Sky Curtain: With a vermilion mirror, Jing travels through the modern world, shaking all dynasties.

Chapter 136 Li Er's Visit

Wang Anshi was stunned for a long time, his gaze slowly wandering around the tavern before finally landing on Jiang Chuan's face.

"The future?" he repeated softly, glancing again at the dazzling array of wine bottles, the gleaming glass, and the strangely shaped lamps. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly said, "The things in this tavern certainly don't seem to belong to the Song Dynasty, and—"

He glanced at Su Shi, who was raising his cup and chatting with Li Bai, and the last trace of doubt in his heart finally dissipated.

"Since Master Li Bai is right here, I have no choice but to believe it," Wang Anshi said, bowing respectfully. "I have lost my composure."

Su Shi, standing to the side, laughed and said, "Jiefu, it was the owner of this tavern who specifically asked me to invite you here."

Wang Anshi frowned slightly and turned to Jiang Chuan: "Young friend, you invited this old man here. May I ask what brings you here?"

Jiang Chuan cupped his hands and replied, "Brother Jiefu, I know you are interested in reform, so I would like to discuss this with you in detail."

Wang Anshi was startled, and his brows furrowed even more. Although he had previously submitted a memorial to Emperor Renzong, analyzing the long-standing problems of the Song Dynasty, he had never explicitly mentioned the word "reform." How did Jiang Chuan know about it?

Jiang Chuan saw through his thoughts and laughed, "Brother Jiefu, how could you forget that this is the future? Your reforms will naturally be recorded in the history books."

Upon hearing this, Wang Anshi eagerly asked, "What was the result? Was the reform successful?"

Jiang Chuan pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "We succeeded, but the result was not as satisfactory as we hoped."

Wang Anshi frowned deeply, remained silent for a moment, and then said in a deep voice, "Why is this? Could it be that my principles were wrong from the very beginning?"

Jiang Chuan shook his head slightly and said seriously, "Brother Jiefu, your reform ideas are not wrong. Enriching the country and strengthening the army, rectifying officialdom, and reducing taxes and levies are all the right paths. But you have forgotten a saying: Haste makes waste."

Wang Anshi remained silent, his gaze slightly lowered.

He knew in his heart that he was truly determined to change the various problems of the Song Dynasty, and he couldn't wait to change them immediately, not even for a day longer.

Seeing that his expression relaxed, Jiang Chuan softened his tone and said slowly, "Reform takes time, like a big tree. Only when the roots are deep can the branches and leaves flourish. If you are eager for quick results, the good policies you have painstakingly come up with will eventually be distorted and lose their original purpose."

Wang Anshi raised his head, his brows furrowed, his tone tinged with resentment and stubbornness: "The Song Dynasty has long suffered from deep-seated problems, like a chronic illness. How can it be cured without drastic measures? If we proceed slowly, the disease may become incurable, beyond saving! I must act swiftly and decisively to rectify these problems as quickly as possible!"

Jiang Chuan remained silent, sighing inwardly.

He knew that Wang Anshi was as upright as iron; once he made up his mind, nothing could sway him.

Just as he was pondering how to persuade them, the tavern door suddenly creaked open.

Everyone's eyes turned towards the doorway.

As the door opened, a man with an imposing presence entered, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe with a jade belt around his waist. His face was dignified yet refined.

He was holding a little girl with her hair in double buns in his arms; it was Xiao Sizi who had come just yesterday.

The tavern fell silent instantly.

Li Bai paused in his wine cup, then put it down. He exchanged a glance with Meng Haoran, and the two rose simultaneously, straightened their clothes, knelt on one knee, and said in unison, "Greetings, Your Majesty Emperor Taizong!"

Su Shi also quickly stood up, cupped his hands and bowed respectfully, saying, "This junior, Su Shi, greets Your Majesty."

Jiang Chuan stood there, momentarily at a loss.

He instinctively took a step forward, then stopped.

bow down?

He's a modern man; he simply can't bring himself to kneel down.

