The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 450 Three-Year Agreement
Lou Shide said: "If we talk about bravery, we have to mention these young people."

Bai Fang was sitting at the back, also eating zonggao. While eating, he looked at the general in front of him.

This was Bai Fang's second visit to the Hexi Corridor. The last time he came with Protector Pei. He did not meet General Li Zhen that time, but now he finally met him.

Bai Fang kept his head up and chewed zonggao in his mouth.

After Li Zhen gave these instructions, he left.

Everyone wanted to rest here for some time. Li Shen arranged for someone to report to the palace that they were safe and had arrived at the Hexi Corridor.

When Lou Shide saw this scene, he wrote in the censor's book that Prince Ji was actually a very sensible child.

Even though the Prince of Jin was often a little out of touch, in Lou Shide's impression, he was much better than some of the children of the powerful and wealthy.

Lou Shide remembered the rumors that the rules of the Eastern Palace were very strict.

There was no news about the transfer memorial submitted to the court. He was still an imperial censor, not a formal general, and had to keep supervisory records along the way.

When everyone set out again, it was snowing in Guanzhong. It was New Year's Day and the villages along the way were very lively.

In the first month of the fifth year of the Qianqing reign, Wang Jiusi was teaching in Weinan County. He was holding a book and followed by three children, talking as he walked.

A child in a blue coat pointed to the distance and said, "Master, there is a monk."

Wang Jiusi looked up and saw a monk riding a horse on the road. He immediately handed the scroll to the child and then stepped forward and shouted, "Xuanzang!"

The monk stopped his horse, dismounted, and chanted the Buddha's name.

Wang Jiusi was wearing old clothes with patches on them, looking very plain. He stepped forward and said, "You really came to Chang'an."

Xuanzang led the horse and explained, "I am here to see your majesty."

Wang Jiusi asked back, "Is it because of the agreement between you and His Majesty?"

Xuanzang nodded and said, "According to the agreement, I should have returned this year."

"In that case, Your Majesty should return the scriptures to you."

Xuanzang asked, "Did you pass the imperial examination?"

Wang Jiusi nodded and said, "Yes, but I think the court has expanded the number of people who can pass the imperial examination, so that more people can pass the imperial examination. However, all of us have to participate in the two-year teaching program, and in another year I can serve as an official in the court."

"Your Majesty wants more people to teach."

Wang Jiusi smiled and said, "This is quite good. If we were to serve as officials right away, we wouldn't know how to survive in Chang'an. Now more and more people are coming to Chang'an. Look at the footprints on both sides of the official road. These are all left by them when they came to Chang'an."

Xuanzang looked down and saw footprints of different sizes on the snow on both sides of the road. The footprints were very dense and of varying depths.

It seemed like one person walked past it and then someone else stepped on it.

In the distance, there were people walking towards Chang'an City.

Snow was blowing all over the sky, and Xuanzang looked at both sides of the official road.

Wang Jiusi explained: "Guanzhong now looks different every year. There are more houses in Guanzhong. There were not so many villages here before. The court hopes that people will not be crowded in Chang'an City, and more people will live in the counties around Chang'an City."

He pointed to a village and said, "That village was just built this year. In order to have more land to build houses, I heard that the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the people of Jingzhao Prefecture often fought."

Xuanzang also suddenly smiled when he heard this.

Wang Jiusi added: "Actually, if you think about it carefully, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Jingzhao Prefecture are not wrong. People cannot be crowded in Chang'an City, and Jingzhao Prefecture hopes to bring these villages closer to Chang'an. The Ministry of Civil Affairs is worried about occupying farmland and affecting the grain cultivation in Guanzhong. What do you think?"

Xuanzang let out a long breath and turned into a ball of mist in the cold air.

Seeing that he did not answer, Wang Jiusi continued: "Jingzhao Prefecture has its own considerations, and the Ministry of Civil Affairs has its own reasons, but who can tell the right and wrong in this matter? The court is very open-minded. In the words of the current emperor, don't worry about the gains and losses in front of you, even if it takes a few years to see."

Xuanzang added: "Don't worry about the gains and losses in front of you? Hahaha... Your Majesty's words are like saying, take two more steps or walk a little further and then see."

Wang Jiusi also said: "Even if we feel that we did something wrong later, we can correct it. It's not too late. The current court and His Majesty are so open-minded."

"Do you like the court very much?"

"I like it very much. I hope to be an official in the court. The dream in the hearts of people like us is to be able to stand in the Taiji Hall one day."

After saying this, Wang Jiusi felt that the surroundings were getting even colder, so he said, "The court has arranged accommodation for us teachers, so I brought my mother and sister here."

