Chapter 72: Thousand Gold Market Bones
That night, the slightly tipsy Li Shimin grabbed his two sons and several important ministers and told them the story of the "Fallen Cherry Divine Axe" at the Duke of Tang's Mansion several times.

The two generals were obviously not paying attention here. They just ate their food and occasionally responded to the emperor's boasting.

Changsun Wuji catered to his brother-in-law just right, without appearing overly fawning and making Lao Li even more elated.

Apart from the fact that he could make progress, Li Xiang felt that he should learn this skill of supporting others.

"Emotional Intelligence".

Li Xiang found that he was still too young. Learning has no end and it is too deep.

What we need to learn more is Lao Li’s thick skin.

In the afternoon, Li Shimin was still righteously rebuking this good grandson, but he began to enjoy the meal when he had dinner in the evening.

Li Xiang made a note in the little notebook in his heart - if you want to be a good emperor, you must first have a thick skin.

The brothers Li Chengqian and Li Tai looked at each other in bewilderment. How come they had lived with Grandpa for so many years but had never heard him talk about it?

But after all, they were both sons and subjects, so there was no reason for them to raise any doubts.

The next day, the first thing Li Shimin did after retiring from court was to give an edict to Zhangsun Wuji.

The content of the edict was very simple. It was the recipe used by Prince Li Tai of Wei, and the assistants must follow it.

When Changsun Wuji saw the recipe, his face almost turned green.

Fortunately, he had good skills in maintaining his energy, and was able to maintain a normal expression as he expressed his gratitude.

Li Xiang stayed with Li Mingda in Lizheng Hall for a whole morning. After lunch, he hurried out of the palace, pulling a cart of Kaiyuan Tongbao coins, and went to Wubenfang to visit Kong Yingda.

The Imperial College was located on the west side of Wubenfang. It was lunchtime at the Imperial College, and Kong Yingda was sitting in his office, reading a book.

When he heard that Li Xiang was coming to visit, Lao Kong's face was obviously not very happy.

Last time, the two of them had a small argument in the Liangyi Hall.

Li Xiang thought that he was just discussing the matter at hand, but Lao Kong felt that Li Xiang was a man of sufficient words to cover up his mistakes and smart enough to reject advice, which was quite similar to the style of King Zhou of Shang.

But Li Xiang is a prince after all, and the eldest grandson of the emperor, so he cannot be neglected.

Li Xiang was very polite. After some greetings, he began to explain his purpose.

"Xiang is preparing to launch a magazine recently. Kong Jiji is the leader of the literary world in our Tang Dynasty, so I came to ask for Jiji's articles."

When Kong Yingda heard that the person came to ask for an article and that Li Xiang behaved very politely, he lowered his guard a little.

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. I dare not claim to be the best, but what is this magazine?"

Li Xiang explained it in detail to Kong Yingda, just as he had explained it to Li Shimin the day before.

As a big name in the education field, Kong Yingda immediately understood the role and importance of this magazine.

Publishing articles in magazines can bring you fame, profit, and also spread culture and benefit others.

Even if Kong Yingda didn't touch the first two, he wouldn't be able to escape the third one.

As the saying goes, establishing virtue, making words and achieving achievements are the three immortals mentioned by the ancients. This was the lifelong pursuit of ancient literati.

"Since the prince has invited me, I do have some experience and understanding about the Five Classics."

Kong Yingda took out a stack of manuscripts from under the desk and handed them to Li Xiang.

Each generation has its own Five Classics. In the Tang Dynasty, the Five Classics referred to the Book of Changes, the Book of Documents, the Book of Songs, the Book of Rites, and the Zuo Zhuan. Li Xiang took the manuscript, glanced at it, and then smiled and put it away.

Then he said, "If there are people who are from poor families and have not achieved success around the chief priest, you can introduce them to me. If the magazine accepts their works, I will pay them according to the quality of their articles, which can also improve their lives a little."

Kong Yingda was not pedantic. He thought that getting paid for writing articles was a good thing. After all, although the majority of literati came from aristocratic families, there were still some who came from poor families.

It is a great joy that they can have an additional way to make a living in Chang'an City where it is difficult to live.

"You are a noble prince." Kong Yingda said to Li Xiang sincerely, "No wonder those dandies in the Imperial College call you 'Chang'an Timely Rain'. It turns out that there is no wrong nickname, only wrong name."

Li Xiang looked a little embarrassed, not because his nickname was exposed, but mainly because... this nickname was earned by stepping on Old Kong...

"In addition, there are 500 strings of cash in the cart outside the house, which are the fees for writing these manuscripts." Li Xiang did not wait for Kong Yingda to refuse, and said quickly: "Don't refuse, Jijiu. Haven't you heard of the story of 'Zigong redeeming people and Zilu accepting cattle'? If Jijiu does not accept this fee, I am afraid no one will dare to accept it in the future."

"In that case, I will accept it." Kong Yingda nodded slightly. He certainly understood what Li Xiang said.

This money is not for himself, but to avoid poor scholars who would feel embarrassed to accept royalties in the future because of his precedent, which would be undesirable.

Li Xiang crossed his arms towards Kong Yingda, saying, "Old Kong is a capable person and can be dealt with."

"If someone comes looking for us, the chief priest will tell them to go to Jianghu Restaurant to look for Li Jingren. He will give detailed submission requirements." Li Xiang added.

"I know."

Kong Yingda nodded. Although he didn't understand what the phrase 'someone came to look for you' meant, it was just a matter of words and there was nothing he couldn't agree to.

After a few more polite words, Li Xiang chose to leave.

It’s too tiring to talk to Lao Kong…

After leaving the house, Li Xiang whispered to Li Jingren, "Go, spread the news that Old... Kong Jijiu accepted 500,000 Kaiyuan Tongbao coins from me. The more people know, the better."

"Why?" Cheng Chubi beside him asked in a low voice.

"You are stupid! If you do this, everyone in Chang'an will know that if they submit their works to you, they can receive a considerable amount of money. Are you still worried that no one will submit their works?" Li Jingren said angrily, "This is a priceless reward!"

Cheng Chubi took a breath of cold air, hiss...

So you were waiting here?
"Brother, that's great!" He sincerely gave Li Xiang a thumbs up, a gesture he learned from Li Xiang.

These five hundred strings of cash were not spent in vain.

At the same time, the East Palace.

"What did you say?!"

Li Chengqian's eyes were bloodshot and he looked at Hegan Chengji below him with a ferocious expression.

"Every word we said is true!" Hegan Chengji beat his chest with his hands and complained in agony: "Ten brothers! Ten brothers who went out together, only one is left! He is seriously injured..."

"I dared not make a sound in the bushes. I could not hear their voices clearly. I could only vaguely hear words like 'King of Wei' and 'instructions'..."

Li Chengqian gritted his teeth, grabbed the inkstone on the table, threw it to the ground, and it shattered into pieces with a bang.

"Lee! Ty!"

"I'm not done with you yet!"

(End of this chapter)