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

Chapter 75 Is the Prince of Yan truly mighty?
"Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Outside the Wen residence, the officials greeted each other with a clatter and bows.

On the carriage, Yuchi Gong and Li Yi got off first, and then greeted them with clasped hands at the side of the carriage.

"My lords, please dispense with the formalities."

Li Shimin smiled and raised his hand, and everyone stood up accordingly.

When they looked up and saw Li Yi standing beside Li Shimin with a somber expression, many of them were taken aback.

In particular, Yuwen Shiji and others.

Although they all knew that Li Shimin had recalled Li Yi, they never expected to see him here.

The three little ones, noticing that something was wrong with their expressions, looked at each other, not knowing what had happened, but feeling that something was amiss.

Noticing their surprised expressions, Li Shimin glanced at Li Yi, who immediately lowered his head.

Although he considered himself a hero, when you're under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head.

Li Shimin suddenly grabbed his wrist and addressed the crowd.

“The Prince of Yan returned to the capital on the Emperor’s orders and will be staying in Chang’an for a long time. It just so happened that I met him on the way.”

"It just so happens that I've come today to congratulate the magistrate of Gaoyang County on his housewarming. I was thinking that Wen He, that brat, will inevitably run into the Prince of Yan in the future. If he doesn't recognize him, it would be bad if he offended him."

His words implied that today's events were all coincidences.

But apart from Li Yi, everyone present knew that this banquet was specially arranged by Li Shimin.

Even Wen He, who was watching the show from the back of the crowd, had come to terms with it by now.

Why did Li Shimin invite so many important officials to his home?

It's not just for Li Yi.

It was also to celebrate the victory.

The Xuanwu Gate Incident was a success, and Li Shimin became the crown prince, but they could not celebrate openly.

After all, we still have to consider Li Yuan's feelings.

That's why Li Shimin held a housewarming banquet at Wen He's house after bestowing titles and honors upon his meritorious officials.

Otherwise, why would a mere county magistrate's banquet require so many dukes and county officials to offer their congratulations?

"By the way, where is that brat Wen He? He's the main character today." Li Shimin looked at the crowd in front of him, among the familiar faces, but Wen He was nowhere to be seen.

Upon hearing this, Li Yi couldn't help but feel curious.

Who exactly is this Wen He?
Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) actually came to congratulate him on moving to a new house.

"Here it is!"

At the back of the crowd, the petite Wen He jumped up and down.

The people blocking his way all turned around to look at him.

Before they could move aside, someone suddenly picked him up.

"Your Highness, Young Master Wen is here."

Wen He was somewhat surprised. She turned to look at the person and felt that he looked familiar, as if she had seen him somewhere before.

Until he heard Cheng Zhijie chuckle: "Old Xu, you're certainly being very attentive."

Wen He then remembered that the person holding him was Xu Jingzong, a notorious traitor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang.

In Ouyang Xiu's "Biographies of Treacherous Officials" compiled during the Song Dynasty, he was ranked first.

He was also the vanguard officer in Li Zhi's suppression of Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang.

However, he was not outstanding during the Zhenguan era, and it wasn't until the seventeenth year of Zhenguan that he obtained the title of Gaoyang...

What the hell!

Wen He's eyes widened immediately, and her gaze towards Xu Jingzong became extremely strange.

He remembered that Xu Jingzong's title was Baron of Gaoyang County, and now that title had fallen to him.

Have I been made a treacherous minister?

"Why does the magistrate of Wen County look at me like that?" Xu Jingzong grinned, his smile somewhat obsequious.

He is still a scholar, holding the official position of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which is one rank lower than Wen He.

But given his age, many people still only address Wen He as "Young Master" and don't humbly refer to themselves as "Your humble servant."

Yet he could say it so freely.

No wonder he would later become Li Zhi's capable assistant.

Wen He gave a dry laugh and shook her head: "It's okay, why don't you put me down? I can walk by myself."

