The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 332: A commoner's friend in the mid-life crisis

Guo Luotuo walked out of Chengtian Gate and walked in the now empty imperial city. Normally, the palace would be very busy at this time.

He stopped and looked around. There was no one in the official residences at this moment.

When they were almost at the Suzaku Gate, they saw a figure standing in front of a notice on the Imperial City Gate.

Guo Luotuo stepped forward and saluted, saying, "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Father has postponed the morning court session for an hour. From now on, you don't have to come to court so early."

He turned around and looked at Guo Luotuo, and asked again: "Have you met the emperor?"

Guo Luotuo raised his eyes slightly and glanced at the current prince. He looked more majestic than before, and his voice was heavier.

"I am back."

He just said this briefly.

"Thank you for your help over the past few years."

"I have gained a lot in the Western Regions this time, and I also brought a lot of seeds with me to plant in Guanzhong."

Li Chengqian said to him, "Well, the court is on holiday now, we will make arrangements when the court opens next year."

After returning to Chang'an, Guo Luotuo wanted to say a lot to the prince, but now everything he wanted to say was written in the files, and His Highness could see those files, so he didn't know what to say.

After thinking it over, he bowed and said, "I'll take my leave."

It snowed heavily for several days in a row, and finally one day the weather cleared up. Duke Zhao had been in a bad mood recently, and even his relatives who came to visit him disappeared during his holiday.

Today, Changsun Wuji brought only his son Changsun Chong, and the father and son sat by the Wei River fishing.

There are few people fishing in winter. In the cold winter, people are leisurely staying in their homes, waiting for the arrival of spring.

Changsun Wuji exhaled a breath of hot air in the cold air and looked towards the wilderness in the distance.

Chang Sun Chong tucked his hands into his sleeves. He was too cold to stretch out his hands. Instead, he sat beside his father, silent.

After the prince came to power, all the civil officials in the court were under tremendous pressure, and even the military generals felt it.

This pressure came from the prince's decrees. If other emperors would tire out the people after ascending the throne, then this prince of the Eastern Palace would tire out the officials.

Human abilities are limited. By the time Changsun Wuji reached his age, he already knew the limits of his abilities.

Young officials are all energetic and good at learning.

For some reason, Changsun Wuji remembered what his uncle had said before: when the prince thinks you are useless, he will abandon you.

Only if the crown prince allowed him to retire after ascending the throne would Changsun Wuji feel relieved.

But what about now? His Majesty is still in office, the prince has not yet ascended the throne, and he is sandwiched between the emperor and his son, and he is also the prince's uncle.

Especially for the prince who has grown to this point, Changsun Wuji is even more worried that he is not capable enough to assist the prince.

Chang Sun Chong's gaze fell on the thinly frozen river surface. He thought that it was not just his father who was helpless now. The pressure on all the civil officials in the court finally turned into anxiety.

My father was so anxious that he behaved extremely abnormally and even went out fishing.

This pressure came from the various important tasks assigned by the crown prince to officials in various departments. The Ministry of Civil Affairs was to conduct a population survey to find out the population, and the Ministry of Works was to allocate resources for Guanzhong.

Let's talk about the population census first. Although this task is not difficult, it is extremely arduous. Not only will there be no results in a year or two, but people must be continuously sent to various counties and regions, and even hidden households must be investigated.

What the Ministry of Works meant by resource deployment was to organize various minerals, timber, and then store them in Guanzhong, even mud and sand. The iron mine of the Changsun family was on the list of materials to be organized.

How could the Minister of Works Yan Liben have the ability to deal with such matters? Rectifying the noble families, isn't this forcing people to rebel?
When did the Ministry of Industry start to take care of this kind of thing?
I heard that when the prince issued the decree, someone in the Ministry of Works said that the matter should be handled by Jingzhao Prefecture.

The Minister of Works Yan Liben fell ill the next day and prepared to retire and return home.

Maybe when the court opens next year, all departments and supervisors will have a good argument to decide who should do what and who should not do what.

It will be a mess again then.

Jingzhao Prefecture was also busy, busy with the reconstruction of county workshops and inquiring about the conditions for building workshops among county households. It was the only official residence that had not had a rest period so far.

There is also the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Censorate, not to mention that they are still sending personnel to various parts of the Central Plains, and they would like to open a Censorate in every prefecture.

The prince has not made any moves except on the Ministry of War, which involves military power. But if he did, who knows what the situation would be like.

The Secretariat? Haha... Chu Suiliang and the others were almost driven crazy.

The Crown Prince now serves as the Minister of the Chancellery and is in charge of all officials. This is a power given by His Majesty, and the court officials can only let him do as he pleases.

The prince hoped that the court officials could be like hungry wolves, striving forward, and he also hoped that the officials could be like camels, with perseverance and determination.

