Chapter 343: Position

"Zi An, sit!"

Li Shimin's mouth twitched slightly as he pointed to a spot below and said.

The many officials, curious, glanced in the direction Li Shimin's finger pointed, and silence followed.

Putting aside that Li Shimin, in such a formal setting, did not use titles, did not mention relations, nor call him "your minister," but simply said "Zi An," this already shows how much Li Shimin values Chen Yan.

But the spot Li Shimin indicated shocked everyone even more.

Because the place Li Shimin pointed to was plainly the seat beside Du Ruhui, which is almost at the highest point in the hall, second only to the Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Given Chen Yan's current rank and age, sitting beside Du Ruhui conveys an unmistakable meaning.

A hush fell over the scene, then everyone silently returned to their own seats.

Chen Yan, however, felt a bit flustered after learning which seat Li Shimin wanted him to take.

Dammit, they didn't mention this when we discussed it before.

In a setting like this… sitting with Du Ruhui?

That's way too much!

Originally Chen Yan was ready to force his way up, after all he couldn't contradict Li Shimin now, but as he stepped forward, he suddenly noticed some officials looking at him with jealousy and envy, and he instantly felt justified and confident.

"Dammit, this seat today the young master actually sat in, pisses off you skinny calves."

Chen Yan lifted his head, straightened his chest, and sat down beside Du Ruhui.

Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction, thinking the kid indeed still had a sense of propriety and didn't embarrass him.

"You kid, really know how to handle things."

Suddenly, a very low voice came, Chen Yan glanced to the side and saw Du Ruhui sitting upright, his mouth corner twitching.

"Cai Duke, why do you say that?"

"What I'm saying is the truth!"

Chen Yan, imitating Du Ruhui's manner, replied.

"Hehe, you're playing this game with me now," Du Ruhui neither affirmed nor denied.

If someone were uninformed, they might truly be fooled by Chen Yan, after all the Imperial Jade Seal and the White Tiger are real, cannot be faked.

But the White Tiger presenting the Jade Seal… even if Cheng Laohei's son said it, Du Ruhui believed it.

Yet the one saying this is Chen Yan, Du Ruhui really can't believe it.

He guesses Chen Yan must have given Li Shimin an idea, using an Imperial Jade Seal and White Tiger of unknown origin to stage a show.

Of course, seeing through but not exposing, Du Ruhui even enjoys it.

After all, he is loyal to Li Shimin, and although Chen Yan's excuse sounds somewhat incredible, you can't refute it, can you?

On this land, the reputations of the four sacred beasts are already renowned, and the symbolism of the White Tiger fits Li Shimin perfectly.

Because the White Tiger governs killing, it is a symbol of martial force, yet also a benevolent beast, representing "the ruler is humane and not bloodthirsty"; according to Confucian "benevolent governance," only when the monarch's virtue is lofty and the realm peaceful do these divine beasts appear as reward.

At this moment, it happened to be the New Year's Day grand court meeting transitioning from the fourth year of the Zhenguan era to the fifth year, with officials gathered and envoys from foreign lands present, and the White Tiger brought the Imperial Jade Seal, which not only confirmed Confucian thought but also gave absolute affirmation to Li Shimin's legitimacy.

The timing was chosen perfectly; Chen Yan's move can be called a divine stroke!

Whether domestic or foreign, the benefits cannot be summed up in a few words!

……

The subsequent court meeting gradually became boring, first everyone presented tributes, then the officials reported on local governance, all highlighting the positives; the purpose, of course, was to let especially the envoys see the current strength of the Tang Dynasty.

When this core segment ends and the envoys depart, Li Shimin will discuss with the ministers which policies need to change this year, or which new policies to implement.

Honestly, it was really boring, and the food was terribly bad at the same time.

Chen Yan didn't even know how he lasted until the afternoon, and walked out of Tai Ji Hall.

Hey!

After stepping out, he stretched his muscles and let out a slight sigh.

He muttered that it was finally over.

"What, already finding it tiring?" Du Ruhui laughed.

Chen Yan took a deep breath and finally managed to say, "Don't mention it, my butt and legs are numb, have you always been like this?"

"Haha, then you'll have a hard time later," Du Ruhui shook his head and chuckled, "At first I also felt tired, but later I got used to it."

"Then I'll just be a County Magistrate," Chen Yan said gloomily, "If it's like this often, who could endure it?"

"Hmm!" Du Ruhui replied thoughtfully, "Being a County Magistrate is indeed easy, but don't tell me that, you must tell His Majesty."

"If His Majesty agrees that you will only be a small County Magistrate from now on, then I'll accept it."

Chen Yan fell silent instantly.

By sitting in that seat today, Li Shimin isn't he expressing his stance?

How could one possibly be just a County Magistrate in the future?

"Hard, huh~"

Du Ruhui comforted, "Look at you, sighing and lamenting, someone who doesn't know might think you're the old geezer."

"Alright, such occasions aren't many, usually only for major ceremonies, sometimes only once a year, don't worry, it won't tire your young body."

Chen Yan: "......"

At the same time, Cheng Yaojin and his group, just out, were planning to find Chen Yan to ask in detail about the Imperial Jade Seal and White Tiger, when they saw a group of old men rushing past them, heading straight for Du Ruhui and Chen Yan.

"Huh? Isn't that Yu Shinan and his party?"

"What are they doing?"

Yuchi Gong stared wide‑eyed, puzzled.

"Probably… looking for Zi An," Qin Qiong said, a little speechless.

Cheng Yaojin complained, "Why does it feel like these people are closer to Zi An than the three of us?"

"Last time it was like this, and this time it's the same!"

"Are we about to go shoulder‑to‑shoulder to see His Majesty again in a moment?"

Just as Cheng Yaojin finished speaking, a group of ragged old men surrounded Chen Yan and swarmed toward Ganlu Hall.

Cheng Yaojin: "......"

"Damn it, what's going on?"

Yuchi Gong shouted angrily, "If you didn't know, you'd think they're Zi An's elders. I'm going after them."

He said so, his fury rising as he prepared to give chase, but Qin Qiong stopped him with a single hand.

"Forget it, isn't there a banquet later?"

"We'll ask Zi An then."

"Zi An is taking the civil‑official path; it's better to get close to these people."

The final sentence convinced Yuchi Gong, and he gave up the idea of pursuing them.

Cheng Yaojin watched Chen Yan being surrounded and led away by the old men; he felt both amused and deeply gratified.

Then he lifted his head, his eyes full of complexity, "Old Chen, did you see that?"

"Zi An has grown up, taken a wife, and earned merit!"

"He's already become a fine young man who can hold his own..."

"......."