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

Chapter 368 Don't threaten me, you don't have that right yet.

"What? An enemy attack?"

"Get up! Grab your weapons!"

"Where is my armor? Has anyone seen my sword?"

"Don't push! Let me get out first!"

The once quiet recruits' quarters were instantly filled with panicked shouts.

Moments later, the doors were smashed open one by one, and the new recruits rushed out, their clothes disheveled.

Some people were barefoot, their heels covered in grass clippings and mud, and they ran with a limp.

Some people were only wearing half of their shirts, and their exposed arms still bore bruises from last night's training.

Some people were clutching untied belts, wrapping them around themselves while looking around in panic. They didn't even have a wooden stick, let alone a knife.

Not far away, at the residence of the old cavalry, after a brief commotion, a muffled bang was heard as a window was smashed open, and an old cavalryman, wielding a horizontal sword, flipped out with swift and decisive movements.

Immediately afterwards, several old men carrying heavy wooden tables blocked their way, smashed open the door and rushed out, the wooden tables dragging on the ground with a screeching sound.

Dozens of people quickly formed a small formation, their swords drawn half an inch from their sheaths, gleaming coldly. Their sharp eyes swept across their surroundings, their breathing steady, showing no sign of panic.

When the new recruits and veteran cavalrymen simultaneously realized that everything around them was calm and there wasn't even a trace of an assassin, their faces flashed with astonishment.

Fan Biao, clutching his belt, asked in a trembling voice, "Where...where is the assassin?"

"assassin?"

Wen He walked out from under the corridor with a cold face, her footsteps making a crisp sound on the bluestone slabs.

“If there really were assassins, you would all be corpses by now. Just now you rushed out the door in a swarm. If someone had set up crossbows at the main gate, this day next year would be your death anniversary.”

The recruits then realized that this was another exercise, and shame immediately washed over them. They all lowered their heads, not daring to look Wen He in the eye.

Fan Biao lowered his head, not daring to look Wen He in the eye.

Seeing this, the veteran cavalrymen breathed a sigh of relief, put down their wooden tables, and looked at the new recruits with schadenfreude in their eyes, a mocking smile on their lips. Some even deliberately lowered their voices to tease them.

"This reaction is worse than even the dog at the village entrance."

"Is it funny?"

Wen He suddenly turned her head, her eyes coldly sweeping over the old cavalry, her voice carrying a hint of anger.

The smiles on the faces of the veteran riders froze instantly. They quickly put down their weapons, stood in neat rows, their backs ramrod straight, and didn't even dare to breathe.

"The Hundred Cavalry have no distinction between new and old; they are all His Majesty's personal guards, and brothers who will fight side by side!"

Wen He took a step forward, her tone heavy.

"Just now, you were only thinking about protecting yourselves. Did anyone think about warning the new recruits? Did anyone think that if the enemy attacked and they lost their formation, would you be able to escape unscathed? I put you here to train the new recruits so that you could teach them skills, not so that you could create division!"

What he feared most was the emergence of factional divisions within the Hundred Riders, and he had to nip this trend in the bud today. Upon hearing this, the veteran Hundred Riders' faces hardened, and they all knelt on one knee, speaking in loud voices.

"Your subordinate knows his mistake! Please punish me, Magistrate Wen!"

"Everyone, assemble and run ten laps around the training ground!"

Wen He snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over the new recruits and veteran cavalry.

"If you don't finish running before breakfast time, then you don't need to eat; just keep training on an empty stomach!"

Whether they were new recruits filled with shame or veteran cavalrymen filled with remorse, none hesitated for a moment, and they quickly ran towards the drill ground. The sound of their footsteps blended together, particularly loud in the morning air.

“If you weren’t so young, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have been chosen as the Inspector General of a Hundred Cavalry.”

A familiar voice came from behind. Wen He turned around and saw Su Dingfang dressed neatly, his silver armor gleaming coldly in the morning light, a horizontal sword at his waist, walking slowly towards her.

"Old Su has woken up?"

Wen He looked him up and down, then teased him with a smile.

"You didn't sleep in armor last night, did you?"

Su Dingfang glanced at him indifferently, a slight smile playing on his lips, a mixture of amusement and exasperation on his face.

"'Old Su'? What kind of title is that? I'm not old enough to need to be called 'old' yet."

"Isn't this to get closer to each other?"

Wen He smiled and waved her hand.

“The Hundred Cavalry are one unit. Calling you ‘General’ or ‘Wenxianzi’ every day is too formal. From now on, in private, I’ll call you Old Su, and you can call me Jiaying. It’ll be much more comfortable.”

