The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 425 The Older I Get, the More I Miss You
Qibi Heli looked at the three young men gathered together and laughed too.

Di Renjie was not wearing armor, but cloth and straw sandals. He said happily, "If Zhang Jianzhi knew about the two of you, he would probably cry."

Li Zhi said disdainfully: "He's still alive?"

Di Renjie touched his nose with some shame and said, "He is not living well."

Li Shen said: "Someone bullied him?"

Li Zhi snorted coldly, "I knew he couldn't endure the hardship here, yet he still boasted that he wanted to come to the Western Regions."

Di Renjie took the wine handed over by the guard, took a sip and said, "Zhang Jianzhi was fine when he first arrived in Xizhou City, but after living in Anxi Protectorate for three days, he couldn't stand it anymore and cried and wanted to leave. Then he was beaten by Protector Pei."

Li Zhi burst into laughter.

Di Renjie said: "Poor Zhang Jianzhi, every time he wanted to go home, he was beaten by Pei Duhu, and he couldn't even resign."

With Di Renjie leading the way, Bai Fang seemed to have nothing to do and repaired the stone carvings with a knife along the way.

Li Shen asked curiously, "You are the first Westerner to be the chief clerk of Chongwenguan. So you are also considered an official in the court?"

"I have a monthly allowance, which is given by Chongwenguan, and it does not count as salary." Bai Fang added: "Master Su of Chongwenguan in the Western Regions said that I have not learned well enough."

"Master Su?"

"He is from Wugong County in Guanzhong."

Li Shen then recalled that the descendants of the Su family in Wugong County no longer considered themselves a family.

Di Renjie explained: "This Su Zhushi came with us to Anxi Protectorate. The previous Xiyu Chongwenguan Zhushi went to help the Tibetans. It is said that the previous Tibetans went to Tianzhu. People are transferred to each other, just like in the army."

Li Zhi asked, "Does the Chongwenguan in the Western Regions also have strict military discipline like the army?"

Di Renjie shook his head and said, "It's not like in the army. It's just that after setting up Chongwen Hall in a place, the teachers have a place to stay. And every teacher must find children every month and persuade the herdsmen to send their children to teach. This is a requirement. Each teacher must teach at least 20 students."

"Therefore, many volunteer teachers came to the Western Regions or Tubo and needed to persuade the herdsmen from all sides, but Chongwenguan always had the Tang army behind it, and most of the time every volunteer teacher could complete the requirements."

Li Zhi rode on the camel, his body swaying as the camel moved, and said puzzledly: "The Chongwen Halls in various parts of the Central Plains do not have such requirements."

Di Renjie said, "That's because the people in the Central Plains are willing to take the initiative to accept teaching, but the Western Regions are different from Tubo. They will feel that Chongwenguan has robbed their children and need to be persuaded slowly, even if it is a bit tough. But after each teaching session, Chongwenguan will still hand the children over to the herdsmen."

"Your Highness, the nobles here may be open-minded, but there are still many people who live as if they were in the wilderness. Some herdsmen even suspect that their children are no longer theirs after they start studying at Chongwen Hall. They have become another kind of people. That's why some herdsmen don't want their children anymore after their children start studying at Chongwen Hall."

"I still remember how difficult it was when the teaching program first started. Chongwenguan faced criticism from all sides, but His Majesty insisted on opening it. At that time, Xu Fuyin was still the Shaoyin of Jingzhao Prefecture. Xu Fuyin was still a cruel official who everyone feared. He forced the counties to agree to the teaching program, whether it was half-hearted or threatening, but it was finally implemented in Guanzhong."

"But there is no Xu Jingzong here, nor is there my royal brother." Li Shen suddenly sighed.

Di Renjie nodded and continued, "When the herdsmen no longer wanted their own children, they had to be raised in Chongwen Hall. There are already quite a few such children. After coming here, I realized how difficult it is to educate them."

After walking for another two days, they finally saw a city in front of them. This earthen city in the Western Regions was very prosperous. There were many camel caravans in front of the city gate, as well as groups of Hu merchants.

There were two big characters "Xizhou" on the city gate, and there were quite a few Tang officers and soldiers walking around.

Li Zhi opened his arms, sat on the camel, stretched himself, and shouted, "We are finally here!"

Qibi Heli closed his eyes and smiled, then led everyone to the front of the city.

A Tang soldier came over quickly upon seeing this, and when he saw Qibi Heli, he bowed and said, "Greetings, Lord Liang."

Qibi Heli waved his hand and pointed behind him and said, "These are the King of Jin and the King of Ji."

The man saluted again.

Li Zhi dismounted and looked around curiously. The Hu people around him all had very warm smiles on their faces, and they were extremely welcoming to the Tang people.

Li Shen felt a little uncomfortable facing these enthusiastic gazes.

Pei Xingjian came out quickly to greet him, and saluted, "Pei Xingjian from the Anxi Protectorate, greetings to the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Ji!"

