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

Chapter 422 Chang'an is too comfortable, this is not good.

In the Forbidden Garden, the air still carried the slight coolness of the morning dew, but a tense atmosphere had already permeated the western training ground.

The wooden tower, more than two zhang tall, stood alone at the edge of the drill ground. Zhao Qin was tightly bound to the wooden pillar at the top of the tower by a thick strip of cloth more than two fingers wide.

He wore a worn-out flying fish brocade robe, the collar of which was damp with sweat. His originally dark face was now somewhat pale, with only his tightly pursed lips revealing a hint of stubbornness.

However, to facilitate his training of soldiers, only his body was bound; his arms were not tied and remained free to move.

"Everyone, get ready to throw!"

Zhao Qin's voice came from the top of the tower, a little hoarse, but still loud.

This is the third set of instructions he has given today.

Ever since Wen He made him confront his fear, he was carried up to the tower by soldiers and tied up every day before dawn. From morning training to dusk, he spent almost all his time in mid-air, except for meals and toilet breaks.

At first, he would struggle and beg for mercy, but as time went on, he gradually got used to the feeling of being suspended in mid-air, and even his fear of heights faded a bit.

Needless to say, the soldiers below were all seasoned veterans who had trained for three months and were no longer rookies just entering the military.

In the past, they would throw grenades from inside a hot air balloon basket, but today they were throwing them from the ground at a distance, which made the group of kids a little nervous.

In the center of the training ground, twelve Flying Fish Guard soldiers stood in two columns, each holding a grenade.

The soldiers held grenades in their right hands, their left index fingers resting loosely on the pull cords, their eyes filled with a mixture of excitement and restraint.

A few bundles of dry grass stood haphazardly on the shooting range, without even a fixed scarecrow.

Wen He had already told Zhao Qin that having these guys, who were used to airdrops from high altitudes, drop bombs on the ground was not to practice their accuracy, but to toughen them up and toughen them up to face explosions at close range.

The sunlight slanted across the soldiers' faces, highlighting their taut jawlines. Some had sweaty palms, which dampened the rough outer shell of their grenades.

They followed Wen He and dropped empty shell models from hot air balloons no less than a hundred times.

I've almost never thrown a real grenade, so it's inevitable that I'm nervous.

They had all witnessed the bloody scene of grenades being thrown into a flock of sheep.

"Check the cable!"

The squad leader at the front of the column shouted. The soldiers immediately bent down to check, and after confirming that the wire was securely connected, they responded in unison.

"The cable is intact!"

Zhao Qin, standing atop the tower, took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers below clutching grenades. He deliberately softened his tone, yet his voice carried an undeniable force.

"Get your act together! Don't look like you've never seen anything like this before! Don't worry about where you throw it, just pull the string and throw it out! Anyone who dares to back down will be tied to this tower for a whole day! Throw it!"

As soon as the words were spoken, twelve hands moved quickly but with some hesitation as they pulled the cord!
"Tsk-tsk-"

The soft crackling of burning fuses echoed across the silent drill ground, and two soldiers instinctively took a half-step back.

When dropping bombs from a hot air balloon, you simply pull the fuse and throw it downwards, but when dropping bombs from the ground, you have to throw them with force.

The hissing sound of burning was right next to my ear, always making me feel uneasy.

Fortunately, they reacted quickly, throwing the grenades with a flick of their arms. The grenades traced crooked arcs in the air, some hitting the earthen slopes beside the training ground, some landing on open ground far from the haystacks, and only three or four barely hitting the target area.

But this slightly flustered throwing actually eased the soldiers' tense nerves a little.

Even if the movements were ugly, at least it was thrown out.

next moment.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

A series of explosions suddenly erupted, like a string of thunderclaps rolling across the ground.

The nearest grenade exploded, sending up a cloud of dirt half a person's height, and tiny clods of mud splashed onto the soldiers' trouser legs.

The explosion in the distance, though less powerful, added to the shock.

From the hot air balloon, all you could see was plumes of smoke, but on the ground, the heat wave, carrying the smell of gunpowder, hit your face, and your ears were filled with a buzzing echo.

All the soldiers instinctively shrank back, but no one turned to run away. Instead, a few looked up at the top of the tower as if waiting for Zhao Qin's instructions, while most looked at each other with a look of realization in their eyes.

Before the smoke and dust had even cleared, some soldiers couldn't help but gasp.

