Chapter 375: Recommend One Person

"Will you lend me a hand?"

Chen Yan stroked his chin, falling into thought.

To be honest, Yan Shigu's words moved him; after all, the Yan family's status is truly high, and over the years they've taught countless students, their connections spread throughout the Tang Dynasty, even Li Shimin holds them in great respect, so one can imagine the Yan family's standing.

If, at certain moments in the future, he could obtain the Yan family's help, even just having them step forward to show support or say a word, the effect would not be lacking.

And the condition is merely to finish writing the "Three Character Classic."

To say the condition is indeed low; by now Chen Yan has also found his memory improving, and the previously vague recollections can be gradually recalled with effort.

The "Three Character Classic" is one of his edited works.

The only thing Chen Yan cannot figure out is whether Yan Shigu values the "Three Character Classic" that much.

Of course, it's not that the "Three Character Classic" is unworthy of respect, but rather that merely having Chen Yan hand them a copy might be too lax a condition.

"The Yan family's favor carries weight without needing elaboration," Chen Yan weighed his words, saying, "If Master Yan requires me to hand over the entire 'Three Character Classic' to you, and from now on it is entirely unrelated to me, then Master Yan offering a favor is naturally worthwhile."

"But you only need a complete 'Three Character Classic'; forgive my bluntness, it doesn't seem very useful."

"Why do you think that?" Yan Shigu, unfazed by Chen Yan's probing, retorted, "In your eyes, is the weight of the 'Three Character Classic' that low?"

"Or perhaps you regard the Yan family too highly?"

Before Chen Yan could reply, Yan Shigu sighed, "To be honest, I don't consider myself a good person, but I couldn't seize another's hard work."

"My request is simple: give me the complete 'Three Character Classic' with annotations, and I wish the Yan family to have the right to disseminate and teach it."

"I see!" Chen Yan understood.

In that case, it truly merits a favor.

"Then will you agree?" Yan Shigu asked with a smiling squint.

"It seems to have no downside for me," Chen Yan's words amounted to a tacit agreement.

Yan Shigu nodded gladly; today's trip was not in vain.

As long as they secure the "Three Character Classic," the Yan family can seize the high ground of early education!

As an exceptionally excellent primer, it presents three characters per line, rhymed and smooth; its content is all‑encompassing and extremely easy to spread.

Whoever controls it holds the highest authority in the foundational field of elementary education.

This is extremely important for the Yan family, whose foundation lies in scholarly culture.

Moreover, he previously said the "Three Character Classic" was conveyed to him by a letter from Empress Changsun, which itself carried an intent to win over and test. Yan Shigu's proactive request and promotion both affirm the Empress's insight and curry favor with the Imperial Family.

Finally, it is an investment in Chen Yan as a potential stock.

Yan Shigu has personally witnessed Chen Yan's energy!

He can cause a ruckus in the Court, topple the Wei family, and is also dearly favored by the emperor and empress.

Such an unconventional yet highly capable Court rising star cannot be ignored by the Yan family.

Relationships, after all, are just you owe me, I owe you, gradually drawing closer, right?

"Come to think of it, I was summoned by His Majesty today for reasons still unknown; now that you appear here, I suspect… it must be related to you, right?"

Chen Yan helplessly said, "I indeed offered His Majesty some minor suggestions; besides you, after the session, I think there will be other gentlemen as well."

Yan Shigu twitched his mouth upon hearing that, "Minor suggestions?"

If they are minor suggestions, would Li Shimin summon him while he's still recovering from a cold and just healed from a serious illness?

Moreover, your minor suggestion probably won't get any traction.

Last year Li Shimin often acted unpredictably, especially during the New Year's Day grand court meeting when setting this year's policies; many things both enlightened them and gave them a scalp‑tingling feeling.

It is universally acknowledged that Li Shimin has someone behind him.

And that someone is a ruthless person extremely adept at leveraging the tide, making people know there's a trap yet forced to jump in.

As for who that person actually is, we might be able to see them today.

Hmm… maybe they've already seen them.

"......"

"Esteemed ministers, take a look at this."

Inside Ganlu Hall, Li Shimin sat at the head seat, while several other core ministers sat scattered.

Wushe, obeying orders, handed the newspaper Chen Yan produced yesterday to Fang Xuanling.

Fang Xuanling, like Li Shimin, initially had a rather odd expression, almost wanting to laugh, but after reading the newspaper, he sat up straight, his face full of gravity.

"Let me see!"

Du Ruhui unabashedly snatched the newspaper from Fang Xuanling's hand to read, and then a familiar scene kept replaying in Ganlu Hall.

"What do you esteemed ministers think?"

Because there were no outsiders, Li Shimin's tone was much more casual.

"Your Majesty, do you intend to publish it on a large scale in the future?" Fang Xuanling asked.

"As long as it's within our capacity, regardless of cost or manpower, the newspaper must be distributed."

"I want all the people of the Tang Dynasty to see the policies I implement and understand their purpose."

Yan Shigu put down the newspaper, glanced at Chen Yan privately, and sighed softly.

"Is this the minor suggestion you mentioned?"

"The idea is good, the benefits are equally great, but the problem is it would arouse everyone's apprehension."

"Including himself."

"Your Majesty, forgive me for speaking plainly, this method indeed benefits the Tang Dynasty, but its difficulty is truly immense."

"Leaving aside the cost of a single sheet, just the fact that a newspaper contains so many characters, to spread it across the entire Tang Dynasty would require an astronomically large amount of manpower."

"Difficult!"

"Marquis of Weinan has already solved the two challenges you raised; paper and printing are not problems at all."

We have gathered here today; the main issue is to discuss how the newspaper will be issued, how its content will be controlled in the future, and who will be responsible for this.

Marquis of Weinan......

Everyone turned their heads in unison, looking at the lazy young man at the back, and fell silent.

As expected, it's this brat again.

Everyone present is no fool; they can see the benefits the newspaper brings, and equally see its dangers.

But everyone sees more clearly that Li Shimin has made up his mind: this matter must succeed, failure is not allowed.

Several people showed signs of thought; after a moment, Du Ruhui spoke first: "Your Majesty, the newspaper is of great importance and must not be handled hastily. I believe placing it under the Three Provinces and Six Ministries is inappropriate, and the person in charge of this must be chosen with great care."

Li Shimin pondered and said: "What you say has merit, my lords. Who do you think should be in charge of this newspaper?"

"Your Majesty, I recommend someone!"

Suddenly, Chen Yan, who had not spoken until now, opened his mouth.

"......"