Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4981 Liu Li: Why did Your Majesty rebel?

Liu Li naturally understood why His Majesty mentioned the short-lived "Pingzhang State Affairs", and supported His Majesty's idea of ​​strengthening the civil service group and confronting the military, but he did not approve of His Majesty's hasty and explosive means.

Too radical!

Do you really think that Li Ji, who is in a high position as prime minister and does nothing but eat and eat, can be manipulated without any temper?
Do you really think that Fang Jun is loyal and a lackey of the emperor, so he can be suppressed without complaint?

Don't be naive!

What would you do if these two were angered and imitated the "Xuanwu Gate Incident" and broke into the Taiji Palace to force you to abdicate and support the crown prince to ascend the throne?
As long as these two join forces, it will be easy for them to accomplish what Changsun Wuji failed to do and what the Prince of Jin was only one step away from.

Under the current situation, the military is powerful and imperial power is declining. Imperial power is maintained by the military, so the only thing to do is to maintain stability. We should find ways to appease the military rather than take radical measures to weaken or suppress it.

Otherwise, it would be almost like destroying the Great Wall.

When the time comes and the army breaks into the Taiji Palace and asks you, "Your Majesty, why are you rebelling?" how will you respond?

"Your Majesty, both the Grand Commandant and the Duke of Ying are loyal men, and they have made great contributions and are well-known throughout the world. They are the pillars of the country and the foundation of the country! If you grant you the task of 'co-minister of the Secretariat', it will inevitably be suspected of favoritism. Please think twice."

Liu Li was sweating profusely and felt that the emperor was a little crazy.

But no matter how crazy you are, you can't be reckless, right?

Ma Zhou also advised: "The empire is changing with each passing day. It needs countless money, resources and even population to complete many construction projects. It is in urgent need of external expansion. It is the time for the military to forge ahead bravely and explore. Although there are one or two unconventional and even usurping places, they should be understood and tolerated. With the Taiwei and Yinggong in charge, there will be no accidents. When the construction slows down, it will not be too late to improve the laws and regulations and impose restrictions on all parties. Why rush and cause the good situation to suffer setbacks?"

The imperial navy crisscrossed the seven seas, plundering wealth, population, and resources in the name of commerce and completing domestic construction. It not only made the decline and fall caused by the chaos and war at the end of the Sui Dynasty a thing of the past, but also promoted the country's prosperity.

At this time, all parties should be patient, cooperate and work together, and spend ten or twenty years to consolidate the national strength and lay a foundation that will last forever, rather than checking and balancing power and being suspicious of each other.

“When the cunning rabbit dies, the running dogs are cooked; when the birds are all gone, the good bows are put away.” How can you cook the running dogs and put the swords and guns into storage when the hare is still alive and the birds are still flying?
However, Li Chengqian was unmoved: "Although the Shangshu Province is one of the three ministries, it is a special case after all. Emperor Taizong once served as the Shangshu Ling, and it has been followed forever and never transgressed. When Emperor Taizong was alive, he was open-minded and had no taboos. But now the deputy of the Shangshu Province is still the prime minister of the empire. Doesn't it mean that the Shangshu Zuo Pushe is above Emperor Taizong? Such positions are noble and honorable, but it is not good for them to continue to lead the court."

Liu Li and Ma Zhou looked at each other in silence.

Although the reason is far-fetched, it is after all His Majesty's imperial words, and it involves Emperor Taizong, who dares to say it is wrong?
The question still lies in how Fang Jun and Li Ji react.

Liu Li pondered for a moment and said hesitantly, "If we stop here, I'm afraid it will be hard to convince the public."

Li Chengqian asked, "What good ideas do you have, my dear?"

Liu Li shook his head and said, "This is extremely difficult, and even if it can be implemented, there will be endless troubles... Since Your Majesty is concerned that the prime minister in the Council of State is unable to take care of government affairs, and wants to add more officials to participate in government affairs, why not simply add a few more people? In addition to Liu, Tang, Dai, and Pei, the Minister of War Cui Dunli is a man of modest character and respectful disposition, and the Grand Admiral of the Navy Su Dingfang is a disciple of Duke Wei, with unparalleled military strategies and outstanding military achievements, perhaps they can also be granted the task of 'Tongzhongshumenxia Pingzhangshi'."

Ma Zhou looked at Liu Li helplessly. The title of "Pingzhangshi" was given the power to "participate in political affairs", but now Liu Li had made it so common that when matters were discussed in the government hall, the whole room would be filled with ministers... What a disgrace.

But he also understood Liu Li's intention. If he wanted to deprive Fang Jun and Li Ji of their de facto power as "prime ministers" and make the two willingly stop their activities, he had to compensate them in other places. The best way was to fill the two's confidants into the Council of State.

Only the Council of State, whose power has grown unprecedentedly, can have the strength to check and balance the growing military and balance the military and political power of the empire.

However, Li Ji still suffered a loss, because as the meritorious officials of the Zhenguan period gradually withered, those famous generals and ministers who had made great contributions in the past had either passed away or retired and returned to their hometowns. In addition, Li Ji had not deliberately managed the situation in recent years, resulting in no close confidants among his followers who were qualified to serve in the government hall...

