LFHYB -Chapter 25 The Generous Emperor Bestows Rewards Once Again

Li Shimin was rarely so dispirited, wearing a bitter frown the entire time.

Yang Zhao cheerfully teased him.

Li Shimin was so annoyed that he turned his back, presenting only the back of his head to the Crown Prince.

Yang Zhao didn’t get angry and instead said he could help Li Shimin make up his lessons.

Li Shimin turned back and snorted coldly. “I won’t sleep tonight. I’ll finish the books today. I don’t need anyone’s help!”

Li Xuanba no longer mocked his second brother in front of others, but thought to himself: **[Well said! Such ambition! When the teacher quizzes you, don’t expect me to help you cheat.]**

Li Shimin’s eyes widened as he stared at his younger brother in disbelief.

What kind of awful younger brother are you—to not help me at all?!

Li Xuanba walked over to Third Lady Li’s side, using his elder sister to block his second brother’s resentful gaze.

Teacher assessments aren’t like showing off outside. Second Brother, you absolutely can’t cheat. Block him!

Third Lady Li lifted her sleeve to shield Li Xuanba and deliberately smiled at Li Shimin. Li Shimin’s gaze grew even more resentful.

Yang Zhao laughed so hard his belly trembled.

Li Xuanba sneaked a glance at the flesh on Yang Zhao’s body and thought: No wonder the Crown Prince’s health is worrying.

From Chai Shao, Li Xuanba learned that whether it was Yang Zhao himself or those around him, all of them thought nothing of Yang Zhao’s obesity because Yang Zhao was powerfully built and could draw a strong bow.

At this time, everyone regarded fatness as a sign of wealth and prosperity. Although physicians had repeatedly said obesity was unhealthy, the aristocrats never took it seriously.

Li Xuanba glanced again at his still-resentful second brother.

Second Brother’s most beloved second son, Li Tai, was also a huge fat child who could barely walk. If Second Brother had even the slightest awareness that “obesity” was an illness, he wouldn’t have listed Li Tai as a candidate for succession.

Of course, the historical Tang Taizong hadn’t originally planned to depose the crown prince anyway.

Seeing his younger brother looking at him, Li Shimin thought he had changed his mind.

He looked at Li Xuanba with hopeful, starry eyes. Li Xuanba immediately hid his head back behind Third Lady Li again.

Li Shimin fumed inwardly: **[Ahhh!!]**

Li Xuanba’s gaze drifted away. Your “ah” is useless.

Third Lady Li smiled and pressed Li Shimin’s head lightly. “Go study on your own. If you don’t finish your homework, it’s only right that you get punished.”

Li Shimin pouted. “Oh.”

After pouting, he rubbed his face hard and returned to his lively smile.

With his hands on his hips, Li Shimin laughed. “Anyway, I’ll be staying up late reading from now on, and the teachers will scold me soon enough. I should play to my heart’s content now! No more worrying! Come on, A-Xuan, let’s go see how the craftsmen are printing books!”

He suddenly rushed over to Li Xuanba, grabbed the still-unprepared Li Xuanba, and ran.

Li Xuanba felt like he was being dragged along entirely.

If this scene were exaggerated into a comic, his feet would definitely be off the ground.

Third Lady Li hurried after them. “Second Brother, be careful! Don’t make Third Brother fall!”

Chai Shao also rushed to chase after Li Shimin, who had already run far ahead in the blink of an eye.

Yang Zhao ran two steps, took two breaths, then slowed to a leisurely walk.

His calm, unhurried demeanor was half because he was fat. When you’re fat, you can’t rush.

By the time Third Lady Li caught up to Li Shimin and Li Xuanba, Li Shimin was already standing on tiptoe, leaning over the edge of a table, watching the craftsmen demonstrate the printing of Buddhist sutras.

Li Xuanba had both hands on his knees, panting heavily.

Third Lady Li helped pat Li Xuanba’s back and shot Li Shimin a glare.

Li Shimin smiled at his third sister, brushing it off.

“Elder Sister, isn’t this just a giant seal?” Li Shimin bounced up and down on his toes.

Once Li Xuanba caught his breath, he said, “It’s just a giant seal. Try my method.”

