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

Chapter 342 Layout: Japan Has Many Silver Mountains

"This matter ends here."

Before Cui Yushu, who was sitting at the head of the table, could finish speaking, he slammed the celadon teacup in his hand onto the mahogany table with a loud clang, which made the tea and snacks on the table tremble slightly.

The suppressed murmurs in the room instantly dissipated, and everyone's eyes turned to him. Even Xun Song, the white-haired old man who had just smashed the bowls and plates in anger, stopped pounding the table and stared blankly at the head of the Cui family of Boling.

"Lord Cui, why!"

Xun Song was the first to react, his white beard trembling with excitement, his tone full of resentment.

“That little thief Wen He has repeatedly humiliated my Xun family. Jue’er is still being humiliated in the Ministry of Justice prison. How can we just let this go?”

He really couldn't accept it.

The Xun family has been officials for generations, and they have never suffered such injustice before. Now they have to watch helplessly as the culprit goes unpunished.

Cui Yushu raised his eyes, his deep gaze falling on Xun Song, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "The imperial examinations are approaching, this is a matter of great importance concerning the foundation of the aristocratic families."

One sentence instantly silenced the room.

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

Yes, the imperial examinations are just around the corner, a crucial opportunity for aristocratic families to select their sons and consolidate their power in the court.

If we were to fight to the death with Wen He over Xun Jue's matter now, and anger His Majesty, who would then take his anger out on the entire aristocratic family, affecting the selection of candidates for the imperial examinations, then we would be losing more than we gain.

“But what about Jue’er…”

Xun Song was still unwilling to give up, his voice tinged with urgency. How could he stand by and watch the most talented descendant of the Xun family waste his time in prison, and possibly even suffer a lifelong stain on his reputation?

"I will have someone help him get out. This is a frame-up. Even if he is to be locked up, he won't be there for long!"

"This time he has betrayed my trust, so let this be a small punishment to serve as a warning."

After speaking, he stopped looking at everyone's reactions, stood up, straightened his clothes, and his wide robe sleeves swept across the teacups on the table.

The footsteps were steady as they walked towards the door of the side room. They pushed the door open and left, their movements swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

The people in the room looked at each other, their eyes filled with complicated emotions.

There is both agreement with Cui Yushu's decision and helplessness in bowing to the aristocratic families.

Seeing that Cui Yushu had already left, they lost the will to continue arguing. They all stood up, bowed to Xun Song in farewell, and hurried away, as if staying any longer would trap them in the oppressive atmosphere.

Before long, Xun Song was the only one left in the large room.

He sat blankly in the chair, staring at the broken porcelain shards scattered all over the floor. He recalled Cui Yushu's words, and the anger in his chest was gradually replaced by a sense of powerlessness.

As the winter snow melts and the spring breeze sweeps through the courtyard, the forsythia in Gaoyang County are the first to bloom in full glory.

The tender yellow petals adorn the slender branches, like scattered gold dust. The morning dew drops on the petals, reflecting the morning light and shining brightly.

Wenrou woke up before dawn, and ran to the yard with small, quick steps. She immediately spotted the clump of forsythia. Excitedly, she squatted down in front of the flowers, carefully picked a few of the most vibrant blooms, and held them in her palm to show Wenhe.

But as soon as she ran up the steps to the main house, her foot slipped and she fell down on the steps with a "thud".

The forsythia blossoms in my palm were scattered all over the ground, some even trampled underfoot, and now they lay listlessly on the blue bricks.

Wenrou paused for a moment, and was about to reach for the flower when she suddenly felt a numbness in her mouth. She raised her hand to touch it, and her fingertips touched a loose tooth. When she pursed her lips, the tooth fell directly into her palm.

"Wow!"

A loud wail shattered the tranquility of the courtyard. Wenrou, holding up the tiny tooth, tears streaming down her face, ran into the house crying, "Brother! Brother, my tooth fell out! My tooth is gone!"

Wen He, who was reading in the study, heard the crying and quickly put down her book and ran out. She saw Wen Rou with tears streaming down her face, clutching a small, bloody tooth in her hand, her shoulders shaking with sobs.

Xiao Mei, who was standing nearby, turned pale with fright and immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness: "Young master, please forgive me! It was my fault for not watching the young lady properly and causing her to fall!"

Wen He squatted down first, took the tooth from Wen Rou's hand, then gently touched her cheek and asked softly, "Where did you hurt yourself? Besides your tooth, does your knee hurt?"

