Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5291 Double Ears of Gramineae
Last night, the fireworks display at the Liang State Duke's Mansion in Chongrenfang lasted for a full half hour, illuminating half of Chang'an City. The various and colorful fireworks were dazzling and became the most eye-catching spectacle of New Year's Eve.

But as everyone knows, fireworks are expensive. Ordinary families are lucky to set off one or two. Even nobles, royalty, and powerful families can only afford to buy thirty or fifty. Who can set them off for half an hour?

Although all the fireworks in the entire Tang Dynasty were produced by the Fang family workshops, they couldn't withstand such extravagance. Fang Er's reputation for "spendthrift" once again resounded throughout Chang'an, naturally attracting both envy and jealousy.

Fang Jun, standing at the head of the military officers, looked up upon hearing this and saw that it was Wei Ting, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. He then smiled and said, "I didn't count them carefully. All the fireworks that were left over from the workshop were sent to the mansion and set off. There were probably six or seven hundred of them."

A collective gasp filled the Taiji Hall.

Since the invention of fireworks, the secret recipe and techniques belonging exclusively to the Fang family have naturally created a monopoly, resulting in a price increase every year. This year, the latest type of fireworks, with projectiles reaching three inches in size, costs as much as twenty guan per piece.

In just half an hour, more than 10,000 strings of cash were burned away.
That's incredibly extravagant!
Wei Ting exclaimed in admiration and asked curiously, "I wonder how much these fireworks cost?"

The gunpowder formula was developed by Fang Jun. Although he had already given the formula to His Majesty and it was nationalized, it is said that the formula for fireworks is very similar to it, so it is also classified as "top secret". It is impossible for others to imitate fireworks.

But it is precisely because of this mystery that everyone is very interested in the fireworks formula.

No one wants to know the recipe, but they are very interested in the cost of the fireworks and how much the Fang family's fireworks workshop can earn each year...

Fang Jun said cautiously, "If you are really interested in this, you might as well ask His Majesty. I dare not say a word more."

Although it is impossible to deduce the formula from gunpowder with current technology, the "cost" can actually reveal some clues about the secret formula, so they were unwilling to say a word more.

The gunpowder formula cannot be kept secret forever; it will inevitably be leaked sooner or later as long as someone is involved in its production. But the longer it remains a secret, the more the Tang Dynasty's firearms will dominate the world...

"hehe."

Wei Ting smiled, feeling displeased but saying nothing more.

……

Before long, Li Chengqian arrived late, wearing an elaborate and embroidered dragon robe. He sat upright on the throne, flanked by strongmen holding fans and screens, exuding an imposing aura. With the crack of the whip, the court session began.

Unlike the usual New Year's Day court assembly, the New Year's Day grand court assembly did not have any practical matters to attend to. Instead, it was more about the emperor rewarding meritorious officials and giving preferential treatment to members of the imperial family. Then, various memorials and reports would come one after another, mostly flattering and praising the emperor, and reporting only good news while concealing bad news, highlighting a "political correctness".

Among these, the pilgrimages of foreign tribes and nations were of the most important.

After all, nothing could better demonstrate military might than a group of Khans and vassal kings kneeling in the palace to show their submission to the Tang Emperor…

Now, the Tang Dynasty is renowned for its military prowess and its prestige is known throughout the world. Not only have the surrounding nomadic tribes sent envoys to the capital to pay homage, but even the Abbasid Caliphate, which is still at war with the Tang, sent people to offer congratulatory gifts, say a lot of nice things, and then plead with the emperor in the main hall to exchange prisoners of war.

Li Chengqian did not agree directly, but looked at Fang Jun and asked, "What does the Grand Commandant think?"

Everyone in the Taiji Hall felt the power of Grand Commandant Fang Jun...

Fang Jun ignored the stares around him and said calmly, "Exchanging prisoners of war is only right and proper, and it is a manifestation of humanity. However, our two countries are at war, so we cannot simply release our prisoners with a casual remark. Instead, we should exchange prisoners for their value. Ordinary soldiers, low-ranking military officers, mid-ranking captains, high-ranking generals, and so on should each have a price set according to their status. Both sides should calculate the exchange accordingly, and if there is any shortfall, the difference should be made up according to the price of their respective ranks."

The Arab envoy's face immediately darkened.

Since the start of the war between the two countries, the Abbasids have suffered repeated defeats. Now, the Tang army's advance has reached the Persian Plateau, and the Abbasids have suffered heavy losses. In the battle report sent to Damascus by Sheikh, it was mentioned that the Tang army had only captured a few dozen scouts, while the Abbasids had captured tens of thousands of prisoners, not to mention generals such as Auf, and even Prince Yeqid was now missing...

If the prisoners were exchanged as Fang Junzhi suggested, the Abbasid Caliphate would have to pay a large sum of money for nothing.

It is said that China is a land of etiquette and benevolence, so why has it suddenly become so petty?

Before the Arab envoy could speak further, Li Chengqian impatiently waved his hand and said, "This matter is settled. If your country wishes to exchange prisoners, then proceed as the Grand Commandant has said. Otherwise, let's call it quits."

The Arab envoy dared not say anything more and left dejectedly.

As for the various foreign pilgrimages, the most important one was naturally the newly renamed "Fusang Kingdom"...

Prime Minister Cen Changqian of the "Fusang Kingdom" entered the palace on behalf of King Li Tai. Unlike the lengthy gift lists of other foreign tribes, he simply carried a brocade box and strode into the palace, as was customary, and read aloud a eloquent and beautifully written congratulatory message.

