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

Chapter 174 These people are not even as good as that brat Wen He!

Are you really only three years old?

Wen He looked at Wu Erniang, who was staring at him with a pitiful expression.

This little girl's precocious intelligence surprised him.

Could it be that her soul was possessed by someone else?
Seeing his questioning gaze, Wu Erniang pursed her lips and blinked.

His childlike appearance made Wen He realize that she was overthinking things.

Perhaps it's just intelligence; Gan Luo was able to represent Qin as an envoy at the age of twelve.

“This matter has nothing to do with your father, and I have already disciplined your two brothers.” Wen He gently pulled her sleeve back from Wu Erniang’s hand.

He turned to look at Wu Shiyue: "I'm not one to hold a grudge, but if there's a next time, then Duke Ying, go to the Ministry of Justice to find someone."

By obstructing government officials in the street, Wen He had every reason to send the two men to the Ministry of Justice for punishment.

However, given Wu Shiyue's abilities, the two brothers from the Wu family wouldn't suffer much in prison, so it would be better to give them a good beating.

Wu Shiyue chuckled twice, knowing that Wen He was giving him a way out.

“I will remember the kindness of the magistrate of Wen County, but there is something wrong with the palace.”

Wu Shiyue came here in person, not because he was afraid of Wen He, but because he was afraid of the person in the palace.

He had been about to leave when he heard someone in the palace deliver an imperial decree, which made him stop.

In an ordinary county, the matter that the Wu brothers had today would be utterly insignificant.

But they deliberately provoked Wen He.

Wen He didn't speak, but simply raised an eyebrow and glanced at him.

Wu Shiyue immediately understood, smiled apologetically, and took out a wooden box from his pocket.

"I previously visited Hangzhou and bought a few acres of tea gardens. My wife has been neglecting me in the past, but this will be a way of making up for it when I congratulate her on moving to her new home."

The wooden box was opened, and inside was a land deed.

Wu Shiyue said it was a few acres, but it was clearly written as fifty acres on it.

Atmosphere!
Just when he was about to sleep, someone brought him a pillow.

"What is the Duke of Ying doing?"

Wen He was tempted, but she still had to maintain appearances.

Wu Shiyue smiled and pushed the box into Wen He's hands.

"It's just a private matter. I just went to see Military Advisor Xu. He said that Wenxian County would need tea in a few days. It just so happens that I have a few acres of tea garden at home."

It turned out to be the case.

Wen He smiled with relief.

In terms of interpersonal skills and social graces, Wen He was truly inferior to them.

Before coming to apologize, Wu Shihuo actually went to see Xu Jingzong, which must have meant that they had a good personal relationship.

Xu Jingzong also wanted to use this opportunity to curry favor and resolve Wen He's need for tea.

Even if Wu Shiyue doesn't mention it now, Wen He will definitely find an opportunity to talk about it when he meets the latter in the future.

"I do need tea, but I'll still buy it at the market price. However, I'm poor right now, so I can only afford a few acres."

Wen He placed the wooden box aside, displaying an upright and incorruptible demeanor.

But in Wu Shiyue's eyes, his appearance was too childish.

Having been in officialdom for so many years, how could he not know what Wen He was wary of?

“Those are all abandoned. Since you insist on buying them, I won’t be polite. I’ll sell them to you for three times the price, five hundred coins per mu. How about that?”

Samurai Go looked like he had gotten the better deal.

But you should know that the price of land near Chang'an was at least five guan per mu, and although Hangzhou was not a prosperous area, it would cost at least two or three guan.

What? Five hundred coins? That's three times the original price.

He said that only to show others, so that Wen He could take it without feeling guilty.

Wen He was stunned for a while before she came to her senses.

For a moment just now, he even had a strange feeling that the Tang Dynasty was going to collapse prematurely.

If the price of land had really dropped to a little over a hundred coins, then the Tang Dynasty would have surely been engulfed in war long ago.

Buying land at low prices means that ordinary people can't survive, let alone tenant farmers and commoners.

"Wen County Magistrate, don't keep the Heavenly Official waiting."

Samurai Go was getting impatient.

