Chapter 64 The Art of Balancing and Unexpected Turmoil
In the spring of the thirteenth year of the Zhenguan era, Chang'an was a vibrant city. The results of agricultural improvements were evident, and the Guanzhong region had ushered in another bumper harvest. Cement roads extended from Chang'an to Taiyuan, making trade and travel more convenient. Maritime trade fleets returned from India, bringing back not only rare goods but also trade agreements signed with countries along the way.
On the surface, the court remained calm, but the power struggles behind the scenes continued. Li Tai established a good relationship with the Imperial Medical Bureau by participating in the compilation of medical classics; Li Chengqian, on the other hand, began to preside over the revision of laws and the improvement of the official evaluation system, demonstrating his governing abilities.
Wang Yi continued her art of balancing—guiding Li Chengqian in advancing practical reforms while maintaining appropriate academic exchanges with Li Tai; consolidating her trust in Empress Zhangsun while remaining detached and neutral in front of Li Shimin.
But balance is always fragile, and an unexpected event shattered the surface calm.
In early March, an urgent report came from Hebei: the newly built cement embankment developed cracks during the spring snowmelt. Although it did not collapse, it had already caused panic among the local residents. To make matters worse, rumors circulated that this was "divine retribution" because the imperial court had been undertaking large-scale construction projects in recent years, wasting resources and manpower.
When the report reached the imperial court, Li Shimin was furious. He immediately summoned his ministers to discuss the matter and included officials from the Ministry of Works in charge of water conservancy projects, craftsmen from the Directorate of Works, and Wang Yi, who had proposed promoting cement.
At the court assembly, the Minister of Works reported tremblingly: "Your Majesty, according to preliminary investigation, the cracks in the dam were caused by the local craftsmen's failure to strictly follow the construction process requirements, improper cement ratio, and insufficient curing time. It is not a problem with the materials themselves."
"It's not a materials problem?" Li Shimin said coldly, "Then it's a people problem! Who was responsible for supervising the construction? Who inspected the project?"
The Vice Minister of Works stepped forward, his face ashen: "It was...it was my responsibility. I failed in my duty, Your Majesty, please punish me."
At this moment, an imperial censor with close ties to the Prince of Wei stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I believe this matter cannot be entirely blamed on the Ministry of Works. Cement is a new material with complex processes, and the level of mastery among craftsmen varies from place to place, so problems are inevitable. However, the court's eagerness to promote it without fully considering the risks is also one of the reasons."
These words, seemingly an attempt to exonerate the Ministry of Works, actually pointed the finger at Wang Yi and the Crown Prince, who were pushing for the application of cement.
Another courtier chimed in: "Indeed, cement roads and cement embankments have been built everywhere in recent years. While they have facilitated transportation and water conservancy, they have also consumed a great deal of manpower and resources. Now that problems have arisen, shouldn't we reflect on whether we have been too hasty?"
There was much discussion and a tense atmosphere in the imperial court.
Li Chengqian stepped forward and said, “Father, the problems that have arisen in the application of cement do indeed require reflection and improvement. However, the benefits of cement are also very real—roads are clearer and transportation efficiency is improved; dikes are stronger and flood control capabilities are enhanced. We should not throw the baby out with the bathwater, but rather improve the process and strengthen supervision.”
Li Tai also stepped forward: "Your Majesty is right. However, this incident also reminds us that we must be cautious in promoting new technologies. I suggest that we suspend new cement projects until the cause is found and the standards are improved before continuing."
The two men's suggestions seemed similar, but in fact they had different focuses—Li Chengqian advocated "continued improvement," while Li Tai advocated "suspending and rectifying."
Li Shimin looked at Wang Yi: "Master, what do you think of this matter?"
All eyes were on Wang Yi. This was the first time she had been directly questioned about politics at a court assembly, and any answer to this question could offend one side.
Wang Yi calmly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I believe that both princes are right. Problems do indeed require rectification and improvement; however, the benefits of cement should not be denied because of this."
She paused, then continued, “I suggest the following measures: First, immediately dispatch an expert team to Hebei to investigate the cause of the cracks and formulate a repair plan; second, conduct a comprehensive inspection of the completed cement projects and rectify any problems found in a timely manner; third, formulate stricter cement construction standards and acceptance specifications, and train craftsmen from various regions; fourth, hold the officials who neglected their duties in this incident accountable according to the law.”
"As for whether to suspend new projects..." Wang Yi looked at Li Shimin, "I believe that we can suspend new projects in Hebei Province until the problems are clarified. However, in other regions, if the technology is mature and supervision is in place, we can continue. After all, water conservancy projects are related to the safety of the people, and road projects are related to the national economy and people's livelihood. We cannot generalize."
This response acknowledged the problem while offering solutions; it supported accountability while avoiding complete rejection; it responded to Li Chengqian's call for "continued improvement" while also taking into account Li Tai's call for "cautious suspension."
The court was silent. Several senior officials nodded to each other, finding the suggestion practical and comprehensive.
