Chapter 15 Qujiangchi (Third Watch)

  In the Tai Ming Palace, Gao Lishi attended Li Longji as he changed his clothes.

  Li Longji was not wearing a dragon robe and crown, but rather a common tunic and trousers, with a kerchief on his head and boots on his feet, looking exceptionally elegant and refined, with an air of uncommonness.

  "Your Majesty, are you really going out of the palace?" asked Gao Lishi cautiously.

  "Today is the day when Furong Garden is open, and officials and civilians alike are having a good time. I'll go join in the fun too." Li Longji's mouth was curved into a smile, his eyes filled with memories, as he said: "Thinking back to those days, we often sneaked out of the palace, playing around everywhere, what joy that was! Now that I'm older, I miss those past days even more."

  Li Longji was not a man of leisure. In his youth, he liked to disguise himself and go on private tours. Whenever he had the chance, he would sneak out of the palace with his attendants and have fun everywhere.

  "Don't let the imperial concubine know about it, and don't alarm the officials either. Just us few is enough." Li Longji instructed.

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  Qujiang Pool is located in the southeast of Chang'an, south of Zhongnan Mountain, north of Leyou Garden, and southeast of Shaoling Garden.

  The Qin Dynasty built the Yichun Garden here, the Han Dynasty built the Yuanchun Houyuan and Leyou Garden, Emperor Yang of Sui built the Daxing City, and built the Furong Pond, which was called the Furong Garden. After Li Longji ascended to the throne, he restored the old name of Qujiang Pool.

  The Qujiang River flows through here, with a winding river course, "resembling the Jiang of Guangling", hence the name "Qujiang".

  Qujiang Pool is a famous scenic spot of the Tang Dynasty, along with Longshouyuan and Weishui Riverside.

  The two banks of Qujiang River are lined with palaces, pavilions and buildings that stretch far and wide, willows drooping like clouds, flowers blooming in profusion, people strolling about, the scenery is picturesque, making it a great place to visit.

  After Li Longji ascended the throne, every year on the Shangsi Festival (March 3) and the Zhongyuan Festival (July 7), a grand banquet was held here, attracting tens of thousands of people to come and watch, making it a prosperous scene at that time.

  Due to the victory of the Battle of Small Poro, Li Longji issued an edict to open the Lotus Garden, allowing the people to enter and visit. This news had long been spread throughout Chang'an, and the people of Chang'an came early, seeing a sea of people from afar, with everyone's face filled with smiles and joy.

  Noble ladies and gentlemen, carriages and horses in attendance, music and singing on the painted boats, wine cups and wine vessels... what a lively scene!

  Qujiangchi is planted with lotus flowers and irises everywhere, competing for beauty and elegance, a wonderful scene!

  "So many people!"

  Gao Mei Li's beautiful eyes were filled with shock.

  She grew up in Anxi Prefecture and had never seen such a large crowd before, so it was only natural that she would be shocked.

  "It's not a few!" Li Changguo was also surprised by the hustle and bustle of modern metropolises.

  It's a rare occurrence to see so many people in the Tang Dynasty.

  "Ah!"

  Li Bai let out a sigh, because he couldn't find Du Fu. Although Li Changguo and the others tried their best, they searched everywhere but couldn't find Du Fu, so they had to temporarily give up and wait for another opportunity.

  If I could find Du Fu, and stroll around Qujiang Pool with the Poetic Immortal and the Poetic Sage, how exciting that would be! Li Changgui also regretted it, but now that things have come to this, there's nothing to do but sigh.

  "I hope to meet the Poet Sage!"

  Li Changguo was filled with hope in his heart.

  Although there were many people, under the maintenance of the Forbidden City guards, it was in order, and tourists entered Furong Garden in an orderly manner, without any chaos.

  As soon as Li Changguo entered Furong Garden, he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. The garden was filled with pavilions and buildings that seemed to stretch on forever.

  Zi Yun Lou, Cai Xia Ting, Lin Shui Ting, Shui Dian, Shan Lou, Peng Lai Shan and Liang Tang are built adjacent to each other, each with its own unique charm, leaving people in admiration.

  "Everywhere reveals the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty!"

  These buildings exude a majestic aura, only the Great Tang can fully display such a magnificent atmosphere.

