Zhenguan's fifth year, the eighth day of the tenth month.
Fang Er habitually reached under himself, finding it dry and clean, which made him grin.
Heh heh heh, no need to change clothes in the morning, that's great!
"Your Highness, we should depart."
Lai Yifa had been waiting outside for a while. Hearing movement in the room, he spoke up to remind him.
About ten minutes later, the group emerged from the aircraft. Fang Er was stunned by the crowd gathered by the Yellow River Bridge.
"Damn, when did these people get here?"
"Your Highness, they say people started waiting here the day before yesterday," Lai Yifa replied.
"Prince Kun arrives, clear the way quickly!"
Wang Xuance stepped forward, shouting to the commoners gathered at the bridgehead.
A path was quickly cleared through the crowd, with some people loudly singing his praises.
"Your Highness is so handsome~"
"Of course, young and promising. They say he sent people to build this bridge."
"To beget a son like Fang~~"
"Damn you, shut up! That's the Prince's name you're shouting. If you want to die, go far away and don't drag us down."
Before the man could finish, someone next to him clamped a hand over his mouth.
Fang Er simply smiled at all this and slowly walked onto the bridge.
On either side of the bridgehead were stone tablets. The left one bore Li Shi's poem about the greatest bridge under heaven, and the right one displayed his doggerel.
The two stone tablets were connected by red silk, and two large Bluetooth speakers were placed beside them. These were all prepared for the ceremony.
"Welcome, Your Highness!"
Hao Jianshe, Li Chun, and others had been waiting on the bridge since early morning. Seeing Fang Er approach, they quickly stepped forward to pay their respects.
Looking at the wide bridge deck, Fang Er patted them on the shoulders with satisfaction.
"Good! Your Highness never imagined you could complete such a massive project in such a short time!"
"All thanks to Your Highness's support and trust," Li Chun bowed, his voice tinged with emotion.
To be able to build such a bridge in his lifetime was something he had never dared to dream of before.
But now, it had become a reality!
The three had barely spoken for a moment when the sound of propellers was heard from the west.
The human warrior Wei Xuancheng flew at the very front of the formation, followed by six other helicopters, with two hovercraft rapidly approaching from the ground.
Li Shimin had arrived!
Seven aircraft landed on the open ground outside the crowd.
Deng Dengjie was the first to disembark. After the helicopter rotors stopped spinning, he shouted at the top of his lungs.
"The Emperor arrives!"
Then, flicking his whisk, he shouted again.
"Make way!"
Dozens of Xuanjia Army soldiers emerged from the other six helicopters and quickly charged into the crowd, clearing a path.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
"Virtuous and accomplished, eternal prosperity!"
"Long live His Majesty! Long live, long live, long live!"
The crowd watching together knelt on the ground, shouting and expressing their reverence for the emperor.
Fang Er immediately looked at Lai Yifa upon hearing this: "These guys are so unified, was that your doing?"
Lai Yifa scratched his head and chuckled obsequiously, "Heh heh heh, I just sent people to mingle with the crowd and say a few things. Who knew they'd actually shout like that."
Hearing the cheers, Li Shimin instantly puffed up with pride, an irrepressible arrogance displayed on his face, his lips almost reaching his ears.
Listen!
In all the dynasties, which emperor was so loved by the people?
Emperor Qin?
Emperor Wu of Han?
Nonsense!
You have to look at our Tang Dynasty ruler!
Virtuous and accomplished, eternal prosperity, who else has enjoyed such honor?
Look at the commoners' devout expressions, they're definitely shouting from the bottom of their hearts!
"Rise, everyone, rise!"
He feigned support with his hands and called out to Fang Xuanling and Li Jing behind him.
"Prime Minister Fang, Yaoshi, don't just stand there, hurry and help them up. It's cold on the ground, don't chill your legs~"
This was merely an excuse; no commoner would be foolish enough to have the incumbent Duke help them up.
Once they all stood, Li Shimin spread his arms and walked towards the bridgehead, laughing.
"Hahahaha, quick, let me see the Celestial Craftsman of our dynasty!"
He had visited the great bridge a few times during its construction, but even so, the Yellow River Bridge before him still couldn't suppress his excitement.
This was the result of civil administration!
Civil administration that would be remembered for ages!
"Your subject, Fang Anzhi, greets His Majesty!"
At such an occasion, calling him "father" would be inappropriate. After bowing, Fang Er pushed Li Chun forward.
"Your Majesty, this is the Celestial Craftsman you spoke of!"
Li Chun appeared somewhat reserved and quickly bowed.
"Please, please, this humble subject Li Chun greets His Majesty, Long live His Majesty, long live, long live, long live!"
"Zhongjian First Bureau, Hao Jianshe, greets His Majesty."
Hao Jianshe also bowed and paid respects with his craftsmen.
"No, no, no, that's not right. You can no longer call yourself a humble subject!"
Li Shimin warmly helped Li Chun up and, holding his old hand, said earnestly.
"Strictly speaking, we are related by family, and since Anzhi previously promised you a noble title, you must address me as subject when you see me in the future, do you understand?"
Li Chun, a mere craftsman, had never received such treatment. He was instantly moved to tears.
To have built such an unparalleled bridge was a craftsman's pride.
Now, the Emperor himself acknowledged him as family – this was an honor for future generations!
In this life, he had no regrets.
He knelt on the ground once more, tears streaming down his face, and said resolutely.
"Your subject, Li Chun, is willing to dedicate my life to the Great Tang, to repay the favor of His Majesty and His Highness Prince Kun!"
Before his knees touched the ground, Li Shimin grabbed him.
"Quickly, rise. Your old bones shouldn't be kneeling so often; your intentions are enough."
"You must take good care of yourself. I'm waiting for you to build more such bridges!"
"On the Yellow River alone, one bridge is not enough, let alone the Yangtze River to the south waiting for you to conquer!"
Li Chun was too choked up to speak, and his disciples, along with the craftsmen of Zhongjian First Bureau, were equally moved by Li Shimin's words.
They all secretly vowed in their hearts to ensure no separation remained north or south of the great rivers!
Li Shimin, holding Li Chun's hand, walked on the Yellow River Bridge and gazed at the rolling river below. In a moment of inspiration, he sighed.
"The great river flows east, its waves have washed away all. For thousands of years, heroes have emerged, yet today's leaders are the true marvels!"
Fang Er: ...
Did this guy compose it himself, or did he steal it from Su Shi?
But it didn't matter. What was important was that the saying was incredibly fitting for the moment!
"Marvelous! Simply marvelous," Fang Xuanling exclaimed, clapping his hands. His pair of suspiciously green false teeth looked particularly frightening in the morning light.
Cheng Yaojin, however, shook his head and sighed, "Alas, I'm uneducated. I want to say something, but I can't. It's truly stifling!"
"Come, come, let me teach you!" Niu Jinda pulled his shoulder, pointed at the bridge deck beneath their feet with a serious expression, and said, "Ah! It's so damn long, so damn wide~~"
Fang Xuanling, Li Ji, Qin Qiong, and others all quickened their pace, leaving the two behind.
Li Shimin glanced at the two, suppressing the urge to hit them.