Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
No matter where they went, the streets were packed with people. One couldn't help but admire Yang Su and Yuwen Kai; after all, they had managed to raise a magnificent city from the ground up in just a few months, something very few could achieve.
When they arrived at Qianyang Palace, Li Jian Cheng was left speechless, gazing up in awe at its height.
Yang Su smiled with satisfaction and said, "The base of this hall is nine feet high, and from the ground to the ridge is one hundred seventy feet, with thirteen bays and twenty-nine beams."
The base stood nearly three meters tall, making the entire hall appear to be fifty or sixty meters high—grand and imposing, far more magnificent than the main hall of Chang'an.
"What do you think?"
Li Jian Cheng walked around in amazement, exclaiming, "The intricate carvings on the railings, the layers of decorative eaves, the thousand structures of arches, the cloud-shaped beams and embroidered columns, the splendid ceilings and walls—all showcase unparalleled grandeur."
After boasting about it, Yang Su also shared some difficulties. It turned out that the large wooden pillars were not sourced locally but were specially transported from Yuzhang. During transport, two thousand men were required to move just one pillar.
Moreover, every one or two miles they traveled would cause damage, necessitating hundreds of people to drag iron wheels along for replacements. They could only cover twenty to thirty miles in a day. Just considering one pillar required tens of thousands of people working tirelessly.
For the foundations and walls of various halls, over a hundred thousand workers were involved. The carpenters, masons, metalworkers, and stoneworkers also numbered over a hundred thousand. These workers were drawn from various regions, speaking different dialects and using different measurements; it took considerable effort to reach a consensus.
Li Jian Cheng understood that he would report their hard work to the emperor. However, how could the emperor's grace truly benefit those who labored? It would merely be rewards for Yang Su and Yuwen Kai.
They continued to explore other palaces, all equally grand and expansive. Countless commoner artisans were meticulously crafting intricate details. Li Jian Cheng looked around but could not find any signs of a humble abode.
Afterward, they had a simple meal outside the palace. Yang Su was someone who never skimped on his own needs. Having traveled so much without enjoying good food, Li Jian Cheng finally indulged himself.
They then left the city heading west toward the Forbidden Garden. Luoyang City was where commoners, officials, and the emperor lived together; however, the Forbidden Garden was the emperor's private garden and was naturally more exquisite and splendid than Luoyang.
Continuing the layout established since the Qin-Han era of "one pond and three mountains," within the palace gardens were stone formations resembling mountains and excavated lakes resembling seas. Each lake spanned ten miles square; within each lake were mounds of earth built into mountains adorned with pavilions and halls that twisted and turned in luxurious splendor.
In the garden lay a sea called "The Great Sea," covering an area of forty miles. Within it were replicas of Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou—three immortal mountains—constructed from jagged stones that appeared as if they had been naturally formed rather than built by human hands.
The terraces were made from rare materials adorned with gold and jade, resembling exquisite brocade. Everything within was a testament to earthly beauty.
The gardens stretched endlessly with Sixteen Courtyards built along riversides. Clear streams flowed through each courtyard filled with renowned flowers and rare trees. Bridges arched gracefully over channels while halls rose above water; secluded windows led into winding rooms illuminated by light reflecting off walls.
Each courtyard also housed a small garrison for Court Ladies to manage fish farming and livestock raising while cultivating vegetables and fruits—showcasing exotic creatures contributed by various provinces. One could see cranes in flight, golden pheasants pairing off, golden monkeys howling together, and azure deer mingling.
One could row light boats across serene waters while singing songs about harvesting water lilies or ascend bridges connecting corridors to play melodies celebrating spring outings.
In the Sixteen Courtyards, each was overseen by a lady of the fourth rank, all exquisite beauties presented by various states. The emperor did not hastily bring them into the palace; instead, he first sent them here.
They honed their skills, waiting for the day when the emperor would visit the Western Garden, where they would be the "guests." They had to find ways to entice guests to stay, which was a clever idea devised by the emperor.
