The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 77 Beginning of Winter Banquet
The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict smiled at the prince again and left quickly.

Li Chengqian put his hands in his pockets and said, "Actually, I'm not that hungry."

Fang Xuanling stood up and said, "Since it is your majesty's wish, let's go."

Chang Sun Wuji straightened his clothes and said, "It is the beginning of winter now. If His Majesty is hosting a banquet, I have no choice but to go."

My uncle deliberately emphasized the words "I have to go".

Li Chengqian heard it clearly, and walked out of the Secretariat with his uncle and teacher, while continuing to talk about the grand plan for Tuyuhun. They should start with the children, provide education to Tuyuhun in the name of supporting education, and they can start with the children of the large tribes.

As the prince's teacher, Fang Xuanling optimized this strategy, especially making adjustments in cost and timeliness.

As soon as I entered Chengtian Gate, I met Li Tai and Li Ke.

"Royal brother." Li Tai bowed first, then said, "Greetings to Prime Minister Fang and Duke Zhao."

Li Ke also bowed, "Father invites us to have dinner at Ganlu Palace."

Li Chengqian walked in front and said, "Yes, you also called me."

The prince walked in front of the group, with Li Tai and Li Ke on either side, and Fang Xiang and his uncle on the other side.

When your majesty's three sons, the three brothers, walk together, you can see that the three brothers are very similar from their eyebrows to their foreheads.

Judging from their appearance alone, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has lost some weight, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei is still as fat, and Prince of Wu Li Ke is a lot darker and stronger.

There is a big difference in body size among the three brothers, and from their facial features, you can tell at a glance that they are brothers.

Li Chengqian walked into Ganlu Hall with his head lowered, and saw Yan Liben standing aside stiffly.

Wine and meat have been placed on the low tables.

Li Shimin sat at the top table, holding a wine jar in his hand and said, "This is the beginning of winter, and I want to invite you to a banquet. Please take your seats."

Li Chengqian bowed first and said, "Thank you, father."

Afterwards, Li Tai and Li Ke also bowed and said, "May your Majesty be healthy and well in the beginning of winter."

Li Shimin smiled and nodded, looking at the prince with interest. Cheng Qian was now acting more and more like an elder brother.

Fang Xuanling and Zhangsun Wuji also bowed, and after His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the King of Wei, and the King of Wu sat down, they also sat to one side.

Yan Liben, who had been standing in the hall, waited until everyone else sat down. Only then did he find a seat in a corner and sit down.

Li Shimin nodded and said, "How has Cheng Qian been involved in government affairs recently?"

Fang Xuanling replied: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is good at learning and has unique insights into many matters in the court."

In fact, he had already mastered most of the affairs during the period of supervising the government. The main decision-making power of the three provinces and six ministries of the Tang Dynasty was in the hands of the Secretariat. In fact, as long as you understand the regulations, you can barely cope with it even if the memorials are a bit complicated.

It's not an exaggeration. In fact, if we further subdivide the responsibilities of each department, we can save a lot of trouble and worry.

Zhang Sun Wuji said: "Now that Your Highness and I are presiding over the envoys from various countries, we can set the rules for many matters concerning Mobei and the Western Regions this year."

Li Shimin nodded and asked, "Qingque, how is your Literature Museum?"

Li Tai bowed and said, "Father, the general geographical records have been revised and the outline has been revised. Fifty editors and sixty scholars are currently compiling the work."

Li Shimin asked, "How is Ke'er doing these days?"

"I have visited my mother and have been following General Li Daliang in the army."

Then he looked at the crown prince who was sitting on the side, the closest to him, and waved his sleeves, saying, "The food and wine are simple, please enjoy your meal."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

In front of him was a large piece of mutton, a bowl of pickled mustard greens, two cakes, and a pot of wine.

This was the Beginning of Winter Banquet hosted by my father. It was quite simple and did not contain any delicacies from land or sea. It should be said that the food of the Tang people has always been so simple.

Maybe my father ate more heartily during the hunting trip in Mount Li.

I heard from Zhinu and Dongyang that they ate so much meat that they wanted to vomit.

"For the imperial examination next year, I will need Prime Minister Fang and the assistant ministers to take great care of it." Li Shimin raised the wine bottle and drank it all in one gulp.

Fang Xiang and Zhangsun Wuji also raised their wine bowls and drank them all.

Several people in the palace drank wine, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince remained silent. Only then did he remember that the Crown Prince seldom drank in the East Palace.

According to the daily records of the Eastern Palace, the only time His Royal Highness the Crown Prince drank alcohol was when he wanted to taste grape wine from the Western Regions. However, after tasting it once, the pot of grape wine remained in the Eastern Palace and was put aside together with the barley wine sent by the Tubo Prime Minister.

