Chapter 245: Old Li Abdicates (Vote Monthly Request)

In fact, there are many records of packaging food in pottery jars since ancient times.

It is recorded in "Zhou Li·Daye Shiyi" that people put fish meat into brand new water-free porcelain bottles, sealed the bottle mouth with sealing mud to prevent air from entering, and after fifty to sixty days, the fish would be as fresh as before.

Jia Sixie's "Qimin Yaoshu" not only records the method of canning meat, but also the method of canning fruit. For example, pears, "First make a can, use small pears, soak them in water in a bottle, and make mud. From autumn to spring, to mid-winter, it can also be used."

But then again, this ancient method of sealing and preserving food is different from the modern concept of canning.

The former is pickling, and the latter is sterilization.

But when Lao Li saw the jar, he would always think of it.

"Could it be... two months?" Li Shimin stretched out two fingers, trying his best to think about the shelf life of this thing.

Li Xiang shook his head: "Guess again."

"Still guessing? I'm just a kid, so I'm guessing!" Li Shimin reached out and slapped Li Xiaoxiang on the butt.

Li Xiang felt pain and jumped.

"Tell the truth! How many days?" Li Shimin's tone was not very good.

Li Xiang looked at Li Shimin, and finally he could not change his mind, so he said: "Okay, the shelf life is only half a year to a year..."

"Oh, half a year to one..." At this point, Old Li finally reacted and quickly grabbed Li Xiang's clothes and asked, "What did you say?"

"The shelf life is half a year to a year, what's wrong with that?" Li Xiang was totally confused. Why was this old man so excited?
"Okay, okay." Old Li said happily, "This luncheon meat is really good stuff. It can be kept for a long time. This big can is enough for everyone to eat for a long time."

"In fact, it can also be eaten as emergency food, and the price is less than half of the same weight of meat." Li Xiang and Lao Li explained: "This luncheon meat is already cooked and can be eaten right after opening the can. If it is used as military rations in the army, in an environment where it is not suitable to cook, this thing can be used as an emergency."

"Hmm?" Li Shimin's eyes lit up and he nodded again: "Hmm, Xiang'er is indeed a man who has been on the battlefield. If that's true, then this luncheon meat is really amazing!"

As for why I didn't think of using it as military rations before... the main reason is that the ecology of this thing is not much different from meat, and the Tang army was mainly fighting on the grasslands. Think about it, after fighting with the Xueyantuo, if we eat a few cattle and sheep of the locals, would the locals have any objections?
Bullshit, all my fellow villagers are mine, not to mention their cattle and sheep!
What's more, transportation also has costs. Instead of taking the trouble to transport this thing to the border, it is better to kill a few cattle and sheep on the spot.

But if this thing is cheap and low in price, then it would be perfect for use as military rations.

Old Li was calculating in his mind, and the more he thought about it, the more appropriate it seemed.

"In fact, this kind of canned food doesn't necessarily have to be produced in Chang'an." Li Xiang continued: "Other important border towns can also build factories for production, such as the Andong Protectorate..."

When Mr. Li heard this, he thought it was a good idea.

If this is the case, a lot of transportation costs can be saved.

"You will take the lead in this matter. You can choose one or two trustworthy people to handle it." Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction.

"Actually, Aunt Gao Yang can do it." Li Xiang said with a smile, "Aunt Gao Yang is now the richest woman in Chang'an City. Many of the businesses under the names of Jingzhao Prefecture and Dengzhou Grand Military Governor's Office are actually managed by her."

"Okay, just take care of this matter. I'm relieved." Li Shimin looked at Li Xiaoxiang approvingly.

This child really meets his imagination of a successor.

Where can you find such a good child who cares for the people, unites his family, and is filial to his elders?

Even Old Li felt that it might have been a little difficult for him to pursue Li Xiaoxiang back then.

If Li Xiang knew what Li Shimin was thinking, he would have to shake his heads repeatedly.

Aung, you are too modest. How can I, the little elephant, dare to compare myself with you?

As Li Shimin thought about it, his thoughts began to wander.

If I am no longer around in the future, what if Gao Ming believes the slander and wants to get rid of Xiang'er?
Xiang'er is a loyal and righteous child and will never rebel against his father.

Then the Tang Dynasty...is doomed, isn't it?
or……

When the day comes when you can no longer do the job, will you just abdicate to Xiang'er?
Well, it is not impossible to let Gao Ming take over and become the emperor in one go.

The more I thought about it, the more I couldn't control the thought.

But fortunately, Old Li is now in his prime, in his forties.

As the saying goes, men are in their prime at 41, and Lao Li feels that he can hold on for another 10 or 8 years.