Gently sobbing, she shook her head and pointed to the forsythia on the ground: "The flowers...the flowers are all gone...and my teeth are all gone..."

"it's okay no problem,"

Wen He wiped away her tears.

"Teeth will grow back when they fall out, and forsythia will bloom again after it withers. Let's not cry anymore, okay?" He turned to look at Xiaomei, his tone gentle.

"It's not your fault, she just ran too fast. Get up."

Xiaomei, however, remained uneasy, kneeling on the ground and refusing to get up: "Young master, it is my fault. Please punish me, otherwise I will feel uneasy!"

Wen He couldn't persuade her otherwise, so she said, "Then I'll punish you with half a month's salary. Just be more careful next time."

Xiaomei then thanked him and got up to pick up the fallen flowers on the ground.

Just as they had calmed Wenrou down, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard gate.

Li Ke came running in, panting, carrying a small bundle on his back, shouting, "Little Rou! The doctor is here! The doctor is here!"

Behind him followed an old doctor carrying a medicine box, also sweating profusely, clearly being urged on by Li Ke.

The old doctor rushed into the room as soon as he entered, thinking there was some kind of emergency. He was only stunned when he saw Wen He holding the crying Wen Rou: "May I ask... which patient is this?"

"It's Xiaorou. She fell and lost a tooth."

Wen He explained.

Upon hearing this, the old doctor was taken aback at first, then put down his medicine box with a wry smile. He stepped forward to examine Wenrou's mouth, touched her gums, and finally said, "Young lady, this is just your baby teeth falling out. It's perfectly normal. It's not a problem caused by a fall."

He paused, looked at Wen He, and tentatively asked, "Um... would you like some hemostatic medicine? Or a prescription to replenish qi and blood?"

Wenrou quickly covered her cheek and shook her head, her voice still trembling with tears: "I don't want to take the medicine! It tastes bitter!"

Wen He shook her head and then asked, "She just fell on the steps, is her knee hurt? Could you please take a look?"

The old doctor squatted down and gently lifted up the leg of her trousers.

His knees were completely clean, without even a red mark. He sighed helplessly, looking at Wen He and Li Ke, his tone tinged with emotion: "There are already few doctors in Chang'an. I usually have to deal with the headaches and fevers of my neighbors, and I also have to work at the market office..."

The meaning of this statement couldn't be clearer.

This isn't even an illness, so let's not waste our limited medical resources.

The implication is that the little girl is perfectly fine except for losing a tooth during her teething period.

Wen He felt a little embarrassed and glared at Li Ke beside her. She quickly told the servant to see the old doctor out and gave him extra money as an apology.

After the old doctor left, Wen He sat in the wicker chair with Wenrou in her arms, patiently coaxing her for a while.

He promised to buy her new candied fruit and said he would bury her lost tooth properly under the forsythia. Only then did the little girl gradually stop sobbing, her eyes red and swollen, like a wronged little rabbit.

"Walk slower in the future, and don't run so fast anymore."

Wen He smiled and gently rubbed her soft little face, her fingertips touching her gum where a tooth was missing, before softening her touch.

"Luckily you didn't hurt your face this time. If you had scraped your little cheeks, how would you ever look pretty again?"

Wenrou sniffed, nodded obediently, her little hands tightly gripping Wen He's clothes, her voice still a little hoarse: "Brother, I understand, I won't run away anymore."

Wen He chatted with her for a while longer, and seeing her eyes gradually brighten, she handed her over to Xiao Mei who was waiting nearby: "Keep a close eye on her and don't let her run around everywhere. If she wants some snacks, go to the kitchen and get the freshly steamed jujube cake."

Xiao Mei quickly agreed and took Wenrou's hand, leading her to the inner courtyard.

Before long, Wen He changed into a light blue round-necked robe and, accompanied by the steward Zhou Fu, headed straight for the back garden.

That was a workshop he had specially set aside, where the craftsmen he hired usually made glass and soap.

As soon as he reached the courtyard gate, he saw a group of craftsmen dressed in short clothes sitting on the stone steps, resting. When they saw Wen He enter, they quickly stood up and bowed in unison, saying, "Greetings, young master!"

"Thank you for your hard work."

Wen He waved her hand gently.

"We asked everyone to go home and reunite on New Year's Day, and we only resumed work today. This has caused some delays. We will have to trouble you all to continue to help us in the future."

