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

Chapter 48 Li Shiji, an absolutely loyal subject.
Wen He pursed her lips and remained silent.

He couldn't very well say that he learned all of this from history books, could he?

Li Shiji would definitely have Li Jing kick him out, even if he was Li Shimin's honored guest.

However, Wen He quickly came up with an idea.

"This is what His Highness the King of Qin said. He said that Lingzhou has a rugged terrain, which is not conducive to the rapid passage of a large number of cavalry, so he predicted that Jieli would attack Jingzhou."

Upon learning that this was Li Shimin's judgment, Li Shiji's expression immediately softened considerably.

His Highness the King of Qin's judgment on military matters is not much worse than the two of them.

The Battle of Wulao Pass in those years terrified the enemy and caused turmoil in the court and the country.

It is said that on that night, the former Crown Prince Li Jiancheng went to the palace and stayed there until dawn before leaving.

"Your Highness's words are indeed reasonable, but Lingzhou must also be on guard. Brother Yao, perhaps I should..."

Li Shiji wanted to recommend himself.

Like Li Jing, he had previously refused to participate in Li Shimin's Xuanwu Gate Incident.

Now that the situation is settled, he will surely become the crown prince as early as tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, and then the current emperor will abdicate.

He also needed to find a way out.

Otherwise, with all those capable people in the Prince of Qin's mansion, how could he possibly have a place in the future?
But before he could finish speaking, Li Jing stopped him.

"I recommend Li Xiaogong to go to Lingzhou."

"Why!"

Li Shiji said with dissatisfaction.

He didn't doubt Li Xiaogong's abilities, but felt that Li Jing should recommend him based on their relationship.

Li Jing sighed deeply, understanding Li Shiji's thoughts.

"Before I set out on the expedition, I will recommend you to His Highness as the governor of Youzhou, so that we can support Jingzhou and Lingzhou. Li Xiaogong is a relative of the imperial family, and his seniority and merits are superior to yours. With him guarding Lingzhou, Your Highness and His Majesty can rest assured."

Li Shiji was stunned for a moment.

He seemed surprised that Li Jing would say so much to him.

These words sounded rather grand and dignified, not like a conversation between friends, but more like a report from a subject.

Li Shiji immediately understood that these words were not meant for him, but for Wen He.

Li Jing wanted Wen He to convey his message.

Wen He, who was looking down and debating whether or not to drink the tea soup, circled her finger around the rim of the bowl and then decided not to try this culinary disaster.

“What Lord Yongkang said is very true, and I’m sure His Highness thinks so too.”

Wen He looked up at the two of them and smiled.

Li Jing didn't mention this matter in the main hall just now; he probably wanted to go to Li Shiji privately.

It is highly likely that when Li Shimin recommended Li Xiaogong to guard Lingzhou, he guessed that Li Shiji would recommend Li Shiji to Youzhou.

Even though Wen He told him that the Turks attacked Chang'an from Jingzhou.

However, he also had to guard against Lingzhou, and thus had two people who had chosen to remain neutral at Xuanwu Gate guard key locations.

Even if he agreed, Fang Xuanling and others would certainly oppose it.

So he sent Wen He.

Firstly, he was there to act as Li Jing's messenger; secondly, he simply wanted Li Jing to make contact with Li Shiji.

Wen He suddenly felt a headache.

These scheming people, one by one, are so convoluted, but they themselves will soon understand.

It would take him a long time to figure it out, given his lack of experience.

Sigh, I'm definitely not cut out to be an official.

From now on, I should just be a small landlord and serve as an advisor to Li Er.

Now that she knew the news, Wen He was no longer willing to play the role of someone who was disliked.

He knew Li Jing and Li Shiji would have a private conversation later, so he decided to take his leave first.

As expected, when Li Jing learned that he was leaving, he politely asked him to stay and then saw him to the door.

He had intended to arrange for someone to escort Wen He back to the Prince of Qin's residence, but as soon as he arrived at the gate, he saw the Xuanjia Guards who had come to pick him up.

Li Shiji and Li Jing stood in front of the door, watching Wen He leave.

Only when the carriage was no longer in sight did Li Shiji finally ask a question.

"Brother Pharmacist, who exactly is this Wen He? He's just a child, yet his words and actions are so mature."

"You want to know?" Li Jing stroked his magnificent beard and asked with a smile.

Li Shiji nodded and smiled, “Of course.” “I also want to know who he is, that he could predict Li Yi’s rebellion and the whereabouts of the Turks two months from now. Your Highness said that this information came from his parents, but how could a child make such a judgment?”

