Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 385 Your Majesty, the whole of Chang'an is in chaos

"Father, no!"

When Li Shimin saw Li Yuan about to step into the bamboo basket, his heart tightened, and he rushed forward, stretching out his arms to tightly wrap around Li Yuan's waist.

He gripped his hands tightly, afraid that his father would actually crawl into the bamboo basket.

This hot air balloon just succeeded yesterday; who knows if something might go wrong today?
My father is getting old. If something were to happen to him, how could he bear the responsibility?
"Release me! You unfilial son, release me now!"

Li Yuan's already somewhat plump body was firmly restrained, making his breathing rapid and his face flushed red.

He struggled fiercely, but Li Shimin, who had practiced martial arts for many years, was far stronger than the retired emperor who had lived in the deep palace for so long.

Li Yuan was both anxious and angry, and a few absurd thoughts even came to mind.

Could this unfilial son be using the pretext of blocking Heaven to secretly harm me?

Seeing that Li Yuan's face was flushed and his eyes were glazed over, Li Shimin suddenly realized that he had used too much force. He quickly let go of Li Yuan's hand and bowed to apologize.

"Father, I didn't mean it, but these flying things are really dangerous. You mustn't take the risk!"

"Humph!"

Li Yuan flicked his wrinkled sleeves, glared at Li Shimin with displeasure, and spoke with a tone full of sarcasm.

"What? Are you unwilling to let me ride this novel contraption, afraid that I will steal your thunder? Or are you worried that after I fly up into the sky, I will encounter the gods and complain about you to them?"

"This……"

Li Shimin was speechless when asked the question and sighed helplessly.

"Father, what are you saying! This flying artifact was only successfully completed yesterday, and even Wen He was trying it for the first time. It hasn't been tested multiple times yet, it's far too risky. If anything were to happen to you, I..."

"Yes, Your Majesty, and there are no gods in heaven..."

Wen He spoke dismissively, but then met Li Shimin's warning look and quickly changed the subject, adding with a dry laugh.

"There is a god! There is a god! But the wind is strong in the sky, and it's very high. If someone accidentally falls, there will be a 'splat' sound, and they will be gone without a trace. It's really terrifying!"

Both Li Yuan and his son Li Shimin had a few twitches at the corners of their mouths.

That brat always brings up the most sensitive topics. He made flying into the sky sound like it was a death sentence. He really doesn't know how to speak!

“Father, as Jiaying said, this is indeed somewhat dangerous.”

Seeing this, Empress Zhangsun quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, her voice gentle and full of concern.

“You are getting old and your body can’t withstand the strain. If you really want to see flying, you should wait until Wenxianzi improves this device to make it more stable. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. There’s no need to rush.”

Li Yuan's expression softened somewhat in front of Empress Zhangsun, but he still didn't budge. He glanced at Wen He, his tone tinged with resentment.

"I think you've all been intimidated by this brat! What danger? If it were really that dangerous, how dare he go up to the sky alone? Does he think his life doesn't matter?"

"Uh, Your Majesty, I call this the spirit of fearlessness. I am willing to take risks for the sake of the Tang Dynasty's flying endeavors!"

Wen He forced a rebuttal, but couldn't help cursing inwardly.

Why does this old man keep harping on this point?

Besides, who in the entire Tang Dynasty is more afraid of death than you!
Li Yuan chuckled softly, his eyes full of understanding.

"You little brat, you're too afraid of death. Otherwise, you wouldn't have run to the Prince of Qin's mansion back then, hiding behind Erlang for protection. Now you talk about being fearless. You can fool others, but you can't fool me!"

"Um... actually, that time was a bit risky..."

Wen He's thoughts were exposed, so she could only laugh awkwardly.

Li Shimin, who was standing to the side, was also a little embarrassed. Why did this matter have to be brought up again out of nowhere?
He has already given posthumous titles to his elder brother and fourth brother, so why is Father still holding onto this?

Besides, more than a year has passed; it's time to let bygones be bygones!

Li Shimin sighed helplessly; he knew his father's temper all too well.

The more we are forbidden to do something, the more we want to do it. If we really don't let my father ride in the hot air balloon today, I'm afraid he will throw a tantrum at Da'an Palace every day in the future and will go around saying that he is "unfilial".

He originally called his father over to show off.

"Father, look! Since I ascended the throne, my ministers have been able to create flying artifacts. How magnificent is the Tang Dynasty!"

But who would have thought that instead of showing off, her father would pester her about wanting to fly to the heavens?