So far, this is the only record of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince drinking in the Eastern Palace diary.

Li Chengqian tore off another small piece of mutton and chewed it in his mouth. He didn't know to what extent he could participate in the government affairs as his father had mentioned. At least until now, except for Li Ji, he was not familiar with the other generals, let alone the military power.

Li Shimin said, "I have often considered the expenses of the court. I heard that the Jiucheng Palace was flooded this year. This palace has been flooded many times. It was renovated by my father, and I don't want it to be abandoned."

When talking about Jiucheng Palace, Yan Liben looked nervous.

"I wonder what the Prime Minister thinks?"

Fang Xuanling replied: "Your Majesty, I have read the memorial about the repairs and asked the Ministry of Works to take it back and formulate regulations."

Yan Liben said: "I have already drafted the rules and submitted them to the Secretariat. I wonder if Prime Minister Fang..."

Fang Xuanling frowned and said, "Hmm? I didn't see the report."

"This..." Yan Liben wanted to say something but stopped himself. As expected, there was another setback. He thought that being the Minister of Works was very troublesome, as he had to look at the emperor's attitude and the faces of the court.

It's difficult to be caught in a dilemma.

Yan Liben bowed and said, "I will leave it to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Having said this, everyone's eyes fell on the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

Li Shimin looked at him.

The prince was sitting with his eyes closed and his hands in his pockets, and he whispered, "Master Yan did give me the memorial."

Yan Liben, if he is pardoned, and if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince still refuses to acknowledge his guilt, he can only smash his head against the wall in this palace and die to thank the world?

Li Chengqian slowly said, "It's not that I don't want to hand it over to you, teacher. It's because my father has ordered me to participate in government affairs and supervise the allocation of money and grain."

Li Shimin nodded, this decree was indeed spoken by him personally.

"Recently, I have looked at the expenses of various ministries and the various expenses of the court next year. We will have to welcome envoys, preside over the grand court meeting next year, and take the imperial examination next year. In addition, we will have to repair the Jiucheng Palace. All these expenses will be added up. I, your son..."

After hesitating for several times, Li Chengqian still put his hands in his pockets and closed his eyes and said, "Father, I have no money."

Everyone's eyes were still on the prince.

Even Changsun Wuji's expression made it hard to tell whether he should laugh or cry for a moment.

Fang Xuanling also closed his eyes and pretended not to hear anything.

Li Shimin said in a deep voice: "I remember the great victory in the battle of Qinghai, and we gained a lot..."

"Father," Li Chengqian interrupted, "that money will be used to prepare for the imperial examination next year, and I, your son, would like to advocate with my teacher and uncle that the court increase revenue and reduce expenditure. For now, we cannot afford to renovate Jiucheng Palace."

"Gudong..." Yan Liben swallowed hard.

Li Chengqian opened his eyes and suddenly asked, "Qingque?"

Li Tai was a little dazed, and asked again: "Brother, what's wrong?"

Li Chengqian whispered, "Do you have any extra money? Father wants to build Jiucheng Palace, can you help him out?"

Li Ke had just taken a sip of wine and hadn't even swallowed it when he was choked on the spot by his brother's words.

I'm afraid I won't be able to finish this meal. The eunuchs beside me are ready to bear the emperor's wrath at any time.

Seeing that the other party didn't speak, Li Chengqian called out again: "Qingque?"

"Ah..." Li Tai looked at his brother in disbelief, then looked at his father and said, "Son... Your Highness."

Li Chengqian said discouragedly: "If Qingque is also in trouble, I will think of other ways."

Still holding the wine bowl in his hand, hesitant to put it down, Li Tai whispered: "Brother, how much money did father need to build Jiucheng Palace?"

"I calculated it, it's not much, right? I'm still short of 30,000 strings of cash?"

Li Tai: "Ah..."

Li Shimin held his forehead and did not speak.

Li Chengqian added: "Father, please think of a way to squeeze out the money. I'm afraid it will take some time."

Zhang Sun Wuji said quickly, "Your Majesty, the reason why we built Jiucheng Palace is because it is an old business left over from the Wude Dynasty. Naturally, it cannot be abandoned. After the court has planned the expenses, we will report to Your Majesty."

Li Shimin nodded and said, "Thank you for sharing my worries."

When His Majesty said this, his eyes intentionally or unintentionally looked at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince standing beside him.

This subtle change was noticed by the eunuch standing by.

It seemed that the meal could not be eaten, and when His Majesty finished speaking, there was silence in the hall.

The rest of the meal was eaten in silence.

Until the Crown Prince stood up and said, "Father, it's the beginning of winter, so go to bed early. There are many important matters in the court."

Li Shimin took a sip of wine and nodded slowly.