After the original shopkeeper of the bookstore was sold off by Old Lady Dou, the new shopkeeper was very obedient. Although Li Xuanba was young, he followed all of Li Xuanba’s instructions and voiced no opinions.

Li Xuanba had a servant bring over a small box. When it was opened, inside was a strange palm-sized toy.

The toy was a frame. On top of the frame were two boards; below was a foot pedal, and to the side was a large wheel.

Li Xuanba set the frame upright and removed the top board. “Install the woodblocks on this frame. There are also mechanisms here for spraying and brushing ink. Using this device can reduce the craftsmen’s workload and allow them to print more books in a day.”

Li Xuanba took a small piece of paper and demonstrated it for everyone.

Yang Zhao asked curiously, “Third Young Master Li, where did you see this?”

Li Xuanba made something up. “I saw it in a storybook. I tried it out, and it really works.”

In truth, he had learned it at the place where he worked in his previous life.

In his previous life, his parents had taken out usurious loans, then borrowed a large sum from relatives and friends before running abroad to live it up. The grandparents who raised him were angered to death. During the winter break of his third year of high school, he dropped out and began working to repay the debts…

At that time, he was only seventeen. Back then, convenient part-time jobs like being a “delivery rider” hadn’t become widespread yet. On top of that, people from debt-collection companies were blocking him and forbidding him from leaving the area, so he could only start with odd jobs.

With help from his homeroom teacher, his very first job was going to an old county printing factory to print exam papers for schools.

The elderly factory director who took him under his wing was especially fond of all kinds of old-style printing presses, and often made models of vintage printing machines for fun.

Later, he helped the old director open an online shop that specialized in selling various printing machine models.

After making money, the old director kindly shared fifty thousand yuan with him.

Coincidentally, around that time, the loan sharks were arrested in an anti-crime crackdown. He used forty thousand yuan to repay part of his debt, gaining the creditors’ trust. At last, he was able to leave his hometown. Carrying the remaining ten thousand yuan, he set off for the southern coastal cities.

So even after transmigrating, he still remembered how to make models of old-style printing machines.

Of course, models could never be as intricate as real old-style printing presses. But those presses were purely manual machines, without any particularly high technical threshold. The Duke of Tang’s residence had skilled craftsmen—if Li Xuanba tinkered with it a bit, he could produce a simplified version.

For now, however, he only brought out a super-simplified “printing machine” that merely reduced the physical burden of woodblock printing. It could barely even be called a printing press.

After all, he was still a child. He couldn’t reveal overly sophisticated technology all at once. Moreover, because Chinese characters were so numerous and craftsmen generally had low literacy rates—and because printing Buddhist scriptures and Confucian classics mainly required large numbers of repeated plates—woodblock printing was still more practical.

Only after his elder brother became emperor would he dare to unveil an old-style printing press using oil-based ink and lead movable type.

Old-style printing presses really didn’t involve much technical complexity. In the era of manual machinery, technological updates—aside from materials—often came down to simply “no one had thought in that direction.”

The craftsmen in the workshop were responsible not only for printing, but also for carving blocks and doing some woodworking. Once Li Xuanba brought out the model, the printing workers immediately realized its usefulness.

At this time, the tax system was the “Zu Yong Diao” system, which imposed strict controls on artisans. Most craftsmen were registered under official management; private artisans were few, and most had aristocratic backing.

The handicraft goods needed by aristocratic officials were either obtained directly through official workshops as part of their stipends, or produced by craftsmen within their own households.

Nowadays, the practice of keeping slaves was prevalent. Skilled artisans were willing to sell themselves to nobles in exchange for a stable life. The craftsmen in the workshop, as well as those Li Xuanba had previously consulted in the residence, were all slaves of the Duke of Tang’s household. Thus, Li Xuanba casually took out his crude woodblock “printing machine” without worrying about it being leaked.

Chai Shao and Yang Zhao initially didn’t take this child’s “toy” seriously. But upon hearing the craftsmen’s excited discussions, they realized that this thing might be even more useful than they had imagined.

Yang Zhao’s return to Daxing this time wasn’t just to attend Chai Shao’s wedding banquet—there was another reason.

