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

Chapter 183 Prince Rencheng, Save Me

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

Inside the Lizheng Hall, Li Shimin, who was reviewing documents, looked up and his expression clearly showed displeasure as he listened to the shouts outside.

Changsun Wuji, who was below, immediately shouted, "Who is making such a fuss? Guards, why don't you throw him out!"

The imperial guards responsible for protecting the residence immediately tried to stop the man, but he cried out urgently, "Your Majesty, someone is besieging the residence of Prince Gaoyang!"

The messenger was a soldier from Xuanwu Gate.

Today, Zhang Shigui is guarding Xuanwu Gate. Upon learning the news, he immediately sent his trusted confidant to deliver the message.

Although the confidant did not know Wen He, seeing Zhang Shigui's anxiety, he assumed it was some urgent military matter.

That's why they made such a loud noise.

Before he could finish speaking, he was already being lifted up by two colleagues.

"Gaoyangzi's residence!"

"Snapped!"

Li Shimin suddenly stood up, kicking the heel behind him several feet away.

"Let him in!"

Changsun Wuji was taken aback and couldn't help but frown.

Although the incident of the three people from the Dugu family and Wu Shiyue's family stopping Wen He in the street has been quelled on the surface, it has not been widely publicized.

However, both the Guanzhong Plain and the aristocratic families had received word of the news.

Only one day has passed, and someone has already come knocking on Wen He's door!

This is blatant disrespect for the emperor's authority!

"Who dares to be so lawless!"

Before Li Shimin could speak, Changsun Wuji angrily questioned him.

When the messenger soldiers came in, they all looked completely bewildered.

Upon hearing this, he shook his head: "Someone did come to Xuanwu Gate to deliver a message. It was a young woman who said she was the second daughter of the Duke of Ying's mansion, but she didn't know who she was. However, the Duke of Ying has already taken people there."

"Wu Erniang?"

Upon hearing her name, Li Shimin subconsciously frowned.

But he quickly put it out of his mind; now was not the time to care about this girl.

"Gao Yue, send Huang Chun with a hundred cavalry. Whoever is causing trouble, imprison them all!"

Li Shimin was truly enraged.

Previously, Dugu Chen and the others could be said to be young and ignorant.

Because of the tacit understanding between him and Guanzhong, he downplayed the matter and sent them to be punished with a hundred cavalrymen.

Only one day had passed, and someone had already come knocking on Wen He's door.

That was the mansion bestowed upon him by imperial decree!

In other words, it represents his face.

"Your Majesty, Huang Chun is not with the Hundred Cavalry. He is currently investigating matters concerning the Ministry of Civil Affairs."

The whereabouts of the Hundred Riders had to be reported to the Emperor daily, and Gao Yue naturally remembered them as well.

"try to find!"

"Yes."

Gao Yue didn't dare to delay and quickly left.

He immediately sent all his men away.

I can't believe it. If something really happened to Wen He, the whole of Chang'an would probably be shaken to its core.

"Auxiliary machine, huh? This is just pushing your luck!"

Inside the Lizheng Hall, Li Shimin looked solemnly at Changsun Wuji.

He was the one who previously advised peaceful coexistence with Guanzhong and Longxi, and not to take drastic measures.

The Changsun family originated from Guanzhong, although this statement was made to protect the interests of those powerful clans.

However, Li Shimin believed that this was also a way to strengthen imperial power by leveraging the influence of Guanzhong, so he adopted the plan.

However, they continued to provoke them for two consecutive days.

Changsun Wuji was well aware of just how intense Li Shimin's anger was.

"Your Majesty, the overall situation is of paramount importance."

"Then isn't Wen He part of the bigger picture?"

Faced with Li Shimin's questioning, Changsun Wuji was speechless for a moment.

He was fully aware of the changes Wen He had brought to the Tang Dynasty since the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

Without his advance warning, as well as gunpowder and the Divine Arm Crossbow, the battle at Huizhou would not have been won so quickly.

His Majesty the Emperor would not appoint Li Jing in such a short time; there would only be one outcome.

Just like in history, the Turks invaded the banks of the Wei River, and His Majesty the Emperor was forced to sign a treaty with them.

That would be a great disgrace to the Tang Dynasty.

Such achievements would be more than enough to grant Wen He the title of a county duke.

Unfortunately, he is too young, so the emperor has been suppressing him.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. Perhaps this can be used to make those people pay a price."

At this moment, Changsun Wuji's primary concern was still Li Shimin's interests.

He remained loyal to Li Shimin, but as he rose to high positions of power, he became entangled with many other things.

Li Shimin gave him a meaningful look but did not say anything.

Upon seeing this, Changsun Wuji was secretly delighted, for as expected, His Majesty the Emperor had adopted his suggestion.

He may like Wen He, but if a huge benefit is presented to him, he will definitely abandon so-called feelings.

