Hahahaha!
Li Shimin stood up and laughed heartily. They weren't just thanking朕, they were thanking you! Thanking all the civil and military officials in the court!
However,朕 must also thank one person.
After speaking, he walked directly to Fang Er, clasped his fists with both hands, and bowed to him.
This scared Fang Er considerably. He jumped up from his chair and quickly dodged away.
Don't be ridiculous, this bow could be fatal!
He scurried to the entrance of the main hall and said with a look of panic.
Your Majesty, you are trying to praise me to death!
Hahahaha~~
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui burst into laughter.
Wei Zheng looked at Li Shimin with a hint of resentment. This guy had conned him in the same way back then!
What nonsense about praising me to death,朕 means it from the bottom of my heart!
Li Shimin rushed over with dissatisfaction, grabbed Fang Er's hand, and rubbed it on the back of his hand for a long time, until Fang Er got goosebumps all over.
Your Majesty, let's talk properly. This subject doesn't like men~~
Hey! That's easy,朕 will give you Changle~~ Li Shimin's expression was extremely fawning.
Stop! Fang Er quickly pulled his hand away, it was almost rubbed raw.
Your Majesty, let's go see the flags. This subject has already finished them, and they are currently being dyed.
When the conversation stalled, the best approach was to change the subject.
As expected, Li Shimin's interest was instantly piqued when he heard about the flags.
Let's go, let's go see, Duke Fang, Duke Du, Duke Wei, let's all go see!
Everyone got up and followed Fang Er towards the courtyard where Hua Niang lived.
This courtyard housed all the female workers, who had been gathered from all over by the Eastern Depot spies. There were weavers and dyers working under Hua Niang.
Pushing open the courtyard gate, Hua Niang was leading them in cutting fabrics.
The fabric was of the finest silk. The material used for just one of these flags, if made into finished clothing, would sell for at least two or three guan.
Your servant greets Your Majesty, and all the dukes!
Hearing the footsteps and seeing everyone enter, Hua Niang quickly put down the scissors in her hands and stepped forward with the female workers to pay their respects.
All the female workers were incredibly excited. They never expected to be able to behold the Emperor's countenance!
This era was open, unlike the later Ming and Qing dynasties, which were more restrictive towards women.
Therefore, after Li Shimin told them to rise, they all secretly gazed at the great pillar of the Tang Dynasty with blushing faces.
Such a handsome, tall, and robust man!
This servant has been enchanted!
Li Shimin picked up a flag that had already been dyed and asked with some confusion upon seeing the pattern.
Eh, isn't this the sun and moon pattern from the Three Stars Banner? Anzhi, come and tell朕 your intention in doing this.
Chai Shao, Fang Xuanling, and others also gathered around, looking at the yellow flag and waiting for Fang Er's explanation.
The Tang Dynasty belongs to Earth virtue, so this subject made the flag a deep yellow.
The sun and moon on the Three Stars Banner have very good meanings, so this subject did not change them and simply borrowed them.
This subject once read a sentence in ancient texts: "When the five stars appear in the east, it benefits China."
China, since ancient times, has had the meaning of the center of the world, the king within the nation.
Therefore, this subject added five stars to the sun and moon.
These five stars, in terms of the Five Elements, represent gold, wood, water, fire, and earth, respectively.
In terms of the common people of the world, they represent the Emperor, scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants.
Emperor Xuan of Han inscribed on the Stele of Hu: "All that the sun and moon illuminate shall be Han territory, and all that the rivers reach shall be Han subjects!"
Thus, this subject believes that this flag can be used as the national flag of the Great Tang.
Hearing these words, Li Shimin's eyes lit up.
"Five stars appear in the east, benefiting China; all that the sun and moon illuminate shall be Han territory!"
Excellent!
This flag shall be the national flag of the Great Tang from now on!
Wei Zheng, however, interjected at this moment: Duke Fang, your words just now had a flaw.
Everyone was stunned and looked at him.
Fang Er asked with confusion: What flaw is there? Please speak frankly, Duke Wei.
Wei Zheng stroked his beard and said with a smile.
These five stars represent the Emperor, scholars, artisans, farmers, and merchants.
Not Emperor, scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants. Your Majesty previously issued a decree that artisans are above farmers and below scholars.
Tell me, do your words just now have a flaw?
Uh, there is a flaw!
Fang Er accepted the criticism frankly. Old Wei's words were not wrong!
Li Shimin also nodded in agreement, and after a moment, said again.
朕 has another idea!
You created a school song for the Fang Family Village school before, and you also wrote a military song for the Tianhu Army.
Why not write a song for this flag as well?
Fang Xuanling nodded in agreement: I have long heard that Duke Fang has extraordinary attainments in music. The two songs, "The Soldier" and "When You Marry Me Today," have already spread throughout Chang'an.
And the song "The Big Bridal Sedan Chair" has also become a must-play tune for weddings.
We just don't know if Duke Fang can once again produce a masterpiece. We are also very much looking forward to it. Come, come, let's clear the stage for Duke Fang and listen attentively!
Others made way and looked at Fang Er expectantly.
Hua Niang quietly ran out of the courtyard. Before long, Empress Zhangsun, holding Li Zhi, Chai Yue, Changle, and Changsun Ling'er, along with a group of women, entered the courtyard.
Li Shimin was initially displeased when the women rushed in without greeting him. However, upon seeing his own wife and the musical instruments they were holding, he smiled at Hua Niang and gave her a thumbs-up.
It was a divine assist, wasn't it!
Fang Er, on the other hand, was stunned. These young ladies had brought their instruments.
Duke Fang, please proceed.
Changsun Ling'er smiled sweetly, sat cross-legged in the courtyard, and placed her Guqin in front of her.
Then, the other girls, each holding a pipa, sheng, konghou, vertical flute, horizontal flute, xiao, and zither, stood behind her in an arc.
In a very short time, a band was ready.
Fang Er had no choice but to search his mind for a suitable tune.
The national anthem was definitely out of the question; the lyrics were not suitable for the current dynasty.
Moreover, if he brought out the real song, he feared being killed on the spot by the censoring deities!
He had this feeling when designing the national flag, and it appeared again, very strongly!
Don't just stand there, please begin your performance.
Seeing him motionless, Li Shimin found a chair, sat down, pulled Changle to his side, and urged him.
emmmm~~~
Got it!