Chapter 214: The Tragic Misfortune of Three Brothers

At the same time, inside Xianlingfu, Chen Yan finally explained Open Source Cut Expenses to Li Shimin clearly.

Of course, it also mixed in a lot of other scholarly theories, as well as the insights Chen Yan had been pondering during this period.

After all, he truly studied medicine, not economics.

And whenever this happened, Chen Yan always complained about why that big transport was so eager to chase performance.

If he were given a bit more time, to memorize all Tang poems and Song lyrics, to engrave certain knowledge and inventions firmly in his mind, perhaps by now he would have already taken off in a spiral.

But instead, it's just like now—half‑understanding everything, having to research and ponder every thing oneself.

Of course, even so, Li Shimin and Empress Changsun listened, nodding repeatedly, as if entranced.

His Majesty laughed heartily: "Not bad, not bad, I cannot help but sigh; back then, taking such a huge risk to entrust Weinan County to you was the right decision."

"Although much of what you say I don't quite understand, I trust you."

"Do your best; if needed, you can draft a document so that Cheng Qian can mobilize the Negotiation Office to clear obstacles for you."

After speaking, he turned his head to the Empress Changsun beside him and said cheerfully: "But this also owes much to Guanyin Maid."

"If it weren't for Guanyin Maid stubbornly blocking me from sending you, kid, to the Three Provinces and Six Ministries, I would never have thought of entrusting Weinan County to you."

Chen Yan was taken aback—there really was such a thing?

Gao Yang, who had been silent beside them, was also startled at this moment.

She said that, given Chen Yan's abilities, how could he not have entered the Three Provinces and Six Ministries? It turned out Mother Empress had opposed it.

She had even hoped to enter the palace to plead with Father Emperor at the time.

Empress Changsun smiled and shook her head, saying to Chen Yan: "Back then I didn't think much; I simply felt that the positions His Majesty offered weren't suitable for you, and had no other intention."

"Later, when His Majesty said he would entrust Weinan County to you, I initially also opposed it, because His Majesty intended to create a One‑Word Hall for you, where from top to bottom, from authority to provisions, everything would be decided by you alone."

"Even the military authority of the Negotiation Office, nominally in Cheng Qian's hands, actually still follows your orders."

"Such an arrangement certainly helps you realize the ideals you proposed, but the pressure is immense; if you manage it well, everyone will be delighted, but if you fail, you will likely endure a flood of verbal and written criticism."

"So I opposed it at first, but His Majesty persisted, and I had no choice."

"Fortunately, you did not disappoint His Majesty, indeed far exceeding our expectations."

As the saying goes, a son‑in‑law is half a child; in Empress Changsun's heart, she had long regarded Chen Yan as her own junior.

Hence, when Li Shimin first proposed sending Chen Yan to Weinan County, she opposed it.

As a mother, what she first considered wasn't what the child could gain, but what the child would have to endure, or what might be lost if they couldn't bear it.

Only then did she think about what the child would obtain.

"Now it seems my judgment was better after all." Li Shimin's smug smile was about to curl up.

How could Empress Changsun not understand what Li Shimin was thinking?

Li Shimin's smugness now was probably because he had bested her.

Having long experienced her husband's childishness, Empress Changsun merely smiled, nodded, and agreed.

Chen Yan suddenly felt as if Empress Changsun were coaxing a child.

Li Shimin was that child.

"Alright, you continue chatting; Zhao Tang, take me to see Xiao Sizi." Empress Changsun stood up, her longing for her little daughter no longer restrained.

"Yes, Mother Empress." Gao Yang had long wanted to leave; she didn't understand any of what they were saying.

It was unbearably uncomfortable.

Now that Empress Changsun wants to leave, how could she have any reason not to agree?

After the two left, Chen Yan talked with Li Shimin again about his plans for Weinan County's future development and some areas where he needed assistance.

Li Shimin readily agreed to everything.

Then, Chen Yan seemed to recall something and hurriedly asked: "By the way, His Majesty, is Cai Duke now out of trouble?"

Mentioning this, Li Shimin's mood instantly soured; with a grim face he said: "Rest assured, Ke Ming has been released by my means and is now lying at home."

Seeing Li Shimin's expression, Chen Yan formed a conjecture in his mind.

"His Majesty, could it be that the mastermind hasn't been uncovered yet?"

"…That has nothing to do with you; just be a good County Magistrate." Li Shimin, his face slightly unsteady, scolded.

To be honest, Chen Yan had captured so many people for him, almost all the repeat offenders were netted, even their families weren't spared, and they were all sent en masse to Chang'an.

But Zhang Wenbo was blatantly assassinated, made to look like a hanging, and Li Shimin still hasn't uncovered any clue to this day.

It's no wonder his face can't stay composed.

Chen Yan stifled a laugh, shrugged, and said nothing.

However, his gestures and expression were so obvious that Li Shimin could instantly tell he was suppressing laughter.

Li Shimin opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing, after all, bringing up the matter would be rather embarrassing.

Then he stood up to leave; after such a long time, he also missed Xiao Sizi quite a bit.

Chen Yan hurried over and grabbed him: "His Majesty, I haven't finished speaking."

"What do you want to say?"

"…Ahem." Chen Yan seemed a bit embarrassed, chuckling: "His Majesty, have you… forgotten something?"

"Forgot what? I haven't forgotten…" Before he could finish, Li Shimin glanced at Chen Yan's sly, beady eyes and instantly understood.

"You mean Li Zhi?"

"Ah, it's been so long, your duties have been inspected, it's time to issue an edict, right?" Chen Yan nodded excitedly.

"You better scram, kid." Li Shimin brushed Chen Yan aside, "How long has it been? Do you think this is easy?"

"The court is now roiling with hidden currents; wait a few more days."

"Alright, then you mustn't forget, no cheating, okay."

"Scram! When have I ever said something that doesn't count?"

Hehe, I know, I know, my father-in-law is the best.

...... Don't pull this deadly stunt, I'll whip you, you believe me or not?

Brothers...... we seem to have been tricked.

In the Zhechong Fu barracks, three armored youths, devoid of any desire to live, leaned against a large pillar, their eyes full of emptiness.

Qin Huaidao's lips twitched; he wanted to lose his temper, but exhausted from training, he had no strength, only able to say in a trembling voice: "Has... has the letter been sent out?"

"Sent... sent out." Yu Chi Bao Lin said in a hoarse voice.

"As long as it's sent out, as long as it's sent out." Qin Huaidao let out a big sigh of relief, and finally a hint of vitality appeared in his eyes.

"Once Zi Anxiong sees the letter, he'll surely come rescue us right away; we can finally escape from Uncle Niu's hands."

Upon mentioning those two words "Uncle Niu," Yu Chi Bao Lin and Cheng Chu Mo instantly shuddered.

Speaking of which, these three brothers arrived before Chen Yan did.

I originally thought that after coming to Weinan County with Chen Yan, it would be like entering the rear garden—high sky, birds free to fly, each day I could wander freely with Chen Yan and accomplish some great undertaking.

Who would have thought they'd been duped big time.

After being here so long, they still can't get out; every day they open their eyes to training, and Niu Jinda still targets them desperately.

Their training load is three times that of others, not to mention they occasionally have to fend off Niu Jinda's various sudden attacks, basically torturing the three brothers to death.

This is hardly a rear garden; it's practically Avici hell.

"Zi Anxiong, hurry up and come save us!"

The three brothers spoke in unison, full of hope.