Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 123 The Art of the Emperor
"Brother Zhang, why is Zhang Shuo so supportive of me? I've never had any relationship with him before."

Upon exiting the main hall, Wang Shouyi pulled Zhang Jiazhen aside and asked in a low voice.

Zhang Jiazhen didn't say anything just now; it was Zhang Shuo who spoke up for him.

Zhang Jiazhen said, "He doesn't get along with Yuwen Rong. His support for you now is only because he hopes you can counterbalance Yuwen Rong. He doesn't have any good intentions."

In other words, they don't care about you, Wang Shouyi. Even if you were given power, you wouldn't be able to make a difference. They're more interested in Yuwen Rong.

Wang Shouyi understood this, and then asked, "But offending Yuwen Rong is not what I want either."

Zhang Jiazhen stroked his beard and smiled, "Don't worry. The greater the power of the Anye Bureau, the more Yuwen Rong will have to rely on you. For you, the Anye Bureau is just a side job. Even if you lose this job, it won't affect you. But for him, it is of utmost importance and cannot be lost. Just wait and see. Before long, he will have to win you over."

Yes! Even if I didn't have this job, it wouldn't be any different than before, but if he messes it up, he'd be finished. Now he's the one asking for my help, so why should I be afraid of him? Wang Shouyi immediately went from worry to joy, "Thank you for informing me, Brother Zhang."

Zhang Jiazhen said, "However, you also have to be wary of both of them at the same time, as they are both just using you."

Wang Shou nodded, "I understand that."

But in my heart I thought, I'm using them too.

Yuwen Rong, who was the last to emerge, looked at Zhang Shuo's retreating figure and thought to himself, "You old man Zhang, you're deliberately trying to oppose me. Since that's the case, then I won't let you get away with it."

After saying that, his gaze gradually shifted to Zhang Jiazhen, and he had a thoughtful expression on his face.

Just then, someone nearby said, "Imperial Censor Yuwen."

Yuwen Rong turned his head to look and quickly cupped his hands, saying, "Eunuch Gao."

Gao Lishi said, "His Majesty just remembered that there are some things that haven't been explained clearly, so he wants you to go there again."

A hint of joy flashed in Yuwen Rong's eyes, and he quickly replied, "Yes."

After saying that, he went back inside.

Li Longji asked, "You didn't express your opinion just now, and I was afraid you had something difficult to say, so I didn't ask further. Now that there's no one else here, what is your opinion on this?"

Yuwen Rong said, "Your Majesty, I do have some concerns about this."

"What concerns?" Li Longji asked.

Yuwen Rong seemed to want to say something but hesitated.

Li Longji said, "I have made up my mind, and I hope you have no worries."

Yuwen Rong then said, "Just now, the Duke of Qi pointed out the most difficult part, which is land. But when it comes to annexing land, the maternal relatives are probably the first to bear the brunt, so..."

This is a subtle hint to Li Longji that rats should not be allowed to guard the granary.

Li Longji nodded and said, "What you are worried about is precisely the main reason why I agreed to grant Anye Bureau greater power."

Yuwen Rong looked at Li Longji in surprise.

Li Longji said, "The Wang family is the most powerful maternal relative in the current dynasty. If he can set an example and take the lead, the others will have nothing to say. I appointed him to manage the family in the hope that he can support you in this regard."

Yuwen Rong asked hesitantly, "What if..."

Li Longji laughed and said, "Don't worry, I know Shouyi very well. He knows what's important in this matter and would never dare to act recklessly. You only know that he allowed his own hidden households to return to their registered residence, but you don't know that he also handed over some land."

Yuwen Rong was taken aback. "The Duke of Qi has also handed over land?"

Li Longji nodded. "Furthermore, I also want to use his skills and the wisdom of that nameless gentleman."

Yuwen Rong was slightly startled.

Li Longji said, "Although that nameless gentleman acts strangely and is unconventional, he is a man of extraordinary talent. It is a pity that he is indifferent to fame and fortune, and I cannot force him. However, if I employ Wang Shouyi, he will surely lend a helping hand, and it may have a miraculous effect, just like this time."

Yuwen Rong felt very uncomfortable after hearing this.

Use me; why should I rely on anyone else?

Li Longji chuckled and said, "Gongyi, I still rely on you the most. However, this matter involves interests and is very complicated. It is also the thing I have been most worried about since I ascended the throne, which is why it has been delayed again and again. But today, I am determined to succeed. If there is one more person to share some of the responsibility with you, you will be able to take charge of the overall situation more calmly."

Yuwen Rong panicked when he realized that Li Longji had seen through his thoughts. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I will never disappoint you."

Li Longji smiled and nodded.

In fact, Li Longji had something else he didn't say. Of course he knew that Zhang Shuo's support for Wang Shouyi was actually to check and balance Yuwen Rong. After all, Wang Shouyi was also well-known and a relative of the emperor. There must be a reason why Zhang Shuo would support him. So he decided to use Wang Shouyi to gain the strong support of the prime ministers.

There are only three prime ministers. Zhang Jiazhen and Wang Shouyi have a deep friendship, which goes without saying. Yuan Qianyao is always low-key and good at balancing things. So as long as Zhang Shuo also supports Wang Shouyi, Yuan Qianyao will not oppose the two Zhangs.

His biggest worry was that Zhang Shuo and Yuwen Rong would start fighting at this time, because these two were ministers he would be heavily relied upon in the next phase.

