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

Chapter 322 Your Majesty, please arrest the person who offered the advice and expel him from Chang'an.
"Gentlemen, I'm closing up shop now. Look at this..."

The shopkeeper stared at the three empty bowls on the table, sweating profusely with anxiety.

"What's the panic? I'm right here, who dares to be disrespectful!"

Li Yuan immediately snorted coldly and slammed his hand on the table.

The shopkeeper was taken aback, thinking the old man was senile, and dared not delay any longer.

Gritting his teeth, he decided to give up on those rough porcelain bowls: "I've really lost out today!"

He was filled with remorse; he should have taken the money before serving the bowls.

"Take it."

Wen He took out a string of copper coins from his sleeve, more than a dozen of them, and threw them into the shopkeeper's hand.

This money is not only enough to pay for the food, but also more than enough to cover the cost of the bowls.

The shopkeeper held the money, looking somewhat conflicted: "This... I gave you too much."

"Run! The city... the bad guys are right in front of us."

Wen He waved at him, almost letting slip the words "urban management officer".

"Thank you, young man!"

The shopkeeper cupped his hands in greeting and turned to pick up his load and run away, but Li Shimin stopped him: "Wait a minute."

"What's the point of running?" Li Yuan grabbed his sleeve, his eyes filled with stubbornness.

"I'll hold up the sky if it falls!"

"My lords, you're trying to kill me!" The shopkeeper was so anxious he was almost crying, tears welling up in his eyes.

Not far away, a group of dozens of thugs were rushing over menacingly. They were all dressed in black short-sleeved shirts and leather armor, and they pinned the slow-moving vendors to the ground one by one.

The leader of the thugs, a knife at his waist, wore an arrogant smile: "I told you yesterday to get lost! These lowly commoners, how dare you come back today!"

"Young Master Fan, but... but I already paid you a few days ago! Didn't you say we could set up the stall for another three days?"

A sugar painting vendor mustered his courage and shouted, his voice trembling.

The scoundrel surnamed Fan glanced at him contemptuously, and immediately a follower stepped forward and slapped the vendor across the face: "What do you mean, 'pay money to me'? That's for the imperial court."

"Besides, shouldn't the brothers receive some tea money for maintaining order in Chang'an?"

He paused, then deliberately raised his voice, with a hint of smugness: "Also, don't blame me for being ruthless. Today, His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus are to visit Qujiang Pool. The higher-ups specifically ordered us to clear the streets. If we delay His Majesty's arrival, ten of your heads won't be enough to pay for it!"

At a stall not far away, Wen He quietly gave Li Yuan and Li Shimin a wink.

Look, the real deal is right here.

This scene reminded him of a TV series he had watched in his previous life, and a lyric inexplicably popped into his head.

A dappled horse, a sharp sword, and boundless landscapes...

"Don't even move!"

Suddenly, several thugs surrounded them, their scabbards pointing fiercely at the vendors at the gambling stall.

The shopkeeper trembled in fright and was about to obediently squat down and be bound when Li Yuan grabbed him and held him up.

"If I say you're alright, then you're definitely alright." Li Yuan snorted coldly, his face so dark it could drip water.

His good mood was ruined by this group of people, and what angered him even more was that these people dared to use him and the emperor as an excuse to act arrogantly and domineeringly.

Is this meant to make the people compare them, father and son, to Yang Guang of that era?
"Oh dear, old man, please stop exaggerating."

The shopkeeper looked dejected, not daring to believe the old man in plain clothes.

This is like meeting someone on the street who claims to be the richest person in the world; a normal person would just think that the person is out of their mind.

Li Shimin glanced at Wen He, his tone tinged with helplessness: "Since Father doesn't want to leave, let's not spoil his fun."

Wen He chuckled upon hearing this, shook her head, and feigned a sigh: "Alas, actually, I least want to do such a thing as bullying others by taking advantage of my power. I'm clearly a good person."

As soon as he finished speaking, he glanced at the approaching thugs and shouted in a deep voice, "Stop them."

"Shh!"

Almost the instant he finished speaking, a dozen or so seemingly ordinary men in plain clothes stood up simultaneously within a few steps around him.

