Chapter 15: Approaching Winter

Chapter 15: The Approaching Winter

Just as Li Tai was engrossed in thoughts about down jackets, preparing to seize the opportunity to make a hefty profit this winter, Li Shimin was occupied with handling numerous administrative affairs arising from the locust plague. He turned to Dou Jing and said, “This year, the Guanlong region suffered a poor harvest; the winter in Chang’an will likely be exceptionally harsh. Can grain prices in Chang’an remain around 120 qian per shi? Will there be sufficient supply in the future?”

Dou Jing stepped forward respectfully and replied, “The Guanlong region has endured both locust and drought disasters this year, resulting in crop failure and grain shortages. However, rice harvests in Qiantang and Yangzhou have been abundant. When the drought and locust plague struck, Left Chancellor Dai promptly ordered additional vessels to transport grain from Jiangnan. A warehouse has now been established in Luoyang, storing 300,000 shi of grain, with more shipments still arriving. Because the route from Luoyang to Chang’an is overland, the grain is still en route, but it will definitely arrive before the onset of winter.”

“Having Xuanyin oversee the Ministry of Personnel truly puts my mind at ease!” Li Shimin praised Dai Zhou.

“Thank you for the honor, Your Majesty,” Dai Zhou stepped forward. “The recent locust and drought disasters were severe, and our court’s preparations were insufficient. I beseech Your Majesty to emulate the previous dynasty by establishing relief granaries, requiring officials, noble families, and commoners to contribute grain reserves in preparation for famine.”

“This is an excellent proposal. You shall temporarily assume the post of Minister of Revenue and take full responsibility for this matter,” Li Shimin instructed.

“Your command is received!” Dai Zhou understood that although his appointment was temporary, successfully completing this task would make his permanent position only a matter of time.

“Gentlemen, the drought and locust plagues in Guanlong have been somewhat contained, but we must prepare thoroughly for the coming cold,” Li Shimin declared.

“Your Majesty’s teachings are deeply etched in our hearts. We shall faithfully discharge our duties and prepare accordingly,” Fang Xuanling responded.

Soon, the entire hall was engaged in discussions on how to withstand the cold. Although none spoke openly, everyone was well aware that many would perish this winter. The locust plague and drought had depleted the people’s grain reserves. Commoners could not expect luxurious furs or heated walls to survive the cold. Their only hope was the warmth provided by their food. Yet, due to the disasters, their grain stores had been nearly exhausted, and the court could no longer afford large-scale relief.

Therefore, the people outside Chang’an would face an exceptionally harsh winter. Even though the court had set up porridge shelters outside the city, these could only offer a bowl of thin gruel daily. Relying solely on this meager charity was unrealistic. Though Li Shimin wished to aid more people, any plan ultimately hinged on funds and grain. The Tang dynasty’s resources were still too limited after the disasters; there was only so much that could be done without adequate means.

After the court session, Li Shimin returned to the Eastern Palace with a heavy heart, hoping to confide in Empress Zhangsun. The morning’s deliberations had left him weary, and most importantly, no effective plan to combat the approaching winter had emerged. In the end, they could only hope the people’s constitution would allow them to endure the cold.

Approaching the empress’s residence, laughter and merriment drifted from within. Li Shimin furrowed his brow but soon relaxed and entered. Present in the Eastern Palace were not only Empress Zhangsun but also Li Chengqian and Li Tai.

“What is the cause of such joy?” Li Shimin asked curiously.

“Chengqian gave Lizhi a birthday gift—a hand-copied Analects with his own annotations and reflections. Since Lizhi has just learned the Thousand Character Classic and plans to study the Book of Songs and the Analects next, Chengqian thought this would be thoughtful,” Empress Zhangsun explained with a gentle smile.

Li Chengqian had earnestly tried to be a responsible elder brother, carefully selecting a birthday gift and painstakingly copying the Analects with his commentary. Yet, anyone receiving textbooks and exercises as a present would likely see their smile fade and perhaps even harbor murderous thoughts.

Indeed, Lizhi’s initially eager gaze gradually lost focus. Only Li Tai and Empress Zhangsun could not help but chuckle at Chengqian’s gift.

“Father, both my elder brothers are bullying me!” Lizhi promptly ran to Li Shimin to complain.

“Haha,” Li Shimin laughed heartily. “Today is your birthday, so no punishments. Here, take this Lantian jade pendant from my waist—let me spare Chengqian and Qingque this time!”

“Mm!” Lizhi took the pendant and stuck out her tongue playfully at Li Tai and Li Chengqian. “Hmph!”

“I recall you haven’t received your birthday gift from me yet. Does that mean you don’t want it?” Li Tai teased with a smile.

“Uh...” Lizhi hesitated noticeably, clearly weighing the importance of saving face against the allure of Li Tai’s gift.

Snapping back to attention, she asked with hopeful eyes, “Brother Qingque, you won’t give me another agricultural book, will you?”

Having grown up with Li Tai, Lizhi knew well that he loved reading farming manuals. But if she were to receive yet another book, she felt birthdays might become unbearable, as more such gifts would surely overwhelm her.

“Of course not!” Li Tai glanced at the white crane holding a box. “Bai He, bring the gift here.”

