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

Chapter 411 Not only did they refuse, but they also resisted so fiercely?
Li Yin trembled with fear at Li Shimin's furious gaze. He quickly closed his eyes, gripped the hem of his clothes tightly with both hands, and even his breathing became cautious.

He knew that if that kick landed, he would be bedridden for at least ten days to two weeks.

"His Majesty!"

Just then, Wen He's voice suddenly came, sounding somewhat urgent.

Li Yin suddenly opened his eyes and was shocked to find that Wen He was standing in front of him, his broad back completely protecting him.

Sunlight fell on Wen He's brocade robe, as if it were plated with a layer of gold. Li Yin stared at the figure from behind and was stunned for a moment.

This man who made me raise pigs and gave me the cold shoulder actually protected me?

Li Shimin also stopped what he was doing. He glared at Wen He, his voice filled with disbelief and anger.

"You dare to stop me from disciplining my own child?!"

"Your Majesty, this is not how you educate children!"

Wen He did not back down, meeting Li Shimin's gaze with a firm tone.

"Spare the rod and spoil the child, and they may even become resentful. Why can't we talk things out instead of resorting to violence?"

He thought to himself: With Li Yin's skinny arms and legs, it's no wonder he'd get hurt if you kicked him like that!
No wonder none of your sons are easy to deal with; it turns out that all you know how to do as a father is to solve problems with violence, and you don't understand education at all!

Li Shimin was speechless after Wen He's words. He was furious but could not find a reason to refute her. He took a deep breath, flicked his sleeves, and walked outside with a dark face, shouting angrily as he went.

"Very well! You've got some nerve! Since you think I'm bad at disciplining children, then I'll leave Liu Lang to you from now on! I'd like to see how you raise him properly!"

"I'll be watching!"

After saying that, he walked out of the courtyard without looking back, leaving behind only an angry back view.

Wen He stood there, looking in the direction Li Shimin had gone, and her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Was he tricked?

He had previously agreed to let Li Yin stay because Li Shimin had promised him a month's leave, during which he wouldn't have to report to the Ministry of War.

He assumed that Li Shimin was only letting Li Yin stay at his house for a month.

Judging from Li Shimin's words, Li Yin will likely stay in his residence for a long time, just like Li Tai and Li Ke!
'Oh no, I've been tricked by Li Er!'

Meanwhile, Li Shimin had already left Wen He's residence through a side gate and boarded the waiting carriage.

As soon as he sat down, a subtle smile suddenly appeared on his originally gloomy face.

"That brat is still too soft-hearted."

Li Shimin smiled and shook his head.

"Very well, after I am gone, I will still have to let him protect these children. Let him take care of them now, so that they can have more affection for each other."

He deliberately got angry because he knew Wen He would soften her heart and stop him.

In this way, Li Yin could stay in Wenhe Mansion with a legitimate reason.

"Now when I go to Consort Yang's place, I won't have to listen to her complaints anymore."

After Li Shimin left, the atmosphere in the courtyard instantly became awkward.

Li Chengqian stood still, his eyes somewhat unfocused.

When Aye left, he didn't call me. Should I go back to the East Palace now, or stay here?

He glanced at Wen He, then at Li Tai, Li Ke, and Li You beside him, as well as Li Yin who was still kneeling on the ground and Qibi Heli who was standing to the side. For a moment, he didn't know what to do.

"Sir, I suddenly remembered that there are some urgent matters to attend to at the Crown Prince's Palace, I..."

Li Chengqian chuckled twice, trying to find an excuse to leave this awkward situation.

But before he could finish speaking, he felt a sharp gaze fall upon him.

Wen He was looking at him with a half-smile.

Li Chengqian swallowed his words instantly, his smile froze, and he could only stand there awkwardly, not daring to mention leaving again.

Li Tai quickly lowered his head, pretending to study the snow on the ground, afraid that Wen He would focus her attention on him.

He was involved in the fight just now, and if Wen He investigates, he might face some kind of punishment.

Li You quietly took two steps back, trying to minimize his presence, but his gaze couldn't help but drift towards Li Yin, who was still kneeling on the ground, with a hint of schadenfreude in his eyes.

Li Ke remained indifferent, only subtly lowering his rolled-up sleeves, as if he hadn't been the one who had just struck someone.

Qibi Heli stood aside, looking at the strange atmosphere before him, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Why do these Tang Dynasty princes seem so afraid of Wen He?
Weren't you pretty strong when you were fighting yourself just now?
Wen He glanced at everyone, finally fixing her gaze on Li Yin, who was still kneeling on the ground, her tone indifferent.

"What are you still kneeling for? Get up."

Li Yin was stunned for a moment, then quickly got up, brushed the snow off his body, and lowered his head, not daring to look Wen He in the eye.