They were originally sitting or standing, inconspicuous among the sparse passersby, but now they were like drawn blades, their eyes suddenly becoming sharp as eagles.

Each person had a weapon hidden under their clothes, but they had concealed it very well beforehand.

Leading the group was Zhang Wenxiao, one of the Hundred Riders, who instantly blocked the way for the Bad Guys.

"Everyone stand down!"

The thugs were all stunned.

On the banks of Qujiang Pool, no one dared to block their way.

If so, then they must have some powerful connections. Although this group of people were used to acting arrogantly, they weren't truly stupid. Seeing the other party's posture, they began to have doubts.

The constable surnamed Fan frowned as he stepped forward, suppressing his unease, and asked with clasped hands, "May I ask which household you gentlemen belong to? Perhaps we have offended you in some way?"

He didn't immediately turn hostile.

After all, he was ordered to "clean up the streets," and he couldn't bear the consequences if he offended any distinguished person traveling incognito.

Besides, what important person would eat at a roadside stall like this?
Maybe they were just passing by.

Zhang Wenxiao frowned and glanced at the Bad Commander, then reached into his robes and pulled out a token.

The token was as black as ink, with the words "Hundred Riders" boldly engraved in gilded gold, gleaming coldly in the dim light.

Upon seeing this, the scoundrel's legs trembled violently, and cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead.

He took a deep breath and hurriedly bowed to Zhang Wenxiao and the others, his voice trembling: "I was unaware that you were here, sir! I was blind and ignorant! I will take my men and leave immediately, and I would not dare to disturb you!"

He kept his head down the whole time, his eyes fixed on the ground, not daring to even glance around.

Although his status was lowly, he had heard of the title "Hundred Riders".

Those were those who directly guarded the imperial city and served His Majesty.

The two previous embezzlement cases had made everyone in Chang'an feel insecure.

Even ordinary officials would be wary of him.

The fact that these people are now disguised and appearing at Qujiang Pool can only mean one thing: His Majesty the Emperor and the Emperor Emeritus must be nearby.

The Bad Guy Commander knew perfectly well that Li Shimin and Li Yuan were intentionally concealing their identities. Naturally, he dared not expose them without permission. He could only hope to quickly lead his men away and avoid running into trouble.

"Let him come."

Just as he turned to leave, a calm voice came from behind him.

Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw the old man, the middle-aged man, and the boy who had been eating noodles at the Bo Tuo stall watching him quietly.

The vendors present were still confused, but the Bad Guy felt a sudden jolt in his heart, as if he had been struck by a heavy hammer.

He had heard of Wen He, the magistrate of Gaoyang County who now commanded a hundred cavalry, and he was only eleven years old. The age of the boy in front of him matched perfectly.

If that young man was Wen He, then the two people beside him...

Thinking of this, the Bad Commander's knees almost gave way, and he nearly knelt down on the spot.

"Have your men disperse, and come here yourself."

Zhang Wenxiao scrutinized him, his tone devoid of any warmth.

"Yes, yes, yes!" The tyrant nodded hastily, then turned and shouted sternly at his men behind him, "Get out of here! Anyone who dares to linger nearby will be in for a beating!"

The old man selling sugar paintings, his hands still trembling, carefully touched his reddened cheek, looked at the thugs who had run away, and then at the hundred cavalry guards blocking his way.

Finally, his gaze fell on Wen He, and he suddenly bowed deeply to him: "Thank you, young master, thank you so much for saving my life!"

This bow was the first thing to happen, and the other vendors followed suit. There was a young man selling flatbread, a peddler carrying a load on his shoulder, and a woman holding a child. They all bowed in Wen He's direction, their voices filled with the excitement of surviving a disaster: "Thank you, young master!"

May your descendants be noble and prosperous for generations to come!

If it weren't for this young man standing up for them today, they would probably have been dragged to the prison in Wannian County to suffer.

Wen He felt a little embarrassed by what was said.

Li Yuan and Li Shimin, in particular, looked at him with a teasing smile.

"May your descendants be dukes and marquises for generations? That's not bad either." Li Yuan stroked his beard, then glanced at Li Shimin deliberately: "This is the will of the people."

