The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 223: Secret Report from the Army
"How is your father's health lately?"

Because Cheng Qian was given more power, Li Shimin found that Li Lizhi was in a much better mood today, and she even asked about my health.

Li Shimin smiled and stroked his beard, saying, "Except for some old illnesses, everything is fine."

Li Lizhi smiled playfully and said, "Dongyang's medical skills are very good now. Next time, let Dongyang take father's pulse. Father and mother must take good care of their health."

Hearing her say this, I think my daughter will come to me for treatment in the future.

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Is her medical skill as good as that of the doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau?"

Li Lizhi shook her head and said, "Not necessarily, but how many people in the world can receive the careful teaching of Dr. Sun?"

Li Chengqian stood by the pillar in the Ministry of Chancellery, watching his younger brother and sister wipe the dust off, thinking to himself, is he, the crown prince, only two steps away from becoming the Minister of Chancellery, the position that commands all officials? Three steps? Four steps?
However, due to the father-son relationship and future generations, the position of Shangshu Ling would be a bit inappropriate in today's administrative environment.

When Li Zhi was cleaning up the debris, a few mice jumped out and he screamed in fright.

The mice fled into a dark corner and then quickly crawled into a small hole. Li Shen said, "Brother, they are just two mice. Why are you afraid?"

Li Zhi wiped the sweat off his face with his sleeves, dusted off his apron and said, "Don't be afraid."

Li Chengqian looked at the empty bookshelves. All the books and files here were moved out, and some secret matters were also hidden.

"When my father was the Minister of Chancellery, I thought he would come here often, even if it was just to take a look. It seems that he hasn't been here for a long time."

Li Shimin walked to the back of the official residence and said, "So many years have passed, I can hardly remember what those people looked like back then."

I followed my father into the backyard of the official residence, where various weapons were placed. This place didn't look like a chancery, but more like a guard house.

There were cobwebs on the old lance, the bowstring of the longbow had long since become loose, and the stone slabs on the ground had turned into gravel mixed with some dry soil.

Li Shimin picked up the horse spear, waved it a few times, then put it down and said with a smile: "That's where I drank with those people."

When he said this, there was a smile on my father's face, a smile I had never seen before.

"Cheng Qian, you should leave a place for yourself in the future so that you can reminisce more about the past."

"I am still young, and I have nothing to recall at the moment."

Li Shimin sighed: "Yes, you are still young, and it is the age when you should be full of vigor and vitality."

Li Lizhi also walked to the backyard and saw her father and brother talking in a low voice, so she went back to continue watching her younger brothers clean.

"Father, I want some files from the Western Regions."

"Once the treasures from the Western Regions are delivered to Guanzhong, they will naturally be handed over to you to take care of."

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "Many small countries in the Western Regions are built based on water sources, and water sources are extremely important to the countries in the Western Regions. I plan to spend half a year to understand the characteristics of the Western Regions' territory."

Due to climatic reasons, some geographical locations and river basins have changed.

Therefore, geographical data is very important, not only for the future, but also for the present, as it has extremely important reference value for the compilation of Li Tai's Comprehensive Geography.

Considering that the compilation of Li Tai's Comprehensive Geography has not been completed yet, if one really wants to write a geography of the contemporary Tang Dynasty, it will probably take many years.

The setting sun casts golden rays of light on the imperial city.

In the seventh month of the summer in the eleventh year of the Zhenguan reign, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince allocated another 300 strings of cash to Jingzhao Prefecture to build Chongwen Hall in Jingyang, Weibei, and Weinan.

In the future, Chongwenguan will be built in Tongguan and Luoyang.

In accordance with the principle that the government's decrees must be passed down to the counties and townships, in the past, all counties had to act in accordance with the instructions of Jingzhao Prefecture. Everyone knew that Jingzhao Prefecture and Chongwenguan were under the same roof.

There is no difference in essence. The students of Chongwenguan are not officials, but their words can reach Jingzhao Prefecture directly.

If you can reach Jingzhao Prefecture directly, you can reach the prince's ears directly.

This undoubtedly put tremendous pressure on the counties, making it even more difficult to be lazy or deal with government affairs.

On the streets of Chang'an City, the magistrate of Lantian County was pointing at Jingzhao Prefecture and cursing loudly, and the person he was cursing was none other than Xu Jingzong, the Shaoyin of Jingzhao Prefecture.

The reason was that Xu Jingzong opened the Chongwenguan, which was built in Weinan, next to the home of the county magistrate of Lantian County.

Now, as soon as people leave their home, even their family affairs will be known by the people in Chongwenguan.

As everyone knows, Xu Jingzong, the Shaoyin of Jingzhao Prefecture, was a cruel official and a petty-minded person.

When he was the magistrate of Lantian County, or even a county magistrate, he had a feud with Xu Jingzong.

Now that he is a county magistrate, Xu Jingzong still holds the grudge from the past and seeks revenge.

