The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 163: Rod Responsibility
A sigh was heard from Ganlu Palace, and the eunuchs outside the palace all lowered their heads and remained silent.

Inside the palace, Li Dao Zong continued, "Conflicts are inevitable among the various departments in the court. Chongwenguan's actions were indeed a bit out of line, but the editors and students recruited here are all volunteers."

Li Shimin said in a deep voice: "Is it difficult for me to deal with Chongwenguan?"

"Your Majesty, this matter has absolutely nothing to do with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"That's enough." Li Shimin said in a deep voice, "Isn't it clear whether it has anything to do with the Crown Prince?"

Li Dao Zong slowly lowered his head.

Li Shimin continued: "Even if it was the Crown Prince's instruction, Xu Jingzong went too far."

Li Dao Zong bowed again and said, "It is my fault that I failed to discipline my subordinates. I am willing to accept the punishment."

Li Shimin said in distress: "Let Xu Jingzong restrain himself. Although the construction of Guanzhong is important, he should not act arbitrarily. You are the prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, so I will fine you three years' salary, and Xu Jingzong will fine you two years' salary."

"I accept the decree."

After that, Li Shimin felt that this punishment was not painful, and added: "You and Xu Jingzong will each be punished with 20 strokes of the cane, and anyone who participated in the fight will be reprimanded and fined."

"Cheng Qian is still young and doesn't know how to discipline his subordinates. The edge of a man like Xu Jingzong must be suppressed."

Li Dao Zong bowed his head and saluted, saying: "Your Majesty, I understand your painstaking efforts. Your Majesty punished me and Xu Jing Zong in order to protect the Eastern Palace."

"I am very pleased that you can say this."

"I will take him to receive the punishment now."

Li Daozon walked out of Ganlu Hall tiredly and hurriedly left the palace to find Xu Jingzong.

Whether facing the Crown Prince or His Majesty, I feel torn between two options.

After the East Palace and the trade affairs were handed over to Yu Zhining to take charge, Li Chengqian was able to have some free time and look after his younger brothers and sisters' homework.

Standing in front of him was Li Tai, who was explaining.

Li Chengqian whispered, "Qingque, this matter is Xu Jingzong's fault. It has nothing to do with you."

Li Tai said: "Royal brother, it was Qingque who failed to discipline the people in the Literature Museum."

"There's no need to talk about this between you and me, brothers."

Li Tai continued, "If my brother needs manpower, the Literature Museum can allocate manpower to the Chongwen Museum."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Chongwenguan has enough staff."

"Your Highness, General Li Daoyan of the Zuo Wuwei is here."

Hearing this, Li Chengqian and Li Tai looked at each other.

Li Tai whispered, "My brother hasn't told Father yet."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Well, it's best not to let father interfere too much in the affairs between us brothers."

The two brothers walked to the gate of the Eastern Palace and saw Fengyi Gate standing next to the Eastern Palace.

"Your Highness, Crown Prince, Your Highness, Prince of Wei, I have been ordered to have the Governor and Junior Governor of Jingzhao Prefecture punished with canings."

Li Chengqian kept silent with his hands in his pockets, his brows furrowed.

Li Tai whispered, "Was it arranged by the Emperor?"

"Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered the caning. Not only that, the Jingzhao Prefecture Governor has been fined three years' salary, and the Jingzhao Prefecture Junior Governor has already been fined one year's salary, and now he will be fined an additional two years' salary."

Seeing Li Tai's embarrassed look, Li Chengqian patted his brother on the shoulder and said, "It's okay. It's nothing to them."

Li Tai looked ashamed. Seeing that his brother didn't care about the matter, he felt a little embarrassed.

Li Daoyan led his two brothers to Chengtian Gate, saying, "Originally, this matter should have been resolved by this general, but someone passed the message to the Censorate, so His Majesty was informed."

When they reached Chengtian Gate, Li Chengqian and Li Tai saw two people being beaten with sticks.

As the huge wooden board was swung down, screams were heard in front of Chengtian Gate.

Seeing this, Li Chengqian walked closer.

Li Tai also followed.

The guards carrying out the execution saw the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei standing beside them.

He was shocked to realize that the person being punished was Xu Jingzong, the prince's disciple, not to mention Li Daozon, who was the elder of the prince and the King of Wei.

He perked up and slowed down the movement of the board in his hand.

Xu Jingzong was already sweating profusely from the pain, and suddenly he felt that the blow from the board was much lighter. He was about to scream, but he held it back.

Li Chengqian asked Li Tai, "How is the compilation of the Comprehensive Geography?"

"My brother, I have been greatly inspired by the guidance of Taoist Priest Li Chunfeng."

"As long as it's useful to you, is the Persian messenger from last time still here?"

"Still in the Literature Museum, but he doesn't know the Chinese characters, so he needs someone to teach him."

"For your trouble."

"Brother, please don't say that."