Upon hearing this, Su Dingfang chuckled and didn't dwell on the matter of address. He looked up at the hundred riders running on the training ground, his eyes filled with contemplation.

He pondered for a moment, looked at Wen He, and said solemnly, "I am also responsible for the new recruits' situation. As a centurion, I failed to notice your drill in time and did not teach the new recruits emergency response strategies. For the next month, I will not act as a centurion. Just treat me as an ordinary soldier. Train me as you would train me, and punish me as you would punish me."

"Really?"

Wen He's eyes lit up, and a sly smile appeared on her face.

Su Dingfang was originally determined, believing that only by personally experiencing Wen He's training could he better understand the Hundred Riders. However, looking at Wen He's smile, his heart suddenly skipped a beat, and he felt inexplicably regretful.

But having already spoken, he was unwilling to go back on his word. After hesitating for a moment, he nodded solemnly: "Really."

"Then what are you waiting for? Private Su Dingfang..."

Wen He had barely finished speaking when Su Dingfang interrupted her.

"Private? What is a private?"

Su Dingfang was taken aback, his brows furrowing slightly; he had never heard of this title before.

Wen He chuckled, coughed twice to cover up her slip of the tongue, and then said seriously, "Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue, it's recruit Su Lie. Now, run ten laps around the training ground with them, and don't fall behind!"

"Here!"

Su Dingfang bowed in agreement and turned to run towards the training ground.

His steps were steady, and he quickly caught up with the middle of the group, running alongside the other hundred riders, without the slightest air of a general.

Watching Su Dingfang's departing figure, Wen He stroked her chin, feeling somewhat hesitant.

Should I let him take off his armor first?

His black armor is no light thing, weighing at least ten kilograms. Even if he has great stamina, he would be exhausted after running ten laps.
Forget it, those people in later generations who did five-kilometer cross-country runs carrying over twenty kilograms of weight, they all managed to finish them.

Thinking of this, Wen He stopped talking.

However, Su Dingfang's strength was much greater than he had imagined.

After running those ten laps, although my face was flushed and I was drenched in sweat, I still stood up straight.

Wen He couldn't help but admire and praise it as "a perfect steak."

Once everyone had assembled...

Wen He then issued the order and said.

"Now, go wash up and eat. After you finish eating, all the new recruits go to sleep. Zhang Wenxiao, take a few men and come with me."

"Really, are we allowed to sleep?"

In the ranks of new recruits, one person asked cautiously.

Wen He recognized him.

It was Fan Biao.

Looking at him, Wen He smiled kindly and said, "Guess."

After saying that, he left with his hands behind his back.

The new recruits were left devastated, as if they had lost their parents.

"Are you really letting me sleep?"

"Everyone should be careful, in case they come again later."

"I'll go to sleep fully clothed in a bit, with the knife in my arms."

"Yes, yes, and everyone, don't fall into a deep sleep."

The new recruits were discussing among themselves, while the veterans yawned, looking completely unconcerned.

As the morning mist dissipated, wisps of smoke rose from the kitchen of the Hundred Cavalry Division, the aroma of millet porridge mingling with the rich flavor of stewed meat, filling the entire courtyard.

After completing ten laps, the riders lined up to receive their meals. The rough porcelain bowls were piled high with tender mutton and topped with a golden fried egg.

This was specially prepared by Wen He instructing the kitchen to ensure that they were well-fed and had enough energy.

As for why it's not a boiled egg...

Because Wen He doesn't like it.

So the kitchen staff switched to these fried eggs.

The new recruits wolfed down their food, not even leaving a drop of soup.

I'm hungry.

Tired.

Even Su Dingfang felt that he could eat a whole cow.

The veteran cavalryman ate while joking with the new recruits beside him.

After breakfast, the new recruits were arranged by Su Dingfang to go back to their quarters to catch up on sleep, while Wen He stood on the stone steps in front of the government office, waiting for Zhang Wenxiao to bring his men over.

Before long, ten figures walked quickly over, with Zhang Wenxiao at the front. He looked tired, but was still full of energy.

Didn't you sleep well last night?

Wen He looked at the dark circles under their eyes and smiled as she handed them the freshly warmed tea.

Zhang Wenxiao and the others took the teacups and chuckled sheepishly. A burly man scratched his head and said in a loud voice.

"I didn't sleep well, but when the young master gives the order, how can I care about sleeping!"

This man is called Ge Bing, one of the hundred riders who went to rescue the two scholars in Chenjia Village.

"That's it!"

Another hundred riders echoed this.

"Instead of going back to catch up on sleep, I'd rather go on duty with the young master."

