Chapter 38 Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, your great-grandfather has arrived!
"Your Highness, have you forgotten that we have immortals to help us?"
Yao Guangxiao's reminder brought Zhu Di back to his senses. Oh right, he was worried about how to get back. Why not just ask the immortals for help?
The king of the province did not believe it.
It also saved travel time between Beiping and Nanjing.
But we'll have to wait until Sanbao wakes up. He has to work at the immortal's place during the day, so he needs to get enough sleep.
Upon hearing this reason, Yao Guangxiao's hand involuntarily froze. Did he mean that if he wanted to sleep, the others shouldn't sleep either?
Why are you showing favoritism?
Upon hearing Zheng He's request, Django was taken aback, wondering if there was a faster way to return to Nanjing.
interesting.
The system's store has cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and even airplanes, but these items are not very suitable for the road conditions in ancient times.
My butt can bounce around so much it's flying.
Django hesitated: "Let me think about it."
When Zheng He heard Jiang Ge say he needed to think about it, his eyes flickered slightly. It was indeed difficult to persuade someone with another request without any benefit.
Songyang County is short of money, at least Magistrate Jiang needs it. Instead of looking for mineral veins, he has an idea.
Zheng He stood on the riverbank on the outskirts of Songyang County, his fingers twirling the damp soil, his eyes gleaming.
“This soil…” He squatted down, crushed a piece of river mud, “is very sticky, has few impurities, and is even finer than the material used in official kilns.” He had once supervised the construction of the Prince of Yan’s Mansion. The technology of official kilns in the Ming Dynasty was mature, and he was familiar with the construction of brick kilns.
As Hei Fu passed by on his inspection tour, he saw Zheng He staring blankly at the mud and grinned, "Lord Zheng, are you trying to make a clay figure?"
Zheng He looked up, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "No, it's to send a big gift to Magistrate Jiang."
"Are there any brick kilns nearby?"
Hei Fu scratched his head: "There seems to be an old brick kiln about two miles north, but there's usually no one there."
I've been on duty for so long, I know every single tree and blade of grass in Songyang County like the back of my hand.
Not to mention this rather famous brick kiln.
Zheng He stood up, patted the mud off his hands, and said, "Let's go, lead the way."
After passing through a mixed forest, a low mound came into view.
A dark, arched opening was visible on the side of the mound, surrounded by scattered broken bricks. Zheng He bent down and crawled into the cave, where the air was thick with the smell of smoky decay. He used the outside light to make out the internal structure.
"A typical steamed bun kiln..."
Mantou kiln is a type of traditional kiln, named for its resemblance to a mantou (steamed bun). It is a semi-downdraft kiln, where the flames rise from the firebox to the top of the kiln, then partially flow back down and are discharged from the chimney.
Zheng He tapped the kiln wall lightly with his finger, producing a dull sound. "The wall is not thick enough, and the fire channel is too straight." He squatted down, picked up half a broken brick from the ground, and carefully examined the cross-section of the brick by candlelight. The core of the brick was an uneven gray-black color, while the edges were tinged with dark red.
Hei Fu leaned closer curiously: "Why are these colors so colorful?"
“The firing was uneven.” Zheng He scratched the surface of the brick with his fingernail. “The outer layer was overfired, but the inside was underfired. The heat did not dissipate evenly during firing.” He turned the broken brick over, and some gravel stuck to the bottom. “The clay was not sifted properly either.”
Stepping out of the cave dwelling, Zheng He circled the mound, occasionally poking the ground with his short cane. On the slope behind the cave, he discovered several gullies eroded by rainwater.
“Look here.” Zheng He pointed to the soil layer exposed in the ditch. “The soil covering the kiln roof is too thin, and the insulation is insufficient. When firing the kiln, the heat all escapes from here.”
Hei Fu nodded as if he understood: "No wonder everyone says that this kiln uses a lot of firewood, and ten loads of firewood can't produce three loads of good bricks."
Because this kiln was expensive to fire and difficult to maintain, and the quality was poor, it gradually fell into disuse.
