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

Chapter 207 Sending Members of Noble Families on Adventure
"Ten thousand catties of silver, wow, you magistrate of Gaoyang County, are you joking with me?"

The little wild horse chuckled dryly, thinking that Wen He must have played a huge joke on him.

But the latter's serious expression made him feel uneasy.

Ten thousand catties of silver! Even if he were willing to give it, it's uncertain whether it could safely cross the sea from Japan.

Li Daozong took a tactical sip of tea, stood up, coughed lightly twice, and went to Wen He's side to tug at his sleeve.

"Um, Jiaying, is this 100,000 jin of silver...?"

"Oh, so you think it's too little, Prince Rencheng? It is indeed too little, but there's nothing we can do. We have to be understanding of Japan. Ono-kun, don't be embarrassed. Consider this a gesture of goodwill from the Tang Dynasty."

Wen He smiled, as if he had done something incredibly good.

Little Wild Horse was stunned, but he quickly realized what was happening and his hands clenched tightly in his sleeves.

If he still doesn't realize that Wen He is playing a trick on him at this moment, then he is really too stupid.

"Very well, I agree. One hundred thousand catties of silver for each craftsman. However, I do not have much silver with me. Could you pay a portion first, and I will repay the rest later?"

The little wild horse suppressed her anger and forced a smile.

Seeing this, Li Daozong was surprised and wanted to find a doctor to take a look at him.

Has this Japanese person's brain been squeezed by a door?

One hundred thousand catties! That's 1.6 million taels of silver, all for the sake of exchanging one craftsman?
"This..." Wen He pretended to hesitate, but secretly gave Li Daozong a wink. Seeing that he didn't react, she subtly moved her foot and stepped on him.

Li Daozong turned his head, glaring at him, about to get angry, but then he saw Wen He use the gesture of wiping her mouth to silently say, "Come and persuade me."

From Xiao Yema's perspective, she couldn't see Wen He's little actions and just assumed he was worried.

The latter was stunned for a moment before she realized what was happening and advised Wen He, "Jiaying, they have traveled thousands of miles across the sea to bring this silver. It will take quite some time to transport it. As a great empire, how can the Tang Dynasty make things difficult for its friendly neighbor?"

It must be said that Li Shimin made the right choice in selecting him to be the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies.

That's quick thinking!

"Yes, yes, Prince Rencheng is right." Seeing that there was a chance, Xiao Yemazi quickly echoed Li Daozong's words.

He had a plan in mind: if he could persuade Wen He to pay each of them a thousand catties of silver, he would take the ten craftsmen with him.

Once these artisans arrived in Japan, it was naturally impossible for them to return to the Tang Dynasty.

As for the remaining money, we'll just have to deal with it later.

It's impossible for the Tang Dynasty to cross the sea and attack Japan just for that kind of money.

Let alone whether Wen He could persuade the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, even if he did, he wouldn't be afraid.

The sea that trapped Japan will also become a natural barrier protecting Japan.

“Since the Prince of Rencheng has said so, then let’s pay a deposit first, 10,000 catties each.”

Wen He held up one with her hand, not giving the little wild horse a chance to bargain, and said, "If this is not enough, then forget it. I won't give you the tea and porcelain you mentioned before."

"No, no, no, yes, yes!"

Little Wild Horse readily agreed.

Ten thousand catties it is, at worst we can have the country mobilize all the lowly people to mine it.

Anyway, those lowly people are worthless; a pound of bran is enough to keep them busy for a day.

The foreign minister desires ten men skilled in ironworking, papermaking, and crafting agricultural tools.

Xiao Yema spoke cautiously, worried that Wen He would make things difficult for him again.

Unexpectedly, this time, the latter nodded and said, "I understand. You can come and pick them up in a few days. But let me make this clear beforehand: these people are all from the Tang Dynasty. They are guests in your Japan, not slaves. You must treat them well."

"Yes, yes, definitely, they will definitely receive the best treatment in Japan."

The little wild horse readily agreed.

He thought to himself with delight, 'These craftsmen will be Japanese by then. In less than twenty years, the craftsmanship of your Tang Dynasty will belong to Japan. One day, you will have to return everything you took today!'

He bowed and scraped to Wen He, but didn't notice the latter's mocking smile.

Little Wild Horse then took his leave. He also wanted to send someone back to have Soga no Emishi recruit laborers to mine those silver mines.