He was afraid Wen He wouldn't buy into that.

"In that case, it would be impolite to refuse."

Wen He casually put the wooden box away, then asked someone to invite the palace eunuch who was supposed to deliver the imperial decree.

It wasn't Gao Yue who came, but she looked familiar; she must be someone from Li Shimin's entourage.

The eunuch came in and greeted Wen He: "Prince Wen."

"Greetings, Your Excellency." Wen He smiled calmly.

The former hurriedly said that he dared not, but then glanced around and saw that Wu Shiyue was there. He pretended to be surprised and bowed: "The Duke of Ying is here too. That's good. This way, I don't have to run back and forth."

"But did the sage issue a decree?"

Samurai Go was glad that he hadn't hesitated and had come immediately after learning about the matter.

If the emperor forces him to apologize, he will lose face.

"It's not a big deal. The Sage said that if the Duke of Ying was also present when I arrived, and if the County Magistrate of Wen didn't hold it against me, then this matter would be let go. After all, it's common for children to fight."

Li Shimin raised it high, but put it down gently.

But that also depends on Samurai Go's attitude.

If he hadn't come, then the eunuch would probably have pulled out the imperial edict.

"Those two kneeling outside just now, I think they are the young masters of the Wu family, right?" the eunuch asked with a smile.

Samurai Go was somewhat embarrassed, but could only force a smile.

Although he is a duke, he did not earn this title through military achievements, and now he is retired and at home.

It's not even as good as Wenhe County.

"It is indeed my son."

"The Sage said that the two young men are not young anymore and should not waste their time. Starting tomorrow, they should go to the Hundred Riders Training Camp for some experience so that they can be put to good use in the future."

He trailed off.

Wu Shiyue and Wen He were both stunned.

The former's eyes widened in disbelief.

Isn't Baiqi's territory Wenhe's territory?

It is said that the people inside were all former members of the Imperial Guard, and each of them was brave and fierce.

He heard that a few months ago, they almost had a falling out in Chang'an County, and the county magistrate at the time was dismissed by the emperor.

If he went there, his two sons would be skinned alive.

But he was also tempted; if he could leave the Hundred Cavalry, his two sons could then enter officialdom.

"I disagree!"

Before Wu Shiyue could speak, Wen He called out.

The eunuch was taken aback, looked at Wen He, and said with a bitter face, "But this is the Emperor's decree."

He dared not speak to Wen He with the same attitude he had shown to Wu Shiyue, his tone exceptionally gentle. “The Sage said it is only training, but not to be included in the Hundred Cavalry.”

This means that Wen He can bully them at will, but they will not join the Hundred Riders in the future.

Upon hearing this, Wen He nodded in agreement.

"Furthermore, the Sage instructed that you have half a month to set up the papermaking workshop. If you exceed the deadline, he will be furious."

The eunuch couldn't help but laugh as he spoke.

He had never seen an emperor speak to his subjects like that before.

The samurai, standing to the side, felt a sudden jolt in his heart.

He suddenly felt that the tea plantation he had just delivered might not be enough.

After the eunuch left.

Wen He then asked Wen Zhong to get the money for Wu Shiyue.

However, he only accepted half of the money, saying with an embarrassed expression, "After thinking about it, I realized that three times is still too much. Chang'an is a prosperous city with high expenses, so I will only accept a portion of the money."

Without waiting for Wen He to refuse, he beckoned Wu Erniang to his side and then quickly left.

It was as if Wen He was chasing him for a debt.

"Young master, what about this money?" Wen Zhong hesitated as he looked at Wen He.

"Send these land deeds to the Emperor, but remember to make him return the money to me."

Wen Hezhen didn't have the guts to accept the land deed.

He has room and board provided here, and in addition to the income from the land, he earns about three thousand guan a year, which is enough for him and Wenrou to cover their expenses.

If this method of tea-making is promoted in the future, it will be incredibly lucrative.

If he really becomes a tycoon, I'm afraid Li Er will have something to worry about.

He didn't want to become a fat pig waiting to be slaughtered.

Upon hearing this, Wen Zhong bowed and withdrew.

