Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

The candlelight in the Lizheng Hall had burned down to half its original length, and the night outside the tent was so thick it was impossible to see through.

Only the occasional footsteps of the night patrolling eunuchs swept past outside the palace.

Li Shimin turned over, the brocade quilt crumpled beneath him, and he stared at the flowing cloud pattern embroidered on the top of the tent, his fingertips unconsciously picking at the corner of the pillow.

The short note that Li Wu had delivered during the day was still on the table, containing only a few lines of Li Zhi's writing.

Li Shimin was instructed to lead a group of people to Kaolao Village for a visit, and they were to bring measuring tools.

That short sentence warmed his heart like a fire, keeping him awake all night.

Empress Zhangsun, who was beside him, was awakened by his movement. Her voice was soft and gentle, like that of someone just awakened, as if she had been bathed in warm water:
"Your Majesty is still awake? Is he thinking about the 'surprise' in Kaolao Village?"

Li Shimin turned his head and looked at her in the dim candlelight, his eyes still gleaming with lingering interest:
"Your Majesty, what new tricks do you think Xiao Ran will pull this time?"

“The last time he said ‘there’s something fun,’ he was taking us to see how saltpeter is used to make ice.”

"This time, they said there was a 'surprise,' and even specially asked them to bring measuring tools. I really can't figure it out."

He reached out and took her hand, his fingertips slightly cool, yet his grip was firm: "This child has never been one to lie. Before, the tomatoes looked unremarkable, but they tasted sweet and sour. This time, you're bringing measurements. Could it be related to the yield?"

Empress Zhangsun returned his hand, gently patted the back of his hand, and said softly:
"Your Majesty need not guess anymore; you will know when you go tomorrow."

"However, Xiao Ran is always meticulous in his work. Since he dared to say 'surprise,' it must really be worth seeing."

"Xiao Ran has always been very concerned about things like corn."

"Yes!"

Li Shimin recalled his previous visit to Kaolao Village, where he saw Xiao Ran squatting on the edge of a field, staring blankly at the ground, not even responding when Cheng Yaojin called him to go fishing. He couldn't help but laugh.

"He seems carefree, but deep down he's more serious than anyone else. The military treatise the pharmacist gave me last time, after thinking about it carefully, I realized it was probably one of his 'hidden treasures,' he just didn't say it."

Li Shimin sat up, put on a plain-colored outer robe, walked to the table, picked up the short note, and read it again by candlelight.

Li Lizhi's handwriting was delicate, and she added at the end, "The young master said, 'It's better if many people witness it.'"

He paused on the words "many people bear witness" with his fingertip, and his tone became more solemn: "For him to say 'many people bear witness', it must be no small matter. If it is truly related to the livelihood of the people, then it is a great thing."

Empress Zhangsun also rose, walked to his side, adjusted the collar of his outer robe, and said softly:

"His Majesty cares deeply for the people, which is why he is so concerned. However, it is already late, and we must get up early tomorrow to take the civil and military officials there. If we do not sleep now, we are afraid we will not be able to function well tomorrow."

Li Shimin laughed at her words of persuasion, turned around and grasped her shoulder: "With you here, I dare to be so 'willful'."

“Before you were in the palace, I didn’t even have anyone to say these things to.”

"Last time I was reading that military book, when I got to the exciting part, I wanted to turn around and tell you, 'This method can make up for the army's shortcomings,' but then I remembered that you were in Kaolao Village, and I felt a sense of emptiness in my heart."

"From now on, I will not leave Your Majesty," Empress Zhangsun said softly. "You will know when you see Xiao Ran tomorrow. Your Majesty, please rest early, it's getting late."

Li Shimin nodded, put the note back on the table, and pulled her towards the bed:
"I understand. It's just that this 'surprise' is too tempting, reminding me of the feeling I had when I was leading troops to conquer the world, hoping for victory."

The candlelight flickered in the wind, and the hall returned to silence.

Li Shimin leaned against his pillow, thinking about Kaolao Village tomorrow, Xiao Ran's "surprise," and the gentle warmth of the people around him. The excitement in his heart gradually turned into a sense of peace.

He gently patted Empress Zhangsun's hand, his voice softening: "Tomorrow, you must get up early."

Empress Zhangsun hummed in agreement, moved closer to him, and then gradually fell silent.

The night outside the window grew darker, with only the candlelight still burning quietly, illuminating the two people's clasped hands inside the tent, warm as if melting into the autumn night.

The morning light in the Rissei-den Hall is softer than the night light, and when it shines in through the window screen, it is also accompanied by the crisp autumn breeze.

The wind swirled the fallen leaves of the old locust tree outside the hall, gently tapping them against the windowpanes with a soft, rustling sound.

Li Shimin had already stood up, and the eunuch was not holding a bright yellow court robe, but a dark blue coarse cloth shirt.

The neckline is embroidered with a simple, subtle pattern, and the hem is cut slightly wider for easy walking.

He raised his hand to adjust his collar, his fingertips touching the rough texture of the fabric, which felt more comfortable than silk: "I'll wear this, it's lightweight."

