Chapter 507: Two Choices

The Shangshi Bureau works very efficiently; before long it brought out dish after dish of delicacies, and also served fine wine.

Chen Yan at first didn't take it seriously, still pondering how to reasonably ask Li Shimin about his assignment later, to use this time to make some preparations.

Whether it's the Secretariat or the Ministry of Revenue, getting news early and winning over some people will always make it easier to get things done after taking office.

Only, what Chen Yan didn't expect was that Li Shimin refused Wushe's help with pouring wine, and instead lifted the wine jar himself, pouring wine for him personally.

Chen Yan jumped in alarm, "His Majesty, that's not allowed!"

He hurriedly reached out to stop him, but Li Shimin blocked him with a single glance.

Li Shimin, while pouring wine, said to himself, "Since there are no outsiders today, I'll share some thoughts with you."

"I'm not afraid you'll mock me; in the past two years I've constantly felt that the heavens and the earth conspire with me. Whatever I set out to do, whatever difficulty I encounter, it seems as if Heaven assists, and the matters get settled without me even noticing, the obstacles are resolved. Occasionally, before I go to bed at night, I secretly feel smug, thinking that I did nothing wrong back then, that I truly am the destined Son of Heaven!"

"Otherwise, how could things be so smooth?"

"But after feeling proud, I also reflect privately, carefully pondering the origins of everything!"

"Later I realized that there was no such 'heaven and earth joining forces.' Heaven never aided me; otherwise, from the first year of the Zhenguan era to the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, disasters and calamities would not have been continuous."

"The Tang Dynasty can be where it is today, constantly advancing toward a golden age, all because I have obtained a talent that astonishes the world!"

Li Shimin rubbed the wine cup with his fingers, earnestly saying, "Zi An, in these two years you have truly done too much for the Tang Dynasty. From providing fine salt, to rescuing Sizi, the Empress, Ke Ming, and the subsequent cases and incidents, I have kept them all in mind......"

"Wait, wait, His Majesty." Chen Yan, the more he listened, the more something felt off, hurriedly interrupted, cautiously reminding, "His Majesty, I am your son‑in‑law!"

"As the saying goes, a son‑in‑law is half a son. I married your two daughters; rounding up, we're practically father and son, Your Majesty!"

Li Shimin: "......"

Listening to his words, Li Shimin thought it over carefully and was completely stunned.

Empress Changsun was both amused and bewildered.

What on earth is this?

I'm sharing some thoughts with you; you don't think I'm about to chop off your head, do you?

"You brat, why aren't you proper yet!" Li Shimin scolded with a laugh, "If I wanted to cut you off, would I keep reminding you to protect your own head?"

"The thing perched on your neck is actually the Tang Dynasty's most important treasure; I can't bear to cut it off, so rest assured!"

"However, the rounding you mentioned earlier does have some merit." Empress Changsun added a sentence beside him, also indicating her stance.

"That's good." Chen Yan instantly breathed a sigh of relief.

He suddenly said those things, and I thought he was going to cut me off.

Li Shimin paused, smacked his lips, and the emotion he had just brewed was already disrupted; he couldn't bring himself to continue speaking.

"...... Enough, I'm already impressed by you."

"Drink!"

The three clinked cups and drank heartily.

"Alright then, speak up—what brings you here today?"

Chen Yan organized his words and said smoothly, "It's like this, Your Majesty, I came today for three matters! First… similar to Brother Qingque, didn't I just return from Weinan County?"

"There are many trades there, so I don't intend to keep them at the Weinan County Xianlya. I plan to establish a merchants' guild in Chang'an, turning Weinan County into an industrialized county dedicated to producing silk and the like. This way, it won't greatly affect Weinan County's development, and all trades will be consolidated, making future management and accounting easier."

Li Shimin understood, "So, like Qingque, you want a good location to set up a guild?"

"Yes, Your Majesty is supremely clever; you guessed it right away."

"Stop flattering me; I've told you before, when you flatter me, my whole body itches."

Chen Yan: "......"

"It's not difficult; later I'll find a way for you." Li Shimin thought for a moment and readily agreed.

He then asked, "What about the second?"

"Based on my understanding of you, you usually start with some trivial matters; I think the thing you're about to say next is the main point."

"That's not really…," Chen Yan chuckled, "Actually, I just want to ask where you plan to assign me, so I can prepare in advance."

Li Shimin's hand that was picking up food paused, he set down his chopsticks, stared at him and said, "Since you've asked it out loud, I won't hide it from you; I actually haven't decided where exactly you'll go."

"But I want to let you directly assume the post of Minister of Revenue, or Secretariat Director, and since you're here today, I thought, rather than give myself a headache, why not give you a choice, you pick one yourself."

When he finished speaking, Li Tai looked up in shock.

Directly becoming Minister of Revenue or Secretariat Director?

Damn, from a Sixth Rank County Magistrate straight to a regular Third Rank—or from Third Rank?

This damn thing can't even be called a promotion anymore, right?

It's basically a one‑step ascent to the heavens!

If it's Secretariat Director, that's fine; it's an Assistant Third Rank—though a senior official, it's still half a step away from the true top‑tier ruler.

But Minister of Revenue is different; it's a regular Third Rank and the top‑level real‑power official overseeing the state's finances, and together with the Minister of Personnel, they are regarded as the two most powerful officials among the Six Ministries.

There's also a saying that the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Personnel are candidates for the position of Prime Minister!

"Damn, this really is a chance to soar!"

Li Tai couldn't help but sigh inwardly, then shook his head and pulled off a chicken leg to eat.

Hmm, this thing is really tasty.

"......"

Even though Chen Yan had long been mentally prepared, hearing Li Shimin's words still surprised him.

After a long silence, his lips were dry, and he said, "Your Majesty, you really gave me a huge task."

"Believe me, if any other person were faced with these two choices, they would unhesitatingly pick Minister of Revenue."

"That position controls the entire Tang household registration, land, finance, taxes, grain, canal transport, budgeting—a top‑level real‑power official whose mere whisper can be deafening."

Empress Changsun felt a sudden thump in her heart.

Li Shimin gave him a huge task; could this foolish youngster also be planning to give Li Shimin a huge one?

Just as he said, even if a fool came, they'd know how to choose!

Li Shimin praised: "You're right, the feeble's howl goes unnoticed, while the ruler standing on the mountain peak, his whisper can be deafening."

He stared intently at Chen Yan: "So, Zi An, tell me, what is your choice?"