Tiantang Splendid

Li Ji was well aware of the principles of "prosperity will eventually decline" and "water overflows when it is full". Since he became the head of the prime minister, he began his "fishing" career. He rarely intervened in military and political affairs, avoiding them if possible, and if he really couldn't avoid them, he would usually mediate and not offend anyone.

Emperor Taizong was very angry about this at the time and blamed Li Ji for his "irresponsibility" many times, and was deeply dissatisfied with his inaction.

When Li Chengqian ascended the throne, Li Ji became even more "indifferent to power". As the "first person of the dynasty", he was idle and did not care about the government affairs...

But now, Li Ji decided to make some achievements in military reform.

The first thing was to ask Li Jing to come out of seclusion.

As a master of military strategy of the time, his knowledge of military system is unmatched. If Li Jing is involved, he will definitely be able to fill in the gaps and make the reformed military system perfect.

Li Jing raised his graying eyebrows.

He originally thought that Li Ji's visit today was about matters in the court, which he did not want to participate in. He had fought in battles for most of his life, both with favorable and unfavorable circumstances, and had experienced countless battles. He was fearless in battles and could even write military strategies, but he was not good at government affairs. He got a splitting headache when he mentioned the factional struggles and petty intrigues in the court.

However, he didn't expect that it was about military reform. This made him eager to try, after all, this was his professional field.

There has been a lot of buzz in the court these days about the military reform, and local government offices and garrisons all over the world are eagerly waiting for it. How could he not know about it?
After a brief pause, Li Jing asked, "After the military system reform, will a Privy Council be established to manage the national army as rumored?"

Li Ji did not beat around the bush and nodded directly: "The core of the military system reform is to have the Privy Council manage the entire national army, forming a vertical system that completely separates the army from the local government."

Li Keshi at the side sighed and said, "But at the same time, it also adds a barrier between the army and His Majesty..."

Li Ji did not say anything profound, but said bluntly: "For the sake of the longevity of the Tang Dynasty, for the stability of the country and the safety of the people, these are nothing."

Li Jing and Li Keshi looked at each other and saw each other's shock.

For the sake of the longevity of the Tang Dynasty and for the sake of the country and the people, can we limit the imperial power's control over military power?
Li Keshi was worried: "Today, we may be devoted to the country, but if this continues, there is no guarantee that those who come after us will not have rebellious hearts. If they seize military power and hold the imperial power hostage as powerful officials, or even go further and covet the sacred artifacts, won't we be sinners for all eternity?"

Li Ji asked in return: "Ministers can be loyal or treacherous, good or foolish. They can make a country prosperous or bring disaster to the people. Isn't the emperor the same?"

Master Li Ke closed his mouth, with huge waves surging in his heart.

Are these people crazy? How can they say such things? Do they still have the slightest respect for the imperial power?

It is no wonder that even though they still had some respect for the imperial power, they could not do such a "disloyal act" as setting up a "Privy Council" to seize military power from the emperor...

He looked at his brother Li Jing, knowing that it was impossible for him to persuade his brother. He could only hope that his brother would not get involved, so as to avoid getting stuck in the mud and bringing trouble upon himself.

Li Jing looked deep in thought, and finally nodded slowly: "If I can contribute to this cause, I will have no regrets in this life."

Li Keshi was anxious and said hurriedly: "Brother, think twice!"

Li Jing waved his hand and said indifferently: "I know you are worried, but a real man has things he should not do and things he should not do. If we can really eliminate hidden dangers and promote the longevity of the empire and save the people of the world from war, how can we hesitate because of personal safety and honor? The reason why we soldiers fight on the battlefield is to end war with war. A world without war is our highest honor."

Throughout his life, he just couldn't see the situation clearly and couldn't handle things well, but he was definitely not afraid of anything.

Life is only a few decades long. Winter goes but spring never comes, and people never become young again. Now that he is in his twilight years, what is there to be afraid of?

As for children and grandchildren... they have their own blessings and may not care so much.

He fought in battles for most of his life and was always victorious without a single defeat. However, his political shortsightedness and stupidity caused him to suffer greatly and left him with a bad reputation. I don't know how he is evaluated in history books, but I guess he wouldn't receive much praise.

If one can accomplish something that will benefit future generations before he is old, perhaps he can reverse the evaluation of his people. When the final judgment is made in the future, he can be given a good posthumous title and his reputation will last forever.

I dare not think of being "loyal", but as long as I can have the word "loyalty", my life will not be in vain...

Li Ji's personal visit to his house begged him to come out of retirement, which was a tactful way of expressing that he would do his utmost to eliminate his worries and protect his affairs after his death. In this case, what was there to worry about?
Li Ji patted the back of Li Jing's hand and said gently, "Duke Wei only needs to offer suggestions and brainstorm, and don't worry about the rest."

There was no heartfelt assurance, nor any passionate encouragement. Just this simple sentence made Li Jing feel at ease.

He knew that since Li Ji said this, there would be no trouble unless Li Ji died.

*****
Mount Zhongnan, Taoist temple.

Recently a fresh rain has washed the mountains and forests clean. The mountains are lush and green, the peaks are bright and the ridges are beautiful, and the streams are like jade. It is a good time of the year with beautiful scenery and pleasant climate.

