The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 533 Winter Solstice Birthday
Li Tai said, "I just heard you guys talking about digging in Zhongnan Mountain?"

Xu Xiaode explained what happened before and then talked about Yuan Keshi.

The King of Wei came here, and after a while the King of Wu also came, followed by the King of Jin and the King of Ji. The entire West Garden began to become lively.

After hearing what he said, Li Tai asked, "Master Yuan Ke? Does he often go to Mount Zhongnan?"

Xu Xiaode said: "I only know that he is Yuan Tiangang's son."

The other ministers went to talk respectively. Yu Zhining was talking to Prince Jin and Prince Ji.

Ma Zhou and Chu Suiliang were talking with the King of Wu.

During this dynasty, the emperor's brothers and sisters were very united. In addition, the current emperor also trusted his brothers and sisters very much. It should be said that this was the most harmonious dynasty since the Xuanwu Gate.

The emperor's brothers were not sent to different places, but each had their own things to do.

Therefore, the court officials were also willing to have a word with the princes of the royal family.

Li Tai sat down on the side and whispered, "Actually, Master Yuan Ke's idea is right."

Xu Xiaode asked doubtfully, "Do we really have to dig through Mount Zhongnan?"

Li Tai added: "According to the map surveyed by our Literature Museum, in order to completely dig through Zhongnan Mountain and dig a passage running through the north and south of Qinling Mountains, it is necessary to dig a 40-li-long cave directly from north to south. At that time, my brother also mentioned the idea of ​​this tunnel."

Xu Xiaode asked: "Tunnel?"

Li Tai nodded again with a look of reminiscence, "It is not easy to dig a road. We need to measure where support is needed and where it is easy to collapse. This is a huge project. I do admire Master Yuan Ke, but this is not how roads are dug."

"It is a great thing to be able to open up the Qinling Mountains and connect the north and the south. The Literature Museum has argued about this issue more than once. Some people say that Yang Guang dug the Grand Canal, so why couldn't Li Tang dig through the Qinling Mountains?"

When Li Tai said this, he sounded really relaxed, as if he was really going to do it.

Xu Xiaode also smiled and did not say much. He had already reached the point where he could not respond casually, especially since Yang Guang dug the Grand Canal, so why couldn't Li Tang dig through the Qinling Mountains?

Can you say that? Of course you can’t say that, especially when it comes to the Sui Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty.

When the prince arrived, Shangguan Yi also came.

Xu Jingzong smiled and handed over the tea, saying, "How about accompanying the prince in studying politics recently?"

Shangguan Yi said: "The prince is very hardworking."

It was just a comment about diligence, and Xu Jingzong understood it in his heart. After all, no one could learn everything as quickly as the current emperor.

Your Highness the Crown Prince is able to study hard, but that doesn't necessarily mean he will learn very well.

Xu Jingzong felt that the prince would definitely be a king who would maintain the status quo in the future. In fact, the prince did not need to learn too well. As long as there was a group of capable ministers in the court, it would be enough. As for what would happen in the future, who knew?
Shangguan Yi has always been with the prince, and it can be seen that the prince is actually quite close to Prince Jin and Prince Ji.

Now the prince is having a very happy conversation with the King of Wu again.

Xu Jingzong asked, "Brother Shangguan, I still have some good wine at home."

Shangguan Yi smiled and said, "It would be great if there was wine."

In fact, the court is different now. The six ministers of the court each have their own duties, and the Secretariat has 16 assistant ministers to discuss matters.
The sixteen Zhongshu Shilang have no actual powers, but they can decide the direction of government. The six ministers have real power, but the general direction depends on how the sixteen Zhongshu Shilang discuss matters.

The structure of the court is clear and straightforward, and His Majesty is good at handling these matters clearly and straightforwardly.

If you look closely at this court, you will find that even Duke Ying, the general who assists the country, does not hold real power except for military authority.

Xu Jingzong felt that his power was so small that it could only be used in the Ministry of Rites. As for other parts of the court, it was difficult for him to get involved.

If you think about it carefully, the current court duties have been subdivided again and again to reach the current situation.

Or in other words, there is no one in power in this court anymore.

If there really is one...it can only be His Majesty, the current emperor who has concentrated power until now. His power and popular support have reached an unprecedented level.

The Li Tang Dynasty still did not have a prime minister in the true sense, and Prime Minister Fang might be the last prime minister of the Li Tang Dynasty.

Xu Jingzong secretly wondered if there would be no prime minister in the Tang Dynasty from now on.

These thoughts just flashed through his mind, and he faced everyone present with a smile. He kept all his thoughts in his heart and would not tell anyone else.

Today is the winter solstice, a rare sunny day. Xu Jingzong met the assistant ministers of the Ministry of Rites Lu Zhaolin and Guo Zhengyi who came here.

Lu Zhaolin said: "People in the neighborhood have already started celebrating. The residents have written down their congratulatory messages to wish the emperor a happy birthday and sent them to Jingzhao Prefecture."

