Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 448 Humility
"Your Majesty rides on the Qian and holds the record, inheriting the glory of the Three Dynasties; you ascend to the throne with your eloquence, responding to the thousands of years of saints. Therefore, you have the Five Elders floating on the river, presenting the red text to the emperor; you have the Four Gods of the sea, presenting the red book to the king."

"Auspicious signs open the three ridges, and auspicious signs harmonize the five clouds. After that, the old texts of Zongzhang were compiled, and the stories of Biyong were continued. It was not the smoke-driven chariot, but the jade chariot was moved to the shade of the beam; it was like the moon riding on a wheel, and the golden rope was hidden on Mount Tai."

……

"This beautiful parallel prose by Luo Binwang can be regarded as the final sound of Fengshan..."

The Fengshan ceremony has ended, but the residual heat brought by it is heating up in Chang'an, Luoyang and other places.

Especially the collision of cultures...

In any era, as long as a country is strong, the subsequent cultural development will inevitably not lag behind.

Culture is the most important spiritual food for human civilization, especially in China, which attaches great importance to cultural heritage...

Why has the Sheng Tang style developed so rapidly?

It was by taking advantage of this momentum that the prosperous Tang Dynasty broke the self-satisfied and decadent atmosphere of the Southern Dynasties and ushered in a brand new atmosphere.

The promotion of the Tang Dynasty style brought scholars across the country into an era of writing prose and poetry.

The main theme of the gatherings of scholars became poetry and songs.

Even the girls in brothels and taverns raised their status by singing Tang Dynasty style songs.

The prosperous Tang style led the trend and became a fashion.

But the biggest shortcoming of Sheng Tang style is the problem of foundation...

Now the glory of the Sheng Tang style is supported by a group of great masters such as Chen Qingsi, Lu Zhaolin, Luo Binwang, Fu Jiamo and Xue Yuanchao, but the facts have proved that the great masters are only demonstrating the height. What really maintains the thriving development of a system are the backbones, a group of small masters.

What the prosperous Tang Dynasty lacks now is this group of little gods...

This Fengshan ceremony is an opportunity...

The scholars who wanted to be recognized followed the Fengshan team, experienced the prosperous atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty, and gathered together to study poetry and songs.

This Fengshan ceremony stimulated the creative enthusiasm of the scholars, and many excellent works were born under the stimulation of the atmosphere.

These excellent works also became the targets of scholars' reading and evaluation. People with business acumen even collected the works created along the Fengshan route, printed them out as a book, and published a "Fengshan Poetry Collection", which became popular in the two capitals.

The most admired among them is Luo Binwang's parallel prose. He wrote an article praising Li Zhi's merits while he was on his journey east, and it won the first prize.

But in addition to Luo Binwang's parallel prose, there were many excellent poems and essays published this time, such as Song Lingwen's "Taishan Fu", which used the majesty of Mount Tai to praise the success of the Fengshan ceremony.

There are also Li Jiao, Cui Xianjie, Xu Yanbo, Su Weidao and others, who all have outstanding performances and wrote poems and essays that are admirable.

"I think Su Weidao's poems are more interesting... Fire trees and silver flowers are blooming, the iron locks of the star bridge are opened. The dark dust follows the horse, and the bright moon follows the man."

"In fact, there is another poem that I think is good and promising in the future. The moon rises from the east of Songshan Mountain, and the mountain becomes more empty under the moonlight. Mountain people love the clear scenery and spread the autumn wind..."

"and then?"

"Gone!"

"What kind of poem is this?"

"It's just a line that was created by accident, but it's not a poem. But the person who wrote the poem is a child..."

The poem is not finished yet, but the lines are good.

If he is a famous person, it is not worth mentioning, but if he is a child, he is a genius.

Someone immediately asked, "Yang Jiong?"

When talking about genius children, Yang Jiong cannot be left out.

"No!"

"That must be Wang Bo!"

Because Wang Bo is low-key, he is not as famous as Yang Jiong, but he is a recognized genius.

"He is a young man named Liu Xiyi, Song Lingwen's cousin."

"There are so many talented people in our Tang Dynasty!"

Compared with the previous situation where a few people stood out, the current situation of a hundred flowers blooming is the most effective success in cultural development.

"Alas! This time, many excellent works have emerged, which can be regarded as a great literary flourishing. But I always feel that something is missing..."

"Wait a minute!"

Something is missing, and it is obvious at Shilin Center.

Without Chen Qingsi's poems and essays, it would be like missing a soul.

How could such a grand event be complete without Chen Qingsi’s poems and essays?

However, after becoming famous, Chen Qingsi rarely appeared in public, and his poems and essays were revealed through various channels later.

As for the reason, Chen Qingsi never gave an explanation.

But scholars all over the world found a reason for him: humility, in order to give others room to display their talents.

Otherwise, once he puts pen to paper, how can others still have the confidence and inspiration?

There is no doubt that in the eyes of scholars, Chen Qingsi is invincible in poetry. Even if he does nothing, there will be people who will take the initiative to endorse him.

As for Chen Qingsi himself, he had already begun to make material arrangements for the final blow to Goguryeo.

