Don't be a prince

"Your Highness, the scale of the pilgrimage of envoys from various countries this time has surpassed the one after the fall of the Eastern Turks. The tribute paid by various countries has more than doubled. It is obviously a good situation for all countries to come to the DPRK. Why did you give the gunpowder weapon workshop an order?" Want them to prepare a large number of weapons? But what happened that the officials and others don't know about?"

Tang Jian obviously came not only to announce the emperor's order, but also to sniff out the news.

Li Chengqian did indeed give the gunpowder weapon workshop an order to speed up the production of weapon shells, because he knew very well that Datang would face a lot of stupid temptations next.The destruction of Gaochang was not enough for the enemy country to see the true power of gunpowder weapons.Gaochang is known as a country, but in fact the strongest is only the royal city.Raiding a Gaochang is not much different from attacking a city.

Because of this, countries will be more curious about gunpowder weapons, and even risk being questioned by the Emperor Tang to send troops to provoke them.Gunpowder weapons certainly scare them, but it's not just cats who like to test on the edge of danger, but also people.

What's more, Li Chengqian clearly remembered what would have happened in the eighth year of Zhenguan.It was this incident that allowed the emperor to see clearly the attitudes of foreign countries towards Datang, which almost caused the foreign rewards to disappear immediately.

"Mr. Ju, you'd better detain Tuyuhun's envoys and let them go in February. If the prediction is correct, Tuyuhun is likely to do something to our Tang Dynasty. Of course, these envoys have sent a lot of money. Gifts, but our Datang rewarded them a lot too!"

Hearing what Li Chengqian said, Tang Jian was even more puzzled.

During this period of time, the prince was very abnormal, he seemed to be indifferent to everything, and seemed to have a feeling of disgust towards the court, which made the emperor very curious.After what happened to Qu Zhisheng, the emperor thought that the crown prince just lost his nerve and called it punishment, but actually wanted him to rest for a while.But he never thought that even after studying behind closed doors for nearly a month, the prince would still look like this.

After coming out of the East Palace, Tang Jian faced the saint directly and told the emperor what he had seen and heard.

"I see, Ai Qing, go back."

After Tang Jian left, Li Shimin couldn't help having a headache.

He thought the prince was just the same as before, the pressure was too great, and he just needed to relieve it for a while.However, it is obvious that this time is different from before. The prince really has some complaints about the court, or about his father.

What is there to complain about?

The emperor, who was really confused about the situation, could only temporarily choose to ignore it.

The number of envoys this year far exceeds that of the fourth year of Zhenguan, and the title of "Tian Khan" has once again been worn on his head. The most rare thing is that the Sasanian Dynasty and other Western Region countries in the Far West are not far away. He rushed to Datang and declared his respect to Datang.For an emperor, there is nothing more exciting than this.

It would be bad if the pattern of all nations coming to court is destroyed.This is a grand event that is enough to be recorded in the history books, and there is no room for error.

Thinking of the generous gifts presented by the envoys, Li Shimin felt proud for a while.

Since ancient times, even Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty could not enjoy so many tributes!In the past, Emperor Qin, Emperor Han and Wu were nothing more than that!What is the reason why he came to the throne with infamy?Isn't it this?Since Han Wu, few emperors could have such a reputation, even Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu was a little bit short.

Li Shimin's heart became hot when he thought that his achievements were so outstanding that he was even able to go to Mount Tai to enshrine Zen.

Now, no one should stop Feng Chan Taishan!

People are extraordinarily generous when they are in a good mood, so when Li Shimin gave the envoys a reply in return, with a swipe of a pen, what was rewarded even exceeded the value of the gift received.Especially the grassland tribes, because of lack of forging skills, received a large number of iron products.Tea, silk, etc. are countless.

During the New Year's Day of the Tang Dynasty, foreigners are not welcome, but they can't help but join in the universal celebration after receiving generous gifts.

The whole of Chang'an is happy, regardless of Hu Han.However, amidst all the joy, there was only one person missing, and that was Prince Li Chengqian.

After seeing the emperor's gift list, Li Chengqian knew that the emperor's narcissism had returned.

Can't you see if your people have enough to eat?Rewarding outsiders for dry hair, is paying tribute an act of collecting protection fees, or is it a commercial exchange?

Until the New Year's state banquet, Li Chengqian's face was not good-looking, even if he wished the emperor New Year's greetings on the first day of the new year, he couldn't open his mouth.

