A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 31: Rejecting the Qin King's Invitation
Li Shimin loved calligraphy the most, especially Wang Xizhi's calligraphy. He was a die-hard fan of the calligrapher. He not only loved the Lanting Preface, but also had a special affection for the Shengjiao Preface.

Historically, he collected more than 3,000 authentic works of Wang Xizhi, bound them into scrolls, and printed the word "Zhenguan" on them. He also wrote a biography of Wang Xizhi himself in the official Book of Jin compiled by the court.

He copied Wang Xizhi's calligraphy every day, copying each piece hundreds of times. He was also the first to use running script in stele inscriptions, leaving his name in the history of calligraphy.

He was very good at Feibai calligraphy. There were traces of white between the horizontal and vertical strokes of each character, as if it was written with a dry brush.

When the Prince of Qin, who loved calligraphy very much, walked into Du Ruhui's living room and saw the Thousand Character Essay on the table, he was stunned.

There was surprise in his eyes, and then surprise.
"This word,"

Although the 20-year-old Prince Qin was a die-hard fan of Wang Xizhi, he also liked excellent calligraphy. For example, his Feibai style was learned from the great calligrapher Cai Yong of the Han Dynasty.

"Recently, I've been studying Ouyang Xun, but I've encountered a major obstacle: I can't quite write the hook of the character 'Wu'. After consulting Yu Shinan, I've finally made some progress."

"Speaking of gratitude to Wu Ding, the hook of the character 'Wu' in the Thousand Character Classic has given me something new."

Fang Xuanling stroked his beard while looking at the calligraphy and exclaimed, "This Thousand Character Classic is slender, vigorous and elegant, which is very different from the traditional calligraphy styles. It can be regarded as another original creation in the history of calligraphy. It is more vigorous and delicate than the calligraphy of Ouyang Xun and Yu Shinan." Fang Xuanling's calligraphy is also very good. His father Fang Yanqian is also a great calligrapher, who is particularly proficient in cursive and official scripts. In the calligraphy world, he is also a master who can be regarded as the same as Ouyang Xun and Yu Shinan.

"The brushwork is fluent, sharp and full of pride, just like cutting jade or gold," Fang Xuanling commented on this calligraphy. After praising it, he also pointed out that the calligraphy was too sharp.

“Even though the edge is beautiful, it is easily broken if it is too sharp.”

Calligraphy pursues the goal of hiding the beginning and protecting the end, being soft on the outside and strong on the inside, and being cotton wrapped in iron. Ancient philosophers also emphasized that excessive rigidity can easily lead to breakage.

Li Shimin held the Thousand Character Classic in his hands and was very fond of it. "I see the thin and hard style of Ouyang Xun in this calligraphy. Ouyang Xun's calligraphy is flat and upright, but also has a sense of danger and uniqueness. This calligraphy is even thinner and stronger, creating a new style."

When Li Shimin and Fang Xuanling learned that this rare and groundbreaking piece of calligraphy in the "Shoujin" style was created by the sixteen-year-old young man in front of them, they were both surprised.

Li Yi had no choice but to explain again that this Shoujin style was a font created by his teacher Li Zhenren after learning the strengths of various calligraphy masters. He had studied with his teacher for many years and had acquired some basic knowledge.

At this time, Du Ruhui said to Li Shimin, "The stewing cup I gave Your Highness earlier was obtained from this Li Cunzheng. It is said that it was also made by Li Cunzheng's teacher, Taoist Zhao."

When Li Shimin heard that Taoist Li had died in a collapsed kiln not long ago, he was deeply saddened.

However, it also seems to confirm what Fang Xuanling said: "Although the edge is beautiful, it will be easily broken if it is too sharp."

Li Shimin patted Li Yi's arm and said, "I seem to sense some sharpness and arrogance in you."

This could be considered a compliment, or it could be said that Li Yi did not show enough respect for him, the second prince.

This is not the right attitude for a young villager, but considering that he was originally a Taoist priest and has just returned to secular life, it is understandable.

Taoism believes in following the laws of nature, and is like a free and unrestrained cloud and wild crane. It has always been detached from the court and the powerful.

"Ruhui, would you mind giving me this calligraphy?" Li Shimin said with a smile.

Du Ruhui agreed without hesitation and gave away the gift that his cousin had just given him and was not even warm yet.

Li Yi has been secretly observing the future Khan.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't excited.