When he subtly advised Gao Jiong to take a step back, he happened to run into Gao Jiong and Yuwen Bi discussing Li Xuanba’s request to print Confucian classics that they had personally annotated.

Li Xuanba’s reasoning was this: woodblock printing could rapidly produce large numbers of books, yet among the common people it was only used to print Buddhist scriptures. Buddhist scriptures encourage people toward goodness, but they also lead people toward withdrawal from worldly affairs—and they are foreign texts. We scholars should still focus more on Confucian learning.

Although Emperor Wen of Sui believed in Buddhism, he also strongly promoted Confucian classics. And although most scholars practiced a mix of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism—often with some unspoken traces of Legalism, Military Strategy, or Diplomacy mixed in—after the excesses of the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, clear-minded scholars had begun to re-embrace Confucian orthodoxy and attempted to fuse Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism into a new form of Confucian sacred learning.

Gao Jiong and Yuwen Bi were among those at court who most emphasized the promotion of Confucian studies. Upon seeing Li Xuanba’s letter, they were naturally moved.

The two sighed, lamenting that they had once seen poor families spend money to buy printed Buddhist scriptures and devoutly enshrine them—yet it had never occurred to them that woodblock printing could also be used to print Confucian classics.

Yang Zhao was also a staunch supporter of Confucianism. He knew well that governing the state ultimately had to rest on Confucian learning. Thus, he returned to the capital without hesitation, wanting to personally observe this matter.

Yang Zhao sighed with emotion, “With this change, the printed characters will be much clearer. Using it to print Confucian classics would indeed be appropriate.”

Chai Shao said in surprise, “Printing Confucian classics? Was that Li Third Young Master’s idea?”

Li Xuanba nodded.

Chai Shao exaggeratedly praised him, “So many great Confucian scholars at court never thought of it—Third Young Master is truly impressive.”

Li Shimin said smugly, “Of course! My younger brother is the best!”

Third Lady Li laughed. “Then what about you?”

Li Shimin planted his hands on his hips. “Just as impressive as my brother.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Li Xuanba curled his fingers and scratched his cheek, feeling a little embarrassed by all the praise. Still, he was puzzled—woodblock printing had been popular for a long time, yet it wasn’t until the Later Tang of the Five Dynasties that Chancellor Feng Dao and Li Yu first petitioned to print Confucian classics.

Perhaps the important figures at court truly paid little attention to affairs among the common people.

After seeing Li Xuanba’s “toy,” Yang Zhao felt his suggestion was highly feasible. “Cousin, would you be willing to present this ingenious device to His Majesty? Of course, His Majesty would never take your things without compensation.”

Li Xuanba replied, “His Majesty may use it as he pleases. It’s just a little trinket—how could it deserve the word ‘present’? I don’t want to gain a reputation for being good at woodworking.”

Yang Zhao laughed. “And what if you do? Zhuge Wuhou was also skilled in ingenious devices. Cousin, you could be Zhuge reborn.”

Li Xuanba clasped his hands and said, “Though I could never become Zhuge Wuhou reborn, since my cousin praises me so highly, I’ll take it as encouragement and shamelessly accept it.”

Li Shimin’s eyes darted about as he said, “I want to be Zhuge Wuhou too! A-Xuan, let’s do it together!”

Li Xuanba was speechless. “Can there be two Zhuge Wuhous?”

Li Shimin replied, “Why not? The more Zhuge Wuhous, the better!”

Yang Zhao laughed. “Second Young Master is right—the more, the better. You two can both become Zhuge Wuhou.”

Li Shimin beamed with pride. “Cousin is right too, hehe.”

Li Xuanba was even more speechless. Hehe your head.

His second brother had wanted to be so many different people since childhood—one moment Champion Marquis, the next Wei Qing, and now he wanted to be Zhuge Wuhou as well.

No one knew whether, after Second Brother became emperor, he would feel embarrassed when recalling the dreams of his childhood.

Most likely not. Even after growing up, Second Brother would probably still be as thick-skinned as he was now—completely unembarrassed, and even cracking a few jokes about it.