Zheng He took out a sheet of plain paper and a charcoal pencil from his sleeve and quickly sketched the outline of the kiln, marking key areas. After finishing the drawing, he looked up at the Songyang River not far away and said, "Let's go see where the clay is taken."
The pit by the river was half full of rainwater. Zheng He stirred the water with a wooden stick, and when the turbidity subsided slightly, he bent down and scooped up a handful of mud, letting the muddy water slowly flow through his fingers.
"Excellent mud!" Zheng He's eyes lit up. "This mud is as fine as flour; it will surely be smooth and firm after settling." He took five mud samples from different locations and wrapped them in oiled paper. "I will examine them carefully when I get back."
In a side hall of the county government office, Zheng He placed five clay samples on a long table. He took five earthenware bowls, put equal amounts of clay into each, and then poured in water to stir them into a paste.
“Master Zhao, look at how fast the mud is settling.” Zheng He said to Zhao Dachui, an old kiln worker who had rushed over after hearing the news, “The finer the mud, the slower it sets.”
Zhao Dachui leaned closer to examine the mud and noticed that the mud in the third bowl settled much slower than in the others: "That's strange, the mud from the same river is so different?"
Zheng He gently stirred the third bowl with a wooden stick: "The current in this section of the river bend is gentle, and the sediment is the finest." He took out a piece of white porcelain, dripped mud on it, and after it dried, he lightly scraped it with his fingernail: "Look at the toughness of this mud film, its stickiness is excellent."
When Jiang Ge entered the side hall, he saw Zheng He kneading clay by mixing different proportions of fine sand into it.
"Is Lord Zheng going to switch careers and become a bricklayer?" Jiang Ge joked.
Zheng He continued kneading the clay without looking up: "Lord Jiang, you've come at the perfect time. The clay from the Songyang River is of excellent quality, but the old kiln's craftsmanship is crude, wasting good materials." He handed a lump of clay mixed with fine sand to Jiang Ge, "Try it out."
Django took the lump of clay and was surprised to find that it was much finer than ordinary clay. It was neither sticky nor loose when kneaded: "This... is indeed different."
“Three parts fine sand, seven parts river mud.” Zheng He picked up another lump of clay. “This one has crushed rice husk ash added, so it won’t crack easily during firing.” He turned to Zhao Dachui, “How many bricks can the old kiln produce at once?”
Zhao Dachui counted on his fingers: "The kiln was full of 2,000 bricks, but 30% of them were defective."
Zheng He nodded and wrote a few lines on the paper: "I plan to make the new kiln a series of interconnected kilns, with five kilns linked together and sharing a flue. Each kiln will hold four thousand bricks, and the scrap rate will be controlled to within half a percent."
Django gasped, "This...is it possible?"
"Magistrate Jiang, rest assured, this is the same method used by the Ming Dynasty's official kilns." Zheng He spoke calmly, as if he were discussing something perfectly ordinary. He unfolded a new blueprint. "This is the improved kiln design. Please take a look, Lord Jiang."
The drawings meticulously depicted the kiln's cross-section and plan, with the fire channels arranged in a horseshoe shape around the kiln chamber and the flues distributed at different locations on the kiln roof. Although Django couldn't understand the technical details, he could still appreciate the ingenuity of the design.
"How much manpower and how much silver will this require?" Jiang Ge was most concerned about the practical issues.
Zheng He smiled slightly: "The main structure of the old kiln is still acceptable. The main cost of the renovation is on the fire channel and chimney. Twenty strong laborers, ten days of construction, and the material cost will be about fifty taels." He pointed to a corner of the blueprint, "This part will be built with river pebbles, saving 30% of the stone cost."
Jiang Ge's eyes lit up: "So, the county can totally afford it!"
"Moreover, the bricks made from Songyang clay should be several times better in quality and color than those on the market, and their price can be three times higher."
The old-style brick kilns and brick styles in Songyang County are not as good as those of the Ming Dynasty. Ming Dynasty bricks are famous for their hardness. The brick-making techniques of the Ming Dynasty, combined with good mud, are definitely several times better than the bricks on the market.