Upon hearing this, Xu Jingzong did not refuse. After putting Wen He down, he stepped back a few paces with his hands at his sides.

It seemed like he had just done something ordinary.

Li Shimin observed this without making a sound, but instead beckoned to Wen He. Seeing the slight upturn of the former's lips, Wen He glanced at Li Yi beside him.

"You brat, come and pay your respects to the Prince of Yan."

Seeing that he didn't react, Li Shimin shouted.

Wen He felt resentful.

Of all the people here today, who holds a higher rank than Li Yi?

In other words, Yuwen Shi and others held higher official positions, so everyone else had to pay their respects.

But Li Shimin called him by that name only.

"Greetings, Prince Yan." Wen He obediently stepped forward and bowed.

"How is it? Is the Prince of Yan majestic?" Li Shimin laughed, then pointed at Wen He and said to Li Yi, "This brat admires the Prince of Yan and often talks to me about his extraordinary qualities. Today, I'll satisfy his desire to let him see the Prince of Yan who is awe-inspiring to the Turks."

Wen He admires Li Yi.

Apart from Wen He, only Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui could understand what Li Shimin was saying.

He was announcing his victory to Wen He.

They captured Li Yi without bloodshed.

Moreover, he would not be branded with the infamy of slaughtering meritorious officials.

Today was a resounding victory!
However, Li Yi and those who were unaware of the situation were completely confused.

Why can't they understand what His Highness is saying?
Qin Qiong and Wei Zheng both gave Wen He meaningful glances, but neither of them spoke.

"Yes, Your Highness. With the Prince of Yan assisting you, the Tang Dynasty will surely become more and more prosperous."

Wen He flattered.

Li Shimin understood the meaning behind his words and laughed heartily.

"You little rascal, it's rare for you to say such pleasant things. But today is your housewarming day, so don't let anything else disturb you. I'd like to sample some of the delicacies from your hometown."

“Yes, yes, young master Wen, now that His Highness has arrived, shall you, as the host, announce the start of the banquet?” Fang Xuanling teased.

Upon hearing this, everyone except Changsun Wuji and Du Ruhui was even more bewildered.

Most of these people come from prestigious families.

Even someone like Xu Jingzong, who came from a humble background, had been in Chang'an for several years and had seen all sorts of delicious food and fun things.

What delicious food could Wen He, a boy from a farming family, possibly have?

That His Highness is so eager to see this?

Li Shimin was indeed very curious about what that brat Wen He would prepare.

I heard he made a stone pot and some kind of vegetable oil; I wonder what kind of dishes he's going to make.

Those from later generations must surely be novel.

This is a good opportunity to let these officials see what it's like.

Seeing his expectant look, Wen He couldn't help but smile when he thought about what he was going to take out later.

"I hope Your Highness and all the elders will not find it offensive later."

He wasn't just being polite.

It was because Li Shimin refused to allocate funds that Li Shimin was unable to afford any banquets with his entire fortune.

He still has to make a living in the future; he needs to support all those servants and Xuanjia guards.

"Don't talk about these needs, I'm hungry, let's start the meal."

Li Shimin thought he was being modest, so he waved his hand and said to the three children, "It has been a long time since I have dined with you. Today, the four of us, father and sons, will sit together."

The three little ones quickly agreed, but their expressions were all different.

Li Chengqian smiled, while Li Ke remained calm.

Only Li Tai was somewhat troubled, silently wondering to himself, "Can I refuse?"

Of course not. Li Shimin held Li Ke's and Li Chengqian's hands on either side, and had Li Ke walk alongside him into the mansion.

Yuchi Gong followed closely behind.

Li Yi was dragged along and followed the third person, followed by Changsun Wuji and others.

Many people came today, but only a handful were able to enter the main hall.

Seeing that everyone was seated, Wen He immediately clapped her hands and shouted, "Serve the food!"

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I originally promised three chapters, but something unexpected happened today, so I owe one. I'll make it up to you tomorrow.
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(End of this chapter)