Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 105 is not a tool for the benefit of the people, but a powerful weapon for the army.
"Young Master Wen, it's been a long time."

Yan Liben greeted her with a smile. The two bowed to each other, but before Wen He could speak, Yan Liben suddenly scolded, "Young man, why are you being so distant with me? Don't you call me Brother Yan anymore?"

Wen He laughed loudly, "Things are different now. You're a fifth-rank official now, not the warehouse clerk you used to be."

"You're insulting me by saying that. You should find someone else to handle this matter today." Yan Liben snorted and made to leave.

Wen He chuckled and tugged at his sleeve: "Yes, yes, I misspoke. Brother Yan is just like before. I was judging you with my petty mind."

Upon hearing this, Yan Liben burst into laughter.

The two were joking around, leaving everyone around them stunned.

Who is this young man, chatting and laughing with Doctor Yan?

And he can come to greet us personally.

The two looked to be at least twenty years apart in age; could they be friends despite their age difference?
Or is this young man from some royal family?
But his surname isn't Li.

It should be noted that the position of Chief Physician is only a fifth-rank official.

However, his function was no less than that of the Ministry of Personnel; he was in charge of granting titles to officials.

Responsible for reviewing applications for titles of nobility, issuing edicts of nobility, and managing the records of nobility conferment.

Besides those bestowed by the emperor himself, officials could also apply for titles based on performance evaluations or seniority.

After the chief physician approved the application, he submitted it to the emperor, who then approved and issued it.

Those from humble backgrounds and low-ranking officials, whoever wanted to be granted a title, would try to curry favor with him.

His subordinates found it utterly unbelievable that he was being so kind to a young boy.

"Just kidding, just kidding. I heard that Steward Wen came looking for me, so I knew you must have something urgent to discuss. Is it related to the Ministry of Works?"

Based on his previous experience, Yan Liben deduced that Wen He must have some new equipment.

Wen He nodded, glanced at the people behind Yan Liben, and then said, "Yesterday I promised His Highness that I would do something. I originally thought Brother Yan was in the Ministry of Works, but I didn't expect him to go to the Ministry of Personnel."

"Sigh." Yan Liben sighed as Wen He spoke.

He originally thought that after accompanying Fang Xuanling to oversee the summer planting, he would either be assigned to the Ministry of Works or the Ministry of Civil Affairs upon his return. He never expected to become such an official.

"Let's not talk about it. But I'm familiar with the Ministry of Works. Duke Jiang is also an old man in our Prince Qin's Mansion. It's just a pity that he was recently transferred to Luoyang to serve as the Acting Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. If you had come two days ago, we could have met."

Yan Liben was somewhat regretful. He wanted to introduce Wen He to the Ministry of Works so that when Wen He came of age, he could be directly recommended to the Ministry of Works.

Wen He didn't understand his meaning and asked in confusion, "Who is the Duke of Jiang?"

"General Qutandouba, don't you recognize him?"

"Uh, oh, I remember now."

It wasn't that Wen He couldn't remember; rather, the reason he was interested in the history of the Sui and Tang dynasties was because he liked the Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties.

Most of those who know about it are key figures in the historical novel.

However, it cannot be said that this Duke Jiang was unimportant. He was Qu Tutong, a general in the Sui Dynasty who shared the same name as Lai Huer and Yuwen Shu.

He decisively defeated Yang Xuangan's army of over 100,000, who barely escaped with his life and was eventually killed by his own men.

Later, at the end of the Sui Dynasty, Qu Tutong faced those rebel armies and never suffered a defeat.

The reason he later lost to Li Yuan was because his troops were demoralized, thinking of surrendering and lacking any will to fight.

He fought to the very last moment, even killing his own son who had come to persuade him to surrender, just to demonstrate his loyalty.

Wen He didn't know how to evaluate such a person.

He was blindly loyal, but in the end he still surrendered.

He also contributed a lot during the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

If you say he was disloyal, he was quite loyal to Li Shimin.

Didn't you see that Li Er has even entrusted him with guarding his own base?
"So who is the Minister of Works now?"

Wen He asked.

If he didn't get the approval of the head of the Ministry of Works, he would have to go to Li Er in person to make what he wanted.

