The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 78: Relieve your anger?

The children looked at the clean big brother in front of them attentively. Several sandbags were turned over and over in the big brother's hands. They soon understood how to play with the sandbags.

Li Chengqian handed them the sandbags and said, "Here are the sandbags for you. Go and play."

A group of children left happily with small sandbags.

Li Chengqian pointed to a dry ditch in the distance and said, "This is the dry land that I asked Xu Jingzong and his men to open up."

The soil of this wasteland has been turned over and crops can be planted after the winter.

Fang Xuanling looked in the direction pointed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and saw a well not far away.

Li Chengqian said: "This is the karez, which is used to irrigate these dry fields. There was originally a piece of white land in front, and white land cannot grow food. Digging a ditch is like diverting water from the Wei River. After the irrigation water passes through the white land, it becomes bitter water."

"Bitter water cannot be used to irrigate the land, so we came up with the qanats."

Fang Xuanling smiled and said, "I have seen it in the memorials submitted by the counties."

Li Chengqian walked with his uncle and Fang Xiang, "I want to ask all the counties to come and learn from Jingyang's governance experience, but I don't know if they have come to visit."

Chang Sun Wuji said: "I heard that several counties in Longxi did come to inquire."

"I also want to grow grapes in Jingyang. I plan to ask Xu Jingzong and others to work with the Minister of Agriculture to find some grape vines from the Western Regions and plant them on this dry land to see what the results are. I have left some seeds in the East Palace."

Li Chengqian was a little melancholy, and continued with his hands in his pockets: "At first, I thought it was not difficult to grow grapes. At first, I thought that I could grow crops after reading "Qimin Yaoshu". Not to mention that I had no experience in the past, and I can only grow some vegetables now."

"People always need to learn more. I won't think about planting it myself in the future. I'll let experienced farmers try to cultivate it."

Chang Sun Wuji whispered: "Can rice really be grown in the desert? I think wheat is more suitable."

Fang Xuanling lowered his head and said nothing. These words now sounded like His Highness revealing his true feelings, the voice of a young man.

This is the voice of an idealistic young man. Although growing rice in the desert may be considered a joke, it is also a kind of ambition.

People need ambition, so Fang Xuanling also does not like the Huang-Lao school of thought that some people talk about, and they like to use the Huang-Lao school of thought to talk about self-cultivation.

Li Chengqian bowed to his uncle and Fang Xiang in front of him and said, "In fact, today in Ganlu Palace, it was only because of the presence of teacher and uncle that I was able to advise my father."

Fang Xuanling smiled and said, "Your Highness is able to speak frankly to Your Majesty. As the prince's teacher, I am very pleased. Does Your Highness also specialize in Huang Lao's teachings?"

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "I have not studied anything in depth. Until now, I am just a person who cannot understand the ancient classics. What is the point of talking about Huang Lao's learning? Teacher, you are joking."

If we continue to talk about it, it will become even more complicated. When Li Chengqian thought about Taoism, Neo-Confucianism, psychology, and other various disciplines that emerged in the last thousand years of history, he realized that those disciplines would turn people into strange people.

Then you will fall into chaos and not know east, west, south or north.

After listening to Fang Xiang talking about Huang-Lao philosophy, Li Chengqian, as a student of Fang Xiang, first said that he did not understand it.

In order to avoid the situation where Fang Xiang comes to me to "talk about philosophy" when he is in high spirits, which would turn into a very torturous scene.

This is not because he feels that Fang Xiang's realm is not enough, but precisely because he is afraid of Fang Xiang's realm that he says so.

A group of people set out from Jingyang and left in a hurry with five horse-drawn carriages.

Seeing this scene, Li Chengqian finally felt relieved.

This is a caravan from Jingyang. They will leave Chang'an with Murong Shun and sell soap and soap residue to people from the Western Regions or the Turks.

This is Jingyang’s first export trade, how can it not make people excited?
In the future, or perhaps not too far in the future, the powerful Tang Empire will also have a prosperous export trade.

The purpose of this trip is to see whether the Jingyang caravan has really left.

Li Chengqian walked along the Wei River and asked with a smile, "Uncle?"

Changsun Wuji bowed and said, "I am here."

Li Chengqian sighed, "You said that we, the Central Plains, have repeatedly marched westwards. Is it really for the grapes of the people in the Western Regions?"

"Of course not, Your Highness. Conquest and conquest are never for a bite of grapes."

Li Chengqian smiled and nodded.

It has been a long time since I last took charge of government affairs and guarded Chang'an.