"Damn! This is way more exciting than listening to it from the hot air balloon!"

"My hands were shaking just now, but now it feels great!"

The team leader quickly ran to the edge of the firing range, glanced around, and didn't count any hits at all. He just shouted loudly towards the top of the tower.

"Captain! Throw them all out! Nobody's backing down!"

Zhao Qin nodded; that was exactly what he wanted to hear.

The soldiers immediately breathed a sigh of relief, their faces beaming with triumphant smiles. Some even patted their comrades on the shoulder, their tone laced with pride.

"I threw it farther than you just now! Next time I'll definitely be able to throw it into the haystack!"

"What nonsense! If you're so capable, let's see who can keep their eyes open next time!"

The tension from before had been largely dispelled by the excitement following the explosion, and even the fear of a close-range explosion had lessened somewhat.

Zhao Qin saw this and a slight smile crept onto his lips.

At first, Zhao Qin didn't understand, thinking that these veterans who had trained for three months didn't need to train their courage anymore, but he understood after two sets of training.

High-altitude bombing relies on accuracy and composure, while ground bombing relies on courage and fearlessness—these are two completely different kinds of boldness.

Looking at the soldiers now, he finally understood Wen He's thoughts.

"Next group!"

Zhao Qin put away his notebook and shouted down.

His voice was still hoarse, but it sounded more confident than before.

He looked down at his body, which was tied to the wooden post, and suddenly felt that this position was not so uncomfortable.

From this high platform, one can have a clear view of the entire training ground and give orders to the soldiers more promptly.

The fourth group of soldiers quickly stepped forward. They were less flustered than the third group and more eager to try.

Having witnessed the "demonstration" from the previous group, they experienced firsthand what it was like to drop bombs on the ground. The shock of the "heat wave hitting their faces" only fueled their competitive spirit.

The team was distributing grenades to everyone and specifically instructing them...

"Don't throw it blindfolded! Look at how the grenade flies!"

After saying that, he shouted towards the top of the tower: "Ready!"

"Throw!" Zhao Qin's command followed immediately, and the other soldiers threw out their grenades as well.

A series of explosions sounded.

"It's just nonsense!"

The sandalwood table in the Lizheng Hall was slammed so hard it made a deafening noise. Li Shimin's face turned ashen, and his knuckles turned white from the force.

The rumbling sound from the direction of the Forbidden Garden had been going on for several days. Although the Lizheng Hall was located deep within the palace and could not hear it clearly, the imperial estate next to the Forbidden Garden had suffered the consequences.

The deafening explosions kept hundreds of farmers from resting day and night, and they couldn't even take care of their crops. The steward of the imperial estate had already used the excuse of delivering fresh fruits and vegetables to the palace to complain to Gao Yue three times.

This wasn't even the thing that angered him the most.

This morning, as soon as the court session began, a pile of anonymous memorials appeared on the emperor's desk, every word of which impeached Bowen He of Gaoyang County.

They accused him of "abusing vigilante justice" and "disrupting people's livelihoods."

The memorial described the events in great detail, claiming that Wen He tied Zhao Qin, a captain of the Flying Fish Guard, to a high tower in the Forbidden Garden every day, exposing him to the sun and rain, and not even untying him for meals, which was tantamount to treating a court official as a prisoner and displaying him to the public.

"That Zhao Qin is a good-for-nothing too!"

Li Shimin snorted angrily.

"I promoted him to the rank of Flying Fish Guard Captain, and he just sits there tied up like a target without a word of complaint! If word gets out, what a joke it will become of my Flying Fish Guard!"

Gao Yue, standing to the side, lowered her head even further.

He had followed Li Shimin for many years and had long since figured out His Majesty's temperament.

This seemingly thunderous anger was actually half out of concern for the farmers of the royal estate, and half out of heartache for Wen He, that brat who was too flamboyant.

If I were to follow up on the topic and criticize Wen He, His Majesty would surely change his mind, and I would be the one punished.

"Where did that brat go today?"

Li Shimin took a breath, picked up his teacup and took a big gulp, splashing a few drops of tea onto the memorials on his desk.

"Your Majesty."

Gao Yue replied cautiously.

"This morning, the Earl of Gaoyang County delivered a false letter to the Ministry of War, saying that there was an important matter at home, and then went to the Qujiang Pool area."

"Important matter at home?"

Li Shimin slammed the teacup down heavily on the table, the lid making a crisp sound as it collided with the body of the cup.

