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

Chapter 31 Wei Zheng, that's a human mirror!
"But was it Wen Xiaolang in person?"

The visitors were servants from the Prince of Qin's residence, who seemed to have been waiting there for quite some time.

Wen He nodded, not at all surprised that someone knew she had returned.

Li Shimin must have sent someone back to inform them long ago.

"Lord Fang and Lord Du request that you come to their study; they have important matters to discuss with you." The servant bowed and gestured for them to proceed.

"But I want to see my sister first."

Wen He's heart was filled with tenderness.

The servant seemed to have anticipated his words and bowed, saying, "Please rest assured, young master. Your sister is with the Princess Consort in the backyard and is unaware of what is happening in the frontyard. She is currently playing with the Princess."

Someone must have taught him to say that, otherwise how could a servant possibly speak so fluently?

Wen He squinted and stared at him for a while.

What exactly do Fang Xuanling and the others want from me?

Why the rush?

It is unknown what Li Shimin sent back in advance to tell them.

Seeing that she couldn't go to the backyard, Wen He had no choice but to compromise and let the servants lead the way to the study.

After walking for a while, he could no longer see the flying blood and flesh.

It seems that Li Shimin had left many contingency plans in the Prince of Qin's residence. Although Wei Zheng and Xie Shufang launched a sneak attack, they couldn't even break through the main gate.

Even if Qin Qiong doesn't come back to help, they can't do anything to the Qin Prince's Mansion.

After passing a waterside pavilion over a lotus pond, you arrive at the central gate of the Qin Prince's Mansion's front courtyard.

As he approached, he saw Qin Qiong, whose face was filled with a murderous aura.

"Greetings, Duke Yi."

Wen He had great respect for Qin Qiong, but it was a pity that such a fierce general would never be able to go to the battlefield again.

On the stone bench outside Qin Qiong's study, there was a jar of still-warm medicine.

He had just finished drinking when he heard Wen He's voice. He put down his bowl, saw that it was him, and smiled kindly.

His face was somewhat pale, and his smile carried a hint of bitterness.

Not wanting to disturb his rest, Wen He bowed respectfully and took her leave, heading towards the study.

He hadn't walked more than a few steps when he heard a violent coughing sound behind him.

He had fought Xue Wanche at Xuanwu Gate before, and then rushed back to provide support. His body, which was already injured, must have been somewhat exhausted.

Even so, he still dutifully stayed here.

"I don't know what illness he has. I'll see if I can help him when I have the chance."

Wen He felt a pang of guilt that such a brave general would have to spend his days confined to the mansion.

If Qin Qiong were to return to the battlefield in the future, his achievements might not be inferior to those of Yuchi Gong.

He was still thinking about this when he entered the study.

Hearing a soft cough, he came back to his senses and looked up to see Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui frowning at him.

"I have met Master Fang and Master Du."

Wen He politely performed a junior's greeting, and the expressions on the two people's faces softened somewhat.

"Young Master Wen looked so serious just now. I wonder what he was thinking about. Could it be that something unexpected is about to happen in the future?"

Although Du Ruhui still harbored doubts about Wen He coming from the future, since the King of Qin believed it, he would believe it for a while as well.

"Regarding the Duke of Yi, according to later historical records, after His Highness ascended the throne, the Duke of Yi lived a secluded life until his death in the twelfth year of Zhenguan. He was ranked last among the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion. I just feel a little regretful."

If Qin Qiong had later joined the army to fight against the Turks, Xueyantuo, and Goguryeo, his achievements would not have ranked him last.

Wen He sighed.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were both stunned.

"The twelfth year of Zhenguan, is that Your Highness's reign title?" Fang Xuanling stroked his beard a few times and asked.

Wen He nodded: "Yes, His Highness will ascend the throne this August, and the reign title will be changed to Zhenguan next year."

He saw that the two people in front of him were kneeling, so he found a seat next to them and sat down as well.

"The Zhenguan era, as the Book of Changes says: 'The way of Heaven and Earth is that of Zhenguan; this year is called Great Goodness, Your Highness is wise.'" Du Ruhui flattered Li Shimin with a smile, and casually handed him a heel rest. Wen He thanked him, and suddenly found Du Ruhui somewhat pleasing to the eye.