Looking at the dejected group of people in front of her, Wen He recalled how she had been tricked by Li Shimin, and finally couldn't hold back her anger any longer.

He suddenly raised his voice, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority.

"Anyone involved in the fight today, whoever they are, will be sent to the back garden to do chores for a month! Whatever the servants do, you will do too."

Wen He's gaze swept over everyone in front of her, finally lingering on Qibi Heli, her tone becoming more forceful.

"Including you! This is the Tang Dynasty, not Turkic territory! Since you have surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, you are now a subject of the Tang Dynasty and must abide by the rules of the Tang Dynasty! From today onwards, you will do chores with the servants while studying and learning etiquette. If you are unwilling, get out of here now and go back to your grasslands!"

Qibi Heli clenched his fists, his heart filled with resentment, but he dared not actually leave.

He recalled his mother's instructions before he left: "Once you arrive at the Wen County Earl's residence, you must obey the Wen County Earl's orders and not act willfully or recklessly, or I will not forgive you!"

If he were to leave like this, his mother would surely punish him severely with a whip, and the Qibi tribe would offend the Tang emperor as a result, which would be a loss for them.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally chose to lower his head, his voice tinged with resentment.

"I understand, I'll go do the chores."

Wen He nodded in satisfaction and gave everyone in front of her a warning look: "Remember this, starting tomorrow, you must assemble in the back garden at 5:00 AM. If you are late, the penalty will be doubled!"

"Yes……"

The group quickly agreed, not daring to utter a single objection.

Wen He turned to Zhou Fu beside her and said, "Uncle Zhou, go and cook a bowl of ginger soup for each of them to warm them up and prevent them from catching a cold."

"Yes, sir." Zhou Fu quickly agreed and turned to go to the kitchen.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Wen He only said that he participated in the fight, but he didn't fight himself; he just tried to break it up. He shouldn't be punished.

Moreover, he will be returning to the East Palace soon, so these miscellaneous matters in the back garden are definitely none of his business.

He was thinking about saying goodbye to Wen He when he saw Wen He, who had just turned to leave, suddenly stop in her tracks. As if she had remembered something, she turned to look at him, her tone calm but with a hint of mockery.

"Oh, right, Uncle Zhou, send someone to the East Palace later to inform Yu Shuren that His Highness the Crown Prince got into a fight with the other princes and Young Master Qibi at my residence today."

"gentlemen!"

Li Chengqian's expression changed instantly. His previous relief vanished, replaced by panic. He quickly stepped forward, trying to stop Wen He.

"Sir, I didn't lay a hand on them, I was just trying to break up the fight!"

"Sir! Sir! I suddenly want to stay here for a few days and help with chores in the backyard! Please wait for me, sir!"

Li Chengqian was so anxious that he stamped his feet and hurriedly chased after her, shouting as he ran. If Yu Shuren found out about what had happened today, he would be in deep trouble from now on. He might as well stay here and do chores.

Who knows what classic lesson they might have to teach him?

The thought of this gave Li Chengqian a huge headache.

But Wen He completely ignored him.

……

On the edge of the field, the five brothers Li Chengqian, Li Tai, Li Ke, Li You, and Li Yin, along with Qibi Heli, had all taken off their outer garments and were wearing only coarse cloth sleeveless short shirts with their trouser legs rolled up, the cuffs still stained with mud.

The group surrounded Wen He, each holding a bowl of chilled mung bean soup, gulping it down. Beads of sweat streamed down their faces, but no one complained.

Why is it so hot this year?

Li Tai finished the last mouthful of mung bean soup, put the bowl on the edge of the field, exhaled a long breath, and spoke with deep emotion.

"At this time last year, we still had to wear padded jackets in the morning, and we could occasionally see the remnants of snow. This year, it's like we've stepped into an oven right after the spring planting. We're all sticky and sticky."

Li You wiped the sweat from his forehead and picked up the thread: "Didn't the master say before that this is called a 'warm climate period'? The temperature will gradually rise and the rainfall will decrease... What else was it?"

As he spoke, he scratched his head, a hint of embarrassment in his eyes.

"Winters will be colder, summers will be hotter, and droughts are more likely to occur."

Li Chengqian added, his tone resolute.

"But the warming climate has also led to increased crop yields."

He memorized everything Wen He taught in class and even compiled it into notes, which he handed over to Li Shimin a few days ago.

However, not many people in the court paid attention to this.

Even his father, after reading it, could only sigh helplessly and then seal the note away.

However, I did praise him a few times.

Li Chengqian was overjoyed for several days.

When Yu Shinan wrote the letter, he made a special trip to see it. The usually stern old scholar sighed with a solemn expression after reading it, stroked his beard and said, "Who exactly is the Earl of Gaoyang studying under? Such a young age and such learning! I am ashamed of my own inferiority!"