"Then why don't we... let the Emperor Emeritus give it a try?"

Li Shimin gritted his teeth and made a concession, but his tone was full of worry.

“This, uh…” Wen He hesitated.

"What do you mean by 'this' and 'that'!"

When Li Yuan saw that Li Shimin had relented, he was secretly delighted, but he deliberately put on a stern face and even sighed.

"If that doesn't work, then I'll return to Da'an Palace. I'm old, really old, I can't even try new things anymore... Back when your mother was still alive, you brothers..."

"Wen He, why haven't you invited the Emperor Emeritus onto the hot air balloon yet!"

Li Shimin's face turned pale instantly.

Father is going to bring up old grievances again, bringing up Mother and Brother!
If he keeps talking like this, who knows what he'll say next.

He quickly interrupted Li Yuan, his tone tinged with urgency.

"Alright alright!"

Wen He reluctantly agreed, walked up to Li Yuan, and solemnly gave him his instructions.

"However, let me make this clear beforehand: once we go up there, Your Majesty, you absolutely must not move around."

"Alright, enough nonsense!"

Li Yuan waved his hand impatiently and gestured to the palace maid beside him.

"Someone, help me up!" Li Shimin waved his hand, preventing the palace maids from approaching, and walked to Li Yuan's side himself, carefully supporting his arm.

"Father, let me help you; it'll be safer."

As he helped Li Yuan walk toward the bamboo basket, he silently prayed in his heart.

Wenhe, you must ensure your father's safety. If anything goes wrong, I will not forgive you!

Standing to the side, Li Chengqian's eyes lit up as he watched Li Yuan being helped into the bamboo basket.

He had long wanted to try this flying contraption, so he immediately ran over, grabbed Li Shimin's sleeve, and looked up at him with a face full of anticipation.

"Dad, um... can I go up and try too? Just for a little while, I promise I won't move or say a word!"

"Can't!"

Wen He and Li Shimin spoke almost in unison.

"If you can't, you can't. Why are you shouting like that?"

Li Chengqian pouted, feeling deeply aggrieved.

They're not allowed to ride horses anymore, and now they can't even go up to the sky for a glimpse. Aren't Father and Master being far too cautious?

He kicked a pebble at his feet and muttered to himself.

"It's just flying into the sky, what's there to be afraid of..."

"Alright, alright, Your Highness, don't be impatient."

Li Yuan poked his head out from inside the bamboo basket and smiled at Li Chengqian.

“When you’re a little older, your grandfather will tell your father that you can go up to the sky and play. Then we can watch the clouds together.”

Li Chengqian's eyes lit up, and he quickly nodded with a smile. But he also knew in his heart that without his father's and Mr. Wen's consent, even if his grandfather agreed, it would most likely not come to fruition.

He could only watch the bamboo basket longingly, hoping the hot air balloon would fly slower so he could catch a few more glimpses.

"Alright, let's not waste any more time and get started!"

Li Yuan couldn't sit still in the bamboo basket and urged Wen He to hurry up.

He had long wanted to see the view from the sky, and now he was filled with anticipation, even forgetting his previous dissatisfaction with Li Shimin.

"Alright! The second manned hot air balloon experiment is officially starting!" Wen He announced loudly, giving the craftsmen a wink.

The craftsmen immediately sprang into action, removing the excess counterweights from beside the bamboo baskets and adjusting the heat of the charcoal fire to ensure a steady flow of heat into the air bladder.

As the counterweight was reduced, the bamboo basket, which was originally drooping slightly, gradually lifted up, and the Shu brocade air bag became more and more full in the sunlight, like a huge red cloud, slowly leaving the ground.

"It's really flying!"

Standing to the side, Changsun Wuji couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, his eyes widening in astonishment.

Although he had long known that Wen He was capable, having never failed in improving agricultural tools and creating the divine crossbow, he was still shocked to see such a large "bag" carrying a person into the sky. That light and airy Shu brocade could actually support the weight of a person, which was beyond his comprehension.

Li Yuan, inside the bamboo basket, watched the figure on the ground grow smaller and smaller. He couldn't help but take a deep breath and tighten his grip on the edge of the basket.

Having lived for over sixty years, this was the first time he had ever been so far from the ground. Beneath his feet were the palace halls, and in the distance were the city walls of Chang'an. The familiar scenery of his daily life now seemed exceptionally novel.

He couldn't help but lean over and look down, muttering to himself.

"This...this actually flew! That brat Wen Jiaying is quite capable!"

