Chapter 8: Watching the Flower Horse

"Qi Lang's words awakened his father. But this was just a joke after drinking. Don't say it again in the future."

After Li Shizhi calmed down, he looked at Li Xuan in surprise.

Today's words are more impactful than Li Xuan's words yesterday.

He understood that the mouth can cause trouble, so he immediately poured a glass of wine for Li Xuan, handed it to Li Xuan personally, and said.

"Li Linfu has been in charge of the government for many years in the Zhongshumenxiatang. If this continues, I'm afraid he will still hold the reins tightly when he's old and sick. After the Longsha River gold mine is confirmed, father can ask the emperor to change the reign to Zai."

After drinking a glass of wine, Li Xuan stopped saying "dangerous" words. He was just warning Li Shizhi.

The destruction of families and the death of loved ones are imminent.

Once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back. Either Li Linfu dies or their whole family dies.

"Change the era name to Zai? Qilang, tell me in detail!"

When Li Shizhi heard this, he knew that Li Xuan had another good idea. He stopped drinking and looked at Li Xuan intently.

"It is said in Erya: Xia called it sui, Shang called it si, Zhou called it nian, Tang and Yu called it zai. In the ancient Yao and Shun era, years were recorded with zai. The Yao and Shun eras were the most highly respected by the literati and scholars of our Tang Dynasty, and they were ancient sage kings. Starting from next year, it will be called the third year of Tianbao, implying that the emperor is the modern Yao and Shun."

Li Xuan explained to Li Shizhi.

At the end of the Kaiyuan period, Tian Tongxiu, a military officer in the palace of Prince Chen, wrote to Li Longji, claiming that he saw the appearance of Laozi above the Danfeng Gate in Chang'an, and told him that there was a talisman buried in Yin Xi's former residence.

Legend has it that when Laozi was riding a green bull through Hangu Pass, the guard Yin Xi stopped him and only let him go after he wrote the Tao Te Ching. Therefore, it has been said that Yin Xi was Laozi's apprentice.

The talisman incident was obviously a "auspicious sign" directed and acted by Tian Tongxiu himself, but Li Longji, who admired the "way to immortality", believed Tian Tongxiu and thought that the arrival of the auspicious sign would be beneficial to his imperial power. So he sent people to Yin Xi's former residence, and they really dug up a talisman with the words "Tianbao Qianzai" written on it.

At that time, two of Li Longji's brothers died. To avoid bad luck, Li Longji, who was nearly 60 years old, changed the reign title to Tianbao. He changed Taolin County, where the magic talisman was found, to Lingbao County. He also changed the state to a county.

The provincial governor was changed to the county magistrate.

As a result, Tian Tongxiu was promoted two ranks to the fifth rank and wore a scarlet robe.

"Tianbao" has been used for a year.

But Li Longji still hadn’t figured out the word “载” on the talisman.

Historically, it was changed to Zai in the third year of Tianbao.

Now it is the beginning of the second year of Tianbao, and there is definitely no such idea, otherwise it should be the second year of Tianbao.

Li Shizhi's advance proposal to change the text was exactly what Li Longji wanted.

Li Xuan suspected that the historical change of the reign title to Zai was the masterpiece of Li Linfu, who tried to understand the emperor's mind and Li Longji's desires.

"In ancient times, Shangguan Jie flattered Emperor Wu of Han and became a minister. Zhu Qianyi flattered Empress Wu Zetian through dreams and became a treasurer. My father is already a prime minister. How can I be like them and be laughed at by the world?"

After hearing Li Xuan's explanation, Li Shizhi thought that this was not the behavior of a wise minister and hesitated.

Li Shizhi had strong "scholar-official" thinking and was careful about his reputation, which was a common problem among people like him.

"Father, the great prosperity of the Kaiyuan era is unprecedented in history. Aren't there enough great scholars and poets in the world who sang praises of Emperor Taizong? Even wise ministers like Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui would flatter Emperor Taizong. Did anyone laugh at Fang's strategy and Du's judgment? People laughed at Shangguan Jie and Zhu Qianyi. Did they laugh at their flattery? No! Shangguan Jie's desires were not as good as his abilities, so he planned a rebellion and was killed; Zhu Qianyi started with this and ended with this. This is why people laughed at them."

Li Xuan gave examples to support his argument and asked Li Shizhi questions repeatedly.

"Only if the emperor values ​​my father can he bring down Li Linfu. Otherwise, the ruthless Li Linfu will make us meet in the underworld."

Seeing that Li Shizhi remained silent, Li Xuan tried to persuade Li Shizhi again in a more serious tone, asking him to weigh the pros and cons.

"Qi Lang, you have finally come to your senses. I am not as far-sighted as you are. I hope you can enter the officialdom. In the future, our family will be like Su Gui and Su Ying's father, and we will be equal prime ministers and become a legend."

