Chapter 271 Japan
"It took more than two million people to build this city in one year."

The officials of the Tang Dynasty were walking in front, and they couldn't help but feel amused when they heard the occasional surprised voices of the foreign envoys behind them, and then they became arrogant.

"All the barbarians!"

After the banquet, singing and dancing, all the ministers and envoys left the palace, but the city was still bustling with activity. Except for a few individual envoys, most of the foreign envoys had plenty of money, so they could enjoy the prosperity to their heart's content.

The emperor stayed up all night with his wife and children. Li Chengzong was one year older. He had started learning to read two years ago and had now begun studying "The Analects of Confucius" and "The Book of Filial Piety".

But in terms of literacy and reading, Chengzong is still quite talented and indeed learns better than other children of the same age.

The little man was wearing a round-necked robe with fine embroidery on it, symbolizing longevity and health. He stood very steadily with his feet apart, holding a book in both hands, shaking his slightly chubby little head: "Confucius said: Those who love their parents dare not be mean to others; those who respect their parents dare not be rude to others.

"He who loves and respects his parents fully, imparts moral teachings to the people, and imposes punishments on the whole world, is the filial piety of the emperor."

"Good, Zong'er is doing very well in his studies and has made great progress. Father is very happy."

After listening to his son, Li Jiancheng smiled, nodded and praised him, but did not ask him any more questions. It was the New Year and it was not the time to make things difficult for the children.

"Then father, can I have a pony now?"

The Queen reminded him, "In front of your father, you must call yourself your son and subject. Don't forget this again."

"Can my son have a puppy now?"

"Okay, I'll take you to choose tomorrow."

"Great!"

Seeing their brother happy, the other little ones also became happy and laughed foolishly, shaking their heads.

Li Jiancheng waved his hand, and Li Chengdao, who was born to Zheng, stopped smiling and looked back at his mother with some fear.

Zheng had already reached the position of noble concubine, second only to the queen in the palace, but she was the most polite and chaste.

She might be considered a concubine outside, but at home, she was just a concubine.

So she didn't say anything, but just looked at her son with gentle and encouraging eyes.

The queen saw this and sighed secretly, this woman was impeccable, no wonder his majesty doted on her.

But she was not the kind of person who would embarrass a child, and she comforted Li Chengdao in a motherly manner: "Don't be afraid, your father will only test you on a few words to see if you have followed the teacher carefully in learning to read these days."

Although Li Chengzong was also very young, he always acted like an elder brother. He stepped forward and held his younger brother: "The teacher praised you for being smart a few days ago. Don't be afraid. You want a small fish, right? If you answer the questions correctly, you will get one."

Li Jiancheng looked at his two sons with a smile. These few days were the most relaxing in the year.

After being encouraged, Li Chengdao was no longer afraid. He walked to his father. Li Jiancheng opened the Analects and pointed out a few slightly difficult words. Chengdao answered them correctly smoothly.

As the instructions become simpler, the child's confidence increases and his voice unconsciously becomes louder, with a clear and melodious voice.

Li Jiancheng was never strict in front of his children, but children have the instinct to read people's expressions. They noticed that others were in awe of Li Jiancheng, and thus became afraid unconsciously.

After all, Chengzong was the eldest son and had the most opportunities to meet Li Jiancheng, so it was okay. The others inevitably felt unfamiliar and afraid.

"Cheng Dao is indeed very smart."

Li Chengdao's face turned red, but he didn't dare to say what reward he wanted, and Li Jiancheng didn't ask.

Then the princesses were tested. They also had to learn to read, but the progress was not urgent and the teacher did not have too strict requirements, so the progress was much slower than the two princes. The eldest daughter was named Li Wanshun, born to Concubine Yu. The little girl came forward in gorgeous clothes, her big eyes full of expectation, and she was extremely cute.

Li Jiancheng reached out his hands lovingly and held her in his arms. The little princess naturally put her arms around her father's neck and looked at her father with her watery eyes, which curved into crescent shapes after a moment.

"I also want!"

The second princess in Zhaorong Ashina's arms couldn't help it anymore. She broke free from his embrace and rushed to her father, wanting the same hug as her sister.

The princess's name was Li Wanxing. Her skin was the same as her mother's and she was born to grow fast. She had caught up with her brother in height. She had a pair of glass-like eyes and a high nose bridge.

The emperor smiled and picked up his little daughter, placing her on his knees. The queen reached out to support the princess's back to prevent her from falling backwards.

Xiao Chanyan herself didn't have a daughter, so she doted on the two little princesses: "Naughty, don't be so unruly in the future."

The emperor smiled and picked the simplest words from the Analects. At first, Li Wanshun answered them first, and then Li Wanxing answered them.

Unlike the eldest daughter who was well-behaved, the youngest daughter would twist her body excitedly every time she answered a question. Fortunately, the queen supported her, otherwise she would have fallen.

Li Jiancheng vaguely realized that his eldest daughter probably knew more characters than Chengdao, but he just didn't want to show it.

...............

After the New Year, the court resumed normal operations and was actively preparing for the imperial examinations. Li Jiancheng established rules to prevent favoritism in accordance with the regulations of later generations.

For example, the systems of avoidance, sealing, covering names, transcribing, and locking the court were announced to the country in order to win the trust of scholars and make them understand that the emperor really wanted to select people based on their talents and would not care about their family background.

When the imperial examination was in full swing, the emperor summoned the foreign envoys who were still stranded in Luoyang.

Most of them just wanted to be able to trade, some hoped to use the Tang Dynasty's reputation to intimidate surrounding countries, and some hoped that the Tang Dynasty would directly send troops to mediate.

Li Jiancheng only dealt with both of these perfunctorily. The Tang Dynasty was still far from being able to sanction the affairs of neighboring countries, so it intervened in such matters and sent envoys to ease the conflict.

What if the other party doesn’t accept it?

Should we send troops thousands of miles away to conquer the rebellious forces in order to maintain the majesty of the Tang Dynasty? But what would the Tang Dynasty gain by doing so?

Regional hegemony with the Tang Dynasty as the absolute center must be established, but not now.

The country still needs to recuperate. Sooner or later, there will be a major war against the Turks in the north. The territories swallowed up from the east and west also need time to digest. We cannot eat or occupy more.

The most special one was the Japanese envoy, a short but rather strong man, who saluted in a posture that looked extremely respectful.

He brought his own translator with him, and his entourage also brought a lot of gold and silver items into the palace.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Great Tang, I am here to pay my respects to you at the order of our Emperor Suiko. This is a letter from the Emperor himself."

Li Jiancheng frowned slightly. He remembered that during the Kaihuang period, Japan seemed to have sent envoys in this way, but it angered Emperor Wen of Sui.

When he took the letter, he saw that it was indeed true. It clearly said, "The Emperor of the East respectfully presents the letter from the Emperor of the West."

The emperor snorted coldly and threw the so-called letter of credence in front of the envoy: "The Japanese are so arrogant."

………………

(End of this chapter)