The past came back to his mind, and Xuanzang followed Wang Jiusi into the village, where he saw people's expressions, their smiles, and looks of distress and anger.

The scenery is beautiful and the people here are also beautiful.

Xuanzang traveled all over Hebei and then to the south of the Yangtze River, and visited many temples, but the scenery in the temples was all black and white, and the people in the temples had the same expression.

Only in this kind of world can things look amazing and beautiful.

Wang Jiusi's residence is not big, just three small rooms with no yard in front of it, but it can accommodate the whole family and provide shelter from wind and rain.

He smiled and said, "Don't look at my small house, it's newly built. When I become an official in the court, I can move to Chang'an. Your Majesty has built a market town in Chang'an, and the whole town is for officials to live in."

Xuanzang felt the atmosphere of this family. Wang Jiusi's father was still not there, but this family gave people a good feeling.

Sitting in Wang Jiusi's home, Xuanzang took the tea handed over by his family. Wang Jiusi's sister became a nun. Now she has returned to secular life and has short hair that just reaches her shoulders. She looks more beautiful and her eyes are brighter.

Wang Jiusi's elder sister bowed and said, "Thank you, Master, for letting me return to secular life. I am going to get married now."

Xuanzang chanted the Buddha's name very devoutly.

This family moved from Hebei to Chang'an and seemed to be living a different life.

Listening to Wang Jiusi's words, Xuanzang was able to get a glimpse of the present appearance of Chang'an. According to Wang Jiusi's narration, he wanted to serve as an official in the court, and he wanted to become someone who could stand in the Taiji Hall.

He also talked about a lot of his friends, and it seemed that everyone in Guanzhong had a dream.

His dream was given by the current court and the emperor.

Because of the fair imperial examination system today and the wars on the border, people have the idea of ​​venturing out.

Xuanzang still remembered that when he left Guanzhong, people were very poor and helpless.

In fact, it is not just Guanzhong, the people in Luoyang are the same, as well as all over Hebei. This trend of thought may spread all over the world, because the Tang Dynasty is still very young.

The Tang people nowadays are also very young. They are fearless and dare to travel thousands of miles. Chang'an, the emperor, and the court will not disappoint their expectations.

The Heavenly Khan launched the Eastern Expedition that year and lived up to people's expectations. He wiped out the hatred of the former Sui Dynasty and expanded the territory of the Tang Dynasty.

The current emperor has formulated many new governance policies, giving the court more room.

Today's Tang Dynasty is in urgent need of expansion and is in desperate need of talent.

Xuanzang had more questions he wanted to ask His Majesty, fulfilling the three-year agreement with His Majesty.

Wang Jiusi took a sip of hot tea and said, "The remnants of the noble families and clans are still there, and they are still trying to find ways to fight against the teaching."

Xuanzang looked at the hot tea in front of him and asked, "You are used to drinking tea too."

"Yes, I can't buy very good tea leaves with my monthly salary. I can only buy some broken tea leaves. My friends also drink it this way."

Wang Jiusi's mother said, "This child is so reluctant to drink even the crumbs. He only takes them out when guests come to his house."

Wang Jiusi said, "There are more people growing tea in the Central Plains. Besides, there are many tea trees planted in the south of Guanzhong." Xuanzang smiled and asked, "Are there still people opposing the teaching support?"

"Well, I also heard about it from the people at Chongwen Hall, but there is nothing to be afraid of. Support education has been operating for decades, and people have been exploring it for thousands of years. I think support education is the most powerful way, and no one can stop it."

Xuanzang bid farewell to Wang Jiusi and prepared to continue to Chang'an.

Wang Jiusi said: "Xuanzang, you can go to Weibei to have a look. Princess Dongyang has built a very large hospital in Weibei. It is said that there are thousands of doctors treating people. You can also go and have a look."

Xuanzang just nodded, led his horse away, and went straight to Chang'an without planning to go to Weibei.

The wind and snow submerged the entire Chang'an City. Li Chengqian and his grandfather sat in front of the Wude Hall.

Li Yuan repeatedly asked the eunuch beside him to recite the victory report of the great victory in Congling. The old man, wrapped in thick clothes, said, "I don't know what Erlang is feeling now."

Li Chengqian said loudly in his grandfather's ear: "Father will be very happy."

Li Yuan heard his grandson's words clearly and said with a smile: "Good, good, may the Tang Dynasty win forever."

When the Li Tang dynasty passed to the third generation, the world looked better, and the enterprising Tang people would build a powerful empire.

Li Chengqian added: "Gao Yang also said that he would ask Zhinu and the others to bring a few Hu girls to take care of Grandpa."

