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

Chapter 340 Ye Ye doesn't recognize the characters, he only knows that those two characters are pronounced "Dog King".

"Smash it! Smash it hard! Smash these corrupt shops run by aristocratic families to pieces!"

The shouts in front of Xun's study were like thunder.

A group of men wielding sticks, their faces contorted with rage and their eyes bloodshot, charged toward the bookstore like burning hay.

The young man who looked like a bully raised a thick wooden stick high in his hand and kicked the wooden door of the study first. With a loud bang, a crack appeared in the door panel.

The bookstore owner turned pale with fright, but he forced himself to stand up and rushed to the door, shouting at the crowd: "Are you lowly commoners going to rebel? Do you know this is the territory of the Xun family of Yingchuan? Disperse at once! If you dare to cause any more trouble, when the Imperial Guards arrive, they will arrest you and take you to the Ministry of Justice for questioning. You'll be in deep trouble!"

He deliberately emphasized the words "Golden Guard" and "Ministry of Justice" as his gaze swept across the crowd.

Sure enough, many people hesitated, and their grip on the sticks loosened slightly.

Who in Chang'an City doesn't know how formidable the Golden Guard is?
Once arrested and imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, the punishment ranged from caning to exile; no one dared to risk their life.

Just as the crowd was about to disperse, the leader of the thugs suddenly jumped onto the stone steps next to him, raised his arms and shouted: "Don't be scared by him, everyone! This shopkeeper is a lackey of the gentry, helping those big shots to bully us. Look at him, he keeps calling us lowly people. He treats us all like animals!"

"His Majesty is wise and knows that the aristocratic families are monopolizing knowledge and cutting off our children's livelihood. He will certainly not side with them!"

He paused, his voice growing more impassioned: "Besides, with so many of us, if we smash this up and leave, even if the Imperial Guards come, can they arrest everyone in Chang'an? If we don't smash this black-hearted shop today, they'll only become more ruthless in the future, leaving us to live in ignorance for generations to come!"

These words were like a spark, instantly igniting the anger in everyone present. The previous hesitation was replaced by indignation, and someone shouted in agreement: "Yes! We can't be afraid of them!"

"Smash this shop and avenge our children!"

Seeing this, the young scoundrel said no more and charged at the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper tried to stop him, but the young thug struck him on the arm with a stick, causing him to scream in pain and stagger backward.

Several servants in the bookstore rushed out to help, but the crowd had already swarmed in. Amidst the flying sticks, the servants were quickly swallowed up by the crowd and could only cover their heads and hide.

The customers who had been browsing books in the bookstore were terrified when they saw the group of menacing-looking people rushing in. They ran out with their heads in their hands, not even bothering to pick up the books that had fallen to the ground.

In the blink of an eye, the once neat and elegant study room was in complete chaos.

The bookshelves were overturned, and the books were scattered all over the ground. Some were trampled into waste paper, while others were picked up and slammed to the ground. The crisp sound of paper tearing, wood breaking, and angry curses mingled together, creating a chaotic farce.

"Smash it! Smash these blood-sucking demon shops to pieces!"

The shouts of battle downstairs, mixed with the cracking sound of wood breaking, drifted into the second floor of Sanwei Study through the window cracks.

Xu Jingzong peered out the window and saw the crowd of people surge into Xun's Study like a rising tide. As sticks flew, bookshelves collapsed with a crash. His Adam's apple bobbed, he swallowed, and turned to Huang Chun beside him: "Who brought this leader?"

Huang Chun followed his gaze downwards and saw that the young scoundrel named Qi San was standing on the stone steps, raising his arms and shouting, his face full of excitement as if he wanted to overturn Chang'an City. He shook his head and turned his gaze to Chen Dahai beside him, his eyes full of questions.

Chen Dahai touched his nose and chuckled dryly as he explained, "Ahem, this is Qi San from the East Market, whom I met during survival training. He used to work as a servant in a brothel, and he's always been good at sweet-talking people. I never thought he'd come in handy today."

Xu Jingzong and Huang Chun exchanged a glance, both showing expressions of astonishment.

