Ma Zhou quickly regained his composure. He came from humble background so he doesn’t have distracting and nonsensical thoughts of indulgence like the rest of the aristocrats.

Learning that Dai Ting had been here for half a year and had set up a base in Silla, Ma Zhou is once again impressed by Li Yuanying’s luck. If it’s not extremely good luck, how can such a young and weak eunuch set up plans in Goryeo!

Do not look down at Goryeo for being a small country. This is a place that the Emperor had expression interest to lead his army personally to! This is not a small matter but something that will send shock waves across Tang.

Personally for Ma Zhou he would like to prevent war not because he thinks that their army is lacking but to keep the stability and peace for the common people. Within the official document to Goryeo is 2 choices: one gives Goryeo some leeway to breathe and the other is to drive them to death. Yeon Gaesomun is not someone who easily admit defeat so Ma Zhou wonders if he will forcefully push for war!

Ma Zhou only hesitated for a moment before showing the official document to Dai Ting. After all this idea came from Li Yuanying and Dai Ting being someone closed to him would already heard about the 2 options. Learning that there isn’t much changes to the original plan, Dai ting breath a sigh of relief.

“If there will be internal conflict within Goryeo, would you prefer the envoy to have left first or for the team to still be within the country?”

Ma Zhou was shocked by this statement.

Why did the statement sounded like “Would you prefer to eat rice or noodles?”

It’s only been a year since Dai Ting was tasked with escorting the Princess of Silla home. What kind of work and foundation had he lay out in Goryeo? With his good looks, how had he evaded attention?

Dai Ting made the statement in a calm tone so Ma Zhou couldn’t raise any suspicion towards him. He  thought seriously and expressed that he hope the rebellion would start after they left the country. If it’s just Ma Zhou himself, he might choose to add fuel to the fire and force Goryeo to submit but this time the fourth Prince Li Tai is with him and he can’t afford any mistakes.

Dai Ting understood and left quietly.

He felt a little regretful that he couldn’t trick Li Tai and make him suffer a little in the chaos.

When Li Tai spread rumors and his master was isolated and helpless, Dai Ting was far away and knew nothing about the predicament he encountered.

After finding out, Dai Ting has been feeling guilty about not being able to fulfill his responsibilities as a loyal servant.

If he hadn’t been so focused on travelling, he would  have discovered clues about the rumor starting! After all, his freedom depends on his little prince! Letting the young prince suffer any injustice is a mistake he should never make!

Even though Yuanying had never mentioned anything, Dai Ting remembers the incident clearly. If there’s a chance, he will definitely bite those who tried to bully his master. Even if he didn’t succeed in the end, he still would let them go easily!

Unfortunately, the little prince had a soft heart and wanted everyone to be well.

Li Tai was drinking ginseng wine that is unique to Goryeo. He heard that drinking this could prolong one’s life and tasted it. If it was good, he will bring it back as a present for father. Now that their relationship was estranged, they no longer chatted happily like before. But his father will always be  his father. He sincerely prayed that he live to a hundred years, so that he wouldn not have a hard time after his brother takes the throne.

Some things are only precious after they are lost.

Li Tai drank two cups and felt a little hot, so he open the window for some fresh air. Unexpectedly, as soon as the window was opened, a beautiful figure passes by the window.

Perhaps noticing his gaze, the figure paused and turned to look in his direction.

Li Tai’s warm body suddenly became cold, he felt like he was being stared at by a poisonous snake. He looked carefully again, but the figure had disappeared, as if it had never appeared.

His heart was pounding, but he couldn’t tell others that he felt a chill down his spine because of one look. He was the prince of Tang, the son of the Emperor. He is not afraid of the Goryeo traitor who killed his own King so how can he be afraid of a guy from unknown origins! Judging from the man’s appearance, he was probably not even twenty yet!

Li Tai drank two mouthfuls to calm down, and recalled the man’s look. He looked familiar. When he dined with Ma Zhou, he learned that Dai Ting is here.

Li Tai remembered.

This Dai Ting is Li Yuanying’s lackey!

