Chapter 524: Reason and Virtue

After the filing in the Ministry of Personnel was completed, a day later it would immediately move into early November.

That means Chen Yan is about to take office.

This time is different from going to Weinan County as County Magistrate; that was just a small county town, where being casual didn't matter because he was the biggest there.

But this time he is to go to the Ministry of Revenue as Ministerial Attendant, and at the beginning of next year he will be Minister of Revenue, so every detail must be in order.

Therefore, on the night before his appointment, Li Lizhi and Gao Yang were bustling about, preparing the official robes, belts, and all sorts of things in advance, considering everything.

Chen Yan looked at their earnest faces, scratched his head, and said, "Stop fussing, it's fine as it is. I'm going to take office; on paper I'm the second‑in‑command of the Ministry of Revenue, but in reality I'm the top, who dares to say anything about me?"

"Just mind your appearance and attire; as long as the official robes are neat, why bother with so much?"

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Gao Yang turned at the sound, hands on hips, "It's not like you're the one busy. Why are you sitting there talking so much?"

"Besides, isn't it because you're not caring enough? Otherwise I and my sister wouldn't be like this?"

"Fine, I'll shut up." Chen Yan leaned back in his chair and fell silent.

At that moment, Gao Yang slapped his forehead, hurriedly rummaged from his small cabinet and pulled out the jade pendant Chen Yan had given him before.

"I almost forgot there's also the jade pendant; this was originally bestowed by Mother Empress, and since you're about to take office, take it back."

Looking at the jade pendant before him, Chen Yan's expression turned odd, and Li Lizhi pursed her lips.

He remembered that in the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, because of this jade pendant, she and Gao Yang almost got into a scuffle.

Later, on the night of Chen Yan and Gao Yang's grand wedding, Gao Yang was about to leave.

Taking the pendant, Chen Yan twirled it in his hand, half‑smiling, and said, "What, you're not keeping it? Aren't you afraid I'll give it to another woman later?"

"Give it away then; if you dare give it to me, you're daring to steal a person."

Chen Yan: "......"

"Gao Yang!" Li Lizhi's expression hardened, her tone grew stern as she wielded the authority of an elder sister.

She truly disliked Gao Yang saying that.

How could a married woman spend her days shouting that she wants to steal someone?

Moreover, she's a royal Princess!

Gao Yang pursed his lips, "Got it, sister, I won't say it again."

Li Lizhi's expression finally softened; she meticulously arranged Chen Yan's official robes, placed them on a tray, and gathered everything he'd need tomorrow together so nothing would be accidentally left behind.

"Husband, Chang'an is ultimately different from Weinan County; when you're out there, you shouldn't be too casual." she reminded gently.

Chen Yan rested a hand on his chin, "Chang'an indeed differs from Weinan County, but in some respects, Chang'an has no difference at all from Weinan County."

"I know you're worried about me, but you should give me more trust; I'm actually quite measured."

Li Lizhi glanced at the corner where Chen Yan had ordered something to be forged, and remained silent.

Hmm, you're right!

You're the most measured.

Gao Yang, less restrained, sneered, "I don't even know who, the first time entering Chang Chao, in front of all civil and military officials, pointing at someone and cursing his mother, and if they weren't satisfied they'd go to Weinan County to clash with you."

"You're really measured."

"Alas!" Chen Yan modestly said, "A hero doesn't boast of past bravery; let's not bring this up again, otherwise I'd become conceited."

"Moreover, you only saw me curse a mother in front of the whole court, but you didn't see that after I finished, I walked away unscathed, and no one has ever trouble‑made me for it."

"Now, who brings up this matter without a look of admiration?"

"I ask you, besides me, who else has done this?"

"Your Cheng Bo Bo and your Yuchi Gong!" Gao Yang raised an eyebrow, "They not only cursed, but also beat that man surnamed Cui; I heard he only got out of bed recently."

"Oh, and by the way, that Cui fellow is actually his wife's maternal family."

Chen Yan: "......"

Alright, Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong really are fiercer than him!

I can't help but admit it.

"Enough, you don't need to worry about this." Chen Yan brushed his clothes, stood up, "When I last entered the palace, His Majesty mentioned this to me; he let me curse when I should, and he covered me."

Li Lizhi, ever clever, instantly grasped the implication.

She then stopped bringing it up, thought for a moment, and said, "Husband, there's something I've kept in my heart and never told you, because I recall you mentioned it when you became Duke, so I didn't speak of it."

"Now, I think I should remind you… you should make a mistake."

Everyone mocked that Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong were mere brawlers, unable to read a single character, uncouth, and unreasonable.

But how many could see that Cheng Yaojin and the like were the truly clever ones?

Hearing Li Lizhi's words, Chen Yan and Gao Yang both froze; the former asked with interest, "Do you think my current mistake is a good opportunity?"

"This… " Li Lizhi was momentarily at a loss for words.

Now Chen Yan is about to become Ministerial Attendant of the Ministry of Revenue, and at the start of the year he'll become Minister of Revenue; how could he make a mistake?

If he deliberately seeks a fault, wouldn't that give others a lever against him?

"I've never forgotten this matter; it's just that in Weinan County I truly couldn't find a good opportunity," Chen Yan said patiently:

"I know exactly what my current situation is: I'm deeply favored by your Father Emperor and Mother Empress, trusted wholeheartedly by the Crown Prince, and at twenty I'm already a key minister of the court, with future prospects of supporting the dragon."

"Tell me, could I dare forget this matter?"

He gave them no chance to speak, Chen Yan continued: "However, this matter can't be hurried; we can't be like Cheng Bo Bo and the others—anyone can see they're actively stirring trouble."

"Today, in private, I'll discuss my plans with you."

"Next year your Father Emperor intends to mobilize troops, but only a handful know about it; you could count them on one hand."

"He will certainly bring this up to the civil and military officials at the beginning of next year, and the matter will then be irreversible; opposition will be futile."

"When that time comes, to win the war, all Six Ministries will mobilize fully, with the Ministry of Revenue being paramount; that will be the perfect chance to make a mistake."

Chen Yan said gravely, "As long as we keep within limits and don't affect the overall situation, it won't be a serious issue."

Hearing him say that, Li Lizhi grew more worried, "Then don't go overboard; this matter isn't that urgent. After all, with me, my younger sister and mother here, it ultimately can't threaten our lives."

"War matters are too important; it's best not to choose that time."

Gao Yang nodded vigorously; she is very rebellious, but she loves Chen Yan even more.

"Don't worry."

Chen Yan grinned, tapping the little gadget in the corner with his chin.

"Even if I don't err at that time, don't I still have 'Li' and 'De'?"

"My main trait is a kind heart; for those who refute me, I usually won't resort to violence, I'll just wield 'Li'; if that fails, I'll invoke 'De'."

Li Lizhi and Gao Yang stared at the two large tiles, each bearing 'Li' and 'De', silently.

"......"