Chapter 69: Du Chengfeng Is Granted the Title of Founding Viscount of Guo County

The Zheng family’s attempt to win favor was only the beginning. Zheng Hongwen’s visit today was merely a test, executed in a gentle manner. He had not expected Du Chengfeng’s final stance to be so unyielding, which made him feel that Du Chengfeng had never intended to truly negotiate with him from the start—perhaps he was merely toying with him, trying to extract information.

It must be said, Zheng Hongwen had seen the truth.

He considered that, since Du Chengfeng was so uncooperative and oblivious to propriety, perhaps it would indeed be necessary, as his father had said, to resort to extraordinary measures if needed.

If he did not seize the initiative, and some other noble family or faction got to Du Chengfeng first, he would have lost out.

As Zheng Hongwen began to plot in secret, other factions in the shadows also started to move, though Du Chengfeng remained unaware for the time being.

Meanwhile, upon returning to the Palace of Sweet Dew, Li Shimin immediately ordered an imperial decree to reward Du Chengfeng.

His father’s advice rang true: it was essential to take a clear stance toward Du Chengfeng early on, to offer reassurance.

Otherwise, as his father had warned, it would truly chill the man’s heart.

To demonstrate sincerity, Li Shimin specifically instructed his chief eunuch to accompany Li Xiaogong to Du Chengfeng’s residence to deliver the decree.

Sending Li Xiaogong, a royal prince, to deliver the decree was a clear sign of goodwill and intent to draw Du Chengfeng closer.

Initially, Li Shimin had even considered making the rewards publicly known, so that all the people of the empire would be aware of Du Chengfeng’s achievements, thereby further elevating his reputation among the populace.

But then he thought: the four strategies for combating locust plagues and the moveable-type printing technique were not suitable to be announced at this time.

If Li Shimin were to make the locust disaster public, given the people’s centuries-old dread of locust plagues, it would surely cause widespread panic.

The fear of locusts was deeply rooted among the people, and even many court officials shared this view.

Some even believed that consuming the pestilent insects would offend the heavens. Frightened of angering the gods, the people could only pray for divine intervention when locusts arrived, yet the plagues grew ever more severe, and nothing availed.

Before Du Chengfeng’s four strategies, even Li Shimin himself had once thought that locust plagues were a punishment from the heavens.

It was easy to imagine, then, the profound impact on the population if the court made the disaster known.

Since Du Chengfeng’s four strategies for combating locusts had proven effective, the court had yet to implement them widely, solely out of concern for the stability of public sentiment.

In Li Shimin’s mind, this was still a matter for Du Chengfeng to resolve when the opportunity arose.

In a sense, Du Chengfeng alone was the expert in this field.

As for the moveable-type printing technique, once Li Shimin grasped its significance, he realized it was a powerful weapon against the old noble families.

His own foundation was still insecure, beset by turmoil within and threats without, and the power of the great clans could not be taken lightly. Thus, such matters would have to proceed slowly and in secret. For now, it could not be acted upon.

With a long sigh, Li Shimin stood alone at the threshold of the Palace of Sweet Dew, gazing up at the vast sky, his heart full of helplessness. Though he held the vast empire in his hands, he felt a deep sense of impotence.

It seemed the words of the ancestors were true indeed: winning the land was easy, but keeping it was hard. Yet Li Shimin believed he would overcome all obstacles in the end.

Not long after Zheng Hongwen left, Li Xiaogong, beaming with joy, hurried to Du Chengfeng’s residence with Chief Eunuch Gao in tow.

Once the household staff realized Li Xiaogong was a prince, they quickly ushered both guests into the reception hall before running off to inform Du Chengfeng.

Du Chengfeng had never met Chief Eunuch Gao, but he was somewhat surprised that Li Xiaogong would visit him in person.

After all, he was still a commoner, at most regarded as an ordinary merchant.

To have a famous prince of the empire pay him a visit twice was no small honor.

Still, Li Xiaogong could not have known about his newly acquired residence in Chang’an; it must have been Manager Lu who informed him.

Du Chengfeng strode into the reception hall and greeted them, “Your Highness, I apologize for my tardy welcome upon your honored visit.”

As for Chief Eunuch Gao, Du Chengfeng simply overlooked him, as might be expected.

Li Xiaogong replied courteously, “Brother Chengfeng, you are a busy man; it’s perfectly understandable.”

This being Li Xiaogong’s first visit to his residence, Du Chengfeng thought it only right not to neglect him.

His eyes swept over the table in the reception hall, noticing only a few plates of ordinary pastries. Given Li Xiaogong’s status, he had surely tasted better many times over.

After a moment’s thought, he summoned a waiting maid and instructed, “Go to my study and brew a pot of my new spring tea for His Highness and this honored guest.”

“Yes, young master,” the maid replied cheerfully, dashing off to prepare the tea.

Du Chengfeng then took a seat opposite Li Xiaogong on the sofa. The furniture in his residence had all been refashioned recently, modeled after modern styles, with thick cushions far more comfortable than the couches currently common in the empire.

“Your Highness, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit today?” Du Chengfeng asked once he was seated.

Li Xiaogong waved his hand and gestured toward Chief Eunuch Gao. “Brother Chengfeng, I am but a companion today—the principal guest is this gentleman. This is Chief Eunuch Gao, His Majesty’s personal attendant. He is here to deliver an imperial edict.”

Li Xiaogong smiled warmly at Du Chengfeng. He fully supported the emperor’s decision to send him together with the chief eunuch.

He had only learned of Du Chengfeng’s address in Chang’an after making inquiries with Manager Lu.

Upon hearing this, Du Chengfeng quickly stood, bowing respectfully to Chief Eunuch Gao. “Honored sir, I failed to recognize your distinguished status and hope you will forgive my lapse in courtesy.”

After all, this was a favored figure at Li Shimin’s side, and the proper decorum must be observed.

Moreover, eunuchs were mostly men of hard fate, and for certain reasons, many bore psychological scars.

Such people should not be pitied or looked down upon, but regarded as ordinary individuals who simply lived differently.

Thus, the look Du Chengfeng gave Chief Eunuch Gao was calm and steady, making it clear he saw no difference between him and Li Xiaogong.

This put Chief Eunuch Gao at ease, and he readily accepted Du Chengfeng’s apology.

Indeed, when Li Shimin sent him, he had instructed him pointedly: this Du Chengfeng is an extraordinary talent, a great blessing to the empire, and must not be treated like an ordinary subject. He must never be shown arrogance or condescension.