Wen He chuckled and said.

"Those who went on the mission today, go to the accounting office and collect two hundred coins each, as compensation for you."

Upon hearing this, everyone was overjoyed and quickly bowed to express their gratitude.

"Alright, let's not waste any more time. Put on your armor, grab your sword, and come with me."

Without saying a word, Wen He turned and walked towards the armory.

Zhang Wenxiao and the others quickly followed, swiftly donning black armor and attaching swords to their waists, soon ready to set off.

"Young master, where are we going?"

On the way, Zhang Wenxiao couldn't help but ask, looking in the direction Wen He was heading, as if she was walking towards the outskirts of the imperial city.

Wen He pointed to the cluster of buildings with upturned eaves not far away and said, "The Imperial Examination Hall."

Zhang Wenxiao and the others exchanged glances, all somewhat puzzled.

The Imperial Examination Hall was where the spring imperial examinations were held. What would the young master be doing there at this time?
Wen He seemed to sense their confusion and explained, "The imperial examination is approaching, and His Majesty has appointed me as the deputy chief examiner. Today, I'm going to the examination hall to check the arrangements of the examination venue to avoid any oversights."

The group then understood and quickly agreed, quickening their pace.

In the early Tang Dynasty, the examination hall did not have a fixed location. Each spring examination was held by temporarily setting aside a few spacious courtyards from the Ministry of Personnel.

It wasn't until Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, ascended the throne that a special fund was allocated to build a special examination hall for the imperial examinations.

During the reigns of Li Yuan and his son Li Shimin, the Tang Dynasty was newly established and everything needed to be rebuilt. Even the Daxing Palace was only repaired and patched up, and they were reluctant to spend a lot of money to expand it.

Naturally, there was no spare money to repair a government office that was only used once a year, or even once every year or two.

Soon after, Wen He led Zhang Wenxiao and ten other cavalrymen to the gate of the Ministry of Personnel.

The servant outside the door knew that Wen He and his entourage were palace guards when he saw them approaching.

The servant didn't rashly stop them, but stepped forward, his tone respectful yet cautious: "May I ask what important business you gentlemen have brought to the Ministry of Personnel?"

"I am Wenhe, a native of Gaoyang County. I have been ordered by His Majesty to inspect the Imperial Examination Hall. Please inform him to find a junior official familiar with the route to guide me."

Wen He's voice was steady; she neither put on airs nor concealed her identity.

Although the title of the Count of Gaoyang was not top-tier.

But in Chang'an, these days, anyone with a little knowledge of the situation knows that Wen He is not someone to be trifled with.

Upon hearing this, the two servants immediately bowed, their expressions becoming more respectful, and quickly stepped aside.

"So it's you, Wen County scout! My apologies! I'll go get someone to show you the way right away, please wait a moment!"

One of them turned and ran quickly into the mansion. A moment later, he led a young man in his early twenties out in a hurry.

The young man was dressed in a light blue official's uniform, with a plain cloth belt around his waist.

He was still clutching a half-eaten cornbread in his hand, clearly having just come from the kitchen.

Upon seeing Wen He, he hurriedly stuffed the cake into his bosom, wiped the crumbs off his hands, and bowed respectfully.

"I am Li Zhong, a minor official in the Ministry of Rites in charge of miscellaneous affairs. I have met with Wen County Magistrate before. I heard that you are going to the Examination Hall. I am familiar with the path in the back courtyard, so I will take you there now!"

"No need for formalities, lead the way."

Wen He waved her hand, her gaze sweeping over Li Zhong's clothes, which were covered in crumbs, and smiled faintly.

Li Zhong quickly replied, "Hey! This way, Mr. Wen! The examination hall is on the west side of the back courtyard of the Ministry of Rites. You have to go through three corridors. Please follow me closely and don't go the wrong way. The courtyard of the Ministry of Rites is very winding. People who come here for the first time can easily get confused. A few days ago, there was a newly appointed clerk who went around the Ministry of Rites' treasury three times to find it!"

He was rambling on and on, but what he really wanted was to talk to Wen He for a while longer.

Perhaps then it will be remembered.

He just spent thirty coins to snatch this good thing from someone else.

After saying that, he walked quickly ahead, his steps light and quick, glancing back every now and then, afraid of leading people astray, while muttering to himself about the route.

"This year, there are more than 530 candidates who have registered for the spring examination, nearly 100 more than last year. The Ministry of Rites has specially set aside eleven rooms as examination venues. The desks and chairs are all newly made, and the wood is cypress wood transported from Nanshan. It is very sturdy. There are also plenty of writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones. They are all good quality items selected according to His Majesty's instructions, just in case the candidates are not treated well."

