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

Chapter 280 There are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

"I wonder if you've come for Cui An, or for the Zheng family?"

Wen He stood outside Xuanwu Gate, her gaze fixed straight on Cui Dunli in front of her.

The autumn sun shone through his hair, casting dappled golden spots on the hem of his dark robe, and his tone carried an undisguised aloofness.

He naturally knew who Cui Dunli was.

The capable minister who made multiple missions to the Turks and Uyghurs in historical records, the scholar-general who followed Li Ji in defeating the Xueyantuo, and even Liu Xu of the Five Dynasties period called him a "gentleman of peace," praising him for "being diligent and respectful without slackening, thus preserving his reputation and position."

But even the most dazzling halo cannot conceal the four characters "Boling Cui Clan" behind him.

Moreover, historical records indicate that after Li Ke was implicated in Fang Yi'ai's rebellion, Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) originally intended to pardon him.

However, Cui Dunli remonstrated, saying, "The Duke of Zhou executed Guan Shu and Cai Shu, Emperor Jing of Han quelled the Rebellion of the Seven States, and Emperor Zhao of Han executed the Prince of Yan and the Princess of Gai. These are all examples of members of the imperial clan being executed for treason. How can Your Majesty disregard the law of the country because of personal feelings?"

Cui Dunli didn't seem to notice the coldness in his tone, since the Cui family of Boling was indeed in the wrong in this incident.

They only assumed that Wen He disliked the Cui family.

He cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "Please don't take offense, sir. I've come today to apologize on behalf of the Cui family of Boling."

"Apologize to someone?"

Wen He couldn't help but chuckle, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes.

what is this?
Slap me and then give me a piece of candy?
Or do you still think he's too young and can be fooled with a few nice words?
"If it's about Lord Cui An,"

He took a half step back, cupped his hands in a gesture of leaving, and the shoe prints on the bluestone slab still carried the chill of the prison.

"Please go to the Dali Temple tomorrow. I will have a plan then. I have already left the office today, so I will take my leave now."

Before he could finish speaking, his wrist was suddenly grabbed.

Cui Dunli's fingers were long and strong, with distinct knuckles, but there was no malice in them; he simply held them firmly to prevent him from leaving.

The force was perfectly controlled, making it impossible to feel genuine anger while also making it difficult to break free easily.

"Young master, you've misunderstood."

Cui Dunli smiled gently, even skipping the "county lord" address, acting as if they were old friends.

"It has nothing to do with Cui An. I just wanted to invite the young master for a cup of tea as a small token of my appreciation. Why don't we go to Pingkang Lane together? There's a restaurant called Qingfenglou there that serves excellent tea."

Without waiting for Wen He's reply, he grabbed her and walked across the street.

This scene was witnessed by Li Yifu, who had just arrived.

The boy tightened his grip on the books, his face turning pale with shock as he watched his master being dragged towards Pingkang Lane by a strange man. He rushed forward, his voice trembling, "Master?"

If it weren't for the other party's luxurious attire and composed demeanor, he probably would have already turned around and called for the Xuanjia guards protecting Wen He.

Wen He staggered half a step after being pulled, turned around and glared at Cui Dunli, only to see the other party smiling openly. She could only say to Li Yifu, "You take the carriage and follow to Qingfeng Tower in Pingkang Ward."

"Yes." Although Li Yifu was full of doubts, he still bowed and agreed. When he turned around, his eyes were still warily fixed on Cui Dunli's back.

After crossing two streets, the bustling atmosphere of Pingkangfang immediately comes into view. Wine flags flutter in the wind, and the laughter of singing girls drifts on the breeze, a stark contrast to the solemnity elsewhere.

Qingfeng Tower was located not far from the gate. It was a red building with painted beams. When the waiter at the door saw Cui Dunli’s posture, he was about to greet him, but then he wisely stepped aside.

"Let go, I can walk by myself." Wen He struggled to free her wrist.

Cui Dunli then released his grip.

He smiled and stepped aside, saying, "Please, young man."

Wen He ignored him and went straight up to the second floor.

The window seat was empty, offering a view of the passing carriages and horses below and the weeping willows within the neighborhood.

He had just sat down when he saw Cui Dunli sit down as well, and skillfully call over the waiter: "Break a pot of tea."

"No need," Wen He raised her hand to stop her.

"I have other matters to attend to, so I will not have tea. May I ask what business the Imperial Secretary has with me?"

Cui Dunli did not press the matter. He gestured for the waiter to leave before slowly speaking, "Does the county magistrate know that the Cui family of Boling has already transferred his uncle back to Boling?"

Wen He paused, her hand holding the teacup still: "What does this have to do with me?"

He never cared about that old man from the Cui family of Boling.

"Nature is related to the county."

Cui Dunli looked at him with sincere eyes.

"This time, it was my uncle who acted without thinking. He is an elder in the clan and is stubborn. He always feels that the face of the aristocratic family is more important than anything else, which is why he acted so foolishly."

He paused, his tone becoming more somber: "In addition, he is getting old, so everyone in the clan thinks it's time to send him back to Boling to live out his retirement."

Upon hearing this, Wen He scoffed, "For the sake of face? I'm afraid he's after my paper mills and tea business, isn't he?"

He now believes that Cui Dunli came with good intentions, but that doesn't mean he will forgive the Cui family of Boling.