But he did not show his excitement. Li Shimin was only twenty years old at that time and had not yet achieved any great achievements.

Li Shimin became interested in him.
She took off a golden knife from her Nine-Ring Jade Belt and gave it to Li Yi. "I really like your calligraphy. I also like your cup for cooking porridge and soup."

Li Yi accepted the golden knife given by Li Shimin.
"Are you Muramasa now?"

"Well, after returning to secular life, I settled in Luojiabao Village, Xingshengli, Yusu Township. There were originally 24 households in the village. The last rainstorm caused the cliff to collapse, and six households were wiped out. The original village chief also died. Most of the men in the village are serving outside, so the township nominated me to take over as village chief." Li Yi replied.

It was not unusual for a Taoist priest who had just returned to secular life at the age of sixteen to be the village chief in this uncertain time.

"You are very good at writing. Would you like to come to my Qin Palace? How about being a scribe first?" Li Shimin was interested in talents and issued a request for recruitment.

Given Li Yi's age and status, it was impossible for him to be directly recruited as an official. There were no commoners in the upper ranks and no powerful families in the lower ranks. Lingshi and Shulingshi were both clerks outside the official ranks and did not participate in the official ranks, but their work was very heavy. Lingshi was in charge of documents, and Shulingshi assisted in the paperwork. It was a job of driving people, which was disdained by scholars, but it was also an important way for commoner landlords to enter the official career.

Nowadays, there is still a great chance for officials outside the officialdom such as Lingshi Shulingshi to be transferred to the officialdom and become officials, but their career paths are limited.

Li Yi thought about it seriously.
If he went to the Qin Palace now, he would only be responsible for copying documents and would probably have no chance to meet Li Shimin at all. With a meager salary of only one or two shi of grain rations a month,
Besides, he had promised Mr. Dong to open a private school, so leaving at this time would seem very irresponsible.

After much thought, he felt that it would be better to stay in Luojiabao and live a free and easy life than to work as a clerk in the Prince of Qin's Palace.

"I've opened a private school in the village. Sixty children have already signed up. It officially opens tomorrow. I can't go back on my word."

"Open a private school?" Li Shimin was surprised.

Du Ruhui then told Du Shiniang what she had just told him: Li Yi wanted to become Dong Xiucai's disciple and to set up a free village school.
"I also admire Dong Xiucai's talent and moral character. I once wanted to recruit him as an aide to the royal palace, but Dong Xiucai was unwilling to come out of retirement," Li Shimin sighed a few times. He was surprised and admired that Li Yi wanted to stay and run a school. Such young people are rare.

"I will donate a hundred pieces of silk and do my bit to support the private school. If you have any difficulties in the future, please feel free to come to me."

Li Shimin didn't care too much about Li Yi's rejection.

He turned to talk about the main business of the trip. He told Du Ruhui about the meeting with the emperor to ask for his stay.

"My shogunate cannot do without you, Keming. His Majesty has agreed to appoint you as a member of the Qin Wang Palace and a military officer, in charge of the affairs of the shogunate. Your appointment as the Chief Clerk of the Shanzhou General Administration Office remains unchanged."

Du Ruhui was a little surprised.
But I accepted it with pleasure.

Because of Du Ruhui's attitude, Li Shimin finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The guests chatted happily.

Du Shiniang made tea for everyone.

It was also the first time that Li Yi drank tea after coming to the Tang Dynasty. The tea cakes were made from Mengding Shihua tea in Shuzhong. They were first baked, ground into powder, and then boiled. Salt, pepper, and orange peel were also added.

Li Shimin also specifically requested the addition of milk.

Only drink five cups of tea from a pot.

Li Yi was not used to such a strong-flavored tea.

But Du San would show off the extraordinary quality of the tea and tea sets from time to time. For example, the Mengding Shihua tea cake was the best quality. Every year after the new tea was picked, it was delivered to Chang'an by fast horses day and night through the post stations so that it could be enjoyed at the Qingming Festival banquet. These good teas could be called tribute teas, and one cake cost thousands of coins.

In the homes of the nobles, the tea-drinking utensils were also extremely exquisite and even luxurious.

For example, the cage used by the Du family to dry tea is woven with gold and silver threads, and the grinder for grinding tea powder is a silver tea trough with a gilded wild goose pattern. The trough frame and the mill shaft are both made of pure silver and gilded. This one costs thirty taels of silver.

