The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 61 Welcoming His Majesty
After a simple meal in the tavern, Yuchi Gong led the way and the group left the tavern.

The emperor is about to return from the autumn hunting in Mount Li, which is good and exciting news for everyone.

Inside the imperial city, many clerks were sweeping the ground to keep it clean.

The three provinces and six ministries are also busy with the final work before the holiday.

Li Chengqian was sitting in the courtyard of the East Palace, studying the mortise and tenon structure of wooden tenons. He held a book from the Ministry of Works in one hand and compared the mortise and tenon joints in front of him.

Because the Minister of Works Yan Liben was not in Chang'an City, he followed his father on the autumn hunt for more than two months, which made it much easier for him to retrieve the files of the Ministry of Works.

Ning Er whispered, "Your Highness can inform the craftsmen in the Ministry of Works if you want to make something."

Li Chengqian fiddled with a few interlocking mortise and tenon joints, tried to turn them, and said, "Some things are less fun if you don't do them yourself."

Li Lizhi was playing with a jigsaw puzzle nearby. She whispered, "When my brothers and sisters come back, I'll ask the people from the Ministry of Works to draw a picture and make a jigsaw puzzle."

Xiaofu is busy in the kitchen, waiting for the princes to come back so that they can eat pancakes stuffed with mutton and scallions.

Having a bite of delicious food is a great happiness.

Soon, General Li Ji reported from outside the Eastern Palace: "Your Highness, the army has left Mount Li and is heading towards Chang'an along Weinan County."

Li Chengqian nodded to indicate that he understood, still fiddling with the mortise and tenon in front of him.

Seeing this, Li Ji clasped his fists and left quickly.

If you ride at full speed, you can get from Weinan County to Chang'an in one day.

If the army doesn't move fast, it will take at least two days.

Li Chengqian put down the mortise and tenon joint, put his hands in his pockets, frowned, and said to himself: "Is there nothing else you need to say about this urgent report?"

Ning'er was still cleaning up the East Palace. She tidied up the princes' rooms and ventilated them.

It snowed last night and stopped at daybreak.

Seeing that winter was about to come, Li Chengqian tightened his coat and took a sip of tea. Does being an emperor have to be so mysterious?
After thinking for a moment, Li Chengqian stood up and walked out of the East Palace.

Li Lizhi asked, "What is my brother going to do?"

"I'm going to visit grandpa."

"Well, sister, please prepare the lessons for these days. When Zhinu and the others come back, we can start the lessons anytime."

Li Chengqian nodded and walked out of the East Palace without stopping.

Just as he was about to walk towards the Wude Hall, he stopped for a moment, then turned around and walked towards Chengtian Gate.

Li Ji stood guard in front of Chengtian Gate and asked, "Your Highness, do you want to inspect Chang'an?"

Li Chengqian whispered, "I won't be making an inspection today. I'll just be taking a walk."

"Here."

In fact, after saying this, Li Chengqian felt a little discouraged. As the crown prince who was in charge of government affairs, what he said was just a casual walk but in essence it was still an inspection.

Li Ji was still by his side. Li Chengqian was walking on the busy Zhuque Street. The afternoon was the busiest time in Chang'an.

"Your Highness, Fuyun's son will arrive in Chang'an in three days."

Seeing the prince's suspicious expression, Li Ji added: "The news just delivered."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "The general has also said that my father will naturally make the decision on this matter. There is no need to tell me."

"Yes." Li Ji nodded pertinently.

In Jingzhao Prefecture, Li Shimin was sitting here, looking at the files in his hands and listening to Li Daozon's story.

After arriving in Chang'an City and entering Jingzhao Prefecture, Yuchi Gong immediately established a team with His Majesty as the core, and sent out personnel to investigate the situation in the city.

As His Majesty discovered that there were people cleaning the streets and officials were paying them, he decided to go to Jingzhao Prefecture first when he entered the city.

Li Shimin flipped through the files in his hand and said, "So Cheng Qian has put a lot of thought into Jingzhao Prefecture?"

Li Dao Zong bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince supervises the government affairs and often inquires about the situation in the counties of Chang'an. All the departments in the court have praised him. Your Highness the Crown Prince is diligent and personally involved in everything."

Li Shimin smiled, then quickly resumed his questioning tone, saying solemnly, "Let me ask you again, was it Cheng Qian who arranged for you to send people to clean the streets?"

"It was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince who proposed the rules, and I arranged them myself."

Li Daozon hurriedly explained, but feeling the gaze of His Majesty, he lowered his head and dared not speak.

Yuchi Gong and Cheng Yaojin stood beside His Majesty, silent.

Suddenly someone came running over and said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and General Li Ji have left the Suzaku Gate."

Li Shimin looked calm, sitting on a new-style chair, and whispered, "Why did the prince leave the palace?"

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and General Li Ji are in the East Market buying some sundries."

