get-shopping Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Li Yuanying who was in high spirits pulled his friends to sit around the long table and pulled out a drawing.
What he’s sharing is not the blueprint given to Dong Xiaoyi previously but a progress drawing of the ongoing construction. The construction of the village did not use special materials but the design is delicate, built-in reliance and along the mountains. The highest peak can only be reached using an “elevator” and the surrounding scenery can be seen from a distance. Looking down, you’ll also see beautiful tree houses of different types built in a circle along the mountain and the spaces between trees being connected by cables or horizontal ladders.
What’s more interesting is that there’s a waterwheel turning at the side of the small river at the foot of the mountain. This waterway can then directly supply water to all nearby houses systematically; when you toggle at the outlet water flows out but if you don’t the water source gets recycled back into the stream.
These are not ideas that ordinary people cannot create, it’s just that no one sane is willing to spend so much money creating these seemingly flashy things. But the little prince is different. for he is after all just a kid. As soon as he saw and liked the blueprint, he insisted on recreating it like for like! Spend whatever money is required on recruitment and construction! I want to make my drawing into reality.
“Ordinary houses at the foot of the mountain will be built first so that the people from Gaochang will have a place to settle down as soon as possible. The rest will be built slowly. I’m confident we will be done in a year or so. Pick now which house you want and I will reserve them for you!”
How can children not like this style of playing? Everyone was excited when they heard that they were to pick their own house and started discussing which tree house is the most unique, which has the best scenery, and who should live next to who! Li Yuanying is of course the most popular neighbor. The little lolis all pulled him to ask which house he has chosen, all wanting to be close to young uncle!
Of course he picked the largest tree in the middle: “This is mine, the biggest, the best!”
No one has any opinion about Li Yuanying’s shameless behavior. After all, this village belongs to him. They are all used to playing together, so whatever belongs to Li Yuanying belongs to them too! The girls quickly snapped up all the surrounding trees before allowing the boys to choose.
Di Renjie and Wei Shu were not people who would take advantage of others, so they did not participate. They only requested that Yuanying reserve a room for them in the future for visitations.
Yuanying didn’t object further and just set aside a nearby tree house for Di Renjie and his other friends to stay temporarily when they visit.
With this, the whole group eagerly waited for the construction to complete. They enthusiastically discussed all the novel and ingenious designs, wishing that they could stay in their village right now!
Right after, Yuanying invited entertainers from Gaochang to meet his friends to discuss about the upcoming banquet hosted by the Emperor. These performers were initially hesitant about leaving their homelands but after listening to the little prince through Dai Ting’s good words, they gradually calmed down and nodded in response to his orders.
They also gave a local Gaochang performance to the little lolis who were watching with great anticipation. The performers had flexible bodies that swayed to the sound of music and were beautiful. They also had smooth and bright voices unique to the Gaochang region.
Tang citizens are also skilled at dancing. Although the little lolis couldn’t really understand the language, they couldn’t sit still after watching the performance. They all got up and danced along to the rhythmic melody.
Li Yuanying took Sizi’s hand and led her in messy circles several times before swirling Xincheng and Hengshan around. He even made Wei Shu, the quietest one dance and dragged her to follow after the entertainers. This messed up the performers’ momentum but the boy had no remorse over it. When he was tired, he sat down and looked at the tired little lolis on the left and right feeling very satisfied.
When the dancers saw that the Royal children weren’t arrogant they gradually relaxed as well. They sat and chatted with Li Yuanying chaotically; both parties interchanging between languages albeit very badly.
Sizi and Hengshan were tired from playing and couldn’t understand the strange language so they quickly fell asleep on uncle’s lap.
After the interesting conversation, Yuanying finally realized that his two nieces were fast asleep next to him. He asked the performers to disperse and started carrying both girls into the carriage with Li Zhi’s help. He then asked Chengyang and Wei Shu to help take care of them as they rode back into the city.
Di Renjie used to feel that the Royal Family is ruthless and without mercy where even brothers killed each other for power. But after seeing how the children got along today, his perception was slightly changed. Maybe even in the ruthless Royal family, there are people like Li Yuanying!
Although Renjie is still young, he’s someone upright and has a scale in his heart that measure right from wrong. This trip made him think that Li Yuanying is a friend to be kept for long.
While the group of little radishes were having a great time, His Majesty Li Er was deeply worried about Hou Junji. After the general was imprisoned, he was full of resentment and angrily accused Li Yuanying of profiting more money than him!
Yuanying poured another cup and when Hou Junji was slightly drunk, the boy spoke: “You still don’t understand the Emperor, he is no longer Prince of Qin.”
Hou Junji looked at the boy with sharp eyes.
“Brother’s heart is with the four seas.” (Li Yuanying)
He took the empty cup from Hou Junji’s hand but did not pour more wine for him.
“If you wanted the treasures from Gaochang, the Emperor will never be stingy with you. But when you left for the expedition you represent the Tang Empire and you are acting upon the good name of the Emperor. If you start with this example, the rest will follow suit. Then the situation will become unmanageable.” (Li Yuanying)
If these words were spoken by others, Hou Junji would never have paid it any attention. But it’s different when Li Yuanying the little devil king says it. He was rather surprised that these words were uttered by the boy.
After the initial surprise, he sat there thinking seriously about his words.
In his early years, he followed Li Er who was still the Prince of Qin to war. During the Xuanwu Gate incident, he followed behind him and eliminated the previous Crown Prince. Regardless of whether it is public or private, Hou thinks that he is a man of merit and felt that it’s no big deal to take some stuff. He had traveled hard for several months through the severe cold of winter and the scorching heat of summer. Why shouldn’t he get some benefits?
However, His Majesty Li Er is indeed not the Prince of Qin anymore.
He is now the ruler of Tang Empire and the “Khan of Heaven” for his people. To play the role of a righteous King, his Majesty is even willing to endure harsh criticism from others.
Hou Junji raised his eyes to look at Li Yuanying, as if it was the first time he had known this little devil king.
Yuanying continued: “I heard that the year I was born, the Duke of Lai passed away and my elder brother was very sad. He would often call his name by mistake and then secretly wept. Later, when the Duke of Hu also passed, brother was also equally sad. Brother is a sentimental person and he is slowly losing those who lived through thick and thin with him. If you’re wondering who doesn’t wish this predicament upon you, it must be my brother, the Emperor. But what you are doing is pushing him into a dilemma!”
Hou Junji fell silent.
Yuanying instructed Dai Ting to leave a pen, ink and paper in front of Hou Junji.
“Leaving this to you.”
After speaking, he pushed the remaining jug of wine to him.
“This is also for you. Up to you if you want to get drunk or act however you pleases.”
Notes from the author:
Little Prince: When I’m serious, even I am afraid of myself
References
↑1means to have no mercy, to completely destroy a person↑2to be arrogant and unapproachable