Chapter 32: The power of the imperial family
Yun Ye always hoped to live like a pig.
In the previous world, getting married, having children, and buying a house almost exhausted all his time and energy. The great ambition he had when he was young was crushed by the chariot of life. Now that his life has been reset to zero, he is starting over, but he can’t find a goal.
The appearance of his loved ones renewed his enthusiasm for striving. Yes, he had eight younger sisters who needed a sufficient dowry, and this made his eyes turn into copper coins. Chang’an, in the end, had a family waiting for him, whether it was cold or warm, and Yun Ye was eager to throw himself into his arms. And he was willing to pay any price for him.
Yun Ye was confused. Didn’t he always want to escape from such a life burden? How could he be so full of energy once he had a burden on his back? Is the meaning of life just this? The continuation of life, the maintenance of family ties, providing for the elderly, finding food for the young, and then being buried in the earth by other grown-ups? Becoming a ghost and watching the younger generation repeat this cycle in the next dimension?
Occasionally, there are one or two people who forget this responsibility, perhaps they are tired of this responsibility, find all kinds of reasons to escape, or for glory, such as Yi Ya cooking his son. Or for ideals, such as the King of Zhao starving his father to death. Or for the greater good, such as Liu Bang sharing his food.
Yun Ye is not that kind of person. As long as the enemy puts a knife to his wife and children’s necks, he will do whatever he is told to do, and he will absolutely not make any conditions. Therefore, he will not become a celebrity or a great man, and of course he will not be remembered by history. He will not be able to push people, and the vast majority of people like himself will definitely be among the multitudes, otherwise Chinese history would not have lasted for five thousand years. The more perverted you are, the more you will be remembered by history. This is the truth. Just like on the Internet, the most popular ones are definitely the most perverted. No one pays attention to the ants that follow the rules, but the ant with a hat is different. He has transcended the concept of an ant, and it is inevitable that he will be remembered in the history of ants.
Although Yun Ye was a unique ant, he decided to become like the other ants and try to become one of them. So he trained hard like the others in the barracks, imitating their words and deeds, studying ancient Chinese and practicing calligraphy.
At this time, Yun Ye was extremely grateful to the obsessive-compulsive Taiwanese boss, who had made Yun Ye proficient in reading and writing traditional Chinese characters. Although there were still some differences from the ancient characters of the Tang Dynasty, this was enough for Yun Ye. Cheng Chumo didn’t know as many characters as him.
The days of autumn rain never end, the air is damp, and the blankets are cold and not a breath of warm air. Yun Ye really doesn’t understand. There is a spacious city to live in, but Lao Cheng is stationed outside the city and strictly forbids entry. Even if we take a step back and say that it would be better for more than 10,000 men to build a simple barracks than to live in damp tents, Lao Cheng is unmoved. He would rather live in a tent himself, rubbing his aching knees and cursing the weather, than give this order.
“Without the emperor’s order, no fort can be built. This is a major taboo for generals and also for His Majesty.” My brother is still good. Cheng Chumo quietly told Yun Ye the reason why he could not build a house. Yun Ye almost forgot that he was in the heyday of the feudal dynasty. Usually in Chang’an, Old Cheng could throw himself around and roll around, and no one would bother him. Once he became a general, the strict military law was a sword hanging over his head. If he disobeyed, he would not hesitate to be beheaded by a steel knife.
I’m going to see my potatoes. Who dares to stop me?
A strange thing happened. As Yun Ye was about to reach the thatched pavilion, two can-men armed with steel knives blocked his way and asked for a warrant. Yun Ye was stunned. What warrant do I need to see my own things? Just about to lose his temper, he saw the cold light flashing in the eyes of the can-man, as if he was about to chop him down. Yun Ye obediently closed his mouth and was about to turn around and leave to ask Lao Cheng for an explanation. Li Chengqian came out of the pavilion. It was obvious that this guy was also idle. He quickly bowed and greeted him, and Li Chengqian smiled and returned the greeting. Unlike Yun Ye’s perfunctory greeting, he stood straight, clasped his hands in front of him, and leaned forward 15 degrees. His etiquette was impeccable.
“Brother Yun, are you here to see the auspicious omen? Please come this way.” He reached out to invite the guest, and the two can-men put their swords back into their sheaths and stood by the fence like two stone statues. Yun Ye walked in foolishly, always feeling that the prince should have done the action himself. When did he become a guest?
Li Chengqian seemed to see Yun Ye’s confusion and explained as he walked: “The treasures that Yun Ye has presented have been designated by my father as the first auspicious omen of our Tang Dynasty, showing that our Tang Dynasty is blessed by the Yellow Emperor and is the legitimate ruler of the world. This is why auspicious omens have appeared in the world. Yun Ye’s contribution will be recorded in history, which is a cause for celebration.”
Yun Ye’s first reaction was that Li Chengqian’s face and the face of a civil servant who told him that he only had the right to use, but not the right to own, the property when he applied for a property ownership certificate in the future were combined into one.
“The crown prince is too kind. It is an honor for Yun to be able to contribute to our great Tang dynasty.” After saying this, Yun Ye felt like a Japanese person, who, after being abused, still praised the abuse as extremely comfortable. The glory of feudalism finally shone on him.
The conversation with Li Chengqian was extremely pleasant. His words always cut to the most sensitive part of your heart, coupled with his handsome appearance, soothing voice, and natural gestures, the royal education was vividly reflected. You feel that not offering the potatoes to the royal family is simply treason, and incidentally, you also offer your family property, and you don’t regret it afterwards. If you had this ability, you would have been a manager a long time ago, and you wouldn’t have to carry a backpack and look for foreigners all over the mountains and fields? Then get sucked into a wormhole and end up in the Tang Dynasty, where you’re trained as a special forces soldier?
Well, Yun Ye surrendered, and the potatoes should be offered to the royal family. All the treasures in the world should be offered to the great, glorious, and all-powerful Emperor Li Er, the king of kings.
“Since the day before yesterday, the auspicious leaves have begun to turn yellow. Is it time to harvest?” It was not until Li Chengqian pointed to the yellow potato leaves and asked Yun Ye that he was pulled back from his passionate fantasy of dedicating his life to the Tang Dynasty. Wiping away the drool that was about to flow, he carefully recalled the growth time of the potatoes and found that it was indeed approaching the harvest season. He said to Li Chengqian, “Potatoes take about five months to grow. It’s now been four and a half months, and they’re ready to be harvested. I don’t really know how long it takes for potatoes to grow in the Tang Dynasty. Why don’t we dig one up and take a look?”
He was so eager to eat roasted potatoes that he persuaded Li Chengqian to dig them up and take some back to roast and eat.
Li Chengqian sternly rejected Yun Ye’s bad intentions, claiming that the potatoes must be allowed to fully ripen before they can be harvested. This greatly frustrated Yun Ye. Clearly, what was his own property was now in danger of life even if he approached it.