Chapter 49: The Envoy

"Li Taichang's righteousness is profound. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will certainly lend Li Taichang a helping hand."

After the two sides conversed for an hour, Xiao Yu returned to the Literature Pavilion, satisfied, carrying the paper.

He prepared to leave the paper in the Literature Pavilion for a period of time to see if it would attract insects.

If it proved effective, he would have all the books of the Lanling Xiao Clan recopied.

Just as he reached the main gate of the Literature Pavilion, Xiao Yu bumped into Li Tai walking out from within.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Prince of Wei!"

"Special Advancement Xiao, what are you holding in your hand?"

"It is bamboo paper. I heard it can prevent insect damage, so I brought it over to test it."

"Bamboo paper?"

Li Tai was full of confusion: "Paper made from bamboo? Isn't paper made from bamboo stiff and hard?"

"It was created by Daozhang Zhiyuan. Its production cost is low, its texture is soft, and only Li Taichang has some."

"Low production cost?"

Li Tai's eyes gradually brightened: "How low? Lower than rattan paper?"

"Half as much! It just requires manufacturing in places with abundant bamboo, like Yizhou."

"Good, good, good!"

Li Tai exclaimed in surprise: "Go and have a new batch made right now, then test how it fares against insect damage. Once it's done, we shall go see Father!

Hahaha, with this paper, what will Zhinu have to compete with me for the right to compile books?"

Li Zhi was not thinking about competing with him for the right to compile books now; since Li Shimin had told him to go and win over the hearts of the Bingzhou army, how could he still care about the right to compile books?

Like Li Chengqian, he wanted to expand the territory deep in his bones, and he also believed that whoever held military power held the final say in this world.

However, to prevent Li Tai from causing trouble, Li Zhi still showed that he valued the right to compile books.

"Uncle, I don't understand military affairs. I can handle the compensation, but I still want to compile books.

Donggao Zi will arrive in Chang'an soon; we cannot let him make the trip in vain."

"I heard Your Highness the Prince of Wei is compiling the 'Classics' section. Why doesn't the Prince of Jin let Donggao Zi compile the 'Masters' section first?

The envoy from Silla has already arrived. If I am not mistaken, he has come to seek aid. His Majesty will decide on the book compilation matter before the eastern expedition."

Li Zhi nodded slightly: "Uncle said last time that Eldest Brother is supervising the state. Do I need to go and ask Eldest Brother for help?

Eldest Brother also does not want Fourth Brother to obtain the right to compile books; perhaps I can obtain it by seeking his help."

Zhangsun Wuji was very satisfied with Li Zhi's thinking. In his view, Li Zhi, like Li Shimin and Li Tai, was fond of scholars.

As long as the country was governed by civil means, he, as the Grand Commandant, would never lose power.

"There are no scholars left by the Crown Prince's side, and he cannot be of much help.

Rather than seeking the Crown Prince's help, it is better to arrange for the disciples of Donggao Zi and Wenzhongzi. Only by treating scholars with courtesy can one win their hearts and gain His Majesty's high regard."

"Good! I will listen to Uncle. I will send someone to Pingkang Fang to find a courtyard in a moment."

Just then, the voice of a eunuch sounded outside the door:

"Your Highness the Prince of Jin, Duke of Zhao, the Sage requests your presence. The envoy from Silla has arrived."

"Is Eldest Brother there?"

"He is! However..."

"However what?"

"Your Highness the Prince of Jin should go see for yourself; this humble one does not know how to say it."

Li Zhi arrived at Liangyi Hall with his head full of questions. As soon as he entered, he saw Li Chengqian waving a scroll of books in front of Li Tai:

"Qingque, think carefully before you speak. Don't say Eldest Brother didn't give you a chance!"

Li Tai gave a sheepish smile: "Eldest Brother, what is this for? You are the Crown Prince; of course, you should make the decisions."

"That is for the best!"

After saying this, Li Chengqian turned his head to look at Li Shimin:

"Father, you heard it. Qingque has already agreed to let me converse with the Silla envoy, Kim Chunchu."

Li Shimin's face was complex. He discovered that Li Chengqian was becoming increasingly devoid of a bottom line. With the superior acting this way, the inferiors would follow; he truly feared that the entire Great Tang would become shameless in the future.

"Zhinu is here. As long as Zhinu also agrees, you shall make the decision for this matter."

Li Chengqian turned to look at Li Zhi, a gentle smile appearing on his face:

"Zhinu, has Eldest Brother been good to you? From childhood to now, it has always been Eldest Brother taking you out to play.

