Chapter 146 Xuanwu Gate, start! (asking for monthly ticket)
At the New Year's meeting, Li Xiang drank two more glasses of fruit wine and felt a little dizzy.

After returning to the bedroom, she slept until the sun came out the next day, and was then pulled out of bed by Li Chengqian.

Fortunately, fruit wine is not fake, so you won’t feel uncomfortable or have a headache after drinking it.

"Get up quickly, we have to go to Lizheng Palace!" Li Chengqian said with a fierce face.

Li Xiang got up reluctantly, he still hadn't gotten enough sleep...

Ah, how I wish I could go back to the day when I could sleep until I wake up naturally... No, I don’t want to go back!

After arriving at the Lizheng Hall, Li Chengqian brought the Crown Princess and two concubines, as well as his two brothers Li Xiang and Li Jue, to congratulate Li Shimin.

After the greeting, Lao Li invited them to stay for breakfast.

But Old Li didn't look very well. Li Xiang said a few words of concern, but Old Li got angry and told him not to ask random questions as a child.

Li Chengqian also quickly grabbed him. Is it possible to ask such a question randomly?

Li Xiang immediately understood what was going on. It was New Year's Day and Old Li was in a good mood, so he favored one of his concubines.

Li Shimin was also muttering in his heart, how could you know that I asked Concubine Yang to pay off her mother’s debt last night?

While rubbing her waist, I was thinking that Concubine Yang was as gentle as water, and she knew when to be warm and when to be cold, so it was time to reward her child with something.

As I thought about it, my mind drifted to Xu Hui.

Of course, Li Xiang didn't know that his grandfather was still in good shape and wanted to spend his twilight years together. He was now thinking about leaving the palace.

I first went to Xiao Yu's home to pay New Year's greetings. I didn't bring anything special as a gift, just a scarf I knitted myself and a jar of sugar.

Don’t underestimate this white sugar. Where can you find such a rare thing these days?

When Xiao Yu saw the jar of sugar, he thought it was salt. But after hearing Li Xiang say it was sugar, his eyes widened.

"Where did Meng Ze get such a rare thing?"

"I made it myself." Li Xiang said with a smile, "I made a machine that can shake out all the impurities in brown sugar, turning it into white sugar as white as snow, without any peculiar smell."

Old Xiao scooped a spoonful of sugar into his mouth in a cowardly manner, then reluctantly put the spoon aside, sealed the mouth, and murmured, "Such a good thing should be given to my sister to enjoy..."

The elder sister that Xiao Yu was talking about was Empress Xiao, the former deposed Sui emperor Yang Guang.

Xiao Yu respected his sister, the Queen, very much and whenever he had something delicious, he would always give her a portion.

Finally, he looked at Li Xiang and asked, "How much does this cost?"

"It's just some labor costs, just shake it hard and it'll be done." Li Xiang said easily.

Xiao Yu understood and said, "So that's how it is. This thing is indeed a powerful tool to create value for the national treasury."

"Teacher is right." Li Xiang said with a smile. He was planning to send people to plant sugarcane.

This was also one of his plans. Sugar was not only a big source of money, but also a national treasure.

Whether it is used as emergency energy supplement for soldiers or to make some powerful weapons, sugar is indispensable.

Yes, you heard it right, white sugar can be used to make a killer weapon.

As the saying goes, "One sulfur, two nitrate, three charcoal, add a little sugar and you get a big Ivan", this is what it means.

The chemical equation is S + 2KNO + 3C = KS + N↑ + 3CO↑.

Not to mention that sugar can replenish energy. Just imagine a young man in Turkey who was playing with his mobile phone at home when he unfortunately encountered a 7.8-magnitude earthquake and was buried under the rubble.

He survived for more than a hundred hours with only one liter of Coke before he was finally rescued.

Although the temperature in Turkey in March is often below 0 degrees, sugar provides energy and the capital to support him during zero-degree nights.

Moreover, eating sugar can secrete dopamine, a substance that can make people feel happy.

Imagine how much of a morale boost it would be if you could have a little candy before the battle begins.

Well, sugarcane planting is good. It seems that planting sugarcane is relatively easy. After the New Year, we will send people to Jiangnan to plant sugarcane.

After leaving Xiao Yu's house, Li Xiang came to Wei Zheng's house again.

Wei Zheng had been in poor health recently, and Li Shimin had been frequently sending imperial edicts to express his concern, which basically said, "I have not seen you for several days, and I am tired. I would like to go there myself, but I am afraid it will be even more tiring. If you have any information, please send a sealed letter to me."

Despite his illness, Wei Zheng wrote a letter to the emperor stating several things, and specifically praised Li Shimin for turning Li Chengqian around as the crown prince.

Old Li was naturally happy. It was a good thing to receive praise from Wei Zheng.

Although Wei Zheng has always been famous for his "frank advice", few people know that Wei Zheng is the type of person who gives advice by giving a few sweet rewards after a beating.