Li Shimin pondered for a moment, then finally said, "Let's do as the Master says. The Ministry of Works shall immediately send people to Hebei to investigate the cause and repair the dikes. The Supervisory Commission shall formulate new construction standards and train craftsmen. As for accountability... we will deal with it after the cause is found."
"Your Majesty is wise!" the ministers exclaimed in unison.
After the court session ended, Wang Yi had just stepped out of the main hall when Li Tai caught up with him.
"Please wait, Master." Li Tai bowed respectfully. "You handled the court assembly today with great skill and grace. I admire you."
"Your Highness flatters me," Wang Yi said calmly. "I am merely stating the facts."
"It is precisely this 'discussing the matter at hand' attitude that is most commendable," Li Tai said sincerely. "Unbiased, pragmatic, and realistic. If there were more ministers like you in the court, how could the Tang Dynasty not prosper?"
These words were both a compliment and a test. Wang Yi smiled slightly: "Your Highness is too kind. I was merely doing my duty."
She didn't say anything more, bowed, and took her leave. Li Tai watched her retreating figure, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
Upon returning to Qixia Garden, Wang Yi immediately began handling the aftermath of the incident. She assembled the most skilled craftsmen from the Imperial Workshop to form an expert group, preparing to travel to Hebei; she compiled all the technical data on cement construction, preparing to formulate new standards; and she also contacted local medical officials in Hebei through the Imperial Medical Bureau to understand the disaster situation and public sentiment.
Busy until evening, Li Chengqian came to visit.
"Master, I am so grateful to you today." Li Chengqian looked exhausted. "If it weren't for your proper handling of the situation, those who oppose cement might have used this as an excuse to negate all our efforts over the years."
Wang Yi poured him tea: "Your Highness need not worry too much. The benefits of cement are real and the people can see them. As long as we solve the problem, the rumors will fall apart on their own."
“That may be true, but…” Li Chengqian clenched his fist, “The Prince of Wei’s behavior in court today was clearly an attempt to use this matter to attack me. Saying ‘suspend and reorganize’ was actually just an attempt to obstruct the various projects I was pushing forward.”
“Your Highness,” Wang Yi said solemnly, “what you need to do now is not to guess the intentions of the Prince of Wei, but to handle this matter well. As long as the dike is repaired, the problem is solved, and the people are satisfied, any doubts will disappear.”
Li Chengqian took a deep breath: "What you say is right. I will make the arrangements immediately to ensure that the expert team departs as soon as possible and handles the situation properly."
After seeing Li Chengqian off, Wang Yi stood alone by the window, pondering the impact of this matter.
Problems with the cement project are certainly a blow. But they also present an opportunity—if handled properly, they can not only salvage the project's reputation but also further standardize the technology promotion process.
More importantly, this incident exposed the factional divisions within the court. Those who seized the opportunity to launch an attack likely had their own agendas.
She needs to be more careful.
A few days later, the expert team departed for Hebei. Leading the team was Master Zhao, the most senior craftsman in the Imperial Workshop, along with a capable physician from the Ministry of Works. Although Wang Yi did not go in person, he kept abreast of the progress through carrier pigeons and express messengers.
The investigation results came back quickly: the cause of the cracks was indeed, as the Ministry of Works had stated, the local craftsmen's failure to follow the specifications. But the deeper reason was that local officials were eager to achieve political results and shortened the construction period; and the supervisory officials had accepted bribes and turned a blind eye.
"It was indeed a man-made disaster." Wang Yi looked at the report and understood.
She immediately reported the situation to Li Shimin. Li Shimin was furious and ordered the officials involved to be severely punished, while commending the local village head who had promptly discovered and reported the problem.
The dam repair work was quickly launched. Under Master Zhao's guidance, local craftsmen rebuilt the dam according to the new standards, not only repairing the cracks but also reinforcing the entire section. Upon completion, just as the spring rainy season arrived, the dam withstood the test and remained intact.
When the news reached Chang'an, the doubts gradually subsided. Li Shimin publicly praised the expert group and the repair craftsmen at a court assembly and announced that the new cement construction standards would be promoted nationwide.
The incident ended without serious consequences. But Wang Yi knew that the undercurrents had not subsided.
Sure enough, soon after, a new saying began to circulate in the court: Although the Protector of the Nation was capable, she was, after all, a woman and should not interfere too much in politics. The problems with the cement project were because she had meddled too much; women are ultimately less composed than men.
This argument is insidious because it attacks not Wang Yi's abilities, but her gender. In an era of male dominance, such attacks are often most effective.
For the first time, Wang Yi felt the malice emanating from the imperial court. Those who had once praised her talent, those who had benefited from her advice, revealed a different side when it came to power and positions.
She didn't publicly refute it, because she knew that explaining at this time would only make her seem more guilty. She simply continued with her own work—guiding agricultural improvements, promoting the compilation of medical classics, and assisting in the compilation of the "Kuodi Zhi" (a local gazetteer), as if she hadn't heard anything.
