Chapter 52: No Such Thing

Li Chengqian stood up abruptly, a look of contemplation on his face. With Sun Simiao's character, as long as he knew where an epidemic had occurred, he would inevitably go.

"Wang Qi, go find Fifth Brother and Du He. Tell the Crown Princess to return to the Eastern Palace immediately; I have something to ask her."

"Yes!"

Li Tai and the other were dumbfounded, truly unable to imagine why Li Chengqian would have such a reaction upon hearing about an epidemic.

Luzhou and other places were in the Huainan Circuit, far from Chang'an, and it was impossible for an epidemic to spread to Chang'an.

"Eldest Brother! What happened?"

"Nothing. You just asked what to do if an epidemic occurs, right?"

"Yes!"

Li Chengqian sat back down, his expression returning to calm:

"The imperial court has its own regulations for this matter; just follow the methods of past dynasties. There is no need to be unconventional.

The most effective method is the Leper Workshop established by the Former Sui, cutting off the possibility of contact between patients and ordinary people.

As for those already infected, treat them if you can; if you can't, send them to reincarnation."

"No, no!"

Li Tai shook his head slightly: "Father couldn't have let me come and ask you if it were that simple. There must be other things I don't know."

Li Chengqian was stunned. He also realized at this time that with the talents in the Literature Pavilion, it was impossible they didn't know how to prevent and treat epidemics.

*'Could it be that they aren't asking about the epidemic? But want to use the epidemic to do something? *

*Besides book compilation, the only thing related to Qingque is the Imperial Examination System.'*

Suddenly, a sharp light flashed in Li Chengqian's eyes. He thought of a possibility: Li Shimin couldn't wait any longer.

*'Besides the 'Lubu' (public announcements), there is nothing else.'*

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian grinned: "Qingque, do you really want to know?

Listen to Eldest Brother: this matter is too big for you to handle; it's better to give it up!"

"No! A mere three prefectures, I can still handle it."

"Be good, listen to Eldest Brother; this matter is more suitable for Zhinu to handle!"

Hearing this, Li Zhi was greatly anxious and instantly stood up and left the Qingfeng Pavilion:

"Eldest Brother, Fourth Brother, Zhinu has something else to do, you two talk!"

Li Zhi didn't believe Li Chengqian's words at all. He now felt that every sentence Li Chengqian said was digging a pit, and he didn't even know when he would be trapped.

Words said months ago could trap Kim Chunchu now; it wasn't impossible for him to be trapped months later.

Watching Li Zhi's departing back, Li Tai seemed to remember something and prepared to leave, but hindered by Li Shimin's order, he sat back down slowly after just standing up.

"Eldest Brother, tell me! I can definitely handle it."

"This isn't Eldest Brother forcing you. Don't scold Eldest Brother later, and don't blame Eldest Brother."

"I won't!"

Li Chengqian sighed: "It's the 'Lubu'! Father wants to use the epidemic to continue the 'Lubu' reform."

"How to reform?"

"The 'Lubu' was originally used for military manifestos and victory reports, and now it is used to spread books.

Now, 'Lubu' can be used to post notices at the intersections entering the three prefectures, warning everyone entering the three prefectures to stay away.

It can also be posted in major epidemic areas to prevent others from having no way out.

However, there are few scholars in this world, and commoners might not necessarily understand the 'Lubu'."

Hearing this, Li Tai argued: "Although there are few scholars in the world, they are everywhere. Even in rural areas and villages, there are Daoists.

As long as there is one scholar, the content on the 'Lubu' can be spread."

"And how do you know these scholars won't tamper with the content?

Even if they don't tamper with it, there are so many villages in the world; how many 'Lubu' or papers would be needed?"

Li Tai lowered his head, a look of disdain flashing on his face: *You don't have paper, but I do! Sooner or later, I'll make you call me Eldest Brother. *

"Eldest Brother, tell me directly what Father's purpose is."

"To win over the aristocratic clans to oppose Buddhism, or rather, to win over Confucianism to oppose Buddhism.

