The Great Tang General

Chapter 22 General Ningyuan
The next day, shortly after the morning court session.

Before Li Shizhi returned, the eunuch Lin Zhaoyin came to the Left Prime Minister's Mansion with an imperial edict.

"Li Xuan, the son of the left prime minister, is brave and vigorous, with profound strategies and is worthy of being entrusted with the task... He is specially appointed as the deputy envoy of Feng'an Army and granted the title of General Ningyuan."

"I will give you a carved bow, a precious sword, and a jade pendant..."

After Lin Zhaoyin read the imperial edict, Li Xuan thanked him for his grace.

General Ningyuan was a military official of the fifth rank.

The emperor would often grant ranks to his ministers who had made outstanding contributions.

In particular, generals who were appointed as military envoys must have the title of Wu San Guan, because under the system of "envoys' posts and dispatches", envoy posts had no rank.

The position of informal officials has no real power. Its purpose is to indicate the basic status level of officials.

The descendants of some of the emperor's favored ministers and meritorious officials would be granted official positions.

For example, the son of Wang Maozhong, a favorite of the Kaiyuan Emperor, was granted a fifth-rank official title when he was only three days old. Some time later, one of Wang Zhongsi's underage sons was also granted a fifth-rank official title.

Li Xuan was the deputy envoy of Feng'an Army, and after being promoted to General Ningyuan, he became a fifth-rank official.

The direct promotion of the fifth rank proved Li Longji's favor for Li Xuan.

Of course, there are also factors involved, including the fact that he was a descendant of the royal family and that Li Shizhi was the prime minister.

Li Xuan accepted the three items bestowed by the emperor.

One was the carved bow he had used in the palace yesterday.

One is a sword made by a famous craftsman.

There is also a warm white jade pendant with a pattern of a flying bird holding a flower, which is obviously worth a lot of money.

The sword and jade pendant represent Li Longji's recognition of Li Xuan's martial arts and talent.

Silver fish bags and fish symbols are also indispensable, symbolizing status.

Especially the fish symbol, which was carved by craftsmen overnight.

"Your Majesty orders the general to take up his post before May."

Before Lin Zhaoyin left, he did not forget to remind him.

As soon as Li Xuan saw the saint, he became the saint's favorite. After leaving Xingqing Palace yesterday, he had a good chat with his immediate superior Gao Lishi.

Lin Zhaoyin dared not offend him.

"Rest assured, Minister Lin, I will take up my post as soon as possible."

Li Xuan answered to Lin Zhaoyin.

The Feng'an Army was also in Lingwu County. Although he was a deputy envoy of an army, he had to first go to Huile County, Lingwu County, the seat of the Shuofang Jiedushi, to report to the Jiedushi Wang Zhongsi.

After seeing Lin Zhaoyin off, Li Xuan took Luo Xing and headed for Gao Lishi's residence in Xingningfang.

To the north of Xingqing Palace is Yongjiafang, and to the north of that is Xingningfang.

From here, through Tonghua Gate, you will reach the famous Longshouyuan, so it is a large area where the powerful and wealthy gather.

When the princes and nobles of Chang'an learned that Gao Lishi was not on duty today, they all came with gifts.

Even if I can't meet Gao Lishi, I have to deliver the gift.

As soon as Li Xuan arrived at the alley where Gao Lishi's mansion was located, he saw the scene of "the streets were filled with people".

There was nowhere for carriages and horses to stop.

All the dignitaries who came to visit hoped that they would be lucky enough to be received by Gao Lishi.

At this time, the housekeeper of Gao Lishi's mansion was standing in front of the door.

One by one, the dignitaries in the capital and local officials introduced themselves, but were all rejected by the housekeeper.

Li Xuan and Luo Xing were lined up in the team.

The nobles in line saw a young man suddenly appear in the team and sneered: "Who dares to come to see Mr. Gao?"

Some people even mocked, "He went to see Mr. Gao because he wanted to be an official?"

Although Li Xuan is tall, the beard around his mouth is still fine hair, and everyone can tell that Li Xuan is not yet an adult.

"How dare you! My husband is the seventh son of the Left Prime Minister and was just appointed General Ningyuan by the Saint."

Luo Xing, a servant, immediately shouted at these dignitaries who were mocking Li Xuan.

