The Emperor's Beloved: My Ancestor is the Crown Prince?

Chapter 42 The Emperor's Hint and the Crown Prince's Foresight

The air in the study seemed to stagnate slightly as Li Shimin entered. The candlelight flickered, illuminating the emperor's expression, a mixture of scrutiny and curiosity.

Li Chengqian had already risen from behind his desk and bowed respectfully: "Your subject greets Your Majesty." His heart tightened slightly, and his gaze subtly swept over the gap in the unclosed drawer.

"Hmm." Li Shimin waved his hand and walked in directly. His gaze was first drawn to the uniquely shaped "glass lamp" on the desk, whose light was stable and soft. He walked half a circle around the desk with his hands behind his back, stopped in front of the lamp, bent down to look at it carefully, and even reached out his finger to gently tap the lampshade, which made a crisp sound.

"This lamp..." Li Shimin straightened up, turned to his son, and wore an expression that was a mixture of inquiry and a little interest. "The light is quite even, and it doesn't strain the eyes even after looking at it for a long time. Unlike those candles, which are so bright they make your eyes dizzy. When I was your age, I didn't have this kind of convenience when reading at night." His tone sounded more like a father who had discovered something new and interesting than an emperor who was questioning him.

Li Chengqian calmed down slightly and replied, "Father, this is a glass lamp from overseas that I acquired by chance. Because of its beautiful light, I kept it on my desk. If you find it suitable, I will have someone find the craftsman who made it tomorrow and see if he can make one for you as well." He offered the suggestion but attributed the source to "overseas craftsmen," showing both filial piety and leaving room for maneuver.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin stroked his beard and smiled, his gaze shifting between the lamp and his son's face. "Overseas craftsmen? I'm afraid they're hard to find. I think this lamp on your desk is quite fine." He paused, his tone becoming more casual, even carrying a hint of joking complaint, "These past few days, I've been reviewing military reports from the Northwest, and the dim candlelight has made my old eyes grow increasingly blurry. You young people really know how to find good things."

The implication in those words was almost overflowing.

How could Li Chengqian not understand? His father... had taken a liking to this lamp? A very subtle feeling welled up in his heart. This lamp was a gift from Qingge, a token of affection from a descendant of blood a thousand years in the future, and it held extraordinary significance for him. Not to mention that its principle was inexplicable, he was personally reluctant to part with this unique "filial piety."

"Father, you are busy with countless affairs of state and must take good care of your health." Li Chengqian's face showed just the right amount of concern and difficulty. "However, this lamp was a trial piece made by an overseas craftsman. There is only one of its kind, and its manufacturing method seems to be quite special. When I received it, it was already a finished product. I'm afraid it will be difficult to replicate the same even light in a short time..." He paused, as if racking his brains for a solution, and finally said sincerely, "How about this, I will definitely have people inquire in many places. If we can find a similar craftsman or know the method, I will make a better one for Father as soon as possible! The one I have been using now... I am used to it, and the light may not be perfect enough. I'm afraid it may harm Father's eyes."

His words were sincere and heartfelt, demonstrating his filial piety, yet he cleverly circumvented the awkwardness of a direct refusal by attributing his inability to the fact that it was the only prototype, the manufacturing process was unclear, and it might not be perfect.

Looking at his son's sincere "dilemma" and "concern for your sake," Li Shimin could easily discern his little scheme. He wasn't annoyed; instead, he found it amusing. This boy was unusually protective of his possessions. He chuckled and patted his son's shoulder: "Alright, alright, I was just saying it casually. Would I really take your lamp? If you find it useful, keep it. Just don't overexert yourself; even the best light needs rest."

"Your subject will remember Your Majesty's teachings." Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that this hurdle had been overcome. His father did not delve into the origin of the lamp, and his request was dismissed in a joking tone, and the atmosphere eased again.

Li Shimin then turned his attention to the memorials on his desk, casually picking up the urgent report on the floods in Henan Province. His brow furrowed slightly, but his tone had regained the composure he used when discussing serious matters: "I am already aware of the situation in Henan. The empty granaries are indeed a thorny issue. Were you just pondering this matter?"

"Yes." Li Chengqian composed himself and replied respectfully, "Your subject is pondering how to best accommodate the disaster victims and plan for post-disaster recovery when food reserves are insufficient." He clearly and concisely stated the three strategies he had previously considered—emergency relief, guidance, and recovery.