"He's clearly slacking off and seeking peace and quiet! The Forbidden Garden is in complete chaos, yet he has the leisure to go sightseeing at Qujiang Pool!"

Even so, his tense brows subtly relaxed a little.

Qujiang Pool is the place where Wen He mentioned building the Jishi Academy. Could it be...?

Seeing this, Gao Yue quickly added a sentence.

"Your Majesty, today is the day for the enrollment of students at the Jishi Academy. The Earl of Gaoyang County said that since the academy is newly established, he needs to personally oversee the enrollment process to ensure his peace of mind."

Li Shimin was indeed taken aback, and his anger subsided instantly, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him.

He recalled when Wen He proposed building a medical school.

At the time, he thought it was just youthful enthusiasm, but he never expected that the school would actually be established in just one year.

But then he thought again, Wen He hadn't even reported such a big matter in advance, and hadn't even given him the chance to inscribe a plaque. Li Shimin's face darkened again.

"That brat is efficient in his work, but he has no respect for me!"

He got up and paced a couple of steps, then suddenly stopped.

"Go and find me a set of casual clothes, and then go to the East Palace to summon Gao Ming. I want to see what kind of school this brat has set up."

"promise!"

Gao Yue secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and as she bowed and stepped back, a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.

His Majesty is not going to investigate; he is clearly going to support Wen He.

Half an hour later, two figures dressed in plain clothes appeared on Zhuque Street.

Li Shimin was dressed in a short, light blue outfit, looking like a warrior.

Li Chengqian, standing beside him, was dressed in a worn-out scholar's robe, his eyes full of curiosity. Every few steps, he couldn't help but look towards Qujiang Pool.

“Father, the teacher said that this school provides food and lodging and there is no tuition fee. No wonder so many people come here.”

Li Chengqian lowered his voice and pointed to the surging crowd ahead.

Li Shimin looked in the direction he pointed and saw that a long queue had already formed outside the newly built courtyard by Qujiang Pool, with a crowd of over a thousand people.

It’s not lively.

I doubt we'll ever see a scene like this at the annual Qujiang Poetry Festival.

Most of them were dressed in coarse cloth long gowns, some carried patched bags, some held tattered medical books in their hands, and some were leading children. The people behind them were probably there to watch the excitement.

A gilded plaque hangs in front of the blue brick wall at the entrance of the courtyard.

The four large characters "Jishi Academy" were written with vigorous strokes, and it turned out to be the handwriting of that kid Wen He.

"Are all these people here to enroll in medical school?"

Li Shimin pulled over a young man carrying a bamboo basket and asked him gently.

The young man was about twenty years old, and his trouser legs were still covered in mud, indicating that he had just come from the countryside.

Seeing that Li Shimin was dressed neatly, the young man nodded quickly, his tone tinged with excitement.

"Yes! I came from Hu County. I heard that they were recruiting medical students here. They didn't charge tuition and even provided meals, so I came. My mother got lung disease last year and saw several doctors but couldn't cure her. Master Sun gave her a few doses of medicine and she got better."

"The master said that the Tang Dynasty is about to be at peace and a golden age is imminent. Studying medicine can save the people of the world."

"I haven't read many books and couldn't pass the imperial examinations, but if I could learn to cure diseases, I could save the people in my village!"

Li Shimin's heart stirred, and he looked at a scholar wearing a square cap beside him. The scholar was about thirty years old, holding a copy of "Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases" in his hand. The pages of the book were worn and frayed, but his expression was somewhat dejected.

"Are you here to register as well?" Li Shimin asked.

The scholar nodded with a wry smile.

“I failed the imperial examination last spring and wanted to take it again, but a few days ago I heard Wen County Lord give a speech on Zhuque Street. He said, ‘Studying to become an official may be for fame and fortune, but studying medicine and treating diseases is to truly save the people.’”

"I thought about it for three nights and realized he was right."

"If an official is corrupt, he will harm the people of his region, but a doctor who has a benevolent heart can accumulate good deeds wherever he goes."

"presumptuous!"

Li Shimin raised an eyebrow, his tone suddenly becoming stern.

This brat dares to openly slander officials in the imperial court!
But as soon as he finished speaking, he noticed Li Chengqian beside him covering his mouth and chuckling, his shoulders swaying.

Li Shimin glared at his son, but the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily a few times.

Although these words were harsh, they hit the nail on the head regarding the sore spot of official corruption.