With Dai Ting’s looks he would be very noticeable but he has the ability to make people think he’s invisible. Even though he had been following Li Yuanying closely since he was a child, no one paid much attention to him. That was until Li Yuanying sent him to Gaochang!

Back then Li Tai was determined to take over the position of crown prince and he needed talented people and financial resources. He naturally found out that Li Yuanying sent people to follow Hou Junji to make a fortune – he even knew about all the good things Dai Ting brought back for Li Yuanying!!

Later, this same person helped Yuanying to sell tea to the Tibetan Empire. Li Tai counted the tax collected and calculated Li Yuanying’s profit and he got even more jealous.

How could Li Yuanying make so much money by just sending one man!

But Dai Ting was loyal only to Li Yuanying. No matter how great his accomplishments, as long as he is in  Chang’an, he would always follow Yuanying respectfully and serve him earnestly. Li Yuanying’s most loyal dog!

When Li Tai learned about the things Dai Ting had done in Goryeo, his face went numb. He don’t envy Li Yuanying at all for having such a talent. Really, he don’t envy him at all!

Damn it, why didn’t such a talent fall into his hands, but is picked up by Li Yuanying?!

After Li Tai angrily cursed the injustice of God, he finally chose to wander around the capital to look for things he could bring back for His Majesty. No matter how much he hated Li Yuanying, if he dared do anything to harm him, his mad dog would probably pounce on him and bite him to death!

Goryeo was so far away from Chang’an, he didn’t want to die in this poor country!

The tough attitude shown by the Tang envoy frightened the King and made the Goryeo courtiers panic. Many asked to meet Yeon Gaesomun to persuade him to surrender. Otherwise they would never be able to compete with the Tang army!

Yeon Gaesomun killed his own king to seize power, and he lived a proud life. How can he stand being questioned this way?

Although the Tang was strong, Chang’an was far away, and the border troops stationed near Liaodong were not very strong. Yeon Gaesomun was not too worried that the Tang would attack. Even if they were to attacked, he can just surrender later?

The Tang Empire had large land but a small population, so he didn’t believe that the Tang would send people to settle down in Goryeo! Therefore, Yeon Gaesomun was fearless. If the Tang wanted to fight, lets fight, if it’s time to surrender then surrender and everything would be the same after the battle!

Unfortunately, too few could see this fact clearly, and were shocked by the rare impoliteness of the Tang!

Yeon Gaesomun thought of Li Tai’s arrogant attitude and was filled with anger. This Tang prince’s only luck was reincarnating well. If he was born in Goryeo, he wouldn’t even be worthy of carrying his boots!

However, there has been hints of chaos in the country recently. He had killed several groups of rioters who shouted to “set things right”, but this failed to deter them but instead aroused the anger of many. If this arrogant Tang envoy is not sent away soon, who knows what chaos will happen!

If someone was desperate enough to attack Li Tai, it would be the end of him. Li Tai is the legitimate son of Emperor Li and Empress Zhangsun!

Yeon Gaesomun made up his mind.

The next day, Yeon Gaesomun drafted a letter earnestly expressing that Goryeo realizes its mistake and would evacuate from Silla and would not attempt it again.

After reading the letter, Li Tai asked that a “what if” clause be added.

After  that, Li Tai picked fault with Yeon Gaesomun’s surname saying that it conflicted with his grandfather’s name, and told him to change his surname casually. Otherwise it would be better not to have his name in the letter! It was originally a letter to the Emperor, and it would be fine if the King of Goryeo signed it. Why did you, Yeon Gaesomun, add drama to yourself!

Ma Zhou had to admit that Li Tai’s arrogance was quite rude and disrespectful, but it is good tactic when used on an enemy. It’s refreshing!

Li Tai vented his anger not caring about Yeon Gaesomun’s mood. He then took the revised letter and left the capital. Even if Yeon Gaesomun’s hatred was at the maximum, it would be useless. He will never  come to this place where no eggs are laid again! Who cares whether he hates me or not, bah!

…

As soon as Li Tai left the border of Goryeo, chaos broke out. Someone shared the content of the letter written by Yeon Gaesomun, and another secretly spread the story of Yeon Gaesomun’s servility and about him selling out his country to the Tang envoy.

