Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 23: The Collision of Cold and Warm Fronts
Liangyi Palace.

Li Shimin was half lying on the dragon couch, with veins bulging on his forehead.

He was unhappy.

Originally, he wanted to take advantage of Hou Junji's victory to suppress the civil service group.

Behind all these civil servants, there are shadows of aristocratic families.

The emperors and nobles came and went, and all of these nobles originated from the Eastern Han Dynasty at the latest. They only respected Li Shimin, but regarded the entire Li Tang royal family as nouveau riche from Longxi and had no respect for them deep in their hearts.

As we all know, power is exclusive.

If the gentry takes a step forward, the imperial power will have to take a step back.

As a leader, Li Shimin cherished the brotherhood with his subordinates; but as a ruler, he had to restrain the aristocratic class to which his subordinates belonged.

Otherwise, after a hundred years, the new emperor will not be able to suppress these wealthy families...

When he mentioned his successor, Li Shimin's blood pressure suddenly soared.

"Don't mention him, don't mention Cheng Qian..." Li Shimin shook his head, forcing himself not to recall that explosive look.

"Fang Xuanling has a very sharp nose. He clearly had Hou Junji's secret, but he didn't reveal it earlier or later, but deliberately revealed it at the grand court meeting and put me on the spot.

"I wanted to give them a warning, but I didn't expect that old fox to give me a counterattack and force me to hold a joint trial of the frontline generals."

Li Shimin reviewed his failed experience with a grim face, and felt both love and hate for Fang Xuanling.

What she hated was that he was ignorant of the current situation, but what she loved was that he was able to see the big picture from the details. Even though she and Changsun Wuji worked together to block the news, he was still able to quickly dig out the fact that Hou Junji had embezzled the spoils.

If Li Shimin knew that Fang Xuanling's source of information was actually a certain future Prince Cao who did not want to reveal his name, I wonder how he would feel.

"How about I call the Imperial Censor Wei Ting and ask him to investigate the case...

"Forget it, forget it. The more I greet them, the more excited they become."

Li Shimin was quite capable and knew the nature of his subordinates.

What, Your Majesty wants to bend the law for personal gain? Oh, that's great... No, it's too bad! I will die to make a remonstrance! Your Majesty, are you anxious? Chu Suiliang, you see, Your Majesty is anxious, you should quickly record it in the diary.

"But Hou Junji was imprisoned right after he returned from a victorious battle. What do the Tang army officers and soldiers think? What do the common people think?
"This will shake the morale of the army and the people!"

With "Tang Dynasty pills" everywhere, Li Shimin was so worried that he kept scratching his head.

What he could not tolerate even more was that when later historians recorded this period of history, they had to add "Taizong was jealous of talented people."

He, Li Shimin, who single-handedly defeated the entire northern Khan, was jealous of Hou Junji?
Is it necessary for the one who scores one hundred to be jealous of the one who scores ninety-nine?

I got 99 points because my ability is only 99. And I got 100 points because the full score is only 100!
“It’s an insult, an insult!

"Jun Ji is the same. He is almost the prime minister, but he is still coveting the trivial things of a small country! I wanted to show my face, but I showed my ass instead!"

Li Shimin was so angry that he pounded the dragon couch, wishing he could punch that greedy and rude man in the face.

After venting his anger, he felt much better.

Li Erfeng's temper is like a tornado, coming and going quickly.

"Alas, if I hadn't recently discovered a virtuous son, I would have been pissed off to death by those careless beasts in human clothing."

The youngest son, Li Ming, finally grew up and became sensible, which became Li Shimin's greatest comfort during this difficult period.

"I wonder what expression that brat will have when he is officially crowned King Cao. How about putting on a stern face and scaring him first?"

He thought about it happily and couldn't help looking forward to the meeting between father and son.

On the night when Li Ming stood him up, Li Shimin wanted to give Li Ming this surprise in the Hall of Literature.

But as mentioned earlier, he was stood up.

Later, he was busy cleaning up Hou Junji's mess, and Li Ming was busy "showing benevolence", so the matter of being crowned king was delayed.

Can't delay any longer.

Crimes do not necessarily require punishment, but merits must be rewarded. This is Li Shimin's style.

"Prince Li Ming pays his respects~" the eunuch shouted.