Can you go up to him, pat him on the shoulder, and call him brother?

That would be far too offensive; after all, he was a great Khan.

Just as he hesitated, Li Shimin put down the little ox, reached out to help it up, and said loudly, "Master Taibai, Master Haoran, please don't do this! I have heard that this is a place where sages of all ages gather. Didn't Master Taibai say that it is fate that we meet here? Why bring worldly formalities here?"

Li Bai and Meng Haoran then stood up, but their faces still showed some respect.

Little Si Zi had broken free from his father's hand and skipped over to Zhu Jingjing, grabbing her hand and saying with a grin, "Sister Zhu, Si Zi brought Father Emperor!"

Zhu Jingjing squatted down and pinched her little cheek with a smile.

Li Shimin's gaze fell on Jiang Chuan, and he looked him up and down before smiling and cupping his hands in greeting: "This must be my young friend Jiang Chuan."

"When Sizi returned yesterday, he raved about your tavern. I have come today specifically to bother you, young friend. I hope you will not find it offensive."

Jiang Chuan quickly returned the greeting with a cupped hand, feeling relieved. He smiled and said, "Your Majesty's presence is a great honor to our humble abode. There is no question of disturbing you."

Please take a seat.

The Great Ming Dynasty, Fengtian Hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked up at the sky, and the sunlight fell on the figure in the dragon robe, who was majestic and imposing, and he stared at him for a long time.

"Everyone says that Emperor Taizong of Tang was a wise ruler for all time, and observing his appearance and demeanor—" he stroked his beard thoughtfully, and slowly said, "Indeed extraordinary!"

After speaking, he got up and paced back and forth in the hall several times. Suddenly, he stopped, turned his head to look at Empress Ma, and his eyes showed an unusual seriousness.

"My lady," he asked in a deep voice, "I wonder, between myself and Li Shimin, who is superior?"

Empress Ma was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then rose and went to her side, replying softly, "Chongba, you and Li Shimin each have your strengths and weaknesses, and there is really no way to compare them."

He paused briefly, his eyes warm, and continued, "If one can learn from others' strengths and make up for one's own weaknesses, that is the way of a truly wise ruler! Chongba has always been intelligent and insightful; why should he argue with the ancients over a single day's worth?"

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a long time, the solemnity between his brows gradually easing. He stroked his beard and nodded: "Your words, Madam, are like a wake-up call; I will remember them well!"

Modern-day Jiangchuan Tavern.

Li Shimin rubbed Xiao Sizi's head and said, "Sizi, go inside and play with Sister Zhu. Your father wants to talk to some of the gentlemen."

Little Sizi nodded obediently, took Zhu Jingjing's hand, and looked up at her, asking, "Sister Zhu, do you have any more cotton candy?"

Zhu Jingjing smiled and pinched her cheek: "Of course!"

Li Shimin watched his daughter walk away before turning around. His gaze swept back and forth between Jiang Chuan and Wang Anshi, and he raised his hand to beckon, saying loudly, "Young friend Jiang, Mr. Jie Fu, would you do me the honor of joining me for a drink?"

Jiang Chuan nodded repeatedly, beaming with smiles: "Your Majesty's invitation is most welcome."

Wang Anshi was also flattered and bowed, saying, "How dare I disobey Your Majesty's command?"

The three sat down, and Lin Xiaoyu had already prepared the drinks. She gently placed a bottle of Moutai on the table, along with three crystal-clear wine glasses, before quietly retreating to the side.

Li Shimin picked up the wine bottle, examined it carefully for a moment, and said with a smile, "This is the Maotai that Sizi mentioned? I have heard of its name since the Tang Dynasty, and today I finally get to see it."

As he spoke, he personally unscrewed the bottle cap, poured a cup for Jiang Chuan and Wang Anshi, and then filled his own cup, showing no airs of an emperor in his actions.

"Mr. Jiefu, I heard everything you and my friend Jiang said clearly from the heavens above the Tang Dynasty. May I say a few words?"

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