"If the Zheng family's scheme to frame me had succeeded this time, I would probably be the one in jail today. And I suppose your Cui family of Boling would have gotten a share of my assets." Wen He's sudden and explicit statement surprised Cui Dunli.

After pondering for a moment, he shook his head with a chuckle and called for the servant outside to come in.

"Bring some pastries, I'd like some light tea, and prepare a bowl of fine honey water for the young master." After instructing the servant, he turned around and saw that Wen He was about to refuse, so he spoke first.

"I once heard the young master say that young people shouldn't drink too much tea. This Qingfeng Pavilion uses the finest honey, which is sweet but not cloying. It would be a pity not to try some when you come here."

Wen He pursed her lips.

Cui Dunli is being a bit too kind.

It feels like he's the one who did something wrong.

He coughed lightly and nodded with a straight face.

Seeing this, Cui Dunli chuckled, then suddenly remembered something and instructed the servant, "Also, don't forget to prepare a portion for the young master who came with us earlier."

"Yes." The servant bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Cui Dunli remained silent for a moment, only smiling quietly, until the pastries and tea were served.

He deliberately handed a pastry that looked quite nice to Wen He before speaking.

"I have come here today for two reasons: first, to apologize, and second, to tell the magistrate that not everyone in the Cui family is as stubborn as they seem."

Wen He looked at him and suddenly smiled: "Young Master Cui, are you trying to make peace with me?"

"It can't be called a peace treaty," Cui Dunli shook his head.

"I just didn't want the misunderstanding to deepen. One of the Hundred Riders once saved my life, and I will remember that kindness."

He gazed at the withered trees outside the window, his voice softening: "Besides, things are different now. The era of the aristocracy is long gone. If they continue to be arrogant as before, they will eventually end up like the Zheng family, forced to cut their losses and survive."

Wen He picked up the porcelain bowl of honey water in front of her, the warm steam blurring the boy's features.

The faint sounds of string and wind instruments drifted from downstairs, intertwining with Cui Dunli's words and creating a strange sense of peace.

Wen He suddenly put down the porcelain bowl, and the soft sound of the celadon touching the wooden table was particularly clear amidst the music.

His fingertips were still smeared with the sweetness of honey water. When he looked up at Cui Dunli, his tone was as indifferent as if he were talking about the weather: "Five thousand strings of cash. Cui An can leave tomorrow."

"can."

Cui Dunli agreed without the slightest hesitation, not even flinching.

He breathed a long sigh of relief.

The fact that Wen He was willing to offer a price indicates that there is room for negotiation.

He had originally thought that at least ten thousand coins would be needed to redeem the person, but it seems that although this young man is sharp and ambitious, he is not unreasonable.

"I will personally deliver the money to the Dali Temple tomorrow."

He added, his tone carrying an unquestionable certainty, as if he were making a promise about something utterly ordinary.

Wen He raised an eyebrow before slowly asking, "Then, Brother Anshang, you didn't come to see me today just for Cui An, did you?"

After saying so many sweet words, apologizing and inviting him for tea, it seems a bit too much of a fuss if it's all for the sake of Cui An.

Cui Dunli did not answer immediately, but instead changed the subject and said with a smile, "I am a few years older than you. If you don't mind, young man, you may call me Brother Cui, or simply call me by my courtesy name Anshang. I will call you Jiaying, how about that?"

Looking at the genuine smile in his eyes, Wen He remained silent for a moment before finally clearing her throat and saying, "Brother Anshang."

Upon hearing this address, Cui Dunli's smile widened, as if the invisible barrier between the two had been broken down.

He picked up his teacup but didn't drink. Instead, he gazed at the rising steam and slowly said, "Jiaying, do you know why the five surnames and seven clans have lasted for a thousand years, and why they have stood firm through dynastic changes?"

Without hesitation, Wen He replied, "Mutual marriage, monopolizing education, gathering talent, and gaining control of the discourse."

Although it uses some words from later generations, the meaning is perfectly clear.

Cui Dunli paused slightly in his teacup, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes before turning into admiration: "Jiaying sees things clearly."

He paused, then added, “But there is one more thing, and that is friendship. The gentry should support each other, and they should also cultivate good relationships with the new nobles in the court.”

"What if we can't be friends?"

Wen He suddenly asked a question, her tone carrying a hint of sharpness that was barely perceptible, her gaze fixed on Cui Dunli as if scrutinizing him.

Cui Dunli's hand holding the teacup froze in mid-air, and he found Wen He even more amusing.

He smiled and pondered for a moment before putting down his teacup and meeting the boy's gaze with composure: "As Sima Qian of the Former Han Dynasty said, 'The world is bustling, all for profit; the world is bustling, all for profit.' There is no one who cannot be a friend."

This statement predates Benjamin Disraeli's famous quote, "There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests," by more than two thousand years.

He smiled and changed the subject: "In this matter, the Cui family of Boling is indeed in the wrong. To express our apology, I am willing to donate 10,000 strings of cash on behalf of the Cui family to purchase winter clothes for the soldiers of the Northern Frontier. Jia Ying, do you think this sincerity is enough?"

Ten thousand strings of cash? Wen He shook his head with a chuckle, his fingertips tracing circles lightly along the rim of the honey water bowl: "Brother Anshang, are you taking advantage of my youth?"

Cui Dunli was taken aback for a moment, then looked up at Wen He with a puzzled expression: "Jiaying, what do you mean by this? I have no other purpose."

(End of this chapter)