Bai He placed the garment before Lizhi—a pale purple robe. One side was made of exquisite silk, the other lined with warm fleece. Running her hand over it, Lizhi felt the silk’s cool smoothness and the fleece’s soft warmth.

Li Tai said, “If you feel cold, wear this robe. It might be a bit large now, but soon you’ll grow taller and it will fit perfectly. The silk inside isn’t special, but the fleece took me a whole year to cultivate.”

“Oh?” Surprised, Lizhi draped the robe over herself. “It really is very warm!”

Li Shimin, standing nearby, pondered her words but wisely chose not to interrupt the joyful atmosphere.

The family’s birthday celebration was warm and harmonious; even little Li Zhi called out a few times. Afterward, when Li Shimin returned to his study, he summoned Li Tai to join him.

Li Chengqian, noticing Li Tai staying behind with their father, cast a curious glance but said nothing and left.

In the study, Li Shimin asked, “How much of the white fleece do you have left?”

“None. All that remained was used to make Lizhi’s garment,” Li Tai answered truthfully.

“Is white fleece difficult to cultivate? Does it deplete the soil?” Li Shimin inquired.

Li Shimin could feel that the fabric made from this fleece was exceptionally warm—an excellent material for winter clothing, far superior to hemp cloth.

“White fleece doesn’t demand much from the soil but requires ample sunlight. Compared to Chang’an, perhaps a place like Longxi with more sunshine would be better,” Li Tai nodded. “However, its cultivation occupies farmland, so unless the court supports its promotion, large-scale development would be difficult.”

Li Tai’s words were not false. Such textile crops were discovered around the Tang and Song dynasties but only became widespread among commoners during Zhu Yuanzhang’s reign. Li Shimin hesitated, understanding the potential of this economic crop, but after the recent disasters, his priority was grain security. If possible, he wished for all of Chang’an to be sown with food crops.

Thus, he considered only a small-scale experiment in a sunny city in Longxi. Large-scale planting or official support was beyond consideration.

Li Tai did not expect a grand endorsement from Li Shimin, knowing that although the emperor cared for the people, he did not fully grasp their actual needs. To Li Shimin, this was merely a new textile material, and its significance for the common people was unclear.

“Father, is something troubling you? Perhaps you could share it with me,” Li Tai gently offered.

“Winter approaches. The city’s people, having endured locust and drought disasters, have likely exhausted their grain reserves. If the winter is harsh, many may not survive,” Li Shimin confided.

Li Tai responded, “If Your Majesty grants me several coal mines and a bit of grain, I believe I can find work for these people. Perhaps saving everyone is too much, but saving some is certainly possible.”

“Why do you need so many coal mines?” Li Shimin frowned.

“To have them mine coal!” Li Tai said firmly. “Let them earn their food through labor; that’s only fair.”

“The grain supply may not be allocated to you,” Li Shimin shook his head. “Grain stocks within Chang’an are tight.”

“May I purchase grain directly from the court?” Li Tai proposed. “Using the thousand acres of land Your Majesty granted me as collateral, I hope to buy a large amount at once to avoid causing panic in the market.”

“You even acknowledge that the thousand acres were my gift!” Li Shimin’s mouth twitched before he roughly ruffled Li Tai’s hair in exasperation. The proposal was audacious to the extreme!

For Li Tai, the thousand acres were a kind of enclave, not near the agricultural academy. It was better to liquidate the land for grain first. If he could secure sufficient labor with that grain, what was a thousand acres? Proving himself a capable official before Li Shimin was the true priority.

Snapping back to seriousness, Li Shimin asked, “How confident are you?”

“I will do my best. At the very least, no one in Chang’an will freeze to death this year,” Li Tai said earnestly.

“Then the thousand acres will truly be gone,” Li Shimin said, “But once the grain from Luoyang arrives, the first shipment will be sent to you.”

“Father, I shall begin work on this immediately!” Li Tai promised solemnly.

“Qingque...” Li Shimin watched Li Tai leave, feeling a mixture of relief and admiration. Although only eight years old, Li Tai had shown remarkable administrative talent since managing the locust disaster—a seemingly innate gift, as Li Shimin himself was a naturally invincible commander.

In fact, prodigies like Li Tai hardly astonished the people of the realm. After all, the land had produced remarkable talents from a young age—like Gan Luo, who at twelve was appointed to office during the Qin, and Huo Qubing, who was made marquis at eighteen during the Han. Extraordinary prodigies were never scarce.

Moreover, Li Shimin considered himself a youthful hero, and having one or two extraordinary offspring was quite normal.

Meanwhile, Li Chengqian, who had just changed tutors, respectfully asked his new teacher Li Gang, “Master Li, may I ask you any question?”

“Please, Your Highness,” Li Gang replied respectfully.

“These days, my fourth brother has grown close to Father... yet I feel somewhat troubled, as if my domain is being encroached upon by him,” Li Chengqian confessed. “I know such thoughts are wrong, but I cannot help pondering so.”

Li Gang was silent for a moment, then said, “Prince Yue is capable and competent, but governing with virtue is like the North Star, which remains fixed while all other stars revolve around it. Though Prince Yue is talented, he is but one of the stars circling the North Star.”

Hearing this, Li Chengqian sighed in relief and smiled. “Thank you, Master Li, for your guidance.”

(End of chapter)