Living leisurely in Tang Dynasty

Chapter 46

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that his eldest nephew has picked up some bad habits. Yuanying ran towards his older brother intending to complain about him even before Li Chengqian had the opportunity to submit his article.

His Majesty has just gotten an update about the children going to Sunflower Garden but ended up detouring elsewhere to play. He was waiting for his men to find out where they went and what kind of nuisance they have caused. But instead, he saw a certain Li Yuanying running toward him. Hearing him, it was about how Chengqian was horrible for giving him a large piece of meat, almost suffocating him with too much food!

Li Er was amused: “Wow, so obedient? Just because Chengqian cuts you a piece you eat it all up?”

Li Yuanying said: “It’s because Sizi made a comment asking if I can really eat it all? Of course I have to say YES, a manly man like me can’t say he can’t!”

Li Er gave his brother, tiny in size a quick glance and thought “even you can be considered as a manly man?”

Li Yuanying hummed: “Anyway, I think he has learned to be bad!”

Li Er has always known that although this boy is shameless, he has a reputation to maintain in front of the other children. Li Er was secretly happy with his experience. He then calmly exposed Li Yuanying’s lie: “Didn’t you say you’ll be going to Sunflower Garden? Why were there roasted meat involved?”

Li Yuanying realized his huge blunder and quickly tried to wriggle out of the situation: “I suddenly remembered that I have an appointment with teacher, so I’ll be leaving first!” Right after he finished speaking, he ran away like thunder, not even waiting for his Majesty’s reply.

Li Er let him do as he wishes, after all once his men are back they will know the full story. These are his biological children and although he didn’t have much time to educate them himself, he cannot allow them to fool around and spoil the royal family’s good name.

After hearing the report, Li Er rubbed his eyebrows and waved his hand to dismiss his men. Just by hearing about roasting whole cows and elephant-horse battles, he instantly knew which b*stard came up with the idea. However, Chengqian who is much older played a part in helping him in the plan, seriously this whole bunch of naughty children!

Fortunately, Chengqian had a sound mind and didn’t allow his siblings to ride on the elephant and only allowed them to watch from a high place. If anything were to happen to his precious girls, his Majesty will really straggle that b*stard to death!

His fourth child is still the best! Worry-free parenting as he just likes to read books at home. When a father thinks about his son, of course, the more he thinks of him the more adorable he becomes. Even if the fourth prince is chubby, the father still thinks is good fat and a sign of prosperity.

Remembering Li Tai, his Majesty summoned for him to be brought to the palace, and father and son sat down and chatted to relax.

Li Tai was at home debating with Xiao Deyan during a lesson but hearing that the Emperor summoned him, he bid goodbye to the teacher and entered the palace. Because of his chubbiness, Li Er had given him special permission to use a palanquin in the palace so that he didn’t have to walk too many steps himself.

On the way, Li Tai was wondering why his father had summoned him. It’s a rather awkward time of the day, could it be an emergency? Regardless of the reason, Li Tai was trying very hard to recall all that he has learned recently and what to say in front of his father. This is what the Emperor likes to hear.

As soon as Li Tai arrived, His Majesty allowed him to sit and as expected ask him about what he has been doing lately and what books he had read. Hearing Li Tai talk about literature with enthusiasm, Li Er was happy and he encouraged him before bringing up the topic of how Li Yuanying took his friends out to cause trouble and even slotted in a scolding directed toward Li Chengqian.

“Young uncle and the rest are still young. It’s normal for them to want to play and have fun. It’ll be even more strange if they don’t do so.” (Li Tai)

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His Majesty nodded and after chatting with his beloved child, he gave him more treasures and then once again threw himself into the ocean of government affairs.

Li Tai left the palace to find his confidant and ordered him to find out what the party did in the eastern suburbs today. He wanted to see if there was anything that could be used to cause a fuss.

Although he intends to fight for the crown prince position, it was inappropriate for him to keep sending men to spy on Li Chengqian. After all, his biggest triumph card is his father’s love. If he were to create a fuss before Chengqian makes a mistake, he might lose his father’s favor! But if Chengqian did something wrong, then the situation would be different! Li Tai explained this to his confidants and requested that they get to work.

Day 2 and Chengqian still had not found a chance to submit his article. Some people had already came forward to accuse the crown prince of neglecting his studies and indulging in pleasures.

