The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 37 Uncle and Uncle

In the Chongwen Hall, Li Xiaogong was eating noodles, sweating profusely, and recounting what he had seen and heard in the past few days while eating.

Li Chengqian drank the cold boiled water, frowned and thought about the cause of the matter, and whispered: "Actually, my aunt had already planned it and paved the way for the future of her family."

Li Xiaogong shook his head and said, "It's not just her. Everyone in this clan's family wants to get a piece of the pie."

Li Chengqian suddenly smiled and said, "Haha, I really like this big family more and more."

When power was transferred, relatives took action first. They wanted to get a share of the power from this transition between the old and the new in the court.

Li Tang became the royal family, and among the relatives in this big family there were always a few people with unruly minds.

After eating three bowls of noodles, Li Xiaogong burped and said slowly, "Yesterday, Princess Changguang was still making a scene in the Wude Hall, saying how they were in the past. Your grandfather ignored her and just sat in the hall playing cards."

"Grandpa is old now, and it's inevitable that people will feel lonely in their old age. It's always a good thing to have a game that can help him kill time."

"What were you doing in the East Palace yesterday?"

Li Chengqian sighed, "My nephew is very busy. I just read the work summary of Jingyang for a whole day."

Li Xiaogong asked curiously and hesitantly: "What is the job brief?"

"It's something like a summary of the rules of conduct, or an article about the estimated construction costs." Li Chengqian organized his words, cleared his throat, and added, "Written by Xu Jingzong."

Li Xiaogong wiped his mouth, stood up and said, "There is one more thing."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Uncle, just speak directly."

"Yu Zhining went to see Gao Shilian last night."

"My uncle will definitely speak well of the Eastern Palace."

Li Xiaogong glanced sideways at his nephew again, wanting to say something but stopping himself. This child was so sensible that it seemed like adults didn't need to worry about anything.

Li Chengqian added, "By the way, the emperor's uncle hasn't sent the East Palace's share of money for a long time. Although the Red Mansion has been listed as a banned book by the scholars, it must be selling better now."

He took out three silver cakes from his arms and walked away in a leisurely manner.

Ning'er brought three palace maids to clean up the Chongwen Hall.

After the people walked away, Li Chengqian said worriedly, "I don't know how the emperor's uncle used to eat. Did the generals eat like they were fighting?"

Ning Er replied, "In the past, we didn't have such good food during the march and battle."

Li Chengqian sighed, "Yes, the emperor's uncle's generation was full of heroic spirit. It took them half their lives to pacify the Central Plains. It was not easy."

Ning Er whispered, "Your Highness, we will be at the Qujiang Pond Garden tomorrow. Does the East Palace need any arrangements?"

Li Chengqian asked, "Has your Majesty decided on the time for the garden tour?"

"It is said that it is after nightfall."

"I know."

Seeing that His Highness has closed his eyes, it seems that he is planning to take a rest here for a while.

Ning'er asked the three or two palace maids behind her to retreat quietly.

The weather in Guanzhong was not pleasant in summer. When Li Chengqian woke up, he felt sticky and sweaty.

A ray of setting sun shone into the Chongwen Hall, and it was already dusk when Li Chengqian walked out of the Chongwen Hall.

Even on a festival like July 7th, the court still had to hold early morning court sessions.

Today's morning court was the same as usual. No one mentioned Princess Changguang's affairs. After all, this was still a family affair of the Li Tang family.

As for the cold treatment or punishment, it is only a matter of time, because after Ma Zhou exposed the matter, my aunt's family will probably be ignored forever.

Even the Emperor no longer stands on my aunt's family's side.

From now on, anyone in their family who wants to enter the court under the rule of Li Tang will be prejudiced against.

Think twice before you act. I have learned some experience in this power center of the court, Li Chengqian thought secretly.

A military report from the border actually cheered up the depressed people in the hall. Li Daozon, the general who led the expedition against Tuyuhun from the south, captured Tuyuhun Khan Fuyun alive at the key road of Wuhai.

Li Chengqian noticed that his father looked like he was about to laugh excitedly.

The Tang Dynasty won the battle. In this battle, the Tang Dynasty defeated Tuyuhun in a crushing manner, and demonstrated the Tang Dynasty's military advantage to the Western Regions with a complete victory.

Next, all the ministers in the court began to discuss how to deal with Tuyuhun next.

The civil officials and military generals each had their own opinions, so when Cheng Yaojin said he wanted to take advantage of the situation to lead his troops to attack Gaochang, this behavior, which ignored costs, did not focus on reality, and only cared about personal bravery, was soon opposed by the civil officials.

The military commanders wanted to press on with their victory, so the civil officials reasoned with them using various principles and the needs of the country.