When attacking Goguryeo, one thing that cannot be avoided is the battle of siege.

In order to save the lives of soldiers, we have to work hard on siege equipment.

Chen Qingsi was not good at math, physics, and chemistry, but he still remembered some basic principles of mechanics. He did not have the ability to build advanced siege weapons such as the Huihui Cannon, but he could still give some pointers on key points.

For example, gears can be added to allow operators to more easily pull the string to fully pull a hundred-pound boulder, and simple suggestions such as what angle to shoot farther have also greatly increased the power of siege equipment.

The troops attacking Goguryeo were divided into three routes. Xue Rengui's army attacked from Liaodong, Liu Rengui's army attacked from Baekje, and a support force from Silla attacked from Silla.

Chen Qingsi did not ask about the Silla side, but the troops of Xue Rengui and Liu Rengui had to be equipped with enough generals to reduce the casualties of the Tang Dynasty's battle-hardened soldiers.

On March 1st, Chen Qingsi received the news from the court, and on the 20th, he returned to Chang'an.

During this eastern tour, Li Zhi stayed in Luoyang for more than two years, and it was indeed time for him to return to Chang'an.

Although Li Zhi did prefer Luoyang more, Chang'an was ultimately the capital of the Tang Dynasty and a unique existence.

On March 15th, the peonies in Luoyang bloom.

Li Zhi and Empress Wu invited officials and ladies of the fifth rank and above to the palace to appreciate the peonies.

Chen Qingsi brought Xiao Miaochen and Jingjing to participate.

Xiao Miaochen sat in the sedan chair, and Jingjing rode a pony, following beside Chen Qingsi.

Already five years old, he is able to ride the pony freely.

Since she has been raising the baby since childhood, Jingjing feeds it herself and also helps to bathe and brush its fur.

The little pony is very smart and works well with Jingjing.

Although he is very young, he can use everything as easily as his own arms.

The group arrived at the Luoyang Palace Peony Garden, where many people were already admiring the flowers.

After Chen Qingsi and his group appeared, many people came forward to greet them.

The political resources of the final dedication have gradually begun to manifest themselves.

Chen Qingsi has clearly noticed that his interpersonal relationships have become smoother these days.

The cultivation of peony originated in the Sui Dynasty and flourished in the Tang Dynasty.

Luoyang is especially suitable for growing peonies. Ouyang Xiu said in "Luoyang Peony Picture" that "Luoyang's soil is most suitable for flowers, and peonies are the most unique in the world." He attributed the fact that peonies bloom most vigorously in Luoyang to Luoyang's local aura and royal aura, which benefited from Luoyang's beautiful mountains and rivers.

This is of course false words, but there is no doubt that the local water and soil nurture the local people, and the local water and soil also nurture the local flowers.

The peonies grow best in Luoyang. When they are moved to other places, the flowers will shrink. The peonies in other places are originally ordinary, but when they are moved to Luoyang, they will stand up and the flowers will be a circle larger than before.

Therefore, it is true that Luoyang peony is the best in the world. With the voice of "His Majesty the Emperor has arrived, Her Majesty the Empress has arrived..."

Emperor Li Zhi and Empress Wu came slowly.

Chen Qingsi looked in the direction of Li Zhi and Empress Wu...

As the emperor, Li Zhi walked in front. Empress Wu was one step behind, on the left. On the right was a delicate little child, who was shaking his head and pulling at the corner of Li Zhi's clothes, looking around curiously.

Chen Qingsi had never seen the child, but he could guess his identity, the historical Prince Zhanghuai Li Xian.

Under everyone's attention, Li Zhi walked up to Chen Qingsi, but his eyes fell on Jingjing.

"My dear, is this your son?"

As an emperor, Li Zhi rarely cared for someone like this.

Obviously, this is also the result of the final offering of Fengshan...

Li Zhi was the most realistic person. At this point, he would naturally stage a beautiful story of monarch and minister with Chen Qingsi, which would become a topic of conversation for all ages.

Chen Qingsi said: "It's my Dalang!"

In this era, most people like to modestly call their sons "dog son", but Chen Qingsi is not happy about it and never calls him "dog son".

As he said this, he patted Jingjing's shoulder gently and asked him to greet Li Zhi and Empress Wu.

Jingjing was not shy, she took a small step forward, bowed and said, "Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor and His Royal Highness the Empress. I wish His Majesty a long life, and Your Royal Highness a long and happy life..."

Li Zhi nodded with satisfaction.

Empress Wu seemed to have heard the festive blessing, and said happily, "What a well-behaved child."

Li Zhi asked: "I remember your name is Chen Qian?"

Jingjing returned the greeting happily and said, "Your Majesty, my name is indeed Chen Qian, my courtesy name is Xianghe, and my nickname is Jingjing, which means "mirror"."

It seems that it is a great honor to have Li Zhi remember his name.

"Mirror, mirror!" Li Zhi asked again, "Do you know the meaning of this word Mirror?"

Jingjing said: "I know. Aye hopes that I can use copper as a mirror, people as a mirror, and the past as a mirror..."