Li Shimin listened, nodding occasionally, his eyes showing approval: "Your thinking is thorough and your reasoning clear; it's evident you've put your heart into it. However, as you said, the foundation of all these strategies still lies in 'having grain to allocate.' Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice; this is the biggest predicament at present." He put down the report and looked at his son, "Besides carefully managing the existing grain tax and cutting expenses everywhere, are there any other methods we can think of?"

The pressure returned to the practical issues. Li Chengqian frowned in thought, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the corner of the table—there seemed to be a tiny, glistening crumb there. He suddenly remembered—a few grains of rice that Xiao Qingyi had accidentally spilled when she ate from the insulated lunchbox here last time! That rice was white and plump, each grain distinct, far superior to ordinary rice…

A thought flashed through his mind like lightning! That child came from the future, and her daily diet was already so refined. Then, the agricultural techniques and grain yields of her era might have reached unimaginable levels? If they had such high-yield grains, even just a little…

This idea seemed far-fetched, but because of Xiao Qingyi's presence, it was as if a glimmer of light shone through the darkness.

"Father," Li Chengqian raised his head, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of hope and caution, "Your subject has recently... heard some rumors from overseas, which may be somewhat far-fetched, but they may broaden one's horizons."

"Oh? Tell me about it." Li Shimin said with great interest.

"Your Majesty, I have heard that in some distant overseas lands, there are countries whose rice and wheat varieties are extraordinary. Some are resistant to floods and droughts, while others yield multiple harvests in a single year, doubling their production. Their storage methods also allow the grain to remain unspoiled for years." Li Chengqian, having embellished the fragmented information and outdated artifacts brought by Xiao Qingyi, continued, "Your Majesty, I believe that if our Great Tang could find a way to acquire such superior seed cultivation techniques, even just one or two, it might alleviate the long-term worry of insufficient grain production. In the face of this disaster, if we could be fortunate enough to find a few high-yield, durable seeds, even a small quantity, it could serve as a symbol to boost morale, or, in combination with other methods, achieve remarkable results."

He made no mention of Xiao Qingyi, nor of any descendants; everything was packaged as vague "overseas rumors."

Li Shimin listened, his fingers lightly tapping the table. He didn't entirely believe these rumors, but his son's ability to think of seeking a breakthrough from overseas despite the predicament was commendable. Moreover, the strange little girl's actions seemed to subtly confirm that extraordinary things did indeed exist overseas.

"The situation overseas is uncertain, and the rumors may not be true. Besides, distant water cannot quench immediate thirst," Li Shimin said slowly, first pouring cold water on the idea, but then he changed the subject, "However, it is good to have this idea and broaden your thinking. Specifically, the strategies you just discussed need to be refined and put into practice. I will discuss them with you in court later, and you need to be prepared."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Li Chengqian bowed. He knew that his father had not denied his idea of ​​"seeking grain seeds from outside," and might even have tacitly approved it because of its subtle connection.

Li Shimin said no more, but glanced one last time at the lamp that had caught his eye, a hint of regret in his eyes, before turning away and saying, "Alright, you can continue with your work. I won't bother you any longer. That lamp... since it's something you cherish, use it well." The lingering meaning in his tone almost made Li Chengqian want to promise again that he would "find a craftsman for Father Emperor as soon as possible."

"Respectfully seeing off Father Emperor." Li Chengqian bowed deeply, and only truly relaxed after the emperor's footsteps had faded into the distance.

He walked back to the desk, looking at the lamp, his heart filled with mixed emotions. His father's hint, his reluctance to part with the lamp, and the thought of seeking help from the unbelievable after just a few grains of rice were all intertwined.

He unfolded a new sheet of paper, pondered for a long time, and finally began to write. This time, it wasn't a typical greeting from an ancestor to his descendants. He briefly described the famine-stricken state of the Tang Dynasty due to natural disasters, inquired whether future generations had any information on grain varieties that could increase yield and improve storage quality, or simple and effective methods for storing grain and preventing pests. He repeatedly emphasized, "I dare not ask for anything in return, but only for a few words on paper to inspire my thinking." As for the rest, well… that depends on the filial piety of future generations…

He sealed the letter and carefully put it away. How to get Yiyi to take the letter back "naturally" still required some thought.