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

Chapter 413 can help these commoners no longer be ignorant.
Inside the governor's residence of Weizhou, Hebei Province.

Xu Jingzong had just arrived from the Hundred Cavalry encampment, his clothes still covered in dust. As soon as he entered, he asked anxiously.

"Minister Wei, I heard there's been a letter from Chang'an? Has His Majesty given any new instructions?"

During this period, he was so worried about the grain supply in Hebei that he could hardly eat or sleep. He was afraid that the situation would get out of control and that His Majesty would blame the Hundred Cavalry for their poor performance. All he could think about was news from Chang'an.

But as soon as he stepped into the main hall, he froze.

Besides Wei Zheng, who was sitting upright, and Li Desheng, the governor of Weizhou, there was a familiar figure standing.

"I have met Military Advisor Xu."

Li Yifu stood up and bowed. His face, though travel-worn, still showed a hint of competence, and his brocade robe was still covered in the dust of his journey.

"Li Yifu?" Xu Jingzong raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Could it be a letter you sent from Chang'an?"

"It was you who sent me, sir, to visit my father."

As Li Yifu spoke, he gestured to Li Desheng, who was standing to the side.

Xu Jingzong then realized what was happening.

Li Desheng, the governor of Weizhou, was Li Yifu's father!

He nodded quickly: "I see."

After saying that, his gaze turned urgently to Wei Zheng: "Minister Wei, what exactly did His Majesty instruct? Did the letter mention how to resolve the issue of promoting the distribution of grain seeds?"

Seeing Wei Zheng's gloomy face and Li Desheng's cautious demeanor, he felt increasingly uneasy.

Could it be that Chang'an hasn't come up with a good solution either?

"Using a wolf to devour a tiger."

Wei Zheng sighed deeply, his fingers gripping the letter from Chang'an, his tone full of complex emotions.

"The matter in Weizhou has escalated to this point, and I am largely to blame. His Majesty's intention now is to use the gentry to check and balance the gentry..."

He paused, a hint of worry in his eyes.

"Let the Li family of Zhao County take the lead in promoting Zhenguan rice, let the censors inspect the counties, and also recruit farmers to receive free seeds. Although this method can break the deadlock, it may also intensify the conflict between the gentry. I can't tell whether this is a good thing or a bad thing."

During this period, he was caught between Li Shimin and the Hebei gentry, having to maintain the authority of the court while also taking care of local forces, and was already exhausted.

When he first received the imperial decree to promote grain varieties in Hebei, he felt uneasy. However, despite extensive negotiations, he was still outmaneuvered by powerful clans. Now, he can only rely on Chang'an's strategy to turn the tide.

"However, neither Fang Xiang nor Du Xiang objected, so let's proceed with this plan."

Wei Zheng picked up the letter, his tone tinged with weariness.

Since things have come to this, we can only take it one step at a time.

Xu Jingzong stood aside, watching Wei Zheng sigh to himself, his face full of astonishment.

Let me see the letter!
I don't know the specifics yet!

But he dared not interrupt Wei Zheng rashly, so he could only wait patiently.

Just then, Li Yifu stepped forward and bowed to Xu Jingzong, saying, "Military Advisor Xu, before I came here, the master specifically instructed me to bring you some assistance."

"Oh?"

Xu Jingzong's eyes lit up, then he chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Could it be that you've sent the remaining hundred cavalry? The current situation can't be resolved by just adding a few more soldiers. The farmers have been misled by the powerful clans and don't trust the court at all. Forcing the issue will only backfire."

Wei Zheng also shook his head, clearly not believing that military force could break the deadlock.

"The Hundred Riders are good at investigating cases and capturing thieves, but not at calming the people's hearts, so sending them here would be of little use."

"Not a hundred riders."

Li Yifu cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity.

"They are 125 scholars who were studying near Chang'an before. They have now been settled in the backyard of the governor's mansion. The master said that these people might be able to help."

"A traveling scholar?"

Xu Jingzong and Wei Zheng were both stunned. They looked at each other and saw surprise in each other's eyes.

Previously, Wen He suggested that scholars from poor families in Chang'an travel to the surrounding villages to study, teaching young children to read and promoting agricultural and sericultural knowledge.

Later, due to the obstruction of the gentry, this matter even triggered the controversy of the Cui family of Qinghe withdrawing from Chang'an. After that, there was no further development, and everyone in the court thought that the matter had long been forgotten.

Unexpectedly, these scholars were not only still around, but Wen He had actually sent them to Hebei Province!
"Wen He... wants the scholars to persuade the farmers?"

Wei Zheng realized what was happening, his tone full of doubt.

Simply trying to persuade them is unlikely to change the farmers' minds that have been misled.

Li Yifu shook his head with a smile, his tone mysterious.

"It's not about directly persuading them. The scholars come here primarily for study tours, teaching children in various villages to read and write. Oh, by the way, I've also brought hundreds of books this time, all specially selected by you, sir, on agriculture, sericulture, and literacy."

