The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 457 Li Yifu Returns to the Court

People in Chang'an City didn't know what was going on. Recently, young people in Chang'an were becoming more and more unruly. It wasn't just Zhang Jianzhi, the eldest son of Zhang Xuanbi's family, who was like this. In fact, children from other families weren't having it easy either.

The net worth of all the famous officials who have retired from the court has increased significantly in the past two years. On the contrary, those famous officials who mastered ancient theories are becoming less and less popular.

Zhang Xuanbi glanced at his youngest son and said, "I heard that Mr. Cen has retired. You should go visit him with my gift."

Hearing this, Zhang Huizhi hesitated and said, "At this age, will Master Cen still accept disciples? Aren't there many famous people in various places?"

Zhang Xuanbi snorted coldly: "What is a famous official? Only those who can govern the country and maintain peace are famous officials."

"My child must take Master Cen as his teacher?"

"Can you enter Changsun Wuji's house?"

Zhang Huizhi scratched his head. He had indeed wanted to become the disciple of Duke Zhao several times, but he could not get in. Now Duke Zhao did not live in Chang'an at all. It was said that he lived outside the city. He was not the only student who wanted to visit Duke Zhao, but he had no way to get in.

Feeling somewhat reluctant, Zhang Huizhi had no choice but to visit Mr. Cen with the gift.

But this time, Zhang Huizhi was rejected again, and Mr. Cen closed the door and refused to see any guests.

Inside the palace, Li Chengqian tasted this year's new tea and said, "This is tea grown in Guanzhong."

Li Ji said: "Now if you want tea, you don't have to wait for the two provinces in the south to deliver it. The people in Sinong Temple have asked the villagers in Sanyuan County and Jingyang County to grow tea. There are also a lot of tea in the south of Guanzhong."

Songtsen Gampo smiled as he drank his tea and said, "It would be great if the people from Sinong Temple could also go to Tubo."

After saying this, the Tibetan king took the initiative to help Tian Khan and Ying Gong refill their tea.

Lord Ying picked up another biscuit and ate it, saying, "The biscuits in the palace taste different from those outside."

Li Chengqian explained: "The materials are different. The wheat used in the palace is coarser."

Ying Gong nodded while chewing a biscuit.

After thinking about what Songtsen Gampo said, Li Chengqian said, "People from Sinong Temple can enter Tubo."

Songtsen Gampo nodded and said, "Thank God Khan."

Li Ji ate the biscuits quietly without saying a word.

It was not until the eunuch handed the file to him that Li Chengqian took it, opened it and looked at it, then nodded to signal the eunuch that he could leave.

"The Ministry of War has prepared the compensation and pay for the soldiers who fought in the battle of Pamirs. What do you think, Lord Ying?"

Li Ji took the file with both hands, looked at the list and the amount of money on it, nodded and said: "The Ministry of War has always been fair in its arrangements, and the local military offices all trust it. Your Majesty, please implement it."

Li Chengqian took another sip of tea and said, "Tsanpu, take a look too. Some of them are rewards from the Tibetan soldiers."

Seeing Lord Ying handing over the file, Songtsen Gampo reached out to take the file and looked through the roster of Tibetan soldiers.

The roster was very thick, with each page recording the names of the Tibetan soldiers, their military merits and the number of enemies they had beheaded and killed, as well as the amount of money they received, ranging from a hundred strings of cash to a little over ten strings of cash.

Li Chengqian said, "I have been reading history books recently. Has Lord Ying ever heard of a woman named Hua Mulan?"

Li Ji said, "I have never heard of it."

Li Chengqian told the story of Hua Mulan again.

Li Ji hesitated and said, "According to what Your Majesty said, this Hua Mulan should be from the Northern Wei Dynasty. At that time, the Rouran Kingdom and the Central Plains were also at war, and there was also the Queen Mother Feng of the Northern Wei Dynasty who listened to the government and managed state affairs."

"Women back then were so brave."

Li Ji nodded and said, "If you want to get to the bottom of this, Your Majesty can ask Lai Ji."

Li Chengqian said: "Lai Ji is indeed well versed in history books."

Songtsen Gampo was still looking at the file and checking the names one by one. For the Tibetan king, this was another family letter. The file recorded the battle records of the Tibetan children with the Tang army on the battlefield.

At this moment, Songtsen Gampo's heart was probably also burning with enthusiasm. Isn't it a good story that the Tibetan soldiers fought together with the Tang army to resist the enemy?

But after hearing what Your Majesty said, Li Ji felt that he would not ask Lai Ji about the whereabouts of Hua Mulan, and he probably had other plans.

Perhaps, Your Majesty does not have the energy to trace the origin of this person. There are many stories circulating in Guanzhong today. In addition to the stories from the Zhenguan period to the former Sui Dynasty, there is also the Liang Zhu story whose trace is hard to find.