"Jiaying is truly an extraordinary person."

Empress Zhangsun stood beside Li Shimin, her face full of surprise and her tone full of admiration.

"There is probably no one else in history who could create such a flying device."

Li Shimin nodded involuntarily, his eyes following the hot air balloon intently, his tone full of emotion.

"Yes, what an extraordinary man! With him around, I dare not even think about the future of the Tang Dynasty."

He turned to look at Empress Zhangsun, took her hand, and looked at her tenderly.

"Once this hot air balloon is safe enough, Guanyinbi and I will also ascend to the heavens together to see the scenery from the highest heavens, what do you say?"

Empress Zhangsun smiled gently, her hand in Li Shimin's palm was gently squeezed back, and her voice was gentle: "Alright, I'll be waiting for that day."

"Higher! You brat, can't you go any faster?"

Just then, Li Yuan's urgent voice suddenly came from the hot air balloon.

Looking at the distant walls of Chang'an, he felt he couldn't see it clearly enough and wished he could fly to a higher place immediately to take in the entire city of Chang'an.

"Your Majesty, we can't rush! We must proceed cautiously!"

Wen He stood at the edge of the bamboo basket and called out helplessly.

He had known all along that this old man was restless, and sure enough, he started making demands as soon as he ascended to heaven. He should have just stood up and stopped him back then; it would have been better than living in constant fear now.

"I am anxious. If I could ascend to heaven and meet a deity, I would definitely ask for the elixir of immortality. Perhaps I could even be enlightened by the deity."

Li Yuan's face was full of hope.

Wen He chuckled twice.

There was cold air in the sky, but nothing else.

While controlling the heat of the charcoal fire, he vigilantly observed the condition of the airbag, fearing that the slightest mistake might occur.

As the hot air balloon rose higher and higher, Li Shimin and the others on the ground could no longer hear the conversation above. They could only see a small "red cloud" hanging in the air, like a lantern being blown by the wind, drifting slowly.

Li Shimin's eyes were full of worry, and his hands unconsciously clenched. He only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the hot air balloon hovering steadily in the air without swaying.

Meanwhile, the city of Chang'an was already in an uproar because of this sudden "flying object".

On the streets near the palace, people were busy going about their business when suddenly someone pointed in the direction of the palace and exclaimed in surprise.

"Look! What's that? There's a big red bag in the sky!"

Everyone looked up and saw a huge, red cloud-like object hanging in the sky above the palace, with a small black frame hanging below it, and figures could be vaguely seen inside.

"That's...that's something that can fly?"

Some people rubbed their eyes, unable to believe what they were seeing.

"Heavens! Is this a sign of good fortune? A divine intervention?"

An old woman immediately knelt down and kowtowed in the direction of the hot air balloon, chanting, "May the Tang Dynasty enjoy favorable weather and abundant harvests."

More and more people knelt down, shouts and prayers rose and fell, and the once bustling street instantly became solemn, with everyone's eyes focused on the "flying object" in the air.

Inside the government offices within the imperial city, the previously orderly office work was completely disrupted by a sudden commotion.

Inside the Ministry of Personnel, several clerks who were checking the list of selected officials heard shouts outside that "something is flying in the sky." They all dropped their brushes and rushed to the door.

When they saw the huge red figure above the palace, their jaws nearly dropped. One of them pointed at the sky, his voice trembling.

"What... what is this thing? It can actually fly in the sky?"

The others looked up, their eyes fixed on the slowly rising "red cloud," their faces filled with disbelief.

"It's heading towards the palace! Judging from the location, it looks like it's above the Taiji Hall! My God, what kind of wondrous object is this that possesses such power?"

"Could it be that a deity has descended to earth to protect our Great Tang Dynasty?"

A junior official spoke with a tone full of awe.

"Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, the Great Tang Dynasty has flourished. Now, such a wondrous sight has appeared. It must be a divine manifestation, a sign that the Great Tang Dynasty will prosper!"

As soon as these words were spoken, others immediately echoed them.

"Yes, yes! This is a sign that Your Majesty is the true Son of Heaven, and even Heaven will favor our Great Tang! When we return, we will certainly petition Your Majesty to record this extraordinary sight and put it in the annals of history!"

The officials chimed in, one after another, flattering Li Shimin with words full of excitement and awe.

Outside the Ministry of Personnel, Fang Xuanling, who had just finished dealing with government affairs, heard the commotion outside and came out with his entourage.

