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

Chapter 219 Wen He is under house arrest? Karma!

"I believe that the reason why the Prince of Gaoyang acted so angrily this time is because he is young and his personality is impulsive. I think he should be tempered."

When Li Jing came out, Changsun Wuji sensed that something was wrong.

He knew that Wen He and Li Jing had a good relationship when they were in Huizhou.

The latter also knew that he was able to be used to deal with the Turks in Huizhou because of Wen He.

Therefore, Changsun Wuji believed that his stepping forward at this moment was mostly to plead for Wen He.

But to my surprise, he said he wanted to hone his skills.

"Oh, pharmacist, how do you think it should be honed?"

Li Shimin asked leisurely.

"The Ministry of War is still short of a principal officer..."

"No!"

Before Li Jing could finish speaking, Yan Lide suddenly stood up to stop him.

He had been worried that Li Jing would actually suggest punishing Wen He, but he never expected that Li Jing would come to his Ministry of Works to poach people.

"Gao Yangxianzi is currently in charge of papermaking at the Ministry of Works, and he is indispensable for subsequent bidding matters. How can he go to the Ministry of War?"

Everyone in the hall was surprised to see Yan Lide come out.

Those in the court all know that the Yan brothers have always been outwardly neutral, neither vying for power nor readily taking sides.

But today he actually refuted Li Jing for Wen He's sake.

"Indeed, His Majesty was just talking about how to punish Wen He. Minister Li has probably misunderstood His Majesty's meaning!"

Changsun Wuji then continued.

He knew Li Jing had ulterior motives; he was actually planning to send Wen He to the Ministry of War for training.

The Ministry of War is a den of military officers.

Li Jing became the Minister of War, while Jing Junhong, who was saved by Wen He, was no longer the Minister of War, but he remained the General of the Left Guard and was granted the title of Pillar of State.

Of the other sixteen guards, at least three or four had connections with Wen He.

If this brat were sent to the Ministry of War, wouldn't he thrive like a fish in water?

What kind of punishment is this?

"Vice Minister Changsun, please don't be anxious. I'm not saying this to exonerate Wen He. I was just thinking about it and wondered if Wen He's achievements could offset his demerits. The Ministry of War is currently short of a principal officer, so let's consider it His Majesty's reward for his past merits."

This is the art of speaking.

Li Jing mentioned Wen He's contributions, but did not say that Li Shimin had not rewarded him for his merits.

Instead, they turned their attention to Changsun Wuji.

Changsun Wuji's expression changed repeatedly.

He knew that Li Jing was right.

Everyone present knew that although Wen He was only a minor county magistrate, it was only because His Majesty was young.

Otherwise, the victory over the Turks in the Battle of Huizhou alone, achieved with bows and crossbows and gunpowder, would have been enough for Wen He to be appointed as a senior official or assistant minister in the Ministry of War.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the Count of Gaoyang is suitable for the position of Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Works."

How could Yan Lide possibly allow Wen He to go to the Ministry of War?

He was the Ministry of Works' prized possession.

“Actually, our Ministry of Rites…” Tang Jian coughed lightly, about to speak, but was glared at by a sharp gaze.

Li Shimin glanced at him, and he immediately shut his mouth.

'Sigh, I shouldn't have sent that reckless Li Daozong.'

“That won’t do. His Majesty said he would punish the magistrate of Gaoyang County. Minister Yan’s actions are not a punishment.”

Li Jing deliberately emphasized the word "punishment".

Yan Lide was speechless for a moment.

"Alright, alright, the Ministry of Works really can't do without Wen He these days."

Li Shimin said it casually.

Li Jing then bowed and withdrew.

"However, Wen He is indeed a bit too audacious. He needs to be tempered. After this bidding process, he should go to the Ministry of War. However, he doesn't need to be in charge. He can become a Renyong Colonel in the Left Guard."

This is a military officer of the ninth rank.

There's not much to do on weekdays.

His main responsibility was to supervise the training of the soldiers.

They have no real power; their position is similar to that of a military training instructor.

"I second the proposal."

Li Jing stepped forward without hesitation, slightly raised his eyes, and smiled at Li Shimin.

After learning of this matter yesterday, Li Jing received a secret letter from the palace.

Li Shimin only gave him one sentence: "Transfer Wen He to the Ministry of War."

He immediately understood that His Majesty was trying to support Wen He, which was why this scene had occurred.

"His Majesty."

"Fuji, both of you are at fault in this matter. I will fine him another year's salary, that will be enough. Or shall I have him come to apologize in person?"

Just as Changsun Wuji was about to speak, Li Shimin interrupted him.

Although the latter's tone was gentle, Changsun Wuji, who knew him well, understood that His Majesty was unwilling to impose a severe punishment.

