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

Chapter 321 Run! The Bad Guys are coming!

"What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Seeing that Li Yifu was still out of breath and had beads of sweat on his forehead, Wen He gestured for him to sit down and catch his breath.

He was the only one in the canteen at that moment.

The three little ones went out to play early in the morning, while Wenrou was still in bed. Zhou Fu was directing the servants to clear the dishes.

Li Yifu sat down opposite as instructed, gulped down two bowls of cold tea, and finally caught his breath. He said urgently, "Sir, the servant from the bookstore just reported that the empty shop across the street has suddenly started renovations this morning!"

"The servant was curious and went to inquire, and was told that someone was going to open a bookstore there."

"Oh?" Wen He put down her bowl of soy milk, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "You can't hold back anymore?"

Cui Yuanhan reminded him just last night.

Those people made a move today; that's quite efficient.

It's only the first day of the first year of the Zhenguan era.

"Don't bother."

Wen He picked up the bowl, drank the rest of the soy milk in one gulp, smacked her lips, and said to Zhou Fu beside her.

"I put too much honey in today's bowl. Remember to put less in Xiaorou's bowl, so she doesn't get a lot of cavities."

"Yes," Zhou Fu bowed in response.

Li Yifu couldn't sit still any longer; his face was full of anxiety: "Sir, they're targeting our Sanwei Bookstore! If they also sell low-priced books, our business..."

Wen He glanced at him and said slowly, "Do you think they can offer a price lower than three copper coins?"

Li Yifu was taken aback: "This... I'm afraid that can't be right? The cost of paper alone is..."

"Then it's over."

Wen He wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief.

"They can't replicate the papermaking process in the short term, and even if they could, the quality wouldn't match our workshop's, and the cost wouldn't be low either."

He wasn't worried at all.

The artisans in the paper mill had all signed life-or-death contracts; anyone who dared to defect would face the crime of having their entire family wiped out.

As for printing, that's not difficult. If you want to study ink, you can do it with money and effort.

Even with printing technology, without paper, all that effort would be wasted.

Even if the gentry possessed printing technology, they still had to buy paper from him.

If they were to engage in a price war, Wen He would be laughing in her dreams every night.

He couldn't be happier that those people did that.

Otherwise, how could he possibly enable everyone in the world to afford education on his own?

Wen He stood up and stretched. "Let's go. If we don't go to Da'an Palace soon, that old Deng will send people to kidnap us."

Just as he reached the door, Wenrou ran out rubbing her eyes, followed by Xiaomei, who was Zheng Wuniang, who respectfully curtsied to him.

The little girl excitedly hugged his leg: "Brother, are you going out?"

Wen He lowered her head and pinched her cheek, saying softly, "Okay, go to Da'an Palace. If you want to go out to the East Market today, remember to call the guards. Don't wander off alone, understand?"

She nodded gently and obediently, then tiptoed and whispered in his ear, "Brother, Sister Xiaomei said that the sugar paintings in the west of the city are the most beautiful. Can I go?"

"Go if you want, just have the guards follow you. Remember to wear plenty of clothes, it's cold outside."

He knew that at this time of day, the little girl definitely wouldn't be able to stay at home.

"Okay, brother, don't overwork yourself."

Upon hearing this, Wen He smiled and playfully flicked Xiao Mei's nose, then glanced at her indifferently, "Keep an eye on your young lady."

Xiao Mei quickly curtsied and replied, "Yes."

Wen He said no more and led Li Yifu outside.

With a gentle smile, she tugged at his sleeve and walked with him to the door, then waved and said with a smile, "Take care, brother."

Not long after, inside the Da'an Palace.

"Why are you so late, you brat? Come quickly, I've been waiting for you for ages!"

As soon as Wen He stepped into the main hall, Li Yuan waved to him eagerly.

A chessboard had already been set up in the hall, with black and white pieces gleaming warmly on the jade board. There were also empty seats for musicians and dancers, clearly indicating that a grand ceremony had been prepared.

"Your Majesty, it's just a game of chess, there's no need for such a grand ceremony, is there?"

Wen He was somewhat taken aback by the scene.

Li Yuan snorted, his tone tinged with a hint of resentment: "What grandeur? I'm already living in this Da'an Palace, can't I even have some fun?"

He glared at Wen He, adding a cryptic remark.

"You dare to take me out for a stroll?"

"Uh, I dare not," Wen He quickly waved his hand.

How could Li Yuan be allowed to sneak out of Da'an Palace?

That's like lighting a lamp in the outhouse—it's suicidal!