Since the Chinese New Year, Li Shimin has sent envoys to visit Wei Zheng's home every day, and even let the General of the Household stay at Wei Zheng's home so that he could report Wei Zheng's condition at any time. He also rewarded Wei Zheng with many medicinal materials and delicious food cooked by the palace kitchen.

Wei Zheng lived a simple life and was an honest official, so he didn't even have a main hall at home. The main hall that Li Xiang saw when he went to his house last time was the one that Li Shimin gave to Wei Zheng to build with the materials he had prepared to build a small palace.

And considering that Wei Zheng advocated simplicity, Li Shimin specially asked the envoy to bring white bedding, as well as a scarf and hat knitted by himself, to Wei Zheng's residence.

With a boss like this, how could subordinates not work hard?

After hearing that Li Xiang had come up with this method of converting wool into yarn, Wei Zheng grabbed his hand, his eyes full of satisfaction.

"Teacher, let me ask Master Sun to take a look at you again." Li Xiang always felt like there was something stuck in his throat and felt very uncomfortable.

"I have been here before." Wei Zheng smiled. "My illness has reached the point where no medicine can cure it."

"Teacher..." Li Xiang's eyes turned red.

Although they had only known each other for a few months, Wei Zheng was really kind to him and his father's family.

Even if it means risking his posthumous reputation, he has to push the prince to stop him from falling.

"I have three concerns. The first is the Crown Prince, but you have helped me fulfill this wish. The second is the barbarians. The saints are too lenient towards the barbarians. As long as Meng is here, the barbarians will not be a serious threat to the Tang Dynasty."

Wei Zheng spoke slowly, but after finishing the second point, he suddenly stopped talking.

"What about the third point, teacher?" Li Xiang asked again.

"The third one is you." Wei Zheng glanced outside the door, then looked inside the room, and seeing no one else, he whispered, "Meng Ze's ability is no less than that of a saint. If after thousands of years, the crown prince ascends the throne and the heir chooses someone else, it may not be a blessing for our Tang Dynasty..."

Li Xiang was a little surprised. He didn't expect Wei Zheng to say such things to him.

But...the crown prince chooses someone else?
I see that my father, who just became emperor, wants to be the emperor emeritus, right?
Xuanwu Gate, start!

"Don't worry, teacher. I will give Aye a reason he can't refuse." Li Xiang comforted him.

"You'd better." Wei Zheng stared at Li Xiang with burning eyes, as if he wanted to see through him.

Being watched by Wei Zheng, Li Xiang did not feel guilty, just as usual. There were some things that Wei Zheng did not say clearly, and he felt that his hints were enough.

Of course Li Xiang also understood Wei Zheng's profound meaning, and he only felt even more sad.

During the entire first month of the year, Li Xiang would visit Wei Zheng's house when he had nothing to do, and occasionally with Li Shimin.

The two of them often dismissed their attendants, even Li Xiang, and talked to each other in private.

On the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, after considering for a long time, Li Shimin took Princess Hengshan, the future Princess Xincheng, as well as Li Chengqian and Li Xiang, and set out to Wei Zheng's mansion again.

The emperor's coming, and bringing the crown prince with him, is an extremely formal matter and an incomparable honor.

Wei Zheng forced himself to get up, put on his court robes, and went to the gate with his wife and children to greet Li Shimin.

Li Shimin was overwhelmed with grief and quickly helped Wei Zheng up and took him back to the bedroom.

He sat in front of Wei Zheng's couch, reached out and touched Wei Zheng's skinny hand, tears streaming down his face.

This time Li Xiang had no time to mock Li Shimin for being a crybaby. He stood aside and kept wiping his eyes with his sleeves.

The same is true for Li Chengqian. The three generations of the Li family, grandparents and grandchildren, are all better at crying than each other.

"Xuancheng, tell me what other concerns you have." Li Shimin knew that Wei Zheng might not make it, so he asked about his funeral arrangements.

Wei Zheng raised his head, glanced at Li Chengqian, and said to Li Shimin: "The widow does not care about the weaving, but worries about the demise of the Zhou Dynasty."

What this means is that a widow is not worried about having too few warps to weave, but about the danger of her country.

Li Shimin immediately understood what Wei Zheng meant. Even before his death, he was still worried about the prince.

Hearing this, Li Chengqian walked to the window, choking with sobs.

Wei Zheng patted his arm with satisfaction, he knew that Li Chengqian had done a good job.

As the saying goes, it is a great honor to admit one's mistakes and improve upon them, and a prodigal son who returns is worth more than gold.

"Hengwu, come here." Li Shimin waved at Princess Hengshan Li Hengwu.

Li Hengwu was born in the eighth year of Zhenguan, even four years younger than Li Xiang. She is still a confused little girl now.

She walked forward, and Li Shimin stroked her head and said to Wei Zheng: "Xuancheng, open your eyes and look at your daughter-in-law!"