When he saw the huge red gasbag in the sky, his pupils suddenly contracted, and he involuntarily held his breath.

His eyes trembled slightly, and his hands, hanging at his sides, clenched involuntarily until his knuckles turned white.

The object was entirely crimson, with a black frame hanging below it, yet it remained steadily suspended in mid-air, which was beyond his comprehension.

"Xuanling!"

Just then, Xiao Yu strode over, his face full of excitement. He pointed to the hot air balloon in the sky and spoke urgently.

"Look! This must be an auspicious sign! Heaven has taken pity on our Great Tang Dynasty and sent down such a wonderful sight. In the future, our Great Tang Dynasty will surely prosper and all nations will pay tribute!"

Fang Xuanling turned to look at Xiao Yu, shook his head with a wry smile, and spoke with a hint of certainty.

"How can Lord Xiao believe in this so-called auspicious omen? If I am not mistaken, this strange object was probably created by that scion of Gaoyang County."

"Wen Jiaying?"

Xiao Yu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized what he meant, and his eyes lit up instantly.

"He... he actually created a marvelous object? Wait, I heard he made a bet with Yu Shinan, saying he would create an unprecedented artifact. Could it be this flying object?"

The matter of Wen He and Yu Shinan's bet had been heard in the court, but while everyone knew that the two had made a bet, no one knew what the bet was about.

Upon hearing Fang Xuanling's words, Xiao Yu instantly connected the two events, his face filled with shock.

"If that's true, then Wen Jiaying is truly an extraordinary person! To be able to create such a flying device, there's probably no one else like her throughout history!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanling couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

"Yes, what an extraordinary person."

The more Wen He can surprise the Tang Dynasty, the harder it will be for his friend to return to the court.

"Brother Ximing, I have failed you. From now on, let Dengshan leave Chang'an and live a peaceful life as a recluse."

Inside the Eastern Palace, Yu Shinan was sitting by the window correcting Li Chengqian's homework when he suddenly heard a commotion outside. He walked to the window in confusion and looked in the direction of the crowd.

Above the palace, a huge red airbag hung in the air, and in the bamboo basket hanging below, there seemed to be figures moving around.

Yu Shinan's hand suddenly stopped, and he almost dropped the brush on the paper.

His eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.

Gao Yangxianzi had previously said he wanted to create "objects that can fly to the sky," but he thought it was just wishful thinking. After all, "flying to the sky" was something only immortals could do, so how could mortals possibly achieve it with objects?
But the scene before him was a slap in the face.

"There really are flying things..."

Yu Shinan muttered to himself, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He recalled his bet with Wen He and couldn't help but laugh self-deprecatingly.

This Wen Jiaying is indeed an extraordinary person.

"Now I understand why His Majesty made an eleven-year-old child the Crown Prince's tutor."

"Such divine skills are beyond my reach."

The hot air balloon gradually rose to a height of about 100 feet. The surrounding clouds drifted lightly past the airbag, and the sunlight shone through the clouds onto the bamboo basket, making it feel warm and cozy.

Li Yuan looked around, his eyes full of anticipation, and kept muttering to himself.

"Where are the immortals? Where is the Heavenly Palace? I've flown so high, how come I haven't seen a single immortal? Could they be hiding?"

He had originally thought that flying into the sky would allow him to see the legendary heavenly palace and immortals, and perhaps even obtain some elixirs of immortality. But now, all he could see was the boundless sky and distant clouds; he couldn't even spot the eaves of a palace.

Li Yuan couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He nudged Wen He's arm, his tone tinged with resentment.

"You brat, fly higher! If you fly higher, you might see the immortals! Look behind these clouds, there might be a heavenly palace hidden there!"

Wen He quickly pressed down on the edge of the bamboo basket, explaining with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"Your Majesty, we can't go any higher! The height this hot air balloon can fly depends entirely on the heat inside the airbag. We've already reached our limit. If we go any higher, the air will become thinner and thinner, and there won't be enough heat. The airbag will collapse, and then we'll fall and be smashed to pieces!"

As he spoke, he pointed to the edge of the airbag.

"Look, the airbag is starting to wrinkle; it would be really dangerous if it went any higher!"

Li Yuan looked in the direction Wen He pointed and indeed saw that the edges of the Shu brocade airbags were no longer as full as before, and were drooping slightly.

His heart tightened, and he gripped the bamboo basket even tighter.

Although he wanted to find the immortals, he valued his life even more. If he really fell from such a height, he wouldn't even have a bone left, let alone see the immortals.