If Li Shimin found out, he might hang him at the entrance of the Taiji Hall and beat him.

"Then let's stop talking and start playing chess!"

Li Yuan slapped the chessboard and laughed, looking confident of victory. "Today, I will slaughter you without leaving a single survivor!"

Wen He secretly grumbled to himself.

Even if I deliberately lost, Li Yuan, with his terrible chess skills, might not be able to win.

But this old man seems to enjoy playing even more as he gets worse; he's really addicted.

Sure enough, Li Yuan didn't win a single game against Wen He all morning.

"Checkmate." Wen He yawned and weakly placed the "chariot" on the chessboard, completely blocking the opponent's path to checkmate.

"You brat!"

Li Yuan slammed his fist on the table in a huff. He had just said he would "kill them all without leaving a single survivor," but now he pushed the chessboard away, scattering the pieces all over the floor.

"Isn't the motto to respect the elderly and cherish the young? Can't I even win one round?"

They even threw a tantrum like a child.

"Um, Your Majesty, since you don't wish to alight, then this humble subject shall take his leave?"

Wen He had been sitting there for a long time and took the opportunity to get up and say goodbye.

Before he could finish speaking, Li Yuan's cold gaze swept over him, and his tone suddenly turned somber: "What? Do you also think that I am a useless person now, and that I can't even keep you to say a few more words?"

Well, his temper flares up so easily.

Helpless, Wen He could only sit down again and persuade him, "How could that be? The Emperor Emeritus is in his prime and will continue to contribute to the Tang Dynasty in the future."

"Hmph!" Li Yuan was clearly not buying it, turning his face away sharply, his voice tinged with a hint of dejection.

"Don't try to be hypocritical. Don't think I can't see through you all. You all think that with the emperor around, I'm just a figurehead."

He paused, gazing at the empty corner of the palace, and said softly, "Ever since Pei Xuanzhen left, this Da'an Palace has become terribly cold..."

Wen He was stunned upon hearing this.

The man before them, who was clearly the most esteemed retired emperor of the Tang Dynasty and the founding emperor who once ruled the world, now resembled a neglected old man, his loneliness almost overflowing from his eyes.

That empty feeling inexplicably reminded him of the "empty nesters" in later generations who lived in big houses.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something to comfort him, but he didn't know where to begin.

Seeing his hesitant expression, Li Yuan snorted coldly, his tone deliberately sharp: "What? Now you're too lazy to even talk to me?"

Wen He knew perfectly well that this was just the old man venting his frustrations under the guise of something.

The court officials were either already distant from him or fearful of Li Shimin's authority, so who would dare to approach Da'an Palace easily now?

Members of the imperial family avoided it like the plague.

His status as the retired emperor, while euphemistically described as an honor, is, to put it bluntly, almost equivalent to being under house arrest.

"How about... I take you out for a walk?"

Wen He suddenly spoke, her tone tinged with a hint of probing.

He always felt that confining this person to this small space was not a long-term solution.

If this goes on for too long, there might even be negative public opinion surrounding Li Shimin.

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of light flashed in Li Yuan's eyes, but it vanished in an instant.

He stiffened his neck and snorted, "You? I am the Emperor Emeritus, why would I need a mere county magistrate like you to take me out in public?"

Wen He chuckled inwardly.

That's clearly just being arrogant.

When he volunteered at nursing homes before, he saw many elderly people like this. They clearly longed for companionship and care, but they insisted on putting on an "who cares" attitude, as if bowing their heads would mean losing all their dignity.

But Wen He has never been one to indulge others.

"Since the Emperor Emeritus says so, then this humble subject will not insist."

Wen He stood up and bowed in greeting.

"Then this humble subject will take his leave."

"Are you going?"

Li Yuan immediately exploded, slamming his hand heavily on the table, making the teacup jump.

"Get out! All of you, get out! Even if I die of old age in this Da'an Palace, I have no need of you..."

He didn't say the word "pity" aloud.

I felt an increasing tightness in my chest.

The eunuchs and palace maids inside the hall were so frightened that they all knelt down, their heads bowed low, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Wen He suddenly straightened up, adopting a look of resignation to death, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I will go to the palace now, hold a knife to my neck, and kowtow to the Emperor, begging Your Majesty to grant the Emperor Emeritus a leave of absence so that you may get some fresh air. If Your Majesty refuses, I will commit suicide to fulfill my filial duty!"

He said this half as a joke and half as a way of coaxing; he just wanted to tease this old man like a child.

Li Yuan was indeed stunned into silence, his mouth agape for a long time. Only after Wen He turned and left the palace did he react and shout towards the door, "You brat, there was no need for that!"

