Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5210 Brothers and Ruler-Subject
"I've heard that Japan possesses a gold seal bestowed upon its king during the Han Dynasty?"

"I seem to have heard something about it, but the whereabouts of this golden seal are currently unknown..."

"When you go to Japan, I will also bestow upon you a golden seal. Keep it safe, and it will surely be remembered for eternity... However, the word 'Japan' is indeed derogatory. How about restoring the ancient name 'Fusang'? What do you think, Qingque?"

Li Tai respectfully replied, "Your Majesty makes absolute decisions, and your humble brother has no choice but to follow them."

Li Chengqian readily agreed, “Then let’s set this matter aside for now. However, the time is not yet ripe. There are many opponents in the court. Furthermore, we need to balance the meritorious officials of the Zhenguan era. It would be undesirable to be accused of favoritism and discarding the useful while they are still useful.”

Soldiers naturally value military merit the most, especially the merit of conquering a country on such a large scale.

Any single meritorious deed would be enough to promote a captain-level officer to lieutenant general or even deputy general. The meritorious officials of the Zhenguan era have multiplied for two generations, with countless descendants in each family. It is naturally difficult to maintain the prosperity of a family by having only one heir inherit the title and rank of his father. This is the best opportunity for the meritorious officials of the Zhenguan era. Supporting just a few of their descendants would be enough to elevate the family to a higher level.

When Emperor Taizong launched his eastern expedition against Goguryeo, these people saw it as a golden opportunity. However, he mobilized the entire nation's resources and personally led the expedition, only to end up in a humiliating defeat and forced to retreat. Just as he was withdrawing his troops, the navy launched a massive bombardment, annihilating Goguryeo and reaping a huge victory.

Although the mission was not fully accomplished, Goguryeo was destroyed nonetheless, and those who contributed should be rewarded accordingly.

Unexpectedly, after Emperor Taizong returned to Chang'an, he first encountered a mutiny and then died. All the rewards and honors for his merits were naturally canceled, and no one even dared to mention it...

This time, it was naturally seen as the last chance by the meritorious officials of the Zhenguan era.

After this, he could rest on his laurels, enjoying wealth and honor, living a life of luxury and prosperity alongside the nation...

One can imagine how furious the meritorious officials of the Zhenguan era would be if all these achievements in conquering a country were taken by the navy.
From the emperor's perspective, he also needed to balance the power within the military.

Fang Jun and the emerging forces he represented rose too quickly and wielded too much power, so it was necessary to enhance the power of the meritorious officials of the Zhenguan era to counterbalance and maintain order.

Finally, Li Chengqian instructed, "Have a small gathering with your brothers these next two days, and also try to gauge their thoughts for me."

Li Tai nodded in agreement: "Your subject will obey."

After a moment's hesitation, he asked again, "What does Your Majesty intend to do with Zhinu?"

As the eldest son of Emperor Taizong and the youngest half-brother of Li Chengqian and Li Tai, who had once rebelled and staged a coup to seize the throne, the fact that Li Chengqian was allowed to leave his confinement and travel freely without restriction shows that he was kind and benevolent to his brothers. Even Li Tai felt it would be inappropriate to continue the feudal system like his other brothers.

After all, he has a criminal record. What if he relapses into his old ways after the local authorities establish a policy of feudalism?
Li Chengqian paused for a moment, then said, “I promised Zhinu that as long as he swore to change his ways and never repeat his mistakes, I would treat him as before and treat everyone equally. Now that all of you brothers have established your own fiefdoms, built your own kingdoms, and multiplied your descendants, how can we exclude Zhinu? I believe that he was just bewitched and went astray at the time, and he will never repeat his mistakes.”

Li Tai sighed, “Your Majesty’s benevolence towards your brothers is a blessing from heaven. We should be loyal to Your Majesty with all our might, serve as a bulwark for the country, guard our territory, and be loyal to the Tang Dynasty for generations to come! However, the matter of Zhi Nu is not only about Zhi Nu himself, Your Majesty should also consider the feelings of the imperial clan.”

Since Li Chengqian ascended the throne, the Li Tang imperial family has lost dozens of princes, dukes, and heirs due to several military coups and the Zhaoling incident. The once prosperous bloodline and large population are now depleted and broken.

If Li Chengqian was kind, friendly, and tolerant towards his brothers, then he was not so lenient towards the imperial clan.

If even Li Zhi, who committed the heinous crime of treason, could be pardoned and allowed to remain a feudal ruler, what would the members of the imperial family who were beheaded, stripped of their titles, or imprisoned think?
They are all descendants of the founding emperor; favoritism should not be taken to this extent!
It could easily lead to trouble.

If those people start making trouble, Li Chengqian will be branded as "bitter and ungrateful"...

Li Chengqian didn't take it seriously and waved his hand, saying, "Qingque, don't worry about them. Let them make a fuss if they want. The world is stable and prosperous now. It's not necessarily a good thing for the imperial clan to be too powerful. Maybe we can strip them of their remaining titles and send them to Zhaoling to guard the tombs of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong, so that they can fulfill their filial duties."

Li Tai felt a chill in his heart and immediately fell silent.

Li Chengqian was indeed as "generous" and "benevolent" as the outside world said when dealing with his own brothers and close ministers, but he seemed somewhat cold and harsh towards others.

Is it discriminatory treatment, or is it a good cover-up?

The mere thought that Li Chengqian's treatment of his own brothers might be an act sent shivers down my spine...

