198 Chapter 198

◎Natural disaster.◎

"Fengshan?" Li Shimin almost dropped the teacup in his hand. "I'm going to Fengshan?"

Li Shimin's relationship with his eldest son has not made any progress recently. Although he is not discouraged, the eldest son's initiative to ask for a meeting has given him some confidence. However, he did not expect that this kid would talk to him about Fengshan as soon as he opened his mouth.

Li Chengqian said, "I didn't say we'll go this year. I said we'll go in a few years when the situation becomes peaceful and prosperous."

How to motivate Tian Khan to achieve his goal of Fengshan? Li Chengqian's answer was to talk to him personally and let him set this key goal in his life plan.

Li Shimin said helplessly, "No, no, no, I haven't even been on the throne for a year yet. Peace and prosperity are still a long way off. Cheng Qian, it's too early to be thinking about the Fengshan ceremony."

Li Chengqian said honestly, "I was worried you wouldn't go, so I wanted you to prepare early."

"Why don't I want to go?" Li Shimin was puzzled.

Of course, Li Shimin wanted to go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, not for fame, but because it represented a kind of proof.

At least for Li Shimin, who had just ascended the throne, he needed this kind of proof to reassure himself.

But he can't bring it up right after he ascends the throne. He has to wait a few years until he has made some achievements before he can have the nerve to bring it up.

——After all, Emperor Taizong of Tang was not Emperor Zhenzong of Song, and he was not that thick-skinned.

Li Chengqian thought about it and wondered why Tian Khan didn’t go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven in his previous life?

In the 15th year of Zhenguan, there was originally a plan to hold the Fengshan ceremony in February of the following year. People had been appointed to finalize the Fengshan procedure and preparations had begun. However, a comet appeared that year and the astronomical phenomena were unfavorable. In feudal society, this was a very unlucky thing, so the Fengshan ceremony had to be cancelled.

——The heavens during the Zhenguan period were not very stable.

——For example, this year, there will be two solar eclipses.

Li Chengqian looked at Tian Khan sympathetically and said, "Aye, did you know there will be a solar eclipse this year?"

"What?" Li Shimin covered his chest. There have been two solar eclipses since he ascended the throne. Li Shimin couldn't help but wonder, could it be that God really couldn't stand me being the emperor?

Li Chengqian said, "Remain calm. Just like the rain and wind, the celestial phenomena have nothing to do with humans. They are not a warning from heaven, and they are not important."

Li Shimin reluctantly accepted the consolation from his eldest son, which was not really a consolation. After all, the celestial phenomena really could not be controlled by humans, and he could only do a good job of cleaning up the mess.

Li Shimin patted his chest and said, "Then tell me, what is important?"

"In the summer, Shandong Province suffered a severe drought. In the autumn, there was frost damage in Guandong and Henan. Next year, there will be drought and locust plagues." Li Chengqian saw that he was a little overwhelmed and quickly raised his hand to touch his chest. "Let's stop here for now."

Li Shimin's vision went darker and darker, and it took him a while to catch his breath. "Why are there so many disasters?"

"This is perfectly normal," Li Chengqian said. "It's been like this two thousand years ago, and it will be like this two thousand years from now. The main thing is you, the emperor. You have to do a good job of disaster prevention and subsequent rescue work."

"Don't collapse, work hard, and you will definitely be able to go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth in the future!" Li Chengqian clenched his fists to cheer him up.

Li Shimin pressed his forehead and said, "Two thousand years later... Cheng Qian, this isn't something you just said casually, right?"

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "When you return from Mount Tai, I'll tell you the truth. How about that?"

Li Shimin lowered his head in silence for a moment before looking up and saying, "If I could know about the natural disaster in advance and take precautions early, thus avoiding the suffering of the people, I can wait forever."

Li Chengqian laughed and said, "Later, everyone said you were a good emperor."

Li Shimin also laughed: "I can't relax any more."

Li Chengqian tilted his head: "That's none of my business..."

"Cheng Qian, am I a good father?" Li Shimin suddenly asked.

Li Chengqian was stunned for a moment, then said, "You are."

Wasn't it true that he was a good father by sparing the life of the deposed crown prince who plotted rebellion? He was an even better father to Li Tai, Li Zhi, and their sisters.

"I'm not a good son, let alone a good crown prince," Li Chengqian said. "Everyone says so."

"No." Li Shimin quickly retorted, "Cheng Qian, you are a good son and a good prince."

Li Chengqian leaned back, his back touching the back of the chair, and then he spoke: "Historical judgment is always more accurate."

Li Shimin shook his head: "But I am looking at you, Cheng Qian, you are my son, I know what kind of person you are."

"You only know the current Li Chengqian. People change." Li Chengqian looked at the roof. "Besides, there's no point in discussing this now. I'm no longer the Li Chengqian you knew."

What did Li Chengqian, who became the crown prince in his previous life, look like?

When Li Chengqian, the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, was a teenager, he was also highly praised, but everything changed later.

Why? Because he had a foot disease, because Li Tai, with the connivance of the Heavenly Khan, had the ambition and power to seize the throne, and because the ministers of remonstration were nitpicking and constantly making direct criticisms...