"The Emperor Emeritus awaits my good news. If Your Majesty does not respond, I will commit suicide!"

Wen He's voice drifted from afar, carrying a deliberately drawn-out mockery, but she had already vanished without a trace.

"Wen He, let's talk this out!"

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, though the wind howls and the Yi River is cold, Wen Jiaying has gone... well, she will surely return!"

I almost didn't realize that a careless remark had landed me in serious trouble.

The surrounding imperial guards were completely bewildered.

Has the scoff from Gaoyang County gone mad? Why is he making such a vicious oath out of the blue?
"Your Majesty! The Emperor Emeritus said that if he is not allowed to go out for some fresh air, he will force this humble subject to commit suicide!"

Inside the Liangyi Hall.

An absurd scene unfolded.

The bigwigs of the Three Provinces and Six Ministries were having a meeting when Li Shimin picked up a memorial and heard someone outside say that Wen He had come to pay his respects.

He was wondering.

Didn't that brat go to see his father yesterday?
He thought something had happened at Da'an Palace, so he called Wen He in.

To everyone's surprise, as soon as he came in, he rushed in crying and fell to the ground, letting out a shout.

He cried so hard he was hoarse, but not a single tear came out of his eyes; he looked just like a child throwing a tantrum in the marketplace.

Li Shimin: "..."

Fang Xuanling: "..."

All the ministers in the palace said: "..."

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, none of them having expected that Wen County Magistrate, who had just returned from Da'an Palace, would bring such a dramatic "coup d'état".

Why isn't the retired emperor staying put? What kind of trouble is he causing?

They actually dared to use Wen He to threaten His Majesty?
Something's not right here. Li Shimin rubbed his temples, suppressing a laugh, and said sternly, "Wen Jiaying! What nonsense are you spouting? With your personality, you're not afraid of this!"

As Li Shimin finished speaking...

Everyone suddenly understood.

Yes, even if the retired emperor really did make such a threat.

Given Wen He's fearless nature, even His Majesty wouldn't act like this.

Seeing that he had been exposed, Wen He immediately shut up, got up from the ground, dusted off his robe, and replied to Li Shimin awkwardly, "Your Majesty, I deserve to die, but Your Majesty is indeed... feeling very bored, so I was thinking of letting Your Majesty come out for some fresh air?"

"presumptuous!"

A reprimand suddenly rang out; it was Wei Zheng who spoke.

He stepped forward quickly, bowed deeply to Li Shimin, and said earnestly, "The young man from Gaoyang County is still young and lacks knowledge. His words were inappropriate just now, which was truly unintentional. Please forgive him for his inappropriate words and actions, considering his youth."

Wei Zheng was covering for Wen He.

That phrase "letting out for fresh air" could be interpreted as a young man's reckless speech at best, and at worst, as disrespect for the Emperor Emeritus.

If someone with ulterior motives were to seize upon this as grounds to impeach him for "deceiving the emperor," it would not be impossible.

By stepping forward now, he was clearly telling everyone: this child is just a teenager, and he's just speaking without thinking.

"Jiaying is only of school age, so I will not take his joke to heart."

Li Shimin spoke naturally, his gaze slowly sweeping across the hall, carrying a hint of imposing authority.

Those with an open and honest heart didn't care, but those ministers who harbored ulterior motives couldn't help but lower their heads.

His Majesty is giving them a warning; they shouldn't use this as an excuse to make trouble.

The term "early learning" refers to children aged ten.

He was warning the people in the hall not to take a ten-year-old child seriously.

Otherwise, I will take you seriously.

"Cough cough."

Changsun Wuji suddenly coughed twice, breaking the brief silence, and stepped forward to report: "Your Majesty, the Emperor Emeritus is old and recently fell ill. The weather is freezing cold these days, and it is really not advisable for him to leave the palace and be exposed to the wind. In my opinion, it would be better for him to rest quietly in Da'an Palace."

His words sounded like concern, but in reality, they concealed his own selfish motives.

In Changsun Wuji's view, it would be best if Li Yuan could stay quietly in the palace and "rest" until his death, which would be the most worry-free option.

He was afraid that the retired emperor might cause trouble after leaving the palace.

"I disagree."

Fang Xuanling immediately objected.

"With the Emperor Emeritus residing in Da'an Palace for so long, rumors inevitably circulate outside that Your Majesty is neglecting your filial duties. If Your Majesty could accompany the Emperor Emeritus out of the palace more often, it would not only put the Emperor Emeritus at ease but also silence the gossips of the people. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Shiji, Xiao Yu, and the others standing beside him all nodded silently in agreement.

