Li Shimin’s Compromise The Sudden Apprenticeship

Li Shimin ultimately agreed to the proposal put forth by Fang Xuanling and the others. He knew that if he refused, the debates within the court would never cease. The longer this issue lingered, the more detrimental it would be for Li Zhi. Moreover, his own efforts to defend Li Zhi might even sow discord in the heart of the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian.

Yet, though Li Shimin acceded to their demands, he still secured the greatest possible benefit for Li Zhi. Thus, two days later, during the court assembly, Zhang Anan once again publicly announced a new appointment for Li Zhi.

“Prince Jin, Li Zhi, is exceptionally intelligent and has recently offered numerous inventions beneficial to the state and people. His contributions have pleased the emperor greatly, and thus this promotion is granted.”

Zhang Anan continued, “Prince Jin, Li Zhi, is hereby appointed as Governor of Yongzhou, concurrently overseeing Xiangzhou as Commander, with his landholdings increased to fifteen thousand households.”

Upon hearing this, the ministers within the Hall of Supreme Harmony began to whisper among themselves. They had already doubted Li Zhi’s abilities, and now, hearing of his further promotion, their words were thick with confusion. Some glanced at Fang Xuanling and those at the front, only to find them unperturbed.

At that moment, Zhang Anan produced another imperial decree. After clearing his throat to quiet the assembly, he read, “Recognizing Prince Jin's remarkable achievements in the art of invention, he is also appointed as Junior Supervisor of the Ministry of Works, to assist in advancing various crafts.”

At last, the officials understood why Li Zhi was suddenly being promoted today: the three prime ministers had pressured the emperor into allowing Prince Jin to prove his capabilities. With this realization, the murmurs subsided, and attention shifted toward Li Zhi’s upcoming performance.

After the assembly, Li Shimin sought out Li Zhi in person and recounted the events of the court. With a helpless expression, he said, “My child, the ministers are only thinking of the empire. You must not bear resentment toward them.”

Li Zhi smiled and replied, “I do not resent them, Father. In truth, I have many ideas that I’ve never had the chance to realize—now I finally have the opportunity.”

Seeing Li Zhi’s demeanor, Li Shimin felt a wave of relief. He believed Li Zhi was being considerate of his difficulties, deliberately acting cheerful. What he did not realize was that Li Zhi himself had been waiting for such an opportunity. His research so far had only been assisted by Liu An.

This had greatly slowed his progress. Moreover, his unfamiliarity with the current technological level of the Great Tang had left him hesitant in many endeavors. The Ministry of Works, however, gathered all of the most advanced technologies and top talents of the empire, granting him much greater freedom to innovate.

When Li Zhi reported to the Ministry of Works, Director Yan Lide personally led a welcoming party. There was no helping it—Li Zhi was a prince, despite his youth. Though Yan Lide was nominally Li Zhi’s superior, their statuses in truth were inverted.

Upon meeting, Yan Lide first saluted Li Zhi, saying, “Your servant Yan Lide greets Your Highness, Prince Jin.”

Li Zhi returned the gesture, “Master Yan, there’s no need for such formality. From now on, I will be under your command, so I ask for your guidance.”

Yan Lide hurriedly replied, “Your Highness jests. How could your servant dare to command you at will? I hope for your instruction.”

Li Zhi said, “Since Father has ordered me here to serve, I must abide by official protocol. Please, Master Yan, speak freely—should anything arise, I will see it done.”

Yan Lide could only smile bitterly to himself upon hearing this. He had heard the rumors circulating in court, but never expected the matter to land squarely on his own shoulders. Now, there was nothing to do but lead Li Zhi toward his prepared office, explaining the responsibilities of the Ministry of Works along the way.

Their main duties were constructing buildings and providing various miscellaneous equipment. Li Zhi was already familiar with this. Thus, after touring his office, he immediately asked Yan Lide, “Master Yan, might I visit the workshops? I am quite curious about them.”

Yan Lide readily agreed. Though the Ministry of Works oversaw many tasks, only a few required completion in fixed workshops. After a circuit of the facilities, Li Zhi had gained a general understanding of the era’s level of craftsmanship.

Among the various crafts, he became particularly interested in the manufacture of carriages. The carriages supplied to the royal family and nobility were mostly four-wheeled, ornate in appearance but lacking steering mechanisms. Whenever a turn was needed, it had to be managed by human strength or by forcing the horses.

Moreover, these carriages lacked any form of suspension, relying solely on two axles traversing the chassis and connecting the wooden wheels on either side.

Upon seeing such carriages, Li Zhi immediately understood why Tang officials preferred to ride horses when traveling. Riding in these carriages was more punishing than horseback.

Li Zhi thus resolved to improve the carriage’s design, aiming to make them more comfortable even in the absence of rubber. Returning to his office, he began to work busily. He intended to use his knowledge of mechanics to design a steering mechanism for the carriages. He would also add bearings to the wheels and fit the carriage body with leaf springs for shock absorption.

Since he was uncertain about the steelmaking capabilities of the era, he opted for bronze bearings, commonly used in large machinery, and chose wood for the leaf springs.

These components were not difficult to make, so drawing them up was straightforward. By the time he handed the finished schematics to Yan Lide, it was still before noon.

Yan Lide, upon reviewing Li Zhi’s designs, couldn’t help but rub his eyes several times. Once he was sure he had read them correctly, he looked at Li Zhi with an expression as if he had seen a ghost.

Yan Lide’s mouth hung open, his eyes wide, completely forgetting all protocol. Holding the schematics in his trembling hands, he stammered, “Th-this… Your Highness just… just thought of this?”

Li Zhi nodded, “Yes, I believe with these modifications, the carriages should be much more comfortable.”

Yan Lide, a master craftsman himself, understood the mechanisms at a glance. Studying the drawings, a bitter taste rose in his mouth. He felt deeply ashamed—problems he had failed to solve after so many years as a master craftsman had been resolved in a single moment by this young prince.

He now felt utterly unworthy of his position; compared to Li Zhi, he considered himself no more than an apprentice.

After a long pause, Yan Lide seemed finally to make up his mind. Suddenly, he knelt before Li Zhi and said, “Your student Yan Lide is lacking in skill. I humbly ask Your Highness to accept me as your disciple…”