[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-great-tang-starting-off-by-vindicating-li-er":3,"chapter-great-tang-starting-off-by-vindicating-li-er-great-tang-starting-off-by-vindicating-li-er-chapter-18":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Great Tang: Starting Off by Vindicating Li Er",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2351149,4596,"Chapter 18: The Empress is Gravely Ill, Su Liang Returns to the Capital","great-tang-starting-off-by-vindicating-li-er-chapter-18",18,"\u003Cp>At this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the dukes and ministers were overjoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Li Er forced a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple: three days ago, the Empress caught a cold and had yet to recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, her high fever persisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hour later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Lizheng Hall of the Taiji Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Er, Zhangsun Wuji, and the various Imperial Princes and Princesses, including Changle, were all present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Er looked at the imperial physician Qin Ming and asked, \"How is the Empress's condition today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming replied tremblingly, \"I fear...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Er was instantly furious, grabbing Qin Ming by the arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked angrily, \"Fear what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I fear she will not last half a month...\" Qin Ming said slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Er so agitated, he added, \"Perhaps we can try once my Master returns to the capital.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Er’s eyes lit up, and he immediately asked, \"Is the Master you speak of the Medicine God Sun Simiao?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming answered affirmatively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, his only hope lay with his Master; otherwise, his own life might be in jeopardy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Medicine God Sun Simiao had sent word a few days ago that he would arrive in Changancheng by tomorrow at the latest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Qin Ming’s firm tone, Li Er asked, \"When will the Medicine God Sun Simiao arrive in Changancheng?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tomorrow. My Master sent word that he would arrive in Changancheng by tomorrow at the latest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming said earnestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is the messenger coming from?\" Li Er asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming confirmed, \"Luoyang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good, good, good...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Li Er’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately arranged for the Thousand Bull Guards to search in the direction of Luoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two hours later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Thousand Bull Guards intercepted Sun Simiao two hundred li outside of Changancheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Mao hour that day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Lizheng Hall of the Taiji Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After checking the pulse, the Medicine God Sun Simiao shook his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then looked at Li Er and said, \"This commoner can only sustain the Empress for one month.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Er staggered upon hearing this and immediately asked, \"Is there truly no other way?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, Sun Simiao spoke slowly: \"There is a way!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Er hurriedly asked, \"What is the way?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Simiao replied: \"If there is anyone in this world who can save the Empress, it can only be him, and only him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who?\" Li Er asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Simiao said: \"This commoner only knows that this person is from Jiangning, Su Ziyu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Er asked: \"What is so special about this person that he earns such praise from the divine physician Sun?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Simiao said: \"This person possesses a needle technique called the Nine Needles of Reincarnation. As long as the patient still has a breath of life, the nine needles can bring them back from the brink of death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Er asked excitedly: \"Then is this person in Jiangning now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Simiao said: \"This person travels the world year-round, and this commoner does not know where he is. Your Majesty must send someone to find him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Su Ziyu... Su Ziyu... Jiangning...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, Zhangsun Wuji, standing to the side, muttered to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Zhangsun Wuji looked at Sun Simiao and asked: \"Divine Physician Sun, is this person a youth of fifteen or sixteen, six chi tall, and handsome?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Simiao said: \"That is indeed the case. Could it be that Lord Zhangsun knows this person?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Er suddenly grabbed Zhangsun Wuji’s hand and said: \"Fuji, you know this person too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhangsun Wuji ignored Li Er.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued to ask: \"Divine Physician Sun, does this person also go by the name Su Liang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Simiao said: \"This commoner does not know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Sun Simiao did not know either, Zhangsun Wuji looked at Li Er and said: \"Your Majesty, do you remember when I asked for his name some time ago, Su Liang gave his birth date and time to me and let me handle everything?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At that time, Your Majesty even mocked Su Liang for taking a courtesy name before reaching the age of twenty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you remember how Su Liang answered then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Er realized it in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately said: \"At that time, the Su lad said: 'My parents failed to give me a courtesy name, so I took one myself to travel the world.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, Li Er added: \"Are you saying that the Su Ziyu and Su Liang mentioned by the divine physician are the same person?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhangsun Wuji said: \"We all forgot that Su Liang also knows medicine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Er said: \"Then why didn't Su Liang use his courtesy name after entering the capital?