The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 495: Budding Thoughts
The state affairs also had to deal with many problems. After arranging family affairs, the emperor had to deal with the affairs of the court.

People always become more and more mediocre as they grow older. Sometimes I even think that the emperor's life is very ordinary.

Li Chengqian came to the outside of Wude Hall and met his uncle.

In the past two years, my uncle's appearance has not changed much. Although he has some white hair like my father, it is not a lot.

Li Chengqian had a table and chairs brought in and sat down in front of the Wude Hall.

The sun shines down, feeling the warmth of the moment.

Looking from the Wude Hall towards the Taiji Hall, there is no one to be seen in the open space in front of the hall. The only sound of silence is the occasional bird calls.

Zhang Sun Wuji sat aside and asked, "The prince left?"

Li Chengqian said: "Well, my father is worried, so he ordered a hundred riders to follow in secret."

The Baiqi are the imperial guards established during the Zhenguan period. They have been living in Anning Village ever since. To outsiders, they are just ordinary villagers.

This time when Yu Tu went to the Western Regions, a hundred cavalrymen were protecting him in secret.

Zhang Sun Wuji handed over a memorial and said, "This was recently compiled by the county magistrates of various counties."

Li Chengqian asked, "Does uncle still take care of these things on weekdays?"

"This was submitted by Wang Jiusi, the Junior Minister of the Imperial Household. I found it very interesting, so I brought it to Your Majesty to read."

Animal husbandry is also one of the responsibilities of Taifu Temple, and it is also referring to the current animal husbandry policy.

After reading it, Li Chengqian said, "It would be interesting to relax the restrictions on grazing appropriately and increase the number of livestock in the Hexi Corridor and Yinshan Mountains."

"There are capable ministers throughout the court, so these things are probably nothing to worry about."

"Uncle, you are joking. How can there be so many capable ministers? The ones I have are still not enough." Li Chengqian changed his sitting position, stroking his temple with one hand, and said, "Maybe I am not such a good emperor."

"Why did your Majesty say this?"

Li Chengqian whispered, "Father is a good emperor. When he raises his arm, heroes all over the world follow him. In the eyes of the court officials, father is a very good emperor. But I am different. Perhaps in the eyes of the court officials, I am not a good emperor."

Changsun Wuji stroked his beard and said nothing.

Li Chengqian added: "However, the young officials in the court are still good. Just as Wang Jiusi said in his memorial, animal husbandry needs to be regulated so that people can eat more meat. Such good officials should be supported more. His idea is simple, but too idealistic."

"I'm not denying him, but after letting him try it himself, he will understand how difficult it is. In the future, he will not take it for granted and will consider how difficult the reality is."

Zhang Sun Wuji said: "This is the good minister in your majesty's heart."

"I believe that ministers who can think of the people are good ministers."

"In fact, this old minister is here for the Prince of Hejian and the Prince of Jiangxia to visit Your Majesty."

"Are you two uncles still worried about me?"

Chang Sun Wuji said: "The Crown Prince left Chang'an for the Western Regions, and I am worried that Your Majesty will feel reluctant to let him go."

A eunuch received the emperor's gaze and quickly left through Chengtian Gate.

Li Chengqian looked at the blue sky and said, "I hope he will have no regrets when he is young."

Changsun Wuji nodded slightly. His Majesty today is no longer the crown prince of the past. He is now over thirty years old and has become the emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

"Your Majesty must have had many regrets when he was young."

Li Chengqian smiled meaningfully.

In fact, there are many regrets in my heart. Perhaps my uncle thought of the old man Wen Yanbo who was still concerned about Liaodong before his death. He never saw the day of the Eastern Expedition until he closed his eyes.

Or it could be Chai Shao, or even Li Gang, the prince's tutor whom he had never met before.

These are probably the regrets that my uncle has in mind.

In fact, deep down, Li Chengqian really wanted to say that he had too many regrets, but some things could only be said in his heart.

Li Chengqian smiled and looked into the distance. The eunuch was leading two imperial uncles towards here.

The imperial uncle of Hejian already had a head full of white hair, and the imperial uncle of Jiangxia had both his temples and beard already grey.

When I think of the past lives of my two uncles, I can’t help but feel that time is merciless.

After noon, Li Chengqian invited his two uncles and his uncle to have lunch together.

"How can you still eat like this at your age?"

Li Xiaogong put the noodles into his mouth and said, "Old thief Changsun, what does this have to do with you?"

Changsun Wuji moved his position and kept a distance from the old man to avoid the soup in the bowl splashing into his own bowl when he moved his chopsticks.

Li Dao Zong said: "If I were ten years younger, I would be willing to wear armor and go to war for Your Majesty."

Li Chengqian scooped out two more bowls of noodles from the pot and said, "There are many talented people in the court, and there are also many young military commanders, which is enough."

The years flowed quietly. On a summer night in the tenth year of Qianqing's reign, Chang'an City was under curfew.

The lights in the Duke of Liang's mansion were on. Li Chengqian stood in front of his teacher's study, surrounded by the sobbing of his teacher's family.