This time, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Prime Minister Fang, and Duke Zhao came out and enjoyed the winter scenery very much.

Xu Jingzong and Shangguan Yi watched from a distance, and they did not dare to get close and disturb the prince.

Li Ji ordered people to catch a few fish on the river bank so that they could grill them and eat.

The guards brought their own dry food, and they sat together in groups of three or four and ate bread.

Li Chengqian took the naan handed to him by the general and roasted it by the fire.

It was a gloomy day and there was no snow, but the cold wind was still blowing.

It is very suitable to eat the crispy and fragrant grilled fish with naan bread.

This time I went out to relax and it lasted until the evening.

After the imperial carriage returned to Chang'an City, Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling returned home.

As night fell, Zhuque Street in Chang'an City was still bustling.

Today, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince went out to relax, and Changsun Wuji gained a lot.

The prince said many of his true thoughts, which were known to no one else except Li Ji, Fang Xuanling and himself.

Walking all the way from Zhuque Street, Changsun Wuji arrived at the door of his own mansion. There were more than ten servants who were supposed to be cleaning up inside the mansion, waiting outside, trembling with fear.

It was obvious at first glance that something had happened.

Chang Sun Wuji asked quickly: "What's wrong?"

The servant replied, "Duke Xu is here and is waiting in the mansion."

Changsun Wuji stamped his feet and walked quickly into his own mansion.

Gao Shilian was standing in the yard with his back to Changsun Wuji. He was holding a tea bowl in his hand and pouring tea into his mouth.

My uncle hasn't visited me for a long time. This time he came to visit and even drove all his servants away. I felt a little nervous.

Carefully stepped forward and said, "Uncle."

Gao Shilian sat down, put down the tea bowl, and asked, "Why does your family need so many servants?"

Changsun Wuji said: "If Uncle doesn't like it, then remove them all."

"No need. Just one word from me has caused these ten or so people to lose their livelihoods. This is going to ruin the style of your Changsun family."

Gao Shilian leaned closer, pursed his lips, looked at me, and said, "You have white hair."

"Ok?"

He reached out and picked a strand of his hair, pulling hard and pulling out a white hair.

It had been a long time since he saw his uncle showing such care, and Changsun Wuji felt sad for a moment.

I was like an orphan since I was young, but fortunately I was raised by my uncle.

However, ever since my uncle took charge of the government of the Tang Dynasty, he became increasingly distant from me, and I haven't visited him since then.

Later, my uncle left the court, and now I am in a high position, but my uncle still hasn't come to see me again. I usually go to visit my uncle myself.

Gao Shilian twisted a strand of hair and pursed his lips and said, "Look, your white hair is so long. Are you worried about something recently?"

Chang Sun Wuji sat down and recalled the situation in Ganlu Palace. It seemed like he had survived a disaster. He sighed and said, "I have a lot on my mind."

"It's because of them, father and son."

When I heard my uncle mention them as father and son, I was probably referring to Your Majesty and the Crown Prince.

Changsun Wuji nodded.

Gao Shilian continued, "I also heard that the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace advised His Majesty to save money and not renovate the Jiucheng Palace?"

Changsun Wuji still nodded with his eyes closed.

"It seems that the rumors are true. I didn't believe it at first. I came here just for this matter. I wanted to ask you something."

Zhang Sun Wuji said, "I have already talked to His Majesty about it. It is not a big deal, and Prime Minister Fang is here."

"Your Majesty asked Fang Xuanling to be the prince's teacher. You must be very disappointed."

His uncle had always had a strange temper, so Changsun Wuji endured it and replied, "Besides Fang Xuanling, it's Wei Zheng."

"Is the Crown Prince of the East Palace really okay?"

"Uncle!" Zhang Sun Wuji's tone became heavier, and he added: "Could it be possible that the Crown Prince of the East Palace could rebel?"

Gao Shilian smiled, stood up with the help of the table, picked up the cane beside him, and walked with it, saying, "The East Palace gave me a rocking chair, which is very comfortable to sit in. I won't say more to you, I'm leaving now."

Seeing Changsun Wuji standing up, he waved his hand and said, "No need to see him off, no need to see him off. Call all the servants back."

His uncle passed away just like that, and Changsun Wuji felt very confused. Sometimes it was difficult for him to understand his uncle's thoughts.

It seems that he came home this time just to ask about the prince.

Of course the prince is fine.

Moreover, this time, in advising Your Majesty, I am standing on the side of justice and state affairs.

Even Fang Xuanling would speak for the prince.

Moreover, supporting the crown prince does not hinder Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling's loyalty to His Majesty and the Tang Dynasty, and their enthusiasm for serving the country.

