The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 293 Zhi's Suggestions
The emperor's hunting team left Chang'an. This time there were many generals accompanying them, but there were only a few royal relatives who went on the trip.

Neither the children of the Eastern Palace nor the Queen went hunting.

Even Li Lizhi felt that it would be fine to let her father go to Mount Li, as she didn't want to get involved.

Li Zhi followed behind Xu Jingzong, carrying a book bag.

"Your Highness Prince Jin, won't you go hunting with His Majesty this year?"

“Neither my brothers nor my sisters went this year.”

Xu Jingzong smiled and said, "Is it His Royal Highness the Crown Prince who doesn't allow the Prince of Jin to go hunting?"

Li Zhi shook his head and said, "Xu Shaoyin misunderstood. We all felt that the harvest from hunting was not great."

"Harvest? His Royal Highness Prince Jin can't catch any prey?"

"You can get as many prey as you want, but for Zhi, harvesting those prey is a very boring process."

Xu Jingzong stood by the official road, bowed to bid farewell to the emperor's departing carriage, and then continued to walk towards Chang'an City, saying, "In fact, the affairs of Jingzhao Prefecture are also very boring."

Li Zhi asked back, "But Xu Shaoyin has always enjoyed it, hasn't he?"

Xu Jingzong smiled and said nothing more.

Walking into the bustling Zhuque Street, you will see students from Chongwenguan talking about the current governance policies in Guanzhong on the streets.

Some students from Chongwenguan loudly told the residents that this year Guanzhong would reduce taxes and levies, require workshops in each county to follow the system of ten-day holidays, and strengthen the rich leisure activities in each county so that the residents could have plenty of activities during the production process.

This is exactly the problem that Xu Jingzong is worried about. Changing the living habits of villagers in various counties is a very troublesome task.

"I don't know why His Royal Highness wants to interfere in the lives of the villagers in various counties. It really troubles me."

"Is it about increasing the villagers' life outside of production?"

Xu Jingzong was a little surprised, but after thinking for a while he understood. The Prince of Jin had read a lot of the Jingzhao Prefecture's papers. "What would the Prince of Jin like to eat today?"

"Zhi can help Xu Shaoyin."

"Really?" Xu Jingzong smiled helplessly, thinking that it was good enough that the Prince of Jin did not cause trouble, but he did not dare to ask him for help.

Walking back into Jingzhao Prefecture, Xu Jingzong sat down and took a sip of tea, listening to two clerks outside the door saying that more and more envoys came to Chang'an to pay tribute this year, and some of them were from unknown places.

Xu Jingzong ordered: "He has been detained for so long, let Jin Chunqiu go."

The clerk was still sitting by the stove, with his neck hunched, his hands folded, leaning against the door and seemingly asleep.

These people are really tired. On normal days, it is their rest season, but these days they have been running around to various counties one after another, and it is rare for them to have any free time.

Seeing that the person was still sleeping, Xu Jingzong did not say anything and let him rest for a while.

It doesn't matter if the Silla envoy Jin Chunqiu is locked up in the dungeon for a few more days. It's not easy for the officials in Jingzhao Prefecture.

Li Zhi sat aside, ground the ink, rubbed his red, frozen hands, and when he felt a little warmer, he began to write.

Xu Jingzong poured himself a cup of tea and planned to spend the rest of the time in Jingzhao Prefecture like this.

As the warm tea sipped and I felt the hot tea flowing through my internal organs, my body warmed up. I wanted to take a short rest during this leisurely and relaxing time.

Suddenly, he heard voices at the door. Xu Jingzong opened his eyes slightly and saw two people walking towards him from outside the half-open door.

The people who came were Di Zhixun and Lu Dongzan.

Xu Jingzong perked up a little, but still leaned back in his chair, his hands tucked into his sleeves, looking as if he didn't want to pay attention.

After Di Zhixun led his men into the main hall of Jingzhao Prefecture, he turned around and left the door ajar to block the cold air from outside from coming in.

Xu Jingzong whispered, "Minister Di, your son is studying with Yan Qinli."

Di Zhixun smiled and said, "I just came back from the Secretariat. This year's work is finally done. Everyone in the court can breathe a sigh of relief."

Xu Jingzong raised his hand to the kettle on the stove beside him, indicating that he could help himself.

Di Zhixun took the kettle and poured a bowl of hot tea, then sat beside him and drank it. "Huh? Why is His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin still here?"

Li Zhi was still writing. He was stunned when he heard the words and slowly looked up.

"This humble official has just met Your Highness, and I am ashamed."

Listening to the other party's words, Li Zhi had long been accustomed to what Di Renjie said. Di Zhixun was like this. He had good ability to do things, but he was forgetful on weekdays.

Di Zhixun stepped forward and whispered, "Xu Shaoyin, this Lu Dongzan wants to come to Jingzhao Prefecture to do some work."

Xu Jingzong was a little uncomfortable, frowned and whispered: "Minister Di, Jingzhao Prefecture is not short of manpower."

