Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Although it was winter, Li Yuanying still took time to leave the palace.

Being extremely shameless, after he sent all his men to Gaochang, he conveniently told the Emperor that he had accidentally forgotten that he needed two men to protect himself.

Already extremely annoyed with his younger brother, Li Er ordered two men to stay close and to never leave Yuanying’s side no matter where he went.

But is the shameless Li Yuanying the kind that will be a concern with others following him? Of course not! On the contrary, he was happy with the arrangement and led his entourage out of the palace to inspect his new land. Dai Ting managed to make preparations before leaving for war, where he acquired a street-facing mansion in the Western market.

The West Market was also called Liren City during the Sui Dynasty. This area is surrounded by civilian houses, so things sold here were more down-to-earth and the rent was relatively cheap. In comparison, the East Market was close to residences of dignitaries, high-end restaurants and luxury stores.

Those who accompanied Li Yuanying initially thought that he would go towards the East Market. However, he instead looked at his map and walked towards the West Market towards a shop with red silk on its signboard. There’s already a person waiting outside- Dong Xiaoyi.

Dong Xiaoyi trotted behind Li Yuanying and led him inside.

This place was originally a wine shop but it couldn’t make ends meet and had to be sold. Coincidentally, the store next to it also went bankrupt and so the young prince brought both together and rebuild them.

Now that the two stores have been renovated inside and out, Yuanying stepped in and saw tables neatly arranged in the hall. There were various slogans on the walls and pillars giving it a studious atmosphere.

The boy obviously didn’t understand design principles but he has a system in hand! When he requested that the system generate diagrams of Library designs existing in Tang, the system quickly arranged and combined various furnishings ideas that existed in the early Tang Dynasty. (The system even cried with joy, as Li Yuanying finally has a job for them and is using his countless rewards points within it).

The concept of a library was just something that Yuanying learnt from the system itself. He was told that in eras where cultures were flourishing, there would be libraries for the public in both large and small cities.

Anyone can freely enter and borrow books. With the gradual development of science and technology, a library will slowly become a virtual one like the Myriad Realm Library where people can learn about the world without needing to leave home!

Yuanying felt that this was a possible solution to the problem of people not being able to afford books. Though his thoughts reach only to this level and he hasn’t thought any further yet.

This small place is just Yuanying little attempt at creating a library within Tang Empire.

Since many things for the building were in existence already he only needed to get the slogans written by a writer. It’s a quick fix so the reading room is renovated rather quickly.

On the contrary, the bookshelves needed longer production time and it’s only been recently completed as he returned to the Capital.Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

Looking at his rows of empty bookshelves, Yuanying decided to look for rescue soldiers.

He went towards Kong Yingda first.

Since returning to the Capital, Kong Yingda has been very busy working as the Imperial College Supervisor, compiling learning materials for his students and he also had to go give lectures to Prince Li Chengqian. He no longer has time to bother about the rude and disrespectful Li Yuanying who talks back to him all day long.

Seeing that Yuanying actually came looking for him, it was strange.

“Why is your Highness looking for me?”

Yuanying updated that he wanted to build a library. This place should be open to public at no charge. Whoever wants to read will be welcomed. He will only vacant the venue if he wants to hold private events.

Li Er was also a cockfighting lover, so after reading Yuanying’s nonsense challenge letter, he became excited. He picked a day for the challenge.

The two brothers each instructed the two chickens to fight each other while they cheered their pets on. When the fight was on its climax, both chickens had lost quite a bit of feathers. Then suddenly someone reminded: “Your Majesty, Official Wei is here!”

The Emperor’s expression stiffened.

Li Yuanying was still shouting at the fighting chicken excitement: “Peck it! Good chance! Come on!” He only looked up when he noticed that Li Er on the opposite side was silent.

Oh my god! It was Wei Zheng with a black face!

Old Wei’s face is blacker and fiercer than a fighting chicken!

Without waiting for Yuanying to say hello, Wei Zheng started lecturing the Emperor about something along the line of “You are the king of a country, how can you play with things and lose your mind? Do you think you are merely playing with a chicken; you are playing with the citizen’s chicken!” Each sentence is more brutal than the previous one as it’s aimed straight at a person’s lungs!

Yuanying was dumbfounded and was secretly counting how many allusions Wei Zheng could use; this was a rare on-site teaching!

The boy was listening with gusto, but suddenly Wei Zheng turned his head towards him.

Li Yuanying reacted alertly and swiftly: “I heard your remarks, and I felt that my brother and I were too inappropriate. I’ve decided to kill my fighting chicken tonight and bring it as dinner to eat with you and your family! What fun is there in cockfighting? It’s more fun to eat chicken! I haven’t been to your house for a long time, I really miss your family’s food!”

Compared to being sprayed with dog blood [3]Means to be brutally scolded, Li Yuanying would not pity a chicken!

Sure enough, Wei Zheng choked back when he heard the statement.

The atmosphere has been interrupted, so Wei Zheng could do nothing else but bow to the Emperor and leave: “I will retire first.”

After speaking, he turned around and walked away, obviously dissatisfied with the Emperor’s actions.

Li Er glared at Li Yuanying. The only thing you’re good at is to act innocent and obedient! Who would want to have a cockfight if it wasn’t for your challenge letter?!

Yuanying was not afraid of His Majesty’s anger so he further provoked him: “Lord Brother, do you want to kill your chicken as well? Otherwise, I think Old Wei will scold you when he goes to court.”

His Majesty thought about Wei Zheng’s character and reluctantly ordered the deed to be done.

Yuanying leaned over and to comfort his brother kindly: “Brother, don’t be sad. If the old don’t go, the new won’t come. The whole world belongs to you, are you afraid that you won’t find another chicken that suits your heart?”

“Get out. Get out of here!”: shouted the Emperor Li Er.

References

↑ 1by Sima Qian records ancient China’s history

↑ 2Liu Bang, First Emperor of Han Dynasty

↑ 3Means to be brutally scolded