Chapter 19: Crown Prince's assassin, villa auction

Ninth year of Wude, December 18th.

Noon, Taiji Palace, Lizheng Hall.

Su Liang was quietly taking Empress Zhangsun's pulse.

Seeing Su Liang's brows furrow slightly, Li Er couldn't help but ask, "Good son-in-law, how is your mother-in-law?"

Su Liang glanced at Li Er calmly and said, "It is just a hidden ailment left from her youth, combined with a respiratory condition; her body was already weak, and the recent cold just caused complications."

Li Er then asked, "I know the Empress has a respiratory condition and a weak constitution, but I don't know what you mean by the hidden ailment left from her youth."

Seeing Li Er ask, Su Liang said disdainfully, "You still have the nerve to ask?"

"The Empress has been with you since she was thirteen, and she gave birth to three children for you in three consecutive years."

"And you still don't know?"

Li Er felt very innocent about this: "This... I have always taken careful care of her."

Su Liang was speechless; some things could not be explained in a short time.

Then he blurted out, "She didn't recover properly after childbirth."

Sun Simiao stepped forward and asked, "What is recovering after childbirth?"

Su Liang explained, "It means she didn't rest well during the month after birth, her body's vitality didn't recover, leading to a weak constitution."

"Moreover, there are risks for women under sixteen to give birth."

"The Empress is exactly in this situation now."

Upon hearing this, Sun Simiao suddenly understood.

Sun Simiao said, "I wonder how the Imperial Son-in-law intends to treat her?"

Li Er felt quite awkward about this and asked, "Then does my good son-in-law have a way?"

Su Liang said, "Except for His Majesty and the palace maids, have everyone else leave."

Li Er asked in confusion, "Is it inconvenient for you if they are here?"

Sun Simiao answered for Su Liang, "The Imperial Son-in-law is about to perform acupuncture; it is inconvenient to do so through clothing."

Upon hearing this, Li Er immediately drove away all the men, including the eunuchs.

For a time, the only men left in Lizheng Hall were Su Liang, Li Er, and Sun Simiao.

Seeing Sun Simiao's pitiful thirst for knowledge, and considering he was already over eighty years old, Li Er allowed him to stay.

As the saying goes, a physician does not avoid clothing, and besides, he had troubled the man enough already.

Half an hour later.

Su Liang was drenched in sweat, and Empress Zhangsun's face had a slight flush.

During this time.

Sun Simiao watched as Su Liang inserted needles one by one into the Empress's various acupoints.

His control of force was precise to the smallest detail; one could not enter this field without being a master of both medicine and martial arts.

From time to time, some stagnant blood would gradually ooze out along the long needles.

Another quarter of an hour later.

Su Liang removed the long needles.

He then walked to the desk and sat down slowly.

He wrote out a prescription in a flowing hand and handed it to Sun Simiao.

Li Er immediately had someone go to decoct the medicine.

At this time, Li Er's complexion finally improved.

He looked at Su Liang and asked, "Good son-in-law, those needles of yours don't seem to be silver needles?"

Su Liang said, "They are indeed not silver needles; silver needles are too soft, and some acupoints cannot be easily pierced."

"These needles are forged from extraterrestrial meteorite iron, possessing great resilience that silver needles cannot compare to."

"I call them Mystic Needles!"

Sun Simiao was not surprised by this, as he had seen them before.

Seeing Li Er's complexion improving, he hurriedly bowed to Li Er and said, "Your Majesty, this commoner has a request!"

Seeing this, Li Er hurriedly helped him up and asked, "What does the Divine Physician Sun request?"

Sun Simiao said, "I implore Your Majesty to establish a medical academy."

Su Liang, standing to the side, smiled slightly upon hearing this.

This old man had finally figured it out.

Li Er's gaze immediately turned to Su Liang; seeing Su Liang nod slightly and recalling the medical academy in Taoyuan County, he immediately understood what was going on.

He then smiled and said, "If the Divine Physician Sun can do this, it will be the fortune of the Great Tang's people, and the fortune of the world."

"The Imperial Son-in-law has already prepared the medical academy for you."

"The medical academy in Taoyuan City has already been built, covering over two thousand mu!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Simiao looked at Su Liang with gratitude.

Over a year ago, Su Liang and Sun Simiao met in Jingzhou.

Su Liang saw that Sun Simiao's medicine boy was too arrogant and gave him a sound scolding.

Physicians in the world should not stick to ancestral teachings; they should break the master-apprentice system, and good medical skills should be spread throughout the world.

They should not take them to the grave just because they couldn't find a suitable successor.

This led to many good prescriptions being lost forever.

He scolded Sun Simiao until he was ashamed.

Only afterwards did he learn that the old man before him was the Medical God Sun Simiao.

Afterwards, Su Liang helped him complete the Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold.

Since then, the two had traveled together for more than a month.

Sun Simiao kept calling him Master.

Su Liang kept calling him Senior Brother.

Su Liang couldn't bring himself to make the Medical God Sun Simiao his apprentice.

A moment later.

Su Liang looked at Li Er and said, "Let the Empress come with me to Taoyuan County today; I am not at ease with her here."