It can't be called revenge, it can only be said to be disgusting.

The Chongwenguan in Weibei and Jingyang are both located in the county center, but Weinan County is the only one that is so unique.

"This is clearly a conspiracy between the Jingzhao Prefecture Prefect and the Jingzhao Prefecture Junior Prefect! What are you laughing at!" The Lantian County Magistrate, Sanshi Shen, jumped up and shouted angrily, "Xu Jingzong, come out here, I will fight you to the death!"

Di Zhixun stood in front of the gate of Jingzhao Prefecture and said, "Mr. Chen, I have already said that Xu Shaoyin has gone to Tongguan."

Many militiamen sitting on both sides of the street started laughing. They had come to Jingzhao Prefecture to collect their wages, and when they saw such an interesting scene, they naturally gathered around to watch.

When County Magistrate Chen left, his old face turned red.

Di Zhixun added: "Don't go looking for revenge. The county magistrate needs a clerk from Jingzhao Prefecture to leave the county."

Having said this, the man had already walked away.

Di Zhixun was still the Tongpan of Jingzhao Prefecture. He was an honest man who was reliable in his work. He spoke his mind directly and never beat around the bush, and he had a good reputation in various counties.

In terms of personality, Di Zhixun was much more upright than Xu Jingzong.

But in terms of ability to get things done, Xu Jingzong is more capable than Di Zhixun.

No one is perfect, and Di Zhixun is very responsible in his daily life.

After the residents who came to watch the fun left, Di Zhixun walked into Jingzhao Prefecture, where Yan Qinli was reviewing documents from various counties.

Dickson sat down and looked around, looking for his son.

After searching for a while, he finally saw the fat son lying behind Yan Qinli, sleeping with a book in his arms.

"Government orders must be sent to each county and each county must be supervised. This will also be the case for Tongguan and Luoyang in the future."

Di Zhixun said worriedly: "It is said that it is not easy to be a county magistrate in Guanzhong. The mistakes of a county should not only be held accountable to the specific officials, but also to the county magistrate."

"The supervision of counties in previous dynasties has never been so strict."

Di Zhixun replied: "It's good to be strict, but it can't be too loose. If you are content with the status quo, you will stagnate and no one will think about the future."

Yan Qinli suddenly picked up his pen and asked, "What is your Highness the Crown Prince doing?"

Di Zhixun replied: "The court is on holiday, so the prince should still be supervising government affairs."

Di Renjie, who was sleeping soundly, suddenly woke up and said, "His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin said that the Crown Prince also wants to rest."

Di Zhixun and Yan Qinli fell silent again, each busy with their own affairs.

Jingzhao Prefecture was very quiet, with only the sound of shuffling papers and the occasional hawking coming from the street.

A soldier came to Chang'an City. He had just returned from the Western Regions.

After submitting the documents at the city gate, the soldier swaggered along Suzaku Street. He also bought a bowl of cold noodles on the street and ate it happily.

This soldier who returned from the Western Regions had a rough face, messy hair and beard, and he made a lot of noise when eating cold noodles.

One bowl was not enough, so he ordered two more. After three bowls of cold noodles, the soldier patted his stomach happily. His coarse cloth clothes were pilled, and his face and hands were dirty.

This is the second batch of soldiers returning from the Western Regions.

"Wang Wendu!" Li Daoyan walked quickly into the tavern and said, "General Su told you to go see him when you get to Chang'an."

Wang Wendu ate three bowls of noodles and wanted to eat a plate of mutton. He chewed and said, "Slow down, I'm full."

As he was speaking, he saw Li Daoyan standing aside with a stern face, so he had no choice but to put all the remaining mutton into a cloth bag. After paying the shop owner, he quickly followed Li Daoyan away.

He had to carry the bag and eat as he walked.

At that time, Wang Wendu followed Su Dingfang in the northern expedition against the Turks, and then was ordered by His Majesty to go to the Hexi Corridor to oversee the construction of the Hexi Corridor, and then followed the army to the Western Regions.

Now that he is back, he has to report all matters to the military.

According to Wang Wendu's military achievements, he should be an individual general now. This person is low-key and unknown. There are always some people who need to be the emperor's eyes.

He continued stuffing mutton into his mouth and came to Zuowuwei and walked in front of the Lieutenant General of Zuowuwei.

Su Dingfang, who is now middle-aged, wanted to resign several times, but was retained by the court. He is now serving as the General of the Central Army, which is a leisurely military position.

Su Dingfang was a brave general, but after defeating Jie Li, he lost his ambition. The northern border of the Tang Dynasty was stable, so he wanted to return home to enjoy the rest of his life.

Wang Wendu walked closer and said, "General Su, a great victory in the Western Regions..."

Su Dingfang stretched out his hand to interrupt him and said, "Where is the file?"

