After listening to Li Zhi's analysis of these people, Li Xian found that only Zhang Daan was the most worthy of winning over. If this guy wasn't born into a noble family, and Emperor Li Zhi was a poor scholar, he would definitely be able to seek a high position in the court.
It can be said that the main purpose of this annotation of "Hanshu" is to give Zhang Daan a share of credit, so that he can officially be reused.
Standing up and cupping his hands, Li Xian said: "I understand, I know. Aye, tell me, when is the best time to start commenting on the Book of Han?"
Li Zhi smiled and said: "By now, they should have received the order. These people are all in Chang'an, so they will probably gather at Chongwen Hall today. You can start tomorrow."
After saying that, Li Zhi warned again: "You are the prince. Although you are in charge of this matter, you don't need to be too involved. It is enough to go and see it occasionally and show your face. In terms of the credit for this matter, Of course you come first, even if you don’t go even once.”
Li Xian smiled bitterly and agreed. He had already known about this kind of thing. The reason why some big people are big people is because they can naturally get credit for one thing. Maybe he has never even heard of this matter, but he can still gain merit by taking advantage of it.
This is probably an unspoken rule. The privileges of those in power cannot be completely eliminated no matter what era they are in.
After coming out of Qinghui Pavilion, remembering that Zhang Daan and others would arrive at the East Palace in the afternoon, Li Xian had no choice but to order Li Yun to prepare a carriage for him.
In fact, today is the day when two restaurants in East Market and West Market opened at the same time.
This morning, Xiao Desheng should have distributed all the invitations. All the civil and military officials of the DPRK, Chinese nobles, and aristocratic families received the invitations. Even the Zheng family, who had been having trouble some time ago, also sent them.
Li Xian knew very well that the Zheng family, or Zheng Wen, still resented him, but after experiencing the last blow, he would only swallow it temporarily. And I can't hold on to this matter and let go. I have to date when I should.
Speaking of which, the so-called society means living with masks on, and two people who have a pleasant conversation may not both be happy. Maybe each of them is thinking about how to cheat the other person. Only by learning to hide your true emotions and put on a mask can you get along well in society. As for those who are unwilling to wear masks, they can only experience the dangers of society again and again, but they can do nothing.
The prince is leaving the palace, which is a big deal. Especially when they learned that the prince was inviting hundreds of officials and aristocratic families to celebrate the prince's title, Xiao Dezhao and Yang Yi arranged for the prince to be escorted by six soldiers, and also dispatched ceremonial staffs.
Although Li Xian refused at all costs, he could only obey due to the persistence of Xiao Dezhao and Xiao Dezhao.
The court in the East Palace is no longer there. As the two concubines on the left and right, in addition to collecting relics and giving advice, they now take over the secular affairs of the East Palace, just like the housekeepers.
The internal affairs of the East Palace are Li Yun's responsibility, and matters such as the prince's travel are their responsibility.
In their opinion, since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is extending the invitation in the name of a celebration banquet, then when traveling, the Crown Prince's ceremonial staff must be used for a formal trip.
So, on this day, the people of Chang'an watched helplessly as the roads from the East Palace to the East Market were controlled by officers and soldiers led by Prince Liu, and pedestrians were not allowed to pass. Various shops in the East Market were also informed that they were not allowed to open today.
It is rare to see such a scene in Chang'an on weekdays. Therefore, although the road was blocked by six officers and soldiers, many people still gathered at various intersections and at the entrance of Fangshi along the road to watch the excitement.
Li Xian lifted the curtains of the car window and saw the scene outside. Li Xian felt his eyes burning.
They all refused, but they still couldn't escape the embarrassment. He always felt that his current behavior was like that of a nouveau riche. He wanted to put gold rings on all ten fingers when he went out to show his wealth.
The restaurant in Dongshi is located on the west side of Dongshi. The prince's carriage could not enter the gate, so Hao Chujun specially waited at the gate with all the civil and military officials.
Seeing the carriage approaching, everyone saluted. There was nothing they could do. The prince sent out his ceremonial staff, so they could only greet him formally. But fortunately they were all wearing official uniforms, otherwise the etiquette would have been even worse.
Pressing Li Yun's shoulders and getting off the carriage, Li Xian glanced at the formation in front of him. Li Xian couldn't help but glared at Xiao Dezhao, stepped forward with a wry smile, and said, "I wanted to be simple, but I didn't want Zuo Shuzi to arrange the ceremonial staff and become a It’s really shameful that I have to go out officially.”
