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

Chapter 292 When did I allow you to take a concubine?

"Your Majesty, please calm down."

When Wen He saw the glint in Li Shimin's eyes, her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly tried to dissuade him.

He knew this emperor too well; he seemed calm and collected, but in reality, he harbored a ruthless streak and might do something impulsive at any moment.

Back then, Dou Jiande boasted an army of 300,000 blocking Wulao Pass, but he only had 3,000 soldiers. However, when he saw an opportunity, he resolutely sent out his troops.

In the Battle of Baibi, Li Er led the charge and chased Song Jingang for three days and three nights in Queshu Valley.

This clearly shows that Li Er's personality is full of adventure and gambler's mentality.

And every single time, he won.

Zheng Yuanzhu's mishap this time was partly due to his terrible teammate Zheng Yunhao, and partly because they didn't expect Wen He to play by the rules, catching them off guard.

However, the five surnames and seven clans are deeply intertwined, and if they are truly forced to unite, given the current strength of the Tang Dynasty, they may not necessarily come out on top.

"If even a fool like you can figure this out, how could I not?"

Li Shimin glanced at him sideways, his tone carrying a hint of disdain, but he wasn't actually angry.

"I am not so foolish as to want to be an enemy of all the aristocratic families at the same time."

Wen He pursed her lips.

What do you mean by "I can figure it all out"?

So, in His Majesty's eyes, he's just a hothead who only knows how to fool around?
"This time, most of the Zheng family's assets in Chang'an were confiscated. Although it won't cripple them, it will be enough to make them suffer for a while."

Li Shimin changed the subject, his tone becoming more approving.

"You did a good job, clean and efficient, leaving them no room to fight back."

Wen He immediately straightened her back, her face showing anticipation, and her eyes gleamed as she looked at Li Shimin.

Li Shimin was amused by his appearance and snorted, "Why are you looking at me like that? I just bestowed upon you the title of Hundred Cavalry Commandant a few days ago, isn't that enough?"

"But this time you've got a mountain of gold and a mountain of copper."

Wen He muttered confidently.

"Your Majesty, you've confiscated so much money this time, could you give me a share? I've been the one handling everything related to Zheng Yuanzhu from beginning to end."

Seeing the resentful look on his face, Li Shimin couldn't help but find it amusing.

That kid is good in every way, except sometimes he's like a miser, always staring at gold and silver.

He deliberately put on a stern face, then suddenly changed the subject: "I've heard that the Zheng family has many women, all from aristocratic families, well-educated and reasonable. How about I select one of your age and bestow her upon you as a concubine?"

Wen He was stunned, her eyes wide open.

This is……

The father-in-law wants to personally choose a concubine for him?

Or is this a test for Li Er?

Wen He's heart sank. She quickly composed herself, bowed deeply to Li Shimin, and said in an extremely solemn tone, "Your Majesty, I have absolutely no ill intentions towards the princess. I will never marry her in this life, and I will never have the thought of taking a concubine. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree!"

Li Shimin was taken aback by his sudden statement, and then laughed and cried at the same time: "What nonsense are you talking about? When did I ever allow you to take a concubine? Even if I were to bestow a concubine upon you, she would never be the daughter of a criminal official."

Li Shimin had one more thing on his mind that he didn't say.

'It's even less likely she's a woman from one of the five surnames.'

He finally understood; the kid had probably misunderstood.

However, Wen He's words suited his mind. If she could truly be devoted to Li Zhi, she would not have failed his trust.

only……

Li Shimin suddenly thought of Empress Zhangsun. If she knew that he had teased Wen He about this, he would probably be sent to Yangfei's palace to sleep again tonight.

"Alright, stop standing there."

Li Shimin waved his hand, his tone returning to normal. He glanced at Gao Yue and ordered in a deep voice, "You will personally accompany Wen He to the Zheng family mansion. All the money and valuables confiscated must be registered and recorded before entering the national treasury. No carelessness is allowed."

The previous embezzlement cases in the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the military pay had left this emperor with psychological trauma; once bitten, twice shy.

"The slaves obey the order."

Gao Yue bowed and responded, his meticulous demeanor showing a greater degree of composure than that of ordinary eunuchs.

Wen He also bowed and said, "Then this humble subject will take his leave."

"go Go."

Li Shimin waved his hand, looking impatient, as if he found Li Shimin too noisy to stay even a moment longer.

But after Wen He and Gao Yue disappeared behind the palace gate, he suddenly laughed, tapping his fingertips lightly on the dragon table, his eyes gleaming with excitement: "That brat is right about one thing. With this money, we can start preparing to deal with the Turks ahead of time."

He recalled something Wen He had mentioned during a casual chat.

In the third year of the Zhenguan era, he dispatched Li Jing to lead an expedition, which took nearly a year to annihilate the Eastern Turks.

But now, he can't wait any longer.

The alliance at the Wei River that Wen He had mentioned did not take place.

But back then, my father sent gifts to the Turks in exchange for peace, which was ultimately a great humiliation.

In the city, there were even rumors that the emperor had once submitted to the Turks. Didn't the Turkic envoys say something similar when they came to court a few days ago, under the influence of alcohol?

The reign title will be changed to Zhenguan in less than half a month. If the Turks can be destroyed next year, then when future generations talk about him, perhaps they won't just focus on his fratricide and murder?
Father Emperor can now retire peacefully in Da'an Palace without worrying about external threats.

"Somebody come!"

Li Shimin raised his voice.

"Immediately summon Li Jing, Minister of War; Fang Xuanling, Grand Secretary; and Dou Jing, Minister of Civil Affairs, to the palace!"

Wen He, who was leaving the palace at that moment, had no idea that her unintentional remark would completely ignite Li Shimin's determination to destroy the Turks.

