I inherited my grandfather's Tang Dynasty assets.

Chapter 32 Giving Wang Bo a Name

"When Wang was young, he was also full of vigor and ambition. He entered officialdom for the first time at the end of the Daye era, serving as the assistant magistrate of Liuhe County. However, Emperor Yang was tyrannical and wicked, and the court was dominated by treacherous officials led by Yuwen Huaji. Government orders were not implemented, and he was hindered at every turn when he wanted to do something."

Soon after, the country descended into chaos, and Wang had no choice but to feign illness and resign from his post to return to his hometown.

In the early years of the Wude era, he entered officialdom again, serving as a scholar in the Secretariat. He hoped to meet an enlightened ruler and wholeheartedly serve the country, but he was criticized for his fondness for drinking.

With the court unstable, the dead Crown Prince Jiancheng's struggle against the current emperor intensified, and no one paid attention to my strategies. Furthermore, because my younger brother Wang Ning offended powerful figures, the situation became even more complicated. Left with no other choice, I had to resign from my post again.

After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, His Majesty ascended the throne. In the second year of Zhenguan, I, Wang, entered officialdom for the third time and was appointed as the Assistant Director of Music. However, this position was only responsible for trivial matters related to rites, music and ceremonies, which was not what I, Wang, was looking for.

Therefore, he spent his days in a daze, drinking to pass the time. It just so happened that Jiao Ge was also fond of this and could brew a good wine. So he became friends with him, which was the greatest fortune for Wang in Taile Department.

However, in just over six months, Brother Jiao was framed by a villain and became depressed and gloomy, and soon after, he suddenly passed away.

With his friend gone, Wang lost all interest in serving as the Grand Master of Music, so he resigned three times and lived in seclusion at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain ever since.

Throughout his life, Wang entered officialdom three times, yet he never saw the emperor. With everything going wrong, how could he not be disheartened?

Wang Ji had never said these words to anyone, not even Yao Shi. Now that he had said them all at once, he felt much better.

The situation he described was similar to the information Chen Yue had reviewed, except that it lacked as many details.

For example, Jiao Ge, historical records only state that he died at the beginning of the third year of the Zhenguan era, without much further description.

According to Wang Ji, he died of depression after being framed.

To learn how to be a good official, Chen Yue read a lot of information online, including from history bloggers, influential figures, experts, and professors.

What they said was very profound and comprehensive, involving philosophy, human nature, and so on.

Chen Yue felt that the answer was too complicated and not very useful to Wang Ji in front of him; it was too pretentious and empty. So he decided to use the simplest and most understandable answer.

"Mr. Wang, after listening to what you said, I think I understand what you mean. My grandfather's answer to you was just one sentence."

Wang Ji's disappointment vanished, and his gaze immediately sharpened.

"No matter what winds blow from above, look down at the people at your feet. If you can do something practical for an ordinary person, then you've done your job well and you're a good official."

Wang Ji frowned slightly, muttered it twice, but still didn't quite understand, so he could only look at Chen Yue again.

"Simply put, a good official is one who does practical things for the people. The standard is not whether your superiors or even the emperor like you, but whether the people like you and need you."

When you were an official, you were always thinking about the rules of the court, the expressions of your colleagues, and your own reputation. When you felt unhappy, you would hide away and drink to drown your sorrows.

But after you leave, will anyone listen to the grievances of the people in the area you were in charge of? Will their taxes be fair? Will they have water to drink when there is a drought?

An emperor may be incompetent, colleagues may be greedy, and the world may be in a bad state. But a good official is one who, within these constraints, does as many good deeds as possible.

Your power is not for your own comfort, but for supporting the people you manage.

You're always waiting for a "wise ruler" to appreciate you and let you realize your ambitions. Little do you know, isn't true ambition simply about meeting people who can make your life a little easier?

Instead of cursing the world from the mountains, you should solve one more problem for the people in the government office. The things you solve will prove whether you are a good official more than the poems you leave behind.

