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

Chapter 136 This old guy has quite the ambition.

Outside the Daxing Palace in Chang'an City.

The sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

A series of hurried footsteps sounded outside Chengtian Gate.

Officials dressed in light green robes, carrying lanterns, gathered here early in the morning.

Most of these people were officials of the sixth or seventh rank. Although they were in Chang'an, they were not even qualified to attend the morning court session.

Today I can finally enter the Daxing Palace.

Although they still can't see the emperor and the crown prince, if they can catch the eye of a superior, it will be enough to make them rise to prominence.

Soon after, a carriage slowly drove up and stopped outside the open space.

Upon seeing this, the officials in green and blue robes quickly made way for them.

Those who can come here by carriage are either powerful and wealthy people or officials of the fourth rank or above.

"Father, are these officials in Chang'an also expected to give way to our carriage?"

Inside the carriage, a young man lifted the curtain and looked at the respectful manner of the officials outside, a smug smile playing on his lips.

"Of course, I am, after all, a fourth-rank official..."

The man in the carriage, dressed in a light scarlet court robe, stroked his beard, his eyebrows dancing with excitement.

His name was Li Desheng, and he was the governor of Weizhou.

A few days ago, I went back to the Ministry of Personnel in Chang'an with Wei Zheng to report on my duties. I never expected that I would be here today.

So he brought his eldest son along to broaden his horizons.

"Whose carriage is that in front of us? Move aside!"

Suddenly, a loud shout came from behind them.

Li Desheng was stunned for a moment. He turned around and was shocked. He immediately scolded the coachman outside.

"Get out of the way, you insolent servant! Are you trying to harm your master?!"

The coachman was someone he had brought from Weizhou. He was inexperienced and only realized what was happening after being yelled at like that. He quickly steered the carriage to the side.

"Whose house is this? Why is it parked in the middle of the road!"

Behind the carriage that had just arrived from the opposite direction, a guard on horseback glared at him with a cold look.

Upon hearing this, Li Desheng had no choice but to get out of the carriage. He didn't even have time to ask for a stool before jumping off the carriage shaft.

"This is my first time in Chang'an. My servants are ignorant of etiquette. I hope Your Excellency will forgive them."

A young man's face emerged from inside the carriage; he looked to be in his early twenties.

He glanced at Li Desheng briefly, then ignored him completely.

Li Desheng was somewhat embarrassed, but dared not retaliate.

"Father, who is this person? How dare he be so rude!" The boy got off the carriage and said in a low voice, clearly indignant.

Li Desheng shook his head; he didn't know either.

Within the city of Chang'an, dukes were everywhere, and princes and heirs to the throne were even more numerous.

One wrong move and you could offend the powerful and influential.

Just then, the father and son both heard the greetings from the officials ahead.

"Greetings, Prince Rencheng."

"He is Li Daozong?!" Upon hearing this, Li Desheng finally understood the young man's identity. He immediately breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that he had reacted quickly and hadn't offended him.

"Prince Rencheng, Li Daozong, is he a member of the imperial family?" the young man beside him asked.

Li Desheng nodded: "He is not just a member of the imperial family. Back when the Tang Dynasty defeated Liu Wuzhou, he made the greatest contribution and was highly valued by His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince."

"He's just relying on his background. We'll be stronger than him in the future," the boy said defiantly, startling his father.

"Yifu, you mustn't talk nonsense!"

Li Desheng quickly covered the boy's mouth, hurriedly looked around, and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that no one was paying attention to them.

"This is Chang'an, not Weizhou. You cannot be so insolent!" Li Desheng warned.

Although the boy was resentful, he obediently nodded and stopped staring at Li Daozong's back.

As soon as he turned around, he saw several more carriages arrive one after another.

After what had just happened, Li Desheng quickly ordered the coachman to move the carriage to the side.

"What time is it? Is it really necessary to come so early? The palace gates aren't even open yet!"

