After Marrying a Vegetative Princess, I went crazy with joy! - Chapter 150

Chapter 150

As the messenger made his way through the streets, it coincided with the time when various districts and markets of Changan were starting their day. Even those Changan residents still in bed at this hour were awakened by the growing noise. The herald shouted as he sprinted through the markets, but his horse’s speed didn’t falter. He seemed to pass like a fleeting silhouette. Only a few individuals in each market could fully grasp the swift report.

For the peaceful citizens of Changan, this remarkable victory was a surprise. The content of the message was enough to send shivers down their spines. News quickly spread from person to person, taking only minutes. By the time the messenger had reached the imperial palace, almost every citizen of Changan was already aware of the victorious report from Song Zhou.

The Great Tang Dynasty had always upheld the principle of a strong military, ensuring a strong nation. After Li Er ascended the throne to enhance his image, he engaged in several wars, with nearly yearly reports of successful battles. The people of Guanzhong, the central region, have always had a penchant for warfare, a tradition dating back to the Former Qin period. Guanzhong boasted a long history of martial prowess as the core area of Central Plains civilization, and young individuals took pride in joining the military. It was precisely due to this tradition that the early Tang Dynasty established a system of regional garrisons, yet the combat effectiveness of its military remained exceptionally strong. Today, the confidence of the Great Tang Dynasty’s people when facing foreign tribes was also built upon the foundations of these years of consecutive victories.

Especially in this recent triumph at Song Zhou, the adversary wasn’t the previously unengaged Tubo (Tibetan Empire) but rather a confrontation resulting in a significant win!

Such news naturally served as a great source of inspiration. However, associating such notable victories with Su Li inevitably aroused curiosity. The people of Changan were not unfamiliar with the name Su Li.

In the past two years, though Su Li had seldom left his residence, he had achieved several remarkable feats. Rising from a common peasant to become the emperor’s son-in-law, such a story was unprecedented in history. His initial impression on everyone was that of incredible good fortune. Later, Su Li engaged in poetic duels, producing hundreds of poems, solidifying his position as the Poet Sage of the Great Tang. His literary reputation had already become legendary within scholarly circles. Subsequently, he introduced new agricultural techniques and made significant contributions, even gaining recognition in the prestigious Imperial Smoke Pavilion.

One notable achievement after another, all of these accomplishments were undoubtedly real and substantial. Particularly with the successful cultivation of potatoes and sweet potatoes recently, many people were incredibly thankful to Su Li. Among the common folk of the Great Tang, Su Li was almost revered as a symbol of good luck.

Good luck symbols generally represent positive and fortunate events. Indeed, it was beyond anyone’s imagination that Su Li’s name would one day be associated with warfare. The common people were shocked when they learned that Su Li, the emperor’s son-in-law, was capable of leading and commanding troops in battle. Moreover, he actively participated in battles and was truly involved in taking lives on the battlefield.

The beheading of Lu Dongzan, the Prime Minister of Tubo, was now a documented fact. Facing a force of 150,000 troops and still managing to charge into the heart of the enemy’s formation to personally slay their commander-in-chief – even individuals who had never been on a battlefield could understand the immense difficulty of such a feat. It was truly a display of dominance!

Within the imperial palace, Li Er’s hearty laughter echoed, causing even the tiles of the grand hall to vibrate slightly. “Harness nine oxen upside down, shatter mountains with one halberd!” “A single warning, treating 50,000 people like pigs and dogs!” “Swiftly eliminate Tubo Prime Minister Lu Dongzan!” The first thing Li Er received was the battle report delivered by the messenger. However, upon initially reading the seemingly legendary information in the report, Li Er expressed skepticism.

Although Li Er had great confidence in Su Li beforehand, he never imagined Su Li could achieve such an extraordinary feat. After reading the battle report, Li Er received a confidential letter from Li Daozong, which detailed Su Li’s decisions and various deeds throughout the campaign, mirroring the information in the battle report. At that moment, Li Er felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. He even felt a touch of regret for not being present to witness Su Li’s remarkable achievements in person – the sight of him breaking through enemy ranks!

Initially, I wanted to groom him into my own Xiang Yu, but my ambitions were too limited. Even Xiang Yu himself couldn’t compare to him! Recalling all his efforts over the past year to get Su Li onto the battlefield, Li Er felt that every endeavor had been worthwhile. Before setting out, when he appointed Su Li as the commander-in-chief, many within the military expressed concerns.

Although individuals like Li Jing recognized Su Li’s capabilities, they still felt that Li Er’s decision might be hasty. Yet, Li Er stood firm against the opposition and completely trusted Su Li. Now, Li Er felt that he had received ample rewards for his trust.

Subsequently, Li Er continued reading Su Li’s confidential letter. “Your Majesty, I have successfully lifted the siege on Song Zhou, but now I am facing a few issues…” The tone was as casual as chatting with a friend, and this straightforward style oddly resonated with Li Er, who was accustomed to reading eloquent memorials.

In the letter, Su Li primarily discussed two matters. First, he mentioned the challenge of handling the large number of captives they had taken. He humorously asked if the Emperor wanted slaves. Second, he addressed the prolonged arrogance of Tubo along the borders of the Great Tang and his intention to launch an offensive into Tubo territory while they were still stirred up. He requested some logistical support from Li Er. Finishing the extensive five-thousand-word letter, Li Er shook his head with a wry smile. “This young fellow thinks quite big when doing business with me…” Despite his words, the expression on Li Er’s face showed that he didn’t mind Su Li’s ambitious requests.

…

On the other side, in the princess’s residence. Early in the morning. Following Su Li’s instructions before his departure, Changle would take a short stroll after breakfast each day. As the delivery date approached, her belly had grown larger. After walking briefly, Changle began to feel a bit tired. She sat in the pavilion near the garden, staring blankly at the pond. Nearly half a month had passed since her husband’s departure. During this time, Changle had been constantly yearning for him.

Throughout the grand princess’s residence, there were memories of her husband everywhere, memories that were dear to her heart. During this period, Changle often unintentionally lingered in certain places for quite some time. Whenever this happened, her attendants knew better than to disturb her tranquility.

Suddenly, a female officer hurriedly approached from a distance. “Princess, there’s a victorious report from Song Zhou!” Changle gently supported her belly, waiting for the officer to approach. Excitedly, the officer exclaimed, “The son-in-law has achieved a great victory over Tubo in Song Zhou!” Subsequently, the officer shared the details she had gathered with Changle. Even though Changle maintained her composed demeanor, her eyes grew increasingly bright.

Observing this, the officer was even more enthusiastic. She recounted Su Li’s achievements within the military and the praises bestowed upon him by the people of Changan. Since Su Li’s departure from the campaign, it seemed like the princess’s spirit had departed with him. The lively and spirited princess had become somewhat sad during this time. As expected, only news about her husband could bring joy to her heart.

“Princess, Tubo has been defeated. I wonder when the son-in-law will return?” The officer asked eagerly. Changle gently caressed her belly and chuckled, “My husband said he would return before our child is born. So, he will surely come back.”