The Prince of Travelers

Meeting the Emperor's Father

“Baginda Emperor, Eighth Prince has arrived,” an aide reported Li An's arrival on Emperor Yung Wei. The middle-aged man turned away from his son's copy book and said, “Let him enter.”

The door to the emperor's room was opened. A majestic, solid-robed boy entered with firm and graceful steps. When he arrived before Emperor Yung Wei, he immediately prostrated his honor to the supreme ruler of the Tang Empire and his father.

“Honor to Emperor Yung Wei the Great. Li An, the Eighth Prince salutes His Majesty the Emperor,” Li An said in his bow. He will not rise until the emperor allows it. Although he was reluctant, he did so with a cold heart.

Emperor Yung Wei stroked his beard. He did not expect such perfect respect from his six-year-old son. He even more wished that his son would sneak in and exclaim cheerfully like normal children in general. He said, “Rise up, My son.”

Li An stood up straight. His eyes looked without the slightest bit of fear there. There was no sense of attraction even though the emperor's room was decorated in such an aesthetic way. On his face was as if there was an extremely cold and flat frozen wall of ice.

“Where did you learn those etiquettes from?” asked Emperor Yung Wei.

“Aixin's mother and Huanran's sister,” Li An replied briefly. He was welcome to sit. His eyes were on the tea in his hands. He stared at the herbal drink with sadness. Its distinctive aroma makes it think of the past. This tea was her mother's favorite tea, Consort Ai. He turned to his father after a moment of silence.

“You know him? This is the tea I used to drink with your mother. I'm sure he used to brew it for you,” Emperor Yung Wei smiled as Li An looked at him. The boy nodded slowly, responding to the father's pleasantries. He did not return much to his father's words. Its quiet nature is in line with that described in the report.

“It feels sultry if it continues to be here. Let's go outside for a breath of fresh air,” Emperor Yung Wei took his son to the high balcony of the palace as he was about to start talking about important matters. He had observed enough of the boy's actions. Now, he wanted to know more about his abilities at a young age.

“Nak, the earth stretches very wide. Although Tang had spread its influence to all directions, it felt like it would never reach the end of the world,” the afternoon sky was very bright when Emperor Yung Wei said that. He closed his eyes for some time, enjoying the gusts of wind that gently caressed his scalp. “Some time ago we have an interesting guest. I'm sure you saw it too, right?”

Li An immediately turned to Emperor Yung Wei who was smiling meaningfully. He did not expect that his infiltration into the palace with Li Mei at that time was known by the emperor. Maybe because he was a kid, so he didn't get a peek at important meetings between countries.

“I heard you were interested in those strangers. What do you think of them?” Emperor Yung Wei started to get into the core of his conversation.

“They ...,” Li An is silent as a child to compose the right words, “Unik.”

“Hm? Explain!” Emperor Yung Wei demanded a brighter answer.

“Their beliefs are much different from ours. Well, they're different. How to talk and meet them too, but I like them,” replied Li An enthusiastically. He also shared his experiences while living in Guangzhou. The little prince was very happy to have gained new sciences that he had not discovered in the Small Archive Pagoda.

“The pagoda saved too much poetry. It was hard to understand it,” lamented Li An when suddenly his story turned to the Small Archive Pagoda. When he told me so passionately, he became more like a child his age.

“I want to learn again with them. In Ramadan later, will want to come again to Guangzhou with Uncle Fengying,” pinta Li An after finished telling a long story.

“Ramadan? Ah, the holy month of the Arabs, yes,” Emperor Yung Wei recalls the investigative report of his cousin, Li Fengying.

“Not!” the middle-aged man was surprised when Li An denied it, “Ramand not only had Arabs. He is the holy month of all mankind, of all the nations of the world. More precisely the holy month of Islam and its adherents.”

“Haha .. I understand. You seem very interested in them. Do you want to be the Minister of Foreign Affairs like Prince Zhizhe?” asked Emperor Yung Wei to try to unearth his son's obsession.

“Ngak!” reject Li An firmly, “Position it's got Chen’er. I want to be a scholar so it's like Grandpa Ma,”

“You mean Librarian Ma?” Emperor Yung Wei frowned. He was a little disappointed knowing that his son's dream was too narrow. In fact, the Eighth Prince was a talented child who had high potential in him. It would be a pity if he was just an ordinary scholar in the future.