Right in the Hall of Liangyi, Li Shimin, who had always been angry with the prince, finally couldn't bear it anymore.

"Wait a minute, come back, Qingque Li Ke, just take your younger brothers and sisters to pay respects to the Supreme Emperor, the crown prince stays!"

Li Tai cautiously glanced at the furious father, and then worriedly at Brother Huang. Seeing Brother Huang nodded, he walked out of the Hall of Liangyi tremblingly.

The eldest grandson in full attire sighed, took the emperor's hand and said, "Calm down, why are you shouting so loudly during the Chinese New Year?"

Throwing away his grandson's hand, Li Shimin sternly said: "Prince, come and tell me clearly, what's going on with you these days? After the incident with Qu Zhisheng, you are not yin or yang, and you will deal with the memorial. It's all perfunctory. I thought you were tired, so I asked you to rest for a while, but you are still the same. You also ordered the gunpowder weapon workshop to prepare for battle. Who are you defending? You have to give up the situation of the coming of all nations. I’m annoying, right? Last night’s state banquet was the same, who are you showing your ugly face to?”

Li Chengqian didn't expect the emperor's reaction to be so violent, so he sat down on the ground and said, "It's not my son..."

"Kneel down! What are you doing sitting, wanting to rebel?"

Li Shimin was really angry, otherwise he wouldn't have said such cruel words as "rebellion".

Li Chengqian raised his head and glanced at him, but didn't pay attention to him, but went on to say: "It's not that I want to embarrass my father, but it's because I know that it's unfilial to speak out about my father's faults, so I've been holding back."

Hearing what the prince said, Li Shimin was also taken aback.If he did something wrong, the prince should not say it bluntly.

With a wave of his hand, Li Jian and the others left the Liangyi Hall in a hurry, and the eldest grandson also left with worry.After the gate was closed, except for the eunuch who recorded the daily notes, only father and son were left in the hall.

After sitting down on the ground, Li Shimin breathed a sigh of relief: "Since that's the case, I forgive you for your unfilial piety. Now it's just you and my father and son. If you have anything to say, just say it."

Finally, Li Chengqian said without hesitation: "I just want to ask you, why do you give so many gifts to foreign envoys? It is only natural for them to pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty, but you give them so much Returning gifts, in terms of commercial methods, is definitely a loss. Don’t you think it’s a loss to pay so many rewards just for the title of Tian Khan? And Jie Li, he is obviously a useless person, he can’t die from starvation, but he just failed. I just told you about it, and I got a generous reward. The daily expenses are enough for a family of five to live for a month. You should know that our Tang Dynasty is still only a fake prosperity, and only the area in Chang'an City has become rich. It’s just, outside, I don’t know how many people are still hungry.”

Li Shimin didn't expect that what the crown prince said would be this, he was puzzled and said: "It's just rewarding envoys, which dynasty didn't all do this? Wei Zheng didn't object to anything, why did you have such a big reaction?"

Chapter 3 and [-] Hot Air Balloons

In fact, Li Shimin didn't know that there was still a big gap between modern people's thinking and ancient people's thinking. Things that seemed normal to them changed their taste in Li Chengqian's eyes.However, Li Chengqian's views, in his eyes, and even in the eyes of many people, are just unreasonable nervousness. After all, when a person is out of touch with a society, it can only be the person who is wrong.

Sighing, Li Chengqian said helplessly: "Father, my son's words may be a bit petty, and it may be weird. If it's wrong, just pretend you didn't hear it. Governing the country is actually no different from running a house. The difference is that the family The main thing is to fill the mouths of parents, wives and children, and the emperor wants to fill the mouths of the people in the world. It is said that diligence and thrift are virtues in housekeeping, so why should we waste money on such unreasonable things? My ministers know that when all nations come to court, let you You have become the top emperor in this land. Compared with your giant dragon, the kings of Koryo and Silla are nothing but ants.

But, for this name, you are willing to pay a lot of money and materials to reward those envoys?Datang has established itself from a hundred battles, especially you, who have fought in all directions, should be the person who knows the relationship between people and power and power best.When has there been real surrender between the two countries?Even in Jimi Prefecture in my Tang Dynasty, don't the local people always think about rebellion?

In the same way, people who are not of our race must have different minds. Guys like Tuyuhun and Western Turks are just giving some gifts and saying a few unfavorable words in exchange for a lot of rewards?To say something that would make you angry, you are clearly endorsing the enemy.Since our Great Tang is an existence that they dare not provoke, it is good to accept their tribute with peace of mind. Is it worth paying so much for the sake of the so-called heavenly kingdom? "

During Li Chengqian's speech, Li Shimin just listened and kept silent.

