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

Chapter 204 They're ugly, but they have such high hopes.
"Pei Ji has been demoted?"

Wen He learned about this matter from Xu Jingzong when he went to the Hundred Cavalry to conduct routine training for Dugu Chen.

He remembered it was in the third year of Zhenguan, right? Now it's still more than a month before the first year of Zhenguan, so how come Pei Ji was demoted ahead of schedule?

Is it because of me, this butterfly, again?

He no longer needs to attend court; after finishing his martial arts practice each day, he comes to the Hundred Riders.

So I didn't know about this.

"That evil monk Faya is involved in Du Caigan's affairs, and this evil monk was introduced by Pei Xuanzhen. His Majesty was furious when he found out."

Xu Jingzong was delighted. The Hundred Cavalry had done a good job; they had acted swiftly and decisively.

That very night, Faya was captured, and Huang Chun then extracted information about Pei Ji from the demonic monk.

"This Faya's sorcery is deceiving the world. He spread rumors and told Du Caigan that the retired emperor wanted to be restored to the throne, and Du Caigan actually believed it."

"Moreover, it is said that Pei Xuanzhen also knew about this matter, but he did not report it to His Majesty. How could His Majesty not be furious?"

Xu Jingzong clicked his tongue twice, finding it somewhat unbelievable.

"Were you present during the interrogation?" Wen He asked meaningfully.

Xu Jingzong was a smart man and knew what Wen He meant. He smiled and said, "I am not good at this matter, but since it was Old Huang who said it, it must be true."

Even if it's not true, it has to be true.

"Xu Yanzu, shut up!"

Huang Chun, who was brewing tea nearby, looked up and glared fiercely at Xu Jingzong.

Don't think he couldn't understand the unspoken meaning behind Wen He and Xu Jingzong's words.

“I have absolutely not committed any illegal act in this matter. Pei Ji does indeed know about this.” Huang Chun glared at the two people in front of him with resentment.

It's their fault for making wild guesses.

Wen He and Xu Jingzong quickly apologized with smiles.

"The Hundred Riders will be of paramount importance in the future, and I know that we must not resort to forced confessions, otherwise the Hundred Riders will rot from the root."

Huang Chun poured a cup of tea for each of them, speaking with great seriousness.

It seemed to be a reminder to himself as well.

Wen He couldn't help but nod. This was the first time he had discovered that Huang Chun had such a good quality.

He was indeed someone who had always been by Li Shimin's side.

In fact, Wen He knew from the beginning that this kind of thing was unavoidable.

Even if they can restrain themselves now, what about in the future? As long as people like Mao Xiang and Jiang Huan appear, the Hundred Cavalry will definitely go astray.

Unfortunately, the Tang Dynasty now needs a hundred cavalrymen.

This applies to officials, the Guanzhong region and gentry, as well as foreign vassal states.

All the duties of the Hundred Riders are essential.

Therefore, he could only start from the source and instill some of his ideas in those hundred riders.

Unfortunately, Li Shimin was unwilling to let him get involved in matters such as interrogation and arrest.

Fortunately, Huang Chun is a good person.

"I offer this cup of tea to Huang Zhongguan in place of wine."

Wen He smiled and raised her teacup.

Upon hearing this, Huang Chun couldn't help but chuckle and returned the toast to Wen He.

"I can't go on anymore, I can't run anymore."

Just then, Dugu Chen and the other two stumbled back.

After training here for so long, the three of them look much stronger than before.

His face had darkened, and he had grown considerably taller.

Before, they would cry and scream if they had to run ten laps around the training ground, but now they can follow the basic training of the Hundred Riders.

"Alright, I've vented my anger. You guys can go and rest now."

Wen He put down her teacup and said something indifferently.

Dugu Chen and the other two glared at him, gritting their teeth, but when Wen He glanced at them, they immediately fell silent.

If they dare to provoke a fight, they won't have any peace in the Hundred Riders for the next few days.

"I'm giving you all a day off tomorrow so you can go home."

While refusing Huang Chun's offer to pour him tea, Wen He spoke to the three unlucky fellows.

"Really?"

Dugu Chen, who had just been inwardly criticizing Wen He, found it hard to believe.

Since he came here, he has been thinking about home every day.

But this is the imperial city. If he dares to escape on his own and is discovered by the imperial guards, killing him would be pointless.

"Unless you don't want to go back."

"Yes, of course I want to, thank you, young man."

Dugu Chen himself was unaware of how smooth his bow to Wen Hexing was.

The two Wu brothers behind him were still in a daze when Dugu Chen slapped them both, bringing them back to their senses and making them bow to Wen He.

"Let's go, let's go, seeing you all annoys me."

If it weren't for these three things, he would definitely be lying at home fast asleep right now.