Li Er was speechless; this was a blatant mockery.

He couldn't say a word for a long time.

Sun Simiao suddenly said, "Imperial Son-in-law, I fear this is inappropriate; the Empress should not endure long-distance travel at this time."

Zhangsun Wuji, who had already entered, said, "Divine Physician Sun, rest assured, the Su lad's carriage is very stable."

Seeing this, Li Er agreed.

At this time, Su Liang suddenly asked, "What about Little Sizi? I want to take her too."

Little Sizi would be ten years old after the New Year; in history, Little Sizi died young at twelve, and Su Liang was not at ease.

Seeing this, Li Er had nothing to say; Princess Jinyang's health was indeed poor.

Li Er was also at ease with her going to Taoyuan County to spend the winter with Su Liang.

That afternoon.

Su Liang took Empress Zhangsun and Little Sizi away.

Everyone moved to the Taoyuan Villa.

At this time, the residences in Taoyuan City had already been sold out, and the villa would be publicly auctioned at Tianqiao Ward in two days.

Many people from Changan City and the surrounding areas had moved into their new homes.

There were already nearly five hundred thousand people in the city.

There were also twenty thousand people in the seventy-two villages outside the city.

The population of Changan City had decreased by twenty percent because of this.

That night.

Inside the Taoyuan Villa.

Changle, Zhangsun Yue, and Ruyan were all dumbfounded and in disbelief when they saw the mahjong machine.

When Su Liang told them that the carriage they rode in today weighed ten shi, the women were even more stunned.

The scene fell into an eerie silence.

Only nine-year-old Little Sizi was slightly calmer.

After all, she was still a child, and her imagination was boundless.

She felt that anything Su Liang produced was normal.

She kept calling him Brother Su.

Su Liang smiled and reached out to touch Little Sizi, who was only four feet tall, with a face full of doting; he loved this little girl very much.

She was worthy of being Li Er's smartest princess.

Su Liang also distributed the little trinkets he brought back to all the women.

That night, Su Liang spent the night in the rooms of Zhangsun Yue and Ruyan one after the other.

It is good to have a heated kang; it is not cold at all...

The next morning.

Su Liang, who was still in Zhangsun Yue's room, was woken up.

Someone had come to the door early this morning: Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Yesterday, he had first gone to Ruyan and Yu'er's room, and only arrived at Zhangsun Yue's room in the second half of the night.

It was fortunate that he had arranged it this way, otherwise...

Helpless, since he had been woken up, Su Liang had to get up.

After washing up, he went straight to the main hall, where Crown Prince Li Chengqian was already sitting.

Li Chengqian stood up immediately and said, "Brother-in-law, can my foot ailment be cured..."

Su Liang shook his head slightly.

Seeing this, Li Chengqian staggered and fell back into his chair.

Su Liang then realized that his behavior had been misunderstood.

Su Liang was just lamenting that such a gentle and elegant Crown Prince would eventually be forced to rebel, which was truly speechless.

Su Liang said immediately, "It can be cured."

"It's just that someone slept in a wrong position last night, and my neck is a bit uncomfortable."

"That's why the Crown Prince misunderstood."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian was overjoyed and stood up immediately, grabbing Su Liang's arm and saying, "Then I will trouble you, Brother-in-law."

Su Liang said immediately, "Easy, easy, we are all family."

"You go and do one thing first, and then come to me when you are done."

Li Chengqian asked in confusion, "I wonder what you are referring to, Brother-in-law?"

"Ask your father to change your teacher."

Su Liang said calmly; Li Gang had assisted three crown princes of the Sui and Tang dynasties, and none of them had a good end, so naturally, he was not a good teacher.

"Why?" Li Chengqian did not understand.

Su Liang calmly spat out a few words: "Crown princes of the Sui and Tang dynasties!"

Li Chengqian bowed and left immediately.

Su Liang had long since found this person unpleasant; he had given Su Liang quite a bit of trouble some time ago.

He acted one way on the surface and another in secret.

And there was also the Minister of the Secretariat, Feng Deyi.

Last time, after everyone finished playing mahjong at Furong Garden and left, the Empress also left with them.

The news of Changle moving into Furong Garden spread throughout Changan City in no time.

It also provoked quite a bit of criticism in the court.

Seeing this, Changle published the poem "Remembering Changle" that Su Liang had given her.

The autumn wind is clear, the autumn moon is bright, fallen leaves gather and scatter, cold crows roost and are startled again.

When will we know the day of longing and meeting? At this moment, it is difficult to be sentimental!

Entering my gate of longing, knowing my pain of longing.

Long longing is long remembering, short longing is endless.

If I had known it would bind the heart like this, why not have met early in the beginning.

It immediately became a beautiful story in Changan City.

Li Gang and Feng Deyi were scolded until they were speechless.

Not only that, but Su Liang taking Ruyan as a concubine also provoked quite a bit of criticism.

The Ministry of Rites didn't say anything, but Li Gang and Feng Deyi were the ones shouting the loudest.

And every time they had reasons and evidence, Li Er couldn't say anything.

If these people were not made an example of, there would always be someone giving Su Liang trouble.

