Chapter 16: Everyone Can Read? How Is That Possible!

"Your Highness!"

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui looked at Li Shimin in unison, their expressions resolute. Li Shimin clenched his fists tightly and gave a heavy nod.

"I understand. Wuji, have Guanyinbi send someone to help me change."

Zhangsun Wuji and the other two bowed formally, their countenances solemn, as if they were seeing Li Shimin off to war. Wen He followed suit, mirroring their actions. As Li Shimin passed him, he cast a lingering glance at Wen He but did not utter a word. It was just as it had been when Zhangsun Wuji had departed earlier.

*These ancients really have some issues; they are so fond of speaking with their eyes,* Wen He thought.

"Young Master Wen, the Prince's meaning is clear: say no more." Zhangsun Wuji walked over to Wen He and left him with these words, glancing pointedly at Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui as he spoke.

It was both a reminder and a warning. The two men, who had been on the verge of approaching Wen He, stopped in their tracks. It was agonizing to have someone who knew the future standing right before them, yet to be forbidden from asking questions. The Prince had not spoken explicitly, so Zhangsun Wuji was clearly overstepping. He must have already learned something of the future from Wen He; otherwise, he could not have restrained himself.

"Brother Xuanling, Brother Keming, I will have someone arrange your lodgings shortly. Do not move about until the Prince returns, lest the walls have ears." Zhangsun Wuji bowed politely to the two men.

Zhangsun Wuji was not among the Eighteen Scholars of the Prince of Qin’s mansion, and as a strategist, his status was not as high as that of Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui. However, with Li Shimin away, he was the only one in charge. Even Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui had no objections to this.

Zhangsun Wuji had the Black Armor Guards escort them to a courtyard in the front, then led Wen He toward the back courtyard.

"Tonight is not peaceful. Stay in that side courtyard. If you do not have orders from me or the Prince, you are not to step out for any reason."

"Is it really necessary to be this strict? Can't you make an exception? I really want to meet Yuchi Jingde and Qin Shubao." Whether in the *Romance of Sui and Tang* or historical records, they were legendary heroes. To come to the Tang Dynasty and not meet them would be a huge loss.

"If you enter the court in the future, are you worried you won't have the chance?" Zhangsun Wuji laughed.

"That’s true, I suppose. But if we are acting a day earlier than history dictates, will there be trouble?" Wen He was still worried; he had bet his life on this. If Li Shimin followed the established course of history, everything would fall into place naturally. But this Prince of Qin was fond of taking risks. Acting a day early might lead to unforeseen changes.

"Before you even arrived, the Prince had already secretly contacted Jingde and Shubao. I have already sent out secret letters, and they will gather at the Prince’s mansion tonight."

Hearing this, Wen He froze for a moment. He suddenly realized something and let out a self-deprecating laugh. As expected, none of these men capable of great deeds were simple. History was like a young girl, waiting to be dressed up as one pleased.

"So, the reason there was no action before was because the Prince was hesitating?" Wen He asked in a low, tentative voice.

Zhangsun Wuji stopped and looked back at him, nodding seriously. "After all, to kill one's own brothers—who could make such a decision easily?" He stood still, gazing at the sky, lost in thought, and after a long while, he let out a long sigh.

***

"Ouch, gently, gently!"

"Don't, don't hit the head, and don't hit the face!"

As soon as they arrived at the side courtyard where Wen He was staying, Zhangsun Wuji and Wen He heard a series of pained cries coming from within. They exchanged glances and looked at the two soldiers guarding the gate. The soldiers looked miserable, daring not to speak, only gesturing toward the interior with their eyes.

When the two men pushed the door open and stepped in, a beanbag the size of a fist flew toward them.

"Ah!" A gasp echoed in the courtyard.

"Uncle, look out!" It was Li Chengqian who shouted, but it was too late.

Zhangsun Wuji furrowed his brows and caught the beanbag with one hand. In the courtyard, several dust-covered children stared at the scene in astonishment.

"Wow, Uncle is amazing!"

"Uncle is amazing!"

Two little girls, looking like kittens smeared with dirt, clapped their hands in delight, jumping up and down.

