The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 110: Grapes from Jingyang

Li Tai remained silent, standing there with his eyes closed and his head slightly raised.

Wang Gui said, "But if Kua Di Zhi is lost from His Royal Highness the King of Wei, what will happen?"

Li Tai waved his sleeves and said, "At worst, I won't write it."

Wang Gui whispered, "Then how will His Majesty view His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei?"

Li Tai sat down, covering his face in pain, and said, "Teacher, what should I do?"

Wang Gui stood aside and looked at the King of Wei as if he were looking at a poor child.

After another half an hour, Li Tai slowly said, "Just follow my brother's comments and take everything back and start over."

"Yes." The editors of the Literature Museum left in a hurry.

Afterwards, Li Tai seemed to have lost all his strength and leaned back in his chair, motionless.

Wang Gui nodded with satisfaction and said, "I am deeply pleased that Your Highness the Prince of Wei is able to do this."

Li Tai said weakly, "Time and again, how can my brother be satisfied?"

From the words, Li Tai had a feeling that if the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace tried to take Kua Di Zhi back again, he would probably go crazy.

Li Chengqian didn't know what had happened in the Prince of Wei's Mansion. As the emperor's elder brother, it was necessary for him to teach his younger brother Li Tai strictly.

The younger sisters all have good learning abilities, not to mention Li Zhi and Li Shen.

Li Ke’s ability to lead troops in battle in the army was probably the ceiling of his life.

Among his brothers and sisters, Li Tai is the most outstanding.

As the emperor, I am naturally proud to have such an outstanding younger brother. On this basis, I hope that my younger brother can be even better.

These days, the court remains in order.

The court's expenses returned to normal order, and most of these matters were left to Yu Zhining to arrange.

Li Chengqian was more concerned about the situation in the counties of Guanzhong, so he would often request files from Jingzhao Prefecture to look at the population growth in each county.

The court is still short of money, both for the crown prince and for governing the country.

If you don't have money, you will feel like a good cook cannot cook without rice.

What's more, he is a prince with inexperienced means.

Li Yifu should have left Longyou and was probably preparing to enter the Hexi Corridor.

When making arrangements for Li Yifu, the initial consideration was to try it out first, regardless of whether there was any result or not.

Use the person first, and as for his ability, it depends on his ability to get things done.

The Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace must trust the people he employs, and he learned this from his uncle. He first sent Xu Jingzong out to see his ability and then determine the future arrangements.

Fortunately, he is only sixteen years old. Li Chengqian feels that his greatest advantage now is time. At this age, he has more room for trial and error.

Even if Li Yifu messed things up, there was still General Li Daliang as a second-hand preparation.

This method is simple, but perhaps to his uncle or Prime Minister Fang, the decision of the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace seems very immature. Sending such an inconspicuous person like Li Yifu to the Hexi Corridor is to cultivate the confidants of the Eastern Palace.

Who can't see this thought?

Li Chengqian didn't care what they thought, nor did he need to care. Everyone knew it. Now he just wanted to make Guanzhong prosperous.

Guanzhong is the basic base of the Li Tang Dynasty. Only when this basic base is consolidated can the dynasty become stable and become stronger.

Therefore, Li Chengqian thought of many ways, such as sending scholars from the Hongwenguan to teach in various counties, or he, as the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, would work harder and personally guide the production development in various counties.

The fact is that no matter how beautifully you describe the future, the simple folks in Guanzhong are still more practical. It is hard to say whether they will follow you until they see the results with their own eyes.

The summer in Guanzhong entered July, and Xu Jingzong shed a tear as he looked at the grape trellis.

Drops of tears fell from his eyes, running down his rough cheeks, and the tears hung on his beard.

Xu Jingzong tremblingly picked up a bunch of light green grapes, picked a bean-sized grape and put it into his mouth, then began to sob again.

Xu Jingzong, a middle-aged man, was now hunched over, holding a bunch of grapes... He was crying with joy.

Shangguan Yi watched this scene. In the distance was a field of lush green grape racks. He shouted to all around, "It's grown! We've grown grapes in Jingyang!"

The villagers not far away cheered again.

Under the Kaner well, the water in the ditch is still flowing.

The cheering villagers of Jingyang shouted loudly, they wanted to spread the news throughout Guanzhong.

Xue Wuniang led the village women from Jingyang into the grape trellis and began to pick the ripe grapes.

Xu Jingzong gave Guo Luotuo, the Shaoqing of Sinong Temple, a big hug and said, "Brother Luotuo, you are a great contributor to our Tang Dynasty."

Guo Luotuo has a hunched back, so many people call him Luotuo.

Facing Xu Jingzong's enthusiasm, the hunchbacked Shaoqing of the Ministry of Agriculture said, "That's great, that's great."