"This this……"

Li Yuan looked up at the boundless sky above, where clouds drifted by lightly. Still feeling somewhat unwilling, he frowned and asked again.

"Is it really impossible to go any higher? Perhaps if we go any higher, we can see the shadow of the Heavenly Palace?"

Wen He shook her head helplessly, her tone somewhat frank: "Your Majesty, what kind of gods are there in this world? If there really are gods who can protect humankind, then where were they when the foreign tribes slaughtered the people during the Yongjia Rebellion? Where were they when the world was in chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, when refugees exchanged children to eat?" Where were they during the Yangzhou Massacre and the massacre in Jiading?

Where were they during those fourteen years?
Thirty-six million.

It should be noted that the registered population of the Tang Dynasty was only around 19 million.

He paused, recalling the wars and suffering in his past life, and his tone became more disdainful.

"In my opinion, the so-called gods are nothing more than a group of high and mighty beings who are indifferent to the suffering of mortals. They are no different from those powerful families who seize land and prey on the people. Instead of placing our hopes on the gods, we should rely on ourselves. There has never been a savior, nor do we rely on gods... none."

Seeing the undisguised disdain in Wen He's eyes when she mentioned the gods, Li Yuan was momentarily stunned.

He lived most of his life, growing up listening to stories of gods and immortals, and later ascending the throne to worship heaven and earth. No one had ever dared to deny the existence of gods so openly.

Could it be that people in later generations are all like Wen He, having no reverence for the gods?

He gazed at Wen He's young yet resolute face, remained silent for a long time, and finally sighed helplessly.

"Enough, enough, I'm getting senile. Go down, though there are no gods in heaven, it's cold enough."

"The Emperor Emeritus, if he really wants to live a long life, he doesn't need to pray to the gods."

Seeing that he had calmed down, Wen He added with a smile.

"The best way is to exercise. Get up early every day, take a walk, practice your martial arts, think less, and give up excessive desires. This will ensure that you live longer and enjoy a few years of peace and happiness."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan's eyes flickered slightly, and he gave Wen He a meaningful look, a complex smile playing on his lips.

"If I live too long, I'm afraid some people will worry."

"Uh...cough cough!"

Wen He was momentarily speechless, coughed awkwardly twice, and quickly changed the subject, pointing to the distant mountains.

"Hey, Your Majesty, look! The mountains over there are so green, the sky is so blue, and the clouds are so white."

He muttered to himself.

Why is Old Deng suddenly saying something so sensitive?
Although Li Shimin treated Li Yuan fairly well in history, allowing him to enjoy his later years in Da'an Palace after his abdication, with plenty of food, drink, and entertainment, it was much better than Zhao Wuling Wang starving to death and Tang Xuanzong being placed under house arrest.

It's best to avoid this kind of topic.

Li Yuan couldn't help but laugh when he saw Wen He changing the subject. He stopped teasing him and turned his gaze to the gradually clearer view of Chang'an City below.

As the hot air balloon slowly descended, the houses and streets that had previously resembled a chessboard gradually returned to their original appearance, and the outlines of pedestrians and vehicles became clearly visible.

"Looking up there just now, Chang'an City looks as small as a chessboard, and you can see the end of it at a glance."

Li Yuan suddenly felt a pang of emotion, turned to look at Wen He, and spoke with a tone full of curiosity.

"Jiaying, tell me, how big is this world? I have been emperor for so many years, but I have only been to Luoyang and Taiyuan. I have never seen the real world."

Upon hearing this, Wen He pondered for a moment before organizing her thoughts and saying, “The world is vast. If we start from Chang’an, where we are now, and travel westward to the end of the Western Regions, then southward around the South China Sea, and finally back to Chang’an, even if we travel day and night without stopping, it would take at least several decades. However, that’s now. In the future, when we build faster carriages and horses, larger ships, and even fly into the sky like this hot air balloon to travel around the world, it will be much easier.”

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Li Yuan chuckled, thinking Wen He was joking with him.

"It's as if the earth beneath our feet is a circle, so that we can go around and return to the starting point. Since ancient times, who hasn't known that the sky is round and the earth is square? The earth is square, with boundaries, how could it possibly be round?"

But as soon as he finished speaking, he turned his head and found Wen He looking at him seriously, with no hint of joking in her eyes.

Li Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he tentatively asked, "You little rascal, you're not serious, are you?"

"Of course I'm serious."

Wen He nodded and explained with a smile.