To be a wise ruler, one must consider more things than the prime ministers. Although it is the prime ministers who come up with solutions, the world is never short of solutions or geniuses; what is always lacking is leadership ability.

Li Longji, after all, grew up under Wu Zetian's "care." It was already a stroke of luck that he was able to grow up, let alone become emperor; that was a miracle within a miracle.

This art of rulership is naturally beyond question.

Land annexation is a difficult problem to solve in any dynasty, and Li Longji also had to come up with a comprehensive plan.

We must strive for success.

Wang family.

"Husband, how are you?"

Upon seeing Wang Shouyi return, Princess Xue immediately went to greet him.

She was very nervous; this was the first time in many years that Wang Shouyi had participated in a meeting of this level.

Wang Shouyi nodded and said, "Madam, rest assured, everything is going very smoothly. His Majesty has decided to expand the powers of the Anye Bureau."

Princess Xue was initially delighted, but then asked with doubt, "So smoothly?"

Wang Shouyi laughed and said, "It's like heaven is helping me! Let's go inside and talk."

"Oh."

The two went inside and sat by the small stove. Wang Shouyi then told Princess Xue about the day's events.

Upon hearing this, Princess Xue's expression grew even more solemn, and she sighed, "If I had a choice, I would rather live a carefree life." A hint of longing also flashed in Wang Shouyi's eyes.

He is no different, but he has no choice now.

Princess Xue then said, “My husband, now that you hold an important position, you must work even harder. In particular, you must learn to read and write. You cannot rely too much on others regarding household registration, lest someone interfere without your knowledge.”

Wang Shouyi felt a splitting headache whenever he heard the word "reading".

He had been working hard in secret, but...

Learning to read at this age is truly a nightmare!
However, it must be said that Princess Xue's advice was very reasonable. The interests involved were truly intertwined, and if they were to rely entirely on others and were to be manipulated, it would be a real problem.

Learning to read is necessary.

After speaking with Princess Xue, Wang Shouyi planned to go to his study to try his best to gain recognition from as many people as possible.

But halfway there, Wang Shouyi suddenly met Wang Facai and suddenly thought of something, "Has Que'er returned?"

Wang Facai said, "I came back earlier."

Wang Shouyi frowned and said, "So early?"

Wang Facai truthfully replied, "I heard that there's not much going on at the academy lately, and the other students are doing good deeds in the suburbs, so Young Master came back earlier than usual."

Wang Shouyi was furious. Everyone else was working hard, but this kid was doing nothing all day. He also remembered that they had agreed to work hard together as father and son.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and Wang Shouyi went straight to Wang Xi's courtyard.

Just as he entered the courtyard, he suddenly heard laughter coming from inside the house. Wang Shouyi was curious about what the kid was doing.
Quietly approaching the window, I gently pushed it open and peered through the crack. I saw Wang Xi sitting by the stove, holding a piece of white cloth, looking at it with great interest.

Wang Shouyi frowned, thinking to himself, "I didn't expect Que'er to be so self-disciplined. She goes home and starts reading. She's more hardworking than me. I was thinking about her so much before."

"Ha ha!"

Then Wang Xi suddenly burst into laughter.

He was so happy reading. Wang Shouyi was full of doubts again. He went to the door and pushed it open.

"who!"

Startled, Wang Xi's hand trembled, and the white cloth fell to the ground.

Wang Shouyi frowned and said, "Your father!"

Wang Xi said, "Father, why did you come in without knocking? You really scared me to death."

Wang Shouyi said, "When a father enters his son's house, why does he need to knock? Besides, you haven't done anything wrong, so what are you afraid of?"

Wang Xi said dejectedly, "Yes, it's not illegal for a father to kill his own son, let alone knock on the door."

"As long as you know."

Wang Shouyi suddenly stepped forward, picked up the white cloth, and asked, "What are you looking at, kid?"

Wang Xi said, "They are some short stories written by the gentleman."

"A short story?"

Wang Shouyi took a look.

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "Dad, this is us, so stop pretending. You can't even read."

Wang Shouyi's lips twitched a few times, and he swung his palm down, but missed.

Wang Xi, who jumped to the side, chuckled and said, "Father, you underestimate me too much. I can't possibly fall for the same trick twice."

"is it?"

Wang Shouyi gave a cold laugh, then his gaze suddenly fell on the white cloth again. "Why are there so many symbols on this writing?"

Wang Xi said, "Oh, this is pinyin. It was invented by the teacher to help us learn characters."

"Can you recognize some characters?"

Wang Shouyi was suddenly taken aback.

"Ok!"

Wang Xi nodded.

Wang Shouyi asked, "Will this help you learn to read?"

Wang Xi said, "It's very useful. With this pinyin, I can recognize all the characters on it."

"So magical?"

Wang Shouyi's eyes flashed, and he beckoned, "Que'er, come here."

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "I've already told you, I can't fall for the same trick twice."

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Shouyi suddenly lunged forward. Wang Xi felt a blur before his eyes, and then felt a tremendous force slowly lift him up from his collar.

"What did you just say?" Wang Shouyi tilted his head and looked at him with a smile.

Damn it, I almost forgot Old Wang is a master. Wang Xi said with a mournful face, "Father, I was wrong."

Wang Shouyi snorted and put it down again. "Tell your father about this pinyin."

Wang Xi immediately breathed a sigh of relief, "So Father wanted to learn to read!"

"Stop talking nonsense!" Wang Shouyi roared.

"Yes."

Wang Xi shuddered, thinking to himself, "Is there any teacher in the world more aggrieved than me?"

(End of this chapter)