The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 297 Return from the Western Expedition
Li Shimin said unhappily: "You always treat your subjects as opponents, don't you?"

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "There are many capable ministers in this world. I must keep a learning attitude and learn from them more."

"You are too harsh."

"There's nothing wrong with being strict."

Li Shimin asked in return: "What if the officials are tired?"

Li Chengqian said: "Father, being an official is not about enjoying comfort. For the sake of the country and the people, you should be strict."

Listening to the argument between the father and son, Li Yuan shook his head and stood up and said, "No wonder Guanyin doesn't want to eat with you. I'll go to the child's table."

Leaving the father and son still arguing, Li Yuan sat down amid the laughter of a group of children.

Jingzhao Prefecture built another 34 workshops in various counties in Guanzhong, and these workshops were built forcefully by Jingzhao Prefecture.

Xu Jingzong beat up a few people because of this, but it didn't matter anymore. At this critical moment, Jingzhao Prefecture rose to the challenge and implemented the major plans for the next few years, so he was relieved.

After the busy beginning of the year, the operations of the three provinces and six ministries in the court have returned to normal, and the Tang Dynasty's political machinery is running in an orderly manner for the country.

Thinking that he had nothing to do today, Li Chengqian took his fishing rod and went fishing to relax.

As soon as they saw the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, the deer raised by the Taiye Lake surrounded him. Li Chengqian took out some dried fruits and fed them.

"Dongyang is in Chang'an City treating the sick people every day, so I am the only one left to take care of you."

The little deer was chewing dried fruit in its mouth. Li Chengqian patted the deer's forehead lightly and put the fishing line into the river. Eight little deer lay around the prince who had just become a father.

Li Chengqian lay down and rested his head on the deer, looking at the blue sky comfortably.

There were no other living people around. I could smell the air and feel the breeze. This kind of leisurely time was the most precious.

I hope the fish will take the bait, but I also hope no one will come to disturb me at this time.

You can sit here from morning till night.

In Chang'an City, Li Zhi, Li Shen and Di Renjie stood in front of the palace with dull eyes. This was the Prince of Jin's Palace, and the Queen Mother had arranged several palace maids to take care of it.

Li Shen said: "Will your Royal Brother live here from now on?"

Li Zhi nodded and said, "This palace is quite beautiful."

"But if you live here, you won't be able to eat Xiaofu's breakfast, lunch and dinner."

"So what? A hero should never regret his actions just because of a meal."

Li Shen clasped his fists and said, "My Royal Brother is very courageous. I will take my leave now."

Di Renjie also said: "I don't know if my father has come back yet, so I will go back first."

Seeing them leaving, Li Zhi grabbed one of them with each hand and said through gritted teeth: "You are so disloyal! Do you really want to abandon your friends?"

"Your Highness Prince Jin, if I don't go back, my father will probably starve."

"Can you come up with a more plausible excuse? Zhi feels looked down upon."

Regardless of their struggles, Li Zhi dragged the two into the palace and said, "From now on, you will stay here with me. If anyone dares to run, Xu Shaoyin will beat you up."

In fact, the people arranged by the queen are specially selected to take care of the princes. Not only are they strict and know the rules, they will also report everything to the queen.

When Li Zhi woke up in the morning, he could have breakfast. Although it was much worse than what Xiaofu made, it was still acceptable.

Di Renjie ate a bowl of bone porridge and asked, "Are we going to beat up Zhang Jianzhi today?"

Li Shen said: "Let's change someone else, he is so pitiful."

Li Zhi said: "Let's go to Jingzhao Prefecture to find Xu Shaoyin today."

Li Shen said: "My brother wants to build a house."

"A man should have great ambitions, how can you only know how to build houses all day long?"

Li Shen lowered his head in grievance, and then said: "But Master Yan agreed to be my brother's teacher."

Li Zhi said nonchalantly: "Yan Liben is not suitable to be your teacher."

"Who's suitable then?"

"No one is suitable. You can't learn much of Yan Liben's skills with your talent. You don't have to become someone like Yan Liben, brother Shen! You should achieve greater success."

Li Shen was actually moved by these words. He drank the bowl of porridge and said, "Okay! For greater achievements."

After the three boys left the palace, they headed towards Jingzhao Prefecture, their backs standing side by side in the morning light.

Early in the morning, Xu Jingzong prepared to arrange today's affairs in Jingzhao Prefecture.

The prefect of Jingzhao was lying on the table in the main hall, snoring loudly and reeking of alcohol, obviously having drunk too much last night.

Looking at the Prince of Jin and Li Shen, and the three Di Renjies appearing before him, Xu Jingzong said, "Your Highness the Prince of Jin is here really early."

Li Zhi burped after a meal and said, "Zhi should have come earlier. I dare not delay."