Xu Jingzong smiled and said, "The locals are really enthusiastic."

Lu Zhaolin added: "Once three or five families have submitted congratulatory messages to Jingzhao Prefecture, more families will follow suit."

"Your Majesty has instructed us not to disturb the people in the neighborhood when celebrating the Emperor's birthday, and to keep things simple."

Guo Zhengyi said: "Jingzhao Prefecture tried to dissuade them, but they couldn't stop the people. There are still many old soldiers living in Chang'an City. They are in tears. They are all old soldiers who followed the emperor in the Eastern Expedition. How can we not congratulate them?"

Xu Jingzong thought of the scene during the Eastern Expedition. It has not been easy for the three emperors from Wude, Zhenguan to the present.

In Guanzhong, His Majesty is deeply loved by the villagers of Guanzhong.

When the retired emperor and Duke Ying walked to the West Garden together, the court officials bowed one after another, and then Li Chengqian stepped forward.

As dishes were served, Li Shimin, sitting in the upper seat, raised his wine jar and said in a loud voice: "This year, we won a great victory at Congling, and Guanzhong has had a bumper harvest for many years. I congratulate you all!"

Li Chengqian said loudly: "Tang Dynasty will win!"

Lord Ying also picked up the wine jar and said, "Long live the Tang Dynasty!"

The courtiers also shouted loudly until the children started shouting too.

The Imperial City is very busy today. Today is the Winter Solstice, and officials from various departments can take a break after finishing today's affairs. Also, because today is the birthday of the retired emperor, every official who leaves the Imperial City can get cloth, rice, flour, and even tea and soap.

There is a celebration in Xiyuan today. Li Jingxuan, the Shaoqing of the Honglu Temple, has finished his work for the day and is preparing to go home to rest.

In fact, when Li Jingxuan was walking in the imperial city, he heard the words "Long live the Tang Dynasty" coming from the West Garden of the imperial city, and he couldn't help feeling emotional.

Just as he was about to leave, Li Jingxuan turned around and closed the door of the Honglu Temple, and said with emotion: "This door will be opened again next year."

Several clerks standing on one side had smiles on their faces.

Li Jingxuan was walking in the imperial city when he saw Xu Yushi, who had also finished his duty. He smiled and saluted, saying, "Minister Xu."

Xu Yushi nodded and said, "We have just finished the work of the Secretariat, and there are still many people left. It will probably be night time."

When I looked up, it was already dusk and had become much colder.

When everyone reached the Suzaku Gate, an eunuch stopped them and said with a smile, "Everyone, take the gifts and go back."

After that, an eunuch came with a small cart. The cart was small, with two wooden wheels, and a thick pile of bedding on top, as well as various items on the side. The eunuch said, "Your Majesty said that this year, there are too many items for you to take away, so I prepared a small cart for you."

The court is becoming more and more wealthy. There were not so many festival gifts in the past. This year is the year with the most.

This year is indeed a significant year, with a great victory at Pamirs and the 60th birthday of the Emperor, both of which are worth celebrating.

When Li Jingxuan was pulling the cart to the door of his house, he suddenly heard a loud explosion in the night sky. He looked up and saw a flower blooming in the night sky.

Then one after another, flowers bloomed in the night sky.

For a moment, the brightly lit city of Chang'an fell silent. People walked outside, into the crowded streets, and looked up at the strange phenomenon blooming in the night sky. Some looked fascinated, while others danced with joy.

At night, the night wind was very strong in Guanzhong. On an open ground three miles away from Chang'an City, a troop was resting.

Di Renjie stood on a high slope, looking at Chang'an City from afar, and saw flowers blooming in the night sky.

They bloom in an instant and fade in a breath, and then these flowers bloom one after another.

Di Renjie said: "It's really beautiful."

Pei Yan said: "It's a pity that there are still many generals who haven't come to Chang'an City, so they can't see it."

People in Chang'an City might not be able to see it clearly, but outside, especially in this geographical location, Di Renjie could see it clearly. This strange phenomenon in the night sky was blooming around Chang'an City.

In fact, Di Renjie had suspected it long before, but now he was sure that it was definitely man-made, although he didn't know how it was done.

But Di Renjie still felt that this was a good omen.

It was not until this beautiful scene was over that Zhang Jianzhi said, "Huaiying."

Di Renjie asked, "What's wrong?"

"Why don't you go to Chang'an City today? There's no curfew today."

Di Renjie said, "Let's go tomorrow morning. I heard that His Majesty has hosted a banquet for many people, including ministers of various ministries and their families. Even if I go back today, my father and mother will not be at home."

As he spoke, Di Renjie picked up the wine bag, clinked it with Zhang Jianzhi's, and drank it down.

Pei Yan came over in armor, "Huaiying! There's news from the army."

Di Renjie then turned around and asked, "What news?"

