Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

Chapter 52 The Rhinoceros Sugar Dividing Method!
Li Shimin was very happy with what he did, so Xiao Ran didn't say anything.

Zhang Anan was in a rather awkward position; he wanted to join the cause, but he also had to keep an eye on several princesses.

Zhang Mingde didn't leave either. Although he couldn't work, he stayed and found a place to sit down and chat with the others.

Qin Qiong's work here made Zhang Mingde think more highly of Xiao Ran.

Zhang Jinhe didn't stay long; he had to go help prepare dinner.

Xiao Ran sat on the grass, watching the three little girls running back and forth with great enthusiasm.

Li Lizhi sat down next to Xiao Ran, holding a cat. "Young master, did you build this house here to make it easier to fish?"

Actually, it was for hiding RVs, but saying it was for fishing is also reasonable, at least that's what Li Shimin and Li Lizhi thought.

"Hmm, I guess so!" Xiao Ran thought of a question and looked at Li Li, asking, "Fifth Sister, what crimes in the Tang Dynasty would result in having characters tattooed on one's face?"

Xiao Ran felt that Li Lizhi should know these things.

Li Lizhi was a little surprised that Xiao Ran would ask this.

“Tattooing was mainly a form of humiliating punishment, known as tattooing or branding. The Tang Code stipulated that ‘if a woman commits theft, her face shall be tattooed as a warning to others.’”

"A woman who steals gets her tattooed?" Xiao Ran hadn't expected it to be so serious.

Li Lizhi nodded and continued, "Besides that, only exiled people get tattoos on their faces to prevent them from escaping. Many people would report someone with a tattoo on their face."

There must be a reason why Zhang Dalang covered the tattoo on his forehead.

Do death row inmates also have tattoos on their bodies?

"There are no death row inmates, but we cannot rule out special circumstances or officials using torture without authorization."

"Is this a special case of filial impiety?"

"This is very serious, and it's understandable that he was branded with those words."

"I heard before that His Majesty released death row inmates out of pity, promising to return them next year. Is that fair to the victims?" Xiao Ran couldn't understand what a general amnesty was. Aside from those who were wrongly accused, many had indeed committed crimes.

Li Lizhi smiled slightly, “Confucianism advocates virtue as the primary principle and punishment as the secondary principle. The Tang Dynasty governs the country with benevolence and filial piety. The dead cannot be brought back to life, so the application of the law should be lenient and simple.”

"Not all death row inmates can go home to reunite with their families. The most heinous criminals are not included. A general amnesty will not pardon the most heinous criminals either."

"The amnesty is mostly for those who have committed minor crimes, negligent offenses, or have been implicated in disasters or wars. At the very least, they are pardoned because there are extenuating circumstances and reasons. Intentional homicide and official corruption are not pardoned!"

Xiao Ran nodded. So although Zhang Dalang murdered his father, which is a grave crime of filial impiety and one of the ten unforgivable sins, there were reasons and circumstances that made it understandable. It was not intentional but manslaughter, which is why he had the opportunity to come back.

The core of the general amnesty was still the rule of man over the rule of law, but this was in a feudal dynasty, so it was understandable.

This is the limitation of the times.

Emperors need to cultivate an image.

"Young master doesn't seem to like this?" Li Lizhi looked at Xiao Ran curiously.

“I was not in the Tang Dynasty before, so I don’t know much about the situation there and won’t comment on it. But I prefer the principle of ‘following the laws of heaven and earth without fail.’”

Li Lizhi's lips curled up slightly. "The laws of heaven and earth are executed without fail. I think this is the same viewpoint I had when I read Han Feizi's 'Difficulty Three' and 'Measure'."

"Ah, yes, yes, that's him!"

“Those who could truly achieve this, if you search through all the historical records, are probably only from the time of Duke Xiao of Qin and Shang Yang,” Li Lizhi said thoughtfully.

Xiao Ran had never heard of most of the books that Li Lizhi had read.

However, Xiao Ran's breadth of knowledge shocked Li Lizhi.

Although not an expert, I can still say a few words about it.

Feeling that it was about time, Xiao Ran asked Zhang Dalang to run back and fetch the large iron pot.

There were too many people, so they prepared three large wooden buckets. Xiao Ran planned to stew several more pots of fish soup.

Just consider it a treat, since there's no other meat available.

They do have chickens, ducks, and geese at home, but Third Sister and Zhang Erya probably can't bear to part with them.

Li Lizhi enjoyed watching Xiao Ran cook; she found it very special.

Seeing Xiao Ran preparing ingredients, Zhang Anan helped him gather some firewood from nearby.

The three little girls also stood guard and watched from the side.

They all liked Xiao Ran's cooking skills.

Seeing that it was ready to be cooked, the little princess wanted to try it.

This little foodie is really lovable.

“Sizi, the uncles who work haven’t eaten yet, how can you eat first?” Li Lizhi knew what her younger sister was up to.

"Let me taste it to see if it's salty~" the little princess said cleverly.

Xiao Ran picked up three small bowls and scooped some out.

I couldn't refuse the three little girls.

