The Tang Dynasty started from saving Empress Changsun

Chapter 184 The Emperor's Gamble
In the evening, Li Shimin counted the days, and went to the Lizheng Palace with a little excitement, and felt much lighter when walking.

As the chief eunuch next to the emperor, Ren Feng naturally knew what was going on, and he couldn't help feeling that the relationship between the emperor and empress was good.

The eldest grandson Wugou had been waiting for a long time, and he was very happy to see him appear as expected.

"Erlang, I have something nice to show you." She took out a scroll and put it on the table.

"Oh, could it be someone's original work?" Li Shimin became interested just by looking at the scroll. He really likes calligraphy.

The eldest grandson Wugou said: "It is indeed a picture, I dare say that Erlang will never guess who wrote it."

Li Shimin said with a smile: "The maidservant of Guanyin is making things difficult again. There are countless people in this world who can write. How can I guess if you take a random word?"

The eldest grandson Wugou said: "No, no, the font of this script is unique, it can be said to be the first of its kind, and it should be a master of regular script."

Li Shimin couldn't help being moved, and said: "Guanyin servant girl, don't lie to me, there are still masters of regular script in this world that I don't know?"

The eldest grandson Wugou said with a smile: "Just say whether you want to bet with me."

Seeing his daughter-in-law's winning ticket, Li Shimin also murmured in his heart.

Naturally, he didn't believe that a master of regular script appeared suddenly, but he knew very well that his daughter-in-law didn't fight uncertain battles, and she was afraid of anything if not ten thousand.

Wait, no... Could she be deceiving me on purpose?It must be, I don't believe that a regular script can suddenly appear.

So he said with confidence: "The imaginary is real, the real is false, you have learned to play the art of war with me, Guanyin maidservant. But I will not be fooled by you, just bet."

Changsun Wugou held back his laughter and said, "Really want to gamble? It's too late for you to regret it now."

The more she was like this, the more Li Shimin believed in his own judgment, and said affirmatively: "Gamble, tell me what you want to bet."

A smile appeared on the corner of Changsun Wugou's mouth, but it disappeared immediately, and said: "I can't think of anything to bet for now, just think you promised me a condition."

Li Shimin always felt that something was wrong, but he believed in his own judgment even more, and said, "Okay, just treat it as if I owe you a condition, and now it's time for me to make a request."

The eldest grandson Wugou said: "Tell me what you want me to do."

Li Shimin stared at her rosy lips, showing a meaningful smile.

The eldest grandson Wugou's fair cheeks blushed suddenly, and he spat softly: "Bah, you will think about dirty things."

Li Shimin only felt a rush of blood flowing down, and said impatiently: "Come, come, show me whose work it is."

The eldest grandson Wugou gave him a blank look, then showed a successful smile, and said, "You miscalculated this time."

As he spoke, he slowly unfolded the scroll, revealing the writing inside.

Li Shimin thought she was unwilling to admit defeat, but when he saw the handwriting on it for the first time, he was stunned.

The next moment, I rushed over to observe carefully: "This character... has a round appearance and connotation of muscles and bones. Its stippling is vigorous, and its structure is wide and beautiful. It looks soft on the outside but strong on the inside. It has a beautiful shape and a strong skeleton."

"Well, I also slightly mixed the brushwork of running script to make the calligraphy beautiful and moving... Good calligraphy, really good calligraphy. Maid Guanyin, you didn't lie to me. This is indeed the work of a master who has opened a door."

The eldest grandson Wugou finally stopped trying to hide it, showed a triumphant smile, and said, "Then can you guess which master's handwriting this is?"

Li Shimin was choked up immediately, and said with embarrassment and self-mockery: "I claim to be familiar with famous calligraphers in the world, and I bet with you with full confidence, but I didn't expect to stumble at the place where I am most proud."

"Fortunately, this is a playful act of our husband and wife. If it is a major military event, the consequences will be unimaginable. This is a lesson. In the future, we must always be humble and not complacent."

The eldest grandson Wugou rejoiced in his heart, and said: "Erlang is able to think like this, it is indeed the luck of the world and the blessing of all people."

Li Shimin shook his head and said, "Stop flattering me, it's just a feeling. Can you tell me now, who wrote this letter?"

The eldest grandson Wugou didn't hold back anymore, and said: "This is written by Jing Ke copying the calligraphy of the elders at home."

Li Shimin was surprised at first, then suddenly realized, and said: "How can I forget him, only the elders of his family can hide so deeply."

Changsun Wugou also nodded in agreement. Chen Jingke had already produced too many things, and it would not be surprising to have a new font.

But Li Shimin immediately said angrily: "This bastard, knowing that I like calligraphy, has such a good calligraphy, but didn't know to take it out earlier, it really should be typed."

The eldest grandson Wugou smiled and said: "You are too domineering, this calligraphy is not for you, but for little Si."

She recounted what happened during the day, and specially emphasized that it was a bride price.

How could Li Shimin not understand what his daughter-in-law meant, and said: "I haven't been able to find any clues about the Chen family for so long, and I still can't feel at ease. How can I rest assured that I can marry my little son to him."

The eldest grandson Wugou persuaded: "But it's not an option to continue like this. With the knowledge he has mastered, his background is no longer important."

"As long as he treats Xiao Si well and is willing to contribute that knowledge to serve the court, that's enough."

"Hey." Li Shimin sighed, and said, "I understand what you said, and I'm thinking about this issue, maybe I'm too cautious."