The two brothers were still talking in low voices.

The prince just stood aside and showed no intention of leaving.

The palace guards who were carrying out the execution became more nervous and more cautious.

The force was reduced several times in a row, and now it is even lighter.

Li Chengqian frowned and looked back, then asked, "What's wrong? Can't you use your hands to exert strength?"

As soon as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince finished speaking, two guards swung their boards suddenly and hit Xu Jingzong and Li Daozon hard.

The screams rang out again, echoing in front of Chengtian Gate.

Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction, turned around and continued to talk to Li Tai with his hands in his pockets, "Let's not talk about my Chongwenguan for now, are you short of people for your literature?"

"My brother, I have enough manpower."

"Brothers can visit each other more often in the future." Li Chengqian whispered, "After the grape harvest this year, I will send some to your Prince Wei's Palace."

"Thank you, Brother Huang."

"Ah!" Another scream came from Xu Jingzong who was being executed.

"Shut up!" Li Dao Zong gritted his teeth and endured the pain. The veins on his forehead popped out and his face turned blue. He gritted his teeth and said, "Just bear with it. I am being beaten here because of you!"

Xu Jingzong stopped screaming and endured the pain.

After the caning was over, the guards clasped their fists and saluted, saying, "Your Highness, Crown Prince, Your Highness, King of Wei, the beating is over."

Li Chengqian looked at his uncle and Xu Jingzong who were still lying on the wooden pillow.

Li Daozon's forehead was covered with sweat. He stood up tremblingly, supporting himself with the wooden pillow.

Xu Jingzong also stood up unsteadily.

Your Majesty's caning is very terrible, the kind that can beat someone to death.

Fortunately, the two men were not beaten with the stick for long periods of time, only twenty strokes, which inevitably resulted in skin and flesh being torn. If they had been beaten with the stick thirty more times, they would most likely have been left with only one breath.

Li Chengqian stepped forward and helped his uncle up with one hand.

Li Dao Zong broke free from the Crown Prince's hand and said, "Your Highness, I am fine."

Xu Jingzong also waved his hand, swallowed his saliva while enduring the pain, and said: "I am fine, even if those bastards come again, I will still take action to let them know that the people under the East Palace are not easy to bully."

"Okay." Li Daozon patted the shoulder of Shao Yin beside him and said, "This is a real man." The two of them supported each other and left the imperial city.

Li Chengqian stood there, looking at the two men's backs, and instructed Li Daoyan beside him: "Go to Du He's house and tell him to get some medical treatment. I still want them to continue to serve me."

"Yes." Li Daoyan also left quickly.

Li Tai bowed and said, "Brother, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave first."

Li Chengqian nodded and walked towards the Secretariat alone.

Li Tai looked at his brother's back, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and left the imperial city.

The sound of an abacus was heard from the Secretariat. It was Yu Zhining doing the accounting. The abacus had only appeared in the court within the past year, and its popularity among the people was not spread very quickly.

This thing is not difficult to make. Anyone who knows a little bit of carpentry can make it. Even a simple version can be made and you can apply what you have learned to other situations.

In front of the Secretariat, Duke of Zhao, Zhangsun Wuji, was playing chess with Duke of Li Wei, Li Jing.

Li Chengqian walked closer, moved a bench and sat down.

Li Jing looked at the chessboard and whispered, "I thought His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would not come today."

Li Chengqian replied: "I encountered some problems and came late."

"Xu Jingzong was caned 20 times. Is that the end?"

Hearing his uncle's question, Li Chengqian leaned against the pillar in front of the Zhongshu Province and whispered, "I know that my father is doing this to silence the public. Only by punishing Jingzhao Prefecture can the Censorate quell the impeachment."

Zhang Sun Wuji said with a smile: "Duke Wei, the current crown prince is so wise."

Li Jing whispered, "The younger generations are more capable than each other, and they can also reassure Your Majesty."

"Have you, Crown Prince, visited the fields in Weibei?"

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Yes, I have been there, with my father."

Although the current crown prince is in charge of the court's expenses, after these matters were handed over to Yu Zhining, it was not important for the crown prince to come to the Secretariat or not.

Even if the prince had not come to the Secretariat for many days, no one would say anything against it.

This was something the prince was aware of.

Looking at the crown princes of the Eastern Palace in history, the seventeen-year-old crown prince in front of him has done a very good job.

Therefore, as the prince's uncle, in addition to looking forward to the prince's ascension to the throne, he also hopes that after the prince ascends the throne, he can enjoy his old age with His Majesty or his old friends in the court.

"Uncle, I have something to ask you."

Zhang Sun Wuji looked at the chessboard in front of him, analyzing the situation and said, "Your Highness, just speak frankly."

"I want little Sizi to become a disciple of Taoist Priest Li Chunfeng."