Tonight, Duke of Liang Fang Xuanling passed away.

Li Chengqian handed the decree to his teacher's eldest son Fang Yizhi, saying, "In the future, you must take good care of the teacher's family business."

Fang Yizhi bowed and said, "I obey your command."

The historian Lai Ji took up his pen to record that in the tenth year of Qianqing, Duke Liang passed away, was given the posthumous title of Wen Zhao, and was posthumously awarded the title of Taiwei and buried in Zhaoling Mausoleum.

Another old minister from the Zhenguan period has passed away. Lord Liang was also the most important elder to Your Majesty. It was Lord Liang who taught Your Majesty how to handle state affairs.

When we went on the Eastern Expedition, Your Majesty was still the Crown Prince. At that time, Luoyang needed to be guarded, and it was Lord Liang who guarded Chang'an City for three years.

Li Yuan passed away, Gao Shilian passed away, and now even Lord Liang passed away. The guards following His Majesty walked on the silent Suzaku Street.

When they reached Chengtian Gate, the guards stopped.

How sad your majesty must be.

Over the years, the elders who were most important to Your Majesty have passed away one after another. Now, seeing Your Majesty walking into Chengtian Gate alone, it seems that Your Majesty has been alone for many years.

Under the moonlight, His Majesty's figure could still be vaguely seen in the open space in front of the Taiji Hall, until the heavy Chengtian Gate was closed.

The next day, the emperor adjourned his court.

All the ministers arrived at the imperial city early to deal with today's state affairs.

"Wang Jiusi?"

Hearing the call, Wang Jiusi, who was looking at the documents, looked up and saw that it was Chu Suiliang, the Minister of Civil Affairs. He saluted and said, "I'm here."

Chu Suiliang nodded to the five clerks behind him and said, "These five people are under your command. The livestock affairs are left to you to arrange."

"Your Majesty..."

Chu Suiliang said: "You are still young, and you may not be able to handle this important task. The Ministry of Civil Affairs will assist you. Your Majesty does not consider qualifications or family background when hiring people, but only their abilities."

Seeing Wang Jiusi nod again, Chu Suiliang admonished: "Grasp it well."

"Yes." Wang Jiusi took several volumes of his files and hurriedly left Taifu Temple.

If you want to manage animal husbandry, you cannot do without the cooperation of Jingzhao Prefecture.

On Zhuque Street in Chang'an City, the equally elderly Hou Junji was sitting at the door of Cheng Yaojin's house.

Cheng Yaojin said, "What are you doing sitting at my door? You scared me so much that I broke my head on the door."

Hou Junji, with white hair and beard, said: "Mr. Liang has passed away."

Cheng Yaojin looked at the mourning clothes still hanging on both sides of Zhuque Street and said, "My old brothers are leaving so early."

Hou Junji stood up with the help of a cane and said, "I don't know how Your Majesty has been through all these years."

Cheng Yaojin nodded.

Hou Junji added: "Since the old master in the palace passed away, Your Majesty has rarely practiced archery."

Cheng Yaojin asked: "How do you know?"

"That's what Master Ying said."

The old people left the world one after another, and the youthful spirit of Your Majesty seemed to have been wiped out.

He spoke less during the morning court sessions than before, and acted more like a real emperor.

Cheng Yaojin saw a young man in official uniform running quickly down Suzaku Street. Noticing the smile on the young man's face, he said, "The one we don't have to worry about the most is His Majesty. His Majesty's perseverance is stronger than that of ordinary people."

Perhaps it was because Your Majesty was weak and sickly when he was young that he had such great willpower in his heart and insisted on exercising regardless of the cold winter or the hot summer.

Your Majesty had amazing perseverance and academic ability even at a young age. Such a strong person will not be defeated by temporary sadness.

Wang Jiusi came to Jingzhao Prefecture.

This year, the newly appointed Jingzhao Prefecture Governor Yan Qinli personally met with the Shaoqing of Taifu Temple.

Wang Jiusi said: "I would like to request a transfer order."

Yan Qinli asked, "What transfer order?"

"Able to transfer orders to the six prisons in each county."

Yan Qinli took out a token and before handing it to him, he reminded him, "It's not like Jingzhao Prefecture didn't do this before, but it hasn't been effective in recent years. Apart from controlling grazing, there haven't been many results."

Wang Jiusi said, "Guanzhong connects the Hexi Corridor and Yinshan Mountains, and sheep flocks can travel easily here and there. Sheep and beef in Guanzhong are cheaper. I grew up in Hebei, and I seldom ate meat back then."

"So you've wanted to do this since you were a kid?"

Wang Jiusi added: "If I can help more children have a bite of meat, I am willing to travel around for this."

Yan Qinli said, "You could have been a junior official in the Taifu Temple, but why did you choose the most difficult job?"

"I come from the countryside, so I know better what the people there think."

Yan Qinli nodded pertinently and said, "It's a pity that you are not an official of Jingzhao Prefecture."