“Father, what you said, sir, is straightforward, but it makes some sense.”

Li Chengqian leaned close to his ear and whispered.

"When I last visited the Forbidden Garden, I saw him carefully changing the bandages for the wounded soldiers."

Li Shimin remained silent, turning his gaze to the front of the procession.

A burly man was seen holding a long pole to maintain order, speaking in a loud voice.

"Line up! Don't push! Enter in order of your number! Those who can read can get their test papers first, those who can't read should register over there!"

"That's Qi San, the gentleman's coachman."

Li Chengqian explained.

“He was strong and reliable, so the master put him in charge of maintaining order in the outer area.”

Li Shimin nodded, his gaze sweeping over the twenty burly men beside Qi San.

Those people were dressed in plain clothes, yet they stood tall and straight, their hands behind their backs, their eyes sharp as eagles.

It was the Xuanjia Guards he had sent to protect Wen He.

These people, who usually acted with great authority in the palace, were now patiently guiding the common people without any airs.

"They know how to use people."

Li Shimin said in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of approval.

The father and son followed the crowd into the school, and the scene inside the courtyard surprised Li Shimin even more.

The courtyard was kept clean and tidy. Three awnings were set up on the east side, with tables and chairs under them. Tea and coarse grain buns were placed on the tables for those waiting to register.

On the open ground to the west, several boys dressed in coarse cloth were busy distributing number plates to the crowd, their faces bearing shy smiles.

“These boys are all orphans from the vicinity of Chang’an. Their parents’ fathers all died on the battlefield. Master Sun felt sorry for them and asked you to take them in.”

Li Chengqian explained.

"The teacher then had them help out at the school first, to learn to read, and so that they could study medicine in the future."

Li Shimin felt a warmth in his heart and strode towards the main hall.

Thirty tables were set up in the main hall, and more than twenty applicants were sitting at the tables, engrossed in writing their exam papers.

On each table was an inkstone, a writing brush, and several books of cursive script.

The proctor was an elderly scholar with white hair, dressed in a dark blue Confucian robe. He paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, occasionally bending down to remind the examinees to "read the questions carefully and not peek." This old scholar was originally a senior doctor from the Imperial Medical Academy, surnamed Zhou. He was highly skilled in medicine and had extensive knowledge. When Sun Simiao was preparing to establish the academy, he specially invited him to not only proctor the exam today, but also to serve as a lecturer in pharmacology in the future.

Li Shimin quietly walked to the window and peeked inside.

Most of the questions on the exam were about basic pharmacology, such as "Briefly describe the differences in efficacy between ephedra and cinnamon twig".

List three herbs for treating diarrhea.

How to provide first aid for external bleeding.

Though not profound, every sentence is practical.

His gaze swept across the candidates' answer sheets, and suddenly stopped on a neatly written paper. Under the question "How to view doctors?", the person wrote: "Doctors should treat all beings equally, without distinction of rank or social status, and without regard to heat or cold."

Li Shimin couldn't help but give a silent thumbs-up.

Just then, Master Zhou, who was pacing back and forth, happened to walk to the window. He caught a glimpse of the figure outside the window out of the corner of his eye. At first, he thought it was just an ordinary person waiting to register, but when he looked closely, he froze.

This is clearly His Majesty's appearance!
He was so startled he almost cried out, and quickly bowed to pay his respects, but saw Li Shimin shake his head at him.

Immediately, Li Shimin raised a finger to his lips, then slowly shook his head, his eyes conveying a clear message that he should not make a fuss.

Master Zhou understood immediately. He suppressed his excitement, nodded slightly to indicate that he knew, and then turned around nonchalantly to continue pacing around and supervising the exam.

His footsteps were lighter than before, and his gaze occasionally swept towards the window, filled with awe.

As he was looking around, the conversation coming from the side room caught Li Shimin's attention.

He gestured for Li Chengqian to be quiet, then quietly walked to the door of the side room and peeked through the crack in the door.

In the side room, there was a mahogany desk. Wen He was sitting at the desk, holding an exam paper in her hand, her brows slightly furrowed.

The white-haired old man sitting opposite was none other than Sun Simiao. Sun Simiao was dressed in a plain-colored Taoist robe and held an exam paper in his hand. He shook his head and sighed from time to time, drawing circles on the paper with his brush.

"Master Sun, how about these portions?"

Wen He picked up a test paper and handed it over.