Shortly after.

Inside Yichun Palace.

"This Duke Ying is really generous."

Li Shimin's face turned cold as he looked at the land deed presented to him.

“His family were merchants, so this amount of money shouldn’t be much to him.”

Empress Zhangsun knew why Li Shimin was angry.

An official, after only one trip to the south, acquired so many assets.

Samurai Go was merely an official without real power.

What about everyone else?
"I know."

Li Shimin looked at the land deed and pondered for a long time.

"These people are not even as good as that brat Wen He!"

Thinking of Wen He's actions, Li Shimin felt a little comforted.

Although that brat was greedy, he knew what he should and shouldn't take.

"Gao Yue."

"The servant is here."

"Send all these land deeds to Wenhe and tell him that they are a gift from me, so that he can accept them without worry."

……

The next day, Wen He was both amused and exasperated when he saw the land deeds that Wen Zhong had brought.

Is he having a stroke of good fortune?
The goods can't be delivered.

However, since Li Er was so generous, he wouldn't stand on ceremony.

"Send some people to check and ask if there's any tea left this year. If there is, send some to Chang'an. Do you still have money at home?"

Wen He had never inquired about the family finances; Wen Zhong had always handled them.

It wasn't that he trusted them, but rather that he didn't need to do so.

"Yes, the Ministry of Civil Affairs has already sent the money. Including the previous rent, there are still more than 5,000 guan in the account."

You're rich now?
Wen He never imagined he would have so much money now.

Five thousand strings of cash—in the Tang Dynasty, an ordinary family might never see that much money in their entire life.

"How much rent do those farmers have to pay each year?" Wen He asked.

"About three out of ten."

"You're a loan shark!" Wen He exclaimed in surprise.

If they take three-tenths of the rent and still have to pay taxes, what will this old family eat?
Wen Zhong didn't understand what usury was, but seeing Wen He's startled expression, he guessed what he meant. He chuckled and said, "These fields used to be His Majesty's private property. This is already considered a small amount. Some others were even subject to a 50% or 60% interest rate."

"What a piece of shit."

Wen He is not a saint, nor does she have any intention of pitying all living beings.

But he felt he was a good person.

“Twelve is fine, we don’t lack that much grain at home. We also need to send someone to check if those families are lacking anything. If they are out of grain, we can lend them some without charging interest. They can pay it back next year if they want, or if they don’t want to pay it back, then forget about it.”

He couldn't offer to waive the rent, since he also needed to eat.

But every little bit helps.

Wen Zhong was taken aback, but when he thought about Wen He's previous identity, he felt relieved.

"Young man, you are a man of great righteousness."

"What grand principles? It's just doing some human things."

Wen He shook his head. Only Wen Zhong, an ancient person, would think that way. If people in later generations knew what he did, I'm afraid countless people would call him a saint.

"Prepare the carriage; I'm going to the Ministry of Works."

"Oh, aren't you going to give a lecture?"

Ma Chewenzhong had already made arrangements, but he didn't expect Wen He to go to the Ministry of Works.

The latter was tidying up the things on the table, and after tidying them up, he put them into his sleeve.

“Didn’t you hear what that eunuch said last night? I only have half a month to prepare. As for Gao Ming… go ask the Emperor if he can come with me. Tell him I’ll take him to practical lessons.”

"Practical lessons?"

Wen Zhong scratched his head, but didn't ask any further questions.

He got used to it, and Wen He would occasionally blurt out things he couldn't understand.

He quickly sent someone to inform Li Shimin.

When Wen He arrived at the Ministry of Works, she was surprised to see Li Chengqian, dressed in plain clothes, sitting outside the Ministry of Works.

The servant standing nearby didn't recognize him and thought he was some greenhorn who had just appeared out of nowhere, so he was watching him warily.

"You're here?" Wen He went up and patted him on the shoulder.

Only then did Li Chengqian notice him, and he greeted him with a wide smile.

Wen He nodded to him and walked straight towards the gate of the Ministry of Works.

"Excuse me, is Minister Yan in the government office?"

(End of this chapter)