"This has already been proven in the future. The earth beneath our feet is indeed round, or more accurately, elliptical, like an egg. And it rotates on its own, but we can't feel it when we're standing on it. The alternation of day and night is because the earth is rotating. When it faces the sun, it's daytime, and when it faces away from the sun, it's nighttime."

Li Yuan frowned and stared at Wen He for a long time, trying to find any trace of joking on his face, but in the end he only saw honesty.

He shook his head, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"Enough, enough. I'm old and my mind can't keep up anymore. I'm too lazy to bother with your novel ideas. The future belongs to Erlang and Gaoming. Right now, I only wish to live a peaceful life and stop worrying about state affairs. Just like you said before, enjoy the present moment, right?"

Wen He was somewhat taken aback when she saw the relieved look in his eyes.

Has he truly let go?
"The Emperor Emeritus is right. Enjoying the present moment is the best way to live. Look, the ministers below are all waiting for us. Once we land, we can have a cup of hot tea to warm ourselves up."

Following his gaze, Li Yuan saw Li Shimin, Empress Zhangsun, and others on the ground looking up at the hot air balloon, their faces filled with worry and anticipation.

The hot air balloon slowly descended, getting closer and closer to the ground. Wen He was holding onto the edge of the bamboo basket, paying attention to the angle of landing, when she suddenly caught a glimpse of a fast horse galloping towards the palace on the street in the distance.

The horse ran very fast, its hooves clattering rapidly on the bluestone pavement. A yellow flag was stuck in its back, fluttering in the wind.

Those are signal flags used only for urgent military situations or to report victories.

Wen He's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously gripped the edge of the bamboo basket, her eyes fixed on the fast horse.

In no time at all, the fast horse arrived at the Mingde Gate. The imperial guards at the gate did not seem to stop it and let it pass directly. The fast horse disappeared into the Mingde Gate in an instant and sped off towards the Taiji Hall.

"what happened?"

Li Yuan noticed Wen He's unusual behavior and followed his gaze, only to see an empty street. He asked in confusion.

"It's nothing, Your Majesty. Perhaps there's an emergency in the palace."

Wen He withdrew her gaze, suppressing her suspicions.

At this moment, an urgent report arrived. Could it be that news came from Shuofang?

He shook his head, deciding to stop thinking about it; landing safely was the most important thing right now.

With a soft "thump," the hot air balloon's bamboo basket landed steadily on the laid-out quilt. Wen He quickly helped Li Yuan up, afraid that he would fall due to the turbulence.

As soon as the bamboo basket hit the ground, hurried footsteps came from outside. Li Shimin, Changsun Wuji, and Li Chengqian rushed over, their faces full of tension.

"Father! How are you? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Li Shimin was the first to rush to the bamboo basket, reaching out to help Li Yuan, his voice full of worry.

His heart had been in his throat while the hot air balloon was in the air, fearing that something might go wrong. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the bamboo basket land, but he still dared not let his guard down.

Li Yuan feigned composure, snorted, straightened his back, and said with a hint of disdain, "Back in my days of conquering battlefields, what storms haven't I weathered? It's just a trip to the sky, what could possibly happen? You're making a mountain out of a molehill."

He spoke with great energy, as if nothing had happened to him.

But Wenhe stood beside him and could clearly see that his legs, hanging at his sides, were still trembling slightly. He was obviously frightened when he was high in the air, but he was too proud to admit it.

Wen He suppressed a laugh and didn't expose him, but silently supported Li Yuan's arm to help him steady himself.

"It's good that nothing happened, it's good that nothing happened."

Li Shimin chuckled twice, seeing through his father's bravado, but didn't point it out. He simply reached out and supported Li Yuan more firmly.

"Let me help you out first. There are blankets on the ground. Please walk slowly."

This time, Li Yuan did not resist. He obediently placed his hand on Li Shimin's arm and carefully climbed out of the bamboo basket.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, he subconsciously stomped his feet, as if to confirm that he was really back on the ground. Then he breathed a sigh of relief, turned to look at Wen He, and said with a hint of satisfaction.

"This thing is quite good, very stable. Send one to my Da'an Palace, so it will be more convenient for me to go up to the sky in the future."

"Um, I'm afraid that won't work."

Wen He quickly waved her hand, her face full of embarrassment.

“Your Majesty, this hot air balloon requires professional craftsmen to operate. From ignition to altitude control, it requires experienced people to handle everything. Moreover, it is not cheap to build. If it is not operated properly, it is easy to cause danger.”

He really didn't dare to send it.

