Di Renjie's Retired Life

Blurb:

Newly appointed Dali Temple Deputy Minister Di Renjie single-handedly raised the KPI to unprecedented heights, quickly making a name for himself. When Emperor Gaozong of Tang decided to execute Quan Shancai for cutting down trees at his father's grave, Di Renjie mocked the emperor to his face in front of everyone and offended him.

Before long, Di Renjie was reported for shielding criminals and thrown into prison. The man in charge of interrogating him was Lai Junchen, his former student, an antisocial man born into a family of gamblers.

"Teacher, long time no see."

The master and student met again, the tension palpable.

In the prison at Lijing Gate, Lai Junchen chatted with his teacher about life, recalling how Di Renjie, then just a low-ranking county magistrate, had arrested his entire family during a raid on an illegal gambling den.

Later, thanks to Empress Wu's plea, Di Renjie was released. Gaozong had only meant to teach him a lesson, but Di Renjie refused an official post to his face. He wanted to retire to the countryside! After this undeserved ordeal, Di Renjie finally saw the light: farming was what suited him best! Let whoever wants the job take it.

Du Zimei, senior columnist for the Chang'an Daily, devoted an entire page to praising Di Renjie's fearless defiance of the powerful.

[Tang Dynasty Poetry Society Arc]

Spirit Medium Li Changji: Brother Li, Brother Li, I just wrote a new poem. What do you think?

Li Taibai: ∑(O_O;)

Li Changji, reciting poetry beside Li Bai's bed in the middle of the night: ...The hibiscus weeps dew, the orchids laugh, heh heh heh!

Li Taibai cries out: Master Meng, save me!!

Du Zimei, rushing over from next door: Brother Taibai, I'm here!

[Emperors Arc]

Li Yuan, Supreme Emperor, with worshippers beyond count: This is so boring. Let's have another heir.

Li Shimin, former emperor, cultivating immortality at Zhongnan Mountain: My dear subject, could this pill grant immortality?

Li Chengqian, deposed crown prince: I'm the legitimate eldest son!

Little Li Longji: Grandma's so fierce, Auntie's so fierce, Auntie's-in-law so fierce, my cousin's so fierce. Women are so scary...

[Foreign Lands Arc]

Turks: Attack the Tang!

Uyghurs: Attack the Tang!

Tibetans: Let's attack the Tang together!

Queen of Silla: How small-minded! Emperor of Tang, I want to pay you tribute! (First help me deal with Goguryeo.)

Empress Suiko: Send an envoy to the Tang at once, and get those students ready to go!

[Note]

This story is entirely fictional. It spans a long period of time, but never goes beyond the Tang Dynasty. So some characters may not have lived in the same era, but they all belong to the Tang Dynasty.

Theme: Celebrating the golden age of the Tang Dynasty and sharing Tang culture.