Chapter 180
A large area of Henan Province borders the sea, and its closest neighbors are Silla, Baekje, and Goryeo, separated by the sea and Wo Country (Japan) which occupies an island.
This is why Yuanying turned his attention to this island nation.
Yuanying explained the general situation to Li Er, and also recounted his observations along the way: the Soga clan was undertaking massive construction projects, conscripting countless laborers, and along the way, he saw many common people with sorrowful faces and haggard appearances.
“Dai Ting thinks they will soon experience turmoil, so I left him there.” He described to the Emperor the scene of him personally entrusting Dai Ting to Prince Katsuragi.
Li Er found the scene incredibly vivid; the prince had unknowingly let a wolf into his house. Dai Ting was the kind of person who would run toward trouble, yet he disliked showing off and didn’t crave credit; he’d cause trouble and leave without a trace of regret.
In comparison, their status was far more restrictive.
Seeing Yuanying’s beaming face at the mention of running away Li Er reprimanded him: “Since you enjoy the wealth and honor of the royal family, you must bear the responsibilities that come with it. Tengzhou isn’t large, but ensuring a good life for its people isn’t easy. When you were a county magistrate for a few months, did you manage to ensure everyone was well-fed and educated?”
Yuanying fell silent. Even in counties near the capital, not everyone was willing to cooperate. Some could learn but didn’t want to, while others wanted to learn but couldn’t find the time. Every place had rich and poor citizens and even the best policies become outdated and inapplicable over time. Developing a city well isn’t something that can be achieved simply by shouting slogans.
Yuanying replied dejectedly: “No I didn’t.” His interest lies only in planning. All implementation was up to Wu Mei and the others. Asking him to actually do work was a real challenge, his mind is just full of playing.
Seeing his dejected expression, Li Er sighed inwardly and reached out to ruffle his dark hair: “When will you truly grow up?”
Yuanying grumbled: “With my elder brother around, no one will bully me! I won’t grow up!” He then put on a smug expression and enthusiastically describe the future: “We’ll have our eldest nephew, third nephew, fourth nephew… We invest in them and promote sons of high-ranking officials and talented people from humble backgrounds, giving them all the work to do. Once they’re capable, my brother will take me everywhere to play—wouldn’t that be wonderful!” He spoke so excitedly that he accidentally aggravated his wound, wincing in pain. He had been laughing just moments before, but now tears were streaming down his face again.
Li Er felt both distressed and amused. He ordered someone to change Yuanying’s dressing and told him to stay still.
Yuanying, afraid of pain, obediently lay there without making a sound.
Li Er promised: “If I’m still able to walk then, I’ll take you to see the beautiful landscapes in Tang.”
Yuanying thought of his poor nephew and refined the plan: “Chengqian is pitiful, he can’t go anywhere! How about this, we’ll take Xiang’er and the others first, and when they’ve had their fill of playing, Chengqian can properly train them. Once Xiang’er is capable to stand on his own, it’ll be Chengqian’s turn to play!”
“Chengqian will bring you along again to play?” (Li Er)
Of course! I’ve been there once, I know the fun places, I can show Chengqian the way.”
Li Er too lazy to argue with him, ordered people to take good care of his brother and to report back immediately if there are problems. He then left with his stuff in hand.
Yuanying lay whimpering as his dressing were changed. Afterward, bored, he played with the patterns on the headboard, using the smooth, beautiful lines as a walking route. Old Wei and the others are too old; they probably can’t walk anymore, such a pity. It seems he’ll have to get Luo Binwang to write more travelogues and to add a few more of his own paintings, to give the rest a feel like they’re actually there in person!
The next day, the ministers clearly sense that Emperor Taizong had slept well and was in a very good mood.
Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling exchanged glance, both understanding each other’s thoughts: The two brothers are now back to normal. The caning was just for show; once they speak, they’re back to their old ways.
The Emperor didn’t seem to notice any significant change in himself. He told the officials that he had already punished 3 offenders. The others offender initially didn’t know about the incident and had reported promptly so they will not be punished for now; instead they will be put under observation. Li Yuanying, who had gone to sea without permission, would receive 30 strokes of the cane and be confined for three months (to recover). He would return to his fiefdom after the New Year.
Everyone was speechless after hearing the punishment. What kind of punishment is this? 30 strokes of the cane is the only appropriate punishment. But 3 months of confinement just Emperor Taizong missing his brother and using it as an excuse to let him stay in Chang’an until the New Year.
However, since Li Yuanying was delirious with fever for a whole day, the Emperor had been missing morning Court session. When he show up in the afternoon his face looked like a hot potato and he was hurling insults at anyone who offered suggestions. Since the Emperor had made his stance clear, naturally no one dared to suggest anything.
They weren’t fools. If anything were to happen to Li Yuanying, the Emperor might very well make them pay with their lives. After all, Emperor Taizong had many brothers, but he had only personally raised this one, and this was the only one who constantly drove him to his wits’ end!
Everyone who has raised children knows that raising a well-behaved, trouble-free child is certainly easy, but the one you care about the most is definitely the one you invest the most time in and is the most mischievous one.
