Chapter 25: Shangyuan Night (Part Two)

The Shangyuan Festival has arrived! It is a holiday belonging to the people of Chang'an; the whole city celebrates together, from the emperor down to the servants, and the night curfew is lifted!

Starting from that day of the Shangyuan Festival, the celebrations continue for three consecutive days without rest, day and night; the city gates remain open at night, there is no imperial guard patrolling, and people can enjoy themselves however they wish! Chang'an residents may roam freely within the city.

Chang'an's Shangyuan Festival is completely different from the Shangyuan Festival celebrated elsewhere in the Tang dynasty.

Elsewhere people might simply hang a lantern and set out fine wine and dishes in the courtyard, but within Chang'an the festivities are extremely elaborate, earning it the title "City That Never Sleeps."

The poems about Chang'an's Shangyuan Night are dazzling across the ages, with many famous verses. Moreover, history records numerous sensational scandals that occurred on Shangyuan Festival.

During the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, there was a particular Shangyuan Night celebration.

At that time the emperor Li Xian, urged by Empress Wei, also joined the street festivities. Moreover, on a whim Li Xian ordered the palace gates opened, allowing palace maids, dressed in civilian clothes, to come out and play.

Li Xian may have thought that these maids, having such a rare chance to go out, would be grateful to him to tears!

However, the ideal was abundant while reality was starkly thin.

After the night passed, when the procession returned to Daming Palace and the headcount was taken, they discovered that over three thousand palace maids were missing!

Henceforth, palace maids were no longer permitted to parade in the streets on Shangyuan Festival. After all, if they were slapped again, no emperor could endure such humiliation.

This year, as the entire city of Chang'an celebrates Shangyuan Night, Li Longji, standing before the Qinzheng Building of Xingqing Palace where he resides, watches the myriad lanterns of Chang'an with great enthusiasm.

The myriad lives of the common folk and the countless household lights converge at this moment into a splendid scene of prosperity.

At this time in Chang'an, the gates of every ward and the eastern and western market districts are open, and crowds flow ceaselessly through the city. The Tang people's passionate, unrestrained, confident nature is displayed to the fullest.

At the entrance of Anfu Gate, the western gate on the south side of the palace city, a colossal "Lantern Wheel" was set up, bearing fifty thousand assorted flower lanterns. The wheel is wrapped in brocade, and many spots hang crystal‑clear glazed tiles that sparkle brilliantly in the light.

The Lantern Wheel looks like a towering tree, reaching dozens of zhang in height; anyone in any corner of Chang'an who looks up can see its outline.

Below the Lantern Wheel, bright songs and graceful dances resound. A troupe of several hundred "Tap Song Performers" forms a lavish lineup. Wei Qing, who originally delivered messages to Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing, was the leader among them.

Tap Song is a popular entertainment where participants step to the beat while singing and dancing; they step and dance together, sing in unison, creating great merriment.

However, although this program is called "public," it cannot function without a leader.

The Pear Garden, the imperial institution gathering the Tang artistic elite, naturally did not miss a national celebration like the Shangyuan Festival. Li Longji sent Wei Qing there to anchor the event; Wei Qing's resonant, lingering voice served as the lead singer, raising the atmosphere to a climax.

After the Tap Song performance, a troupe of several thousand singing maidens, under moonlight and lanterns, linked hands and shoulders, fluttered sleeves, tilted hairpins, bowed heads, bent waists, turned, continuously shifting formations in an endless long dance.

These performances drew loud cheers and ecstatic shouts from the people of Chang'an.

The lanterns and moon reflected each other, lighting up the capital's night. The city also featured many rope shows, pole and wooden acrobatics; the eastern and western markets displayed a dazzling array of goods, and strolling pedestrians haggled incessantly.

Zheng Shuqing hurried back to Chang'an, hoping to enjoy the open festivities of the Shangyuan Festival, but they still didn't make it in time.

Li Longji, of course, could not see the performances beneath the Lantern Wheels, but he was pleased, because all these things came from the forty hundred thousand taels sent by Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing, and Li Longji had set aside his pride to provide the money.

In other words, this was the emperor's "treat," letting everyone in Chang'an have a great time.

Otherwise, without this money, the authorities could not hire singing maidens, could not construct Lantern Wheels, could not purchase wine; the Shangyuan Festival celebration would be far duller than it is now.

"Li Shi, look how the Tang dynasty thrives under my rule; does this splendid scene meet your wishes?"

Li Longji, brimming with confidence, turned, pointed at the lanterns outside the window, and asked the calm, silent Gao Shang behind him.

"The sage is a once‑in‑a‑millennium emperor; his achievements are no less than Emperor Taizong's."

Gao Shang replied softly with praise.

"Hmph, that's natural; I have always taken Taizong as my model. I intend to carve out a vast realm, planting the Tang banners everywhere.