Hao Chujun said with a smile: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince gave a banquet to the officials. It is a formal occasion, and it is appropriate to use the ceremonial staff. Zhongshu still has a lot of government affairs on hold. How about we hold the banquet right away?"
Knowing that his announcement, especially the morning announcement, would affect their schedule, Li Xian stopped being polite and said with a smile: "As it should be."
After speaking, Li Xian took the lead and walked towards the newly built restaurant.
The original restaurants in Dongshi were all demolished and rebuilt. As for the area, they were more than three times the size before. Logically speaking, such a large amount of work cannot be completed so quickly. However, money can make things worse, let alone money and power.
There are enough craftsmen who can continue construction day and night. It is not unusual for the construction to be completed so quickly.
As the shopkeeper of Dongshi Restaurant, Zhang Youcai was waiting in front of the restaurant with a smile. When he saw the Crown Prince coming, he handed over the rope he had been holding.
The officials and representatives of the aristocratic families naturally saw this rope, especially under the railing on the second floor of the restaurant. There was a large plaque covered with red silk cloth. They didn't know what it meant.
Li Xian stepped forward to take the rope, smiled and said to the crowd behind him: "Today is the opening day of Gu's restaurant. Not only in the East City, Gu also opened a restaurant in the West City. But unlike this one in the East City In comparison, it is really not worth mentioning. I can definitely say that there is no restaurant in the entire Tang Dynasty that is more satisfactory than the restaurant here. I believe that in the future, you will inevitably come here to entertain relatives and friends. "
After saying that, Li Xian pulled the rope, and the plaque covered with red silk cloth was exposed.
I saw the words "Juxian Tower" written in gold characters on a black background.
Seeing these three words, Xiao Dezhao frowned, and just as he was about to speak, he was stopped by Zhang Wenguan.
"Don't bring bad luck to His Highness on a good day. This is His Highness's property. There is nothing wrong with using the words in His Highness's name. You, too, have to rein in your temper. Dai Zhide and us are all in the East Palace. Born, why are you still dawdling around in the position of Zuo Shuzi while we are already in a high position?"
Xiao Dezhao glanced at Zhang Wenguan sideways: "Are you entertaining me?"
Zhang Wenguan smiled bitterly and said: "We have been colleagues for many years, why should I amuse you? Although you are upright, being too upright means being rigid. Just like today, you forced the prince to use the ceremonial staff. The prince was obviously unhappy. Even I and others were not happy. I think this is too much.”
Xiao Dezhao pouted, he still couldn't refute Zhang Wenguan's words.
Seeing that the prince had already invited the ministers to enter the restaurant, and there was no one around, he lowered his voice and said: "Do you think I am such a rigid person? I just think that since His Highness the prince has entered the East Palace and is traveling for the first time, why not Proceed in accordance with the regulations. Otherwise, if he cannot exert pressure on the courtiers, how can he establish the majesty of the prince?"
Seeing what Xiao Dezhao said, Zhang Wenguan did not go in, so he pulled him to the side and said helplessly: "What is majesty? Do you think His Highness the Crown Prince needs this thing now? The Crown Prince has just ascended the throne, and what he needs is to unite the ministers and treat the virtuous corporal , it’s definitely much better than you doing this.”
"Think about it, where does the Crown Prince's majesty come from? The identity of the Crown Prince is one, but the most important thing is his power. Right now, His Highness the Crown Prince has just taken over the government. When will His Highness the Crown Prince begin to rule, then his majesty, It comes naturally. You have to understand that there is power first, and then there is majesty. If you pursue majesty without power, this will be the end. Do you think how many people came today when His Royal Highness used the ceremonial staff to show off? Will you feel unhappy?"
Hearing Zhang Wenguan's words, Xiao Dezhao sweatdropped directly.
Opening his mouth, he managed to squeeze out a sentence: "Could it be that His Highness the Crown Prince's plan is the right one?"
Zhang Wenguan hated iron and said: "Nonsense, Old Xiao, let me tell you, as long as you are not particularly sure that your Highness is wrong, don't give advice. Your Highness is extremely smart and knows how to handle these matters." Much better than you."
With a sigh, Xiao Dezhao could only bow his hands to Zhang Wenguan and express his acceptance of his suggestion.
Seeing that there was no one outside, the two of them entered the restaurant.
As soon as I walked in, I noticed the difference.
This restaurant is newly built! Not even a scuff is visible on the floor.