He and Gao Yue, accompanied by two riders, soon returned to Zheng Yuanzhu's residence.

As soon as he entered the gate, Zhang Wenxiao rushed over in a panic, his face full of anxiety, even his bow was somewhat hurried: "Young master, something has happened!"

Wen He frowned: "What's the matter? It's just a house raid, why are there one problem after another?"

Zhang Wenxiao, panting heavily, said urgently, "It was General Su. He punished the two brothers who were protecting you with ten strokes of the military rod each, saying they failed in their duty to guard you properly and allowed the prisoner to get close!"

"what?"

Before Wen He could speak, Gao Yue, who was standing next to her, was startled and quickly looked Wen He up and down, her eyes full of concern.

"Is Wenxianzi injured?"

He then turned to Zhang Wenxiao and sternly rebuked him: "Is this how you cavalry are on duty? If anyone who comes near is carrying a weapon, wouldn't the county magistrate be in danger!"

He didn't even dare to imagine how furious His Majesty would be if something happened to Wen He.

"It's just a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl, there's no need to make such a fuss."

Wen He was somewhat helpless; he hadn't expected Su Dingfang to be so serious.

But on second thought, I can understand.

In the military, rules are paramount, and failing to protect one's superior officer is punishable.

Moreover, Su Dingfang is the future leader of the Hundred Cavalry, so it is only right for him to establish his authority at this moment, and he cannot refute it.

“Zhang Wenxiao,” Wen He said thoughtfully.

"Go to Li Yifu and ask him to withdraw ten strings of cash from his account. You personally deliver it to those two brothers and tell them it's for the medicine I'm giving them."

Zhang Wenxiao paused for a moment, then nodded: "Yes!"

Gao Yue listened from the side, her brows furrowing slightly: "Wen County Magistrate, this is not appropriate. Military law is as firm as a mountain. General Su will be punished according to the law. Your private compensation will probably put him in a difficult position."

"I know," Wen He smiled.
"So this money isn't compensation, it's for medicine. The brothers were beaten because of me, so we should show them this little bit of support. General Su is a sensible man, he won't think too much about it."

He knew perfectly well that Su Dingfang's punishment of people was a way of establishing military rules.
He gave money not to win people's hearts, but to prevent his men from becoming disloyal.

The two are not in conflict.

The Hundred Riders were not only the emperor's personal guards, but also a team he had personally trained. They were required to follow the rules, but also to be loyal and camaraderie.

Just then, Su Dingfang walked out from the inner courtyard. His bright armor gleamed coldly in the sunlight. When he saw Wen He, he nodded slightly and said, "Wen County Magistrate is back."

"General Su Zhonglang." Wen He returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his tone calm, and turned to Gao Yue with a smile, "This is a high-ranking official, specially sent by His Majesty to supervise the confiscation of property."

"I have met a high-ranking official."

Su Dingfang bowed respectfully, neither servile nor arrogant.

Gao Yue glanced at him indifferently, nodded slightly in return, and then turned her gaze to Wen He, her tone carrying a hint of scrutiny: "His Majesty sent me here only to supervise the registration of assets. I am not in a position to interfere in other matters. However... where are the gold and copper mountains that Magistrate Wen mentioned earlier?"

He actually harbored some doubts.

Wen He came from a poor family and struggled to even get enough to eat in his early years in the countryside.

Therefore, he always felt that Wen He might be exaggerating, and that the young man had probably never seen real wealth, which was why he described some gold and silver as "mountains".

Upon hearing this, Su Dingfang didn't say much, but simply made a gesture of invitation: "The high-ranking official may follow me."

Having said that, he turned and led the group toward the treasury. They passed through two heavy wooden doors and descended several feet down the steep stone steps. The moment Gao Yue saw the scene before him, his legs went weak. If Su Dingfang hadn't caught him in time, he probably would have collapsed to the ground.

"This...this..." Gao Yue opened her mouth, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long time, her fingers trembling slightly.

He had served in the palace for many years and had seen the emperor's private treasury, but he had never seen such a mountain of wealth. No wonder Wenxianzi called it a mountain of gold and copper; this description was not an exaggeration at all!
Seeing his flustered appearance, Wen He chuckled inwardly, but remained calm on the surface: "Let the brothers move out. First, register them in the courtyard. By the way, let Dugu Chen, Wu Yuanshuang, Wu Yuanqing, and Changsun Huan supervise the moving and inventory."

All four of them came from prominent families.

Although they hold a temporary post in the Hundred Cavalry, they are wealthy and have high aspirations. They wouldn't risk their reputation for such petty gains, so having them supervise them is the most appropriate thing to do.

Zhang Wenxiao, who had overheard everything, immediately accepted the order: "Yes, Your subordinate will arrange it right away!"

After saying that, he turned and left in a hurry, his steps carrying a hint of joy.

With so much valuables, just registering them would probably keep us busy until dark. Just thinking about it is exhilarating.

Even though it's not your own money, you can still experience it for once and count money until your hands cramp.

Su Dingfang helped Gao Yue sit down on a stone bench and handed her a cup of water: "Official Gao, take a breath. Although there is a lot of wealth, it must still be handled according to the rules."

Gao Yue took the water cup, her fingertips still trembling. She took two sips before she could barely calm down.

Wen He told him to rest there, and he went back to the storeroom upstairs, where someone prepared a table for him and placed an abacus on it.

He can ask someone else to move things, but he still has to do the accounting and record-keeping himself.

Just as he was about to begin, the 100 riders who had been in charge of the interrogation rushed over.

One of the riders approached Wen He and reported in a low voice, "Young master, we have interrogated the servants in this mansion and found out the identity of Zheng Wu Niang."

(End of this chapter)