The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 274 New Year
"Fire arrows!"

At the command, all arrows were released, but only three hit the target.

After breakfast, it’s time to do a thorough cleaning of the East Palace.

The younger brothers and sisters put on aprons and sleeves, divided the work, and started cleaning.

Li Chengqian was sitting in front of the Chongwen Hall, looking at a book. "Grandpa, when you became emperor, was this the book you read?"

Li Yuan stroked his beard and nodded.

"After reading this book, can you know how to be an emperor?"

Li Yuan nodded and said, "I think so. I heard that the former emperor of the Sui Dynasty liked this book."

This is a classic book called Records of Yao and Shun, which roughly tells the origin of becoming an emperor.

Or it could be about how people formed ethnic groups and how the imperial system was established at the beginning of the universe.

The content probably starts from ancient times when people were just savages. When language began to appear, people were divided into two categories: those who could speak and those who could not speak. Then good and evil appeared, and with good and evil, there were bad people.

A group of bad guys gathered in the mountains and killed people everywhere. Later, there were various ways to kill people, and gradually, various tortures such as cutting off the nose, leaving branding, or castration were used.

Then a god or a deity appeared and descended from the sky, granting power to a man, and this man became the guardian of the whole world.

Li Chengqian frowned as he read the scroll. As the crown prince of the Eastern Palace and the most authoritative heir to the Tang Dynasty, it was understandable for him to learn the knowledge that the emperor should learn in advance.

When reading this kind of book, one can't help but think of the most primitive and barbaric side of being human.

"Grandpa, is this book really about teaching people how to be emperor?"

Li Yuan shook his head and said, "How would I know?"

Li Chengqian smiled bitterly and said, "Grandpa, haven't you seen it?"

"Of course I haven't seen it. When I attacked Chang'an, a palace maid presented it to me. That's what he said. Later... your father also didn't see it."

Li Chengqian put the book aside.

The East Palace was still undergoing a thorough cleaning, and many beddings and clothes were being washed and hung out to dry in the sun, with rolls of books placed on the floor.

When the wind blew, the pages of the books on the ground were turned over one after another.

After a while, you can smell the scent of soap. Every time there is a general cleaning, the smell of soap will fill the entire East Palace. For the children in the East Palace, this is the smell of their childhood.

"Your Highness, these are the blueprints sent by the Imperial Household Supervisor."

Li Chengqian took it from the palace maid, spread out the thin paper and looked at it.

Li Yuan said: "It's already the rest season, but you won't let the people in the Ministry of Households take a break. You are such a heartless crown prince."

"My grandson gives them 500 coins a month, which is added to their original salary."

"Haha, this little money means nothing to you."

Li Chengqian looked at the blueprint and said with satisfaction: "Tell the Shaofu Supervisor to try to build it."

The maid took the blueprint from the prince and nodded, saying, "Go and give the order right away."

The current Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace is no longer the same as before. In the past, when the court was short of money, the payment of salaries was a priority. Now that the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace has been in charge of the court's expenses, the court's taxes have increased year by year.

Up to now, how much taxes and grain does the court collect every year?

Few people knew how much money and grain the prince was in charge of.

In the eyes of the civil and military officials in the court, no matter how much money and grain, the prince would approve it.

Even the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace waved his sleeves and increased the salaries of all officials above the fifth rank in the court by 30%.

The Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace could deduct all of a person's salary and confiscate it with just a wave of his sleeves.

For the civil and military officials in the court, there is sufficient money and food, whether it is the battle in Songzhou or the battle against Gaochang.

During the leisurely time of twelfth lunar month, the current prince's life after marriage is still simple.

The Eastern Palace was still undergoing a general cleaning, so Li Chengqian picked up his fishing rod and went to Taiye Lake to fish.

People should have spent the leisurely twelfth month in leisure, but looking across Guanzhong, there were always teams of people pulling carts of grain on the official road.

They transported grain from Xianyang County to Jingyang County, and then the militiamen in Jingyang County transported it to another county. The transportation of grain was relayed between the counties.

After completing a trip and someone takes over at the destination, they go home.

Only the three officials from Jingzhao Prefecture who were accompanying the delegation would oversee the transported grain all the way until it reached the Hexi Corridor.

The emperor asked about the recent behavior of the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

On the night of the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, the current crown prince was fishing in Taiye Lake.

I was still fishing in Taiye Lake on the night of the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month.

Everyone has hobbies and preferences, but the hobby of the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace is just fishing.

Some people say that fishing is a hobby that is incredibly boring.

It was almost dawn. Today was the first day of the new year. Li Chengqian lay on the couch thinking about what he needed to do this year. The primary task this year was farming. The Anxi Protectorate was about to go to war, and the pressure of farming in Guanzhong was very high.

