bookbashuk Chapter 43 Li Chengqian's Letter of Appeal
Chapter 43 Li Chengqian's Letter of Appeal
The following day, inside the warm pavilion of the East Palace.
When Li Chengqian handed the sealed brocade pouch to Xiao Qingyi, his fingertips paused almost imperceptibly. This thin envelope contained not only a heavy inquiry about the famine, but also a hidden hope deep within his heart that he himself had never fully expressed—perhaps his bloodline descendant from a thousand years in the future could bring some possibility of changing the status quo.
"Yiyi remembers, this is our 'little secret'." He gently instructed, watching the child solemnly put the brocade pouch into the innermost layer of her backpack.
Xiao Qingyi nodded vigorously. After playing with Sizi in the afternoon, she got tired and fell asleep next to Li Lizhi. In her hazy state, the thought of "giving the brocade pouch to her brother" intertwined with her homesickness, and her figure gradually disappeared from the spot.
(Modern Line)
In Li Qingge's room, the atmosphere suddenly changed when Xiao Qingyi appeared on the carpet, rubbing her eyes, and took out the plain noodle pouch.
Li Minghua was urgently summoned. The old man put on his reading glasses and, in the bright afternoon sunlight, read Li Chengqian's letter three times over. The study was so quiet that the ticking of the clock could be heard.
"During the Zhenguan era... Henan Province suffered from floods, and grain reserves were depleted..." Li Minghua put down the letter, let out a long breath, and looked at his grandson. "It matches the historical records. There were indeed several significant natural disasters in the early years of the Zhenguan era. The Crown Prince Chengqian's letter was both urgent and skillful in its inquiry."
"Grandpa, those agricultural materials we prepared..." Li Qingge pointed to the folders on the table that had been organized over the past two days.
"We must give them, and do it more meticulously, in a way they can understand." Li Minghua interrupted him, tapping her fingers on the eight characters on the letter: "The treasury is depleted, and relief is difficult." "But what the Crown Prince truly wants is probably more than just a long-term solution. Although the letter humbly says 'I dare not ask for material things,' the urgency between the lines... this is a famine that is about to starve people to death."
Li Qingge was silent for a moment, her gaze falling on her younger sister's seemingly ordinary yet miraculous little backpack: "Grandpa, you mean...we should try to see if we can send some food over? Even if it's not much?"
"We must not only try," Li Minghua's eyes deepened, his tone carrying a well-considered decisiveness, "Qingge, we need to think further ahead. Helping our ancestors solve the current food shortage is only the first step."
He rose, walked to the window, and gazed at the lush greenery in the courtyard below. His voice was low but clear: "You and I both know history. Li Chengqian… our 'ancestor the Crown Prince,' his end was not good. Chengqian was intelligent and virtuous in his early years, but later, due to a foot ailment, a strained relationship with Emperor Taizong, and a group of officials surrounding him who tempted him to extremes, he was ultimately deposed for treason and died far from home. If… if our connection can not only deliver grain and provide disaster relief, but also offer him some reminders, some support, some insights from 'descendants' a thousand years later at certain crucial moments… could it be possible to change something?"
Li Qingge's heart skipped a beat. Change history? This idea was far more shocking than he had imagined in testing time-travel logistics. He instinctively looked at his bewildered younger sister, his voice hoarse, "Grandpa, this...this has far too many implications. The butterfly effect..."
"I know." Li Minghua turned around, his gaze sharp and clear. "Therefore, we must not be reckless, nor can we directly interfere in specific events. What we need to do is like a gentle spring rain that nourishes the earth. When he is anxious about the food shortage, we can provide some practical ideas and possible 'surprises'; when he may go astray in the future, or feel isolated and helpless, we can give him subtle reminders through 'overseas experiences' and 'historical allusions.' Let him know that in some faraway place, there are descendants connected to him by blood who sincerely hope for his well-being, hoping that he can become a better crown prince, or even... a prince who can die a peaceful death."
The old man walked back to his desk, pointing to Li Chengqian's letter: "Look, he's now willing to ask us for advice; this is the beginning of trust. Disaster relief is like fighting a fire; we must first solve the most pressing problems. Testing whether Yiyi can carry food is the first step. If it's feasible, what we're sending isn't just rice, but proof of 'hope' and 'connection.' This proof might be more reassuring to him than the food itself."
Li Qingge was deeply moved by the vision her grandfather had described. This was no longer just about protecting a cute little sister as she traveled through time to play, nor was it merely about satisfying curiosity about history. It was a careful, millennia-long process of protection and guidance.
The goal was so grand—to stabilize the sensitive and lonely prince's mind and position, and to change that regrettable ending; yet the means had to be so delicate and secretive—to convey the message through the innocence of children, and to rely on vague "overseas rumors".
"I understand, Grandpa." Li Qingge took a deep breath, her eyes gradually hardening. "Then we'll proceed in two steps. First, prepare a reply and a test immediately. Prepare a detailed introduction to high-yield crops and methods for storing grain and preventing pests, complete with illustrations. At the same time, test Yiyi's 'carrying ability.' Second, begin a systematic study of the Zhenguan era, especially the major events, interpersonal relationships, and policy gains and losses during Li Chengqian's time as Crown Prince. We may not be able to change everything, but perhaps at crucial junctures, we can offer him a slightly different 'perspective' or 'comfort' in a suitable way."
"Exactly." Li Minghua's face showed approval. "You need to be meticulous, bold, and clean. Now, let's get on with the first task."