What if one day Li Yuan suddenly decides to have someone operate the machine himself, and an accident occurs, causing him to fall?

Then he would be accused of plotting to murder Li Yuan.

Even Li Shimin wouldn't be able to protect him then.

"By the way, the cost."

Li Shimin then realized that he hadn't asked about the cost of the hot air balloon. He first looked at Wen He, then looked up at the hot air balloon that was gradually going out and slowly deflated, his tone filled with curiosity.

"Wen He, how much silver does it cost to build one of these hot air balloons?"

Upon hearing this, Wen He held up three fingers, a hint of helplessness on her face.

"Your Majesty, not counting the materials wasted in previous failed experiments, just building a hot air balloon that can carry people would require at least this many."

Thirty strings of cash?

Li Shimin frowned, then shook his head, his tone somewhat dismissive.

"Not expensive. This thing can fly into the sky. If it is used for military intelligence gathering, only a thousand need to be made to form an aerial arrow array to detect enemy movements. At thirty strings of cash each, which is about the price of a good horse, it is a great deal."

"Your Majesty, it is three hundred strings of cash."

Wen He uttered two words in despair, shattering Li Shimin's expectations.

Everyone present was stunned. Li Shimin took a deep breath, his face full of shock: "Three, three hundred strings of cash? How can it be so expensive?"

He originally thought it would only take a few dozen strings of cash, but he didn't expect it to cost three hundred strings.

"Your Majesty, the airbags of this hot air balloon are made of Shu brocade."

Wen He explained with a wry smile.

"Such a large airbag requires at least thirty bolts of Shu brocade. Shu brocade is precious and expensive. Add to that the bamboo basket, the specially made charcoal brazier, and various accessories, and three hundred strings of cash is already the price after the Ministry of Works' subsidy."

He muttered to himself.

Airplanes are inherently more expensive than land-based armored vehicles.

Not to mention that this was the first hot air balloon in the Tang Dynasty, and the research and development costs and material costs were very high.

"Won't ordinary silk work?"

At this moment, Changsun Wuji walked up with a frown on his face, his tone tinged with worry.

The autumn harvest is not yet complete, and the national treasury is already short of funds. If each hot air balloon costs 300 strings of cash, even if only ten are built, it would still cost 3,000 strings of cash, which is no small sum for the Tang Dynasty at present.

Moreover, he knew that once Li Shimin saw the usefulness of the hot air balloon, he would definitely want to manufacture it in large quantities, and the cost would be incalculable.

Wen He nodded, then shook her head.

"Ordinary silk can be used, but it is easier to tear than Shu brocade and is less fire-resistant. If it flies too high, the wind is strong and the temperature is low, and ordinary silk can easily be blown apart by the wind."

The first hot air balloon invented by the Montgomery brothers was made of linen.

But that hot air balloon wasn't for carrying people.

The experiment is similar in nature and principle to that of Kongming lanterns, only larger in size.

The first truly manned hot air balloon appeared in 1786, using taffeta, which had a stronger sealing properties.

Since the Tang Dynasty did not have taffeta, Shu brocade was the best option. Although ordinary silk was cheap, it did pose safety risks.

How high can ordinary silk fly?

Li Shimin pressed on, his tone tinged with anticipation.

"Well, we'll have to do an experiment to find out."

Wen He explained.

"Scientific experiments cannot be predicted based on feelings; you have to actually do them to understand. Different types of silk have different thicknesses and densities, and can withstand different wind forces and temperatures. Only by trying them can you know how high ordinary silk can fly and how long it can last."

"Is it possible for it to rise to a hundred feet?"

Li Shimin asked with a glimmer of hope, "A height of one hundred zhang is enough to see the situation within a radius of dozens of miles, which is very useful for military intelligence reconnaissance."

Wen He pondered for a moment, then finally nodded.

"If we choose better quality ordinary silk and reinforce the seams of the airbags, it should be able to fly a hundred feet without any problem. However, the specific situation still needs to be verified by experiments, and we cannot guarantee it."

"Your Majesty, if we use ordinary silk, the price of making a hot air balloon can be 50% lower than if we use Shu brocade."

Changsun Wuji quickly added that he knew Li Shimin would not give up this flying device given his personality. Since he couldn't persuade him, he could only try to save money as much as possible.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin nodded slightly, having already made his decision.

"Then continue the experiment! Wen He, I will give you another month. If you can make a hot air balloon that can fly a hundred feet high safely and stably using ordinary silk, I will grant you the title of Earl of a Founding County, with a fief of seven hundred households!"

