwen Yong. After Emperor Wen of Sui ascended the throne, Yang Jian once again went to Chang 'an to personally congratulate him and won his trust. Later in history, the Xiao and Yang families married again. One of Xiao Kui's daughters married Yang Guang and later became Emperor Yang's empress. Due to the close relationship between the Xiao and Yang families, the Sui Dynasty later withdrew the Jiangling General Manager stationed in the Later Liang Dynasty, allowing the Later Liang to obtain autonomy.
Xiao Kui was a very knowledgeable emperor. He had written fourteen books, including the Book of Filial Piety, the Book of Changes, and the Big and Small Times.
After his death, he was given the posthumous title of Emperor Xiaoming and the temple name of Shizong.
Of course, the butterfly had already flapped its wings at this time, and history had already deviated from its original track.
Xiao Kui appeared in Chang 'an because he was invited by Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Jian, to spend the new year in the capital.
As soon as Li Yuan sat down in the living room, he saw Xiao Kui, who had been led over by the butler. Li Yuan hurriedly stood up and greeted him,"Monarch Xiao, how come you have the time to come to my place today? My humble residence is really honored by your presence. Sorry for the disrespect."
Xiao Kui hurriedly returned the greeting." I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. I heard that the Duke of Tang was happy to receive the Double Qilin before the New Year. However, he was busy with worldly affairs and couldn't come to congratulate you. Now, he's taking advantage of the New Year to come. I'm really sorry for disturbing you!"”
"Please…""Please…"
Both parties sat down and chatted for a long time. Xiao Kui drank a mouthful of tea to moisten his throat and said,"Brother Shu De has two new sons. Xiao Kui paused and looked at Li Yuan."It's time for serious business."
Xiao Kui took a sip of tea and continued,"I heard that Shude has four Di sons. I have a young daughter who is five years old and is the direct descendant of Empress Zhang. I want to marry Shude.”
Li Yuan was stunned for a long time. He did not expect Xiao Kui to have such an idea. However, Li Yuan was also an extremely smart person. He soon understood Xiao Kui's intention of marrying. It turned out that with the years of recuperation in the Great Sui Dynasty, the national strength had become stronger and stronger. The current Emperor was a man of great talent and strategy. After unifying the north and south, Emperor Wen had set his eyes on the strategically important Later Liang Dynasty. Xiao Kui had not been the Emperor for nothing in the past few years. Soon, he felt that the Great Sui Dynasty was eyeing him covetously and could not help but feel anxious. On this trip to the capital, he had prepared a large amount of gold and silver to bribe the officials of the Great Sui Dynasty to ensure the survival of the Later Liang Dynasty. After visiting several important officials of the Great Sui Dynasty in the capital, Xiao Kui accidentally heard that Li Yuan had just given birth to two twins. The Emperor of the Great Sui Dynasty was Li Yuan's uncle, and Li Yuan inherited the title of Duke of Tang. Not only was he an important official in the court, but he was also a favorite of the Emperor. Xiao Kui could not help but have the intention of marriage to seek Li Yuan's political support. It was also convenient for him to express his goodwill to Sui Wendi.
Li Yuan calculated in his heart for a moment. Xiao Kui was from a large clan and was a match for him. Moreover, this marriage could also stabilize Xiao Kui, which was a good thing for Emperor Wen of Sui Dynasty. It could increase his good impression of Yang Jian. No matter what, it was a good thing. Li Yuan then smiled at Xiao Kui." It's Shude's blessing to be able to marry you. However, I have four legitimate sons now. My eldest son, Jiancheng, is already engaged. I'm left with Shimin, Bing, and Yuanba. I wonder which one you want?"”
Xiao Kui also did not expect this. He was immediately stunned and said,"I wonder what Shude has to say?" Li Yuan pondered for a moment and said,"How about this? I'll get someone to bring the three Di sons over to show the emperor."”"Then let's do as Shude says."
In less than ten minutes, the three nannies entered the living room." Please take a look, Monarch." The three nannies came to Xiao Kui one by one and asked him to take a look.
Xiao Kui raised his head and saw the first person. He saw a fair smiling face with lips like pearls and a face like white jade. He looked like a talented person. Xiao Kui couldn't help but praise,"Good, good, you're really a dragon among men ~" Li Yuan was happy to hear Xiao Kui's praise."This is Shimin."
Xiao Kui raised his head to look at the second child. He saw that this child had a toot face and a pair of big black eyes that were exceptionally lively. He looked at Xiao Kui curiously and did not see the fear that a stranger should have. Xiao Kui could not help but be secretly amazed. He was quickly attracted by this child."Good, good, good." Li Yuan said,"This is Li Bing."
When Xiao Kui saw the third child, he was shocked. This was a child. He was obviously a thunder god. Xiao Kui's face was pale and he did not speak for a long time. Li Yuan was a little embarrassed."This is Yuan Ba!"
Xiao Kui looked at Li Shiming and then at Li Bing. Both of them looked talented, and he didn't know which one to choose. In the end, Li Bing's cuteness and calmness conquered Xiao Kui. He bowed to Li Yuan and said,"I'll take him. I still prefer this San Lang!”"So, Monarch, it's settled?" Li Yuan smiled.”
Xiao Kui said," It's settled then. Although my daughter is five years older than San Lang, I still think highly of them. Shude, from now on, we're in-laws. Haha."”Then, she held Li Yuan's hand and laughed.
Li Yuan was also very fond of the marriage between Li Bing and the Xiao family's Di daughter. He also held Xiao Kui's hand and ordered the servant,"Tell the kitchen to prepare a few good dishes today. I'm going to have a good drink with Xiao's in-law. Oh right, go and call Jiancheng over too. Let him meet Uncle Xiao." Then, he turned around and looked at Xiao Kui."Xiao's in-law, let's get drunk today!"”
"Haha, alright, it's a deal!"
"Deal!"
The next day, the entire Chang 'an heard that Li Bing, the third son of Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang, was engaged to Princess Xiao of Liang.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。