The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 35: Living More Mediocrely

Li Chengqian put down the dead branch in his hand, stood up and said: "There may be many technical problems. You can try to draw a picture."

Xu Jingzong stroked his beard and said, "I have acquaintances in the Ministry of Works. I can ask them for help."

"Really? So it can be done this way." Li Chengqian nodded in understanding and said, "That's great. If it's convenient, I can also learn it."

Seeing that Xu Jingzong was still a little embarrassed, Li Chengqian patted his shoulder and said, "What's wrong? Isn't it good for me to make progress together with you guys?"

Speaking of this prince, Xu Jingzong felt unfamiliar and could only reply cautiously: "I understand."

Led by Du He, everyone walked towards the south of Jingyang and entered the village path. The scenery here was much better. Although the houses were a little shabby, they also seemed peaceful.

There were a few children looking at the group curiously. Their eyes were timid and they were hiding behind a wall, sticking their heads out to observe.

Gradually, many villagers could be seen. When they saw the armored soldiers walking into the village, they stopped what they were doing, some bowed to salute, and others ran back home and closed the door.

Seeing this, the smile on Li Chengqian's face gradually froze, and he whispered, "Lao Xu."

"Hey." Xu Jingzong responded quickly, and then said, "What do you want, Your Highness?"

"In the future, listen more to the opinions of the villagers here."

"Here."

There are four villages in Jingyang County. If you pass through a small path, you will reach the bank of the Wei River. There is a workshop here. Many people can be seen busy in the workshop, and buckets of paper pulp are being mixed.

Du He whispered, "Your Highness, do you want to go in and take a look?"

Li Chengqian stopped where he was and said, "No need. I'll just take a look here. There's no need to disturb these people."

"Here."

Since the prince said so, Du He couldn't say anything else.

In fact, deep down, Li Chengqian still likes this kind of scenery. Although it is a bit poor, it can be developed slowly in the future, and things will get better eventually.

Xu Jingzong whispered, "Your Highness, are you going to sell paper?"

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Although I asked Du He to make paper, I don't plan to sell it. I thought it would be good to give it to others. It would be great if everyone could live in harmony."

It is a very simple truth that as a subject, you must know the thoughts of your superiors.

Xu Jingzong always felt that he had a strong insight into the political situation in the court and had never followed the wrong person.

But working under the prince, I actually felt uneasy at this moment.

Not far from the workshop, you can see a group of young people roasting mutton. They also brought wine and judging from their clothes, they are obviously not villagers from Jingyang County.

Li Chengqian stood there, watching from afar.

Du He said quickly: "Your Highness, they are my good friends, Cheng Chumo, the son of General Cheng Yaojin who is holding the wine jar, and the son of General Niu Jinda..."

"Okay." Li Chengqian interrupted him, put his hands in his pockets and said, "Everyone has friends. It's good to have more friends. I don't think there's anything inappropriate."

Du He finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Chengqian looked at these people drinking and laughed again. The unrestrained young Tang people were in their best years.

Du He built a workshop here, and even Xu Jingzong was in cahoots with Du He. They felt that since Du He was here, they could also come here to play.

They were enjoying themselves so much by drinking and eating meat, not realizing that they were disturbing the peaceful lives of the villagers.

Who doesn’t have the spirit of a young man?

But the way they pour the drinks into their mouths is too childish. Drinking too much is not healthy.

At least, Li Chengqian didn't want to attend their banquet at the moment.

The rain stopped for a while, but the sky was still gray. Li Chengqian glanced sideways at the general Li Ji beside him.

The other party noticed the gaze, looked sideways, and bowed in greeting.

"Thank you for your hard work, General."

"I am following orders, so it is not hard work."

Li Chengqian smiled and nodded. He didn't know what his father was thinking. He was afraid that the general would report to his father truthfully about what he saw and heard during this trip, as well as his actions along the way.

The papermaking workshop belongs to the Du He family, not the Eastern Palace.

It’s just that the Eastern Palace has actual control.

In the eyes of outsiders, Du He is still the operator of this papermaking workshop.

There are so many loopholes in the Tang Dynasty laws that many people can make a lot of money by exploiting them.

Speculation has existed since ancient times. In addition to the Eastern Palace, there should have been many people who accumulated a lot of wealth by taking advantage of loopholes and speculation in the early days of the dynasty.

It was so easy for Donggong, and even easier for others.

However, in the future, after the Tang Dynasty laws are perfected, whether these people will be dealt with is another matter.

As long as my father doesn't do anything to seize the family property, this family fortune is still safe in Du He's hands for now.