They were once Li Yuan's former subordinates. Although they now rely on Li Shimin, they are unwilling to see the retired emperor completely placed under house arrest. However, they are wary of His Majesty's suspicions and dare not speak out easily.

Fang Xuanling's words resonated with them deeply.

Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji were both confidants of Li Shimin.

With differing opinions, everyone in the hall focused their attention on Li Shimin, waiting for his decision.

"Wen Jiaying, what do you think?"

Li Shimin suddenly looked at Wen He beside him, a half-smile on his face.

Wen He understood.

Li Er deliberately passed the buck to him.

However, he had already thought of how to turn the tables on this situation.

Wen He bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, an old doctor in my hometown once said that if an elderly person stays cooped up in one place for a long time without seeing the sun, they will inevitably develop resentment and harm their health."

"If you can go out for a walk often, see the everyday life in the city, and get some human warmth, you will feel happy and naturally live a long life."

These words, seemingly irrelevant, actually helped to steer the matter away from the court's disputes.

Approaching the issue solely from the perspectives of "health preservation" and filial piety is both reasonable and reveals the unique simplicity of youth, leaving no room for criticism.

If Li Shimin agrees, then he will be a benevolent and filial ruler.

Li Shimin looked at Wen He, a meaningful smile flashing in his eyes, as if he could see through the boy's little thoughts.

After a moment, he slowly nodded: "Jiaying's words make sense. Filial piety is not only about fine clothes and delicacies, but also about being content and at ease. We will begin our rest this afternoon. Tomorrow, I will accompany the Emperor Emeritus to Qujiang Pool to see the red plum blossoms and let him see the new look of our Zhenguan."

He paused, then added, "However, this matter need not be publicized. The Emperor Emeritus is old and cannot withstand too much disturbance."

He agreed to the terms, but there were two conditions hidden behind them.

Li Yuan had to be accompanied by him when he went out, and he still did not allow outsiders to get too close to the retired emperor.

It must be said that Li Er's filial piety was genuine, but his wariness was equally strong.

The court officials immediately praised in unison: "Your Majesty is wise, benevolent, and filial!"

The court attendant, who was not far away, picked up his pen and wrote down this conversation between the emperor and his minister.

However, Wen He didn't care what Li Shimin meant.

He now knew that he wouldn't have to spend tomorrow at Da'an Palace with Li Yuan, and could finally get a good night's sleep at home.

Unexpectedly, Li Shimin changed the subject and said loudly, "Tomorrow, the magistrate of Gaoyang County will lead a hundred cavalry to accompany me."

"what?"

Wen He suddenly looked up, his joy instantly freezing on his face. He saw Li Shimin looking at him with a smile, his eyes full of mockery.

"What, is the magistrate of Gaoyang County unwilling?"

"Um... Your Majesty, I have a day off tomorrow."

Wen He said in astonishment.

He went through all this trouble just so he could rest peacefully at home, right?
"Yes, tomorrow is a day off."

Li Shimin pretended to be confused and looked at him with a smile.

"Accompanying me and the Emperor Emeritus on an outing, isn't that also considered a day off? I haven't assigned you any tasks."

Wen He could only chuckle to herself. Her lips twitched, and she tentatively asked, "Can I not go?"

Li Shimin raised an eyebrow: "What do you think?"

"...Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." Wen He replied weakly, looking like a deflated balloon.

Seeing his appearance, Li Shimin couldn't help but burst into laughter, and the oppressive atmosphere in the hall immediately dissipated.

Fang Xuanling and the others couldn't help but chuckle at Wen He's drooping head.

Although Gao Yangxianzi was intelligent, he was still just a child.

But His Majesty takes him everywhere he goes these days...

Many people couldn't help but suppress their smiles upon thinking about this.

In particular, Changsun Wuji suddenly felt a tightness in his chest.

His Majesty did not mention his name again during this trip.

……

Along the Qujiang Pool, the cold wind swirled fine snow, but it couldn't dampen the lively atmosphere on the shore.

In front of a makeshift stall, a steaming iron pot was set up, with thin noodles floating in the boiling soup, and the aroma mixed with the steam filled the air.

Li Yuan changed into a coarse cloth outfit, looking just like an ordinary old man. He was holding a bowl and eating with relish when he poured two spoonfuls of vinegar into the bowl. He smacked his lips and said, "It's fragrant, but this vinegar can't compare to the rich flavor of Jinyang vinegar."

