The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 108: Hot Summer in Guanzhong

"Forgot?" Chu Suiliang asked in surprise, "How could I have forgotten?"

"You were seriously ill at home at the time, and I had to help His Royal Highness the Crown Prince with his expenses, so I naturally had no time to take care of other things, so I forgot."

Yu Zhining replied lightly and left quickly.

Just finished the morning court session, today ended very early.

All the civil and military officials in the court were thinking about going back early to escape the heat, before it reached noon and before the hottest time of the day.

Fang Xuanling walked hurriedly towards the Taiye Lake, where there were many children playing in the water. They were all princes and princesses.

Dongyang walked forward quickly and said, "Prime Minister Fang."

Fang Xuanling nodded and said, "Meet Princess Dongyang."

Dongyang continued, "Prime Minister Fang is my brother's teacher."

"Exactly."

Listening to Fang Xiang's words and looking at his kind smile, Dongyang followed him and said, "Brother Huang is our teacher, and Fang Xiang is also Brother Huang's teacher."

Fang Xuanling asked in a low voice: "What has your Highness learned?"

Dongyang thought for a moment and replied, "Numerology, principles and stories."

Fang Xuanling nodded, "They are all very impressive knowledge."

"Of course."

Dongyang smiled happily, and his pride could not be concealed.

"Prime Minister Fang, His Majesty is waiting." A eunuch interrupted the conversation.

Fang Xuanling calmed himself down and walked into the villa with a serious expression.

The children outside the villa were playing happily, while the villa seemed very quiet.

Fang Xuanling walked into the courtyard and saw His Majesty cutting a willow branch.

Li Shimin cut a red willow branch, then cut another one, and placed them in a neat row. He whispered, "The children want to eat roasted lamb skewered with red willow branches. Cheng Qian's rules in the East Palace must be followed by me."

After that, Li Shimin said with an unhappy look: "They actually asked me to wash my hands before eating. If I don't wash my hands, I won't eat with me."

At this point, Li Shimin was a little annoyed and asked: "Xuanling, tell me, is there such a truth in this world?"

Fang Xuanling smiled in surprise and shook his head, saying, "Your Majesty, being surrounded by children is a blessing that I cannot envy."

Annoyed but feeling speechless, Li Shimin continued to cut red willow branches and asked, "Did the morning court go well?"

"It went very smoothly." Fang Xuanling bowed and explained, and then said: "Your Highness just said a few words and ended the morning court."

"Well, is it because you have nothing to say?"

"Your Majesty, the court is in good order. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince saw that it was very hot in the Taiji Palace, so he ended the court early. He consulted me before dismissing the court, and I agreed to leave."

Li Shimin frowned and said, "Sometimes when I think about Cheng Qian, he seems very simple, but when I think about him again, he seems very complicated."

Fang Xuanling walked aside and helped His Majesty arrange the red willow branches, whispering: "Your Highness the Crown Prince used 50,000 strings of cash from the court to rebuild the four counties in the Hexi Corridor."

"Hexi Corridor?"

Fang Xuanling nodded and said, "Since the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Hexi Corridor was abandoned for a time. It was repaired and rebuilt during the pre-Sui Dynasty, and it has only been talked about again now."

Li Shimin said slowly: "It seems that my prince has great ambitions."

Fang Xuanling said: "The prince has always been a person who thinks long-term."

"I feel relieved to have this teacher speak so honestly to my son."

"Your Majesty, this sounds infuriating."

Li Shimin sighed: "He didn't let me build Jiucheng Palace, nor did he let me build the Summer Palace in Longshouyuan. Instead, he used the money to build the Hexi Corridor."

"Alas..." With a sigh, the emperor said somewhat dejectedly, "Do you think I can't help him?"

Fang Xuanling said: "Your Majesty has always been wise and will definitely make it happen."

"Does the prince have anything else to say?"

"The prince mentioned a person, Li Yifu who was from Jiannan Dao."

Li Shimin asked nonchalantly, "Who is Li Yifu?"

Fang Xuanling replied, "He passed the imperial examination this year and was appointed as the new Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He looks like a very ordinary person."

"Doesn't he want Pei Xingjian?"

"Your Majesty, I have placed Pei Xingjian in Weinan County. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will probably be in a difficult position to transfer him."

Li Shimin suddenly laughed and said, "So it was you Fang Xuanling who planned early on, so that the prince did not dare to stretch his hands and feet too far."

Fang Xuanling bowed and said, "It is my duty. The Crown Prince lacks experience, and we cannot let him do whatever he wants."

"Most likely Cheng Qian is upset. He obviously values ​​Pei Xingjian very much, but because of your appointment as a teacher, he cannot be transferred. He has a lot of grievances."

Empress Changsun, who was sitting in the room, heard these words clearly.