"There's nothing wrong with that. The Sanqing Temple was originally dedicated to the Taoist ancestors. It's not against etiquette for a royal heir to join the Taoist sect. Besides, it's not uncommon for women to join the Taoist sect."

After saying this, Changsun Wuji found himself being made a general.

Li Jing said with a smile: "Assistant, your chess style is different from that of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Changsun Wuji covered his general and said, "Please give me some advice, Lord Li Wei."

"Your Highness's chess moves are fierce and sharp. All the moves of the chess pieces are for the final victory or defeat. Your Highness's chess playing method only focuses on the goal, and never considers the temporary gains and losses."

"But your chess style is different, Assistant Machine. Even if you have a plan in mind, once you lose the key chess piece, you will be at a loss. You have been retreating again and again. It seems that you make decisions calmly, but in fact, you are left with nothing behind."

Chang Sun Wuji placed his hands on his knees and sighed, "It is true that I cannot play chess with someone who has been leading troops for many years."

Li Jing stroked his beard and laughed.

Fang Xuanling happened to come out of the Secretariat. He looked at the chessboard and said, "Fuji, you really don't blame me for losing."

The setting sun shone on the people. Fang Xuanling rolled up his sleeves and said, "I'll play a round too."

Li Jing looked at the prince beside him.

Li Chengqian sat upright with his hands in his pockets, leaning against the bamboo behind him, and replied lazily, "I don't want to play chess today."

Fang Xuanling and Li Jing sat opposite each other and started playing chess.

Zhang Sun Wuji asked, "Your Highness, are you worried about the inspection memorials on the Hexi Corridor?"

Li Chengqian looked at the setting sun in the distance, "The imperial censorate's memorial was delivered early this morning. After father received the memorial, there has been no response until now."

"Your Highness, are you worried that you have trusted the wrong person?"

Li Chengqian said sadly, "I was worried, but with General Li Daliang guarding the Hexi Corridor, there won't be any major chaos. At worst, Li Yifu will lose his head and we can replace him with someone else."

Zhang Sun Wuji asked, "Your Highness, are you worried that Li Yifu has been replaced in the court?"

“There is such concern.”

The construction of the four counties in the Hexi Corridor is so large that it would be very troublesome to temporarily replace people at this time.

In my ears I could hear the sound of chess pieces rubbing against the chessboard when the teacher was playing chess with Li Weigong. The two sides played very quickly, eating each other's pieces.

Li Chengqian whispered: "If my uncle can help me, it would be much better if he sent a few more officials to the Hexi Corridor to assist Li Yifu."

Chang Sun Wuji sat down beside the crown prince, also looking at the setting sun in the distance, and whispered: "In fact, the news came when the court opened at the beginning of this year."

"what news?"

"The chief officials and even the governors of the four counties in the Hexi Corridor have some complaints about Li Yifu's way of doing things. This time, the court sent an imperial censor to supervise, not because Li Yifu built Dunhuang County, but because someone had received a secret report long ago."

Zhang Sun Wuji sat on a round stool. "Fortunately, Li Daliang is there to support him. Otherwise, it would be even more difficult for Li Yifu to be alone in the Hexi Corridor. Your Highness, do you need the Ministry of Personnel to send some people to help him?"

Li Chengqian shook his head slowly.

The conversation between the Duke of Zhao and the Crown Prince was overheard by Li Jing and Fang Xuanling who were standing by.

"We'll observe for a while. With General Li Daliang in the Hexi Corridor, my father and I can rest assured. Besides, there are people from the Ministry of War in the Hexi Corridor."

Changsun Wuji smiled and said, "Duan Zan is a pretty good person and can be trusted."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "My uncle also feels this way. I feel much more at ease now."

When it was time to get off duty, the sun was about to set and the officials left the Secretariat one by one.

They were wearing dark green or blue official robes, or green shirts or crimson official robes, and they all saluted to Fang Xiang, Duke Zhao, Duke Li Wei, and the Crown Prince in front of the gate of the Secretariat.

The chess game between the teacher and General Li Jing is still going on.

After everyone paid their respects, they left in twos and threes.

Yu Zhining handed over a thick roll of accounts and said, "Your Highness, these are the accounts you'll need for next summer."

Li Chengqian took the account and said, "Go home early."

Hearing this, Yu Zhining bowed and said, "I will take my leave."

Changsun Wuji looked at the chessboard beside him. In fact, the prince was very good to his own disciples.

When dealing with his subjects, the prince would not consider their origins or family background. All he would consider is their ability. The more capable the person, the more likely they would be valued by the prince of the Eastern Palace.

As for some obstructions from the outside world, the prince's behavior is also shocking.

The Eastern Palace has never been reasonable in its actions. If the counties are not obedient, they will be fired early and replaced soon.

When the chess game was over, Li Weigong said with a smile: "I shouldn't have played chess with the prince. It's much more fun to play against you guys."

Fang Xuanling said: "I miscalculated."

(End of this chapter)