Fang Jun, wearing casual clothes, walked barefoot on the grass and scooped a can of water from the stream outside the window. Then he climbed in through the window, returned to the mat and sat down excitedly. He poured the stream water into the kettle on the stove and waited for the water to boil.

Princess Changle knelt opposite him and saw his high-spirited and interested appearance. She couldn't help but pursed her lips and smiled, "Look at you, you are like a naughty boy. How can you look like a senior military official? If the censors saw you, they would definitely accuse you of not having the demeanor of a court official, nor the steadiness of a scholar."

Fang Jun didn't care. He reached out and took an apricot from the plate on the coffee table and took a bite, feeling the sour, sweet and juicy flesh. "Why do they have to see me before they impeach me? Just wait and see. There are countless censors in the mansion right now, spreading paper and grinding ink, choosing words and composing sentences. By tomorrow morning, there will be a flood of impeachment letters and petitions. I will be like a rat crossing the street, and everyone will shout and beat me."

Princess Changle was startled and asked hurriedly, "What happened again?"

Fang Jun then told him about the news that Zhang Liang had just received about his frustration in taking up his post at Youjinwuwei…

Princess Changle was speechless and said angrily, "Can't you be more quiet? You actually tripped others up like this."

Fang Jun said innocently, "With my current status and position, how can I waste my brains on such a small matter? I just asked the Right Jinwu Guard to embarrass Zhang Liang. This matter was completely Wang Xuance's free will."

But it must be said that Wang Xuance did a great job in this matter. This blow must have made Zhang Liang dizzy and he no longer dared to hope to control the Right Jinwu Guard, or even take it for himself...

The kettle made a faint sound. Princess Changle bent down and took out a can of tea from under the coffee table. Although she had just given birth, her waist was still as slender as a willow. She put the tea into the teapot and said helplessly, "Zhang Liang is the general of the Right Jinwu Guard appointed by your majesty. You can't force him to retreat by such means? If so, Zhang Liang will certainly lose face, but your majesty will definitely have a deep prejudice against you. Why bother?"

At this time, the water on the stove was boiling. Princess Changle reached out to take it, but Fang Jun got there first: "Let me do it, don't burn yourself."

They took down the kettle and poured boiling water into the teapot. The aroma of tea immediately wafted out, filling the two teacups on the coffee table. They both took a sip from their cups, feeling the sweetness of the tea.

Fang Jun put down his teacup and said calmly, "The integration of military and politics has always brought more benefits than disadvantages. In times of chaos, there is no other way. We must concentrate power to do great things. But if we still do this in times of peace and prosperity, it will inevitably lead to disasters. In short, the integration of military and politics can be used to conquer the world, but it can never be used to rule the world. Civilians rule the government, and soldiers rule the army. They are interconnected but separate from each other. This is the ultimate perfect form."

When a powerful national institution like the military becomes a support for the struggle for power in the court, the country is not far from chaos.

Historically, it is undesirable to fail to distinguish between civil and military affairs as in the Han, Sui and Tang dynasties, but it is also not feasible to emphasize civil affairs over military affairs as in the Song and Ming dynasties. It is too difficult to have both civil and military affairs, to be a king on the outside and a sage on the inside, and to balance and restrain each other.

Times have changed, and no one knows which system is more suitable. We can only eliminate the dross and retain the essence bit by bit, and cross the river by feeling the stones.

Princess Changle said, "I don't care about these national affairs. I just want to ask you, what about Sizi's marriage?"

Fang Jun was bewildered: "What does Sizi's marriage have to do with me? Although both of his parents have passed away, he still has his brother the emperor and his sister the princess. How can it be my turn to worry about it?"

Seeing this fellow pretending to be confused, Princess Changle gritted her teeth in anger and said, "I am asking about your attitude towards this matter!"

Fang Jun spread his hands and said helplessly: "Outsiders slander me, defame me, and spread all kinds of rumors, but don't you know me? I have no desire for Her Highness Jinyang, and naturally hope that she can find a good husband and live a happy life."

"But she always compares you with others, so she's never satisfied with every blind date. She says you're not good enough for this or that. What do you think I should do?"

Fang Jun's eyes widened: "I am a talented writer, a martial artist, and a poet. Few men in the world can match me. But can you blame me? I was born excellent, what can I do?"

Princess Changle covered her hot face, not because she was shocked by this guy's shameless face, but because every time this guy called himself "your humble servant" in private, nothing good would happen. He always said "your humble servant is guilty" but always did something bad enough to "confiscate the property and exterminate the clan"...

"I don't care what you say, but I think you should talk to Sizi and make her give up on you completely."

The person who tied the bell must be the one to untie it. If Fang Jun could express his attitude clearly, Princess Jinyang would probably not have been so stubborn.

Fang Jun had already walked around the coffee table and came over, grabbing the frightened Princess Changle who was about to flee, and said with a chuckle: "I am stupid and really don't know how to talk to you, but if Her Highness Jinyang knew what shameless things I did to her sister Changle, I'm sure she would give up."

"Let go! How can a Taoist temple do such a shameless thing?"

"Taoism is not Buddhism. Taoists can marry. The Three Pure Ones are no strangers to this. Your Highness, don't run away. Just obey me..."

Outside the window, the breeze blows, the stream gurgles, the willow branches dance in the wind, and the birds chirp...