In the south of the Yangtze River or north of the Huai River, there are people who claim that their ancestors had traces of Liang Zhu, but no actual evidence can be produced, and this became a laughing stock among people.

The story of Liang Zhu has long since become a thing of the past, but as long as the story can be passed down, it will always live in people's hearts.

Li Ji continued to eat biscuits quietly, drinking a sip or two of tea from time to time. His Majesty is a person who values ​​stories very much. Many things in Chongwenguan are arranged by His Majesty, starting from the East Palace, when His Majesty was still the prince, he liked stories very much.

Nowadays, there are more and more such stories, and the Tang people have many touching stories.

In fact, the story of Hua Mulan is very similar to that of Princess Pingyang. Now Chai Shao has also passed away.

Li Ji felt that this was a thought in His Majesty's mind.

After reading the list, Songtsen Gampo stood up, saluted and said, "Thank God Khan."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "The Tibetan troops who went on the expedition are all recorded in the court. Their children can also come to Chang'an to study. The Honglu Temple has already made arrangements."

That day the Khan began to arrange the affairs of Tubo, and Songtsen Gampo felt uneasy.

If it were me, I could give nothing but pastures and people, or gold and silver.

The Tang Dynasty attached great importance to the future and even participated in the future of Tubo.

The Tang people valued the future. The current emperor and court are not focusing on the present, but on the next few decades.

Over the years, Songtsen Gampo's greatest feeling came from this.

Seeing that the biscuits were about to be finished by Lord Ying, the eunuch brought some freshly baked biscuits and placed them on the table.

The freshly baked biscuits were very hot. Ying Gong picked up a piece of biscuit, took a bite without changing his expression, and chewed it in his mouth.

"Your Majesty, did the Prince of Jin fight with someone?"

The three people's conversation was interrupted, and Li Chengqian asked: "Is Zhinu all right?"

"Your Majesty, the King of Jin was not injured, and the other party did not fight back."

Li Chengqian nodded.

Seeing that His Majesty was indifferent, the eunuch bowed and left.

As soon as one of them left, another eunuch came quickly and said, "Your Majesty, this is the memorial from the King of Wei."

Li Chengqian took the memorial and took a look at it. Zhang Xuanbi was now working in Li Tai's Literature Institute.

Li Ji asked, "Is it about the matter between the Prince of Jin and Zhang Xuanbi?"

"Well, Zhinu beat up Zhang Xuanbi's second son. Zhang Xuanbi felt it was too shameful to stay in the Literature Institute and wanted to resign."

After reading it, Li Chengqian ordered, "Let Qingque comfort Zhang Xuanbi. As for Zhinu's matter, it was just a play between children. Don't worry about it."

"Here."

"Zhi Nu is acting more and more like Xu Jingzong now."

Li Ji smiled and said, "When the King of Jin was still young, he wanted to take Xu Jingzong as his teacher."

After seeing the Ministry of War's records and rewards to the Tubo soldiers, Songtsen Gampo became even more silent than before, and felt even more uneasy.

Li Chengqian said: "Zanpu, let the children of these Tibetan generals come to Chang'an to study. This is what we agreed before."

This was a prior agreement, and Songtsen Gampo could not find a reason to refuse. Li Chengqian said, "You write a letter to the Tibetan ministers to bring the children to Chang'an, and I will also write an order to let the people of Sinong Temple go to Tibet."

Duke Ying sat quietly aside, listening to the exchange between His Majesty and Songtsen Gampo.

In the fifth year of Qianqing, at the beginning of summer, Tian Khan and Songtsen Gampo made another agreement.

The Tang Dynasty arranged for people from the Sinong Temple to enter Tubo, and the Tubo Chongwenguan selected the children of Tubo generals to come to Chang'an to study.

There are many more rumors in Chang'an City, but no matter how you look at it, this time the agreement and exchange are in the Tang Dynasty's favor.

In front of the Heavenly Khan, the Tibetan king who was receiving medical treatment in Chang'an had no room for bargaining.

Others say that this was just the emperor's way of giving respect to Songtsen Gampo.

In September of the fifth year of the Qianqing reign, the summer heat was still lingering when the first group of Tibetan students to come to the Tang Dynasty arrived and studied in the Sifang Hall, where they were taught by Tang Dynasty teachers.

The Tibetan children who came to Chang'an were all around ten years old.

When the first autumn wind blew into Guanzhong, a group of young students shouted in front of Luoyang City: "Return education to the people!"

Under the banner of "righteousness", they wanted the court to make concessions on supporting education and to increase the number of places for the imperial examinations for the children of the gentry and aristocratic families.

Under the city of Luoyang, hundreds of students shouted and clamored towards the city of Chang'an.

Xiao Wu listened to the female guard's report and whispered, "Who is the leader?"

The female guard replied, "Qinghe Cui family, Cui Junshi."

Xiao Hui hurriedly said, "Sister Xiao Wu, don't be impulsive about this matter. Wait for the government's words."