"Look at how stingy you are. You dare to offer a mere founding county earl as a reward?"

Li Yuan, standing to the side, snorted disdainfully, his tone full of dissatisfaction.

“Back when I was in power, meritorious officials were at least marquises. You’re just stingy.”

Li Shimin felt somewhat embarrassed by his father's words and smiled helplessly.

“Father, Wenhe is still young, only eleven years old this year. If he is given too high a title, it will inevitably cause dissatisfaction among other ministers in the court, which will be detrimental to him. A gradual approach is the best for him.”

"Alright, alright. Now that you are the emperor, I will not concern myself with your bestowals or rewards in matters of the court."

Li Yuan waved his hand, clearly not wanting to continue the topic, and turned to walk towards the Da'an Palace. After taking only two steps, he turned back to Wen He and gave her some instructions.

"Young man, remember to visit me at Da'an Palace when you have time, and play a game of chess with me."

Wen He nodded quickly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will play chess with you whenever I have free time."

Li Shimin shook his head helplessly. When he turned to look at Wen He, he saw that Wen He was staring intently at him, his eyes full of expectation, showing no excitement whatsoever after receiving the title.

Li Shimin was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant and asked with a smile.

"What are you thinking about now, you brat? Aren't you satisfied with this title?"

"It's not that I'm dissatisfied."

Wen He quickly waved her hand, her tone tinged with urgency.

"Your Majesty, in addition to granting a title, will you also grant land?"

"Here you go." Li Shimin shook his head helplessly at his greedy appearance.

"If you can complete the experiment on time, I will reward you with 500 acres of fertile land outside Chang'an City, and also give you a house near the workshop. Is that satisfactory?"

"Satisfied! Very satisfied!"

Wen He was overjoyed and quickly turned to shout to the craftsmen who had followed him.

"Did everyone hear that? His Majesty said that if we can make a qualified hot air balloon using ordinary silk, not only will I receive a reward, but His Majesty will also bestow land and wealth upon everyone! Let's work harder and strive to complete the experiment within a month!"

"Really? His Majesty will really grant us land?"

"A craftsman asked excitedly, his eyes filled with disbelief," one of the craftsmen asked.

These craftsmen, whose greatest wish in life was to own their own land.

"His Majesty's words are law, how could they be false?"

Wen He nodded with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

The craftsmen cheered immediately, their faces full of energy. The fatigue they had accumulated from eating mutton every day and the failed experiments vanished instantly.

"There's no need for such formalities, everyone. This is what you deserve."

Li Shimin smiled and waved his hand, but his gaze inadvertently drifted towards Wen He, and he sighed inwardly.

That brat is trying to win over the hearts of the people for me again.

He was giving away his own land.

Well then, at least this brat has some guts.

But...

Li Shimin looked at the overjoyed craftsmen, his gaze darkening.

"Previously, Yan Lide submitted a memorial requesting an increase in the treatment of artisans. Now it seems that Minister Yan's words were ineffective. Only with these artisans can the Tang Dynasty truly prosper."

He couldn't help but sigh.

at this time.

He suddenly glanced into the distance and saw Gao Yue running anxiously toward him.

"What happened?"

Seeing his expression, Li Shimin couldn't help but frown.

"Your Majesty, the whole of Chang'an is in chaos, and a large number of people have gathered outside the Zhuque Gate."

"what?"

Li Shimin was suddenly taken aback.

Even Li Yuan, who hadn't gone far, stopped and turned back to look.

Li Shimin frowned and immediately headed towards the Vermilion Bird Gate, with Changsun Wuji and Wen He following closely behind.

Empress Zhangsun immediately grabbed Li Chengqian's hand and walked towards Li Yuan.

Li Shimin led the two men quickly toward the Vermilion Bird Gate, saying to them, "Immediately summon Yuchi Gong and Qin Qiong..."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty."

He was only halfway through his sentence when Gao Yue hurriedly stepped forward again.

"It is not treason, it is not treason."

Gao Yue shouted breathlessly.

Li Shimin, who was stopped by him, was taken aback.

Changsun Wuji frowned.

Wen He, on the other hand, seemed to have figured it out.

At this moment, Gao Yue solemnly bowed to Li Shimin and said excitedly.

"Your Majesty, the false Liang dynasty has fallen, and the powerful and influential regions of Shuofang have returned to the Tang dynasty. This servant congratulates Your Majesty on the unification of our land!"

(End of this chapter)