This is an old topic that many has brought up in the past few years, but this time the old bottle has been filled with new wine: some are accusing the crown prince of spending too much money senselessly, being arrogant and extravagant. Some complained about how he had an “Elephant-Horse battle” that with a little carelessness may cause innocent people to be killed or injured. Some vaguely asked “Why is there a need to create an elephant army behind the Emperor’s back?” Anyway, the whole court meeting was spent attacking Li Chengqian.

What’s deadly is that those criticizing him were not only those who opposed him but also his own teachers like minister Zhang.

Last night when Li Er heard the updates about their mischief he weren’t too alarmed and just lightly scolded them. After all, these too were the things he liked when he was young. Not to mention he wouldn’t only have stopped at a few elephants, he would have gotten a few tigers as well; so isn’t it normal for his son to be just like him? He wasn’t expecting the big hurrah in court the next morning. With such a commotion, he now feels that Chengqian had done something outrageous!

Li Er was helpless by the excitement of the courtiers and looked at Chengqian who was sitting silently. He obediently sat there and endured the scoldings. Li Er realized that the other instigator was not present. How dare the bad kid be sleeping in peace. He immediately asked that this topic be put on pause while he summons Li Yuanying so that that b*stard can also hear everyone’s criticism.

The crowd heard this and all agreed that Li Yuanying, the little demon king was capable of this nonsense and agreed with His Majesty’s proposal to bring him here.

Li Yuanying was indeed sleeping soundly. He ate too much yesterday and after complaining about his misfortunes to the Emperor he came home to read till late. Naturally, he couldn’t wake up in the morning. Anyhow, he usually never wakes up early, not at least until the bright sun is high up in the skies.

Hearing the summon, Lady Liu panicked and rushed to wake up her son. Yuanying was in a daze and was helped by mother to get dressed. He only came to his senses after washing his face. He hugged Lady Liu and asked strangely, “Mother, what did you wake me up so early?”

Lady Liu whispered that His Majesty had summoned him.

“Surely it wouldn’t be a good thing.”

Lady Liu covered his mouth: “Don’t talk nonsense, the court is full of high-ranking ministers, you have to be obedient.”

Seeing his mom looking fearful, Yuanying nodded honestly.

Li Yuanying put on formal clothing and looked like a real little prince. After turning a corner and making sure that Lady Liu was out of sight, he asked curiously: “Why is the Emperor asking me to attend today’s court meeting?” In the past when looks for his older brother and if he was busy with his ministers, Yuanying would be left hanging outside the door waiting.

The servant escorting Yuanying is aware of his Majesty’s fondness for his younger brother so he quietly told him what had happened in the meeting.

Isn’t this mass bullying? Such bad people! Although Yuanying also thinks his eldest nephew is a little naughty but for so many to bully one, this is too much! The young boy’s footsteps suddenly picked up and he ran towards the meeting hall. It was so sudden that the servant chasing after him almost couldn’t catch up.

The discussion in the hall just came to an end. When they heard that the Prince of Teng is here, everyone remembered the grievances that had been put on hold and looked toward Li Yuanying.

Li Yuanying is a frequent attendee to palace banquets and so the ministers could recognize this little demon king. Some of the older officials even had their beard pulled by him and will never forget it!

It was a first for Yuanying to attend a court meeting. Older princes like Li Chengqian and Li Tai would often attend court to observe but given that Yuanying is young and had a bad reputation, the Emperor has never forced him to attend and instead let him do whatever he wants to have fun.

Seeing the gazes of the ministers, Yuanying didn’t panic and walked in the direction where the rising sun reflected in the hall, This caused him to be dyed golden by the morning light. He was born with lovable features and even managed to look smart and cute in a time like this. Many felt that if he was their own child they wouldn’t be willing to say any heavy word to him.

But Li Yuanying is not their grandson!

Many rolled up their sleeves and got ready.

Li Yuanying looked inside only to find Li Zhi sitting beside Li Chengqian as uneasy as a quail. He ran over and sat down, looking angrily at Li Er, meaning “You guys can start your scolding, I’ll wait and see how well you can scold.”

If this weren’t an official event His Majesty would have reached out and pinched his puffy cheeks.

Since the three princes are here, the courtiers started a new round of impeachment. It was so violent that it almost felt like their mistakes weren’t for roasting some meat but instead felt like they have robbed someone’s mother! Li Yuanying has had prior experience with Yu Zhining and was expecting this kind of scolding but now that he’s hearing so many people having a go at the three of them, his anger was rising.