Xu Jingzong put forward many ideas, such as opening schools, reclaiming land, and strengthening governance.

There are so many things to say, as if it is a business that has just started.

Before leaving, Li Chengqian looked at Du He and Xu Jingzong and said, "Things here are not so easy. If I were to arrange it myself, I would have given up long ago."

Xu Jingzong smiled in surprise.

Du He was also embarrassed and silent.

It is a very difficult thing to do. It is easy to say, but difficult to implement. I don’t know how many people I will have to deal with and how many troubles I will have to handle in the future.

"But we have to take things one step at a time. If I can help, I will definitely make it easier for you."

"Here."

Xu Jingzong and Du He bowed and saluted.

Li Chengqian got on the carriage back home, and the soldiers and horses escorted the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace towards Chang'an City.

Du He looked at the soldiers going away and asked, "What does Minister Xu think of His Highness now?"

Xu Jingzong stroked his beard and said, "He is able to sympathize with us subordinates and understand the difficulties of each joint..."

At this point, he was surprised again, and said: "At first, I didn't think the crown prince of the East Palace was so kind. It's just that he only talks about the present and not the future. It's rare to see someone who talks about reality like this. To say that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has the demeanor of the current Khan is not true."

Du He bowed and said, "I would like to hear the details."

Xu Jingzong was one of the eighteen scholars in the Qin Palace when Tian Khan was still the Qin Prince. His opinions should be listened to.

The rain stopped for a while and then fell again in the gray sky. The soldiers in the distance were covered by the rain.

Xu Jingzong said calmly: "The gap between the emperor and his subjects, father and son is huge. As the emperor's child, his behavior is very similar to that of his father. However, compared with the current emperor, the crown prince of the East Palace has a completely different temperament."

He walked under the eaves, avoiding the rain, and said, "I have followed your majesty for many years when he was still the King of Qin. Who is Tian Khan? He raised his arm and galloped across the Central Plains to quell the civil strife. He raised his arm and heroes all over the world responded. Who can compare with his heroism?" As he spoke, Xu Jingzong bowed in the direction of Chang'an City and continued, "Your Highness the Crown Prince said a lot today and listened to a lot. His speech and behavior are also different from ordinary people. It should be said that he is different from many people."

"But there are not many people who are willing to listen to their subordinates. The prince can analyze the pros and cons, and does not discuss the purpose or requirements with others. He just guides them step by step, and even says that we can make progress together and learn together. He is humble and down-to-earth. It is really rare."

Summer is about to arrive in Guanzhong, and the war in the northwest is at its most intense.

The three armies surrounded Qinghai, determined to capture the Tuyuhun King Fuyun.

The general who wiped out Tuyuhun this time, who is now commanding the three armies, General Li Jing, is at the rear of the army.

Li Daozon had just captured Kushan in Xihai with 10,000 soldiers and horses. The bloodstains on his armor were still there. He received an order from his general to march to the southern side of Qinghai.

He just arrived at the front army tent, sat down, drank a sip of cold water and rested for a while.

"Report!" A messenger outside the tent shouted, "General Li Daoyan, the commander-in-chief of the Chishui Road, and General Li Daliang, the commander-in-chief of the last road, have already entered the Chishui source!"

Upon hearing this, Li Daozon immediately took out a map and looked at the marching route on it.

Li Daoyan, Gao Zongsheng, and Qibi Heli attacked Chishuiyuan head-on.

On our side, we were together with Hou Junji, on the south side of the West Sea.

Putting the water bag in his hand heavily on the table, Li Dao Zong asked loudly: "Where are Hou Junji's troops now?"

"General, we are still clearing out the remaining Tuyuhun people in Kushan."

Li Daozon put one foot on the beard stool. It had been two months since he went on the expedition, and the beard on his chin had grown again. He scratched his beard and his eyes fell on the road to Wuhai again.

Because before the expedition, the prince said that the King of Tuyuhun might escape from Wuhai, he was always thinking about this matter.

At that time, I thought that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was young and didn't know anything about military affairs, so I just said it casually.

Now Li Daoyan has led his troops to attack the source of Chishui River.
Li Jing, Li Daliang and others were on the east side of the West Sea, attacking Mount Mandu.

Hou Junji and he had just captured Kushan, and his army was the only one closest to the Wuhai road.

Li Dao Zong suddenly smiled and said, "Could it be that the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace of our Tang Dynasty is a military genius?"

The deputy general at the side asked, "Why do you say that, General?"

Li Daozong slammed the table and said, "This Fu Yun is a fool who doesn't know how to command troops. He dares to besiege the source of the Chishui River. This battle will definitely be defeated."

