Chapter 216 Li Linfu copied the "Book of Departure" for Li Xuan

"On the other side of the Datong Hall is a mural of the Jialing River landscape painted by Li Sixun. It took several months to complete. I think there is a discrepancy between Li Sixun's painting and the Jialing River landscape that has been passed down from generation to generation. Please don't let me down."

Wu Daozi followed him for thirty years. Li Longji knew that Wu Daozi had superb painting skills, so he asked Wu Daozi to start painting.

Daozi was frivolous, but he would not commit the crime of deceiving the emperor.

Li Xuan was beside Li Longji, watching Wu Daozi paint intently.

Without any sketches, Wu Daozi came to the wall that had been planned in advance.

Wu Daozi rolled up his sleeves and picked up the big brush.

The beautiful palace maids had already been following Wu Daozi, carrying the colors of his paintings.

Wu Daozi dipped his hand in the ink and then stood in front of the wall, hesitating to put pen to paper.

He had closed his eyes, as if he was frozen in place.

It didn't move for a full quarter of an hour.

This caused a lot of discussion among ministers and painters. Datong Hall was the office of the Hanlin scholars, so naturally there would be comments from the Hanlin scholars.

Li Longji's relaxed brows frowned again.

He was very unhappy.

Li Longji thought that Wu Daozi would need at least a month to paint. He would only look at the beginning and then leave to go boating in Longchi with Madam Yuhuan.

But Wu Daozi was slow to put pen to paper, and the ministers were whispering among themselves, which made Li Longji lose his patience. He wondered if Wu Daozi was too leisurely to go to Shu.

Wu Daozi had repeatedly asked Li Longji to resign his position as Doctor of Internal Education and to serve him.

But Li Longji flatly refused.

As the supreme emperor, it was natural that Wu Daozi, the best painter in the world, would be used and dispatched by him.

For decades, he has been accustomed to summoning Wu Daozi to paint for him, so how could he let him leave?
Wu Daozi was only allowed to retire if he could no longer hold a brush.

"Saint, a masterpiece is about to be published."

Just when Li Longji was about to get angry, Li Xuan observed his expression and suddenly reminded Li Longji.

After hearing what Li Xuan said, Li Longji calmed down and asked Li Xuan curiously, "Why do you think so?"

"Daozi, close your eyes and concentrate. This is the power of the unity of heaven and man. From now on, Daozi will have the help of the gods, and he will be able to paint the 300-mile landscape of the Jialing River in one day..."

Li Xuan replied to Li Longji.

Li Longji was skeptical, but out of trust in Li Xuan, he did not refute Li Xuan's words.

Many painters shook their heads after hearing what Li Xuan said.

They had seen Daozi paint, but it would take more than one day to paint a landscape of the Jialing River that would satisfy Li Longji.

Power determines the weight of words, and the painters did not dare to question Li Xuan.

Even the Hanlin scholars didn't dare.

The third-rank minister pretended to be deaf and dumb.

Wang Wei stared at Wu Daozi. Although he believed in Wu Daozi, he didn't know why the wise Li Xuan said so.

"It took Li Sixun several months to complete the landscape. Even if Daozi had a higher skill, he couldn't have completed the mural in one day."

There were still people present who dared to question Li Xuan.

Li Linfu finally found an opportunity to attack Li Xuan, and he didn't want to miss it.

Although Li Linfu wanted to team up with Li Xuan to deal with Li Heng, Li Xuan was too arrogant.

"Everything is possible. Wang Xizhi's Lanting calligraphy and Wang Bo's Tengwang Pavilion preface, are there not enough miracles in literature? Let's wait and see!"

Li Xuan didn't want to pay any attention to Li Linfu.

In his words, he liked to secretly belittle Li Linfu, who was a master of fighting Du Nonglu, for his low cultural level.

"Since General Li has made such a solemn promise, will you make a bet with me?"

Li Linfu was sure that he could defeat Li Xuan today.

As soon as Li Longji heard about gambling, he also became interested.

"In the hall, doesn't the Right Prime Minister know that gambling is against the law?"

Li Xuan retorted.

"Of course I know! How could I possibly gamble with gold and silver? If Daozi cannot paint the landscape of the Jialing River that satisfies the sage within one day, I will set the topic and General Li will write a poem for me."

Li Linfu naturally knew that he could not gamble with gold and silver in the hall, and he was not a fool.

This kind of gambling is very common among scholars, and even a saint would certainly agree to it.

He thought he had a sure win.

"Can the Right Prime Minister write poetry?"

Li Xuan rolled his eyes and asked back.

"Change your request."

Li Linfu wrote poems, racking his brains.

Although Li Linfu believed that it was impossible for Wu Daozi to paint the landscape of the Jialing River in one day, everyone knew that asking him to compose a poem would make things difficult for him.