Zhao Dachui exclaimed excitedly, "My goodness, if we can really make bricks like these, Songyang Kiln will become famous!"
“It’s not just about becoming famous.” Zheng He’s gaze deepened. “Various regions need a large quantity of bricks and tiles. If we can secure orders from the government…”
Django immediately understood: "I'll start recruiting right away!"
——
Following Magistrate Jiang's advice, Yuchi Jingde decided to show His Majesty some other TV dramas to help him relax.
Although the drama "The Reign of Zhenguan" portrayed the emperor as very powerful, the later plot became unbearable, with characters like Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Hou Junji...
Just a moment ago they were getting along well as ruler and subject, but the next second it ended like this.
Changsun Wuji seemed to have aged considerably in just a few days, and he also developed some fear of this black box. Would the future really be like this?
Knowing the future, Fang Xuanling and others were terrified. They had been cautious all their lives, but they never expected to be betrayed by their descendants. They took the initiative to apologize to Li Shimin.
Unexpectedly, Li Shimin simply smiled and said, "Why use something that hasn't happened yet as a charge?"
He knew the future, but he only secretly felt sad. Even with Hou Junji, he was only angry for a moment, and after the anger subsided, he still gave Hou Junji a chance.
The future serves as a warning, but there's no need to be overly anxious, otherwise it will cause a lot of trouble.
After watching the TV series, Empress Zhangsun privately met with Zhangsun Wuji. The two talked for a long time. She did not want her brother to stand out too much in the court, especially after seeing his ending.
The people watching the TV series this time were Li Shimin and his ministers.
The TV series that Yuchi Jingde played for Li Shimin this time was quite a coincidence. He originally wanted to find some festive dramas to make His Majesty happy, but when he saw that the name Li Longji was marked with the words "Tang Xuanzong", he thought that since he was the emperor of the future dynasty, it would surely please His Majesty.
Xuanzong is an emperor's posthumous title that has never been seen before.
"Let it go." Li Shimin rubbed his temples. Although watching "The Reign of Zhenguan" had made him feel a tightness in his chest, who wouldn't want to know about their descendants?
"Let me see how future generations will glorify the Tang Dynasty."
The screen lit up, and the grand scroll of the Kaiyuan era slowly unfolded. Merchants thronged Zhuque Avenue in Chang'an, and envoys from various countries came and went in an endless stream. The granaries were piled high with millet, and even the strings binding the coins in the national treasury were rotting. Li Shimin's brow gradually relaxed, and his fingertips lightly tapped a rhythm on the table.
"This Li Longji does have some of my grandeur." He glanced at Wei Zheng beside him. "Xuancheng, what do you think of this Kaiyuan era? How does it compare to the Zhenguan era?"
Of course, there's no comparison. Du Fu's poem, "Recalling the prosperous days of the Kaiyuan era, even a small town had ten thousand households. Rice flowed like oil, millet was white as snow, and both public and private granaries were full," depicts the economic prosperity of the Kaiyuan era, the abundant harvest, and the people living in peace and contentment. Whether it was the government or the common people, every household had a full granary.
Wei Zheng frowned as he stared at the lavish palace banquet on the screen, the golden goblets and jade cups shimmering in the candlelight: "Your Majesty, during the Zhenguan era, we dared not use gold utensils for dining."
"Hahaha!" Li Shimin laughed, pointing at Wei Zheng and saying to Fang Xuanling, "This old scoundrel is clearly complaining that my banquets are too meager!"
Just as Fang Xuanling was about to join in the fun, the scene on the screen suddenly shifted. The Huaqing Pool was shrouded in mist, and a voluptuous beauty rose from the hot spring, her gauze robes soaked and clinging to her skin. The camera zoomed in on Li Longji's infatuated gaze, and the background music suddenly became tender and poignant.
Li Shimin's smile froze on his face.
"Whose woman is this?" His voice was like ice, the background music already giving him a bad feeling.
The crowd continued reading until the woman's identity was revealed, at which point their faces turned deathly pale: "The principal wife of Prince Shou, Li Mao, née Yang, whose given name is Yu Huan."