When he looked up, he saw Wen He and Li Shimin staring at him. He immediately glared and said, "What are you looking at? Aren't you two going to eat?" As he spoke, he simply dragged the untouched bowl of glutinous rice cake in front of Li Shimin to his own side.

Li Shimin was about to reach out to stop him when he was glared at fiercely: "If you don't want to eat, then give it to me. If you want to eat, order another bowl!"

"Old man, is our Bo Tuo authentic?"

The shopkeeper was a quick-witted man. Seeing that they wanted to order more bowls, he immediately came over to chat with them, his face beaming with a kind smile.

"The taste is good, it has a bit of the flavor of Taiyuan."

Li Yuan nodded and looked him over a few more times.

"Judging from your accent, you're from Hedong? Or perhaps you're from Taiyuan?"

Although he was from Longxi, he spent a year in Taiyuan as the garrison commander, so he was still very familiar with the local customs and environment.

"The old man has excellent hearing!"

The shop owner slapped his thigh in surprise.

“I am from Taiyuan. My father followed the retired emperor to fight in Chang’an and later settled here.”

Such a coincidence?
Wen He subconsciously looked at Li Shimin, and seeing his calm and composed appearance, she immediately understood.

This must have been arranged by Li Er on purpose, choosing such a shop with a long history, just to please Li Yuan.

Li Yuan paused, a hint of melancholy flashing in his eyes as if reminiscing about the past. After a moment, he asked, "Then why are you selling gambling cakes here?"

"This is all thanks to His Majesty and the Magistrate of Gaoyang!" the shopkeeper exclaimed.

“In the battle of Huizhou, I killed five Turks and earned military merit. I was rewarded with a lot of land. Last month, the magistrate of Gaoyang punished corrupt officials and recovered the salary that had been withheld from me. So I simply retired from the army and found a job to live a peaceful life.”

Wen He then looked at Li Shimin, this time even casting a glance at Li Yuan. Her eyes clearly said, 'This flattery is too deliberate; did you hire shills?'

Li Shimin felt uncomfortable being stared at by the two men, and coughed twice: "This shopkeeper has been setting up his stall here for several days. I only know that he is from Taiyuan, and as for the rest... I really don't know."

"Yes, I've had this stall for almost half a month now, and business is booming!"

The shopkeeper sighed and changed the subject.

"It's a pity that it won't be on display for more than a few days."

"Why? If business is so good, why aren't you setting up shop? Is it because you had a bumper harvest this year and are you going home to hibernate?"

Li Yuan scooped up a spoonful of noodles and asked, puzzled.

The shopkeeper sighed, his face full of helplessness: "What harvest have we made? It's because someone in the court has misled His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus, saying that we are not allowed to open our own shops. We've only had a few free days recently because of the New Year. In a few more days, those scoundrels will come and drive us away."

That is true.

During the early Tang Dynasty, the market system was strictly enforced. Shops could only be set up in designated East and West Markets and were not allowed to occupy roads for business, let alone have night markets. This was completely different from the lively atmosphere of the Song Dynasty in later years.

However, in the shop owner's mind, His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus are good people.

There must be treacherous officials in the court causing trouble.

Li Yuan frowned: "Going back to farming is fine, it's better than being exposed to the wind and sun like this."

In his view, people can make a living as long as they have land to cultivate, and setting up a stall is just an extra way to make a living.

"That's not right, old man!"

The shopkeeper smiled wryly.

"If we only rely on farming, how can we survive? There are land rents, taxes, and occasional corvée labor. Without this little business to supplement our income, the whole family would starve!"

Upon hearing this, both Li Yuan and Li Shimin were stunned.

Born into powerful and wealthy families, they experienced military campaigns and court intrigues. Although they knew the suffering of the common people, they were ultimately separated by a layer.

In their view, having land was fundamental, but they never thought that it would be difficult to make a living solely from land.

Wen He watched from the side, secretly amused.

This is the real folk culture.

Li Er tried his best to make his father happy, but he didn't expect that a single truthful remark would shatter the illusion of prosperity.

Li Shimin's face was somber, and Li Yuan's expression was not much better.

The shopkeeper hesitated, scratching his head, thinking to himself, "Are you going to add a bowl of 'Bo Tuo' or not?"

Just then, a commotion broke out not far away, and someone shouted, "Run! The villains are coming!"

The vendors panicked and scrambled to pack up their stalls. The sounds of pots and pans clattering and children crying mingled together, turning the once lively riverbank into chaos in an instant.

"Oh dear, those damned scoundrels, why did they arrive so quickly today?"

The shop owner panicked and, ignoring the customers nearby, hurriedly began to clean up.

(End of this chapter)