It was precisely because of this recognition that Yu Shinan showed him special leniency, exempting him from the punishment he had previously received for fighting and allowing him to go out for some fresh air.

But to his utter surprise, as soon as he left the East Palace, Wen He dragged him to Wen Family Village to be a conscript and to work in the spring plowing.

"Young master, someone is looking for you outside."

Just as the group was chatting, Feng Dahu strode over from the entrance of the manor, looking somewhat anxious. He bowed to Wen He and said...

Wen He put down her bowl and looked in the direction Feng Dahu pointed towards the entrance of the manor, a hint of doubt rising in her heart.

Who would come looking for him at this time? He turned to Li Chengqian and the others and instructed them: "You all rest for another incense stick's time. Once you've rested enough, go to that piece of land to the west and sow the remaining one acre of seeds. Don't be lazy."

"Understood, sir."

The group quickly agreed, and even Li Yin, who was always prone to complaining, didn't say anything more.

These past few days, working in the fields, they've lost their former pampered airs and find this kind of life more interesting than copying books in the mansion.

Wen He followed Feng Dahu to the entrance of the manor, where they saw two guards dressed in cavalry uniforms standing there with serious expressions.

His doubts deepened.

He hasn't been to the Hundred Cavalry Division much lately, leaving most of the affairs to Su Dingfang and Xu Jingzong. I heard that the Hundred Cavalry Division investigated several corruption cases a few days ago and arrested a lot of corrupt officials. Could something have gone wrong?
"Your subordinate greets the young master."

When the two hundred-horse guards saw Wen He approaching, they quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully, their tone respectful but unable to conceal their solemnity.

Wen He nodded and asked directly, "Has something happened to the Hundred Riders?"

One of the guards took a deep breath and lowered his voice.

"Reporting to County Lord, something has happened in Hebei. Farmers have been rioting in several prefectures and counties. His Majesty was furious when he learned of this and reprimanded Vice Minister Wei for his incompetence. Military Advisor Xu was also reprimanded. He sent his subordinate to deliver a letter to you."

If something like this happens in Hebei at this time, it must be related to grain seeds?
It seems that Wei Zheng and his team have encountered obstacles.

Upon hearing this, Wen He pondered for a moment and asked, "Did His Majesty send you to find me and bring back the Hundred Riders?"

The centurion who had spoken shook his head.

"No, His Majesty only said that Supervisor Huang and General Zhonglang should handle the matter. The high-ranking official who delivered the decree said that you should take a few more days off."

This is interesting.

Li Shimin entrusted Su Dingfang and Huang Chun with full authority to handle the matter.

If he wanted me to take over the affairs of Hebei, he wouldn't need to beat around the bush like this.

They even specifically told him to take a few more days off.

In other words, Li Shimin didn't want him to get involved.

It seems the situation in Hebei is quite serious.

"Tell me what happened in Hebei."

Wen He found a secluded spot and had the two riders sit down as well.

The two riders exchanged glances before sitting down.

"It's about the grain seeds. After Wei Zhongcheng arrived in Hebei Province, he ordered the officials of each prefecture to distribute the grain seeds. At first, there were no obstacles, but later, for some reason, rumors started to circulate."

"They say the grain seeds issued by the imperial court are specially for His Majesty's use, with a maximum of three or four bushels per mu."

"After Wei Zhongcheng learned of this, he ordered the Hundred Cavalry to investigate. Soon, Xu, the counselor, discovered that several powerful families were secretly spreading the rumors. Xu immediately ordered the Hundred Cavalry to arrest them."

Upon hearing this, Wen He's brows furrowed immediately.

Old Xu acted impulsively.

There must be something fishy about the fact that this matter was investigated so easily.

Maybe they're just waiting for you to come to them.

"Who knew that the next day, hundreds of farmers besieged the Weizhou governor's mansion. In the end, Wei Zhongcheng had no choice but to release those powerful families, and the matter of grain seeds had to be postponed."

After the centurion finished speaking, the centurion beside him let out a long sigh.

"Young master, this grain is so good, why don't those people plant it?"

Not only were the two cavalrymen baffled, but even Xu Jingzong, who was far away in Weizhou, the capital of Hebei Province, couldn't understand it.

The Guannei Road was being implemented very smoothly, so why did these farmers not only refuse it, but also resist it so fiercely when it came to the Hebei Road?
Wen He couldn't help but chuckle, a laugh tinged with helplessness.

Would you say that he was hit by a boomerang?

Previously, he used public opinion to deal with those aristocratic people, but now those people are using the same tactic against Li Shimin.

However, this is a minor issue.

The reason this matter was difficult to handle was that Wei Zheng used the wrong approach.

What he did was remarkably similar to the Ming Dynasty's later policy of converting agriculture to sericulture.

Ultimately, Wei Zheng was still viewing the issue from the perspective of someone in a position of power.

(End of this chapter)