"Good, good boy!" Li Zhi praised: "My dear, you have a good son."

Chen Qingsi said, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty!" He was not modest either, and said, "I think so too."

Li Zhi laughed: "I have heard of you for a long time, my dear son. Seeing you today, I can see that you are indeed worthy of your reputation."

As he said this, he turned around and was about to leave, but Li Xian beside him grabbed his sleeve.

Li Zhi was a little confused.

Empress Wu reminded him, "Your Majesty, Xian'er wants a poem."

"Oh! Look at my memory, Xian'er, you tell me yourself..." Li Zhi said nonchalantly.

Li Xian looked at Chen Qingsi with admiration, bowed and said: "I have admired you since I was a child. I can recite all your poems and essays, and I have been looking forward to your new works. I wonder if I will be lucky enough to get your new works."

Chen Qingsi was a little surprised. Li Xian dared to say that, so he thought it was true. He was afraid that the poem would not express his meaning well and would backfire. He copied not many poems and essays, but he copied quite a few for his own benefit.

How could Li Xian, at such a young age, recite all of them?
As the rumors said, compared to the kind-hearted but slightly mediocre Li Hong, Li Xian was a man of God's grace.

Chen Qingsi noticed that there was a little expectation in Li Zhi's eyes, and he knew in his heart that the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty might have also been behind this request for poetry.

After thinking for a while, Chen Qingsi asked for paper and pen and wrote two poems.

One is Wang Wei's "A Poem Written in Reply to Jia Sheren's Early Morning Visit to the Daming Palace" and the other is Du Fu's "Viewing the Mountain".

One song praises the Tang Dynasty, and the other praises Mount Tai.

"The gates of the palace are opened in the Ninth Heaven, and people from all nations pay homage to the emperor!"

"I will climb to the top of the mountain and look down on all the other mountains!"

……

Li Zhi was instantly satisfied...

The biggest winner of this Fengshan ceremony was undoubtedly the Tang Emperor.

The unprecedented scale of Fengshan, the unprecedented territory of the Tang Dynasty, and the unprecedented prestige...

Li Zhi's Fengshan ceremony was somewhat of a trick. Half of his credit should be attributed to Li Shimin. He was standing on a giant...

But no matter how it was, he was the one who offered sacrifices to the gods, and he was also the one who received the congratulations from all nations...

Thousands of people congratulated him, and he was the one who wrote poems and articles praising him...

Li Zhi collected several copies of "Fengshan Poetry Collection", but Chen Qingsi was not included in the collection, which made Li Zhi feel uncomfortable.

This man, the biggest beneficiary other than himself and also the most talented poet, did not write a poem for such a successful Fengshan ceremony?
Li Zhi likes fame, and without Chen Qingsi, it feels like it's missing something.

It just so happened that my most intelligent son loved Chen Qingsi's articles...

So this flower-viewing banquet came about.

"The gates of the Nine Heavens are opened, and people from all nations bow down to the emperor!"

It is true that "I will climb to the top of the mountain and look down on all the mountains" is more shocking, but Li Zhi only loves this sentence...

This is a portrayal of the current state of the Tang Dynasty and also its highest honor.

Li Zhi exclaimed: "No wonder you are so modest. Your talent alone can eclipse all the scholars in the world."

Li Xian's eyes were full of admiration.

The people around were like being scratched by monkeys, wondering what kind of writing could receive such praise.

Chen Qingsi muttered to himself: This is not just the talent of one person, it is the crystallization of Chinese culture.

Empress Wu said at this time: "Xian'er, would you like to take Chen's eldest son out to play?"

After seeking Chen Qingsi's consent, Li Xian took Jingjing and ran away.

Empress Wu bowed slightly and said, "Let Minister Chen accompany Your Majesty. I will take Madam Chen for a walk in the inner garden."

Li Zhi did not refuse.

Xiao Miaochen bowed slightly and left with Queen Wu.

Chen Qingsi's expression remained unchanged, but a slight doubt arose in his heart. Empress Wu seemed to have changed.

He became less aggressive and his attitude seemed a lot friendlier.

Soon, with the help of some people, Chen Qingsi's two new works spread throughout Luoyang.

It was shocking, but it couldn't be called a sensation.

Many scholars, on the contrary, acted as if it were just what they expected...

Then Mr. Chen is worthy of being Mr. Chen.

Humble enough, and also the finale enough.

On March 20th, Li Zhi set out from Luoyang and headed west to Chang'an.

On the 30th, news came from Qinghai Lake.

Tibet invades again...

Li Zhi was somewhat furious. The imperial court had just sent troops to attack Goguryeo, and Tubo attacked immediately. It was obviously a deliberate act.

Chen Qingsi knew Lun Qinling's ability. Although Xi Junmai was a rare general, he was no match for Lun Qinling. He could limit the attack time of Tubo but could not defeat it.

On April 5, Su Dingfang led his troops out again and fought at the mouth of the river at Lunqinling in Tubo...

The battle lasted for two months, and Su Dingfang once again made Lun Qinling taste the taste of defeat.

(End of this chapter)