When the son spends money to buy a cow to eat, it is justifiable for the father to scold him for overspending. But how dare outsiders join in this scolding session, I didn’t spend your family’s money!

Li Yuanying stood up indicating that he had something to say.

His Majesty gave him a sideways glance, meaning, “I asked you to come here to be scolded so listen obediently.”

Li Yuanying ignored him and rushed to an official who was still complaining about how inappropriate it was for Li Chengqian to overspend. He directly pulled the other party’s sleeve and interrupted: “It’s now my turn to speak!”

With this action, the official was so shocked that he forgot his words and blushed with anger.

Li Er instructed: “Go back and sit down!” He glanced at Li Yuanying: “If you have something to say just say it, don’t move!”

Everyone went quiet and looked at Li Yuanying.

Li Yuanying felt that with his short stature he will lose momentum if he sat down and so choose to stand. He asked the officials: “Do you think it’s not good for Chengqian to spend a lot of money on procuring a cow?”

“Of course not. The treasury is empty and the people are poor. As the crown prince, His Royal Highness should lead by example!”

Li Yuanying turned around and asked Chengqian, “Chengqian, are you spending your own money or the state’s money?”

“Of course my own.” Chengqian is not a fool, how could he use the money from the national treasury to play.

Li Yuanying nodded and looked at the officials again: “Chengqian spent his own money to buy a cow. This cow has been reported and can no longer be used for farming. This is an ordinary transaction. Is there any violation of the law?”

“That’s right, but as the crown prince, how can His Highness be so extravagant and wasteful?”

“We’ve already eaten all the beef, how can you say we are wasteful?” Li Yuanying said in disbelief. “If you think it’s a waste of us to eat beef, then I’m really surprised. If eating is a waste, what is consider not wasting? Should I starve to death by not eating or drinking ?”

When the war generals heard this, some couldn’t hold back their laughter.

Everyone in court speaks formally and walks according to the rules. This has caused much uneasiness to the war generals who much prefer being on the battlefield. However, they are not allowed to miss such sessions and so are forced to attend. With an exception for a certain few who constantly raises their fists, this is the first time someone has dared argue back at a court meeting!

His Majesty knowing that Li Yuanying is a walking troublemaker shouted, “Go back and sit down!”

Li Yuanying will not.

Li Yuanying continued: “Now you must want to change your statment and say that it’s not wrong to buy an animal, what’s wrong is the extravagant spending, right?”

No one dared answer.

“I think that when Chengqian spends money, it is an act of comforting the common people!”

Everyone looked at Li Yuanying with eyes that says “Let’s see what nonsense you can spew out”.

“If you are a cattle seller and someone pays a lot of money to buy your useless cow, are you happy?”

The official was a gentleman and when Yuanying pressed him for an answer he could only say, “Yes’ I’ll be happy.”

“He is happy because with the money, not only can he buy a new cow, he also made extra. With the new cow, the land will be better cultivated causing harvest to be more in the coming year. This makes the family richer. With the extra money, he may go out to buy someone’s rice, cloth, chickens, and ducks to raise. Those who sold things would have more money and can then buy something else. This way, although Chengqian only gave one family more money, it benefits thousands of families.”

The more Yuanying spoke the more logical he felt he was. It’s as if he was also being brainwashed by himself. He continued on and on with his back upright.

“Chengqian is the Crown Prince, if he wanted to be “frugal” it is so easy! All he has to do is to throw his title around, who dares not to sell him? Some will even give it to him for free! Now he has managed to save but if the people below him copy him and do the same how then can the common people earn money? They will be tricked by bad guys like you! Our family’s Chengqian will not do such bad things to harm the people! Our family’s Chengqian is a good prince who loves his people like his own son!”

There was silence in the hall.

Sounds plausible and seems to be true! This money isn’t meant for saving, not only do we need to spend, we need to spend lavishly. We can’t let the people suffer by abusing the Crown Prince’s title!

Taking advantage of the confusion he has caused, Li Yuanying slipped back towards Chengqian quietly, he then nudge his equally confused eldest nephew and encouraged him in a soft voice: “Your turn! Take out your article from yesterday! We are in the right, we can’t just sit and let them scold us!”

The author has something to say:

Little Prince: My nephew loves his people like his own son!

The eldest nephew: Uncle you’re talking about me? Is that how I feel? Yes, I think so, I love my citizens like my own child!