The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 247: Aiming to Sweep Away Tianshan
Shangguan Yi explained: "Xu Shaoyin, now is not the time to blame others. We just need to rebuild it. We underestimated the flow of the river before."

A militiaman pointed at the river and shouted, "Look, the silt is blocking the way."

When everyone looked in the direction of the gaze, they saw that although the dam had collapsed, the silt underneath was blocked at the bottom of the collapsed dam.

Xu Jingzong's eyes seemed to be burning with fire. He shouted, "Everyone, follow me back and redraw the blueprint."

"Yes!" Everyone responded loudly in the heavy rain.

In a huge wooden shed, rain fell on it, forming a curtain of water in front of the shed.

Xu Jingzong was discussing with many officials from the Ministry of Works.

He also said that if the silt dam could not be built, he, Xu Jingzong, would not return to Chang'an.

In the rain, Guo Luotuo wore a bamboo hat and said to the King of Wei: "I am leaving now."

Li Tai suddenly turned his head to look at him and asked in confusion: "Leave? Where are you going?"

Guo Luotuo said: "I have submitted a memorial to the Crown Prince and will go to the Western Regions to plant cotton in person. If I arrive in the Western Regions before May, I can still plant cotton."

"You're going to the Western Regions?"

"I was the one who gave advice to the Crown Prince. Some things can only be known by seeing them in person. I will be back this autumn. His Royal Highness said that I can take my family to the Western Regions and live in the Anxi Protectorate for half a year."

After saying this, Guo Luotuo bowed to Li Tai and said, "I will take my leave now."

"Do Xu Jingzong and the others know that you are going to the Western Regions?"

"I have already told them."

With a smile on his face, Guo Luotuo turned around in the rain and walked towards Chang'an City.

Li Tai said to him, "When you come back, I will drink with you."

Guo Luotuo waved his hands in the rain, and his hunched figure was submerged in the rain.

The rain in March lasted for two days before it stopped. Li Chengqian learned that the silt dam was washed away the first time water was released. He knew that we should try everything. It doesn't matter if we fail once. As long as we accumulate experience, we will succeed.

He wrote the reply and asked Yu Zhining to deliver it.

Chu Suiliang submitted a memorial on the construction of the Anxi Protectorate.

This charter, which had to be submitted before the opening of the court, was delayed by Chu Suiliang from the winter solstice to the Lantern Festival, until March now.

Chu Suiliang said with a guilty smile on his face: "Your Highness, I have checked the files of the Hongwen Academy in previous years. I wonder what Your Highness thinks of the current regulations?"

Li Chengqian took a deep breath, picked up the memorial and looked at it.

Chu Suiliang stood aside waiting for the result.

Li Chengqian looked at Cen Wenben who was standing beside him and said, "Minister Cen, are you ready with the people from the Western Regions?"

The Minister of the Central Secretariat, Cen Wenben, replied: "Your Highness is ready, and you can set off now."

Li Chengqian put down his charter and said, "Very good, Minister Chu finally stopped thinking about building the Anxi Protectorate into the pearl of the Western Regions."

Chu Suiliang said: "I am ashamed that I did not consider it carefully at the beginning."

Li Chengqian took out another memorial and put it together with Chu Suiliang's regulations, and handed them all to Cen Wenben, and ordered: "Give them all to Guo Luotuo."

"Here."

After giving these instructions, Li Chengqian walked out of the Secretariat and saw General Zhang Shigui and another unfamiliar general standing outside the door.

"General Liang Jianfang."

Li Chengqian took a step and continued walking.

Zhang Shigui led Liang Jianfang and walked behind the prince. As they walked, he said, "Your Highness, General Liang Jianfang wants to serve you."

It would be a lie to say that I didn't feel frustrated because the first trial of releasing water from the silt dam failed.

But nothing can be achieved overnight. Xu Jingzong and his team's month of hard work was not in vain. At least they had blocked some of the silt. Now they just needed to sum up their experience, identify problems and solve them.

Li Chengqian put his hands in his pockets and said, "Join me? Why do you say that, General?"

Liang Jianfang said in a clear voice: "I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince sent people to the Western Regions. I am willing to escort them all the way."

"The troops going to the Western Regions are not going to fight, but to urge Qu Zhisheng to grow cotton. Besides, the military affairs of the Western Regions have nothing to do with me. As for which troops will go to garrison the Western Regions, we must follow the arrangements of my father, General Zhang."

Li Chengqian turned around and looked at him and asked, "What do you think, General?"

Zhang Shigui said, "I am going to the Western Regions to garrison there. His Majesty has already ordered that while building the Anxi Protectorate, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince must also maintain the supply of food and grass."

"Don't worry, General. I have arranged for the Hexi Corridor." Li Chengqian added, "General Liang, just follow the army's arrangements."