After all, not everyone is Xu Jingzong.

Over the past ten years, the lives of the villagers in Guanzhong have become better and better, while the lives of officials in the court have become more and more difficult.

Changsun Wuji was fishing here when he heard the noise of carriages and horses coming from behind. He saw that the leading general was escorted by Li Ji.

Look at the style of the carriage and the number of soldiers and horses escorting it.

Changsun Wuji hurriedly stood up and saluted.

Li Shimin got off the carriage, followed by Princess Jinyang Li Mingda and a little child with curious eyes.

His Majesty did not speak either. He just walked to the river with his fishing rod in hand. After putting down the fishing line, he sat down and fished.

Changsun Wuji sat down again and continued fishing.

The situation between the emperor and his ministers was very quiet, except for Princess Jinyang and her grandson, who were by the river, throwing stones into the river for fun.

Little Yutu was throwing stones happily, and every time a stone fell into the river, he would cheer with joy.

Princess Jinyang also taught him how to build a house using stones of various shapes.

"I heard you came out to fish and relax."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I heard that in the morning, the Wei River was steaming, which was a beautiful sight. But when I came here, the beauty was gone. The villagers said that the beauty was fleeting, and they could only see it when they got up early to work in the workshop."

After a brief pause, Changsun Wuji whispered, "I came too late and didn't see it."

Your Majesty and the Duke of Zhao have been friends since they were young and were close friends back then.

But now, Your Majesty and Duke Zhao are both middle-aged, nearly fifty years old.

Sitting together by the river, with sad looks on their faces, they looked like two men going through a mid-life crisis.

Li Shimin said: "They actually advised me to retire. Fu Ji, tell me, how can such a thing happen in this world?"

Changsun Wuji felt bitter. If His Majesty wanted to retire, perhaps just an imperial decree would be enough. But what about him?
As a minister, Changsun Wuji knew that even if he retired, he had to get the emperor's approval and consider the emperor's mood.

Being an emperor is much easier than being a minister.

However, even though he thought so in his heart, Changsun Wuji still asked: "Who is it? How dare I..."

Li Shimin read: "Lizhi, Dongyang, Linchuan, Qingque, Zhinu..."

Changsun Wuji lowered his head again and said nothing.

"When did I end up like this? Will they force me to abdicate in a few years?"

Zhang Sun Wuji said: "My uncle said that if the kings are not harmonious, the country will be in chaos. Now that your majesty's children are united, my uncle also said that this is a good thing."

"A nice story?"

Of course Li Shimin wanted to ask his uncle why he said that.

Not long after, Changsun Wuji caught a fish, put it back into the river, and continued to lower the fishing line.

The sun was rising higher in the blue sky, and it was gradually getting warmer here.

Little Yutu was running, looking up at the blue sky.

Li Shimin said: "My children all say that I should retire, but if I retire, will there be anyone to assist Cheng Qian?" Changsun Wuji held the fishing rod, knowing in his heart that Prime Minister Fang was also old.

"I think the civil officials include Chu Suiliang, Cen Wenben, Zhang Xingcheng, Ma Zhou, Gao Jifuzhu, and Zhang Xuansu..."

"how about you?"

"minister……"

"I also know that the old guys have left the court one after another. Qin Qiong has also resigned from his post, and Su Dingfang is also about to resign. The soldiers are all planning to fight once more, just for the last time."

Chang Sun Wuji lowered his head again and said, "Your Majesty, have you asked His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to prepare?"

Li Shimin said: "All the food and fodder and soldiers are here, we are just waiting for the right time to go to war."

The fishing line suddenly sank. Li Shimin picked up the fishing rod and caught a fish, and then put the fish back into the river.

"You are about the same age as me, and you hold an important position in the court. If there is no one to replace you, Cheng Qian will let you continue to stay in the court."

This is the worst-case scenario. Changsun Wuji closed his eyes and could already imagine what the situation would be like when His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ascended the throne and continued to serve as the Minister of Personnel.

Seeing that it was almost noon, Li Shimin put away his fishing rod, called back his daughter and grandson, and got on the carriage back to the palace.

Changsun Wuji bowed and said goodbye to His Majesty.

In the past, His Majesty would have been hunting in the winter. Perhaps it was because he had a grandson that His Majesty thought of going back.

Zhang Sun Wuji whispered: "You should get married soon, Ouyang Xun's granddaughter is good."

The eldest grandson rushed back: "I will go to visit tomorrow."

"Ah."

Just as Duke Zhao has been anxious about recently, even during this rest season, the officials of various departments are not having a good time.

It seems that since the early Zhenguan period, although the government affairs were heavy, everyone was still calm.

After the prince came to power, the pressure on officials in various departments suddenly increased.