"Yes."

Li Shimin naturally knew this.

But Li Yuan was his father, so he pretended to be listening to his instructions.

The shopkeeper next to them was completely dumbfounded.

Can anyone tell him what happened?
at this time.

The wicked commander steadied himself, steeled himself, and slowly moved towards the stall, stopping a few steps away, his back bent like a drawn bow: "This humble one...this humble one, Fan Biao, pays his respects...pays his respects..."

He dared not reveal Li Shimin and his group's identities, and swallowed his words back.

He could only keep his head down, his forehead almost touching his chest, and even his breathing became lighter, for fear of disturbing the distinguished person in front of him.

"Alright, stop with the greetings, please sit down."

Li Shimin pointed to the empty seat opposite Wen He, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

Upon hearing this, Fan Biao trembled violently, as if pricked by a needle, and shook his head like a rattle drum: "I...I dare not! How could I, a lowly person, sit in such a seat?"

He glanced at the empty seat and felt as if the wooden bench was covered in sharp thorns. It would take a lot of courage to even approach it, let alone sit down.

"Please don't make things difficult for him."

Wen He laughed from the side, her gaze sweeping over Fan Biao's pale face.

"It's already good enough that he can stand up at all."

Fan Biao quickly echoed, his voice trembling like a leaf: "Yes, yes, I'll just stand here and listen to the instructions!"

If there were a crack in the ground right now, he would crawl into it without hesitation.

If I had known that I would run into this big shot while cleaning the street, I wouldn't have dared to come even if I had ten times the courage!
I used to think this was a lucrative job, but now it seems like a death trap.

If I really anger His Majesty, I'm afraid I won't even be able to keep my head.

His hands hung down, his legs were straight, but his knees trembled uncontrollably.

"Three distinguished guests, who...who are you people?"

The shopkeeper stared wide-eyed, and the soup ladle in his hand clattered back into the pot.

The three people in front of me, a grandfather and his grandson, were dressed in coarse cloth and looked no different from the other neighbors. They didn't look like important people at all.

But look around. The hundred guards all have eyes like knives. The thugs who were just moments ago were now as scared as quails. This is not the kind of grandeur that ordinary people can have.

It should be noted that although these scoundrels are of low status, most of them are street thugs who have risen through the ranks. They dare to treat ordinary powerful and wealthy people with some leniency, and they are always fearless and have nothing to lose.

Little did he know, the three people before him were clearly more than just "wearing shoes."

They were the ones wielding knives.

"We're not important people, we just have some connections with this official."

Wen He smiled and smoothed things over, pointing at Zhang Wenxiao.

"Yes, yes, yes! We have a long-standing relationship!"

Fan Biao quickly echoed the sentiment, his forehead still damp with cold sweat.

The shop owner, however, felt increasingly uneasy.

If they were just casual acquaintances, would this General Fan be so frightened?
Suddenly, a thought struck him. Looking at Li Shimin's composed demeanor and then at the majesty between Li Yuan's brows, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

Could it be that the county magistrate's superior is on a clandestine visit?

Judging from that old man's demeanor, he might be a county magistrate or a county assistant magistrate!
This is an extremely high-ranking official!
The shopkeeper was overjoyed and rubbed his hands together, saying with a smile, "In that case, I'll cook some more 'Bo Tuo' for the three of you! It's on me today, all you can eat!"

If I could win the favor of the county magistrate, I might actually be able to set up a permanent stall by Qujiang Pool in the future, and no longer have to be chased away by the scoundrels.

"Alright! Cook more, I'm still not full."

Li Yuan stroked his beard and smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothing out.

It's strange, though. The delicacies in the palace are exquisite, they never taste as good as the food from the street stalls. It must be that the chefs are lazy and haven't put in the real effort.

"Yes, yes, yes! Cook more! Put it all on my tab!" Fan Biao hurriedly tried to curry favor, hoping to build a relationship by paying.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a cold rebuke came from the side: "No need. If we put it on your head, the shopkeeper probably won't get a single penny in the end."

Li Shimin's voice wasn't loud, but it startled Fan Biao so much that he knelt down on the ground with a "plop".