Since my father passed away, Xiao Wu's edge has become sharper than before. She said in a deep voice: "The imperial examination has always been fair. The children of the aristocratic families do not seek change, but dare to ask the court to make concessions to them. Is there such a reason in this world?"

Xiaohui still wanted to persuade Xiaowu not to be impulsive, but before she could say anything, she stood up.

Faced with the students clamoring outside Luoyang City, Xiao Wu walked up to the city wall under the escort of female guards.

These female guards were Princess Changle's bodyguards, and the guards of Luoyang City did not dare to stop them.

Xiao Wu stood on the top of the city wall, looking at the shouting students with a scornful smile on his face, and said, "Xiao Hui, the imperial examination will be held again next year. Why don't they beg the court for permission?"

Xu Hui raised her head and asked, "Is it for their integrity?"

Xiao Wu shouted to the people below the city: "You can only shout here, if you have the ability, go and take the imperial examination and pass it yourself!"

The shouts echoed in front of the city. The students who were still shouting stopped and their eyes fell on the two women in front of Luoyang City.

The crowd exploded again, everyone was shouting and cursing.

Xiao Wu drew his sword from the waist of the female guard and was about to shout again when he saw many soldiers running out from the city of Luoyang.

The students who were causing trouble fled in panic.

Seeing this, Xu Hui chuckled and said, "A mob."

Gu Nalu happened to be watching this scene. He looked at the figure on the tower and asked, "Who is that?"

The servant beside him replied: "I will go and ask right away."

Gu Nalu smiled and said, "Li Tang's children are really different."

The Luoyang officials captured the culprit, Cui Junshi, within one day. The remnants of the aristocratic families rebelled against Li Tang, but their resistance was ridiculous.

That night, Cui Junshi was captured and brought to the government office, and Luoyang City Governor Gao Ji Fu was walking hurriedly towards the office.

As they walked along, Gao Jifu asked anxiously, "What should we do with these students?"

Du Zhenglun said: "According to the court's traditional methods of dealing with people, they would most likely be sent to the Western Regions to plant trees."

Gao Jifu clicked his tongue with a troubled look on his face, and then said, "These people are really difficult to deal with."

Du Zhenglun said: "Your Majesty was benevolent and righteous, and did not kill them all. But they are seeking their own death, so don't blame the court for being rude."

Cui Junshi was detained in the government office. Gao Jifu walked into the hall and scolded him without asking any questions: "You have failed to change after repeated admonitions. You have brought this upon yourself."

Du Zhenglun said: "Tell me, who ordered you to do this?"

Cui Junshi lowered his head and said, "No one ordered me to do that."

Gao Jifu snorted coldly: "Five hundred students are in our hands. Even if you don't say it, they will tell it."

Du Zhenglun was recording in the censor's book with a somewhat numb expression, as if he had long been accustomed to this kind of thing.

Ever since the incidents at Wuyi Lane and Hanshan Temple, there have always been remnant forces that want to oppose remote teaching in recent years.

After Du Zhenglun finished recording, he added: "That's fine. The court is short of hard laborers, and we hope that more of you can cause trouble."

Gao Jifu bowed and said, "Thank you for your help, Censor Du."

A governor of Luoyang and a censor in the imperial court easily settled the matter.

Quan Wanji, who was working in Luoyang, wrote a memorial and had it delivered to the court.

In Guanzhong, shortly after dawn, the frost on the ground had not yet melted. Li Chengqian pulled a radish from the field. In front of him was the Shanglinyuan of long ago, which has now become Anning Village.

"Your Majesty, he is here."

Hearing Xue Wanbei's words, Li Chengqian washed the radish with river water.

Only after the guards let them go could Li Yifu and Luo Binwang step forward.

Li Chengqian chewed on the radish and said, "Radishes that have just been frosted taste great."

As he was speaking, His Majesty broke off half of a radish and handed it to him. Li Yifu took it with both hands and held it in his hands.

"Take a break for the next two years."

"Your Majesty, I have been traveling around recently and have many things to do. I dare not neglect them."

Li Chengqian was chewing a radish and saw the child beside him.

"My boy, King Luo Bin." The child saluted.

"Yeah, I've heard of you."

King Luo Bin looked up at His Majesty, his eyes full of curiosity.

Li Yifu patted the child's head and explained, "This child is my disciple."

The river water was still steaming, and the village looked covered in white, with frost covering the roofs of the houses.

Li Chengqian said: "This child is about the same age as my child."

"I would like to continue investigating for a few more years. If Your Majesty feels that I have done something wrong, it is because of those students..."

"No."

Li Chengqian interrupted him.

Li Yifu kept his mouth shut, bowed once more and said, "I obey your command."

"Shangguan Yi is now in charge of the Censorate, and you have been serving as the Palace Censor, assisting the Censorate. Over the years, you have done a very good job, and I have seen it all."

(End of this chapter)