Li Yue put down the pen in her hand and carefully placed the story she had just written in the sun to dry the ink. She whispered: "The best weapon against aristocratic families is to resist etiquette. Is this going too far?"
Weak."
"Stories are on the side of ordinary people. Good stories can always reach the masses. The masses are the greatest force against aristocratic families."
"I think this is not enough. In addition to scraping the bones and treating the poison to slowly alleviate the condition, while sowing seeds in the minds of scholars, we must also uproot the root of the disease, so that we can get rid of it once and for all." Li Yue said thoughtfully.
"What you do takes time."
"There will be an opportunity like this." Li Yue smiled gently.
She was still a well-behaved little girl before, but now her daughter-in-law has changed a lot in terms of her outlook and way of thinking. This may be because she has been getting along with the queen for a long time.
She doesn't have much love for small animals. She will kill them when they need to be killed. Food is for eating. She will never show mercy in this regard.
The two Northeastern geese were always kept in the village because they were the rivals of the little bear.
But when the little bear defeated the two geese, she immediately stewed the two Northeast geese without any mercy.
Although she seems docile now, she doesn't hesitate when she becomes ruthless.
Perhaps because of his childhood environment and the Queen's teachings these days, the determination in Li Yue's heart slowly began to show.
After writing the first few chapters of Romance of the West Chamber, Li Yue raised her head and said, "Why don't you also print the story of White Snake?"
Zhang Yang sat leisurely in the rocking chair, "Don't be in a hurry, take your time."
"Wouldn't it be better if I took out more books?"
"You can't finish it all in one bite. The printing industry is still in its infancy. Let's accumulate it and go step by step. Let's start with our reputation."
"For a long-term plan, plan it slowly?"
Zhang Yang nodded.
Starting from the summer harvest in September, it was not until the middle of October that the entire tax collection in Guanzhong was completed.
Cotton in the Western Regions was also sown in February and harvested in September. It took a month. In mid-October, the long motorcade arrived at the entrance of Lishan Village. When the tarpaulin covering the car was lifted, it was shocking to see truckloads of snow-white cotton.
Niu Chuang temporarily had several warehouses repaired before he could barely put in the cotton.
If I gave you some grape-stuffed raisins or something, no one would care too much.
There was such a big commotion right now, and Li Shimin couldn't help but be curious.
In the East Palace, Zhang Yang and Li Chengqian were playing badminton, and Li Yue was sitting aside making tea.
While the fight was going on, the eunuchs in the palace interrupted several people's interest.
"Your Majesty summoned Master Zhang and Princess Runan to the Chongwen Palace to discuss matters."
"Chongwen Hall?" Li Chengqian was also surprised. No one had ever paid attention to Chongwen Hall. How could his father go there?
Chongwen Hall is next to the East Palace. Li Chengqian changed his clothes and hurriedly tidied up, and they went to Chongwen Hall together.
Compared with the East Palace in the sun, Chongwen Palace is in the shade, and there is a cold feeling when you walk into the palace.
Li Shimin was in the hall when he saw three people coming and asked, "This Chongwen Hall is really clean."
Zhang Yang walked into the hall and frowned, thinking about Li Shimin's intentions, and then replied: "I am happy to be here."
Li Shimin turned his back to several people, "A tidy environment will make the body and mind happy."
When an emperor wants to pretend to be dignified, does he always like to turn his back to others?
Can't you just talk face to face?
Feeling contempt in his heart, Zhang Yang lowered his head slightly and said nothing.
"I heard that you have a close relationship with Gaochang."
Zhang Yang cupped his hands and said: "My purchase of cotton from Gaochang is just a business transaction."
"Buy or sell?"
Li Shimin's confused tone sounded like he didn't believe it.
Li Yue replied: "Back to my father, this is a business. The reason is that my husband saw in the classics that cotton can be woven into clothes. Last year, the prince of Hejian County purchased cotton from Gaochang. This is how we are now.
There are accounts for every transaction and transaction."
"Call Li Xiaogong as well."
"Here!" Two more eunuchs hurriedly left.
Quietness returned to Chongwen Hall.
Li Chengqian stood where he was, not daring to ask more questions when faced with his father's questioning, let alone move too much.
After standing for a while, Zhang Yang looked sideways at his wife. There was still some sweat on her forehead. She was really tired just standing like this.
Seeing that Li Shimin was still reading a book with his back turned, Zhang Yang pushed his wife slightly.
Li Yue cast a doubtful look, and Zhang Yang pointed to the pillar beside him.
After understanding the meaning, Li Yue leaned against the pillar a little and felt much more relaxed.
"I have always disliked my ministers hiding something."