Cheng Yaojin, standing to the side, said in surprise, "His Highness the Prince of Wei has already gone overseas to assume his fiefdom and establish a state. Now, his visit to the capital to pay homage is equivalent to an exchange between two countries. As a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty, how can you come empty-handed and without any gifts? Isn't that extremely impolite?"

Cen Changqian remained calm and composed: "The ruler is a descendant of Emperor Taizong. He is enfeoffed abroad to serve as a bulwark for the country. He strives to manage the 'Fusang' region and strengthen the military to become a shield for the Tang Dynasty in the East China Sea. For this reason, he governs the country diligently and frugally, and has endured many hardships. He really has no treasures or money to offer as a congratulatory gift."

Someone laughed and said, "We all know that the King of Wei is living a hard life, but he can't just leave without taking anything, can he?"

"King Wei is a bulwark for the country and has lofty ambitions, so it is reasonable for him not to take anything."

“That’s right. As long as the King of Wei can govern Fusang properly and keep the empire at bay in the East China Sea, he will have made a great contribution to the country. Why should he care about such a small gift?”

Not only because Prince Li Tai of Wei was the first to go overseas to establish his fiefdom and establish a state, and faced numerous difficulties, the court had to be understanding of him. But simply because this dignified and dignified young man stood in the hall, no one dared to look down on him, let alone ridicule or mock him.

Who doesn't know that Cen Changqian is an outstanding student of Zhenguan Academy and is highly regarded by Fang Jun?

Even if one doesn't care about Fang Jun, who doesn't know that when Li Zhi staged a coup, it was Cen Changqian who led the "Shenji Battalion" to defend the Eastern Palace and protect the Crown Prince?
Everyone knew that this young man had a bright future. With the legacy of his uncle, his achievements, and his own talent, even if he might not reach a high position during the reign of Emperor Renhe due to his age, he would surely rise to prominence and soar to great heights when the crown prince ascended the throne.

In officialdom, who would offend people like Cheng Yaojin, who promotes the powerful and suppresses the corrupt?

Cen Changqian stood on the throne and bowed slightly as she handed the gift box to the eunuch beside her: "The Japanese islands are located overseas, in a remote and uncivilized land. Their country is weak, their people are ignorant, and their land is barren... But now, the entire nation has submitted to the Great Tang, and the land is thriving and full of outstanding people. Even the appearance of such auspicious omens in the world is enough to show that our Great Tang is at its zenith and has been blessed by Heaven. Even a barren land like the Japanese islands has defied the heavens and changed its fate!"

Li Chengqian became interested: "Oh? I wonder what kind of auspicious omen it is?"

"Your Majesty will know once you see it!"

The eunuch carrying the brocade box quickly came to the imperial desk, placed the box on the desk and opened it. Li Chengqian leaned over and stared, his eyes widening in surprise.

Inside the brocade box, a stalk of "double-eared rice" lay...

Liu Ji, who was standing nearby, peeked out from the side and was shocked: "It's actually 'Shenhe'!"

A commotion immediately erupted in the Taiji Hall, with everyone looking on in astonishment.

Emperor Li Chengqian was overjoyed and waved his hand: "Take this and let all my beloved ministers take a look, and see if it is the same as the 'Divine Rice' that was originally produced back then?"

The term "divine rice" refers to rice plants that produce two ears of grain. Since ancient times, this has been regarded as a sign of heaven's approval of the emperor's virtuous governance or local administration.

In the first year of the Zhenguan era, Emperor Taizong traveled to the south of Chang'an and saw a field of rice with two ears of grain. He called it "divine rice" and named the place "Divine Rice Plain"...

Now that Japan has just submitted to the Tang Dynasty and become one of the Tang Dynasty's overseas vassal states, such a "divine grain" has appeared. Doesn't this prove that Your Majesty's decision to establish vassal states is in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people, and is a virtuous policy for all ages?

No gift, however rich or poor, can compare to this tiny rice seedling!
The eunuch carried the brocade box around the hall. Fang Jun waited for him to come closer and examined it carefully. He had studied agriculture and knew that such a mutant strain existed by chance, but he had never seen it before. Naturally, he was very curious. He even touched it and examined it carefully to see if Li Tai was faking it.

The eunuch's face turned pale, his eyes wide with fear, terrified that Fang Jun might accidentally snap the "divine grain" in half...

Fang Jun clicked his tongue in amazement.

Of course, the so-called "double ears of rice" is just a genetic mutation under specific circumstances. From a biological point of view, it is not reproducible and can only be widely circulated as a strange and interesting story.

But this thing is indeed magical and rare, no wonder it is regarded as an "auspicious omen".

Legend has it that there is even something called "Nine-Eared Grain," but of course, Li Chengqian is not worthy of such a top-tier "auspicious omen" as "Nine-Eared Grain." That would have to be a sage king of the Yan Emperor's caliber...

As expected, Li Chengqian was overjoyed to see the "double-eared grain". Not only did the "Fusang Kingdom" not have to pay tribute, but it was also bestowed with a lot of money, silk, grain, gold and bronze treasures.

……

In addition, envoys from overseas foreign countries such as Ryukyu, Luzon, Kalinga, Dawaden, Dhovan, and Kolod all came to pay homage, and without exception, they submitted memorials stating that the local people were inclined towards China and earnestly requested that Japan follow suit and hold a "referendum" to submit to the Tang Dynasty...

The ministers in the court understood immediately that this was a trick by the navy to overthrow the local government without firing a single shot, so that the Tang Dynasty could become the suzerain state of these foreign states and then enfeoff the princes there.

Although it may seem somewhat rash, it is legally unassailable—no regime can replace the voice of the people. When the entire nation unanimously votes to submit to the Tang Dynasty and become a vassal state of the Tang overseas, no one can oppose it.

(End of this chapter)