Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5221 Temple of Emperor Renzong
Seeing his younger sister sitting upright and discussing the wise rulers of past dynasties with him, Li Chengqian was puzzled. These were the First Emperor, Emperor Wen of Han, and Emperor Wu of Han. No matter how confident or even arrogant he was, which one could he possibly be trying to emulate?
So, little sister, are you sure you're not mocking me?

Sensing His Majesty's unfriendly gaze, Princess Chang Le couldn't help but laugh: "Brother, did you think I was trying to use those ancient emperors to attack you?"

Li Chengqian remained unsmiling: "Then what do you mean?"

Princess Chang Le said softly, "Although I dare not interfere in politics, I have a few heartfelt words to say to my brother... Even great rulers like Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han had their shortcomings, which shows that the saying 'no one is perfect' is extremely true. Kings are also human, and humans have flaws. No one can be perfect."

Li Chengqian seemed to be thinking about something, and nodded slightly, signaling her to continue.

"My sister asks an offensive question: does your brother consider himself superior to Emperor Wu of Han in military strategy, Emperor Wen of Han in civil administration, or Qin Shi Huang in achievements?"

Li Chengqian smiled bitterly: "When did I ever say such a thing? Throughout history, if we include all the emperors who ruled over only a small corner of the country, there are more than a hundred of them. Among them, only Emperor Taizong can be compared with those few. I know my own limitations and am far inferior to them."

Princess Chang Le finally posed the burning question: "If those emperors all had irreparable flaws, why were they praised as wise and virtuous rulers, even emperors of all time?"

Li Chengqian was taken aback.

Right!

Emperor Wen of Han was one thing, but figures like Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han, though renowned throughout the world and shining brightly throughout history, were all called "tyrants" both in their time and in later generations.

Since he was called a "tyrant," it is clear that the people and powerful families resented him. Yet why did this not prevent him from achieving great things and being remembered for eternity?
After careful consideration, Li Chengqian gave his answer: "Because they have made tremendous achievements in a certain field that are unprecedented and may even be unparalleled in the future."

The tyranny of Qin Shi Huang was known throughout the land.

But so what?
He swept across the land and unified the eight directions, creating an unprecedented unified dynasty with the "prefecture and county system". He standardized the axle width of carts and the written language, bringing the nine provinces of the world together to enjoy the Chinese civilization. From then on, "the nine provinces were united and the long-divided lands were united". He built the Great Wall to defend against the Xiongnu in the north. Who can erase such achievements?
Emperor Wu of Han was tyrannical, a tyranny rarely seen in history.

Even though he forced his son to rebel and his empress to commit suicide, his victory over the Xiongnu and his breakthrough into the Western Regions, along with his famous saying "If the enemy can go there, so can I," are enough to overshadow all his mistakes.

Having shortcomings and weaknesses is not a problem; what's important is to maximize your strengths!
Li Chengqian asked himself: What are my strengths?
His achievements were inferior to those of the First Emperor, his military prowess was inferior to that of Emperor Wu of Han, and his civil administration was inferior to that of Emperor Wen of Han. Moreover, there was Emperor Taizong, whose civil and military achievements were no less than those of these emperors...

If one wants to be remembered in history, what should one rely on?
Princess Chang Le said softly, "Although my brother is not as talented as the others mentioned above, he has one advantage that they do not possess."

Li Chengqian asked, "What is it?"

Princess Chang Le said softly, "Generous and benevolent."

Li Chengqian remained silent.

Princess Chang Le continued, “Throughout history, there have been emperors with unparalleled achievements, emperors with outstanding military strategies, and emperors with unparalleled civil administration, but there has never been an emperor who ‘benevolently loved the world.’ My brother’s reign title is ‘Renhe.’ If he can consistently uphold this, how can he not be remembered in history and admired by future generations?”

Li Chengqian thought for a moment and realized that if his ministers could bestow upon him the temple name "Ren" when he was old and in decline, it would not be bad.
After all, the temple name "Ren" (仁) is unprecedented in history.

The saying goes, "The compassionate do not command troops, the righteous do not manage wealth, and the benevolent do not rule." For ordinary people, being described as "benevolent" is a compliment, but for a monarch, it is not necessarily a good thing. Moreover, as an emperor, who is at the center of power and where the interests of all parties converge, how difficult it is to achieve a state of "benevolence and harmony."
But if it could truly be done, it would indeed be unprecedented and groundbreaking.

After hesitating for a long time, Li Chengqian said, "Let's discuss this matter later and consider it carefully. However, since the Changsun family has come to you for help, I will certainly give you face. Later, let them go to the Ministry of Personnel to collect their assignments. I will inform the Prince of Hejian."

Princess Chang Le hesitated for a moment: "Brother, you don't need to care too much about my face. You have your own plans. Even if you refuse the Changsun family, it's not a big deal."

Li Chengqian sneered: "Since the Changsun family owes you, then let them continue to owe you. Do you really think that the death of a few people can wipe away all the grudges? Dream on!"

Princess Chang Le hummed in agreement and said no more.

……

After Princess Chang Le left, Li Chengqian sat alone in the imperial study, leisurely drinking tea. He had no interest in politics and was only thinking about the feasibility of "implementing benevolent governance".

It has to be said, he was indeed tempted.