If that child also cause some trouble, then it’s even more remarkable. You not only worry but also pay attention and talk about them constantly!
The matter of Li Yuanying’s voyage at sea is considered closed.
Yuanying’s residence began to receive well-wishes from all sides. The first to arrive was Chengqian and Li Xiang, who were the most well-informed. They had visited him once when he was unconscious, and now that he was awake, they naturally came to see him again.
Chengqian wasn’t the type to fuss over things. Yuanying though lying face down recovering from his injury, seemed to be in good spirits.
“Uncle, you’re really brave,” When he heard that Yuanying went to see, he was extremely worried, thankfully he’s safely home now.
Li Xiang also looked at Yuanying with concern, but he couldn’t interrupt the elders.
“Isn’t it good that I’m back?” Yuanying then asked Chengqian to adjust their sitting positions so he could face them and chat. Upon seeing Li Xiang, Yuanying moved his head, scanning him up and down , then nodded with satisfaction: “Not bad, you’ve grown taller. There’s hope you’ll grow as tall as me.”
Chengqian thought this kid was hopeless; even when praising Li Xiang’s height he needed to include self-praise about himself.
Li Xiang glanced at Chengqian, and seeing him not speak, he seized the opportunity to ask Yuanying if he was in pain or needed anything.
Li Yuanying, pleased with his grand-nephew’s attentive care, began to take advantage of his injury to order his junior around, saying he wanted to hear stories and drink water.
Chengqian seeing Yuanying running his son around like this, couldn’t stand it and mentioned that he will be leaving to assist the Emperor with state affairs.
Thinking of his and Li Er’s planned tour, Yuanying immediately urged Chengqian to leave. Afterhe had left, Yuanying whispered to Li Xiang, telling him about how he had encouraged the Emperor to take them out.
Li Xiang was overjoyed: “Fantastic!” He immediately promised to keep it a secret, lest Chengqian be heartbroken at not being able to go.
After a brief discussion, Li Xiang took out a newly published book of legendary tales and began reading it to Yuanying. Only when Wei Shu did he obediently step aside and return to his studies.
Then, Si Zi and Heng Shan arrived upon hearing the news. They had wanted to come before, but the Emperor had forbade them.
The girls just like Li Xiang, showered him with concern, asking questions.
The two little princesses were about the same age as Wei Shu, gradually taking on the appearance of young ladies. Yuanying, in turn, comforted them, secretly wondering who would snatch them away. Remembering Wei Ying’s secret remark that the Emperor had considered betrothing Hengshan to Wei Ying’s father’s generation, Yuanying felt Li Er was unreliable; these men weren’t just old enough to be their father, but also their grandfather!
Yuanying chatted with the girls for a while, promising that once he had settled things in Tengzhou, he would take them to play with Gao Yang. He might not be able to control their marriages, but until then, he could secure them freedom within the limits permitted by the Emperor!
Si Zi said worriedly, “Uncle, you should heal your injuries first.”
Yuanying believed he was in excellent health and would recover quickly. It wasn’t until Chengqian finished his work that Yuanying learned that the Emperor intended to keep him here until after the New Year.
Although Li Yuanying was unwilling, he had no choice; confinement was punishment for his unauthorized sea voyage.
Since he was injured and couldn’t go out, he could only obediently recuperate, spending his days flirting with his future wife and having different people tell him new stories and old tales. After about half a month, he was able to walk again, and after awhile more, he was lively and energetic, showing no signs of having been beaten.
If he hadn’t been confined to the palace, anyone can tell those 30 strokes were exaggerated!
Yuanying completely oblivious to his own limitations, was still thinking if he could be released early and go out for a stroll. Being confined to the palace was driving him crazy.
His request was ruthlessly rejected by Li Er.
Yuanying wasn’t disappointed. While dining with Li Er, he lamented, “Brother, being Emperor is really hard work. Being stuck in the palace dealing with so many documents is too much. I can’t stand it after less than a month!”
“You grew up in the palace; I’ve never seen you complain before.”
“That’s different. Back then, I was young and the palace alone was enough for me to play in.” He was always jumping around, incredibly busy, so he never felt bored. “Now that I’m older, I think the outside world is better.”
Li Er didn’t want to pay him any attention.
He was the one who said he didn’t want to grow up, and now he’s the one saying he’s grown up. Someone like him dares to comment on how hard it is being an Emperor?
“If you were born into an ordinary family, it would be difficult for you to even realize your ambitions, let alone be as unrestrained as you are now!”
Yuanying thought this made sense. He moved closer to the Emperor, eagerly offering his obsequiousness and shamelessly admitting that he was abusing his power: “It’s all thanks to my elder brother that I can act so recklessly! Every time I come across a Buddhist temple or Taoist monastery, I go in and pray to all the Gods to bless my elder brother with a long and healthy life!”
Li Er: “…”
He probably doesn’t even know which God he’s praying to.
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The young prince: Just give me the word, and I can coax anyone into submission!
Officials: These two brothers are both shameless (pointing and whispering)