Judging from the map, the Tang army's encirclement was complete. The Tuyuhun people kept a large number of troops, but they only knew how to gather them and defend one place. Until now, they have not thought of dividing their troops to break out, which is courting death.

If he wants to escape now, his only way is Wu Hai.

The prince was right.

At first, before the war began, who could have known that the Tuyuhun king had no courage to use his troops? He first retreated to Zhanshan Mountain and then besieged the source of the Chishui River. The situation changed so quickly that the Tang army's marching route was also constantly changing.

Li Dao Zong disdained Fu Yun's military tactics. He stared at the main road of Wu Hai and suddenly smiled, "Take 5,000 soldiers and go with me to intercept Fu Yun."

"General, aren't we waiting for the general?"

Li Dao Zong said with a click of his tongue: "This Hou Junji is dragging his feet in the back, and I can't take care of him! The great achievement is right before our eyes, soldiers, follow me to make great achievements."

Inside the big tent, the soldiers responded in unison: "Yes!"

The military reports were delivered by messengers to the rear of the West Sea battlefield, that is, to the tent of General Li Jing.

Li Jing, wearing armor and looking stern, sat in the central army tent. He flipped through the battle report from the front and asked hesitantly, "Is Li Dao Zong going to Wuhai Road?"

"Reporting to the general, according to the urgent report sent an hour ago, I think the Kushan army has already set out."

Li Jing took a deep breath and nodded, "These military reports were sent to Chang'an, including the victory reports from Kushan and Mandushan."

"General, why don't we wait for the victory report from Chishuiyuan to arrive and send it together."

Now the Tang army is in high spirits, and the soldiers are advancing like a hot knife through butter. The Tang army has torn open the heartland of Tuyuhun, and this kind of combat power is a threat to the entire Western Regions.

Li Jing whispered, "Send it first. Li Daoyan can't catch Fu Yun."

Hearing this, the messenger was a little confused, but still responded: "Yes"

It's not that I doubt Li Daoyan's ability to lead troops. Li Daoyan is the son of Li Shentong, a royal family general. He has been fighting on the battlefield since he was young, so his experience in leading troops is trustworthy.

It was because of Li Daozon's urgent report that Li Jing realized that Fu Yun would flee to Wuhai.

Under the night sky, the army passed through the West Sea. The wasteland was very cold at night. Li Daozon traveled day and night to the key intersection between the West Sea and Wuhai.

The scouts ahead reported, "General, Tibetan troops were spotted five miles away."

Li Daozong pulled the reins, stopped his horse and shouted, "What are the Tibetans doing here? How many soldiers and horses do they have?"

"There are only a few dozen people, and they seem to be here to investigate the battle situation."

"Send 600 men to guard against the Tibetans, and the rest of the soldiers will follow me to intercept Fu Yun. Let this idiot escape to Wuhai, and it will be difficult to catch up with him."

"Here!"

Tuyuhun's victory reports were sent to Chang'an City one after another. Under the command of the military god Li Jing, the Tang army pounced on the flock of sheep like a tiger, tearing every piece of fat from Tuyuhun.

When it comes to discussing military tactics and analyzing the weather and terrain, the people of the Central Plains are experienced and well versed in the art of war.

The military tactics and strategies of the Tuyuhun people are definitely inferior to those of the Tang people.

In the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian read through the victory reports one after another.

Ning Er smiled and said, "We have won many victories in this battle. We will surely conquer Tuyuhun, Your Highness! Long live the Tang Dynasty!"

Li Chengqian looked at the blueprint in front of him and whispered, "What do you think Lu Dongzan and Songtsen Gampo are thinking at this time?"

Ning Er raised her head and thought for a moment, then said, "Perhaps the Tibetans are thinking of what kind of gift to send during the celebration next year?"

Outside the hall, Xiaofu and Lizhi were cutting the newly solidified soap into pieces.

It is summer in Guanzhong, it is already July, and the weather is getting hotter and hotter.

Life in the Eastern Palace is becoming more and more normal now.

People become more mediocre as they grow older.

Li Chengqian now feels that he is living a mediocre life.

People cannot live without the worldly affairs, which will inevitably make people mediocre.

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "Let's talk about it when we meet Lu Dongzan next year."

Ning Er put away the books on the table and said with a smile: "Now the concubines in the harem like to play cards, and they often play for a whole day."

This game was popular among palace maids and concubines.

Nowadays, more and more people visit each other and play cards in groups of three or five.

There must always be some entertainment activities. Without these pastimes, people will have all kinds of random thoughts all day long, guessing what I am thinking, and things will get worse and worse. How can there still be harmony?
(End of this chapter)