The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 31 The Unsuccessful Prince
Li Chengqian steadied his breathing and tried not to criticize the way his brothers and sisters thought about things.

My younger brothers and sisters were born in the royal family of Li Tang, and their ways of thinking and dealing with things are somewhat different from others.

Ning Er looked down at His Highness and frowned from time to time, then said, "Your Highness, it's been a long time since you went out to relax."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Well, let's go out for a walk when it's convenient."

"Well, that's fine too."

Chongwen Hall is very quiet when it is quiet, and there is a cool feeling when it is not lively.

In this season of warmer weather, the sun is not too scorching, but it still feels hot after being exposed to the sun for a long time.

Sitting in the cool Chongwen Hall, I still felt a little sleepy.

"Your Highness, would you like to take a nap?"

Ning'er's words were in my ears.

Xiaofu came hurriedly. She had gained a lot of weight recently, and the fat on her face moved when she walked. She was only the age of a thirteen-year-old child.

She handed over a memorial with both hands and said, "Your Highness, this is from Du He."

Li Chengqian took the memorial and asked, "Where are the others?"

"He said he was going back first and waiting for His Highness's reply."

Li Chengqian opened the memorial and read its contents. The workshop in Jingyang County was successfully built, but not most villagers were willing to work in the workshop.

Du He was a very honest man. He gave generous treatment to those who were willing to work in the workshop. However, there were still three or five troublemakers who made things difficult for him.

There are also some recent developments. After Xu Jingzong made friends with Du He, he recruited a man named Shangguan Yi.

The genius doctor Sun Simiao had been living in the Du Mansion for three days, and he also explained that the old immortal had been talking about discussing Taoism with the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

The old miracle doctors will always stay, and it would be better if one miracle doctor could teach more miracle doctors.

Li Chengqian looked up at Xiaofu and said, "Go to my bedroom and have someone deliver the article on microorganisms that I wrote yesterday to Du He and then to Dr. Sun."

Seeing that Xiaofu was still a little hesitant, and thinking that this girl couldn't read all the words, he said, "Ask Lizhi to help find the article."

"Yes." Xiaofu bowed and left quickly.

The hall fell silent again. The boiled water in front of him had almost cooled down. Li Chengqian passed the memorial aside and said, "Sister Ning'er, take a look too."

Ning Er bowed and said, "This is a letter to His Highness. I think this is inappropriate."

"It's okay. You are the head lady of the Eastern Palace. Since it involves the Eastern Palace's industry, you can naturally ask about it."

"Here."

Ning Er bowed first, took the memorial with both hands, looked at it, and asked, "What arrangements does Your Highness plan to make?"

Li Chengqian put his hands in his pockets and said, "The people of Tang all lived a hard life, but they were also brave and hardworking."

"But not everyone in this world is like what Your Highness thinks."

After transferring a tough county magistrate away, Li Chengqian now encountered difficulties from the local lords. He said, "According to what Du He said, some people are lazy and like to eat. In fact, if they have one or two strong laborers in their families who can find jobs, they won't become hooligans all day long."

Bad guys like Wei Chang are positive and optimistic, but there are not many people like him.

Li Chengqian asked, "Should I not drive out these local villagers?"

Ning Er said, "The Prince of Hejian said that from now on, Jingyang will be a place where the Eastern Palace has the final say."

The implication is that nothing is impossible, all you need is a just reason.

"We must do things cleanly and efficiently, without dragging our feet. If something can be solved, we must solve it thoroughly." Li Chengqian nodded and took a sip of boiled water, then said, "This is the principle that my uncle and the emperor's uncle taught me."

"If we give them the slightest concession, these thugs will become even more aggressive. They will never learn to be loyal. If we want to deal with local bullies, we can only start with their reliance."

After saying this, Li Chengqian thought of Xu Jingzong, the county magistrate who was now stationed in Jingyang, and wrote a letter.

The next day, the prince's letter arrived in Du He's hands. After informing Xu Jingzong of the matter, this figure, who was one of the 18 scholars in the Qin Palace at that time, began to take action.

He hung up several thugs who were causing trouble and beat them up in public.

Those thugs were shouting that the new county magistrate was in cahoots with Master Du He.

Of course they are in the same group, and they all live in the Du family’s mansion.

Xu Jingzong naturally did not deny it, but swung the whip in his hand even harder.

Not only did the villagers in Jingyang County marvel at the news, but the news also spread to several nearby counties.

Therefore, Xu Jingzong left people with the impression of a cruel official.