Li An nodded, then went back to telling her about herself, “I love books. It feels so good to read them. But ... If the place is noisy, it feels so cramped. I like quiet places. Far from the trinkets of the world it is also happiness.”

“Happiness?” Emperor Yung Wei was made to frown again. He smiled as he stroked his long beard and asked for further explanation.

“Yes, because I can accept myself more as I am,” Li An said as she touched her chest while slightly bowed down as if she was thinking big things on her shoulders, “I just need to be grateful for everything I have. That way, I erode the greedy nature of man that is in me.”

Emperor Yung Wei stared at the thin smile on Li An's face that was previously as cold as an ice wall. The supreme ruler of Tang Country also patted his son's head, then crouched and serene, “You must be more active in learning. Read a lot, but do not forget to socialize with others because your life will be lonely if you are alone. You are gifted with high intelligence. With that, you should be able to bring maslahat to the environment around you. Being a leader is the most effective way to harness that potential. Are you interested in becoming emperor?”

“I? Emperor?” the smile on Li An's face instantly faded away completely replaced by a sour look. He shook his head, “Ngak! I don't want to be emperor. The emperor ...”

Li An stopped his words as soon as he remembered that he was standing before the emperor. He also looked away. Emperor Yung Wei was quite surprised to see that reaction.

“It turns out you really do not want to be emperor, yes,” Emperor Yung Wei then stood up and sighed, ”Yeah, I am not forcing. Live according to your own will. However, I will be very happy if you join in cooperating with your brothers to prosper the Tang Country. That way, I can calmly leave this vast empire on you guys.”

“You are more mature than I thought,” Emperor Yung Wei again stroked the head of the Eighth Prince of reverence. He smiled warmly at the reason of the boy who had a glimpse of plain looks. The emperor began to think of future plans for his wise son. If his efforts were successful, perhaps Li An could mediate in the succession later. It would be nice if he could pass power on to a son peacefully. “Do you have anything you want to have other than Pavilion Aixin? I'll grant it as long as I can.”

“I want to quickly go home to Uncle Fengying's palace. There is more delicious,” pinta Li An without hesitation.

Emperor Yung Wei looked astonished at the simple request. It's easy to grant it. However, this would make him unable to observe the development of the boy any closer. He felt obliged to watch him well. So, he refused the request, “Why don't you like it here? Is there anyone bothering you.”

Li An opened her mouth, but did not say a word. He wants to answer, “Iya.”

Someone is bothering him here. Ah, that person had even been annoying since the first time Li An had met him. He's noisy, chatty, and power-mad. However, for some reason Li An could not complain about it.

“No,” finally Li An replied while shaking her head. After all, he also needed Li Huanran by his side as a guardian. If he asks for his guardian to be replaced, not necessarily his other brother or stepmother will behave as sincere as the Third Princess. He also gave the real reason to want to stay with Li Fengying, “I promised Sister Mei and Chen’er to go home again as soon as possible, the same … Small Archive Pagoda closer to Prince Zhizhe Palace than Eternal Happiness Palace.”

“You like to that little pagoda?” emperor Yung Wei asked as he thought of the right solution for his son to remain in the palace.

“Ya, because the place is quiet,” replied Li An quickly, “I can focus there.”

“Hm .. You must join the Imperial Class at the Eternal Happiness Palace. So, you can't go carelessly to Prince Zhizhe Palace. Children there have their own class,” reply Emperor Yung Wei full decisiveness, then give an offer, “Begini only, you can freely visit the sons and daughters of Prince Zhizhe during holidays. Then, for the trouble to the Small Archive Pagoda .. If you can quickly practice horseback riding, I will reward you with one so that your trip there can be faster.”

“Riding horse?” Li An tilted her head, confirming the offer her father had made. Emperor Yung Wei nodded. Li An then said, “Alright, I will study hard, but ...”

“What's up? Is there anything else you want to say?” Emperor Yung Wei asked after Li An had been silent for quite a while.

“If I can wait for a horse, I want to go around the entire mainland of Tang,” Li An said expressing his small wish. Today, he is thinking of becoming an itinerant scholar when he grows up. The boy wanted to realize his brother's wish that he wanted to be a hero who brought good wherever he stood. However, tomorrow is not always the same as today's expectations. Fate may change over time.

