The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 382

Xu Tian was somewhat puzzled, then said, "General Duan has really worked hard this time escorting the government silver. But didn't you know? This magistrate had already drafted a contract with all the technical personnel."

They would only receive their wages after the project was completed, and they had all signed and sealed the agreements.

As he spoke, Xu Tian took out a stack of papers from his sleeve and placed them on the table, saying, "These are them."

Duan Hong leaned over to take a look, and his lips twitched violently.

Xu Tian patted him on the shoulder and said with concern, "I see that your soldiers are either fighting in the desert or defending in extremely cold places."

Previously, this county magistrate had no idea how much suffering the soldiers of my Great Tang Dynasty endured.

We once had a teacher at Hongwen Academy who had been to the battlefield; he had a sensitive stomach. He used to get sick whenever he ate barbecue. You probably have the same problem, don't you?

Duan Hong immediately thought to himself, "You're sick, your whole family is sick." Unexpectedly, Xu Tian looked at him with great sympathy and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"I'll be leaving now. Please lock the gate of the county government office when you leave, General."

He disappeared in a flash, leaving no trace.

After Xu Tian left, Duan Lun sat down behind the desk. Unexpectedly, he lost his balance and fell directly onto the back of the bamboo chair. He was startled at first, then drew his sword, intending to chop the bamboo chair down.

Seeing the magistrate's military seal, he finally came to his senses. Thinking about it, it seemed Xu Tian wasn't as easy to talk to as he appeared; seemingly carefree, he was actually quite cunning. It seemed he had to tell his uncle about this.

Duan Hong immediately took out a secret letter from his sleeve and used a red ink pen to record the events of the past few days, including Xu Tian's refusal to allocate funds. He then went to the courtyard.

Just then, a gyrfalcon flew by. The envelope was carefully tied to the gyrfalcon's leg, and then the soldiers below were ordered to lock the gate of the county government office.

The next morning, Li Shimin had developed bruises from reviewing memorials day and night for the past few days, which made the accompanying eunuchs feel sorry for him.

"Your Majesty, perhaps we should skip today's court session. Today's grand court assembly is meant for the ministers to discuss state affairs. Your Majesty might as well go and rest in the Empress's palace."

Li Shimin waved his hand, looked at the starry sky in front of him, sighed and said, "This throne was never obtained legitimately."

In the eyes of the world, I am a villain who killed my father and brother.

Kou Gonggong was startled and shrank back, when he heard Li Shimin change the subject and say, "That's precisely why I want to prove to the world that I am more suited to this chair than they are, not because I covet the throne."

Rather, it is because the common people of the Tang Dynasty are suffering terribly; if I do not rescue them, I will have failed as a son of the Li family.

Eunuch Kou was taken aback at first. Realizing the Emperor wasn't discussing politics and was simply expressing his feelings, he immediately squeezed out tears and said, "But this servant feels sorry for Your Majesty." His words had barely left his lips...

Eunuch Kou then called out, "The Emperor has arrived."

Li Shimin entered the Golden Palace and, after taking his seat, the courtiers immediately shouted, "Long live the Emperor!"

Seeing some of the faces he had seen frequently over the past few years, Li Shiming waved his hand and said, "My dear ministers, there's no need for formalities. Please rise."

It seems the Emperor is in a good mood today.

The Minister of Works glanced at the other ministers, while the Ministers of War, Revenue, and Rites kept their eyes fixed straight ahead, all three of them looking at the Emperor.

Minister of Rites Chen Shuda thought to himself, "It seems that someone who is not good enough is about to be reprimanded by the Emperor again."

The Minister of Revenue hated him so much he gritted his teeth. The Minister of Personnel, Changsun Wuji, glanced at the other ministers, seemingly lost in thought, and simply lowered his head with a smile playing on his lips.