"What is this?" Zhangsun Wuji squeezed the beanbag, which was sewn together from scraps of cloth, and his gaze swept over Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and Li Ke.

Li Tai seemed afraid of him and quickly lowered his head to hide his bruised eyes. Li Ke was better off; aside from being covered in dust, he stood with his hands behind his back, tilting his head to look at the sky. Zhangsun Wuji had never liked him, rarely spoke to him, and avoided contact. After a brief look, he turned his attention to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian was in the worst state; his clothes were covered in mud, and there were mud stains on his lips and eyes.

"Your Highness!" Zhangsun Wuji barked in anger. Li Chengqian shivered involuntarily.

"It was, it was the teacher! The teacher told us to play!" He pointed the finger at Wen He without hesitation.

"What the... you're being pretty shameless, I wasn't even here just now!" Wen He retorted immediately. Looking at Zhangsun Wuji’s expression, it was clear he was looking for someone to blame, and Wen He refused to be the scapegoat.

"Brother, Brother!" Little Wen Rou came hopping over. She took one look at Zhangsun Wuji, grew frightened, and dove into Wen He's arms. Li Lizhi followed behind, and like the former, she looked as if she had seen a ghost upon seeing Zhangsun Wuji. It seemed that even though Zhangsun Wuji had intended to look pleasant, he had still frightened her.

"Teacher, you were the one who said that if we finished reciting the *Three Character Classic*, you would let us play with the beanbags," Li Tai added, following Li Chengqian's lead. Although Li Ke didn't speak, he nodded, backing up his brothers.

"Yeah, yeah! Brother and the others said you told them to, so they asked Xiao Rou to play with them. But they were so useless, they kept getting hit by me and Lizhi, hehe!"

"Mm-hmm, Brother and the others aren't strong," the cute little Li Lizhi nodded.

The two little girls were dusty but had no injuries, while the three boys were a mess.

"Absurd!" Zhangsun Wuji roared, glaring at Wen He. "The Prince brought you here to teach the three young princes, how could you let them waste their time like this!"

"What's the rush? I told you, I was just playing with them. Besides, how do you know I'm letting them waste their time?" Wen He hadn't wanted to make a scene, but Zhangsun Wuji’s sudden outburst made him indignant.

"Hmph, the Crown Prince is at the age to study the words of the sages, not to engage in such childish games!" Zhangsun Wuji was even more furious at being talked back to.

"Then may I ask, Brother Zhangsun, what exactly are the 'words of the sages'?" Wen He asked, hands behind his back.

"Yeah, yeah, what are the 'words of the sages'?" Li Lizhi mimicked them with a grin.

The three boys in the distance were stunned. It was the first time they had seen anyone other than their father dare to show such disrespect to their uncle.

"Naturally, it refers to propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame—the teachings of sage kings and the ways of human conduct."

"In that case, I have done no wrong. If you don't believe me, ask the three of them what I have taught them." Wen He lifted his chin toward Li Chengqian and the others.

The three boys were momentarily dazed, but Li Chengqian was the first to react.

"The, the *Three Character Classic*: 'At the beginning of life, nature is good...'"

"That's right, and 'If one does not teach, nature will change,'" Li Tai continued. Then Li Ke joined in, and the three of them recited it together. However, Wen He had only taught them up to "First filial piety, then knowledge," so that was as far as they got.

The more Zhangsun Wuji listened, the wider his eyes grew. It wasn't that the *Three Character Classic* was profound; on the contrary, the principles within were very simple. But as an introduction for children, it was perfect—far more suitable than the books currently used in the Tang Dynasty.

He suddenly thought of Wen He's background and asked in astonishment, "Is this knowledge from the future?"

"Of course. In my time, every child learns it," Wen He replied nonchalantly.

"You mean every child? Do you mean to include the families of commoners and the poor?"

"Of course. Though not the entire world, just in our country, every child is required to study and has access to books." Wen He smiled with sincerity.

In Zhangsun Wuji's eyes, this was proof that what Wen He said was true. An age where everyone could read? How could that be possible?