Li Shimin faked his death? Then I will be powerful enough to conquer the world!

This year, a tense and depressing atmosphere permeated every corner of the Tang Dynasty. The people knew that the court's finances had long been stretched to the limit and its expenditures were not enough to cover its income.

The shadow of war loomed over this once prosperous land. The northwest granary was destroyed, and the deficit in the Ministry of Revenue's account books was like a black spider web, dense and spreading.

At such a difficult time, His Majesty unexpectedly decided to hold this year's New Year's Day celebration in a grand manner.

As soon as the news came out, people on the streets were talking about it. The people were worried but also a little confused, not understanding why such extravagance would be necessary in such a difficult situation.

According to convention, envoys from the four capitals were to visit the palace to pay their respects.

As New Year's Day approached, the city of Chang'an gradually became bustling. Although the streets were no longer as prosperous as before, they began to have a festive atmosphere.

This liveliness is far from what it was in previous years.

The Spring Festivals of the past two years were extremely depressing because of the war.

Every household was shrouded in gloom, especially those whose children were serving in the army, who were worried all day long.

Their children went to the battlefield, their lives uncertain, and there was no news from them. Every day of waiting was like torture.

In Nanjing, representative Chen Fusheng began preparing for the trip to Chang'an early on.

This trip to Chang'an is a heavy responsibility. In addition to attending the New Year's Day ceremony, there is also an extremely important matter to report to Your Majesty.

Before leaving, he entrusted all Nanjing affairs to Zhao Fusheng. This envoy to Beijing, who usually buried himself in farming, unexpectedly made a major breakthrough in agricultural research. Zhao Fusheng successfully cultivated new rice seeds, and the yield reached an astonishing 600 kilograms per mu.

You should know that before this, the average rice yield in the Tang Dynasty was only 240 kilograms per mu.

Although rice production in the past was not as high as that of crops such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn, rice, as a traditional staple food, has an irreplaceable position in the hearts of the people.

Although crops such as sweet potatoes and potatoes can satisfy hunger, people cannot eat them for three meals a day. They long for enough rice, which is the most familiar and down-to-earth taste in their memories.

Many people, after working, often sighed: "There is no such thing as a prosperous age. It's just a prosperous age for sweet potatoes."

There was sadness in his words.

Now, the emergence of new rice varieties may change all this and bring new hope to the Tang Dynasty.

Chen Fusheng stood in front of the mirror, carefully adjusting his appearance. The man in the mirror, once a young man full of vigor and vitality, now had a beard.

Time flies, and before he knew it, he had turned thirty.

Over the years, so many things have happened in the Tang Dynasty, and each one has deeply affected everyone on this land.

Time seems to pass by inadvertently, but it leaves a deep mark in everyone's life.

After packing his luggage, Chen Fusheng carried the rice seeds wrapped in layers of oilcloth. They were the precious results that Zhao Fusheng had cultivated with ten years of hard work.

He also brought many gifts, many of which were entrusted by Zhao Fusheng to Princess Yunhe.

Princess Yunhe, as the only remaining daughter of the late emperor, has a special status in the Tang Dynasty.

Many people still remember this princess with a rough fate.

In the twelfth lunar month in Chang'an, the north wind was blowing fiercely, carrying fine snowflakes that mercilessly hit the Suzaku Gate.

The faded flag with coiled dragon pattern fluttered in the wind, making a low whimpering sound. Chen Fusheng sat in the carriage, tightly gripping the copper handle of the window, and looking through the window at the closed carved wooden doors along the street.

In the past, during the New Year's Day, this place used to be bustling with stalls selling a wide variety of New Year goods. But now, there are only a few stalls left, and all they sell are shriveled persimmons and blackened frozen pears, which exudes a sense of desolation.

As the carriage rolled over the bluestone slabs, Chen Fusheng subconsciously touched the rice seeds in his arms and secretly vowed in his heart that he must bring this good news to His Majesty smoothly and contribute to the future of the Tang Dynasty.

"Chen sent an envoy to the capital, and the Su residence has arrived."

The driver's shouting broke Chen Fusheng's thoughts and startled the crows that were foraging on the eaves.

Chen Fusheng lifted the thick mink curtain and got out of the carriage.

He looked up and saw the peeling gold paint on the vermilion lacquer door, which was mottled.

When the butler opened the door, Chen Fusheng noticed the new white hair on his temples. Compared to the year before, the old butler looked older.

Passing through the hanging flower gate, the ice spikes under the corridor rustled in the cold wind, making slight cracking sounds.

Li Jingyi's maid was standing on tiptoe, carefully removing the faded palace lantern from the corridor pillar.

That palace lantern was hung at the princess' birthday banquet when the late emperor was still alive, and it carries many beautiful memories.

Today, things have changed and the palace lanterns have lost their former glory.

"The princess now sleeps in the young lady's former boudoir every day."

The butler lowered his voice, a hint of sadness in his expression, "Ever since the master left, the princess has been sitting in front of the young lady's painting tools all day long."

Every day, in addition to reading, Li Jingyi would pick up Su Zhi's paintbrush and depict every plant and tree in the courtyard on the drawing paper, trying to use the brush to retain those gradually fading memories.

"Princess, there are guests visiting." The butler said softly.

Li Jingyi frowned, paused his painting hand, and said calmly: "I don't want to see guests, let him go."

The steward of the Su Mansion hesitated for a moment, then said, "Princess, the one coming this time is Chen Fusheng, the envoy from Nanjing to the capital."

"Yes……"

"The late emperor's student." The butler reminded deliberately.

The paintbrush in Li Jingyi's hand trembled slightly.

When she heard that it was her father's student, her heart moved slightly and she slowly put down the brush in her hand.

After a moment's silence, she said, "In that case, then serve tea and entertain the guest. I will go and wash up and meet him in the main hall."

Chen Fusheng, led by the housekeeper, went to the main hall to wait. Although the furnishings in the main hall were still gorgeous, they could not hide the traces of time, and some items were already slightly old.

Chen Fusheng sat on a chair, looking around the hall, feeling a mixture of emotions.

After a while, Li Jingyi finished washing up and came to the main hall. She was wearing a simple and elegant long dress, and her temperament was gentle, but her face looked a little haggard, and there was a hint of melancholy in her eyes.

"Mr. Chen, how are you?" Li Jingyi bowed slightly, his tone gentle.

"Your Highness, Princess, I haven't seen you for many years. I am honored to know that you are well." Chen Fusheng quickly stood up and returned the greeting.