The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 331: Duke Zhao's Sorrow
Inside the Ganlu Hall, the soup in the copper pot was still boiling.

Li Shimin took out some mutton from the hot pot and put it into his mouth to chew.

Changsun Wuji asked, "Du He has been supplying paper to the court and has never cared about the price. I also heard that he is now the richest man in Guanzhong."

After hearing these words, Li Shimin glanced at Li Xiaogong again and said, "Sit down."

"Yes." Li Xiaogong sat down again.

"I think Du He is Cheng Qian's money bag. Du He can give Cheng Qian all the money he has. If Cheng Qian wants Du He to remain a money bag, he should let Du He continue to be in charge of the papermaking workshop."

"Your Majesty, nowadays, Du He is not the only one making paper. Moreover, the papermaking workshop in Luoyang is bigger. Even if the court wants to buy a paper, it should buy the big workshop in Luoyang."

Li Xiaogong nodded and said, "There are hundreds of people working in the workshops in Luoyang, and the paper produced every day cannot be used up."

Chang Sun Wuji continued, "I have been assisting the Crown Prince until now. I heard that several large warehouses have been built in Tongguan. They can build workshops based on how long the goods circulate in the warehouses. According to Jingzhao Prefecture, this is called supply."

Seeing that His Majesty was still a little confused, Changsun Wuji used a piece of mutton to explain: "The warehouse in Tongguan is not used to store goods, but to speed up the circulation of goods. Many goods will not stay in the warehouse for half a month."

“What if it’s not sold within half a month?”

Li Xiaogong suddenly asked.

Changsun Wuji explained: "It can be sold to the Western Regions, but most of the goods in Luoyang and Guanzhong are sold to various places in the Central Plains, or given to Guanzhong and Luoyang for their needs."

Li Shimin had recently heard what Li Zhi and others had said. After the scale of production was expanded, the production tools would become more valuable. Every spinning wheel made by the Shaofujian would become more valuable. Now the spinning wheels needed by each county were scheduled to be delivered until next year.

If Jiangnan's silk is a natural blessing, then since the Tang Dynasty controlled the Western Regions and Tianshan Mountains, the Tang Dynasty's cotton and linen textiles were also naturally blessed.

The three were discussing when a voice was heard outside the palace, saying, "Your Majesty, Master Du He has gone to Jingzhao Prefecture."

Li Shimin nodded and said, "Go investigate further."

"Here."

Changsun Wuji and Li Xiaogong looked at each other in silence. This was the first transaction between the court and merchants. The court did need paper, but if the court kept paying for paper, it would be another expense.

Li Shimin snorted coldly: "Why didn't Cheng Qian let him present it to the court?"

Chang Sun Wuji stroked his beard and said, "I'm afraid he's worried that someone will say that the Crown Prince of the East Palace has taken away someone's property."

Li Xiaogong ate the mutton in the bowl and chewed it quickly. "Duke Zhao, what you said is not right. If Du He donated the papermaking workshop to the court, how can the court gain the trust of the counties in the future? This transaction is necessary. The court must pay the money."

Another half hour later, another message came, "Your Majesty, Jingzhao Prefecture is offering 3,000 strings of cash to buy the papermaking workshop in Jingyang, and the negotiations are still ongoing."

Li Shimin ordered: "Go and keep an eye on it again."

"Here."

Moreover, it is definitely impossible to buy the Jingyang Papermaking Workshop with three thousand strings of coins. Some people offered ten thousand strings of coins to buy the Jingyang papermaking secret recipe, but Du He held on to it and refused to sell it.

Li Xiaogong asked, "I heard that Du He's papermaking workshop has a share with Duke Zhao?"

Chang Sun Wuji said: "That belongs to my uncle, not to me."

Li Shimin suddenly asked, "Xiaogong, don't the books you sell also have a share of the East Palace?"

"Your Majesty, you are joking. I am just a small businessman. How can I compare with Du He? My business is uncertain. Now my storybooks are not selling well."

But when His Majesty asked this, Li Xiaogong suddenly became alert and whispered, "If it is just to provide paper for the court, the court does not need to buy a paper mill at this time."

Li Xiaogong is usually careless, but this sentence hits the nail on the head.

Changsun Wuji nodded without saying anything, thinking.

Another half hour passed, and another person came to report, "Your Majesty, Jingzhao Prefecture has contributed one thousand strings of cash."

Li Xiaogong said: "Hey? The money is getting less and less."

Li Shimin laughed and said, "One thousand strings of cash? He might as well ask Du He to offer his workshop."

"Report! Jingzhao Prefecture has paid 100 strings of cash and has signed a contract with Master Du He."

Hearing this, Changsun Wuji looked up and saw that His Majesty had no intention of continuing his meal. Instead, he stood up and looked out the window in silence.

Seeing this, Changsun Wuji and Li Xiaogong also bowed and left.