Li Shimin's words came again.
Zhang Yang replied: "I wonder if your Majesty thinks I have something to hide."
"I know cotton is worthless and not a valuable commodity, but Gaochang actually sold so much cotton to you, why don't you explain it?"
"I have already explained that this is just a business."
The hall fell into silence again.
Soon, Li Xiaogong came over in a panic, smelling of alcohol. The retired life of the Prince of Hejian County was quite satisfying in his later years, and he didn't know where he drank.
Just as he stood still, there was another loud belch. Li Xiaogong bowed and said, "I'm sorry, your majesty will make atonement."
"Gaochang sold tens of thousands of shi of cotton to this guy, did you know?"
"I know that there are people in Chang'an City talking about this matter."
Li Xiaogong replied, his body swaying.
Seeing that he was about to fall over, Zhang Yang quickly supported him.
Li Xiaogong cast a grateful look, stabilized his posture, and continued to bow and replied: "I wonder why your majesty asked about this matter?"
"Let me ask you, did you buy cotton from Gaochang last year?"
"I have bought it, a lot." Li Xiaogong replied truthfully.
"This time Gaochang sold so much cotton to Lishan Village, is it related to what happened last time?"
Li Xiaogong blinked hard and refreshed himself, "It was indeed the minister who bought cotton from Gaochang. Now Gaochang's garrison general Adalan was the Tuyuhun envoy back then. The Ministry of Rites gave him a bargain, allowing him and the Tuyuhun royal family to escape from the war.
"
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "In order to repay the last favor, he gave many discounts. Whether it was grapes, grape wine or cotton, he was willing to sell it at a very cheap price.
Give it to us, I have recently received a lot of grape wine, and the price is much lower than the market price. If Your Majesty likes to drink, I can also have some sent to the palace."
"Look at what you're like! You've been drunk all day long!" Li Shimin pointed at him and cursed.
"On a whim, I, Cheng Zhijie and the others drank too much grape wine. Your Majesty will atone for your sin!" Li Xiaogong bowed and saluted again.
Li Shimin sighed in frustration: "Can cotton be used to weave clothes?"
Li Xiaogong swallowed hard, "It is indeed possible, and it is a good thing to keep out the cold. I also have two quilts made of cotton at home. I will have them delivered to me when I get back."
"Things that are beneficial to people's livelihood?"
"Your Majesty, cotton is beneficial to people's livelihood. It is better than leather and linen. It can better protect against cold. It is an auspicious thing for people's livelihood."
Just after Li Xiaogong finished speaking, seeing that he was about to fall down again, Zhang Yang supported him again.
"Such an auspicious thing should be explained to me instead of buying it privately."
Zhang Yang replied: "The technology of using cotton to weave clothes is not perfect yet. I want to perfect it so that it can really be used by the people. I will explain to Your Majesty that the teacher said to be cautious in everything, but there is no result yet."
"If there are any results, please let me know."
"I accept your order." Zhang Yang supported Li Xiaogong and saluted.
Hating him for not living up to expectations, Li Shimin pointed at Li Xiaogong and wanted to curse a few more times, but he couldn't organize his words well.
"Father, don't worry. When Uncle Wang sobers up, he will come back to admit his mistake to father." Li Yue added in due course.
With another sigh, Li Shimin glanced at the entire Chongwen Hall and said, "Chengqian!"
Li Chengqian took a step forward and said, "My son and I are here."
"I see that you have gained a lot from your studies recently. I will renovate this Chongwen Hall into Chongwen Hall to recruit more talents to study good strategies for governing the country. Let this place be..." Li Shimin glanced at the people present, "I will let Zhang Yang take charge."
"Here." Li Chengqian saluted.
Zhang Yang also bowed slightly.
Li Shimin waved his sleeves and prepared to leave.
Before leaving, Zhang Yang watched from the corner of his eye as Khan passed by him.
"I don't like people who deceive me."
After leaving such words, Li Shimin walked out of Chongwen Hall.
It's like harsh words, more like a warning. Listen to what he said. Just say what you need to say. As for how you want to answer, it depends on how you, Li Shimin, want to ask.
Li Chengqian sat down leaning against the bookshelf without any strength, "Father, what's going on? Why are you asking so suddenly today?"
Li Xiaogong just leaned against him. Zhang Yang really couldn't stand the smell of alcohol on him, so he helped him sit down against the bookshelf first.
On the other hand, Li Yue was in a good mood, and she was very calm when faced with her father's questioning. She was even choosing books to take home to read.
"Father wants to transform this place into Chongwen Hall and how to rebuild it."
