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

Chapter 99 Do you think I would dare to deceive the emperor?

"Fang Gong".

That acquaintance was none other than Fang Xuanling.

When he turned around upon hearing this, he was surprised, seemingly not expecting Wen He to be there.

But his surprise quickly turned into anger.

"I ask you, did you speak to His Highness about anything concerning the Ring Kingdom?" he rebuked as soon as they met.

The smile on Wen He's face vanished instantly.

You old man, I've offended you.

"What makes you say that, Master Fang?" Wen He frowned, her tone somewhat unfriendly.

Fang Xuanling didn't take his attitude to heart and snorted dismissively: "If that weren't the case, why is everyone saying that His Highness is going to send troops to Huan Kingdom?"

"And what about those grain seeds? Are the grain seeds from those barbarian lands better than those from our Great Tang?"

Wen He then realized that Li Shimin had not consulted with Fang Xuanling and the others when he went to ask for grain seeds.

Now that the envoy has returned empty-handed, Fang Xuanling is worried that Li Shimin will be angered and launch a military campaign.

No wonder he came in such a hurry to see me.

But why is he so flustered and red-faced in front of me?
Wen He was somewhat indignant and let out a soft snort.

“Those grains are indeed better than those of the Tang Dynasty. If they are cultivated in the south, they can yield three harvests a year, and in the north, they can yield two harvests a year.”

Fang Xuanling was taken aback. After a moment's hesitation, he pressed on, "Are you telling the truth?"

"Lord Fang, do you think I would dare to deceive the emperor?" Wen He retorted.

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanling was about 70% convinced.

Although Wen He is a bit unruly, he certainly doesn't have the guts to deceive the emperor.

"Are you telling the truth?"

"of course."

"If we add the composting you mentioned, then the Tang Dynasty's output might increase by three, no, two dou?"

Fang Xuanling was somewhat agitated.

If grain production could be increased by even just one bushel, the Tang Dynasty would have a bumper harvest the following year.

As long as there is food, let alone the mere Huan Kingdom, even if His Highness the Crown Prince wanted to send troops to the Turks, he would be the first to stand up and agree.

"Pretty much, but I haven't tried it, so I'm not sure... Hey, Mr. Fang!"

Before Wen He could finish speaking, Fang Xuanling suddenly grabbed his sleeve.

Before he could react, Fang Xuanling had already dragged him into the Lizheng Palace.

'Why did people in the Tang Dynasty like to act so arrogant?'

In the main hall of Li.

Li Shimin was looking down at the two maps in front of him.

One of them was painted by Wen He.

There is still a blank space under the territory of the Tang Dynasty, which Wen He did not draw.

However, the Ministry of War had detailed topographical maps of these small countries.

Li Shimin, holding a brush smeared with cinnabar, drew an X on the Turkic Khaganate, and then drew an X on the other small countries in the southwest.

"Ten years, just give me ten years!"

He slammed his pen down and looked up to see two figures pulling at each other in the direction of the main hall entrance.

Not many people can enter the Lizheng Hall without announcing their arrival, so he quickly recognized who it was.

“Xuanling, is something urgent… Hmm, Wenhe, you brat…”

Li Shimin was startled when he saw Wen He, then remembered that he was the one who went to call Huang Chun to bring him here.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects." Fang Xuanling bowed formally.

Seeing this, Wen He followed suit.

"See Your Highness."

"No need for formalities, please take a seat." Li Shimin gestured with his hand from a distance.

Then Huang Chun, who had just come in, brought two heel supports.

Fang Xuanling sat down in the head seat on the left.

Wen He was right beside him.

Li Shimin glanced at the latter, narrowed his eyes, and then shifted his gaze to Fang Xuanling.

"But there's business at the Secretariat, why did Xuanling suddenly come here?"

Fang Xuanling is now acting as the Grand Secretary, which puts him on par with Yuwen Shiji. If the "acting" part is removed, he would be the de facto prime minister.

He suddenly came to see Li Shimin alone, which was a taboo in officialdom.

It will make people suspicious that you are alone and that you are planning to report someone.