"Clang!"
Li Shimin smashed the teacup in his hand to the ground, shards of porcelain flying everywhere. He abruptly stood up, the jade beads on his crown clanging violently: "That wretched Li Longji! How dare he steal my son's wife?!"
evil creature!
His chest heaved. What was going on? He held himself to almost the standards of a saint, while his great-grandson lacked even the basic human decency.
Yuchi Jingde had already drawn his sword, its blade gleaming coldly in the candlelight of the hall: "Your Majesty, I will go and cut off this tyrant's head!"
This Li Longji is His Majesty's great-grandson. The family tree is Li Shimin—Li Zhi—Li Dan—Li Longji.
Li Zhi wasn't even born yet, so where would they go to kill Li Longji? It was just a way to appease Li Shimin.
"Sit down!" Li Shimin shouted sternly, veins bulging on his forehead. "This is a celestial artifact depicting events from the future..." He took a deep breath and forced himself back onto the dragon throne. "I want to see it all."
The air inside the hall was as still as lead. On the screen, Li Longji was ordering people to send Yang Yuhuan to a Taoist temple for conversion, paving the way for her future entry into the palace. Changsun Wuji suddenly sneered: "Deceiving oneself like a thief in the face."
Isn't that just burying one's head in the sand?
They think everyone in the world is a fool!
Li Shimin's fingers dug deeply into the armrest, oblivious to the wood chips piercing his fingernails. He saw on the screen his most prized golden age being slowly eroded by this unworthy descendant.
"Lychees?" Du Ruhui exclaimed in surprise when the screen showed images of lychees being transported by fast horses. "Three thousand miles from Lingnan to Chang'an, just for a few fruits?"
How extravagant! It's just a few fruits; you won't die if you don't eat them.
Li Shimin suddenly remembered that just three days ago, he had rejected a memorial requesting the renovation of the Luoyang Imperial Palace. Looking at the Huaqing Palace on the screen, built at a cost of millions of coins, a metallic taste rose in his throat.
It's like a child selling off their grandfather's land without a care in the world!
The scene abruptly shifts. A smiling Hu general kneels before Li Longji, calling himself "An Lushan, the Hu boy." As this fat man begins to dance the Hu Xuan dance, Yang Guozhong sneers in the voiceover: "This scoundrel is nothing more than a fat dog kept by Your Majesty."
Li Jing suddenly slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "This man has a rebellious nature!"
As if in response to his judgment, the screen abruptly switched to a scene of the earth-shaking drums of Yuyang. An Lushan's iron cavalry surged towards Tongguan like a tidal wave, and the defending army collapsed at the first contact.
"Impossible..." Li Shimin stared intently at the fleeing imperial guards. "Where are my Xuanjia Army?"
Li Jing's face turned ashen: "As shown on the screen, the military system of the Tianbao era had been abolished, and the military governors of the border towns held their own armies and became powerful." He pointed to An Lushan's figure on the screen, "This man held the positions of military governor of Pinglu, Fanyang, and Hedong, commanding an army of 200,000!"
Li Shimin was struck dumb. Commanding 200,000 troops and serving as the military governor of three towns—what immense power that was! Now, watching Chang'an tremble amidst the smoke of war, his fingernails dug into his palms, drawing blood.
This is his Great Tang Dynasty.
In the torrential rain at Mawei Post Station, the blades of the Imperial Guards reflected the firelight. As Yang Guozhong was hacked to pieces and Yang Yuhuan was strangled with a white silk ribbon, Changsun Wuji sneered, "It saves His Majesty the trouble of cleaning up his own household."
Only Li Shimin was not happy about Yang Yuhuan's death.
"Insolence!" Li Shimin kicked over the table, scattering ink, paper, and brushes all over the floor. "This is a national disgrace!"
On screen, Emperor Li Longji, with his white hair, weeps while listening to the "Rainbow Feather Dress Dance" in the cold rain. The once magnificent palace is now overgrown with weeds, and the sound of a broken pipa string echoes in the empty hall.
