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

Chapter 192 For the sake of all the people, His Majesty reluctantly made a sacrifice.

Outside the Lizheng Hall, all was quiet.

It was as if if a pin were to fall at that moment, the sound would be crystal clear.

Apart from Changsun Wuji, Gao Shilian, and the old man from the Dugu clan, everyone present was hearing this news for the first time.

The two elders from the Cui and Lu families were now flushed, their faces contorted with shock, and they dared not even look Li Shimin in the eye.

They had long known that His Majesty harbored resentment towards them, the aristocratic families.

For the sake of their so-called integrity and reputation, they still insisted on not allowing their children to marry into the royal family, not even illegitimate sons and daughters.

But they were not without fear.

Since Li Shimin ascended the throne, he has been promoting officials from humble backgrounds.

Nowadays, many people from humble backgrounds who were once looked down upon by them have become officials of the fourth or fifth rank.

This made them feel a sense of danger.

Fortunately, both the Six Ministries and the Three Provinces had their own aristocratic families and people from Guanzhong.

At least for now, a superficial balance has been achieved with the emperor.

But to everyone's surprise, Wen He appeared at this time.

They were more skeptical about paper than about printing, but His Majesty had personally demonstrated the printing technique some time ago.

In addition to those tools and the upcoming grain seeds, the gentry all saw that this emperor was different from the retired emperor.

Li Shimin's eyes narrowed slightly, and he glanced at the aristocratic families and Guanzhong region with a smile. Suddenly, he feigned surprise and asked.

"Oh, right, I don't think I've issued an edict yet. No wonder you ministers are trying to recruit Jia Ying."

His smile was gentle, yet it was like a cold winter wind.

He looked at Wen He and deliberately scolded him with displeasure: "Everyone here today is an elder. How dare you, you brat, utter such foul language? You must never do this again."

This ineffective warning didn't even elicit an apology from Wen He.

Those from the five surnames and seven prominent families were dumbfounded.

What do you think this is?
Lift it high, then lower it gently!
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will remember this. I certainly won't say such things next time." Wen He smiled, thinking to herself, 'Next time I'll use different words to scold you.'

Li Shimin could tell from his evasive eyes that he definitely didn't have anything nice to say.

However, he didn't care. He had brought these people here today so that they would know who the true master of the Tang Dynasty was.

"Oh, right, and Dugu Qing, you just mentioned that Wen He should marry a concubine. I seem to recall that there is no such thing as a concubine in the laws of the Tang Dynasty."

After saying that, he hesitated for a moment, then suddenly remembered something and continued.

"Oh, I remember now. Only merchants talk about this, but it seems that it also applies to concubines. Wen He is from Gaoyang County and can only have one wife. The rest are concubines. Could it be that Dugu is going to send one of his legitimate daughters as his concubine?"

A blatant slap in the face.

But this was also the old man from the Dugu clan who brought this upon himself.

He already knew who Wen He would marry in the future, but he suggested that Wen He marry a concubine.

You, a mere woman from the Dugu clan, what right do you have to be the equal wife of a Tang Dynasty prince consort and sit on the same level as a future princess!

"This old minister, this old minister did not mean that, this old minister was..."

"Are you deceiving the emperor?!"

Li Shimin spoke calmly, but the old man from the Dugu clan was so frightened that his eyes widened and he quickly lowered his head.

"The old minister dare not."

"It's alright. I allow Jia Ying to take concubines. If any of you ministers have daughters in your households, you may send them to his residence as concubines!"

Li Shimin emphasized the last two words.

Don't you aristocratic families think too highly of yourselves?
Isn't this supposed to be a way of proclaiming that talented men of the world consider it an honor to marry women from five different families?
But Wen He, standing behind him, felt as if he had been betrayed by Li Shimin.

If you really gave him so many concubines, his family would be in complete chaos.

Besides, his health can't handle it.

'It seems I need to find Sun Simiao as soon as possible and have him help me with this.'

However, he also knew that this was impossible. Even if Li Shimin issued an edict, those aristocratic families and Guanzhong would rather disobey the edict than comply.

This is not the first time they have done this.

"Is Your Majesty trying to humiliate us?"

The old man surnamed Lu stared angrily at Li Shimin, his face flushed red.

Scholars can be killed but not humiliated.

These aristocratic families, for the sake of their reputation, still had to show some integrity.

Otherwise, if word gets out about what happened today, all of them present here will become a laughing stock.

Their former reputation will be completely wiped out.

"Ahem, Your Majesty."

Gao Shilian, who was standing to the side, coughed lightly and came out.

In terms of relationship, he was Li Shimin's maternal uncle. Among everyone present, apart from Changsun Wuji, he was the only one who dared to step forward at this moment to ease the tension.

"Gao Qing, what are your thoughts?"

"This old minister dares not presume, but Your Majesty has summoned us here today, surely it must be for something important. Since County Magistrate Wen is also here, why not ask him to explain?"