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhangsun Wuji paused and said: \"That is a question for the Su lad himself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Er said: \"Very well, I will arrange for people to go and bring the Su lad back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhangsun Wuji said: \"Let me go personally; Your Majesty can wait in peace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>December 12th.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shuofang City, within the residence of Liang Luoren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing, Wang Xuance, Su Dingfang, Xue Rengui, Liang Luoren, and others were all present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang said calmly: \"It has been seven days; how many Turks have come to surrender?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing said: \"The Ashina and Ashide tribes of the Turkic royal family have both surrendered.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The four tribes of Sheli Tuli, Sunong, Zhishi, and Bayan have also sent people to offer their surrender.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang asked upon hearing this: \"Oh... the Zhishi tribe has also come to surrender, but what about Zhishi Sili?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing said: \"Zhishi Sili has already led several thousand of his clansmen to flee to the Western Turks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xuance added at this time: \"The other dozen or so Turkic tribes have also come one after another to offer their surrender.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the former commander of Xiaoguan, Zhang Gongjin, had already been transferred to guard Lingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was helping to mine Taixi coal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing’s army was stationed in the Yinshan region, where they established the Anbei Protectorate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over a hundred thousand Turks were busy with construction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no other way; the thousands of royal tents in the Yinshan mountains had been burned by Su Liang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang could only use labor as a form of relief to build the Anbei Protectorate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dingxiang City was also reorganized into the Dingxiang Protectorate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The original Turkic royal tents were converted into the Zhenbei Protectorate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the buildings made of stone, bricks, cement, and sand were completed on the outskirts of the Yinshan mountains, the Eastern Turks were completely subjugated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every house had a heated brick bed, and during this time, Su Liang also had people forge stoves in Shuofang Commandery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Su Liang had people send two hundred shi of sweet potatoes and potatoes from Changancheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hundred shi of sweet potatoes and one hundred shi of potatoes, with one shi equaling 125 jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten cuo make one chao, and ten chao make one shao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten shao make one he, and ten he make one sheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten sheng make one dou, and ten dou make one shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some time ago, the sweet potatoes and potatoes in Changancheng had been harvested, with each mu yielding barely 6,000 jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, one mu in the Tang Dynasty was approximately 530 square meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In modern times, it is 666 square meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang had already sent two shi of potatoes and sweet potatoes via an urgent 800-li courier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, he invited everyone at the Anbei Protectorate to taste them and explained the methods of cultivation and planting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang would naturally not pass up such a good place for planting sweet potatoes and potatoes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only by having the Turks engage in both herding and farming could Su Liang be completely at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang had long since made plans; he also had the Turks start by planting one thousand jin of cotton seeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the planting location, Su Liang had already chosen it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ejin Banner of the Alxa League, on the northwest side of the Helan Mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cotton here is characterized by features similar to cotton from the inland northwest, being white in color with fine fiber quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tribes formerly under Ashina Sunishi in the left and right Alxa Banners could assist in mining the Helan Mountain coal mines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>General Zhang Gongjin only needs to handle the defensive preparations well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, it is also good to train soldiers in the Helan Mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over these past few days, the various generals have also been asking Su Liang for his methods of training troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is truly because Su Liang’s methods of training troops are far too miraculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this battle, 3,600 White-Robed Guards raided the Ashina Sunishi royal tent and killed thirty thousand, killed fifty thousand along the way while heading north, and raided the Turkic Yinshan royal tent at night, killing thirty thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This battle saw the slaughter of over one hundred thousand Turks, with not a single man lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after the battle did they learn that every White-Robed Guard was someone who dared to entrust their back safely to their comrades-in-arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When encountering danger, comrades would also protect each other with their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this battle, the three thousand plus White-Robed Guards were all more or less injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White-Robed Guards do not abandon or forsake any teammate, whether they are lightly or heavily injured!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding this, Su Liang is also very gratified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing everyone’s inquiries, Su Liang also told them his training methods in great detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, everyone was incredulous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every White-Robed Guard has practiced martial arts since childhood, trains daily with a 30-jin load, runs 50 li morning and night, and even traverses mountains and ridges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every White-Robed Guard can be called the king of soldiers among kings of soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang also suggested they could select elites from the army to form \"special forces\"!