After Li Chengqian finished speaking, he smiled and said: "I thought you were dissatisfied with me, it seems that there is indeed, but it's not that serious, boy, I still shouldn't let you run around, you Your horizons have broadened, but your mind has narrowed a lot. As far as what you said, you are really petty. It's just some rewards, so you value it so much?"

Li Chengqian said with a wry smile: "Father thinks that the sons and ministers will value these rewards? Although most of the money in the East Palace has been handed over to Lingnan and the bank, the family property is still there. To be honest, I really don't like these things. But, it looks good. It’s one thing not to go up, but it’s another thing to give it. My minister asked Ju Gong to find an excuse to keep the Tuyuhun envoys in Chang’an, and didn’t allow them to go back until February. Regardless of other things, only Tuyuhun’s family can let them go. You realize how unworthy you are to reward the Gentiles."

"That's why you asked Tang Jian to keep Tuyuhun? Do you think Tuyuhun will take action against us Tang? Why would they dare?"

"It's because you don't dare to do it. Now is the time for you to be honored as Heavenly Khan again. Even if something bad happens at this juncture, they will assume that you will pretend not to know. If you don't believe it, why not Let's make a bet, if Tuyuhun does attack Datang, you won't be able to leave Beijing for three years, how about that?"

"Then what if Tuyuhun didn't mobilize troops?"

"My ministers are the masters, and I will pay you to travel, and Wei Zheng and the others have their own ministers to decide, how about it?"

With three high-fives, the agreement between the emperor and the prince was reached.

Standing up, Li Shimin sneered and said, "I'm waiting for the day when you will pay me to travel. I really can't think of any reason for Tuyuhun to send troops against Datang."

Li Chengqian, who had achieved his goal, also said with a smile: "I am waiting for the day when you will no longer reward foreigners. This time, I will definitely win the bet!"

The door of the hall opened, and the eldest grandson came in first.

She could see very clearly that the emperor's anger was very strong, and the prince and son had no intention of compromising. She was very afraid that the father and son would quarrel.

But after entering the main hall, the scene made her puzzled.Whether it is the emperor or the prince, they are all smiling at this time, not pretending, but genuine joy from the heart.

what happened?

"what happened?"

Li Tai was also puzzled. Although this guy always smiled at the emperor and queen, he had an indescribable fear of the emperor's father. In his opinion, the prince and brother who dared to challenge his father was simply Holy crap.

"Okay, why ask so many questions, study your strength honestly, don't say anything else, just focus on this aspect, if you study thoroughly, you can make a name for yourself in history."

After coming out of Li Yuan's Da'an Palace, Li Tai began to inquire about what happened in Liangyi Palace, like a paparazzi, very annoying.

"How many things can be studied by studying force? I have only discovered that force can produce different effects in different directions. The numbers during the period may have a relationship. I am trying to express this relationship. After that, What else can you do? Research ability, can it make people fly?"

After complaining, Li Tai raised his head to look at the prince and the prince, seeing that the prince's brother showed approval instead of a helpless expression, and his whole body trembled.

"No, I'll just say, can it really fly?"

Patting Li Tai on the shoulder, Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Let me tell you, it can really fly. Although I haven't tried it, it works theoretically."

Hearing this, Li Tai tried to open his mouth several times, but couldn't speak.

Can people fly?Is this... this... possible?

If someone else said it, Li Tai would definitely think it was a fairy tale, a trick to deceive people.But it was Brother Huang who said that, he didn't think that Brother Huang would lie to himself in a leisurely manner.In his impression, as long as Brother Huang is affirmative, it will definitely become a reality, even if it is with an uncertain tone, it will most likely be the same.As long as Brother Huang is sure that it is impossible, then such a thing is absolutely impossible.

Since Brother Huang said that most of the research power can make people fly, it is almost certain that it can.Even if it fails once or twice, it will definitely work in the end!

Li Tai trembled with excitement when he thought that one day he would be able to fly, wander above the white clouds, leave Chang'an for the court, and spend the night in the East China Sea.

"Brother Huang, tell me, how do you fly? You don't need to study any power, as long as we can fly, we brothers can shine in the annals of history. Even if the group of civil servants and generals brought Rome down, they can't compare to our brothers. !"

