The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 313 The Prince's New Hobby
Even though Li Xiaogong is now middle-aged, he still had plenty of strength when he fought in the battlefields. The slap was so powerful that Li Yuanxiang had to take several steps back before he could steady himself.

Seeing that the situation was not right, Princess Changguang shouted, "Go and ask the emperor to make the decision!"

Several servants outside the Zongzheng Temple were about to leave, but were stopped by several soldiers.

Princess Changguang suddenly realized something and turned to look at Li Chengqian who was sitting at the top. She asked in a sharp voice: "Do you want to kill our uncles?"

Li Chengqian said: "Li Yuanxiang, the Prince of Jiang, Li Yun, the Prince of Jiang, and Li Feng, the Prince of Guo, are greedy and tyrannical. They have harmed the local people and robbed the villagers. The local governors of prefectures and cities have written petitions saying that they would rather be exiled to Dan, Ya, Zhen, Bai! than to assist Jiang, Teng, Jiang, and Guo."

Princess Changguang waved her sleeves and said, "Nonsense! How can our Li family allow them to comment on us?"

Li Chengqian added: "Yes, it is not easy for our Li family to pacify the world."

Li Yuanying knelt on the ground, and he vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

"It is precisely because of this difficulty that our Li family must cherish the peace we have now. It is heartbreaking to see uncles doing evil things outside."

Li Yuanying said: "Your Highness, I will change it!"

"What are you changing?" Li Yuanxiang spat a mouthful of blood foam on the ground and shouted, "Don't think that just because you are the crown prince, you can treat the royal family like this."

Li Chengqian did not get angry but laughed: "Really? It seems that you still know that you are a member of the royal family."

"It's none of your business!"

"Snapped!"

Li Yuanxiang shouted again and was slapped by Li Xiaogong again.

Li Chengqian said in a loud voice: "Take Prince Jiang Li Yuanxiang and Prince Teng Li Yuanying to the prison and hand them over to the Ministry of Justice for trial. All their crimes will be recorded and the Dali Temple, the Censorate, and the Ministry of Justice will conduct a thorough investigation. If there are any connections, they will be escorted to Chang'an for interrogation. Then, we will order people to arrest the two princes Jiang and Guo who are outside."

It was very quiet inside the Zongzheng Temple. Li Chengqian stood up and faced everyone, saying, "It's okay. We can investigate slowly and interrogate me slowly. We have plenty of patience. Tell the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Dali Temple that they will not be closed from today onwards."

"Here!"

Someone immediately went to give instructions.

When the guards from the imperial city rushed in and captured the two kings of Jiang and Teng, the domineering Li Yuanxiang finally realized that it was really the prince who had the final say here.

Li Chengqian added: "No matter how many people will die, I have said that I have plenty of patience. Take them away."

"Here!"

The two kings were taken away from the Zongzheng Temple. Princess Changguang was still standing there, looking left and right, and had to pick up her skirt and leave quickly.

Li Chengqian walked out of the Zongzheng Temple and said, "Thank you, uncle."

Li Xiaogong said, "I have long wanted to deal with these guys. His Majesty has said that this matter will be handled by Your Highness, so we should obey Your Highness in everything."

Li Chengqian said, "Thank you for your concern, uncle. I'll trouble you and uncle to help with the rest."

"I accept your order."

"It's so exciting to help the country clean up insects. I really like this kind of thing."

Changsun Wuji and Li Xiaogong stood in the wind and snow in silence for a while.

After the prince had gone far away, Li Xiaogong put down his hands and asked in confusion: "What is he so happy about?"

Changsun Wuji was also confused and said, "Happily cleaning up the insects."

"What's so good about this?"

"The prince has always had strange hobbies, and I don't like fishing either. Is the Prince of Hejian good at fishing?"

Li Xiaogong couldn't help shaking his head and said, "Someone is good at catching fish."

"Catching fish, um..." Chang Sun Wuji nodded and said, "Good."

Li Xiaogong said, "Really, there is no need to persuade His Highness? Killing too many people is not good."

Zhang Sun Wuji put his hands behind his back, raised his head to feel the wind and snow, and said, "I am a relative from outside the family, so it is not appropriate for me to interfere in the affairs of the royal family."

Li Xiaogong winked and wondered what this old fox was pretending to be. He said with some disdain, "The old thief Changsun is still the same old thief."

"The crown prince is not just the crown prince in your Majesty's eyes, nor is he the crown prince in your eyes and mine. The crown prince is the crown prince of the people of the world."

Chang Sun Wuji let out a sigh of relief, which turned into a cloud of white mist in the cold air. He shook his head and said, "Let's go. I'm going to get busy."

Li Xiaogong stood there, stepped heavily on the snow beside him, and said, "It's all bullshit! It's all bullshit."

The next day, after Prince Jiang and Prince Teng were arrested and imprisoned, Di Zhixun had received the news the night before and woke up early to wash up.

Di Renjie stood by with sleepy eyes and said, "Isn't it time for rest?"

Dickson shook his head.