Chen Yue recounted all of this in one breath, which was the answer he believed was most suitable for Wang Ji after consulting relevant materials.

Whether he has talent or not is beyond doubt.

However, he was on the wrong track. He always believed that only by becoming a high-ranking official could he save the country and realize his grand ambitions, but he did not realize that it was most important to fulfill his duties and do his job well.

Not only Wang Ji, but also many ancient ruling classes believed that the common people were insignificant, so they often linked the shepherd and the people together.

This idea is wrong. Facts have shown that no matter the dynasty, always thinking about exploiting the people will never lead to a good outcome.

It took Wang Ji a long time to come to his senses.

He stood up and bowed deeply to Chen Yue.

"Wang Ji, I will always remember the teachings of Lord Shennong. If I can grasp the essence of being an official, I will die without regret."

Chen Yue waved his hand.

"Oh, Mr. Wang, you flatter me. You are only in your early fifties, in good health, and may have the opportunity to enter officialdom in the future."

If so, then in the future, if you are able to fulfill your duties in your position and do more for the well-being of the people of the Tang Dynasty, that would truly be a unity of knowledge and action.

"What a fine example of the unity of knowledge and action! Grandfather, rest assured, even if I never have the opportunity to enter officialdom again in the future, I will teach my juniors to follow this example."

Chen Yue nodded, then suddenly asked.

"I just heard you mention, Brother Wang, that you have a younger brother named Wang Ning. May I ask if you have any other brothers?"

Wang Ji didn't quite understand why he asked that question, so he answered truthfully.

"Above me is my elder brother, Wang Tong, whose pen name is 'Wenzhongzi,' who is quite famous among Confucian scholars."

"It matches up."

Upon hearing the name, Chen Yue's heart stirred.

Wang Tong was Wang Bo's grandfather and a great Confucian scholar at the end of the Sui Dynasty. His son, Wang Fuzhi, was Wang Bo's father. In 675 AD, Wang Bo left his hometown of Longmen to visit his father, Wang Fuzhi, who was then the magistrate of Jiaozhi County.

Passing through Hongzhou, which is now Nanchang in Jiangxi Province, he happened to be there during the Tengwang Pavilion gathering, and thus wrote that masterpiece.

The following year, he encountered a storm in the South China Sea and drowned from shock at the young age of twenty-seven. The fact that he was hailed by later generations as the foremost of the Four Great Poets of the Early Tang Dynasty is enough to demonstrate his extraordinary talent.

It is truly regrettable that such a talented person died young.

"Is your nephew Wang Fuzhi married? Does he have children?"

Wang Ji was full of questions, but he still answered honestly.

"My elder brother got married later, so Fuzhi is only 26 years old this year. He already has an eldest son, Wang Ju, and a second son, Wang Mian, who are 5 and 1 years old respectively."

Chen Yue nodded slowly.

Wang Ju was also a famous person. Although he was not as famous as his younger brother Wang Bo in later generations, he also passed the imperial examination during the Linde era and served as the governor of Jingzhou. He was a role model for Wang Bo in both literature and official career.

Wang Mian was also a talented man, and his three younger brothers, including Wang Bo, were all exceptionally talented. Putting aside everything else, Wang Fuzhi had truly good genes, as all six of his sons were outstanding.

"If your nephew has a third son someday, I'll name him 'Wang Bo,' what do you think?"

"Grandfather, why were you so certain he would have a third son? And why did you personally name him Wang Bo? Did Shennong foresee something?"

Wang Ji was so curious that he couldn't help but ask.

Chen Yue smiled mysteriously.

"Mr. Wang, you don't need to know that. Just tell me whether you agree or not."

Wang Ji laughed heartily.

"To be bestowed a name by the Shennong Envoy of Penglai is a blessing that my nephew Wang has accumulated over many lifetimes. I agree to this on his behalf."

Although Wang Ji didn't know what Chen Yue was really up to, he couldn't possibly refuse such a small favor.

Chen Yue nodded, glanced at the sky outside, and realized it was getting late, so he got up to say goodbye.