The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 159 Father and Son Spring Outing
Hearing Li Daoyan's question, Xu Jingzong said with a relaxed expression: "I am here watching the rain, what's wrong?"

"You with this gang of villains?"

Looking back and confirming that Wei Chang had run away, Xu Jingzong said calmly: "General, you misunderstood. They have nothing to do with me."

Looking at these people again, he sighed again: "General, the young people in Chang'an City are really full of vigor and vitality."

Li Daoyan nodded and said, "Okay, this time you have an excuse."

Xu Jingzong smiled and said, "General, you have worked hard. I will return to Jingzhao Prefecture first."

This time, no one caught him in the act. Xu Jingzong seemed more like a spectator, so Li Daoyan had no choice but to let him go.

Walking in the rain, Guo Luotuo asked: "Those people..."

"That's their business. It has nothing to do with me."

"But Brother Wei..."

"He ran away a long time ago."

"And the militiamen who saved us..."

Xu Jingzong explained: "Don't worry, no one will be killed. After they are arrested, Master Du He can pay the fine and go home."

Guo Luotuo nodded continuously, "So Xu Shaoyin has already made all the arrangements. What about Brother Shangguan..."

“I don’t know what he’s going to do.”

The rain was still falling, and Shangguan Yi came to the residence of General You Wuhou, all wet. He quickly knocked on the closed door.

The doorman opened the door slightly and asked, "Who's here?"

"I am Shangguan Yi, the director of Hongwenguan."

"The general is resting."

Seeing that he was about to close the door, Shangguan Yi hurriedly said, "It's about Master Baolin."

"Let him in."

A heavy voice was heard from the courtyard.

The doorman then opened the door and invited the person in.

Shangguan Yi walked into the general's mansion, all wet, and took a deep breath to muster up his courage, all for the Crown Prince's plan for Guanzhong.

After pausing for a moment, Shangguan Yi walked into the hall calmly with a smile on his face, regardless of how wet he was.

Yuchi Gong was wearing a round-necked robe and was trimming his beard with a knife in front of the mirror.

Shangguan Yi stood in the hall, bowing, with water drops dripping down his clothes.

Yuchi Gong glanced at him and said, "Speak."

Shangguan Yi put away his salute and said, "Did the general ask the Yuchi family to move their workshop outside the Great Wall a few days ago?"

Yuchi Gong said in a deep voice: "That is the property of my wife and I. I don't care about this kind of thing. Last autumn, Empress Zhangsun met with several ladies and agreed to move the property out of Guanzhong together. I also had people do it, but she died early. It was all my orders."

"That's right." Shangguan Yi took two steps back and forth, leaving wet footprints on the ground. His official boots were soaked through. He continued, "Half an hour ago, Master Baolin brought a group of soldiers and planned to beat Xu Shaoyin."

Hearing this, Yuchi Gong's expression turned cold. He stabbed the knife in his hand heavily on the table and said angrily: "This rebellious son! I have repeatedly warned him."

Shangguan Yi added: "General, fortunately Xu Shaoyin is fine, and the soldiers arrived in time. This incident is only a conflict between Master Baolin's troops and the civilians, and has nothing to do with Jingzhao Prefecture."

Yuchi Gong stared at the man in front of him and said, "Didn't you just say that you were going after Xu Jingzong?"

"of course."

"Then why do you speak like this?"

"General, as long as Xu Shaoyin denies it, this matter has nothing to do with Jingzhao Prefecture."

"I will teach this kid a lesson myself."

"General, there are still powerful people in the counties of Guanzhong. You are not the only one who has complaints against the counties of Guanzhong."

"What do you mean?"

Shangguan Yi smiled and said, "Try not to make a big fuss about this matter. The general's workshop will be moved out of Guanzhong, and Jingzhao Prefecture can give compensation."

Yuchi Gong waved his sleeves and said, "No need! Since it is my son who caused the trouble, he must be taught a lesson."

"This matter is not a big deal, but it is not a small one either. I hope the general will keep a close eye on it. If it happens again, Jingzhao Prefecture will no longer show mercy to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Thank you!" Yuchi Gong said loudly.

"Farewell."

After everyone walked out of the door, the outer door was closed again.

After a while, the originally imposing Yuchi Gong became a little depressed. He said with an annoyed look, "Baolin really never learns from his mistakes."

The servant at the side said: "General, even if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince considers the relationship between the General and His Majesty, the people under His Royal Highness the Crown Prince... will not show any mercy. Xu Jingzong and Shangguan Yi may seem to be the Crown Prince's followers, but they are very smart. At that time, Chencang Commander Yu Ning was beaten to death by Liu Rengui..."

Yuchi Gong said angrily: "Bring the rebellious son here."

In fact, after General Yuchi’s wife Su Qiao passed away, he never remarried.