Nowadays, there are too many people who believe in Buddhism, and sometimes the words of court officials are not as good as those of monks. Father wants to change this situation."

"Why not learn from Northern Zhou Emperor Wu?"

"Slap!"

Li Chengqian patted Li Tai's head: "Where is your brain? I already said many people believe in Buddhism, even Gaoyang believes in Buddhism. If we exterminate Buddhism, how many people in the court will oppose it?

Now Buddhism is different from the time of Northern Zhou Emperor Wu; where is the reason to exterminate Buddhism?

Besides, Father has been believing in Buddhism more and more recently; how could he think of exterminating Buddhism?"

"So that's it!"

Li Tai suddenly realized: "Father doesn't want court turmoil, but he doesn't want the people to only believe in Buddhism and not the imperial court, so he wants to use the aristocratic clans living in the villages.

And to use the aristocratic clans, he must promote them. It just so happens there is the 'Lubu', so he can set up an official position specifically for interpreting the content of the 'Lubu'.

If they say it wrong, Buddhism can point out the error; if they don't say it wrong, they can slowly snatch the hearts of the people."

"That's right!"

"That's right my foot!"

Li Tai was furious and pointed at Li Chengqian, cursing:

"I treat you as Eldest Brother, and you play me like this? Do you think I don't know Zhinu went to win over Buddhism?

If I really do as you say, and you put in a little effort, you can make things big. By then, neither I nor Zhinu will have a chance.

Insidious villain! That's right, you are an insidious villain."

Li Chengqian took the 'De Book' from his sleeve, staring fixedly at Li Tai:

"Continue! Eldest Brother is listening!"

"I won't say it! I won't say it! Qingque is joking. Eldest Brother, hurry and put the 'De Book' away."

"Hmph!"

Li Chengqian glanced at Li Tai with contempt:

"Who told you to do it now? Can't you start from within the cities of the three prefectures first?

It's enough to give Father an account now. Is it that hard to turn your brain?"

"Oh, right!"

Li Tai's eyes brightened: "Eldest Brother, so that's what you meant! Qingque misunderstood you."

"Enough! You can go; I have other things to do."

"Good, Qingque will come again next time."

Li Chengqian was a bit sad. He discovered that Li Tai had become smarter and actually knew that Chu Suiliang went to win over Buddhism.

*'It must be the news Su Jun gave him; it's getting a bit difficult to handle!'*

He had originally wanted to use Li Tai to start the conflict between the aristocratic clans and Buddhism early, and then he would sit back and reap the benefits. Now it seems he still has to honestly execute the plan.

Since his whim didn't trap Li Tai, he didn't care and slowly stood up to walk toward Lizheng Hall.

Li You and Du He had already arrived at Lizheng Hall. Not seeing Li Chengqian, Du He spoke softly:

"Your Highness the Prince of Qi, why did the Crown Prince call us over?"

"I'm also puzzled. I hadn't finished moving the wood when he called me over; it's really annoying!"

"Prince of Qi, why are you obsessed with moving wood?"

Li You had a look of looking at a fool: "You don't know a thing. After moving the wood, the whole person becomes hot and thirsty. At this time, standing in the shade and drinking a cup of cold water is extremely comfortable."

"Isn't practicing martial arts the same!"

"I move wood because I'm repairing the palace; it's doing a good deed. Can the feeling be the same?

Over there, I can lie down however I want, and I can scold people however I want. Can you do that?"

"I dare not, and I don't want to!"

Du He shook his head secretly. He truly couldn't understand Li You's thinking. There were actually people who wanted to suffer and be tired; it was truly self-deprecating.

"What are you chatting about?"

Li Chengqian walked in from outside the hall: "Stop chatting for now. I called you over because there is an important matter for you to do."

"Please instruct us, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Li Chengqian walked to the main seat and sat down: "In two days, you and Fifth Brother go to Luzhou in the Huainan Circuit. There is an epidemic there."

"I'm going too?"

Li You pointed at himself and exclaimed in surprise: "Eldest Brother, I can't leave the capital. Besides, wouldn't I be dragging you down if I went there?" ===== CHAPTER 53 =====