The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 491: Civil and Military Officials Who Didn’t Get Old

The discussion in the new palace was still going on. Several civil and military officials were standing outside Chengtian Gate, waiting for the outcome of this meeting.

Chu Suiliang looked at the clerks standing behind him and felt helpless. The issue of building the four towns of Anxi had not been discussed in the morning court and a fight had even broken out. His Majesty had to retire early, leaving a few people to discuss the government while the rest of them withdrew.

Although everyone was arguing endlessly, after all, it was a state affair that had to have a result. Chu Suiliang felt helpless and looked back at the civil servants behind him. Zhang Xuansu, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel, was old, and several strands of his beard were pulled out, and there was a hole at the cuff of his official uniform.

There are also Guo Zhengyi, Zhao Renben, Sun Chuyue, Shangguan Yi, and Lou Shide. They are not in good condition at the moment.

Let’s look at the generals on the side: Liang Jianfang, Pei Xingjian, Cheng Yaojin, and Niu Jinda.

Or Gongsun Wuda and Li Mengchang who had just returned to Chang'an.

One of them is a county duke, the other is a founding county duke, and these two are here to retire.
Gongsun Wuda was a general who was loyal to Li Tang since the time when the Li family started an uprising in Jinyang during the Daye period.

Rumor has it that he was also one of the direct participants in the Xuanwu Gate incident.

This old general usually kept a low profile and stayed dormant in the Zhechong Mansion in Longyou. After his grandfather passed away, the old general wore mourning clothes for more than a year.

There are also Gao Kan and Xue Wanche standing in the back, as well as Xue Wanbei and other generals.

Niu Jinda whispered, "Your Majesty, are you going to attack Congling again?"

Cheng Yaojin waved his hand and said, "Pei boy, come here!"

Pei Xingjian stepped forward and saluted, saying, "I will keep my promise to meet General Chengguo."

Cheng Yaojin put a hand on his shoulder and asked, "Does His Majesty still want you to lead the army to Tianshan?"

Pei Xingjian said, "I have never heard of it."

Cheng Yaojin's big copper bell eyes scanned the surroundings and said, "Look at those civil officials, each of them wants to place an imperial censor in the army."

Pei Xingjian scratched his head with a wry smile.

Cheng Yaojin's voice was not loud, but it was heard by everyone, causing many civil servants to cast unfriendly glances at him.

Lou Shide said: "General, we don't want to put censors in the army. We hope that the soldiers in the army can read more and learn more."

Cheng Yaojin snorted coldly and continued to look at Chengtian Gate.

Everyone returned to silence and continued to anxiously wait for the results of the discussion between His Majesty and Duke Ying. However, someone suddenly looked back and saw a figure walking towards Chengtian Gate.

The person who came was a young official. Pei Xingjian turned around to take another look and found that the person was Zhang Jianzhi.

Zhang Jianzhi came closer and saw a group of civil and military officials. He was still a little hesitant. He took another step forward and a guard came forward and said, "Master Zhang, please go see Master Su. His Majesty said that there might be no results today and he doesn't have time to see Master Zhang."

Zhang Jianzhi followed the guard and left the imperial city and went to Chongwenguan.

Pei Yan was still busy in the Ministry of War when he saw Zhang Jianzhi hurriedly passing through the imperial city.

Li Anqi, who came to the Ministry of War to hand over documents, also saw the man. He looked outside the door and said, "Isn't this Zhang Jianzhi?"

Pei Yan nodded.

A clerk nearby said, "I heard that His Majesty summoned him after the court session today. How come he suddenly disappeared again?"

Pei Yan continued to organize the documents silently. Now there was no need for him to instruct Zhang Jianzhi, as he could do some things by himself. His performance was quite good and even attracted the attention of His Majesty.

In Chongwenguan, Zhang Jianzhi met Su Tan.

Su Tan held the scroll in one hand, stroked his beard and said, "Your Buliangtang will be merged into Chongwenguan."

Zhang Jianzhi asked in confusion, "Master Su, I am an official of Jingzhao Prefecture."

Su Tan drank tea and said, "Xu Jingzong is leaving Jingzhao Prefecture. The next Jingzhao prefect is Yan Qinli. Liu Rengui is going to the Western Regions. You are not only an official of Jingzhao Prefecture, but also a compiler of Chongwenguan."

After that, Su Tan handed over the appointment document from the Ministry of Personnel and said, "This is your Majesty's arrangement. Don't worry, it doesn't conflict with anything."

Zhang Jianzhi took the document with both hands.

"In the future, many officials will come to study with you. The court has prepared 5,000 coins to build your Buliang Hall, which will be renamed Wenlin Hall in the future."

Zhang Jianzhi said loudly: "Yes."

Su Tan hesitated and asked, "I heard that you betrayed your family?"

"I don't get along with the old guys in the family."

"Oh, what a pity."

Zhang Jianzhi was puzzled and asked, "What's a pity?"

Su Tan said: "It is just because of filial piety that you will not be able to go far in your official career."