Is this what they call "being good at flattering people"?
When Qi San shouted "The gentry are cutting off our way of life," if he hadn't added "His Majesty is wise" at the end, they would have thought he was about to lead a bunch of peasants into the palace to rebel.

"Were all those things he just said actually his own thoughts?"

Huang Chun frowned and pressed for an answer, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the sword at his waist.

If this person truly has the ability to incite the people and has no scruples, keeping him around will only cause trouble sooner or later.

Chen Dahai shook his head and chuckled, "Qi San is eloquent, but he only knows a few words. How could he understand these profound principles? These words were all taught to him by our young master."

"Oh, so it was Wen He's idea."

Xu Jingzong and Huang Chun responded in unison, their surprise instantly vanishing.

If Wen He taught him, then it makes sense.

Xu Jingzong chuckled and commented, "That's pretty flashy."

Huang Chun was taken aback at first, but then realized that he was referring to Wen He's clever move of "using the people to fight back," and couldn't help but laugh: "That's right, this move is much more efficient than us taking direct action."

Yesterday, Xu Jingzong went to the Dali Temple prison to see Wen He and went over the whole story.

From Fang Chengwen's sudden impeachment to Xun's hasty opening of a bookstore and low-price sales after Wen He's imprisonment, and then to attracting poor scholars to give lectures, seemingly unrelated events coincidentally came together on the same timeline.

Wen He remained calm after hearing this and quickly pieced together the clues: "They don't want to kill me, they want to drag me down and ruin me."

Xu Jingzong didn't realize what was happening until Wen He explained it to him.

The gentry's scheme was not intended to kill Wen He at all.

After all, Wen He was protected by Li Shimin, and killing him head-on would only bring trouble upon himself.

Their real purpose was to use this incident to smear Wen He and prevent him from interfering in the "scholars' study tours" program.

More importantly, it's about labeling Wen He with a tainted reputation.

Later on, whenever someone secretly fanned the flames, saying, "His Majesty is absurd, allowing a ten-year-old child to enter the court, which has led to this scandal," the situation would escalate.

This single sentence alone could end Wen He's official career for the next ten years.

After all, in the imperial court, the most taboo thing is "not being worthy of one's position." How can an official who has to repeatedly defend his "innocence" be given important responsibilities by His Majesty?

"But this time, all we can do is smash up this bookstore to vent our anger." Xu Jingzong leaned against the window of Sanwei Bookstore, watching the Jinwu Guards cleaning up the mess at Xun Family Bookstore downstairs, his tone tinged with regret.

"In the end, there was no concrete evidence. Even if Xun Jue was taught a lesson, it wouldn't be possible to drive him out of Chang'an. It must be said that Xun Jue was indeed meticulous in his work."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from not far away, and someone shouted, "The Imperial Guards are here! Run!"

The people downstairs who were smashing things suddenly stopped, looking at each other with panic on their faces.

Qi San, who was in charge, reacted the fastest. He immediately raised his arms and shouted, "Run! Everyone, split up and run into the bustling city!" The crowd scattered like birds and beasts, running wildly towards the surrounding alleys and markets.

The area outside Xun's Study was the busiest marketplace in Chang'an, teeming with people. Once inside, the crowds would vanish without a trace. Even if the Imperial Guards chased after them on horseback, it was like searching for a needle in a haystack. They could only stomp their feet at the empty streets and the messy study.

At the same time, inside the Dali Temple prison.

Wen He held the secret letter in her hand, read it, and then pursed her lips, her tone complicated: "Indeed, it's watertight."

He was momentarily at a loss as to whether to praise Xun Jue for his prudence or to condemn him for his cruelty.

I just received news that Wang Er, the middleman who bribed the prison guards to poison the prisoners, was killed on his way out of the capital.

After investigation, local thugs concluded that it was a robbery and murder, and the last clue was completely cut off.

This isn't murder to silence a witness; Wen He would just smash his head against a block of tofu and die.

"Sir, why don't you have the Hundred Cavalry Division secretly capture Xun Jue?"

