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

Chapter 68 Just be a good son-in-law and military commander.
About half an hour later.

Wen He stretched and stood up; his legs were almost numb from squatting for so long.

Yan Liben eagerly picked up the blueprints and examined them closely for a long time, somewhat puzzled: "This thing looks like a seed drill."

The seed drill, also known as the seed-producing machine, was a power-powered seeder that appeared during the Western Han Dynasty. It was invented by Zhao Guo, the Chief of Grain Supply at the time, and predates Western seed drills by more than a dozen centuries.

Even in Wenhe's time, some regions were still using it.

During the Northern Song Dynasty, some people combined the seed drill with the hoe, but eliminated the seed drill bucket.

Wenhe then combined the two, making both the seed drill and the hoe detachable and replaceable, so that the tool could be used for sowing after hoeing.

"This is an improved version of the seed drill, which can be used for hoeing and sowing."

Wen He stretched and looked up at the sky. It was almost lunchtime, and she was a little hungry.

Upon hearing this, Yan Liben exclaimed, "Brilliant!"

He clapped his hands and laughed, "In this way, the curved plow can be used for land reclamation, and the seed drill can be used for weeding and sowing. In a few years, our Great Tang will surely have a bumper harvest."

"This is nothing. In a couple of days, we'll get the simple composting method working, which will definitely increase grain production by a bushel or two. At that time, His Highness will surely bestow upon us the title of Earl or Marquis."

This thing was invented during the Southern Song Dynasty. It didn't require much technology; it was mostly made from rotten leaves, animal droppings, weeds, straw, and other waste and garbage.

But the effect is very significant.

Wen He didn't dare to dream of doubling the yield, but he figured that an extra one or two bushels per mu shouldn't be a problem.

Given this, how could Li Shimin not bestow upon him a higher title?

Wen He dared not think about becoming a county official or anything like that for the time being.

Even if he achieved great merit, Li Shimin would not grant him a title.

The lesson Yang Jian learned back then is still fresh in our minds.

"To be granted the title of Earl or Marquis? I'd like to see what exactly it is that would allow you, Wen He, to be granted the title of Earl of a Founding County?"

With a loud laugh, the gate outside the treasury was pushed open.

Li Shimin walked in with a smile on his face. Behind him, Changsun Wuji curiously peeked out and stared intently in their direction.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui appeared calm and composed, but their eyes were not idle either.

Upon seeing them, Yan Liben and the others were taken aback and immediately put down what they were doing to pay their respects.

"Your Highness, this humble subject pays his respects."

Wen He pursed his lips. Li Er had arrived quickly enough. Although he was not happy, he still had to give Li Shimin face.

"Greetings to Your Highness."

Seeing his reluctant expression, Li Shimin assumed it was because Li Yuan wouldn't allow Wen He to leave Chang'an.

Is this kid taking this seriously?
Father Emperor's decrees can't even leave the Taiji Hall now. Whether they can leave Chang'an is entirely up to me.

"In a couple of days, the Ministry of Personnel will issue an imperial decree, and you will become the founding magistrate of our Great Tang Dynasty. I have already purchased 800 mu of land for you in Gejiazhuang and arranged for managers and farmers to take care of you."

This means that Wen He will not have to do anything in the future; he can just stay at home and be well-fed and clothed.

It can be considered his way of admitting his mistake.

What could Wen He do when she saw this?

Of course I forgave him.

After all, with such assets, one could live quite comfortably in Chang'an.

"Then this humble subject thanks Your Highness." Wen He smiled, giving Li Shimin a way out.

Li Shimin glanced at him, shook his head with a chuckle, and then pointed to the curved plow displayed to the side: "Is this what you said could be used to confer the title of Earl?"

"Yes, it's called a curved-shaft plow. It can replace the current plow, it's lightweight and labor-saving, and most importantly, it only requires one ox to pull it..."

Wen He repeated what she had said to Yan Liben earlier.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin gasped and quickly walked over, looking him up and down, but couldn't figure out what was going on.

"Is it really just one cow?" Changsun Wuji gently patted Wen He's shoulder, seemingly a little excited.

Wen He nodded, feeling somewhat puzzled. Although this matter was beneficial to the country and its people, Changsun Wuji was not that kind of person.

Li Shimin was excited because this would allow many of the people of the Tang Dynasty to have enough to eat.

"If Your Highness is so inclined, you can sell this item to those people, and they would buy it even for thirty strings of cash."

Sure enough, before Wen He's suspicions could be dispelled, Changsun Wuji had already revealed his purpose.

It is said that later, Changsun Wuji even had his family members secretly smelt iron and then sell it to the imperial court.

He initially thought it was just a historical anecdote, but now it seems that it might actually be true.

Come to think of it, wasn't Changsun Wuji also from Guanzhong?

He even became a spokesperson for Guanzhong in the future.

"We'll discuss this matter another day." Li Shimin did not agree, but he also did not refuse Changsun Wuji's request.

He hadn't forgotten what Wen He had told him in private before.

It seems that in the future, we really shouldn't give the auxiliary machine a high position.

Li Shimin squinted, pondered for a moment, and then regained his normal expression.

Changsun Wuji was still preoccupied with how to sell these curved plows to aristocratic families in exchange for revenue from the national treasury.

Completely oblivious to the displeasure on Li Shimin's face.

And behind him, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, gave him strange looks.

"You just mentioned composting, and what is a seed drill?" Li Shimin changed the subject away from the curved plow.

Wen He shrugged: "It's not finished yet, we'll have to wait a while. Anyway, it's still a long time before summer planting, and we'll have to wait until the autumn harvest to know how effective the compost is."

"I plan to test it out in the fields you gave me first. If it works well, then we can promote it in the name of the imperial court."

Wen He herself had never done it; she had only read about it in some books before.

As for the results, we'll have to wait and see how the experiment goes.

"This strategy is quite good," Fang Xuanling suddenly nodded in approval.

"If the court's policies are implemented in the future, Wen Xiaolang's move is a viable option."

He actually applied what he learned to other situations.

Wen He realized that he had once again underestimated the wisdom of the ancients.

"Yes, it seems that our predecessors have done this before. When Shang Yang reformed, he also started in one place and then promoted it to the whole country."

Du Ruhui nodded in agreement.

However, his words made Wen He somewhat indignant.

You old man, can't you praise me a little? By saying that, you're diminishing my credit.

Seemingly sensing Wen He's displeasure, Li Shimin smiled.

"This is the first time I've seen Kemin and Xuanling praise someone so highly."

"However, being enfeoffed as a count is impossible, and forget about becoming a marquis. I will remember this merit, and in time, I will give you a satisfactory reward."

"Huh?" Wen He was surprised. He didn't want any title or reward.

"Your Highness, actually I..."

"Alright, I know what you're thinking. When I get back, I'll change the decree and add three hundred acres of fertile land, which you can use for your experiments."

Li Shimin waved his sleeve, interrupting Wen He.

Wen He stood there speechlessly, her lips twitching a few times.

What do I need titles and land for? I want to marry Li Lizhi to save my life!
Li Shimin chuckled inwardly at his bewildered expression.

You little brat, you want to be promoted to a higher rank?
Don't even think about being ennobled before you reach adulthood.

I'd better just be a dutiful son-in-law and military commander.

Thank you to the following readers for their monthly votes:
Book Friend 20190202193226780, Youzijun, Zuozaifentouchujimo, Linjiangfenghuang, Book Friend 20190725124622755, Aolongshenzhixin, Zhuang Siyu, Book Friend 20170917144524438


(End of this chapter)