He was furious, but he had no choice but to back down.

"No need. This is all a misunderstanding. My son is also at fault."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin finally smiled and said...

"Well then, let's disperse. Gao Yue, go to Gao Yangzi's residence to deliver the imperial decree, and while you're at it, give that brat a good scolding."

"What?! Another pay cut!"

Upon learning that her salary was gone again, Wen He jumped up in anger.

Although he didn't know exactly how much his annual salary was now, the Ministry of Works' salary, the Hundred Cavalry's salary, plus the 100 shi (a unit of dry measure) that Li Shimin had promised, added up to at least 2,000 guan (a unit of currency).

Just gone?
"I should have been more ruthless earlier!"

Wen He was so angry she almost ground her back teeth to powder.

Gao Yue, who came to deliver the imperial decree, looked helpless.

"Also, can I skip going to the Ministry of War? There's no point in me going there now."

Wen He looked at Gao Yue and began to bargain.

The latter looked at him indifferently.

"This servant is here to deliver the imperial decree. You should speak to His Majesty directly. Also, you are not allowed to enter the palace yet and must remain at home under house arrest."

He did want to help Wen He, but unfortunately, he couldn't.

Hearing Gao Yue say that, Wen He couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

"That's true. How about we have lunch together? I've been asking you to come to my house a lot these past few days."

The distance from Taiji Hall to Wen He's house is not short.

Even riding in a horse-drawn carriage is tiring.

Gao Yue was taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh: "Thank you, Magistrate Gaoyang. This servant still needs to return to the palace to report back, so I won't stay any longer."

After saying that, Gao Yue nodded to Wen He and then turned and left.

After everyone had left, Wen He plopped back down in the recliner.

I looked up at the azure sky.

"So, this counts as winning the bet?"

Li Shimin's favoritism this time clearly surprised Wen He.

His best-case scenario was that Li Shimin would strip him of all his titles and official positions to appease the Changsun family.

Then he can also be free from official duties and have a carefree life.

Unexpectedly, he not only retained his title and official position, but Li Shimin also found him another job.

"Wait a minute, something's not right. Is this Li Er's punishment for me?!"

Wen He suddenly sat up, her eyes wide open.

Li Er knew that he never wanted to go out and do things, so he deliberately arranged for him to do things in the Ministry of War.

Damn it!
It's so abominable!

"Ok?"

Inside the Lizheng Hall, Li Shimin suddenly felt a tickle in his nose, as if he were about to sneeze, but he forced himself to suppress it.

"The weather is getting colder today."

Looking outside, Li Shimin suddenly said something.

It's a pity Gao Yue isn't here right now, otherwise she would definitely think His Majesty the Emperor is cold.

The young eunuchs inside the hall kept their heads down, as if they hadn't heard anything.

Just then, a palace attendant walked in.

"This servant greets Your Majesty."

"What brings you here, Your Majesty?" Upon seeing the visitor, Li Shimin recognized him as someone from Wanchun Palace.

The eunuch bowed and said, "The Empress wishes to send some medicinal herbs to the Changsun family and has come to inquire about His Majesty's opinion."

Li Shimin pondered for a moment, then nodded. "She is, after all, my aunt. Go ahead, and send a royal physician with you."

"Yes."

The eunuch bowed and withdrew.

Li Shimin suddenly let out a long sigh.

He won't be able to go to Wanchun Palace for the next few days.

He shook his head helplessly.

Although this incident was just an accident, Li Shimin knew that even if Wen He and the Changsun family had not clashed this time, it would still have consequences.

I'll come again sometime in the future.

Yesterday, he sent someone to Wangchun Tower to record the events that occurred in detail.

Including what Changsun Chong said.

Someone who had never met Wen He before harbored such great malice towards him.

This time is different from the last. Dugu Chen is a spoiled brat. His previous conflict with Wen He was just that of a scion of a noble family who was all talk and no action.

This time, Changsun Chong's actions were entirely due to Changsun Wuji.

He didn't know how Changsun Wuji usually spoke of Wen He at home, but he was afraid it wasn't anything good.

"Someone come here and call Huang Chunlai."

"Yes."

The eunuch beside him responded and then withdrew.

Not long after, Huang Chun hurriedly arrived from the Hundred Riders.

After Li Shimin dismissed everyone in the hall, he asked, "Does Fuji have a hundred riders by his side?"

"Your Majesty, you previously said there was no need to make arrangements, so none were made."

"You shall arrange this matter personally, without telling anyone," Li Shimin said with a somber expression.

Upon hearing this, Huang Chun was startled and immediately bowed to Li Shimin, saying, "This servant understands."

Just as he was about to leave, Li Shimin suddenly called out to him, "Wait."

