In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Li Yi arrived, dressed in brand-new clothes and carrying the waist token of the Prince of Han's residence.

He was thin and frail, and didn't seem to like talking much. When he arrived at the Prince's Mansion, no one paid any attention to him.

But Li Yuanchang knew how much energy was hidden beneath this frail body, and how worthy of cultivation his character was.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Li Yi clasped his hands in greeting.

Li Yuanchang said with a smile, "Get up. Are you adjusting well to your new residence?"

Li Yi bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.

"Thank you, Your Highness. Everyone in the Prince's residence is very friendly. Steward Fang even brought me some clothes just now. I am extremely grateful and feel perfectly comfortable!"

Li Yuanchang nodded: "That's good."

"I called you here today because there are some things I need to tell you."

Li Yi immediately straightened his posture and said, "Please give your orders, Your Highness. I will go through fire and water without hesitation."

"Hey, it's not that serious."

"I'm just here to teach you a lesson."

"Study?" Li Yi was taken aback.

"Yes, I remember you don't know many characters. There are quite a few literate staff members in the palace. You need to report to the palace every day and you must learn to read!"

While literacy seems to be a common thing in later generations, in ancient times it was extremely rare. Anyone who could read was respected in the surrounding villages.

Upon hearing this, Li Yi was clearly flattered: "But Your Highness, I cannot eat and stay for free. Learning to write also requires money, and the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones are extremely expensive. This... this humble one..."

He was very embarrassed.

Li Yuanchang patted him on the shoulder with a smile: "I have never treated you as a servant. I made you learn to read in order to better cultivate you."

"Learning to read is just the beginning."

"You'll be doing things in the future, not just doing tasks, but also managing a lot of people, but now is not the time."

"Don't ask me what I want you to do; you'll find out when the time comes."

Upon hearing this, Li Yi was moved. What merit did he, a mere country bumpkin, possess?

boom!

He knelt heavily on the ground: "Thank you, Your Highness!"

"I am clumsy with words and do not know how to speak, but my mother said that we should repay kindness! From today onwards, the Prince of Han is my second parent, and the Prince of Han's mansion is my home."

"I, your humble servant, will defend the Prince of Han's residence to the death!"

"May I die a horrible death if I break this oath!"

As he spoke, he kowtowed heavily.

When Li Yuanchang arrived in Liangzhou, countless people pledged their loyalty to him, speaking eloquently and persuasively, but none of them were as sincere and unpretentious as Li Yi.

Li Yuanchang helped the man up, saying, "Alright, get up."

"Song Yu," he called out to the outside.

A young man who looked like a scholar walked in: "Greetings, Your Highness."

Song Yu was recruited by Li Yuanchang during his first recruitment of talented individuals. He currently serves as the chief clerk in the front courtyard of the Prince of Han's residence, assisting with miscellaneous tasks.

"Song Yu, starting today, you will personally guide him to learn to read and write one-on-one."

"You don't need to worry about the others in the palace. I want you to teach him to write and recognize characters in the shortest possible time."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Song Yu glanced at Li Yi, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

What skills does this young man brought back from the countryside possess that make His Highness value him so highly? Everyone in the Prince's mansion is required to be literate, but only this person is taught one-on-one.

"Li Yi, you must study hard."

"In your spare time, you can also go to the small training ground in the front yard and train your physique and skills with Guo Chao."

"I am in dire need of capable people. The sooner you complete your studies, the sooner you can come and help me."

Li Yi clasped his hands in a deep fist salute: "Yes, Your Highness!"

Li Yuanchang nodded: "Go ahead, let's start now."

"Yes!" The two bowed simultaneously and then withdrew.

Li Yuanchang watched them leave with his hands behind his back, muttering with a sigh, "Gold is easy to come by, but talent is hard to find."

"I must also hurry up and make preparations."

After saying that, he turned around and went back to his desk, taking out his brush, ink, paper and inkstone, looking very serious.

The first three words he wrote were "project plan"!

The Prince's Palace now has an inner court, a staff, and is about to own its own businesses, but he feels that it is still missing one department, a very crucial department, a department that is like a shadow.

He was so busy that he worked until late at night.

Waste paper was scattered all over the floor. He would pause, ponder, or write furiously, filling in his plan stroke by stroke.

They are building the rules and framework for this department.

Time seemed to rewind to a previous life, when he had stayed up all night writing various plans for the company.

Although circumstances and times have changed, with his abilities and forward-thinking vision, he firmly believed that the Han Prince's Mansion would become a behemoth capable of protecting itself in the future.

……

Seven days later.

Liangzhou remains the same, but upon closer inspection, the security and social atmosphere in this small area of ​​Liangzhou City have improved significantly compared to before.

In reality, Li Yuanchang didn't do anything externally, nor did he implement any new regulations; he simply arrested many corrupt officials in Liangzhou Prefecture.

In this way, the burden on the people has been significantly reduced.

On this day, Li Yuanchang finished his official business in Liangzhou Prefecture and was preparing to return to the palace. As he walked out of the government office, a familiar figure made him pause and a smile appeared on his lips.

"Why are you here?"

"Can't I appeal my grievances by beating the drum?" the woman snorted, her hands behind her back, a hint of dissatisfaction and playfulness in her expression. Standing there, she was a beautiful sight to behold.

"To beat the drum and appeal for justice?"

"What's wrong? Who offended you again? Tell me, and I'll help you get revenge," Li Yuanchang said with a smile, telling the others not to follow.

The woman stared at her, her almond-shaped eyes wide, a mixture of fierceness and girlishness in her gaze—it was Qin Keyu: "You!"

"This king?"

"What have I done to you?" Li Yuanchang asked suspiciously.

"Your Highness truly has a short memory. After we parted at Luoma Post Station, you promised to come find me upon your return, but seven days have passed, and there's not a trace of you!"

"I thought something had happened to His Highness again, but I only found out on the third day from the servants that His Highness had returned early!" Qin Keyu said with a face full of indignation, her nose wrinkled, which was quite cute.

"Haha, so that's what it was. I've been too busy and forgot about it," Li Yuanchang said.

"snort!"

"Your Highness is a man of your word!" Qin Keyu grumbled.

If the Qin family saw this scene, they would probably be shocked. When did their bubbly young lady start acting like this?

Even her clothes are now skirts.

"Yes, yes, yes, it was my fault. I apologize." Li Yuanchang smiled. Perhaps because he was older at heart, he liked to talk to sixteen or seventeen-year-old girls who were full of energy.

"Alright, seeing Your Highness's sincere attitude, I'll let it go this time," Qin Keyu said somewhat arrogantly, but she accepted the offer without being unreasonable.

"There's another matter I've come here on today; I've brought something for Your Highness."

"Bring something?" Li Yuanchang asked suspiciously.