Since ancient times, no monarch has ever taken "benevolence" as the foundation. If the concept of "generosity and benevolence" can be promoted and developed, wouldn't that perfectly align with the essence of Confucianism? It would surely be sought after and praised by Confucian scholars, and the people of the world would be grateful for its kindness. When the monarch passes away in the future, he will leave behind a name of "benevolence and love" in the world. How could he be inferior to the wise and virtuous rulers of the past?
Moreover, now that the world is at peace and the country is in a golden age, with civil and military achievements already at their peak, there is indeed no need for him, the emperor, to "work hard" and "rise early and retire late." Furthermore, in the past few years since he ascended the throne, the mountain of government affairs has made him well aware of his own lack of energy, and he cannot be as diligent in government affairs and work day and night as the wise and powerful rulers of the past.

If this continues, I'm afraid I'll run out of energy and die soon...

Since working himself to the bone would never make him better than other emperors, why not change course and find a different path?

Of course, "benevolence" is to some extent equivalent to "weakness," meaning that one cannot be too assertive in military and political affairs. Given that the establishment of the Council of State Affairs and the Grand Council weakens imperial power, it is highly likely that the emperor will further lose control of the court.

They were thus caught in a dilemma, unable to make a decision.

Fortunately, he had plenty of time to experiment and learn, so he started by pardoning the Changsun family to see how the court and the public would react.

*****
Chongrenfang, the Changsun family.

Upon hearing the news sent by Princess Changle, Changsun Yan respectfully saw the messenger off, then turned around and closed the gate. He and his brothers, including Changsun Jing, Changsun Xu, and Changsun Zhan, embraced and wept bitterly in the main hall. Servants and attendants also shed tears.

With the suicide of their patriarch Changsun Wuji, and the passing of several outstanding members including Changsun Chong, the entire Changsun family was shrouded in a desolate and mournful atmosphere, as if shrouded in mist. Everyone was trembling with fear, and even their cries dared not be loud...

From being the most powerful nobleman in the Tang Dynasty to being avoided and hated by everyone, the difference in his life was something that ordinary people could not bear.
Previously, all the nobles and powerful families with vested interests avoided him. Even the marriages that had been agreed upon by several younger members of the family, such as Changsun Ze and Changsun Run, were canceled. The entire household was shrouded in gloom and despair, with no hope of a bright future.

Now, with Princess Chang Le's message, the entire Changsun family felt as if a crack had been lifted from the impenetrable dark clouds above their heads, finally allowing them to breathe a sigh of relief.

After crying for a while, Changsun Yan helped his younger brothers up one by one and they all sat down.

Then, with a serious expression, he sternly instructed: "The reason why the Changsun family is in its current predicament is all due to the mistakes of the father and elder brother. Everything is the result of the Changsun family's own fault."

While Princess Changle did secure a loophole for the Changsun family, their stance and attitude must be correct, as this is the foundation upon which the Changsun family depends for survival.

All the disciples nodded in agreement.

Changsun Yan continued, “Our family has committed the heinous crime of treason, and should have been beheaded and had all our property confiscated. However, His Majesty has been lenient and has not pursued the matter. He is a benevolent ruler who is rare throughout history! Our family members must remember His Majesty’s great kindness and strive to repay it. We must also take our fathers and brothers as a warning and be loyal to His Majesty and to the Tang Dynasty!”

Although His Majesty has not investigated the serious crimes committed by the Changsun family, how can we not keep an eye on them? Right now, around this main hall and throughout the mansion, there are probably countless spies from the "Hundred Cavalry Division." We must keep the great cause in mind at all times and have these people relay it.

The politically correct attitude of "being loyal to His Majesty and loyal to the Tang Dynasty" should not only be done, but also said.

"Yes! We will certainly remember your teachings, brother."

Originally, when his elder brothers Changsun Chong, Changsun Huan, and Changsun Jun were alive, they were dazzling and arrogant thanks to the power of the Changsun family. Changsun Yan was just a spoiled brat with no merits, and was overshadowed by the brilliance of his brothers.

However, since inheriting the position of family head, Changsun Yan has shed his unruly ways and become silent, resilient, and responsible, winning the love and respect of all his brothers.

"Furthermore," Changsun Yan took a deep breath and continued, "The fault of Prince Chang Le's divorce from my elder brother lies with him. Today, the Changsun family's escape from this predicament is entirely due to Prince Chang Le's willingness to forgive past grievances and plead with His Majesty. He is the Changsun family's benefactor. If any of you still harbor resentment towards Prince Chang Le because of my elder brother's death, then please remove yourselves from the family genealogy and separate from the family. I, Changsun Yan, will not acknowledge such brothers who cannot distinguish right from wrong and are ungrateful!"

This needs to be stated publicly.

The older brothers had a deep affection for Princess Chang Le, who was both their eldest sister-in-law and cousin. Even after their divorce from their eldest brother, Changsun Chong, they never complained and always felt that the Changsun family owed her something.

However, the younger members, having spent little time with Princess Changle and thus having a distant relationship with her, might attribute the decline and fall of the Changsun family to their past divorce. After all, it was that incident that caused the rift between their father and Emperor Taizong, and their father's and brothers' subsequent actions were likely related to it...

Now that things have come to this point, it is imperative to give a clear answer to this matter; otherwise, the glimmer of hope that the Changsun family has managed to secure will be extinguished once again in an instant.

Seeing the utmost seriousness in his words and expression, the younger brothers all stood up, bowed their heads and agreed: "Brother, rest assured, how could we be heartless? We will certainly remember His Highness Chang Le's kindness and repay it if we have the opportunity!"

Changsun Yan nodded, gestured for everyone to sit down, looked around, and asked, "This time, His Majesty has shown leniency and allowed our family members to serve in government... So, who will shoulder this important responsibility?"