  High-ranking officials, literati and common people, soldiers, numerous beyond count, after sightseeing, were also engaged in lively discussions, with the most talked-about being the victory of the Battle of Small Boru.

  "The Little Bolü has finally been defeated, and from now on, Tubo will never be able to enter the Western Regions again, and the Western Regions will no longer have any worries about their rear."

  "With no worries in the Western Regions, we can concentrate our forces to contend with Dashi. The big-nosed Dashi people are arrogant and have absurd ideas, daring to think of attacking the Great Tang; the Great Tang will never forgive Dashi."

  "In the Kaiyuan era, the Arabs launched a military campaign against the Anxi Protectorate and were severely defeated by the Tang Dynasty. Now is the time for the Tang to settle old scores with the Arabs."

  The Tang Dynasty was extremely prosperous in military affairs, and apart from the country's prosperity, the people also cared about national affairs.

  The relationship between the Tang Dynasty and the Arab Empire was during the Tianbao period, the main foreign relations of the Tang Dynasty. At this time, the Arab Empire was the main enemy of the Tang Dynasty. As soon as the Arab Empire is mentioned, the Tang people grit their teeth and want to compete with Dashi.

  The main topic of these wanderers is to advocate for immediate military action and compete with the Arab Empire. Of course, there are also sober people who clearly realize that the timing for competing with the Arab Empire has not yet matured.

  "Although the small Bolu was defeated, the Ansi Protectorate no longer had to worry about its rear and could concentrate its forces to contend with Dashi. However, this was not the best opportunity at present."

  "So when do you think is the best opportunity?"

  "Of course, it was after the fall of Shihbao City. Shihbao City fell into the hands of Tubo, and it was easy to defend but difficult to attack. With this city in hand, Tubo could advance and retreat at will. If they took advantage of the situation when the Tang Dynasty and Dashi were competing in the Western Regions, and launched a large-scale military campaign to threaten the Hexi region, it would certainly cause an earthquake in the Western Regions, which would be extremely unfavorable for the Tang Dynasty."

  "Shi Bao City? Ah, yes! We should take down Shi Bao City first. Only by taking down Shi Bao City can we confine the impoverished Tubo to the high mountains and dense forests, and only then can the Tang Dynasty truly have no worries in the rear, and concentrate its forces to fight a great battle with Dashi in the Western Regions."

  "I heard that fifty years ago, there was a madman named Yusufu in Persia who was the governor of the East and didn't know his own limitations. He had once thought of attacking the Tang Dynasty. Hmph! They think they can attack us? Can't we attack them instead? Once we take care of Shi Bocheng, the Tang Dynasty will be able to mobilize hundreds of thousands of troops and march west with full force to have a great battle with Persia!"

  "The Shigubao Castle is hard to attack, the Tang Dynasty has attacked it before but failed to take it down."

  "We must fight even if it's hard!"

  Listening to the tourists' discussions, Li Changguo slightly shook his head. What they said made sense, but it wasn't entirely true; there were some issues they hadn't considered.

  After a stroll, Li Changguo was very satisfied. As it was almost noon, his stomach began to protest. Li Changguo said: "Let's go and worship at the Wuzang Temple first, and then continue our tour, how about that?"

  "The wine by Qujiang Pool is great!" Li Bai was famous all over the world for his poetry, and his love of wine was just as renowned. At the mere mention of wine, he almost started drooling.

  "Where the wine is good, we'll go there." Li Bai spent many years in Chang'an, often going in and out of wine shops. Whose wine was good, whose dishes were good, no one knew better than him. Li Changgui handed over this guide to Li Bai.

  "Come with me!" Li Bai's expression changed greatly, his tone slightly higher, said: "The wine and dishes on that painted barge are not bad. We can drift on the winding river, drinking wine while appreciating the beautiful scenery, neither missing out."

  The scenery of Qujiang is very beautiful, if you sail on the Qujiang River, drink and enjoy the view, with Li Bai, the poet fairy as company, and Gao Mei Li, the beauty as companion, Li Changguo thought that this is the pleasure of life, there is no reason to refuse.

  Gao Mei Li naturally wouldn't have any objections and was instead very excited.

  Three people arrived in front of the painting boat, the boss of the painting boat was soliciting customers, suddenly turned around, a pair of eyes stared round and round, staring at Li Bai, as if seeing a ghost, directly stunned.