Di Renjie asked curiously, "Is there something urgent?"

Dickson rinsed his mouth and nodded.

"Could it be that mother has come again?"

Dickson shook his head again.

"That's right." Di Renjie nodded solemnly and said, "My mother has been taking care of my seriously ill grandfather, but...what happened? Did the prince rebel?"

The child has always been sharp-minded. He really couldn't think of any reason that could make his father get up early in the cold winter. The only major change was probably that His Majesty was not in the court and the Crown Prince guarding Chang'an had second thoughts.

Could it be that what King Jin had been hoping for finally happened?

In this case, the Di family has no choice but to find a way out. The world will probably be in chaos again. Should they return to their hometown in Bingzhou?

Di Renjie's facial features were almost twisted together.

Di Zhixun wiped his face and said, "No more rest. The prince has ordered an investigation."

Di Renjie's fat face was full of surprise, and he said, "Ah?"

In the past, the court did not act like this. During the rest season, people would rest. But now, with just one word from the crown prince, things have to get busy again.

Di Zhixun put on his official uniform again and said, "I'm going to the Ministry of Justice to do some work. You can find your own food in the morning."

While my father was talking, Di Renjie had already crawled back into bed and continued to sleep.

The imperial city became busy early in the morning. It was the rest season, but now the imperial city was abnormally busy.

The Dali Temple and the Censorate continuously sent personnel to various places.

Prince Teng and Prince Jiang were captured by Cheng Chumo and Li Jingheng, the Right Commanders of the Eastern Palace. Now the Right Commander of the Eastern Palace, also known as the legendary Flying Tigers, has not returned to Chang'an, and no one knows what he is doing now.

Of course, minor details are not important to the Ministry of Justice.

The Minister of Justice Liu Dewei and the Vice Minister of Justice Di Zhixun were both very worried.

"Minister Liu, can the two kings of Jiang and Teng be convicted?"

"Yeah." Liu Dewei nodded.

"Then how should we sentence them? They are kings, not ordinary people." Di Zhixun was confused and asked, "If we want to sentence them, should we first demote them to commoners?"

Liu Dewei sat in the Ministry of Justice, flipping through the files and said, "It's annoying."

Di Zhixun nodded and said, "It's difficult."

Princess Changguang had already left Chang'an City and was trying to escape from Guanzhong. The Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace was an extremely rational person.

A rational person is not swayed by emotions, let alone by human feelings and family affection.

Reason allows the prince to not be swayed by emotions when making judgments. Such people are often cruel and harsh.

Such characteristics would be inappropriate for other children, but they are very suitable for the crown prince.

Gao Shilian was humming the ballads of Sichuan, feeling very happy, and drinking tea in the heavy snow.

Freshly poured tea should be drunk quickly because it cools down quickly.

Zhang Sun Wuji explained the whole story and said, "The Crown Prince has no right to demote the Prince of Jiang and the Prince of Teng to commoners. The Crown Prince has sent the memorial to them and is waiting for the Emperor's order."

Gao Shilian said, "He is the crown prince, the heir to the throne! If he wants to be the emperor, he must pass this test. No matter how ruthless or cruel he is, he must handle this matter well, be the master of the house, and be beyond reproach. It is really too difficult for my old grandson."

"Uncle, Princess Changguang ran away."

"Of course she was scared. She was afraid that Cheng Qian would kill her."

Changsun Wuji took a sip of tea. Every word and every judgment his uncle had said so far was correct.

Gao Shilian said: "If he wants to be the emperor, he can't let people see his weakness. He can't be weak. Even when facing his uncle from the royal family, he needs to be strong and cruel to kill some people. This grandson is really pitiful."

In the past, His Majesty would never let the Eastern Palace be easily involved in human lives. In many matters, His Majesty made the decisions and determined the life and death of some people.

Now that the prince has grown up and has the shrewdness to be a crown prince, it’s time to make important decisions.

"Gao Lin, show the guest out."

Changsun Wuji was about to speak.

Gao Shilian waved his wide sleeves and said, "I'm tired."

Every time he came to visit his uncle, his uncle spoke less and less, and Changsun Wuji walked out of the mansion in disappointment.

This is a prince with a sharp edge, and he is no longer the gentle and kind child he used to be.

Changsun Wuji smiled with relief.

In the winter, another victory report from Yinshan was sent to Chang'an. The troops led by Zhang Jian, the governor of Yingzhou, attacked the heart of Mobei and beheaded more than 5,000 people. Unlike Li Ji's defensive strategy of luring the enemy, Zhang Jian led his troops to attack and confront the Mobei people head-on.

Li Daliang, the commander-in-chief of the Liangzhou Road, divided his troops into three groups, encircled and suppressed the important area of ​​Baidaochuan where Zhenzhu Khan was located, and beheaded more than 6,000 people.

Li Ji recruited another 6,000 Turkic cavalry, crossed the Baidao River, and pursued the Mobei army.

Within the Nuozhen Water area of ​​Mobei, the Mobei people gathered cavalry and set up a battle formation spanning ten miles, vowing to prepare for a decisive battle with the Tang army.