But in private, she began to strengthen her protection.
Through Zhou Wei's connections in the modern world, she commissioned a batch of more sophisticated monitoring equipment to keep abreast of the court's movements; she expanded her network of contacts in the Imperial Medical Bureau, the Directorate of Works, and the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure smooth information flow; she even began to contact some mid- to low-ranking officials to understand their thoughts and attitudes.
At the same time, she was also observing Li Tai and Li Chengqian's reactions.
Li Chengqian was furious and defended Wang Yi several times in court assemblies, denouncing those who spread rumors. This defense moved Wang Yi, but it also worried her—the Crown Prince's obvious favoritism might actually confirm the claim that "the Protector of the Nation is the Crown Prince's man."
Li Tai's attitude was subtle. He never publicly participated in the accusations against Wang Yi, but he also did not defend her. Only during an academic discussion did he "inadvertently" mention: "Throughout history, there have been many women of talent and virtue, but it is truly rare for someone like Zhenren to be so highly valued by the court. This is Your Majesty's wisdom, and also Zhenren's good fortune."
This sounds like a compliment, but upon closer examination, it emphasizes Wang Yi's "specialness" and "dependence"—she was able to achieve something because of the emperor's permission and support.
Wang Yi understood the unspoken meaning but did not respond. She knew that Li Tai was testing her, to see if she would turn to him for protection due to pressure.
She won't.
Because she knew very well that neither Li Chengqian nor Li Tai were her true support. Her foundation in this era lay in her own abilities and value, in her tangible political achievements, and in the recognition of the people.
As for the rumors and gossip in the court... as long as Li Shimin still trusts her, and as long as she can still contribute to the Tang Dynasty, these are nothing to fear.
Li Shimin's attitude, however, remained unchanged. He continued to visit Qixia Garden frequently, still sought her opinions, and still supported her suggestions. In one casual conversation, he even brought up the matter himself: "There have been some rumors circulating in the court recently, but you need not concern yourself with them. I know your character and I know your worth."
These words gave Wang Yi immense comfort. She knew that as long as Li Shimin was still on her side, she had the strongest support.
But she also understood that she could not rely on the emperor's protection forever. She had to build a more solid foundation.
After careful consideration, Wang Yi began to promote a new plan—women's education.
Instead of large-scale imperial examinations for women or women serving as officials, there were more moderate and practical projects: a training class for female medical officers was set up under the Imperial Medical Bureau to cultivate female physicians; a female crafts apprenticeship system was established in the Imperial Workshop to teach skills such as weaving, embroidery, and ceramics; and even a pilot girls' school was set up in Chang'an to teach basic reading, writing, arithmetic, and household management.
These projects may seem unrelated to politics, but they are of profound significance—they can enhance women's status and capabilities, cultivate a group of loyal talents, and build prestige among the people.
More importantly, these projects do not touch the fundamental interests of those with vested interests, and therefore face relatively little resistance.
Sure enough, when Wang Yi made these suggestions to Li Shimin, Li Shimin was very interested: "It is indeed a good thing for women to learn medicine and skills. It can help them become independent and also benefit the people. I approve, go ahead and do it."
With the emperor's support, the project was launched smoothly. The first training course for female medical officers enrolled thirty students, mainly relatives of officials from the Imperial Medical Bureau and female officials in the palace; the apprenticeship program for female artisans attracted nearly a hundred women to apply; and the girls' school was even more popular among ordinary people, enrolling over a hundred students in its first batch.
Wang Yi personally participated in the curriculum design and regularly visited various projects to provide guidance. She discovered that although these women had weak foundations, they were highly enthusiastic about learning and made rapid progress.
"Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity," a female medical officer trainee said with tears in her eyes. "Before, I could only do embroidery at home, but now I can learn medicine and heal people in the future. I feel that my life has value."
Wang Yi heard this and became even more convinced that she was doing the right thing.
As these projects progressed, criticism of her within the court gradually subsided. Those who attacked her for "interfering in politics" found no reason to continue their attacks when they saw her focus on women's education and medical skills.
Even the female relatives of some officials, after participating in these projects, changed their attitudes towards Wang Yi. They spoke up for the real Wang Yi at home, influencing the opinions of their husbands, fathers, and brothers.
This is the effect Wang Yi wanted—to subtly and silently change people's hearts and accumulate strength.
As summer arrived in the thirteenth year of the Zhenguan era, Chang'an City welcomed another sweltering season. But Wang Yi remained ever vigilant.
She knew that Li Tai's ambition would not disappear, and the power struggle in the court would not stop. And she had to continue to play her part well in this complex game of chess.
For the stability of the Tang Dynasty, for everything she cared about, and for... those women whose destinies began to change with her help.
Taking a deep breath, Wang Yi spread out paper and pen and began to plan the next stage of the arrangements.
The game of chess continues, and she has already seen a much farther path ahead.
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