"Then, if the Right Prime Minister loses, you should personally copy Zhuge Liang's "The Memorial to the Emperor on Leaving the Capital" and send it to my residence."

After Li Xuan finished speaking, he bowed to Li Longji and said, "The bet can only be fulfilled if the saint agrees."

"Qi Lang lost, and the Right Prime Minister gave Qi Lang a question to write a poem. The Right Prime Minister lost, and he copied the "Chu Shi Biao" for Qi Lang. What do you think, Right Prime Minister?"

Li Longji was very interested and asked Li Linfu whether he agreed with Li Xuan's request.

Li Longji liked it most when he was doing something and suddenly had some fun.

He didn't think it was an excessive gamble.

It was nothing for the prime minister to write "The Memorial to the Emperor on Leaving the Capital", and it should be easy for Li Xuan to write poetry.

"Yes! Please ask the saint to be a witness."

Li Linfu gritted his teeth and agreed. If he copied the "Teacher's Memorial" and gave it to Li Xuan, he would lose face.

He didn't know how to start writing about those things like "Be close to virtuous ministers and stay away from villains, this is the reason why the Early Han Dynasty prospered; be close to villains and stay away from virtuous ministers, this is the reason why the Later Han Dynasty declined."

However, Li Linfu believed that he would win, so he agreed without hesitation.

Li Sixun's landscape paintings were famous in Chang'an, and he spent several months painting. In Li Linfu's impression, Wu Daozi was good at painting gods, ghosts, Bodhisattvas and Buddhas.

"Okay! I agree to the bet between Shichiro and Juro."

Li Longji was looking forward to who would win.

However, he changed the subject and said to Li Xuan: "Qilang has a higher chance of losing. The landscape of Jialing River in my mind is extraordinary."

"I am a person who is willing to accept defeat."

Li Xuan bowed and answered Li Longji.

The fight between Li Xuan and Li Linfu made the ministers feel that it was another interesting show.

The painters and Hanlin scholars were still focused on Wu Daozi's paintings, while the ministers just wanted to see who would win between Li Xuan and Li Linfu.

Although Li Linfu was a treacherous villain, Li Xuan's arrogance and recklessness also displeased many ministers.

No matter who wins or loses, the ministers just need to watch for fun.

They felt that the questions Li Linfu asked were likely to humiliate Li Xuan.

“Wu Daozi has started to paint!”

After waiting for another half a quarter of an hour, a Hanlin scholar spoke in a low voice.

Everyone's attention was attracted to Wu Daozi again.

"Shhhhh..."

Wu Daozi picked up his brush and started sketching on the wall.

Every stroke and every picture is very coherent, as if the author had thought about how to start writing in advance.

He painted the mountains, water and objects in one go without pausing.

The painter is skilled in painting and has no boundaries.

Wu Daozi's painting style inherited Zhang Sengyou's "sparse style". As the saying goes, "with one or two strokes of the brush, the image is already there", a part of the painting was completed very quickly, and it was so lifelike that the beautiful mountains and clear waters of the Jialing River came to life, shocking the painters present and the Hanlin scholars who were proficient in brushwork.

Li Longji, an emperor full of artistic talent, was also moved by Wu Daozi's painting style.

Everyone is busy with the details, but I am free from the dots and strokes. Everyone is careful with the image, but I am free from the vulgarity.

This unique artistic style enabled Wu Daozi to paint at a great speed.

But under its simple painting style, the content is very rich.

The 300-mile Jialing River offers a new scene at every step. Each scene is different and wonderful, and Wu Daozi painted them all.

I saw picturesque mountains and clear waters, lush green bamboos, the roaring river, bamboo rafts and boats drifting downstream, white sails, fishermen singing, and river boat songs filling my ears, and I could clearly see the pavilions, terraces, villagers, officials, and people...

Including Li Xuan and Li Longji, they went from being moved to being stunned.

Li Linfu's face gradually became gloomy.

Could it be that Wu Daozi really had the help of gods?
Is it Li Xuan?
Or is Wu Daozi evil?
By noon, Li Longji was already hungry.

He asked the palace servants to prepare delicious delicacies, which were eaten by the ministers in the main hall, and were also specially presented to Wu Daozi.

But Wu Daozi turned a blind eye to the delicious food. He seemed not to be bothered by the image at all. He continued to paint, moving forward, expanding the mountains and rivers, filling in the scenery, and making the entire painting full.

I start painting before the morning and continue until the sun sets.

"Hold the lamp!"

Li Longji saw that the Datong Hall seemed dark, so he immediately ordered the palace servants to ensure that the hall was bright.

Wu Daozi used his painting skills to let Li Longji experience the scenery of the Jialing River firsthand.

He was so engrossed that he spent the entire day in the hall, watching Wu Daozi create beautiful landscapes.

