Chapter 62: Li Shimin and Li Shen Go Out for a Stroll

April was a season of warmth and blooming flowers. Outings for spring excursions were already popular in the Tang Dynasty. Li Shen received a message from Wang De that Li Shimin was going to take a trip to Jiucheng Palace.

Jiucheng Palace was originally built in the thirteenth year of the Kaihuang reign under Emperor Wen of Sui, and completed in March of the fifteenth year of Kaihuang. It was initially named "Renshou Palace" and served as an imperial villa for Emperor Wen. In the fifth year of the Zhenguan reign under Emperor Taizong of Tang, it was restored, expanded, and renamed "Jiucheng Palace." The name "Jiucheng"—meaning "Ninefold" or "Ninth Tier"—spoke of its towering height. Located in Qizhou, Fengxiang, and Linyou County, it was renowned for its interlocking pearl and jade walls, its golden and azure splendor that reflected the clouds and mist, and its grandeur that rivaled the sun and moon.

Li Shen could not fathom why Li Shimin wanted him along for the trip. Yet, regardless of the reason, when summoned by the Emperor, one had to go. Therefore, he prepared all kinds of equipment. A medical kit was a must, along with a barbecue grill and charcoal. Since it was a spring outing, how could he go without such preparations?

The only people accompanying the Emperor on this journey were Empress Changsun and the four imperial consorts, alongside two little ones: Princess Jinyang and Princess Xincheng. Even Li Zhi was left behind to study in the palace.

Li Shen also decided to make sure his own servants accompanied him, as he could hardly expect the Emperor’s attendants to wait upon him. Thus, his five followers—Wu Mei, Shitou, Lan Yu'er, Chunxiang, and Dongmei—were all coming along.

He also planned to bring a few guards. Although Li Shimin’s traveling party was escorted by at least five thousand members of the Imperial Guard, along with the newly formed Hundred Riders unit, those forces were there solely to protect Li Shimin. Li Shen still needed people to help him with miscellaneous chores, such as slaughtering livestock and carrying things.

It was always more convenient to have his own people around, so he instructed Shitou to tell Xue Rengui to bring ten guards and meet him at the city gate the following day.

Li Shen’s guards had all been recruited from his own manor, numbering a little over thirty in total. They were originally hired to guard the warehouse of the Boutique Pavilion. Not only were they reliable since they belonged to his own fief, but more than a dozen of them were veteran soldiers who had retired from active service—though some were missing a hand or an arm.

However, Xue Rengui had assured him that these veterans had been through the fires of war, tasted blood, and possessed vast experience, making their combat prowess far superior to that of ordinary able-bodied laborers.

Furthermore, after more than a year of daily training and a diet with ample meat, they were in prime condition. Li Shen had also spent a considerable sum to provide each of them with a fine Tang saber forged from superior hundred-refined steel, which was lightweight, sharp, and easy for them to wield.

As for Xue Rengui, Li Shen had a Halberd of Heavenly Fine Arts forged for him, weighing a full hundred catties. Historical records claimed that Xue Rengui possessed a voracious appetite, but that was actually because he had long suffered from malnutrition and a lack of rich food in his stomach. After eating meat for a few days, Xue Rengui became just like any ordinary man. Skilled in archery, Xue Rengui was given a heavy three-stone bow commissioned by Li Shen, with a draw weight of one hundred and eighty kilograms.

It had the exact same draw weight as the bow of Yue Fei. When Li Shen had heard in television dramas that Xue Rengui used a ten-stone bow, he had actually asked Xue Rengui about it.

As a result, Xue Rengui had said nothing, merely looking at him as if he were an idiot. Six hundred kilograms! Where on earth could one find arm strength capable of drawing a twelve-hundred-jin bow? Li Shen even felt like a fool himself.

On the second day, Li Shimin set off for Jiucheng Palace with a grand and imposing procession. Li Shen rendezvoused with Xue Rengui at the city gate. To follow protocol, Li Shen sent Wang De to pass a message to Li Shimin, inquiring whether he was permitted to bring these guards along. After all, one could not simply insert random people into the Emperor’s entourage without permission.

Li Shimin had long since investigated Li Shen’s guards thoroughly and knew they belonged to his fief. Moreover, many of them were veterans who had fought alongside him. Thus, he gave his consent—they were only a dozen men or so, after all, amidst a procession of several thousand. Besides, Li Shimin himself was hardly someone lacking the strength to truss a chicken. And so, Li Shen and his maids rode in a carriage, while the guards flanked the vehicle as they headed toward Jiucheng Palace.

