Chapter 135: Prince, I want to improve so much! (ask for monthly ticket)

It was not until the end of the court meeting that Li Shimin remembered that even if he let Yan Lide supervise the construction of warships, he had to give him a title.

Only when the name is right can the words be justified and the horse can run better.

You can't let the horse run and not eat grass at the same time.

So he appointed Yan Lide as the "Acting Palace Supervisor" and put him in charge of supervising the construction of warships.

The Palace Supervisor was the head of the Palace Province, a third-rank official, in charge of the emperor's clothing and carriages, and in charge of officials from the six departments of Food, Medicine, Clothing, Vehicles, and Chariots, and was responsible for preparing gifts and performing his duties.

The title of Acting Palace Supervisor means acting, but it is not official at all.

After being granted the official position, Yan Lide, who had been punished twice for his laxity and slackness, finally became cautious this time and rushed to the East Palace to ask to see Li Xiang.

Li Xiang, who had already returned to the Eastern Palace, was not surprised when he heard that Yan Lide wanted to see him. He guessed that it was Li Shimin who asked Yan Lide to come.

When I went to Lizheng Hall just now, Li Mingda was taking a lunch break, so he returned to the East Palace and continued to draw pictures in the room. In fact, the picture was not a big deal, it was just to make the bottom of the boat narrower.

The internal structure of a pointed-bottom boat is completely different from that of a flat-bottom boat. Li Xiang certainly didn't know this much, he only knew the pointed-bottom shape and knew nothing about the internal structure.

But it doesn’t matter. How can you not believe in the wisdom of our ancestors’ craftsmen?

Just put the three tribes on your belt and work, it's fast, hey.

Today's sea vessels are all flat-bottomed boats. They have a shallow draft and are suitable for rivers and shallow seas. They have a large carrying capacity, poor ability to resist wind and wave impacts, and are relatively slow.

The pointed-bottom ship, especially the single-keel pointed-bottom ship, was a major invention in the Song Dynasty, indicating that my country's ancient shipbuilding technology was ahead of the world.

The characteristics of this type of ship include a pointed bottom, a single keel, a pointed bow and a square stern, a flat and wide hull, and a watertight compartment design, which greatly enhances the ship's anti-sinking ability.

According to historical records, the pointed-bottom boats of the Song Dynasty were "flat on top like a scale and sharp as a knife on the bottom, and were valued for their ability to break through the waves."

This design and structure not only laid the foundation for modern ship structure, but also had a profound impact on the development of the world's shipbuilding industry.

Of course, the pointed-bottom boat has a better-sounding and more widely-known name, called Fuchuan, which was the name commonly used in the Ming Dynasty.

Li Xiang picked up the map and walked towards Lizheng Hall.

"Prince." Yan Lide was quite polite. After all, he had been stripped of his official uniform twice, so he really didn't dare to neglect the proper etiquette.

"Master craftsman." Li Xiang bowed to him and handed the blueprint to Yan Lide.

Yan Lide glanced at the drawing and a question mark popped up in his mind.

You said this is a boat? Is it okay?

Li Xiang took the diagram and began to explain the specific principles to Yan Lide.

His words were very profound, at least that was what Yan Lide thought. His eyes were almost covered with mosquito coils and he was overwhelmed. In the end, he only remembered one sentence: "The draft is much deeper than that of a flat-bottomed boat."

He understood that a boat with a deeper draft would be more stable.

But this boat... can it float? Don't let it capsize.

Yan Lide today is different from the one he was two years ago. Having experienced being dismissed from office in the tenth and fifteenth years of Zhenguan, he has become extremely cautious.

Because he wanted to be safe, he subconsciously questioned, "Is this really okay?"

Li Xiang took a look and said, "I think you, old man, really don't know how many eyes an elephant has."

"Li Wei!" he shouted back.

Li Wei came out with his short legs, crossed his arms and said, "Sir."

"Go, get a basin," Li Xiang ordered, "and a bowl."

Li Wei obeyed the order and soon came back with a eunuch, grunting and carrying the things.

"Master craftsman, come with me." Li Xiang said, and took Yan Lide to the pond in the East Palace, and then placed the bowls and basins in the water.

As the saying goes, the layman sees the excitement, while the expert sees the details. Yan Lide suddenly understood everything as if he had been enlightened.

"So that's it, so that's it!" Yan Liben looked at the bowls and basins floating in front of him with fanaticism, wishing he could run to supervise the construction of warships right away.

In fact, the ancient Chinese craftsmen were impeccable in terms of technology. However, in many cases, good technology does not necessarily lead to progress. It is very likely that there is a thin layer of window paper that has not been broken, which prevents the technology from moving to the next level.