Wei Zheng and Xu Jingzong exchanged a glance, both somewhat confused.

If we only lecture, how can we help promote Zhenguan rice?
Xu Jingzong had a vague feeling that something was wrong. Wen He always had a backup plan, so there must be something fishy going on. However, Li Yifu was unwilling to say it outright, so he went along with it.

"Since it's Wen He's arrangement, we won't interfere any further and will cooperate fully."

Wei Zheng wanted to ask more questions, but seeing the look Xu Jingzong gave him, he coughed lightly and said no more.

Let’s take a look at the situation first.

A few days later, the 125 students were divided into ten groups and set off from Weizhou, heading north, south, or east, and dispersed to various villages in Hebei Province.

They wore faded robes, carried simple bags and books, and looked no different from ordinary traveling scholars.

……

In a small mountain village outside Weizhou City, in a farmhouse surrounded by mud walls, middle-aged man Wang Erhu was turning the soil with a hoe when a gentle voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

"My name is Xiao Huaizhen, a scholar traveling through the country. I am passing by your esteemed place. May I ask for a drink of water?"

Wang Erhu paused for a moment, put down his hoe, and turned around.

A scholar stood outside the courtyard. His robe was old but neat, his face was handsome, and his eyes were sincere. He didn't seem like a bad person.

He quickly replied, "Wait a moment!"

He turned and went inside, and soon came out with a five or six-year-old boy. The boy was carrying a rough porcelain bowl filled with well water.

"Thank you, young master."

Xiao Huaizhen took the bowl, drank it all in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and smiled.

"Great! I come from Weizhou and am on my way to Cangzhou to study. Thank you for taking me in."

Are you from out of town?

Wang Erhu looked him over and suddenly laughed.

"Looking at your refined appearance, you resemble the old gentleman in the village. He used to always wear a long robe and even taught the village children to read. It's a pity he passed away two years ago."

"Oh? There were teachers who taught here?"

Xiao Huaizhen's eyes lit up, and he said accordingly.

"It's quite a coincidence that I came to Hebei Province to study and teach by His Majesty's decree, specifically to teach the children in the village to read."

"His Majesty?"

Wang Erhu's eyes widened instantly, and he almost dropped the hoe in his hand.

"Are you referring to His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty?"

"Exactly."

Xiao Huaizhen took out a travel permit stamped with the official seal from his pocket and handed it over.

Wang Erhu waved his hand sheepishly.

"I can't read, you wait here, I'll go find the village head!"

With that, he threw down his hoe and ran towards the edge of the village, leaving Xiao Huaizhen and the little boy alone in the yard.

"Are you really here to teach reading?"

The little boy tilted his head back, revealing a smile with a missing front tooth.

Xiao Huaizhen squatted down and rubbed his head.

"Yes, would you like to learn?"

“My father said that studying can lead to becoming an official, and becoming an official can ensure a full stomach, so I’m willing to study!”

The little boy nodded vigorously, his eyes full of longing.

Xiao Huaizhen chuckled.

He failed the imperial examination last year. If he hadn't been recruited as a traveling scholar and received a monthly stipend of five strings of cash, he probably would have starved to death in Chang'an long ago.

Studying may not guarantee one an official position, but it can help one understand right from wrong.

This would dispel the ignorance of these common people. Not long after, Wang Erhu returned with the village head.

The village head took the travel permit, repeatedly checked the official seal on it, and scrutinized Xiao Huaizhen for a long time before excitedly saying...

"They really are distinguished guests sent by His Majesty! I never expected His Majesty to still remember our small village!"

"You're too kind, village head."

Xiao Huaizhen bowed respectfully.

"I will stay here for a month or two. I hope the village head can help gather the children in the village who want to learn to read. I will do my best to teach them."

The village headman quickly helped him up, saying repeatedly.

"Of course! Of course! I'll arrange your accommodation. You can stay at my house; I have a clean side room!"

Wang Erhu also chimed in.

"You can stay at my house! I have a big, warm kang (heated brick bed)!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the village head gave him a disapproving look.

"Erhu, don't think I don't know what you're thinking. How could Xiao Langjun possibly stay in this dilapidated house of yours?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Erhu couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

Xiao Huaizhen couldn't refuse the village head, so she went home with him.

For more than half a month, every day after the rooster crowed, he would stand by the only well in the village with a book and teach the children.

He used tree branches as pens and the muddy ground as a writing board to teach children to write.

It wasn't all children; many villagers who had finished their farm work would also stop and linger.

Sometimes, when there are many people around, Xiao Huaizhen will deliberately raise her voice so that everyone can hear her.

As the days went by, Xiao Huaizhen's lessons expanded beyond just literacy to include agricultural and sericultural knowledge.

For example, how to compost to make the soil more fertile, and how to select seeds to reduce pests and diseases.

The villagers listened intently and grew to respect him even more.

"Young Master Xiao, aren't these people always surrounding you, interrupting your lecture?"

