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

Chapter 97 You can't let your position determine your perspective.

Li Shimin originally intended to wait a few more days before seeking out Wen He.

After all, she had just visited his home a few days ago. Asking him to enter the palace again would draw attention to Wen He.

But he couldn't resist in the end and sent Huang Chun out of the palace to find Wen He.

And this moment.

Wen He was in another side courtyard of the mansion, wearing a silk mask and holding a rattan cane in her hand.

Before him lay a barren field.

The original owner of this mansion was imprisoned a few years ago for embezzlement, so much of the land has been abandoned.

Wen He was going to experiment with composting, so he decided to do it at home before the summer planting season ended. If it was successful, he would conduct the experiment in Gejiazhuang in the spring.

"I can not stand it any more!"

In the field, Li Tai, enduring the stench, let out a roar.

As a result, he used too much force and inhaled a foul odor, which almost made him vomit.

He glanced at his hands, and finally couldn't hold back any longer, spitting them out in a large gulp.

"Sir, that's enough."

Li Chengqian and Li Ke, who were standing to the side, could not help but speak up as well.

What kind of teacher doesn't let them do their morning lessons or sleep, but instead brings them here to do this filthy stuff?

"That's about enough, let's take a rest first."

Wen He deliberately kept a distance; he had personally prepared all these items, so he naturally knew how lethal they were.

Upon hearing this, the three little ones seemed to be relieved. They all came out of the field, threw down their tools, and clamored to go take a bath.

Without Wen He's instruction, Wen Zhong had already arranged bath tubs for them.

Fifteen minutes later, the three little ones returned refreshed.

"Want to eat?" Wen He asked, holding a steaming bowl of hot rice cakes.

Having not eaten breakfast yet, they all swallowed hard, but none of them wanted to eat.

Even though they were quite far away, they could still feel the stench permeating the air.

"Can't even handle this?" Wen He put down the bowl, crossed her legs, and gently swung the rattan whip in her hand.

The three little ones shook their heads in unison.

With that vine whip in front of them, who would dare say they couldn't take it?

"Do you know what you're doing?" Wen He had no intention of scaring them, nor did she have any malicious intent.

He did this today to teach the three kids a lesson.

However, the three pampered children had no idea and collectively shook their heads.

At this moment, they still thought that Wen He was punishing them because of the bowl of tea soup from a few days ago.

Seeing their blank expressions, Wen He was not annoyed and patiently said, "What you are doing is for the people's livelihood. Don't underestimate this composting. If it can increase the yield per mu by a few more dou, many fewer people in the world will starve to death."

Li Tai remained unconvinced.

Li Ke seemed to be listening attentively, but it was all going in one ear and out the other.

It's not that he doesn't care, but that he knows it's pointless for him to care.

Anyway, it won't be him doing these things in the future.

Li Chengqian nodded earnestly, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Since compost is so useful, why doesn't Master have Father promote it before the summer planting season?"

Hearing him ask this question, Wen He felt somewhat gratified; at least Li Chengqian would think about it.

Wen He laughed and said, "Because you can't let your position dictate your thinking when doing anything."

"Ok?"

The three children were taken aback; the sentence was somewhat profound for them.

Wen He explained, "In other words, don't assume that just because you've taken a position, you have the abilities that come with it."

"Even if you think it's a good thing, you have to consider the reactions of the world. Just like this compost, if it spreads now, there will only be two possibilities."

“First, the farmers are dismissive and unwilling to do it at all. Second, the local officials are forcing them to do it. If any problems arise along the way, all the blame will fall on you.” He said this while looking at Li Chengqian.

Upon hearing this, the latter remained silent for a long time.

Wen He didn't urge him. She picked up the bowl next to her, glanced at it to make sure it was honey water, and then drank a few mouthfuls.

After he finished drinking, Li Chengqian seemed to have figured it out.

"So what you mean is that no matter what it is, as long as it concerns the common people, we cannot make a decision on our own. We need to find a place to conduct the process first, just like you have done..."

He couldn't find a suitable word at first, but then he remembered a word that Wen He had mentioned before.

"Let's try it out first."

"Ruzi can be taught."

Wen He was very pleased.

But given his current appearance, it felt strange to Wenzhong and the others when he said those words.

'This young man, Wen, is only two or three years older than the three princes, yet he dares to call them "children"?'

However, in Li Chengqian's eyes, this seemed to be a very normal thing.

"Alright, take a break. Go feed the pigs and then review yesterday's lessons, especially Li Tai. If you can't learn multiplication and division within fifty by today, you can expect a whipping tonight."

Wen He smiled and looked at Li Tai with a kind expression.

The latter immediately shuddered.

These three little ones are indeed clever; they mastered the multiplication and division algorithms in just a few days.

In particular, Li Chengqian and Li Ke's mental arithmetic abilities surprised Wen He.

Li Tai is no less capable than his two older brothers, but this kid is obsessed with raising pigs, and recently, someone suggested that he raise more ducks.

Historically, his literary talent was quite high, which is why Li Shimin was very fond of him. Wen He was somewhat worried that Li Tai would go from being a literary master to a professional breeder.

I took the three little ones to the study.

Wenzhong had his things packed up.

Before Wen He could even reach the front yard, a servant rushed up to her.

"Young master, there is a guest outside the door."

"Who?"

At this time, are all the people in Chang'an not preparing for the abdication ceremony that will soon take place?
Although there was no official decree at the moment, the news had already been spread by those with ulterior motives.

Li Yuan turned a blind eye to this.

It is said that not long ago, someone sent more than a dozen beautiful women to Da'an Palace.

I wonder if that old lecher's body can handle it.

"It is Xu, the School Attendant," the servant replied without even catching his breath.

"Xu Jingzong?"

Wen He hadn't seen him since his last visit.

His visit now must be because Li Shimin has urged him to come.

I don't know if others have made their choices yet.

Wen He nodded and instructed the servant to take Xu Jingzong to the main hall.

He gave the three children a few instructions, went to change his clothes, and then went to the main hall.

Xu Jingzong was getting impatient; he didn't even drink a sip of the tea that was served, and kept looking outside.

Only when he saw Wen He did he breathe a long sigh of relief and hurriedly ran out to greet her.

"Please teach me, young master."

"what?"

Wen He was about to go in when he was stunned by his shout.

What tricks is this treacherous minister Xu Wo playing?
Is he trying to scam me?
(End of this chapter)