It was getting dark as Li Shimin walked along the Taiye Lake.

No money! These two words always lingered in the mind of the eunuch standing by. Even if someone shouted now, the eunuch would subconsciously reply that he had no money.

Today's scene was really scary.

After walking around the Taiye Lake, Li Shimin returned to the Lizheng Hall.

Seeing that His Majesty came with a smile, Empress Changsun asked, "What happened today that made Your Majesty so happy?"

Li Shimin took off his coat and boots and walked into the hall barefoot. "Cheng Qian, this kid, actually refuted me."

"Your Majesty has always advocated frugality. We cannot abandon this frugal style that we have maintained with great difficulty."

Li Shimin drank tea and said, "He dared to refute me today. He will refute Xuanling and Fuji in the future."

Empress Changsun packed up His Majesty's outer clothes and whispered, "As long as Chengqian and Your Majesty don't get into trouble, I will be relieved."

Li Shimin said: "In the past, that child would never refute me. He is the crown prince and I cannot let him do whatever he wants or give in to him."

"According to your majesty, Cheng Qian's rebuttal today was correct?"

"Humph! He's so brave."

Hearing His Majesty's cold snort, Empress Changsun patiently advised: "Because our family is the emperor's family, we must think twice before doing anything, not to mention Cheng Qian's advice today. Even if we look at the court, we will come to advise Your Majesty."

Listening to his wife's story, Li Shimin nodded.

"So your Majesty was still sulking and walked back and forth in Taiye Lake for the entire afternoon. Did you want to send someone to capture Cheng Qian and apologize to your father?"

Empress Changsun sat aside, stroking her temple and said worriedly, "Knowing this, I am not worried about Cheng Qian. Your Majesty has been walking back and forth in Taiye Lake for the whole afternoon. I have sent people to check on Your Majesty every half an hour. If someone didn't know, they would think that Your Majesty wanted to throw a few eunuchs into Taiye Lake to vent your anger?"

Li Shimin suddenly laughed out of anger.

It is certain that the emperor was unhappy. His original plan to go on a summer vacation was thwarted by his son's words.

Let’s put aside the right and wrong.

Cheng Qian had his own ideas and judgments, and he dared to give advice and suggestions without being influenced or accommodated by others.

Li Shimin said, "Forget it this time, but if this kid dares to go too far again in the future, do you think I will let him go?"

At this point, Li Shimin was so angry that he asked again: "He actually asked Qingque if he had any extra money? How ridiculous."

After saying this, Li Shimin picked up a persimmon and took a bite fiercely. "No matter how difficult it is, can I still ask my child for money?"

As long as the family was doing well, Empress Changsun felt that she had nothing else to ask for.

How could a wife not know whether His Majesty is angry or not?
His Majesty would wander around the Taiye Lake for an entire afternoon without saying a word.

It was obvious that he was very angry, but he was still acting open-minded and saying indifferent words, but he was probably still angry in his heart.

It finally snowed in Guanzhong at night.

In the Lizheng Hall, two figures holding lanterns walked hurriedly.

The maid outside the palace saluted and spoke, "Your Highness Princess, Your Highness Prince Jin."

The people who came were Li Lizhi and Li Zhi.

The two children were each carrying a lunch box, their faces red from the cold.

"My brother personally made dumplings for us, saying they were for our father and mother to eat."

"Really?" A hint of satisfaction finally appeared on Li Shimin's face.

Li Lizhi handed over the bowl and chopsticks and put a dumpling into her father's bowl.

As soon as the dumplings entered his mouth, Li Shimin frowned and said, "Why are they stuffed with mutton and green onions again?"

Li Zhi held his stomach and laughed, saying, "I knew my father would say that."

Li Shimin stared at the two children and stuffed two more into his mouth. This time the taste finally changed. It was filled with cabbage and mutton.

Li Lizhi said, "Mother, Grandpa Huang and we have already eaten. We were thinking of inviting Father and Mother to come to the East Palace to eat dumplings during the Beginning of Winter."

After looking at her father's face again, Li Lizhi whispered in her mother's ear: "I was afraid that my father would be unhappy about coming, and I was also afraid that my mother would be embarrassed, so I asked my daughter to send it here."

The whisper was not loud, but Li Shimin heard it clearly, but pretended not to hear it.

Li Lizhi added: "Early tomorrow morning, after the beginning of winter, my brother will bring his brothers and sisters to visit my father, the emperor and my mother."

Li Zhi said: "My brother also said that he wanted to play cards with my father and mother."

(End of this chapter)