Hearing Li Chengqian's words, Zhang Yang said calmly: "No need to renovate, it's just fine as it is."
Li Chengqian was very interested in transforming Chongwen Hall into a Chongwen Hall similar to Hongwen Hall, "I know many people from Hongwen Hall, why not invite them here?"
"No need for the moment."
"Why?"
Zhang Yang packed Li Yue's schoolbag and took out some of the books he had read, while talking: "There are too many people and too many chickens to lay eggs. It will be noisy by then."
"Yeah?"
Li Chengqian hesitated a lot in his words.
"Brother Huang hasn't understood what my father really means. Chongwen Pavilion is not important. What is important is the policy of governing the country. This is what the father wants, and it is an effective policy. The reason why I say this is because the prince's chart is very important.
It is really useful in the court. I hope the prince will do more similar things. This is what the father wants to see."
Li Yue's words came from the other end of the bookshelf.
"It is not necessarily useful if there are many people discussing the policy of governing the country, and don't think that your own strategy is very useful. As my husband often says, you must be humble, open-minded and eager to learn. When it comes to governing the country, there are officials from the Zhongshu Province and the Six Ministries. My father is not in short supply.
There is no need to invite many people to Chongwen Hall."
Li Chengqian asked in confusion: "Then the Chongwen Museum will not be opened?"
Zhang Yang took the stack of books that Li Yue had brought and said, "Of course we have to do it. We can change the plaque today. Since Your Majesty wants me to preside over it, in terms of manpower, Your Majesty can leave everything to me."
The more Li Chengqian listened, the more confused he became. He still couldn't figure it out and just nodded, "I understand."
After putting all the books away, Li Yue put on her schoolbag.
Zhang Yang carried Li Xiaogong on his back and walked out of Chongwen Hall step by step.
When the two couples left, Li Chengqian was still standing there. He looked at Zhang Daan in confusion, "Daan."
"I'm here."
"Tell me what Master Zhang and Yue'er mean."
Zhang Daan also hesitated for a while, and then spoke after a while.
Seeing his troubled look, Li Chengqian shook his head and said: "Forget it, I know you can't keep up with the couple's ideas."
Zhang Daan smiled naively and said, "I just feel that your Majesty's appointment should be done with caution and not in a big way."
"Be cautious?" Li Chengqian nodded, "Yes, I will remember it."
Zhang Yang carried the drunken Li Xiaogong on his back and walked all the way towards the Zhuque Gate.
"Why do you think I am so drunk?"
Li Xiaogong was lying on his back, talking as he was fascinated by the lake.
Zhang Yang carried him all the way, "You are drunk, and I have to carry you back. I can't leave you on the street."
"Hahaha! I knew you wouldn't leave me alone." Li Xiaogong said infatuatedly.
"How much did you drink?"
"I was not drunk at first. The eunuch from the palace came to tell me that I drank a jar of wine and then walked out. Otherwise, why would you fool your majesty? Do you think your majesty is easy to fool around with?"
Li Xiaogong spoke very softly, as if he was whispering.
"I regard you as my junior. If I can help you with something, I will naturally help you. You are smart and thoughtful. Although I don't know what you did to make His Majesty suspicious, just like you would not leave me on the roadside.
I won’t wait until death to save you.”
"Yeah." Zhang Yang nodded in agreement.
"I have never read a few books in my life. I am not as wise as young people like you. Now I can't see through you. There are things you can think of that I can't think of. I can only help you a little bit. You are hiding it from Your Majesty."
Things must be hidden."
Zhang Yang was not surprised. They were together in the Ministry of Rites, so Li Xiaogong knew more or less about it.
Zhang Daxiang, Zhang Daan and Li Yue also knew about this matter.
There is no one else.
Walking along Zhuque Street, Zhang Yang carried Li Xiaogong to the residence of the Prince of Hejian County. Li Chongyi came to greet him personally, "Thank you."
"We are also on the way." Zhang Yang said.
Li Chongyi took over his drunken father and was almost knocked to the ground by the weight as he helped him. He thought to himself how he had carried his father all the way out of the palace.
"Do you need help?"
Struggling to support his father, Li Chongyi gritted his teeth and said, "No need."
"Really no need?"
Li Chongyi blushed and said, "There are servants at home."
Zhang Yang cupped his hands and said, "Then let's go back first."
"No... I won't give it away." Li Chongyi took a step forward with difficulty and walked slowly into his home.
On the way home, Li Yue whispered: "My father is a suspicious and conceited person. Uncle Wang helped us get across the lake this time, but my father is already suspicious."
"Well, I don't know how long this suspicion will last. Your father has already smelled it. He won't give up until he finds out something."