Xu Jingzong calmed down, patted him on the back, and said, "Let's go and see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and let him eat grapes."

Guo Luotuo had a satisfied smile on his face.

Xu Jingzong ordered his men to load three large boxes of grapes onto a truck, and he headed for Chang'an City with Shangguan Yi and Guo Luotuo.

Li Chengqian stood in the Secretariat, sorting out the files with his uncle, and said, "Uncle, you should also take care of your health and go back to rest early."

Zhang Sun Wuji said: "My health is not as weak as Fang Xiang's, Your Highness can rest assured."

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Duke Zhao, Xu Jingzong, Shangguan Yi, and the Shaoqing of the Ministry of Agriculture are outside the door requesting to see you." The clerk in front of the door said loudly.

Li Chengqian still looked at the file and said, "Let them in."

"Here."

There were discussions outside the door. Li Chengqian looked up and saw Xu Jingzong carrying a large basket of green things in.

As soon as the people walked into the hall, Xu Jingzong wiped his tears with red eyes and said, "Your Highness! I used the karez and wasteland to grow grapes!"

Li Chengqian walked forward quickly and looked at the grapes in the basket, which still had leaves.

Shangguan Yi said, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince! It has been two years. I have waited in Jingyang for two years and finally planted grapes."

Xu Jingzong hurriedly introduced, "Your Highness, this is Guo Luotuo, the Junior Secretary of the Sino-Agricultural Department. When Your Highness asked the people of the Sino-Agricultural Department to come to Jingyang, this Junior Secretary Guo lived in Jingyang for half a year, taking care of the grape vines."

Guo Luotuo bowed and said, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty Guo..."

His words were somewhat stammering due to trembling.

Li Chengqian held his hand and said sternly, "Guo Shaoqing!"

Guo Luotuo said, "I am here."

"Great! The Tang Dynasty finally has its own grapes. I will make sure everyone in Guanzhong can afford to eat some grapes."

Xu Jingzong sniffed. It wasn't a good look for a middle-aged man to cry, but at the moment he was so happy that he couldn't help wanting to cry.

Shangguan Yi said: "Your Highness, please try the grapes grown in Jingyang."

Changsun Wuji walked forward, picked two or three grapes from a bunch and put them in his mouth, nodding and saying, "Well, they are really grapes, sweet but not sour, crisp but not sour, a good fruit." Xu Jingzong wiped his face with his sleeve, not knowing whether he was wiping sweat or tears.

Li Chengqian patted his shoulder, and also patted Shangguan Yi's shoulder, and said, "You two have worked hard."

Shangguan Yi said: "In fact, Minister Xu is the one who works the hardest. In order to take good care of the grapes, he almost lives in the grape trellis. From April this year until now, he has never left for a moment."

Li Chengqian nodded heavily and said, "You are all great, great!"

Xu Jingzong said quickly: "I just watched. It was Guo Shaoqing who treated the grape vines like his family. He used a unique irrigation method, which led to the current results. Please reward me, Your Highness."

"Okay, okay, okay!" Li Chengqian looked at the three people in front of him.

Guo Luotuo said: "I don't deserve the reward."

Li Chengqian said: "This is what I should do. I have another request."

"Your Highness, please speak."

"Please ask the three of you to write down the methods of growing grapes and compile them into a book so that more people can see it."

"Here."

Li Chengqian personally escorted the three people to the gate of the Secretariat and watched them leave.

Three large baskets of grapes were placed in the Secretariat. Li Chengqian asked, "Uncle, can Guanzhong become prosperous?"

Zhang Sun Wuji blinked, looked ahead and said slowly: "As long as His Royal Highness wants, we can become rich and powerful."

"I will bring the grapes to Father to see."

Zhang Sun Wuji said, "I will go with His Highness."

He ordered people to carry three large baskets of grapes out of the Secretariat and head towards the Xuanwu Gate.

By the Taiye Lake, it is still as peaceful as ever.

A large basket of grapes was sent to the Taiye Lake, and the eunuchs washed the grapes with the water from the Taiye Lake.

Li Shimin's eyes were between the prince and the grapes. He picked a grape and put it in his mouth and ate it.
"Father, the grapes have grown."

Empress Changsun asked curiously, "Chengqian, didn't you grow grapes in the East Palace before?"

Li Chengqian said: "Mother, I was ignorant at that time and thought things were too simple."

Li Shimin ate grapes and listened to the story. His son would still admit his mistake, but he was honest and well-behaved in front of his mother.

In front of his father, the emperor, he was unreasonable when he was tough.

Zhang Sun Wuji said: "Your Majesty, Xu Jingzong, Shangguan Yi, and the Shaoqing of Sinong Temple spent two years and several attempts to grow grapes."