Just as the eunuch finished tidying up, footsteps could be heard outside the palace.

Empress Zhangsun brought in a cup of warm tea, with two mint leaves floating on the rim: "Your Majesty went to Kaolao Village today. The autumn mornings are chilly, so have a cup of tea to warm yourself up."

Li Shimin took the tea, drank it all in one gulp, and felt the warmth flow down his throat: "You're so thoughtful. They should be waiting. Let's go."

By this time, a large number of people had already gathered on the open ground outside the Taiji Hall.

As the morning light fell upon everyone, the solemnity and formality of the morning assembly were gone, replaced by a warm and homely atmosphere.

Cheng Yaojin, dressed in a dark brown coarse cloth jacket, with a leather belt around his waist and an empty cloth bag in his hand, was chatting away with Fang Xuanling:
"Prime Minister Fang, what do you think His Majesty is up to? He didn't mention holding a meeting, just talking about those tomatoes from Kaolao Village last time. I still think they were pretty good!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanling gently shook his head: "General Cheng, don't be anxious. Since His Majesty has instructed us to bring measuring tools, it's probably not just for the sake of food."

"Young master always acts with method, there must be something that needs to be witnessed by everyone - but I don't know if it is related to the tomatoes before, or if there is something new."

Li Jing stood to the side, wearing a dark gray cloth robe with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing his strong wrists.

He has always been efficient, even choosing clothes that allow for easy movement.

Listening to their conversation, Li Jing said softly, "If they bring measuring tools, it might be related to fields and crops."

"When I last visited Kaolao Village, I saw that Xiao Ran had planted some unknown crops outside the village, so it seems that he has made progress."

Wei Zheng, dressed in a dark blue cloth shirt and holding a small booklet, nodded upon hearing this: "If it is indeed a crop, then it is a great matter. Autumn is here, and the people are looking forward to the new grain. If there is a good harvest, it will be a blessing for the people."

Li Chengqian stood at the back of the crowd, wearing a light blue robe. The young man's face was full of curiosity, and he would look towards the palace gate from time to time.

Li Tai and Li Ke are both in Kaolao Village, so Crown Prince Li Chengqian cannot do that.

Like Li Shimin, he couldn't leave at all.

The crowd chattered amongst themselves, their voices low but their interest evident.

Although they didn't know what they were going to do, the thought of escaping the formalities of the palace and going to Kaolao Village to see Xiao Ran and see something new made everyone agree that it was a good idea.

As they were talking, footsteps came from afar. Everyone turned to look and saw Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun walking side by side. Both of them were dressed simply, like an ordinary couple going out.

"Your Majesty!" Everyone bowed in unison, their usual restraint from the court assembly gone.

Li Shimin raised his hand to signal everyone to stand up. His gaze swept around, and seeing that no one was wearing court robes, but rather casual everyday clothes, he was satisfied.

"No need for formalities when we go to Kaolao Village today. Is everything prepared?"

"Ready!"

Cheng Yaojin was the first to respond, shaking the cloth bag in his hand, "I even brought bags to carry things!"

Everyone laughed, and Li Shimin laughed along, but he didn't explain what he was going to do. He simply pointed to the carriage in the distance:
"The car is ready, let's go. Drive slowly, no rush."

Walking beside Li Shimin, Fang Xuanling couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, what is the purpose of this trip to Kaolao Village?"

Li Shimin turned to look at him, a smile hidden in his eyes, but only said, "You'll know when we get there. It's no fun if you tell us beforehand, it's a surprise."

Seeing this, Fang Xuanling stopped asking questions and simply nodded with a smile: "That's good, it makes it more anticipated."

When the carriage procession set off, the morning light had risen higher and the chill in the air had lessened.

Fang Xuanling sat in another car, his fingers lightly tapping his knee, but his mind was racing:
"If the measuring tools, Xiao Ran, and Kaolao Village are indeed crops, they must be high-yielding and of good quality; otherwise, His Majesty wouldn't have allowed everyone to witness it."

Li Jing closed his eyes and leaned back in the car seat, his mind flashing back to the crops he had seen on the ridges of the fields in Kaolao Village last time. The leaves were wide and the stalks were tall; he hadn't paid much attention to them then, but now he thought that they might be the "surprise" he was looking for this time.

Only Li Shimin sat in the carriage at the very front, his fingertips lightly tapping the carriage shaft, a smile playing on his lips.

The morning light shone through the car window onto his face, as warm as the sunlight on the ridges of the fields in Kaolao Village.

He didn't need to guess, yet he was more excited than anyone else: he looked forward to the shock of everyone when they saw that golden expanse, and he looked forward to the good days that this "surprise" would bring to the people of the Tang Dynasty.

The carriage moved forward, carrying a load of doubts and expectations, heading towards Kaolao Village.

It just so happened that there were no classes that day, so all the children were at home.

Corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes are sure to benefit many people.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that their appearance in the present-day Tang Dynasty was a great act of merit.