Li Shen sat aside with his head supported by his hands, flipping through the files in front of him boredly. His beautiful sister often went to the Imperial College now, but now she went there not to attend classes, but to give lectures.

In the future, the beautiful imperial sister might open a school and recruit more disciples.

And there is the Imperial Sister Dongyang. She is now a disciple of Divine Doctor Sun. One day... it would not be surprising if she takes charge of the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Thinking about this, Li Shen sighed and said to himself, "Shen, when will I be able to achieve something?"

An official came hurriedly and said, "Xu Shaoyin, the King of Wei is here."

Xu Jingzong said to himself: "What day is today? Why are the princes coming one after another?"

Li Tai walked into Jingzhao Mansion and said with a smile: "Xu Shaoyin was not afraid of the words of the court. He used strong tactics to build a workshop. Now he is famous in Guanzhong."

Xu Jingzong bowed and said, "Your Highness, Prince of Wei, you are joking. This is really a helpless move. The opportunity is right in front of us. If we miss it, I am afraid we will never get it again."

"I need Jingzhao Prefecture's help with something."

"Your Highness the Prince of Wei, please give your instructions."

Li Tai glanced at his two younger brothers sitting beside him, then looked at Xu Jingzong and handed him a document, saying, "The Sino-Agricultural Ministry and the Literature Institute are planning to arrange for someone to go to Liaodong. I wonder if someone from Jingzhao Prefecture can accompany them."

Xu Jingzong checked the contents of the document and nodded, saying, "I'll arrange it right away."

Li Tai said, "Thank you for your help. We will set off early tomorrow morning. There will be people waiting outside Chunming Gate. Three or two people will be enough for Jingzhao Prefecture."

"Yes." Xu Jingzong respectfully saw off Prince of Wei Li Tai.

For several days in a row, whenever Xu Jingzong wanted to do something or go somewhere, Li Zhi, Li Shen and Di Renjie followed him.

At noon that day, Li Shen hurried back to the East Palace. He walked to the outside of the kitchen and called out, "Xiao Fu? Xiao Fu?"

"Eh? Your Highness Prince Ji?"

"Does Xiaofu have any more food?"

She served him a bowl of mutton soup noodles and said, "There is one bowl left."

Princess Linchuan, who was three years older than Li Shen, was holding a book in her hand and asked, "Brother Shen?" Li Shen, who was holding a bowl of soup noodles, was startled by the voice behind him. The bowl in his hand shook and soup fell on his hand.

Li Shen gasped when his fingers were burned, grimacing in pain. He put the bowl on the table and wiped his hands.

The East Palace was very quiet at this moment, and everyone was taking a nap.

Linchuan asked, "Is there no food to eat in Zhinu's palace?"

The two siblings were born to the same mother and grew up in the Eastern Palace, so Linchuan and Li Shen are closer.

When asked by his sister, Li Shen unconsciously looked towards the East Palace, where there were still three or two palace maids walking around.

Lin Chuan picked up the scroll and knocked it on Li Shen's head. His tone became more serious and he said, "Answer me!"

"Sister, can you ask the East Palace to send the food to the palace?"

Lin Chuan folded his arms and looked at his brother, saying, "It's already cold when you send it to us, how can we eat it?"

Li Shen said: "My brother has been following Xu Jingzong everywhere these days. I finally got some free time to come back, and I haven't eaten well on weekdays."

After saying that, he picked up the chopsticks and wolfed down the first bite.

Lin Chuan sat down beside him, looked at his younger brother and said, "Remember to visit mother after you finish eating."

Li Shen nodded, still putting food into his mouth.

After he finished his meal, he had to hurry to see his mother. Linchuan then collected his bowls and chopsticks, washed them, put them back in the kitchen, and returned to the front hall of the East Palace.

Li Lizhi looked at a scroll and asked, "Brother Shen is back?"

Linchuan sat down next to his sister and said, "Well, he said he didn't eat well these days and missed Xiaofu's food. Actually, my sister is still a little worried about him."

"Who dares to bully your brothers and sisters at home? What are you worried about?"

Linchuan added: "My sister is the granddaughter who is worried about Confucius."

Li Lizhi smiled knowingly. Linchuan and Shen Di were both born to the same mother. As Linchuan was the elder sister, she would naturally think of her younger brother in everything.

"The Kong family has been a famous family for generations. It may not be a bad thing if Brother Shen can marry Kong Yingda's granddaughter."

"But she is four years older than Brother Shen, and she is also my sister's disciple. And she is so spoiled."

Li Lizhi nodded and said, "Shendi is still young, it's too early."

Lin Chuan nodded and said, "Sister is right."

"Besides, who would dare to bully their younger brothers and sisters when we are here?"

Linchuan smiled again and felt much more relieved.

