The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

For the next two months, Chen Huai'an was almost always busy, discussing various details of mining, iron forging, and ironware making with people from the Ministry of Works, as well as discussing specific implementation plans with Yu Shao of the Imperial Workshop.

In mid-October, the Directorate of Works and the Ministry of Works had already led people to the north to mine.

They didn't bring many craftsmen, only about two hundred. The rest of the miners were recruited locally, and the mined ore was sold locally first.

The north was plagued by war for many years and desperately needed to restore people's livelihoods. The curved plow was first promoted in the north.

In November, the craftsman successfully used the mined ore to forge the first iron pot.

Upon receiving this news, Chen Huai'an immediately ordered the pace to be accelerated. If there were not enough people, more people would be recruited, and whatever was needed would be provided. He then immediately ordered the construction of the charity granaries to be completed as quickly as possible, with the goal of having three charity granaries built before March of next year.

At the same time, Chen Huai'an was also keeping a close eye on the progress of Wang Bai's grain purchase.

Once Wang Bai brought back any grain, Chen Huai'an would carefully inspect it and then instruct Wang Bai to continue purchasing it aggressively, buying as much grain as he could afford.

Before we knew it, the ninth year of the Wude era had passed by in a flurry of activity.

"This year is the first year of the Zhenguan era!"

At the grand court assembly on New Year's Day, Li Shimin uttered these words with great enthusiasm, not only announcing the arrival of his own era but also declaring the passing of the old one.

All the officials offered their congratulations.

"Huai'an, stop daydreaming, come and drink!" Li Shimin was very pleased to see Chen Huai'an in a daze, so he called out.

Chen Huai'an smiled slightly: "I apologize, Your Majesty, I was just thinking about matters in the north."

"You!" Li Shimin pointed at him. "When you're free, you're more idle than anyone else. I thought you were just a lazy person. Now that you've been entrusted with important responsibilities and no one is urging you on, you're working harder than anyone else."

"I've heard from my subordinates that you often handle official business at the Ministry of Works until late at night?"

"Look at your complexion; it's so much worse than before."

Chen Huai'an touched his face: "Your Majesty, I am sorry to trouble you. I just wanted to do my job well. The mining of iron ore has had a good start. From the initial losses, it has now become profitable."

"I plan to take a good rest these next couple of days."

"Hahahaha." Li Shimin laughed loudly, "I appointed you as the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, but in the past two months, you have hardly taught the Crown Prince anything. Xuancheng has been in charge all along."

"Huai'an, it seems you're not doing a very good job as a teacher!"

These words drew knowing smiles from many people.

Du Ruhui and the others knew very well that Li Shimin was teasing Chen Huai'an, and at the same time, he wanted Chen Huai'an to get some rest.

After all, others may not know, but surely they know how Chen Huai'an teaches his students?

He left all academic matters to the other scholars of the Hongwen Academy, and only told stories to Li Chengqian and the others, which made his life extremely easy.

"It is my fault for dereliction of duty," Chen Huai'an said frankly.

"Hmm." Li Shimin remained noncommittal. "Back then, did you tell the Crown Prince that you wanted to teach him his true skills?"

"The Crown Prince had high expectations for this, and often asked me, 'Why haven't you come to teach him yet?'"

"Once or twice is fine, but if it happens too often, I won't be able to explain it for you."

"You should give Chengqian a good lesson and take a break yourself."

Chen Huai'an paused for a moment, then nodded.

"..."

After the court assembly ended, Chen Huai'an was a little tired, but instead of taking a carriage home, he strolled around leisurely by himself.

Occasionally, I would stare blankly at the bustling city of Chang'an and the lively atmosphere around me.

Suddenly, Chen Huai'an raised an eyebrow and grabbed the shoulder of a small figure.

When he was grabbed, the little guy's body jolted and began to tremble. His hand, which was reaching for some money at Chen Huai'an's waist, stopped abruptly, and his eyes were instantly filled with fear.

Chen Huai'an looked down into the little guy's eyes, and for some reason, his heart softened.

This was a little girl with filth all over her head and dressed in tattered clothes. She looked to be no more than five years old. Her fingers were covered in chilblains, and her little cloth shoes had a hole in them, revealing her stiff toes.

Chen Huai'an had seen many children like this in Chang'an.

There's nothing we can do; there are just too many kids like this in this era.

Every winter, countless children like this slowly lose their lives in deserted corners.

If they didn't want to die, stealing was the only option they could think of.

"Sir... my mother is sick and needs to take medicine. The doctor said he won't give me the medicine if I don't have money... I don't want my mother to be sick..." The little girl swallowed hard, feeling terrified, anxious, and with a glimmer of hope.

Chen Huai'an sighed.

He had heard similar reasons countless times.

He would have ignored her before, but perhaps because it was the New Year, Chen Huai'an inexplicably took out a few pieces of silver from his pocket and handed them to her: "Take these. Whether what you said is true or not, live well, live like a human being."

After saying that, he left. The little girl stared blankly at the loose silver in her hand, then clutched it tightly and ran quickly into a small alley.

"..."