"Your Majesty." Huang Chun thought Li Shimin had changed his mind, but unexpectedly heard the emperor speak in a low voice.

"The same goes for Wen He."

"Yes."

Huang Chun was startled, but he forced a calm expression on his face.

After leaving the Lizheng Hall, he felt his back was soaked with cold sweat.

When he returned to the Hundred Riders, he was still filled with fear.

He didn't even hear Xu Jingzong speaking to him.

"What's wrong with Old Huang?"

He couldn't help but wonder.

Zhang Wenxiao, who was standing to the side, pondered for a moment and said, "Could it be because the young master has been confined to his quarters?"

"How could that be? Wenxianzi being confined to his quarters is more of a reward than a punishment," Xu Jingzong said with a chuckle and a shake of his head.

He couldn't help but feel envious.

His Majesty's favor towards Wen He.

"Wen He has been confined to his quarters? Such a joyous occasion! We should really celebrate!" Dugu Chen was so happy when he heard about this that he almost jumped for joy.

The two Wu brothers clapped and cheered in unison.

"Our hard times are finally coming to an end."

"Serves him right, serves him right."

"Hey, who told you three to stop? How long has it been? Can't you finish the training in this area within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn?"

The three unlucky guys were having a good time when they suddenly heard the sound of a whip behind them.

They were startled and turned around to see Zhang Wenxiao holding a whip, glaring at them menacingly.

It seems to be telling them.

Want to end these miserable days? No way.

Upon seeing this, Dugu Chen nearly collapsed.

Wu Yuanqing, standing to the side, laughed and said, "Young master, think about it. Wen He has been punished, and he must be living in constant fear at home right now. He must be so anxious that he's about to cry. Just thinking about it like that will make you feel much better, won't it?"

"Yeah, that bastard is under house arrest by His Majesty himself, he's definitely not having an easy time!"

The thought of Wen He being terrified at home immediately cheered Dugu Chen up.

He could even imagine Wen He anxiously jumping around at home, crying and begging to see His Majesty.

"Karma, karma!"

"Snapped!"

Just then, a vine whip struck his back.

Dugu Chen screamed in pain. He turned around and saw Zhang Wenxiao staring at him coldly.

He was so frightened that he immediately turned and ran away.

Their training now involves more than just running.

Instead, like the other members of the Hundred Riders, they underwent obstacle course training and wilderness survival training every five days.

Although life was tough, Dugu Chen felt overjoyed at the thought that Wen He was also suffering.

Being confined to the house was indeed tough.

The main problem is that it's tough.

So Wen He could only sleep until noon every day, and then he and Xiao Rou would read in the study with the three little ones to pass the time.

Or do some small crafts.

The weather has been a bit cold lately.

Although he remembered later generations saying that the climate warmed up in the early Tang Dynasty, and even in Tibet, grain could be grown.

But the weather has turned so cold right after the Cold Dew solar term.

Xiao Rou is a little afraid of the cold, so he decided to make a small gift for the little girl.

They sent people to buy coal well in advance.

Wen Zhong thought Wen He had misspoke, that he wanted to buy charcoal, and confirmed it several times before leaving in surprise.

He then set up a hot pot in the waterside pavilion.

While eating hot pot and singing songs, we were...

"Little kid, you're living a really carefree life."

"Prince Rencheng, I'm under house arrest. Aren't I not allowed to see anyone? Why have you come?"

When Wen He saw Li Daozong appear, her good mood immediately turned sour.

Running into this guy is never going to end well.

The three children quickly stood up and bowed to him, saying, "Greetings, Uncle Wang."

"Greetings, Your Highnesses."

He returned the greeting with a smile.

As Wenrou was about to get up, he stopped her: "Young lady, there's no need to get up. These formalities are too troublesome. Call out 'Uncle' for me to hear."

"Lee Seung-beom, you son of a bitch!"

This scoundrel actually made Xiaorou call him uncle, isn't that taking advantage of him?

"What's your hurry? After you marry the princess, won't you have to call me Uncle Wang?" Li Daozong rolled his eyes at him and sat down opposite Wen He in a very casual manner.

"Are you short of money? You're not even serving food separately?" Li Daozong looked at the hot pot in front of him with curiosity.

Wen He chuckled and looked at him, asking, "Do you know why Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching?"

"Uh, why?"

"Because I want to!"

"puff!"

The three little ones standing nearby couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Li Daozong was stunned for a long time before he finally reacted.

“You little brat, only you dare to say that. Li Er is the ancestor of my Li family, and there is no one else here.”

Although he said that, he didn't really care.

Anyway, there are no outsiders around.

Li Daozong rolled his eyes at him, then said to the maid beside him, "Go and get a set of bowls and chopsticks."

"Don't tell me you came here specifically to freeload a meal." Wen He squinted at him.