Chapter 53: Too Much is as Bad as Too Little

"Do you still remember what Eldest Brother said to you?"

"What words?"

Li Chengqian chuckled: "If you want true freedom and ease, your heart must be detached from the world.

Medicine King Sun Simiao might be there this time. Follow him and learn, and see how he places his heart outside the world."

"Isn't Eldest Brother also placing his heart in the future? Can't I just learn from you?"

Li Chengqian shook his head slowly: "It's different! I don't count as placing my heart outside the world; it's not true freedom.

I have set an ambition, an ambition that cannot be completed in my lifetime, and I place my heart on this ambition.

If the plan is blocked or destroyed, I will still be angry and sad just the same.

True freedom is not setting limits for oneself and calmly accepting the known and unknown world.

Go to Luzhou, see the world you have never touched, see the lives of the commoners under the epidemic, and realize from it what freedom is."

"I also want to leave Chang'an, but Father definitely won't allow it."

"Don't worry about Father; I have a way."

"That's fine, I'll go find Medicine King Sun."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Du He:

"You also heard it. This time, I want you to use the scholars who go to the villages to teach, and record the actions of local Buddhism during the epidemic.

By the way, send people to the three prefectures of Tan, Hao, and Lu to search for Sun Yaowang's tracks."

"Good, I'll go arrange it now!"

"No! You two go together this time, and along the way, summon physicians and gather medicinal materials to head there in the name of the Eastern Palace."

"Good!"

Du He agreed without even thinking: "Your Highness the Crown Prince, does the Duke of Chen side need to stop temporarily?

Scholars are still lacking, especially in the villages living on the mountains; no scholars are willing to go at all."

"No need to go there for now; the main thing is the villages and wards with farmland.

I will rearrange people to take over the Duke of Chen side. You just do the epidemic prevention work well."

As soon as the voice fell, Su Xi's figure appeared outside the hall. Li Chengqian looked at her and then spoke to Li You and the other:

"You two go and prepare; you must depart by the day after tomorrow at the latest."

"Yes!"

After the two left, Su Xi spoke slowly: "What's the matter with calling me back so urgently?"

"Make some preparations. After Fifth Brother and Du He leave Chang'an, you take Yin Fei and Chengyang to Hongfu Temple to pray for them and the people of the three prefectures of Tan, Hao, and Lu.

Remember, bring all the guards and servants, and don't skimp on anything that should be used. Make the spectacle as grand as you can."

Su Xi was full of confusion: "What happened in Tanzhou?"

"Epidemic!"

"Why not let Hongfu Temple hold a 'Wuzhe' (Non-Obstruction) Assembly? That would be more attractive."

"No!"

Li Chengqian decisively refused: "The 'Wuzhe' Assembly is held every five years; I don't want to use it at this time.

Remember, it must be Hongfu Temple; no other temple will do."

"Good!"

Li Chengqian didn't know if Xuanzang would still live in Hongfu Temple after returning to Chang'an; he could only arrange it according to the history books.

However, he wasn't just arranging it at Hongfu Temple; he also cast a hook at Daci'en Temple. One must always make two-handed preparations.

Looking at the sky, seeing the sun hadn't set yet, Li Chengqian decided to go see Li Shimin. Li You going to Luzhou still needed Li Shimin's nod.

In Ganlu Hall, Li Chengqian not only saw Li Shimin but also saw Fang Xuanling.

Without any pleasantries, Li Chengqian got straight to the point:

"Father, I want Fifth Brother and Du He to go to Luzhou for epidemic prevention."

"The labor hasn't finished yet, and you want to leave Chang'an? What do you take my edict for?"

Li Chengqian's expression did not change: "Do you think Fifth Brother looks like he is suffering? He is now eager to move wood every day.

This doesn't look like you are punishing him; it looks like you are rewarding him."

Speaking of this, Li Shimin felt tired; there wasn't one who could make him feel at ease.

One is insidious and shameless, one only wants to compile literature, one is pretending to be weak every day, and there is another who wants to be a waste.

"Isn't it your suggestion!"