"How about this, I assigned a task to him today, and when he finishes the matter, I will decree to give him a marriage."

Finally hearing the correct words, the big stone in Changsun Wugou's heart also fell to the ground, and he said happily: "Erlang is wise."

Li Shimin shook his head and didn't say anything else, but said: "Come on, let's study this calligraphy carefully."

Grandson Wugou: "Okay, I like this calligraphy very much too, I'll study it together when Erlang comes back."

The two got together to discuss word by word, their figures got closer and closer, and at some point their minds were no longer on the words.

"Guanyin maidservant, it's getting late, let's rest."

"Um……"

"Then just bet..."

"Didn't you lose?"

"Huh? Then I order you... Oops, I was wrong, let go."

……

There are two cities in Chang'an City, the East and the West, and I don't know what was thought of when designing them. Their overall layout is almost exactly the same.

There are two gates on each side, and there are two east-west streets and two north-south streets, forming a "well"-shaped street and dividing the market into nine squares.

Each square faces the street on all sides, and shops are set up on all sides, and shops of the same industry are concentrated in one area, called a row.There are 220 lines in the East Market, as well as in the West Market.

There are also differences between the two cities in terms of business categories.

Dongshi is close to the imperial palace, and there are many dignitaries living around it.Most of the offices in Beijing opened in the form of "Jinzuoyuan" are located in Pingkangfang and Chongrenfang near Dongshi.

Institutions such as the Selected Academy of the Ministry of Officials, the Southern Academy of the Ministry of Rites, and the Imperial College are also adjacent to Dongshi. Students who go to Beijing to take the exam will naturally choose to live near Dongshi.

So many people with status and spending power gathered together, which led to the abnormal development of Dongshi's catering industry, entertainment industry, and brothel industry, as well as the vigorous development of new industries such as pen shops, engraving printing industries, and piano shops.

It can be said that the level of buyers and sellers, commodity transactions and consumption in Dongshi is also becoming more and more high-end.

West Market has taken another path, becoming more civilian, diversified and international.Merchants from all over the world gather here, and most of the multinational businessmen live here.

At home and abroad, as long as you can think of goods, you can find them here.Even if you can't find it for a while, you can still inquire about the goods information through the merchants here.

In terms of prosperity, the West Market surpasses the East Market.This is the place where Chang'an City's commerce is concentrated, and it is also the center of Chang'an City's economic activities.

Dongshi Chongrenfang, the largest hotel street in Chang'an City.

Chen Jingke and Wu Shu walked side by side, don't get me wrong, they didn't come to open a room.

One of the two is wearing Taoist robes and the other has a beautiful appearance, and the other has a high rate of turning heads, but they are already used to it and don't take it to heart.

Although Wu Shu has been in Chang'an for less than half a year, this is the first time he has come here, and he is very curious: "The East Market is really prosperous, far better than the Luoyang Market."

Chen Jingke didn't know what the Luoyang market looked like, but he thought it was not as good as the Chang'an market, saying: "After all, it is the capital of goodness under the feet of the emperor, and it should be more prosperous."

"The West Market is much more prosperous than the East Market, but the people there are much more mixed, and there are a lot of different religions and streams, so it's not as safe as here."

Wu Shu nodded, carefully observed the passers-by on the street, and said: "There are many people who wear silk here, and there are also many scholars. It is indeed a good place to open a restaurant."

Chen Jingke said with a smile: "That's why we are planning to open Taoyuan Restaurant here."

At this time, the conversation of several students came from not far away.

One student complained, "Brother Zhang, I called you several times today and didn't come out... Just because you were missing the finale, we were overwhelmed by those barbarians in this debate."

Others also complained one after another, saying that he was not mean enough, and asked him to treat him to make up for it.

Brother Zhang didn't refuse, he clasped his fists and said, "I'm really sorry, I invited you for today's dinner, I'll apologize to you."

Someone asked curiously: "Brother Zhang was the most active in debates in the past, why is he so uncharacteristic today? Could it be that Jinwu Zangjiao?"

Brother Zhang shook his head again and again and said: "Don't be kidding, there is no Mei Jiao Niang who is willing to follow me. Don't hide it from everyone, I got a good book yesterday, and I couldn't put it down when I saw it, so I delayed the debate."

As soon as they heard about the good book, everyone became interested and asked one after another: "I don't know what book it is that can make Brother Zhang so obsessed?"

Brother Zhang said: "It's a collection of essays called "Wangyue Tan", which contains the deeds of ancient sages, great Confucian essays and poems, anecdotes and anecdotes from all over the world...it can be said to be all-encompassing."

Everyone was also moved by what he said, and said: "I don't know which master wrote this Mochiyue talk? Where did Brother Zhang get it from?"

Brother Zhang shook his head and said: "This book is published by Zixiao Monastery. Every time the moon is full, there will be an issue... the first five issues will be given away for free...you can go to various Taoist temples to get it..."

These people walked away while talking, and soon left.

Chen Jingke and Wu Shu looked at each other and smiled.

Wu Shu asked: "Are you very proud?"

Chen Jingke smiled and said, "Well, it's very fulfilling. I compared it carefully, and I'm more excited than when I held hands with Sister Wu for the first time."

Wu Shu's pretty face was reddish and she stretched out her hand to strike. Considering that this place is on the street, she endured it, rolled her eyes and said, "Speak well."

Chen Jingke also knew that this is not a place for jokes, so he put away his thoughts and said seriously: "I hope you can help me with something."

(End of this chapter)