In a tavern in Chang'an City, someone said loudly: "Recently, officials in the court are trembling with fear. Sooner or later, the court and the people will be in turmoil."

Xu Jingzong, who was dining with Prince Jin, Prince Ji, and Shangguan Yi, happened to hear this. He slammed the table and stood up, saying, "Who is talking about the crown prince?"

"I am the Secret Supervisor of a certain family, Yu!"

Li Shen asked quietly, "Who is Yu Mijian?"

Shangguan Yi explained: "Yu Shinan's son Yu Chang works in the Secretary General."

Xu Jingzong pointed at the other person and said, "It has only been a short time since Lord Yu passed away. Are you worthy of him?"

Yu Chang was not a soft-tempered person. He said, "You don't need to mention my father."

"I will teach you a lesson on behalf of Lord Yu."

After he finished speaking, Shangguan Yi stroked his forehead in pain.

The two sides started fighting immediately, and a group of people rushed towards Xu Jingzong.

Xu Jingzong, who had never given in, saw that the other party was coming at him aggressively, so he did not retreat but fought back violently.

The tavern immediately fell into chaos.

Li Zhi shouted angrily: "Brother Shen, let's go!"

Shangguan Yi hurried to stop them, but it was too late. Prince Jin and Prince Ji had already rushed over. He stared at the scene in a daze, muttering, "It's over, it's over..."

That afternoon, Xu Jingzong was taken to Chengtian Gate. Standing behind him were Yu Chang and a group of people who were involved in the fight in the tavern.

This kind of thing is nothing on a normal day. It’s not the first or second time that Xu Shaoyin has gotten into a fight, and most of the time he just pays a fine and the matter is settled.

Anyway, Master Du He is here, and as long as no one is killed, we can afford the compensation.

But this time, both Prince Jin and Prince Ji participated in the fight, and this matter became a big deal.

Xu Jingzong stood in front of Chengtian Gate, dejected.

Yu Chang and the others also looked ashen and dazed.

At this moment in Ganlu Palace.

"I'll give you the palace! Are you going to be my princes?"

Li Shen and Li Zhi's clothes were a little messy. They stood in front of their father, with their heads lowered, aggrieved and silent.

Li Shimin pointed at his two sons and said angrily, "My sons beat up court officials? You are so brave!"

Li Zhi whispered, "They are talking about my brother."

"Discussion? Just because they were discussing, you dared to take action?"

Li Zhi replied: "Are we going to let them say that my brother is a king like Jie and Zhou?"

“Jie and Zhou?” Li Shimin blew his beard and glared, his face flushed with anger, and said, “I think you two are Jie and Zhou! Someone come here!”

The guard outside the palace said, "Here."

Li Shimin said: "Bring me a stick."

A moment later, the screams of Li Zhi and Li Shen were heard one after another in Ganlu Palace.

Finally, the two boys were carried to Xingqing Palace and presented to the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

"Royal brother!" Li Zhi grimaced in pain and said, "Brother..."

Li Chengqian looked at their torn buttocks and shook his head, saying, "Father, you are so ruthless."

Li Shen buried his head and cried.

Dongyang came hurriedly, carrying a bamboo tube, "Zhi Nu, Shen Di."

"Sister Dongyang!"

Li Zhi sobbed.

Dongyang stepped forward to take a look at the injury and said, "Oh, this injury is quite serious. If you don't take care of it for ten days or half a month, I'm afraid it won't heal."

After saying that, Dongyang took out ointment from the bamboo tube and applied it on his wound.

"Ugh..." Li Zhi gritted his teeth and twitched in pain.

To be honest, even if it was Li Zhi who taught them a lesson, she wouldn't have beaten them so harshly.

Li Chengqian asked: "Do you know you are wrong?"

Li Zhi nodded, "Zhi Nu knows he was wrong. From now on, he will never fight on his own. Hiss... it hurts!"

Dongyang seemed not to hear his cry of pain, and continued to apply the medicine, saying: "Don't let the wound get wet these days, and don't sit if you can lie down or stand."

Li Shen nodded obediently.

The eunuch walked into the hall and said, "Your Highness, the Emperor has ordered that all those who participated in the fight will be fined three years' salary. Xu Jingzong will be confined to his house for half a month, and Prince Jin and Prince Ji will be confined to their houses for one month to reflect on their mistakes. They will be supervised by Master Kong Yingda."

"What? Master Confucius?" Li Zhi, who was lying on the wooden board, supported his body with his arms and asked back.

"This... this is His Majesty's will."

Li Shen held his head in pain, "It's over. I have to be watched over by Master Kong for a month."

Li Chengqian ignored the pleading looks of his two younger brothers and ate walnuts by himself, "Dongyang, how is grandpa's health?"

"It's pretty good."

(End of this chapter)