"Buying sundries?" Li Shimin glanced at Li Dao Zong again and said with a smile, "It seems that the prince is still free and can still go out for a walk."

His Majesty sat in front of him, calm and composed. Although he had only returned to Chang'an for half a day, he had already got every movement in the entire city under control.

Someone else came hurriedly to report, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is coming to Jingzhao Prefecture."

Yuchi Gong's expression became tense, and he was about to say something, but he heard His Majesty smiling calmly and said, "It's okay, just pretend I'm not here."

"Here."

The streets of Chang'an city were bustling with people. The life of people in Guanzhong was still very simple. Some people could happily eat a bowl of mutton offal soup and a piece of cake.

There were also groups of children running by happily.

Then I saw two women shouting and cursing in the street.

Li Chengqian asked the general to help him carry a roll of cloth and came to a stall not far from Jingzhao Prefecture, where there were two baskets of duck eggs.

The duck eggs looked good, so he asked, "Master, I want a basket of duck eggs."

The old man looked at the general beside him, then at the young man in brocade clothes in front of him, and smiled as he bent over, "Little brother, do you want a basket?"

Li Chengqian said: "Don't worry that I won't be able to finish them. I have a way to make salted duck eggs at home. They can be preserved for a long time."

The old man smiled and picked up a basket and said, "I'll sell this basket to you, little brother, for fifty coins."

Li Chengqian smiled and asked again, "Your accent doesn't sound like someone from Guanzhong."

The old man smiled and said, "I am originally from Taiyuan. I came to Chang'an with my son. I sold these duck eggs to find a good marriage for my grandson."

Li Chengqian did not bring any money with him, so Li Ji took out another string of money and picked out fifty coins and handed them to him.

Carrying a basket of duck eggs, Li Chengqian continued walking and said with a smile: "I will return the money to the general when we return to the palace."

Li Ji said quickly: "Your Highness, there is no need for this. If you need anything else, just tell me."

Li Chengqian whispered, "I'll go and see what the Eastern Palace still needs."

The Crown Prince and the General walked along the street until they arrived in front of Jingzhao Mansion. Li Chengqian looked at the gatekeeper in front of the official residence and asked, "Is the Jingzhao Prefecture Governor here?"

The doorman did not respond, but instead signaled with his eyes, and someone quickly walked into the residence.

Soon a familiar face came out and said with a smile, "I didn't know His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had arrived. I'm sorry, but these two are new here."

"No problem." Li Chengqian smiled and took out two duck eggs from the basket and asked, "Is the emperor's uncle here?"

"The prefect has gone home. Your Highness can leave a message and I will pass it on for him." He thought for a moment and explained, "The prefect has an urgent matter at home."

Li Chengqian handed him two duck eggs and said, "I bought some duck eggs and gave two to my uncle. I hope you can pass them on to him." "Yes."

Before leaving, Li Chengqian took one more look at the gate of Jingzhao Prefecture and did not stay for long.

Inside Jingzhao Prefecture, the former Jingzhao Prefecture doorman handed over two duck eggs and bowed, saying, "Your Highness bought a basket of duck eggs on the street and kept two to give to the prefect."

Li Daozon still stood aside in silence.

Li Shimin put his hands behind his back and asked again: "Did he say anything else?"

"No other words were left."

Yuchi Gong whispered, "Your Majesty, it will be night soon."

Cheng Yaojin smiled and said, "Your Majesty, why don't you stay at my house?"

Li Daozong bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Jingzhao Prefecture Yin is better."

……

After strolling around the street for another round, when the sun was about to set, Li Chengqian decided to return to the palace.

At the Prince of Wei's residence, Li Tai stood there and paced back and forth. He asked, "Did the people sent out really fail to see my father?"

"Your Highness, the spies we sent out followed the army from a distance along the way and could vaguely see your Majesty's carriage among the army."

Li Tai pondered and whispered, "Didn't the emperor get off the carriage to stay?"

"The news just delivered is that the army is marching all the way without stopping."

Li Tai nodded and said, "Let's investigate further."

"Here!"

Feeling somewhat anxious and confused, Li Tailai walked back and forth in the mansion and muttered to himself, "Why doesn't my father stop to look at the fields and villagers in each county?"

At dusk, Changsun Wuji walked out of the Suzaku Gate with a few clerks.

Li Chengqian and Li Ji arrived right after.

Zhang Sun Wuji asked in confusion: "Did His Highness leave the palace again?"

Li Chengqian gave each of the people in front of him a duck egg and said, "I'll go out and buy some duck eggs."

"Duck eggs..." Changsun Wuji was speechless for a moment after hearing what his nephew said.

Li Chengqian walked into the Suzaku Gate and asked, "Uncle, did Jingzhao Prefecture send any reports today?"

Chang Sun Wuji said: "It hasn't been delivered since this morning."