Li Chengqian thought, it can't all be someone else's fault, I can't be so shameless, after all, I did do some ridiculous things, it's no wonder that everyone dislikes me, now looking back, I see that some of the things I did at that time were indeed too ridiculous.

"Really... let's not talk about this anymore." Li Chengqian looked at Tian Khan.

For Li Chengqian, what had already happened could not be erased even if he lived again in this life.

So, Li Ying was right. It would be good to drink Meng Po soup as soon as possible, but Li Chengqian couldn't do it now.

The look in his eldest son's eyes was so heartbreaking that Li Shimin raised his hand to stroke his head: "Cheng Qian..."

Li Chengqian turned his head away and spoke to him in a gentle voice, "Just go and take care of your business, then go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods. We'll talk it over with you then. Then you'll understand what's going on. Is that okay with you?"

When talking about these things, Cheng Qian's eyes would always be dim and lifeless, and he looked lifeless and energetic. Li Shimin felt distressed watching him.

But he had no choice.

In his nearly thirty years of life, Li Shimin had almost no moment of helplessness. He always had a way and he always had the ability.

But this time the person was his son.

"Cheng Qian, I promise you." Li Shimin cleared his throat and promised solemnly, "But you also have to promise me one thing."

Li Chengqian said, "When I get back, I'll make a list for you, recording all the natural and man-made disasters, as well as the solar eclipse and astrological signs..."

Before he could finish his words, Li Shimin interrupted him: "It's not this, Cheng Qian, it's something else."

Li Chengqian asked doubtfully, "What else?"

Li Shimin looked at his eldest son's large, lifeless eyes, which were clearly black and white, and said, "Aye wants you to do things that make you happy. You can go out and have fun, including leaving the palace. You can go wherever you want. You can also ask the Imperial Food Bureau to make some meals and snacks that you like, not just the ones your beautiful mother likes..."

"Okay..." Li Chengqian stood up and said, "I understand what you mean."

As he spoke, he walked out: "I'm going back first. Mother will be worried if I'm late."

Li Shimin did not keep him, but just sat there in a daze for a long time before summoning the Secretariat, the Ministry of Personnel and other court officials to discuss matters.

As he walked quickly out of the hall, Li Chengqian was dazzled by the strong sun. He tilted his head and suddenly felt a little cold on his face.

Li Chengqian raised his hand and wiped it, and there was actually a little water mark.

Not really... Li Chengqian found it quite funny. Isn't the Khan always like this?

The rewards he gave to Li Tai that exceeded the standard were all out of his own favoritism, but the rewards he gave to the prince were always compensation. After all, no matter what, a prince should not be treated better than the prince who was at least legitimate.

Of course, the prince had received undue favoritism, such as when he was about to die for treason.

Just like now.

A normal, good prince cannot get all of this.

It was quite boring. Li Chengqian walked down the high steps of Taiji Hall slowly. He would never fawn in front of Tian Khan like this again.

When he returned home in the evening, the children were playing outside their mother's bedroom. Li Shimin stood and watched for a while. This was the game that Cheng Qian taught them, called "Eagle Catches Chickens."

Li Shimin laughed for a long time at that time, but he was afraid that the children would make a fuss and fall, so he didn't want to let them play. However, Cheng Qian persuaded his mother, saying that children should run and jump more to be good for their health, and Li Shimin's objection was in vain.

After looking around, Li Shimin found that not only Cheng Qian was not among the children, but Qingque was not there either. He asked the palace people and found out that these two people were studying with their mother.

It’s good to follow Guanyinbi, Li Shimin thought, because she always has better ways to deal with children than himself.

Of course, Li Shimin could not directly say that the prince could know the future. This would be tantamount to roasting his eldest son on the fire. Fortunately, agriculture is very important in any era, so he didn't need any reason to start from there.

In addition to praying to God, which is an illusory activity, the other way to solve the drought is to develop water conservancy projects and build reservoirs. Preventing farmland disasters is more difficult. However, what the Zhenguan Dynasty lacked the least was capable officials. Everyone brainstormed and quickly came up with a number of solutions.

When Li Chengqian handed over his form, Li Shimin was concentrating on reading the twelfth plan. Seeing his eldest son coming, he put down the memorial in his hand and said, "Chengqian, sit here."

Li Chengqian placed the bound papers on his desk and said, "I don't have anything important to do. You can continue with your work."

Li Shimin stretched and said, "It's time for me to take a break. I've been so busy these past two days that I haven't been home much. How is your mother? Has Mr. Sun come to take your pulse again?"

"Mother, everything is fine. Mr. Sun is coming today. The Emperor has already gone to play with the children. Are you going back?" Li Chengqian asked, "Otherwise, I will accompany Mr. Sun here."

Li Shimin rubbed his solar plexus: "I'm going back. I have a headache. Let Mr. Sun take a look."

"Maybe he's overusing his brain." Li Chengqian guessed.

Li Shimin asked, "Overusing your brain? How can this be alleviated?"

Li Chengqian said, "Don't use it for now. Stop thinking and do something that doesn't require your brain."

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Okay, let's go back and see what Li Zhi and the others are doing."