Chapter 4, Your Majesty's Elegance

Recently, Zhang Yang has been working as an apprentice at a blacksmith's shop

Li Shimin felt increasingly satisfied, hmm! Elegant

If these generals see a good sword and want to forge one themselves, what should I do

With wine and meat consumed, the brewed tea was distributed among the guests. Li Shimin said, "Gentlemen, it is best to enjoy tea together."

The onlookers who had just gathered around the scholar cast envious glances, certain that this individual would eventually enter the ranks of the powerful and influential, perhaps even securing an official position. In that moment, feelings of envy and resentment were unspoken yet palpable.

The ups and downs of life seem to have come to a halt at this very moment

Li Yue frowned and asked, "Where did the money come from to buy ironware?"

After the banquet concluded, Li Shimin noticed that the tea leaves sent by Yue'er were nearly depleted, and he unwittingly realized that he had become reliant on this item.

Zhang Yang smiled as he accepted the money and nodded in agreement

Zhang Yang recounted to her everything that had happened at the blacksmith's shop

Take a sip and savor it carefully

Zhang Yang placed the iron pot on the constructed stove to test it, and the size was quite satisfactory

Li Shimin took a small sip, and after the meal, a sip of tea to cleanse away the greasiness and refresh his mind

Zhang Yang smiled and said, "My wife at home disapproves of me going out to endure hardships"

In addition to cutting corners, Zhang Yang would also take the opportunity to stealthily steal some iron materials when others were not paying attention

For several consecutive days, the people in the palace noticed that His Majesty occasionally desired a sip of tea

However, regarding the act of brewing tea, although it is quite elegant, Li Shimin did not like the peculiar taste of brewed tea.

The eunuch placed the brewed tea aside and said, "Your Majesty, it is ready."

When I returned home, Li Yue was mending clothes

After finishing his drink, Li Shimin felt invigorated and continued to review the memorials.

Master Jiang sat alone for a while, watching the general's departing figure, and murmured, "This is bad"

Place four to five pieces of stir-fried tea into a bowl, and pour boiling water into the bowl, causing the tea leaves to swirl as well

But the human heart is dark

Everyone stood up, "Thank you, Your Majesty"

One should not be too ostentatious, as the outcome may not be favorable, as exemplified by Yang Xiu

The stolen iron materials are not many, and with the kind of illiterate attitude of the host family, who only cares about collecting money and not about the output, they would not even notice that the iron materials are missing

The dreams of a salted fish turning over are all beautiful

In less than half an hour, he was invited to leave by a well-dressed individual.

Li Chengqian bent down and said: "Your complexion has improved significantly"

This small bag of tea leaves is right beside the table

Hetushu.com listened to the numerous civil and military ministers praising the art of tea frying without reservation

The patterns on the blade are also beautiful. Master Jiang examined the surface of the knife and could tell from the patterns the method of forging used. Having worked with cast iron for most of his life, his skills in wrought iron are also quite exceptional. That young man's wrought iron technique is not the kind he taught himself.

Li Shimin nodded slightly and said, "I understand."

Li Shimin set down his pen and nodded, then picked up the tea bowl and sniffed it

This style, this feeling, is this not the elegance that I have always pursued?

The personnel of the Imperial Medical Bureau reviewed the classics, and it is indeed confirmed that tea does not pose any harm to the human body. Drinking some on a regular basis is not detrimental, and it is certainly better than consuming alcohol all day long

Brewing tea is an activity reserved for cultured scholars and refined individuals

Of course, I also wish to be more refined in my heart, um, striving for elegance as much as possible

I carefully sniffed the dry leaves in the bag, and indeed, they were tea leaves

After fighting for so many years, Li Shimin has long since become a rough man

Li Yue scolded with a smile: "You cut corners yet take others' wages, and you even use someone else's furnace to make things for yourself"

After speaking, he took out a small bag of tea leaves, "This is what Yue'er asked me to deliver to Father Emperor"

In those years, everyone aspired to be a hero and a true man amidst the chaos of the world

Wrap the kitchen knife and iron pot with a bag, as the salt and iron in the center are closely monitored and one cannot afford to be seen by others

Where is that kid who worked last time? Has my knife been sharpened yet

Sitting down again, Li Shimin continued to review the memorials.