"I went to Jingzhao Prefecture and was told that the emperor's uncle had an emergency at home. I don't know what happened at home. Normally, even if his wife was smashing things and yelling, he wouldn't dare to delay his work. Most likely, there was something urgent and he had to go."

Zhang Sun Wuji bowed and saluted, "Your Highness, I will welcome His Majesty at Xuanwu Gate at noon tomorrow."

"I know."

When His Royal Highness the Crown Prince walked into the Suzaku Gate, he watched the heavy Suzaku Gate slowly close.

Changsun Wuji then instructed Cen Wenben and Chu Suiliang who were standing by, "You will also go with me at noon tomorrow."

"Here!"

After giving the instructions, they bowed and left.

After returning to the East Palace, Li Chengqian gave the duck eggs to Xiaofu and asked her to pickle them. He also reminded her: "Brothers and sisters love salted duck eggs the most."

Xiaofu was holding a basket of salted duck eggs and said happily, "We are in need of duck eggs in the palace."

After nightfall, the palace was quiet. If you stood at the Suzaku Gate at this time, you could see the lights in Chang'an City, which was quite lively.

Inside the East Palace, Li Chengqian lit an oil lamp, bringing light into the originally dark bedroom. Ning'er and several palace maids also carried in candlesticks, making the bedroom much brighter.

Li Chengqian said, "We have to go to Xuanwu Gate to welcome our father back tomorrow morning. Sister Ning'er will help me look after my brothers and sisters."

Ning Er bowed and said, "I will pack up and go with Your Highness tomorrow."

Li Chengqian was holding a brush and drawing on a piece of paper. The brush strokes were trembling a little. He drew a cube and said to himself, "I still need a ruler and a hard pen."

I simply put down the pen in my hand, washed up and took a rest.

The next morning, in the late autumn of the seventh year of Zhenguan, the emperor was about to return from his autumn hunting trip to Mount Li.

Li Chengqian simply dealt with the morning court, had a meal in the East Palace, and then went to Xuanwu Gate to welcome his father.

When my father left, he left through the Xuanwu Gate, and when he came back, he also entered through the Xuanwu Gate, because the East Gate, South Gate, and West Gate are the bustling areas of Zhuque Street.

Xuanwu Gate is located in the north of Chang'an and is also the back door of the Forbidden Palace. The defense here has always been very strict.

At noon, Li Chengqian arrived at Xuanwu Gate. Prime Minister Fang, Duke Zhao, General Li Ji, Li Daoyan, and General Qin Qiong who had not shown up before, as well as all the civil and military officials in the court were standing in front of the gate, waiting here.

I looked around and saw that most people had arrived.

Everyone stood in front of the door and talked in low voices.

Looking towards the official road in the distance, there was no sign of the returning army.

Most likely you will have to wait some more.

Not long after, Li Xiaogong also arrived. He smiled and said, "I'm late, I'm late! Those things in the Zongzheng Temple really annoy me to death."

Qin Qiong and Li Ji, wearing armor, stood at the front, ready to welcome His Majesty.

Li Daliang said, "I arrived in Chang'an yesterday with an imperial decree. I heard that the house of the Prince of Hejian is full of divine and Buddha light?"

Li Xiaogong stared and said, "Who is talking nonsense?"

Chang Sun Wuji snorted coldly: "You won't let the Hu horses cross Yinshan Mountain?"

"Hu Ma? Yinshan?" Li Xiaogong asked doubtfully: "Yinshan has been taken long ago!"

Changsun Wuji looked at the prince standing beside him, and everything was said without words.

Li Chengqian smiled awkwardly, looked around and saw an acquaintance. This person's figure was very eye-catching among the group of soldiers.

"Brother Chu Mo, why are you here?"

Cheng Chumo, who was still not used to the armor, walked awkwardly. When he heard the Crown Prince calling him, he did not dare to get too close to the ministers in the court.

"Chu Mo!"

Hearing His Highness calling again, many eyes turned over, but he couldn't pretend not to hear. It was his first time experiencing such a formal scene. It would be fine if it was just some fighting and playing on weekdays... But the generals and ministers in the court all looked over.

Cheng Chumo blinked hard, took a deep breath, and stepped forward to salute, saying, "Your Highness the Crown Prince! Chumo greets all the uncles and generals."

Li Chengqian looked around again and asked, "Where's General Cheng? Why isn't he here?"

Li Xiaogong said, "Hey! Why are you wearing your old man's armor?"

Cheng Chumo lowered his head and explained, "We had guests at home last night. My father and the guests got drunk and passed out early in the morning. They asked me to come and greet His Majesty on their behalf."

Zhang Sun Wuji waved his sleeves and said, "This bastard! Welcoming His Majesty is such a big deal, how can we delay it? He actually let his son come to welcome him on his behalf."

All the civil officials were united in their hatred of the enemy. Chu Suiliang said, "I will definitely impeach him!"

(End of this chapter)