All the lands at the borders shall become Tang lands."

Li Longji, hands clasped behind his back, gazed at the enormous Lantern Wheel in the southwest, its dazzling light flashing in the night sky, resembling the brilliance of the Kaiyuan golden age.

"What about my three unfilial sons?"

Li Longji suddenly recalled a certain batch, frowned, and spoke with clear displeasure.

"Your Majesty, General Chen Xuanli personally led troops to seize control of the Eastern Palace. Now the Crown Prince, the Prince of E, and the Prince of Guang are all under house arrest in the Eastern Palace. Xue Xiu, the brother of the Crown Princess, has been imprisoned; Xue Xiu has already confessed to colluding with the Crown Prince in a rebellion, with solid evidence."

Gao Shang said evenly, without showing emotion.

Li Longji couldn't help but sneer, remaining silent for a long while.

The Crown Prince never plotted rebellion, so where could there be such solid evidence?

Li Longji merely wanted Crown Prince Li Ying to understand that even the closest relatives, under pressure and inducement, will utter and do things against their conscience. Xue Xiu is Li Ying's brother‑in‑law, and after a single interrogation he confessed, didn't he?

How many people in the world truly regard death as a return home?

"Send the dossier to the Eastern Palace so my unfilial sons can see it," Li Longji waved impatiently.

Seeing that Gao Shang had not yet left, he asked in confusion, "Why not issue the edict?"

"Your Majesty has not yet stated how to deal with the Crown Prince, the Prince of E, and the Prince of Guang; I dare not issue the edict."

Gao Shang said respectfully.

Hearing this, Li Longji felt as nauseous as if he had swallowed a fly.

Prince of the Thirteenth, Li Yun, reported that Crown Prince Li Ying borrowed two thousand sets of armor, which was actually at Li Longji's covert instruction.

Whether the Crown Prince, the Prince of E, or the Prince of Guang truly plotted rebellion, Li Longji understood. These men indeed sought rebellion, secretly contacting and courting external officials, clearly plotting treason.

But as for concrete rebellious actions, there were none.

Thinking of this, Li Longji felt a bit guilty. The Crown Prince's conduct is irrelevant; what matters is his own thoughts.

Because for Li Longji, whether the Crown Prince rebels is irrelevant; whether he wishes to rebel is paramount. If Li Ying and the other two princes intend rebellion, then they deserve death—such is the simple logic.

As for why he claims the Crown Prince and the two princes intend rebellion, Li Longji thinks his own belief suffices; he need not listen to others' chatter.

For example, the one who constantly says "the Crown Prince is the nation's foundation," Zhang Jiuling.

The rest—whether there are witnesses, evidence, a clear chain of criminal logic, or whether the Crown Prince is wronged—are all irrelevant.

One could even forgo any façade or formal interrogation.

"Execute Xue Xiu, give the dossier to the Crown Prince and the two princes for review, then return them to the Ten Princes' Residence and lift the restrictions."

Li Longji, weary, rubbed his temples; Gao Shang turned to issue the edict, sighing in relief. This outcome was far better than he had expected.

However, before Gao Shang could leave the Qinzheng Building's room, a chilling remark came from behind him.

"Eradicate the Xue clan. Apart from the Crown Prince, the two princes and their offspring, all other persons connected within the Ten Princes' Residence—whether masters, servants, or family—must be killed!"

Li Longji's command bears no trace of feeling, as if he were killing not humans but pigs and dogs awaiting slaughter.

"Here, I will go deliver the edict."

Gao Lishi inhaled deeply, slipped out of the Administrative Hall quietly. Only after stepping outside did he feel his heartbeat return to normal. In his recollection, Li Longji had not been this angry for a long time.

The four characters "Kill them all" are brief, yet they convey an enormous amount of information.

The Crown Prince, the relatives of the other two princes, the household servants and concubines—except for the children, everyone else will be left with nothing.

"Looks like they're going to replace the Crown Prince."

Gao Lishi sighed and muttered to himself.

The nobles enjoy silk garments and jade food, yet they walk on thin ice.

With a slight misstep, even a noble's household can be slaughtered, with no one to plead reason.

The shadow of imperial power hangs over everyone's head; no one can escape it.

Gao Lishi knows Li Ying is "innocent"; the so‑called "evidence of treason" is similar to the "crime of slander" that the harsh official Zhang Tang prosecuted years ago.

You say you have none, but I think you do in your heart, and that will do. I don't want to hear what you say, nor do I need to give you any evidence.

On the power arena there is no father‑son; the Crown Prince, being legitimate, can replace the Son of Heaven, which precludes any paternal benevolence and also ensures his road will not be smooth, further proving that those near the Crown Prince are highly likely to be caught like fish in a pond.

Who is right or wrong, who can decide with a single word? Since you've chosen to join this game, stop complaining about its cruel rules!