Slapping away Li Tai's hand that was so excited that it grabbed his lapel, Li Chengqian said helplessly: "I'm just talking about flying off the ground. If you want to really cross the rivers and rivers, you still need a lot of experience accumulation. I haven't studied strength. Thoroughness is not enough. So, you should study steadily and tell you how boring the result is? When you have reached a dead end and it is difficult to make an inch, it is not too late to come to brother!"

Seeing what brother Huang said, Li Tai could only keep his mouth shut.

Although the process of seeking the truth made him intoxicated, it also made him extremely painful.This time is different from the past. To be honest, the desire to get the truth directly is not at the same level as the excitement of my own exploration.

Playing tricks has always been Li Tai's strongest method. Right at the gate of the Da'an Palace, Li Tai sat down on the ground, hugging Li Chengqian's thigh and crying directly.

"No, you're called cheating!"

Faced with Li Tai's shameless attack, Li Chengqian was helpless.

Face is never in Li Tai's dictionary, this guy is a person who will do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.

"I don't care, Brother Huang, tell me quickly, I really want to know!"

While screaming, Li Tai raised his head to see Li Chengqian's reaction, disregarding that his actions had attracted the attention of many people.

The guards at the gate of Da'an Palace are better, they are all old hands of the Jinwu Guard, and they have long learned how to see is not to see.Pedestrians on the street, seeing this scene, all slowed down, wanting to see what happened.

Facing passers-by's pointing and pointing, Li Chengqian couldn't take it anymore, and wanted to grab Li Tai, but he still couldn't, so he could only smile wryly: "Okay, let's go, go to the East Palace, I'll tell you."

Seeing that Brother Huang finally let go, Li Tai immediately stood up and closed his mouth.

Seeing Li Tai's neat expression change, although Li Chengqian wanted to turn his back on him, but he just thought about it.If he didn't admit it, Li Tai would probably lie on the ground.Li Chengqian really didn't know what to do with this bastard brother.

New Year's greetings can only be in the morning. Although it is the same in the afternoon, it will give people a sense of indignity.Originally, Li Chengqian planned to go to Gao Shilian's residence immediately after leaving Da'an Palace, but now he can only postpone it until the second year of junior high school.

Compared with the imperial palace, the East Palace in the first day of junior high school is much deserted. After all, all the officials will visit the emperor, but they will not take the initiative to visit the prince.If he was found to be in collusion with the prince, he would not have to mess around in the court.

Since Su Yuan married to the East Palace, Li Tai has rarely come here.Although the brothers are close, there must be some taboos.Don't look at Li Tai being shameless when he plays tricks, but he will never go overboard in these matters.

After entering the study room, Li Tai impatiently walked to the desk, and took the initiative to find out the paper and pen, and Li Chengqian's self-made triangular compass and other things.

Originally thought he could draw pictures, but Li Chengqian threw all these things aside, leaving Li Tai confused.

After sitting on the chair, Li Chengqian raised his legs and said with a smile: "Qingque, come on, my brother will test you. Do you know any man-made things that can fly into the sky?"

Li Tai also found a chair and sat down, and replied without hesitation: "Paper kites, bows and arrows, stones thrown by trebuchets, and... Kongming lanterns!"

The two brothers have been together for a long time, and they understand each other better. As far as Li Tai knows,

Li Chengqian nodded and said: "You are right, these things can fly into the sky, but if you calculate carefully, bows, arrows and stones are not counted, because they only appear in the air for a short time, and if people want to fly, they can't fly." Put it on a crossbow or catapult and be thrown out. Therefore, paper kites and Kongming lanterns are the most stable flight. In fact, it is very simple to fly into the sky, just build a Kongming lantern, as far as I guess...."

"How is this possible? It's true that Kongming Lanterns can fly into the sky, but how could it be possible to fly up with people?"

Before Li Chengqian could finish speaking, Li Tai jumped up directly. It's not like the three brothers had never played Kongming Lantern when they were in Prince Qin's Mansion, but how could that thing make people fly?When on the ground, a person can grab it with just one finger.

Wait, can you grab it with one hand?

How about making the Kongming lantern bigger?

Seeing Li Tai suddenly quiet down, Li Chengqian knew he had an idea.

That's right, Kongming lanterns can't take people flying, but wouldn't it be better to increase the size of Kongming lanterns?

The more Li Tai thought about it, the more he felt that it was feasible, and he even thought of going back to the academy to give it a try.

