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

Chapter 175 You can only take what His Majesty gives you.

Upon hearing this, the servant frowned.

"Where did this little brat come from? Stop causing trouble here."

He didn't recognize Wen He, and seeing that he was dressed plainly, he didn't pay any attention to him.

Many people come to the Ministry of Works every day, and those who want to see Yan Lide are even more numerous, including many high-ranking officials of the fourth or fifth rank.

How could he possibly have the time or inclination to care about two little brats?

"presumptuous!"

Li Chengqian was furious and pointed at the servant, scolding him. But before he could finish speaking, Wen He stopped him.

"Hey, where did this little brat come from, shouting like that? Does he even know where he is?"

The servant, unaware of Li Chengqian's identity, didn't take him seriously at all.

Seeing him shout, she glared at him unfriendly.

Wen He didn't want to cause a conflict, so she took out a bag of money from her sleeve.

"The child is ignorant, please go and inform him that Wen He requests an audience."

The king of hell is easy to meet, but the devil is difficult to deal with.

Seeing that Wen Zhong and the few Xuanjia Guards were about to arrive, Wen He gestured for them to stop.

There's no need to cause any trouble because of this little bit of news.

The servant took the money bag, his anger turning to joy. He weighed it in his hand, feeling its considerable weight, and nodded in satisfaction.

"You're the most sensible young man. Wait here, I'll go ask."

The servant still didn't take Wen He seriously.

If he were someone of status, he would have definitely reprimanded him for his rudeness.

They wouldn't obediently hand over their money.

Maybe they're some poor relative of the Yan family, here to freeload.

He turned and walked away arrogantly.

“Sir, why do you fawn over that scoundrel? Such a person will only tarnish Father’s wisdom if he stays here.”

Li Chengqian was somewhat unconvinced.

I think Wen He is too weak.

The latter chuckled, patted his head, and said, "Don't argue with petty people so easily. It will only make you suffer more. Believe me, that servant will be very respectful when he comes out, and then he will disappear from the Ministry of Works forever."

Those who are truly powerful don't need to lift a finger.

Sure enough, the servant came out not long after. He stood there trembling, hesitated for a moment, and then came to Wen He with a frightened expression.

“You, Magistrate of Gaoyang County, yes, I was blind and did not recognize your greatness. I was wrong and hope you will forgive me.”

He held the money bag in both hands, head bowed and back bent.

Li Chengqian glanced at Wen He, assuming that the former would punish the servant.

At the very least, they would scold him for looking down on people, and then have someone teach him a lesson to vent their anger.

But Wen He simply picked up the money bag, greeted Li Chengqian, and walked into the Ministry of Works.

"You, sir of Gaoyang County, I know I was wrong, I..."

When the servant saw him leave like that, he was terrified and tried to chase after him, but was stopped by the Xuanjia Guards following behind.

Those entering and leaving the Ministry of Works couldn't help but stop and watch this scene with curiosity.

"What happened?"

"This young fellow was all talk and no action; he's kicked a hornet's nest today."

"Gaoyang County Magistrate, Wen He? Wait, then the one next to him isn't..."

Seeing Li Chengqian standing beside Wen He, turning back every three steps, the surrounding clerks and officials gasped in shock.

That servant really deserves to die!
Everyone in Chang'an knows that Wen He, the son of Gaoyang County, is the one who is tutoring those three princes.

Especially the one currently residing in the Eastern Palace, who is only one imperial decree away from becoming the crown prince.

at the same time.

Yan Lide, who was in his office preparing honey water, also learned of the news from his subordinates.

The smile on his face immediately turned cold.

"Whose relationship is that person?"

"It is said to be the brother of Vice Minister Zhang, the elder brother of his newlywed concubine. He used to be a minor official in Wannian County and was only transferred here half a month ago, so he has never met Wen County Magistrate."

The messenger was a subordinate of Yan Lide, who had followed him since he was a vice minister and whose status rose accordingly after Yan Lide became a minister.

"Zhang Quan's people?"

Yan Liben frowned slightly.

Zhang Quan was the same person who had competed with him for the position of Minister of Works. He was almost fifty years old this year and was affiliated with the Lu family of Fanyang. His maternal aunt was a member of the Lu family.

When Qu Tutong was transferred, the Lu family made some arrangements for him.

