The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 568 South of Chang'an
Li Chengqian asked Li Ke who was standing beside him, "How about this child named Li Linfu?"

Li Ke replied: "This boy looks average."

Li Chengqian seemed to be thinking about something, and said with a smile: "It's getting late, let them go back early."

"Here."

In the winter of the 26th year of Qianqing's reign, the emperor still ignored state affairs, which exhausted Shangguan Yi. If the court encountered difficulties, Shangguan Yi would go to see His Majesty.

So much so that, in the observations of Zhang Jianzhi, Liu Rengui, Gao Jifu... these ministers who assisted the Eastern Palace, they all discovered that Shangguan Yi... this person had a very remarkable ability.

Whenever the court or the crown prince encountered any difficulties or problems that were difficult to solve, as long as Shangguan Yi went to see His Majesty, many problems could be solved in a short time.

There is a reason why the current crown prince relies so much on Shangguan Yi.

On a winter day, in the Hejian County Prince's Mansion, Hejian County Prince Li Xiaogong has been seriously ill for half a year and is now on his deathbed. His children and grandchildren are all beside his bed, sobbing.

Li Chengqian stood quietly outside the house, talking to his uncle Jiangxia.

The Emperor's Uncle Jiangxia is now over seventy years old, his hair and beard are all white, and he always has to walk with a cane.

"How is your majesty doing lately?"

Hearing the uncle's question, Li Chengqian said, "My father's condition is neither good nor too good. In recent years, old generals have been sent to Zhaoling Mausoleum one after another. My father is also looking forward to entering Zhaoling Mausoleum."

Li Dao Zong sighed, "Xiao Gong has been wondering how the old fox Chang Sun is still alive these years."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Yes, my uncle is still alive."

"I thought that old fox Changsun was still alive, and Xiaogong planned to hold out for a few more years, but in the end, he couldn't outlast that old fox."

Li Chengqian recalled that his uncle from Hejian often had conflicts with his uncle, and then he thought that this happened many years ago.

The Prince of Hejian, who was on his deathbed, suddenly said he wanted to drink. His family became even more sad when they heard this.

Li Chengqian personally brought a bowl of wine to the emperor's uncle.

"Your Majesty, I had a dream last night."

Li Chengqian put the wine bowl in his hand, "What did the emperor dream about?"

"I dreamed that the territory of the Tang Dynasty was so vast that ordinary people could not reach the end of it in their lifetime. There were countless war horses and endless crowds, and Your Majesty was standing in front of the Taiji Palace."

Li Xiaogong swallowed a mouthful of wine and continued, "Your Majesty standing in front of the Taiji Hall is so young and so majestic. All the ministers bow down to him, and people all over the world shout for the victory of the Tang Dynasty."

"I hope the emperor's dream will come true."

Li Xiaogong drank the wine happily.

Li Chengqian picked up the wine bowl and walked outside again. The emperor's uncle used the remaining half hour of his life to speak a few words with full energy.

During the remaining hours, the uncle's mental condition began to deteriorate little by little, and finally he lay on the couch and never woke up again.

Li Chengqian stood in front of Chunming Gate and watched his uncle being escorted out of Chang'an City and into Zhaoling Mausoleum under the escort of members of the Li Tang royal family.

After returning to the palace, Li Chengqian sat by the Taiye Lake and saw his father staring at the water with lifeless eyes. Occasionally, one or two fish would jump out of the water and then fall back into it.

Li Chengqian said: "The emperor's uncle's funeral went smoothly."

Li Shimin nodded slowly.

In fact, the emperor's uncle's funeral lasted three days from beginning to end, and his father never showed up.
Some people say that if you see life and death too many times, you will become indifferent to it. But this is not the case for my father. Perhaps he feels that he has seen life and death too many times and can't bear to see it anymore.

People can ask God, if God has feelings, then He will also grow old.

How many people in this world can really take life and death lightly? Perhaps most people can't take it lightly.

Li Chengqian sat aside, also looking at the surface of Taiye Lake in silence.

It was spring again. Li Shimin sat by the Taiye Lake with his grandson and asked, "It's the 27th year of Qianqing, right?"

Yu Tu held his two-year-old son in his arms and bowed, saying, "Grandpa, it's been twenty-seven years."

Li Shimin sighed: "The Tang Dynasty has been in existence for 56 years. It has been 56 years for three generations. It is really not easy."

Li Tang came through the turbulent and precarious times, starting with the difficult times during the Wude period, to the massacre in front of the Xuanwu Gate, and then to the Zhenguan period before that.

Li Shimin always kept in mind the ups and downs he experienced year after year. He conquered Jie Li, conquered Gaochang, guarded Songzhou, made an expedition to Tianshan, and marched east to Goguryeo. He fought one battle after another and saw many heroes grow old. It was a glorious period of time.