This is what an emperor is like.

If they can kill even their own brothers, what chance would they have against someone with no blood relation?

Changsun Wuji was unaware that the reason Li Shimin had glanced at him just now was because he remembered something he had learned when he first met Wen He.

"So that's how it is. That's why the future Grandson Fu Ji was able to wield such power in the court, forcing my rebellious son to eliminate him."

Li Shimin glanced at the silk in his hand.

The inscription reads: "Feng Changsun Wuji is appointed Minister of Personnel and promoted to Duke of Qi, with a fief of 1,300 households."

He suddenly crumpled the silk into a ball and said to Changsun Wuji, "Fuji, now that Pei Ju has retired, the position of Minister of Revenue is vacant. I intend to appoint you as Minister of Revenue. Are you willing?"

"what?"

Changsun Wuji was extremely surprised.

Previously, Han Zhongliang had already been chosen as the Minister of Revenue. Why did things suddenly change?

Could it be that His Majesty harbors resentment because he believes Han Zhongliang was recommended by Pei Ju?

"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude."

He didn't care which minister he was in, since it was all just a transitional position anyway. In less than a year, he would become a Grand Master of the Three Departments.

He was still the Duke of Qi.

Little did he know that in the original history, he was the Minister of Personnel.

Although both are called Shangshu (Minister), they are quite different.

The Ministry of Personnel controls the rewards, punishments, promotions, and demotions of officials throughout the country; it is a good place to cultivate cronies.

While the Ministry of Civil Affairs was also very important, controlling the finances of the Tang Dynasty, it was indeed slightly inferior to the former.

Overjoyed, he failed to notice the cold glint that flashed in Li Shimin's eyes.

'In the end, the Duke of Qi will still be given to him.'

Changsun Wuji was both a relative of the emperor and an important minister. For the next few decades, Li Shimin would need to rely on him to stabilize the Guanzhong Plain, so he had to give him this honor.

"The Ministry of Civil Affairs is of great importance. This time, such corruption has occurred again. The Auxiliary Minister should pay more attention to this after taking office, especially in the Guanzhong region, and make them restrain themselves."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will go to the residence of the magistrate of Gaoyang County immediately."

Changsun Wuji immediately understood that this was a deal between Li Shimin and him.

This time, no matter which family is causing trouble, they must not be let off lightly.

Shortly after.

The eunuch found Huang Chun, who was investigating a case, at the Ministry of Works.

Those crossbows were handled by the Ministry of Works, and Wen He and Yan Lide had a good relationship, so the 100 cavalrymen did not encounter any obstacles when they arrived.

Yan Lide even personally took Huang Chun to check the account books.

When the eunuch arrived, the two were talking.

"Huang Zhongguan, the Wenxian magistrate's house has been attacked. His Majesty has ordered you to immediately lead a hundred cavalrymen there."

"What did you say!" Yan Lide stood up even before Huang Chun.

"Who dares to cause trouble at my brother's house!"

He was furious.

Despite their artistic background, the Yan brothers were trained in the Six Arts and were skilled in riding, archery, and swordsmanship.

"Guards, go to my house and summon my guards. I want to see who dares to be so audacious!"

Yan Lide strode out, and Huang Chun inside the house didn't even have time to react.

Seeing this, the eunuch urged him a few times before he came to his senses. But when he went out of the room to gather the hundred riders, he found that only one person was waiting for him.

"Your Excellency, Commandant Zhang has already led his men there."

"You son of a bitch, you're making me lose face! What are you still doing here? Get out of here!"

Seeing that he was a step behind, Huang Chun jumped up and down in a panic.

If this gets out, wouldn't it be telling others that he watched Wen He die?

"drive!"

On Chang'an Street, several fast horses were entering through Mingde Gate.

"I wonder why His Majesty has summoned us back to Chang'an in such a hurry? Could it be that something has happened in Chang'an?"

Yuchi Gong, Cheng Zhijie, Li Daozong, Duan Zhixuan, and Li Junxian, who had rushed to Chang'an, were now covered in dust and dirt.

After receiving the urgent message, they traveled overnight and finally arrived at this moment.

"I'd like to see which one is so blind."

Yuchi Gong snorted angrily, wiped the dust off his face, and continued on his way.

"Big Blackie, be careful you don't blow your tongue off while bragging," Cheng Zhijie snorted indignantly.

The former immediately turned around and glared at him, but quickly sneered, "Cheng Yaojin, where's your Jieli? Why didn't you bring it back to present to His Majesty?"

Cheng Zhijie's previous mistake of arresting the wrong Jieli made him a topic of conversation in the army.

But almost no one dared to mention this matter in front of him, and unfortunately, Yuchi Gong was not among them.

"Hey, you big black guy, I haven't hit you in ages, are you itching for a beating?"