"I only know how to teach."

Zhang Jianzhi then explained to him what he had experienced over the years. He had failed the imperial examinations several times and finally taught in the Western Regions for two years. In the Western Regions, he only learned how to teach, and after returning, he only knew how to teach.

As for being an official in the court, Zhang Jianzhi felt that he was not cut out for it. Instead of spending the whole day in the court in a daze, it would be better to leave and go out to teach.

Su Tan had someone hand him a new official uniform, and that was the end of the assignment.

The sun set in the west, until only the setting sun was left in the west. Most of the civil and military officials who had been waiting for news in front of Chengtian Gate had left, and only a few were still waiting here.

Your Majesty's conversation with his ministers has lasted from morning till now.

"I'm coming."

When the sleepy Zhang Xuansu heard the voices, he looked up and saw Ying Gong, Ma Zhou, Xu Jingzong and others walking out of Chengtian Gate in an orderly manner.

It is near New Year's Eve, which should be a time for rest, but everyone has been busy since the beginning of autumn this year.

Whether it was the grain transport or the construction of the Anxi Protectorate, all the officials from the six ministries in the court had been extremely busy and exhausted over the past year.

Thinking of the old ministers in the court who came out of the Zhenguan period, I heard that being an official in the court at that time was relatively leisurely.

I didn't expect that being an official during the Qianqing reign would be so tiring and busy.

Duke Ying walked in front of the crowd and said in a deep voice, "His Majesty has ordered that you take a rest and will resume court after the Lantern Festival."

After he finished speaking, no one cheered, but many people breathed a sigh of relief.

On New Year's Eve, the court issued an edict to send 5,000 more soldiers to the Anxi Protectorate, 2,000 more teachers to teach, transfer grain and fodder from the Hexi Corridor to Xizhou, build 65 official residences for grain transport, distributed on both sides of the canal, and establish the Hanhai Protectorate and Anbei Protectorate.

After the emperor's decree was issued, it was posted on the city wall of Suzaku Gate as usual. The year had just ended, and the emperor had already prepared for what to do in the coming year.

Di Renjie drank his tea and said, "In fact, there are only three things to do next year. The first is to continue to build the canal, the second is to continue to build the Anxi Protectorate, and the third is to build the two protectorates in the north."

Pei Yan looked at the drunken Prince Jin and Prince Ji and said, "Bai Fang sent a letter."

Di Renjie asked, "What did he say in the letter?"

"The White Party said he wanted to destroy a small country and wanted our advice."

"You gave me instructions?"

"No."

Di Renjie clinked his wine bowl with him, sat cross-legged, looked at the bustling Suzaku Street downstairs, and said as he watched the lively scene: “The Anxi Protectorate will not let the White side send out troops easily.”

Pei Yan nodded seriously.

Everyone has a feeling that once the construction of the Anxi Protectorate is completed and the four towns of Anxi are stabilized, the Tang Dynasty will sooner or later have to fight the Arabs.

This was a major event that had been decided two years ago.

Before New Year's Eve, His Majesty had a day's talk with Duke Ying, Ma Zhou, Yu Zhining and others. What exactly His Majesty talked about with them, perhaps only a few people know, except for the matters concerning the will, other details are unknown.

In the next few years, the Tang Dynasty will have to manage people's livelihood, prepare for war, and clear the border. Nanzhao can be put aside for the time being, as the management of the northern territory is particularly important.

Officials in the court all felt that this year was very tiring. Pei Yan felt that this year's heavy state affairs were just the beginning. The next few years would probably be more tiring each year. The emperor challenged the limits of his subjects' abilities time and time again.

With such a wise ruler, all the civil and military officials in the court had no choice but to accept it. They praised His Majesty for his wisdom while gritting their teeth and working hard.

Pei Yan chewed a raisin and watched the hustle and bustle of the city with a smile.

After a banquet ended and everyone dispersed, Pei Yan walked through the streets of Anyifang. Just as he reached his door, he saw an official who was a few years younger than him, looking around.

"What's the matter?"

"I am Wang Jiusi, Junior Minister of the Imperial Palace."

Pei Yan pushed open the door of his room and walked in.

Wang Jiusi said: "The Ministry of Personnel said that they have prepared a place for me to live, but I don't know where I will live."

Pei Yan had never heard of the name Wang Jiusi before, but seeing that he was already the Shaoqing of Taifu Temple at such a young age, it was rare.

Taking the wooden sign handed over by Wang Jiusi, Pei Yan said, "I'm next door."

"Hmm?" Wang Jiusi came to the closed door, put the key into the lock, and it opened.

Then he hurriedly asked, "Is it Doctor Pei Yan in front of you?"

Pei Yan nodded and put the backpack on his shoulder on the table.

"They all said that I live next door to Doctor Pei."

Pei Yan lit the oil lamp in his room, exhaled a breath of hot air, and said, "It's cold, go to bed early."

Wang Jiusi stood in front of the door and wanted to say something, but saw Pei Yan close the door.

