The Flourishing Tang Dynasty: Beginning with Marrying Yang Yuhuan

Chapter 91 Recalled to Beijing
After Gao Xianzhi reported on the military farming, he asked Li Heng if he had any thoughts on weapons.

Li Heng originally had a big plan in mind, but the time was not yet ripe, so he did not tell Gao Xianzhi about his big plan. He only talked to Gao Xianzhi about some weapon modifications, such as bows and arrows.

The bows and arrows used by Tang army soldiers today show signs of reinforcement at the connection between the bow arm and the bow tip, and the bow arm is narrower and thicker than that of previous dynasties, which is an improvement.

However, the method of joining the bow tip and the bow frame is not mature, which results in the materials of the bow tip and the bow frame being not much different, and the performance of the bow cannot be maximized.

So, Li Heng explained the principle to Gao Xianzhi and told him about the splicing technology of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. He suggested that the bow frame should be made of elastic materials, such as bamboo, and the bow tip should be made of hard materials, such as mulberry wood.

Gao Xianzhi was stunned after hearing this.

Along the way, Li Heng gave him so many surprises that it was hard for him to imagine how many things were in Li Heng's mind.

While he was surprised, he was also glad that he was Li Heng's own man and not an enemy, otherwise it would be too scary.

Li Siye, who was standing by, sighed directly: "If Zhuge Wuhou were alive, he would probably be no more than this."

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Wang Zhihuan and the other two had the blueprints, and together with the craftsmen, they had made a prototype of the curved plow in less than half a month. Yang Yuhuan had also completed the task of composing the dance music based on Gai Jiayun's previous work.

On this day, Li Heng was discussing matters with Gao Xianzhi and others. They were talking about finding a good day to go to the fields to plow the fields themselves in order to demonstrate the benefits of the curved plow.

But at this time, Supervisor Shen came.

Shen Zhongjian brought Li Longji's oral instructions.

"I heard that Shiba Lang was devoted to his work, and I am very pleased. But your mother and I have not seen our son for more than two years, and we miss him very much, so I specially sent the eunuch to personally convey my oral order, Shiba Lang, to return to the capital as soon as possible. And Princess Shou, who has made great contributions in defending the city, is a heroine, so bring her here as well, and I will personally reward her."

Upon hearing the news, Li Heng was stunned.

According to Li Heng's original idea, he wanted to return to Beijing at the end of the year and find a way to prevent Yang Yuhuan from returning with him, but he did not expect Li Longji to suddenly do this.

Although Li Longji's move was just a routine recall and did not deprive him of his real power, it caught him off guard.

Shen Zhongjian delivered the oral order and said with a smile: "Your Highness, the Saint ordered me to deliver the oral order instead of the imperial decree. This shows that the Saint likes you very much."

Li Heng did not have a deep understanding of the ins and outs of conveying imperial edicts, so he asked, "Zhongjian, is there any difference here?"

Shen Zhongjian said: "If it is an imperial decree, then it is a summons, and everyone knows it. The emperor misses you and therefore summons you back to the capital, but if someone else interprets it, then it means that you are not fulfilling your filial duty as a son!"

Li Ying said, "So that's how it is. Thank you, Shen Zhongjian, for clearing up my confusion."

"It is my duty." Shen Zhongjian smiled, "Your Highness, please pack your luggage today and return to the capital with me tomorrow."

"Okay." Li Heng agreed and ordered someone to arrange accommodation for Shen Zhongjian.

After Shen Zhongjian left, the generals and officials in the hall all looked at Li Heng, waiting for his instructions.

Li Heng thought about it, then smiled helplessly and said, "I don't think I will have the chance to till the land myself. I hope General Gao can do it for me."

"It's a great honor for me to be able to take the place of Your Highness." Gao Xianzhi stepped forward and replied.

Li Heng nodded and said, "General Li and Assistant General Cen will lead the team to follow me back to the capital. The rest of you will stay at your own posts. I'll trouble you all to take care of Anxi's affairs."

"Yes." Everyone in the hall said in unison.

"Oh, right." Li Heng suddenly remembered something. "During the expedition, I promised Shi Shouyi that if he made contributions, I would take him to Chang'an. He did make contributions in the battle of Xiaobolü, so let's take him with us."

Li Heng deliberately brought up this little matter in order to tell the people present that he, Li Heng, kept his promise.

After arranging the official business, Li Heng asked everyone to disperse.

But Gao Xianzhi, Feng Changqing and Li Siye stayed.

Li Ying asked, "What else do you two generals need?"

Gao Xianzhi originally wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing. He only said, "Your Highness, please take care of yourself when you return to Chang'an this time!" As he said this, he bowed deeply to Li Heng.

Feng Changqing also followed suit and saluted.

Before Li Heng could speak, Li Siye said, "Don't worry, generals. I am here to ensure that Your Highness is safe."

Li Ying and the other two smiled when they heard this.

"The affairs of Anxi are entrusted to the two generals. I hope you two generals take good care of yourselves." Li Heng also instructed Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing.

Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing said in unison: "Yes."

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Li Heng returned home and told Yang Yuhuan and the others that he would return to Chang'an the next day. Then he sat alone in the room and began to think.

Yang Yuhuan told the servants what to pack, then went into the room and came to Li Ying. Seeing Li Ying's worried look, she smiled and said, "My dear, what are you worried about?"

Li Ying shook his head and smiled, not knowing where to start.

Yang Yuhuan said: "My dear, don't worry. I am not as ignorant as before. If there is any accident, I will find a way to deal with it."

Li Heng nodded.

Compared to before he left Chang'an, he and Yang Yuhuan had become close friends, and the people he could use were not just a guard and Xin Yunjing sent by Li Longji to monitor him.

Logically speaking, returning to Beijing for a few days wouldn't affect anything.

However, Li Heng always had a feeling that this trip back to Beijing would not be just a simple trip for fun.

Li Heng pondered for a moment and said to Yang Yuhuan: "My lady, no matter what happens, will you always stand by my side?"

"Of course." Yang Yuhuan nodded firmly.

"Is it the same no matter what?" Li Ying asked again.

"Yes, no matter what." Yang Yuhuan said firmly.

"Okay, that's good." Li Ying held Yang Yuhuan's hand, "Me too."

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The next day, Li Heng and his companions set out for Chang'an.

Unlike the seven-man team and the hundred-man guard who came here before, this time Li Heng's ceremonial guard went first, Xin Yunjing and Lu Lushuai led the guards, Li Siye and Cen Shen brought their personal soldiers, and the music and dance troupe of Qiuci followed behind. The group went all the way from Qiuci to Chang'an in a mighty manner.

It was exactly noon when they arrived in Chang'an. Li Heng and his companions did not rest but went straight to the palace to meet Li Longji.

In the Purple Palace.

Li Longji and Consort Wu Huifei sat in the hall, and high-ranking officials of the court and several important princes sat side by side in the hall.

Li Heng entered the palace in a sick state, knelt down in front of Li Longji and Consort Wu Huifei, and cried, "Father, mother, my son is back."

Wu Huifei's eyes were already filled with tears. She quickly helped Li Ying up, looked him up and down, and said, "Ying'er, you've become much darker."

"My son is unfilial, and I have caused you to worry..." Li Heng burst into tears.

Li Longji, who was standing by, saw Li Heng crying so sadly, so he stood up and patted Li Heng's shoulder, sighing, "Your kindness and filial piety are known to me and your mother. If your brothers and sisters were all like you, I would feel at ease. Tell me quickly, what have you been through in the past two years."

(End of this chapter)