Li Jing never believed what Li Shimin said.

But he had no choice but to believe it, because it was what His Highness the King of Qin had said.

"Could he be a man ordained by heaven?" Li Shiji asked in surprise.

Upon hearing this, Li Jing glanced at him and couldn't help but burst into laughter: "No wonder Cheng Zhijie said you used to be the Old Taoist Niu. There are no such people as those who are born with divine gifts in this world. Those so-called people who are born with divine gifts are all dead."

Li Mi was one, and Wang Shichong was another.

However, he only said this to Li Shiji in private, after all, isn't the current emperor also a "man bestowed by heaven"?

……

Wen He's carriage did not return to the Prince of Qin's residence, but instead traveled along Zhuque Street back to the palace.

When Chang He of Xuanwu Gate saw him again, he was startled.

This was the first time he had ever seen someone who wasn't a high-ranking official summoned to the palace twice in one day.

This young man, Wen, has a bright future ahead of him.

But Wen He didn't think that way.

When he saw the Xuanjia Guards outside Li Jing's residence, he knew it must be Li Shimin coming to see him.

Perhaps, no sooner had Li Shiji gone to Li Jing's house than someone sent word to the palace.

We arrived at the Liangyi Hall.

Apart from Li Shimin, there was no one else in the main hall.

Even Changsun Wuji and the others were not there.

When Wen He entered, a young eunuch brought him a bowl of water and a heel rest, then bowed and withdrew.

"I know you're not used to drinking tea. You must be thirsty after talking so much at Pharmacist Li's house. I've prepared some honey water for you. Please drink it first. I'll write down my notes here."

Li Shimin did not look up; he was writing something on the table with a pen in hand.

Upon hearing this, Wen He gave a faint "oh" and picked up the honey water next to her and took a few sips.

It was still ice cold.

He only put down the bowl after finishing the honey water.

Li Shimin, who was at the head of the table, then put down the letter and got up to walk to his side.

"Tell me about Li Shiji." Li Shimin sat down beside him.

But Wen He remained silent, and the former looked at him suspiciously.

"But there's not enough honey water?"

"Uh, no, it's about yesterday when we were talking about Xue Wanche, and we mentioned Li Shiji. Didn't you not want to hear about it?"

It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned it; the moment he did, Li Shimin wanted to dump the bowl next to him on his head.

"I just don't want to hear... about my end."

His lips twitched a few times, and finally he sighed helplessly.

"Which emperor throughout history has not wanted to live forever? But if you don't take any elixirs in the future, you will definitely live longer than anyone in history."

Li Shimin frowned and glanced at a brocade box on his desk, but quickly looked away.

However, Wen He still managed to catch it.

"No way, Your Highness, you're starting to take it now? I remember later records say that you only started taking it in the 22nd year of the Zhenguan era."

Wen He was taken aback.

Li Shimin glared at him with an unnatural expression.

"It's an elixir from the Western Regions, which I intended to present to my father... But let's not talk about that now, let's talk about Li Shiji first."

Although he didn't know why taking the pills would shorten his lifespan, he was certain that Wen He wasn't lying to him.

In other words, it is highly likely that he offered his father poison.

Seeing that he looked a little embarrassed, Wen He coughed twice and quickly followed up, saying, "Li Shiji, well, he's an absolutely loyal subject. That's all."

As soon as he finished speaking, he winked at Li Shimin, his face full of innocent naivety.

Li Shimin was so angry that his beard bristled and his eyes widened. He grabbed a bowl from the table.

Special thanks to: 0笑死朕0, 卟想湃収殤の朳 (ps: This is a bit difficult for me)

Thank you to Michael for his mercy, Never Like a Young Man's Wanderings, Listening to the Wind in the Mist and Rain, Wu Mo, Xing Ling Qi Huihuang, Yan Yuan Yue Shu Ren (ps: Traditional Chinese), Picking Up a Piece of Soft Light, Taeyeon Yoona, How's This Book, Yuan Hu I'm Not Taking Off, Five Points of Character, Jing Hai Wu Yanzu, Bond J, Bei Yin Qian Yuan Da Fan Zi Guang Sheng Mu, Xia He Zhu Ping An, Old Friends Are the Most Unforgettable, The Child in the Lies, Heaven Opens the Door, Book Friend 20221210165743393, Book Friend 20210626192859594, Kaka Kaka Kaka Kaka Kaka, Blues Flying Butterfly, and all the book friends for your monthly tickets.

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(End of this chapter)