Li Zhi said with a smile: "I have heard of Protector Pei for a long time, no need to be polite."

Di Renjie came quickly with one hand on his helmet and the other holding a scroll. He said, "Renjie has returned from his inspection of Shazhou and has written a military report. I would like to ask Protector Pei to review it."

Pei Xingjian took the file and said, "Your Highnesses, Lord Liang, please go into the city and rest."

As everyone walked into the city, Pei Xingjian heard voices behind him.

"you are not happy."

Hearing that it was Bai Fang's voice, Pei Xingjian whispered back, "What does it have to do with you?"

Bai Fang leisurely picked at the cracks between his fingernails and said, "The more young people come every time, the more unhappy you become. Zhang Jianzhi, Pei Yan..."

Pei Xingjian lowered his voice and said, "Shut up."

Bai Fang stood still again, saluted and said, "I have escorted the King of Jin and the King of Ji to Xizhou, and I am here to report back."

Pei Xingjian ignored him with a stern face and walked into Xizhou City.

Zhang Jianzhi, who was sitting on the street, was eating mutton with a lot of oil on his lips. He saw a group of people entering Xizhou City. He rubbed his eyes hard and slapped himself. After making sure that he was not mistaken, he quickly stepped forward and rushed towards Li Zhi, crying with joy.

"Prince Jin! Prince Ji! Jianzhi has suffered too much here!"

What responded to Zhang Jianzhi was a shoe sole, which was a flying kick from Li Zhi.

"oops!"

Zhang Jianzhi was kicked to the ground, and he stretched out his hand and cried out, "Prince of Jin!"

Li Zhi said: "We are so embarrassed, and you still want to go home. Why didn't you let Pei Duhu beat you to death?"

Pei Xingjian stood silently aside and gestured to Bai Fang.

Bai Fang received the look and dispersed the people around him.

It was the kind-hearted Li Shen who helped the man up.

Zhang Jianzhi was still a little dazed and asked, "Why are you here?"

Li Shen supported him and said, "It was the Imperial Sister who felt that we were too ignorant and asked us to come here to gain some experience, and the Imperial Brother also agreed."

Zhang Jianzhi frowned and asked, "Experience?"

Li Shen explained in a low voice: "Travel and study, travel to various places, and then return to Chang'an."

Di Renjie always felt that Prince Jin and Prince Ji must have other purposes for coming to the Western Regions. These two were proficient in the legendary Eastern Palace's unique skills, and it might be that His Majesty was not satisfied with the current governance of the Western Regions.

When everyone arrived at the Protectorate, Pei Xingjian had people prepare wine and meat.

The Western Regions are vast. In the next few days, Li Zhi and Li Shen traveled around, while Di Renjie and Zhang Jianzhi were responsible for accompanying Prince Jin and Prince Ji.

In the hinterland of the Tianshan Mountains, you can see snow on the Tianshan Mountains. In this October season, there is often flying snow and freezing rain here.

Seventeen-year-old Pei Yan sat by a river valley in the heart of Tianshan Mountains. This was the place where the Tang army captured Yu Gu She.

He washed his face with river water, sat on the grass, and looked at the snow-capped mountains in the distance. He was attracted by the beautiful scenery for a long time. The Tianshan horse beside him was nibbling grass with its head down. Pei Yan took out the scroll, wrote with a brush, and took out the inkstone to grind ink. Just as he was about to write, he heard the sound of horse hooves and cheers behind him.

Turning his head, he saw Prince Jin and Prince Ji cheering.

Pei Yan withdrew his gaze, not looking at them, and continued to write.

Zhang Jianzhi rode up and said, "Pei Yan! Let's see whose horse runs faster."

Pei Yan still lowered his head and wrote on the scroll, and refused briefly: "No."

Zhang Jianzhi said again: "What's the point of you being here alone?"

Pei Yan repeated: "No."

In fact, Zhang Jianzhi also disliked Pei Yan, a conservative man, and rode his horse to chase after Prince Jin and Prince Ji.

Their cheers became farther and farther away, and a group of soldiers and horses also caught up with them, seemingly chasing after Prince Jin and Prince Ji.

After a long time, Pei Yan hadn't finished writing a single word, so he simply put down his pen. He looked up and saw the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Ji riding their horses under the snow-capped Tianshan Mountains. They looked very happy and comfortable.

He put away the book, patted the Tianshan horse beside him, composed himself, and mounted the horse to leave.

On this day, Li Zhi, Li Shen, Di Renjie, Zhang Jianzhi, and the Flying Tigers were riding horses along the Ili River chasing an eagle.

Di Renjie rode his horse in the front, drew his bow and aimed his arrow at the eagle. With one arrow, the eagle suddenly changed direction.

Seeing that it was about to head towards the other side of the river, Di Renjie urged his horse to cross the shallows and catch up with it.