Zhang Shigui said loudly: "Your Highness, we need soldiers to escort the grain and grass."

Li Chengqian did not answer him, but walked straight to the Secretary General.

Outside the Secretary Supervisor, Zhang Shigui looked at Liang Jianfang and said, "Look at you, you are so reckless."

"The general made a mistake."

Since the Tang Dynasty conquered Gaochang last year, the emperor finally issued an order this year to build the Anxi Protectorate.

This time, General Zhang Shigui led 10,000 troops and headed to the Western Regions again.

Compared with the previous hasty attack on Gaochang, the Tang army was well prepared for this trip to the Western Regions.

The army rushed to Gaochang, renamed the original Gaochang Xizhou, and built the Anxi Protectorate in the south of Xizhou, with a garrison of 5,000 troops.

There was another purpose for this trip which was not mentioned in the imperial edict. This year, Dilish Khan, who escaped from the south of Ili River, sent an envoy to complain to Tian Khan about Yugushe's evil deeds.

Among them was an envoy from Yanqi who recounted Yugushe’s crimes.

The purpose of this trip was to prepare to pacify Yuguse's troops on the north bank of the Ili River. This battle could not be rushed, but should be carried out slowly after the construction of the Anxi Protectorate. First, they would win over the hearts of the people in the Western Regions, settle the countries in the Western Regions, and then, with the help of the countries in the Western Regions, they would level the Tianshan Mountains in a certain year.

The Tang Dynasty's westward advance needs to be gradual. Li Chengqian has the same idea as his teacher, which is to let his father make sufficient preparations in the Western Regions before advancing westward again.

After all, this battle is not as easy as attacking Gaochang, and the long marching route is a huge problem.

To this end, Duke Zheng proposed to the emperor to station troops and store grain in the Anxi Protectorate.

In Chang'an in March, my younger brothers and sisters all went out for a spring outing, and my father went with them.

My father has been busy recently. He went to check on the construction of the silt dam and went on a spring outing.
By the Taiye Lake, he takes care of the fawns raised by Dongyang.

In fact, Dongyang and Li Lizhi did not go on the spring outing. Lizhi and her disciples were still attending classes in the East Palace.

Dongyang continued to treat the elderly patients of the powerful families in Chang'an City just as he did in the past.

Li Chengqian took a brush and scrubbed the fur of the sika deer, saying, "Don't worry, your master has gone to see a doctor and will come to see you after noon."

These little deer were growing up day by day. As soon as Li Chengqian loosened his grip, they broke free and fled away in panic.

Li Chengqian said sadly: "They are only more obedient in Dongyang's hands."

Ning Er saw the somewhat embarrassed Crown Prince covering his mouth and laughing softly. The eunuch hurried over to report: "Your Highness, Minister Du wants to see you."

Li Chengqian wiped the water drops off his clothes and said, "Let him come over."

After saying this, he sat down at the stone table beside him, poured himself a bowl of hot tea, and Li Chengqian gently waved the round fan in his hand to fan himself.

Ning'er also retreated into the villa.

Du Zhenglun hurried over and saw the prince sitting alone by the Taiye Lake. He bowed and said, "Your Highness."

Li Chengqian drank his tea and said, "This year, the new tea from the two provinces of Jiangnan has not yet arrived. I can only treat you with old tea."

Du Zhenglun took the tea and bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness, for the tea."

"Are you here to help others persuade me not to build large-scale projects in Guanzhong?"

Du Zhenglun drank the tea in one breath. It was not like he was tasting tea, but more like he was quenching his thirst.

Now that the prince is over twenty years old, his eyes are sharper than before, and his conversation is more unfriendly.

This look was exactly the same as His Majesty's back then. Du Zhenglun subconsciously bowed his head and said, "No one is advising His Majesty to build a large-scale project now. Besides, His Majesty asked them to build the dam not for fun, but to regulate the river."

Li Chengqian tasted the tea and said, "When the emperor just came back from the Lishan camp, I went fishing for several days in a row. It was you who reported it to the emperor, right?"

Du Zhenglun bowed and said, "I have no intention of offending you."

"Yes, you meant no offense, you were investigating on the orders of the Emperor Father."

Du Zhenglun pulled the corners of his mouth and smiled reluctantly.

Li Chengqian whispered, "Why did you come to see me?"

"Your Highness, I heard that the Ministry of Personnel issued a document asking the Weinan County Magistrate to take up a post in Jingzhao Prefecture?"

"Yes, it was my uncle who gave me the document. Zhang Daan is quite capable and should be promoted."

"Zhang Daan has only been the county magistrate of Weinan for a year. Is it inappropriate for him to be promoted suddenly? Your Majesty asked me to inform Your Highness that many censors in the court have given advice."

"Well, thank you, Minister Du, for reminding me."

