The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 162 The Little Princess and Taoist Priest Li

Whatever Li Yifu said, the censors would record it.

Like a prisoner, he was being interrogated by them. An hour later, Li Yifu finally walked out of the room with a dark face, and kicked a stone away angrily.

This feeling of oppression made him feel very uncomfortable.

Now Li Yifu misses the person who helped him in Chang'an City.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

Hearing this, Li Yifu looked at Duan Zan who was walking towards him and hurriedly bowed and said, "Greetings, Imperial Censor Duan."

"The matter of the four counties in Hexi is simple. In fact, you have arranged it very well, especially after letting these Tuyuhun people gain something from their hard work, they praised the Heavenly Khan."

Li Yifu lowered his head and said, "That was all arranged by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Duan Zan was only in his early thirties. He patted Li Yifu on the back and said with a smile, "Don't be resentful. Do you know how His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is doing now?"

"How is the prince?" Li Yifu asked subconsciously.

"On the way here, I heard that the prince opened Chongwen Hall, built Guanzhong, and was in charge of agricultural affairs in Guanzhong. The prince's disciples included Xu Jingzong, Shangguan Yi, Di Zhixun, and Yan Qinli."

"Where's Pei Xingjian?"

Hearing his question, Duan Zan smiled and said, "I heard he was the county lieutenant of Weinan County."

Li Yifu's expression relaxed a little, "So he is still the county lieutenant."

"However, he should be promoted to county magistrate soon."

Li Yifu's expression became even more solemn, and he looked eagerly in the direction of Chang'an.

"I've been in the Hexi Corridor for a year. I want to know how you managed to hold on."

"Replying to Censor Duan, I actually wanted to go back the day after I came here. I had this thought countless times. I spent a day here and then gritted my teeth and persevered for a few more days."

Duan Zan smiled and said, "You persisted like this for a year?"

"Exactly."

Duan Zan patted him on the back again, smiled and walked up to the city wall nearby.

Li Yifu stood where he was, transformed his complicated emotions into motivation to supervise the work of the Tuyuhun people, and walked quickly towards the Wuwei County which was under construction.

This is the second city gate to be completed this year.

Inside the tower, Li Daliang was reading the military newspaper. When he saw someone coming, he glanced outside, then continued reading the newspaper and whispered, "What do you think of this Li Yifu?"

Duan Zan smiled and said, "He probably wants to finish his five years of hardship here and then return to Chang'an to receive rewards and promotions."

Li Daliang nodded without objection.

"But people like Li Yifu may not be given important positions."

"Your Majesty doesn't like him?"

"No." Duan Zan continued, "Because such a person would not have a place in the hands of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"But he did build the four counties in Hexi after all."

Duan Zan said casually: "Anyone else can do this, right?"

Li Daliang nodded silently.

He went on to say: "Look at the group of people under the crown prince's command. Although Xu Jingzong is domineering, he knows his limits from beginning to end. He will not give in to others, and he will not back down in the face of the powerful. He is a cruel official with a kind of blood in him, which is rare."

"And Shangguan Yi, too. He experienced the Jiangdu Mutiny and knows how Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty died. He also saw how Yu Wenzhi killed his family. As long as the crown prince is wise enough, he will do his utmost to protect the crown prince and will be the most loyal person in the hands of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"As for Li Yifu..." Duan Zan smiled and said, "He is still young and lacks experience. With the temperament of the current crown prince, after he brings honor to the family, His Royal Highness will give him the hardest and most tiring tasks to do."

He smiled again and whispered, "What do you think, General?"

Li Daliang said calmly: "I am not good at identifying and employing people."

After the first day of supervision, the censors had already drafted the documents and had them sent to Chang'an.

At this moment, it was May in Chang'an, and Li Chengqian ordered people to clean the villa garden by Taiye Lake, because his father was going to prepare to escape the summer heat, which would be in the next two months sooner or later.

Outside the East Palace, Li Chengqian was practicing fighting skills with Li Ji. Taoist Li Chunfeng was always watching from the side and occasionally giving some pointers.

The four-year-old little Sizi came running over in a red dress, hugged her brother's legs and giggled.

Li Chengqian was sweating at the moment. His mother was in the East Palace helping his younger brothers and sisters measure their heights and preparing to make new clothes. This girl took the opportunity to run out.

Li Chengqian picked her up and asked, "What do you want to see my brother?"

Little Sizi whispered, "Play with the windmill."

"Grandpa, where's the windmill?"

Li Yuan was tasting the new tea that was delivered this year, and came back to his senses and said, "I'll go and take a look."

After saying that, the old man walked into the Chongwen Hall, and after searching for a while, he found a windmill.

Little Sizi stretched out his small hand, took the windmill, and played with it happily.