Li Chengqian thought about it and nodded: "Duke Lu is loyal and has made great contributions. He has made great contributions in thwarting An Yuanshou's rebellion. He should be transferred back to Chang'an. However, there is no reward or title for him. Why not send him to the Political Affairs Hall to participate in government affairs? This can be regarded as a reward for the meritorious officials."

Liu Li's mouth twitched. Are you thinking of Cheng Yaojin at this time?

When you kicked him to Guzang City, you didn't care about his past merits...

But now Cheng Yaojin is at odds with Fang Jun and Li Ji, and is filled with resentment. Transferring him back to Chang'an to check and balance those two is the best way to "make the best use of his talents"...

"Your Majesty is wise. Duke Lu is a famous general of his generation and has great prestige. He will definitely repay your kindness and work hard for state affairs. He will intimidate the petty officials and cleanse the government."

Li Chengqian looked at Liu Li, speechless. Why be so exaggerated?

If Cheng Yaojin really had such ability, why was he trapped in Guzang City and unable to return to Chang'an?
He is certainly a good fighter, but he is only good at self-preservation and lacks the ability to make advances. Even if he returns to Chang'an, he is just a deterrent. If there really is any change in the imperial court, how can he be a match for Li Ji and Fang Junzhi?
Whether it was moving the assignment of "Pingzhangshi" to the Council of State Affairs or transferring Cheng Yaojin back, it was just a gesture to let the military understand the fear in the king's heart and his certain determination to balance military and political power, so that the military would retreat and give in.

Instead of really engaging in a head-on struggle with the military, there is no need.

Whether it was Li Ji or Fang Jun, they were both loyal to him as the emperor and had no intention of rebelling. It was just that as the military grew stronger, it posed a threat to the emperor's power. As long as those two men understood his fears, they would definitely retreat.

The crisis of royal power does not lie in who commands the army, but in the ever-expanding territory and growing national strength.

And his lack of prestige as an emperor.

This is no one's fault.

*****
Today the clouds are gathering, the wind is cold, and a heavy snow is brewing in the clouds.

In the backyard of Duke Liang's mansion, servants and maids came in and out, and clothes, accessories and other daily necessities were packed into box after box. Several hostesses sat around in the hall, all holding Wu Meiniang's hands, comforting her and giving her instructions.

The New Year has passed, and Wu Meiniang is about to set off for Luoyang. Many of her sisters are reluctant to let her go. Although life was relatively free in that era without many restrictions such as "not leaving the front door or the back door", it was not easy for a weak body to travel hundreds of miles. She could still overcome the life pressure, but the psychological pressure was enormous.

But who is Wu Meiniang?

Last night, she was well cared for by her husband. At this moment, the skin on her beautiful face was delicate and rosy. Her eyes were full of spirit. She responded to her sisters' words in a low voice, but she was quite disapproving in her heart.

She is not a canary who depends on men for her life. In her life, men are important, but definitely not a necessity.

Having a platform like a business allows her to fully display her talents, abilities and skills, which is the highlight of life.

Especially after having a long talk with Fang Jun, she had a very clear understanding of herself, the company, and even the future of the entire empire. Thinking that as a woman she could add bricks and tiles and contribute to the progress of the empire, she became more energetic and in high spirits.

When she saw Fang Jun, dressed in a straight robe, walking in with a small teapot in his hand, sipping tea and pacing, she stared at him with her bright eyes, bit her lips slightly, and her eyes moved.

If you can find such a man in this life, you will be the luckiest woman in the world.

The Tang Dynasty had an open-minded society and few restrictions on women. It was not wrong for women and girls from ordinary families to show up in public. However, it was unique for Fang Jun to not only hand over the family property to her, but also allow her to go to Luoyang alone, manage a business with assets worth billions, and even grasp the direction of the empire's foreign policy.

Even she could hear the slander, attacks and ridicule from the outside world, so how could Fang Jun not know?
However, Fang Jun never cared. As long as she was willing and liked it, he always indulged her.

What more can a woman ask for when she has such a husband?
"Why bring so many things? It's not too much trouble."

Fang Jun entered the hall, holding a purple clay teapot and standing there, looking at the pile of boxes and cages, he smiled and said: "Luoyang has been prosperous since ancient times, and now it is a place where merchants from all over the world meet. Luoyang has everything that Chang'an has, and Luoyang also has things that Chang'an doesn't have. When you arrive in Luoyang, you can ask someone to buy whatever you need. The roads are difficult to travel now, and it will be a pain to carry so many things."

Wu Meiniang sat there, smiling and saying, "That's what I said, but these are gifts from the two princesses, and I feel warm and flattered. I will definitely take them with me no matter how many gifts they have."

Gao Yang and Jin Shengman, a Tang princess and a Silla princess.

There is also a Xiao Shuer in Huating Town. If the Southern Liang Dynasty had not been destroyed, she would probably be a princess...

Princess Gaoyang held Wu Meiniang's hand and said softly, "Don't listen to him. No matter how good the things he bought are, they are not as comfortable as the ones you are used to every day. If there are too many things, send more people and more cars. If you have more family members around you, it will be easier to assign them in Luoyang."