Chapter 31: Project Tinderbox

Chapter 31: The Tinder Project

Li Tai understood that he could not obtain books directly from the Chongwen Pavilion through Empress Zhangsun, nor could he even hope to have them copied.

In fact, had he not known of this beforehand, it would have been one thing, but now that he was aware, he could not help but marvel at the Empress’s political sensitivity. She would never impose any unnecessary burden on Li Shimin; on the contrary, she would strive to nip such matters in the bud, minimizing any potential drag that family affairs might cause him.

"Then, Mother, if I cannot borrow books from the Chongwen Pavilion, might I borrow some from my uncle instead?"

Seeing that the path through the Chongwen Pavilion was blocked, Li Tai immediately shifted his target. He knew clearly that taking books from the Chongwen Pavilion was effectively taking from the state. Regardless of whether these books were meant for public access, the act itself would be seen as an encroachment on the class structure. However, borrowing from the Zhangsun family was different. If Zhangsun Wuji were willing to lend him books, it would be a personal favor from an uncle to his nephew, which carried a different nature entirely.

For Li Tai, if he could have succeeded with the Chongwen Pavilion, he would only have had to swallow his pride once. But by borrowing from the Zhangsun family, the quantity would surely be insufficient, meaning he would have to visit several other families and likely lose face multiple times. Yet, he believed that by using his status as the Prince of Yue to request books, every family would at least spare a hundred or two to dismiss him. Once he gathered several thousand volumes, he would at least have the foundation for his library.

"Ah! So that’s what you were waiting for!" Upon hearing this, Empress Zhangsun tapped Li Tai on the head and said, "I will write a letter. You may take it to your uncle. Borrowing five hundred volumes from the Zhangsun family is well within my influence."

"Thank you, Mother, for your wisdom. As the head of the Academy of Agriculture, I thank you!" Li Tai said quickly.

Empress Zhangsun shook her head helplessly, went to her room to write the letter, and handed it to him. Li Tai tucked it away carefully. "Qingque will not disturb Mother any longer; I must get this matter underway."

"Go, go! I know you only visit when you need something!" The Empress waved him off gracefully, but then remembered something. "These dragon-beard candies—you have always liked them. Pack some up to take with you!"

"Very well!" Li Tai did not stand on ceremony. After the attendants packed the sweets, he took them and departed.

"Qingque is so restless when he does things; he truly gives me no peace of mind," the Empress sighed.

Li Tai knew his uncle, Zhangsun Wuji, well. Zhangsun Wuji treated him no differently than he treated Li Chengqian. During festivals, whatever Li Chengqian received, Li Tai received an equal share. In a sense, this equal treatment was a sign of how much the uncle valued him.

Li Tai did not act rashly. He visited the residence in person, presented his calling card, and requested an appointment for two days later, when Zhangsun Wuji would be on leave. Utilizing his spare time, he gathered a few people from the Mohist Department and organized an experiment in sand-melting. This was to build the technical foundation for eventually creating glass. Li Tai was not in a hurry; now that he knew glass could be made from sand, the direction was correct, and it was only a matter of time.

On the appointed day, Zhangsun Wuji had Zhangsun Chong waiting at the gate. When Li Tai’s carriage arrived, the proper courtesies were observed, and he was ushered inside. Along the way, Zhangsun Chong looked at Li Tai and asked, "Qingque, what on earth could you need from my father? Just tell me; if the Zhangsun family can help, I will do my best."

"I knew you, Eldest Brother Zhangsun, treated me like a real brother!" Li Tai replied without hesitation.

"Of course!" Zhangsun Chong looked slightly smug, then asked seriously, "What is it?"

"Brother, could you help me move all the books from your father’s study to my Academy of Agriculture?"

"Cough, cough, cough!" Zhangsun Chong seemed stunned. "What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly."

"Could you move your father's bo—" Li Tai was interrupted.

"Not that part, I mean the previous sentence!" Zhangsun Chong said gravely.

"...I knew you, Eldest Brother Zhangsun, treated me like a real brother," Li Tai repeated, slightly hesitant.

"We are cousins; it's a pity we can't be real brothers!" Zhangsun Chong said with a look of helpless regret.

"Have you no shame?" Li Tai gritted his teeth, looking at Zhangsun Chong.

"I want to have shame, but if I took the books from my father’s study, I’m afraid I’d lose my life!" Zhangsun Chong retorted.

The two bickered back and forth. It was precisely because this guy protected Li Chengqian that Li Tai had never gained the upper hand in their verbal sparring.

After some playful banter, they arrived at the main hall. Zhangsun Wuji was already waiting. In his prime with a full head of black hair, he looked spirited—not like an old fox, but rather a shrewd hunter.

"Greetings, Uncle!" Li Tai bowed respectfully, and Zhangsun Wuji returned the gesture.

After they were seated, Zhangsun Wuji remarked, "Qingque, you have eradicated the locust plague, established the agricultural school, and now introduced the curved-shaft plow. You have accomplished much this past year. Truly impressive!"

"This is all thanks to Father’s trust, the support of officials, and the hard work of those in the field. I am merely the one who talks," Li Tai replied calmly. "However, I have encountered a difficulty, and after much thought, I could only turn to you, Uncle. I hope you can help me."

"Speak, Qingque. We are family; I will certainly do my best to assist you," Zhangsun Wuji said generously, though his tone masked his own calculations.

"Thank you, Uncle!" Li Tai began, "This is a long story, starting from the aristocratic families of the Wei and Jin dynasties."

"Oh? Going back that far?" Zhangsun Wuji found it slightly amusing but urged him to continue. "I am on leave today, so I have time to listen to your full story, though it would be best to be brief."