After class, the village head brought over some warm water and said somewhat embarrassedly.

"It's alright," Xiao Huaizhen said with a smile as she took the bowl.

"Reading is for everyone, regardless of age. Anyone who is willing to listen is welcome."

"As expected of a scholar, he has a broad mind. However, we can't listen for much longer, as the busy farming season is coming soon."

As they talked, under Xiao Huaizhen's deliberate guidance, their topic gradually shifted to spring plowing.

The north warms up later, so spring plowing will start a little later than in the interior.

Speaking of spring planting, I've seen the grain seeds that everyone in the village is planting these past few days. Why isn't it the Zhenguan rice from the imperial court? Could it be that the local county government didn't inform you about it?

"Zhenguan rice?" The village head was stunned for a moment, and it took him a while to remember.

“I remember now, it’s that new rice variety that the imperial court issued, right? Young Master Xiao, I consider you one of my own, so I’ll tell you the truth. Everyone in the village knows about it, but they’re still not sure what to expect.”

"As the head of Liao Family Village, which is five miles away from our village, said, that so-called Zhenguan rice is just a hoax. At most, one mu of land can produce three dou of rice. That's only for the nobles in Chang'an. How could we possibly afford to grow it?"

"Nonsense!"

Xiao Huaizhen suddenly stood up, his tone filled with anger.

“Village head, I have lived in Chang’an and personally seen Bo Wenhe’s estate in Gaoyang County. Last year, there was a drought in the Guanzhong Plain, but the Wen family estate was planted entirely with Zhenguan rice, and one mu of land still yielded one shi and three dou!”

"One stone and three bushels?"

The village head froze on the spot, his eyes wide open.

"This...this is real? Could it be that the Goddess Houtu has manifested herself?"

In his view, it was good if an ordinary grain crop could yield eight or nine dou per mu, let alone one shi and three dou.

"Absolutely true!"

Xiao Huaizhen raised his hand and said solemnly.

"I swear to God that if I have uttered even the slightest lie, may I die without a burial place!"

Such a solemn oath, uttered by a scholar who was usually so refined, carried immense weight.

The village head gasped sharply.

"Then, why would Young Master Liao from Liao Family Village lie to us?"

If that Zhenguan rice is really that good, why not let them grow it?

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huaizhen suddenly sighed and shook his head.

"Perhaps he has his own concerns."

“But, but this…” The village head still hesitated.

But if this is true, there could be so much more grain per acre.

After that, even in years of famine, they no longer needed to sell land to make a living.

After pondering for a while, he asked eagerly.

"Young Master Xiao, are there still any grain seeds left?"

"I've heard that any farmer with a registered household and land can go to the local county government office to collect it, and it won't cost a single penny. If the village head doesn't believe me, I'll personally accompany you to the county government office tomorrow."

“Well, well… I know Mr. Xiao is a good person, so I’ll trust you this once. But most of the families in the village have already planted this year, while my family still has more than ten acres of land that haven’t been planted yet. We can give it a try.”

They were still half-believing and half-doubting.

Xiao Huaizhen has checked over the past few days and found that at least half of the fields in the village have not yet been sown.

However, the fact that he could do this already shows that he has a lot of confidence in himself.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Huaizhen stood up abruptly and bowed to the village head.

"What are you doing, Young Master Xiao?"

"Thank you for your trust, village head."

Xiao Huaizhen never expected things to go so smoothly.

The same scene is playing out in villages throughout Hebei Province.

……

"It went surprisingly smoothly."

Inside the Chang'an Hundred Cavalry Division.

Chen Dahai, Qi Song, and Fan Biao placed the documents that had just arrived in Chang'an on the table.

At the other end of the table, Wen He picked up a card, glanced at it, and handed it to Li Chengqian beside her.

"So now you know why I want all the common people in the world to be able to read."

"Sir, you mean that the people should not be fooled, but should be enlightened with reason, right? I know." Li Chengqian felt that Wen He still treated him like a child.

He is ten years old this year.

When the gentleman was ten years old, he was already working in the Hundred Cavalry Division.

"Snapped!"

Wen He raised her hand and slapped the Crown Prince on the head.

Chen Dahai and the others who were walking towards this place quickly lowered their heads, pretending not to have seen anything.

Only the young master has the guts to hit His Highness the Crown Prince on the head.

"What's so great about knowing this? You should put it into practice instead of being stingy like your father."

Wen He originally planned to recruit at least five hundred students, but Li Shimin only gave him a little over one hundred.

They're saying the national treasury is empty now.

Do you really think he doesn't know? There are tens of thousands of catties of silver lying in the imperial treasury.

Li Chengqian knew that Wen He was angry, but she didn't dare to say anything bad about her father, so she just chuckled twice and changed the subject.

"Sir, now that all the students have left, shouldn't it be time for the Hundred Riders to go out next?"

Li Chengqian asked curiously.

Wenhe smiled kindly.

"All is ready except for the opportunity."

(End of this chapter)