Ahem~ Li Shimin cleared his throat, straightened up, and sat solemnly on the dragon couch.

The sun was setting in the west, and a small figure, with the light behind it, was walking towards the emperor on the dragon couch. It stopped in the shadow cast by a pillar, and its expression could not be seen clearly.

"Your son Li Ming pays respects to Your Majesty."

Li Ming knelt down.

Li Shimin almost cried for joy.

Fang Xuanling is not always against me. He has taught me good etiquette! "Get up." Li Shimin had a sly smile on his face. "I heard that you have done something big outside?"

Li Ming said coldly: "What can be hidden from your majesty?"

"You are like this, it's not good or bad." Li Shimin didn't realize how cold the word "Your Majesty" was. He rubbed his hands and said enthusiastically:

“It’s good to share the joys and sorrows with the people, but you are of noble status and cannot put yourself in danger.

"Even I was almost knocked off my horse by Shan Xiongxin when I led the charge. Fortunately, Yuchi Jingde and Li Shiji risked their lives to help me."

Li Ming quietly watched his father the emperor recalling the past.

"I know you have a stubborn character and won't listen to any advice, just like your grandfather did in the past." Li Shimin smiled mysteriously.

"So, I want to make you the King of Cao, and assign you a brave general to protect you personally.

"Let your old friend, General Wei Daijia of the Right Guard, serve as a clerk in the Cao Palace."

After reading the surprise to his son, he waited proudly to see Li Ming's reaction.

This was indeed a big surprise.

Needless to say, many brave men of different surnames have risked their lives to rebel against the leader just for this hereditary honor.

Not to mention the household registration book, even the ancestral grave can be listed in a separate column.

Even for Li Ming, who also has the last name Li, this kind of treatment is something that can only be found by chance.

After becoming a king, he had the right to establish his own government and left the thrilling Taiji Palace.

Moreover, his mother could also gain status through her son and be given a title of "Jieyi" or something like that, so she wouldn't have to stay in the cramped Lide Hall for her whole life.

If any mat weaver or shoe seller in later generations wanted to rebel, their status would have to be traced back to "I am a descendant of Li Ming, King of Cao".

Not to mention, the attached staff of Prince Cao's Mansion are very powerful and the configuration is simply beyond the standard.

Wei Daijia not only came from a high-class family, but also had good abilities. At a young age, he became the General of the Gate Guard, one of the Sixteen Guards of the Tang Dynasty, and later became the prime minister.

Needless to say, Fang Xuanling, the chief secretary of the royal palace.

The future prime minister is his bodyguard, the current prime minister is his teacher, and two great prime ministers serve Li Ming alone. Isn’t this a small blessing?
However, Li Ming just replied calmly:
"I do not want."

Li Shimin had expected this answer: "I know you don't obey. But Wei Daijia will not stop you this time, he will only protect you..."

"No." Li Ming shook his head, "I'm not talking about that guy.

"What I said is, I don't want to be the King of Cao, Your Majesty."

Li Shimin's smile faded:

"Do you think being the King of Cao is not enough and want a bigger and richer fiefdom?"

Facing the Emperor whose emotions were changing dramatically, Li Ming showed no fear at all and said calmly:

"No. I don't want to be crowned king."

what?
Li Shimin was stunned for a moment, as if he didn't hear clearly.

No, he heard it clearly, but he just couldn't understand it.

No power, no status, are there any other people in the world who don't want power or status?

Li Shimin tried hard to force a smile:
"Don't be ridiculous. If you don't like Cao Guo, you can change..."

"No." Li Ming shook his head firmly, "I don't want to be a king, and I don't want to be a prince."

Li Shimin's expression gradually turned cold.

It is difficult for any monarch to tolerate being treated coldly.

He narrowed his eyes, carefully looked at his youngest son, and said slowly:
"I know you have complaints against me. Your brothers were all crowned kings at the age of three, but you have waited until now. You feel that I am being unfair to you.

"It's just that everything happens for a reason. I want to make up for it as much as I can now. I hope you can understand my intentions."

Li Ming nodded:
"Your Majesty, I understand you, but I also have a small request. I want to fulfill that request more than being crowned king."

"Oh?"

Li Shimin raised his eyebrows.

"what do you want?"

Li Ming looked directly into the eyes of the great emperor and said calmly:
"I want to quit."

(End of this chapter)