Do you want to be an officer?

Li Shimin, who had put down his guard, became even more interested in Zhang Nuo. So he asked a question that he had been wanting to ask for a long time.

"What do you think of the current emperor? After all, his position is not legitimate."

Li Shimin candidly mentioned the two words "not legitimate," because everyone in the country, including the civil and military officials, knew that his elder brother Li Jiancheng was the crown prince, and he had indeed usurped the throne by killing his brother.

With Li Shimin's magnanimity, he would not cover up this matter. But he was curious about what the common people thought of him, Li Shimin.

Li Shimin had visited the common people himself and had no taboos even when talking about himself. But Zhang Nuo was different. He was just an ordinary person, and how long ago had the Xuanwu Gate Incident happened?

Talking about this now, was he trying to get thrown in jail to see if the food was good?

So Zhang Nuo looked at Li Shimin strangely and said, " Li, you have too much courage. If you're tired of living, you should divorce your wife first. When the time comes, I'll take care of her for you, so you won't implicate anyone else."

Li Shimin was speechless at this point. Was he really that terrifying as an emperor that even a casual conversation in private would make him worry about his family?

The key was that he had just met this guy for the first time, and he was already thinking about taking care of the his wife. Should he praise my wife's charm or scold this guy for his bad intentions?

The Empress Chang sun was also amused at this point. She covered her mouth and chuckled, while winking at Li Shimin, with a proud look of "I am very charming, and I am proud of it."

At this point, Li Shimin had already asked his question, so how could he let Zhang Nuo shrink back? At the very least, this was embarrassing for him, and at worst, it blocked free speech among the common people. Li Shimin was a figure who was to be an emperor for all ages, so he could not do such a thing.

"Little Brother Zhang, we are both businessmen, and this is just a private conversation. We are not planning to rebel. Even if the current emperor finds out, he will only see us as two small business people chatting. Do you not trust me, Li?"

Okay, he even called him little brother. The strategy of provocation was also out, but this was a big customer, and Zhang Nuo even relied on Li to make a fortune. He couldn't afford to offend him.

Moreover, as a young and capable person who had roamed freely on the internet in the future and had been influenced by the freedom core values for so many years, Zhang Nuo did not have much reverence for imperial power or the like.

So, after hesitating for a while, Zhang Nuo finally spoke.

Let's talk about the current emperor. First, let's talk about the issue of whether his position is legitimate or not, as for my opinion, I don't give a damn!"

Zhang Nuo's use of profanity surprised both Emperor Li Shimin and Empress Chang sun, but before they could ask any questions, Zhang Nuo continued on his own.

" Li, this issue is not something we commoners should be concerned about. Whether his position is legitimate or not, as long as we care about whether he will lighten the burdens on the people, have a clean and just administration, and whether the country's strength is flourishing, that's enough."

"I said these words because you, Li, are an old friend of mine. I can't be bothered with others. No matter if the current emperor's position is legitimate or not, it's not like we will have the chance to become the emperor. What's the point of caring about this?"

Since the First Emperor, there have been a total of 54 emperors, most of whom were legitimate, yet the common people still criticize them, and history books don't have much good to say about them. However, for someone like Han Gaozu, he snatched the imperial throne from the hands of the Qin Dynasty, yet he is still remembered for thousands of years.

"So, Li, if you ask me what my opinion is on this matter, it's the same as what I said before. I don't give a damn!"

Zhang Nuo's straightforward speech left Li Shimin feeling speechless. What does it mean for someone to care about this issue if they want to become the emperor? He is already the emperor now.

However, Zhang Nuo's vulgar language also woke Li Shimin up. The common people care about visible and tangible things such as food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. If you can provide them with the life they want, then you will be considered a wise ruler for the ages, even if your position is not legitimate, the common people will still sing your praises.

But if you behave like Emperor Yang of Sui and extort and oppress the people, even if your position is legitimate, you might still be dethroned by the people.

Indeed, even with his vernacular, Zhang Nuo was able to express profound truths. He was truly a great talent for the nation.

It was almost time for the meal to end. After all, the current emperor and empress couldn't disappear for the whole afternoon.

Li Shimin was quite satisfied with today's conversation. Through Zhang Nuo, he learned that the common people don't care about how one attains their position, but how one governs justly and benevolently. Although this view is currently just the opinion of Zhang Nuo, Li Shimin found it to be very reasonable. So, this must be the opinion of the common people. Yes, that's right.

Li Shimin had a good habit of wanting to bring whatever good things he saw into his own home. These good things weren't just objects, but also the civil and military officials.

Back then, he slowly gathered people like Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling, Cheng Yaojin, and Qin Qiong to his side.

Now, as he looked at Zhang Nuo, who was ten years younger than him, his collector's spirit was aroused again.

Zhang Nuo had a clean family background, and was a true descendant of the Qin Wang family.

