Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 323 The Three Saints
Southern border of the Tang Dynasty, Indochina Peninsula.

The current situation of Linyi State has taken a sharp turn for the worse and the situation is becoming increasingly corrupt.

Because the country's western neighbor Zhenla did not abide by the moral code of war, it launched a shameless sneak attack behind their backs and captured Linyi's capital, Linyi Pu, in one fell swoop.

This was not because the Zhenla troops were so powerful - although they also received assistance from the Tang Dynasty, they were mainly equipped with cheap swords, had few sets of armor, and no war horses.

It is because the country of Linyi is congenitally disabled, with a very small east-west depth, like an earthworm.

In addition, King Fan Fanzhi was too radical and concentrated all the country's troops on the Jiaozhou front in the north, leaving the capital almost undefended.

The Zhenla people rushed into Linyipu at once and launched an attack on the palace.

Then, it was blocked.

There was no way. Zhenla was even poorer than Linyi. There was no way they could have siege equipment, and the soldiers’ combat effectiveness was not good either. The equipment provided by the Tang Dynasty was not as high-quality and large-quantity as that provided by the Ming Dynasty.

They could not break through the high walls of the palace. Even if a few brave ones could climb to the top of the wall, their weapons could not penetrate the armored defenses of the palace guards.

The battle situation just remained deadlocked.

Although the Zhenla people could not capture or kill the enemy king alive, they used their numerical advantage to surround the royal palace like an iron barrel, cutting off all channels for government orders to enter and exit.

For Linyi, whose organization was still very primitive, this was almost the same as beheading the head of state.

The whole country was in chaos, and the situation quickly spread to the Linyi army on the Jiaozhou front.

The morale of the Cham people, who had been showing off their might a few days ago, collapsed at a rapid speed.

The natives of Jiaozhou also received weapons supported by the Tang Dynasty and immediately launched a frenzied counterattack against the enemy.

The Linyi people who launched a massacre on Jiaozhou soil soon suffered backlash.

The originally lazy Jiaozhou people, either for the sake of survival or revenge, burst out with amazing fighting power and launched a desperate charge towards the enemy camp without regard for their lives.

Before, Linyi abandoned its poor brothers and pursued technological advancement, and was even able to unilaterally defeat other southern barbarians.

Now, the people of Jiaozhou have also obtained advanced iron tools from the Central Plains. Everyone is back to the same level, and the war has returned to a pure meat-grinding war.

The people of Jiaozhou were fighting with all their might, while on the other hand, the morale of the people of Linyi was low because their capital was under siege.

The outcome was decided. The Linyi people could not hold their battle line and were quickly defeated.

Given their level of organization, an orderly retreat was naturally impossible. The soldiers fled in all directions across the mountains and plains like tens of thousands of wild boars, and were slaughtered indiscriminately by the Jiaozhou people.

The people of Jiaozhou who wanted revenge naturally would not have any kindness or righteousness in their hearts.

They were completely bloodthirsty and, with the cooperation of Zhenla, they killed their way from north to south, broke into the territory of Linyi, and launched an indiscriminate massacre of Linyi civilians.

Things in the Southern Barbarians have always been like this. Either you cleanse me or I cleanse you.

In a bloody scene, the war launched by Linyi ended abruptly.

The Tang Dynasty completely recovered Jiaozhou and southern Xinjiang was also pacified.

…………

When the good news from the south reached Chang'an, it was already early winter and the weather was getting colder day by day.

A grand court meeting was held today. Before it officially began, all the ministers waited outside the Taiji Hall with their hands in their pockets and their necks hunched, chatting idly.

Zhang Xingcheng: "According to convention, the grand court meeting is held twice a month. Why is it delayed until today?"

Liu Li: "Your Majesty has been in poor health recently, so you are only meeting with him alone and not holding a separate court meeting. Speaking of which, is today's court meeting presided over by Your Majesty himself?"

Gao Jifu: "Which Majesty?"

Liu Li: "Of course it's His Majesty the Emperor. Who else could it be?"

Gao Jifu: "Oh, you mean His Majesty, I thought it was the 'Two Saints'. After all, it seems that the 'Two Saints' are the ones who are meeting with ministers in Lizheng Hall during this period."

Liu Li: "Mr. Gao should be careful with his words."

Gao Jifu: "What Prime Minister Liu is saying is that it was Gao who made a mistake in speaking."

Recently, the ministers have become increasingly concerned about the recent situation of the emperor, the crown prince and the emperor emeritus.

Although they did not say it out loud, in private, they all seriously considered the possibility of the emperor walking before the emperor emeritus.

Since ascending the throne, the emperor, who was already frail and sickly, has become visibly thinner.

