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

Chapter 256 These days, it's not easy to do good deeds.

"I ask you, can the wool you've collected really be used to make any warm clothing?"

Presumably, someone must have sent word when the hundred cavalrymen transporting the wool entered the pass.

But didn't he not care before?
Why did you come here specifically for this matter today?

"Of course you can. Wool sweaters are cheap now, but they were a luxury item back in my hometown."

I remember a brand-name wool garment that cost tens of thousands of yuan.

However, it wasn't cheap in the Tang Dynasty either. Although wool itself wasn't valuable, transportation costs were a major expense.

At current costs, a wool garment would cost at least several strings of cash.

If you're just buying wool yarn, it might be cheaper.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin pondered for a moment, nodded, and said, "In that case, could we manufacture ten thousand pieces before winter?"

"How many?"

Wen He stared wide-eyed in surprise, and before Li Shimin could speak, she immediately shook her head and said, "It's impossible. Even if there's enough wool later, I don't have enough manpower."

Li Shimin immediately frowned and said sternly, "This year, there is a significant shortage of cloth supplied to the north, and several of the garrison soldiers who went to relieve their posts in winter are short of winter clothing."

"I remember that the soldiers in the garrison didn't bring their own clothes, did they?"

Being a soldier in the Tang Dynasty was tough enough; aside from armor and heavy weapons, you had to prepare everything else yourself.

However, as long as they have been to the battlefield, they can be exempted from labor service and receive corresponding land rewards upon their return.

This is also the core of the Fubing system.

Li Shimin looked somewhat embarrassed, took a sip of tea to cover it up, and said.

"The previous embezzlement of military pay resulted in many people not having time to prepare winter clothing. There is a shortage of at least 10,000 in the official treasury. I intend to use my own money to make up for it."

No wonder later generations say that Li Shimin's success was due to his method of treating his soldiers like his own children.

The reason why the soldiers of the Sixteen Guards were willing to risk their lives for Li Er was because he was indeed good to the lower-ranking soldiers.

Li Shimin was so angry about this case of embezzlement of military funds not entirely because those people had embezzled the soldiers' money, but because, in his view, their actions were shaking the very foundation of his rule.

These 10,000 winter clothes, while meant to make amends, were more about winning people's hearts.

This is more effective than issuing a thousand edicts of self-reproach.

“I will pay for these expenses. As for manpower, that’s easy. The weather is cold, and the people in the fields have nothing to do. Why not give them something to do? It will also allow them to earn some money.”

After Li Shimin finished speaking, he looked at Wen He, as if asking for his opinion.

But Wen He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, I actually have a better idea."

"What do you think."

Li Shimin picked up his teacup, took a sip, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

He knew that Wen He, that brat, must have already come up with a plan.

"Why not gather all the female relatives of the soldiers and have them taught to knit? Once they've learned, they can knit sweaters for their husbands and sons themselves. This would not only save on costs."

"Furthermore, after they learn, they can knit sweaters to supplement their household income. I believe that when the soldiers wear sweaters knitted by their wives and mothers in the north, they will feel warm inside and be even more grateful for His Majesty's kindness. It can be said to be a win-win-win situation."

After Wen He finished speaking, she raised her eyebrows slightly at Li Shimin and smiled smugly.

However, the latter did not answer him immediately, but instead looked at the two little kids beside him who were still deep in thought.

"Do Ke'er and Qingque seem to have other ideas?" Li Shimin asked with a smile.

“Father, I think it’s killing four birds with one stone. This move will save the gentleman a lot of expenses, and he can make a lot of money.” Li Tai twitched his nose, raised his head, and looked smug, as if he had seen through Wen He’s thoughts.

Li Ke pursed his lips and took a step back.

He had certainly thought of that, but some things are better left unsaid.

"Snapped!"

"You're such a jerk!"

"Father!" Li Tai covered his head and went to Li Shimin for comfort.

Wen He clapped her hands nonchalantly and said dismissively, "Too talkative."

It would be better if this kind of thing was kept tacitly.

"Snapped!"

Li Shimin slapped Wen He on the head.

"Why are you hitting the bluebird?"

“Your Majesty, I am teaching him to be careful with his words and actions. You see, Ke’er has noticed it too, but he hasn’t said anything.” Wen He pointed at Li Ke, who quickly looked away and gazed at the sky.

Yes, the sky is clear and blue today.

"Hmph, you dare to teach others to be careful with their words? You're the one with the best mouth." Li Shimin rolled his eyes at him, annoyed.

Wen He couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

However, that's not quite right; he's changed a lot recently.

Seeing his unconvinced expression, Li Shimin shook his head and continued.

"However, what you just said is feasible. But you don't need to look for someone else to teach the women to knit. Come to the palace tomorrow, and I will find you a helper."

"what?"

Wen He was extremely surprised.

A helper in the palace?
Wen He pondered for a moment, unable to guess who it could be.

Could it be that they're looking for the Imperial Household Department?
However, he didn't think much of it, since it was Li Er's way of showing kindness.

"Alright, it's getting late. Today's lunch..." Li Shimin smiled and looked at Wen He.

Before the latter could speak, Li Tai suddenly became nervous: "Father, it's all gone, it's really all gone this time. They haven't grown up yet, they can't be eaten anymore."

"You're so stingy, I don't know who you took after." Li Shimin glared at him in annoyance, and finally looked at Wen He, pointing at him and saying, "You must have learned it from him. Like teacher, like student."

Wen He immediately curled her lip.

What does it mean to "learn from me"?

In the end, Li Shimin couldn't bear to upset his son, so he didn't eat the roast suckling pig.

However, those pigs have grown to a considerable size now, and their meat doesn't taste as good as it did when they were younger, nor is it as tender and juicy as when they were older.

It has a strange texture; it's better not to eat it.

After lunch, Li Shimin left through the side gate as usual.

There were still tenants in the front yard, and he didn't want to make too much of a fuss.

Not long after, Zhou Fu came over and said that all the tenants had left, leaving behind their belongings, but no one had collected any money.

"If you want to give them a gift, young master, why not wait until New Year's Day and give them more amulet money? Besides, if you give too much when the tenants bring gifts, the others will be dissatisfied," Zhou Fu reminded Wen He, knowing he didn't understand these things.

The so-called "amulet money" is actually New Year's money, but it's not just given to children during this period.

Some wealthy families would also give money to their servants and servants during the Lunar New Year.

But normally, those powerful and wealthy people wouldn't treat their tenants this well.

It's already good enough if they don't exploit you.

Therefore, if Wen He treats the tenants too well, he will be resented.

We're all carnivores, so why don't you eat meat? Are you trying to be different?

Wen He understood Zhou Fu's meaning and could only nod helplessly.

"Then let's do it."

These days, it's not easy to do good deeds.

(End of this chapter)