Last time you didn't take Eldest Brother to find the female ghost; shouldn't you compensate Eldest Brother?"

"Female ghost?"

Li Zhi widened his eyes: "Eldest Brother! You still haven't forgotten?"

"How could I forget? How dare I forget? That was a gift bestowed by Heaven.

Eldest Brother asks you, do you agree or not!"

"Zhinu also wants to agree, but..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was directly interrupted by Li Chengqian:

"Father, you heard it. Zhinu has also agreed! You are the Emperor; you cannot go back on your word!"

Li Shimin was so angry he directly picked up a book and threw it at Li Chengqian:

"Is that agreeing? You are so shameless, aren't you afraid your Mother will find out?

What sin did I commit in my previous life to have a son like you?

Fine! Don't you want to talk to the Silla envoy? I will let you talk. If you don't handle it well, don't blame me for stripping you of your Crown Prince position."

Li Chengqian curled his lips, not caring at all. At this time, who could strip him of it?

Even if Li Shimin were willing, the civil and military officials of the court would not be, and neither would Li Tai or Li Zhi.

Without a Crown Prince, who would supervise the state? Changing a Crown Prince—aren't they afraid of court instability?

Ignoring Li Zhi's resentful gaze, Li Chengqian spoke with a grin:

"Zhinu, watch closely. Eldest Brother will only demonstrate once. Remember to thank Eldest Brother later!"

Li Zhi did not want to reply at all, but hindered by the court setting, he could only nod.

Before long, a man in his thirties walked in:

"Subordinate Kim Chunchu pays respects to the Emperor of Great Tang!"

"Envoy, no need for formalities!"

Li Shimin spoke indifferently: "For what matter has the envoy come this time?"

"I only hope the Emperor of Great Tang will save Silla!"

Kim Chunchu knelt on the ground, his forehead hitting the floor heavily:

"Goguryeo and Baekje have united to occupy over forty cities of our country, burning, killing, and looting—there is no evil they do not commit.

Now they are even plotting to cut off Silla's path to the Tang. I hope the Emperor of Great Tang will send troops to support us."

Li Shimin did not respond, but turned his head to look at Li Chengqian:

"Crown Prince, what do you think?"

"The Master said: If those from afar do not submit, then cultivate civil virtue to attract them. Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla are all neighboring states, yet they wage war against each other.

This must be because Great Tang has not done enough, and our virtue is insufficient to harmonize the ten thousand states.

This son feels Great Tang should cultivate civil virtue and cease military action, so as to let neighboring states know Great Tang is a virtuous nation."

"Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Kim Chunchu was greatly anxious: "When the lips are gone, the teeth are cold! During the Former Sui period, Goguryeo invaded the Central Plains dynasty. If they are allowed to destroy our country and Baekje, they will inevitably invade Great Tang again."

"That is also true!"

Li Chengqian frowned slightly: "However, Great Tang has always governed by ritual and ruled by virtue. Goguryeo has shown no disrespect toward Great Tang.

Furthermore, the people of the Great Tang's Xia are still in deep water. If we disregard the will of the people to launch an eastern expedition against Goguryeo, it will cause instability in the Great Tang's foundation."

"Since the Crown Prince cherishes the people of the Xia, why abandon the people of Silla?"

Li Chengqian scolded coldly: "What does the populace of Silla have to do with my Great Tang?

I am not afraid to tell you: even if you all die, I will not glance at it. If one person of the Xia dies, even to the ends of the earth, the soldiers of Great Tang must exterminate them.

You just touch your upper and lower lips together and want the soldiers of Great Tang to risk their lives for you? On what basis?

Don't talk to me about lips and teeth. You ask Goguryeo if they dare to invade Great Tang! Even the Turkic are not afraid; would Great Tang be afraid of a tiny Goguryeo?"

Kim Chunchu's eyes brightened: "Is what Your Highness the Crown Prince said true? As long as they are people of the Xia, Great Tang will inevitably send troops to rescue them?"

"Of course! I am the Crown Prince of Great Tang. If you don't believe me, ask Father and the civil and military officials. I never lie!"

The officials silently lowered their heads. A flush of red flashed across Li Shimin's face; he always felt embarrassed:

"What the Crown Prince says is my intent. Today's matter shall be decided by the Crown Prince."

Kim Chunchu was overjoyed. Regardless of court etiquette, he quickly opened his outer garment, took out a scroll of books from within, and ran to Li Chengqian. ===== CHAPTER 50 =====