In the past, he would come with Du Ruhui or Changsun Wuji.

Given his cautious nature, he would never make such a mistake. Therefore, Li Shimin was also curious as to why Fang Xuanling had come alone today.

"Your Highness, I have come here today not to present a memorial, but to inquire whether Your Highness intends to launch a military campaign against the Huan Kingdom. If so, I believe that the Ministry of the Chancellery, the Ministry of War, and the Secretariat should be summoned for a meeting. Naturally, the Left and Right Vice Ministers and the Attendant-in-Ordinary should also be invited."

When one country goes to war, whether the other side is a large or small country, it will have far-reaching consequences.

This is not something that can be decided by the emperor's word alone.

Of course, Li Shimin is an exception.

But Li Shimin knew that Fang Xuanling's words were not meant to support his decision to send troops.

Instead, he was telling him that if troops were to be dispatched at this moment, all the people he had mentioned would oppose it.

Given the strength of the Tang Dynasty, it could not support a war on two fronts.

If even the slightest mistake is made, the Crown Prince's prestige may be damaged.

“I understand Xuanling’s meaning. The Tang Dynasty is now seeking stability in everything, so I plan to trade with the Huan Kingdom. I’m just worried that they won’t accept gold and silver.”

Li Shimin's gaze then turned to Wen He.

He gave Wen He a shiver when he looked at her like that.

He suddenly understood why Li Shimin had summoned him.

"Take the glass and replace it?"

“Or that lousy soapberry you made before,” Li Shimin added.

"That's called soap, I'll take two bars." Wen He knew that Li Er's visit to him was no good.

"All you need is a piece of glass the same size as the one you sent to Gao Ming before. Let the Ministry of Civil Affairs buy it for one guan per piece, how about that?"

"Ten strings of cash."

Wen He felt very confident.

Besides, if Li Er buys with a fixed amount now, how will he sell it for a high price in the future?

"Alright, ten strings of cash."

He actually agreed?

Something is wrong!
"Your Highness, how much did you originally intend to give?" Wen He asked hurriedly.

Li Shimin smiled, made a "one" gesture with his hand, and said with a smile, "Ten strings of cash."

Although he said that, Wen He absolutely did not believe him.

That Li Er is too cunning.

"Glass, soap?" Fang Xuanling was somewhat confused.

“It was a transparent glass made by this brat himself. He gave it to Gao Ming and the others before, and then to the Crown Princess. However, it is extremely rare, and even I don’t have any.”

Li Shimin's last sentence always gives people a sense of resentment.

He glanced at Wen He, but she had already avoided his gaze.

"As for that soap, I don't know either, but it seems the steward in Prince Qi's mansion tried to snatch it back then. I think it must be a good thing, right, Wen He?"

Li Shimin then remembered this matter.

If it weren't for the steward of his fourth brother's household causing such a scene...

That brat Wen He probably won't obediently come here and reveal his identity.

The future Tang Dynasty will likely be just like the one in the original history.

"By the way, is that person dead?"

Li Shimin looked at Huang Chun and asked.

"Your Highness, he is dead."

"Oh, then let's whip the corpse, that'll be enough to vent this brat's anger." He finished speaking and laughed a few times, then pointed at Wen He and said, "Did I vent your anger? That glass and soap?"

"Here you go, ten strings of cash it is, but the soap should cost the same."

After all, it was meant to be exchanged for grain seeds, so consider it a good deed.

Seeing his greedy appearance, Li Shimin was both amused and exasperated.

Fang Xuanling glared at him fiercely, but since it concerned the future of the Tang Dynasty, he could only ask the Ministry of Revenue to pay for it.

Got rich.

Wen He secretly thought to herself, "Finally, I won't have to live a hard life anymore."

He was about to get up, say goodbye to Li Shimin, and then go home to expand production.

However, after he stood up, he suddenly thought of someone.

"Oh, by the way, Your Highness, that school inspector came with me too. Would you like to see him?"

"A school official? Who?" Li Shimin frowned in confusion.

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(End of this chapter)