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

Chapter 203 I haven't even settled accounts with you yet, and you're already here to claim credit.
Many people in the court lowered their heads.

It wasn't that they were afraid; they were just trying to suppress their laughter.

Now in Chang'an, who doesn't know that Gao Yang County's son is lazy and indolent?

However, this was the first time the emperor had scolded his ministers for being lazy during a court meeting.

Wen He can be considered to have set a precedent.

"Your Majesty, I am speaking the truth. There are so many virtuous ministers in the court; they would certainly do a better job than I would."

Wen He showed no guilt whatsoever at having her thoughts exposed.

Li Shimin established his heir in a hurry because he was about to ascend the throne, so he kept everything simple.

Back then, Li Jiancheng did not hold a grand celebration because the situation in the Tang Dynasty was unstable, the Tang Dynasty only had a small territory, and Li Yuan was wary of Li Shimin.

But Li Chengqian is different.

Now, apart from Liang Shidu in the north, the Tang Dynasty can be said to have unified the country.

Under such circumstances, the ceremony for Li Chengqian's establishment as crown prince could not possibly be simple.

But this is all secondary.

The most important point is that if Li Shimin were to involve him, he would be too prominent.

He's still developing, so it's best for him to keep a low profile.

"Enough, enough. I know you're lazy, but since you won't handle the matter of choosing an heir, you can't shirk your responsibilities in other matters."

Huh?
So easy to talk to?
Wen He thought Li Shimin would have to argue with him for a while, but to his surprise, he agreed.

Something is wrong!

Something is wrong.

"The Ministry of Works is short of a principal officer, so you may go there and concurrently serve as a proofreader in the Eastern Palace's Bureau of Classics. This is my decree, and you have already declined it once."

Li Shimin was halfway through his sentence when he saw Wen He about to speak, so he immediately added a sentence.

The reasons for her refusal were already on the tip of Wen He's tongue, but his cold rebuke made her swallow them back.

The ministers were at a loss for words, both amused and exasperated.

His Majesty's bestowal of an official title upon Wen He is like a transaction between ordinary merchants in the marketplace.

They even had to deceive people first.

It's fortunate that Wen He is young; otherwise, such favor would have made many people envious.

"Yes, I obey the order."

Being stared at like that made Wen He feel uneasy.

Li Shimin chuckled and told him to step back.

Back in class, Wen He felt something was wrong the more she thought about it.

This seems to be going a little too smoothly.

'Damn, wait a minute, Li Shimin tricked me!'

Wen He then came to her senses.

Even if Li Shimin intended to have him participate in Li Chengqian's ceremony to establish him as crown prince, the court officials would certainly oppose it.

After all, he's only ten years old.

Who would want a mere kid to participate in such an important matter?

Li Shimin must have thought of this as well, but he still brought it up, and he certainly guessed that Wen He would refuse.

Then, taking advantage of the situation, they allowed Wen He to accept the positions of Director of the Ministry of Works and Proofreader of the Bureau of Economic Affairs.

I got scammed.

However, with two new official positions added out of nowhere, it's unclear whether their salaries have increased.

He was somewhat depressed, and after the court session, he kept thinking to himself that Li Shimin was treacherous.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention to him, he prepared to slip away.

Before I could even leave the Taiji Hall, I was called back.

"Wenxianzi".

He turned around and saw Xiao Yu walking towards him with a big smile on his face.

"Would you like to have a chat?"

He stroked his beard and looked towards the side hall next door.

"cough!"

Just then, Changsun Wuji appeared beside them without them even noticing.

"Congratulations to Lord Xiao."

He glanced at Wen He out of the corner of his eye, then cupped his hands in congratulations to Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu chuckled twice, but he was puzzled.

Changsun Wuji already knew about this yesterday, so why is he here today to congratulate him?

Unbeknownst to him, Changsun Wuji secretly gave Wen He a meaningful look.

He had intended to leave, but when he heard Xiao Yu about to speak with Wen He, he was suddenly startled.

That brat has no sense of propriety; he'll blurt out anything when he gets excited.

He was worried that Xiao Yu might find out something.

So I came here specifically to warn Wen He.

But Wen He didn't understand what he meant at all: "Vice Minister Changsun, are your eyes uncomfortable?"

"Uh, haha, yes, thank you for your concern, Mr. Wen."

Changsun Wuji was somewhat embarrassed.

After Wen He finished speaking, Xiao Yu clearly glanced at Changsun Wuji, wondering to himself, "Why did he exchange glances with Wen He just now?"

'Is he afraid that Wen He might say something to me?'

But he came to Wen He to talk to him about Li Chengqian.

Since it doesn't involve anything else, why is Changsun Wuji so worried?
"I suddenly remembered something and must take my leave now."

Feeling somewhat uncomfortable being stared at by the old man and the young boy, Changsun Wuji chuckled awkwardly twice and then took his leave.

"Vice Minister Changsun is truly concerned about County Magistrate Wen. Is he worried that I might make things difficult for you, so he came here specifically to support you?"

Xiao Yu misunderstood and gave Wen He a meaningful look.

Ever since Li Shimin publicly announced that Li Lizhi would marry him in the future, this matter was no longer a secret in Chang'an.

If we're talking about people who still don't know about it, the only one is probably Li Lizhi herself.

Therefore, in Xiao Yu's view, Changsun Wuji was afraid that he, as the Crown Prince's tutor, would make things difficult for Wen He.

After all, Wen He was Li Chengqian's teacher.