Fang Xuanling nodded with a smile: "Your Highness has always intended to allow the people of the world to recuperate and thrive. Since the end of the Sui Dynasty, all things in the world have withered, and the people have suffered unspeakably. The world is in distress, and we should work even harder day and night."

“Xuanling is absolutely right.”

The two men looked at each other and then laughed.

Wen He stood there watching, unsure of what expression to make.

"Well, gentlemen, you summoned me here in such a hurry, surely it's just to ask these questions?"

Wen He was speechless.

“Young man, don’t be impatient. I haven’t even asked you yet what this Lingyan Pavilion is. I’ve never heard of such a pavilion.” Fang Xuanling squinted, his face beaming.

He was asking a question he already knew the answer to.

He couldn't possibly know about the existence of Lingyan Pavilion, but Wen He had just mentioned "the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion".

With Liu Xiu's twenty-eight generals at Yuntai, Fang Xuanling, with his knowledge, could not possibly not have guessed what the Lingyan Pavilion was used for.

"This Lingyan Pavilion was built by His Highness in the seventeenth year of Zhenguan to commemorate meritorious officials. A total of twenty-four people were selected, and you two gentlemen are naturally among them."

Wen He also pretended to be confused, but he deliberately left his sentence unfinished.

The two, who were expecting to hear what he would say next, were stunned and stared at him blankly.

Go ahead and continue.

What are our rankings, and what titles will we hold in the future?
If it were Yuchi Gong or Cheng Zhijie, they would have been eager to ask questions about this matter long ago.

However, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, mindful of their status, did not want others to think they were people who craved empty fame.

"Master Fang, Master Du, it's getting late. I'm worried about my sister. Why don't you talk about the important matters first?" Wen He suddenly changed the subject.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui felt as uncomfortable as if they had swallowed a fly.

"It's nothing important." Fang Xuanling's expression was somewhat cold.

"Did His Highness suddenly remember the matter of Wei Zheng and want us to ask you whether he could be of use to His Highness in the future?"

Wei Zheng, as Li Jiancheng's man, is now leading troops to attack the Prince of Qin's residence.

If this matter were to be discussed publicly, he would undoubtedly die, and his entire clan might even be exterminated.

However, His Highness the King of Qin valued talent, and there were also many people in the King of Qin's palace who had close ties with Wei Zheng in the past.

In addition, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui also felt that keeping Wei Zheng and giving him important responsibilities would help to consolidate public support.

"Well, opinions on Wei Zheng vary from generation to generation, but one thing is universally acknowledged: he was a very loyal and upright man. He liked to speak frankly and offer advice, advising Your Highness that listening to all sides leads to enlightenment, while listening to only one side leads to ignorance, that one should be mindful of danger in times of peace, and that one should be frugal and avoid extravagance. Your Highness has made him a wise and virtuous ruler, and he deserves some credit for that."

"Moreover, His Highness's evaluation of him is recorded in the 'Biography of Wei Zheng' in the 'Old Book of Tang' and the 'Essentials of Governance in the Zhenguan Era'."

"If you use a bronze mirror, you can straighten your clothes; if you use history as a mirror, you can understand the rise and fall of dynasties; if you use people as a mirror, you can understand your gains and losses. I always keep these three mirrors to prevent myself from making mistakes."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui both nodded in approval.

They certainly knew more about Wei Zheng than Wen He did, but they worried that Wei Zheng was unwilling to serve the King of Qin.

It seems that Wei Zheng remained true to himself even after all these years.

"Looking at the history of later generations, there really aren't many like Wei Zheng," Wen He said, sighing with emotion.

"He seems to be the only one who was appreciated by the emperor during his lifetime but had his tombstone torn down after his death. However, this was also because he misjudged people. Hou Junji and Du Zhenglun, whom he recommended, both participated in Li Chengqian's rebellion. No wonder Li Shimin was angry."

Wen He sighed and silently expressed her feelings.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui glanced at each other and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

What is this boy thinking?
It's so frustrating.

The two of them silently shook their heads, not intending to ask any further questions.

There are some things it's better not to know too much about.

"Uh, why are you two looking at me like that?" Wen He came back to his senses and leaned back when he saw the two of them staring at him.

Fang Xuanling glared at him and was about to speak when he suddenly heard a series of hurried footsteps outside.

Thank you to reader jason1312888 for the monthly pass.

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(End of this chapter)