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

Chapter 15 Someone has come to the palace; the Emperor summons him.
Yes, definitely.

The title of "the first cuckold of the Tang Dynasty" still holds some weight.

This serves as a warning to future generations: never marry a woman who is too assertive.

Fang Xuanling stroked his beard with a hint of pride. He had a son late in life, so naturally he hoped his son would become successful.

"I wonder what my son will achieve in the future, that he will be remembered in history like me. He will surely become a pillar of our Tang Dynasty in the future?"

He glanced at Du Ruhui and Changsun Wuji not far away, a hint of smugness in his eyes.

Did you hear that? Not only me, but even my children will be remembered for generations to come.

He didn't notice that Wen He was secretly giving Li Shimin a meaningful look.

He dared not reveal Fang Yi'ai's affair, otherwise Li Shimin would surely tear him apart.

Li Shimin watched him wink and make faces, and couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Previously, Wen He would say whatever came to mind, so why was she being so cautious this time?

But he didn't think much of it, and coughed lightly, interrupting Fang Xuanling.

"With Xuanling around, your son will surely achieve great things. Why rush things? Don't forget today's important matter."

Li Shimin chuckled and reminded him.

Fang Xuanling immediately stopped smiling. He knew he had lost his composure and quickly apologized to Li Shimin.

The emperor and his minister exchanged pleasantries and successfully steered the conversation to business.

Seeing this, Wen He secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

As soon as he looked up, he noticed Du Ruhui beside him, who glanced at him as if he had noticed something.

Wen He pursed her lips, smiled, and nodded at him.

Du Ruhui paused for a moment, then chuckled and nodded at him.

While Li Shimin was discussing arrangements with Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling, the former suddenly steered the conversation toward the Wei River Alliance and Li Yi.

"Wen He told me today that Jieli will seize the opportunity to enter when I ascend the throne, and that the treacherous Li Yi did not warn Chang'an, and will also plot a rebellion in the future."

"Li Yi is plotting a rebellion?"

Everyone present was taken aback.

This was something they hadn't anticipated, but upon closer reflection, it seemed quite reasonable.

"Does Your Highness intend to use Pharmacist Li?"

Du Ruhui hit the nail on the head as soon as he opened his mouth.

Li Shimin smiled noncommittally and pointed at Wen He.

"It was this brat who told me that in the future, Pharmacist Li would be a pillar of the Tang Dynasty, but given the current situation, he is unwilling to support me."

"It's alright." Fang Xuanling shook his head and said indifferently, "Pharmacist Li has always been cautious. The fact that he didn't make a choice is the best choice. As long as Your Highness grasps the greater good, it will just be a decree in the end."

"What I'm worried about is whether Pharmacist Li will end up like Li Yi..."

He hesitated for a moment, then turned his gaze to Wen He.

Others also looked over at the same time.

Wen Hezheng pushed away the tea in front of her with a look of disgust.

I don't know who prepared this. A glass of hot water would have been much better than this messy, awful dish.

Looking at the Sichuan peppercorns floating inside, he felt a chill run down his spine.

"I've already gotten on Li Shimin's good side. Maybe I should try getting into the tea business. I wonder if it'll be worth it."

Trying to change the eating habits of an entire generation is no easy task.

Trying to make liquor like those time-traveling predecessors would definitely not be profitable.

They might as well drink alcohol, but these pampered and privileged people don't want to drink high-proof liquor.

"cough!"

Seeing Wen He standing there in a daze, Li Shimin coughed irritably.

But the former seemed not to hear, and was staring blankly out the door.

Li Shimin gave Changsun Wuji an annoyed look, and the latter rushed forward and lifted Wen He up. "Damn it, what are you doing?"

Suddenly, she was dragged away like a chick, and Wen He was so frightened that her heart almost jumped out of her throat.

Everyone is waiting for you. What were you thinking about just now?

"Huh? What are you waiting for me for? To eat?"

What do you big shots have to do with me?

Wen He struggled to escape from his grasp, but his small frame was no match for even a scholar like Changsun Wuji.

"I am talking about Li Yi and Pharmacist Li."

"What's there to say? Didn't His Highness decide before that once you become the Crown Prince, you would trick Li Yi into coming to Chang'an, and then have Li Jing lead the army to Jingzhou... Wait, I suddenly thought of something!"

Wen He suddenly widened her eyes and exclaimed, "No, no, Li Jing defeated the Turks in Lingzhou before, so Jieli bypassed Lingzhou and went south from Jingzhou. If Li Jing is in Jingzhou this time, will they change their route and come from Lingzhou instead?"

Wen He suddenly remembered that she had seen an analysis online in her previous life.

After being defeated by Li Jing several times in Lingzhou, Jieli became fearful and thus detoured to Jingzhou.

"This……"

Both Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui hesitated.

“It’s alright. Lingzhou is different from Jingzhou. Lingzhou’s terrain is not conducive to large-scale cavalry. When the Turkic army comes, if they want to march quickly, they will definitely not choose Lingzhou. This has nothing to do with whether the garrison commander is a pharmacist or not.”

Li Shimin chuckled lightly, somewhat unconvinced.

These people of later generations have overrated Li Yaoshi.

Under my command, there is only one pharmacist, Li Yaoshi.

"I see. Sorry, I don't know much about war, haha."

Wen He had barely read any military books, let alone knew anything about warfare.

Fortunately, the Tang Dynasty was not like the Song Dynasty, where there were so many famous generals that they could be transported by truck.

"If that's the case, what's there to hesitate about?" Wen He looked at everyone with a puzzled expression.

Fang Xuanling coughed lightly, somewhat embarrassed.

"What I mean is that Li Yi is a powerful and influential figure, and the troops stationed in Jingzhou are all his confidants. If Li Yaoshi goes there, he will be unable to control him. What should we do?"

"You believe that?" Wen He scoffed.

Li Jing earned his reputation through battle.

Especially among the soldiers in Jingzhou and Lingzhou, who dared to disobey him?

Even Li Yi had to give him some leeway, let alone his soldiers.

He couldn't have gone to Jingzhou alone.

Moreover, given the Tang Dynasty's current military system, if the commander-in-chief does not rebel, his troops are unlikely to act rashly.

Wen He understood Fang Xuanling's meaning, but he was worried that Li Jing would end up like Li Yi.

"Your Highness, trust those you employ, and don't employ those you don't trust. Besides, this is such a good opportunity to win people's hearts. It was precisely because you valued Li Jing that he followed you wholeheartedly. Even if he was worried about his high position and power in the future, he did not follow Sima Yi's example, but instead obediently retreated behind the scenes and cultivated the next generation of commanders for you."

"If all else fails, you can contact Yang Ji, the commander of Jingzhou, for assistance. In the real history, it was he and Zhao Cihao who killed Li Yi."

Wen He was somewhat worried that her butterfly might alter the original history of Pharmacist Li.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin burst into laughter.

"I never expected you, you little brat, to offer such advice. I am not a suspicious person. Xuanling is only worried, not questioning the apothecary. You must not spread today's events."

He dispelled Wen He's concerns and then gave her a warning.

The crowd stepped forward, cupped their hands in response, and kept the matter to themselves.

Li Shimin took a serious look and made the decision.

Now that we've finished discussing Li Jing's story, it's time to move on to the Xuanwu Gate incident.

However, before Li Shimin could speak, a whistle suddenly sounded from outside the door.

The expressions of everyone in the room changed immediately. Changsun Wuji quickly went out and returned shortly after, anxiously saying, "Your Highness, someone from the palace has come. The Emperor summons you."

(End of this chapter)