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

Chapter 37 What I lack most are learned people.

After dinner, it was getting dark.

A curfew was imposed in Chang'an City, and the ancients, who had no nightlife, went to bed early.

After calming Xiao Wenrou down, Wen He went to the front yard.

Yan Liben hadn't left yet, and he was a little worried, so he simply had his bedding moved here.

In June, although the nights aren't too hot, most people couldn't stand sleeping squatting by the stove like that.

"Yan Kuzhi should go back sooner rather than later; there's no need to keep an eye on things here all the time."

Wen He tried to persuade him, but he stubbornly shook his head.

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Wen, but I think it's best to keep it. Otherwise, I really can't sleep well. This distiller is really ingenious. I'd like to think about it."

He was a little embarrassed, and while he spoke, he kept observing Wen He's reaction.

Wen He was indeed somewhat puzzled upon hearing this.

"Then why don't you just ask me directly?"

I'm standing right in front of you. If you don't understand something, just ask me directly. There's no need to be so hesitant, as if I'm being petty.

"No, no, no, young man Wen, please don't be angry. I wasn't spying. This kind of timeless knowledge must be a secret in your family. I wouldn't dare to spy on it; I was just curious."

Yan Liben shook his head repeatedly, like a frightened rabbit, afraid that Wen He would blame him for it.

Looking at his appearance, Wen He was even more puzzled.

"I'm sincere. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

He really didn't understand what Yan Liben was thinking. Was this a serious matter?
Yan Liben pursed his lips and scrutinized Wen He for a long time before he was sure that he wasn't being sarcastic.

"Really?"

"Really." Wen He nodded seriously, but he also asked his question: "Why was Yan Kuzhi so nervous just now? Did he think I was petty?"

“How could that be?” Yan Liben quickly shook his head. He smiled bitterly and said, “Since the Wei and Jin dynasties, the ways of dealing with people and being an official have been regarded as the private domain of each family. Such extraordinary skills would rather be lost than be known to outsiders. I have always regretted this. If you are like this, young man, you are truly a rare talent.”

Wen He was listening attentively until he heard him say "weird" at the end, which made him a little uneasy.

I was trying to teach you something out of kindness, why did you scold me?

Fortunately, he realized that in later generations, "oddball" was mostly used in a derogatory sense, but in this era it seemed to be a compliment.

"I wouldn't dare say that; Yan Kuzhi is the real oddball."

"Young Master is being modest."

"Hehe, let's not talk about how weird that is. You wanted to know the principle behind it, right? Actually, it's not that complicated."

Wen He's forehead creased with three black lines, and she quickly changed the subject.

Upon hearing this, Yan Liben immediately perked up, but instead of letting Wen He speak right away, he went to fetch paper and pen.

Seeing this, Wen He was both amused and exasperated.

He felt like he had gotten himself into a little trouble.

Not long after, Yan Liben returned, holding paper and pen like a well-behaved primary school student. Wen He didn't hide anything and told him everything he knew. As for how much Yan Liben could understand, that depended on his talent.

Neither of the two people inside noticed.

Soon after, a figure quietly arrived at the door.

He had intended to go in, but stopped when he heard the noise inside.

The conversation inside stopped as night deepened.

With a dry mouth, Wen He thought of getting up to go out and find a drink, but as soon as he stepped out, he saw Li Shimin looking at him with lingering interest.

Wen He was startled, but after thinking carefully, she realized she hadn't said anything she shouldn't have. She breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to Li Shimin.

Upon hearing the commotion, Yan Liben, who was inside the house, hurriedly came out.

Li Shimin glanced at him, smiled and nodded: "I had heard before that Liben was obsessed with craftsmanship, and seeing it today, I can confirm it."

"Your subject dares not, but since Young Master Wen is so generous in his instruction, I have learned a little from him."

Yan Liben said awkwardly.

He didn't want to be an official, but his family forced him to. Fortunately, His Highness the Prince of Qin knew that he was skilled in craftsmanship, so he made him a warehouse keeper in the Prince of Qin's mansion.

In a way, it fulfilled his wish.

Li Shimin exchanged pleasantries with him, and Yan Liben was so moved that he burst into tears. He bowed deeply and saw the former and Wen He off.

Walking towards the study.

Li Shimin, who was ahead, suddenly stopped.

His guards immediately retreated to the surrounding area.

"Was all that you just said from later generations?" He found a place to sit in the corridor, then patted the spot next to him, gesturing for Wen He to sit down as well. Wen He didn't stand on ceremony and casually sat down next to him.

"Yes, that's about the knowledge of a middle school student."

What is a middle school student?

"Children around twelve or thirteen years old."

After Wen He finished speaking, she turned to look at Li Shimin, only to see that he looked calm and showed no surprise.

Seeing his scrutinizing gaze, Li Shimin chuckled: "I started reading and practicing martial arts when I was three years old. You people in later generations start reading at eleven or twelve. What's so surprising about me? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I mean, all twelve or thirteen-year-olds."

he added.

Li Shimin's smile froze instantly. After a while, he relaxed and let out a long sigh.

"Studying... What I lack most right now are knowledgeable people."

Those who become officials are all highly learned, yet Li Shimin still expressed such sentiments.

Wen He felt like he understood why Li Shimin had suddenly come to see him.

“The powerful clans controlled books and knowledge, only giving away a small portion for others to copy. However, ink and paper were expensive, making it extremely difficult for those from poor families to rise in society.”

"The highest ranks have no poor families, the lowest ranks have no noble clans. Does this world truly belong to me, or to their powerful clans?"

Li Shimin's eyes were somewhat red.

It seems something just now upset him.

Wen He pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "What about the common people? As far as I know, even those from humble backgrounds can be powerful, though they may have fallen on hard times. The common people Your Highness is referring to are those with names and surnames, but what about the lowest-ranking commoners?"

"Commoner?" Li Shimin turned to look at Wen He, originally intending to mock him.

Since ancient times, which emperor has ever taken the common people seriously?

Even Emperors Wen and Jing were no exception.

But looking at Wen He's serious face, he suddenly couldn't smile.

"The people of your time, aren't you referring to those who own land? But how many people in the Tang Dynasty didn't own land, were poorly clothed and starving, were oppressed by the powerful and wealthy and had nowhere to seek justice?"

He thought of himself, how powerless he felt when he was bullied by the steward in Li Yuanji's household.

His era had many dark aspects, but the justice of the majority could be sought.

But not in this era.

They don't even have control over their own lives or deaths.

“If people from humble backgrounds rise to power, they will become the new elites. Once they gain power, they will still protect the interests of their own families just like the former ones. Wouldn’t that just create a new aristocratic clan?”

"But the common people will not, because they have no foundation; all they can do is depend on the imperial power."

Did Li Shimin not understand?

No, he just can't see.

Born into a powerful family, the common people he knew were just landlords and tycoons.

The so-called decline of people's livelihood is nothing more than the destruction and extermination of landlords and powerful families.

But from beginning to end, those at the very bottom were never taken seriously by the imperial court.

"You mean commoners can become my power?"

Li Shimin understood the meaning behind Wen He's words in an instant.

Wen He looked at him and nodded seriously.

"The majority of people in the world are commoners, but they are also the most ignorant. Whoever treats them well, they will risk their lives for them. If Your Highness can enable them to study, then if they stand in the court in the future, they will be your strongest allies."

He doesn't know anything about dragon-slaying techniques.

But he knew the eight words: "A single spark can start a prairie fire."

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(End of this chapter)