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

Chapter 43 You might as well just kill me.
Wen He turned his head and saw Changsun Wuji glaring at him menacingly.

He seemed determined to rush over and kill him if he said another word.

Wen He pursed her lips and made a "sealing" gesture with her hand around her mouth.

This puzzled Li Jing. Why would the usually composed Changsun Wuji suddenly scold a child?

Even if the child offends me with his words, am I supposed to argue with him?

This Changsun Fuji is underestimating me too much.

He snorted in dissatisfaction.

Changsun Wuji over there is in a bind.

He was worried that Wen He would speak recklessly again and blurt out things about the future.

It's best to keep Wen He's identity from the future to as few people as possible, to avoid causing more trouble.

Seeing this, Li Shimin chuckled twice and helped Changsun Wuji out of the predicament: "Pharmacist, don't mind. This young man Wen has a quirky personality and often says surprising things. Fuji is just worried that he might anger you."

"This old minister dares not." Since even His Highness the Prince of Qin had come out to endorse Changsun Wuji, he naturally took the opportunity to back down.

However, since Wen He has been brought up, he has to express his doubts.

"Your Highness just mentioned that Young Master Wen was instrumental in Li Yi's rebellion and the Turks' plan to launch a surprise attack on our Great Tang. This old minister doesn't understand how Young Master Wen, being so young, knew all this?"

He lowered his eyes, avoiding direct eye contact with Li Shimin.

Wen He suddenly sensed that something was off about the atmosphere around her.

He also sensed that something was wrong.

Given Li Jing's cautious nature, he shouldn't have pursued the matter further.

Is it possible...

Wen He pondered for a moment, then suddenly thought of a possibility.

Li Jing may not have had any doubts before, but Li Shimin's words just now made him have to consider it.

The possibility of Li Yi rebelling might be that Li Shimin wanted to eliminate dissidents.

If that's the case, given his personality, he might say a few words in Li Yi's defense and advise the latter to present his loyalty to the new emperor.

He was a man who valued talent, and besides, he would need Li Yi to deal with the Turks in the future.

But he didn't dare to question it directly, so he used Wen He as a reason to ask.

"Your Excellency, are you questioning His Highness?!" Fang Xuanling stepped forward and rebuked him.

Upon seeing this, Li Jing quickly said he dared not.

"Your Highness, the Turks are powerful, and no ordinary general can fight against them. Li Yi's cavalry are all brave and skilled in battle. This old minister is worried that there may be villains stirring up trouble among them."

He was even more worried that this would force Li Yi to rebel and actually join forces with the Turks to attack Chang'an.

Changsun Wuji was about to come out and refute, but Li Shimin waved him off.

“I understand what the pharmacist said. I summoned the pharmacist today with no intention of hiding anything from you. I trust you and will not conceal anything from you.”

He spoke calmly, but in the hearts of Fang Xuanling and his comrades, it was a raging storm.

Is His Highness Prince Qin going to reveal Wen He's identity?

That's incredibly unwise!
Even Wen He was startled.

Li Shimin's revelation of his identity to Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui was purely out of desperation.

He had to persuade Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui and give them absolute confidence.

But there's absolutely no need for that now.

Li Shimin pointed at Wen He.

"The boy's parents were spies planted by Li Yi's side, but unfortunately they were exposed and both of them died. Li Yi thought he could kill them to cover it up, but unexpectedly the boy and his sister escaped and went to the Prince of Qin's mansion."

Looking at Li Shimin making up stories with a serious expression.

Wen He pointed to herself in astonishment.

Damn you, Li Er!

However, this explanation makes sense, as it explains why Li Shimin bestowed titles and honors upon him.

Anyway, he was an orphan in his previous life and had no parents.

"I see." Pharmacist Li turned around and looked at Wen He.

The latter immediately started acting, rubbing his eyes with his hands, but after a long time, he couldn't squeeze out a single tear.

Seeing his terrible acting skills, the people not far away couldn't help but roll their eyes.

"Yes, I understand."

Li Jing bowed and accepted the order.

Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction, but then suddenly remembered something and asked Li Jing, "The apothecary has gone to Jingzhou, and Lingzhou is without a general. Although I expect the Turks will not attack Lingzhou, it is still good to have a reliable person in charge. Does the apothecary have any recommendations?"

"This old minister recommends Li Xiaogong, the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court and Governor of Liangzhou." Li Xiaogong, indeed.

Wen He was not surprised at all upon hearing this.

Li Xiaogong is only thirty-five years old this year, which is considered young among the veteran generals of the Tang Dynasty.

But his qualifications are by no means low.

He defeated Xiao Xian, persuaded Lingnan to surrender, and attacked and destroyed Fu Gongshi. At the young age of thirty, he was appointed as the Grand General of Yangzhou.

But he remembered that someone had accused him of treason before the New Year, and Li Yuan summoned him to Chang'an. After the truth was found, Li Yuan made amends by appointing him Minister of the Imperial Clan Court and Governor of Liangzhou.

However, he should still be in Chang'an and has not yet gone to Liangzhou to take up his post.

Li Jing suddenly brought him up, and there seems to be some deeper meaning behind it.

Wen He could see it, but didn't understand what it meant.

In any case, Li Shimin was very pleased to hear this.

"If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten about this cousin. I will report to my father and the Empress and then have the Ministry of Personnel issue an order."

Given Li Shimin's current power, he doesn't need to consult Li Yuan at all.

In Li Jing's view, he said this only for the sake of so-called righteousness.

It's purely for show.

But Wen He, who was standing next to him, didn't think so.

When Li Xiaogong was mentioned, Li Shimin clearly glanced at Wen He.

Without a doubt, he'll make him tell him about Li Xiaogong's future soon.

No wonder you called me here in such a hurry.

So that's what it was all for.

"Oh, by the way, Wen Xiaolang knows some information about the Turks. I'll talk to him first. Pharmacist, go to the side hall to rest for a while and let him tell you about the Turks' whereabouts."

After Li Shimin finished speaking, Li Jing glanced at Wen He in surprise.

He was puzzled as to what abilities this mere youth possessed that allowed him to discover information about the Turks.

But he didn't ask any further questions.

Some things are better left as secrets.

Then Li Shimin waved his hand, and Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Li Jing and others bowed and withdrew.

With them gone, Li Shimin breathed a sigh of relief and quickly walked down the imperial steps.

"But I'm puzzled. Why didn't I ask you directly about the Turks, but instead had you tell Pharmacist Li yourself?"

Li Shimin saw through his thoughts and brought a cup of tea to sit down beside him.

Wen He nodded and chuckled.

"Your Highness probably doesn't want more people to know my identity, right?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin gave Wen He a meaningful look, took a sip of tea, and slowly said, "Do you know the eight characters 'By the mandate of Heaven, may your life be long and prosperous'?"

"Uh, I know."

Anyone with a basic understanding of history knows these eight characters.

Li Shimin, however, dismissed it with disdain.

"Everyone says that the emperor is the Son of Heaven, who governs the people in accordance with the mandate of Heaven, but I know the real reason why."

"You previously said that in your time, there were no longer emperors, so you probably don't believe that anymore, right?"

Wen He nodded again.

"Your Highness, you wouldn't be... Impossible! How could you do that? You are the emperor! The theory of the interaction between heaven and man is used to consolidate imperial power."

“Not bad.” Li Shimin suddenly interrupted Wen He, pointing at him with burning eyes.

“You are my celestial being, sent by Heaven to assist my nephew.”

"I want those people to misunderstand that you can foresee the future and sense danger, so that they will all think that you are a celestial being sent by Heaven to assist me and the Tang Dynasty!"

"I want you to thoroughly study the classics of various schools of thought, understand the military strategies of different schools, and be proficient in everything from astronomy to geography!"

Wen He stared at him in astonishment, her mouth agape enough to swallow a fist.

You might as well just kill me.

"By the way, how about I bestow upon you the surname Li, and place you in the imperial clan register?"

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(End of this chapter)