Li Shizhi's words indicated that he would listen to Li Xuan's advice and flatter Li Longji, which would make him feel happy.

"Being in power is my son's ultimate wish!"

Li Xuan responded to Li Shizhi.

Before the 11th year of Kaiyuan, the Tang Dynasty established the Political Affairs Hall, which was the place where the emperor and the prime ministers decided all military and political affairs after the court meeting.

In the 11th year of Kaiyuan, Prime Minister Zhang Shuo wrote a letter to change the name of the Political Affairs Hall to "Zhongshu Menxia" and the seal of the Political Affairs Hall to Zhongshu Menxia. The Cardinals' Office, the Li Room, the Bing Room, the Hu Room, and the Xingli Room were established to assist the Prime Minister.

The power of the prime minister was thus strengthened, and there was even a tendency to undermine the power of the six ministers.

The reason why the six ministers of ministries have real power now is because they also hold official positions in the five rooms of the Secretariat.

The Right Prime Minister was in charge of all affairs of the Secretariat and was the chief prime minister.

During the Kaiyuan and Tianbao years, there was no rule for prime ministers to take turns in governing the country.

It was not until after the An-Shi Rebellion that the lesson was learned and the prime ministers were allowed to take turns writing to prevent them from monopolizing power.

Therefore, even though Li Shizhi was not as capable as Li Linfu, Li Linfu, who was the writer, had absolute right to speak, and Li Shizhi could not shake it.

Li Xuan wanted to be in charge of governing affairs, which meant that he was determined to become the chief prime minister.

But the process may be different from what Li Shizhi expected.

Because Li Xuan didn't have time to gain experience and build political achievements.

"My son is a man of great stature, and he will surely become a prime minister!"

Li Shizhi patted Li Xuan on the shoulder.

Although Li Qian is the eldest son, his abilities are mediocre.

The fourth son, Li Jiqing, was talented but indecisive. He was immersed in Confucian classics and could hardly become prime minister.

Li Shizhi was even more worried about Li Qi and Li Lang.

Now that Li Xuan has stood out, Li Shizhi has high hopes for him.

The father and son drank some more.

……

"drink……"

Another day, early morning.

As soon as the sun rose, Li Xuan took a 10-foot-long spear and stabbed into the air again and again, tirelessly.

Li Xuan was training in spear techniques, concentrating his strength and releasing it at one point.

The enemies of the Tang Dynasty also have armored soldiers on their backs. A true warrior must learn to be proficient in horse lance.

Of course, Li Xuan also learned how to use a spear. Once a protracted battle broke out, the long and heavy lance was not as easy to use as the shorter and more flexible spear.

"Seventh brother, you are awesome!"

A beautiful girl in a yellow skirt poked her head out of the ceremonial gate and jumped out clapping her hands. Li Xuan's elder sisters were all married, and the girl was Li Xuan's only sister, Li Yuying, who was three years younger than Li Xuan.

Seeing Li Yuying coming, Li Xuan was afraid of hurting her, so he retracted his lance. The lance weighing more than 20 kilograms was thrown by Li Xuan onto the weapon rack several meters away.

"What does Yuying want to see you for?"

Although Li Yuying had come many times in the past two months, she usually asked for some money and secretly looked for other men and women to play with.

Li Shizhi was granted the title of county duke and land as a gift. He also received the salary of a prime minister, so his family was wealthy. Li Xuan, as the only son in the family who had not yet reached adulthood, received a considerable monthly allowance.

"I heard that there is a yellow peony in Luoyang, which is fragrant and the most beautiful in the world. Please help Yuying pick it. Yuying wants to outshine all the others at the flower competition."

Li Yuying looked at Li Xuan with watery eyes full of hope.

"Chang'an is hundreds of miles away from Luoyang. It takes several days to go back and forth on horseback. Even if you pick the yellow peony, it will be withered when you return."

Li Xuan said perfunctorily to Li Yuying.

How could he have the leisure to run to Luoyang for a peony flower?

Douhua is a game played by the ladies of the gentry in Chang'an.

In spring, people compete to wear flowers, and the one with more exotic flowers wins.

In Li Xuan's opinion, this was not Li Yuying's game, she could just join in the fun.

"Seventh brother lied to me. The flowers in Chang'an come from all corners of the world. It is said that they travel for months and are still in full bloom when they arrive in Chang'an."

Li Yuying was not so easy to fool. She grabbed Li Xuan's sleeve and shook it while speaking.

"My father won't let me go far away. If you can convince him, I will go to Luoyang to help you find yellow peonies."

Li Xuan brought up Li Shizhi, and he had plenty of reasons to prevaricate.

Although Li Shizhi loved Li Yuying, it was impossible for her to convince Li Shizhi!