Wen He knew about this even without him saying it.

The paper used in this year's imperial examinations was all purchased from his family.

Wen He hummed in agreement, secretly making plans in her mind.

There were more than 500 candidates in eleven examination rooms, with each room accommodating an average of more than 50 people.

Fortunately, the Ministry of Personnel is quite large; setting aside a few courtyards is enough.

He walked through the corridor and saw that the lanterns hanging under the corridor had not yet been taken down, and there were notes on the pillars that read "Preparations for the Spring Examination, Unauthorized Personnel Not Allowed," which was quite neat.

Zhang Wenxiao and the others followed behind Wen He, keeping a half-arm's distance at all times, their eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

As they passed through the first corridor, several clerks carrying piles of documents walked by. Upon seeing Wen He and his group, they couldn't help but stop and take a second look.

Perhaps they were curious about a child suddenly bringing so many people.

Seeing this, Li Zhong quickly explained in a low voice, "This is a magistrate from Gaoyang County, sent by His Majesty to inspect the examination hall. Don't block the way!"

The officials hurriedly stepped aside, their eyes filled with panic.

Oh my god, I didn't check the almanac before I went out today.

How did I run into the Hundred Riders Little Killer?

They all seemed to be avoiding a plague.

Wen He watched this unfold, and the corners of her mouth twitched a few times.

As they walked into the second corridor, the air gradually filled with the scent of ink and new wood. Li Zhong slowed his pace and pointed ahead: "Wenxianzi, the courtyard of the Imperial Examination Hall is just ahead. You see, those rooms with lit windows are the examination halls. The servants are busy moving tables and chairs!"

Wen He looked in the direction he pointed, and after turning through the third corridor, the view suddenly opened up before her.

A spacious square courtyard appeared before us, three times larger than the courtyards of ordinary people's homes.

The ground was paved with bluestone slabs, with a few scattered blades of grass growing in the gaps.

Dozens of newly made tables and chairs were piled up in the courtyard, the wood still carrying a faint scent of pine. A dozen or so servants were busy in two teams.

A group of people carried tables and chairs into the surrounding houses, their steps steady.

Another team of people took rags and carefully wiped the sawdust off the tables and chairs, not even letting go of the wood chips in the gaps between the table legs.

“Look, Mr. Wen.”

Li Zhong pointed to the surrounding houses, his tone tinged with pride.

"These eleven rooms are the examination rooms. Each room has eleven rows of tables and chairs, with five tables and chairs in each row, which can seat exactly fifty-five people. The eleven rooms can accommodate a total of six hundred and five people. Even if a few more candidates are added later, it will definitely be enough."

"Moreover, each room was specially chosen to be well-ventilated, so the candidates would not feel stuffy while sitting. There was also a charcoal brazier in the corner, so if it rained and the temperature dropped on the day of the exam, they could light a fire to keep warm."

Wen He nodded, quite satisfied with the arrangement. Just as she was about to step into the courtyard, her gaze suddenly stopped.

A group of people were standing under the long corridor on the east side of the courtyard.

There were about a dozen people, most of them dressed in well-tailored blue scholar's robes with jade belts around their waists.

Some of them even held folding fans with exquisite landscape patterns embroidered on the surface, clearly indicating that they came from wealthy families.

They were talking to a young man dressed in a white brocade robe, their expressions respectful, and they nodded in agreement from time to time.

The young man in the white brocade robe stood with his hands behind his back, occasionally speaking a few words. His demeanor was composed, and he had the air of a leader. Some people even reached out to touch the newly moved tables and chairs, as if checking the quality of the wood.

Wen He's brows furrowed instantly, and he stopped in his tracks. He turned to look at Li Zhong beside him, his tone calm but carrying a hint of barely perceptible seriousness.

“Li Zhong, the examination hall is not yet fully set up, and the spring examination is just around the corner. According to the rules, no outsiders should be allowed to enter except for the clerks and servants in charge of the setup, right?”

"There are more than 500 candidates this year. The examination room layout should be strictly confidential. Who are these people and why are they here?"

The clerk became somewhat nervous under Wen He's gaze and quickly explained in a low voice.

“Reporting to Wen County, the one in the white brocade robe is Chu Dengshan, the son of Scholar Chu of the Hongwen Academy and the head of the Hongwen Academy.”

Chu Dengshan?
The so-called "Master of Hongwen Hall" was not an official position in the Tang Dynasty.