Li Shimin asked: "Where is your father?"

"Today is a grand court meeting, and the emperor is presiding over it."

"Why don't you go?"

Yu Tu explained: "Father asked his grandson to rest for a few days, and said that he would personally take charge of state affairs in the next few days."

"How is the situation in Nanzhao going?"

"Things in Nanzhao are going smoothly. My grandson discovered that the court doesn't really care about the situation in Pyu and Zhenla. However, a large amount of copper mines have indeed been discovered in Nanzhao. Now the court feels that defending Nanzhao is more important, and has handed over the war in the southwest to the Tibetans."

Li Shimin waved his hand.

Yu Tu walked to the wheelchair and said, "Grandpa, do you want some tea? I'll go make some right away."

Li Shimin shook his head and said, "No, has Lord Ying been to court recently?"

"On ordinary days, when the emperor is not in the court, the grandson does not allow the prince to attend the court early in the morning. The prince is old, so the emperor also agrees."

"If you have free time, go visit Mr. Ying more often."

"But Mr. Ying..."

Li Shimin asked, "You think that since Lord Ying is in charge of the military forces of the country, you dare not associate with him for fear of offending your father?"

"My grandson has never thought of it this way."

Li Shimin stood up with the help of a cane, took two steps forward and stopped beside the bed, saying, "When I was seriously ill, I realized that your father was already able to take charge of state affairs. Your father was also an enterprising child. He would not miss any opportunity to take power."

Li Shimin patiently advised: "Your father is a very powerful person. When it comes to calculating gains and losses, I am not as good as your father. You should go to see Lord Ying, and your father will know your intentions."

"Grandson obeys your command."

Empress Dowager Changsun asked, "Is Cheng Qian planning to retire?"

Li Shimin said: "My grandson is far inferior to his father."

Empress Dowager Zhangsun doted on her eldest grandson. She added, "There are not many people in this world as capable as Erlang and Chengqian. How can you let Yu Tu compare to them?"

Li Shimin smiled silently and said, "It's good to be average. This is good enough."

This year's grand court meeting had a few more Gauls, which made the meeting more interesting. After the meeting, Li Chengqian heard about the prince's visit to Duke Ying.

It was nothing serious, but Shangguan Yi came to explain. He bowed and saluted in a panic, saying, "Your Majesty, the prince went to visit because he heard that Lord Ying was seriously ill. The prince has a kind heart and has no other intentions."

"I naturally know my own son well. Brother Shangguan, there is no need to be like this."

Shangguan Yi still lowered his head and looked as if he was apologizing.

Li Chengqian felt that if he asked another question, he would most likely die as a memorial to his father.

"Brother Shangguan..." Li Chengqian walked out of the hall with his hands in his pockets, walked up to him and said, "Do you think it was the prince's own idea to go see Lord Ying and treat him?"

Shangguan Yi looked even more flustered. He bowed again and said, "Your Majesty..."

Li Chengqian sighed: "Of course I know that this is not what you think."

Hearing this, Shangguan Yi breathed a sigh of relief, but he was still worried.

"It's not just you. Most other people wouldn't dare to let the prince do this. Only my father wanted the prince to meet Duke Ying. It was also his intention to let the prince fight for it himself and prepare for his future ascension to the throne."

Li Chengqian looked at Shangguan Yi again, patted him on the shoulder and said, "If something like this happens again in the future, you don't have to come to me in such a panic to explain it. You can discuss with the many officials in the East Palace and find out why you think I arranged so many people to teach the prince."

Shangguan Yi added: "I have failed your Majesty and failed in my duty."

Li Chengqian walked with his back to him and waved his hand, "Go away. I'm tired of you."

Shangguan Yi bowed again and said, "I'll take my leave."

After the prince went to see Duke Ying, he walked back and forth between Duke Ying's mansion and the Eastern Palace for half a month.

This summer, Li Zhi returned to Chang'an City. He brought with him a carriage that did not require animals to pull it or people to push it. It could move as long as it was fed with coal.

This carriage has six wheels and is made of iron sheets. It looks like a large furnace with wheels.

In front of his brothers and sisters, Li Zhi started the car for the first time. The car spewed out steam and black smoke, and slowly moved three miles before stopping.

Looking at Li Zhi again, he saw people busy hammering and banging at things, and it seemed that it was broken.

Li Lizhi sighed: "Zhi Nu, it really is..."

Li Lizhi now has a son and three daughters. Her son has inherited all the financial power of the Du family. He and Du He have retired long ago and occasionally go to Beiyuan to take a look at the court affairs in recent years as a pastime.

Dongyang said: "That's good, at least the car is moving."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "It's really good."

Li Lizhi whispered, "I heard that Zhinu and Xiaowu are not doing well recently."

Dongyang said: "Xiao Wu?"