Suppressing his impatience, Li Tai knew that even if he tried the experiment now, he would probably fail.

"Brother Huang, do you think it is feasible?"

Meeting Li Tai's eager eyes, Li Chengqian nodded: "It's possible, but you'd better find Huohuanbu. This thing is necessary for large Kongming lanterns. I asked many businessmen, and they all said that we don't have this thing in the Central Plains. In addition, Gaochang blocked the commercial road, and it has been a long time since I saw it. But I guess, we also have this thing in the Tang Dynasty, but I don’t know where it is.”

For asbestos, Li Chengqian checked many ancient books.After several confirmations, it was determined that the so-called Huanbu was asbestos.As early as the Western Zhou Dynasty, Xirong Huo Huanbu was paid tribute to Zhou Tianzi as a rare and exotic object. "Liezi? Fire, the cloth is the color of the fire, the dirt is the color of the cloth, and when it comes out of the fire it vibrates, and it is as bright as snow." Such a description must be asbestos.

In the Eastern Han Dynasty, the general Liang Ji also got a Huhuan cloth garment from the Western Regions. According to "Fu Zi": "The elders said that when Han Huan was in Han Dynasty, Liang Ji made a single coat of Huan cloth to meet guests and drink in front of the courtiers. Pretend to fight over wine and lose a cup and stain it, pretend to be angry, take off your clothes and burn it, the cloth will be on fire, and it will be as bright as burning, like burning ordinary cloth, the dirt will be wiped out, the fire will be extinguished, and it will be bright and white, like water."

Li Chengqian never thought that asbestos was used to make clothes on the body in the Central Plains. He remembered that when he was picking up lime slag, he accidentally touched the asbestos on the asbestos tiles in the factory, and his hands were swollen for several days. No matter how squeezed it was, it didn't help. In the end, a layer of skin fell off, and it was completely healed.Seeing the records in the ancient books, he couldn't help mourning for the Emperor Zhou and the great general Liang Ji, how stupid he must be to wear this clothes on his body, even if he touched his hands, let alone put it on his body. ...

"Brother Huang, do you think the record of Huanbu is true? Is there really such a thing as Huohuanbu?"

Li Tai has liked Bo Yi's books since he was a child, and he is no stranger to Huo Huanbu.

Li Chengqian nodded and said: "There should be no fakes, just some miscellaneous books. Books like "Fu Zi" and "Lie Zi? Now, if we find the finished product, we can make a Kongming lantern that can carry people to the sky. Of course, things that carry people can’t be made of paper. I think thick silk is a good choice. You might as well go back and do experiments.”

Rubbing his hands excitedly, Li Tai didn't care that it was the first day of the new year, so he rushed out excitedly, and directly ordered his head of guards to summon the master craftsmen of the engineering college.

After sending Li Tai away, Li Chengqian began to prepare a letter to the governor of Yanzhou.Since you want to make a hot air balloon, gasoline as fuel is naturally essential.In fact, as early as the Yin and Shang Dynasties, the Chinese had already discovered oil. The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms even called it "Menghuo Oil" and used it in the military.The "Shui Jing Zhu" in the Northern Wei Dynasty recorded related matters related to the extraction of lubricating oil in stone fat water.However, this thing did not attract widespread attention. It is estimated that even the author of Shuijingzhu didn't know that the thing he steamed out as waste was the most powerful thing in Shizhi water.

Whether it is used as fuel or made into incendiary bombs, gasoline is an extremely useful thing.

Like gunpowder workshops, petroleum and oil fields also have to be regulated as strategic resources.The oil fields in Yanzhou must be under the supervision of the Baiqi Division and be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War.

It was already afternoon when the letter was written, but there was still a bowl of hot rice with meat sauce on the table.Even with the status of Concubine Liang, Xiuxiu still often does what a court lady would do.

Looking up to the door, she saw Xiuxiu and Ashina Xue.Ashina Xue is learning embroidery from Xiuxiu. However, she is a Turkic woman who is learning embroidery now. No matter what, she can't subdue that embroidery needle, and she will get stuck in her hand from time to time. Because she is afraid of disturbing him, she can only scream silently. .

Li Chengqian, dumbfounded, walked to the door, pulled off the embroidery frame, and said to Ashina Xue: "The content in the "Women's Commandments" is admonishing the women of the Han family. Why are you a Turkic girl learning these things? Aren't you looking for guilt for yourself!"