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone understands the logic, but not everyone can be like the White-Robed Guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang also received news sent by Uncle Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The method for refining fine salt has already been figured out by the Wang clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the other four surnames and six prominent families also followed suit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brewing craft is also better than before...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rocking chair is even more highly praised by the people of Changancheng...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nowadays, mahjong has already swept through the entire Changancheng...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, the eight-immortal tables from Su Liang’s Drunken Immortal Pavilion are also being manufactured and sold by various noble families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the stoves designed by Su Liang are being replicated in brass by the noble families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang is speechless; he himself is not even that extravagant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What makes Su Liang angry is that the various noble families are racking their brains, attempting to get their hands on the cigarette business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is all because of those few idiots, the \"Four Young Masters of Changan,\" who spend their days soaking in Pingkang Ward, drinking small cups of wine and smoking big cigarettes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nowadays, those few have a large group of loyal little fanboys behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Li Er and several Dukes take them out to show off from time to time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could such a business with exorbitant profits fall into the hands of others?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang naturally must hold it firmly in his own hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>December 13th, at the hour of the Horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Shuofang City, inside the residence of Liang Luoren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang is currently surrounding a stove with everyone, eating hot pot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang looked at Wang Xuance and said, \"How are the brothers' injuries healing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xuance said, \"Generally no problem; we can already return to Changan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good... have the White-Robed Guards pack up; we depart tomorrow!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang said indifferently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, he thought for a moment and asked, \"How is the manufacturing of the wooden oxen and flowing horses coming along?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xuance said, \"A full hundred have been manufactured; it is just that the magnets provided by the Young Master are limited.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, it is just enough to load some gold, silver, and treasures back to Changan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding this, Su Liang is also well aware; this is what he had calculated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang had long since made arrangements for the remaining magnets, for which he spent three full days making two gifts for Changle and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Su Liang also chuckled and said, \"Tsk tsk... four hundred jin per cart; it seems the Turks still have quite a bit of gold and silver.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gold, silver, and treasures in Wang Xuance's mouth were those offered by the Turks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are a full thirty-plus shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xuance also joked, \"These dozens of shi of gold, silver, and treasures can serve as a dowry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing, who was to the side, also asked, \"How about I betroth my daughter to Young Master Su?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Su Liang’s body trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, he slowly said, \"These are to be given to His Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing laughed heartily: \"Young Master Su, you don't need to be modest. You have conquered the three kingdoms; it is not much for His Majesty to reward you with these.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Previously, a full hundred shi of gold and silver had already been sent to Changancheng.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang did not bother with Li Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately looked at Xue Rengui and said, \"Rengui, you return to Longmen County today first, and bring your mother to Taoyuan County; there is a residence in Taoyuan County that the Young Master has left for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Rengui said, \"Very well, I will depart after eating. Also, I ask that the Young Master does not forget what he promised Rengui.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding this, Su Liang also chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, he said, \"Next year I will accompany you to propose marriage; the Young Master will act as your matchmaker.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Su Liang ignored him, Li Jing also joked, \"Young Master Su, could it be that you have taken a fancy to that Xiao Meiniang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the wine Su Liang had just drunk sprayed right out of his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cough, cough...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, Su Liang said, \"The Duke of Wei is overthinking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, Li Jing also became interested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately said, \"Then why did Young Master Su arrange for the others to go ahead to Changan, but kept that Xiao Meiniang here in Shuofang City?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang was slightly embarrassed at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These past few days, everyone has been looking at Su Liang with strange gazes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this time, even Xiao Meiniang has been looking at Su Liang with ambiguous gazes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang is also speechless about this; it is just that he is afraid that the guy Li Er will do something out of line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't his sister-in-law, who was three thousand li away, also taken into his harem?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although it is said that in history, Li Er taking Xiao Meiniang as a consort was for the sake of imperial power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now that he has seen Xiao Meiniang’s beauty, he cannot help but feel suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marrying both mother and daughter...