After taking the token with both hands, Wang Jiusi bowed and took his leave, quickly leaving Jingzhao Prefecture.

Yan Qinli walked out of Jingzhao Prefecture and met Zhang Jianzhi again.

Zhang Jianzhi handed over a scroll and said, "This is the list of officials who are eligible to take up the position in the Wenlin Academy."

Yan Qinli looked at the names on the list and frowned, saying, "Recently, fewer and fewer officials have been able to leave the Wenlin Pavilion."

"Although it is a bit strict, it is all arranged by the Secretariat. It is better to be strict than to let people take up their posts easily."

The Wenlinguan headed by Zhang Jianzhi was used to assess officials. Only those officials who had taught and passed the examinations could take up posts in various places.

Most of them are about the concept of being an official. Yan Qinli said: "Your Majesty has always hoped that the government's orders will be used for the benefit of the people. The more officials like Wang Jiusi, the better."

Zhang Jianzhi understood and said, "Students like Wang Jiusi come from the countryside, and they know the countryside best."

There was no Hundred Schools of Thought in the Tang Dynasty, but a new trend of thought was emerging. This trend came from the imperial examination system and also from the emperor's deliberate efforts.

The success of an official does not lie in how much he can accomplish for the emperor, but in how much he can accomplish for the people and the country.

Just like people like Wang Jiusi, who came from the countryside, served as an official in the court and also worked for the countryside.

Your Majesty will trust and reward such ministers.

Under Your Majesty's proposal, the court officials had to change the way they did things.

Yan Qinli brought Zhang Jianzhi to the residence of Hou Laizhi in Nanyang County.

Lai Ji's study is filled with books, and there is not much space for people to sit.

He sat in the upper seat and said, "What brings you to my residence?"

Zhang Jianzhi took out three volumes of books and placed them on the table. He explained, "This is the theory that was completed in Luoyang this year. I came here to ask you about it."

Lai Ji picked up one of the scrolls, looked at the contents, stroked his beard and said, "Fumin? Hmm... very interesting, the person who wrote this article should be a young student."

Yan Qinli said: "There are still many students debating in Luoyang. Some write down records and some write books during the debate. Chongwenguan and Wenlinguan will collect all the discussions related to the government affairs."

Lai Ji finished reading the scroll, and patted the scroll with his wrinkled hands due to age, saying, "It is true that the people are rich, but the words in the scroll that ask the court to give merchants more freedom are still arrogant."

Lai Ji took a sip of tea and said, "Your Majesty has said many times that farming has always been the top priority. Before Cen Wenben left the court, Your Majesty had a decree that the fields and farming of the Tang Dynasty are the foundation of the country."

"If more and more people go to trade, there will be fewer people farming. Without people farming, the country will be ruined. I am afraid that it will lead to more serious consequences than land annexation. Your Majesty often says that the Tang Dynasty is not yet rich, and the foundation of the country cannot be shaken. Food is the most important thing for the country."

As he spoke, Lai Ji picked up another volume and said, "Governing the people? Hmm... this volume is well written. The court officials should not put the emperor's happiness first, but the survival of the people first, which is effective."

"Tired people? If the people of the country don't work, the country will be in chaos, bandits and rebellious armies will run rampant..."

Lai Ji finished reading the three volumes of books "Enriching the People", "Governing the People" and "Tiring the People". These three volumes contain many of the remarks made by Duke Zheng in those days.

At that time, workshops were flourishing in Guanzhong, and Duke Zheng advocated that people should all work in the workshops, especially those idlers and ruffians.

In other words, these three volumes could also be written as Employment and Taxation.

Lai Ji was not satisfied. He thought that the ideas in the three volumes were remarkable, but they were far different from the imperial examination essays today. In fact, Beiyuan's theories were far ahead of these people.

Lai Ji said: "Debating for this, arguing for the government's policies, is not entirely a bad thing. We can just sit back and watch it develop. The government did not interfere with the debate in Luoyang, and even intended to let them debate more and more heatedly, and the people became better and better."

Zhang Jianzhi asked worriedly, "Old sir, will the current situation in Luoyang affect the court?"

Lai Ji shook his head and said, "You are overthinking. Your Majesty knows better than anyone what the Tang Dynasty needs now. When these people have arguments, they will think about it, and this will exercise their thinking ability. Since the Jin Dynasty, people have tried their best to survive and have food and clothing. How can they think about it under slavery?"

In September of the tenth year of Qianqing, the imperial examination was to be held in the following year. Many students arrived in Guanzhong in this month of this year.

A young student, who looked only about fifteen years old, came to Weibei County.

At this time of year, the branches were full of grapes. The young student picked a grape and put it in his mouth, savoring it carefully.

"Hey!" An old farmer came over with a stick in his hand and asked, "Whose kid is this? Why are you eating grapes here?"

The young student's name was Yao Chong. He remained calm in the face of danger. In fact, he had already noticed the old farmer who was looking after the grapes and had anticipated his reaction.

(End of this chapter)