A ruthless glint flashed in Li Yifu's eyes as he delivered the message.

"As long as we arrest him and interrogate him thoroughly, we won't have to worry about him not confessing!"

Wen He chuckled and shook her head, pointing to the cell she was in: "What? You think your husband hasn't stayed in this Dali Temple long enough?"

Fang Chengwen's impeachment had just been quelled. Although Li Shimin knew he was innocent, he was still wary of the criticism of "arresting people without evidence."

Moreover, Xun Jue was able to set up such a scheme as soon as he arrived in Chang'an, so he must have someone backing him up.

It shouldn't be Guanzhong. The Xun family's ancestors were aristocratic families, and they would never have any connection with them.

That must be the side of the aristocratic clans.

Wen He didn't know which of the five surnames and seven noble families it was, or which other member of the aristocratic family.

Thinking about it carefully, it seems he has offended quite a few people.

We haven't even figured out who's behind this yet, so taking any rash action would only alert them.

He crumpled the secret letter into a ball and threw it into the charcoal brazier. The flames crackled and engulfed the letter.

Li Yifu quickly apologized, "Sir, I misspoke."

Wen He waved his hand, indicating that he didn't take it to heart.

Actually, he had another purpose he didn't mention.

That is, he didn't want the Hundred Cavalry to develop the same habits as the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the future.

Otherwise, as the founder, he would likely be remembered in history books as someone whose crimes are too numerous to record.

"But sir, we can't just let this go, can we?"

As evening fell, the area in front of Xun Family Study in Chang'an West Market was in a mess.

The bookshelves were overturned on the ground, and the books were scattered everywhere, some trampled to pieces, some covered in mud. The once elegant study now looked like it had been ransacked. Xun Jue stood at the door, his face so dark it could drip water, and the chill emanating from him almost froze the surrounding air.

The steward beside him, covering his bruised eye, tears and snot streaming down his face, said with a mournful expression, "Young master, those lowly commoners suddenly rushed in, smashing things with sticks. I and the servants couldn't stop them! They were even shouting... shouting that they wanted to smash up the gentry's black-hearted shop..."

"enough!"

Xun Jue rebuked him sharply, his voice filled with suppressed anger.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the irritation in his heart.

Now is not the time to hold those in charge accountable.

He slowly turned around, his eyes gloomy as he looked at the Sanwei Study across the street.

As the sun sets, the entrance to Sanwei Bookstore remains tidy, and you can even see customers selecting books inside, a stark contrast to the mess on the other side.

"Without someone instigating them, how dare these lowly commoners act so presumptuously in the bustling streets of Chang'an?"

Xun Jue gritted his teeth and muttered under his breath, his fingers clenched into fists until his knuckles turned white. He was almost certain that Wen He was behind this.

Aside from that country bumpkin, no one would use such vulgar methods.

"Is this your counterattack?"

Xun Jue narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in them.

"This round is considered a draw, but next time..."

He was secretly vowing to make Wen He pay the price next time when he suddenly heard a series of orderly footsteps.

Looking up, I saw a group of people dressed in black robes walking towards me in the distance, with curved knives at their waists and steady steps.

They are the Bad Guys of Chang'an!

Leading the group was none other than the notorious Bad Guy Commander Fan Biao. He strode men up to Xun Jue, first glancing at the messy study, a cold smile flashing across his eyes, before fixing his gaze on Xun Jue and demanding in a serious tone, "You're the Dog King?"

Xun Jue frowned, suppressing his displeasure: "How dare you! I am Xun Jue of the Xun clan of Yingchuan!"

Fan Biao, however, seemed not to hear him. He stepped forward and suddenly raised his voice so that the surrounding onlookers could hear him clearly: "What Xun what Jue, my father doesn't know how to read, he only knows that those two characters are pronounced 'dog king'."

"Someone reported that three days ago you went to Qingfeng Tower in Pingkangfang, had fun, refused to pay, and even injured a servant in the tower. Now, please come with us to the county government to explain yourself!"

(End of this chapter)