The Idle Man of Zhenguan Intercepts Wu Zetian at the Start

Changsun Dan's eyes darted around.

I am still a pure blank sheet of paper.

Who deflowered Wu Zetian, how many men she would have afterward, and even what heinous things she might do in the future—all these remain mysteries.

Such a woman, though talented and beautiful, carries too many unknown risks and has a very low cost-benefit ratio.

The court officials understood Li Shimin's intentions, as did Empress Zhangsun, making it virtually impossible for Zhangsun Dan to refuse.

Empress Zhangsun could only try to secure more benefits for him. Seeing that Dan'er did not respond, she slightly bowed and actually paid her respects to the court officials:

"My lords, you have all seen the tragic state of Dan'er. In the case of the defilement of the imperial concubines, he was merely a pawn being used by others."

"Now that His Majesty has bestowed this marriage upon us, I wonder if anyone has any good suggestions? We can't let such a large court bear the burden of admonitions and advice on the part of a child without any official position."

Li Shimin blushed. Although everyone understood his intentions, he still felt somewhat embarrassed because Guanyinbi had taken the initiative to reveal them.

Changsun Dan was startled and quickly shook his head frantically: "Aunt, I can't be an official, and I don't want to be one."

In my past life, I was a beast of burden for my entire existence. Now that I've transmigrated, you still expect me to be at your beck and call? No way!

Li Shimin was somewhat surprised that Changsun Dan did not want to become an official. Given his performance today, coupled with Guanyinbi's favoritism, the interests of the Changsun clan would likely fall on his shoulders in the future. However, he refused without even thinking about it.

He was talented but not arrogant, pure in heart, and had no ambition whatsoever, which further increased Li Shimin's goodwill towards Changsun Dan.

The court officials all knew perfectly well that the Empress did not actually intend for them to offer any suggestions.

She just wanted to make suggestions without hearing any opposing voices.

As expected, Empress Zhangsun smiled and said to Zhangsun Dan:

"Dan'er, once you become an official, you can open your own government office and build your own residence. You'll also receive a monthly salary and won't have to live under someone else's roof anymore."

After speaking, he glanced at Changsun Wuji indifferently.

The officials were speechless. Changsun Dan was only fourteen years old. What kind of official position would he need to be given to establish his own government office and residence? The Empress was too cunning.

Seemingly afraid that Changsun Dan would speak, Li Chunfeng quickly stepped forward:

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, I believe that since Young Master Dan does not wish to be an official, it is not necessary to grant him a substantive post. Granting him the title of County Magistrate would suffice."

Li Shimin understood Li Chunfeng's meaning. The title of county viscount was merely a nominal one. No matter how powerful Wu Zetian was, she couldn't cause any trouble with him. He glanced at the assembled officials and understood the emperor's intention. At that moment, many people stood up to agree.

Dan'er didn't want to be an official, and Empress Zhangsun didn't want to force him, but fearing he would refuse the title of county viscount again, she quickly petitioned Li Shimin for an official appointment.

"Your Majesty, Wannian County is only a stone's throw from the palace, and it would be convenient for Dan'er to treat my illness. Why not grant it the title of Wannian County?"

The court officials were filled with excitement. If His Majesty granted their request, Changsun Dan would be the first county magistrate to be granted the title of Jingxian.

The importance of Chang'an and Wannian counties goes without saying.

Li Shimin didn't dwell on it too much and nodded: "As the Empress said, Changsun Dan shall be granted the title."

Changsun Dan didn't care at all about being granted a county title, as long as it didn't involve working like a slave from nine to five.

This time, however, they had no choice but to kneel and obediently submit to the order.

"Feng, Changsun Dan, Viscount of Wannian County, with a fief of 500 households, a real fief of 500 households, 1000 mu of permanent land, 1000 strings of cash for building an official residence, and Wu Xu as his wife, to be married a month later."

Empress Zhangsun smiled. Erlang was really generous this time. Dan'er was the only county magistrate in the Tang Dynasty with a real fief. Even if he continued to act like a fool, he could still live a life of wealth and honor.