Soon, there was another quarrel in the Tai Chi Hall, with everyone arguing.

The Tang people were not good at reasoning, and as the two sides were about to fight, Li Chengqian noticed that his father had left at some point.

It seems that he knew that the morning court session could not continue, so he left first.

Li Chengqian looked at the ministers in front of him with a painful look on his face as they cursed at each other and were about to fight. He walked around the center of the Taiji Hall in small steps and quietly slipped out of the Taiji Hall.

As soon as he walked out and breathed a sigh of relief, he saw a young civil servant who looked like he was fleeing from a disaster and looked a little disheveled.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

The other party first saluted and said, "Your Highness."

Li Chengqian said: "In person..."

The other party quickly explained: "I am Li Chongyi, and I haven't seen Your Highness for many years."

Li Chengqian smiled awkwardly and said, "I didn't recognize him at first."

"My father has always been in contact with His Highness. Recently, he mentioned that His Highness always cares about me. How come he doesn't recognize me now..."

Li Chongyi is the son of the emperor's uncle Li Xiaogong. No wonder they feel like old friends at first sight. The father and son look like two peas in a pod.

But he is more cultured than the emperor's uncle and behaves like a scholar.

The quarrel in the hall continued, and from time to time a shoe was thrown out, or whose socks?

Obviously, winning a battle should be a happy thing, but fighting would start over a few words of disagreement. This is almost a major feature of the Tai Chi Hall.

The ministers under my father's command are more fierce than each other. Not to mention the military generals, the civil officials are not easy to mess with either, and they are ruthless in fighting.

Therefore, not bringing weapons to court is indeed beneficial to the country.

The people of the Tang Dynasty were tough and vigorous, as can be seen from the behavior of those in power in the court.

The two walked down the stairs, and Li Chengqian clicked his tongue and said, "Did the emperor's uncle really say that?"

Li Chongyi said: "Yes."

The other person already had a beard and seemed older than me, probably in his early twenties.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Brother Chongyi, are you currently serving in the court?"

"Appointed as Shaoqing of Zongzheng Temple."

"Ah, I have something else to do in the East Palace..."

Li Chongyi also bowed and said, "Your Highness, please take care." The two smiled at each other again. Li Chengqian turned around to look at the situation in the Taiji Hall. Several medical officers from the Imperial Medical Bureau had already hurried over.

Li Shimin had just finished his morning court session and returned to Ganlu Palace. As soon as he sat down, he asked, "Did the Imperial Medical Bureau send anyone?"

The old eunuch who served His Majesty replied, "Most of them have already arrived."

Li Shimin picked up his chopsticks and prepared to eat, then frowned and asked, "Did Cheng Qian return to the East Palace?"

"Your Majesty, I have already returned. I had a few words with Master Chongyi before leaving."

"He didn't ask about his aunt?"

Hearing His Majesty asking again, the old eunuch lowered his head and served the wine, saying, "The prince came to Taiji Hall for the morning court and did not speak to anyone until the end of the court."

Girls always have aspirations for the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Li Chengqian saw Ning'er weaving silk, but she put it away for herself.

Sitting in the vegetable garden of the East Palace, Li Chengqian pretended not to see this scene. He waved the fan in his hand and looked through the homework of his younger brothers and sisters.

Now the East Palace has no shortage of paper, and can use paper to write articles at any time.

My sister Dongyang’s handwriting is very beautiful, Li Lizhi is good at math, but as for the others, they are so bad that it is difficult to evaluate them.

Xiaofu walked over quickly, "Your Highness, someone sent a message saying that Duke Xu wants to meet you at Qujiang Pond."

Li Chengqian said, "I know."

I had been thinking of taking my younger brothers and sisters out for a walk during this festival. There would surely be a lot of people at Qujiang Lake at night.

With so many brothers and sisters in the family, it would be a disaster if one of them got lost.

Watching them too closely would make them unhappy, so it would be better to go there when there are fewer people around and then return to the East Palace after dark.

There is a rule in the Eastern Palace that no matter what you have to do outside the Eastern Palace, you must come back before dark.

After packing up, Li Chengqian took his younger brother and sister out.

In fact, there are many rumors about Qujiang Lake. The First Emperor built his imperial palace in Qujiang, which was called Yichun Palace.

Later, during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, the area of ​​Qujiang Lake was incorporated into Shanglin Garden.

That was a long time ago. Now, the former Sui emperor changed the name of Qujiang Pond to Furong Pond.

Is it that the tastes and preferences of emperors of successive dynasties are in sync with each other?

They changed the name of a good scenic spot to their favorite place name, and you would think it was a place like Hepingkangfang.

Qujiang Lake is located in Chang'an City. Li Chengqian asked his younger brothers and sisters to get on the carriage, and the escort was General Li Ji.

