Chapter 44: I've Heard That Lord Li's Household Possesses Three Treasures

“No, no, no, my surname Wen is quite fine.” Wen He quickly refused; changing his name to Li He just felt strange. Moreover, as someone from the future, he didn’t see being given a surname by the emperor as an honor.

“Besides, I can’t do any of what you’re asking. Since entering university, I don’t even want to get up early for an 8 a.m. class, and you want me to memorize classics? I can recite a few passages from the Analects, but that’s about it.”

“As for military texts, forget it—I don’t even dare to kill a chicken, let alone lead troops into battle.”

“I joined you hoping to be a freeloader, helping you change history so that the later Tang Dynasty wouldn’t suffer so terribly, being ravaged by the Uyghurs, Tibetans, Tuyuhun, and Dangxiang, and forcing the illustrious emperor to flee Chang’an in fear.”

Wen He was a bit emotional; he felt Li Shimin was asking too much. He wasn’t some savior, after all—not some Zhuge Liang who knew everything from astronomy to geography.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” Wen He looked up when Li Shimin remained silent for a long moment, only to meet the emperor’s meaningful gaze.

After a while, Li Shimin slowly said, “Since you’re unwilling, then I shall not force you.”

“That’s easy to say,” Wen He replied skeptically.

Li Shimin was no fool; he was truly capable of killing. But unlike old Zhu, after killing, he would feel regret, reflect on his actions, and resolve not to kill so easily next time.

“Of course, this is a minor matter. But if I entrust you with a task, you must carry it out,” Li Shimin smiled.

Wen He sensed something was off but, having already refused once, he dared not anger him further.

“Is there a reward?” he asked.

“Naturally, I am fair with rewards and punishments,” Li Shimin nodded.

Wen He immediately agreed. With the backing of the greatest power in Tang, he could confidently walk through Chang’an. Though he was just a humble county man, behind him stood the future emperor of Tang!

“Go find Physician Li. The route for the campaign against the Turks must be as detailed as possible. There must be no mistakes. If we severely damage the Turks, I will add three hundred more acres to the fertile land I promised you.”

“Your humble servant obeys,” Wen He said, delighted as he bowed.

Three hundred acres! Oh wait, that’s three hundred more acres, making six hundred in total. Enough for him to live as a carefree freeloader.

Watching him hop happily toward the side hall, Li Shimin’s smile grew sly.

---

“Not studying? With you working alongside Kemin, Xuanling, and Physician Li, it would be hard not to learn. A mere man from the future is no match for me,” Li Shimin said proudly as he strode toward the head of the Two Principles Hall.

Just a step away from the throne, he paused, gazing at it thoughtfully before turning to sit and continue handling state affairs.

---

In the side hall, Wen He entered to find Yan Liben talking with Changsun Wuji and others. Li Jing sat aside, sipping tea.

As he entered, all eyes turned to him.

“Is the technique Yan Liben spoke of, the easy way to reproduce classics, what you had in mind?” Changsun Wuji gave Wen He a look.

He didn’t know the name of the technology. Wen He hadn’t told Yan Liben either. But he knew it must be a future craft.

Since Wen He’s identity had to remain secret, he acknowledged it.

“Something like that. At least it didn’t exist before me. By the way, that technique is called printing,” Wen He said helplessly. It wasn’t something he wanted to admit; he was forced to.

“Printing is fitting. I heard there’s also movable type printing, is that true?” Fang Xuanling stroked his beard and scrutinized him, as if searching for hidden knowledge.

Wen He smiled wryly: “Movable type printing is troublesome. It seems cheap but is time-consuming and laborious, unsuitable for now. Perhaps when water power is developed and literacy covers half of Tang, it might work.”

Movable type printing was invented in the Northern Song but only began widespread use in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Many problems existed—materials and labor alike.

Ancient scholars, even those who just passed the preliminary exams, considered themselves treasures. They refused hard labor or even selling calligraphy.

“Well, we will report this to His Highness later. County Lord Li has been waiting for you here; don’t slight him!” Changsun Wuji said anxiously.

He was uneasy with Wen He alone with Li Jing. Who knew if this boy might say something shocking, as he had before when telling the prince he would one day take revenge on Fang Xuanling’s family.

“Am I that kind of person?” Wen He retorted impatiently.

Changsun Wuji gave him a warning glance, but Wen He was unfazed: “I know, I know. His Highness has told me. Don’t worry.”

The more he said that, the more uneasy they became.

Alas, with so many state affairs, most officials had little to do. The chancellors all stayed home idle, so they had no time to monitor Wen He.

---

“You just need to know.” Changsun Wuji said no more and left with Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui.

Once they were gone, Yan Liben, having no further business, excused himself to Wen He.

“Since they’ve all left, young Master Wen, would you like to speak here or come to my residence?” Li Jing set down his tea cup and spoke leisurely.

“Your residence?” Wen He brightened.

“Haha, my humble abode is simple. I fear you might disdain it. But if you want to discuss the Turks, we’ll need maps, so either the Ministry of War or my house would be appropriate.”

He assumed Wen He might find his home lacking and would prefer the Ministry.

But Wen He quickly shook his head: “No, no, I’d rather go to the county lord’s residence. I’m curious, actually.”

“Curious? Curious about what?” Li Jing asked.

Wen He looked at him, hesitating whether to ask.

Seeing his hesitation, Li Jing laughed heartily: “Changsun Wuji was just teasing you earlier, young lad. There’s nothing taboo here. If you’re curious, speak freely.”

He found Wen He intriguing—so young yet speaking and acting like an adult.

Leaving the side hall, there was no one but a young eunuch leading the way.

Li Jing took the chance to probe what was so special about this boy to earn the prince’s favor.

Wen He gave a nervous chuckle, then said: “You told me to ask, so I will.”

“Good, I told you to ask. Speak.”

“I heard that when you rebelled against Our Majesty, you tried to report to Emperor Yang of Sui. But by the time you arrived in Chang’an, Our Majesty had already taken the city and captured you, planning to execute you. Is that true?”

Wen He’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. Li Jing was stunned, tugging at his beard.

Many knew this embarrassing episode, but no one dared mention it now.

No wonder the boy was so secretive.

“That was my mistake back then, but it’s also a rather refined story, haha.”

Li Jing didn’t mind; he often told it to his sons at home.

“Truly a great general, so broad-minded,” Wen He admired, giving him a thumbs-up.

Though he didn’t quite understand, Li Jing was pleased by the praise.

Before he could enjoy the moment, Wen He asked again: “I also heard that County Lord Li’s household possesses three treasures.”