Chapter 296: Ministers Must Be Loyal

Along the way.

Wei Zheng and Wei Shuyu wandered aimlessly around Chang'an.

As night fell, the two finally chose a teahouse to rest.

What did you see today?

Wei Zheng poured himself a full cup of tea and then poured a cup for his son as well.

"The situation of the Tang Dynasty."

Wei Shuyu replied seriously, "Father, are you trying to tell me that I should do things for the people?"

"Not bad..."

Wei Zheng took a sip of tea and smiled, "The Wei family's offspring are indeed intelligent."

"Have you seen that servant boy?"

Wei Zheng suddenly pointed to a servant boy in the distance who was bragging to a guest.

"The reason he can work here peacefully and earn a living is because of the Tang Dynasty and because of His Majesty."

"The children live in peace and contentment, with food to eat and books to read, because of the Tang Dynasty and because of Your Majesty."

"The veterans are able to have enough to eat after coming down from the battlefield, thanks to the Tang Dynasty and His Majesty."

Suddenly.

Wei Zheng paused, then looked at his son…

"What your father wants to tell you is..."

“Our Wei family has never worked for His Majesty.”

"But they are doing things for the common people of the world!"

"So you don't need to be timid."

"I asked you to pretend to be weak because I was afraid that someone would have something to use against you."

"On the contrary..."

"From now on, you need to be even more high-profile!"

"As long as you are in the right, no one in the court will dare to touch you."

Wei Shuyu pondered.

He knew that Wei Zheng wanted him to work for the people.

But this world doesn't belong to me.

We should help the people in need whenever we can.

"Why wouldn't you want to?" Wei Zheng frowned.

"father……"

Wei Shuyu pondered for a moment and replied, "Serving the people is not limited to becoming an official."

Wei Shuyu maintained his own opinion.

He still refused to work under Li Shimin.

"So what do you plan to do?" Wei Zheng asked.

"I can make money as a businessman."

Wei Shuyu grinned and said, "Look at my cane sugar and white sugar. If I sold them, I could definitely make a lot of money."

"Don't be too happy yet."

Wei Zheng suddenly laughed: "If you didn't have power, you absolutely couldn't have done it..."

Wei Shuyu was about to retort.

Suddenly I was dumbfounded...

"You've driven the Cui family boy away."

"Without his support, your candy would be snatched away by the aristocratic families as soon as it's offered."

"..."

Wei Shuyu is a complete idiot.

That's really true.

Old Wei has offended so many people in the court. As his son, if I don't have power to protect myself, I won't be able to get anything done.

"Let me put it another way."

Wei Zheng considered for a moment and said, "How do you feel seeing the Cui family boy being bullied today?"

Wei Shuyu's heart finally stirred.

I feel terrible.

Little Jiji is still very loyal.

"Don't you feel an urge to punch the Prince of Yan?"

Yes, I have.

That's perfect.

"Aren't you angry that His Majesty wants to kill you?"

I'm so angry.

I'm absolutely furious.

Wei Shuyu remained expressionless.

But Old Wei could tell at a glance that his son had been persuaded, so he continued to entice him...

"Emperors... all have a common problem."

"The more timid you are and the more you avoid him, the more suspicious he will become."

“You’re always jumping around in front of him, never leaving his sight, so he has no chance to suspect anything.”

As Wei Zheng recounted his story, Wei Shuyu's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

In short, it can be summed up in one sentence.

Jump around in front of Li Shimin more often, and criticize Li Shimin more!

Power and wealth are both yours!

"Father, I understand!" Wei Shuyu nodded seriously.

"You really understand?"

"Understand."

Wei Shuyu nodded: "Anyway, if you're right, just spout nonsense, who cares who the Heavenly King is..."

Wei Zheng choked.

So today I went around in circles and talked a lot of profound principles.

Was all our work in vain?

Whatever, whatever...

Let's start criticizing first.

The rest will be taught later.

"remember."