This familiar general was still the same as always, like a cool uncle with a stern face.

Qujiang Lake is located in the southeast corner of Chang'an City, and is also within the scope of Chang'an City. After leaving from Chunming Gate, the carriage has to go around a circle before entering.

As soon as the people got off the carriage, Li Chengqian took out a jar and handed it to them, "General, this is some pickled plums that I pickled myself. I'm giving it to you."

Li Ji took the pickled mustard greens and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."

"You have worked hard to escort me. You are welcome. Please wait for an hour or two. We will return after dark."

Li Ji bowed and said, "Yes."

Seeing that his younger brothers and sisters got off the carriage and ran towards the Qujiang Garden, Ning'er and several palace maids from the East Palace followed.

In order to stop them from making noise, Li Lizhi had to watch over them.

Because the emperor of the Tang Dynasty wanted to visit Qujiang Lake, the lake is now guarded by the Jinwu Guards.

Only when the time comes can people be allowed in. Of course, those who come to Qujiang Lake this time are all dignitaries invited by His Majesty and the Queen.

Now it looks empty, with only a few palace maids and eunuchs busying around, setting up lanterns and candles.

The setting sun is reflected on the surface of Qujiang Lake, and the clouds in the sky are bright red.

Li Chengqian followed his uncle's servants and walked up to a pavilion on Qujiang Lake.

The decoration here is not luxurious, but rather a bit old. Craftsmen are already rushing to repair it and make it look as good as possible.

Li Chengqian walked quickly to the top of the building, from where he could see the entire Qujiang Lake at a glance.

Looking again, I saw my uncle sitting opposite a middle-aged man. There was a stove between them and they were making tea.

The person next to my uncle was none other than my uncle, Changsun Wuji, who had fought with Niu Jinda and others at the morning court today.

After such a fight in the Taiji Hall, he is still sitting here unharmed. I have to say that this uncle's skills are probably quite amazing.

Zhang Sun Wuji bowed and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Chengqian also bowed and said, "Uncle."

Gao Shilian didn't even look at the two of them, he just drank his tea and said, "Sit down."

Hearing this, Li Chengqian sat aside, waiting for the servant to bring him a bowl of tea, then frowned and said nothing. There was oil foam floating on the tea, and some unknown floating objects, which made it really hard to drink. So he simply put his hands in his sleeves, sat upright and did not touch the bowl of tea.

This uncle was a stranger to me. Although we met almost every day in the Taiji Hall, we had never spoken to each other.

Changsun Wuji looked to be about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, with a goatee. He did not look fat at all from middle age, but his eyes showed some worry, and his brows were not relaxed.

In the court, this uncle always looked worried, or had a stern face, was taciturn, and had never been seen smiling.

Maybe it was because he was a relative by marriage. There have always been criticisms about relatives by marriage in power in all dynasties, and the pressure they were under on a daily basis was too great.

At that time, Changsun Wuji was not famous, and he was just an acquaintance of the emperor's father.

Later, with Gao Shilian's consent, the Queen Mother married the Emperor, and the two families became relatives.

Changsun Wuji's ability is still worthy of recognition. He has followed his father through many years of war and is one of his father's right-hand men. He was one of the important figures in the Tiance Mansion back then and was also a direct participant in the Xuanwu Gate.

He was also the Duke of Zhao, who held an important position in the court.

The three of them were speechless for a while, and then Li Chengqian spoke first: "So uncle likes to drink tea."

Changsun Wuji nodded and said, "Yes."

Li Chengqian said: "I also like to drink tea, but recently I prefer boiled water."

Gao Shilian sat leisurely aside, looking as if he was not going to interrupt.

Zhang Sun Wuji whispered, "I heard that Your Highness is growing grapes in the East Palace?"

Speaking of this, Li Chengqian put his hands in his pockets and said sadly: "I am ashamed to say that I thought growing grapes was an easy task, but they have not yet produced any fruit."

The two of them chatted intermittently.

Zhang Sun Wuji continued, "I have watched His Royal Highness the Crown Prince grow up. He was just a child before, but now he has changed a lot."

At this point, Gao Shilian suddenly said, "I am about to leave the court. Princess Changguang and her family have been demoted to a fiefdom. Do you know about this?"

Realizing what his uncle said, Li Chengqian hesitated and said, "My grandson has not heard of the decree."

"This kind of thing was not ordered by the emperor. His Majesty has given all the care he should give to her family. It was her fault. It has nothing to do with you, the Eastern Palace." He sighed and said, "After the beginning of autumn, the assistant minister will be the Minister of Personnel in the court. I am not in the court. If you, the Eastern Palace, have any difficulties, you can look for your uncle."

(End of this chapter)