Chapter 15: Li Chungang?

Zhangsun Wuji glanced at Chu Suiliang, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes:

"Do you not know what kind of noble clan the Wugong Su Clan is?

Since the Western Wei, the Wugong Su Clan has never declined; they have the reputation of the Western Wei Double Su, Prime Ministers of the Former Sui, and now the *Record of Geography*.

To put it bluntly, among the literati and noble clans, one word from Su Xu is more useful than a hundred from me."

"I understand!"

Zhangsun Wuji was filled with dread regarding the Wugong Su Clan; other families always had times of decline, even families like the Five Surnames and Seven Clans were no exception.

Yet the Wugong Su Clan had been prominent for five generations since the Northern Wei, and if one included Su Xu's eldest son, Su Jun, that made six generations of prominence, with the lowest rank being a Prefect.

Moreover, they had spanned four dynasties; this could no longer be explained by luck alone, as the Su family's education must have had its superior aspects.

After Emperor Renzong of Song, the posthumous title "Wenzheng" was the ultimate goal for all civil officials, but before Emperor Renzong of Song, the posthumous title "Wenzhen" was the ultimate goal for all civil officials.

The first "Wenzhen" of the Tang Dynasty was Wei Zheng, and the second came from the Wugong Su Clan, Li Chengqian's brother-in-law, Su Gui.

Regarding Su Gui, Li Chengqian was exceptionally expectant; if it hadn't affected his growth, he would have loved to send someone to bring him to Chang'an immediately.

At this moment, Li Chengqian lay on the bed, his face full of contentment:

"Xijun, Xiao Gui is seven years old now, right! He should have already learned the entire *Thousand Character Classic*!"

Su Xi sat before the vanity table, letting her maid remove her makeup:

"He began his enlightenment at five; Father wrote at the beginning of the year saying he had already started studying the *Book of Documents* and the *Classic of Changes*."

"Eh?"

Li Chengqian asked in confusion: "Isn't it better to study the *Analects* and the *Classic of Rites* first? No matter the noble clan, they have always learned rites from a young age."

"Children are naturally active and memorize things quickly, so the Su family has always taught the *Classic of Changes* and the *Book of Documents* first.

Etiquette and rules are too rigid, so we always wait until after ten to start learning them, though the principles taught in the *Classic of Rites* are things Father would explain to us bit by bit in daily life."

Li Chengqian's eyes were full of admiration: "No wonder you have always urged Dalang to study the *Classic of Changes*; it turns out to be a family tradition.

Compared to you, my learning is shallow; I only read the *Laozi* and the *Analects* now."

Su Xi turned her head to look at Li Chengqian, her face full of oddity:

"I heard that every time you go to see the Prince of Wu, you bring the *Analects*, and every time you attend court, you bring the *Laozi*; why is that?"

"Can't your husband be studious? Governing the country with the Dao and winning people over with virtue—this is my ambition."

The corners of Su Xi's mouth lifted slightly: "Indeed, winning people over with virtue; even the Prince of Wu is won over by you. When will you let me see how you govern the country with the Dao?"

"The highest good is like water; water benefits all things and does not contend! It follows the wind into the night, moistening things silently; do you think these count as governing the country with the Dao?"

"Understood!"

Su Xi nodded slightly: "You want to emulate Emperor Wen of Han and Chen Ping; what do you need me to do for you?"

"Go see the Nanchang Princess and Yang Fei more often when you have nothing to do, and talk to them about the Eastern Palace from time to time."

"The Empress is not here, so Yang Fei is the head of the inner palace; she has no time to chat with me.

The Prince of Wu is far away in Anzhou; you cannot use him even if you want to."

Li Chengqian tilted his head to look at Su Xi: "What do you mean by 'use'? This is called a heart of compassion.

Yang Fei and the Nanchang Princess are biological sisters, and Yuwen Chongsi and my third brother are cousins; what is wrong with me letting them correspond and maintain their bond?

As for what the civil and military officials at court think, that is none of my business; don't you think that is the logic?"

"You are truly shameless; the Nanchang Princess became a nun long ago after the fall of the Former Sui, so it is better not to disturb her.

Besides, Yuwen Shiji abandoned his family and children back then, which has long been held in contempt; Yang Fei would never agree to let the Prince of Wu contact the Yuwen Family."

Li Chengqian sighed: "Can't your brain turn a little? Where would I go to find the Nanchang Princess?