"Yeah." Li Lizhi continued: "Xiao Wu is a very radical girl. Two years ago, she said that women opening workshops and shops would be the next peak of the Tang Dynasty."

Li Zhi came running over with a dusty face and said, "I'm sorry to have embarrassed my brother and sister."

Li Chengqian said, "That's fine. This is already very good. I'll give you three thousand strings of cash. Go to Luoyang and build a workshop. There is a canal there. Try using this thing on the boat."

Li Zhi was enlightened again, and hurriedly said, "Thank you for your guidance, brother."

In the 28th year of Qianqing's reign, Li Zhi's career began to advance by leaps and bounds. As the saying goes, once you succeed, the road ahead will be smooth.

Li Zhi built the first large ship powered by a steam engine. This ship sailed on the canal and could go upstream without the need for manpower.

In fact, Li Chengqian has never been very satisfied with this steam engine, no matter its shape, performance or size... But it is here after all, at least it can be considered a benefit to future generations, probably... It won't get worse in the future.

Mount Zhongnan is located in the middle section of the Qinling Mountains, south of Chang'an.

Li Chengqian met the man who was digging in Zhongnan Mountain every day. Occasionally, someone would come to help him, but most of the time he dug alone.

Lord Ying said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince often comes to visit this old minister."

Li Chengqian, with white hair on his temples, looked at the top of the mountain and said, "Mr. Ying, thank you for your hard work over the years."

Li Ji stepped back and bowed, saying, "I dare not ask Your Majesty to say thank you for your help."

Li Chengqian said: "Mr. Ying, please take a break with me. I know that if I don't retire, you old ministers will not be willing to retire either."

The elderly Ying Gong, who had always been like a tiger guarding the court and the army, actually shed two lines of tears at this moment.

The reason why Duke Ying cried was not that His Majesty asked him to retire, but that His Majesty wanted to retire.

It was an extremely lucky thing for a person to have a wise leader to follow in the chaotic times of that time. Li Ji felt that he had met a wise leader in his life. He met Li Tang, Li Shimin, and the current emperor.

After Duke Ying accompanied His Majesty on a tour of Mount Zhongnan, he met with the Crown Prince late at night.

No one knew why Duke Ying met with the prince so late at night, but amid discussions among the court and the public, Duke Ying talked with the prince all night long.

Later, it was learned that the imperial edict was passed on to Taiji Hall, and everyone learned that Lord Ying, who was five years older than the emperor and over 80 years old, had finally retired.

Duke Ying is the pillar of the country and has supported the Li Tang dynasty for decades. Now it is finally time for this tiger to come down from the mountain.

Immediately afterwards, the Minister of Punishments Di Zhixun, the Minister of War Yu Zhining retired, and the Minister of Personnel Du Zhenglun retired one after another.

After three of the six ministers retired, the government continued for several months until the 57-year-old emperor retired in the 29th year of Qianqing's reign.

On the day the emperor retired, tens of thousands of people in Chang'an city crowded in front of the Suzaku Gate. They could not see the retiring emperor, but outside the Suzaku Gate, they shouted their reluctance to leave towards the Taiji Hall.

Outside Chang'an City, hundreds of thousands of people ran to the city gates. Those who didn't know thought that the Guanzhong rebels were going to attack Chang'an City.

Over the next few days, more and more people gathered outside Chang'an City. Some stood outside the city, while others simply sat at the foot of the city wall.

Inside the palace, Li Chengqian looked at his son, who was wearing the emperor's attire, and said, "Do you remember everything I told you?"

"My son, I remember."

"Okay, take the throne."

"Here."

The emperor's seat was in the Taiji Hall. The 35-year-old Crown Prince Yu Tu walked up the steps with some trembling. When the elderly head eunuch Yang read out the decree aloud, the emperor's new year name was decided: Shangyuan.

At the beginning of Shangyuan period, the new emperor issued many appointments. Shangguan Yi was appointed as the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Gao Ji Fu was appointed as the Palace Attendant, Zhang Jianzhi was appointed as the Grand Counselor, Ren Pei Yan took over as the Minister of War, Liu Rengui was appointed as the Minister of Personnel, and Di Renjie was appointed as the Minister of Justice. The emperor ordered that the style advocated by the Zhenguan period and firmly adhered to during the Qianqing period should continue to be followed. The principle of frugality and abstention from extravagance and the principle of being prepared for danger in times of peace must be upheld. People should still be promoted and encouraged to read the deeds of Duke Zheng and recite the words left by Duke Zheng.

In the second year of Shangyuan, the fifty-nine-year-old Li Chengqian was holding his well-behaved grandson Li Shizhi, and beside him were his father the Emperor and Duke Ying, who were drinking tea. Both elders were over eighty years old.

Li Chengqian sighed again: "This kid has become the emperor, but he still has so many things to ask me. It's annoying."

(End of this chapter)