Chapter 37: What I Lack Most Is Men of Learning

After dinner, the sky gradually darkened. Chang'an City entered a curfew, and the ancients, lacking any nightlife, retired to their rooms early.

After soothing little Wenrou to sleep, Wen He headed to the front courtyard. Yan Liben had not yet left; he was uneasy about the equipment and had simply moved his bedding there. Although the June nights were not excessively hot, sleeping on the ground near the stove was more than most people could endure.

"Master Yan, you might as well head back. There is no need to keep watch here constantly," Wen He suggested.

Yan Liben stubbornly shook his head. "Many thanks for your concern, Young Master Wen, but I would prefer to stay. Otherwise, I simply cannot rest easy. This distiller is truly ingenious; I wish to ponder it further."

He looked a bit embarrassed, his eyes constantly observing Wen He’s reaction as he spoke. Wen He was genuinely puzzled. "Then why don't you just ask me directly?"

I am standing right in front of you. If there is something you don't understand, just ask. Why be so coy, as if I were some stingy person?

"No, no, no! Please do not be offended, Young Master Wen. I am not spying. Such profound knowledge must be a secret heirloom of your family. I would not dare pry, merely satisfy my curiosity." Yan Liben shook his head repeatedly, looking like a startled rabbit, terrified that Wen He might blame him.

Seeing his demeanor, Wen He was even more bewildered. "I am sincere. If you have questions, please feel free to ask." He truly could not fathom Yan Liben's perspective. Was this really such a serious matter?

Yan Liben pursed his lips, studying Wen He for a long moment to ensure he wasn't being sarcastic. "Truly?"

"Truly," Wen He nodded earnestly, though he asked his own question: "Why were you so nervous just now? Did you think I was being stingy?"

"How could I?" Yan Liben shook his head hastily and smiled bitterly. "Since the Wei and Jin dynasties, the paths of expertise and governance have been treated as exclusive secrets by various families. Such marvelous techniques are often left to vanish rather than be shared with outsiders. I have always lamented this. Someone like you, Young Master, is truly a rare gem."

Wen He was listening intently, but at the term "rare gem," he felt a bit unsettled. I am trying to teach you something out of kindness; why are you calling me names? However, he quickly realized that while "qipa" (rare gem/eccentric) is often derogatory in the future, in this era, it seemed to be a compliment.

"I am unworthy; you are the rare gem, Master Yan."

"You are too modest, Young Master."

"Haha, let's stop talking about who is a rare gem. You wanted to know the principles, right? It isn't actually very complicated." Wen He felt a few black lines appear on his forehead as he quickly changed the subject.

Yan Liben’s eyes lit up, but instead of letting Wen He start immediately, he went to fetch paper and brush. Seeing this, Wen He couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation.

He felt as though he had stumbled into a minor predicament. Before long, Yan Liben returned, clutching his paper and brush like an obedient schoolboy. Wen He did not hold back and explained everything he knew, leaving it to Yan Liben’s natural talent to grasp how much he could.

Neither of the two in the room noticed a figure quietly approaching the doorway. He had intended to enter but stopped upon hearing the activity inside.

It was not until the night deepened that the conversation within ceased. A parched Wen He stood up to find a drink, only to step out and find Li Shimin watching him with an expression of lingering interest.

Wen He was startled, but after quickly reviewing that he hadn't said anything inappropriate, he breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to Li Shimin. Yan Liben, hearing the commotion, hurried out of the room.

Li Shimin glanced at him and nodded with a smile. "I have long heard that Liben is obsessed with craftsmanship, and seeing it today, I find the rumors true."

"I dare not claim such a thing, Your Highness. It is only because Young Master Wen has been so generous with his instruction that I have become a greedy student," Yan Liben said sheepishly.

He had never wanted to be an official, but his family had forced his hand. Fortunately, the Prince of Qin knew of his mastery in craftsmanship and had appointed him as a steward of the Prince’s household, which at least allowed him to pursue his interests.

Li Shimin exchanged a few pleasantries with him, leaving Yan Liben moved to tears, and he bowed deeply as he saw the Prince and Wen He off.

Walking toward the study, Li Shimin suddenly stopped. His guards immediately retreated to the perimeter.

"Was that knowledge you shared just now from the future?" He sat down on a stone bench in the corridor and patted the spot beside him, signaling for Wen He to sit.

Wen He was not constrained and sat down beside him. "Yes, roughly the knowledge of a middle-school student."

"What is a middle-school student?"

"Children around twelve or thirteen years old."

After Wen He finished, he turned to look at Li Shimin, only to find him looking calm, without a hint of surprise.

Meeting his scrutinizing gaze, Li Shimin chuckled. "I began reading and studying martial arts at the age of three. If children in your future are studying by eleven or twelve, why should I be surprised? Why look at me with such a gaze?"

"I meant *all* children of twelve or thirteen," he added.

The smile on Li Shimin’s face froze. After a moment, he relaxed and let out a long sigh. "Reading... what I lack most right now are learned men."

Yet, those who could become officials were all men of great learning; why would Li Shimin make such a lament?

Wen He felt he began to understand why Li Shimin had come to find him.

"The noble clans control the books and the knowledge, only allowing a fraction to be copied. Yet, ink and paper are expensive; how difficult it is for the children of humble families to get ahead."

"There are no humble families in the high ranks, and no noble families in the low. Is this world mine, or does it belong to the noble clans!" Li Shimin’s eyes turned red. It seemed something had provoked him earlier.

Wen He pondered for a moment before saying slowly, "And what of the commoners? As far as I know, the 'humble families' are still part of the elite, just fallen ones. The commoners you speak of are the ones with names and standing, but what of the most destitute masses?"

"The masses?" Li Shimin looked back at Wen He, initially wanting to mock him. Since ancient times, what emperor ever took the commoners to heart? Even the likes of Emperors Wen and Jing were no different. But seeing Wen He’s earnest expression, he suddenly couldn't laugh.

"The commoners in this era you refer to are still those who own land, are they not? Yet, how many in the Great Tang possess no land? They are shivering in rags and starving, oppressed by the powerful, with nowhere to seek justice."

He thought of himself—the helplessness he felt when bullied by the stewards of Li Yuanji’s estate. His own era had its dark sides, but for most people, justice could be sought. In this era, that was not the case; even their lives and deaths were not their own to command.

"If a humble person rises, they become a new noble. Once they possess power, they will maintain their family's interests just like their predecessors. Wouldn't that just create a new noble clan?"

"But the commoners will not, because they have no foundation. All they can do is rely on imperial power."

Did Li Shimin not understand? No, he simply had not seen it. Born into the nobility, the "people" he knew were only the landlords and local magnates. Even when he saw the decay of the nation, all he saw were the broken homes of those same landlords. But from beginning to end, the lowest of the low were never in the eyes of the imperial court.

"You are saying that the commoners could become my strength?" Li Shimin grasped the significance of Wen He's words in an instant.

Wen He looked at him and nodded earnestly. "The masses are the most numerous, but they are also the most ignorant. Whoever treats them well, they will give their lives for. If Your Highness can enable them to read and learn, then one day, when they stand in the imperial court, they will be your strongest allies."

He did not know any profound theories of dragon-slaying, but he knew eight words: "A single spark can start a prairie fire."