Datang: Rebirth of Li Chengqian, the beginning of the treason interrogation

Chapter 50: Countermeasures against black powder

"Proportion?" Li Chengqian smiled leisurely.

"Father, you must know that if we allow the clan to continue to exploit us like this, within a few decades, the entire Tang Dynasty will be filled with wars and rebel armies everywhere."

It is true that in the late Tang Dynasty, after the peasants were exploited and had nowhere to survive, large-scale uprisings broke out, destroying the Li Tang dynasty.

In the final analysis, it was the upper class's excessive extravagance. "The rich have wine and meat, while the poor freeze to death on the streets." This is a true portrayal of the heyday of the Tang Dynasty.

"Then what are you going to do? What am I going to do, Li Tang?"

Li Shimin's face looked grim. With his wisdom, how could he not know that if things continued to develop in this way, the Tang Dynasty would be finished sooner or later and would be sucked dry by these blood-sucking worms that were lying on its body.

"Father, do you know how to boil a frog in warm water?"

When dealing with a powerful clan, you must not use too strong means, otherwise you will suffer a bloody nose.

"What does it mean to boil a frog in warm water?" Li Shimin asked.

"That's what your majesty meant by measure. If the water is too hot, the frog will jump away immediately. But if you slowly increase the heat, the water temperature will slowly rise. By the time the frog feels the scalding heat, it will be too late."

Li Chengqian slowly explained that in order to implement it, he must get the support of Li Er.

Li Er still has absolute control over the current Tang Dynasty, and it is also the best time to implement the plan to disintegrate the clan.

If this internal trouble is not resolved, no matter how powerful the Tang Dynasty is, it will only be a flash in the pan and will eventually succumb to internal consumption.

"Everyone retreat!" Li Shimin shouted, and all the guards and eunuchs retreated.

"Cheng Qian, tell me what you think now!"

This concerns the survival of the Li Tang dynasty. Li Shimin must not be careless and must be prepared for danger. He, Li Er, does not want the Tang Dynasty to perish after just a few generations. He also wants it to last for thousands of years.

"The common people are not our royal family's enemies, but our allies. Our Li royal family is weak and alone. It is obviously impossible for us to compete with the entire clan group."

Another point is that there is serious internal strife in the royal family. Basically, the emperor is taking on the entire clan group alone. The people in the royal family are the greatest support as long as they do not jump out to make trouble.

"Common people are also oppressed by clans. My royal family can give them enough power to check the power of clans."

Li Shimin's brows sometimes frowned and sometimes relaxed.

“Today’s talent channels and even talents are controlled by clans.”

Those who study are all from big families, and those who pass the imperial examination and get their names on the list of successful candidates are also their people.

It was unlikely for the royal family to promote people from humble backgrounds. Xu Jingzong was an example. He was promoted to the position of Zuo Pushe only because of Li Shimin's autocratic rule.

"Follow the example of the Qin Dynasty and get promoted based on military merit."

Li Chengqian said that the Tang Dynasty now has such conditions, and in this way, the clans will have nothing to say.

"Battle of Goguryeo!"

Li Shimin's eyes also became brighter.

Since the imperial examination cannot select such scholars, then we should start from other places.

"Yes, through war, and also to improve the status of warriors, and to strengthen support for the families of the fallen soldiers."

Li Chengqian replied that the conflict would be moved outward, but in the final analysis it would still shake the clan's leadership over the court and even the country.

"First, build a martial arts temple, and engrave the names of all the fallen soldiers in it, so that they can be worshipped by the world."

"Secondly, we should build schools and allow the children of fallen soldiers to study for free. The state will provide funding to train civilian talents and increase the compensation for fallen soldiers."

Li Chengqian outlined his blueprint one by one.

"Good, great!" Li Shimin's eyes sparkled and he nodded repeatedly.

Promotion based on military merit can provide talents to the court in a short period of time.

The purpose of cultivating talents in schools is to further circumvent the monopoly of large clans in the imperial examination system for future generations.

Li Chengqian discussed the details with Li Shimin before leaving the palace. When he returned to the East Palace, he saw Gao Wenmin, Luo Binwang and Wang Xiao waiting for him outside Cheng'en Hall.

"Come on, let's go in and talk!"

Li Chengqian had been away for more than a month, and they were in charge of all the affairs in the Eastern Palace.

"Your Highness, the wine brewed by the East Palace is selling well, priced at 1000 coins per catty, and is also very popular among the nobles. We have already earned taels of silver."

Gao Wenmin said excitedly that 1000 coins is one tael of silver.

Such an income is already very high, almost equivalent to the annual salary of a third-rank official.

"Okay, the wine is selling well, take out 500 taels and reward all the staff in the East Palace, including the students of Chongwen Hall."

Before leaving the East Palace, I painted a pie for these people, and now they have actually fulfilled it.

Li Chengqian just moved his lips and pointed in a direction, and the strong liquor was made by them.

"By the way, remember to send some to the palace."

Li Chengqian went on to say that Li Er must not be ignored, as Li Er is now famous for wanting his children and grandchildren to be filial to him, even if he has not done so.

He is not a real son, but he must be sent to show his filial piety.

"No, this palace has a flaw, bring it to the palace in person."

If you're going to put on a show, you have to do it fully.

"Is there anything else?" Li Chengqian looked at Gao Wenmin and the others again.

"Here is also the detailed account of the income and expenditure of the Eastern Palace in recent days."

Gao Wenmin handed a thick stack of account books to him.

"Don't employ those you doubt, and don't doubt those you employ. I can trust you to do your job."

"If there is nothing else, then please leave." Li Chengqian nodded, expressing his approval to them.

Gao Wenmin is now gradually becoming the housekeeper of the Eastern Palace.

"In addition, Zhang Jianzhi, a student from the Imperial College, and the students who had previously left Chongwenguan have also rejoined Chongwenguan." Gao Wenmin added.

"Okay, when I have time, I will go visit them in person."

These people are all talented. Although they were not born in commoner families, they are not from big clans either. They are talents who are worth making use of.

"Your Highness, it worked. It really worked."

After Gao Wenmin left, Wang Xiao lowered his voice and spoke.

"Really? Take me to see it!" Li Chengqian appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was already in turmoil.

The secret area outside Beiyuan was surrounded by a layer of armored soldiers and no one was allowed to enter or leave.

Li Chengqian squatted on the ground, looking at the fine black powder being put into the jar, and his joy could no longer be suppressed.

This is black powder.

Although it is a cross-era product, it still could not play a decisive role in the era of cold weapons. This was still the case in the Ming Dynasty, when cavalry charges were still the main form of warfare.

"Your Highness, this thing is extremely powerful. During this period, several good fighters were lost." Wang Xiao reminded again.

"A big reward! Each person who participates in this research will be rewarded with one thousand coins, the injured will receive five thousand coins, and the deceased will receive ten thousand coins. From now on, the monthly salary will also be counted as a share of the deceased." Li Chengqian said in a deep voice.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Upon hearing this, everyone bowed to Li Chengqian and thanked him.

(End of this chapter)