However, Wei Zheng couldn't even stand up to express his gratitude. He struggled twice, then gave up dejectedly. He could only lie on the bed and said to Li Shimin: "Forgive me for my rudeness..."

Li Shimin burst into tears, glanced at Wei Shuyu, and then stroked Wei Zheng's dry and skinny hand as if he were touching a treasure.

At this point, the engagement was finalized.

Historically, after Wei Zheng's death, a series of events occurred, such as the rebellion of Crown Prince Li Chengqian, the showing of backup to Chu Suiliang, and the affairs of Hou Junji and Du Zhenglun. Wei Zheng was also implicated and this marriage was regretted.

But now Hou Junji's crime had already been exposed, and Li Chengqian could not be deposed, so there was no way he could regret this marriage.

When leaving Wei Zheng's house, Li Shimin's emotions had not yet calmed down.

"Xiang'er, your teacher's family still needs your help..." Li Shimin looked at Li Xiang and spoke earnestly.

"Don't worry, Uncle." Li Xiang nodded and said, "I've been thinking about ways to make money recently, and I plan to bring my second aunt and my youngest aunt with me."

The second aunt refers to Princess Chengyang; the youngest aunt refers to Princess Hengshan, who is four years younger than him.

Children's emotions come and go quickly. When Princess Hengshan, who was originally immersed in sadness, heard about the way to make money, she asked, "Really? What is the way to make money, Xiang'er?"

Being called by a nickname by a girl younger than him was a new experience for Li Xiang...

He was an elder in his previous life, so how could he have been a younger one?

But considering that seniority is more important than anything else in this era, Li Xiang could only hold his nose and bear it.

"Don't worry, little aunt, your nephew has a clever plan."

"Then my aunt's wealth is entrusted to you." Li Hengwu said in a baby voice.

After returning to the palace, everything was back to normal.

Old Li still often sent people to visit Wei Zheng, hoping to get first-hand information about his condition.

On the night of the 16th day of the first lunar month, Li Shimin drank some wine and insisted on taking Li Xiang to stay overnight in Lizheng Hall.

Li Xiang looked at the resentful eyes of the concubines and really wanted to say, "I don't want to listen to the emperor's engine either..."

However, there was nothing he could do. Li Shimin's words were the imperial edict, and Li Xiang could only do as he was told.

Before going to bed, Lao Li would chat with him about this and that, and tell him how to lead troops in battle.

Li Xiang was overwhelmed after hearing this and had no idea how to understand it.

Still unable to fall asleep because of the noise from the Emperor's Engine, when he woke up in the morning, Li Shimin sighed and told Li Xiang that he wanted to go to the Duke of Zheng's Mansion with him today, saying that he had dreamed of Wei Zheng last night.

However, just as he was speaking, Wang De suddenly walked in with hurried steps, with a sad look on his face.

"Everyone..." Wang De hesitated to speak.

Li Shimin stared at him, already sensing something was wrong.

He sat down slowly and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Duke Zheng...Duke Zheng just left..."

Hearing Wang De's words, Li Shimin raised his right arm, then put it down again, repeating it several times. He finally said in a hoarse voice: "Prepare the sedan chair! I want to come to the Duke of Zheng's mansion in person!"

Just as Wang De was about to leave, Li Shimin said again: "Wait! Summon all the officials inside and outside the palace, as well as envoys from all ethnic groups, to attend the funeral!"

On the seventeenth day of the first lunar month, Wei Zheng, Duke of Zheng, Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and Palace Attendant, died of illness in his residence in Chang'an at the age of sixty-three.

Li Shimin personally attended his funeral, mourned for him and cried bitterly.

Afterwards, Li Shimin issued an imperial decree to posthumously confer the titles of Sikong and Governor of Xiangzhou on Wei Zheng, and gave him the posthumous title of "Wenzhen". At the same time, he granted him feathered banners, drums, and forty extra swords, as well as a thousand pieces of silk and a thousand shi of rice, and allowed him to be buried in Zhaoling Mausoleum.

When the funeral was about to begin, Wei Zheng's wife, Mrs. Pei, said, "Wei Zheng was a frugal man his whole life. If we bury him according to the etiquette of a first-rank official, it would require too many ceremonial objects and artifacts, which is not in line with Wei Zheng's wishes."

He declined all the ceremonial objects and items provided by the court, and only decorated the plain carriage carrying the coffin with white cloth and curtains, without any patterns, colors or straw.

Li Shimin personally climbed up to the west tower of the Imperial Garden, looked in the direction of Wei Zheng's coffin and cried bitterly, expressing his deepest grief. He then ordered all officials to escort the coffin out of the outskirts of Chang'an.

Li Xiang, Prince of Hengshan, paid tribute in response to the imperial edict. Li Shimin personally wrote an epitaph for Wei Zheng and had it inscribed on the tombstone. He also composed ten elegies for him to express his grief.

(Second update sent)

(End of this chapter)