His knees slammed into the frozen ground, and he winced in pain but dared not utter a sound.

The surrounding vendors were all startled.

Who exactly is this middle-aged man?
One sentence was all it took to make the Bad Commander kneel?
"Alright, stop kneeling all the time." Wen He glanced at Fan Biao.

"You look terrifying. Don't disturb our meal. Get up."

Fan Biao felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He scrambled to his feet, bending even lower.

Li Yuan put down his chopsticks, his face darkening, and asked, "Who sent you?"

"Yes, it is the magistrate of Wannian County!"

Fan Biao dared not hide the truth and stammered in reply.

"He received orders from his superior, saying that two distinguished guests were to arrive at Qujiang Pool, and that we were to clear the area and not allow any unauthorized personnel to disturb them..."

He glanced at Li Yuan and Li Shimin's expressions, and seeing that they didn't speak, he quickly added, "I was just following orders. The money for the tea... was collected by my subordinates without permission. I will punish them severely!"

"The laws of the Tang Dynasty do not allow vendors to set up stalls outside the East and West Markets, yet you accept money and condone it?" Li Shimin asked sternly, his gaze piercing Fan Biao.

Fan Biao was stunned.

He originally thought His Majesty was blaming him for oppressing merchants, but he never expected it was because of "illegally setting up stalls".

He hurriedly explained, "This... please forgive me, sir. It's always been like this at this time of year. The East Market and West Market are too far apart, and the things inside are expensive. Poor people can't buy much there, so they all prefer to come to Qujiang Pool..."

This statement, ostensibly an explanation, is actually an attempt to shirk responsibility.

After all, it's been a long-standing practice, and everyone has always done it this way; he was simply following the old custom.

Can conventions represent the law?

Li Shimin rebuked, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority.

Wen He blinked upon hearing this.

Why do these words sound so familiar?

Oh, I remember now, isn't that what he said when he was criticizing that guy before?

Li Er is putting his knowledge into practice!

Fan Biao was speechless at the question. He swallowed hard and tentatively asked, "Then... then I'll drive them away?"

"If you drive them away, what will I eat?"

Li Yuan immediately snorted in dissatisfaction and turned to glare at Li Shimin.

"The common people are just trying to make a living in this cold winter, why must they be driven to extinction?"

Li Shimin was taken aback.

Father, this law separating markets and residential areas was clearly established during your reign!
How come it's turned out to be my fault now?
"People should focus on farming. Even in the cold winter, they can repair irrigation ditches, store fertilizer and grain. If everyone comes to do this kind of stall business, who will grow the crops?"

Li Shimin felt that his father had been idle for too long and had even forgotten how to govern the country, only caring about his immediate cravings.

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan immediately snorted coldly.

He wasn't really against Li Shimin's words, he was just annoyed that the kid dared to lecture him.

Don't forget, I was the first to sit on this throne!

"That's probably not quite right."

Wen He suddenly coughed lightly, interrupting the argument between the father and son.

Li Yuan and Li Shimin both glared at him.

Although the former was dissatisfied with his son's lecturing, he also felt that "emphasizing agriculture" was the right thing to do.

The latter was even more puzzled. Was this kid going to defend the vendor?
"What's wrong?" Li Shimin asked, frowning.

Wen He did not answer directly, but pointed to the streets that were gradually returning to their bustling state: "People have been busy and tense all year. It is only natural for them to come out and relax during the holidays and buy some small things. The East Market and West Market are ultimately too small to accommodate so much ordinary life."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the vendors who had set up their stalls again, and continued, "Besides, if people only rely on farming to make a living, where will they get their money? Where will they get their cloth? What will they use to cope with illness or disaster?"

"Of course, we sell grain to make money!"

Fan Biao answered without thinking.

Upon hearing this, the displeasure on Li Shimin and Li Yuan's faces immediately vanished.

They all knew that when ordinary people sold their grain, they could only go to the grain shops of landlords and gentry, where the prices were driven down to extremely low levels. In the end, it was the powerful families who profited, while the common people still couldn't save much money.

"Besides, those who can make a living from the land are the farmers who own land."

