Chapter 77 Spring Plowing
After the two were dragged out, a man walked out from behind the screen behind Gao Hongchen and said softly:
"Prime Minister, Madam and the eldest son are about to do something bad."
Gao Hongchen paused for a moment, and said without turning his head:
"I'll send someone to keep a close eye on them."
The man opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but heard Gao Hongchen ask:
"How are things arranged?"
"It's all arranged, we're just waiting for the time to come to get started."
Gao Hongchen listened and warned: "Don't make the same low mistake as last time."
"Don't worry, Prime Minister Gao. I understand."
…
On the second day of the second month, the dragon raises its head, the sky is clear, the air is fresh, and the wind is gentle.
According to the old royal custom, a plowing ceremony would be held on this day.
The emperor took several princes to the imperial farm outside the capital to experience farming, and Li Yueyao and Concubine Xian accompanied them.
Feng Qing was in charge of the personal guards, while the outer perimeter was under the charge of Duke Zhenguo Yu Jinzhi.
The emperor was not as healthy as before, but he still held the plow and moved forward slowly, with the eldest prince and the fourth prince following behind him.
The third prince set up his easel in the field and was responsible for painting the "Spring Ploughing Picture" on the spot.
Only the second prince, with his brute strength, plowed the ground deep and fast, leaving the emperor and his two companions far behind.
The eldest prince pretended to laugh heartily and said, "Second brother, your brute force is truly enviable."
After hearing this, the emperor looked up at the second prince who was waving a whip with his arms raised not far away, and said nothing.
The Fourth Prince sneered inwardly after hearing the First Prince's words, but continued gently:
"Second brother is pure and filial. He wants to do more so that father and I can do less."
Sure enough, the emperor smiled after hearing what the fourth prince said.
He shouted loudly: "Lin'er, don't be anxious. Take a rest if you are tired."
After saying this, he looked at the prince who was left not far behind him.
The prince was still very young, only half his body taller than the plowshare. He held the plow with difficulty and moved forward bit by bit.
Seeing this, the Fourth Prince said, "Father, I see you are tired too. How about we take a rest first and wait for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"
The emperor took the handkerchief handed to him by Sun Fu, wiped the sweat from his forehead and said:
"Okay, let's wait for the prince."
Several people worked for a whole morning before they finished plowing a piece of land.
Except for the second prince, everyone else was exhausted and panting.
The prince was too young and his legs were shaking with fatigue, so the emperor ordered someone to help him down to wash and groom himself.
The eldest prince hurried to the side to check out the third prince's paintings.
The fourth prince and the second prince helped the emperor walk to the edge of the field.
The Second Prince supported the Emperor and said with a cheerful smile:
"Father, farming is just as demanding as archery."
The emperor smiled and said, "Farming is hard work. It's great that you can understand this."
The emperor turned to the fourth prince and asked, "Heng'er, what have you realized?"
The Fourth Prince stretched out a hand and wiped the sweat from his forehead and said.
“It’s true, who knows that every grain of rice on the plate is the product of hard work.”
The emperor laughed and said, "Well... this is a poem your great-aunt wrote when she was a child called "Song of Pity the Peasants".
It was also during the spring plowing season that she saw your great-grandfather and grandfather plowing the field, and she wrote this poem standing at the edge of the field.
Your great aunt was only five years old at the time.
Your great-grandfather was very pleased after hearing this and said that your great-aunt was very talented.
It is said that this is the true meaning of the royal family plowing the fields themselves, and only your great-aunt understood it."
After finishing speaking, he patted the arms of the Second and Fourth Princes and said:
“It’s not easy for the two of you to understand this.
In the future, we must always remember the hardships of farming and the difficulties faced by the people."
The two of them immediately said respectfully, "I will remember this."
When the three of them reached the edge of the field, the eldest prince and the third prince came over with joyful faces and said:
"Father, please look at Yan'er's painting."
As he said this, he and the third prince unfolded the painting in front of the emperor.