Looking at the pillow, Su Wan was still sleeping soundly against my shoulder.

She got up from the couch quietly, and Li Chengqian covered her with bedding. Then he put on his coat and boots, slightly opened the door, and walked into the morning just after dawn.

Ning'er got up very early as usual. Today was the first day of the new year and there would be many guests coming to the palace, so she started to arrange various matters early in the morning.

Seeing that it was the Crown Prince who woke up, Ning'er quickly put on his coat.

Li Chengqian exhaled a breath of hot air in the cold air and said, "Keep an eye on your brothers and sisters."

Ning'er fastened her belt expertly and said, "I asked Xiaofu to prepare food and sent it to my father and mother."

She was used to calling herself that, and Li Chengqian smiled.

Seeing His Highness smile, Ning'er also smiled.

The morning light had not yet completely broken through the haze, but footsteps were heard outside the quiet East Palace. The familiar sound of running could be identified as that of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

So many years have passed, I've gotten used to hearing it.

The cool morning breeze blew on my face. When I finished my morning run and returned to the East Palace, Su Wan and Ning'er had already dressed up for the meeting with their father and mother today.

Now they are combing their sisters' hair.

My younger brothers and sisters were very happy wearing their new clothes because they were wearing cotton coats underneath, so they were also very warm.

Even though it is the first day of the new year, the ice and snow have not completely melted and the weather is still very cold.

Li Chengqian woke up his grandfather, and when it was bright, the family had breakfast before going to see his father, the emperor, and his mother, the empress.

When they arrived at Xingqing Palace, the queen first looked at her son who was wearing new clothes. The new clothes, which were a combination of blue and black, looked very energetic.

Li Chengqian and his whole family bowed together.

"No need to be so polite." Empress Chang Sun took her two daughters-in-law to the side hall to talk, and her sisters also followed.

In the main hall, Li Chengqian sat next to his father, peeling walnuts patiently, breaking one open and handing it to his father. Li Shimin put the walnut kernel into his mouth, and then looked at his father sitting at the top. His hair and beard were all white, but they were neatly combed, and he was still drowsy.

Li Zhi and Li Shen sat on the right side of their brother, also looking listless.

Li Shimin said: "I know you don't like dealing with these formalities on weekdays, so I have asked them to keep everything simple."

"Thank you, Father, for your care."

As soon as he finished speaking, the first to come to see His Majesty were Duke Xu and Duke Zhao.

Then Su Tan and his wife were welcomed in.

Li Chengqian looked at his uncle who was talking to Su Tan. The father-in-law kept nodding his head with a smile on his face.

It seemed as if the uncle wanted to give the father-in-law of the Eastern Palace a warning, and his words were full of reminders and advice.

The rest are the two imperial uncles, and then the teacher and his wife.

There were more voices in the Xingqing Hall. Li Chengqian sat aside, occasionally looking at his two younger brothers who were eating cakes.

When Li Tai and Li Ke arrived, the emperor started to speak some polite words.

Li Chengqian sat quietly, acting as a mascot.

There were sounds of laughter and joy coming from the next side hall, as if the Queen Mother was having a very happy chat with the women of the various families.

Outside the Secretariat, Cen Wenben, Yu Zhining and Chu Suiliang were having a discussion. It was the New Year holiday, and the three of them still had some things to arrange today.

From the winter solstice to the end of December, this was Chu Suiliang's most tiring year and also his busiest holiday.

The Secretary of the Central Secretariat, Cen Wenben, looked solemn and said, "General Guo Xiaoke of the Left Guard is the deputy general of this expedition. Together with General Zhang Shigui, they attacked Yu Gushe's troops. The grudge between Gaochang and Gaochang was caused by Yu Gushe. This battle is also a way to settle the score. It is to settle the score between Gaochang and Gaochang."

Cen Wenben then added: "The military roster of the Ministry of War has not yet been submitted. What should we do?"

Yu Zhining stroked his short beard and said hesitantly, "Send someone to urge Minister Duan."

As he was talking, seeing the two people's eyes looking at him, Chu Suiliang said, "I will leave."

"Okay." Cen Wenben said again: "The grain and grass that we checked are correct. The Ministry of Civil Affairs needs to report and file the files. After the holiday this year, many things have not been reported to the officials of the Ministry of Revenue."

Yu Zhining nodded and said, "Yes, the front troops of Anxi Protectorate were well prepared, but we were in a hurry."

Chu Suiliang listened to their conversation in silence, and felt the same way. He was one of those who were in a hurry, and this year was too difficult to endure.

Yu Zhining added: "But I still need to help Your Highness calculate the wages for the militiamen in each county."