This news not only spread by word of mouth, but also by drawings! In the picture, their majestic leader was servile and offered the letter to the Tang envoy with both hands!

Such a picture was posted silently on the streets!

No matter how fast spoken rumors spread, they were not as shocking as a picture.

In addition, many ballads rose quietly in various places and were sung by children. They did not sing anything bad, but sang how peaceful and beautiful their lives were in the past.

The people’s lives were hard, so we can’t let them have any thoughts, right? People in desperate situations are particularly prone to beautifying the past. Many walking on the street stopped to listen to the touching nursery and shed tears!

Yes, before Yeon Gaesomun started to engage in war, their lives were happy!

As the words in the letter spread, the people of Goryeo gradually believed that Yeon Gaesomun was ready to cede land and pay compensation, and will use Goryeo’s cities and people’s taxes to please the Tang.

Soon, many had a completely new impression of Yeon Gaesomun –

Traitor!

Yeon Gaesomun was furious and ordered a search from house to house, and skinned a group of traitors alive to serve as a warning to others.

He a traitor?

He is a hero of Goryeo!

He who expanded the territory of Goryeo!

The damned Tang were so despicable!

Unreasonable!

If he had known this, he should have killed the arrogant Tang prince and fought to the death with the Tang!

It‘s a step backward, and there was no chance to move forward!

…

It’s now the end of the year and Li Yuanying hasn’t found out about the happenings in Goryeo. He changed into new clothes made by Lady Liu and was preparing to give a New Year speech to his citizens.

This is the first time he is celebrating the New Year outside the palace, and the first year on his own. He was so excited that he couldn’t hide it.

By rule only the first day of the first lunar month and the Lantern Festival were free of curfew. But Yuanying thought that such happy occasions shouldn’t only be celebrated or 2 days. He announced that curfew would be lifted throughout the first lunar month. Unmarried couples could hang out not only during the Lantern Festival but also throughout the first lunar month!

Yuanying had asked for a section of the western city wall and built a wide street from his palace directly to the lake. He then had people decorate the trees along with lanterns, making the entire area shine as bright as day.

For the first time, the people of Tengzhou found the big lake and the scenery along it beautiful! Some peddlers and entertainers have already taken up good  spots and were busy selling and never letting any tourists feel lonely.

This lively and beautiful place is a great place for young couples to meet!

Tang was an open-minded society. Ordinary people allowed young men and women to meet before getting married. After all, marriage is a lifelong thing, and there’s no turning back even if you regret it, so everyone understands! As long as they are well mannered and do not cause scandals, most families allow couples to date.

Wherever there is liveliness, there lies Li Yuanying. Although he disliked that he had too little time to completely transform the lake to his liking, he was satisfied that many still came out to play. Surrounded by friends, he climbed onto a high platform built on water and  gave his speech. His voice spread far and a summary of it is about how the New Year is here and everyone should eat, drink and have fun. Let’s strive to be more energetic and work together to make Tengzhou better!

Li Yuanying’s words were spoken in literal plain language, but the people listened with relish and cheered loudly. He had never been praised like this and immediately raised his tail high. He promise with a happy face that everyone would eat the most fragrant rice, the fattest meat, and the sweetest melons, and that everyone would be able to read and write!

“Even if you are the dumbest person in Tengzhou, you must know how to write your own name and be an upright and proud citizen! When you leave Tengzhou, I want you to be able to proudly tell others where you come from. When you leave Tang Empire, you should be proud to tell others of your country! Everyone should be able to speak the official language and recognize characters from the Tang writing system!”

The people were moved.

Although they may never have the chance to leave their homeland or become famous, they are people who wants to hold their head high.

Even though Mandarin is not easy to learn, and literacy and maths are things that only smart people touch, but now His Royal Highness is asking them to learn so they are willing to learn, no matter how difficult!

Who wants to not know how to write their own name for the rest of their lives?

No one!

Wei Shu stared at Yuanying standing in front of her. He may not have any amazing talent or lofty ambitions, but he will always be the most dazzling existence.

Always as bright as a star.

From the first day they met, she knew he was such a person.

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Little Prince: Today is another day of brainwashing!