It was not until two quarters past midnight that Wu Daozi made his final outline, just in time to use up all the reserved walls.

During the entire process, Wu Daozi did not drink a single drop of water.

The three hundred miles of mountains and waters of the Jialing River are all in sight.

Li Longji came forward with his ministers and painters, and they were all amazed at the magnificent and beautiful landscape illuminated by the lights.

"miracle……"

A painter named Li Zhaodao saw it and praised it highly.

Li Sixun was his father. Since Li Sixun served as the General of the Right Guard, Li Sixun was called "General Li".

Li Zhaodao was also good at landscape painting. They were both members of the imperial clan. To distinguish between the father and son, Li Zhaodao was called "General Xiao Li". Li Sixun was also called "General Da Li".

It would be disrespectful to acknowledge that your father, who has passed away for decades, is inferior to others.

But at this moment, Li Zhaodao was convinced. Wu Daozi's daily painting of the 300-mile Jialing River landscape was destined to go down in history. And his father Li Sixun's previous painting of the Jialing River landscape was destined to become a foil.

"Li Sixun's work took several months, while Wu Daozi's work took only one day. Both are extremely wonderful."

Li Longji watched it several times and clapped his hands in praise.

Li Sixun was a duke after all, and his son was by his side. Li Longji did not hurt anyone's feelings, indicating that what he and Li Sixun did had their own merits.

In fact, it is clear who wins and who loses.

The person who is suffering the most right now is Li Linfu.

Li Xuan guessed correctly, and Wu Daozi actually completed the painting, as if with divine help.

The thought of copying "The Memorial to the Emperor on Leaving the Capital" and giving it to Li Xuan made him feel extremely uncomfortable.

He once again became Chang'an's laughing stock!
It is conceivable that the chief prime minister had to plagiarize "The Memorial to the Emperor on Leaving the Capital" for a military governor, who also carried Zhuge Liang's sword.

Doesn't this tell the world that he will be suppressed by Li Xuan?

Li Linfu was beginning to doubt his life. He felt like he had stepped on Li Xuan's trap again.

"Since God has made me, Li Linfu, rich and powerful, why did he create Li Xuan to attack me?"

Li Linfu shouted in his heart.

Although he didn't look up, he felt many people's eyes on him.

The sword of mockery seemed to have sunk into his flesh.

"Jiuluo, you have lost the bet with Qiluo, so you must fulfill your promise!"

Li Longji reminded Li Linfu.

Li Xuan was probably the only person present who noticed that Wu Daozi could finish painting the Jialing River landscape in one day.

Li Longji felt that this was due to Li Xuan's unique vision and Li Linfu's defeat was not unfair.

"The minister obeys the order!"

Li Linfu bowed and replied, he felt extremely uncomfortable. He wanted to slap himself.

From now on, he will never meddle in Li Xuan's affairs again.

"I have finished it. Thank you, Saint, for giving me the opportunity to paint in the Datong Hall!"

Wu Daozi drank a few sips of water and recovered before he threw down his pen to express his gratitude to Li Longji.

"Daozi's painting skills are the best in the world. He brought the landscape of the Jialing River to life on the wall in just one day, which really opened my eyes. Daozi, thank you for your hard work. I will reward you with 200 pieces of silk and 10 pieces of gold."

When Li Longji was happy, he would not be stingy with rewards.

"I thank the Saint!"

Wu Daozi had no choice but to accept it.

He knew that it was impossible to leave Chang'an and travel around the East like he did when he was young.

Saying more would only anger the saint.

So I suppressed those words in my heart.

He was not happy about these rewards, he just wanted to get drunk like he did yesterday.

It was late at night, and Li Longji ordered the eunuchs to carry the imperial edict and open the gates of all the houses to allow the ministers and painters to return home.

After the ministers left Xingqing Palace, they could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.

They saw Li Linfu's expression the whole time.

Most of the ministers were certain that the old thief Li Linfu was too old to defeat the young thief Li Xuan.

But today, the saint affectionately called Li Linfu "Shilang", which means that Li Linfu will not lose power for a while.

If things go wrong, Li Linfu will stir up trouble again as soon as Li Xuan leaves Chang'an.

Ministers such as Chen Xilie, who were slightly close to Li Linfu, sighed inwardly.

The waves behind push the waves ahead. If Li Linfu really falls one day, what should they do?

Other ministers share this concern.

Li Xuan was no pushover either. Since they couldn't deal with Li Linfu, they naturally didn't think they could control Li Xuan.

Li Xuan led his troops to fight and rode on the battlefield.

While fighting with Li Linfu.

"Right Prime Minister, when will my memorial to the emperor be handed over to me?"

Li Xuan caught up with Li Linfu who had not yet gotten on the car.

"Within two days."

Li Linfu uttered a word and got on the carriage directly. He was in a bad mood today and didn't want to talk to Li Xuan.

