The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 233 His Highness is Dissatisfied

Looking at the roll of paper tied tightly with hemp rope, it is a full foot thick.

Yu Zhining tore the edge of the paper and listened to the sound of the paper being torn. He asked, "This is different from the paper used in the court before."

Du He said: "These are the new papers saved in the past six months. The old papers were handed over to the court."

Li Daozon was suspicious, so Du He gave the paper to the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, who then gave the paper to the court for use.

This was something that almost everyone in the court knew. The amount of paper sent to the court was enough and could not be used up in a short time.

Yu Zhining explained, "I am here to buy paper for the twelve counties in Guanzhong. Each county in Guanzhong needs a total of three thousand feet of paper every month."

Du He nodded and said, "There are now 600 working villagers in Jingyang and 170 people in the papermaking workshop. We can increase the manpower to supply the counties."

Yu Zhining looked at the papers and said, "How about one penny per foot?"

Knowing that Yu Zhining came to buy paper from Master Du He of Jingyang, Li Daozon and Xu Jingzon did not expect that Minister Yu would ask for a penny per foot right off the bat.

Li Daozon was so scared that he wiped the sweat from his forehead. It was still a bit chilly in late autumn, so why was he sweating?

Wei Chang brought a plate of pomegranates. The pomegranates were broken open so that the seeds could be eaten directly and placed on the table.

Du He frowned for a long time when he heard the price, and said, "These are not recycled papers, they are all new papers. The price of old paper in Luoyang is also ten coins per foot, and the new paper here can be twelve coins per foot. How about it?"

Du He has made a big concession at this price.

Li Daozon and Xu Jingzon sat down, eating pomegranates and watching Yu Zhining and Du He start a long bargaining.

If this Minister Yu was not also the Prince's Secretary of the Eastern Palace, he would have charged one penny per foot at the beginning. People who didn't know would have thought he was looking for trouble and they almost took action.

Xu Jingzong was eating a pomegranate and asked, "Where is this pomegranate from?"

Wei Chang said: "We bought a lot from Gaoling County."

Xu Jingzong nodded slightly and said, "I heard that Gaoling County has grown a lot of pomegranates this year, and they are all this heavy and big."

Li Dao Zong put the pomegranate into his mouth and said, "Back then, one pomegranate could be exchanged for a cow. Now it's different. The pomegranates in Guanzhong are getting cheaper and cheaper."

Yu Zhining added: "Three cents a foot!"

Du He took a step back and said, "Six cents."

"Four cents!"

"Okay, then four coins! Give Jingzhao Prefecture three thousand feet of paper every month, which is twelve strings of coins."

Li Daozon sighed subconsciously, it was too cheap, this was not bargaining at all, this was simply robbery.

There was no point in selling land to someone who was openly robbing and someone who was openly giving it away. Xu Jingzong felt that it was more exciting to bargain with merchants from all over Guanzhong.

If it weren't for the construction of the workshop in Luoyang, Du He would not have as much money as before, and every penny counted.

In time, Xu Jingzong felt that the court would definitely buy all of Du He's papermaking workshops, and at an extremely low price, so low that it was outrageous.

The three of them walked back to Chang'an. The paper was delivered to Jingzhao Prefecture by a horse-drawn carriage, and there was no need to pay in a hurry.

Xu Jingzong walked to one side and looked at Master Du He who was still standing outside Jingyang County not far away. He sighed and said, "What a kind man."

Yu Zhining said: "The prince is dissatisfied with the current Chang'an."

Li Daozon put his hands behind his back and remained silent.

Yu Zhining emphasized: "Very dissatisfied!"

"May I ask Minister Yu, is there anything wrong with Jingzhao Prefecture's duties?"

"This has nothing to do with Jingzhao Prefecture. It's about the current situation in Chang'an." Yu Zhining explained, "More and more scholars are gathering in Chang'an City. In other words, these elites are gathering in Chang'an City and enjoying a comfortable life. Therefore, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is very dissatisfied."

Xu Jingzong perked up and listened to what he had to say.

"The imperial decree will soon be sent to Jingzhao Prefecture, spreading the vast majority of scholars to various counties in Guanzhong, or even more remote places, to engage in the cause of supporting education, in the name of supporting education."

Yu Zhining walked on the official road and continued, "This is the decree that the Tang Dynasty will implement in the next ten years. To teach more children to be able to read and write, to give them books, and to order Master Kong Yingda to formulate a curriculum. This is a major event."

In front of the Zhongshu Province, a eunuch stood in front of all the officials and said in a loud voice: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has issued an order that scholars will be arranged to teach in the Hexi Corridor from the east to Tongguan and Luoyang. Each county will have ten teachers and each township will have one teacher. They will be listed in the county annals. Anyone who volunteers to teach can enjoy a position as an editor in the Chongwenguan and can also participate in the imperial examination. The annual salary is 10 stone of rice and 500 coins per month. The rotation will be for three years."