Yuwen Kai was present, greeting Li Jian Cheng and showing him around. Of course, they dared not enter the Sixteen Courtyards; only the emperor could do so, while their entry would mean death.
After surveying the surroundings, Li Jian Cheng remarked, "Spring and summer are undoubtedly beautiful seasons, but come autumn and winter, I fear the flowers will wither and the trees will be bare."
Yuwen Kai smiled proudly and replied, "What difficulty is there in that? When the palace trees shed their leaves in autumn and winter, we can adorn them with silk and satin leaves, replacing the fallen ones with new colors to keep it looking like spring."
"If His Majesty were to visit in winter, we would clear away the ice and lay out carefully crafted lotus flowers and leaves."
Li Jian Cheng looked at Yuwen Kai and fell silent for a moment before saying, "You are truly talented."
"Not at all," Yuwen Kai replied modestly.
In this world of glass and jewels, it was just as one would expect.
...
Li Jian Cheng recounted his observations to the emperor. Unsurprisingly, the emperor paid little attention to commoners; he was more interested in asking about the arrangements of the palace's Western Garden.
Then he happily ordered rewards for Yang Su and Yuwen Kai, with Li Jian Cheng also receiving a reward. This showed that flattering the emperor was more effective than offering advice.
The emperor then decreed that tens of thousands of households from Guo Nei in Luozhou and wealthy merchants from various states would be relocated here.
This meant that thousands of wealthy merchants, landowners, craftsmen, and ordinary people would become citizens of the Eastern Capital.
Those who died along the way numbered fourteen or fifteen; this was the cost of building a capital city in just one year. As Li Jian Cheng left the palace, he felt that the fall of the Sui Dynasty was not unjustified.
The roads were filled with corpses, and blood flowed like rivers in ditches.
When would the cries across the fields cease? The resentment soared to heaven and could not be erased.
Li Jian Cheng initially thought that the emperor's good mood would last for several days. However, unexpectedly on the second day of Celestial Empire's reign, he furiously issued an edict stripping Duke Yang Lun and Prince Wei Yang Ji of their titles and exiling them to Border County.
This was because these two members of the royal family sought out sorcerers to divine fortunes and performed rituals for blessings. They were reported by Yang Yue for allegedly harboring resentment against and cursing the emperor. Yang Yue stated: "They secretly embrace heretical practices and harbor ill will towards their sovereign. They openly curse without shame or regard for human decency; their actions contradict those of previous dynasties. They are sinners against our Sovereign Father and should not be pardoned by subjects; let them be judged according to law."
No one knew what was going on in Yang Yue's mind, nor did anyone understand the Emperor's thoughts. In any case, the two members of the Royal Family, who had always been well-behaved, were exiled.
Li Jian Cheng felt that something was off and hurried to see his master, Li Jing. He asked him to pay attention to the rumors circulating in the streets. Li Jing, now in Chang'an Commandery, was naturally adept at this kind of work.
Sure enough, a few days later, Li Jing summoned him. After dismissing everyone else, he said, "Recently, someone has been teaching children to sing nursery rhymes in the streets. Xiao Xiao also recited, 'Flying Swallow circles the old beam.'"
The keywords "Xiao" and "Liang" pointed to someone obvious. Li Jian Cheng said, "Master, we must keep a close watch on any nursery rhymes about Li. This is no small matter."
Li Jing solemnly nodded. Li Jian Cheng then stood up to take his leave and headed straight for Duke Liang's Residence.
Since Xiao Cong had been reinstated, he had been able to showcase his talents and had even reduced his drinking. He was currently discussing matters with his guests regarding the Department of Internal Affairs.
Upon seeing Li Jian Cheng arrive, he made time to instruct his servants to prepare a meal. During dinner, Li Jian Cheng brought up the nursery rhyme incident and advised, "In future discussions, it would be wise to hold them at the yamen; it’s better to close the doors and refuse visitors when returning home."
Li Jian Cheng sensed someone behind the screen and paused, looking at Xiao Cong. Xiao Cong frowned at the door but then relaxed his brow and said, "It's fine."
Comment 0 Comment Count