On the contrary, His Majesty the Emperor, who had suffered a stroke, became stronger and stronger with the nourishment of the harem.

Of course, there is also the young crown prince, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

The power core of the Tang Dynasty formed a strange structure with thin middle and thick ends.

The emperor could die at any time, but the emperor emeritus and the crown prince were still healthy.

If this unprecedented situation really happens, who should be the next emperor?
Will it be His Majesty the Emperor who had suffered a stroke and come back from retirement, or will it be His Royal Highness the Crown Prince who is still young who will take over directly?
Although such a discussion is extremely disrespectful, it is something that the ministers must prepare for in private in advance.

The transfer of power must be rigorous and take into account all possible unexpected events.

If we don't make a good plan, if something unexpected happens, it will easily cause turmoil in the country and be taken advantage of by a big country in the north.

"What are you talking about? Who said something wrong?"

Zhang Liang came over.

The three gossiping civil officials felt annoyed by this spy chief, so they pretended not to hear him and ignored him.

Zhang Liang was not annoyed by the three cold butts. He just made a mysterious expression and whispered in a low voice:

"I heard rumors from the eunuchs in the palace that Your Majesty might..."

"What are you afraid of?" The three elder brothers could no longer maintain their composure and asked in unison.

Zhang Liang curled his lips and glanced at the eunuch walking out of the hall, pretending to share a secret with his colleagues.

At this moment, the eunuch had already walked to the palace gate and announced in a shrill voice:
"Go up!"

"What exactly happened in the palace? What might have happened to His Majesty?" The three civil officials were about to explode with curiosity.

Zhang Liang curled his lips, ignored them and walked forward.

"Let's go, let's go to court."

Civil and military officials had already taken their positions and, under the eunuchs' instructions, lined up in two rows and filed into the hall.

The three old gossipers could only shut up immediately, lowered their heads and quickly stood back in their seats. As they followed the team slowly to the hall, they secretly raised their heads and glanced at Zhang Liang in front of them, who was "flirting without talking", and cursed in their hearts:
Are you a human being? Why don't you stand in a row with the eunuchs?
…………

The grand court meeting began in a solemn atmosphere.

All the officials in Beijing gathered in the Taiji Hall and entered one after another.

Officials above the fifth rank sat in front and took their respective seats.

The low-ranking officials could only stand far away near the door, basking in the warmth of the emperor's grace while feeling the northwest wind.

All officials took their seats and bowed their heads respectfully.

According to convention, the emperor would enter the hall from the back after all officials had taken their seats.

Being a big leader requires you to pay attention to pomp and circumstance.

Before taking a seat, a palace maid must cover the dragon's body with a five-pointed fan to block the sight of officials below the seat, and prohibit them from looking at it without permission.

But during the reign of Emperor Yongqing, the rules were different.

His Majesty the Emperor sympathizes with his subjects and, in order not to keep you waiting for too long, has granted you permission to attend court only after the Emperor himself has taken his seat.

Of course, those who have made it to the core of the empire would not be so low in EQ as to accept His Majesty's kindness so readily.

All officials had to wait outside in advance, and could only enter the palace after His Majesty the Emperor slowly sat down on the dragon couch with the help of eunuchs.

This made the process of attending court more cumbersome and torturous than before, and officials also complained privately.

However, when His Majesty had not held a court meeting for one or two months due to health reasons, everyone couldn't help but miss this important ceremony.

I’m afraid that he will do something wrong, but I’m also afraid that he won’t come.

The officials couldn't help but feel worried. What is the health of the emperor? Does he still hold the power?
Or has the power fallen into the hands of... no, into the hands of "another" Majesty?

Or is it "Your Highness"?
It is no exaggeration to say that this is a matter of national foundation.

Especially when a powerful enemy in the north, who is of the same lineage as the three saints, is eyeing them covetously.

This will directly determine the direction of the future struggle between Tang and Ming. Is it the gentleness of Emperor Yongqing, the fierceness of His Majesty the Emperor Retired, or the scheming of His Majesty the Regent?
Anyone with a bit of political sensitivity knows that the answer to this mystery will be revealed at this grand event held many months later.

Whoever presides over it will dominate the future court.

However, before the eunuch announced the official start of the court meeting, officials had to bow their heads and were not allowed to get a glimpse of the emperor's face in advance.

It's not just the three gossipy civil officials Liu Li, Zhang Xingcheng and Gao Ji Fu.

It can be said that all the officials present, regardless of their rank, were eagerly looking forward to the answer to this important question.

But, no.

You must be patient and not make big mistakes because of curiosity.