"Is it salty?" Princess Yuzhang asked with a smile.

After the little princess finished her drink, she exclaimed, "I haven't tasted anything yet! I'd like another bowl!"

"Do you believe I'll beat you up or not!" Li Lizhi glared at him.

"My older sister is so annoying~" the little princess muttered softly, and it was clear that she was really afraid of this older sister.

"Wait a minute, we can eat it soon, okay?" Xiao Ran comforted the little princess with a smile.

"Hmmmm~"

This youngest sister must be the darling of the family, showered with love and affection.

Xiao Ran prepared fish soup, and Zhang Jinhe and the others also brought Mu Shi to the pool.

Knowing he couldn't get it, Zhang Dalang went back to help.

"My lord, let's stop for now, it's time to eat," the third grandfather called to Li Shimin.

"Good!" Li Shimin put down his hoe, clapped his hands, and felt that the information he had gained from working and chatting was very worthwhile.

The group washed their hands on the shore before getting their bowls to eat.

The same millet rice, and flatbread, and this time even delicious fish soup.

"This taste is the result of my nephew's skill." Qin Qiong knew after taking a sip of the fish soup that no one else could make it.

"Yes, yes, that's the taste! It's so delicious!" Li Shimin said, taking a bite of the flatbread.

Zhang Mingde also stayed for a meal; he had eaten Xiao Ran's cooking once before and was still quite surprised.

"Everything is fine, except that after eating at home, the food at home tastes bland and I have no appetite at all," Cheng Yaojin shook his head.

Li Shimin and Qin Qiong did not refute this; it was indeed the case.

Princess Li Lizhi of Yuzhang naturally wouldn't squeeze in with the others, so Zhang Jinhe prepared a small table where the group ate on the other side.

"It's so delicious! No wonder Si Zi keeps talking about eating fish. Who in the Imperial Kitchen can eat that much?" Princess Yuzhang exclaimed.

Without comparison, you won't know how big the gap is.

"Mmm-hmm~" the little princess wholeheartedly agreed.

"Sister, why don't you take the young master home and cook for him?" Princess Yuzhang joked.

"Hey, hey~" The little princess thought the suggestion was great.

Li Lizhi also wanted to, but she didn't know how to bring it up.

Now Li Lizhi understood that Xiao Ran's cooking method was indeed different, but the key was probably the various seasonings.

I've never even seen them before; these things are practically nonexistent in the Tang Dynasty today.

Zhang Jinhe saw the three fishing rods that Xiao Ran had put away, and the other one belonged to Qin Qiong. Remembering the Shu brocade he had brought back, Xiao Ran had given Qin Tai a fishing rod to take home.
"This is the boss!" Zhang Jinhe only now realized Qin Qiong's identity.

Thinking hard!
Zhang Jinhe glanced subconsciously in the direction of Qin Qiong and the others, but said nothing.

That's terrifying! Zhang Jinhe knew how her father was when facing Qin Tai, the butler. It was really hard to imagine that such a big shot as the master of the house would be working here and eating for free.

The fish soup was so delicious that it was impossible to leave any behind.

Zhang Jinhe sent some more to the three little girls.

Of the fish that Li Shimin and his companions had caught earlier, they kept some and released the rest.

After putting down his bowl and glancing at the sky, Li Shimin said, "Let's go to the village another time!"

Before leaving, Li Shimin also said goodbye to his great-grandfather.

Xiao Ran didn't have anything to give the two little princesses, so he asked San Niang to send them some rock sugar.

This little princess likes it too.

"See you again, Little Princess~" After getting into the carriage, the little princess waved to Xiao Ran.

"See you later, Sizi!" Xiao Ran, along with San Niang and the others, watched Li Shimin and his entourage leave.

Although they really wanted the fishing rod, Li Shimin and Cheng Yaojin remained silent, unsure of what to say.

I hope Xiao Ran needs something or asks for a favor, so I'll offer him the fishing rod as a thank you. Otherwise, I'll feel like I'm taking what he loves, which is beneath me.

After all, they were all respectable people who still treated Xiao Ran as a junior and couldn't bring themselves to speak.

I can't bring myself to do it!
"I chatted with the village head for a bit earlier, and he said that what was originally a five-day job can now be finished in three days," Cheng Yaojin said with a smile.

"When they said the wages were fifteen coins, the money saved in two days was more than enough to buy flatbreads." Qin Qiong and the others realized that Xiao Ran was actually not at a loss; not only did he save money, he also sped up the construction period.

Li Shimin also acknowledged this point; in any case, this matter deserves recognition.

Li Shimin looked into the distance, where the sun was setting, and sighed, "I was a little complacent before, thinking that this was a time of peace and prosperity, but I never expected that the people would still be suffering so much."

Li Shimin wouldn't know these things unless they were working and chatting together.

“The harvests near Chang’an have been good these past two years. If it’s this good even without any disasters, other places must be even more difficult.”

Cheng Yaojin looked at Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, the Tang Dynasty is newly established. With Your Majesty here, a true golden age will surely come, but it will take some time."