The master had just been canonized by the saint, and Luo Xing was also honored. He had to defend the dignity of his master.

"So it turns out that Li Qilang, I'm so sorry, so sorry..."

When they heard that Li Xuan was the son of the Left Prime Minister and that Li Xuan was currently in the limelight, the dignitaries hurriedly apologized.

Those who are well-informed have already learned that the saint has summoned Li Xuan to Xingqing Palace.

Now I heard that Li Xuan was named General Ningyuan, I felt it was even more incredible.

When the butler at the gate heard Luo Xing's shout, he hurried down the steps, trotted towards Li Xuan, bowed and said, "My dear, you are so welcome. Why are you waiting in line here? I was ordered by my grandfather to wait for you!"

The butler spoke in panic. If Gao Lishi knew that Li Xuan had been waiting at the door for a long time, he would definitely blame him.

“I just got here too.”

Li Xuan is easy-going and doesn't mind. It doesn't matter if you have to wait a little longer.

"Please follow me into the mansion. Grandfather is looking forward to your arrival."

The butler extended his hand to invite Li Xuan.

Li Xuan nodded and entered Gao Lishi’s mansion.

"This is Li Qilang, the man who wrote many famous works. I really didn't recognize him."

"It turns out to be Li Qilang. No wonder Mr. Gao asked the butler to wait at the door for a long time. Being favored by Mr. Gao, Li Qilang has a bright future."

"Just now, the servant in blue said that Li Qilang was awarded the title of General Ningyuan. This is a military official! Shouldn't the son of a prince be awarded a civil official?"

"It is said that Li Qilang is proficient in riding and shooting, and is extremely brave. The saint summoned him yesterday, perhaps to confer the title of the Sixteen Guards, so he was granted the title of Wu Sanguan."

After Li Xuan entered Gao Lishi's mansion, a group of dignitaries had different opinions and speculations.

Some people beat their chests and stamped their feet, feeling extremely regretful. If they had known Li Xuan's identity earlier, they would have definitely approached her and gotten close to her.

Some people also felt that it was worth the trip to see Li Xuan.

When Li Xuan's "Shooting Ball in the Imperial Court", "Fighting with Fan Heng on Horseback" and his two poems "Peony" spread, they would surely become famous in the two capitals. ...

Although the Zuo Xiang Mansion was also given by the emperor, compared with Gao Lishi's mansion, it was like an ordinary house.

From the entrance, it took half a quarter of an hour to pass through three ceremonial gates, a garden, and an orchard before arriving at the front hall.

Li Xuan told Luo Xing to wait outside, walked into the front hall, and saluted to Gao Lishi: "Greetings, Mr. Gao."

"Qi Lang feels at home here, don't feel constrained."

While Li Xuan was still bowing, Gao Lishi stood up and pulled Li Xuan to his seat, and said straight to the point: "I tossed and turned last night and thought about it all night. The movable type printing technology that Qilang mentioned is conducive to the promotion of knowledge by the saints, and it is worth doing."

"Movable type printing will definitely work."

Finally, Gao Lishi added another sentence.

Yesterday Gao Lishi asked Li Xuan how he got this printing method. Li Xuan told Gao Lishi that he came up with it based on woodblock printing, but it has not been implemented yet, so he doesn't know if it will succeed.

Gao Lishi was very moved that Li Xuan was willing to give him this "eternal achievement".

With this achievement, I will be able to smile in my grave in the future.

"I summarized movable type printing last night. Mr. Gao, please take a look."

Li Xuan took out a piece of paper from his arms and wrote and drew on it. Even the size of the movable type was listed by Li Xuan.

He was about to leave Chang'an and leave these behind. Gao Lishi would definitely be able to invent movable type printing in a short period of time.

"This is just my first attempt. If I fail, please don't blame me, Mr. Gao."

In order to eliminate the grudge in Gao Lishi's heart, Li Xuan said this.

He stated that he was just putting forward an idea, a thought, and its success or failure depended entirely on Gao Lishi.

"That's not the case, Shichiro. Even if it doesn't go as planned, I still owe you a favor."

Gao Lishi assured Li Xuan solemnly.

"I dare not. My father was able to reach the position of Prime Minister only because of Mr. Gao's strong support. How can I ask for favors from Mr. Gao?"

Li Xuan shook his head repeatedly.