Your Majesty is still the same Your Majesty, and the courtiers are still the same courtiers.

Never doubt the loyalty of people like Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji, and Yuchi Gong to Your Majesty.

If Cheng Qian gets carried away by his recent actions, he would be underestimating the heroes of the past.

In front of Li Chengqian were loyal ministers and capable generals of the Tang Dynasty.

These people have a life-and-death relationship with the current emperor and are people who can be trusted with their lives and property.

Fang Xuanling said: "Your Majesty, this matter..."

Li Shimin read the document and nodded, saying, "Let Li Daliang go to the Hexi Corridor."

"Here."

"And," Li Shimin added, "Tell Li Daliang to keep an eye on Li Yifu."

"Here."

Fang Xuanling nodded and left quickly.

Empress Changsun was sorting the children's clothes, knowing in her heart that Cheng Qian was still very weak.

Outside the Jinguan Gate of Chang'an City, which is the west gate of Chang'an City, you can see Judefang and Qunxianfang when you walk into the city.

Shangguan Yi came hurriedly, and when he saw the people, he smiled and asked, "But is Li Yifu in person?"

Li Yifu bowed and said, "I am Li Yifu, the Minister of Ceremonies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

Shangguan Yi heaved a sigh of relief when he saw the person. He handed over a scroll of letters and said, "This is what His Royal Highness the Crown Prince asked me to give to you."

Li Yifu first looked at the man strangely, then reached out and carefully took the bamboo tube, and put it in his arms without opening it.

Shangguan Yi smiled and said, "I heard that the brothers of Yifu have a grudge against the children of the noble family?"

Li Yifu sneered and said, "They are all bitches."

Shangguan Yi also laughed out loud, bowed repeatedly, and walked quickly into the Chang'an city gate.

Inside the city of Chang'an, Li Daliang stood outside the Suzaku Gate. His armor was burning hot from the sun and his clothes were soaked with sweat.

Fang Xuanling walked out of the Vermillion Bird Gate and handed him a document, saying, "This is the document for mobilizing troops. Lead a thousand soldiers and horses to the Hexi Corridor." Li Daliang clasped his fists and said loudly, "Yes, I will obey your orders."

Fang Xuanling approached and whispered, "The general is only escorting him. Li Yifu will handle the matter. Your Majesty means that Li Yifu was selected by the crown prince to prevent the crown prince from making a mistake. I hope the general will take good care of Li Yifu and capture him and bring him back to Chang'an if necessary, or don't bring him here."

Hearing this, Li Daliang said seriously, "I understand."

Fang Xuanling nodded slightly, "Thank you for your help."

"We dare not delay the military order, so we will mobilize the troops and start the action immediately."

Fang Xuanling also saluted with his fists clasped.

Outside the Jinguan Gate, Li Yifu squatted in the shade of the city gate, also waiting for the soldiers to go to the Hexi Corridor together. He ate a piece of bread and drank some water. This time he would most likely have a long journey, so he must eat well. He might have to travel thousands of miles, and he would not stop just because he was alone.

Suddenly, a group of soldiers came out of the city gate. Li Daliang shouted, "Where is Li Yifu?"

Hearing this, his eyes lit up and he immediately stepped forward.

As soon as the soldiers came out, Li Yifu covered his mouth and nose and coughed repeatedly, and waved his hand and said, "General, I am here."

Li Daliang looked around and finally saw Li Yifu, whose hair was covered in dust and yellow. "The military order cannot be delayed. Move out immediately."

Li Yifu bowed repeatedly while carrying his bag.

After looking around, Li Daliang said in a clear voice, "Someone, bring this man a horse."

From his words, Li Daliang still looked down on Li Yifu. Although he was asked to recommend him, they had never met before.

Especially after listening to Prime Minister Fang's advice, she was even more reluctant to get too close to him.

Seeing Li Yifu climb onto a war horse, Li Daliang rode away from the city gate.

Li Yifu was sitting on the horse, his movements still clumsy. He grabbed the horse's reins and fell to the back of the team of officers and soldiers. Looking forward, he saw the heroic figure of the general already buried in the dust.

The team went to the Leading Guard first, and Li Yifu was already in a very miserable state. I don't know if it was because of the sun or the dust, but his whole face was sallow.

After Li Daliang mobilized a thousand soldiers and horses, Li Yifu followed this group of generals and headed towards the Hexi Corridor.

When leaving, Li Yifu was still very nervous, because His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not say much, just two simple sentences, and then asked him, a provincial ceremonial officer, to rush to the Hexi Corridor. If there was any explanation, it might be the letter he received before leaving.

In Chang'an, within the Secretariat, there were only a few officials who arranged the affairs of the court.