Master Baolin lost his mother at a young age, and because of General Yuchi's doting, the child developed a domineering personality.

Soon, Yuchi Baolin was escorted back and knelt in front of Yuchi Gong.

"You are so brave!" Yuchi Gong kicked his son and said angrily, "Who told you to beat Xu Jingzong?"

Yuchi Baolin asked, "Father, are you also afraid of the prince's power?"

"you shut up!"

Yuchi Gong yelled.

Yuchi Baolin knelt on the ground with a stern face.

Yuchi Gong said: "Your mother passed away early, and I spoiled you in every way. I didn't expect that I would spoil you into such a rebellious child!"

Speaking of his mother, Yuchi Baolin lowered his head slightly.

Yuchi Gong said: "Someone come!"

The servant hurriedly asked, "What do you want, General?"

"Take this bastard to kneel before his mother's tablet."

"Here!"

Yuchi Gong walked quickly outside the palace, and the servant followed him and asked, "Where are you going, General?"

"I failed to discipline my son properly. This rebellious son has offended the Jingzhao government several times. I am going to apologize for my crime."

The spring rain is still falling, and the rain is constantly washing the palaces.

Ning'er stood beside His Highness, looking at the rain in silence.

In fact, there is just a wall in front of the East Palace and there is nothing to see, but the sound of rain can calm people's hearts.

Li Chengqian said: "I heard that the warm spring in the south of the Yellow River has come early recently, which is why the spring rain in Guanzhong came early."

Ning Er said, "Your Highness, the warm spring has come early, and the mulberry trees have sprouted early. There will definitely be more silk this year."

Li Chengqian sat under the eaves and caught some of the rain falling from the eaves.

The smell of food came from the kitchen nearby. Xiaofu was already preparing dinner.

"I think we can't take it lightly. This kind of weather is likely to bring about a late spring cold snap. According to the news from Mobei, it's still snowing there. The cold air in the north is still accumulating, so we can't farm at this time."

Ning Er smiled and said, "When did Your Highness learn all this knowledge?"

Li Chengqian sighed, "There are so many books in the East Palace. I just flipped through them and took note."

Ning'er reached out to fold up the hem of her light blue skirt and sat down. She picked up the kettle on the stove and poured a bowl of hot tea, watching the boiling water pour into the bowl. Then she put the kettle back on the stove. The tea was still steaming, and it was too hot to drink at this time, so she needed to let it sit for a while.

Ning Er continued, "I have read all of your books, Your Highness."

Li Chengqian compromised and said, "Okay, I remembered it wrongly. It was Taoist Li Chunfeng who told me."

"If there really is a late spring cold snap in various parts of the Central Plains, then Taoist Priest Li is truly an expert."

Seeing Ning'er's half-smile beside him, Li Chengqian felt in his heart that he couldn't fool her. His mother's good helper was indeed powerful.

Ning Er whispered, "Yesterday I went to see the Queen and heard something from her."

"What did the Queen Mother say?" Li Chengqian picked up the tea bowl, drank the tea quietly, and asked while looking straight ahead.

"The Queen said that when His Highness was seriously ill, Your Majesty was in Shanglin Garden. At that time, Your Majesty prayed to God to have mercy on the thousands of people in Guanzhong, and then His Highness the Crown Prince recovered from his illness."

"Yeah." Li Chengqian responded.

Ning'er sat quietly aside with a smile on her face.

A palace maid came running over and said, "Your Highness is in trouble."

Li Chengqian put down the tea bowl in his hand and asked calmly, "What's wrong?"

"Yes...something happened to General Yuchi's son."

"speak."

After she finished explaining the whole story, Li Chengqian asked, "Did Shangguan Yi go to see General Yuchi?"

"That's what the rumor is."

"How is the general now?"

"I was kneeling outside the Ganlu Palace, but now I am invited into the palace."

Li Chengqian reached out and caught some more rainwater, saying, "It's okay then. Sister Ning'er, take her to change her clothes and give her a cup of hot tea to ward off the cold."

"Here."

Ning'er looked at the palace maid's wet dress and led her to change her clothes.

The next day, after the rain stopped, the sky was still gloomy and Guanzhong still welcomed a late spring cold snap.

Those weeds that try to sprout can only sway in the cold wind and will soon be frozen to death.

The news spread throughout the court and the public that Yuchi Gong punished himself by confining himself to his room for half a month, and Yuchi Baolin was sent back to his hometown in Shuozhou and was kept under surveillance from then on.

The rain had just stopped and the cold wind from the north made people shiver.

When the morning court began, stalls were set up at several important intersections of Zhuque Street in Chang'an City, and people came to "lecture".

It was said to be a lecture, but to more people it was just a chat between Jingzhao Prefecture and these villagers.