Li Xuanba generously presented the model to the Crown Prince. Yang Zhao immediately had people report the matter to the emperor without delay.

When Yang Guang learned of it, he was extremely pleased.

He was someone who loved grand achievements and displays of merit; anything that could create a great stir delighted him.

Thus, he issued an order to the Crown Prince to gather craftsmen to study this printing technique—first to print the Confucian classics, then the calendar, and afterward to compile the edicts he had issued since ascending the throne, such as his proclamations for recruiting talent, into a collection called Sacred Words, which would be printed and distributed throughout the realm.

If the printing results were good, Yang Guang also planned to have people compile the rare and unique books stored in the palace into a comprehensive collection, print multiple copies, and store several sets each in Luoyang and Jiangdu.

Yang Guang himself was a lavish man. Unlike Emperor Wen of Sui, who was frugal to the extreme, he rewarded those he favored with great generosity.

He immediately wrote to Li Xuanba, asking whether Li Xuanba wished to take up the position of Attendant-in-Ordinary (Shizhong).

At present, the post of Shizhong was merely an honorary one, usually bestowed as an additional title upon those close to the emperor. If granted alone, it meant drawing a salary without having to do any actual work.

When Li Shimin learned of this, he was so delighted that he jumped three feet into the air.
“Great! A-Xuan can go be an official first! Your elder brother will follow right behind!”

Li Yuan was also extremely pleased.

Though Li Jiancheng felt a twinge of jealousy, he still put on the demeanor of a good elder brother and congratulated Li Xuanba.

Only Lady Dou frowned. “Isn’t this a bit too conspicuous?”

Li Xuanba thought for a moment and said, “Father, please help me decline His Majesty’s kindness, and instead ask for some land and money.”

Li Yuan was puzzled. “Why?”

Li Xuanba replied, “When a tree stands out in the forest, the wind is sure to destroy it. Second Brother and I have already been attending the emperor, Father has been summoned to court, and now I am to receive the post of Shizhong—our family’s favor is excessive. As Mother said, I am still young. Such heavy fortune may not be something I can bear. Throughout history, many who entered officialdom at a young age met with poor fates.”

At this time, people believed not only in prophetic doctrines but also in “fate.”

When Li Xuanba merely spoke of the family’s excessive favor, Li Yuan did not take it seriously.

As the emperor’s cousin, it was only natural for him to enjoy such favor. Besides, compared to the Yu Wen Shu family—favored ministers at the emperor’s side—their family’s glory was far from excessive.

However, when Li Xuanba said that “excessive fortune is hard to bear,” Li Yuan truly took it to heart.

Since birth, Li Xuanba had been in poor health and was overly intelligent—traits that perfectly matched those prodigies in the histories who died young.

Seeing that his father had been persuaded, Li Xuanba added, “Furthermore, Father, I wish to enter court through the imperial examinations.”

Li Yuan rejected it without a second thought. “Absolutely not! Entering office through the examinations invites contempt. Haven’t you seen the situation of those recruited through the examinations under the late emperor?”

Li Xuanba, of course, knew this well.

Although later records state that the Mingjing category began under Emperor Wen of Sui and the Jinshi category under Emperor Yang of Sui, in reality, as early as the Han dynasty’s recommendation system, those recommended to court were already selected through examinations, and the classifications of Mingjing and Jinshi already existed.

Conversely, later archaeological findings show that in Emperor Wen’s and Emperor Yang’s edicts regarding the selection of officials through examinations, the terms “Mingjing” and “imperial examinations” did not appear.

This did not mean that Emperor Wen and Emperor Yang had not opened these categories. Rather, they simply followed the ancient naming conventions for examination categories and did not explicitly emphasize them, nor did they value examination-based recruitment as highly as later generations imagined.

Emperor Wen of Sui truly did not place much importance on talent recruited through examinations; he trusted meritorious nobles and those from aristocratic families who entered office through hereditary privilege far more.

During Emperor Wen’s reign, most who entered court through the examinations—such as Wang Zhen—were given minor posts like county commandant and dismissed. Even more people, such as Liu Zhuo and Hou Bai, failed to obtain any official position at all.

