Time Travel: I am the idle king Li Shen and Li Shimin in the Tang Dynasty

Li Shen casually uttered a classic line from his past life; he had watched Uncle Nine's movies countless times.

He remembers every single detail vividly.

But to Li Chunfeng, Li Shen seemed unfathomable.

Why are you staring at me like that?

Li Shen suddenly noticed that Li Chunfeng was staring straight at him, and couldn't help but frown and ask.

"Is Your Highness also an expert in this art?"

Li Chunfeng was well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge and had been studying the I Ching and the Eight Trigrams for decades.

"Well... I do have some knowledge in this area, but I'm not an expert."

Li Shen sat down, adopting the air of a reclusive sage.

"Your Highness Prince Ji is truly talented, and I admire you greatly. Your words are very accurate: wind governs population, and water governs wealth."

The layout of Prince Ji's Mansion is exquisite, with a smooth and continuous water circulation, symbolizing abundant wealth.

However, this screen blocks the wind; it only needs a slight modification.

Li Chunfeng bowed, showing great admiration for Li Shen. Prince Ji's summary was very insightful; he seemed to be skilled in this area as well.

"Hmm, Grand Historian Li is too kind. I have also heard that Grand Historian Li is proficient in astronomy and geography, and is also good at observing the stars at night."

"You are also quite proficient in mathematics, and are currently compiling numerous mathematical classics. I have also heard that you are researching something called the armillary sphere, which can accurately observe celestial phenomena."

Li Shenyi waved his hand to order tea to be served, and then began to speak eloquently to Li Chunfeng.

Li Shen had almost no contact with this figure who was later popularized through mythology.

Only when there was something important happening at the Prince Ji's residence would someone be sent to ask Li Chunfeng to calculate an auspicious day and time.

Now Li Shen wants to have a good talk with this legendary figure.

Li Chunfeng took the teacup and took a clear sniff:

"Ah, the tea is so fragrant. This must be the famous tribute tea. I am truly fortunate to be able to drink such a fine lime tea today."

"Haha, if Grand Historian Li likes it, I'll send you a jar later. This tea is an improved variety this year, which I call black tea."

Drinking black tea in winter is good for your health and can help prolong life.

Li Shen laughed heartily upon hearing this. Given Li Chunfeng's status, he certainly wouldn't have access to tribute tea.

Not to mention tribute tea, even first-class tea was a luxury for him.

After all, he was only a fifth-rank official, and his salary was not enough for him to squander.

"Prolonging life? It actually has such a miraculous effect. Then I thank Your Highness Prince Ji for the gift."

Li Chunfeng quickly stood up and bowed to express his gratitude. He had heard rumors that tribute tea was extremely expensive, with one tael of tea costing one tael of gold.

Qingqing took a small sip, and Li Chunfeng savored it carefully. It had a sweet aftertaste, like the bittersweet feeling that comes after hardship, leaving a lingering impression.

"Excellent tea!" Li Chunfeng couldn't help but exclaim.

"Hehe, I'm not afraid of Your Highness laughing at me, but I usually drink the third-grade tea from the Prince Ji's residence. Even so, I can't bear to drink it for long."

"Oh? Why is that? With Li Taishi's salary, drinking third-class tea shouldn't be a problem, and he can even afford second-class tea."

Li Shen was somewhat curious.

"Sigh..." Li Chunfeng put down his teacup and sighed.

"To be honest, I have spent my life studying astronomy, geography, arithmetic, the Eight Trigrams, legal principles, and astrology."

Most of my monthly salary is spent on these things.

His Highness Prince Ji just asked me about something that is indeed true. I began compiling a set of mathematical books several years ago, which I named "Ten Books of Mathematical Classics".

I have now written four books, including the Zhoubi Suanjing and the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, and I have also devoted all my efforts to creating the armillary sphere.

The materials used need to be extremely precise, and the price is also very expensive.

Over the years, all of my salary has been spent on this research.

Looking at Li Chunfeng, Li Shen suddenly felt a little sorry for him; such a talented person was only a minor official of the fifth rank.

He even had to spend his own money on his research.

To be honest, Li Shen had never heard of the Ten Books of Mathematical Classics, but he had some knowledge of the celestial globe when he was in school.

Li Shen didn't know exactly what it was, only that it was a tool for observing celestial phenomena, something really awesome.

"Grand Historian Li, isn't your research funded by the imperial court?"

Li Shen inquired, "Logically, the imperial court should pay for it."

“Your Highness Prince Ji, much of what I have studied is irrelevant to the court. How can I possibly spend the court’s money?”

Moreover, obtaining funds from the Ministry of Civil Affairs is not an easy task.

Li Chunfeng gave a wry smile.

Li Shen frowned:

"That's not right. If I remember correctly, the armillary sphere was commissioned by His Majesty and should have been funded by the imperial court. How could you be the one to pay for it?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chunfeng quickly explained:

"Your Highness may not know this, but this armillary sphere is composed of an armillary sphere and a celestial globe, and its main material is copper."

It has a diameter of eight feet and is made of three layers, inside and out.

The required materials amount to at least a thousand strings of cash, not including the cost of craftsmen's production.

There are also some intricate parts, all of which I personally manufacture, and each time it costs money.

His Highness Prince Ji is aware that my official rank is low and my salary is limited.

"A celestial globe for only a thousand strings of cash? Is it that cheap?"

When Li Shen heard that the cost of making the armillary sphere out of copper was only a thousand strings of cash, he stared in astonishment.

This is too cheap. He thought it would require some kind of alloy technology or something, and that making one would cost at least 10,000 to 20,000 coins.

I never expected this.

“Your Highness, a thousand strings of copper is more than six thousand catties, which is already a lot,” Shi Tou whispered in Li Shen’s ear.

"Over six thousand catties? That's a lot." Hearing Shi Tou's words, Li Shen finally realized that a thousand guan was indeed not much money.

But if we're talking about weight, that's quite a lot.

Only then did he realize that Li Chunfeng was only a fifth-rank official, and his monthly salary was not much. Even if he spent several dozen strings of cash a month, it would be enough to make him suffer.

Li Shen had already experienced Tang Jian's stingy nature from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, so he was certain that Tang Jian would not add any more budget.

"Does Grand Historian Li have a family?" Li Shen asked curiously.

Li Chunfeng goes to work every day, but he doesn't bring home much money each month. How is he supposed to support his family? Why doesn't his wife want a divorce?

"Your Highness Prince Ji, I have a family and a son."

Li Chunfeng replied.

"They lived a rather frugal life," Li Shen said with some sympathy.

"Hehe, Your Highness is joking. It's not that I'm poor. A person's life is nothing more than simple meals."

Compared to those common people, I am more than capable. Li Chunfeng smiled gently.

His optimistic attitude impressed Li Shen. There are very few people who can be so open-minded; everyone has a competitive spirit.

As the saying goes, "There is nothing inherently wrong in the world; it is the foolish who trouble themselves." All of a person's troubles and sufferings stem from their own desires.

That's why Buddhism proposes that one must purify the six senses in order to enter the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

People tend to get more when they don't want too many things.

(Some people said they wanted to read more about Li Chunfeng, so I'll write about him for one more day.)