At this moment, on the city wall of Suzaku Gate, Li Chengqian, Li Tai and Li Ke were sitting together, eating hot pot and enjoying the snow.

The three brothers were chatting about their recent lives. Li Tai's son was born and named Li Xin.

Li Ke's princess is about to give birth and is now recuperating.

"Originally, Ke planned to go to Shandong on this trip, but now he is just waiting for the princess's child to be born."

Li Chengqian said: "Don't worry, take care of your family first."

"I am willing to follow my brother's arrangements."

Li Tai ate hot pot and asked, "Are you still thinking about the Eastern Expedition?"

"Yes, if the emperor plans to march east, I am willing to be the vanguard."

Li Tai suppressed his laughter and said, "When we were planning to conquer the Western Regions, you said the same thing."

Li Ke sighed, "Alas, when we conquered Gaochang, I was only at the rear of the army, and then I missed the battle of Tianshan."

As he spoke, he also looked at his brother.

Now only the royal brother holds the power. If the royal brother can support me in going to war, I can go to Goguryeo with the army.

It’s because my brother the emperor always keeps his word and is deeply trusted by the court officials.

Li Chengqian picked up the dried ginkgo nuts and put them into his mouth and chewed them. "This is the dried ginkgo nuts sent from Shandong, also known as white nuts. They taste very good."

Li Tai looked at the bowl of dried fruit and whispered, "Although this fruit is good, how many ordinary people can afford it?"

Li Ke picked up one and put it in his mouth and chewed it.

Li Tai asked, "Has my uncle arranged all the rules and regulations that were set up in Xingqing Hall?"

Li Chengqian shook his head, "My uncle is meeting my father right now."

Li Tai understood, "If my uncle had arranged it, my brother wouldn't be here to stop me."

Li Ke swallowed the dried apricots in his mouth, scooped out a bowl of soup from the copper pot, and drank it slowly.

The imperial city is now empty, and all officials have gone on holiday. This year, it is a rare opportunity for them to get an early holiday.

Soon, two figures walked towards Suzaku Gate, apparently in a hurry.

Li Chengqian instructed the guards beside him, "Please invite my uncle and the emperor's uncle up."

"Here."

Just as he was about to reach the Suzaku Gate, Changsun Wuji smelled the scent of cooking mutton and looked up to see the city wall again.

It was snowing heavily, and there were vaguely more guards on the city wall.

A guard came over quickly and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince invites Duke Zhao and Prince Hejian to the tower for a chat."

I just dealt with His Majesty, and now I have to deal with the Crown Prince.

Changsun Wuji straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, and followed the guard.

On the city wall, the hot pot was placed on the table. There was a small pot on the small stove beside the table. When the lid was opened, there were boiled tea eggs in the pot.

Li Ke fished out a tea egg and put it in a bowl to wait for it to cool down before eating. Duke Zhao and Prince Hejian went up to the tower.

Before the person came to him, Li Chengqian said, "Uncle, Imperial Uncle!"

The two men looked for the sound and then came closer.

Although this table is not spacious, it is long enough to barely fit on the city wall.

Changsun Wuji and Li Xiaogong took the stools handed to them by the guards and sat down immediately.

When he sat down, Changsun Wuji saw a stack of papers beside him. There was a seal of Jingzhao Prefecture on the papers, which was most likely the contract negotiated between Jingzhao Prefecture and Du He.

Li Chengqian personally poured tea for the two of them and said with a smile, "The court has been on holiday recently, and the three of us brothers have a rare chance to relax, so we came here to enjoy the snow. We happened to meet my uncle and the emperor's uncle, so we invited them."

Li Ke nodded while peeling the shell of a tea egg. It was just a coincidence, not a deliberate arrangement.

Li Chengqian ate dried apricots and asked, "Has your uncle made any arrangements for Shandong Bozhou?"

Zhang Sun Wuji looked troubled and said, "This is a matter for six counties in total. I have already sent someone to deliver the documents. Please give me some more time, Your Highness."

"I'm not in a hurry."

Changsun Wuji placed his hands on his knees, lowered his head, and his expression became even more difficult.

Li Chengqian served his uncle another bowl of mutton soup. "In fact, there have been rumors in the court over the years that the Crown Prince of the East Palace is strict in his actions. The officials in the court are exhausted and don't even know how to do some tasks."

Li Tai said: "My Royal Brother, please don't say that. How dare a minister disobey the emperor's orders? If the ministers are not capable enough, they should be ashamed, not my Royal Brother."

Li Ke was eating his tea eggs by himself and didn't want to interrupt at all.

Noticing that Changsun Wuji's expression was getting worse, Li Tai said again: "Uncle, Qingque has no intention..."

"Your Highness, there is no need to do this." Changsun Wuji waved his hand and said, "I will be able to arrange this matter before the beginning of summer next year."