Hou Bai even entered office through the most difficult-to-pass Xiucai category, yet Emperor Wen treated him as little more than a source of amusement. Yang Su was close friends with Hou Bai and repeatedly recommended him, but Emperor Wen always said Hou Bai was unqualified to be an official, granting him only the rank of a fifth-rank official without real authority.

When Li Yuan was young, he had attended Emperor Wen closely and was deeply favored by him, so he had personally witnessed how Hou Bai was treated like a court jester.

Thus, the moment Li Xuanba mentioned entering office through the imperial examinations, Li Yuan felt a strong aversion.

Li Xuanba said, “Father, His Majesty today is different from the late emperor. While attending him, I heard His Majesty say that he prefers to employ talents he has personally selected. His Majesty privately told me that next year he will add new examination categories, open the examinations, and personally select officials.”

Li Yuan looked at Li Shimin. “Is that really true?”

I’ve never heard of this! Li Shimin answered without hesitation, “It’s true! His Majesty said it!”

He probably said it privately to A-Xuan. I’ll help convince Father first!

Li Yuan was somewhat tempted. “If His Majesty has already said this to you…”

Li Jiancheng objected. “Even if His Majesty intends to value officials selected through the examinations, the court ministers will still look down on them. How can the Duke of Tang’s household produce someone who entered office through the examinations? It would be too shameful for our family.”

Li Yuan hesitated again. “That is indeed the case. It doesn’t seem very appropriate.”

Lady Dou wanted to interject, but her lips moved several times before she remained silent, worried that if she spoke, her husband would reflexively oppose her.

Li Xuanba gave his mother a reassuring look and continued, “Our Duke of Tang’s household is the emperor’s trusted maternal kin, flourishing like oil poured onto blazing fire. If every brother in the family wields excessive power, it may not be a good thing. If I enter court through the examinations, the sons of meritorious nobles and aristocratic families will disdain to associate with me—perhaps that would actually be better for the Duke of Tang’s household.”

Li Shimin also persuaded him. “Exactly, Father. A-Xuan already has poor stamina and can’t be burdened by mundane affairs. Let him stay in the capital editing books—no one will bother him, and he’ll enjoy peace and leisure. I’ll go to the frontier as a general and earn a title with my own hands. If we brothers each take different paths into officialdom, wouldn’t that be even better?”

Li Yuan was still unconvinced, but Li Jiancheng agreed. “Father, when Second Brother puts it that way, it does seem feasible.”

Only then did Lady Dou speak up. “Erlang and Sanlang both wish to earn their official positions through their own efforts. Such ambition is admirable—my lord, just agree to it. As for the opinions of others at court, as long as His Majesty favors Sanlang sufficiently, who would dare look down on him?”

Li Yuan’s wavering finally came to an end. He nodded. “Very well. Then Sanlang, prepare yourself properly. Although with our family’s status, the title of Xiucai would be easily obtained through the examinations, you should still make sure your talent convinces everyone.”

Among the regular imperial examinations of the Sui and Tang dynasties, the “Xiucai Examination” was the most difficult, with an extremely low acceptance rate.

From the establishment of the Sui examination system until the dynasty’s fall, fewer than ten people in total attained the title of xiucai. In the early Tang, the standards of the xiucai exam were set so high that no one passed it for a long time, and the examination was soon abolished. From then on, the term xiucai became merely an honorific used to praise learned scholars.

No matter how many new examination categories the current emperor might open in the future, if the young masters of the Duke of Tang’s residence were to enter officialdom through the imperial examinations, they would certainly compete for the title of xiucai.

“Father, do you even need to remind us?” Li Shimin said. “My teacher and A-Xuan’s teachers are Duke Gao and Duke Yuwen! How could disciples of Duke Gao and Duke Yuwen not be xiucai? Hmph. If I weren’t planning to join the army, I’d go take the xiucai exam myself.”

Li Yuan replied irritably, “Yes, yes, your teachers—and Sanlang‘s—are Duke Gao and Duke Yuwen. Then Erlang, have you finished your studies?”

Li Shimin’s little face collapsed. “Father, I’m going to start hating you!”

Li Yuan burst out laughing.