The two spoke quietly, but Lu Dongzan still heard it. He said loudly: "Xu Shaoyin, the foreign minister wants to work for Jingzhao Prefecture."

Xu Jingzong still closed his eyes and said lazily: "What? Songtsen Gampo abandoned you and you went to Jingzhao Prefecture?"

He knew that Lu Dongzan didn't want others to mention the Zamp who was far away in Tubo.

But Xu Jingzong still said this deliberately, probably with the intention of driving people away.

Lu Dongzan bowed and continued, "I, an outsider, want to serve Jingzhao Prefecture."

Xu Jingzong picked up the tea bowl on the table, blew on the floating tea, took a sip of the tea, and wondered: "If Songtsen Gampo knew that the Tubo Prime Minister was working for Jingzhao Prefecture, how would he feel? Besides, you are the Tubo Prime Minister, and your words and deeds are related to the future relationship between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo. If they become enemies, how will they get along in the future?"

"Besides, some foreign envoys have served in the military, but none have served in Jingzhao Prefecture. Prime Minister, please give up this idea."

Lu Dongzan bowed and asked, "Does Xu Shaoyin feel embarrassed?"

Xu Jingzong shook his head and said, "You are the Prime Minister of Tubo. This is related to the future exchanges between Tubo and the Tang Dynasty. It involves the Honglu Temple, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel. You even have to ask the generals in the army."

Di Zhixun was still sitting aside, and his attitude showed that he didn't want to speak for Lu Dongzan.

Xu Jingzong said again: "Please go back, actually Sifang Pavilion is also very good."

Hearing this, Lu Dongzan shook his head, sighed, and walked out of Jingzhao Prefecture.

Xu Jingzong retracted his gaze and asked, "Minister Di, what is Lu Dongzan's intention?"

Di Zhixun stroked his beard and replied, "Of course he has evil intentions."

"And bring him here?"

Seeing Xu Jingzong's unhappy expression, Di Zhixun smiled and said, "I can foresee that Xu Shaoyin will definitely reject him."

Li Zhi, who was sitting next to him, finally put down his pen. He handed over the paper and said, "Xu Shaoyin, Zhi has finished writing."

"Ok?"

Xu Jingzong took the paper and looked at the contents with a suspicious look.

Li Zhi said: "Do you want Zhi to explain?"

"I understand."

What was written on the paper was a tug-of-war and long-distance running competition, and each county sent young people aged around 19 to 30 to compete.

Previously, I was still thinking about the instructions of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and was worried about how to enrich the lives of the counties in Guanzhong.

This competition was really enlightening. Xu Jingzong looked at Li Zhi standing beside him and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness, Prince Jin, for your advice."

Li Zhi also bowed and said, "I don't deserve it."

By letting Xu Jingzong hold the competition, Li Zhi today felt that he had done something very meaningful.

After the King of Jin left, Di Zhixun said, "Today Chu Suiliang once again advised His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to slow down the construction of the Guanzhong workshop." Hearing this, Xu Jingzong's hand holding the paper trembled a little, and he whispered, "Chu dog, this bitch!"

In the Eastern Palace, on the night when the emperor went hunting in Mount Li, heavy snow fell in Guanzhong again. In the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian repeatedly looked at the production plan for the coming year.

"Brother." Li Zhi, who had just returned, said happily, "Xu Shaoyin said that he would hold competitions in all counties in Guanzhong."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly, his eyes still on the book.

Hearing Shen Di coughing again, Li Zhi stepped forward and asked, "Shen Di, what are you drawing?"

"This is Shen's palace."

Li Zhi put his hands behind his back and said, "The palace?"

Li Shen looked serious.

Seeing that the brothers and sisters in the East Palace each had their own things to do, Li Zhi simply sat down on the side and said, "Draw another palace."

"Okay." Li Shen agreed readily.

"Recently, there are many more palace maids in the East Palace. Because my mother wants to accompany Su Wan to give birth to the child, she will stay in the East Palace these days."

Li Chengqian had no choice but to sleep in the front hall these days.

Everyone in the palace was looking forward to the safe birth of the Crown Princess's baby. If the Eastern Palace needed anything, they would send it quickly with just a word.

The next day, when the family was having breakfast, Li Chengqian glanced at the table and asked, "Where are Zhinu and Shendi?"

Dongyang stood in front of the door combing her long hair and said, "She left early in the morning. She said she was going to hold a competition with Jingzhao Prefecture."

Li Lizhi stepped forward and helped Dongyang tie up his long hair. She said, "It's better if he's not here. It will save you the trouble."

Dongyang smiled and said, "Has the emperor arranged a palace for them?"

Li Lizhi nodded and said, "It's right next to Qujiangfang."

After breakfast, Li Chengqian and his sister took some salted duck eggs to visit Taoist Master Li Chunfeng.