It was only because Chu Suiliang's father, Chu Liang, was a scholar of the Hongwen Academy and had recently been unwell, that he entrusted the daily affairs of the Hongwen Academy to Chu Suiliang. Over time, people got used to calling him "the head of the academy".

In fact, Chu Suiliang had not yet officially entered officialdom at this time; he was merely assisting his father as a "student of the Hongwen Academy."

When Wen He heard the name Chu Dengshan, her eyebrows twitched slightly.

"Oh, so it's Chu Suiliang." Wen He said knowingly.

He naturally knew this person; this person would later become a famous minister of the Tang Dynasty and a staunch ally of Changsun Wuji.

During the later years of the Zhenguan era and the Yonghui era, he held immense power in the court and orchestrated the "deposing of the emperor and establishing Wu Zetian" turmoil. However, he was ultimately demoted by Wu Zetian and died far from home.

Just as Wen He was lost in thought, Chu Suiliang seemed to notice him and turned to look at him.

Although Chu Suiliang had never met Wen He, he had heard of him before.

At a young age, he was granted the title of Viscount of Gaoyang County and enjoyed the Emperor's deep trust, concurrently serving as the Commander of the Hundred Cavalry and the Deputy Chief Examiner of the Imperial Examinations. Such a figure had already become well-known throughout Chang'an.

Seeing that Wen He was only eleven years old, yet dressed in a light green round-necked robe, and followed by ten heavily armored riders, he guessed his identity.

Chu Suiliang straightened his robes, stepped forward, and greeted them with a gentle smile and a cupped-hand salute.

"I am Chu Suiliang, a student of Hongwen Academy. I have met the magistrate of Gaoyang County."

According to the rules of the Tang Dynasty, Wen He was the deputy chief examiner of this year's imperial examination. All the students participating in the examination, regardless of their background, should address him as "Master".

Of course, that's not usually the term; people usually refer to titles or official ranks.

However, when addressing Wen He, they would always humbly refer to him as "student".

Although Wen He didn't care about these formalities, Chu Suiliang's actions clearly showed him no respect.

Wen He narrowed her eyes slightly and asked in a calm tone.

"Who are you? Who allowed you to enter the examination hall?"

Chu Suiliang seemed oblivious to the dissatisfaction in Wen He's words, and continued to smile as he spoke.

"You may not know this, but according to custom, before the spring examinations, students from the Hongwen Academy would visit the examination hall to familiarize themselves with the examination environment, so as not to be affected by unfamiliarity on the day of the examination."

His tone was calm, even carrying a hint of arrogance that was barely perceptible, as if it were a matter of course.

"Standard practice?"

Wen He raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over the students of Hongwen Academy behind Chu Suiliang. They all looked arrogant, their eyes filled with disdain as they looked at the minor officials setting up the examination hall in the courtyard.

"How come I've never heard of it?"

"Why are only students from the Hongwen Academy allowed to tour the examination hall? Why don't other students participating in the spring examination have this 'tradition'?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Suiliang's smile faltered.

He then returned to normal, but stopped speaking and just smiled at Wen He, as if to say, "Is there any need to ask?"

Wen He immediately gave a soft snort, raising her voice high enough for everyone present to hear.

"Even if you don't say it, I already know. It's just because the students admitted to the Hongwen Academy are either relatives of the emperor or sons of prime ministers and nobles. They are of noble status, so there is such a 'custom', is that right?"

Hongwen Academy was arguably the most prestigious academy in the Tang Dynasty, even surpassing the Imperial Academy in its luster.

The Imperial Academy admitted thousands of students, a diverse group including prominent families such as the Five Clans and Seven Famous Houses.

There were also children from poor families or commoner backgrounds.

Hongwen Academy only accepts thirty-eight students, and the admission requirements are extremely high.

Those who are not from noble families, descendants of high-ranking officials, or exceptionally talented individuals simply cannot enter.

These students were personally taught by the scholars of the Hongwen Academy, namely Chu Liang, the father of Chu Suiliang. They not only studied the classics, history, philosophy, and literature, but were also responsible for repairing royal books.

They have access to resources that are difficult for ordinary students to reach.

More importantly, the students of Hongwen Academy were almost equivalent to future high-ranking officials in the imperial court.

After entering officialdom, most of them went directly to important positions in the Six Ministries or became close officials to the emperor.

For example, Chu Suiliang later became a court attendant, responsible for recording the emperor's words and actions. He later became Li Shimin's scribe and was deeply trusted.

Wen He knew quite a bit about Chu Suiliang's life.

He was indeed talented, and his calligraphy was unparalleled in his time. He was known as one of the "Four Great Calligraphers of the Early Tang Dynasty" along with Ouyang Xun, Yu Shinan, and Xue Ji.