Li Yuan snorted coldly: "This ignorant girl."

Li Chengqian smiled, feeling the tranquility of the moment.

The eunuch hurried over and said, "Your Majesty, the people from Jingzhao Prefecture and the Ministry of Civil Affairs are fighting again in the Secretariat."

Li Chengqian picked up the tea bowl and ordered, "Ask the Imperial Medical Bureau to prepare it."

"Here."

"Cheng Qian," Li Yuan said slowly, "You have become tired of government affairs in recent years."

"Grandpa, I have too many capable officials under my command. There are some things that I don't need to do myself."

Li Yuan smiled, closed his eyes and put all his weight on the chair.

Another eunuch came hurriedly and said, "Your Majesty, Xuanzang is here."

Li Chengqian said: "I will meet him here."

"Here."

Xuanzang, wearing a thin monk's robe, came out from the wind and snow. He walked all the way to the Wude Hall and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty."

No one knew to whom His Majesty was addressed.

Just think of it as calling him grandpa too.

Li Chengqian said: "Xuanzang, you are late for the three-year agreement."

There was a little snow on Xuanzang's shoulders. He was invited by the eunuchs to the eaves of the Wude Hall. He bowed again and said, "I hope your majesty will forgive me. This world is so big that I cannot see it all in three years."

Li Chengqian poured him a bowl of tea and said, "The world is so big that you can't see it all in a lifetime, let alone three years."

Xuanzang nodded in agreement.

When they met again three years later, Xuanzang noticed that His Majesty still looked like he was in his early twenties, still very young, but the beard on his chin was heavier.

Li Chengqian had someone carry a heater and place it next to Xuanzang. His grandfather was standing next to him with his eyes closed and his breathing was fluctuating. It was unclear whether he was asleep or not.

Li Chengqian lowered his voice and said, "You have come a long way, thank you for your hard work. Have a cup of hot tea."

Xuanzang held up the tea bowl with both hands, took a sip, felt the warm tea flowing through his internal organs, and slowly put the tea bowl down.

"I don't understand you monks, so I don't understand you."

Xuanzang then said: "I wish to pray for the Tang Dynasty with my whole life."

Li Chengqian said: "Tell me what you have seen during these years away from home."

Xuanzang said: "I have seen people's joys, anger, sorrows and happiness, I have seen many fools, and I have also seen the ups and downs of the world. That's enough."

His voice revealed fatigue. He had been traveling through the Central Plains and heading eastward for the past three years and was very tired and exhausted.

"There are some things I want to ask your majesty."

Li Chengqian said: "You say."

Xuanzang asked, “Why are the people in Chang’an, Luoyang, and even Hebei different from those in other places?”

Li Chengqian explained: "Xuanzang, do you think I can explain these things clearly? In fact, I didn't do anything. It was just some insignificant actions. Really... it's nothing."

"Your Majesty can't explain it?"

"It's hard to explain. You should ask the world."

Xuanzang smiled in relief, bowed again and said: "It seems that Your Majesty is not a fool."

"It's useless for you to ask me. What is written in history books is the history of the people. It has little to do with the emperor, right?"

Li Chengqian changed the subject. He didn't want to debate with him. Tens of thousands of monks in India couldn't defeat Xuanzang. It would be better not to talk about it. He said, "Well, three years ago you made a promise with me that you would travel east to see the world. If you come back, I will return the scriptures to you, and you will return to secular life. If you don't come back, I will treat you as dead."

Xuanzang nodded.

Li Chengqian looked at the other person and said slowly: "Now I am letting you return to secular life. This is my will."

Xuanzang still nodded.

Li Chengqian continued: "Enter the court as an official, marry and start a family."

Xuanzang still nodded.

Grandpa seemed to have woken up and suddenly coughed.

Li Chengqian looked back and saw that his grandfather seemed to have woken up, but his eyes were still closed.

Xuanzang took off his monk's robe and handed it over with both hands.

Li Yuan suddenly cleared his throat again, finally opened his eyes, and whispered, "Okay, it's better to return to secular life."

Li Chengqian picked up his monk's robe and put it into the stove beside him and burned it on the spot.

Xuanzang watched quietly as the monk's robes burned in the fire.

Li Chengqian asked him, "Are you going to work in the Honglu Temple?"

Xuanzang shook his head and said, "Can you please allow me to leave?"

Seeing the emperor beckoning slightly, the eunuch stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty."

Li Chengqian said: "Pass on my order and announce it to the world. Xuanzang has returned to secular life."

The eunuch quickly bowed and said, "Yes."

(End of this chapter)