The ground tea powder needs to be sieved. The tea sieve used by Du Shiniang is a gilded silver tea sieve with flying crane patterns. It weighs thirty-seven taels and is extremely exquisite. There is a hollow peach-shaped pot door on the base, and the surface of the drawer is decorated with flowing cloud patterns.

Even the tea box for tea leaves is extraordinary. It is a tortoise-shaped gilded silver tortoise box with a tortoise shell as the lid and a tortoise belly as the box. The nose and eyes of the tortoise are made with a hollowing technique, which is both realistic and breathable.

There is also a special silver salt table with a gilded silk base and a sunflower-shaped plain surface for storing salt.

The tea spoon is also gilded silver spoon.

The teacup and tea tray are made of crystal clear glass.

A set of tea utensils, a total of twenty-five items, all of which are gilded silver. Even the chopsticks for holding charcoal are gilded silver.

Each of these tea sets is worth tens of thousands of dollars.

What you are drinking is no longer just tea, but luxury. Especially since this tea is brewed by the daughter of the Du family, it is even more extraordinary.

Du Ruhui said to Li Yi, "These gilded silver wares are really too vulgar. Compared to the precious artifacts refined by your teacher, Wuyi, such as the stainless steel stewing cup and the light gold and secret silver elixir pot, they are far inferior and extremely vulgar."

After hearing this, Li Shimin actually shouted outside, "Sanshui, bring me my stainless steel kettle."

A burly man walked in from the guards standing outside the door and took out a stewing cup from a brocade bag.

Li Shimin took it and placed it on the table proudly. "This stainless steel stewing cup is really amazing. When I'm leading troops outside, I can fill a pot with hot water and sprinkle some rice in it at night, and it will become a pot of hot porridge in the morning. Or when I'm on the march, I can put some meat in it and add boiling water. After two hours, the raw meat will become cooked meat soup..."

The tall guard looked at Li Yi and said, "Do you still have such a good thing? I, Hou Junji, also want to buy one. You can ask for any price."

Li Yi was surprised that this strong man was actually Hou Junji. In the future, he would be a powerful man who could destroy a country and even become a prime minister. However, he was beheaded in the end because of his failed rebellion. He was considered a special one among the heroes in Lingyan Pavilion.

I heard that this person was a friend who grew up with Li Shimin, and he also started the rebellion with Taiyuan. He was Li Shimin's absolute confidant.

"I'm sorry to disappoint General Hou. My master only made one cup like that. I'm sorry."

Hou Junji was half-believing and half-doubting.
Li Shimin waved to him, and he reluctantly left.

"Hou Sanshui is a rough man, don't mind it, just continue drinking tea."

Li Yi was not used to this tea, so he took two sips and didn't drink much. Li Shimin, Du Ruhui and others thought that Li Yi had never tasted this good stuff before.

After all, in those days, the custom of drinking tea was only popular among monks in temples and southern gentry. The custom of drinking tea among northern nobles had not been popular for many years. Nowadays, many Guanlong nobles drink tea to show off their taste, but they like to add cow's milk, goat's milk, or even goat fat, pepper, onion, ginger, and even mustard and mint.

It’s better to drink Gansu canned tea than this, which is made with red dates, dried longan, wolfberry, rock sugar, raisins, walnut kernels, and tea leaves.

I really want to take out the green tea and black tea in his study. Although they are only staple teas that cost a few hundred yuan per pound, they only need to be brewed with a pot of hot water. The green tea is fresh and the black tea is mellow, so pure.

Du Ruhui said that he would send Li Yi some cakes of tea to drink later, and added that drinking tea can invigorate the mind, help with thinking, sober up, cure diseases, brighten the eyes and clear the mind, and cultivate one's character. One should learn to drink tea, as it is an elegant thing.

Li Yi held the glass teacup and nodded with a smile, but he was thinking about something else.

He vaguely remembered that when Li Shimin fought Xue Ju, he seemed to be defeated at first but then won. It seemed that because he had some illness, he temporarily handed over the troops to someone else. As a result, they underestimated the enemy and acted rashly, sending troops out without authorization, which led to a great defeat.

What disease did he have? I can't remember it at the moment.

Looking at the young Li Shimin who was chatting and laughing, Li Yi wanted to remind him, but he didn't know how to start.

You can't just say that you will soon fall seriously ill on the battlefield and the army will be defeated? If such a strange statement came out, others would think Li Yi was cursing.

(End of this chapter)