From the moment Changsun Dan began plotting to smear Wu Zetian, the best outcome he predicted was that he would be banished from Chang'an and far from the eye of the storm. However, due to Wu Yuanqing's scheming and Empress Changsun's involvement, the entire plot changed.

In the end, they messed things up and ended up losing Wu Zetian.

The future trajectory has completely deviated from my own understanding.

Although Changsun Dan was unwilling, he dared not risk his life, and could only reply with "uh-huhs" and "yes":

"Your Majesty, I accept the decree and thank you for your great favor."

A group of officials stepped forward to offer their congratulations, but only Changsun Wuji remained pale and motionless, while Wu Yuanqing was still in a daze, as if he had just survived a disaster.

After all that effort, all I got was a new brother-in-law.

The happiest person was Empress Zhangsun, because Dan'er was only temporarily granted the title and was still wearing prison clothes. She immediately arranged for palace maids to go to the textile and dyeing department to collect various clothes and official robes for Dan'er.

After Li Shimin announced the end of the court session, he returned to the Lizheng Hall in Guanyinbi. Yang Qingyue was still in her own palace, and Empress Zhangsun had Zhangsun Dan accompany her.

The snow in Chang'an had not yet melted, and the entire palace was covered in white, making a crunching sound underfoot.

The prison clothes were thin, and Changsun Dan was shivering from the cold.

Empress Zhangsun noticed this and deliberately quickened her pace.

Li Shimin's tone was much gentler at this moment, and he changed how he addressed Changsun Dan in private:

"Young man, are you confident in the method Yuan Tiangang taught you to treat the Empress?"

The so-called "qi diseases" in ancient times were nothing more than asthma, tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis, and the like.

Asthma doesn't cause coughing up blood, and tuberculosis is contagious. It's likely that Empress Zhangsun had chronic bronchitis. In modern times, this would be a matter of a few injections of antibiotics, but in ancient times, once chronic inflammation led to complications, it was almost certain to be fatal.

I graduated from a 985 university, and I've read a lot of books and watched a lot of short videos. With a few more tries, extracting penicillin biologically shouldn't be too difficult.

Changsun Dan was full of confidence:

"Your Majesty, the old man who taught me the method should be the immortal my mother mentioned, and everything he said has come true. I believe I have absolute confidence in curing my aunt."

Li Shimin chuckled and said:

"What old man? His name is Yuan Tiangang, the most extraordinary person in our Tang Dynasty. His abilities are even greater than Li Chunfeng's. I met him several times in my early years. He has been of great help to our Tang Dynasty. It is only because you are sincere and dedicated that you have the good fortune to receive guidance from Master Yuan."

Changsun Dan suppressed a smile, but she was still somewhat uneasy. If history could not be changed by Empress Changsun, both she and Wu Zetian would only face certain death.

If I hadn't done anything back then, I might have lived for another ten years or so, but now there's no turning back.

Besides, everyone has a heart, and I really want to cure this cheap aunt.

Changsun Dan flattered him earnestly:

"That's all because His Majesty is wise and Aunt is benevolent. It was only because of the old immortal Yuan Tiangang that Aunt was given this chance to defy fate. Even if it wasn't me, it would have been someone else."

Li Shimin was overjoyed upon hearing this and couldn't help but burst into laughter. After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, no matter how hard he tried, his father still didn't like him, and there was a lot of criticism among the people.

As Changsun Dan said, the old immortals recognized him and helped him, and he was able to release most of the pent-up frustration in his heart.

The happiest person was Empress Zhangsun. She hadn't seen Erlang (the Second Prince) so happy in a long time. She looked at Zhangsun Dan with loving eyes:

"Your Majesty, I would like to keep Yang Qingyue in the palace for the time being."

Li Shimin was in a great mood: "Guanyinbi can make her own decisions."

Changsun Dan understood Empress Changsun's meaning and quickly thanked her:

"Dan'er thanks Aunt. Mother's status in the Changsun Mansion is not much better than that of a servant. Once my mansion is built, I will bring Mother to live with me."

Li Shimin nodded: "Young man Dan is extremely loyal and filial. He has now escaped his suffering. He will have a drink with me later."

The group was in a good mood, chatting and laughing, and soon arrived at the Lizheng Hall.