And Li Xiang... Li Xiang doesn't know anything about the basics, but relying on the nine years of compulsory education, he learned math, physics and chemistry well, and standing behind more than a thousand years of knowledge summary, he knows how to break through these windows.

And one of the most frustrating things in ancient times was that many technology trees were misplaced.

Li Xiang's greatest role is not to climb the technology tree by himself. He can't do that, and it would be exhausting enough to kill him.

But he can propose ideas, let craftsmen complete them, and firmly control the direction of technology tree upgrades. This is his greatest role.

He is the Prince of Hengshan County, the eldest son of the Crown Prince, and the most beloved grandson of the Saint. Which craftsman would think that nine clans are too many and dare not listen to him?
Yan Lide's heart is about to fly away. In his opinion, this is not only a favor from Li Xiang in teaching him. If he supervises the construction of these 500 warships and shines on the battlefield, wouldn't rewards be coming one after another?
As the saying goes, one should never forget the well-digger when drinking water. Yan Lide immediately bowed sincerely and said, "I thank the prince for his kindness!"

Li Xiang nodded slightly, put his hands behind his back, said nothing, and pretended to be an expert.

"I won't bother you any more." Yan Lide's mind was now filled with the supervision of the construction of warships. The most important thing was to restore his official position.

"Okay." Li Xiang said with a smile.

That night, Li Xiang saw Li Jue again in the bedroom with a smirk on his face.

"Why are you here again?" Li Xiang glanced at his bed, stared at him and asked, "Didn't you drink juice tonight?"

Li Jue immediately shook his head. He indeed didn’t drink it.

"Ye Ye chased me here. Really? Why does Ye Ye chase me away every time he goes to sleep with A Niang?" Li Jue pouted and said, "Why can't he just keep me here and sleep with me?"

Li Xiang: …

What? You still want to see from the side?

"Listen, mother and father are both adults. We, as children, cannot listen to what they are talking about." Li Xiang said seriously. Seeing that Li Jue wanted to be curious again, he immediately spoke up to stop Li Jue's curiosity: "Don't you want to sleep with your brother?"

Li Jue thought about it, nodded and said, "Brother is better here. Mother is too boring and can't tell me stories. She is not as good as you."

"Hey, that's it." Li Xiang reached out and rubbed Li Jue's head: "Be obedient, I will tell you a new story tonight."

"Eh? A new story? What story?" Li Jue's interest was immediately attracted.

After all, they are children, and they are interested in new and interesting stories, and they never get tired of them.

"Well, this time I will tell you a story about 'Nezha Conquers the Dragon King'." Li Xiang said with a smile.

"Nezha Conquers the Dragon King?! I want to listen!" Li Jue shouted.

"Okay, okay, then you better behave yourself at night and don't kick me." Li Xiang warned.

Li Jue bared his teeth and smiled embarrassedly.

"Come, lie down." Li Xiang lay down on the bed and patted the pillow beside him: "I will tell you a story."

Li Jue jumped onto the bed obediently and even forgot to drink the juice.

Li Xiang began to tell him: "It is said that during the Shang Dynasty, there was a general named Li Jing at Chentang Pass..."

"Brother, isn't Li Jing the Duke of Weiguo? How come he became the commander-in-chief of the Shang Dynasty?" Li Jue asked cutely.

"Listen to my story!" Li Xiang's face darkened. "Oh..." Li Jue immediately shut up. His desire for the story suppressed his curiosity about why Li Jing went to the Shang Dynasty.

……

The next morning, Li Xiang got up very early.

Before going to bed last night, he ordered Li Jue to go outside and urinate. The feeling of being drowned by water was really uncomfortable, and he didn't want to try it again.

After arranging for Li Jue and Li Wei to go to school together, Li Xiang slipped away to Lizheng Hall to play with Li Mingda.

Before setting off, he asked Fubao to hollow out two oranges, pour heated and melted candles into them, and insert wicks in the middle.

Two cute orange lamps are made.

"Aunt, look, what is this?" Li Xiang showed off to Li Mingda as soon as he walked into the side hall of Lizheng Hall.

Li Mingda looked up and said with a smile: "Oh, what did the elephant make with oranges? It's so cute!"

"Orange lamp." Li Xiang said concisely, "Just be careful to prevent fire when using this thing. It's best to put it in a basin of water."

Lian Qiao quickly brought back a large basin of water. Li Mingda lit the orange lamp and placed it in the basin.

As soon as the cheers came out, Lao Li's voice was heard from behind.

It's a day off today and Mr. Li won't go to work either.

"What are you doing? Making so much noise."

"Yeah, Xiang'er made an orange lantern for me." Li Mingda showed off to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin glanced at the orange lamp and curled his lips and said, "Childish."

He also glared at Li Xiang.

