Chapter 175 Li Shimin's Little-Known Achievements
Wei Mansion.
Wei Zheng has recovered.
But he still rested at home...
There have simply been far too many memorials impeaching his own son these past few days.
A move to promote commerce, a trip to the Imperial College...
The censors, led by Wei Ting, were like they were on steroids, submitting memorials and criticizing every day.
Let Li Shimin handle the troublesome matters, and we can enjoy a peaceful and leisurely life at home.
"Wei Shuyu, Wei Shuyu..."
While watering the flowers and plants in the garden, a clear sound suddenly rang in my ears.
Wei Zheng suddenly perked up.
He put down the bucket of water and went to meet them.
"Qiqi, are you looking for Shuyu?"
Wei Zheng was all smiles.
What's so great about being a princess? Look at my future daughter-in-law, how cheerful, how beautiful, how lovable she is.
"Uncle Wei..."
Wu Qiqi quickly bowed, then suddenly remembered something: "Someone bullied me..."
What?
This is outrageous!
How dare you bully my future daughter-in-law?
"Which bastard dares to bully you? Tell Uncle Wei, and Uncle Wei will stand up for you!"
Wei Zheng was furious.
"It's not that you're bullying me, it's that you're bullying Sister Nangong..."
Wu Qiqi pulled a woman behind her to Wei Zheng.
Sister Nangong?
Who is it?
Wei Zheng sized up the woman in front of him.
She wore a red silk dress, her black hair was styled into a bun and hung down to her chest, her eyes were alluring, and with every glance she took, she exuded a graceful and captivating beauty that could topple cities...
At this moment, Nangong Wan'er's eyes were filled with shyness, making her truly endearing.
Um.
It looks familiar.
Where have I seen this before?
Wei Zheng stroked his beard, deep in thought.
"Uncle Wei..."
Wu Qiqi called out.
"Oh, tell me, who bullied you, and how?"
Wei Zheng came to his senses.
"It's that chubby little King Wei..."
Wu Qiqi clenched her fists, her face full of anger, but in Wei Zheng's eyes, she was also somewhat cute.
"You can't say that."
Wei Zheng patiently advised, "The King of Wei is a prince; you must show him respect..."
It is said that Wei Zheng was rigid and inflexible.
Nangong Wan'er thought Wei Zheng would give her a stern and righteous reprimand.
What she heard next completely stunned her...
"You can curse in private from now on, but just don't let anyone hear it."
Okay.
Wu Qiqi nodded obediently: "Uncle Wei, you don't know that little fat boy..."
As Wu Qiqi recounted her story, Wei Zheng came to understand the whole story.
Nangong Wan'er was a member of the Jiaofang (a type of entertainment institution).
Li Shimin became one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history. People only saw his political achievements, but few knew that he also did something that would be remembered in history...
He invented a profession!
geisha.
The origin of the profession of celebrity can be traced back to Li Shimin.
Music and dance hall.
It was the official agency that managed court music.
During the Ming Dynasty, it was renamed the Jiaofangsi, which was responsible for performing music for celebrations and welcoming distinguished guests.
Most of the women in the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) were female relatives whose families had been raided. They were all highly talented and beautiful, and were used exclusively for the pleasure of princes and nobles!
Later, it changed and eventually became an official brothel.
However, at the beginning of Li Shimin's establishment, the women in the Jiaofang were all ordinary people, and they were the kind who sold their art but not their bodies.
However, within the imperial palace, if princes and nobles take a liking to someone, the idea of "selling art but not one's body" is utter nonsense.
During the seven years Li Yuan was under house arrest, he fathered dozens of children. Where did those women he slept with come from?
They were women from the brothels.
The women in the music academy were not only exceptionally talented, but also stunningly beautiful.
Li Tai was at the age when he was most interested in women, so it was natural that he couldn't help but be attracted to them.
At a banquet, Nangong Wan'er caught the eye of Li Tai.
He finally got a chance and was about to do something improper when Wu Qiqi caught him in the act.
"Where is the retired emperor?"