As long as a hint of wind is leaked, and then people see you frequently entering the palace to chat with Yang Fei, that is enough.

You don't even need to say anything; they will fill in the blanks themselves. They will think I am desperate and grasping at straws, actually starting to win over the Hongnong Yang Clan.

If they are deep thinkers, they might even wonder if the Wugong Su Clan and the Hongnong Yang Clan have formed an alliance.

In a word, from tomorrow on, you handle the outside, and I handle the inside; do you understand?"

"Insidious villain! Don't teach Sanlang in the future; I'm afraid he'll become as annoying as you!"

"Presumptuous! I am the Crown Prince!"

"And I am the Crown Princess!"

"The Longxi Li Clan! Our ancestor was the Great Qin General Li Xin!"

"The Wugong Su Clan! Our ancestor was the Han Guannei Marquis Su Wu, ranked on the Qilin Pavilion list of meritorious officials; have you never heard of Su Wu herding sheep?"

"……"

Li Chengqian admitted that when it came to ancestors, he really couldn't compete with the Su family; you have the Eight Pillar Kingdoms, but they have Prime Ministers.

Not to mention that the Su family's reputation was far better than the Li family's; when people spoke of the Su family, it was about loyalty, but when they spoke of the Li family, it was about their origins in rebellion.

Even if they were the Imperial Clan, those noble clans might not necessarily look up to them; if you want to marry into them, you still have to see what kind of person you are.

Ever since that court session, Li Chengqian had been staying in the Eastern Palace to recover from his injuries, until the arrival of one person that day made him think about leaving the palace.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Taichang Doctor Qiu requests an audience, saying the Emperor sent him over."

"Invite him in!"

"Yes!"

A moment later, a middle-aged man of about thirty years old walked in, carrying an otherworldly aura that made Li Chengqian pause for a moment:

'This temperament doesn't look like an official at all!'

"Taichang Doctor Li Chunfeng pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Li Chungang?"

Li Chengqian couldn't help but recite the famous quote from later generations:

"If heaven did not give birth to me, Li Chungang, the path of the sword would be as long and dark as the night!"

"Hmm?"

Li Chunfeng looked bewildered: "Your Highness the Crown Prince, I am Li Chunfeng, and I do not know the Dao of the sword either!"

"Ahem!"

Li Chengqian coughed lightly twice to cover his embarrassment:

"I've been reading too many miscellaneous notes lately, please forgive me. Is there something you need from me?"

Li Chunfeng held up a scroll of paper with both hands: "The Emperor wishes for me to compile the Book of Jin, and this is the outline I have written."

"The Book of Jin?"

Li Chengqian frowned deeply: "Is Father crazy? Wouldn't it be better to just gloss over the Jin Dynasty? What is there to compile?"

"He doesn't feel ashamed, but I'm afraid of angering these historians to death."

"Our holy dynasty governs the world through filial piety! This is a slap in the face so loud I can still hear it now."

Now it was Li Chunfeng's turn to be embarrassed; he did not know how to answer and could only keep his mouth shut.

Fortunately, Li Chengqian did not complain much more, and after glancing at the paper, he smiled and spoke:

"Director Li is quite lucky; since you are only compiling the three treatises on Astronomy, Calendar, and Five Elements, you don't need to worry about being angered to the point of vomiting blood."

"Proceed according to your own ideas, I have only one requirement."

"Please speak, Your Highness!"

"Sit down and speak. You are well-versed in Astronomy and Calendar, and I happen to have something to ask you."

Li Chengqian pointed casually at the low stool beside him: "Seek truth from facts. When compiling, you must indicate the sources!"

"If it is a calculation, write down the method of calculation; if it is seen from other historical books, indicate which book it is."

"Yes!"

"The Wuyin Yuan Calendar has major flaws. Do you have a way to change it, or can you rewrite a new calendar?"

A look of excitement flashed in Li Chunfeng's eyes: "Your Highness the Crown Prince wants me to compile a calendar? But the Emperor only wants me to revise it."

"Do you think I am playing with you? Just tell me whether you have the ability to complete it or not?"

"I do!"

The joy in Li Chengqian's eyes was evident:

"A calendar should be based on either the solar scale or the lunar tides; you should compile both."

"It must be easy for the common people to remember, so that when they see the signs hanging in the sky, they will know when to sow in the spring, when to harvest in the autumn, when the tide will rise, and when it will recede."