My wife, Wei Gui, was 1.9 meters tall and fought against the Tang dynasty for the throne.

After being released from prison, Li Ju did not return to the Capital Water Conservancy Bureau, but went directly to Jishanfang.

Gao Shilian's residence was not hard to find. He had Wang Yu inquire about it once, and soon they knew which alley and which house it was.

The alley was too narrow for a carriage to pass through, so he had the driver wait at the entrance while he led Chen Mo in on foot.

Chen Mo was someone he had chosen from the canal escort team. He was in his early twenties, calm and taciturn, efficient in his work, and a trusted confidant to whom he could entrust trivial matters.

The Gao family's lintel was low and the paint was mottled, with a layer of dust on the door knocker.

Li Ju raised his hand and gently tapped three times.

The door opened. A young man stood inside. He saw Li Ju, paused slightly, then cupped his hands in a respectful but distant manner: "Whom are you looking for?"

Li Ju cupped his hands in greeting: "My name is Li Ju. I visited Lord Gao in prison yesterday, and he entrusted me to look after his family. I have come today to fulfill my promise."

The young man's eyes flickered slightly.

He had obviously heard of the name—the Junior Supervisor of the Water Conservancy Bureau, the Marquis of Wu'an County, a name known to everyone in Luoyang.

But he did not step aside immediately. Instead, he stepped aside and said, "Please wait a moment, Junior Supervisor, while I inform my mother."

The door closed.

Li Ju was not in a hurry and stood outside the door with his hands behind his back.

A moment later, the door opened again, and the young man bowed and said, "Junior Supervisor Li, my mother requests your presence."

Li Ju stepped inside. The courtyard was small, paved with blue bricks, and several pots of withered flowers and plants were piled in the corner.

The door to the main hall was open, and a woman in her thirties sat inside. She was dressed simply, with a thin face, slightly red eyes, and her fingers were tightly gripping the hem of her clothes. She seemed restless.

A little girl of about ten years old nestled beside her, looking timidly at the doorway, clutching a piece of old cloth in her hand.

Empress Zhangsun.

Li Ju glanced at her, then looked away and bowed to the woman, saying, "Madam Gao, my name is Li Ju. I apologize for my intrusion."

Madam Gao quickly rose, returned the greeting, and said in a slightly trembling voice, "I am deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly, Vice Minister Li. I wonder if you... have seen my brother?"

Li Ju nodded, his tone gentle: "Gao An is well, but he is worried about his family. He repeatedly instructed me to ensure your safety and not let you suffer any injustice."

Upon hearing this, Gao's eyes reddened and she swayed slightly.

Changsun Wuji quickly stepped forward to support her and whispered, "Mother, be careful."

Gao steadied herself, tears welling in her eyes, but she forced them back.

Empress Zhangsun looked up at Li Ju, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of barely perceptible dependence—this young official spoke softly, unlike those arrogant nobles.

Changsun Wuji stood aside, the wariness in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a hint of emotion.

Li Ju gestured for Chen Mo to put the silk and grain he had brought aside, and said to Madam Gao, "These are just a small token of my respect. Please accept them, Madam."

Lady Gao thanked him repeatedly and asked Changsun Wuji to serve her tea.

Li Ju took the teacup, took a sip, put it down, and turned his gaze to Changsun Wuji.

"Young Master Changsun, may I have a word with you in private?"

Changsun Wuji glanced at his mother, and Madam Gao nodded.

He led Li Ju into the inner room. The inner room was even smaller, containing only a table and two chairs, with several scrolls of books spread out on the table.

The two sat facing each other, and Li Ju's expression gradually became serious.

"Although I am entrusted by Gao Gong to look after you all, your uncle is known for his talent, and you must have been influenced by him and have insights into the canal transport and current affairs." He looked at Changsun Wuji with a calm and sharp gaze. "Now there is a vacancy in the Water Conservancy Bureau. I do not wish to treat you with 'pity' but only want to ask you a few questions to see if you are up to the task."

Changsun Wuji's heart skipped a beat. He sat up straight, cupped his hands, and said, "Please speak, Vice Supervisor Li. I will answer whatever I know."

Li Ju held up one finger: "First, how many checkpoints does the grain transported from Hedong need to pass through to Liyang? What are the inspection procedures at each checkpoint?"

Changsun Wuji pondered for a moment and replied, "From Hedong to Liyang, it passes through three passes—Heyang, Wenxian, and Jijun. The inspection process is as follows: first, check the documents to confirm the quantity and destination of the shipment; then, count the grain ships one by one; finally, sign to confirm and keep a copy. Each of the three passes has a copy, which is compared with each other to prevent cheating."

