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

Chapter 246 Having connections in the court makes things easier

"The imperial decree has been read. Please, Magistrate Wen, receive the decree."

Gao Yue looked at Wen He, who was in a daze, and handed over the imperial edict with a smile.

"No, what's going on with the Ministry of Justice? And how did I suddenly get promoted? Why isn't His Majesty punishing me anymore?"

Seeing his incredulous expression, Gao Yue couldn't help but laugh.

“What are you saying, County Magistrate? His Majesty values ​​you so much, how could he bear to demote you? What he said in the Hall of Establishing Government was just to test you.”

"A test? Using those people's lives? Your Majesty might as well just give us some real money." Wen He rolled her eyes.

Gao Yue chuckled and stuffed the imperial edict into Wen He's hand.

"Prince, please don't complain. His Majesty is doing this for your own good. You should accept this imperial decree. You can't disobey it this time."

Previously, when they were in the Lizheng Hall, Gao Yue was really worried for Wen He.

This is truly the first time since His Majesty the Emperor ascended the throne that someone has dared to defy the imperial decree so boldly.

Even Wei Zheng seemed unlikely to dare to do so.

"Alright, alright, then this humble subject will obey the decree."

Wen He gave a perfunctory bow, secretly relieved.

Gao Yue was unaware that ever since Wen He returned, she had been waiting for Li Shimin's decree.

He knew that what Li Shimin said in the Lizheng Hall was definitely a test for him.

Given Li Er's personality, how could he possibly do such a thing?

However, Li Er's promotion of him and his concurrent appointment as the head of the Ministry of Justice were indeed beyond his expectations.

After Gao Yue left, Wen He opened the imperial edict and glanced at it.

"I've been appointed to three of the six ministries. What exactly is Li Er up to?"

He had a vague feeling that Li Shimin must have some purpose in doing this, but he couldn't figure it out.

"Forget it, let's just take it one step at a time."

Wen He shook his head and put the imperial edict away.

Early the next morning, Wen He went to the Hundred Cavalry and gathered his men to go to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Changsun Wuji was about to go to the Liangyi Hall when he was shocked to find that a hundred riders had surrounded the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

"Wen Jiaying, what are you doing!"

Changsun Wuji was furious.

Previously, when the 100 cavalry surrounded the Ministry of Civil Affairs, he was not yet a member of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. However, Wen Heming knew that he was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, yet he did not inform him beforehand.

“Vice Minister Changsun, you taught me to use my official title when performing official duties.”

Changsun Wuji's eyes narrowed, and he was about to get angry when he saw Wen He leisurely get off the carriage and take out the imperial edict from her sleeve.

Upon seeing this, everyone bowed in respect.

"By imperial decree, an investigation into the embezzlement of military funds is to be conducted, and all officials of the Ministry of Civil Affairs are to be involved, and all account books are to be sealed."

"How dare you! His Majesty's decree clearly orders the Ministry of Civil Affairs to cooperate. I will handle matters concerning the Ministry of Civil Affairs myself; there is no need for the Hundred Cavalry to do it for me!"

Changsun Wuji stared at Wen He, his hands, hidden by his sleeves, clenched into fists.

Wen He looked at him, put away the imperial edict, and chuckled: "Since Vice Minister Changsun says so, then I will trouble you with the Ministry of Civil Affairs' investigation. I will take my leave now."

Return?
Even Changsun Wuji was surprised that Wen He agreed so readily.

He also thought there would at least be some kind of argument.

Even after Wen He returned to the carriage, Changsun Wuji still couldn't quite believe it.

They thought it was some kind of trick by Wen He.

Only after he and his entourage of 100 riders left did Changsun Wuji finally breathe a long sigh of relief.

"Minister, what is the intention of the magistrate of Gaoyang County? Could it be that he has come here on purpose to show off?"

A doctor asked in surprise.

Changsun Wuji shook his head and said, "No matter what he wants to do, as long as I am here, he cannot act recklessly in the Ministry of Civil Affairs."

"As for the audit, you must do your best and avoid any mistakes, lest that brat find any fault with you."

Upon hearing this, the physician quickly bowed and replied, "Please rest assured, Your Excellency, we will do our utmost."

"Yes, do it well."

Changsun Wuji patted the doctor on the shoulder, and the latter was overjoyed.

I wish I could kneel down and kowtow to him.

at the same time.

On the way to the Ministry of War.

Xu Jingzong and Huang Chun dismounted and entered Wen He's carriage.

"Jiaying, what were you doing just now? Are you really not going to investigate the Ministry of Civil Affairs anymore?"

Xu Jingzong simply did not believe that Wen He had backed down.

If that's true, then he wouldn't be Wen He.

"Old Xu, do you think the people in the Ministry of Civil Affairs will cooperate with Changsun Wuji?" Wen He asked with a smile.

"No," was Huang Chun's reply.

“Vice Minister Changsun may appear humble in front of His Majesty and those important ministers, but he will certainly be tough in front of us.”

Xu Jingzong nodded upon hearing this.