Li Chengqian further remarked: "Yue'er also advised that if Father Emperor feels fatigued while reviewing memorials every day, he can brew a bowl to refresh his mind and invigorate his spirit"

Li Chengqian said softly: "I shall take my leave first."

Assist the blacksmith in forging tools

... ...

The master said: "You are very talented, and you work diligently. A good child who works for a few more years can also become a master, and making a living will not be a problem"

Engaging in these activities will make one appear refined in the eyes of others

Li Shimin raised his eyes and asked, "How is Yue'er?"

It seems that Zhang Yang returned carrying a bundle, and Li Yue curiously asked, "What did you buy?"

With a flick of the fingers, the blade rings out with a clear sound

As the tea is served, everyone is savoring it delicately

Zhang Yang opened the bundle to find two iron pots and a kitchen knife. "Our family finally has decent cooking tools. This is an important step in improving our quality of life, and it is worth celebrating"

The initial grievances and grudges, the swift resolution of enmities, galloping across the battlefield, breaking the enemy and capturing cities, slaying foes, and forming brotherhood at Wagang!

Li Shimin picked up this cloth bag with curiosity and said: "What is this thing?"

The old master nodded with a sense of loss, took out a handful of coins, and handed them to him, saying: "There is no need to force it; you are a diligent child. If you wish to become a blacksmith in the future, come to the west side of the city."

In the past two years, Li Shimin has frequently composed poetry and practiced calligraphy

The general picked up the broadsword from the rack, held it in his hand, and exclaimed, "Excellent craftsmanship, fine blade"

This is the filial piety of the daughter

After the morning court session, Li Shimin hosted a banquet for Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji, and others

I see Zhang Yang still tinkering with the iron pot

In those years, how many of the heroes and champions of the world remain today

While Master Jiang of the blacksmith shop was resting, Zhang Yang was still busy forging iron

The general paid promptly and left satisfied

Zhang Yang dodged Li Yue's playful pinch and said, "That is also the fruit of my labor"

Li Chengqian explained: "This is the stir-fried tea made by Yu'er’s husband. Yu'er said that it only needs to be brewed with boiling water for consumption, without the addition of any other ingredients, which is different from brewing tea."

After Zhang Yang left the blacksmith shop, a man resembling a general came here to pick up a sword

The review of memorials is something that is seen with every movement of the gaze

Today, Zhang Yang said to the master: "Master, I have come to resign."

Zhang Yang was walking home when he saw a group of scholars standing by the roadside. The person at the front was reading an article aloud, seemingly discussing some insights on Confucian classics.

The onlookers, who were readers, applauded enthusiastically as he recited the article.

Extracting value to become a stepping stone for others to rise

The fatigue of the day has also diminished considerably

The entry is somewhat astringent, yet the taste is mild, leaving a fragrant aftertaste on the palate

The refreshing aroma of tea invigorates the spirit

The master craftsman, while hurrying with his work, pointed to a nearby shelf and said: "The general's sword has been completed and is on the shelf."

Zhang Yang, witnessing this scene, let out a long sigh; it seems that the person reading this article will not have an easy time in the future, having become a tool for the powerful to wield authority

Zhang Yang has been working here for half a month, and Master Jiang is very satisfied with this apprentice

Li Shimin picked up the bag of tea leaves and instructed the palace servants to boil water

Moreover, there is a subtle and elegant fragrance of tea lingering in the hall after brewing

Li Shimin further discovered that drinking a sip of tea after a meal has endless benefits, effectively eliminating the greasy feeling from meat dishes

Two hours have passed, and I am indeed feeling somewhat fatigued

In private, Zhang Yang forged two small iron pots and a kitchen knife using the forge at the blacksmith's shop

Li Yue walked up behind him and said, "Ironware is quite expensive, isn't it"

Master Jiang is a well-known blacksmith in this street, recognized by every household.