He was giving Li Shimin a way out, and also giving everyone present a way out.

If things really escalate, I'm afraid the events of the Sui Dynasty will be repeated.

This time, the aristocratic clans and Guanzhong were not facing Yang Guang, but the invincible General Tian Ce.

"Your Excellency's reminder is correct. I almost forgot. In that case, let's hold a meeting in the Hall of State Affairs. Of course, if anyone is unwilling to come, I will not force them."

In officialdom, which person doesn't have a thick skin like a city wall?

One moment they're cursing each other's ancestors and parents, the next they're united in their hatred of a common enemy for the common good.

Li Shimin, who entered officialdom at the age of seventeen, thrived in his new role.

And the surrounding aristocratic families and people from Guanzhong were even more so.

The old man from the Lu family, who had just been blushing and questioning Li Shimin, immediately changed his expression and, along with the others present, respectfully saw Li Shimin back to the Lizheng Hall.

After taking a few steps forward, Li Shimin suddenly turned around and shouted at Wen He, "You brat, why aren't you coming with me? Do you intend to stay here and humiliate the pillars of my Great Tang Dynasty?"

"okay."

Wen He cheerfully responded and quickly followed Li Shimin.

Only those from Guanzhong and the gentry remained, their faces ashen, gritting their teeth as they watched the two men, father-in-law and son-in-law, enter the Lizheng Hall one after the other.

"Too deceiving!"

The old man from the Lu family let out a low, indignant shout.

The old man surnamed Wang, who hadn't spoken a word from the beginning, glanced at him coldly, his eyes filled with disdain.

"They've only brought shame upon themselves."

"What did you say!"

The old man from the Lu family was furious and glared at him.

The old man, surnamed Wang, calmly snorted, "Gentlemen, do not forget why we have come here today."

"Wen He did indeed create a type of printed calligraphy that is easy to copy, but what about paper? His Majesty said that Wen He was able to simplify the papermaking process and make it cheaper."

Everyone present knew what he was saying.

That's why they came here in person today, to find out the truth.

The old man surnamed Wang sighed deeply and continued.

"As you have all noticed, a new workshop of the Ministry of Works has been added to Yong'an Ward, and there has been a steady stream of carriages and horses coming and going these days."

"It is said that the Ministry of Works purchased a large amount of moso bamboo in Qianzhou, and outside of Chang'an, the Ministry of Works led people to cut down a lot of Ci bamboo, and also bought a lot from Jingxiang, which is now heading north along the Grand Canal."

His gaze was sharp as he looked toward the Lizheng Hall.

"Your Cui family has a papermaking workshop, and the bamboo paper you recently launched is an improvement on the technique of the Ge family of the former Jin Dynasty. Do you still not know the source of His Majesty and Wen He's confidence today?"

Those present were not unaware of what he was saying.

Otherwise, the two decision-makers from the Cui and Lu families wouldn't have extended an olive branch to Wen He.

At least in their view, that was the best they could offer.

For a mere country bumpkin like you to be able to marry a concubine's daughter from a noble family is truly an incredible stroke of luck.

You should feel honored and deeply grateful, and then give everything you have.

At least that was the case for those who had served their families.

However, Wen He had just pointed at their noses and cursed them with vulgar and offensive language. The old man, surnamed Wang, remained silent as he looked at them, then disdainfully averted his gaze.

Among them, those from Guanzhong had already quietly withdrawn.

Anyway, what Wen He just humiliated about the aristocratic families and the Dugu clan has nothing to do with them.

What does "of the same breath and branches" mean?

If you offend the emperor, other families will gain a monopoly on the product in the future.

Wouldn't that mean they would be at the mercy of others?

Will those who profited from this situation, even after decades or centuries, still be on good terms with them?
Those who perished and were swallowed up, did anyone lend a helping hand to them when they were at their wits' end?
The people from Guanzhong exchanged glances and then silently walked toward the Lizheng Hall.

"Your Majesty, we request an audience."

Upon arriving outside the Lizheng Hall, led by Gao Shilian, the Guanzhong and Longxi people all bowed their heads.

Even the old man from the Dugu clan was among them.

Not long after, Gao Yue came out.

"His Majesty summons you all to an audience."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Guanlong group breathed a long sigh of relief.

He then walked into the Lizheng Hall.

The members of the gentry outside looked at each other in bewilderment.

The old man surnamed Wang didn't say a word and just started walking up the steps.

The families that were on good terms with the Wang family followed suit, including the Zheng family.

Only the Cui and Lu families, along with a few minor aristocratic families who were on good terms with them, remained.

"Father, the greater good is more important."

Lu Chengqing approached the old man from the Lu family and spoke in a low voice.

The old man surnamed Lu frowned, pondered for a long time, and finally sighed.

"Enough, enough, I bow my head!"

"Ugh."

The old man from the Cui family also sighed. The two exchanged a glance and then turned to head towards the Lizheng Hall.

After they were granted an audience and entered the palace, they found that all the various factions were already seated inside the Hall of State Affairs.