Wei Zheng said solemnly, "The people are the bottom line for our Wei family, and we must never cross it even slightly."

Wei Shuyu nodded.

"Alright."

Wei Zheng took out a copper coin and placed it on the table: "It's time to go home, or your mother will start nagging you again."

The next day.

Wei Shuyu awoke from his bed.

The familiar sound of the large wok did not ring out.

Creak.

Open the door, and all you can see is the sun's bald head.

Today was another day of dealing with trolls—oops, I mean, another day of working for the people's well-being.

"Big brother!"

Qin Shandao ran up and pointed at Wei Shuyu indignantly, saying, "Why did you bully Brother Jiji and Brother Aiai? You have disappointed me so much."

"Little Shandao..."

Wei Shuyu narrowed his eyes and beckoned: "Come here."

"what?"

Qin Shandao involuntarily took a step back.

"come over!"

Wei Shuyu sternly rebuked him.

Qin Shandao walked awkwardly to Wei Shuyu, his hands still covering his head.

The beating I imagined didn't happen.

"Being loyal is a good thing."

Wei Shuyu simply patted him on the shoulder: "Then copy the Classic of Filial Piety five times today, and I will check it tomorrow."

Click.

The sky collapsed and the earth cracked.

Copy...copy it five times?

"Big brother, just give me a beating," Qin Shandao said with a wry smile.

"Ten times!"

"Big brother."

"Twenty times!"

"Big brother, I actually just wanted to tell you five times that it's fine, there's absolutely no problem!"

Qin Shandao quickly changed his tune.

"This child is teachable."

Wei Shuyu nodded with a smile: "After you finish copying, I'll teach you makeup techniques."

"Okay."

Qin Shandao was delighted again.

He took care of Wei Shuyu every day and knew that Wei Shuyu was in very good health.

Now, as soon as I step outside, my complexion turns pale.

This is an amazing skill...

Da'an Palace.

Li Yuan was exercising in the courtyard, performing a set of Five Animal Frolics with impressive skill.

Finished the fight and that was it.

Two eunuchs immediately stepped forward with trays in hand.

He took a towel from the tray to wipe his sweat, and then took a sip of water from another tray.

"Your Majesty, Wei Shuyu requests an audience," a guard announced.

Xiao Wei?

To be honest, he's been quite worried about Wei Shuyu these days.

Because they were afraid of being implicated.

He hasn't criticized Li Shimin for over a month.

"Let him in."

"Your subject, Wei Shuyu, greets the Emperor Emeritus." Wei Shuyu bowed respectfully.

"Shuyu..."

Li Yuan sighed: "You're finally awake. How are you feeling?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Wei Shuyu bowed and replied, "However, I have come here with a request."

"What's up?"

"Your Majesty, I have been wronged! I beg you to uphold justice!" Wei Shuyu suddenly bowed solemnly.

Li Yuan was taken aback.

He had also heard about the humiliation Wei Shuyu suffered yesterday.

Xiao Wei has helped me so much, so I should stand up for him.

"Are you trying to take it out on You'er?"

Li Yuan said nonchalantly, "I'll summon him here right now and teach him a lesson."

"no……"

Wei Shuyu shook his head.

He didn't take the mere Prince of Yan seriously at all...

Who is that?

Li Yuan asked in confusion.

"The Retired Emperor".

Wei Shuyu suddenly raised his head: "Your subject will be loyal to the end!"

"Your Majesty, I must strive for the well-being of the people!"

"Your Majesty, I wish to bring you happiness and well-being!"

"His Majesty refuses, but I beg the Retired Emperor to uphold justice for me!"

Li Yuan's eyes widened further.

The joy came too suddenly; my little heart can hardly take it.

But I am the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty...

If one refuses to be loyal to a subject, is that even human?

We must take the lead! We absolutely must take the lead!

"What?"

Li Yuan angrily threw the teacup onto the tray: "How dare this beast do such an absurd thing?"

"Come, I'll take care of it for you!"