Li Chunfeng observed the little princess's complexion and said, "Your Highness, can I take the little princess's pulse?"

Li Chengqian looked down at her and said, "How about letting Taoist Li take your pulse?"

Li Ji also wiped the sweat from his forehead. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was not fast in learning fighting techniques, but fortunately he had practiced archery for many years and his physical foundation was very good.

If he encounters someone he cannot defeat, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince can fight with him. The Crown Prince has great endurance, and he can make the opponent exhausted just by fighting with him.

If you can't win, just run away. Looking at the army, when it comes to long-distance running, there are probably few people who can match the prince.

Li Chunfeng placed two fingers on the little princess's wrist, carefully feeling her pulse, and then felt her heartbeat with his hand, frowning and saying nothing.

Li Chengqian asked: "How is Xiao Sizi's health?"

Li Chunfeng looked solemn, "Your Highness, can I have a word with you for a moment?"

After handing the little Sizi in his arms to his grandfather, Li Chengqian followed the Taoist priest to the side and asked, "Master, please speak frankly."

Li Chunfeng pondered, paced back and forth, and whispered: "The little princess's pulse is different from that of ordinary people. I have seen people with congenital defects when I traveled around the Central Plains before. Later, I learned from Taoist Master Yuan that if a person is raised in a Taoist sect until he reaches adulthood, his congenital defects will be made up as he grows up."

Li Chengqian turned around and looked at Xiao Sizi.

Li Chunfeng bowed and said, "When the little princess is five years old, can I accept her as my disciple?"

"So the Taoist priest said that he wanted Little Sizi to become a member of the Taoist sect?"

"There are some things that I cannot explain clearly. Everything is just past experience. If it is effective, I am glad. Your Highness can consider it at your own discretion."

Li Chengqian shouted towards the East Palace: "Xiaofu!"

"Coming!"

The shout was loud, and a figure came running over. Xiaofu quickly ran up to him and asked, "What do you want, Your Highness?"

"Tell mother to prepare a Taoist robe for little Sizi."

"Yes!" Xiaofu ran away quickly again. The prince sometimes called people by shouting, maybe His Royal Highness thought it was too troublesome, even when calling Sister Ning'er.

Li Chengqian asked: "Xiao Sizi, does she need medicine?"

"I don't need to give the little princess any medicine. Practicing breathing can stabilize the heart meridians, eating Taoist food can clear the qi and nourish the blood, and exercising the body can strengthen the meridians..."

After talking too much, Li Chunfeng felt the prince's gaze and realized that he was trying to trick him. He almost said everything.

"Your Highness, I have said it many times that Your Highness has no destiny with the Daoist sect. Don't be obsessed. I will not accept Your Highness as my disciple."

"Master, teaching little Sizi is teaching, but teaching me is not teaching?"

"The little princess was able to walk when she was less than two years old, and could run and recognize people when she was three years old, and she could speak fluently. Although she was born with defects, she is gifted. Isn't this a coincidence with me? I will teach my skills to the little princess."

"I am in the Imperial Observatory, and the little princess can be raised in the palace. I will not let her travel far, so your highness can rest assured."

Li Chengqian bowed and said, "I'll be in trouble from now on, Taoist Li."

Li Chunfeng also bowed and said, "Your Highness, if the little princess can grow up safely and inherit the mantle of this poor Taoist and Taoist Yuan, Immeasurable Heavenly Venerable."

First, I said farewell to Taoist Master Li and General Li Ji.

Li Chengqian then told this matter to his mother and grandfather.

"Cheng Qian, actually the officials of the Imperial Medical Bureau mentioned this matter a year ago, but looking at this child..." Empress Changsun smiled as she watched Little Sizi running with the windmill in her hand and whispered, "She is so lively. The Imperial Medical Bureau said that we can only see the clues after she becomes ill."

Li Chengqian looked at the carefree look of this little sister and whispered, "Master Li said that Xiao Sizi's pulse is different from that of ordinary people."

"Alas." Empress Changsun sighed, "You are the one who raised all the children in the Eastern Palace. Mother also thought about letting you raise Little Sizi."

Li Yuan stroked his beard and said, "If Li Chunfeng was not sure, he would not say such a thing. Good fortune and bad fortune go hand in hand. Let's give it a try. If it doesn't work, there are still so many doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau."

Empress Changsun looked at her son and said slowly, "I want to give little Sizi to you to raise in the future. Look how well you take care of your younger brothers and sisters. Your mother and father have seen it all."

Li Chengqian picked up little Sizi again and said, "Sizi! Do you want to be a Taoist priest?"

She sat in her brother's arms and whispered, "Becoming a Taoist priest... can I still play with you?"

"Yes! No matter how many years pass in the future, I will be with you."

