Chapter 701: Chapter 699: Extra 1: The Retirement Life of the Youngest Emperor and Empress (4000 Words)

Tang Zan’s reign was not long; he was the founding emperor of the Great Tang, and it was during his reign that the warfare of the East Continent began. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

However, he also unified the East Continent, laying the foundation for the peace that lasted for several centuries thereafter.

The historical records provide mixed evaluations of Tang Zan, some describing him as a brutal emperor, while others call him a ruler who governed peacefully.

Mentioning his governance inevitably brings up Pei Shu’er.

Pei Shu’er’s life was also documented in the histories, and unlike Tang Zan, she was universally lauded. Any lavish word seemed insufficient to describe her contributions.

She successively managed droughts, floods, researched anti-inflammatory medicine, and various life-saving drugs.

Moreover, she reduced the prices of these medicines to the lowest possible, with very thin profit margins.

The Pei’s she established regularly engaged in charity work locally, aiding those in need.

At the same time, she studied numerous machines, unprecedented by all, yet exceedingly convenient.

Her four children were also highly accomplished.

Her eldest son, Tang Chong, became the most illustrious emperor in history, under whose rule the Great Tang prospered greatly, and the people were very happy.

He was known as Emperor Yong’an.

Her second son, Tang Li, became a renowned artist, whose calligraphy, paintings, poetry, and essays were celebrated for generations.

He was titled King Wen.

Her third son, Tang Yu, became a pillar of support for the Great Tang; wherever there was rebellion, he was there, and no other nation dared to offend the Great Tang.

He was titled Prince DingAn.

After Tang Zan awoke, Pei Shu’er and Tang Zan stayed in the Imperial Palace for a month, and people like Liu Xu and Shen Wanqing were ever so eager to break down the door to their palace.

Tang Peizhong also came to see Tang Zan, noticing that although he looked pale, he was not frail, showing that Pei Shu’er was extremely attentive.

The days after Tang Zan awoke were very pleasant indeed, with Pei Shu’er treating him tenderly, and his family being completely accommodating.

At the end of the month, Tang Zan smiled at Pei Shu’er.

"Let’s go, take you on a tour of mountains and rivers."

In truth, Pei Shu’er had traveled quite a bit in her life, having followed Tang Zan in his campaigns, visiting numerous places, enduring her share of hardships.

Yet this time, time had erased the traces of war, leaving only the beautiful landscapes.

This time, the White Tiger was released; it was the first gift Tang Zan gave to Pei Shu’er and held great significance for both.

The White Tiger had grown large, roaming freely in the mountains and forests.

Once tired of playing, it even carried prey to present to the two of them.

The time spent in each place varied; they moved to the next once tired of playing.

When they truly felt like resting for a while, they returned to the Capital to check on their little ones.

Fortunately, the children were sensible, and the country was well-governed, with no troubles arising.

Tang Zhaozhao, the little girl, would at times act coyly towards the two of them, expressing a desire to join their travels, and both agreed.

But on the day of the outing, they saw Tang Li and Tang Yu all packed, and even Tang Chong looked at Tang Zan and Pei Shu’er eagerly.

Since his ascension, he had not visited other places.

His younger siblings, however, often had the chance to travel.

Pei Shu’er patted Tang Chong’s head.

"In that case, why not give the officials a holiday too, like a double weekend?"

These words were understood only by their family, and Tang Chong’s eyes lit up when he heard them.

If double weekends were allowed, then he too could have time off, no longer needing to rise early daily.

Everyone knew that attending the early court session required arriving at the fifth watch, with ministers waiting outside the palace gate by the third watch, so who wouldn’t want a break?

Tang Chong immediately began studying these holiday ideas, and he then found that even double weekends were not humane enough; holidays like the Qingming Festival, Qixi Festival, Spirit Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and New Year could also be breaks.

The Mid-Autumn Festival and New Year holidays were the longest: seven days for the Mid-Autumn and half a month for the New Year.

Pei Shu’er found these holidays somewhat amusing.

Fortunately, Tang Chong had considered special circumstances, where emergency issues could allow for special announcements on court or holiday times.

In the past, leaving the Imperial Palace was quite difficult.

But now, it was different; every department had its own telephone, making contact just a matter of a few calls.