Sun Simiao took the test paper, glanced at it, and shook his head helplessly: "He only knows the answer, but not the reason. Look at this question, which asks him what the effects of licorice are, and he actually answered that it can detoxify all poisons and cure all diseases. It's simply absurd!"

"Although licorice can harmonize various medicines, it also has contraindications. How can it be used indiscriminately? And this recipe for treating cough only mentions using apricot kernels, but he doesn't know that the medicines for wind-cold cough and wind-heat cough are completely different. Wouldn't using medicine like this be harmful?"

Wen He took the test paper, glanced at it, and couldn't help but chuckle.

"It seems there are quite a few people trying to take advantage of the situation. They probably heard that His Majesty is backing this school and thought they could get an official position, but they don't know that studying medicine is a life-threatening job."

"Yes."

Sun Simiao sighed.

He, who was usually calm and collected, suddenly had a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

He did this because he felt these people were too ambitious and driven by self-interest.

These are the things that people studying medicine should avoid the most.

"I just reviewed twenty exam papers, and only three or four of them truly understood medical principles and had a compassionate heart."

"The rest are either people with a vague understanding or people who don't understand at all and are just trying their luck."

Wen He put down the exam paper and poured Sun Simiao a cup of tea: "Daoist, don't be impatient. There's no such thing as instant success in this world. The fact that so many people came today shows that they believe in learning medicine and saving lives."

"Let's take it slow. First, select those who are truly dedicated and train them well. Even if we only recruit one good prospect this year, it will be worthwhile."

"you're right."

Sun Simiao took the teacup, took a sip, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

"When I was studying medicine, I had no one to guide me and took many detours. Now that there is such a good opportunity to let ordinary people learn medicine, it is a great thing."

Wen He smiled.

Li Shimin, standing outside the door, heard everything clearly, and the last trace of displeasure in his heart vanished. He looked at Wen He's focused profile and couldn't help but chuckle.

Although this scoundrel acts arrogantly, his heart is always with the people.

"Father, shall we go in and see the master?"

Li Chengqian asked in a low voice.

Li Shimin shook his head and turned to walk out.

"No need. If that brat knew I was here, he would probably get all cocky again."

Even so, he slowed his pace and glanced at the Xuanjia Guards not far away as he passed the pavilion.

As I stepped out of the school, the sun was already setting, and the surface of Qujiang Pool shimmered with golden light.

Li Shimin looked back and saw warm light shining through the school windows, where he could vaguely see the figures of Wen He and Sun Simiao.

He suddenly spoke.

"Gao Yue, tomorrow have the Imperial Medical Bureau send some of its stock of medical books to the Jishi Academy. Also, allocate some silver from the Imperial Treasury to provide the academy with some medicinal herbs and writing materials."

Gao Yue, who was following behind, quickly responded.

"promise!"

Li Chengqian looked at his father's retreating figure and couldn't help but smile.

He knew that his father was just being stubborn.

……

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the windows of Jishi Academy, casting dappled light and shadow on the blue brick floor of the main hall.

With Master Zhou's announcement, "Exam over, stop writing and collect your papers,"

The candidates, who had been sitting upright for an hour, breathed a sigh of relief. Some rubbed their sore wrists, while others peeked at the answer sheets of their neighbors, their faces filled with trepidation and anticipation.

When Wen He and Sun Simiao came out of the side room, Master Zhou was busy directing several young boys who were helping to collect the papers.

Seeing the two approaching, he quickly put down his work, strode forward, and whispered.

“Lord Wen, Master Sun, His Majesty was here during the examination just now.”

"His Majesty?"

Sun Simiao was startled and quickly looked around.

"Is His Majesty still in the palace?"

He had practiced medicine for many years and, although he had treated the royal family, he was well aware of the emperor's dignity and was afraid of being impolite.

Wen He appeared much calmer. He patted Sun Simiao's arm, signaling him to calm down, and then looked at Master Zhou.

"Mr. Zhou, please explain in detail. Did His Majesty leave any instructions?"

Master Zhou then recounted in detail how he recognized Li Shimin by the window in the afternoon and how His Majesty had instructed him to be quiet, adding at the end.

"His Majesty looked at several answer sheets and seemed quite satisfied."

Sun Simiao breathed a sigh of relief, but was still somewhat worried.

"His Majesty has come incognito, and we have not greeted him. Wouldn't that seem disrespectful?"

"Mr. Sun is overthinking it."