In the 14th year of Zhenguan, when spring and summer passed, the villagers in Guanzhong were all looking forward to the safe return of the men who had gone on the Western Expedition.

Now the army is on its way back, and many women are walking across the Xianyang Bridge with their children. They come here every day to look out, hoping that their sons will come back.

Before the soldiers returned home, the court had already sent all the post-war wages to the counties in advance.

This is the work that the court has completed overtime these days. When the soldiers come back, they don’t need to ask the court for money. The money and salaries have been sent to various counties, so they can just go to their respective counties and get them directly.

A child ran towards Xianyang Bridge, and he shouted, "They are back! The army is back."

The villagers waiting at the Xianyang Bridge were talking about it.

When teams of soldiers appeared in the distant scenery and when familiar faces were seen, there were many cries near the Xianyang Bridge.

Teams of soldiers and horses dispersed at Xianyang Bridge. Wang Wendu rode on horseback and said in a loud voice: "Everyone go back to your respective counties and report to the county magistrate, then you can receive your salary."

"Here!"

The soldiers responded in unison and dispersed.

General Zhang Shigui rode in the front, leading the team all the way across the Xianyang Bridge, and following behind him were carts of cotton.

Cover the cotton with black cloth and let it spread all the way to the end.

Yan Qinli was also standing by the Xianyang Bridge. He looked at the large carts that were slowly being carried across the bridge like a black line. The carts were piled high with cotton, and the cotton piled on each cart was six feet high.

Wen Ting, who was standing by, exclaimed: "How much cotton have they planted in the Western Regions? Why can't they transport it all?"

The army does not need to pay market taxes on the things it transports into the country, which means that the cotton as part of the baggage does not need to pay market taxes.

But from now on, every batch of cotton shipped into Guanzhong will have to pay market tax. This is the rule of the Anxi Protectorate.

Yan Qinli asked, "Who is the current governor of Anxi Protectorate?"

Wen Ting replied: "It's Pei Xingjian."

"Protector Pei?"

"That's right." Wen Ting continued, "Protector Pei, Guo Luotuo and General Liang Jianfang are guarding the Anxi Protectorate. This year's cotton was cultivated by them with the surrendered soldiers from the Western Regions and Tianshan. When the cotton was ripe, they rode their war horses to plow the entire cotton field and transported it here with the branches and leaves."

Yan Qinli said: "It would be better to bring them to Guanzhong for processing. There are tens of thousands of hectares of cotton, how can human power pick them all?"

The team was almost disbanded, but the cotton was still being transported to Xianyang Bridge. From noon until dusk, there was still no end in sight for the team transporting cotton.

Torches were constantly lit outside the city of Chang'an. The Jingzhao Prefecture was arranging personnel to process the cotton, and to pack it out and send it to the warehouse before the autumn rain.

Xu Jingzong stood on a carriage, looked into the distance, and asked, "How many more are there?"

Yan Qinli rode back and said, "We are ten miles west of Jingyang."

"Damn it!" Xu Jingzong got off the cart, stretched his arms and neck, and asked, "There are still so many?"

Yan Qinli said: "It will probably take until dawn to complete the transportation."

Xu Jingzong smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Guo! You have done a great service."

Just as Yan Qinli said, the cotton sent from the Western Regions was not delivered until after dawn, and not until noon the next day.

The people from Jingzhao Prefecture climbed onto the carriage. They followed the ropes to the six-foot-high roof and cut the ropes. A large ball of cotton exploded on the spot, and the official road in front of Chang'an City was covered with white cotton. When the wind blew, the cotton flew everywhere.

Someone was rushing to pick up the cotton scattered on the ground.

Xu Jingzong picked up a handful of cotton. The last time he cried with joy was because he had grown grapes in Jingyang. He hesitated and said, "It was not in vain. Guanzhong has not waited in vain!"

Inside the Taiji Hall, Li Chengqian listened to General Zhang Shigui's report that 60,000 hectares of cotton fields had been opened up in the Western Regions, but the output this year was not high.

However, this is only the first year. Perhaps the cotton varieties still need to be cultivated, and the fields were opened up in a hurry. This year's planting was hastily, and now only this much cotton is harvested.

According to the soil and water conditions in the Western Regions, the output should be able to increase five or six times, but considering the limitations of productivity and labor, it would be good if the output could be tripled next year.

Inside the Taiji Hall, the generals who had just returned were still reporting on various matters.

In Chang'an City, Li Zhi sat at the city gate, breaking open a melon and chewing it happily with his face against the melon. These were fruits sent from the Western Regions.

Li Zhi, Li Shen and Di Renjie ate happily, with a large basket in front of them.

Li Shen wiped his mouth, picked up the melon peels on the ground, and said, "I can't eat any more. I really can't eat any more."

(End of this chapter)