However, this "sir" did not actually have any official title.

Especially after Li Chengqian became the crown prince, his only teachers were the three crown prince tutors, namely the crown prince's junior guardian, the crown prince's junior preceptor, and the crown prince's junior tutor.

The title of Mr. Wen He is somewhat illegitimate.

That's why Li Shimin just said that Wen He and Li Chengqian were both teacher and friend.

Furthermore, since he will become a prince consort in the future, this title of "gentleman" will be revoked soon.

"What are you saying, Lord Xiao? You are so kind and approachable. You must care for a junior like me. How could you possibly make things difficult for me?"

Wen He knew that Xiao Yu was very concerned about his image.

For a veteran like him from Guanzhong, his most important asset is his reputation.

As long as you treat him politely, he won't deliberately make things difficult for you.

Sure enough, after Wen He finished speaking, Xiao Yu's smile widened even more.

"Of course, of course, I cherish my juniors the most." He laughed loudly and led the way, arriving at the side hall with Wen He.

He had the eunuch serve him tea and honey water.

"His Majesty bestowed some of this tea before, and it was extremely to my liking. It's just a pity that it's not sold in Chang'an. I've almost finished my tea, so I can only come to the palace to beg for some."

As soon as he sat down, Xiao Yu smiled and started talking about tea.

Wen He understood his meaning perfectly, and then smiled and said, "It is my honor that Master Xiao loves tea. Since you like it, I will have someone send some to your residence later."

"That's quite an expense, but I certainly appreciate your courtesy."

Xiao Yu stroked his beard and said mysteriously.

Wen He was puzzled and asked, "Please enlighten me, Lord Xiao."

"It was my suggestion that you become a scribe in the Eastern Palace's Bureau of Classics," Xiao Yu said, stroking his beard with satisfaction.

Wen He's lips twitched in astonishment.

"Oh, it's you! I haven't even settled accounts with you yet, and you're already here to boast?"

"Wenxianzi, please don't be angry. I have been paying attention to you for a long time. Although you are young, you are precocious. You have only been in Chang'an for a short time, but you are already a favorite of His Majesty and a tutor to several princes. You have a bright future ahead of you."

Xiao Yu seemed to have seen through Wen He's thoughts, but he still smiled nonchalantly.

Wen He felt there was something more to his words.

"This junior is dull-witted and humbly requests guidance from Master Xiao."

"When the Crown Prince was first established, he had three tutors. I was the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, and Gao Shilian was the Junior Preceptor to the Crown Prince. However, His Majesty had no intention of appointing the Junior Guardian to the Crown Prince. But His Majesty hinted that Gao Shilian and I would only hold official positions and would not have the authority to teach. Do you understand what he meant?"

Xiao Yu asked.

Wen He shook her head.

Xiao Yu smiled and continued, "For your sake, and for the sake of the Prince of Zhongshan, His Majesty intends to personally instruct him. Although I do not know what Wenxianzi has to teach the Prince of Zhongshan, it is clear from yesterday's events that the Prince of Zhongshan has the qualities of a wise ruler."

"However, he is still young, while His Majesty is in his prime. Do you understand what I mean?"

This is a temptation.

Xiao Yu also wanted to see Wen He's abilities.

However, there are some things he really can't say outright.

"I understand Lord Xiao's intentions, so am I the one who will mediate?" Wen He shook his head with a smile.

No wonder Xiao Yu wanted him to be a proofreader in the Eastern Palace's Bureau of Classics.

This is a lower-ranking official position, equivalent to the ninth rank.

If someone else were to do this job, it would be a minor, insignificant position.

He was merely someone who accompanied the crown prince in his studies.

But Wen He is different.

He is only ten years old, and to outsiders, he is deeply trusted by Li Shimin.

He was also Li Chengqian's de facto teacher, and if nothing unexpected happens, he will definitely become a high-ranking official after Li Chengqian ascends the throne.

If any discord arises between the emperor and the crown prince in the future, he will be the best mediator.

"The magistrate of Wen County is a wise man. I only wish that the Tang Dynasty can live in peace and stability, and not like..."

He sighed as he said this.

He ultimately did not say the last sentence, "Do not be like the Sui Dynasty and Your Majesty."

"Thank you for your guidance, Master Xiao."

This Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince has already considered so much for Li Chengqian even before officially taking office; Wen He deserves to bow to him.

Xiao Yu stroked his beard and laughed, "No need for such formalities, County Magistrate Wen. I ask for nothing more than that this tea will continue indefinitely."

"sure."

The old man and the young man exchanged a knowing smile.

Their conversation was soon presented to Li Shimin.

"Everyone says that Xiao Shiwen is upright and honest, and that the Emperor relies on him a lot. Only today have we seen his true nature."

Looking at the conversation on the silk cloth, Li Shimin couldn't help but chuckle.

He got up, placed the silk cloth on the candle, let the flames burn it, and then casually tossed it into the dried brush washer.

"Fine, let's find someone else."

Li Shimin sighed inwardly and returned to his seat.

In front of him lay a scroll, and when he opened it, he found more than a dozen names written on it.

These people were all important officials during Li Yuan's reign, and without exception, they all belonged to the Guanzhong clique.

He picked up his pen and erased Xiao Yu's name.

His eyes searched the area for a while before finally settling on one person, and he put a checkmark over that person's name with his pen.

"Gao Yue, issue an order to the 100 cavalry to investigate the monk Faya."

(End of this chapter)