He was a little worried when Wen He said he was coming to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Previously, when the Hundred Cavalry and the Ministry of Civil Affairs clashed, although His Majesty favored the Hundred Cavalry, that was because Pei Ju was the head of the Ministry of Civil Affairs at the time.

But now it is Changsun Wuji.

Xu Jingzong was afraid that if things escalated, it would be difficult to handle later.

"So, we can't force it. Let's find another way. Let's check the accounts at the Ministry of War first. If we can check them faster than the Ministry of Civil Affairs, what will His Majesty think?"

Wen He smiled and poured a cup of tea for both of them.

After thanking them, the two fell into deep thought.

After a while, Xu Jingzong spoke up, saying, "His Majesty will surely think that the Ministry of Civil Affairs is intentionally concealing the truth, and will then issue an imperial edict to allow the Hundred Cavalry to intervene."

"How can the county government guarantee that we can investigate faster than the Ministry of Civil Affairs?" Huang Chun asked.

Wen He smiled without saying a word.

Xu Jingzong, who was standing to the side, said, "Wasn't it him who found out the traitor in Jia Ying's house before? The Ministry of Civil Affairs doesn't know his new way of keeping accounts."

Not many people knew about that incident, but it had already spread throughout the Hundred Riders.

Huang Chun then remembered, and his eyes lit up.

It turns out Wen He had set a trap for Changsun Wuji.

"I can't help but look forward to seeing Vice Minister Changsun's astonishment."

They were naturally aware that the Ministry of Civil Affairs had only sent a few officials to meet with Wen Hexue, but they hadn't even been able to enter his residence.

It was clearly Changsun Wuji who neglected Wen He that time.

This time, let him suffer a great loss.

When the hundred cavalrymen arrived at the Ministry of War.

There were already people waiting outside.

"Having met Military Advisor Xu, Supervisor Huang, and Councilor Wen, I am Chen Gui, the newly appointed Director of the Treasury Department of the Ministry of War. I am here to await orders from the Minister."

The man who arrived was middle-aged, with a goatee, and wearing a green round-necked robe.

In terms of position, Wen He was a principal officer in the Ministry of War, while the position of advisor to the Hundred Cavalry was only a lower-ranking official of the seventh grade.

He should be the other party's subordinate.

Furthermore, he specifically mentioned that he was the newly appointed Director of the Treasury Department of the Ministry of War, which is quite intriguing.

"There's no need for such formalities. Although you are newly appointed, you must still cooperate. I will not show favoritism," Xu Jingzong said, adopting an official demeanor.

Wen He shook his head helplessly, then stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Physician Chen."

"No, no, you flatter me, sir of Gaoyang County."

Chen Gui smiled ingratiatingly and quickly stepped aside.

"Before the Duke of Dai left, he instructed his subordinates that the Ministry of War should fully cooperate with the magistrate of Gaoyang County from the bottom up. If anyone is dissatisfied, the magistrate should not show any mercy and should simply take them down."

As the saying goes, having connections in the imperial court makes things easier.

Li Jing was giving Wen He a lot of face.

Compared to Changsun Wuji, he was worlds apart.

Wen He naturally couldn't refuse him, so she immediately said to the Hundred Riders, "When you go in later, don't disturb the normal work. After sealing off the Ministry of War, don't speak ill of anyone, understand?" "Yes, sir!"

Everyone responded.

The hundred riders then split into two groups.

One team blocked the entrances and exits of the Ministry of War, while another team entered the Ministry of War to conduct reconnaissance.

Wen He, Xu Jingzong, and Huang Chun then headed into the Ministry of War.

"Greetings, Military Advisor Xu, Supervisor Huang, and County Magistrate Gao Yang."

As soon as they entered, the three of them encountered Lu Chengqing and another vice minister from the Ministry of War.

He was also an acquaintance of Wen He, Lü Shiheng from the Qin Prince's faction.

He, who should have died long ago in history, has now become the Vice Minister of War.

She was the first person whose fate was changed after Wen He came to the Tang Dynasty.

However, neither of them had any intention of reminiscing these days.

"So it's Vice Minister Lu and Vice Minister Lü! It's been a long time." Xu Jingzong greeted them with a smile.

Huang Chun nodded from a distance.

As a palace attendant, he shouldn't have had too much contact with officials from the outer court.

Moreover, the current situation is special.

"Greetings, Vice Minister Lu and Vice Minister Lü." Wen He also greeted them.

"I trouble the two vice ministers to bring out all the account books of the Ministry of War from the fifth year of Wude. From now on, until the Hundred Cavalry have investigated and found out the truth, no one in the Ministry of War, including minor officials and servants, is allowed to enter or leave."

Wen He said.

"What should we do if it's official business?" Lu Shiheng asked, frowning.

He was still somewhat bothered by the fact that the Hundred Cavalry had entered the Ministry of War.

However, the source of this matter was the Ministry of War, and Li Jing had specifically instructed them before leaving, so they had no choice but to cooperate.

Moreover, Wen He and Xu Jingzong both came from the Prince of Qin's mansion, and as for Huang Chun, he was also someone close to His Majesty before.

I don't think they'll be made to make things too difficult for me.