Only the last few seats are left.

Sitting on the far left were Gao Shilian, Changsun Wuji, and Wen He.

He was originally the lowest-ranking and youngest among everyone here, yet he now stood above them all.

In the past, someone would have already come out to reprimand them.

But today, everyone is pretending not to see it.

Wen He sat calmly in her seat, looked at the watermelon in front of her, smacked her lips, but ultimately did not reach out to take it.

He took some tea leaves from a wooden box next to him and sat down to brew some.

"Now that everyone's here, auxiliary machine, let's get started."

Changsun Wuji's purpose in coming here today is different from that of these gentry and Guanzhong people.

He came here as Li Shimin's representative.

After all, he was the emperor, and he didn't compete with the people for profit. So, after speaking, he turned his attention to Wen He, who was brewing tea, and said no more.
It's as if today's events have nothing to do with him.

"promise."

Changsun Wuji got up and went to the center of the main hall.

Immediately afterwards, several eunuchs came in from outside, carrying a curved plow, a hoe, and a model of a waterwheel that Wen He had made at the Ministry of Works.

There was another small table behind it, on which were placed more than a dozen scrolls.

All eyes turned to it.

At this moment, Changsun Wuji spoke up.

"I'm sure you all know what these three items are. The court is currently in dire need of funds. For the sake of the people, His Majesty has reluctantly agreed to grant you the privilege of selling them at the government level."

When everyone heard this, their eyes suddenly lit up.

"However, the court is in dire straits, and the national treasury is empty. As the ancient sages said, salt and iron are the foundation of the nation. But now, the salt and iron industry is in chaos, and merchants are pursuing private gain, disrupting the court. His Majesty is often saddened by this. Today, I have invited you wise men here to discuss this matter. I wonder if any of you have any insights?"

It was like a bolt from the blue.

Changsun Wuji phrased it tactfully, but everyone present understood what he meant.

As early as the Sui Dynasty, Yang Guang wanted to have the salt and iron sold by the government, but he ultimately failed to defeat the Guanzhong Plain.

People from Guanzhong all looked toward the gentry.

The former in salt and iron belonged to the gentry, while the latter belonged to the Guanzhong region.

But now His Majesty is going to take it all, even if it's just a mere farming tool. This deal isn't worth it.

So no one spoke.

“Good tea.”

Li Shimin, who was above, suddenly spoke, holding up a cup of tea and savoring it carefully.

Everyone looked at him, puzzled.

Li Shimin scolded Wen He with displeasure, "You rude brat! Today, all the people present are elders. How can we not share such a wonderful drink? Quickly, brew more so that all the ministers can enjoy it."

Wen He was speechless as she watched Li Shimin put on an act.

He said, "Why did Li Shimin suddenly bring me a tea set?"

So they're going to feed the tea leaves to these people too?

Under everyone's questioning gaze, a cup of tea was placed in front of them.

Are you all wondering?

Li Shimin laughed loudly, "This is the fried tea that that brat made. It is a hundred times more delicious than tea soup. It is also refreshing and invigorating, and it will cleanse your mind. One cup will leave you with an unforgettable aftertaste."

In the Tang Dynasty, who could be more suitable as a representative than the emperor?

As the saying goes, what goes up leads to results.

If Li Shimin's words were to spread today, the price of tea in the Tang Dynasty would surely rise dramatically.

Those present were skeptical, but they drank their tea in the same manner as Li Shimin.

After taking the first sip, many people cursed inwardly, as it was so bitter they almost spat it out.

But soon, the expressions on their faces gradually became strange.

The old men took a deep breath and drank the rest of the tea in their cups.

"Good tea."

"It's so delicious!"

"It tastes bitter at first, but then it has a sweet aftertaste; it is truly a divine delicacy."

They were born with a silver spoon in their mouths and have tasted everything, even tea that emperors could never drink.

But at this moment, they were surprised by this cup of tea.

At this moment, Li Shimin gave Changsun Wuji a wink, and the latter, seeing this, spoke up.

"The magistrate of Gaoyang County is willing to donate this tea-frying recipe to share Your Majesty's burdens. However, tea frying will be a state-run business from now on, as the national treasury is currently empty, which is truly worrying."

He sighed.

This immediately attracted the attention of everyone present.

"May I ask, Vice Minister Changsun, could this tea be sold to us like those farming tools?"

To everyone's surprise, the old man surnamed Wang was the first to step forward.

The Langya Wang clan rose to prominence during the Cao Wei and Western Jin dynasties, and later became the most prominent family in the Eastern Jin dynasty.

The poem that came later, "The swallows that once graced the halls of the Wang and Xie families now fly into the homes of ordinary people," refers to him.

Changsun Wuji did not answer him.

Li Shimin calmly sipped his tea, savoring the moment, and then smiled, saying, "Jiaying, how can you not answer when an elder asks you a question?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present was stunned, and all eyes turned to Wen He.

(End of this chapter)