Wen He smiled and shook her head.

“Since His Majesty came quietly, it means he didn’t want to make a fuss. The fact that he came to see the school shows that he approves of it. Besides, if he really felt that we were being neglected, he would have sent Gao Yue to deliver the message long ago.”

He knew Li Shimin's nature well; he seemed stern, but in reality, he was always tolerant of those who got things done.

Sun Simiao thought about it and agreed, so he stopped worrying about it and started working with Master Zhou to organize the exam papers.

Wen He wanted to stay and help, but Sun Simiao sent her back.

"You've been busy all day, you should take a break. Mr. Zhou and I can handle the reviewing of papers, but we'll need you to oversee the re-examination tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Wen He did not object.

He didn't know much either; the most he could help with was organizing the exam papers.

He didn't dwell on it and took his leave of the two before returning home.

As I walked out of the school, the night was already deepening at Qujiang Pool, and lanterns along the shore lit up one after another, reflecting on the shimmering water.

He glanced back at the school lights and suddenly felt a pang of emotion.

From just an idea at the beginning to the establishment and enrollment of students at the school today.

Medicine should be strongly supported in any era.

Many people in later generations said that traditional Chinese medicine was not good.

Throughout history, there have been countless instances of population decline, only to be followed by rapid population growth shortly afterward.

While climate and governance play a role, without these medical professionals, it would have been impossible to restore population growth so smoothly.

It's important to know that at the same time, the West was still using witchcraft and bloodletting.

The next morning, the entrance to Jishi Academy was already crowded with people.

Yesterday's test takers eagerly awaited their results, all wondering if they would be able to advance to the second round of the exam.

When Sun Simiao hung the wooden sign with the list of candidates for the second round of interviews at the door, the crowd surged forward, some happy and some sad.

Of the nearly 100 candidates yesterday, only about 20 will be able to enter the second round of interviews today.

Wen He arrived at the school early in the morning. He stood inside the door, looking at the scene outside, a smile appearing on his lips.

He knew that the twenty people who stood out from the hundred might not all be the most talented in medicine, but at least they had the right attitude and were willing to put in the effort.

He had already discussed the content of the re-examination with Sun Simiao. It was divided into two parts: a written test and a practical test. The written test focused on medical ethics, while the practical test required candidates to identify herbs and simulate wound dressing.

After the re-examination began, Wen He did not stay in the main hall to proctor the exam, but instead wandered around the school at will.

He walked to the herb garden on the east side and saw several teenagers watering the newly planted seedlings. These teenagers were all children without parents.

Wen He asked them to help out at the school, where they could learn to read and do arithmetic, as well as recognize medicinal herbs. If they were interested in the future, they could become students at the school.

When Sun Simiao mentioned them, Wen He agreed almost without hesitation.

Looking at them, Wen He would sometimes lose herself in thought.

In his past life, he was also an orphan.

"Lord Wen!"

A short boy saw him, quickly put down his water bottle, and bowed.

The other boys also stopped what they were doing and followed suit in bowing.

Wen He smiled and waved her hand: "No need for formalities, you all go about your business."

He squatted down, pointed to a newly sprouted medicinal seedling, and asked, "What kind of herb is this? Do you know?"

"Know!"

The short boy quickly replied.

"Master Sun said that this is honeysuckle, which can clear heat and detoxify."

"good."

Wen He nodded in approval.

"Remember, these herbs may seem ordinary, but they are treasures that can save lives. You must take good care of them so that you can use them to treat diseases better when you learn medicine in the future."

The boys responded in unison, "Yes!"

His eyes were full of seriousness.

Looking at their youthful yet determined faces, Wen He suddenly felt a sense of familiarity.

He had intended to return home early, but unexpectedly, he saw two familiar figures as soon as he reached the school gate.

It was Li Shimin and Li Chengqian.

Li Shimin was dressed in a dark blue casual outfit, but his upright posture and composed demeanor were hard to conceal even in casual clothes.

Li Chengqian stood beside him, dressed in a scholar's robe. When he saw Wen He, his eyes lit up immediately.

Clearly, Li Shimin had not expected to encounter Wen He here. He was taken aback at first, then coughed awkwardly and waved as if trying to remain calm.

"Wen He, come here."

Wen He chuckled inwardly, but dared not be negligent. She quickly stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects and greet His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Get up."

Li Shimin waved his hand, his eyes unconsciously glancing towards the school.