Gao Lishi, while leading the palace eunuchs to the Eastern Palace, mused with a sigh. This round will likely claim many lives.

Is power more important, or life? That's the question every aristocrat must answer.

For some, without power, what meaning does a mere survival have? Different people will surely have different answers.

Gao Lishi arrived at the Eastern Palace with a heavy heart, delivering the edict to Crown Prince Li Ying and the two princes.

Upon hearing they were spared, the three princes wept with joy. As for the others in the household who would be killed innocently, that is not their concern.

If a wife is gone, remarry; as long as one clings to life, anything is possible.

Li Longji is ruthless; how could they ever be compassionate souls?

It's merely a power struggle like big fish devouring small fish.

Human lives? Human lives amount to nothing!

Gao Lishi stared expressionlessly at the embracing, weeping Crown Prince and two princes, and for some reason felt they resembled three dogs.

Returning to the Administrative Hall, Gao Lishi heard a zither playing from within the room. Upon entering, Li Longji had changed into a scholar's robe, his hands placed on a guqin, strumming. The music carried a murderous intent, harsh and fierce.

Seeing Gao Lishi enter, Li Longji stopped playing and asked softly, "How are the Crown Prince and the two princes?"

"Your Majesty, they are simply weeping with joy."

"Bring Li Guinian here; I want to go to the Lantern Wheel to listen to his music!"

Li Longji rose hastily, patting Gao Lishi's shoulder kindly, and said.

This gave Gao Lishi a false impression: perhaps Crown Prince Li Ying and the other princes rank in Li Longji's mind even lower than this eunuch himself.

"Your Majesty, please wait a moment; I will go to the Pear Garden and summon Li Guinian to the South Gate Lantern Wheel."

Gao Lishi said respectfully.

"Go quickly, go quickly; I have a sudden urge to play together! By the way, don't let Wei Qing leave either."

Li Longji was as excited as a child.

…

"The Lantern Festival, I still missed it—my Chang'an lanterns on Lantern Festival night!"

Spring blossomed, and seated in a carriage departing from Chang'erlè Station, not far east of Chang'an, Zheng Shuqing kept nagging, regretting that his detour caused him to miss the once‑a‑year Chang'an Lantern Festival.

If only I'd known, I would have taken the Wuguan Road; climbing mountains is tiring but wouldn't waste time.

"Sir, could you stop talking? On Lantern Festival night, we were at the post station by the Yellow River, nearly freezing to death, not even a dog in sight. The lanterns on both sides of the station hung like ghost flames. Is this the Lantern Festival you keep mentioning? Surely not a ghost festival, right?"

Fang Chongyong helplessly interrupted Zheng Shuqing.

Everyone crowded in the cramped carriage chatted idly; the out‑of‑town post station near Chang'an was bustling, and the carriage also held a drunken scholar sharing their journey, curled up sleeping in a corner. Since he made no trouble, Zheng Shuqing's party simply ignored him and continued their conversation.

"You little brat, what do you know! Can Chang'an's Lantern Festival compare to the shabby post station by the Yellow River? The street processions, the lanterns, the slender, soft…"

Zheng Shuqing realized his slip of the tongue and quickly stopped.

Fang Chongyong, as if a blind man had discovered a bright spot, cleared his throat and mocked:

"Last Lantern Festival night, the flower market's lanterns shone like day. The moon rose over willow tips, lovers met after dusk."

"This Lantern Festival night, the moon and lanterns remain the same. No sight of last year's people, tears wet the sleeves of my spring shirt."

"Sir Zheng, you look so earnest, yet also quite romantic, don't you think?"

"Is there a beautiful lady waiting for you this Lantern Festival night, making your heart burn with impatience?"

Just as Zheng Shuqing began to defend himself, the scholar, still drunk and curled in the carriage corner, sprang up like a spring and exclaimed, "What a poem! What a poem! Who wrote it?"

"What on earth is going on with you riding the horse?"

Fang Chongyong, Zheng Shuqing and Yan Zhuang all wore puzzled expressions as they stared at the scholar; the carriage driver's companion Ah Duan was clearly oblivious, and Fang Laique, asleep, knew nothing. The previously relaxed atmosphere in the carriage instantly turned awkward.

"Did you write it?"

The scholar looked at Fang Chongyong and asked.

He originally wanted to admit it, but thinking that a child writing such a poem seemed implausible, Fang Chongyong pointed at Zheng Shuqing and said, "It was this gentleman who wrote it; may I ask who you are…"

"I am Li Taibai; may I ask who this Sir Zheng is…"

"Li Bai?"

Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing and the others were stunned; what a coincidence on the horse!

"I, Zheng Shuqing, formerly the magistrate of Kuizhou, now returned to the capital to report, have long admired you."

Realizing the person before him was Li Bai, Zheng Shuqing was momentarily embarrassed and could not retract Fang Chongyong's words.