I had heard that Pei Yan was unkind, but I didn't expect it to be true. Wang Jiusi shook his head helplessly and had to return to his residence.

On the first day of the first lunar month in the tenth year of the Qianqing reign, the cold wind still blew from time to time, and the weather was still bone-chillingly cold.

There were two retirement memorials in front of Li Chengqian, and his father was sitting in front of him with a hesitant look on his face.

"How should Gongsun Wuda and Li Mengchang preside over this?"

"You are the emperor, just do your own thing."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Gongsun Wuda is indeed old, but I think Li Mengchang can still be used for a few more years."

Li Shimin was drinking tea, and when the wind blew, a few strands of white hair fluttered in his hair.

Although he already had white hair, Li Chengqian knew that the two years since his father retired were a time of sedimentation.

"Your Majesty, the ancestral temple is ready."

"Yeah." Li Shimin put down the tea bowl and stood up.

On the first day of the new year, the father and son came to the ancestral temple to worship their ancestors.

My grandfather’s spirit tablet is right in front of the portrait of the Taoist ancestor.

Li Shimin looked at the burning incense and asked, "I heard that you also sent Laozi's elephant to the envoys from other countries?"

"Yes, they will also worship our Li family's ancestors." Li Chengqian sighed and said with his hands in his pockets: "I don't know if the ancestor will bless them."

Li Shimin added: "I have also heard that the people of the Western Regions also want to erect a stone statue of you, the Heavenly Khan."

"How can I be so worthy as to say that the stone statues in the Western Regions only have my father and Guo Luotuo."

"You have been in power for ten years. They say that the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty is coming."

"I feel that the Tang Dynasty is still not rich enough. People can only maintain the material needs of life. It is still very poor. The Tang Dynasty needs to continue to work hard. When the dynasty opens next year, I will still advocate a national policy of frugality and abstaining from extravagance."

This son spent a huge amount of money on the construction of canal transportation, but at the same time he advocated frugality and thrift. Sometimes I really couldn't understand what he was thinking.

The current Tang Dynasty is doing well, but he is still not satisfied.

After offering sacrifices in the ancestral temple, the father and son went to the Lingyan Pavilion together to pay tribute to the deceased founding heroes.

In the tenth year of Qianqing, just seven days after the first lunar month, a group of soldiers left Chang'an City for the Western Regions, led by two generals: Gao Kan and Li Mengchang.

Pedestrians on the official road made way for the troops, and many officials also went to the Western Regions with them.

Someone asked, "Is this going to be another war?"

"The battles in the east and north are over. Only the battle in the west remains."

"Is there anyone left to fight in the west?"

"Savage."

Gao Kan listened to the conversation on the roadside, held the reins in one hand and looked back at the soldiers following behind, and seeing that the team was in order, he spurred his horse and sped up the march.

In front of Chunming Gate, teams of officials rode out of the city on horseback, heading eastward.

Some people say that officials in the court nowadays don’t celebrate the New Year.

These officials have only had seven days of rest from New Year's Eve to now. After receiving arrangements from the court, they have to rush to the canal to build an official residence for water transport.

In the past, even in the early Sui Dynasty, these officials would most likely wait until after the Lantern Festival before taking action.

In Chang'an City, all official residences had opened their doors early and started their shifts.

The residents of Chang'an, who were still celebrating the festival, were very curious and were discussing what had happened to these officials. Could they not celebrate the New Year?
Rain once again poured into Chang'an City, the rain became weaker and weaker, and as the sky changed, the rain turned into sleet.

The Imperial Observatory in the imperial city was building a high-rise building. Princess Jinyang stood in front of the Observatory with her hands behind her back and a telescope in her hands.

"Auntie, it really snowed today." Little Magpie came running over.

"There's nothing magical about predicting the weather. It's just a matter of looking at the clouds and the wind."

Little Magpie held the hand warmer bag and said, "Aunt, my brother is going to the Western Regions to fight."

Mingda smiled and said, "Did my brother agree?"

Xiao Que'er said, "I was beaten by my grandfather and am still lying down."

As she spoke, Xiao Que'er held back her laughter; she was particularly happy to see her brother being beaten.

It's not necessarily that the emperor would really dote on his grandson. He still has to fight when it's time, especially since the current crown prince is going to fight in the Western Regions. Even if the emperor agreed, Yu Tu would still have his legs broken by his grandfather.

Little Magpie pulled on her aunt's sleeve and said, "Grandma said we can have dinner now."

Mingda followed her footsteps and walked all the way to the palace.

The Astronomical Pavilion is still under construction and will probably be completed this summer.

When they arrived at Taiye Lake, all the brothers and sisters were there. Mingda walked to the villa by Taiye Lake and saw Yu Tu lying on the couch.

Dongyang sat by the door, drinking tea leisurely, and said expressionlessly: "Why? Are you here to beg for mercy?"

After hearing what Sister Dongyang said, the younger brothers and sisters tactfully dispersed.

(End of this chapter)