June 24th, Early Dynasty, Taiji Hall.

Soon after the beginning of the early dynasty, Jingzhao Yin Chuheng came out and said: "Your Majesty, yesterday in Zhujia Town, Chang'an County, because the villagers prayed for rain and disturbed the people, a vicious conflict was triggered, two people died in the fight, and eleven people were injured to varying degrees.

Rumors continue to circulate in Chang'an City, and the minister has ordered people to arrest several villains who spread rumors. If it should be disposed of, please ask Your Majesty to show it. ”

Li Tai is a civilized person, and he doesn't express an opinion on anything like this related to blood.

Li Ke has always acted decisively, he said: "Father, such a demon to confuse the public, with evil thoughts in their hearts, to bewitch their neighbors, the harm is no less than that of fading and plundering, and must be severely punished.

Erchen suggested that he should be beheaded in public to set an example. ”

"The minister seconded the proposal."

……

"No." Wei Zheng stood up and said, "Your Majesty, the mouth of the people is more important than the Sichuan. If there is no rain for a long time, panic is inevitable in the hearts of the people. In such a situation, drastic measures will create an even more panicked situation.

Killing people will not solve the problem, and this matter will never be feasible. ”

Li Ke asked unconvinced: "Lord Wei, if not, what do you think?" ”

Wei Zheng said: "The minister thinks that it is still necessary to strengthen propaganda and guidance, and when it rains, the rumors will be self-defeating." ”

"The minister seconded the proposal." Many ministers supported Wei Zheng's opinion.

Xiao Qian said: "Your Majesty, under the current circumstances, killing people is not a way, and sitting and watching gossip is not a way, we should adopt a positive attitude."

The minister thought that in order to show that His Majesty cherished the people, His Majesty should pray to the heavens for rain together with the people. Pray that God will have mercy on the people of the Tang Dynasty and rain down. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty, the minister seconded the proposal."

"The minister seconded the proposal."

Li Shimin can't say that he doesn't want to ask for rain, but if he comes forward to pray for rain, God still doesn't give face, and his prestige will be affected even more. The situation is even more difficult to manage.

Fang Xuanling can understand Li Shimin's difficulties, he said: "Your Majesty should not move lightly, it is difficult to grasp whether it rains, Your Majesty does not object to praying for rain, and it seems inappropriate to do it in person." ”

Xiao Qian is a stubborn old man, and he must stick to what he recognizes. He said: "Your Majesty, the people are looking forward to the rain, and you, as the Son of Heaven, should think about the people of the world. You should take the lead in praying for rain to show that you share the weal and woe with the people and calm their hearts.

Even if you pray for rain and fail, you will make an edict to show your sincerity in loving the people. The people of the world will be grateful for your sincerity. ”

His words are not unreasonable, if Li Shimin makes such a gesture, it will play a role in calming the people's hearts.

However, this is too wretched, for the arrogant Li Shimin, this routine is difficult for him to accept.

There was a lot of discussion in the court, and there was no result in the end.

After the dispersal of the dynasty, Li Shimin returned to the Liangyi Palace, looked at the sunlight thrown in from the window, felt irritable, and said, "Wang De, take some ice cream." ”

With an ice cream in his stomach, Li Shimin's spirit improved a lot. At this time, Li Chengqian asked to see him.

Li Chengqian was announced, followed by Li Chunfeng.

When Li Chengqian and Li Chunfeng explained their intentions, Li Shimin's mood immediately improved.

On the morning of the 25th, Li Shimin announced in public that he accepted the advice of Xiao Qian and others, fasted for three days from today, and held a rain prayer ceremony at noon on the 29th.

Immediately, the imperial court officially issued a proclamation. His Majesty the Emperor was going to ask for rain in person, and the people's hearts suddenly calmed down.

On the morning of the 29th. Qi Wangfu.

After Li You got up, he finished freshening up under the service of the magpie, came to the meeting room of the dormitory, drank a glass of milk, ate snacks, and asked, "Where is the white tiger?" ”

"Yes, my lord." The white tiger came in from outside, and he said excitedly: "Lord Wang, it's done, I'll tell them to come in and say it yourself." ”

"Okay, come in." Li You said.

A group of guards came in from outside. Seeing Li Youyi, he saluted and said, "I've seen the prince." ”

Baihu said: "Report all of you who are responsible for observation to the prince." ”

Wang San said: "Lord Wang, the little one has been observing the edge of the pond for a day, and I really saw a lot of sparrows bathing on the edge of the pond. There are also fish floating on the surface of the water with their mouths open. ”

A guard said: "Lord Wang, the villain has been staring at ants for a day, and there are indeed ants moving. ”

"The dragonfly flew low."

"The swallow flew low."

"The old cow looks up, the horse's mouth is facing the sky, the earthworm, the toad, the spider, the crow......" said the guards one by one.

Li You stood up suddenly, clapped his hands and said: "History really didn't deceive me, there will be heavy rain today." Ha ha. ”

It turned out that although Li You found out in the local chronicles that there was rain at noon today in history, he did not dare to guarantee that it was really recorded correctly. According to the animal's habit of predicting the weather, he sent the guards to keep an eye on each animal, and judged that there were indeed signs of rain today.

After Li Chengqian found Li You, Li You wanted him to make meritorious service, so he asked him to encourage Li Shimin to ask for rain. If it really rains and maintains Li Shimin's reputation, it will definitely be a great achievement.

This matter, he and Li Chunfeng discussed it, in case it didn't rain by then, Li Chunfeng would take responsibility and delay the date of the rain for a few days, anyway, it had been dry for so long, and it should rain.

However, this matter is also risky, if it doesn't rain again in three days, Li Chunfeng has to bear full responsibility, saying that he has bewitched the public with his evil words, and he has to be beheaded.

Li Chunfeng is a good man, a good Taoist priest with backbone, under the instigation of Li You, in order to maintain the prestige of the Son of Heaven and calm the people, he is ready to sacrifice.

Of course, the benefits are also huge. As long as he succeeds in asking for rain, Li Chunfeng will definitely become famous and become a big name in the Taoist world. The so-called risks and opportunities coexist.

Li You hoped that it would rain on time, but he didn't want to see his emperor Lao Tzu's prestige damaged, nor did he want to see Li Chunfeng die like this, so he sent Baihu and others to observe the activities of animals.

As a result, the animals are very cooperative!

Now, he can finally rest assured.

Li You was overjoyed and said to the guards: "Very good, there is a reward, each person will be rewarded with 5 yuan." ”

Everyone was overjoyed, just looking at the little animals, there were so many rewards, I really wish there were more such things.

Li You didn't care about the affairs of the court, and he was bent on living a small life in his own one-third of an acre. But the emperor's sacrifice is such a major event, he must participate.

At nine o'clock, he put on his dress, rode to the Chengtian Gate, waited for Li Shimin's dragon chariot to come, and then followed out of the city.

Soon, Li Shimin's dragon chariot came, and the brigade drove towards the Mingde Gate in the south.

Li Chengqian rode a horse and followed behind Li Shimin's car, saw Li You, beckoned to him, and motioned for him to follow. Li Youze rode his horse to join the queue and rode with Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian whispered: "Fifth brother, I'm still a little worried in my heart, there won't be any mistakes, right?" ”

Li You said: "Big brother, it's okay, didn't you say it a long time ago?" ”

Li Chengqian said: "That's good, I hope everything goes well." ”