noveltune Chapter 74 A great calamity is imminent, and you're blaming me for this?!
Chapter 74 A great calamity is imminent, and you're blaming me for this?!
Chapter 74 A great calamity is imminent, and you're blaming me for this?!
"Just go back to sleep obediently."
Su Mu coaxed patiently, "I'll make these flying shrimp when your older sister comes tomorrow. If you don't go back—then I'll have to feed them to that big yellow dog by the door."
"Can't!"
The little ox let out a shriek, kicked its short legs, and turned to pounce into Li Shimin's arms.
"Father, hurry! Take my nest back to sleep!"
The little girl's mood changed faster than the weather in June.
She squirmed in Li Shimin's arms, urging, "I want to sleep! I want to grow tall! Tomorrow I'll fly high!"
Li Shimin, both amused and exasperated, caught the little traitor who threw herself into his arms and gave her a light pat on the bottom.
"Little glutton."
He looked up at Su Mu.
Under the moonlight, the young man sat back down on the small stool, picked up the book he hadn't finished reading, and didn't even glance at them again.
That carefree attitude and indifference diminished Li Shimin's desire to recruit them, but instead fueled his curiosity to find out more.
"Well then, Brother Su, farewell."
Li Shimin held the child and cupped his hands in greeting.
Su Mu waved his hand without raising his head.
"Close the door."
Squeak-!
The broken wooden door closed again, locking the coldness of the courtyard and the mysterious young man inside.
The palace path was long, and the high walls on both sides cast long shadows in the night.
A night breeze has risen.
The autumn wind carried a chilling, desolate feel, swirling the withered leaves on the ground.
Li Shimin wrapped the little rhinoceros in his arms a little tighter.
The little girl was making a fuss just now, but now she's fast asleep, nestled on a broad shoulder, with a glistening tear on her lips. I wonder if she's dreaming about that thing called the Flying Shrimp.
The slight buzz from eating hot noodles was mostly dissipated by the cold wind.
Li Shimin slowed his pace, but the scene from just now was still replaying in his mind.
Su Mu's hands, making ramen.
That fall, that pull, that shake.
The dough in his hands can be transformed in countless ways, yet it never breaks.
"Slender, long, and resilient."
Li Shimin muttered to himself, and his steps became steady in rhythm with the music.
"He managed to organize that messy lump of flour into texture, stretching it into this shape along with the flow."
Li Shimin stopped and looked up at the dim moon overhead, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
"This is clearly teaching me the way to govern a country!"
"Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. The noodles don't get messy in the water because their nature is followed. Lately, I've been so anxious about the supplies for the Northern Expedition that I'm like an ant on a hot pan, and I've lost my composure."
"Hard enough, long enough, and strong enough—"
"So this 'long' word doesn't just refer to time, but also to the enduring, natural flow of time!"
Li Shimin felt a sudden sense of clarity, and the knot of frustration in his chest completely dissipated.
Mr. Su is truly a master!
Even the most ordinary bowl of noodles could give him such profound meaning.
It seems that my statement about "rubbing that" was indeed superficial.
"His Majesty."
From the shadows ahead, a slightly hunched figure hurried forward.
Wang Dequan, carrying a lantern and looking anxious, finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Li Shimin was safe and sound.
"Your Majesty is finally back! This servant has been waiting here for ages, just wondering whether I should take the Imperial Guards with me—"
"Too talkative."
Li Shimin was in a great mood and lifted the child in his arms a little higher. "I'm just going out for a late-night snack, what could possibly happen?"
Wang Dequan moved closer and his nostrils twitched.
A faint aroma of scallions, mixed with a savory scent never before smelled, wafted from His Majesty.
This tastes far more refined than the heavy meat dishes served in the imperial kitchen.
"Your Majesty, are you enjoying a delicious meal?" Wang Dequan asked tentatively.
"beautiful!"
Li Shimin laughed heartily and lowered his voice, "It's more than just beautiful, it's like a revelation! Wang Dequan, remember this for me, that Su Mu—he's no ordinary cook."
"I understand, I understand."
Wang Dequan quickly agreed, but in his heart he was thinking, "Anyone who can fool His Majesty so easily must be no ordinary person."
The two walked one after the other along the palace path toward the Liangyi Hall.
The wind picked up a bit.
This wind is a bit strange.
Even though it's late autumn and the dew is heavy, the wind feels dry and stinging on my face.
The air was filled with an earthy smell, like the smell of dry soil that had been exposed to the sun for a long time and was being blown up by the wind.
The smile on Li Shimin's face gradually faded.
He reached out and made a grasping motion in the air.
Twisting with fingertips.
There was no moist moisture, only fine dust particles that were almost invisible to the naked eye.
"That day—"
Li Shimin stopped and looked up at the night sky.
A hazy yellow light surrounded the moon, a sign of an approaching sandstorm.
The stars were sparse and dim.
"Wang Dequan".
Li Shimin's voice turned serious, the previous ease and comfort vanishing instantly. "The report from Henan says it's been a long time since it rained?"
Wang Dequan's heart skipped a beat, and he bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, it has been two months since we have received any rain. In the last few days, it has been even worse—it is said that some wells have dried up."
Li Shimin's brows furrowed tightly, forming a "川" (river) shape.
He looked down at Sizi, who was sleeping soundly in his arms, and then looked back at the direction of the imperial kitchen.
Su Mu's bowl of noodle soup was smooth, but it seemed that the heavens were about to throw the Tang Dynasty into a fierce and arduous battle.
"Pass down the order."
Li Shimin's eyes sharpened, and that imperial aura returned to him.
"Tomorrow morning at court, we will discuss the drought situation in Henan. Also—have the Ministry of Revenue prepare the accounts for the stored grain tonight!"
"If the timing isn't right, there's no use rushing it."
Li Shimin murmured Su Mu's words, tightening his grip on his daughter's hand, "But if this fire burns too brightly, I must find a way to pour cold water on the world."
The wind swirled withered leaves, sweeping past the vermilion palace walls with a mournful sound, like the whispers of countless starving people.
Autumn of the ninth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty.
It seemed as if steam was emanating from the cracks in the gold brick floor of the Taiji Hall.
.
"Your Majesty! Not a drop of rain has fallen in Henan Province, leaving the land parched and barren. Now, signs of the blazing insects passing through have appeared—this is a celestial warning!"
Wei Zheng's hoarse voice boomed in the main hall, spittle flying everywhere.
He held the ceremonial tablet high in his hand, and his dark face turned a purplish-red, whether from the heat or anxiety, it was hard to tell.
"In my opinion, we should abolish even the most extreme measures, cultivate virtue and reduce punishments. Your Majesty should issue an edict of self-reproach to pray for Heaven's forgiveness!"
Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne, feeling his head throbbing.
His dragon robe was soaked with sweat, sticking stickily to his back, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.
He grabbed the herbal tea from the table and took a sip, but his mouth was filled with a lukewarm bitterness, which only fueled his anger.
Natural disasters are my fault? The lack of rain is my fault for not being virtuous?
If writing a self-reproach edict could bring rain, I would write ten thousand words and post them on the Vermilion Bird Gate!
"Court adjourned!"