Chapter 574: Li Yifu Arrives

"Fine, go play by yourself, don't bother your brother."

Li Lizhi walked over, gave Sizi a gentle tap on the head, and, despite his displeased expression, slowly approached Chen Yan and asked softly:

"Husband, aren't you returning to the Ministry of Revenue today?"

"Not going back," Chen Yan waved his hand broadly. "I've done something big these past two days; I need to give myself a vacation, rest properly, and let others worry about the Ministry's affairs."

Li Lizhi hesitated a moment and urged, "But you're now the Minister of Revenue; is it really okay not to go?"

"What's so bad?" Chen Yan curled his lip. "I never wanted to be a Minister of Revenue; I think being a small County Magistrate is fine."

"Besides, isn't the Minister of Revenue a person? Doesn't the Minister need rest?"

"Yesterday I even got scolded by your Father Emperor, who said that anyone who reads the Spring and Autumn Annals isn't a good person, that reading the Spring and Autumn Annals offended him?"

"And the rumors outside haven't settled yet; when tomorrow the Great Tang Daily publishes this, I expect it will spark even more discussion."

"Let your Father Emperor worry about solving it; I'm not going anyway."

Li Lizhi asked in confusion, "During today's regular court, did no one mention this?"

"That's a matter worth ten thousand strings, something the historiographers must record; did no one bring it up?"

"Strangely enough…" Chen Yan stroked his chin. "Today's regular court was ordinary, nothing major. The only noteworthy thing was Wang Gui saying the Wen Ming Dian would be completed in two days."

"The rest were trivial matters; after they were mentioned, the court adjourned."

"…Fine, never mind them." Chen Yan stretched his body, crossed his legs, and said, "Your mother's birthday banquet is approaching; remember to prepare a congratulatory gift. After the Mother Empress's birthday banquet, it's the…"

"Young master!"

Before Chen Yan could finish, Qing'er knocked on the door from outside, called out, and interrupted him.

"Come in."

Qing'er pushed the door open and said, "Young master, Li Yifu and his party have arrived, hoping to see you."

"Li Yifu?" Chen Yan was startled. "What does he want?"

"Qing'er doesn't know, but besides Li Yifu, Dai Zhide and Zhang Wenguan have also come; they're currently in the reception hall."

Chen Yan heard this and felt a bit bewildered.

How did these three show up at the same time?

Does Weinan County not matter?

"Husband, shall you go meet them?" Li Lizhi said. "If you don't want to, I can handle it for you, saying you're not home and are dealing with official business at the Ministry of Revenue."

"No need. These three wouldn't normally seek me out; if they did, it must be something. I'll go take a look."

Chen Yan waved his hand, got up, and led Qing'er toward the reception hall.

At that moment, the three accompanying Li Yifu felt somewhat uneasy.

Because times have changed; now Chen Yan is no longer the small County Magistrate of Weinan County but the current Minister of Revenue. Not to mention his influence sways the court and the realm, it's not much different.

I wonder what Chen Yan thinks of them now, does he still regard these little shrimp as worth his attention?

Soon, Chen Yan appeared with Qing'er; the three with Li Yifu hurried to stand, but Chen Yan grabbed them with one hand.

"Fine, why are you being so polite to me?"

"Just sit wherever, pour yourself some tea."

Saying that, he unceremoniously plopped himself in the head seat and poured tea by himself.

Although he acted very casually, as if the three weren't guests, precisely because of that, Li Yifu and his companions felt their nervousness melt away.

"Duke of Wei, long time no see; you still shine with such splendor," Li Yifu said with a smile, offering a compliment.

"Fine, between us, who doesn't know who? When you flash that smiling look, I know you definitely didn't hold in any gas today."

"Stop beating around the bush, just tell me what's up; you know I like it direct."

"Indeed, I can't hide from you, sir… I came today with a request…"

As he spoke, he suddenly paused, looking as if he couldn't finish his sentence.

"Duke of Wei, here's the thing: I heard you're planning to expand the library… May I ask if it's in Chang'an City?"

When he finished speaking, Chen Yan was momentarily stunned, then realized why the three had come.

"You're worried that after I expand the library, it will affect Weinan County's development?"

"Indeed so," Dai Zhide said calmly.

Everyone knows that Weinan County's rapid development over the past two years was largely due to the library attracting many scholars.

Their spending power was strong, almost directly driving the county's economic growth.

But if Chen Yan expands the library in Chang'an, Weinan County's advantage would vanish.

After all, Chang'an is the capital, the most prosperous place in the Tang Dynasty.

Why go to Weinan County for things that can be found in Chang'an City?

Chen Yan gave the three a deep look, feeling a faint disappointment.

The three are still far from becoming future prime ministers who dominate the court; they're still too young, and panic when faced with problems.

They still need to grow......

Chen Yan's expression cooled a bit, "So you mean you want me to stop expanding the library, treat Weinan County as the only focus, and thus abandon cultivating talent from humble families, right?"

With those words spoken, the three instantly panicked.

"Sir, I certainly didn't mean that. Even if we don't fully understand the situation, we know expanding the library is the inevitable trend and cannot be stopped."

"We came today to ask your opinion, to see if Weinan County can continue developing even after losing the library's advantage…"

"Alright, is that your problem?" Chen Yan, more disappointed, asked, "You three set aside official duties just to come here because of this?"

"If so, then you should continue your training in Weinan County for two more years."

"This…" The three with Li Yifu grew even more nervous.

It's not because Chen Yan told them to train for two years; honestly, two years is nothing for an official career.

The reason they were nervous was that they saw a look of disappointment on Chen Yan's face.

Chen Yan said to Dai Zhide, "Don't blame me for not speaking of sentiment; right now you are indeed still lacking a lot, you can go back and tell your uncle about this matter, and ask his opinion."

"Also, it seems you have been getting one thing wrong all along, and have forgotten what I said."

"The positioning of Weinan County is that of an industrialized county town, not a place like Jiangnan that attracts many people for tourism and brief stays."

"Go back and think over my words carefully; when the day comes that you truly achieve it, that will be when you return to Chang'an and formally step onto the Court!"

"......"