Chapter 1, I am on a covert visit in disguise, not to admire a courtesan
Entering the city went very smoothly; there were no soldiers on duty at the city gate
Does Your Majesty also wish to see the beautiful courtesans of Tianxiang Tower, as well as the courtesans adorned in silk stockings
When it comes to Luo Cheng's family, Li Shimin immediately thought of that little fellow who was less than half his height. When the news of Luo Cheng's death in battle arrived, that little fellow cried heart-wrenchingly.
Accompanying him was a burly man, portly in stature, with a large tuft of beard on his face. Upon seeing the distant city of Huaizhou, a smile appeared on his chubby face
However... the Empress has instructed me to keep an eye on you
In the end, in order to appease the Luo family, he specifically adopted the little fellow Luo Tong as his godson, bestowing upon him the title of "Your Highness the Imperial Son" and granting him special permission to freely choose a province as his seat of governance
Little did he know that the person, upon hearing this, did not even glance at Li Shimin, turned around, and walked away, completely ignoring him
Lord of the State, upon arriving in Huai Prefecture, you must no longer address me in this manner
Cheng Yaojin immediately followed, as he also wanted to know what his nephew was up to in Huaizhou
The people from the Hundred Riders went to find an inn to stay at, while the Duke of Guo suggested that we go to the Tianxiang Tower to have a look
Hmph, perhaps it is the actions of that brat Luotong that have caused Luo Cheng to have grievances in the afterlife, prompting him to send a dream to me
The weather in April is neither cold nor hot, with the spring breeze blowing, refreshing the mind and spirit
Li Shimin glanced at Cheng Yaojin's plump appearance and shook his head, saying: "Your looks would surely scare people away; I might as well go and ask myself"
At the forefront stands a middle-aged man, wearing a black travel hat and dressed in dark brocade robes. A three-foot green peak hangs at his waist, and his gaze is piercing. He exudes an indescribable aura that makes it difficult for others to meet his eyes
How should I address Your Majesty?
The nightmarish dreams kept Li Shimin awake all night, and in the end, he sought out Yuan Tiangang for a divination. It was said that Luo Cheng might be unable to let go of his family, thus visiting him in dreams every night
Cheng Yaojin, witnessing this scene, pouted and muttered softly: "You still say I would scare people away, but when you take action, it's no different."
At this moment, Li Shimin was completely exasperated.
The reason for bringing Cheng Yaojin this time is also to hope that Cheng Yaojin can persuade the Luo family to return with him to Chang'an.
Upon arriving on the streets of the city, Li Shimin noticed that many citizens were running in one direction
On the official road, a merchant caravan is slowly advancing
He does not believe in evil, and then he reached out to stop another person with the book.
Cheng Yaojin, I have told you countless times, I am here in disguise for a private visit, not to see the courtesan
In your heart, I am precisely this kind of person, Cheng Yaojin
The reins were tossed aside to a soldier disguised as a merchant, while Li Shimin reached out to stop a middle-aged man holding a feather fan and wearing a travel hat.
In a moment of contemplation, a group of people arrived in Huai Prefecture City. At this time, the sun was setting in the west, and the night began to envelop the earth
It means that your father, Luo Cheng, died early; otherwise, he would definitely have shot you dead!
However, Li Shimin had already walked far away, following the crowd towards the Tianxiang Tower, and did not hear Cheng Yaojin's words at all
As he spoke, the man's expression suddenly changed: "Not good, time is running out, the seats ahead are surely taken. I can't say any more, I must leave now"
Just call me... Lord Li.
The person frowned, displaying a look of displeasure, and was about to become angry and curse
Your Majesty, ahead lies Huai Prefecture City, where that scoundrel Luotong serves as the governor
That person chuckled and said: "No wonder then, you outsiders do not know the wonders of the Tianxiang Tower in Huaizhou City, so it is only natural that you find us quite strange"
Oh? May I ask what kind of place this Tianxiang Tower is, and what is its significance?
Cheng Yaojin suddenly interjected from the side
It is not acceptable; I must properly manage that young man, Luo Tong, and not allow him to fall into decline
The young Luo Tong chose Huizhou, and this choice has lasted for many years. Now, even Li Shimin himself can no longer remember what Luo Tong looks like
Li Shimin felt puzzled, but the person he had grabbed merely curled his lip and said, "You must be from out of town, right?"
Strange, why are all these people running over there? Is something happening?" Li Shimin looked at the fleeing citizens, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes
Yet in her heart, she could not feel the slightest bit of joy
At this moment, Li Shimin felt that he had found the reason for Luo Cheng to appear in his dream.
After failing twice in a row, Li Shimin's determination surged. He reached out and directly grasped the hand of a middle-aged man.
You?
Luotong, I grant you Huai Prefecture, yet you are actually vigorously developing brothels here
Li Shimin wore a determined expression, deciding to first clarify what Luo Tong was actually doing here
Hehe, Tianxiang Tower is the largest brothel in our area, with both courtesans and those selling their bodies, but that is not what attracts us the most
"This gentleman with the books, we have no other intentions, we merely wish to ask why you are in such a hurry to rush over there?" Li Shimin inquired, holding the man's hand.
Beside him, Cheng Yaojin chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, allow me to go and investigate!"
This time, if Luo Tong manages to govern Huai Prefecture well, he might find an opportunity to transfer Luo Tong to Chang'an City. This would allow for closer care and also prevent Luo Cheng from having nightly dreams about him.
This person hasn't even been seen yet, and has already sent His Majesty to a brothel. What kind of situation is this
During the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty, in Huaizhou
This person has left again
As they spoke, a group of people drew closer to Huai Prefecture City
This person was even more irritable than the first, glaring fiercely at Li Shimin: "Don't hold me back, or a good spot to see the courtesan will be taken by someone else!"
"This esteemed gentleman, may I ask where you are in such a hurry to go?" Li Shimin asked with a smile
A chill ran through his heart as the man sized up Li Shimin from head to toe, then glanced at the troops behind Li Shimin. Realizing that this was someone he could not afford to provoke, he finally came to a halt
If it were not for the sake of Luo Cheng, Li Shimin would very much like to turn around and leave
Li Shimin cast a fierce glance at Cheng Yaojin, looking as if he were lamenting the lack of progress: "Remember, this matter must not be disclosed after returning to the capital at hetushu.com"
If it were not for Cheng Yaojin's intervention to subdue this person, he would likely have been unable to obtain any information again
I understand
What kind of place is Huai Prefecture, and why are the people here so eager to head to that particular location
Li Shimin's lips twitched
Having finished speaking, he shook off Li Shimin's hand and headed straight for the Tianxiang Building
The two individuals speaking are the current Emperor Li Shimin and Cheng Yaojin. Their purpose for coming to Huai Prefecture this time is to see Luo Cheng's son, Luo Tong
It is indeed strange that during this period, Li Shimin dreams every night, each time envisioning the scene of Luo Cheng dying in battle, pierced by countless arrows.
At that moment, he suddenly felt a darkness before his eyes, as the enormous figure of Cheng Yaojin blocked his path
"Not bad, we have just arrived in Huaizhou, and I would like to ask you for some clarification, my friend." Li Shimin grew increasingly curious.
As the illustrious Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, how could I possibly be disregarded by others
Li Shimin was taken aback
The person suddenly lowered his voice and leaned close to Li Shimin's ear, whispering with a laugh: "Our governor has invented something called silk stockings. Those courtesans and high-class prostitutes look countless times more enchanting when they wear them."
As a governor of a state, failing to arrange for guards at the city gate is a dereliction of duty
At this moment, Li Shimin felt very disappointed