Du He arranged another thing and asked Wei Chang to take a dozen bad guys to Pingkangfang to beat up a few rich kids.

Then General Cheng Yaojin's son, Cheng Chumo, came out and beat up a few more people on the street.

Two days passed and Xu Jingzong didn't have to do anything. The three thugs from Jingyang County ran away overnight, even leaving their wives and daughters behind.

At this point, the papermaking workshop was built smoothly, and more benefits were given to villagers who were willing to work in the workshop.

The ruffians dared to challenge the new county magistrate because they had their own support.

But Du He also has connections in Chang'an. There are also a few of his old brothers and buddies in the Qin Palace. Their status is not comparable to that of ordinary dignitaries.

After Cheng Chumo stepped in, the matter was quickly settled and everything went smoothly.

Knowing that their supporters had been frightened by the attack, those ruffians dared not stay in Jingyang for long. However, they did not run far before they were caught by officials from Weinan and once again fell into the hands of Xu Jingzong, who could then justifiably torture them and put them in jail.

To deal with such people, cruel officials are needed, and they must be punished according to the law. For Du He, anyone who is hostile to the interests of the villagers in Jingyang County is an enemy of the prince.

Chang'an City is neither big nor small, and the neighborhood relations between the various powerful families are quite good.

If a child was beaten in the middle of the night, everyone would know clearly before the court opened the next day.

The family tradition of Cheng Yaojin's family was very unique. Whenever he beat his son, more than ten households nearby on Zhuque Street could hear the howling in the middle of the night.

The papermaking workshop was built smoothly and Li Chengqian was in a good mood.

"My royal brother seems to be in a good mood today." Li Ke also had a smile on his face.

"Really? How did you tell?"

"Royal brother, I spoke a few more words to my younger brother today."

Li Chengqian asked: "What have you been doing recently?"

Li Ke bowed and said, "Practicing martial arts in the mansion."

"Oh, that's alright."

In the past, he would come to Taiji Hall at the opening time of the court, and then stand at his seat for half a day to listen to government affairs. But today he came early.

Soon, the morning court was about to begin. The busy farming season had just passed, and the ministers in the hall began to argue about the state affairs of the Tang Dynasty again.

It's nothing more than population, taxation, river management and other matters.

The population of the Tang Dynasty is small now, taxes cannot be collected in full, and local governance is a difficult task.

Some even proposed conducting a population survey to uncover the many hidden households and increase tax collection. Li Chengqian stood aside with his hands in his pockets and listened. A census? Hmm... a very avant-garde idea.

I glanced at the court and realized that I hadn't seen my uncle at the morning court for a long time. The old man hadn't attended the morning court for a long time.

I just stood there without saying a word and soon felt sleepy.

The voices in the hall became increasingly hazy, and sleepiness came over me. The sounds I heard also gradually became higher and lower, and farther and closer.

It was not until I heard Li Ke calling me that I opened my eyes and saw that most of the class had left, and then I knew the court was over.

An old eunuch walked over quickly and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please invite His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the King of Wu to the Ganlu Palace for dinner."

Li Chengqian and Li Ke looked at each other, sighed helplessly, and had to follow the old eunuch out of the Taiji Hall.

The sun was already shining brightly at noon. Fortunately, my younger brothers and sisters were now familiar with the Imperial College, and Li Lizhi and Ning'er took them to class.

"Brother, I heard that the King of Wei has begun to prepare for the compilation of the Comprehensive Geography."

Li Chengqian walked with his hands in his pockets and nodded, "Very good."

Li Ke added: "Recently, the emperor has been praising Li Tai more and more."

Seeing his brother's expression, he quickly explained, "I have always remembered your warning, but I am still angry."

Li Chengqian said to him: "You should study the art of war and the strategy of commanding an army well in the army, and you may not be worse than Qingque in the future."

"But……"

Just as he was about to say more, he had already arrived in front of the Ganlu Palace.

Li Chengqian said, "Alright, no more words, let's go into the palace."

Li Ke lowered his head and followed his brother.

In Ganlu Palace, Li Tai was already sitting here, talking to his father.

Li Shimin's expression was quite approving, and he seemed very satisfied with what Li Tai said.

"Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the King of Wu have arrived."

Hearing this, Li Shimin turned around and said, "Sit down."

Li Chengqian bowed first and said, "Thank you, father."

The three brothers each had a low table, and the food was served on the table.

Li Shimin asked about Li Ke's recent situation again, and Li Ke answered about his various deeds in the army.