"You managed to last five rounds against Cheng Yaojin? You're something else!"

The two immediately became tense and ready to draw their swords.

Li Daozong and the others standing to the side were already used to it.

These two would feel uncomfortable if they didn't fight a few rounds a day.

"No, there are cavalry ahead!"

Suddenly, Li Daozong sensed something was amiss.

Not far away, a troop of cavalry was seen galloping toward them.

He looked closely and immediately recognized the leader.

"That's Zhang Wenxiao of the Hundred Riders. I don't know if the little kid is here."

He hadn't seen Wen He for a long time, and no one had been arguing with Li Daozong. He missed her a little.

However, the smile on his face didn't last long before he suddenly became serious.

He sensed the murderous intent on Zhang Wenxiao and the others' faces.

"Something's happened?" He was startled and immediately shouted.

"Zhang Wenxiao!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wenxiao, who was not far away, glanced in this direction and immediately made a gesture to stop the people behind him.

"Greetings to the Prince of Rencheng, the Duke of Wu, and the Duke of Su..."

After exchanging greetings, Zhang Wenxiao hurriedly said, "I apologize for my rudeness. The residence of the magistrate of Gaoyang County has been besieged by villains. I must take my leave now."

Having said that, he turned and left with his hundred riders before Li Daozong and the others could react.

"Gaoyang County Chief?" Li Daozong was stunned for a moment, not realizing who Gaoyang County Chief was.

"It's Wen He. Someone actually came to his house. I wonder which fool did it." Cheng Zhijie looked on with amusement.

"What's so funny? Wen He is also an old friend of our Prince Qin's mansion. Li Junxian and Duan Zhixuan, you two go and help. Cheng Yaojin and I will go to see His Majesty."

Yuchi Gong also wanted to go, but he had to see Li Shimin first.

Li Junxian nodded, while Duan Zhixuan beside him could no longer contain himself.

Wen He was the Duke of Jiang's savior; how could he possibly sit idly by?

He bowed to Yuchi Gong and then rode away.

However, someone was one step ahead of him.

"Which son of a bitch dares to mess with my people, Li Daozong's men!"

Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Gong were not surprised by Li Daozong's eagerness.

The two turned around and found Li Junxian still standing there in a daze, and they spoke in unison.

"What are you still looking at? Hurry up and go."

The two brutes roared in unison, their power no less than that of a great bell, which frightened Li Junxian so much that he quickly pulled on the reins and rushed out.

Li Daozong sped along, and when he entered Yongle Ward, the ward official outside the gate tried to stop him, but he suddenly brandished his lance.

The magistrate was so frightened that he immediately shrank back and sent someone to summon the Imperial Guards.

We arrived at Wen He's house.

He was startled to hear a scream from inside.

"Ah! Stop hitting me! Stop hitting me! I was wrong! I won't do it again! Ah!"

"My legs, my legs!"

Upon hearing this, Li Daozong was startled and immediately flew into a rage, shouting, "Giddy up!"

He urged his horse on and leaped through the side gate.

"That beast dares to cause trouble here! Doesn't he know that Wen He is my woman?!"

He barged in with a menacing look on his face.

next moment.

The courtyard was completely silent.

Everyone stared in disbelief at Li Daozong's sudden appearance.

Wen He, who was holding a stick, blinked at him in surprise.

Li Daozong was also dumbfounded.

Looking at the group of people who had been stripped naked and were wailing on the ground in the courtyard, he glanced at Wen He again.

"Prince Rencheng, save me! Save me!"

Just then, a man whose face was badly beaten lay on the ground and cried out for help.

The person looked familiar, but Li Daozong couldn't recognize who it was.

"Sir, how did you become Uncle Wang's man?" Li Tai walked up curiously and gently poked Wen He's arm.

"Shut up."

Wen He glared at him, annoyed.

At this moment, Li Daozong had dismounted and was walking towards them curiously.

"Little one, what's going on?"

"It's nothing, just a bunch of idiots who came to cause trouble. To resolve the problem, I had their legs broken."

Wen He threw the stick in his hand aside, clapped his hands, as if he were talking about something trivial.

"Prince Rencheng, he's a beast! Save me! Save me!"

The man was still wailing when Wen He frowned, turned around, and kicked him in the mouth.

Yin Hongzhi let out a wail, his eyes rolled back in pain, and he began to convulse uncontrollably.

"Uncle, sir, please be gentle."

Li You, who was being held by Li Ke not far away, quickly covered his eyes.

Too brutal.

"Oh, these three are here with you too." Li Daozong only then noticed Li Tai and the other two.

Wen He smiled, about to explain.

Suddenly, they heard a series of hurried footsteps outside.

Li Daozong's expression changed, and he suddenly turned around to protect Wen He behind him.

Just then, someone outside shouted.

(End of this chapter)