Li Jingyun happily led out a wild goat. "Father! Look! This is what Brother Six brought back from hunting! Her name is Li Dami!"
The fat and strong wild goat seemed completely out of place in the current atmosphere.
"Caught by Yin'er? Good boy, he's really capable!" Li Shimin patted Li Yin on the shoulder, looking extremely proud.
His children were smart, considerate, and filial. The craftsmen were working hard, and the cement had been successfully made, with the same excellent effect as Hongxuan had described. Even the wild goat in Li Shimin's eyes at this moment seemed gentle and strong. Li Shimin, who was easily moved, felt like tears were about to well up in his eyes.
Li Yin bowed and said, "It's all thanks to Father's good teachings!"
"Good, good, good. It's about time. Let's go back to the palace!"
Li Shimin took away a big bag of cement and placed it under his seat, indicating how much he cherished it.
Before their carriages left, several young eunuchs had already set off first, heading straight for the mansions of several high - ranking officials in Chang'an City, as per Li Shimin's order. They were to summon these officials to the palace immediately.
The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty was going to hold a high - level meeting.
Li Jingyun and the others also returned to the imperial city.
Yan Lide, the Director of the Ministry of Works, couldn't help but sigh. The Emperor was truly diligent, working day and night for the country's affairs. He didn't even have time for lunch before arranging the use of cement.
He didn't know that Li Shimin and the others had already eaten cold noodles with pagoda tree leaves on the way. Thus, a wonderful misunderstanding occurred.
He also joined the group returning to the palace, bringing Master Tian and Master Zeng with him to explain the situation. He had a premonition that he might go down in history.
The high - ranking officials in the court were struggling against each other, but what they had achieved in the past two days was no match for the cement they had produced. He couldn't help but sigh about life.
When Fang Xuanling received the urgent summons from the Emperor, he had just finished his meal and was about to take a nap. He asked the eunuch, who replied excitedly, "It's a great joy, Lord Fang. You'll understand once you enter the palace."
"Great joy? What kind of great joy could there be at this time?"
Fang Xuanling was utterly confused, but he still got into his carriage and set off.
On the way, he met Chang Sun Wuji and Wei Zheng. At the palace gate, he also saw Tang Jian, Hou Junji, Wang Gui, and Chu Suiliang. After greeting each other, Hou Junji sighed, "All the high - ranking officials are here. This is just like a small court session."
"Evidently, the Emperor attaches great importance to this matter. We'd better go in early and not delay."
Wei Zheng said.
"You're right."
"Exactly, exactly."
At the main entrance of the Taiji Hall, after Wang De led them in, they found that Li Jing and Li Daozong were already sitting inside.
Both civil and military officials were present, indicating that it was truly a major event.
The little princess Li Jingyun was sitting on a chair by herself. There was a bowl of wild - chicken wontons in front of her. She was enjoying her food, taking a bite of wonton and then a sip of soup. This tiny girl was sitting quietly on the side, easily overlooked.
The main seat was empty. Li Shimin hadn't arrived yet.
The officials looked at each other. Why was Princess Chengyang here? Could this major event be related to the princess?
"Greetings to Your Highness the Princess."
Although they were curious in their hearts, they still had to perform the proper etiquette.
Seeing someone coming, Li Jingyun swallowed the food in her mouth and said with a smile, "Please sit down, my lords. Father has gone to visit Mother. He'll be here soon."
She hadn't expected that Father would ask her to come and listen. He had even seriously told her that they would decide the location of the library tomorrow and that she would be in charge. He wanted her to learn in advance.
"Yes, thank you, Your Highness."
Before long, the room was filled with people.
Chang Sun Wuji wanted to ask Li Jingyun several times what this grand event was that had summoned so many people, but Li Jingyun was so engrossed in eating wontons that she didn't even lift her head, completely ignoring the people around her.
Fortunately, not long after, Li Shimin and Li Chengqian entered with Yan Lide and the two master craftsmen. Everyone quickly stood up to greet them.
Li Shimin was beaming with joy. He had just visited Empress Chang Sun and told her that their daughter's cement had been successfully made with remarkable results. Empress Chang Sun was overjoyed. If she hadn't just taken her medicine and needed to rest, she would have come along.
"Everyone, please sit down! I have good news for you today! The cement has been successfully made, and the effect is excellent!" Before Li Shimin even sat down, he couldn't wait to announce the news.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Highnesses!"
The prime ministers' first reaction was to offer their congratulations. It took them a while to realize what this "cement" was.
A few days ago, when Empress Chang Sun was critically ill, Sun Simiao was trapped in Shangzhou due to heavy rain and couldn't enter the palace to treat her. Fortunately, Empress Chang Sun's condition took a turn for the better. Li Jingyun had said that there was an item called cement that could be used to build bridges and pave roads, making the roads hard and flat so that Master Sun could enter the palace.
They had only heard this as a rumor. Who would really believe that a five - year - old girl who hadn't even started her studies could understand how to make cement? Even if such a miraculous item existed, it shouldn't be made by a little princess.
Less than five days after she said that, an item they had never heard of before was successfully made, and the effect was good?
Now they finally understood why they had also brought Li Jingyun, who seemed to be only interested in eating and knew nothing.
Master Tian and Master Zeng each carried a basin of cement and walked around in front of the prime ministers.
Everyone curiously grabbed a handful to examine. No matter how they looked at it, they couldn't see how this seemingly ordinary "dust" could be related to "building bridges and paving roads, making the roads hard and flat".
But the Emperor of the present day wouldn't joke about such a major matter.
"There's a section of road paved with cement in the courtyard that Fuju gave to Hongxuan. If you don't believe it, you can go and take a look." Li Shimin took a sip of tea to calm his excitement and then continued.
"We dare not, Your Majesty."
"Go if you should. There's nothing to be afraid of. Just don't disturb the other craftsmen. Let's first discuss how to use cement to reinforce the city walls and pave roads." Li Shimin said.
In his opinion, using cement to pave roads should come after reinforcing the city walls.
On the one hand, the production volume of cement was currently unknown. If the production was low, it should definitely be used first to defend against external enemies. The Xueyantuo, Khitan, and Tubo were getting stronger and intended to expand their territories. Although the Turks had been defeated a few years ago, the border was still not peaceful.
On the other hand, paving roads was extremely costly. They didn't know if the cost could be recovered and when. They would have to make a decision based on the tax revenue of the Tang Dynasty in the past two years.
As for Empress Chang Sun's health, Sun Simiao had already arrived in Chang'an City. He was estimated to reach the Lizheng Hall to examine the Empress within an hour.
"Cement is such a miraculous item..." Li Daozong became very excited and talked non - stop, spitting everywhere.
Li Jingyun had originally wanted to listen carefully to what the prime ministers had to say, but after she was full, the gentle breeze was so soothing that she fell asleep as soon as she lowered her head and closed her eyes.
Li Chengqian supported his sister's head. The eunuch immediately took away the empty bowl under her and wiped the oil off her face, then took her to the back hall. He had done these things very skillfully.
How could Hongxuan be interested in these long - winded state affairs?
The prime ministers were okay, but some officials from the Central Secretariat, in order to show their knowledge, would always quote scriptures and speak eloquently before getting to the point. In fact, their words were all obscure, dull, and difficult to understand.