Li Shimin suddenly burst into wild laughter, his laughter tinged with the stench of blood: "What a glorious Kaiyuan era! What a glorious Emperor Xuanzong of Tang!" He drew his sword, intending to strike the television screen.
"Don't chop it, Your Majesty! We can't afford to pay for it!" Yuchi Jingde quickly stepped forward to stop them. They didn't have the money to pay for the television, so they couldn't just chop it up.
"Issue the decree—" The emperor's voice echoed throughout the hall, startling the crows perched under the eaves.
"From this day forward, the daughters of all princes are forbidden from entering the palace without imperial decree!"
"Border generals are rotated, and the term of office for military governors shall not exceed three years!"
"Anyone who offers beautiful women as tribute shall be punished for treason!"
Fang Xuanling wielded his brush with incredible speed, not even bothering to wipe the ink splattered on his sleeve. When Li Shimin announced the suspension of the Daming Palace construction project, he flicked his wrist, leaving a long ink mark on the silk.
“Your Majesty,” Wei Zheng suddenly spoke up, “what this celestial artifact shows may not be entirely true.”
Just like the last TV series, that clumsy "Li Shimin," according to Wei Zheng, this TV series cannot be completely believed, but the fact that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was heartless, lustful, and ruthless should be true.
Li Shimin slowly turned his head, his eyes bloodshot: "So you mean, I should take a gamble?"
Is it a gamble that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang will always be a wise ruler?
Wei Zheng solemnly said, "What I mean is that systems are easy to change, but people's hearts are hard to guard against." He pointed to Li Longji, who was living a life of debauchery on the screen, and said, "The root of the problem is not Yang Guifei, but the emperor's loss of vigilance."
His fingers trembled slightly, "If only I could have virtuous ministers to offer constant advice..."
Fang Xuanling coughed lightly: "Lord Wei, you are mistaken. Zhang Jiuling was not disloyal, yet he was demoted..."
Why are there no good ministers? There are so many good ministers, but Li Longji doesn't use them. He only prefers treacherous ministers. What good are good ministers when you have such a ruler?
"Therefore, swift and decisive measures are even more necessary!" Wei Zheng suddenly turned to Li Shimin and bowed deeply. "Your subject requests permission to go back to the Kaiyuan era to re-establish the rules for this son!"
A hush fell over the hall. Li Shimin stroked his beard, deep in thought, his gaze gradually sharpening: "What do you wish to do?"
Wei Zheng pulled a scroll of memorial from his sleeve. "I have drafted 'Ten Remonstrances to Emperor Xuanzong.' If Jingde's salary is sufficient..."
As one of the most famous remonstrating officials in history, Wei Zheng had already started working while others were still watching television.
Li Shimin took the memorial, and the first item read in bold: "First, abolish the Pear Garden; second, expel the Yang family; third, execute An Hu..."
"Ahem..." Li Shimin closed the memorial. "This matter will be discussed later."
That meager salary is fine for the common people, but if it's wasted on Li Longji, it's better to just throw it away. After all, he'll never see Li Longji, so what's the use of it? Can it even be burned for Li Longji?
At this moment, Cheng Zhijie suddenly interjected, "If you ask me, His Majesty should personally teach that brat a lesson!" He winked and said, "It's only natural for a grandfather to discipline his grandson!"
Li Jing stroked his long beard: "If we can truly borrow Magistrate Jiang's power..."
It's not unreasonable for His Majesty to hit his great-grandson, especially since Li Jing also yearns for the prosperous Kaiyuan era.
Why can't such a prosperous era last forever...?
Li Shimin's eyes gradually lit up. How could he have forgotten Magistrate Jiang? Since he could travel through time, he could probably send them back to the Kaiyuan era as well.
He rose and strolled to the palace entrance, gazing at the starry sky, when he suddenly laughed loudly, "Good! After Jingde has questioned Magistrate Jiang, I will go and meet this...good great-grandson."
Li Longji, your great-grandfather has arrived!
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Author's note: Sorry for being late today [helpless]. Thank you all for your support and comments.
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