A young man dressed in the official robes of a county magistrate stepped down from one of the carriages.

"Such a young county magistrate?" Li Desheng was taken aback. But what surprised him even more was that when the young man got out of the carriage, several officials in scarlet court robes went to greet him.

Li Yifu was also stunned, staring intently at the county official's robes on the young man, his eyes filled with envy.

“You’re too carefree, but today is a big day, so you’d better hold back.”

Wen He was rubbing his eyes when he heard this and looked up to see Yan Lide and Yan Liben walking towards him.

Old Xu, who was not far away, also waved to him.

"Brothers Yan, you make it sound so easy. You two are allowed into the Taiji Hall, while I have to bask in the sun outside."

Wen He said irritably.

The Yan brothers couldn't help but laugh.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind Wen He: "Now that you have an official position and are a county magistrate, you are allowed to enter the palace today."

Wen He was startled by the voice. When he turned around, he saw that Changsun Wuji had appeared behind him at some point, staring at him with deep eyes.

"Oh, it's Chief Zuo! Long time no see. You look great."

"We met three days ago!"

Changsun Wuji knew that Wen He was doing it on purpose.

Three days ago, he went to his house with Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui without even saying hello.

Therefore, he knew that Wen He was definitely dissatisfied with them.

"Really? I don't have a very good memory," Wen He said with a smile.

Changsun Wuji snorted, turned around and greeted the Yan brothers, then suddenly grabbed Wen He's sleeve: "Come with me, I have something to ask you."

He didn't care whether Wen He agreed or not, and dragged him away.

Only when they reached his carriage did Changsun Wuji ask, "What exactly does this so-called Hundred Cavalry Division do? Your Highness kept it from me?"

"Impossible. Brother Changsun is deeply trusted by His Highness. How could he possibly keep it from you? The Hundred Cavalry Division is there to gather intelligence on foreign tribes. It's no secret."

Li Shimin was actually on guard against Changsun Wuji, which Wen He hadn't expected.

He thought the two had a good relationship.

Is it because of myself?
However, it seems now that it's not impossible that Li Shimin wanted to kill Changsun Wuji before his death.

"His Highness did indeed discuss this matter with me, but I have a feeling that it was you who suggested the Hundred Cavalry Division to His Highness. What you did was not simple."

Changsun Wuji's gaze deepened.

Wen He was slightly surprised. This old schemer was actually so wary of me?

"This was not my suggestion. In the original history, Your Highness established the Hundred Cavalry Commandery after ascending the throne. This is just an earlier implementation, since the Turks also implemented it earlier."

He didn't lie to Changsun Wuji.

Upon hearing this, the latter pondered for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh of relief.

"Fine, I'll believe you this once. I just don't want Your Highness to bear the name of a tyrant. Do you understand?"

"understand."

Seeing his expression, Wen He knew that this matter couldn't be kept secret for long.

These well-read people would certainly know about the Black Ice Guard of the Qin Dynasty and the Embroidered Sword Guard of the Han Dynasty.

However, Changsun Wuji went a bit too far.

He actually wanted to cover the emperor's eyes and ears.

This old man has quite the ambition.

No wonder that after Li Zhi ascended to the throne, he drastically consolidated his power.

Such a person, not to mention Li Zhi, anyone who came to power would definitely get rid of him.

What kind of look is that?

Changsun Wuji noticed something was off about the way Wen He looked at him.

"Huh? No, I'm just still half asleep." Wen He chuckled dismissively.

Changsun Wuji frowned, about to say something, when he saw several carriages approaching from not far away, and a few familiar faces alighted, led by an old man.

Upon seeing this, his expression immediately changed to one of respect as he went to greet him.

Wen He pursed her lips, turned her head and saw that the Yan brothers were waiting for her, so she was about to walk over.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, he seemed to see Huang Chun's figure.

He seemed very anxious, found Xu Jingzong, and said something, but the latter's expression changed drastically.

(End of this chapter)