Li Chengqian was sitting in the Xingqing Palace, reading the battle report. Next to him was an urgent letter sent by Zhenzhu Khan of Mobei. He still requested to marry a Tang princess, and as long as Tang and Mobei reached a ceasefire, he would be willing to enter Chang'an.

Is this guy going to marry into the prince's family? Or does he think the prince is young and easy to fool?

The armies have fought like this, and we still want to negotiate peace?
The generals had finally gone on an expedition, and if they failed to destroy Mobei, it would undermine the prestige of the Tang army.

It may also be that the people of Mobei did not expect that the Tang army now had cotton-padded clothes to keep warm, and their combat effectiveness was stronger than that of the Mobei people who were suffering from the cold.

Tens of thousands of cotton coats! The cost of this battle is really too high, and too much money has been spent.

Chu Suiliang stood in the Xingqing Hall, still in the posture of bowing and saluting, motionless.

Li Chengqian ordered: "From now on, there is no need to send letters from Mobei seeking peace."

Chu Suiliang added: "Jin Chunqiu said that Baekje and Goguryeo have repeatedly bullied each other. I hope Your Majesty can issue an order to rebuke Goguryeo and is willing to join the Tang army in attacking Goguryeo."

"Jin Chunqiu?"

"That's the Silla envoy who refused to leave Chang'an."

Li Chengqian suddenly realized, "I almost forgot about him."

Chu Suiliang nodded slightly. The prince would naturally not remember the envoy of a small country.

“Has the Champa rice been delivered?”

"The rice seeds have been sent to the two prefectures in the south of the Yangtze River. The Sino-Agricultural Temple has also kept some for trial planting next year. Do you want to..."

"Do you want anything?"

He cleared his throat and said, "I heard that the Crown Prince's ambition back then was to grow rice in the desert."

"Ah."

"How about asking Sinongsi to take the rice seeds and go to the desert to try it out?"

What a good idea! Chu Suiliang was very aware and understood deeply what the crown prince wanted.

……

When leaving Xingqing Hall, Chu Suiliang, the Minister of the Secretariat and head of the Ministry of Rites, took a few deep breaths to calm his mind.

"I have sacrificed my life for the country, how can I be asked to grow rice in the desert?" Chu Suiliang took a few deep breaths again and shivered in the ice and snow. Fortunately, His Highness said later, "You are joking. The court still needs people like Chu Suiliang to maintain stability."

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is wise." Chu Suiliang's steps were a little weak when he walked. He was almost exiled to the desert because of a slip of the tongue. How is this different from exile?
From now on, you must never say such things in front of the prince. The prince’s ideals cannot be mentioned, cannot be asked, and absolutely cannot be spoken.

At this moment, Chu Suiliang's inner thoughts were very intense. As he walked, many things and words flashed through his mind.

The current emperor no longer cares about worldly affairs.

He did not ask about the affairs of the royal family. It was not that no one asked, and it was not that no one asked for an audience, but they were all rejected by the emperor.

With just a few words, he left all court affairs to His Majesty and the Crown Prince.

Holding his great-grandson in his arms, the old man refused all requests to see him. No matter how turbulent the outside world was, it had nothing to do with the emperor.

Under the thorough investigation of the Dali Temple and the Censorate, more and more prisoners were escorted to Chang'an. These prisoners were more or less related to Prince Teng and Prince Jiang.

Compared to the domineering attitude of Prince Jiang, Prince Teng was much weaker. He confessed all the bad things he had done with his brothers, and even knew every link and people involved.

The names and charges were spoken out by Prince Teng, written down into scrolls and sent to the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate.

Several people who were proven guilty were beheaded today, and the prince finally had a life on his hands.

There were new rumors in the court and the public that the prince had a new hobby besides fishing.

This hobby made people feel cold. Officials in the court were sometimes awakened in the middle of the night. All the officials in the court were trembling with fear, and each of them was walking on thin ice.

The prince still enjoys this.

He ordered the Dali Temple to send more personnel and ordered Jingzhao Prefecture to assist the Dali Temple in the investigation. Yu Zhining stood at the city gate and gave the prince the order. Then, one team after another of officers and soldiers left Chang'an City.

The latest news from the Dali Temple is that nine thousand kilograms of gold and silver, twenty-five eastern pearls, and two thousand hectares of confiscated land were found in Prince Jiang's palace.

It is really jaw-dropping that the Prince Jiang’s Mansion has 8,000 servants.

Inside the palace, little Sizi was playing with little Yutu. The little guy was very sweet-mouthed and called everyone "Auntie" all the time, which made him very lovable.

Just one action of Xiao Yutu made the eunuch's heartbeat pause for a moment.

I saw little Yu Tu holding a calligraphy piece by Wang Xizhi. He tore it with his little hands and a crack appeared on it. He seemed to find it fun. He pulled it again with his little hand, and there was a ripping sound, and the calligraphy piece was torn into two pieces.

Upon seeing this, the eunuch fainted on the spot.

(End of this chapter)