Moreover, there is no one on the first floor, only a few cases, and these cases are surrounded by screens, forming a small space.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already led the ministers to the gathering hall on the second floor. Zhang Youcai is waiting on the first floor, preparing to receive Zhang Shizhong and Xiao Shuzi.
Seeing the two of them looking at the screens in a daze, Zhang Youcai walked out, bowed his hands and said, "Zhang Youcai, a common man, pays homage to Zhang Shizhong and Xiao Shuzi. Do you two have any doubts?"
Xiao Dezhao pointed at the screen and frowned: "The restaurant is a place for eating and drinking, so why should it be decorated so elegantly? Look, let's ignore the case for the moment. These screens, as well as the texture and pattern of the screens, all cost a lot of money to buy. .”
Since the restaurant was the prince's property, Xiao Dezhao felt that he could still inquire about it.
Zhang Youcai laughed when he heard this and said: "Xiao Shuzi doesn't know. From today on, Juxian Building in Dongshi only entertains civil and military officials and noble children of aristocratic families. It is not open to common people, merchants, and barbarians. Since we are entertaining These people naturally want better decorations, and according to His Highness the Crown Prince, they want to be of high quality."
After speaking, Zhang Youcai walked to a screen and stretched out his hand to pull it open. As he fiddled with it, the separate space for one case became the space for two cases.
After finishing the work, Zhang Youcai said: "Look, with a screen, you can control how many people dine together. With the same size of floor, you can change the number of guests at will. This is a kind of saving. Xiao Shuzi understands ?As for the screens, they were all made by the woodwork shop under the general's supervision. They only charged the cost price and did not spend much."
Seeing this, Xiao Dezhao nodded. Since there was no extravagance or waste, it probably would not have any impact on His Highness.
Zhang Wenguan looked at the empty first floor and asked aloud: "Is the first floor arranged like this only for a few people to eat?"
Zhang Youcai nodded: "Yes, the first floor is different from the second floor. The first floor is used for dining with less than five people. Moreover, the recipes provided on the first floor are less than those on the second floor. Some dishes that are time-consuming and laborious will not be available on the first floor. Upstairs. His Royal Highness the Prince's instructions are that the dishes on the first floor should be simpler. After the guests decide what dishes they want, the dishes must be served in the shortest possible time without delaying the guests' schedule. This is called...fast food mode. "
Zhang Wenguan nodded, glanced around, and saw the stairs to the second floor. But, what is this basket-like thing next to the stairs? Looking up, you can also see a square hole in the floor of the second floor.
"Zhang Shizhong, this is a hanging basket. If people with mobility difficulties come to dine on the second floor, they don't have to suffer from the stairs. They can reach the second floor directly from the hanging basket."
"It's really good. The setting of this thing can be said to be very thoughtful."
After praising him, Zhang Wenguan went up the stairs.
When the three of them climbed to the second floor, Zhang Wenguan was speechless when he saw the scene in front of him.
Compared with the first floor, the decoration on the second floor is more advanced. Not to mention the exotic flowers and plants planted in the flower pots, even the tableware that has been placed on the table is not comparable to that of ordinary restaurants.
How can any restaurant in Chang'an use all porcelain plates and silverware?
There is also a dining table, which looks very much like sandalwood!
The space on the second floor is so large that even if all the civil and military officials, nobles, and representatives of aristocratic families come in, it can still be accommodated, and there is even a little room left.
Because, like the first floor, a large venue is also enclosed by screens on the second floor.
His Royal Highness is sitting in the main seat on the north side, flanked by two long rows of cases and cushions. One person per case, or a big case. The value of these furnishings alone is difficult to calculate.
Seeing the shocked looks of the two of them, Zhang Youcai could only explain: "Boy, since the second floor is exclusively for banquets, the furnishings must not be stingy. Otherwise, who would be willing to come to Juxian Building to order a banquet? Couldn't it be done at home?" "
Seeing that the seats in front of him were still being arranged, and the last few cases were unused, Zhang Wenguan squatted down, took a picture of the cases, and said to Zhang Youcai: "With such investment, the price of having a banquet and meal in this Juxian Building is not comparable to that of other restaurants." Yes."
"That's natural, but ordinary people can guarantee that every copper coin you spend at Juxian Tower can be said to be worth it."
Zhang Youcai clearly remembered His Royal Highness the Prince's instructions. If you want guests to come often, you must give them a reason to come often.