Wen He looked at the two of them and said solemnly, "What about landless refugees? If they don't work hard or do some small business, are they only allowed to sell themselves into slavery? At that time, the number of laborers the court can conscript and the taxes it can collect will only decrease. The foundation of the Tang Dynasty cannot rely solely on the crops in the land."

Ultimately, the Tang Dynasty was still a small-scale peasant economy, but times were changing, and we couldn't be trapped in the old rules.

If this continues, land consolidation will inevitably become unavoidable.

Li Shimin listened and fell into deep thought.

He always thought about "emphasizing agriculture and consolidating the foundation of the nation," but he never thought carefully about what way to leave the people when the land was not enough to support them.

Li Yuan nodded silently, then frowned: "But if we loosen restrictions and everyone sets up stalls on the streets, won't Chang'an fall into chaos?"

Upon hearing this, Wen He smiled and turned her gaze to Fan Biao beside her, saying with a half-smile, "That's why we need the Bad Guys."

The so-called "Bad Leader" is essentially a combination of a future auxiliary police officer and an urban management officer.

"Ah, does the young master mean he needs us?" Fan Biao couldn't help but feel excited.

Could it be that they're going to give those scoundrels a big job?
"Talk about it."

Li Shimin asked in a deep voice.

“Each market town should have a designated area for vendors to do business. Several law enforcement officers should be stationed in each area to patrol, and additional taxes should be levied on the vendors. This is called an administration tax, and it should not be too high. Part of the tax should be used to maintain the operation of the area, and part should be handed over to the imperial court.”

Just like many cities in later generations, they will set up a night market area.

Then a management tax is levied to cover the cost of maintaining the night market.

This will provide these vendors with a place to legally set up stalls, and the phenomenon of haphazardly placed items on city streets will be reduced.

Of course, managing this well requires some effort.

Even in later generations, such night markets have been rife with shady dealings.

"Later... was it the same in your hometown?" Li Shimin asked.

Wen He nodded, but added, "However, my hometown has a large population, while Chang'an has a smaller population, so it cannot be fully implemented yet. This policy can be prioritized for those hooligans, as well as those whose families have no inherited land."

The scoundrels of this era were different from those of later generations.

It refers to unemployed vagrants and people without land or property.

"In this way, we can also encourage those clans to split up." Li Shimin's eyes lit up.

He suddenly stood up and bowed to Li Yuan: "Father, I'll go back first. Let this brat keep you company."

"Let's go, let's go. I didn't need you to come with me anyway."

Li Yuan waved his hand dismissively.

Li Shimin didn't take his words to heart. Before leaving, he specifically instructed Wen He to protect Li Yuan, and then hurriedly left with a portion of the hundred cavalry.

"Why did you leave?" The owner of the bao tuo stall happened to be carrying several bowls of cooked bao tuo over.

“He doesn’t deserve to eat this; I’ll eat it.” Li Yuan snorted.

"The old man is blessed; his children and grandchildren are all talented and handsome, and they will surely become officials in the future."

"children and grandchildren?"

Li Yuan was taken aback, glanced at Wen He who was equally bewildered, and immediately burst into laughter.

The shopkeeper thought he had hit the nail on the head and smiled apologetically.

Only Fan Biao, who knew the truth, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Wen He's lips twitched a few times.

"What, you're still not convinced? A grandson-in-law is still a grandson." Li Yuan laughed and patted Wen He's head.

What's so funny about this?

Wen He really couldn't understand Li Yuan's sudden outburst of madness.

The other end.

As soon as Li Shimin returned to the palace, he summoned the officials of the Three Departments and the Six Ministries to the Liangyi Hall.

Once everyone had arrived, he relayed Wen He's suggestion.

They just didn't mention that it was Wen He who suggested this.

He trailed off.

Inside the Liangyi Hall, a deathly silence fell instantly.

After a long while, a man with a solemn expression stepped forward, bowed to Li Shimin, and said, "Your Majesty, I believe this is unacceptable. If this is done, Chang'an will surely be thrown into chaos. Such a plan is tantamount to ruin the country. I beg Your Majesty to arrest the person who made this suggestion and expel him from Chang'an!"

(End of this chapter)