Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 243 Layout
The fact that Madam Pei ran to Ashina Mi for help shows that the couple was truly terrified at the time.

So desperate that some people even sought help from a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy.

But to my utter surprise, the results were so good.

In just a few days, not only was he innocent, but he was also credited with a good deed.

Who can you go to for justice?

Although they had heard that Zhang Shuo was supporting him, Ashina Mi had sent them a message beforehand, indicating that he would let them go to Beiting.

Therefore, they were very clear that Wang Xi was helping them, and as for why Zhang was protecting him, it was probably also because of Wang Xi's actions.

However, on the surface, they still rushed to Zhang Shuo's place to express their gratitude.

This is something that, of course, cannot be discussed.

Little did they know that Zhang Yue should thank him. After this incident, Zhang Yue was riding high, and his authority in the court rose rapidly.

Zhang Shuo still acted selflessly, saying that he was only addressing the matter at hand and that all you needed to do was fulfill the task assigned by the emperor.

As for what this task was, Zhang said he didn't actually know, and Pei Zhouxian himself wasn't quite sure either.

That very night, Pei Zhou first asked his wife to invite Wang Xi and Ashina Mi to his home to express his gratitude in person. He dared not go to the Wang family, because this matter absolutely could not be revealed.

Wang Xi was filled with curiosity about Pei Zhouxian; the man's story was simply too legendary.

However, after meeting him, there was still a slight sense of disparity. The young man who once defied Wu Zetian was now nearing fifty. Although his handsome appearance from his youth was still faintly visible, he was indeed getting old. Therefore, Wang Xi was also worried about how much of a role he could still play at such an advanced age.

Little did Pei Zhouxian know that Wang Xi was even more legendary, especially when he saw Wang Xi's tender little face. He was dumbfounded. At such a young age, he was able to interfere in such matters. In a few years, he would be unbelievable.

If he were uninvolved, he would definitely think that Li Longji was a completely incompetent ruler.

This is too outrageous.

However, now he certainly felt that Li Longji was a sage ruler, truly humble and open-minded, good at accepting advice, and even if it was a young man, as long as his words were reasonable, he could accept them.

How brilliant that is!

Madam Pei naturally expressed her gratitude to Ashina Mi, but her words were full of praise for Wang Xi.

You've found a wonderful husband, and you've said you'll write to your brother to praise him.

After a brief conversation, Pei Zhou was puzzled. This child looked very young and immature. How did he manage to do that?

After the lady led Ashina Mi into the room, Pei Zhou asked, "Que'er, can your uncle ask you a question?"

Wang Xi patted his chest and said, "Uncle, please ask whatever you want. I will definitely tell you what I can tell you, and I will definitely not tell you what I cannot tell you. You can rest assured, Uncle."

".!"

Pei Zhouxian was amused by the boy and asked, "Uncle wants to know how Que'er persuaded His Majesty. Uncle is not questioning Que'er, but Uncle wants to know the purpose of arranging for Uncle to go to Beiting."

Wang Xi immediately said, "Uncle, you really should thank your nephew. I stayed up for several days to come up with a brilliant plan for you."

Pei Zhou hurriedly said, "Uncle will naturally thank you properly, but may I ask what this brilliant plan is?"

Wang Xi then told Pei Zhouxian the reasons behind it all, as well as his true mission in Beiting.

Pei Zhou was greatly shocked upon hearing this.

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "Uncle, isn't my idea brilliant?"

Pei Zhou was taken aback and asked, "Did you come up with this?"

"Ah."

Wang Xi nodded proudly.

Pei Zhou initially found it quite strange. This boy, with his robust appearance and spoiled, arrogant demeanor, could think so clearly. He naturally didn't believe it; it seemed that the nameless gentleman was truly a master. He said one thing but meant another: "Que'er is indeed exceptionally intelligent; even your uncle has to admire her. But I wonder what Que'er wants? Whatever your uncle has, I will certainly grant it to Que'er."

Wang Xi tilted his head, thought for a while, and said, "Actually, I don't lack anything. I just hope that my uncle can do this job well and not embarrass me."

Pei Zhou initially felt that these words were strange, but at this moment, he had to admit it. He nodded and said, "Yes, yes, Uncle will do his best and will never make things difficult for Que'er in front of His Majesty."

It's easier said than done, so he changed his mind and said, "If Que'er could give Uncle a few more pointers, that would be the best."

"It's rare for Uncle to be so humble. Alright, then I'll give Uncle a few more pointers." Wang Xi, naturally taking advantage of the situation, said in an old-fashioned tone, "Actually, this matter is simple in some ways and difficult in others, depending on who it is."

Pei Zhouxian hurriedly asked, "What do you mean?"

Wang Xi rubbed his nose and said, "The difficulty lies in the fact that it depends entirely on the talent of the executor, and the key is to be flexible and adaptable."

Because His Majesty wouldn't reveal any of this, it's something that can't even be said aloud, otherwise it would surely bring trouble upon my uncle.

"That is, that is"

Pei Zhou nodded directly. He was very clear about the stakes involved. If those generals knew that he was there to check and balance him, they would be in big trouble.

Wang Xi continued, "Therefore, Uncle had to use methods to quietly check those generals. The most important thing was the local finances. As long as Uncle had the finances in his hands, those generals naturally couldn't do whatever they wanted."