"At the end of the Sui Dynasty, the people were living in dire straits due to war, and some even resorted to cannibalism. It was Your Majesty who took the lead and personally led the troops to pacify the country, restoring peace to the people. Although things are still somewhat difficult now, they are incomparable to what they were before. All of this is thanks to Your Majesty!" Qin Qiong quickly added.

These are facts; they are people who experienced it firsthand and know what the world was like before.

"Alas! It's still far from enough," Li Shimin sighed.

"I have repeatedly issued orders to reduce taxes and corvée labor, but in reality, the time people spend performing corvée labor is by no means short."

"The nearby river channels and embankments need maintenance every year."

Li Shimin had even halted the plan to build Luoyang, but many other places still had to be repaired.

A large number of laborers needed to be conscripted for corvée labor.

In the imperial court, there was no apparent problem; it was just an imperial edict.

I never imagined it would cause so much suffering to so many people.

The removal of young and middle-aged adults has led to a severe shortage of labor in the family.

Li Shimin frowned, "The common people suffer."

Although both were emperors of feudal dynasties, Li Shimin said: "The ruler is the boat; the people are the water; water can carry the boat, but it can also capsize it."

This was unique even in feudal dynasties!

The "Treatise on Food and Commodities" in the Old Book of Tang does indeed record "stopping corvée labor in winter" and "using money from the inner treasury to repair the official canal," directly responding to the people's demands for "frequent and heavy corvée labor."

Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang also overheard Li Shimin and the others' conversation and knew that their father was very worried.

The two little princesses were oblivious, engrossed in the rock candy in their breakup.

"Aye~"

"Wow~"

"Oh my god~"

"Wow~"

"Big sister~"

"Wow~"

Princess Yuzhang was amused. "Sizi, who taught you to distribute candy like that?"

"Wo Buji Island Duck~"

"You little rascal!" Li Lizhi rubbed the little princess's face.

Upon returning to the palace, Li Shimin did not go to the Lizheng Hall, but went directly to the Taiji Hall. "Ananda, summon Fang Xuanling, Li Jing, Wei Zheng, Xiao Yu, and Ma Zhou to the Taiji Hall to see me!"

"It's your Majesty!"

Other issues could be put aside, but Li Shimin felt that the issue of corvée labor was very urgent.

Once a problem is identified, it should be discussed and resolved promptly.

Although he disappeared for a day, Li Shimin gained a lot, as he truly observed the people's conditions.

Zhang Erya held the dew-collecting pouch given to her by the little princess; the auspicious beasts on it were lifelike.

Zhang Jinhe leaned closer and said, "Young lady, this is really not cheap!"

"Hmm, this is really pretty, and there's a sachet inside, it smells so nice," Zhang Erya said.

"These incense sticks must be very expensive. The ones my mother bought before weren't cheap either, and they didn't smell good at all."

"Won't the young lady's family be angry about such an expensive gift?" Zhang Erya was still a little worried.

"No, don't worry, Si Zi gave it to us willingly, she won't be angry," Xiao Ran comforted her.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun could not possibly be so petty.

"Young master, shouldn't we prepare some gift for the young lady? This is so precious." Zhang Erya handed the dew-collecting pouch to San Niang.

"Let's prepare in a couple of days! It doesn't need to be an expensive gift; the Sizi family isn't short of money. But it has to be thoughtful and special."

Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Erya were a little confused, unable to think of what to give as a gift.

"It's getting late, let's go back! The gift will be here in a couple of days, and it'll be one-of-a-kind. Sizi will definitely love it." Xiao Ran got up and pushed the deer cart.

Zhang Dalang quickly put the other things on another deer cart and pushed it back.

It was late at night when Li Shimin returned to the Lizheng Hall.

Empress Zhangsun was not asleep. Upon hearing that Li Shimin had arrived, she quickly got up and exclaimed, "Your Majesty!"

"Why aren't you resting yet?" Li Shimin pulled Empress Zhangsun down to sit.

On the table was a box containing the rock candy the little princess had brought back.

I really like it, but I'm reluctant to eat it.

Li Shimin was deeply moved and talked to Empress Zhangsun about many things.

"I have a feeling this guy will surprise me again. The invention of the curved plow has greatly alleviated the problems of labor shortage and oxen shortage."

"His decision to shorten the construction period for the flatbread has given me a lot of inspiration. I feel that the corvée labor system can also be learned from and referenced. If improving the treatment can shorten the construction period, it will be a good thing for both the court and the people."

"It doesn't sound like it was intentional; it was facilitated by a good deed," Empress Zhangsun said.

"His personality is definitely not that of a calculating person."

Princess Yuzhang returned and told Empress Zhangsun a lot, including about persimmon cakes and persimmon frost, and even about Li Lizhi's private conversation with Xiao Ran, which Empress Zhangsun also knew about.

Empress Zhangsun shared what she found interesting with Li Shimin.

"The laws of Heaven and Earth are executed without fail. This is the philosophy of Han Fei!" Li Shimin said thoughtfully. "Do monks even study Legalist classics?"

(End of this chapter)