Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

The next day.

After noon, in the back garden of Taiji Palace.

Li Shimin and a woman in palace dress, who was about twenty years old, were walking on the green path beside the Nanhai Pond.

This woman in palace dress has a plump figure, beautiful appearance, and a pair of almond-shaped eyes on her pretty face. She gives people a feeling of three parts charm and seven parts coolness and nobility.

Li Shimin put his hands behind his back and said with a smile on his face, "Mei Niang, I heard from Li Zhi that you have also signed up for the Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival on August 15th?"

Wu Meiniang pouted her red lips and said with resentment, "It's a bit lonely and boring in the palace. Your Majesty doesn't come to accompany me often. I can only find some fun on my own."

Wu Meiniang's original name was Wu Zhao. She was the second daughter of Yingguogong Wu Shihuo.

In the eleventh year of Zhenyuan, Wu Zhao, who was only fourteen years old, was noticed by Li Shimin, who summoned her into the palace and named her a talented woman, giving her the name Wu Meiniang.

Now, seven years have passed, and the young and beautiful girl has long been tired of the isolated life in the deep palace.

Li Shimin turned his head, with a hint of apology on his face: "When I have more free time, I will definitely take time to spend more time with you."

"If you're bored, go talk to Concubine Yan."

Concubine Yan was Wu Zetian's cousin and gave birth to two sons, Li Zhen, Prince of Yue, and Li Xiao, Prince of Jiang.

She was also a mother with status because of her son, and was deeply loved by Li Shimin.

Li Shimin plans to confer the title of Defei on her in the near future.

"Ah."

Wu Meiniang pursed her lips and nodded, but she didn't seem to be very interested.

While the two were chatting, a eunuch came to report.

"Your Majesty, the King of Wei requests an audience."

Li Shimin turned around and asked with a puzzled look on his face: "Isn't the King of Wei recently compiling the "Water Control Records"? Could it be that he has already completed it?"

Thinking of his son with great literary attainments, Li Shimin's face was filled with pride.

His Li family can also cultivate literary giants.

Li Shimin turned to Wu Meiniang and said, "Meiniang, I will go to Ganlu Palace to see the King of Wei first. If you are tired, go back and rest."

"I obey your command."

Although Wu Meiniang was extremely reluctant, she still bowed sensibly.

After Li Shimin left in a hurry, she stood there alone for a long time.

"Hey~"

After a long moment, she lowered her head and sighed.

After entering the palace for so many years, she has yet to give birth to a son or daughter for His Majesty, which makes her feel a strong sense of crisis.

If these concubines cannot give birth to children for His Majesty, they will need to become nuns in the Ganye Temple in Chang'an after His Majesty dies.

Besides, Your Majesty is already in his forties, and in a few years...

Thinking of this, Wu Meiniang's clear eyes flashed with a strange color.

She clenched her fists and placed them on her chest, and other thoughts came to her mind.

Inside the Manna Hall.

Li Shimin sat at the desk, flipping through a thick new book with both hands.

He had a smile on his face and looked in a very good mood.

Sitting on a soft cushion on one side, Li Tai was beaming with joy as he recounted the difficulties he and a group of great scholars encountered in the process of creating "Water Control Records", and how they resolved them one by one.

Two incense sticks passed.

Li Shimin closed the book and said with satisfaction: "Qingque is thoughtful. The "Water Control Records" you edited provides an important reference for the court to manage the river."

"I believe that if the people from the Water Department and the Metropolitan Water Conservancy Bureau saw this, they would be ecstatic."

"I will reward you greatly, as well as those who participated in compiling the book!"

Over the past thousands of years, there have been countless books on river management, the most famous of which is "Annotations to the Waterways" written by Li Daoyuan of the Northern Wei Dynasty.

The "Records of Water Conservancy" compiled by King Wei was a book on water conservancy that was created by referring to part of the content of "Notes on the Classic of Waterways" and adding some new ideas of their own.

I can only say that the modified ones are better, making them look like the original ones.

Hearing his father's praise, Li Tai was delighted, but he said modestly: "As a prince, I should share your worries and help the people of the world solve their problems. I should not ask for anything in return."

"If the emperor wants to give rewards, please give them to Master Kong, Master Yu, Master Zhang, Master Li and all the scholars in the Cultural Center."

Li Tai's words touched Li Shimin's heart directly.

If other children were like Qingque, he would have less worries.

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Reward those who have made contributions and punish those who have made mistakes. I will give you Furong Garden as a reward, and also give you 5,000 strings of gold and silver."

"You can reward those who participated in compiling the 'Water Control Records' as you wish."

Before compiling the book, Li Tai had already received a reward of 5,000 books and 5,000 strings of gold and silver.

Adding the current rewards, the rewards in gold, silver and other valuables have already exceeded the "Pinyin" and "Chinese Dictionary" compiled by Du He and Li Chengqian.

Especially Furong Garden, which is a large manor covering an area of 30 hectares and a circumference of 17 miles.

Moreover, Furong Garden is located in the southeast of Chang'an City, on the south bank of Qujiang River, not far from prosperous places such as East Market and Pingkangfang.

Li Tai was overjoyed and immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, father, for the reward!"

"Father, I want to tell the teachers and scholars of the Cultural Center about this good news, so that they can also know your grace."

"I believe that everyone will be greatly encouraged and continue to compile useful books and benefit the Tang Dynasty."

I have to say that Li Tai has a really sweet mouth. With just a few words, he made Li Shimin laugh so hard that he couldn't stop.

Looking at his good son in front of him with sweat on his forehead, Li Shimin said with concern.

"Qingque, it's midsummer now. If you feel hot and stuffy, go take a walk in Hibiscus Garden."

"It is a great place to escape the summer heat because of its lush trees and lush leaves and the spacious Qujiang Pond."

Among Li Shimin's legitimate sons, he felt guilty towards Qingque.

In the fourth year of Wude, Qingque, who was less than two years old, was named Prince of Yidu by the retired Emperor Li Yuan and was adopted by the late Li Xuanba as his heir.

It was not until the second year of Zhenguan, after Li Shimin ascended the throne, that he was brought back into the family.

During these nine years, the love that Li Shimin and Zhangsun Wugou lacked for Li Tai is irreparable.

This is also the main reason why Li Shimin doted on Li Tai so much.

Hearing his father's words of concern, Li Tai's eyes turned slightly, intentionally testing his father.

He just said with a concerned look on his face.

"Father, you have been working on state affairs day and night, you should rest more."

"In recent years, I have clearly felt that my father has become much more tired. If possible, I would like to help him with more state affairs."

Ok?

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes and the smile on his face slowly disappeared.

His expression was calm as he stared straight at Li Tai, who looked very concerned about him.

After being silent for more than ten breaths, Li Shimin forced a smile on his face again.

He nodded and stroked his beard, saying, "Qingque is thoughtful. Your elder brother is helping father with state affairs, and father is now much more relaxed."

Li Tai said anxiously, "Father, I have a lot of experience in flood control. If there are any related memorials in the court, you can let me complete them."

"This will also reduce the burden on Father and the Crown Prince, allowing you to have more energy to deal with other national affairs."

After the words fell, the Ganlu Palace fell into silence again.