Pei Zhouxian frowned. "But if the troops are in the enemy's hands, it will be easy for them to take the treasury." Wang Xi said, "That's the difficulty. It depends on your uncle's methods. Uncle should know that whether in Beiting or Anxi, the Central Plains has not sent many troops. When fighting, they still have to rely on the surrounding tribes to send troops to cooperate."

In fact, very few Tang Dynasty troops were sent from their own territory to fight wars. Most of the troops were Tang auxiliary troops. This was a reward brought about by the Heavenly Khan system.

Some people think that the Heavenly Khan is just an honorific title, but that's not true. The Heavenly Khan is a system.

Li Shimin consistently utilized this system to expand the territory, which is why the Tang Dynasty, while conquering so many countries, was still able to create the Reign of Zhenguan.

Pei Zhouxian had a sudden inspiration, "Uncle, I understand. You mean to win over the tribes by trading with them, and use their troops to counterbalance those generals, or get them to help us."

"Exactly! Exactly!"

Wang Xi nodded, "Uncle is truly exceptionally intelligent. He understands things immediately and can even apply what he's learned to other situations."

Pei Zhouxian said, both amused and exasperated, "That's all thanks to Que'er's guidance!"

"That is."

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "Uncle, please rest assured, I will also support you and guarantee that many goods from the Central Plains will pass through your hands."

Upon hearing this, Pei Zhou was overjoyed. "Really?"

Wang Xi said smugly, "Of course! My nephew has the Emperor of Tang behind him, what's so difficult about that?"

But that's not actually the case. Li Longji couldn't show too much favoritism in this matter, lest the generals notice. He still needed to maintain the generals' absolute command over the army so that they could react more quickly.

If those generals knew that the emperor was wary of them at every turn, they would definitely be hesitant and timid. This kind of thing has both advantages and disadvantages; it depends on how you weigh them.

Li Longji was very confident in himself. He was more interested in expanding his territory and suppressing the reactionary forces in the surrounding areas. He believed that this would be more beneficial than harmful, so he did it.

The Song Dynasty was the opposite. It had just experienced the darkest period in history, the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, which was essentially a warlord era. The harm that period caused to the people of the Central Plains was incalculable. For the Song Dynasty rulers, it was obviously more important to prevent warlords from growing stronger. Therefore, the Song Dynasty's policy was exactly the opposite: "I would rather suffer defeat than let warlords become powerful."

This was actually the wish of the people of the Northern Song Dynasty.

The origin of the political system of the Northern Song Dynasty was actually at this moment, namely the Jiedushi system.

Therefore, Li Longji would not give Pei Zhou much help. The one who truly supported him was Wang Xi, which is also the main reason why Wang Xi wanted to conquer Lady Zixia. This force was crucial to his overall plan.

Pei Zhouxian was unaware of this, but upon learning that the Emperor was supporting him, he hurriedly said, "Then I really thank you, Sparrow."

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "We're all family, Uncle, you're being too polite."

Pei Zhouxian laughed and said, "Yes, yes, Uncle misspoke."

Another consequence of this incident was that Wang Maozhong's appointment to the Ministry of Works was a foregone conclusion and beyond question.

The first thing Wang Maozhong did upon arriving at the Ministry of Works was, of course, to follow the rules. This was typical of a new official making a strong first impression.

He first summoned all the officials of the Ministry of Works, and then announced that they should go to the Wuming Academy to study Taoist thought.

This fire truly scorched the Ministry of Works officials, leaving them charred and raw.

Xu Jin, the official in charge of the Ministry of Works and Xu Daoxuan's father, immediately stepped forward and said, "Minister Wang wants us to study at the Nameless Academy?"

Wang Maozhong nodded and said, "That's right. Facts have proven that Taoist thought is of great help to the Ministry of Works. His Majesty appointed me as Minister of Works in the hope that I can use this knowledge to help the Ministry of Works and improve the construction of the court. If I don't study it at all, how can I do this in the future?"

Xu Jin said, "To learn Taoist thought, you don't necessarily have to go to Wuming Academy."

Wang Maozhong said, "But the Qi-mechanics of Daoist thought is only understood by the Wuming Academy."

"What kind of Taoist thought is that?"

Xu Jin sneered, "Although I come from an official family, I entered the court through my own efforts, passed the imperial examination, and stepped into the imperial court step by step. It was not because of any ancestral privilege."

"Let alone studying at the nameless academy, I wouldn't even deign to be a teacher there. A scholar can be killed but not humiliated. I beg Your Excellency's forgiveness, but I absolutely cannot accept this."

The implication was that he was implying to Wang Maozhong that he was different from Wang Maozhong, that he came from a prestigious family and had passed the imperial examinations, unlike Wang Maozhong, who was born a servant and relied on connections.

Wang Maozhong had come here intending to start a fight, so he didn't give him any face and immediately said, "You have no choice but to accept it, otherwise, you can do as you please."

The implication was clear: if you're not going, then get out.

"Farewell!"

Xu Jin bowed slightly, then turned and left.

Many senior officials also followed suit.

In the end, only a few young officials were standing in the room. These officials had one thing in common: they all came from humble backgrounds.

Xu Jin's decision to leave the job will not affect his career; he will probably just be transferred to another department, since his connections are still there.

But if these children from poor families leave, they may never come back.

This was also within Wang Maozhong's expectations. He laughed and said, "That's good. If these mediocre people don't leave, how can truly capable officials rise to power?"

P.S.: An elder in my family passed away, and I need to go back to the county to help. I'm taking a day off.

(End of this chapter)