*****
"Does Your Majesty truly say so?"

"Brother Qingque, you can't lie to me!"

"Oh dear, does this mean we'll one day have to leave Chang'an? I thought I was going to grow old and die here in Chang'an!"

Inside the Prince of Jin's residence, Li Tai came to pay a visit and took the opportunity to invite all his brothers over, explaining His Majesty's intentions. The brothers were overjoyed and beaming with delight...

Although Chang'an is the most prosperous city in the world, and a prince can enjoy the most noble glory in the world here, there is still an emperor above him. He must be careful with his words and actions. How can it be as carefree and enjoyable as being a feudal ruler who can dominate his own country?

Li Tai stared at Li You, who was speaking, and warned, "Are you still the ignorant and foolish child you used to be? Think before you speak. If your words get out, countless censors and officials will be watching you to death!"

Li You shuddered and quickly tried to appease him with a smile: "What other thoughts could I have? I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's magnanimity and benevolence. My heart is filled with gratitude, and I have absolutely no resentment!"

Like Prince Li Zhi, he had a criminal record. Although it was not as serious as Li Zhi's, it was still an indelible stain. If the censors and officials impeached him with all their might, even His Majesty might not be able to protect him.

Li Zhi laughed and said, "We're all brothers, how can we let what we say in private get out to outsiders?"

Upon hearing this, the princes immediately fell silent.

Although they are all blood relatives, you can't judge a book by its cover. Who can say for sure?

What if someone harbors malicious intentions...

Li Tai was speechless. He looked at Li Zhi and said, "Why scare everyone? You should just behave yourself."

Li Zhi smiled without saying a word, but looked at the composed and indifferent Prince Jiang, Li Yun, and asked, "Everyone is overjoyed with the feudal forces, so why does Seventh Brother seem so indifferent?"

Li Yun said, "How could I not care? However, according to the laws of the Zhou and Han dynasties, a prince must wait until after the marriage to be enfeoffed and take up his fief, so I am not in a hurry."

Everyone suddenly understood.

Because of his infatuation with the younger sister of the Fang family, Prince Jiang, Li Yun, has not yet married, while Li Zhen and Li Zhi, who are younger than him, are already married.

Li You said enviously, "Seventh Brother, you really have a good idea. Once you marry the youngest sister of the Fang family, you can go to your fiefdom. No matter where you are enfeoffed, you will definitely receive the support of the Grand Commandant. Your good days are just around the corner!"

It was common knowledge that Fang Jun doted on his younger sister. Even before she came of age, he had prepared a lavish dowry for her, making even the scions of noble families and noble descendants in Chang'an envious. And with the navy under Fang Jun's control, how could he not strongly support anyone who married Fang's younger sister and went to establish a fiefdom overseas?

With Fang Jun's support, even a deserted island can be transformed into a prosperous country and a magnificent city with money!
Li Yun, however, looked distressed: "This matter is still far from settled. The Grand Commandant said that my younger sister is too young and should be raised at home for a couple more years so that she can enjoy the company of our parents. She can get married when she turns eighteen... But I always feel that this is just a perfunctory excuse, or even a tactful rejection."

It's not that people didn't get married at eighteen, but those were mostly from ordinary families, or those who were ugly or from poor families.

Wealthy families with rich and powerful families would naturally arrange marriages early on, so why wait until the age of eighteen?

She's getting old and spinsters...

Li Zhi said, "It's hard to say. It's said that the Grand Commandant even politely declined Your Majesty's offer to marry her to the Crown Prince's wife. She is the Crown Princess."

Today's Crown Princess will be tomorrow's Empress.

Who wouldn't flock to it?

But Fang Jun refused decisively.

Impatient with all this, Li Zhen asked, "Brother Qingque, is it a matter of accepting His Majesty's appointment and leaving it to fate, or can we choose a place ourselves?"

Li You rolled his eyes and scolded, "What are you dreaming about? His Majesty's granting of fiefdoms to the world is already an extraordinary favor to us brothers, but who is enfeoffed and where not only needs to be considered in a comprehensive manner, but also needs to consult the ministers' advice. How can we appoint people arbitrarily?"

Li Zhen ignored him and only looked at Li Tai.

Li Tai hesitated for a moment, but still spoke the truth: "Your Majesty did ask me which part of the feudal system I preferred... But as my fifth brother said, how many monarchs throughout history haven't kept their brothers by their side to keep an eye on them and prevent future troubles? Your Majesty, out of consideration for our brotherly bond, wishes to enfeoff us as kings of our own empires, which is unprecedented. Your Majesty is benevolent, and we cannot push our luck and put Your Majesty in a difficult position. Let us await your arrangements."

From Li Zhen down, the brothers were still young and inexperienced, unaware of the cruelty of power struggles within the imperial clan. Their reckless and unrestrained actions could sow the seeds of future disaster.

These words had a great effect; the princes' interest visibly cooled down, as if they had finally remembered that the person was not only their blood relative but also the supreme ruler of the world.

Brothers can be inseparable and carefree; even if they make a mistake, they will only be scolded and given a few drinks as punishment.

But this doesn't apply to the relationship between a ruler and his subjects.

Previously, both Li Zhi and Li You had made serious mistakes, which His Majesty had forgiven and pardoned. However, as the saying goes, "once bitten, twice shy," and it is not advisable for anyone to make a mistake again. In the future, they may not be so lucky.

(End of this chapter)