The emperor looked at the painting in front of him. It was indeed a well-painted one. The characters were lifelike, and the composition and artistic conception were just right.
Then he turned to look at Li Yan and said, "It seems that Master Xiang's teaching is good. Yan'er is about to inherit his true teachings."
The Second Prince also reached out and patted the Third Prince on the shoulder and said:
"Well done, Third Brother.
Study hard, and you will definitely surpass those aristocratic families in the future, so as to get rid of the arrogance you have suffered over the years."
The eldest prince said, "Second brother, what you said is wrong. Calligraphy and painting are meant to cultivate one's sentiments, not to compete for victory.
If you have such thoughts, you will fall behind."
The second prince was not good at calligraphy and painting. After hearing what the eldest prince said, he was stunned for a moment and opened his mouth, not knowing how to respond.
Seeing this, the Fourth Prince smiled and said, "Big Brother is right. Practicing calligraphy and painting is meant to cultivate one's sentiments.
But what my second brother said is also true. It has always been the noble families who challenged the royal family through calligraphy and painting.
Even if Third Brother doesn't think about it, he will have to deal with it later."
After hearing this, the Second Prince suddenly came to his senses and agreed:
"That's right, look how calm my great-aunt is. She has gone into hiding in Chunshan.
But back then, he was forced by the aristocratic families to exchange poetry.
If it weren't for my great-aunt's extraordinary talent, who, after getting drunk, single-handedly fought against everyone in the court and saved the reputation of our royal family, we wouldn't have been able to live in peace all these years.
It's because my great-aunt wasn't good at calligraphy or painting, otherwise those people from the aristocratic families would have been unable to rise to prominence long ago."
He bared his teeth and looked at the Third Prince: "Third Prince, you must work hard to make up for this shortcoming of our royal family."
After hearing this, the Third Prince scratched his head shyly and said:
"Brother, I understand and will learn from my great aunt.
But...but...I don't have my great-aunt's talent..."
The Second Prince looked sideways and said, "How could that be? I've often heard my great-aunt say that you are very talented in calligraphy and painting."
The Third Prince was surprised and asked, "Really?"
"Of course it's true. I, your second brother, never lie."
When the third prince heard this, his eyes lit up and he was very excited.
The emperor nodded and said, "Yes, I think your paintings are very good.
At least among the five of us, you currently have the highest achievement in calligraphy and painting."
After hearing the emperor’s personal affirmation, the third prince became very excited and his face flushed red.
The Fourth Prince also stood nearby and said with a smile, "Third brother, they all say that a strong master is better than his ancestors. You will definitely surpass everyone in calligraphy and painting. I am optimistic about you."
The third prince found that since he no longer had to observe government affairs and could concentrate on learning calligraphy and painting, the brothers around him had been much nicer to him.
I have always been an average student since elementary school and have never been praised like this.
I was so excited to hear the praise from my father and brothers today.
At noon, Li Yueyao and Concubine Xian cooked personally.
Fu Shou and Qian Lou moved everyone's dining table to the grass outside, so that they could have a picnic.
The ingredients are all locally sourced, including shepherd's purse, bracken, toon, spring bamboo shoots, dandelion, etc.
The Duke of Zhenguo sent his men to hunt rabbits and pheasants, and even hunted goats. He also made soup with crucian carp from the river.
The emperor took only one sip of the fish soup and asked, "Aunt, did you make this soup?"
Li Yueyao laughed and said, "Your Majesty, have you tasted it so quickly?"
Then he smiled and said, "Today's dish was made half by me and half by Concubine Xian. Guess what."
The Second Prince laughed and said:
"Then you are testing my father, Grandma. After all, we have rarely eaten the food that Grandma cooks."
Xian Fei heard the suggestion and said, "Then you should split into two groups. Your Majesty will be in one group, and the five of you brothers will be in another group. Let's see who guesses correctly."
When Concubine Xian said this, the Second Prince said happily:
"Okay, it's settled then."
Then he turned to Li Yueyao and asked, "Grandma, is there a reward if I guess correctly?"
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