The craftsmen quickly replied, "We dare not."

They were all craftsmen that Wen He had recruited from the streets. In the past, they either couldn't find work or had their wages deducted by workshop owners. Now, working in Gaoyang County, they not only received a full monthly salary, but also had food and lodging provided. They were even given plenty of charcoal in the winter. They had long regarded Wen He as their benefactor.

"Today is the first day back to work, and I've prepared a start-up bonus for everyone."

Wen He turned to look at Zhou Fu, gesturing for him to take the items out.

Zhou Fu hurriedly stepped forward, opened the wooden box he carried with him, inside which were neatly stacked strings of copper coins, their copper gleaming and particularly eye-catching.

"Young Master has instructed that each of you will receive ten strings of cash as a start-up bonus. He has also prepared wine and meat in the kitchen tonight, so everyone can have a good meal and then work with renewed vigor tomorrow!" Zhou Fu raised his voice, spreading the message throughout the courtyard.

The craftsmen's eyes lit up immediately.

Ten strings of cash are equivalent to their monthly wages!
Of course, only here can you get this much pay.

If it were elsewhere, I'm afraid I wouldn't earn even two or three strings of cash a year.

Those who were registered as artisans had no land and could only make a living through their skills.

In the past, we sometimes went hungry and sometimes full, but now we have meat at every meal, and the children in the family even have new clothes to wear.

Now the young master has given so much again.

A low gasp rippled through the crowd, and everyone looked at Wen He with barely concealed joy.

"Thank you so much, young man! You are so kind!"

Everyone bowed again, this time with even greater respect than before, bending their waists even lower.

Looking at their expressions, Wen He felt a warmth in her heart and added, "Everyone, work hard. After we finish this busy period, if you're willing, bring your children to the manor. I plan to open a private school here and hire a teacher to teach the children to read and write, and to learn some principles. We are craftsmen, and we can't let our children be illiterate for the rest of their lives."

The courtyard fell silent instantly upon hearing this.

The craftsmen looked at each other, their eyes filled with disbelief.

These artisans from humble backgrounds never dared to dream of their children being able to go to school.

In Chang'an, the tuition fees for private tutors were exorbitantly high. Children from ordinary families were lucky if they could recognize a few characters, let alone hope to attend a proper school.
If it weren't for the bookstore run by the young master, they wouldn't even be able to afford books.

"Pfft!"

The first craftsman reacted, knelt down with a thud, and kowtowed deeply to Wen He: "Young master, you have shown me such great kindness! I will remember your kindness for the rest of my life!" After the first one, the others also reacted one after another and knelt down. In an instant, Wen He was surrounded by kneeling people.

The sounds of kowtowing and expressions of gratitude mingled together, and some even had tears in their eyes, their voices choked with emotion: "Young master, you have shown our child the right path!"

Wen He quickly stepped forward and reached out to help the old craftsman at the front: "Everyone, please get up, there's no need for that. I only did a small thing. It's a good thing that the children can learn more and have a better future."

But the craftsmen refused to get up, and kowtowed several more times before slowly rising after Wen He's repeated persuasion.

Everyone looked at Wen He with gratitude and respect in their eyes.

Wen He walked around the workshop, her fingertips tracing the freshly fired glassware on the shelves.

The transparent cups still retained the residual heat from firing, and the patterns were even, making them much more refined than the previous finished products.

He nodded in satisfaction, then looked at the soap molds piled up to the side. Seeing that the craftsmen were busy in an orderly manner, he turned around and walked out with Zhou Fu.

"Production capacity still can't keep up." As soon as they stepped out of the workshop, Wen He frowned and said to Zhou Fu.

"The Ministry of Civil Affairs is pressing us hard; a large quantity of glass and soap needs to be delivered by the end of next month, and we are far from having enough manpower."

"Uncle Zhou, I'll still need to trouble you to make a trip to the brokerage firm and recruit a dozen or so quick and efficient craftsmen, preferably those who know something about firing or soap processing."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Fu looked somewhat troubled and quickly said, "Young master, it's not that this old servant is shirking responsibility, but if we hire more people, the family's finances might be a bit tight."

He paused and added.

"As you know from the account books, the materials for making glass, as well as the soap beans and oils for making soap, were all paid for by you. Expenses have been high lately, and with the addition of manpower, the monthly wages and material costs combined, I'm afraid the household's savings won't be able to support us."

