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

Chapter 115 The talents of my Great Tang Dynasty are no less intelligent than those of later generations.

After returning to his residence, Wen He wrote a list of materials and gave it to Wen Zhong, asking him to deliver it to Li Shimin.

"Also, tell His Highness to prepare a secluded place for me, preferably far from the crowds, and send everything here there. Also, it would be best to gather more troops."

"Oh, and find me some more alchemists who can refine pills, the more the better."

Wen Zhong was startled when he glanced at the list Wen He had given him. He looked at Wen He in surprise and asked, "Young master, you're not going to refine pills, are you?"

"Oh, I didn't know you knew this?"

Wen He squinted, and his gaze made Wen Zhong feel a sense of danger. The latter quickly explained, "I can't say I understand, but there were alchemists in the Qin Prince's mansion before, and this old servant has seen them."

Did Li Shimin start making elixirs so early?

But he probably didn't eat anything after that, otherwise how could he be so energetic? That kick in the palace just now almost crippled him.

“That’s perfect. Let Your Highness hand over all those alchemists to me. I have a great use for them, even more important than alchemy. If Your Highness refuses, just tell him that I can’t make the weapons I promised to make for him.”

When Wen He said these words, Wen Zhong was sweating bullets for him.

Even someone as reckless as Cheng Zhijie probably wouldn't dare speak to His Highness like that.

Wen He is incredibly audacious; it's just that His Highness indulges him so much.

Having been at the Wen residence for so long, Wen Zhong had sensed something amiss, but he dared not speculate.

You'll die if you guess wrong, and you'll die if you guess right.

These days, the only way to live longer is to be someone with ears and eyes but no brain.

Therefore, he did not speculate on what Wen He wanted these things for, but simply delivered his original words to Li Shimin's desk.

"What exactly is this brat trying to do?"

Li Shimin didn't understand either.

"What is he going to build? Didn't we already hand over the crossbows to the Ministry of Works to inspect?"

Yan Lide has already reported it, and it is said that the first batch of Shenbi crossbows can be manufactured in two days.

They would then be sent to the palace immediately.

But what Wenhe is trying to make now is clearly not swords, bows, or crossbows.

Unable to understand, he sent someone to the Ministry of Works to summon Yan Lide.

Not long after Yan Lide arrived and had just finished his greetings, Li Shimin had Gao Yue hand him the list of materials.

"This was given to me by Wen He, but I don't know what he's going to make. That brat is deliberately keeping me in suspense. Can you figure it out, my lord?"

Li Shimin asked.

Yan Lide, who had thought there was a problem with the Ministry of Works, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Your humble servant's knowledge is shallow, and I need to study it further," Yan Lide said modestly.

Li Shimin smiled and nodded.

Both of the Yan brothers inherited their father's abilities.

Whether in craftsmanship or calligraphy and painting, they have surpassed their predecessors.

If he couldn't discern any particular title, Li Shimin wouldn't blame him; he could only wait for that brat Wen He to reveal the truth.

However, Yan Lide did not disappoint him. After a short while, he seemed to have figured out the problem.

"Your Highness, I think I've figured out what Magistrate Wen is thinking," Yan Lide said, bowing.

"Oh? Tell me quickly."

Li Shimin was overjoyed.

What about people in later generations? The talents of my Great Tang Dynasty are no less intelligent than yours.

Didn't that make it obvious what they were going to do?
"If I am not mistaken, the magistrate of Wen County is probably planning to manufacture gunpowder," Yan Lide reported.

"Gunpowder?" Li Shimin frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "The gunpowder that can be used to ignite fires in the army?"

Yan Lide nodded.

The reason he was able to recognize it so quickly was because there were also people in the Ministry of Works making gunpowder. During the pre-Qin period, alchemists accidentally created gunpowder while refining elixirs.

After some reforms were carried out during the Sui Dynasty, gunpowder was used in the army for ignition and combustion.

“Indeed, but since it was done by Wenxianzi, I think it must be more than that. Moreover, I remember that during the Sui Dynasty, there was a thunderstorm in the Ministry of Works, which, according to records, was caused by gunpowder.”

"It can actually trigger thunder?" Li Shimin was surprised.

"Could that brat Wen He possibly turn gunpowder into something that can trigger thunder?"

That incident during the Sui Dynasty was an accident.

But if Wen He really can produce it, then on the battlefield, igniting it unexpectedly will surely make the enemy think that divine lightning has fallen from the sky, and they will be so frightened that they will lose their composure.

"Quickly, go and make that brat Wen He make gunpowder. He's extremely lazy, and he won't do it unless you urge him or offer him a large reward."

Li Shimin could not hide his excitement.

He believed that Wen He from the future must have a way to increase the power of gunpowder.

But after he finished speaking, he found Gao Yue standing there motionless.

Why aren't you going yet?

"Your Highness, you've forgotten, the Hundred Cavalry Commandery still needs Wen County Magistrate." He said with a bitter face. He didn't want to spoil Li Shimin's mood, but if he delayed the Hundred Cavalry's affairs because of this, he would inevitably be blamed later.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin couldn't help but slap his forehead.

"Yes, that brat is even in charge of the Hundred Cavalry..."

He paused for a moment as he spoke, and his gaze suddenly turned to Yan Lide.

"If the Ministry of Works were to undertake this task, could it improve gunpowder?"

Yan Lide was somewhat surprised, but seeing Li Shimin's expectant gaze, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Your Majesty, I can give it a try, but it would be even better if you could have Wen Xianzi assist you."

Li Shimin understood what he meant.

Yan Lide had the determination, but not the confidence.

'Fine, since that brat suggested it anyway, he should be made to do it. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, it might cause trouble.'

"Yes, that's fine. I'll find a secluded place, and you'll handle this personally. The Secretariat is still considering the candidate for Minister of Works, so don't disappoint me."

Li Shimin stepped down from the imperial steps and patted Yan Lide on the shoulder.

The latter immediately felt his heart race.

He knew it was a promise.

If he could help Wen He manufacture gunpowder that would satisfy Li Shimin, then he would become the next Minister of Works.

A thirty-year-old Minister of Works—he might very well have designs on the Secretariat someday.

"Your Highness, I thank you."

Yan Lide solemnly bowed to Li Shimin.

The latter smiled and helped him up, saying, "Take good care of yourself, my lord."

Yan Lide bowed and took his leave. After leaving Lizheng Hall, he went to find Wen He.

When they arrived at Wen He's house, they learned that he had actually gone out and had even entered the palace.

"At this moment, Young Master Wen should be at the Hundred Cavalry Division of Wude Gate."

After Wenzhong finished speaking, he saw Yan Lide looking astonished, and then he laughed self-deprecatingly.

"I was so confused. I should be more composed in the future. Thank you, butler."

Yan Lide straightened his robes and turned to leave, unconsciously taking measured steps.

"We must assist Wen Xiaolang in accomplishing this matter no matter what. If I can become the Minister of Works, then the Yan family will have someone to rely on in the Tang Dynasty."

Surprised? Unexpected?

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(End of this chapter)