At first, Li Jiancheng felt a bit envious of Li Shimin and Li Xuanba’s teachers. After hearing Li Yuan’s teasing, he couldn’t help smiling as well. “Second Brother, people of the Southern Dynasties once said, ‘Brilliant as a child does not guarantee excellence as an adult.’ Your current cleverness means nothing—do not slack off.”

Li Shimin, face drooping, cupped his hands. “Yes, Elder Brother.”

Lady Dou covered her mouth and laughed. “Erlang is still very diligent. It’s just that he’s been a bit lax these past few days.”

Li Xuanba nodded repeatedly. Indeed—very lax.

“A few days ago, Second Brother said he’d stay up late studying, but these past few days he’s become lazy again, always wanting to go riding and shooting arrows,” Li Xuanba sighed dramatically. “Where did my diligent Second Brother from last year go? How could the Second Brother of today be this slothful!”

Li Shimin exploded in anger. “A-Xuan!”

You bastard of a little brother! I was just speaking up for you, and now you’re mocking me together with Father, Mother, and Elder Brother!

Lady Dou laughed. “This is also your father’s fault. Now that he has nothing to do at home, the moment he saw His Majesty reward Erlang with a little colt, he insisted on teaching him how to ride, delaying his studies.”

Li Yuan sighed helplessly. “Fine, fine, it’s my fault. Erlang, I’ll confiscate your little colt.”

Li Shimin’s mouth fell open wide enough to fit an entire boiled egg. “No!! A-Xuan! Hurry and help me persuade Father! Give my little horse back!”

Li Xuanba held back his laughter. “No way. Who told you not to finish your lessons?”

Li Shimin’s lips trembled, and he burst into loud sobs.

Lady Dou and Li Yuan laughed even harder.

Li Xuanba stopped laughing. He handed his brother a handkerchief to wipe his tears and runny nose, comforting him silently in his heart: **[Serves you right for not doing your lessons properly. Do you really want to wait until the teachers check your work and feel disappointed in you? The teachers took a detour to visit friends and were delayed a few days—they should be arriving by now.]**

Li Shimin hugged his little brother tightly, deliberately smearing the tears and snot he’d cried out all over Li Xuanba’s shoulder.

Li Xuanba: “……”

So filthy!!!

Lady Dou and Li Yuan laughed until they were nearly out of breath.

Li Jiancheng showed a look of disgust. Just moments ago, he had thought his two younger brothers were quite nice. Now, hearing the piercing cries and seeing the mess of tears and snot, he no longer liked them.

Sigh. Children are so annoying.

……

In the end, Li Yuan wrote a letter politely declining Yang Guang’s reward.

Li Yuan should not have known about Yang Guang’s plan to expand the imperial examination system, so he said nothing more on the matter.

Li Xuanba also wrote a letter. In it, he said that he wished to compete with talented scholars from all under heaven, so that when he stood by His Majesty’s side, he could do so with confidence and justification. Moreover, he had heard that outstanding candidates in the examinations could receive personal questioning from the emperor—wouldn’t that make them disciples of the Son of Heaven?

This matter had nothing to do with Li Shimin originally, but he still used his hands—swollen from being struck by the rulers of their two teachers—to add a few lines: “I will fight wars for my maternal uncle; A-Xuan will become my uncle’s disciple. Together, we will be perfect in both civil and military pursuits!”

When Yang Guang read Li Xuanba’s letter, his gaze lingered back and forth over the four words “disciple of the Son of Heaven” for a long while, before settling on the sentence Li Shimin had added.

Smiling, he said to his most trusted confidant and senior minister, Yuwen Shu, “Duke Shu, don’t you think these two boys are very likeable?”

Yuwen Shu replied, “Your Majesty’s judgment has never been wrong.”

Yang Guang laughed heartily.

Seeing that Yang Guang was in a good mood, Yuwen Shu then brought up the real purpose of the audience. “Your Majesty, the Duke of Chu has fallen ill. While sick, he seems to harbor resentment toward Your Majesty, saying, ‘Why should I go on living?’”

Yang Guang’s smile faded. He snorted coldly. “Indeed resentment—but also self-awareness.”