Wen He remained calm and waved his hand, saying, "It's alright, don't worry about the money. In a few days, the payments for the glassware ordered by those aristocratic families and Guanzhong clans will arrive. They've ordered high-priced items, and the payment will cover a lot of expenses, enough to pay for the new craftsmen's monthly wages and materials."

He had already calculated this cost.

The payments to those distributors will arrive soon.

With this money, the workshop's cash flow would no longer be a problem.

Wen He wasn't afraid of them defaulting on their debts, unless these aristocratic families and Guanzhong region didn't care about their reputation.

If anyone dares to renege on his debt, he will lead a hundred cavalrymen to their door to offer his condolences.

Zhou Fu was relieved and bowed, replying, "Yes, this old servant will go to the brokerage firm first thing tomorrow morning and will surely be able to find suitable craftsmen."

As the two were talking, Zhou Fu seemed to suddenly remember something and quickly asked, "By the way, young master, spring planting is almost here. In previous years, the tenants in the manor would have come to collect their grain seeds by this time. Now that you have waived their rent, should we still distribute the grain seeds as usual this year?"

"I almost forgot about that," Wen He said, patting her forehead as if suddenly realizing something.

In previous years, he would prepare the seeds in advance and distribute them to the tenants at this time. But this year is different, and the seeds had already been arranged. He paused and said to Zhou Fu, "We don't need to worry about the seeds this year. His Majesty will take care of them. Send someone to tell the tenants in the manor to clear the weeds from the fields and cultivate the ridges, but don't rush to plant. Once His Majesty's seeds arrive, someone will naturally notify them."

He was thinking.

The grain supplies from the Ring King's side should arrive soon.

Previously, the Ring King had tricked the Tang Dynasty three times by relying on his high-yield grain seeds.

As a result, Zhenla and Funan joined forces to attack Huanwang. Huanwang could not withstand the attack and had long lost his previous arrogance. He turned to the Tang Dynasty for help.

After New Year's Day, the Court of State Ceremonial sent an envoy to Prince Huan, ostensibly to offer assistance, but in reality to urge him to provide grain and seeds.

Wen He knew that if the Huan King did not want to be destroyed by Zhenla and Funan, he would have no choice but to obediently send over the grain seeds.

After all, apart from the Tang Dynasty, no one could help him stop the attacks from both countries.

If they don't send more, then the Tang Dynasty will have no choice but to continue sending swords to Zhenla and Funan.

Zhou Fu nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, and then asked, "What should we say if the tenants ask when the grain seeds will arrive?"

"Just tell them it will be soon, and let them focus on preparing for spring planting."

Wen He spoke with certainty.

"His Majesty is even more eager than us to distribute the grain seeds. After all, this year Guanzhong will promote high-yield grain varieties, which is a major event concerning people's livelihood and will not delay spring plowing."

Zhou Fu immediately wrote it down, feeling completely at ease.

"Oh dear, what a fine courtyard, but it's filled with craftsmen's tools, making it seem so vulgar."

A mocking voice, tinged with disdain, suddenly rang out, and Wen He and Zhou Fu turned their heads simultaneously.

Li Daozong, dressed in a crimson round-necked robe and a gilded belt, slowly walked in through the courtyard gate, holding a plain folding fan in his hand, followed by two servants carrying food boxes.

Zhou Fu quickly bowed and said respectfully, "This old servant greets the Prince of Rencheng."

Li Daozong waved his hand casually, "No need, no need to be so formal with me."

Having said that, he turned his gaze to Wen He, deliberately showing a hint of resentment on his face: "Little brat, why don't you even greet me when you see me? Judging from your cold appearance, do you not welcome me?"

Looking at his feigned aggrieved expression, Wen He twitched the corners of her mouth and chuckled twice: "Prince Rencheng is joking. As the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, you are currently very busy with foreign envoys leaving the capital one after another. How come you have time to stroll around my little courtyard?"

He knew it.

Every time Li Daozong visited, it was never an easy matter. He was either urging him to fulfill his promises or pulling him aside to discuss countermeasures for the imperial court.

Li Daozong heard the teasing in his words but wasn't annoyed. He smiled and followed Wen He's footsteps, leaning close to him and lowering his voice: "Little kid, don't forget what we agreed on before. Yesterday, the Japanese delegation left Chang'an and headed to Dengzhou Port. That old bastard Soga no Emishi is gone. Shouldn't we start our plan now?"