"Didn't this son come to make up for it?"

Li Chengqian was also helpless; how could he know Li You actually liked being abused.

"Father, this son has helped you so much; shouldn't you help this son too!"

"What did you help me with? What do I need your help with?"

Li Chengqian frowned slightly: "Father, saying this has a bit of the flavor of crossing the river and tearing down the bridge.

Not to mention the compensation for the soldiers of the eastern expedition, I have truly protected Qingque. In the future, no matter who becomes Emperor, it is impossible to take action against him, unless he seeks his own death."

Li Shimin opened another memorial: "I didn't see it, and I didn't think of it!"

"You are playing the rogue. I saw the bamboo paper when I just came in! You already want to give the right to compile books to Qingque; don't think I don't know."

Li Shimin continued to play dumb, not wanting Li You to leave Chang'an at all:

"So what? If I give it to him, can it protect him?"

Li Chengqian was dumbfounded. How could he think that the dignified Tang Taizong would actually play the rogue? If he couldn't see Li Chengqian's thoughts, he would truly be a ghost.

"Pretend! Just pretend! Zhinu learned it from you."

Li Shimin put down the memorial in his hand and sighed lightly:

"What exactly do you want the Prince of Qi to do? What can that brain of his do?"

"Let him be a physician to treat illnesses and save people. Don't ask what it's for; the time hasn't come, and this son won't tell anyone."

"Then I can't help it. Talk about it in two months!"

Li Chengqian was furious and began to threaten Li Shimin:

"Then this son will help Qingque finish the book compilation within five years, or change the names of the 'Wude Encyclopedia' or 'Zhenguan Encyclopedia' to 'Wei Wang Encyclopedia'."

"Are you threatening me? What great courage; be careful, or I'll play the 'Prince of Qin Breaks the Formation' for you."

Hearing this, Li Chengqian's tone softened:

"Father, Fifth Brother is truly of great use; just cooperate with me."

"Enough!"

Li Shimin waved his hand: "Seeing that you truly cherish your brother, I will agree to you this time."

"Many thanks, Father! This son retires."

Li Chengqian was wrong about one thing: Li Shimin hadn't decided whether to give the right to compile books to Li Tai.

Calling Fang Xuanling over alone was also to discuss this matter.

"Xuanling, you also heard what Gaoming just said. Giving the right to compile books to Qingque means not having to worry about Qingque's safety, and not fearing that those people in the Literature Pavilion will be cleared out by the next emperor.

But giving it to Qingque also cuts off the possibility of Qingque ascending the throne."

Fang Xuanling showed a look of astonishment, then fell into deep thought. Before long, he looked at Li Shimin with a face full of surprise:

"The Crown Prince wants the Prince of Wei to compile books for a lifetime? As long as the books aren't finished, the Prince of Wei cannot be killed.

Whether it is the 'Wude Encyclopedia' or the 'Zhenguan Encyclopedia', they represent filial piety. Once the Prince of Wei is killed, affecting the book compilation, that is unfilial.

Moreover, compiling books gathers a large number of scholars. If the Prince of Wei is killed at will, it will inevitably cause dissatisfaction among scholars, and virtuous people would rather live in seclusion in the mountains than serve him again.

Because of this, if the Prince of Wei ascends the throne, he must also govern by civil means. The court will slowly see civil officials become dominant, or even civil officials controlling military officials. This is what His Majesty does not want to see."

"If it were you, how would you choose? Do you have a way to break the situation?"

Fang Xuanling gave a self-deprecating smile: "This subordinate is shallow in learning and cannot break this situation.

Actually, as long as His Highness the Prince of Wei accepts the right to compile books, he must deal with the aristocratic clans, and a large group of aristocratic clans will gather around him.

If the Prince of Wei ascends the throne with this, it will be difficult to deal with the aristocratic clans in the future.

For the Prince of Wei, the greater his reputation among scholars, the further he is from the throne, and his life becomes more guaranteed.

Now, to break this situation, unless the Prince of Wei voluntarily gives up compiling books."

"Too much is as bad as too little!" ===== CHAPTER 54 =====