Chapter 300: I Must Attend Court Tomorrow and Reason with Them Properly

"You say the Guanyin Maid defamed you; why are you so urgent?"

Li Shimin issued a soul‑probing interrogation.

Chen Yan was at a loss for words, then said firmly: "Anyway I will never admit this. Since I married Gao Yang, I have already changed; I have great ambitions."

"Then why is there such a huge difference between your past and present ways of acting?" Empress Changsun said with a smile in her eyes, gently:

"You used to take one step at a time, acting very steadily; now look at yourself."

"You buy workshops en masse; if you can't buy one, you build it yourself. If you lack money, you borrow from four merchants. If you have no land, you clear it yourself. Where is any trace of your former self?"

"Speak honestly to me, have you encountered something?"

By the end of her words, Empress Changsun's tone was full of concern.

Regarding Chen Yan, she truly liked him, thinking his previous conduct had been excellent.

Why suddenly be so anxious?

Causing impeachment by Court officials is a trivial matter; she feared Chen Yan might encounter something and not speak of it, just like other youngsters, thinking he had grown up and could shoulder responsibilities.

He keeps everything bottled up in his heart.

Chen Yan was slightly stunned; faced with this sudden concern, he didn't know how to react for a moment.

Li Shimin also sensed something amiss, "Zi An, tell His Majesty the truth: is the authority you have to raise troops really being used to search for silver mines?"

At this point, Chen Yan had no choice but to answer honestly, "It is used to find silver mines; I wouldn't dare lie to you."

"But I don't want an ordinary eight‑hundred‑person army; I want elite troops, the best elite troops!"

"Naturally I must raise troops, and you only gave me the authority to raise them; then all the equipment and weapons must be provided by myself, right?"

"I have no money, so I naturally have to speed up my steps."

"Liar!" Empress Changsun said coldly, "Just eight hundred people; you could support them solely with the business of a single tavern."

"If you still don't tell the truth, I guarantee you won't obtain the imperial marriage decree in seven days!"

Ah?

Chen Yan's mouth twitched slightly.

No, is there really such a threat?

If I don't speak, I won't have a wife?

"Fine, fine." Chen Yan said helplessly.

He actually didn't like saying such things, but Empress Changsun forced him, and he had no choice.

Chen Yan whispered, "I truly haven't encountered any difficulty; I just suddenly understood a saying."

"What saying?" the couple asked in unison.

"Mencius said: When in poverty, one should perfect oneself; when prosperous, one should aid the world." Chen Yan murmured, "I thought my efforts would have effect; at least through my brief efforts, the situation of the people of Weinan County is slowly improving."

"I am confident I can govern Weinan County well, but how long will that take?"

"One year? Two years? Or five, ten years?"

"Even if I govern Weinan County well, what does it achieve? Making the locals prosperous—what does that accomplish?"

"Across the vast lands of the Tang Dynasty, countless people still live day‑to‑day, and a single natural disaster or calamity can easily take their lives."

"When I realized I might truly have the power to change this world, to reverse the tragic fate of millions, every piece of education I received, every principle I upheld, and the conscience deep within me all told me I must do this!"

"Moreover, they make me speed up every day, because for each minute I quicken, perhaps a living life can be saved."

Chen Yan slowed his tone, enunciating clearly, "So, I have quickened my steps. I don't want to be a minister, nor do I want to wield great authority. Her Majesty says I have changed, but I do not acknowledge it."

"After all, I have never changed; my ideals remain as ever, I have simply added another ideal."

Chen Yan stared at the two most honored people in the world today, saying word for word, "I must contribute my part to this world!"

After his words, there was a long silence.

That line—"My ideals remain as ever, I have simply added another ideal"—made the Li Shimin couple feel both gratified and amused.

Why still so lacking in ambition?

What good does that place by the mountains and water have?

Li Shimin was silent for a long while, let out a long sigh, then gently patted Chen Yan's shoulder, "You should have thought like this long ago, but it's not too late now."

"Go ahead and do it; His Majesty and the Guanyin Maid will support you."

Empress Changsun's gaze was complicated, "Good child…"

The atmosphere became oddly strange for a moment; Chen Yan could hardly bear it, and hurriedly changed the subject, "Of course, just now I did not deceive Her Majesty."

"Earning money, part of it is indeed for raising troops."

Li Shimin was startled then, "With so many booming taverns, Wei He's bus routes, and the continuous production of white wax by the Sanzuo Workshop, isn't that enough to support eight hundred people?"

"What the hell kind of troops are you raising?"

"Heavy cavalry?"

"Uh… this." Chen Yan was reluctant to explain, vaguely saying, "Raising troops is only part of it; the rest can't be explained quickly. If you have time, another day we can go to Weinan County, and I'll show you."

"Fine, I do want to see what you're up to." Li Shimin, now interested, stopped asking further and instead brought up another matter, teasing:

"You've caused quite a stir lately; do you know how many officials at Chang Chao today want to 'participate' you?"

"They've listed eight crimes against you; pulling out any one would be enough to have you beheaded."

"If they want to participate, let them." Chen Yan said indifferently, "When I planned to go all out, I already anticipated this. Apart from involving me, they have no other abilities."

"A bunch of fools who can't get the grapes and call them sour, merely covet the profits of Weinan County, or say the library's appearance has touched some people's pastries, and someone can't sit still."

"Then, Your Majesty, let me attend Court tomorrow for a day, and I will have a good chat with them."

"Hm?" Li Shimin said in surprise, "You want to attend Court?"

"Could it be that I wasn't clear earlier, and you thought the ones 'participating' you are just a few officials?"

Chen Yan twitched his nose, "What are you afraid of?"

"We are all scholars; when we are on the Court, can't we at least speak a word of reason?"

"Since they consulted me, it would be fine if I didn't know, but now that I know, how can I turn a blind eye?"

"I must attend Court tomorrow and properly reason with them."

"Reason?"

"Li Shimin and his wife wanted to speak but held back."

"In theory, the Court should be a place for reasoning."

"But this thing, it's not easy to discuss."

"In an instant, Li Shimin thought a lot, finally made up his mind, and decided to have Chen Yan attend Court once."

"Because Chen Yan cannot be a County Magistrate forever; perhaps in two years he will arrange for Chen Yan to come to Chang'an."

"By then, attending Court daily will be mandatory, so letting Chen Yan get early exposure now is also good."

"And he can also show a tougher stance, preventing many officials from targeting Chen Yan or plotting against Weinan County."

"On the Court today, if it weren't for his illness about to flare up, he wouldn't have rushed to finish this matter."

"Fine, you will attend Court tomorrow, but don't cause me trouble; be proper, understand?"

"Alright, His Majesty, you don't know me? I'm a scholar!"

"......"