Several people walked outside the Ganlu Palace and breathed a sigh of relief.

Take a breath of cold air to soothe your frightened heart.

Changsun Wuji wanted to wipe the sweat off his forehead. He could clearly feel that there was sweat on his forehead, but no matter how hard he wiped, he couldn't wipe off the sweat.

However, the prince in front of him walked calmly and composedly, not feeling at all that his words just now were embarrassing for His Majesty.

So, being the uncle of this prince is really difficult.

After all, Li Xiaogong was smart. He was just a minister of the Ministry of Rites. When he had nothing to do, he would go to the East Palace to eat and visit the old man, and he didn't have to worry about these trivial matters.

Seeing that the prince suddenly stopped, he didn't know why, but when his brother stopped, Li Tai's heart inexplicably paused.

Li Chengqian said: "Teacher, uncle, now that we have finished our meal, how about we go out for a walk?"

It was naturally difficult for Changsun Wuji to refuse.

Fang Xuanling seemed much calmer. He nodded and said, "Okay, let's go out and relax."

Li Tai and Li Ke each had something else to do, so they didn't go with them for the time being.

On the way out of the palace, the prince was naturally escorted by General Li Ji, and a large carriage was specially prepared.

In this way, you can sit together with your uncle and the Prime Minister.

Li Chengqian said: "General, let's go to Jingyang."

"Here!"

Li Ji's voice was heard from outside the carriage.

The escort team was ready, and the carriage began to move slowly forward, exiting from Fanglin Gate next to Xuanwu Gate.

After crossing a wooden bridge, we arrived at the destination along the upper reaches of the Wei River heading towards Jingyang.

In the carriage, Li Chengqian whispered, "Father has always advocated frugality. As a son, I believe that frugality should not be abandoned."

Fang Xuanling nodded and said, "Your Highness is right."

"I also know that my father built Jiucheng Palace not only because he wanted to escape the heat this summer, but also because Jiucheng Palace was renovated by my grandfather from a ruin. When the court has surplus funds in the future, I, as your son, will definitely help with the renovation without your father asking."

Things have come to this, and everything has been said in Ganlu Palace. It is probably too late for Your Majesty to go to Jiucheng Palace to escape the summer heat this year.

Li Chengqian added: "After my father's autumn hunting in Mount Li this year, the money and food expenses have already been quite a lot. There are many important events next year, and I dare not delay."

Fang Xuanling said: "Your Highness is right. The trend of extravagance should not be allowed to grow."

Changsun Wuji sat silently beside the prince, his body swaying with the bumps of the carriage. He could also say these words.

"Your Highness, we are almost there."

Li Chengqian looked outside the carriage and saw that they had reached the place where the karez was built in Jingyang. He said, "Let's go here."

"Here."

The carriage stopped and Li Chengqian got off first. He looked at the winter scenery in front of him. There were still some spots of snow that had not completely melted beside the official road.

Walking a few steps forward, you can see that the water cellars have been covered with lids, which seems to be ready for next year's farming.

The prince was walking on a wasteland, stopping from time to time to observe the soil.

Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling walked behind, keeping a distance from the prince.

"There have been a lot of changes here. What do you think of Jiucheng Palace, Prime Minister Fang?"

Hearing what Changsun Wuji said, Fang Xuanling said, "When I knew that Your Majesty wanted to renovate Jiucheng Palace, I wanted to refute it. Even if I agreed, Wei Zheng and others would advise against it. Even without the Crown Prince saying anything, this matter is doomed to fail."

"As the prince said, this year's expenses are tight. If we really want to renovate Jiucheng Palace, we have to wait until next year at the earliest."

Zhang Sun Wuji said: "Now that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has spoken frankly to His Majesty, it is better to give up the idea now than to be advised by Wei Zheng and others in the court."

Fang Xuanling saw His Royal Highness the Crown Prince talking to some kids, so he started laughing and said, "Rather than letting Your Majesty have expectations after I give his approval, it is better to let His Royal Highness the Crown Prince speak frankly."

Zhang Sun Wuji nodded and continued to follow slowly. Looking at Li Chengqian's back, he whispered, "My uncle told me at the beginning that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is a courageous child. He is more courageous than me."

"Just because the Crown Prince is willing to risk being scolded by His Majesty, and as a son he can still advise his father like this, it is enough to show that this crown prince is still worthy of your and my teaching."

"There are many people who can flatter, but few who can give frank advice. How rare! How rare..." Fang Xuanling agreed with this statement very much.

Deep down, Changsun Wuji still felt a little guilty because his uncle valued the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, and it would be a lie to say that he had no selfish motives.

Li Chengqian squatted in the middle of a group of children, and a group of children also squatted, "Watch carefully, I will demonstrate it one last time."

(End of this chapter)