Moreover, he did indeed demonstrate responsibility in certain matters, such as advising Li Shimin against performing the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, thus avoiding the waste of manpower and resources.

This is commendable.

Whatever his original intention, at least the result was good.

However, Wen He did not have a very good impression of Chu Suiliang.

What he criticized most was the campaign against Goguryeo in the later years of the Zhenguan era.

At that time, Yeon Gaesomun killed Go Geonmu, the king of Goguryeo who was appointed by the Tang Dynasty, and declared himself king. Li Shimin wanted to use this as an excuse to personally lead an expedition against Goguryeo and completely eliminate this major threat.

This matter was strongly opposed by Chu Suiliang, who believed that personally leading the expedition would be a waste of manpower and resources.

It's important to understand that at that time, Yeon Gaesomun had just murdered the king and seized power, and there were still many forces within Goguryeo that opposed him. The people's hearts were not at peace, so Li Shimin's choice of which time was just right.

Unfortunately, Chu Suiliang's outburst led many in the court to take the opportunity to offer their advice.

Later, in an attempt to appease Emperor Taizong's anger, Yeon Gaesomun sent tribute of silver to the Tang Dynasty in hopes of easing tensions.

Li Shimin hesitated at the time, feeling that the opportunity had been lost, so he thought of temporarily deceiving Goguryeo.

As a result, Chu Suiliang stepped forward again, citing the story of Zang Aibo advising against accepting the Gao Ding from the Spring and Autumn Period, and advised Li Shimin not to accept this "ill-gotten gain," believing that accepting it would damage the prestige of the Tang Dynasty.

After much hesitation, Li Shimin ultimately refused the silver and imprisoned the Goguryeo envoy.

This allowed Yeon Gaesomun to guess Li Shimin's thoughts and make preparations in advance, building numerous cities and deploying heavy troops within Goguryeo territory.

This led to the Tang army encountering numerous obstacles in the end.

Did Chu Suiliang not understand the meaning of "openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang pass"?

He spent ten years at the Hongwen Academy and read countless books.

How could they not understand this principle?

What he grasped was the so-called etiquette and moral code.

This was done to showcase his official reputation and prestige.

Furthermore, this person's methods of eliminating dissidents are despicable.

In the nineteenth year of the Zhenguan era, Li Shimin fell ill after returning from his expedition against Goguryeo. Liu Ji was worried, but Chu Suiliang instead falsely accused Liu Ji of planning to follow the example of Yi Yin and Huo Guang.

Li Shimin was getting senile; he actually believed it.

Out of fear, Liu Ji asked Ma Zhou to testify for him, but Chu Suiliang said that Ma Zhou was covering up and concealing the truth.

The senile Li Er, again believing Chu Suiliang's slander, ordered Liu Ji to be executed.

However, he later dismissed Chu Suiliang, simply because he wanted to pave the way for Li Zhi.

But to say that this person is fickle?
You underestimated him.

Everything he did was in his own best interest.

It was precisely because of these acts of "daring to remonstrate" that Chu Suiliang achieved success.

His reputation grew, and his official rank rose steadily, eventually making him a key minister in the later years of the Zhenguan era.

Chu Suiliang seemed to sense the ill intent in Wen He's words, but he remained calm and asked with a smile.

"Does the magistrate of Gaoyang County feel that this is unfair to other students?"

"Is not it?"

Wen He countered with a question.

"The imperial examinations are for His Majesty to select talents, and everyone should be treated equally. Why are students from the Hongwen Academy allowed to enter the examination hall in advance to familiarize themselves with the environment, while other students can only see the examination hall on the day of the exam? This is inherently unfair."

Chu Suiliang shook his head, his tone somewhat matter-of-fact.

"But there is no such thing as complete fairness in this world."

“We are born into prestigious families and have been taught by renowned teachers since childhood. We have learned the classics of sages, heard about important events in the court, and know about the general trend of the world. These are things that students from humble backgrounds cannot compare to.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the minor official behind Wen He with a hint of disdain, before continuing.

"If it's unfair, then they can only blame themselves for being born into the wrong family, right?"

As he said this, Chu Suiliang's gaze remained fixed on Wen He, his eyes seemingly concealing another meaning.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wenxiao and the others behind Wen He glared angrily, their hands on the swords at their waists, ready to step forward to argue, but Wen He raised his hand to stop them.

Wen He looked at Chu Suiliang, her tone calm yet firm.