Li Chengqian picked up a walnut and peeled it. "It is not easy to replace the officials of a state. It is much easier to write a document to summon them to Chang'an. We can make a long-term plan later. How about that?"

Zhang Sun Wuji nodded, "I obey your command."

Your Majesty's three sons have grown up. When the three of them stand together, Changsun Wuji has nothing to say.

In fact, the current situation is just as King Wei said, the life of officials in this dynasty is really difficult.

Just as the soup in the copper pot was about to finish cooking, the snow-viewing event on the city wall came to an end.

The prince's appreciation of the snow was simple, unlike others who enjoyed it with the accompaniment of dance and music.

The Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace just had a simple hotpot while enjoying the snow.

After bidding farewell to their uncle and the emperor's uncle, Li Tai and Li Ke also left.

Li Chengqian returned to the Eastern Palace with the contract of the Jingyang Paper Mill. The value of a paper mill was not enough for Jingzhao Prefecture to buy it, but the court needed its own paper mill, and it had to be a workshop that could print books.

Since the Chongwenguan was opened in the Western Regions and Songzhou, many books have been sent there, but they were all books on literacy and Confucian classics.

Most of the books in Guanzhong are of this type. The court needs books, and teaching in various places needs books even more.

After Guo Luotuo returned to Chang'an, he did not rest for a full half month, but instead came to meet the emperor after resting for three days.

This time, Guo Luotuo had just entered the imperial city and did not see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but was summoned by His Majesty.

Guo Luotuo followed the eunuch all the way to a palace in the West Garden of the Imperial Palace.

Li Shimin sat here, flipping through a book in his hands.

Guo Luotuo, wearing neat official uniform, walked into the hall, saluted, and stood with his head bowed.

After a long time, Li Shimin changed his sitting posture, put down the book in his hand and looked at the official who had returned from the Western Regions after many years.

This Guo Luotuo did not look tall, had a dark complexion, wore official uniform, and looked like an old farmer.

When he was in charge of grape planting in Guanzhong, Li Shimin had seen him from afar. This was the first time he heard him speak.

"Did Cheng Qian instruct you to go to the Western Regions?"

Hearing His Majesty's question, Guo Luotuo reported truthfully: "I went to the Western Regions to ask for permission from His Majesty, and it was His Majesty who allowed it."

Li Shimin nodded slightly and said, "I also heard that you opened many karez in the Western Regions, which provided convenience for my Tang soldiers to attack Tianshan."

Guo Luotuo reported: "I ordered the people of the Western Regions to dig karez for the benefit of agriculture and sericulture in the Western Regions."

"After Zhang Shigui came back, he asked me to award you with military merit. Don't you want this military merit to bring glory to your family?"

Guo Luotuo quickly bowed again and said, "Your Majesty, I only know how to farm. I..."

Those officials who were in the court all spoke fluently.

This Guo Luotuo's words are very simple, and he seems not good at talking?
"Okay, I won't force you."

Guo Luotuo saluted again.

He was an official under the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, and had made great achievements in the Western Regions.

There are not many officials under the Eastern Palace. Among the three provinces and six ministries, there are only a few officials who call themselves officials under the Eastern Palace, but each of them is quite capable.

As a father, he couldn't say he was envious, but he could only sigh that the boy had a sharp eye.

"Cheng Qian said that you only know how to farm. It would be a waste of your talent to promote you to the six ministries or the Secretariat. I will make you a county marquis and continue to serve as the Minister of Agriculture. The farming affairs in Guanzhong will be handed over to you."

Guo Luotuo saluted and said, "I accept your order."

"Ah."

"My minister retire."

"Wait a minute."

Guo Luotuo turned around and stood bowed.

Li Shimin held a file in his hand, which Cheng Qian had recently compiled, and asked, "Can rice really be grown in the Western Regions?"

Guo Luotuo said: "Your Majesty, there are several special places in the middle section of Tianshan Mountain where rice can be grown. I..."

"I understand."

"My minister retire."

Guo Luotuo turned around and took a step outside the hall. This was the first time he had a private conversation with His Majesty, and he felt very nervous. He was also wondering if His Majesty had anything else to say, so he deliberately slowed down his pace.

Only after he stepped out of the palace gate did he quicken his pace and leave.

Li Shimin took a sip of tea and watched Guo Luotuo's back as he left the hall until he walked into the sunlight.

Probably since grapes were grown in Jingyang, Cheng Qian has paid great attention to this person.

In the years that followed, he built Guanzhong, ran workshops, and planted grapes. The foundation of this Crown Prince in Guanzhong became more solid year by year.

The position of the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace has become unshakable.

In state affairs, the ministers had to consider the prince's thoughts.

So many years have passed, and some people say that the prince now lacks a capable assistant.

Li Shimin snorted coldly. In fact, Cheng Qian himself was a capable man.

(End of this chapter)