"I am resting today, and since it has been a long time since I visited Qujiang Pool, I brought Chengqian here for a stroll. I never expected to run into you."

"Your Majesty has worked hard and should take a break from work."

Wen He suppressed a laugh and replied seriously. How could he not know that Li Shimin had clearly come specifically to see the re-examination, but he just didn't want to admit it?

Li Shimin felt somewhat uncomfortable under his knowing gaze, so he immediately gave a light snort, no longer dwelling on the topic, and instead asked...

"How are the re-examinations going? How long will it take for these students to be able to put their skills to use?"

This is what he cares about most.

The army is already preparing, and will head north to attack the Turks after the autumn harvest. If these students can be put to good use, the wounded soldiers in the army can receive better treatment.

"Your Majesty, please come inside. I will explain to you slowly."

Wen He stepped aside to make way for Li Shimin and Li Chengqian to enter the school.

He led the two through a long corridor, on both sides of which hung portraits and accounts of famous doctors from various dynasties. Li Shimin walked and looked at the pictures, nodding in praise from time to time.

"These students need to pass three tests in order to graduate."

Wen He talked as she walked.

"The first test is Master Sun's assessment, which requires expertise in pharmacology and medicine."

"The second hurdle is the graduation exam, where you must pass both the theory and practical exams."

"The third stage is a two-year internship, which requires training in the school's clinic or in the military to accumulate experience. Only after passing all three stages can one obtain a graduation certificate and become a real doctor."

"What's taking so long?"

Li Shimin frowned and stopped walking.

The autumn harvest has only been over for a few months, and the two-year internship is far from enough to solve the immediate problem. It seems these students will miss the war to attack the Turks.

He was somewhat disappointed, but he also knew that learning medicine was not something that could be accomplished overnight, so he did not blame Wen He.

Wen He had already guessed what he was thinking and said with a smile.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty."

"Although it will take two years to officially graduate, after the re-examination, Master Sun will select a group of talented and hardworking students to form a military medical support class, which he will personally lead to train in the military in advance."

"Although the battlefield is a dangerous place, it is the best training ground. These students can learn how to treat external injuries and accumulate experience in the army. When the war ends, they will be qualified doctors."

"Good! Good! Good!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin was overjoyed and couldn't help but pat Wen He on the shoulder.

"You little rascal, you never disappoint me! You always know how to hit the nail on the head!"

What he valued most about Wen He was his personality, unlike some officials in the court who only knew how to stick to the rules.

Li Chengqian nodded in agreement.

"Sir, you've thought of everything! With Master Sun leading the team, these students will surely learn real skills."

Wen He smiled and was about to speak when Li Shimin changed the subject.

"Now that you're out today, and considering it's been a long time since I visited your residence, I've personally conferred upon you the title of Earl of Gaoyang County. Such a significant promotion, and you haven't even invited me to a banquet yet!"

"Forehead……"

Wen He was immediately stunned.

He felt that Li Shimin was eyeing those few Jieli again.

However, it was Li Tai who was saddened, and it had nothing to do with him.

Li Chengqian's eyes lit up immediately, and he quickly stepped forward.

“Father is right! Sir, it’s been a long time since I’ve visited your home!”

The corners of the boy's mouth were turned up almost to his ears; how could Wen He not know what he was thinking?

He simply wanted to take this opportunity to stay outside a little longer so he wouldn't have to return to the Eastern Palace to face Yu Shinan.

Li Shimin saw through his son's thoughts, but he didn't point it out. He just looked at Wen He with a half-smile.

Wen He had no choice but to cup his hands in greeting.

"Your Majesty, I obey! It is an honor for me that Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince have graced me with their presence. I will immediately send someone back to make preparations."

Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction. The three of them left the school together and headed towards the Wen residence.

Wen He sent someone back ahead to inform them. When they arrived at the Wen residence, the four princes, Li Tai, Li Ke, Li Yin, and Li You, along with Qibi Heli, were waiting at the gate with Wen He's younger sister, Wenrou.

"Your son pays his respects to Father!"

The four princes bowed in unison, and Qibi Heli also bowed, saying, "This humble general greets Your Majesty!"

Wenrou, on the other hand, timidly performed a curtsy.

"Xiao Rou greets Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Everyone, get up."

Li Shimin smiled and waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the children.

Seeing that Qibi had arrived, he lingered for a moment longer and asked.