One hour later.

In the Ganlu Hall of the Taiji Palace.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian was already there.

At this time, Li Er had not yet allowed the Crown Prince to participate in state affairs.

Seeing that all the dukes and ministers were present, Li Chengqian waited on the side.

The dukes and ministers were just discussing what position to give the Imperial Son-in-law.

Although Su Liang had no intention of participating in politics, if the merits Su Liang had achieved were not rewarded, it would be unjustifiable and difficult to silence the public.

The curved plow, sweet potatoes and potatoes, salt refinement, papermaking, movable type printing, reform of the imperial examination, the great defeat of the Turks, cement, asphalt, honeycomb coal, the destruction of three kingdoms, and so on.

Not only that, but the wooden ox and flowing horse and the troop training methods were also mentioned by Zhangsun Wuji.

Now, he had even cured the Empress.

In the end, Li Er made the final decision.

Thus, the title of General of Tiance, which was abolished by Li Er in history, fell upon Su Liang.

Li Er also had his own selfish motives in doing this.

With Su Liang's ability, if he had any ideas, his throne would not be so stable.

The power of the General of Tiance to appoint his own officials was also to allow Su Liang to better develop the Great Tang.

This was also what Li Er wanted to see.

After the discussion was over, everyone left one after another, leaving only Zhangsun Wuji.

Seeing that his son had something on his mind, Li Er asked immediately, "What is the matter with the Crown Prince today, coming to the Sweet Dew Hall specifically?"

Li Chengqian said, "I want to change my teacher."

"Oh? Why is that?"

Li Er asked in confusion.

Zhangsun Wuji, standing to the side, was also quite confused; the Crown Prince's studies had always been quite good.

Li Chengqian told him the truth.

Suddenly, Li Er and Zhangsun Wuji broke into a cold sweat, and both expressed their agreement.

It is better to believe it exists than to believe it doesn't; after all, there are too many things in this world that cannot be explained.

Then Li Chengqian excitedly rushed toward Peach Blossom County...

After Li Chengqian left.

Zhangsun Wuji looked at Li Er and said, "Is Your Majesty truly at ease?"

"And if I am not at ease, what then?"

Li Er asked in return.

Zhangsun Wuji chuckled and said, "Unless..."

Li Er said calmly, "Wuji, feel free to speak directly."

Zhangsun Wuji said, "Unless Your Majesty is a muddled emperor, otherwise the Su lad will not."

"Doesn't Your Majesty also have the answer in your heart?"

Li Er chuckled: "Indeed, if the Su lad had the ambition to dominate the world, he could have raised an army when he was ten."

"And it would have been an invincible army!"

Zhangsun Wuji couldn't help but sigh: "This child has the world in his heart, and everything he does is for the benefit of the people."

"Congratulations to Your Majesty for gaining such a dragon son-in-law."

Li Er laughed heartily: "Haha... Wuji, you are exaggerating; isn't the Su lad also your son-in-law?"

Suddenly, both of them laughed heartily...

One hour later.

Inside the Taoyuan Villa.

Su Liang was already treating Li Chengqian's foot ailment.

Half an hour later, Su Liang had drained half a bowl of stagnant blood from Li Chengqian.

Then he said, "Alright, let's stop here for today; for the next few days, you and your mother should recuperate in this villa."

"It just so happens that your sisters are all here, so it will be good to keep you company."

Li Chengqian said excitedly, "Thank you, Brother-in-law..."

Su Liang interrupted him immediately: "Alright, don't be polite; even your father isn't like this with me."

"I will have someone build you a wheelchair in a while; don't think about walking on the ground for the next few days."

Ninth year of Wude, December 20th.

Su Liang got up early again today.

Today was the day of the villa auction, and Su Liang had to go to Sky Bridge Ward to make arrangements.

The day before yesterday, when Su Liang returned to the capital, he had already confirmed with everyone that it would start promptly at the Si hour on the 20th.

At this moment, Soaring Cloud Pavilion, the largest brothel in Sky Bridge Ward, was already packed.

For this reason, Su Liang had specifically made a distinction: in Sky Bridge Ward, they were "Pavilions" and "Halls," and in Sky Full Ward, they were "Courtyards" and "Buildings."

Pavilions were larger than Halls, and Courtyards were larger than Buildings.

Si hour.

Everyone who should have come had come.

And those who shouldn't have come had also come.

Those who should have come were naturally those with the ability to purchase: the second-generation officials and the children of noble families.

Those who shouldn't have come were just there to watch the excitement, regardless of whether they could afford it or not.

Erhu on the high platform shouted loudly: "The auction begins!"

"The first villa to be auctioned today is, Scorching Sun Villa!"

"This villa covers two hundred mu, with a starting price of one hundred thousand gold!"

Suddenly, the scene was noisy; this was already the same price as a top-tier luxury home in Taoyuan City.

Many parts of that two-hundred-mu villa were empty.

Suddenly, many people felt it wasn't worth it; with this money, it would be better to buy a piece of land yourself.

There were also many people who held different opinions.

However, it was only a small number of people.

Just at this moment. ===== CHAPTER 20 =====