Li Shimin wanted to laugh but restrained his smile in front of his son.

Li Chengqian said: "I have seen records in history books in the past that villagers in Guanzhong grew grapes, but many records have not been preserved, or have been lost or misplaced."

Zhang Sun Wuji said discouragedly: "Your Highness, since the Han Dynasty, some people have indeed grown grapes, but no one has ever been able to grow so many grapes with 60 acres of land."

Empress Changsun asked in surprise, "Sixty acres of land were planted in Jingyang?"

Li Shimin's mouth curled up, but he quickly stopped smiling and whispered, "You are never stingy when it comes to taking shortcuts."

Little Sizi ate a grape and said, "Grape."

Empress Changsun and the maid beside her all laughed and said, "Little Sizi learned how to eat grapes right away. It seems that he will be a child who loves eating grapes in the future."

My younger brothers and sisters also laughed together, and there was laughter and joy around Taiye Lake.

Li Yuan was wearing a plain white coat. He stroked his beard and said, "In this way, we can have as much grape wine as we want in the future."

Li Lizhi pursed her lips and said, "Grandpa can't drink."

Li Yuan said: "Grape wine is different from ordinary wine. Doctor Sun said that I can't drink ordinary wine, but I can still drink some grape wine."

Li Shimin sat down and said, "It was the arrangement of the Crown Prince that Jingyang could grow grapes. Cheng Qian, tell me what kind of reward you want."

Changsun Wuji also looked at the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

Li Chengqian bowed and said, "Father, I want to participate in the agricultural work of the counties in Guanzhong and take charge of the construction of Guanzhong."

"Hahaha..." Li Shimin said with a smile, "Why don't you just order Cheng Fan to give up the position of Jingzhao Prefecture Governor to you, the Crown Prince."

"I don't need my uncle to give up his throne. I just need to participate."

Li Shimin looked at Zhangsun Wuji beside him, and after seeing him nod, he said, "Farming in Guanzhong is related to the foundation of Chang'an, you know that."

"My son understands."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"Don't worry, father. Please also relax, uncle. I will not easily touch the farmland. I will also ensure that there is enough farmland in Guanzhong. On this basis, I will participate in the farming of Guanzhong."

"Okay." Li Shimin nodded and said, "Auxiliary machine."

Changsun Wuji stepped forward and said, "I am here."

Li Shimin looked at his eldest son standing among a group of children and said sternly, "The Crown Prince will participate in the farming work in Guanzhong, and you, the Minister of the Central Secretariat, will report everything to me."

Zhang Sun Wuji said in a clear voice: "I obey your command."

The prince participated in agricultural affairs and farming in Guanzhong, and also needed his uncle to act as a guarantor.

There is no way around it. My father always has a backup plan and will not let the crown prince make drastic changes to Guanzhong.

While the emperor was giving power, he also had to provide checks and balances.

No one can leave anyone alone, and no one can act on their own.

Li Chengqian thought about it for a while and said, "Father, I would like to ask for some more rewards."

Li Shimin was in a good mood while eating grapes. He nodded and said, "You say."

"Being able to grow grapes is the result of the joint efforts of all the villagers in Jingyang, and Xu Jingzong, Shangguan Yi, and Guo Shaoqing of Sinong Temple worked hard for two years."

Zhang Sun Wuji said: "Your Majesty, Guo Shaoqing can be promoted to the Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture. If the grapes can spread throughout Guanzhong, I will give him another reward."

Li Shimin nodded and continued.

As the Minister of Personnel, my uncle is naturally in charge of the promotion of officials. At the beginning, Xu Jingzong went to Jingyang with just one word from my uncle. Now my uncle is sitting in his position, and he can make Xu Jingzong come back with just one word from my uncle.

"Xu Jingzong, the magistrate of Jingyang County, is also the secretary of the Ministry of Works. He can now be promoted to the position of Junior Magistrate of Jingzhao Prefecture. On the one hand, he can continue to serve as the magistrate of Jingyang County, and on the other hand, he can help the crown prince with farming."

With just one word from his uncle, Xu Jingzong was placed in the position of the Eastern Palace's right-hand man.

"There is also Shangguan Yi. I have learned that he is the descendant of Shangguan Hong and is currently serving as the chief clerk of Jingyang County. He is also a scholar of the Hongwen Academy. He can be promoted to the director of the Hongwen Academy and compile agricultural books to see how effective it is."

"As for the East Palace..." Changsun Wuji bowed and said, "Your Majesty can decide the reward."

Li Zhi said: "Father, please give the Taiye Lake to my brother."

The child's unintentional words made the emperor focus his attention on Taiye Lake. Taiye Lake is very large, covering hundreds of acres, symbolizing the North Sea of ​​the imperial palace.

(End of this chapter)