"The success of the governance of Guanzhong is not the work of one person, but the result of the joint efforts of officials at all levels in the court. From the counties and townships in Guanzhong that participated in the education support to the vice ministers in the court, the salaries of all clerks will increase by 20%. The salaries of all vice ministers, including the nine temples in the court, the supervisors, the temple secretaries and the supervisor secretaries, will increase by 30%. The salaries of the ministers of various departments will remain unchanged."

After the eunuch finished reading the decree, he looked at the officials in the Secretariat and said, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has said that this decree will take effect immediately. It will be approved by Prime Minister Fang, Duke Zhao, and Duke Zheng, and sealed by His Majesty!"

After saying this, the eunuch left the Secretariat.

All the officials stood where they were, very quiet at first, and no one knew who said something in a low voice, and then everyone started talking.

In the eleventh year of Zhenguan, the court actually increased salaries. This was a rare event in all dynasties.

Everyone didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Everyone knows that the army brought a lot of treasures in the battle against Gaochang, but the money was not used to build a palace for Your Majesty, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not use it for entertainment.

Instead, it was used to build the city of Chang'an, and to increase the salaries of almost all the ministers below the rank of minister of each ministry, and even the officials in all counties and towns in Guanzhong.

Chu Suiliang shouted, "How dare Hou Junji rob Gaochang's treasures? I will fight him to death!"

"How can the money and grain of the court be plundered by one person? We must impeach him."

Xu Xiaode, the Minister of Works, watched the scene in silence.

The current prince is the Grand Administrator of the Shaanxi East Road. All areas along the Shaanxi East line, including Luoyang and Tongguan, are under the jurisdiction of the prince. The prince only gained power this year.

Now that the decree for supporting education has been issued, and with such a big fuss, the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace's goal may not be limited to the counties in Guanzhong, but may extend west to the Hexi Corridor and east to Luoyang.

This power was given by His Majesty. The prince has such great power, so naturally he has to do something.

Someone angrily slammed the table and said, "What you said is absolutely true. Hou Junji must spit out all the treasures he swallowed. If he doesn't, I will tear him apart alive."

"Where is Hou Junji?"

"Three days ago, a horseman from the Hexi Corridor reported that they had entered the pass! Most of them are in Longyou!"

"We left Gaochang in the fall, and it's almost winter, why haven't we arrived yet?"

A group of officials from the Secretariat shouted and cursed, and it looked like they were going to eat Hou Junji alive.

On the third day after the decree was issued, a large number of people gathered in front of Chongwenguan. Yan Qinli and Di Zhixun had to put aside the affairs of Jingzhao Prefecture and arrange for the people around them to teach in various counties and towns.

This was an unprecedented grand occasion for Chongwenguan, which had always been deserted.

The ginkgo tree in Xingqing Hall dropped its last dead leaf. Li Chengqian took the dead leaf and put it into the booklet, sandwiching it between the leaves of the tree. Hou Junji finally returned to Chang'an, but he did not enter the court from Chang'an City, but entered the palace from Taiye Lake to the north of the imperial palace to meet His Majesty.

Sitting beside the ink pool, Li Chengqian whispered, "How does the emperor plan to deal with Hou Junji?"

"Let's see what he says." Li Shimin had a serious face, holding an article in his hand. This was an article written by his son on work practice. Two years later, there was another article. This article emphasized that the cause of supporting education can break the collective control of knowledge by the gentry and the elite of the aristocratic families.

"Your Majesty, General Hou has arrived."

Li Shimin put down the book in his hand and said, "Bring it here."

The eunuch turned and walked towards a corner in the distance.

Dull footsteps were heard, and Li Chengqian looked up. Hou Junji, who used to be a little fat in middle age, now looked very thin, with a pair of eyes that looked lifeless, sunken eye sockets, and messy hair and beard.

He said in a loud voice: "This humble general greets His Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Li Shimin closed his eyes and stroked his forehead, threw a memorial heavily in front of him, and shouted: "Look at what you have done!"

Hou Junji lowered his head and looked at the memorial.

Li Chengqian whispered, "After Qu Wentai died, when Qu Zhisheng ascended the throne, the general still surrounded Gaochang."

"Your Highness, when I surrounded Gaochang City, I tried to persuade Qu Zhisheng, who had just ascended the throne, to surrender, but he refused. I ordered my men to throw stones and cut wood to fill the moat in order to break open the city gates. Only then did Qu Zhisheng come out of the city and surrender."