She put her arms around her brother's neck and laughed heartily.

Empress Changsun smiled gently at her children and whispered, "Father, look how happy she is."

Li Yuan whispered back, "Yes, what a good child."

She sat on the stone table, having a great time playing rock-paper-scissors with her brother.

After lunch, he went back with his mother.

Li Chengqian stood with his hands in his pockets, watching as his mother and Little Sizi walked away hand in hand, whispering, "Grandpa, I can't learn those unique skills of Taoist Li."

Li Yuan whispered, "There are many generals in the army who are the most valiant and brave among the three armies. You have no shortage of teachers."

"Have you been drinking too much wine lately?"

"I didn't drink much, just one bowl a day, and I sent a few pots to your father."

"I guessed right."

Li Yuan hesitated to speak. His eldest grandson had been asking him questions indirectly, and he found out the truth. When he thought about the matter of drinking secretly, he was anxious to explain it and didn't think much about it.

"Grandpa, you don't have to help Father like this. If Father wants a drink, can I refuse?"

"You two are really..." Li Yuan waved his sleeves and walked back to Chongwen Hall, muttering, "This really makes it difficult for me."

The supervisory documents of the Hexi Corridor were delivered to the court. Li Shimin did not pick them up to read, but listened to his wife's narration with a serious expression.

"Your Majesty, why not let Xiao Sizi give it a try?"

"Whatever, whether it's for the little Sizi to play with or to treat his illness, I allow it."

Empress Changsun smiled. In the past two years, her husband's ability to control household affairs has become weaker and weaker. The children in the family all listen to Cheng Qian, and her father's words are no longer so effective.

Even the older Qingque and Li Ke were respectful to Cheng Qian.

Only then did Li Shimin pick up the Hexi Corridor supervision memorial beside him. With Niu Jinda and Li Daliang stationed there, there would be no trouble in the Hexi Corridor.

After the completion of Dunhuang County, Wuwei County has begun renovation and is expected to be completed this year.

The eunuch handed over a memorial and whispered, "Your Majesty, this is the impeachment memorial from the Hongwenguan."

Li Shimin opened it and looked at it, and then he remembered that the current person in charge of Hongwenguan was Shangguan Yi.

It turned out that someone had passed a message to the censor, saying that Shangguan Yi, the head of Hongwenguan, had colluded with Xu Jingzong, the Shaoyin of Jingzhao Prefecture, to allow people from Jingzhao Prefecture to give lectures in Hongwenguan, and that many editors and scholars of Hongwenguan were taken away and incorporated into Chongwenguan, working for Jingzhao Prefecture.

"The people under Cheng Qian are really..."

When she talked about matters in the court, she knew that it was all bad things about her son. Empress Changsun picked up Xiao Sizi, turned around and left.

Li Shimin sat alone in Ganlu Palace and said in a deep voice: "Bring the prince to me."

"Here!"

"Wait!" He stopped the eunuch who was about to pass on the message, and Li Shimin changed his words: "No need to ask the Crown Prince of the East Palace, bring Cheng Fan to me."

The eunuch left in a hurry.

An hour later, Li Daozon ran to the Ganlu Palace with sweat all over his forehead, wiped the sweat with his sleeve, and walked quickly into the palace.

"Look for yourself and see what your people are doing."

Hearing this, Li Daozon took the memorial and looked at it.

Noticing his clothes and disheveled hair and beard, he asked, "Why are you so disheveled?"

Li Dao Zong wiped the sweat off his face again and said, "Xu Jing Zong got into a fight with someone, and I was inevitably beaten up while trying to persuade him, but he has been taken away and is being questioned right now."

After reading the memorial in his hand, he replied: "Your Majesty, I know what the impeachment is about."

"You knew that you still let Xu Jingzong do whatever he wanted?"

"Your Majesty, these editors who left Hongwenguan all volunteered, and they could not wait for their chance to succeed in Hongwenguan, so they went to Chongwenguan. They are nominally Chongwenguan staff, but actually work for Jingzhao Prefecture."

The corner of Li Shimin's mouth twitched. How could it be so roundabout?

The Hongwenguan borrowed the Chongwenguan area and then lent it to the Jingzhao Prefecture.

"Did Cheng Qian plan this from the beginning?"

"Your Majesty, this is probably just Xu Jingzong's personal opinion and has nothing to do with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

At this point, Li Shimin put down the tea bowl he had just picked up before taking a sip and asked, "Is this also the reason why Xu Jingzong fought with others?"

"It has nothing to do with Hongwenguan."

"Then why?"

"It was because Xu Jingzong took a few people from the Literature Museum away. The head of the Literature Museum was so angry that he took people to find Xu Jingzong, and a fight broke out. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei went to the Eastern Palace to apologize first."

(End of this chapter)