"After the Wei and Jin, the Five Barbarians invaded, the dynasty split North and South, then was unified, only to split again. Fortunately, Heaven sent Father to restore order, leading to the Great Tang we have today," Li Tai summarized.

"Indeed. Since the Han, the land of China has been in chaos. Achieving unity again is no small feat," Zhangsun Wuji noted, looking at Li Tai. "You aren't here just to discuss history, are you?"

"Of course not. I want to say that things are unpredictable. Of the many families in the Wei and Jin, how many have truly survived to this day? 'The swallows that once flew in the halls of the Xie and Wang families now fly into the homes of commoners!'" Li Tai sighed.

"A fine verse," Zhangsun Wuji’s eyes lit up, then he turned somber. "Indeed. Do not look at the current wealth of the Zhangsun family; even the Xie family of the past, at their peak, has faded into obscurity, let alone people like us."

"Those ancient families endured the Five Barbarians and the southward migration of the court. Repeated wars nearly destroyed them; very few have truly survived," Li Tai said seriously. "Therefore, I want to do something for the families of the world—something that will allow their legacy to be passed down like a flickering ember."

"What do you wish to do?" Zhangsun Wuji looked at him with profound gravity.

Li Tai replied, "I want to establish a library where only recognized families and high-ranking officials can deposit their family archives. If a family falls into decline or suffers exile in the future, their descendants can come to this library and copy the archives left by their ancestors. It is an insurance policy, a legacy, an honor, and a hope for them to return to officialdom. I call this the 'Tinder Project.' Uncle, the moment I thought of this, I came to you!"

"Where will this library be established?" Zhangsun Wuji asked with a bitter smile.

"The Academy of Agriculture!" Li Tai replied. "It was my idea; surely it is not unreasonable to place it in my own academy?"

"You are trying to take advantage of the aristocratic families of the world!" Zhangsun Wuji pointed at him.

Li Tai smiled awkwardly. What was wrong with taking advantage of them? If successful, it would benefit the Great Tang, and getting the families to part with their knowledge was no easy task!

"But families are families, and the Imperial House is the Imperial House," Zhangsun Wuji sighed ambiguously.

"The Five Surnames and Seven Houses are led by the Longxi Li clan. We are both the Imperial House and an aristocratic family," Li Tai stated plainly.

Zhangsun Wuji paused, contemplating. "If survival is the only condition, then as your uncle, I have no problem donating five hundred volumes to help build your library. But if you think this condition alone will move other families, you are mistaken—they have a better option: the Kong family of Qufu."

Li Tai’s expression soured. His plan was sound, but if Kong Yingda were to step forward, the families would surely deposit their books with the Kong family instead.

"For every book deposited, one may copy three—a one-for-three exchange!" Li Tai said calmly. "The Kong family is indeed suitable, but I am willing to serve as a hub. Any knowledge I possess, I will place there. For instance, the curved-shaft plow, methods for rapid duck egg incubation, and detailed knowledge on locust eradication—I will make these public. The family traditions are precious, but these methods that increase harvests and income will be just as coveted. By trading books for books, I believe other families will be tempted!"

"You are willing to share such knowledge?" Zhangsun Wuji stood up, surprised.

"Not only that, but all future knowledge from my Academy of Agriculture will also be placed in this library," Li Tai added. "Perhaps the Academy doesn't have many books now, but in ten or twenty years? For a thousand-year-old family, surely they would be willing to wait a few decades to reap such a harvest of knowledge!"

Zhangsun Wuji paced back and forth, then stopped and looked at Li Tai. "Very well. I will donate one thousand volumes in the name of the Zhangsun family to help establish the library."

"Thank you, Uncle!" Li Tai said, "But I must clarify: only the first batch of families to join will enjoy the one-for-three copying privilege. Future donors will only get a one-for-one exchange. Furthermore, to join the Tinder Project, a majority of the existing members must approve. As for how to verify who is an 'aristocratic family,' I trust you have a method, Uncle!"

"Easy, easy!" Zhangsun Wuji smiled and nodded.

"Oh, and this is a letter from Mother for you," Li Tai handed over the letter.

Zhangsun Wuji read it, looking startled. "Why didn't you show me this earlier? Since your mother agrees, I would not have made things difficult for you."

"That is why I waited until the matter was settled and you had agreed to donate the books!" Li Tai said. "I wanted you to agree as the head of the Zhangsun family, not just as my uncle! If I could not convince you, how could I convince the other Longxi nobles or the families of Guanzhong?"

"You still have to go visit them? Let me handle it instead," Zhangsun Wuji suggested.

"I must go myself!" Li Tai replied steadily. "I am the head of the Academy of Agriculture. Since I proposed this, I must see it through from beginning to end. I will not stay for a meal today; I have more calling cards to deliver!"

"Wait!" Zhangsun Wuji called out. "Two thousand volumes. This time, I will donate two thousand volumes!"

"Thank you, Uncle!" Li Tai bowed deeply and expressed his gratitude once more.

As Li Tai departed, Zhangsun Wuji turned to Zhangsun Chong. "Chong-er, go see the Prince of Yue off."

"Yes!" Zhangsun Chong nodded and followed Li Tai.

"Chong-er has been close to the Crown Prince since childhood; that is good. Let him continue. Sigh, it's a pity that Huan-er is already eight and doesn't have half the intelligence of Qingque. I wanted him to serve Qingque, but I fear he would need Qingque to look after him instead! It is a pity that I have no one of similar age to train by Qingque's side. But he really is so much like Shimin!"

Zhangsun Wuji shook his head, pushing away the rebellious thought.