We'll deal with it when the day comes when we really run out of energy. We'll pave the way for the elephant in advance.

In fact, he overlooked one thing, which is how terrifying Li Xiaoxiang's power is now.

The military has the Andong Protectorate outside, and six of the twelve guards inside are his good friends. The commander of the Black Armor Army has received Li Xiang's favor, and the sons of all the great nobles in the court are around Li Xiang. In addition, all the princesses of the royal family have been united by Li Xiang. Among the princes, only Li Tai will not support him for the time being - but he will not oppose him either.

If Li Chengqian decided to depose Li Xiang at the morning court, Li Xiang would have to sit in the Taiji Hall and cry bitterly that afternoon.

You guys really made me suffer!
It can be said that in today's Tang Dynasty, no one can do anything to Li Xiang except him, Old Li.

And there was no need for Old Li to deal with Li Xiang. After all, he was already half dead, while Li Xiang was not even twenty years old and was only fifteen.

The conflict between the emperor and the crown prince lies in the fact that the emperor is in his prime, while the crown prince is young and strong, and one does not want to retire, while the other can't wait to take over.

The advantage of the grandson is that he knows very well that his grandfather can only survive for another ten years at most; his grandfather knows even more clearly that he will not live long, and the rest of his life will be spent paving the way for his eldest grandson.

Therefore, as long as Mr. Li does not make any mistake, he will not do anything to the little elephant.

As for Li Xiang... he never strived for any false reputation, but only took the world as his responsibility. However, if it was the popular opinion that only ascending the throne to become emperor could benefit the Tang Dynasty, then he would have to give up his selfishness and devote himself to the cause of building the Tang Dynasty.

Well, what dragon throne? This position originally belongs to the entire Tang Dynasty. I, Li Xiaoxiang, only have the critical right to use it for one day and twelve hours.

Li Chengqian doesn't know yet that he has been clearly arranged by his good father. He is playing hide-and-seek with his two concubines.

After saying goodbye to Old Li, Li Xiang walked towards the Wude Hall.

He wanted to stay a little longer, but Concubine Yang had already arrived at the Lizheng Hall with a food box. Li Xiang felt that it would be impolite if he did not know the situation.

In fact, he was overthinking it. It was only a certain time, and the nightlife was not about to start now.

Concubine Yang wanted to keep him for a while and talk to him about Li Yin, but Li Xiang always felt that Concubine Yang was just being polite, so he found an excuse and slipped away.

When passing by Daji Hall, Li Xiang suddenly thought of Li Mingda.

He tiptoed to the entrance of Sanqing Temple, walked behind Lian Qiao, and suddenly let out a cry.

This scream was not a big deal. Lian Qiao was frightened and shivered, and the cup in her hand fell to the ground with a snap.

Fortunately, the cup was made of thick glass and the floor of Sanqing Temple was made of wood. Due to many coincidences, it did not break.

"Your Highness!" Lian Qiao stamped her feet angrily.

"Hahaha, I scared you!" Li Xiang made a face at Lian Qiao. Li Mingda heard the voice and walked out of the Taoist temple.

"How could you do that, Elephant?"

"Oh, auntie." Li Xiang said with a smile, "Isn't this just a joke with Lian Qiao?"

"What if you scare people? You rude little elephant." Li Mingda rolled his eyes at him.

"Princess, I'm fine." Lian Qiao rubbed her chest and said to Li Mingda, "When I was a child, my brothers and sisters would play pranks on each other at home. Your Highness just played pranks on me, which reminded me of the scenes at home when I was a child."

Li Xiang scratched his head and asked Lian Qiao, "Sister Lian Qiao, I haven't heard you talk about your family yet. How is your family now?"

"Thanks to the grace of the Saint and the care of the princess, everything is fine at home." Lian Qiao smiled softly with her hands covering her mouth. "My parents are in good health. My elder sister married to a man from a neighboring village two years ago. I joined the army this year and was given 25 acres of good land. Life is not bad at all."

"That's not bad." Li Xiang casually mentioned it and asked, "Which guard is your brother in and what's his name?"

"Your Highness, my brother is in the army of the Crown Princess's brother. His name is Zhang Qianxu." Lian Qiao bowed slightly.

Zhang Qianxu?
Li Xiang thought about it and seemed to have heard of such a person.

I have forgotten which guard the general was from, but he was promoted by Pei Xingjian back then, and his bravery was no less than Cheng Wuting and Wang Fangyi.

Of course, such a brave general had only one ending in the Wu Zhou Dynasty, and that was to be killed by Ashina Zetian.