Emperor Yung Wei chuckled at the wishes of his intelligent son. His expectations of Li An were even higher. He then said, “Good, good. A prince must see the vast world. Go as far as you can. Not just in the Tang Empire. Trek the valleys of the north, visit the islands of the east and south, sack the ocean of an unparalleled breadth, and see another world at the far western end.”

“However, remember one thing,” the emperor was silent for a moment. He took a short breath, then continued, “After you have completed your journey, do not forget to return. Bring the gifts you get from all over the country to the Tang Empire. You must remember that this land is where you go home.”

Li An was stunned to hear his father's words. It seemed like he had a new goal that was much bigger than just being a scholar. Her dream turned into ambition. From that day on, he was determined to travel all over the foreign lands according to the message of his father.

The clouds enveloped the entire sky of the Capital Chang’an this afternoon. Mentari also color it sincerely as a sign of separation. The whole sky was red because of it. The twilight ray made people rush to finish the rest of their work and go home.

“There is one more thing I want to talk to you about,” Emperor Yung Wei raised Li An onto his shoulders. The prince was surprised by the sudden sling. His fingers spontaneously grabbed the hair of the emperor who had since removed his crown. He struggled hard to balance himself so as not to fall off the shoulders of the high Emperor Yung Wei.

“Do not be afraid and enjoy it. I'll take you around while talking about foreigners from the Arabian Peninsula,” Emperor Yung Wei laughed as he felt his hair being pulled over. He hadn't played like this in a long time with one of his children. The last time was with his fourth son. At that time, he was not yet an emperor.

Li An fell silent and continued to tighten her grip. He did not care about the reaction of the astonished soldiers to see him sitting on the emperor's shoulders. They would not dare to protest. Unfortunately, now An does not know that this will bring trouble to him in the future.

“I am interested in them not only because of their trade relations, but also the firmness of their faith,” Emperor Yung Wei began to tell stories. Li An on his shoulders bit his lips while trying to listen well. He was still afraid in case he fell, but there was an excruciating feeling in his heart. “They will not bow down to me even though they know that I am the emperor who rules over this country. I could've chopped off their heads right then and there, but they weren't scared at all.”

“They said, they would never prostrate themselves to any prince, king, or emperor. They only bowed down to the King of kings, the Master of the Universe, Hyang Yang Maha Creates everything, namely Lord Almighty,” Emperor Yung Wei was silent contemplating something for a while. Unknowingly, he had carried Li An up to the large garden of the Emperor Palace.

“I have read many books, so I understand their meaning. I know that what they say is the truth. They brought the light of the messenger of the end times,” Emperor Yung Wei fell silent again, but he kept walking in the big park without caring about the gazes of the people, “I was happy to hear him. I want to accept it, but ...”

“Father may lose the throne of the emperor,” Li An said for the first time.

Emperor Yung Wei smiled bitterly. His son's guess was very precise. If only the ambassadors had come a little faster before the succession of his emperor, he might have been able to more freely interact with them alongside Li Fengying.

“Son, your great-grandfather claimed to be the descendant of a great philosopher when he seized this empire from the previous dynasty. Your grandfather also built a good relationship with the great panditas of the temple,” again Emperor Yung Wei said, when the day was getting darker, “The power of the emperor and religious hegemony influenced each other. Both had strong impressions in imperial politics. If I suddenly accept the new religion that comes, maybe my brothers will collude with each other to overthrow me.”

Li An was only revealed after arriving at a saung. He looked at his father meaningfully. His eyes blinked a few times. Its crowns were also held by the emperor. With an expanding smile, Emperor Yung Wei said, “Son, if the teaching suits you, accept it with all your heart. Don't worry like I am. Your life will be blessed.”

Emperor Yung Wei said a few more words. Before the day was completely dark, he asked his aides to escort Li An back to Consort Ai's residence which was quite far from the Emperor's Palace.

Arriving at Aixin Pavilion, Li An was immediately greeted by his brother. The Third Princess was very worried because Li An did not come home. He was worried that something might happen to his beloved sister. Though, the Emperor Palace was one of the most high-security places in the Capital Chang’an. Well, as long as Li An returned safely, that was enough for Li Huanran. The two of them had dinner together without ever expecting the eyes of the eagles to be lurking.