He had figured it out. He was not a treacherous villain, so there was nothing wrong with copying the "The Memorial to the Emperor on Leaving the Capital" again.

With Li Longji's guarantee, Li Linfu dared not falsify the documents. His handwriting was easily recognizable.

Even if it was false, he would still be embarrassed. The news had already spread and would soon spread throughout Chang'an.

In this case, why should Li Linfu make himself uncomfortable? Li Xuan would not miss any opportunity to strike him down.

Li Xuan said nothing more and followed Li Linfu's carriage back home.

After reaching the alley where the Duke of Song’s Mansion is located, take the wrong road and leave.

Most of the family members had gone to bed, and only after Li Xuan came back did the lights in Li Shizhi's room go out...

……

The next day, it was the ten-day recess, and Li Xuan finally had some free time.

Xue Cuo had already returned to report to him, and Li Xuan decided to leave the day after tomorrow and return to the frontier.

Li Yuying wanted to know what happened to Sun Wukong in the alchemy furnace, but Li Xuan no longer had time to talk about it.

He told Li Yuying that he would talk about it next year!
After not updating for a year, Li Yuying is going crazy.

However, her seventh brother had only been back for a few days and was not at home most of the time. He was about to leave, and she felt even more reluctant to let him go.

Three years have passed so quickly!
Li Xuan is going to visit the mansions and orchards outside Chang'an city today.

After all, it is a reward for him.

The house can be decorated so that Li Shizhi can move to the mansion outside the city at any time.

When something goes wrong, you can escape.

The Jinwu Guard cavalry escorted Li Xuan out of the city and followed Li Xuan.

Li Yuying thought Li Xuan was going to meet a friend, so she didn't follow Li Xuan out of the city.

After leaving the city, a servant who had already explored the route led Li Xuan.

He first went to a house not far from Mount Li.

The mansion covers an area of ​​one hundred acres, and there is a small river running through it. There is an artificial lake, pavilions, towers, rugged rockery and numerous flowers and trees in the courtyard.

This house is a suitable place for retirement. With some simple decoration, Li Shizhi can live here.

However, Li Xuan felt that Li Shizhi would not live here for long. After all, this place was quite a distance away from Chang'an, and most of Li Shizhi's old friends were in Chang'an City.

Li Xuan came to the orchard on the west side of the mansion again.

There is an orchard on the east side, where cherries and peaches are planted.

Unfortunately, now is not the time.

The orchard on the west side grows pears and dates.

Fortunately, the pears are ripe, but the dates will arrive a little later due to their variety.

These orchards are taken care of by slaves.

Li Xuan took over the orchard, and all these slaves were also under Li Xuan's name.

Whenever the fruits were ripe, the imperial palace would select some high-quality and fine fruits from the orchards as tribute.

The rest need to contact fruit vendors and sell them in Chang'an City.

Apart from Chang'an City and surrounding towns, it is basically impossible to sell it to places farther away.

But there were many powerful and wealthy people in Chang'an, and ordinary people could afford to eat fruit as long as the price was reasonable.

Generally speaking, the orchards around Chang'an can supply the city of Chang'an.

Li Xuan personally went to the pear orchard to pick some pears and brought them home.

He allowed the Jinwu Guards who were protecting him to pick and eat whatever they wanted.

An orchard may have dozens of acres of land, but if you really want to sell it, it won’t fetch much money.

In Li Xuan's absence, Li Shizhi will select someone to take care of the orchard.

"By the way, my pears are ripe. Didn't you contact the vendor to buy them?"

Li Xuan asked the servant who managed the orchard.

This is a servant named Cao Yi who has ten years of experience in managing opera theaters.

"Reporting to the general, I agreed with the merchant to come today, I don't know why they haven't arrived yet."

Cao Yi was also very puzzled.

Their orchard was originally a government orchard and was managed by officials.

He had just learned that the government-owned orchard had become privately owned.

It’s still the famous General Li.

After becoming a private orchard, the gardeners of the two gardens withdrew, leaving some slaves to Li Xuan.

Fortunately, those officials did not dare to offend Li Xuan and kept the most experienced slave in managing the orchard.

"There are so many pears. Sell them as soon as possible. Even at a lower price."

Li Xuan didn't take it seriously, thinking that the merchant was late.

He was chewing a pear in his mouth and carrying the picked pears with him, ready to leave!

"General... the merchant who had agreed to buy our pears was intercepted by the pear orchard to the west."

Just as Li Xuan was about to leave on horseback, Cao Yi ran out of the orchard again and reported to Li Xuan.

The slave he had just sent out came back and told him that the merchant he had agreed with had broken his word and gone to buy pears from the next orchard.

Contact the merchant to go to Chang'an.

If no vendors come to buy their pears during these two days, some of the pears will inevitably rot.

(End of this chapter)