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is why he let Xiao Meiniang stay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She will return to Changan with Su Liang when the time comes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Su Liang finished coughing, he immediately said, \"You all have been overthinking these past few days; think carefully about who that Xiao Meiniang is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xuance also spoke up for Su Liang: \"The Duke of Wei should not guess wildly; the Young Master naturally has his deep reasons for doing things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nowadays, all the young ladies of noble families in all of Changan want to be concubines for the Young Master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does the Duke of Wei not also wish to marry his beloved daughter to the Young Master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the corners of Li Jing’s mouth also trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, Xue Rengui also spoke up: \"That Xiao Meiniang is the mother-in-law of the Young Master’s father-in-law; the Young Master would certainly not do such a thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone skipped this topic and continued to chat about other things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just at this moment, Zhangsun Wuji and a few others arrived outside the residence gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhangsun Wuji found out where Su Liang was and hurried in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Zhangsun Wuji could speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jing immediately stood up and pulled Zhangsun Wuji to sit down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately said, \"Duke of Zhao, come, come, come; what Young Master Su said is indeed correct, these Turks' cattle and sheep are very fatty and delicious, hurry and eat some to warm your body.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, he ordered the servants to fetch bowls and chopsticks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhangsun Wuji, however, had no appetite at all and immediately looked at Su Liang and said, \"Worthy son-in-law, the Empress is seriously ill; please return early.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang asked suspiciously, \"The Empress is very ill?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhangsun Wuji said, \"The Divine Doctor Sun can only help the Empress hold on for another month.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang continued to ask, \"Sun Simiao?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhangsun Wuji said, \"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having received confirmation from Zhangsun Wuji, Su Liang also set his mind at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In history, Empress Zhangsun did not pass away until the tenth year of Zhenguan, at the age of only thirty-six, but now Empress Zhangsun is already twenty-nine; she will be thirty after the New Year, and she has already given birth to three sons and two daughters for Li Shimin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang immediately said, \"With my senior brother there, it will be fine; if he says he can hold on for a month, he definitely can.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father-in-law, sit down and eat something to warm your body first; we will depart for Changan tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhangsun Wuji asked suspiciously, \"When did Sun Simiao become your senior brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang said indifferently, \"I helped him complete the Thousand Gold Prescriptions, and the man, already over eighty, insisted on becoming my student.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Helpless, I had to address him as senior fellow apprentice, but that stubborn old man insisted that whoever is more accomplished is the master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhangsun Wuji said, \"Does that mean my worthy son-in-law can cure the Empress?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang answered irrelevantly, \"Does my father-in-law not know that not a single member of the White Robe Guard fell in battle?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhangsun Wuji continued, \"Is it true, as the Divine Doctor Sun says, that as long as there is a breath left, you can bring the dead back to life?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Su Liang nod slightly, Zhangsun Wuji finally set his heart at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang had already arranged all matters and was prepared to set off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Zhangsun Wuji saw the wooden oxen and flowing horses one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately exclaimed, \"This... is this the legendary wooden ox and flowing horse?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Liang also patiently explained, \"It is indeed the wooden ox and flowing horse; one cart can transport four hundred catties and travel a hundred miles a day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, Zhangsun Wuji was full of praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage Su Liang crafted was ten square meters in size, four meters long, two and a half meters wide, and two meters high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had nine wheels and could be easily pulled by just two horses, with a speed no different from an ordinary one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were four wheels on each side of the carriage and one wheel at the very front, which could easily control the direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver sat at the very front and could control the steering wheel, thereby easily driving the other eight wheels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for the one wheel at the very front for steering, it was truly all-wheel drive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Zhangsun Wuji did not know was that inside the carriage, it felt as if one were walking on flat ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main body of the carriage was made entirely of metal, while the decorative parts were made of fine red sandalwood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This carriage was one of the gifts Su Liang gave to Changle and the other young ladies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Xiao Meiniang and her maid were sitting inside the carriage; Su Liang had gone to great pains for this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the carriage were also little trinkets Su Liang had collected for the young ladies, as well as another gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was precisely the fully automatic mahjong machine that Su Liang had manufactured!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A procession of nearly five thousand people headed toward Changancheng one after another...\u003C\u002Fp>",3398,"2026-06-21T02:53:01.560Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","a7080bccf6801d6cf715ded841904ea07db4521b5ffa1b50a964c6ca41f0f02f","great-tang-starting-off-by-vindicating-li-er-chapter-19","great-tang-starting-off-by-vindicating-li-er-chapter-17",63,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgreat-tang-starting-off-by-vindicating-li-er-cover.jpg"]