The atmosphere between the father and son in the hall was very good, except for Crown Prince Li Chengqian, who frowned and looked at the braised pork in front of him, remaining silent.

Any new dishes that appear in the Eastern Palace will soon be replicated in my father's place.

Of course, this is also because Ning'er sends the daily records of the Eastern Palace to Lizheng Hall every day.

After giving two cans of soy sauce to my mother, it is no wonder that the palace can make braised pork.

However, the cooking skill of the braised pork was not very good, and the surface was a little burnt. After all, it was braised, and this kind of cooking skill could not be learned overnight.

Li Tai spoke to his father again, still talking about his experience reading scriptures and books these days.

Li Ke looked at the position closest to his father. His royal brother was sitting upright, staring at the braised pork for a long time without saying a word. He had not spoken a word since he entered the hall and paid his respects.

"Cheng Qian, what have you been doing these days?"

Hearing this, Li Chengqian raised his head and replied, "I have been busy taking care of my younger brothers and sisters these days."

Li Shimin's expression suddenly became serious, and he said in a deep voice: "I know you are busy taking care of those children. If the Eastern Palace is still short of manpower, I will ask your mother to make the arrangements."

"No need, the East Palace has enough manpower."

Another sentence rejected the emperor's good intention.

Li Ke felt like the sky was falling. How could his royal brother speak to his father like that? His father's face now had the words "ungrateful" written all over it.

He stroked his forehead to hide his expression and winked at his brother.

Li Tai sat there calmly, as if in a trance, and his expression was calm.

Li Shimin asked again: "Qingque and Ke'er have both made great achievements. As the crown prince and their elder brother, you should not neglect them."

"Your Majesty is right." Li Chengqian straightened his back and replied, "I plan to discuss medicine with Dr. Sun."

Li Shimin still had a stern face and asked, "Why? Do you still want to practice medicine?"

"Father, many skills are good, and I am thirsty for knowledge."

"Knowledge?" Thinking of the Queen's condition, Li Shimin said helplessly: "Well, while you are seeking advice from Dr. Sun, you must not delay yourself."

"I won't delay." Li Chengqian replied seriously. He meant what he said. He definitely couldn't delay himself because he still had to be the emperor in the future.

Li Shimin nodded, and a eunuch handed him a memorial.

"This is the military report sent from Liangzhou. You can all take a look."

Since the grand court meeting this year, my father, the emperor, has made a plan to march west to attack Tuyuhun, with 50,000 troops and three routes to attack Tuyuhun.

Li Jing, the commander-in-chief of the Western Sea Road, has entered Liangzhou with his troops.

Li Daozon, Li Daliang and Hou Junji entered the territory of Tuyuhun first and took Fuqi City directly. The Tuyuhun King Fuyun burned all the food and grass in the city and retreated to the area around Chishuiyuan.

Before the first battle between the Tang army and Tuyuhun began, Tuyuhun king Fuyun retreated. The battle took place around Qinghai, with three armies heading straight for Fushi City.

Li Shimin said in a deep voice: "What do you think of this battle?"

Li Taixian replied, "Father, I thought that since we had lost Fuxi City, we would have no choice but to flee to the Western Regions. We were already at the end of our rope."

Li Ke said: "Father, I also think that we have a good chance of winning this battle."

Finally, Li Shimin's eyes fell on his son, who was closest to him. Seeing that he was still staring at the military report, frowning and silent, he said, "Cheng Qian, what do you think?"

Seeing that his son ignored him, Li Shimin asked again: "Do you think there is something wrong?"

Li Chengqian then replied: "Father, there was no real confrontation between the Tang Dynasty and Tuyuhun. Fu Yun's retreat may be to seek a better location."

Li Shimin nodded and motioned for him to continue.

"The current Tuyuhun King Fuyun is trapped at the source of the Chishui River and still controls the majority of the troops. I think they are just retreating temporarily, which is far from a great victory. Moreover, there is a large uninhabited area west of Qinghai. If the army is dragged into the uninhabited plateau area, it will be bitten."

"It would be best if we could resolve the issue quickly. Once it takes too long, the cost will be higher."

Li Shimin took a sip of the wine with a serious expression. He had never heard that this kid had read any military books before.

The analysis is quite good, and this is exactly what Li Jing is worried about.

Although what Li Chengqian said was right, Li Shimin still looked dissatisfied and said, "It seems that the food here is still not to your taste."

It is said that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Majesty have never picked up their chopsticks during their recent meals.

(End of this chapter)