Li Chengqian asked, "So, when Qu Zhisheng ascended the throne as the King of Gaochang, he didn't surrender immediately?"

"Exactly."

Li Shimin asked again: "You exiled innocent Gaochang subjects, collected Gaochang treasures and took them for yourself, and lived in Gaochang's palace. Is this true?"

Hou Junji swallowed hard, closed his eyes and did not reply for a while.

Li Shimin stood up and angrily shouted, "Before we set out on the expedition, I repeatedly warned you, have you forgotten?"

Listening to his father scolding Hou Junji non-stop, Li Chengqian didn't know what to do for a moment while drinking his tea.

A eunuch came hurriedly to report: "Your Majesty, Minister Cen of the Central Secretariat is here."

Seeing that his father ignored him and continued to beat and scold Hou Junji, Li Chengqian asked, "What's the important matter, Minister Cen?"

The eunuch replied, "Cen Wenben said that the general is a meritorious general and should not be humiliated lightly."

There are still people in the court who are willing to speak for Hou Junji.

Li Chengqian replied: "Tell Minister Cen that His Majesty is still questioning General Hou and is waiting for his order."

"Yes." The eunuch looked at the emperor who was beating and scolding Hou Junji, and left with trembling steps.

After a long time, Li Shimin was tired of beating and scolding, and sat down exhaustedly.

Li Chengqian wanted to help General Hou up but saw that he was still kneeling on the ground, so he whispered beside him: "General, can you please hand over all the money brought by Gaochang, including the money collected by the other soldiers."

Hou Junji lowered his head with sunken eye sockets.

Li Chengqian said: "Father, General Hou conquered a country and is truly a meritorious official of the Tang Dynasty."

Then he turned to Hou Junji and said, "But General Hou, this battle could have ended beautifully, but something like this happened, which made it difficult for my father to make a decision. Considering the old friendship between the general and his contributions to the Western Regions, I allowed the general to enter the palace from Taiye Lake. Otherwise, how would we end this battle in front of all the civil officials?"

Hou Junji shouted, "Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty! I know I was wrong!"

Li Shimin closed his eyes and held his forehead, breathing heavily, and said in a deep voice: "Remove your military power and go home to reflect on your actions."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Then, Hou Junji took off his armor, leaving only a thin layer of clothes on his body.

Li Chengqian said again: "General, wait a minute."

Hou Junji stopped.

Li Chengqian took out a hemp rope and tied up General Hou's hands, and said, "Father, I will lend you General Hou for a favor."

Li Shimin closed his eyes and did not answer.

Li Chengqian took Hou Junji to Taiye Lake. One mile outside of Taiye Lake, they saw 5,000 soldiers who had returned from Gaochang.

When these soldiers saw the general with his armor taken off and his hands tied, they were all moved.

Li Chengqian led his men to the general and said loudly, "Comrades! Thank you for your hard work in coming all the way west and back again!"

The prince's voice echoed all around.

Li Chengqian continued, "I'm sure you've all heard the rumors in the court recently. The general is going to be punished!"

A group of soldiers were whispering and talking to each other.

Li Chengqian shouted at them, "Because the general allowed you to plunder Gaochang, the general is now being punished. As a Tang general, it is a great achievement to pacify a country. How can I let the general suffer injustice? I will not agree to it!"

Not far away, Du Zhenglun listened quietly to the prince's words.

"The general led you to conquer Gaochang. Now you can all get land and money. Considering the general's help and loyalty during the war in the Western Regions, please return all the treasures you looted from the Western Regions. Every penny you hand over will reduce the general's crime, and you can all return home safely."

Seeing that no one responded, Hou Junji, who stood still in the cold wind, said loudly: "The prince keeps his word. You can trust him. If the prince says he wants you to go home, he can let you go back."

Soon, many people took out pieces of gold and silver and placed them at their feet, and there were even some gold coins and jade.

As they took out gold and silver one after another, Hou Junji's expression gradually improved.

This matter is not a big problem.

Li Chengqian took out a list and said loudly: "You did not plunder Gaochang, but helped the army keep the money. You can go home now, but I still need your help."

A deputy general stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, please speak."

Li Chengqian said: "You have not been home for a long time. I hope you can go home to visit your family, rest for half a month, and then go to Jingzhao Prefecture to work. Chang'an City is being built now. I also ask you to volunteer to help me repair Chang'an City."

"Yes!" Hou Junji responded loudly first.

A group of soldiers saluted.

Then, Li Chengqian untied the rope that bound Hou Junji and said with a smile, "Okay, everyone, go home. I'll invite you to Jingzhao Prefecture in half a month."

Hou Junji shouted: "Go home!"

Although some people still had their eyes on the treasures on the ground, they turned around and left.

(End of this chapter)