Stopping and going along the way, Li Shen even hosted a grand barbecue party at night. He had his guards hunt game in the wilderness to roast, having brought along plenty of spice powders. Li Shimin and the female consorts ate until their lips glistened with oil, and even the two little princesses enjoyed themselves immensely. Li Shimin openly declared that Li Shen knew best how to enjoy life, and Consort Wei was overjoyed, with everyone praising her for her great fortune.

After more than ten days of a long and arduous journey, they finally arrived at Jiucheng Palace. Situated at an altitude of over a thousand meters, Jiucheng Palace offered a refreshing and breathtaking view of the lush, verdant mountains in the distance.

No wonder Li Shimin insisted on coming here. The scenery was truly delightful and uplifted one's spirits. The imperial chefs accompanying them this time were from the Daji Hall, so their culinary skills went without saying.

Here, Li Shen ate well and had a wonderful time. Whenever he had free time, he would go hunting with Xue Rengui—though in truth, Xue Rengui did the hunting while Li Shen simply stood on the sidelines giving directions, thoroughly enjoying himself.

As for Li Shimin and the others, they spent their days listening to music and enjoying performances. Empress Changsun entrusted the two little princesses to Li Shen's care, and Li Shen was more than happy to look after them, frequently making delicious treats for them. He even crafted a paper kite and took them flying.

Li Shen also told them stories, ranging from Nüwa patching the heavens and creating mankind, to Pangu splitting the heavens and earth, as well as The Three Little Pigs and The Boy Who Cried Wolf.

He wrung his brains dry, recounting every child-friendly story he could remember that suited this era. When he finally ran out, Li Shen simply began making them up.

After all, modern times had an endless supply of tales, and he mixed and matched them freely, amusing the two little ones to no end.

Seeing this, Li Shimin felt deeply gratified at the harmonious and joyful scene of filial children and affectionate descendants. In the evenings, when the two little princesses returned, they would recount the gist of the stories Li Shen had told them to Li Shimin and the others.

Empress Changsun even praised Li Shen’s talent to Li Shimin, noting that she had never heard any of these stories before, meaning they must have been entirely invented by Li Shen.

"He certainly has talent, but he just doesn't use it in the right place—he refuses to serve the imperial court," Li Shimin remarked.

"Your Majesty, Shen'er is still young. He is only eleven years old now. We can wait a few more years; there's no need to rush," Empress Changsun explained on Li Shen's behalf.

"I know that, which is why I haven't forced him. He always wants to return to his fief, and I suspect he is afraid of getting embroiled in court disputes. Over the past two years, his imperial examination strategies have already yielded some results. Every year, a few commoner scholars are selected. I know he still has plenty of good ideas; he just chooses not to voice them," Li Shimin sighed helplessly, sensing that Li Shen still harbored many brilliant concepts that he simply dared not utter.

Today, Li Shen and Xue Rengui brought back yet another cow—an unfortunate bovine that had accidentally tumbled to its death. This was already the third "unfortunate" cow Li Shen had brought back. Li Shen planned to stew beef today and barbecue beef for dinner. However, they had barely returned when they were discovered by Li Shimin.

"Li Shen, what is the story with this cow? This is already the third one," Li Shimin questioned sternly. Cows were legally protected in the Tang Dynasty, and slaughtering one privately was a crime.

"Father, it is simply too unfortunate! This beast accidentally tumbled to its death. To compensate for the commoner's loss, I bought it back at a high price so he can go into town and purchase a new plow ox. Alas, how tragic!" Li Shen shook his head and sighed.

"Hmph! Too unfortunate? We've barely been here a few days, and three cows have already died so 'unfortunately'. Are you implying that we are plagues of misfortune bringing calamity upon the common people?" Li Shimin was almost amused to the point of laughter by Li Shen's defense.

"Uh... well... you can't really put it that way. If we hadn't come, wouldn't they have suffered the loss? I gave them a generous sum of money so they could buy new cattle and avoid any setback. This is simply heaven's will," Li Shen had not expected Li Shimin to put it quite like that.

"Scoundrel, do you take me for a fool? Do you know the penalty for the crime of deceiving the Emperor?" Li Shimin was thoroughly exasperated by Li Shen.

"Well, um... the truth is, it was accidentally shot dead while we were hunting. Father, please don't get angry; anger harms the body. I will have the kitchen stew a pot of beef for you right away to nourish yourself!" With that, Li Shen turned tail and bolted.