When I walked into the Imperial Observatory, I saw Xiao Sizi holding a book in her hand and walking on a thick hemp rope. She was reading the book and walking very steadily.

"Royal brother, Royal sister!"

When she saw the person coming, she smiled happily and jumped off the rope naturally.

Li Lizhi was a little worried, "Is this what Taoist Priest Li asked you to practice like this?"

Little Sizi said: "Mingda follows Taoist Li to learn how to walk, and he will learn it as time goes by."

Li Lizhi held her sister's hand. The little girl used to walk unsteadily, but now she could walk so steadily on a rope. It was really incredible.

After thinking for a moment, Li Lizhi opened the lunch box, which contained two steaming buns and a bowl of wontons.

"Mingda has been hungry for a long time." She sat down to eat with a smile.

Li Chengqian walked into the backyard of the Imperial Observatory, looked at the ecliptic armillary sphere covered with snow, and walked into a room where Taoist ancestors were worshipped.

There is also a model of the sun, moon and earth here. This model is much smaller than before, and the three balls are still in orbit.

Li Chunfeng looked at the compass in front of him and said, "Your Highness, have you ever seen the truth of this world?"

Li Chengqian put his hands in his pockets and said, "I haven't seen it with my own eyes."

"Yes, no one has seen it." Li Chunfeng replied: "Even if I have proved that the earth is round and the sun and the moon move in a regular way, no one has seen it with their own eyes. There will always be voices of refutation in this world."

Li Chengqian stood outside the door and said with a smile: "It doesn't matter. As long as someone explores, the truth will be revealed."

Li Chunfeng picked up the whisk beside him and said, "Your Highness is a very determined person."

"Master, are you wavering?"

"It doesn't matter if I'm shaken. People in this world have different opinions. This is inevitable." Li Chunfeng said, "I'm going to retreat again."

"I will take little Sizi back to the East Palace."

"Alright."

Li Chunfeng turned his back and looked at a huge Bagua diagram.

Li Chengqian stood in front of the door and said, "Water flows to the lowest place, and stones only fall downwards. Conversely, if any of us jump up, we will fall to the ground and can never leave the ground."

The hall was silent for a long time, and Li Chunfeng suddenly said, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."

"These are just some of my daily guesses."

"I seem to have thought of something. Please give me some more time."

Lizhi took Mingda back to the East Palace first. Li Chengqian walked alone in the palace. The road surface was wet after the snow had just been cleared.

It was the coldest season in Guanzhong and not many people were walking around in the palace. In front of the empty Taiji Hall, there was only the crown prince.

When the emperor was not in Chang'an, he had to guard Chang'an and supervise the government.

Li Chengqian walked to Ganlu Hall.

The drowsy eunuchs standing guard at the door perked up and stood up straight when they saw that it was the prince coming.

Li Chengqian walked into the hall and said, "Don't be so nervous. I won't throw you into the Taiye Lake to feed the fish."

A eunuch swallowed hard.

One eunuch wanted to wipe the sweat off his face with his sleeves, but found that there was no sweat at all, and he didn't know where the sweat came from.

Li Chengqian walked to the table where his father usually handled memorials and picked up two pieces of paper. These were military reports sent from Tianshan.

The military newspaper reported the current arrangements of the various generals. Liang Jianfang returned to the Anxi Protectorate, while Liu Renyuan and Qibi Heli went to the grassland.

Looking at another military report, the people of Mobei finally retreated. It seems that my father's order was still useful.

The rest were reports from various places. Li Chengqian looked through them carefully but did not see any valuable news. However, there was a report about Luoyang that was sent separately to his father.

The record was about the recent behavior of King Wu Li Ke in Luoyang. Originally, he thought that it was normal for his father to care about his younger brother Ke, but when he saw that the signature on the submitted memorial was Du Zhenglun, he couldn't help feeling unhappy.

"Your Highness, Minister Chu requests to see you."

"Let him in."

Hearing this, Chu Suiliang respectfully walked into the hall and saluted, saying, "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Chengqian said, "The court is on holiday, and I have allowed you to rest. Do you have anything to report?"

"Your Highness, I heard that Xu Jingzong wants all the counties in Guanzhong to participate in a long-distance running competition. It is said that they will start from Weinan County, cross Weibei, pass Longshouyuan and Jingyang, and run a lap."

Li Chengqian stood in the hall with his hands in his pockets, looking at his father's bookshelf, and whispered, "Well, I know."

"Your Highness, the counties in Guanzhong have finally had time to rest, but why is Emperor Xu Jingzong mobilizing so many troops?"

"It must be tiring to run such a long lap." Li Chengqian sighed, and then said, "How about Minister Chu go for a run too?"

"I...I am no longer the same as I used to be. I am afraid I can't run far."

"I heard that anyone who participates in this long-distance race will get a bar of soap. Even if you don't compete for a place, you will get three dou of rice if you finish the race."

"At my age, I am already powerless, but I hope Your Highness will pay attention to the well-being of the people in Guanzhong."

(End of this chapter)