After he left, Li Daozong could no longer suppress his curiosity.

"Little one, didn't you say you absolutely couldn't give it to these Japanese craftsmen?"

He really didn't see Wen He's actions.

"Craftsmen? Did I tell them to have craftsmen?" Wen He looked at Li Daozong with innocent eyes, as if she had lost her memory.

The latter was taken aback: "You're not going to take the money and not do the job, are you? But this is foreign affairs! If word gets out, what will become of the Tang Dynasty's reputation?"

Although Li Daozong also liked Wen He's approach, he was, after all, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies. If these Japanese went to His Majesty the Emperor to complain, he would be in trouble.

He'll be in deep trouble.

"What's there to be afraid of? Just give it to them," Wen He said nonchalantly.

"what?"

Li Daozong was confused.

Wen He chuckled and said, "I was thinking about how to infiltrate Japan, but now they've delivered themselves to our doorstep, so why not take advantage of it? Besides, why not accept free money?"

The hundred riders were all tall and strong; if they were sent to infiltrate Japan, they would be exposed as soon as they set foot on the island.

This is a perfect opportunity to have Little Wild Horse send them to Japan.

While we're at it, let's also take a look at the Japanese sailing routes.

"Moreover, this time I plan to use the pretext of guarding them to get His Majesty to issue an order to send a team of men to follow them. Once we have a clear understanding of the situation, I will secretly send someone to bring the Hundred Riders back."

After Wen He finished speaking, Li Daozong was completely dumbfounded.

He stared at Wen He for a long time, then chuckled and said...

"Everyone says that I and Duke Su are reckless, but I think you are even more shameless than us. Aren't you afraid that the Japanese will come knocking on our door?"

"Do you think they can come up with that much silver?" Wen He asked rhetorically.

Li Daozong was unsure, after all, the Japanese seemed very confident.

Wen He shook his head, walked to the door with his hands behind his back, and looked at the little wild horse who was telling the other Japanese people good news not far away.

“They can’t produce it. Japan does have many silver mines, but their mining technology is backward. They’re lucky if they can mine tens of thousands of pounds of silver a year.”

"So the little wild horse is destined to default on the debt. As long as the contract stipulates that if they cannot pay within six months, they will be brought back. As for the deposit, it will naturally not be refunded."

Upon hearing this, Li Daozong suddenly understood and couldn't help but clap his hands and cheer: "Brilliant, truly brilliant! However, in doing this, these Japanese will hold a grudge against you. But what do you need so much silver for? It's not as useful as copper coins."

Wen He's eyes suddenly darkened, and it was unclear what she was thinking.

Li Daozong was startled to see a ruthless glint in his eyes.

“That’s what they owe us; this silver is just interest.”

Two hundred and thirty million taels of silver.

This is a tremendous disgrace!

"How come Japan has so much silver, yet they look so poor?" Li Daozong wondered.

"Silver can't be eaten or worn. To them, it's just a bunch of pretty but useless stones."

For the Tang Dynasty, Japan's silver was an indispensable resource for the future.

Whether it's addressing the cash shortage or developing technology.

"Ahem, what about my share?"

Li Daozong squinted his eyes, his smile exceptionally bright.

Although he is not short of money, he doesn't mind receiving money from others.

Wen He turned to look at him, then pointed to the Daxing Palace not far away: "You'll have to go and tell them yourself."

Li Daozong was speechless.

He inwardly resented those Japanese. If they were going to send money, couldn't they have done it secretly? This matter would surely reach His Majesty the Emperor, and it seemed his six thousand catties of silver were doomed.

However, the emperor is always generous, so he will probably return some of it to him.

"Since the Japanese are so generous, then I will accept it without further ado. Let this silver go into the national treasury. You two have done a good job."

After Li Daozong and Wen He went to report this matter to Li Shimin with great joy.

The generous Emperor accepted all the silver without any hesitation.

Li Daozong stood there stunned, his mouth agape, unable to utter a word for a long time.

"Your Majesty, aren't you being a bit..."

Wen He was somewhat indignant, thinking, "Li Er, you're being too stingy."

"What is it?" Li Shimin looked up and stared at him.

Seeing this, Li Daozong quickly winked at Wen He: "Little one, speak up! Quickly tell him His Majesty is stingy! I dare not say it myself, but it's alright for you to say it. Hurry up and say it!"

"You're too kind. This is what I should do."