Li Chengqian packed up some documents and planned to take them to the Eastern Palace to look at them. It was cooler in the back hall of the Eastern Palace than here.

The other officials here were not in the mood either. Everyone was feeling depressed by the stuffy Chang'an.

Chang Sun Wuji asked, "After the court session, Prime Minister Fang went to see His Majesty?"

Cen Wenben replied: "Yes."

Chang Sun Wuji glanced at the prince who was packing up, and asked, "After meeting His Majesty, did you go back?"

"Reporting to Duke Zhao, Prime Minister Fang also met with General Li Daliang and seemed to have something to say."

Listening to his uncle and Cen Wenben's stories, Li Chengqian tied the documents into a pile with ropes, and then tidied up the tables and chairs here.

Soon, three eunuchs came in quickly. One of them was holding a black jar. He smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please have some iced sour plum soup."

Cen Wenben said: "That's great, I just wanted to drink some sour plum soup."

The eunuch served out bowl after bowl of sour plum soup. Yu Zhining just looked up and then lowered his head to continue his work.

Chu Suiliang took a sip of the sour plum soup, let out a sigh of relief, and said, "It's really refreshing."

There were a lot of ice cubes in the jar, and there was a slight cool breeze coming out of it.

Li Chengqian took a sip and found it very sour.

After the eunuch left the jar in the Secretariat, Li Chengqian stepped forward and looked at the little sour plum soup left in the jar. He used a spoon to crush the ice that was about to melt, and it became sour plum smoothie.

After distributing the smoothie to several people from the Secretariat, Li Chengqian took a bite of it and said, "It is indeed more refreshing to eat smoothies in summer."

Yu Zhining chewed his smoothie slowly and said, "Your Highness, the 50,000 strings of silver have been sent out with the army."

"Thank you for your help, Minister. Please go back now as the weather is too hot."

Yu Zhining finished the smoothie in the bowl, bowed and left.

Several people in the Secretariat left in twos and threes, leaving only him and his uncle.

Changsun Wuji looked at the memorials sent from Jiangnan, raised his head to look at the prince who was cleaning up here, and saw that the prince turned all the tables and chairs on the table, and then began to sweep the floor.

“You can let others do these things.”

Li Chengqian cleaned the floor swiftly and said, "I can clean it up better by myself, but they may not be able to clean it up well."

Changsun Wuji put down the pen in his hand and said slowly: "I will go back first."

Li Chengqian was still sweeping the floor with a broom in his hand.

Just as they walked out of the Zhongshu Province, Zhangsun Wuji came back and said, "Since Fang Xiang is the prince's teacher, you can ask him more questions in the future."

Li Chengqian asked, "Does my uncle think that I am too distant from my teacher?"

Zhang Sun Wuji put his hands behind his back and sighed, "It's because he is the most trusted by your majesty."

After saying this, my uncle quickly walked out of the Secretariat.

Li Chengqian was the only one left in the Secretariat. He tied up the documents he had read today and carried them in one hand.

After checking that there were no people or things left behind in the Secretariat, he closed the heavy door.

The hot summer sun seems to burn the world, and the distant scenery seems to be distorted in our vision.

After walking for a while, sweat started to pour down.

Li Chengqian returned to the East Palace and took several gulps of cold water. Only then did he feel the heat in his body subside.

The back hall was still a bit cooler. Xiaofu came over with a bowl of cold noodles and said, "Your Highness, it's time to eat."

Li Chengqian ate the cold noodles and asked, "Have your brothers and sisters eaten yet?"

Xiaofu nodded and said, "We have eaten them all. Your Highnesses like cold noodles very much."

Li Chengqian suddenly smiled and said, "It's hard for you to cook in this weather."

Hearing what the prince said, Xiaofu said with a smile: "It's not bitter, I like to cook."

There were still a lot of hair on her forehead stuck to her face due to sweat, and the girl's cheeks were red from smiling.

Li Chengqian ordered: "Rest early after you finish your work. You don't have to be busy at noon from now on."

Xiaofu bowed and said, "I'll take my leave."

Li Chengqian finished the noodles in the bowl in a few bites, untied the rope that tied the documents, picked up one of them and read it carefully.

Some of these documents were about news from outside the Great Wall. Fortunately, General Niu Jinda, who was stationed in Liangzhou, sent a memorial saying that people in the Western Regions were willing to exchange one hundred bars of unscented soap for one bar of scented soap.

People all love to pursue fragrance, especially something that can retain its fragrance.

There are not many scented soaps in Guanzhong. This year, Du He made a lot of rose soaps with stronger fragrance.

Rose, also known as Catharanthus roseus, is a flower with a flowering season lasting seven months, spanning both spring and summer.

There are actually quite a few roses in Guanzhong, so scented roses have always been the mainstay in Du He's soaps.

(End of this chapter)