Even the Ministry of Personnel recommended him to the emperor on multiple occasions.

Unfortunately, Wen He appeared out of nowhere and, with his gunpowder and crossbow, directly put Yan Lide in the position of Minister.

The fact that Yan Lide was in his thirties and served as Minister of Works meant that he was very likely to enter the Ministry of Works in the future.

"Go tell Zhang Quan to handle it himself."

Yan Lide waved his hand dismissively, pretending he hadn't heard anything.

Just then, a servant boy came in from outside.

"Reporting to the Minister, the magistrate of Gaoyang County has arrived."

"Please come in quickly. Immediately have someone bring the honey water and some fruits. Also, have someone cut one of those cold melons that were sent from the Western Regions."

Upon hearing Wen He's name, the coldness on Yan Lide's face immediately vanished.

He rubbed his hands together nervously, wishing he could go out and greet them himself.

"My dear brother... uh, the Prince of Zhongshan!"

He thought only Wen He had come, but he didn't expect Li Chengqian to follow behind him as well.

He was momentarily stunned, then quickly bowed to Li Chengqian: "Your subject Yan Lide pays respects to the Prince of Zhongshan."

"Your subject, Zhao Kai, pays respects to the King of Zhongshan!"

The person in charge beside Yan Lide was taken aback and quickly bowed.

Li Chengqian stood there, somewhat at a loss, and looked at Wen He for a question. When he saw the latter purse her lips, he finally realized what was going on.

"Minister Yan is too polite. I am here today to learn from you, so there is no need for such formalities."

Li Chengqian wanted to help Yan Lide up, but he was too weak to do so and could only offer a token support.

Yan Lide got up and told the steward to serve Li Chengqian honey water.

"King of Zhongshan, please take a seat."

He smiled kindly, his eyes narrowed, his face as radiant as a blooming flower.

He couldn't help but sigh to himself, 'Zhang Quan, Zhang Quan, this is the mess you created yourself.'

He didn't need to say anything; someone would naturally reach Li Chengqian's ears later.

Having offended the future crown prince, Minister Zhang will likely be abandoned by the Lu family soon.

"No need, Xiao Wang is just here to listen in, Minister Yan doesn't need to worry about me."

This was the first time Li Chengqian had faced such a situation alone, and he felt a little guilty.

He found himself drawn closer to Wen He, wanting his help.

"Brother Yan, be natural. You're just scaring our King Zhongshan."

Wen He teased him on purpose. Yan Lide felt somewhat embarrassed upon hearing this.

Li Chengqian gave Wen He a resentful look: "Sir, Xiao Wang wasn't frightened."

"Alright, there are no outsiders here, so stop being so serious. Aren't you tired?"

Wen He beckoned to Li Chengqian, gesturing for him to sit down in front of her, then looked at Yan Lide and gave him a wink.

Upon seeing this, Yan Lide immediately understood and laughed, "Brother, you're right. It's more comfortable when there are no outsiders around."

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, invited Wen He to sit down, and then sat down in front of the two of them.

After the tea, fruit, and other refreshments were served, they had finished exchanging pleasantries.

"Is this a cold melon?"

Looking at the sliced ​​fruit on the table that resembled watermelon, Li Chengqian's eyes suddenly lit up.

“It is a cold melon sent from the Western Regions. The Palace Attendants Bureau sent over a few earlier, and today, when the Prince of Zhongshan came, I asked them to cut one.”

The so-called "cold melon" is actually a watermelon.

However, unlike the big red watermelons that Wenhe saw in later generations, the watermelons of this era had thick rinds, were not sweet, and were covered with watermelon seeds.

He glanced at it once and didn't think much of it.

He brought over a few pieces and let Li Chengqian gnaw on them.

"I wonder if my esteemed brother has brought anything new to the Ministry of Works today?"

After exchanging pleasantries, Yan Lide got straight to the point.

He had been itching to get started for a long time.

He has been the Minister of Works for several months now, but he has yet to achieve any political success.

If Wen He hadn't gone to the west, he would have visited her long ago.

“Yes, there is. Brother Yan, please take a look.” Wen He took out the blueprints he had prepared beforehand from his sleeve.

Yan Lide took it and looked at the strange craftsmanship depicted on it. He couldn't figure it out for a while, but when he saw the last item, his eyes widened suddenly.