"People may be divided into different classes, but the imperial examination is different. The imperial examination is the only fair competition that His Majesty gives to all scholars in the world. Regardless of their social status or family background, as long as they have talent, they can enter the court through the imperial examination and serve the country. If even the imperial examination is divided into high and low, what is the point of His Majesty holding the imperial examination?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Suiliang's eyes lit up, as if he had caught a loophole in Wen He's words, and he immediately asked a question in return.

"Does the magistrate of Gaoyang mean that His Majesty has been unfair to the people in the past, and that is why the imperial examination is needed to make amends? This is utterly deceiving the emperor!"

The students of Hongwen Academy behind him immediately seized the opportunity to jeer:

"That's right! The words of the magistrate of Gaoyang are clearly a sign of contempt for His Majesty!"

"Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has been diligent in governing and caring for the people, treating everyone equally. How can there be any talk of injustice?"

"For Gao Yangxianzi, as the deputy chief examiner of the imperial examination, to utter such words is an unforgivable crime!"

These students were all filled with righteous indignation.

They seemed to think Wen He had committed some terrible crime, but their eyes held a hint of schadenfreude.

For them, being able to find fault with Gao Yangxian and embarrass him would undoubtedly be a great pleasure.

A mere child, thinking he has won His Majesty's favor, dares to look down on them so much.

The one in their family wasn't a duke or prime minister.

You, a mere centurion and county magistrate, dare to rant here!

"presumptuous!"

Unable to contain himself any longer, Zhang Wenxiao roared, and the ten riders behind him drew their swords, the blades flashing, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

Chu Suiliang, however, was not afraid at all. Instead, he stepped forward and said with a smile, "You are nothing but a bunch of warriors. How dare you make a move here? You are the magistrate of Gaoyang County. Is the duty of the Hundred Cavalry just to intimidate people?"

"Or is it that the people of Gaoyang County are at a loss for words and have no choice but to resort to their power to intimidate others?"

This person is very smart.

He knew that Wen He wouldn't dare let the Hundred Riders take action.

In the end, Wen He could only leave in a dejected manner.

And so, news of today's events spread.

He, Chu Suiliang, will surely surpass Wen He in the future.

However, Wen He remained calm. He looked at Chu Suiliang and spoke slowly.

"Your Majesty's path is naturally fair to all people. However, there is a group of scum who rely on the legacy of their ancestors and the glory of their fathers to run rampant and look down on everyone in this world, thus insulting Your Majesty's wisdom."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the flushed faces of the Hongwen Academy students, his voice growing louder.

"Those students from humble backgrounds may not have had renowned teachers or sufficient funds, but they have never given up their efforts. Have they not heard the saying, 'In the morning a peasant, in the evening an official in the emperor's court; nobility is not inherited, but earned through self-reliance!'"

As Wen He finished speaking, the minor official standing behind him couldn't help but shout "Good!"
That "okay" seemed to open a floodgate.

The minor officials and servants in the courtyard who were setting up the examination hall also chimed in with low voices.

"What a poem!"

"Wonderful! Wonderful!"

"It's so fitting for the occasion!"

His eyes were full of admiration as he looked at Wen He.

Most of them came from poor families and knew how difficult it was to study. Wen He's words resonated with them.

They did not enter officialdom through the imperial examinations, but rather through the selection process of the Ministry of Personnel.

That's because they came from humble backgrounds and were afraid of failing the imperial examinations, so they became minor officials.

Even so, they still found Wen He's words inspiring.

"Everyone says that the poets of Gaoyang County are exceptional, and what I have seen today proves that their reputation is well-deserved."

Chu Suiliang's face turned pale and then flushed, his fingers gripping the folding fan tightly until his knuckles turned white.

He grew up in the circle of nobles. His father, Chu Liang, was a scholar of the Hongwen Academy and was on good terms with important officials such as Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui. Even the emperor often summoned Chu Liang to the palace to discuss matters.

Therefore, all the powerful and wealthy young men in Chang'an City had to respectfully address him as "Master Chu" when they met him.
But Wen He showed him no respect whatsoever.

Wen He ignored his expression and her tone suddenly turned cold.

"Do you know my name? Have you ever heard of the renown of the Hundred Riders?"

"I've been rambling on and on with you for so long, you don't actually think I'm here to say nice things to you, do you?"

Chu Suiliang felt a chill run down his spine. Looking at the coldness in Wen He's eyes and then at the hands of Zhang Wenxiao and the others behind him that were resting on their sword hilts, he immediately became wary.

He forced himself to remain calm and asked, "What does the magistrate of Gaoyang County want?"

"What?"

Wen He stepped forward and said in a loud voice.