"They say that General Gao Kan is five miles behind us. Since we are not returning to Chang'an tonight, we will wait until tomorrow to return to Chang'an with the general."

Di Renjie asked, "Hasn't General Liang Jianfang arrived yet?"

"Some things in the Hexi Corridor have delayed us, so we will probably have to wait a while." Pei Yan added, "Your Majesty will arrange the reward after General Liang arrives, and the earliest we can do is to wait until the Lantern Festival next year. It doesn't matter whether we go back early or late."

The cold wind blew in his face. Di Renjie wrapped himself in his coat and asked, "How did you, Zhang Jianzhi, become the head of a museum?"

Zhang Jianzhi smiled and said, "That's because Brother Pei gave me a lot of pointers."

Pei Yan explained: "It can't be called guidance."

Di Renjie also had a beard, and was thinking about whether the Prince of Jin should beat Zhang Jianzhi or not given his current status.

No one knows when the celebration will end on the night of the winter solstice before people stop.

Di Renjie and Pei Yan, who were sitting here overlooking Chang'an, waited until dawn and also waited for General Gao Kan to arrive.

Gao Kan sat on the horse and said in a rather complaining tone: "I have been freezing outside all night. I will definitely drink heavily when I return to Chang'an today."

The tens of thousands of troops returning from the Pamir Mountains, after arriving at the Hexi Corridor, all the troops in Guanzhong dispersed back. Now when they arrived at Chang'an City, there were only a few thousand people left. These few thousand people were all from the Chang'an Guard House, so naturally they came to Chang'an together.

After General Gao Kan reorganized his troops, he led them slowly towards Chang'an City.

Zhang Jianzhi continued while sitting on horseback: "I heard that Lord Ying has made many arrangements for the army recently. Lord Ying said that he wants to send more young people to the border fortresses for training. After this year, he will send people to Nanzhao in the remaining two years."

Di Renjie asked, "Were the troops sent to Nanzhao?"

Zhang Jianzhi smiled and said, "The Nanzhao Protectorate has been built."

Pei Yan said with emotion: "I really don't dare to leave Chang'an for a moment from now on. I almost don't recognize this place after not coming back for two years. It has changed so much and so fast."

"There have been too many changes in the past two years. Now there are 16 vice ministers in the Secretariat, and many matters in the court must be decided by the 16 vice ministers."

"Wouldn't it be possible for a simple matter to become particularly complicated?"

Zhang Jianzhi shook his head and said, "No, if sixteen Zhongshu Shilang can discuss something, it won't be a simple matter, and simple matters won't be discussed by sixteen Shilang either. Moreover, I think there will be more Zhongshu Shilang. Do you know what kind of people the Zhongshu Shilang selected by His Majesty are?"

Without hearing anything else from Zhang Jianzhi, they arrived in front of Chang'an city.

Yu Zhining, the Minister of War, came to greet him personally. Gao Kan said with a smile, "I heard that Chang'an City was celebrating last night and there was no curfew. It's amazing that Minister Yu came to greet him so early."

Yu Zhining said, "I don't drink much on weekdays. The rest of us are on leave. There are still many things to do in the army. How can I, the Minister of War, relax? The Ministry of War can only be relieved when all the generals arrive safely."

Gao Kan saluted and said, "Gao Kan, deputy general of the Anxi Army, has arrived with five lieutenant generals and 1,700 soldiers from the Guard House."

In front of the gate of Chang'an City, Yu Zhining took the document and looked at it carefully, and then said: "When the military registers are sent in by the Zhechoufu in various places, the Ministry of War will check it again."

Gao Kan saluted again.

"Everyone, go back and rest first."

As soon as Zhining said this, everyone felt relieved and went into the city in groups of three or four, handing over their weapons and armor.

Yu Zhining added: "Pei Yan, please follow me."

"Yes." Pei Yan responded, gave Di Renjie a look, and then followed Yu Zhining's footsteps.

Seeing this, after the others had gone far away, Zhang Jianzhi said, "Huaiying, this Pei Yan has made military achievements in Congling, and is highly regarded by Yu Zhining. Maybe the next Minister of War will be him."

Di Renjie said: "Pei Yan, this man is indeed very powerful. It would be convincing if he became the Minister of War."

Zhang Jianzhi added: "But I also heard that the Ministry of Personnel intends to appoint Liu Rengui as the Minister of War."

"Both Pei Yan and Liu Rengui are in the Ministry of War?"

Zhang Jianzhi didn't reply, but nodded with a serious face.

As they walked along the still deserted Zhuque Street in the early morning, Di Renjie asked again, "Where did you get all this information?"

Zhang Jianzhi snorted coldly, "I have so many contacts with officials in my Wenlin Academy that you can't imagine. With so many contacts, I have heard so much news."

There were young students on the roadside arguing about political affairs again, and they were talking about the new policies.

(End of this chapter)