After the three of them left, Xu Jingzong, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but ask with a smile, "So you've forgiven them?"

"They're just three little kids. It's not a question of forgiveness or not. Besides, they've been locked up for so long, they deserve to go out and get some fresh air."

Wen He smiled.

However, there was another reason he didn't mention.

In his past life, a dog trainer once told him that training dogs shouldn't be done with harsh methods all the time; if they behave well, they can be given some rewards.

This way, the dog will feel that you treat it well, and it won't get angry anymore.

It was a bit inappropriate to say that, so Wen He didn't say it.

Xu Jingzong and Huang Chun didn't think much of it.

The training session over there has ended, and they are about to disperse.

Wen He stretched lazily, intending to go back to sleep for a while.

Then we went to the paper mill.

And just then.

But then a hundred riders came running in from outside.

"Young master, a servant has come outside. He says the newly appointed Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial wishes to see you."

"What do you want with me, you from the Court of State Ceremonial?"

Wen He was puzzled.

So much time has passed since the incident between the Turks and the Japanese. I hope they won't bring it up again and cause me trouble.

Besides, Tang Jian, the Minister of Rites, didn't say anything.

Wen He thought about it and decided it was best not to go.

To avoid getting into any more trouble.

"Tell him that the Hundred Cavalry is busy today and I don't have time."

It seems I can't go back for the time being, so I'll just take a nap at Hundred Riders' today.

The hundred riders who came to deliver the message couldn't help but chuckle.

Everyone knows that besides supervising training, the young master has nothing else to do in the Hundred Riders.

He bowed and then turned to leave.

Wen He asked Zhang Wenxiao to find him a quiet room.

But not long after, the hundred riders returned.

Upon seeing Wen He, he immediately frowned, sensing that something was amiss.

"Young master, the messenger says it's His Majesty's decree."

"You uncle!"

He almost cursed out loud.

He knew that the people from the Court of State Ceremonial wouldn't come looking for him without a reason.

This Li Er really doesn't give himself any spare time at all.

He just doesn't go to court, so why do we have to find something for him to do?

Besides, the Court of State Ceremonial was involved in diplomacy, and he didn't know much about that.

"understood."

Wen He responded with a resentful look.

In the end, I decided to go out and see the world.

Outside Wude Gate.

The servant from the Court of State Ceremonial was waiting anxiously.

Seeing someone come out, he greeted them with a smile. "May I ask if you are Young Master Wen?"

"No, I don't know any young master Wen." Wen He lied through his teeth.

The riders standing nearby couldn't help but suppress their laughter.

Young Master is truly remarkable; he lies without even blinking.

The servant was taken aback, looked Wen He up and down, and asked doubtfully, "But I heard that young master Wen is about ten years old this year, so he should be about the same age as you..."

"Who said I'm ten years old? You can tell I'm ten years old just by looking at me. I don't know Wen He, so get out of my way."

They actually sent someone they didn't recognize.

Wen He was secretly delighted.

After he left the palace, he secretly slipped into the paper mill to see where the officials from the Court of State Ceremonies and Li Shimin were looking for him.

The servant was dumbfounded.

They stared in disbelief as Wen He left.

"You little brat, trying to mess with me?"

Before long, Wen He arrived at Xuanwu Gate.

He quickened his pace, intending to go out, when he suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Oh, the little one's here?"

His hair stood on end, and he quickened his pace.

Just then, he heard a whooshing sound behind him, and before he could react, a large hand grabbed his collar.

"I'm calling you, why are you running?"

"Lee Seung-beom, let me go."

The one who captured him was none other than Li Daozong.

Chengfan was his courtesy name.

“I’ve been waiting for you here on purpose, why would I let you go?” Li Daozong pressed down on Wen He’s shoulders with both hands.

The latter was taken aback and looked at him, puzzled.

"What do you mean? Don't tell me the Emperor Emeritus sent you?"

He still believed that Li Daozong was guarding Li Yuan.

Hearing his voice just now, I thought it was Li Yuan who sent him to summon me to Da'an Palace.

Li Daozong chuckled and shook his head: "What have you been doing all this time? You haven't heard a thing?"

Wen He shook her head.

The former said irritably, "After Du Caigan and the others were executed, Yuchi Jingde and I were relieved of our duties. I am now at the Court of State Ceremonial."

"I see. Wait, you've arrived at the Court of State Ceremonial?"

Wen He breathed a sigh of relief, only to be shocked again.

He looked at Li Daozong in surprise, and suddenly understood why this reckless man was waiting for him here.

How could he have forgotten about this?

Li Daozong once served as the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies.

Tang Jian was promoted to Minister of Rites four years ahead of schedule.

Then Li Daozong will definitely be ahead of schedule.