"Hmph! Seventh brother bullies Yuying because she is young." How could Li Yuying dare to go to Li Shizhi? Not even the other brothers dared to go.

Only Li Xuan is not much older than her, so she is more dependent on Li Xuan.

"The flower contest is not held every year. Brother, you will go to Luoyang sooner or later. Luoyang not only has yellow peonies, but also purple, blue, and black peonies. They are elegant and beautiful. I will definitely bring them back to Chang'an and plant them at home."

Seeing Li Yuying disappointed and her watery eyes looking like she was about to cry, Li Xuan pondered for a moment and then comforted her.

"Okay! I believe in Brother Seven."

Li Yuying stopped making a fuss and smiled. She imagined that next year she would bring colorful peonies to compete with other ladies in flower shows.

At this moment, Pei Huang and his nephew Pei Zhou came to Li Xuan's courtyard from the back door.

Before they entered the ceremonial gate, a voice came: "Qi Lang, today is a good day, let's go out for a walk in Chang'an!"

"can!"

Li Xuan originally wanted to decline, but then he thought about how they had gone to Lingcui Tower together the day before yesterday and felt quite loyal.

I have been in this world for two months and I haven't had a good tour yet.

"Seventh Brother, I want to go play too."

After Li Yuying finished speaking, she turned around and ran out of the back garden without waiting for Li Xuan's response.

"Qi Lang, choose a short horse, take your servants, and get some of Zuo Xianggong's good wine."

When Li Xuan changed his clothes and asked Pei Huang and his nephew to go out, Pei Huang grabbed Li Xuan and said to him.

"what for?"

Li Xuan was puzzled. Why did he bring servants and wine with him when he went out for fun?

"Qilang, don't you know? These days are the days for viewing flowers and horses. Now many young masters and knights are drinking in and around Chang'an. At this time last year, we had a great time." Pei Huang asked in confusion.

The reason they can play together from childhood to adulthood is that they all have a chivalrous spirit.

During the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, martial arts was highly valued and many sons of gentry were chivalrous. Even great poets like Wang Wei and Li Bai had a chivalrous spirit.

"See the spotted horse?"

When Pei Huang mentioned this, Li Xuan remembered it.

Watching the horses competing in flowers is similar to watching the men and women competing in flowers.

Every spring, when the flowers are in full bloom, the wanderers and noblemen of Chang'an would call their friends and ride on short horses specially designed for sightseeing, decorated with brocade saddles and golden saddles, and travel among the flowers and trees inside and outside Chang'an. Servants would follow behind with fine wine and wine vessels, and once they came across a good garden, they would stop to drink and enjoy themselves.

In the eyes of the young heroes, this is an extremely romantic thing and also a time to make friends.

Li Xuan shook his head and smiled. He took out a jar of Li Shizhi's fine wine and gave it to Pei Huang.

Arriving at the stable in the first courtyard, Li Xuan did not ride a pony, but led out a black horse that he often rode. The horse had hair as white as silk and a white spot on its forehead, and was exceptionally majestic.

Li Xuan did not even change the saddle and the cloth saddle under the saddle.

"Qi Lang, we need to be ceremonial when we watch the flower horse. If you do this, you will be laughed at by those young knights."

Pei Huang advised Li Xuan to choose a short horse, with a saddle made of fine silk brocade and a saddle made of gorgeous leather.

"I won't participate, I'll just watch you having fun."

Since Li Xuan came to the Tang Dynasty, the word "knight" is no longer used to describe him.

Li Xuan had no interest in watching fancy horses or making friends with knights-errant.

In his opinion, most of the knights-errant in the Tang Dynasty were just empty talkers who flaunted their wealth, frequented prostitutes, and were addicted to alcohol and gambling. There were very few who could truly practice chivalry and abide by the principles of loyalty and trust.

"Qilang, why do you seem like a different person recently?"

In the past, Li Xuan was more fun to play with than them, uncle and nephew. But now, everything seems calm and composed, which makes Pei Huang feel uncomfortable.

"I recently read Zuo Zhuan and read 'The highest is to establish virtue, the next is to establish merit, and the last is to establish words', which suddenly awakened me. Look at the princes and sons of the royal family in Chang'an, how many of them indulge in sensual pleasures? They only rely on their families and their fathers. Once the wall collapses, they will definitely be buried underneath. Life is like a fleeting moment, and I can't waste my time any longer. Now is a great era, and it is the time for my generation to establish merit and career!"

Li Xuan gave a reasonable explanation for his changes.

And clarify your ambitions.

After hearing what Li Xuan said, Pei Huang and his nephew admired Li Xuan even more.

But they haven't had enough fun and can't reach Li Xuan's level.

Li Xuan was under tremendous pressure. He had to be self-disciplined, enrich his knowledge, and practice riding and shooting diligently.

(End of this chapter)