"The left prime minister is the left prime minister, and Qilang is Qilang. Moreover, the left prime minister is the pillar of the country. I recommend him only to do something beneficial to the Tang Dynasty and fulfill my duty as a minister."

If Gao Lishi thought an official was talented, he would recommend him to Li Longji.

Li Xuan did not talk much with Gao Lishi about this, and he took the initiative to change the subject.

Gao Lishi's promise was enough. He was far away at the frontier and was most afraid of rumors.

Gao Lishi is one of the only two people in Chang'an who can stop the rumors.

Afterwards, Li Xuan and Gao Lishi discussed movable type printing and woodblock printing while drinking tea.

It is more convenient to print commonly used books with woodblock printing. The art of woodblock printing must be popularized throughout the world.

Merchants can be encouraged to set up printing shops.

As soon as movable type printing was developed, Gao Lishi would write to the emperor and request the establishment of printing departments in various ministries and departments to develop printing technology and fulfill Li Longji's order to "set up a school in each village."

Li Longji believed that population size and the number of scholars were signs of a prosperous era.

To this end, he issued an imperial decree to establish schools in villages and changed the marriage age for men and women to 13 for girls and 15 for boys, but there was no mandatory requirement.

Li Longji believed that early marriage between men and women would help increase the population.

Li Xuan understood that this was a temporary solution. Due to medical and sanitary conditions, giving birth to a child before the age of 16 would not only increase the risk of miscarriage and infant death, but would also harm the woman's physical and mental health, and even her life.

If Li Xuan could hold power in the world and have the final say, he would definitely change the system in this regard.

"Mr. Gao, please don't work too hard. You need to rest more. I won't bother you any more."

Seeing that Gao Lishi looked tired, Li Xuan offered to leave.

Gao Lishi felt warm in his heart. He failed to try to keep Li Xuan, so he personally sent Li Xuan to the door.

This left the nobles and dignitaries waiting in front of Gao's mansion dumbfounded.

Even a third-rank official could not be treated with such courtesy by Gao Lishi.

After leaving Gao Lishi's mansion, Li Xuan learned that Prince Xin'an Li Yi also lived in Xingningfang, so he went to visit him.

Although they lived in the same neighborhood, Gao Lishi had a lot of visitors, but no one was interested in Prince Xin'an, who had made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty.

Li Yi was over 80 years old and was bedridden. Seeking to see him would not help his career at all.

Li Xuan knocked on the door of Prince Xin'an's mansion. Upon learning that it was Li Xuan, the son of the Left Prime Minister, who came to visit, the doorman immediately notified Alang.

A moment later, Li Yi's youngest son Li Xian went out to greet Li Xuan.

"Li Qilang has arrived. I'm sorry for not welcoming you in person. I hope you won't mind!"

Li Xian is an elegant man in his early thirties, but when he speaks, he is full of energy and has his own style.

He holds a string of Buddhist beads in his hand, indicating that he is a Buddhist.

"I am ignorant and don't know your name. I hope you can forgive me."

Li Xuan saw that the man was very impressive, so he returned the greeting and asked some questions.

"I am Li Xian, the eighth son of King Xin'an, and I am currently the magistrate of Gaoling County. When I returned home to visit my father today, the whole city was filled with the fame of Qilang's talent."

Li Xian was surprised by Li Xuan's sudden visit.

"I am a humble scholar, and I am not worthy of your praise. I have long admired the name of Magistrate Li."

Li Xuan's heart moved.

Li Xian was a famous wise minister.

Because of his father's military achievements, he entered the government through his family background. Gao Lingjing was the magistrate of Ji County, a sixth-rank official.

Li Xuan remembered that Li Xian would quickly rise to prominence and be promoted to Jingzhao Yin a few years later.

Before the An-Shi Rebellion, Li Xian was suppressed and framed because he was not afraid of Yang Guozhong's power. But after the An-Shi Rebellion, Li Xian was appointed as prime minister five times. He was a rare capable minister in the middle Tang Dynasty.

"Please come in, Qilang. My father is in the main room."

Li Xian thought that Li Xuan was just being polite. How could he, a small magistrate of Gaoling, have any fame?
The famous one was his elder brother Li He. Although he did not hold a high position, he refused to follow Li Linfu's upright style and was praised by the world.

(End of this chapter)