Why would this scoundrel bother with me?

Could he be planning to appoint me to a position at the Court of State Ceremonial?

"Yes, I am now the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial. Oh, didn't I send that servant to find you? Why did you come out alone?"

Seeing this, Li Daozong turned his head in confusion to look towards the inner gate.

Sure enough, a servant-like figure hurried over.

When the servant saw Li Daozong, his heart skipped a beat, and he panicked. He had no choice but to bite the bullet and step forward to apologize.

"This humble servant greets the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices."

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Li Daozong asked, puzzled by his fearful expression.

Just as the servant was about to speak, Wen He suddenly spoke first: "Prince Rencheng, what do you want to see me about? Why don't we talk as we walk?"

Nothing is more embarrassing than being caught lying by the person you lied to.

The servant then noticed that Wen He was also there. He blinked in surprise and looked at Wen He.

Li Daozong was somewhat confused. He nodded and was about to leave with Wen He.

Then the servant caught up and apologized.

"Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, I have not been able to find the magistrate of Gaoyang County."

"what?"

Li Daozong paused, looked up to find Wen He, and saw that the latter looked somewhat embarrassed.

"If you couldn't find Wen He, then who is this guy?"

He pointed at Wen He and asked.

The servant was stunned for a moment before he said blankly, "Young master, you say you are not Wen He."

"Pfft, hahahaha."

Li Daozong burst into laughter, stepped forward and grabbed Wen He's shoulder: "You little brat, where did you learn such shameless tricks?"

Wen He rolled her eyes at him helplessly and complained, "Do you think I want to? I'm only ten years old this year, okay? Besides, I don't understand foreign affairs, so why are you asking me for help?"

He glared at Li Daozong.

The latter scoffed and laughed, "It's not me looking for you. Do you think I'm just looking for something to annoy you? It's the Japanese looking for you."

"what?"

“I know you dislike them. I originally wanted to expel them, but they said they were willing to present the imperial edict for the Tang Dynasty. As the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, I had no choice but to report this matter to His Majesty.”

Li Daozong looked utterly helpless.

"They've already handed over their credentials, and their entire delegation is here, yet they haven't?"

Wen He was extremely surprised.

However, this did resolve a question that had been bothering him.

According to official historical records, Japan only officially dispatched envoys to Tang China in the fourth year of the Zhenguan era.

He had previously wondered how the Japanese had suddenly appeared in the Tang Dynasty.

It turns out they hadn't submitted their credentials yet.

That means that formal diplomatic relations had not yet been established, which is why it was not recorded in historical books.

After all, at this time, Japan was just a barbarian land, a tiny country, in the eyes of the Tang Dynasty.

"Some of the members of this delegation were left over from the former Sui Dynasty, and some of them claimed to be Japanese merchants. Although they lived in the Honglu Guest House, they were not considered real envoys."

Li Daozong's words were a bit convoluted.

"You're quite polite, aren't you? They didn't even send any envoys, yet you let them stay at the Honglu Guest House."

The Japanese are all despicable; the better you treat them, the more base they become.

In Wen He's mind, every breath they took in the Tang Dynasty was a loss for the Tang Dynasty.

Li Daozong pointed outside the palace.

"This was approved by the retired emperor at the time, who said that he was considerate of the difficulties the Japanese faced in crossing the sea. If the Sui Dynasty could tolerate them, why couldn't the Tang Dynasty?"

"hehe."

Li Yuan was actually no different from Yang Guang.

They were all ambitious, extravagant, and dissolute.

Fortunately, he has a good son.

"So, why are the Japanese sending envoys to see me? Does His Majesty want me to go and beat them up?"

At this point, Wen He became somewhat excited.

I've been feeling really resentful lately, so I thought I'd vent my anger by beating up the Japanese.

Li Daozong was taken aback, then chuckled and said, "Why does this little kid hate these people so much?"

"You wouldn't understand even if I told you. What exactly does His Majesty want me to do at the Court of State Ceremonial?"

The future is uncertain, so Wen He didn't bother to explain.

Seeing that he wouldn't speak, Li Daozong didn't press him further and instead revealed the purpose of the Japanese.

"The Japanese want to buy your roasted tea, soap, and glass, and they also want to bring back some Tang Dynasty artisans to Japan to be their teachers, saying they want to learn from the Celestial Empire..."

"They're ugly, but they have such high hopes!"

Before Li Daozong could finish speaking, Wen He angrily interrupted him.

The former chuckled: "So His Majesty said that he needs to find you to deal with the Japanese. And since all those things are yours, are you going or not?"

Upon hearing this, Wen He readily agreed.

"Go! But first send someone to my house and summon all the Xuanjia Guards!"

(End of this chapter)