Chapter 113: The Answer

Li Shimin grew increasingly troubled as he reflected on the situation. Just at this moment, a servant came to report that Wang Wei and his group wished to leave the residence to observe the conditions of the common people in Honghua Prefecture. Suppressing his inner turmoil, Li Shimin had no choice but to accompany them. As they passed by a dog-fighting arena, Gao Junya became intrigued and insisted on entering, disregarding the fact that the establishment was closed for business. He demanded to stage a dog fight.

Unwilling to offend him, Li Shimin could only summon the owner and allow Wang Wei and Gao Junya to each select a robust dog for the fight.

While they were engrossed in the spectacle, Li Shimin instructed Li Xuanba and Duan Zhiming to keep an eye on them. He then quietly slipped out of the dog-fighting arena and wandered aimlessly along the bustling streets. Watching the throngs of people passing by, he felt overwhelmed by an indescribable sense of frustration and exhaustion.

“Second Master?” A familiar voice pulled Li Shimin from his thoughts. Looking up, he saw Yunyi standing across from him. She wore a light green floral-patterned satin gown, with a silver-threaded camellia hairpin adorned with pearls, and matching earrings. Her entire appearance exuded a delicate beauty.

Li Shimin hadn’t expected to encounter Yunyi here and was pleasantly surprised. Before he could speak, Wu Laosan, who stood beside Yunyi, stepped forward and asked, “Meixue, is this Second Master?”

After Yunyi nodded, Wu Laosan quickly approached Li Shimin and bowed deeply. “I’ve heard from Meixue that she owes her comfort and security at the governor’s residence to your care. And thanks to you, she’s been able to spend so many days at home with us this time. I’m truly grateful, Second Master—thank you, thank you!”

Li Shimin hurriedly supported him. “Uncle Wu, there’s no need for such formalities.” Then,试探性地 asking, “Are you Meixue’s father?”

Wu Laosan nodded enthusiastically. “Indeed, it’s me. We just happened to be out buying some things when we ran into you. Have you had lunch yet, Second Master? If not, why don’t you come to our humble home for a meal? I recently hunted a roe deer and a wild pheasant—delicacies hard to find elsewhere. It would be my pleasure to have you taste them.”

Yunyi tugged at Wu Laosan’s sleeve and whispered, “Father, Second Master has tasted all kinds of rare delicacies. He wouldn’t care for these. Let’s not bother him.”

“Nonsense, girl. You don’t understand. Wild pheasants are scarce in Honghua Prefecture because they’re quick to escape. Even after years of hunting, I’ve only caught a few.” Turning back to Li Shimin, Wu Laosan invited again, “What do you say, Second Master?”

After a brief moment of thought, Li Shimin smiled and replied, “Then I’ll impose on Uncle Wu’s hospitality.”

Delighted by his acceptance, Wu Laosan turned to Yunyi. “Girl, you go ahead and accompany Second Master home. I’ll buy a few more dishes.” Without waiting for her response, he hurried off. Left with no choice, Yunyi accompanied Li Shimin toward their home.

After walking for a while, Li Shimin asked, “Why didn’t you accept the winter plum tree?”

Yunyi replied calmly, “Meixue is but a simple country girl. I dare not accept such a valuable gift. I deeply appreciate Second Master’s kindness, but it’s beyond my means to accept.”

Li Shimin studied her for a moment, his tone tinged with suspicion. “You… do you have something on your mind?”

“No,” Yunyi replied, unwilling to dwell on the topic. Changing the subject, she asked, “As for you, Second Master, why are you here? Shouldn’t you be accompanying the two officials?” She hadn’t heard about Wang Wei and Gao Junya’s departure and assumed they were still at the governor’s residence.

Li Shimin sighed bitterly. “Precisely because I must accompany them, I ended up here.”

Yunyi frowned. “But if you leave them alone now, won’t they feel neglected?”

“It’s fine. Xuanba and Zhiming are with them. Besides, a dog fight usually lasts about an hour. Until then, I doubt they’ll even notice my absence.”

Yunyi nodded. Rather than being sent by the Emperor to investigate Li Yuan, Wang Wei and Gao Junya were clearly here to indulge in pleasures—dog fighting, cockfighting, music, dance, and women. They had everything they needed.

Not long after they arrived home, Wu Laosan returned, bringing a few small dishes and a small jar of wine. After seating Li Shimin, he swiftly plucked and bled a wild pheasant he had been saving in the yard, then took it to the kitchen to stew a large pot of soup. He also prepared braised roe deer meat. Since there was too much meat to fit on a single plate, Wu Laosan portioned some out and shared it with the neighbors. Upon learning that Li Shimin was at Wu Laosan’s home, the neighbors rushed over, each bringing something—some eggs, freshly harvested vegetables, freshly picked jujubes, and one even brought an old hen. They pressed these items into Li Shimin’s hands, leaving him unsure how to respond.

An elderly woman, seeing his hesitation, assumed he looked down on their offerings. “We know these things aren’t worth much, but they represent our sincere gratitude. Please accept them and pass them along to the governor.”

Li Shimin quickly clarified, “Grandma, you misunderstand. That’s not what I meant. It’s just that your lives aren’t easy either. Please keep these things for yourselves.”

The elderly woman chuckled. “We’ve long wanted to thank the governor but never dared to disturb him at the residence. Since you’re here today, you must help us convey our gratitude.”

A middle-aged man beside her added, “Indeed. Ever since the governor arrived, the people of Honghua Prefecture have finally enjoyed better lives. We no longer worry about our hard-earned money being extorted, unlike under the previous governor, who practically skinned us alive.”

“Exactly! On top of that, the governor distributes rice and porridge at Ji Park on the first and fifteenth of every month. Last season, our fields yielded poorly, and we hadn’t received our wages yet. Our family was struggling to make ends meet until the distribution at Ji Park helped us get through. So, please, you must accept these offerings.” As he spoke, he insisted on handing over the vegetables in his hand. Unable to refuse further, Li Shimin reluctantly accepted each item.

Looking at the assorted goods in his hands, Li Shimin felt both moved and heartbroken. For these ordinary people at the bottom of society, simply refraining from extorting their hard-earned money and not oppressing them was enough to earn their gratitude. To them, such behavior made someone a good official.

But… wasn’t this the bare minimum any official should do?

Handing the items to Wu Laosan, Li Shimin rose and bowed deeply. “Thank you all for your kindness. I will personally deliver these items to my father. Additionally, in the future, I will personally oversee the distribution of rice and porridge at Ji Park. If any of you face difficulties, please come to Ji Manor and speak with me. Whatever I, Li Shimin, can do, I will do wholeheartedly without hesitation.”

His words filled the crowd with joy, and they thanked him profusely. Looking at their simple, honest faces, Li Shimin’s mind cleared. The question that had long troubled him finally had an answer.

He hadn’t been wrong. Their uprising wasn’t just for the survival of the Li family—it was also for these people who had suffered under tyranny and oppression. If their victory required sacrificing these common folk, how would they differ from Emperor Yang? Who would support them then?!