"The students of Hongwen Academy have trespassed into the examination hall without permission, disrupted the examination arrangements, and disregarded the rules of the imperial examinations. This is a blatant disregard for the imperial examination system personally established by His Majesty! One hundred cavalrymen, take them all down!"

"Here!"

Zhang Wenxiao and the others responded in unison and rushed forward like arrows.

The students of Hongwen Hall had never seen such a scene before and were immediately thrown into a panic.

Some stepped back, while others tried to speak up and explain.

Another student, dressed in a brocade robe, craned his neck and shouted.

"Let's see who dares to move! A mere hundred riders, a bunch of brutes, my father is..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ge Bing had already rushed in front of him and punched him in the stomach.

The student bent over in pain, clutching his stomach and groaning. Ge Bing sneered.

"Who cares who your father is! In front of the Hundred Cavalry, no one's face matters except His Majesty's!"

These words immediately boosted the morale of the 100 riders, and they moved even faster.

Some grabbed the students' arms, while others pressed down on their shoulders.

In no time, they had subdued more than a dozen students from the Hongwen Academy, leaving them no strength to even struggle.

Chu Suiliang stood there, looking at the scene before him, his chest heaving violently, clearly furious to the extreme, but he still managed to restrain himself.

He knew that if a conflict broke out, they would be no match for the Hundred Riders.

Rather than asking for trouble, it's better to go along with Wen He's wishes for now and wait until we get out.

Then let his father and important officials in the court intervene, and see how Wen He explains himself.

He took a deep breath and spoke to the students around him.

"Gentlemen, do not argue with them. With the laws of our Great Tang Dynasty, these warriors will not be allowed to commit such evil deeds! Let's go with them to the Hundred Cavalry Division first, and an official will surely stand up for us later!"

After saying that, he turned to look at Wen He, his eyes full of threat.

"I just don't know how the magistrate of Gaoyang County will explain himself after detaining us today."

"Explain?"

Wen He sneered, then suddenly stepped forward and slapped Chu Suiliang across the face.

"Snapped!"

A crisp slap echoed in the courtyard, and everyone was stunned.

"Don't threaten me. You're not qualified yet, and you never will be."

Wen He gave him a cold glance.

Chu Suiliang covered his burning cheek, staring wide-eyed at Wen He in disbelief, his voice trembling.

"You...you dare to hit me?"

Wen He raised an eyebrow, too lazy to waste words with him.

Since we've already fought, why ask if we dare?

Even after traveling back to the Tang Dynasty, Chu Suiliang was still the first "historical figure" he ever fought.

That traitor Yin Hongzhi from last time doesn't count.

Changsun Chong was also a nobody, so he doesn't count.

"take away!"

Wen He didn't look at Chu Suiliang again, and turned to walk towards the entrance of the Ministry of Personnel.

The hundred riders escorted the students of Hongwen Academy behind them. Chu Suiliang covered his face, his eyes filled with resentment, but he could only be supported by two hundred riders, staggering as they followed.

When Wen He escorted more than a dozen students from the Hongwen Academy out of the Ministry of Personnel, the news instantly caused an uproar throughout the Ministry.

The officials put down their work, huddled together and whispered among themselves, their faces filled with shock.

The magistrate of Gaoyang County dared to detain students from the Hongwen Academy and even beat Chu Liang's son.

This is like stirring up a hornet's nest!
The news quickly reached the residence of Fang Xuanling, the Minister of Rites.

Upon hearing the clerk's report, Fang Xuanling dropped his pen onto the paper with a "thud," causing the ink to smudge widely.

He suddenly stood up, jumping up and down in a panic, and pointed at the clerk, shouting angrily.

"Nonsense! Utter nonsense! Has this brat gone mad?"

"Quickly, take my warrant to the Hundred Cavalry Commandery and make that brat release the prisoners immediately! Tell them what I said: this matter must not be blown out of proportion!"

The minor official dared not delay, and with Fang Xuanling's order in hand, he ran to catch up with Wen He.

Not long after, the minor official returned with a grim expression.

"What about people?"

"Lord Fang, the magistrate of Gaoyang County says that unless His Majesty issues an edict, otherwise..."

The minor official stammered and dared not speak.

Fang Xuanling's eyes widened immediately, and he snapped, "Otherwise what!"

"No, otherwise get the hell out of here."

Having said that, he knelt down in terror.

Fang Xuanling's face turned pale and then purple, and he picked up the pen holder on the table and smashed it on the ground.

"Well done, Wen He, what a fine lady..."

Although he was angry, he did not lose his temper.

He restrained himself from saying the words "future generations".