Moreover, from the current conversation, his views on politics were extraordinary, truly a visionary with a deep understanding of the world.

A person of suitable age, background, and ability, would not only be able to assist oneself, but could also succeed oneself and become a prime minister in the future.

Li Shimin looked at Zhang Nuo with a smile and asked,

"Brother, do you want to be an official? How about I recommend you to someone?"

Zhang Nuo looked at Li Shimin suspiciously. He thought that Li Shimin must be drunk.

If Li had such connections, wouldn't he arrange for his own family members first?

Moreover, his calligraphy skills were still lacking, so even if he was recommended, he would only get a low-level position that involved writing and calculations.

It was not a good start to reveal his incompetence on the first day of work.

He needed to practice his calligraphy, wait for his external support to arrive, and then find a way to achieve great success before he could wear the crimson robes.

Realizing this, Zhang Nuo replied impatiently,

"Li, you don't have to worry about me. The officials you know are probably just minor clerks in the yamen. If I go there, I can only do errands and never get ahead."

"I already have a plan for myself. I will read books and practice writing first. When I find a great achievement, I will think of a way to wear the crimson robes all over my body."

Li Shimin couldn't help but feel helpless. He didn't expect to be looked down upon like this.

The Empress Chang sun next to him was also amused. Her husband, the Emperor of Tang Dynasty, was despised because of his weak connections and could only arrange an errand position for others.

Li Shimin helped the Empress Chang sun who was laughing and struggling to stand up, and looked at Zhang Nuo with a wry smile,

"Brother, I really do know some high-ranking officials, why don't you believe me?"

Zhang Nuo was speechless. Who would believe that one could get recommended to be an official just because he had exceptional talent?

It was a joke. Even if he opened a small shop and had a customer with some money, he wouldn't be able to make friends with a bunch of high-ranking officials and get recommended.

A letter of recommendation was not a simple introduction letter, as it came with associated responsibilities. If the recommended person encountered problems in the future, the person who provided the recommendation would be implicated. Even those who had already obtained the crimson or even purple robes in the court would not easily provide recommendation letters for their family members.

Li Shimin had only known Zhang Nuo for a few days. How could he get those high-ranking officials to write a letter of recommendation for him?

It's okay, let's be understanding. After all, Lao Li brought his wife out today, and he must boast and save face in front of her. It's understandable.

So Zhang Nuo spoke to Li Shimin like he was coaxing a child, saying,

"Okay, okay, I was wrong to suspect you. I know you have a big reputation. But let's forget about the recommendation letter for now. I still need to gain some experience. When I become an official in the future, I will definitely ask for your help. Don't be angry!"

Empress Chang sun couldn't take it anymore. She realized that Zhang Nuo's tone with her husband was exactly the same as when she coaxed Cheng qian. He was treating her husband like a child!

Haha, she couldn't stop laughing. Her husband, the Supreme Emperor, the ruler of the world, the Emperor of Tang Dynasty, was being coaxed like a child! She could laugh at this joke for a year!

Li Shimin's face was not looking good at the moment, like the bottom of a pot. But he couldn't do anything. He couldn't just slam the table and confront the person saying "I am the Emperor!"

It's not that being an Emperor is something to be ashamed of, but he didn't want to lose the current relaxed atmosphere of the conversation.

For many years, no one had dared to speak so recklessly in front of him, not even Empress Chang sun. She only occasionally showed a little daughterly playfulness with him.

And except for his wife Chang sun, there was no one else.

Even though Cheng Yaojin seemed like a big, careless person who didn't care about anything, Li Shimin knew that he was very shrewd.

Over the years, no matter how much Cheng Yaojin caused trouble, did he ever go too far? Did he ever disrespect him?

Moreover, despite his appearance of being lazy and careless, Cheng Yaojin had always been very good at judging the situation in front of Li Shimin.

Even though he spoke like he didn't use his brain, he never crossed the line.

Therefore, once Zhang Nuo knew his identity, even with his guts, he wouldn't be able to sit at the same table with the Emperor and Empress and chat like this.

Even if Zhang Nuo had the courage, the nearby eunuchs and guards could probably kill him.

So even for the sake of being able to eat and chat easily in the future, he couldn't reveal his identity at the moment.

As for the issue of Zhang Nuo becoming an official, it can be taken care of slowly. There will always be a way to recruit such talents.

So Li Shimin didn't say much, he just helped Empress Chang sun who was still laughing and threw three strings of coins before leaving cleanly and neatly, without even saying goodbye.

Zhang Nuo shrugged helplessly. There was nothing he could do. His divine skill had not yet been fully achieved, so he could only wait in this small shop for a while.

When the cheat codes were activated, he would have a beautiful calligraphy style, find a good recommend, and then show off in front of Li, who only boasted in front of his wife.