Seeing this, Bai Fang thought something was wrong and hurriedly chased after him.

Just as Di Renjie was about to draw his bow and arrow, he saw a group of people appear in the distance.

White yelled, "Come back!"

But before he could finish his words, an arrow was shot and the eagle fell to the ground.

"Di Renjie!" Li Zhi shouted.

The Flying Tigers rode forward and protected Prince Jin and Prince Ji.

A group of Tang soldiers drew their swords and drew their bows.

The group of Hu people rode their horses slowly forward, said a few words in the Hu language, picked up their prey, and rode away.

Di Renjie put down the longbow in his hand and said, "What a pity."

Bai Fang came up and explained: "That's the Anguo people."

"Yasukuni?"

Bai Fang explained: "The An people in the northwest of Tianshan Mountain and west of Pamir Mountain rarely travel so far to the Ili River. The current Tianshan Mountain cannot allow King Jin and King Ji to ride their horses freely. The area west of the Ili River is still very dangerous. Although those Hu people dare not attack us, no one will know if we die outside."

Zhang Jianzhi pulled the reins of the horse, which moved restlessly from side to side. He asked, "Can we destroy the Congling Mountains?"

Bai Fang said: "General Liang Jianfang will send troops sooner or later."

Seeing that Di Renjie was still a little unconvinced and that the eagle he had been chasing for half a day fell into someone else's hands, Li Zhi advised him, "Go back and we will discuss this matter later."

On the way back, Li Jingheng said, "Prince Jin, Prince Ji, the hinterland of Tianshan is still very dangerous. Please don't go too far."

Li Zhi whispered, "Don't worry, I will do my best to complete what my brother has asked me to do."

Li Jingheng nodded with satisfaction.

When everyone returned to Xizhou, in Anxi Protectorate, Pei Yan was looking at the military roster. He looked up when he heard footsteps and asked, "Did you have fun?"

Di Renjie sat down tiredly, took off his armor, picked up the kettle and poured water into his mouth.

Pei Yan was still looking at the book, admiring Di Renjie's knowledge. After the imperial examination essays were announced, he felt that his knowledge was indeed not as good as Di Renjie's.

After drinking the cold water, Di Renjie burped, took off his boots and said, "We met the An people."

Pei Yan put away the list and placed it on the bookshelf, frowning and saying, "Wang Zhaowu is from the same clan as King Kang. Are they Hu people who sell five-color salt?"

"Yes." Di Renjie sat down comfortably and said, "The Hu tribe that Bai Fang mentioned is them."

Pei Yan thought about it and turned back, sitting opposite him, hesitantly asked: "Have you started?"

Di Renjie shook his head and said, "No."

Pei Yan nodded again and said, "Prince Jin and Prince Ji came to the Western Regions with a purpose, right?"

"I don't know."

Pei Yan took the kettle from the stove beside him, poured a bowl of hot tea, and drank the tea and said: "If we want to expand the cotton planting area, we can't let the enemy appear in the Ili River."

Di Renjie lay down and said, "Let's go to Tingzhou to find General Liang Jianfang tomorrow."

Pei Yan agreed and said, "Since we have joined the Anxi Army, we must learn how to march and fight."

Di Renjie and Pei Yan both joined the Anxi Army, but Zhang Jianzhi was different. His imperial examination ranking was not enough to allow him to join the Anxi Army. He came to the Western Regions to teach and was under the control of Chongwenguan.

When Prince of Jin, Prince of Ji, Di Renjie and Pei Yan went to Tingzhou, Zhang Jianzhi had to stay and continue his teaching mission at Chongwenguan.

The encounter with the Anguo Hu people west of the Ili River was reported by Li Jingheng, a member of the Flying Tigers, and had it sent to Chang'an.

When the report was submitted to Chang'an, winter had already arrived in Guanzhong and Princess Changle's wedding had just ended. Li Chengqian was sitting in the Wude Hall with a heater beside him, talking to his grandfather.

Dongyang sat aside, also quietly listening to his grandfather talking about the past.

The eunuch came hurriedly and reported: "Your Majesty, urgent news from the Western Regions."

The voices stopped, Li Chengqian took the report, and asked the eunuch to go away. After taking a look at it, he put it aside.

While grandpa was still talking, Gao Shilian came in soon, leaning on a cane.

The old masters and old men in the palace always had endless things to talk about when they sat together.

Dongyang took a tea egg out of the pot and ate it by himself.

Li Yuan said, "Why haven't you been buried yet, old man?"

Gao Shilian laughed, "You haven't been buried yet."

Li Yuan smelled the aroma of the tea eggs and said, "I really want to live a few more years."

Gao Shilian snorted again and said, "Back then, you didn't want to live this long."

"As people get older, they become more attached to this world."

Gao Shilian also said: "Yes, I also want to see more of this world."

(End of this chapter)