"He Li, you've been in Chang'an for a few months now. Have you gotten used to life here?"

Qibi Heli straightened his back and replied loudly, "Your Majesty, life in Chang'an is very good. We have plenty to eat and wear, and the Earl of Wen County teaches us to read and practice martial arts. However..."

He paused, a hint of hesitation on his face.

"Chang'an is too comfortable. Every day, besides reading, one practices martial arts. There is no fighting on the grasslands, and no prey to chase. If this continues, I'm afraid it will wash away the courage of a warrior. This is not good."

Everyone present was stunned by these words.

You know, so many people are desperate to stay in Chang'an and live a peaceful life, but Qibi Heli felt that this peace would erode his courage.

A hint of approval flashed in Li Shimin's eyes. This child was so young, yet he had such insight. No wonder he would surely achieve great things in the future.

He remembered that Wen He had mentioned before that Qibi Heli would become a general of the Tang Dynasty in the future.

The details weren't explained at the time.

I'll have to ask him sometime in the future about what Qibi Heli's future achievements will be.

But some people disagreed. Li Yin curled his lip and said disdainfully.

"Isn't it good to have a good life? I think you're just making a fuss! If you're not comfortable, then go live in the stables. It's not comfortable there!"

This kid still has the same spoiled nature. Wen He made him raise pigs before, and he behaved himself for a while, but he soon reverted to his old ways.

Especially since he would get beaten up every time he provoked Qibi Heli, he would pull Li Tai and Li You together, but even with the three of them working together, they could only manage a draw against Qibi Heli.

"presumptuous!"

Li Shimin's face darkened, and he rebuked him sternly.

"He Li was talking about the spirit of warriors. What do you know? All you do all day is eat, drink, and have fun, without any ambition! Today you are punished to face the wall for two hours to reflect on your actions!"

Li Yin trembled in fright, dared not speak again, and lowered her head in grievance.

Wen He saw it all, but remained silent.

Li Yin was unruly and needed to be properly disciplined. Li Shimin's reprimand might not have been a bad thing for him.

Furthermore, if an outsider like him were to rashly interfere in a father's teaching of his son, it would only cause the situation to spiral out of control.

Li Shimin ignored Li Yin and led everyone into the mansion.

After everyone was seated, the maids served tea and snacks. Li Shimin chatted with several princes, mostly asking about their studies and martial arts.

Both Li Tai and Li You spoke very enthusiastically.

Li Ke remained the same as always, sitting there calmly, seemingly unmoved by anything.

However, if Wenrou offers him pastries, he will still react somewhat.

When it was time to eat, the table was full of dishes.

There was roasted lamb and twice-cooked pork, which Wen He had specially prepared, as well as several exquisite vegetarian dishes and soups.

Seeing yet another of his pet Jieli killed, Li Tai's grief and anger turned into a strong appetite.

He ate with more gusto than anyone else.

Li Shimin picked up a piece of twice-cooked pork, put it in his mouth, and his eyes lit up.

"This meat is well-cooked, spicy and delicious, just to my liking. Jia Ying's cooking skills are even better than before."

Wen He said with a smile.

"If Your Majesty likes it, then I will have someone send the prescription to the palace later."

It's a pity there were no chili peppers or green peppers; this twice-cooked pork was a little less flavorful.

"it is good!"

Li Shimin laughed and picked up another piece. Suddenly remembering something, he pointed to the twice-cooked pork on the plate and said to everyone.

"Next year, I will definitely invite Jieli to Chang'an so that he can also taste this 'Jieli meat'!"

Qibi Heli, who was about to put the twice-cooked pork into his mouth, was stunned for a moment upon hearing this.

He turned to look at Li Shimin.

Since arriving in Wenhe, Qibi Heli seems to have developed a liking for pork.

However, Wen He guessed that this might be related to the fact that Li Tai named them Jieli.

He stared at the hot pot meat for a long time, then suddenly put down his chopsticks and looked intently at Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty, may I go with the Tang army? I know where Jieli's headquarters is!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin smiled faintly.

“You are not yet a subject of the Tang Dynasty, but just an ordinary citizen. I cannot arbitrarily promise a commoner the right to join the army.”

"Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty, how can one become your subject?"

Qibi Heli stood up solemnly, bowed to Li Shimin, and asked.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's lips curled up slightly.

Seeing his expression, Wen He couldn't help but feel annoyed.

'How dare you, a grown man, make fun of a child!'

(End of this chapter)