Xiao Ran wanted to share some of this merit with the little princess.

We prepared the tools well in advance, all of them were very small baskets and hampers.

The little princess can also participate then.

The little princess had been involved in taking care of him before, and whenever she wasn't in class, she would go with Xiao Ran.

There were many people this time, so the others didn't go into the courtyard.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun went over, while the others waited outside.

Empress Zhangsun, wife of Emperor Taizong of Tang, went in and greeted Emperor Taizong of Tang, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Empress Xiao, and others.

"Xiao Ran, everyone's here. What's the matter?" Li Shimin called out.

"Uncle, don't rush!" Xiao Ran looked to the other side, "Sizi, Third Sister, let's go!"

Upon hearing Xiao Ran's call, the little princess, the little princess of Chengyang, Third Sister, Yan Yao, and Di Renjie all ran over.

The children are basically inseparable, except when they are sleeping at night or in class.

"Grandpa~" the little princess called out.

"Have you missed your grandfather?"

Li Shimin gently patted the little princess's head.

"Hehe~ Yes~" the little princess said, then pounced on Empress Zhangsun.

The group left the courtyard.

Xiao Ran greeted the others and led them to the field.

The early autumn wind, carrying the dampness of the fields, flowed along the village road, causing the millet ears on both sides of the road to sway gently.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun walked at the front, their dark blue and moon-white cloth shirts reflecting the morning light, appearing even more refreshing than the autumn dew on the field ridges.

Occasionally, the group startled a few sparrows pecking at food, which fluttered their wings and flew into the distant elm grove.

Several children skipped and hopped along in the middle of the group. The little princess's light pink dress looked like a small flower blooming in the autumn scenery. She would occasionally bend down to reach for the foxtail grass by the roadside.

Princess Chengyang followed beside her, carrying a small basket in her hand, but her eyes were fixed on the tomato trellis on the edge of the field, and her steps were a beat slower.

Di Renjie and Yan Yao walked more steadily, carrying small cloth bags in their hands, and occasionally helping the Third Sister in front of them to straighten the crooked basket.

The village road gradually widened, and the millet fields on both sides stretched as far as the eye could see.

Many villagers are already busy in the fields. After autumn, there are far fewer people at the coal mines and workshops.

There's more and more to do in the fields.

If you walk any further, you will see the "new crop" that Xiao Ran mentioned.

The most obvious example is corn; the corn stalks are very tall.

The potatoes next to it were inconspicuous, their stems and leaves all withered and yellow.

The sweet potato leaves, however, are still lush and green.

I even picked some leaves to stir-fry and eat.

A group of people surrounded the corn, trying to conceal their presence; there were more people than corn.

We didn't plant much corn before.

"Is it time to harvest the corn?" Li Shimin reached out and squeezed it.

"Okay, that's fine." Xiao Ran snapped off a corncob.

This worried the little princess greatly, but even with her short legs on tiptoe, she couldn't reach the corn cobs on the corn stalks.

"Little Nangjun wants some too~" the little princess exclaimed.

Xiao Ran tore open the outer husk, revealing neat rows of golden grains, so swollen they could be squeezed to feel their solidity. Even the tip of the rachis was packed full, exuding a sense of ripeness and reliability.

Xiao Ran handed it to the little princess, "Rhinoceros!"

The little princess quickly hugged the corn, "Hehe~ Time to wrap it up~"

"You can break them off, right?" Li Shimin asked Xiao Ran first.

"Yes, that's fine."

Upon hearing Xiao Ran say it was possible, Li Shimin also broke off one.

Li Chengqian, Fang Xuanling, and the others also wanted to experience it, since there were more people than corn.

Those who stand far away won't get any.

Fang Xuanling held up a corn cob and exclaimed, "Wow, this yield is really high! It's so big!"

“Nephew, the ones we ate before were very tender, but this one is too hard to eat,” Cheng Yaojin said, holding up a corn cob.

"Uncle, when it's tender, it's mainly good for boiling, braising, or stir-frying. You can't leave it for too long when it's tender."

"If you want it to last longer, it needs to be a little older and less moist, just like it is now. You also need to take it home and hang it in a well-ventilated and dry place."

"As for when to eat it, we'll need a millstone."

"This corn is just as useful as wheat when it's ground!"

Xiao Ran pointed to the kernels on the corn cob, speaking casually yet clearly, "The finely ground flour can be used to make pancakes, porridge, and corn rice, just like eating wheat flour."

"Don't throw away the leftover coarse scraps. Mix them with hay and feed them to cattle, sheep and horses. It's perfect for them and won't waste anything."

Li Shimin didn't know these things before; he only knew that when the meat was young, it was a little sweet, very fragrant, and delicious.

Li Shimin's fingers, which were holding the corn cob, suddenly paused, and the smile in his eyes gradually turned into solemnity.

I only noticed that the corn kernels were plump, but when Xiao Ran said they could be ground into flour and used as food, I suddenly realized what it meant.

A mix of surprise and delight! (End of Chapter)