Wei Zheng asked a question.
With the Emperor Emeritus protecting him, how dare the Prince of Wei be disrespectful?
"Don't even mention it."
Wu Qiqi pouted and said helplessly, "The Emperor Emeritus is like that himself, how can he have the face to stand up for me?"
Well……
Wei Zheng was taken aback.
That seems to make sense.
However, Wei Zheng couldn't very well get involved in this matter.
The women in the brothels were all willingly sold into the palace.
Once inside the palace, they became the private property of the royal family.
He has no right to interfere with how the royal family handles the situation!
To put it bluntly, it was Nangong Wan'er's good fortune that the King of Wei took a liking to her.
If you serve her well, you might even become a concubine if you're lucky.
"Uncle Wei, you get some rest. I'm going to find Uncle Wei to teach that fat kid a lesson!"
As if sensing Wei Zheng's predicament, Wu Qiqi changed the subject.
"Oh, right, Wei Shuyu."
Wei Zheng looked pleased.
Look at our future daughter-in-law, how sensible, intelligent, and understanding she is...
"I'm still handling some matters in Hu County."
ah?
Wu Qiqi frowned slightly, momentarily hesitant.
Wei Shuyu is getting down to business.
I'm bothering him like this...
Is it good? Is it bad? Is it good? Is it bad?
"Why don't you stay at the Wei residence for a few days?"
Wei Zheng warmly invited, "Shuyu should be back in a couple of days."
"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
Wu Qiqi lowered her head, looking slightly shy.
Oh?
She even got shy.
You weren't shy at all when I was staying with you the other day...
"rest assured."
Wei Zheng chuckled and said, "I'll speak to the Emperor Emeritus. As for her..."
Wei Zheng looked at Nangong Wan'er and his expression turned serious again.
The other party is royal private property.
Staying at the Wei residence would leave a handle against us.
...
Meanwhile, in Hu County.
Wei Shuyu was still giving a passionate speech...
"If you still have any hesitation, you might want to take a look at this..."
Wei Shuyu waved his hand behind him.
Squads of soldiers came up carrying unfolded folding fans.
Do you all know what these are?
Wei Shuyu looked at the merchants with a smile.
The merchants were puzzled; they only saw the folding fan with calligraphy and paintings on it.
The exact distance is too far to see clearly.
"If any of you can't see clearly, you can come up on stage and take a look..."
Wei Shuyu waved his hand.
The soldiers guarding the platform made way for them.
The merchants looked at each other, hesitated for a moment, and finally stepped forward.
When they saw the red seal on the folding fan, they were immediately startled.
"What... what am I seeing? Kong Yingda's calligraphy?"
"This belongs to Cui Yixuan, the head of the Cui family!"
"Even His Majesty's is included!"
The merchants felt their legs go weak, fearing they might accidentally break the folding fan, and took several steps back.
If this fan gets dirty, it will be ruined.
They couldn't pay for this with several lives!
"This belongs to Master Ouyang..."
Suddenly, a merchant shouted.
"And this one belongs to Master Yu!"
As the two shouted, the merchants swarmed around them.
The calligraphy of Li Shimin and others was quite good!
But he is still below Ouyang Xun and Yu Shinan!
Ouyang Xun, in particular, is known for his calligraphy style, which is called the Ouyang style.
It is priceless.
Most importantly, both of them are old; nearing eighty, they no longer possess the writing prowess they once had.
The calligraphy and signature on the fan were done during the peak of their careers.
The value increased several times over!
To put it bluntly...
If they were auctioned off, each one would be a work of art worth a fortune!
"This...this..."
A merchant turned to Wei Shuyu and asked, "May I ask, Imperial Censor Wei, are these folding fans for sale?"
Swish.
Everyone turned to look at Wei Shuyu, their hearts pounding.
Anyone who manages to acquire one of the original paintings can boast about it for a lifetime.
Especially Li Shimin and Li Yuan...
It can absolutely be enshrined and passed down to future generations.
Even when their family is in trouble, their calligraphy might bring them a glimmer of hope.
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