"Is this papermaking technology?"

"That's right, it's for papermaking, and the process is simpler and cheaper than what we use now."

Wen He picked up the honey water and took a sip.

If you traveled back to the Tang Dynasty and didn't make paper or glass, it would feel like you'd wasted your trip.

Yan Lide's hands were trembling.

"The Ministry of Printing has already reported to the Sage and is selecting classic texts for engraving. Now, if the price of paper could be reduced, then..."

He couldn't help but take a deep breath.

He suddenly sensed a danger.

The Yan family also originated from Guanzhong, so logically, this thing should also threaten their interests.

If it had been twenty years earlier, when his father was still alive, he would definitely have sought out other prominent families to discuss this matter.

Unfortunately, the Yan family fell into decline back then, and the other prominent families in Guanzhong just stood by and watched.

If he wanted to bring glory to his family, he had to rely on the emperor.

What did the sage say about this matter?

Yan Lide asked.

“The sage instructed me to prepare within half a month. Time is so tight, that’s why I’ve come to find you, elder brother.”

Wen He gave an awkward smile.

Yan Lide immediately nodded and slammed his hand on the table, saying, "This is a major issue concerning people's livelihood, and the Ministry of Works has an inescapable responsibility. This matter requires water, and there happens to be a Ministry of Works workshop near the Yong'an Canal in Yong'an Ward. With some modifications, it can be put into use."

“That would be excellent. By the way, if you could send some more carpenters over, I also have a waterwheel here, which we can experiment with together.”

Wen He had only seen the outline of the waterwheel; if asked to draw a blueprint, he couldn't do it in a short time.

So we can only figure out how to make it. If there are any professional carpenters around, it will be faster to make one first.

"A waterwheel? Is it similar to a dragon-bone waterwheel?"

Yan Lide didn't expect Wen He to have this skill.

Who exactly is this boy? Is his teacher some kind of celestial being?
"It's different, it will be easier to use."

Wen He didn't know how to describe it, so she just gave a casual reply.

Upon seeing this, Yan Lide couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He trusted Wen He completely.

"In that case, I'll make the arrangements right away."

As Yan Lide spoke, he called out to someone to fetch the person in charge named Zhao Kai from earlier.

The servant outside the door responded and immediately left.

But he hadn't gone far when the three people inside heard hurried footsteps coming from outside.

"Come so fast?"

Yan Lide was somewhat surprised, and then he heard someone outside the door say, "This humble official, Zhang Quan, requests an audience with the Minister."

"Ok?"

Wen He and Li Chengqian both looked up at Yan Lide.

The latter smiled meaningfully: "So it's Vice Minister Zhang. I'm busy with official business. You'd better come another day."

"This, Minister, I wonder if the Prince of Zhongshan is still alive?"

Zhang Quan said anxiously.

Upon hearing the news, he rushed over here in a great hurry.

Yan Lide, who was inside the room, looked at Li Chengqian.

The latter, however, looked at Wen He.

"Brother Yan, since someone has come looking for you, we'll be leaving now."

Wen He immediately stood up, assuming that Zhang Quan had come to see Li Chengqian in an attempt to curry favor with him.

They had no idea about his affair with the servant outside.

Yan Lide didn't say much, but smiled and got up to see Wen He and Li Chengqian off.

As soon as I got outside, I saw an old man with a white beard standing there, covered in sweat.

"Your subject, Zhang Quan..."

"Ah, Brother Yan, I suddenly remembered something. I must take the Prince of Zhongshan away immediately. Farewell."

Wen He didn't give Zhang Quan a chance to speak at all, and pulled Li Chengqian outside.

Zhang Quan was left standing there dumbfounded.

Yan Lide smiled, glanced at him, ignored him, and went to find Zhao Kai.

"Sir, is that person trying to curry favor with me?"

After leaving the Ministry of Works, Li Chengqian suddenly asked a question.

Wen He patted his head and smiled, "There will be many more things like this in the future, but you must remember that you are His Majesty's son. You can only take what His Majesty gives you, and don't reach for what His Majesty hasn't given you."

Li Chengqian stared at him blankly for a long while before nodding.

Wen He didn't know if he understood, but as long as he remembered it, he would understand it in the future.

"Let's go, I'll take you somewhere else."

After saying that, Wen He led him into the carriage.

(End of this chapter)