However, what he was thinking was, why don’t you give me such a fun thing?
Of course Li Xiang had no idea of ​​Li Shimin's inner thoughts, he just gritted his teeth and tried to get away with it.

After playing with Li Mingda in the Lizheng Hall for a while, Li Xiang was called out by Fubao before lunch time.

"What's wrong?" Li Xiang asked, why Fubao was so mysterious.

"Da Lang, this is an invitation from General Su." Fu Bao said, handing over the invitation.

General Su?
Li Xiang was stunned. He reached out to take the invitation and looked at it, then he remembered that it was about Su Dingfang.

The gist of what was written on it was that Li Xiang had invited him to dinner before, and this time he was returning the favor, and had also invited Pei Xingjian to join them.

Speaking of Pei Xingjian, Li Xiang thought of Pei Xingjian's sister Pei Xueqing.

Well, Su Dingfang and Pei Xingjian are both famous generals, and they are worth my attention and cultivation. Of course I have to honor them and have a meal with them.

Thinking of this, Li Xiang turned around and went back to Lizheng Hall to say goodbye to Li Mingda.

Li Mingda knew that he had something to do, so he didn't say anything. He just gave him a scarf and reminded him to pay attention to the cold weather.

After getting on the carriage, Li Xiang quickly arrived at the Jianghu Restaurant.

Because of his close relationship with Li Xiang and the fact that it was a banquet for Li Xiang, Jianghu Restaurant arranged for him the private room that Li Xiang usually used.

When I pushed the door open, Su Dingfang and Pei Xingjian were already sitting in the room.

Eh? Where's Pei Xueqing?

Li Xiang didn't think much about it, but greeted Su Dingfang and Pei Xingjian with a smile.

"Greetings, Prince." The two men stood up and saluted.

"I've said it many times. This is not a formal occasion. You can call me Dalang or Gongzi." Li Xiang smiled and tried to bring everyone closer.

"Da Lang." Su Dingfang was the first to change his words.

"Da Lang." Pei Xingjian also changed his words.

Calling him like this means that he has been branded as Li Xiang, the Prince of Hengshan County.

This meal was still hotpot. Ever since he finished eating it, Su Dingfang has been thinking about the taste.

But he was unwilling to admit it and insisted that it was Pei Xingjian who wanted to eat it.

"Your Highness, you may not know that since Shouyue had eaten the hotpot, he has repeatedly mentioned to me that the hotpot at Jianghu Restaurant tastes delicious." Su Dingfang said with a smile, "So I remembered the invitation from the Prince last time, so I also invited Shouyue to have a simple meal together."

"Okay, we should walk more often." Li Xiang nodded.

After the three of them sat down, Li Xiang asked, "Old Su, you asked me to come here not just to eat hotpot, right? Just tell me if you have anything to say."

Su Dingfang was obviously a little overwhelmed by Li Xiang's directness.

Normally, one should have three rounds of wine and five dishes before getting down to business, but Li Xiang did not follow the rules at all.

But Li Xiang obviously doesn't need to talk about the ways of the world. After all, you have seen leaders urging others to drink many times. Except for the leaders' leaders, who dares to force a leader to drink?

"To be honest, I do have some things to do."

Since he wanted to ask for a favor, Su Dingfang subconsciously became polite.

"Tell me, as long as I can do it, I will definitely lend a hand." Li Xiang said casually: "If I can't do it, I believe you can understand my difficulties, Lao Su."

"Of course..." Su Dingfang nodded quickly: "That's right, I heard that Goguryeo has been a little restless recently. Did Yeon Gaesomun murder the king Go Gunmu?"

"That's true." Li Xiang shook his finger at the waiter.

The waiter understood and walked out of the box.

After seeing the waiter leave, Su Dingfang lowered his voice and asked, "May I ask, Dalang, does the court want to go to war with Goguryeo?"

Li Xiang did not rush to answer, but stared at Su Dingfang.

Only after Su Dingfang looked somewhat guilty did Li Xiang speak with a smile.

"Who did you listen to?"

"This is all my analysis. Goguryeo is a vassal of the Tang Dynasty after all. Now that something like this has happened, the Tang Dynasty will definitely not sit idly by." Su Dingfang answered carefully: "In addition, Yeon Gaesomun is ambitious and will definitely go to war with Silla in order to stabilize the situation in the country."

"If Goguryeo swallows up Silla, it will become a real threat. So I am sure that the Tang Dynasty will never sit idly by!"

After all, he is a famous general whose name is recorded in history books, and there is no need to question Su Dingfang's level.

"Are these all your own thoughts?" Li Xiang asked without comment.

Su Dingfang took a deep breath, picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp, with a bitter look on his face.

"I hope you can understand me about this matter..."

"I want to make progress so much!"

(Three more updates sent, please give me a monthly ticket)

(End of this chapter)