At the instigation of someone, Lai Junchen falsely accused Zhang Qianxu of treason. In the Luoyang prefecture office, Zhang Qianxu could not bear the pain any more and pleaded his merits for the country in a righteous manner. Lai Junchen was deeply moved after hearing this - so he ordered the guards to hack him to death with swords.

Speaking of this, Li Xiang felt a little sad.

Speaking of someone, she has a bit of the temperament of a classical fairy.

What is the Wordless Monument? This comment area has been selected, but nothing was selected after the selection.

Appoint cruel officials like Lai Junchen? I will delete bad comments (physics).

"Since he is Sister Lianqiao's younger brother, I will talk to Shouyue and take care of him." Li Xiang nodded.

For someone who has left his name in history and has received positive reviews, Li Xiang doesn't mind giving him some care.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Lian Qiao bowed with joy.

"Sister Lianqiao's surname is Zhang." Li Xiang asked with a smile, "Could it be Zhang Lianqiao?"

"My humble name is Zhang Xiaohua..." Lian Qiao blushed. It was really hard to say such a name.

If I had not been educated in the past, I would not have thought it a big deal; but since I entered the palace and learned poetry and books, I feel that this name is somewhat rustic.

"Actually, the name Zhang Lianqiao is also very nice. From now on, Sister Lianqiao will be called Zhang Lianqiao." Li Xiang said with a smile.

"Well, from now on I will be called Zhang Lianqiao." Lianqiao's face was flushed.

Li Mingda glanced at Lian Qiao and the corner of his mouth curled down inadvertently.

Oh, you little vixen.

"What's wrong, aunt?" Li Xiang always felt as if he smelled a sour smell coming from Shanxi.

Li Mingda's big eyes turned around smartly, and he raised his lower lip: "Nothing."

Hearing this, Li Xiang could only spread his hands in response.

Fine.

After sitting in the Daji Hall of Sanqing Temple for a while, Li Xiang asked to leave.

"It's still so early, Your Highness, won't you sit for a while?" Lian Qiao asked hopefully.

"No, I won't disturb you to rest." Li Xiang smiled and glanced at Li Mingda. Seeing her rolling her eyes and looking at the roof, he said goodbye with a smile: "Aunt, I'm leaving--"

"Let's go." Li Mingda waved his hands impatiently.

Hearing that his aunt had already ordered him to leave, Li Xiang felt annoyed and jumped away.

"You're so old, but you still haven't done anything serious." Li Mingda said with a pout, looking at Li Xiang's back.

Then she looked at Lian Qiao again.

"Princess, I...I just said this because I want Your Highness to spend more time with you." Lian Qiao explained quickly.

Li Mingda stood in front of Lian Qiao, with his hands behind his back, leaning his head to look at her with a smile on his lips.

"Oh? Really—" she asked in a long voice.

"Absolutely true!" Lian Qiao spoke quickly.

"If I like Xiang'er, I will go and ask Xiang'er to take you into my room and make you my good wife?" Li Mingda asked with a smile.

Liangyuan was the concubine of the crown prince in the Tang Dynasty and was of the fifth rank.

According to the Tang system, the wife of the crown prince was called a concubine; the crown prince could have two concubines, who were of the third rank; six concubines, who were of the fifth rank; ten concubines, who were of the sixth rank; sixteen concubines, who were of the seventh rank; and twenty-four concubines, who were of the ninth rank.

As the crown prince, Li Xiang was naturally treated the same as the prince, without any deduction at all.

Because Li Chengqian previously favored young boys, he only had one Crown Princess, Su Yi, and two concubines in his harem.

The same goes for Li Xiang's harem, which include the Crown Prince's Consort Pei Xueqing, Consort Feng Yingying and Xiao Yourong, but in general they can all be called concubines.

If Li Xiang becomes emperor in the future, these two concubines can be among the four concubines.

"How dare I have such an unreasonable thought!" Lian Qiao was panicked and quickly knelt down to show her loyalty: "I only wish to serve the princess for the rest of my life, and I dare not have any other thoughts."

"Hmph." Li Mingda helped her up. "You always think about nonsense. What I just said is the truth. Xiang'er has been married for so long, and those three women haven't gotten pregnant. You have always been with me, and I trust your character. If you follow Xiang'er, I will take care of you, and you won't be bullied."

This is the true words, Li Mingda really wants to make things work for everyone.

But she forgot that Li Xiang had been married for less than a month, so it was normal that there was no movement from the Crown Princess and the two concubines.

"Princess……"

Lian Qiao was about to say something else but was stopped by Li Mingda.

"It's settled. After a few days, I'll talk to Aye and let you enter the Wude Hall."

(End of this chapter)