HLnovel 第52章 1个小公主，1个少将军，1个真帝王（610与649）
第52章 1个小公主，1个少将军，1个真帝王（610与649）
During the Zhenguan era, the most popular stories among the common people in Chang'an were about two "young gentlemen":
The future Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi—who is also Xiao Si's elder brother, and Li Ji, the 16-year-old brother of Li Zi, whom Si Zi knew, are now Li Zi's uncle.
On the surface, the two are master and servant, but in reality, they are as close as friends despite their age difference, and their every word and laugh is full of nonsensical humor.
In the 23rd year of the Zhenguan era, which is 649 AD, Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin), the father of Emperor Sizi, issued an edict demoting Li Ji to the position of Governor of Diezhou.
Unaware of the truth, the elder brother, Zhinu, paced anxiously in the Imperial Garden, but said to Xiaosi, "Father must have his reasons for doing this."
"Of course, don't worry, Brother Zhinu. Uncle Li is a pillar of the nation, and he will be put to good use sooner or later." Xiao Si quickly relayed these words from the Akhal-Teke horse to Li Ji.
She then whispered to her brother Zhinu in private, "Don't worry, Uncle Liji is a loyal servant of our family, Father definitely knows that."
The truth is this: the chairman of the Li Tang Group was admitted to the ICU due to a serious illness, and the group was in a state of panic. At this critical moment, the chairman suddenly announced that the president's assistant, Uncle Liji, would be demoted and transferred to head a branch of the company in a remote area.
Privately, the chairman told his son, Zhinu, who was about to take office: "Liji is a very capable man, but you don't have a close relationship with him. I'm worried that he won't listen to you in the future."
Let's try transferring him away first to test the waters.
If he leaves decisively, after I'm gone, you should give him an important position, appoint him as the group's vice president, and trust him completely; but if he hesitates or tries to pull some tricks, don't hesitate, fire him immediately!
When Uncle Liji received the transfer order from Chairman Li Tang, he didn't even go back to Bingzhou to pack his things, nor did he plan to say goodbye to his relatives and friends. He simply packed his bags and headed to the remote branch.
This move made the chairman of Li Tang Group think deeply: This person is truly single-minded. Unless he is brewing some bigger plan, where can you find such an innocent and pure person?!
This turmoil seems to be just the prelude to a major upheaval within the Li Tang Group, while the real game behind it has only just begun.
Li Ji, who took office in Diezhou, didn't care much about the promotion or demotion of his official position. He just did his best to do everything within his power, but he was still preoccupied with finding Xiao Si.
39 years ago, in 610, he picked up this barefoot baby from the roadside.
But the child had been by his side for five years, and then suddenly disappeared, leaving him heartbroken and unable to let go of the pain to this day.
It wasn't until Princess Jinyang was born that Li Ji realized that fate had already arranged everything.
His heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself: This loyalty can only belong to the Li family!
In 649, Si Zi's elder brother, Zhi Nu, ascended the throne as emperor.
The first thing he did was to promote Li Ji to the position of Prefect of Luozhou. He patted Li Ji on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Uncle Li Ji, my former brother Li Ji, I've always said that you are a loyal subject of our Li family, and I will definitely give you an important position!"
Li Ji's eyes welled up with tears, and he bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty's kindness is boundless; I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to the Tang Dynasty."
Zhi Nu laughed heartily: "Stop with the formalities. Although we are ruler and subject, our friendship is closer than that of blood brothers!"
And so, the storytellers in Chang'an turned the story of these "two young men" into a series of beautiful tales.
The bonds of friendship amidst the hustle and bustle are like a cup of turbid wine, becoming more and more meaningful the more it is told.
Let's revisit the story of the young man with pork tenderloin and the temple.
In 610 AD, lightning and thunder inexplicably struck the sky, and a baby rhinoceros with a unicorn was running on the ground, as if preparing to run into the next huge joke.
At that moment, Xiao Si, who was over twelve years old (by Chinese reckoning), also known as Princess Jinyang, suddenly fell into a rift in time and space and vaguely traveled to the outskirts of the city.
Oh my goodness, this is no joke! She actually ran near the military camp of Wagang (now southeast of Huaxian County, Henan Province)!
The moment she opened her eyes, she met a 16-year-old boy with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, handsome and tall. This boy was none other than the later famous general Li Ji, whom Si Zi later called "Brother Tenderloin".
"Little sister, where did you come from?" The pork tenderloin brother put down the wooden stick he was using for sword practice, scratching his head in confusion. "Your clothes are so strange. Why are you barefoot?"
"I don't know what happened!" Xiao Si dusted herself off, wiggled the toes sticking out of her tattered shoes, her heart pounding with panic, but she forced a brave face. "I was just watching the Sui Yangdi Grand Chen Hundred Entertainments, how did I end up here in the blink of an eye... And who are you? You're so good-looking!"
Upon hearing this, Brother Pork Ribs blushed instantly: "Uh, this, this goes without saying, of course he's the number one handsome man in Wagang."
Xiao Si retorted defiantly, hands on her hips, "What? The number one handsome man of Wagang! I am Princess Jinyang—the future Empress of the Tang Dynasty!"
What?! That's it?! The bizarre adventure of a little girl and a handsome young man unfolds once again...
This year is a big year:
The Eastern Roman Empire changed its name to Byzantium, leaving all of Europe bewildered and wondering, "What is the relationship between this new empire and the Eastern Roman Empire?"
Meanwhile, far away on the Arabian Peninsula, Muhammad began preaching everywhere, and unwittingly and naturally founded Islam, even establishing the first Arab state in Mecca.
—As for China, Emperor Yang of Sui was holding a grand banquet in Yangzhou, hosting a massive Da Chen Hundred Plays event. Actors, bands, and animals were all brought up, making the scene as lively as an ancient music festival.
While traveling around with Brother Pork Ribs, Xiao Si thought to herself, "It seems this time travel trip was worthwhile! Major historical events are unfolding one after another, and maybe I can even leave a surprise for the future Tang Dynasty!"
And the pork tenderloin brother gradually discovered that this quirky "barefoot little temple" was completely different from other girls.
She could recite "future history," talk fluently about "the trivial matters of the Arabian Peninsula," and even comment on the renaming of Byzantium, occasionally blurting out, "Emperor Yang was really quite the drama queen, but if he knew he was going to die sooner or later, he might as well have acted a little more..."
Brother Pork Tenderloin shook his head helplessly: "Little Sister Si, you've really opened my eyes!! Why don't you come with me from now on, I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury!"
Little Rhinoceros blinked: "Okay! But you have to promise me from now on—no matter where I go in the future, you have to come find me!! Remember me!"
Their story unfolds slowly amidst the dust of history.
From that day on, Little Si and Brother Pork Tenderloin not only forged a friendship, but also witnessed the beginning of a brand new era.
However, no one could have imagined that this encounter spanning half a century would become the most legendary chapter in the future history of the Tang Dynasty.
The wind in Chang'an still whispers that distant story: a little princess, a young general, and a destiny that spans half a lifetime...