Most people think so, and it’s quite interesting to listen to a few words in your spare time.

This makes Chongwenguan look less like a Chongwenguan. No other students can be found there so far, and the hall is deserted with no one visiting.

Di Zhixun walked out of the empty Chongwenguan with great interest. Today he was going to give lectures with his son.

Chongwenguan is a very good place to stay, although the father and son are very poor and will be in a tight financial situation before His Royal Highness the Crown Prince pays the monthly allowance to Chongwenguan this month.

"Renjie!" A voice came from the other end of the street.

Di Renjie looked back and saw Jin Wang Li Zhi and Ji Wang Li Shen.

The father and son stopped.

Li Zhi was followed by a group of guards. He handed over a scroll and said, "This is for you."

Di Renjie took the scroll, which was made of paper strung together with a thin thread, and whispered, "The boy can't read."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "I don't recognize all of them either. You can ask someone to read them to you."

Di Renjie looked up at his father who was bowing to the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Ji. Now Di Zhixun was as respectful as he could be.

Di Renjie held the collection of Eastern Palace stories in his arms and nodded, "Thank you, Your Highness Prince Jin, for your gift."

Li Shen said anxiously, "Brother, please go back quickly. If I find out, I will probably scold you again."

As they were about to return to the East Palace to listen to the lecture given by the Imperial Sister, Li Zhi said again: "You must watch it."

Di Renjie nodded and said, "I will definitely watch it, kid."

Watching Jin Wang Li Zhi and Ji Wang Li Shen running away, Di Renjie said to his father who was still bowing, "Dad, they've gone far away."

Di Zhixun then put away his posture, "What book did His Highness give you? Show it to your father."

Seeing that his son was still reluctant to part with it, Di Zhixun said, "Dad won't sell it."

Di Renjie said, "No, Dad, go give lectures first."

Dickson turned and walked to the other side.

Di Renjie followed his father, holding the book in his arms.

This late spring cold snap in Guanzhong lasted for half a month before it ended.

The temperature in Guanzhong starts to warm up in April, which is the busy farming season and the time when all things come to life. The scenery in Guanzhong is very beautiful.

By mid-April, the teams of the twelve counties in Guanzhong were almost completely replaced by Jingzhao Prefecture. Even the teams of the few counties that remained were mixed with many people from Jingzhao Prefecture.

There are now 65 officials in Jingzhao Prefecture, which is twice the number in the seventh year of Zhenguan.

In contrast, there were only four people in the Chongwenguan built under the supervision of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, namely Mr. Wen, Yan Qinli, Di Zhixun, and Xu Jingzong, the Shaoyin of Jingzhao Prefecture who was still in office.

Up to this point, no one had joined Chongwenguan.

Today, the weather is fine. Li Chengqian asked General Li Ji to prepare a carriage and go to various counties to check the situation, because cotton and grapes are also planted at this time of year.

Regarding the Crown Prince's performance in Guanzhong this year, the Crown Prince, who likes to inspect personally, does so as usual.

No one in the counties can try to fool the prince, because no one knows when the prince will visit the counties to inspect.

Li Chengqian walked outside the Xuanwu Gate and saw another carriage. He asked curiously, "General, which carriage is this..."

Li Ji replied: "This is prepared for your majesty."

"Really? Father, are you going to inspect the counties as well?"

"His Majesty said he wanted to go out and relax, for a spring outing."

"Ow."

Li Ji added: "It should not be on the way."

Guanzhong welcomed the warm spring, and the sound of birds singing increased. Li Chengqian looked up at the birds flying into the palace wall. He didn't know what kind of birds they were, but they looked very beautiful.

Li Chengqian was standing outside the Xuanwu Gate when he saw a group of people walking towards him. It was his father, the emperor, who was escorted by General Yuchi.

Li Shimin strode over and said, "I'm going out for a walk to relax."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "I envy your father's leisurely and carefree attitude."

"Why?" Li Shimin looked at his son, who was now as tall as himself, and asked, "Don't you have the time to do this?"

"I am concerned about the development of each county, how dare I neglect it."

"Haha..." Li Shimin said with a smile: "I heard that you have been practicing martial arts with Mao Gong and Li Chunfeng recently? How is the practice going?"

Li Chengqian looked at the bird that had landed on the top of the carriage with his hands in his pockets and replied, "I am too stupid to learn. I only know some simple techniques. Moreover, I wanted to learn from Li Chunfeng, but he insisted that I become a Taoist before he would teach me. It's really abominable."

General Yuchi, who had long since ended his self-punishment and had been reinstated, stood aside and said, "Master Li Chunfeng has always been like this."

Li Chengqian said with emotion: "He has his principles and stance. I cannot force him. As long as he does his best to help Qingque compile the Comprehensive Geography, that will be fine."

(End of this chapter)