"Soga no Ezo is gone?" Wen He paused, somewhat surprised.

"I thought they would stay in Chang'an for a few more days, but I didn't expect them to leave so quickly."

He hesitated for a moment, then quickly pressed on, "Before he left, did he contact any craftsmen privately? Especially those who make glass, weave textiles, or build ships? Were there any who wanted to go to sea with him?"

"Of course not!"

Li Daozong patted his chest, his tone tinged with self-satisfaction.

“From the day the Japanese delegation checked into the post station, I sent people to keep an eye on their every move. Every craftsman that Soga no Emishi had come into contact with, whether they were old craftsmen from the official kilns or small craftsmen from the common people, had been warned that if they dared to follow the Japanese, it would be a crime of treason, and their families would be exterminated.”

"His Majesty ordered Huang Chun to send a hundred cavalrymen to follow them secretly, to prevent them from taking the craftsmen out to sea."

He glanced at Wen He, a hint of resentment in his eyes: "You little brat, you don't believe in my abilities? How could I possibly mess up such a small matter?"

Upon hearing this, Wen He nodded silently.

No wonder Li Daozong made a special trip to visit today; it turns out it was for this matter. He pondered to himself.

Now that Soga no Emishi has left the capital, it's time for the Hundred Riders who were previously stationed near the Honglu Guest House to make their move.

"Uncle Zhou, go and tell Qi San to prepare the carriage. I need to go to the Hundred Cavalry Division."

Wen He turned to Zhou Fu and gave him instructions, then turned and walked toward her room.

"I'm going to change into my official robes, I'll be back in a moment."

Seeing this, Li Daozong quickly caught up, asking as he walked, "Hey, little brat, wait for me! What are you doing at the Hundred Cavalry Commandery? Is it related to the Japanese delegation? Take me with you!"

Wen He waved his hand without turning his head: "Prince Rencheng, you should go back to the Court of State Ceremonial and attend to your business. You can't get involved in the affairs of the Hundred Cavalry Division."

He had no intention of having Li Daozong come along.

The next operation of the Hundred Cavalry Division involves covert investigation, and the more people involved, the more unpredictable things become. Moreover, Li Daozong is impulsive and might cause trouble.

Li Daozong, however, persisted, following behind Wen He and refusing to back down: "How can you not get involved? I was there during the initial planning! You little brat, don't even think about leaving me out..."

……

"Have you heard? This time, the Japanese left in a hurry, saying they wanted to buy craftsmen, but His Majesty refused, and they left in anger."

Outside the Honglu Guest House, two minor officials dressed in green were speaking in hushed tones.

"They're still buying? Last time they spent 100,000 catties of silver just to buy one craftsman. Do they really have that much silver?"

"How could there not be? You don't know, do you? Japan has several silver mines. If they weren't so far from the Tang Dynasty, His Majesty would have sent troops long ago."

The two minor officials were engrossed in their conversation.

Unbeknownst to them, not far away, several people dressed in Goguryeo attire were listening intently.

"Keep your voice down, this is confidential, don't let anyone hear it."

"What's there to be afraid of? The interpreters here are all our people, and those foreigners can't understand what we're saying anyway."

The minor official who spoke disagreed.

But the other person was still a little worried, so they stopped talking about it.

"How did the Tang people know about the silver mines in Japan?"

A Goguryeo man exclaimed in surprise.

"It must have been leaked by the Japanese themselves. Even we only knew that there was a silver mountain in Iwami, Japan. This was something a Japanese man revealed when he was drunk. But now it seems that the news is true."

The Goguryeo people couldn't help but glance at each other.

"But we are too far from Japan, with Silla and Baekje in between."

"Perhaps we can wipe them out first!" A Goguryeo man said with a hateful expression.

The rest of the people shook their heads.

If they could be wiped out so easily, then Silla and Baekje would not exist today.

"I can only go back and report to the King first."

These Goguryeo people were all under Gao Jianwu's command, but they also knew that if they wanted to attack Japan, they would still need Da Dui Lu's consent.

at the same time.

The same scene was unfolding near the Silla and Baekje missions.

And in a restaurant not far from the Honglu Guest House.

There was a pair of eyes watching the few minor officials who were talking.

"Japan's silver mine?"

The man sneered and slammed his wine glass heavily onto the table.

(End of this chapter)