Screw you!

Wen He rolled her eyes at Li Daozong, annoyed.

Do you think I'm really that stubborn?

The latter gave him a disdainful look, thinking to himself, 'You little brat, you're a coward too.'

Judging from his eyes, Wen He knew he was up to no good, so she stepped on his instep.

Li Daozong immediately gasped, but fortunately Wen He was young and not very strong, so he managed to hold it in.

However, he grinned wickedly and reached out to grab Wen He's arm, but before he could exert any force, he heard a "Ah!"

"Your Majesty, the Prince of Rencheng has hit me!"

"Wha, what?"

Li Daozong was dumbfounded. He quickly released his grip on Wen He's arm and hurriedly explained, "No, Your Majesty, I didn't even have time to exert any force."

"Your Majesty, look! He's about to hit me! My slender arms and legs are no match for his massive frame!"

Wen He deliberately stepped forward and kicked him in the back of the foot again.

Li Daozong's face immediately turned red.

'You little brat, you're really ruthless!'

Wen He raised an eyebrow at him, then turned to face Li Shimin, looking aggrieved.

It was as if they had been greatly bullied.

But not a single tear could be squeezed from his eyes.

"Enough is enough!"

Li Shimin, who was above, was not so easily fooled.

He had clearly seen those two little actions just now.

"One million coins per person, is that enough?" Li Shimin sighed and smiled helplessly.

Wen He and Li Daozong made such a scene, did they really think he didn't know what they were thinking?

He must have been thinking to himself that I'm stingy.

"So much silver is useless to you. According to regulations, Wenhe, you are not allowed to use silverware. I will grant you another thousand catties of copper. You can use it to make some utensils."

"cut."

Despite her resentment, Wen He still smiled and bowed to Li Shimin, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"I thank your Majesty."

Li Daozong followed closely behind.

For him, it was all a bargain anyway.

Having gained a thousand strings of cash for nothing, I'll go to Wanchun Tower tonight to listen to music.

"Alright, Seungbeom, you may leave now. I have something to discuss with Jiaying."

Li Shimin waved his hand, and Li Daozong then took his leave.

Before leaving, he winked at Wen He.

The latter didn't understand what he meant. Just as he was thinking about it, the door of the Lizheng Hall was closed.

Inside the enormous palace, only Wen He and Li Shimin remained.

"what are you up to?"

Li Shimin suddenly asked in a deep voice.

Wen He looked up at him and smiled, "Of course it's about making money."

"Snapped!"

Li Shimin slammed his hand on the table and glared angrily at him.

"If it's just about making money, why did you send a hundred cavalrymen? You're obviously eyeing their silver mines!"

"Doesn't Your Majesty find it tempting?"

Wen He smiled and asked in return.

Li Shimin's expression froze instantly.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't tempted, but right now the Tang Dynasty's target was the Turks.

He can't even spare a thought to deal with Goguryeo now, let alone Japan, which is located overseas.

"I was afraid you were too hasty."

Li Shimin coughed twice.

Wen He chuckled: "Your Majesty, rest assured, there is plenty of time. I am not in a hurry at all. However, Your Majesty can use this matter to make another deal with the gentry and Guanzhong."

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

Li Shimin stared intently at him.

So much silver! Even he was tempted. If it were those greedy people, they would probably be willing to pay any price to find out what it was all about.

Do you think they would believe it?

Li Shimin squinted, uncertainly asking.

"Facts speak louder than words. Furthermore, Your Majesty can open the seas and allow merchants to go to sea on their own. However, all those who go to sea must obtain permission from the court. Your Majesty can establish a new government office to supervise this and also collect taxes."

"Furthermore, without the permission of the imperial court, it is forbidden to recruit people from the common people. Those who want to go to sea must be registered. If they do not have a household registration, they will be registered on the spot."

Wen He's meaning is very clear.

It meant sending those aristocratic families and people from Guanzhong out to take risks.

In this way, normal production in the private sector will not be affected.

Another good thing is that those aristocratic families will definitely send their own hidden members, since it's all free.

However, once these unregistered households are registered, they will all have household registration and will no longer be unregistered households.

"Killing three birds with one stone."

Li Shimin then beamed with joy. He stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Such a lucrative opportunity, shouldn't I exchange some benefits with them?"

Wen He was unaware of this.

Anyway, those aristocratic families have plenty of good stuff.

(End of this chapter)