"Of course, a hundred riders will help, please rest assured, Your Excellency," Wen He said with a smile.

Subsequently, Wen He asked Lu Chengqing to help him find a government office, where no one except the Hundred Cavalry could handle any of the accounts.

"Sigh, I feel like I've taken on a troublesome task for myself."

Looking at the mountain of account books, and the constant stream of new ones being delivered from outside, Wen He felt overwhelmed.

"After this matter is over, I must ask His Majesty to give me a few months' leave. I won't grow taller if I don't get enough sleep."

Wen He muttered a few words.

Xu Jingzong and Huang Chun couldn't help but laugh.

"What are you laughing at? Let's get started. Zhang Wenxiao, bring me my abacus."

"Here."

Zhang Wenxiao, who was supervising the moving of the account books outside, ran in and took out an abacus from the package.

"Let Dugu Chen, Wu Yuanqing, and Wu Yuanshuang come in and take charge of copying."

The literacy rate among the hundred riders was not high, but these three scions of noble families became rare talents.

After receiving the order, all three looked sullen.

But after being kicked by Wen He, they all quieted down.

For five consecutive days, except for going to the toilet, Wen He ate and slept in this public room.

People from the Ministry of War were also not allowed to go home.

"When will this ever be over?"

"Alas, my family has written to inquire about the situation, and I wanted to reply, but they wouldn't allow it."

"Is the magistrate of Gaoyang County deliberately making such a big show of things to embarrass the Ministry of War?"

The officials were getting impatient.

Although my diet hasn't been affected these past few days, this place is really uncomfortable.

I've hardly had a single good night's sleep.

"It seems like a lot of ledgers are missing. I just went to ask, and it looks like they're looking up to this year's records."

Lu Chengqing, who was drinking tea nearby, suddenly mentioned it and then looked up at Lü Shiheng.

The latter smiled dismissively: "It's just checking the accounts."

Just then, the door of the government office opened.

Dugu Chen came out with two people. He hadn't washed his face for several days, so his complexion looked a little pale, and his hair was messy.

The headscarf tied on top was a little loose.

"Fang Zhihan and Liu Weiquan, the heads of the warehouse department, come in!"

Among the crowd, the expressions of two officials dressed in blue round-necked robes changed instantly.

The people around them suddenly turned their gazes toward them.

The hundred riders waiting outside also gripped their swords and stared at them.

The two of them walked out, trying to appear calm.

"I am here."

"Go in." Dugu Chen, the纨绔 (wan ku, a spoiled and disdainful young man), glanced at the two of them and then pointed to the government office behind him.

The open gate resembled a tiger's mouth.

The two of them walked in, trembling.

Wen He, Xu Jingzong, and Huang Chun sat there, looking tired, drinking freshly brewed tea.

"Fang Zhihan joined the Ministry of War's Treasury Department in the eighth year of the Wude era as a principal officer, responsible for the daily inspection of the arsenal."

"Liu Weiquan joined the Ministry of War's Treasury Department in the seventh year of the Wude era as a principal officer, responsible for registering and recording the soldiers of the local militia."

Zhang Wenxiao read out the resumes of the two men.

Wen He put down her teacup and took out an account book from her left side.

"Don't be nervous, I'm just asking a question. I just want to ask you, since the seventh year of Wude, whose pockets have been filled by the 6,000 vacancies every year?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, I am only responsible for inspecting the armory. I know nothing about the registration of soldiers. The former Director of the Armory Department never mentioned this matter to me."

Fang Zhihan quickly bowed and explained.

Upon hearing this, Liu Weiquan, who was standing next to him, panicked and angrily pointed at him: "You don't know about the manpower situation, but you have falsely reported the losses."

"But is it silk armor?" Wen He asked again.

Fang Zhihan looked up in astonishment, gazing at Wen He with despair, and slowly explained, "I was only following Zheng Langzhong's orders. He dismantled the silk armor to sell it. I... I only... I only took..."

"You are all incredibly audacious!" Huang Chun roared, slamming his teacup heavily onto the table.

Silk armor is armor made of silk or similar textiles. It is relatively lightweight and aesthetically pleasing, but it offers no defensive capabilities.

Therefore, it cannot be used in actual combat and can only be used as clothing for military officers in their daily life or as part of their ceremonial procession.

They are not usually used; the Imperial Guards are only allowed to use them during grand ceremonies.

"Take it."

At Wen He's command, a hundred riders moved in and subdued the two men.

"Your superior, I am reporting that it is Zheng Fang, the former director of the Treasury Department. It is him, it is him!"

The two people shouted in a panic.

Wen He chuckled softly: "Would you be willing to be a witness?"

"Yes, yes."

The two nodded quickly.

Seeing this, Wen He immediately gave Zhang Wenxiao a wink: "Go and find out Zheng Fang's address and bring him here."

"Here!"

Zhang Wenxiao suddenly pushed open the door and walked out.

Before the officials from the Ministry of War outside could understand what was going on, they saw several hundred riders leave looking fierce and menacing.

Immediately afterwards, Dugu Chen went inside and didn't come out for quite a while.

"The two heads of the driving department would like to invite you."

(End of this chapter)