Wang Wendu handed over the file and said, "The deeds of General Hou, the chief officer of Jiaohe Road, and General Zhang Shigui, the front army, have been recorded, including their military deeds, which are all in the file."

Su Dingfang took the file but did not open it to read it. Instead, he put it aside and said, "Okay, after you get the salary, go to Songzhou Zhechongfu to do some work."

Wang Wendu hesitated and asked, "What position?"

"Guo Yi Du Wei." After saying that, Su Dingfang picked up a token and handed it to him, still with a nonchalant attitude, saying: "You will follow General Niu to Songzhou in the autumn."

Just as Wang Wendu was about to leave, he came back and asked, "Which General Niu?"

Su Dingfang said patiently: "Niu Jinda!"

"Thank you, General Su, for the arrangement." Wang Wendu clasped his fists and said, "I have found two good candidates for General Su during this trip to the Western Regions."

"Are there any good talents in this army?"

"Yes, they are from Hedong. One is called Xue Rengui, and the other is called Pei Xingjian. He was the magistrate of Weinan County before he passed the imperial examination and became an official."

"Someone under the prince's tutelage?" When Su Dingfang heard that it was the county magistrate, he quickly thought of the prince.

Because the relationship between the county magistrates and Jingzhao Prefecture was too close.

"It doesn't look like it." Wang Wendu shook his head.

Su Dingfang took out a pot of grape wine from under the table and handed it to him, saying, "I understand."

Wang Wendu took the wine with a smile and said, "I also met Liu Renyuan."

Su Dingfang said: "It's none of your business."

"I will retire at the end."

Li Daoyan stood aside and watched the people leave. He whispered, "This Wang Wendu is still as out of tune as ever."

"He is meticulous in his work." Su Dingfang picked up the file beside him, opened it and looked at it, and said solemnly: "I will go to see His Majesty, and I will trouble General Li to keep an eye on it."

Li Daoyan and Su Dingfang were of the same level and got along quite well with each other, so Li Daoyan agreed.

The Crown Prince’s rest is usually requested by the Queen.

Li Chengqian is in a state of half work and half rest.

Sitting by the river and throwing the fishing line into the lake, Li Chengqian planned to spend the day with his eyes closed and resting.

Li Lizhi sat aside eating a peach and said, "My mother said that we should talk less about government affairs during meals in the future."

"I know."

Listening to her brother's lazy voice, Li Lizhi took a bite of a peach and said, "There are a lot more fish in Taiye Pond recently."

Li Chengqian sat on a chair with his feet resting on the steps of the waterside pavilion, just lying there comfortably.

Li Zhi came running over and said, "Brother, there are a lot of melons sent from the Western Regions."

After that, he handed the cut half of the melon to his sister, and placed the other half next to his brother. Regardless of the sweat on his face, Li Zhi said, "Brother, go get it."

Li Lizhi shouted, "Don't get a heat stroke."

"Brother will be careful."

She said distressedly: "These two brothers are becoming more and more difficult to manage."

In fact, they were quite easy to control. Both Li Zhi and Li Shen were rather timid, and they behaved themselves after being beaten by Li Lizhi.

"You bastard!" Hearing their father's roar, Li Chengqian and his sister turned around to look.

My father threw a file to the ground and cursed angrily.

Li Chengqian continued to look as if it had nothing to do with him, looking at the peaceful Taiye Lake.

"Hou Junji, I trust you so much! When Qu Zhisheng is escorted to Chang'an, I will see what you will say."

My father’s angry curses continued.

Li Lizhi waved to Li Shen who was standing next to her father.

Li Shen, who was eating a melon, came over obediently, his mouth full of melon juice. He ate while walking and said, "Royal brother, Royal sister."

Li Li asked, "What happened to my father?"

Li Shen put the melon peel in a bamboo basket beside him and explained, "It was a secret report sent by the army. Father was very angry after reading it."

"What secret music?"

Li Shen shook his head, "My brother didn't see it."

Li Lizhi waved her hand and said, "Go sit next to the emperor and pour him another bowl of tea."

Li Shen nodded and ran back quickly.

Li Chengqian sat in the waterside pavilion with his eyes closed, feeling the breeze on his face and cultivating his body and mind. He was determined not to get angry easily in the future, as anger would only make him irritated.

If the practice of Taoism is used to calm the mind, Li Chengqian feels that this would be the best way to cultivate the body and mind.

Soon, feeling the force on the fishing rod in his hand, Li Chengqian opened his eyes and pulled up the fishing rod, catching a fat grass carp.

Li Lizhi said happily: "We have fish to eat tonight!"

From a distance, the emperor cursed angrily again and even asked someone to bring Hou Junji over.

Li Chengqian put the fish into the fish basket and hung the earthworm again. Since it was still early, he could catch one more fish.

My father no longer has the leisure and elegance to enjoy himself, and is pacing anxiously back and forth beside the Taiye Lake.

(End of this chapter)