"There is one more thing, that is to go to Anxi Protectorate, Guo Luotuo. He was originally the Minister of Agriculture. Now that he is leaving, who will be in charge of the future?"

"Guo Zhengyi." Li Chengqian whispered.

Du Zhenglun thought for a moment and said, "I will report this to Your Majesty right away."

After saying this, he was about to leave. He turned back to look at the prince and saluted, saying, "I really have no ill will towards Your Highness."

"Okay, if you don't leave, I'll throw you into the Taiye Pond to feed the fish."

Du Zhenglun was shocked and frightened. He knew in his heart that the Crown Prince was annoyed with him, and very annoyed. He quickly bowed and took his leave.

The court ended its rest period, and each department continued to operate according to regulations to ensure the stability of the country. Various departments in the court arranged various matters.

Li Chengqian liked this kind of scene very much. Everything was done according to the rules. He stood up from the stone table and put the fishing line into the Taiye Lake.

Ning Er handed over a piece of zonggao and said, "Xiaofu has made zonggao again. Your Highness, please have a try."

After taking a bite of the zonggao, Xiaofu realized that her cooking skills were not very good and the zonggao she made was not as delicious as the ones bought outside.

Later she realized that it was a problem with the raw materials. She needed to purchase raw materials from all over the place in order to make delicious zongzi.

For Xiaofu, whose single-circuit brain makes it difficult for her to figure out this problem now.

Li Chengqian was eating zongzi while watching the fishing line rising and falling on the water. When the buoy was about to be dragged underwater, he pulled up the fishing rod with force and caught a huge grass carp.

After finishing the zongzi in his hand in a few bites, Li Chengqian picked up the fishing rod with both hands and pulled the fish in.

Empress Changsun came with Lizhi and Dongyang, holding a food box in her hands.

Every time the prince caught a fish, the deer lying in Taiye Lake would be attracted. At first, their attention would be focused on the buoy on the water. Then when the fish was caught, they would raise their heads as the fish came out of the water. Then, their eyes would remain on the fish, and as the fish was taken into the water pavilion, they would see a family inside the pavilion.

Whenever the prince went fishing, these deer would watch him from the side.

A legend emerged in the palace. Among the rumors spread by the eunuchs and palace maids, some said that it was these deer in the Taiye Lake that allowed the prince to catch fat fish every day, and that it was the deer that brought good fortune to the prince.

Some people also say that these deer just like to watch the prince fishing, and that deer have human nature.

No matter what, these deer have become a symbol of good fortune in Taiye Lake, and the eunuchs and maids in the palace need to take good care of them.

Li Chengqian put the fish he caught into the fish basket, washed his hands and said, "Didn't the Queen Mother go on the spring outing today?"

Empress Changsun shook her head and said, "No, every trip is exhausting."

Li Lizhi took the bowl and chopsticks out of the food box.

The fish that had just been caught was still turning over and jumping in the fish basket, and the family was sitting together eating.

Dongyang said: "General Qin Qiong is in much better shape."

Li Chengqian nodded and ate his meal without saying a word.

Dongyang added, "Today my sister went to visit General Qin Qiong. When she was taking his pulse, General Yuchi was there too. I heard them talking about bidding farewell to our father."

"There are many old generals around your father who are about to retire." Empress Changsun sighed, "They are all old. Your father lets them continue to serve in the army because he wants to keep them. Even if there is no war, your father can often drink and chat with them."

Li Lizhi put pickled mustard greens into a pancake, and then put some meat in it. She then used the pancake to sandwich the pickled mustard greens and meat and started eating.

This way of eating should be called roujiamo.

But Xiaofu and his sisters don't like being called that.

Li Lizhi sat in the waterside pavilion, holding a meat pancake, eating while looking at the Taiye Lake, enjoying this quiet lunch.

When her father was not around, she was always happy to eat next to her mother.

A eunuch came hurriedly and wanted to hand over the memorial, but seeing that the Queen and her family were having dinner, he did not dare to disturb the quiet scene at this time.

Li Chengqian ate pickled radish with millet rice and paid no attention to the eunuch standing beside him.

After Empress Changsun finished her meal, she watched her son eat quietly.

After Dongyang had her meal, she went to take care of her fawn.

Li Lizhi sat high up on the railing of the pavilion, holding a book.

Although Princess Dongyang was not born to Empress Changsun, the Empress took care of her as her own daughter.

Seeing her son still eating, having already eaten two bowls of millet rice, she whispered, "They all say that now that you are twenty years old, the prince will have even greater power."

Li Chengqian chewed millet rice and said vaguely, "They are just afraid that my son's power in the court will increase."

The wrinkles at the corners of Empress Chang Sun's eyes were already obvious when she smiled. She added, "The more guilty the ministers are, the more they are afraid of you. After all, you are the most powerful among the current princes."

Sorry, sorry, I'm late. (with an honest look)

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(End of this chapter)