Cen Wenben nodded and said, "Thank you for your help."

As they were talking, the two men looked over again. Chu Suiliang felt a little unhappy, but he still agreed and said, "I will also go to the Ministry of Civil Affairs for the matter."

"I heard that the Shaofujian recently built a spinning wheel and sent it to the workshop in Xianyang County. I wonder how the construction of the workshop in Xianyang County is going? Or..."

Chu Suiliang looked surprised and asked, "You want me to come here too?"

Cen Wenben patted his shoulder and said, "Minister Chu, thank you for your help."

Yu Zhining smiled and said, "Please bear with me."

While the two men were busy with their own affairs, Chu Suiliang scratched his head in annoyance. He had to go to the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and Xianyang County.

The two of them kept saying "thank you for your hard work" and "thank you for your responsibility", but they said it lightly and seemed very embarrassed.

No matter how dissatisfied Chu Suiliang was, he had to swallow it down at this moment. He would definitely resign after the Tang army won a great victory.

The Duke of Ying's mansion. Originally, the Duke of Ying was going to meet His Majesty today, but now the army is about to set out on the Western Expedition, so a guest came to his house.

The person who came was Guo Xiaoke, the deputy general of this Western Expedition.

Li Ji originally didn't plan to meet him, but someone blocked his door.

Li Ji asked his servant to bring the man in, and said, "Aren't you going to the battle? Why did you come to see me?"

As he greeted him, Li Ji knew clearly that Guo Xiaoke was an old veteran from Wagang and that it was he who submitted his petition to serve Li Tang. That was a long time ago.

At the beginning, the two were captured by Dou Jiande and had to rush thousands of miles to Chang'an. The two were friends who had been through life and death together. They also made great contributions at Hulao Pass. Now he is the General of the Left Guard.

However, over the years, Guo Xiaoke has become more and more arrogant, and has become more and more contemptuous of his former comrades.

Although their friendship still exists, Li Ji has a different opinion of him in his heart. The current Guo Xiaoke is no longer the same person he used to be. He is too arrogant and self-indulgent.

Guo Xiaoke smiled and patted the armor on his body and said, "I will go to the Western Regions now and kill all those people."

Li Ji said with a straight face: "The Western Regions are not like Guanzhong. Yu Gushe may not be so easy to deal with. This is related to the construction of the Anxi Protectorate. I hope you will be cautious."

Guo Xiaoke clasped his fists and said, "Bring a few more Hu concubines with you when you come back, and give some to Lord Ying."

Li Ji said in a deep voice: "No need."

Guo Xiaoke, who was about to leave, suddenly turned around and said angrily, "What do you mean? I know you have been displeased with me over the years, but you don't have to reject me like this."

Li Zhen stood outside the door, leaning against it, listening to his father and Guo Xiaoke arguing.

They even talked about how the prince was...

Li Ji clenched his fist and said angrily, "Don't talk about the prince!"

Guo Xiaoke sneered again, waved his sleeves heavily and walked out the door.

After everyone left, Li Zhen quickly walked into the hall and said, "Father."

Li Ji closed his eyes and said, "Nothing, just deliver my gift to His Majesty and the Crown Prince."

Li Zhen nodded and asked, "General Guo will go to war today, right?"

"Power moves people's hearts, and once people change, they can't go back." Li Ji said tiredly: "I will apologize to your majesty and the prince, and say that I am not feeling well today."

Seeing his father being so angry at Guo Xiaoke, Li Zhen nodded in agreement.

In the Sifang Pavilion, Lu Dongzan was eating Tang food. In front of him was Shangguan Yi, who was looking at the translation of Indian characters.

After Lu Dongzan finished translating a letter from the King of India, he gave it to Shangguan Yi.

After the people left, Sambuza came over quickly and said, "Prince, the prince wants to sell us to the Zamp by the pound."

Lu Dongzan put down the pen in his hand and asked, "Did the prince say that?"

"It's a rumor in the army."

"Since it is just a rumor among the army and not something the prince said himself, you don't have to panic."

For some reason, after comforting Sambuza, Lu Dongzan felt more and more confused.

The Tang people are about to go on another expedition, this time to sweep across the Tianshan Mountains. The Tian Khan's ambition is growing. Fortunately, the current Tian Khan is still unwilling to attack Tubo.

Weighing by pound? Lu Dongzan smiled helplessly. For some reason, he even felt that being cut into pieces, and dying would be a relief.

The Tang people were very powerful, and the longer he stayed in Chang'an, the more he understood their wealth and confidence.

"Haha, I'm really becoming more and more like them." Lu Dongzan looked at the officials and said self-deprecatingly.

(End of this chapter)