"It's not decided yet, but my elder brother is the Vice Minister of Works," Yan Liben said with a smile.

Wen He immediately understood why he had made a special trip out to greet him.

There are two vice ministers in the play, who seem to be of equal rank, but they are actually competing with each other.

If there were a shortage of Ministers of Works, I'm afraid they would all be thinking of doing the same.

However, Wen He remembered that Yan Liben's elder brother, Yan Lide, later went to the Crafts Bureau.

It seems that in the original history, he would have lost the competition. However, in this current timeline, with this little butterfly around, the future may be different.

Yan Liben and Wen He walked side by side to the Ministry of Works, where the servant at the entrance greeted them.

"Greetings, Doctor Yan." The servant smiled obsequiously.

Yan Liben nodded and introduced Wen He: "This is the magistrate of Gaoyang County."

"Greetings, County Magistrate!"

The servant's eyes lit up immediately, and he quickly bowed to Wen He.

"He will be visiting the Ministry of Works frequently in the future, so you must not treat him poorly, or don't blame me for not warning you!"

Yan Liben warned.

The servant quickly said he wouldn't dare.

Yan Liben nodded, dismissed the servant, and personally led Wen He into the Ministry of Works.

"Does Wen Xiaolang think that someone is abusing their power?" Yan Liben suddenly asked with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Wen He shook his head and chuckled, "I know, Brother Yan is just helping me get acquainted with the area so that I won't be bullied by them when I come here in the future."

As the saying goes, the king of hell is easy to meet, but the devil is difficult to deal with.

Unfortunately, the concept of Yama, the King of Hell, did not exist in the early Tang Dynasty, so Wen He was unable to utter this profound saying.

"Young Master Wen is indeed clever," Yan Liben laughed.

He had long seen that Wen He was no ordinary young man, but only today did he realize that this young man was so knowledgeable about how to conduct himself in society, which was truly rare.

It seems they have an extraordinary family tradition.

Don't assume that the social customs and interpersonal relationships of later generations seem commonplace.

But in the Tang Dynasty, this was a closely guarded secret.

You either learn it yourself or it is passed down from your family elders.

Wen He smiled noncommittally.

They hadn't walked far when they arrived at a government office.

There was a young man outside the government office who bowed to them when they arrived.

"Is my elder brother here?" Yan Liben asked.

The young man cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to the physician, the vice minister is here."

"Okay, I'll go in myself. You go and prepare the tea...and honey water," Yan Liben instructed before pushing the door open to go inside.

Wen He was taken aback. His dislike of drinking tea soup had already become known.
"Who goes there? Can't you see I'm busy..."

As soon as the door opened, a dignified voice came from inside.

Behind the desk, a middle-aged man with a long beard looked up unhappily, but when he saw Yan Liben, his displeasure vanished and he beamed with joy.

"Why did Erlang come today? Did you come to beg for food? You must have eaten all the pastries that Mother prepared today."

He seemed not to see Wen He, and pointed at Yan Liben, laughing loudly.

The latter's face visibly flushed.

"Brother, there are guests here, don't talk nonsense!" Yan Liben glared at him irritably.

Yan Lide, who had just stood up, then noticed Wen He. He was puzzled for a moment, but his eyes lit up immediately: "If I'm not mistaken, is our honored guest young man Wen?"

"Greetings, Minister Yan." Wen He bowed.

Upon learning Wen He's identity, Yan Lide excitedly walked over and grabbed Wen He's hand.

Ah, indeed, people in the Tang Dynasty had this habit.

"Don't call me Vice Minister, just like Liben, call me Brother."

Wen He was surprised to find that he was even more enthusiastic than Yan Liben.

In this situation, it seems like not calling out is the only option.

He called out helplessly, "Brother."

Yan Lide laughed heartily and asked Wen He.

"Is there anything new and interesting today? The plow and seed drill you set up before were ingenious. Do you have something even more beneficial to the people today?"

Upon hearing this, Wen He was taken aback. Under the eager gazes of the Yan brothers, Yan Lide and Yan Liben, he slowly said, "It is not something that benefits the people, but a powerful weapon for the army."

(End of this chapter)