Li Ju nodded slightly and raised his second finger: "Secondly, the Military Advisor of the Water Conservancy Bureau is in charge of document management and dispatch. If there is any loss of grain transport, how should it be recorded and reported so as not to deceive the emperor or harm the people's livelihood?"

Changsun Wuji remained calm and composed: "There are two types of losses in the grain transport: natural losses and man-made losses. Natural losses, such as mold and rodent damage, must be recorded accurately in terms of quantity and cause, and detailed information must be attached when reporting. We must not conceal or deceive."

For losses caused by human error, such as theft or embezzlement, the person in charge must be investigated, the grain and funds recovered, and the matter reported to the relevant authorities for handling. If the loss is due to natural disasters, the reported quantity may be reduced at the discretion of the authorities, but proof of the disaster must be provided to avoid the crime of deceiving the emperor.

A hint of approval flashed in Li Ju's eyes as he raised his third finger: "Thirdly, now that the Emperor is suspicious of his ministers, how should those in charge of the grain transport position themselves to avoid disaster and ensure their safety?"

Changsun Wuji pondered for a moment before replying, "Those in charge of the grain transport should be dutiful, avoiding factionalism, corruption, and ostentation, focusing on practical matters to reassure the Emperor. If suspicion arises, one should not argue or contradict, but only prove one's innocence with facts. If necessary..." He paused, "it is advisable to reveal minor flaws, so that the Emperor knows you have private interests and no great ambitions, thus dispelling doubts and putting his mind at ease."

Li Ju's gaze towards him changed.

Changsun Wuji's answers to the first two questions were so logical and well-reasoned that they had already impressed him.

This third point—showing one's own minor flaws—is what he is doing, a principle he learned from Wei Kuangbo, and an experience gained from the brink of disaster.

Although Changsun Wuji was a year older than him, he had no experience, yet he could say such things.

He was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Good. Well said. It seems you truly have real talent and are not just a figurehead."

He stood up and looked at Changsun Wuji: "The position of Military Advisor in the Waterway Supervision Bureau is responsible for the dispatch of documents related to the canal transport. I wonder if you would be willing to take the position?"

Changsun Wuji was both surprised and delighted. He immediately stood up, bowed deeply, and kowtowed, his voice steady yet filled with barely suppressed excitement: "Wuji is willing to go! I will certainly do my utmost to live up to Li Shaojian's approval and my uncle's trust!"

Li Ju helped him up and patted him on the shoulder: "Alright. Report to the Water Conservancy Bureau tomorrow. There's one more thing—this is Chen Mo, who has been with me for many years. He's calm, capable, and knowledgeable about canal transport. Let him accompany you to assist you with paperwork, familiarize yourself with the affairs, and protect you."

Chen Mo entered from outside the door and bowed to Changsun Wuji, saying, "Your subordinate Chen Mo greets Young Master Changsun. I will do my best to assist you in the future."

Changsun Wuji understood Li Ju's intentions—to assist was overt, while to protect was covert.

He cupped his hands in thanks again: "Thank you for your thoughtful consideration, Vice Supervisor Li. Wuji will keep it in mind."

Li Ju lowered his voice and instructed, "Remember, after taking office, keep a low profile, focus on practical matters, do not inquire about the case of Gao Gong, and do not make enemies. Only by establishing a stable foothold can you better take care of your mother and sister."

Changsun Wuji replied in a deep voice, "Wuji will remember your teachings."

Li Ju emerged from the inner room and bowed to Madam Gao, saying, "Madam Gao, I have a vacant house next to our residence. Although it is not large, it is clean and tidy. If you do not mind, please have your family move there. My wife can also take care of things from time to time."

Ms. Gao was both surprised and delighted, and thanked them repeatedly.

Empress Zhangsun peeked out from behind her mother and whispered, "Thank you, Supervisor Li."

Li Ju glanced down at her; the girl's eyes were dark and bright, like two pieces of black jade soaking in water.

He smiled slightly and didn't say anything more.

That afternoon, the Changsun family moved into the house next to the Li family's residence.

The courtyard is small but exquisite, with a main house and side rooms. Several chrysanthemums are planted in the courtyard, blooming in full glory under the autumn sun.

Looking at the tidy house, Gao's eyes reddened again. Holding Changsun Wuji's hand, she choked up and said, "Wuji, we can never forget the great kindness of Supervisor Li."

Changsun Wuji nodded, his gaze resolute.