It’s almost time, it’s about to start…

"My dear ministers, please stand up."

A gentle and somewhat weak voice came from the direction of the dragon couch.

This voice belongs to His Majesty the Emperor. Has His Majesty's health and power been restored? This thought flashed through the minds of the ministers. They felt that things were just like this and everything was back to normal.

It's better to be still as before, at least it's stable. Every time you change the person in charge in the Li family, it always causes unrest in the world... The ministers couldn't help but complain in their hearts and raised their heads with relief.

But when he looked up, they were all stunned.

There is no doubt that the person sitting on the dragon couch is the emperor.

However, on the left hand side of Emperor Li Chengqian, there was another dragon bed, which was of slightly lower specifications.

The person sitting above was none other than the Crown Prince Li Zhi!
This special seating layout couldn't help but evoke some memories of the ministers.

When “that prince” came to govern the country, was it last year or the year before?

Is this to allow "His Highness" to participate in politics in advance?
But it's not over yet.

Behind the emperor's dragon bed, at a higher place.

There was another dragon couch, and sitting on it was another figure that could evoke countless memories for many people.

His Majesty Emperor Li Shimin...

After Li Chengqian ascended the throne, the old emperor had interfered in state affairs and had sat in this position at grand court meetings.

However, the retired emperor only intervened in government affairs in informal occasions such as "secret meetings", and when he sat in the center of the court, it was mainly at ceremonial meetings such as the New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival.

This was the first time that Li Shimin attended a grand court meeting for real discussions since his retirement.

The meaning is self-evident.

Li Shimin, Li Chengqian and Li Zhi, father and son and brothers, everyone has a share!
The Three Saints are here!

"Recently, there has been some turmoil in our dynasty."

His Majesty Li Chengqian spoke.

Although his tone was still a little weak, he got straight to the point.

However, as powerful beings, the ministers pay more attention to who says the words on the stage than to what the person on the stage says specifically.

The fact that the grand court meeting was presided over by the Emperor showed that the core of power in the court - at least on the surface - was still the Emperor.

This is not surprising.

However, the "Two Saints" sitting beside His Majesty had almost made it clear to the ministers -

His Majesty's will is not just his own will.

"To the north, we have the powerful Ming Dynasty, eyeing us covetously; to the west, we have the two-faced Tubo, preparing to make a move in secret.

"The southern countries are unstable, and the Turkic allies are exhausted."

Li Chengqian's voice was weak, but it was filled with unquestionable firmness.

This was the first time that he publicly acknowledged the status of the "Great Ming Dynasty" instead of contemptuously calling it "fake Ming" or "rebels".

If you don't face your opponent squarely, you will be the one who suffers in the end.

You can fool your brothers, but don’t fool yourself.

His Majesty's unusual choice of words and his serious attitude made the ministers put aside their political calculations and lower their heads to think seriously.

Your Majesty is not exaggerating at all. The Tang Dynasty is truly in a situation where it is surrounded by enemies on all sides.

Datang, this time it's really going to be over...

"However……"

Li Chengqian changed the subject and his voice became sonorous and powerful:

"I am now becoming increasingly clear that the Tang Dynasty's biggest concern is not outside. It is right here, in the Tang Dynasty itself!"

All the ministers immediately looked ashamed and straightened their backs involuntarily.

"Our Great Tang is vast, rich in resources, with a large population, prosperous commerce, and mountains and rivers.

"External enemies cannot destroy our country."

Li Chengqian continued, his eyes becoming extremely sharp.

The Central Plains War that just ended has proved this point.

Even a powerful country like the Ming Dynasty could not gain any advantage in the Central Plains, which was easy to attack but difficult to defend.

The prerequisite is that the Tang Dynasty remains united and stable.

"But, if the enemy is inside our Great Tang, they can easily destroy our country and make all of you here die without a burial place!"

Li Chengqian's words were so powerful that they frightened everyone.

Li Chengqian paused, took a breath, and continued:

“And I have seen the enemy within.

"I believe that all of you, your family and friends have not only seen them, but also have very close ties with them."

The emperor's words left his ministers confused.

At first, they thought that His Majesty was talking about the spies planted by the Ming Dynasty in the Tang Dynasty.

But if you think about it carefully, you will realize that a tactical issue like "spies" is not enough to make Your Majesty risk illness and take it so seriously in the grand court meeting.

It must be something deeper…

"That enemy is the aristocratic family that is insatiable and frantically annexing land, leaving the common people with almost no place to live!"

Once the words are spoken, they are deafening and enlightening.

Even the most mature and prudent ministers were shocked by the emperor's words, and they opened their eyes wide, at a loss.

In the back row, some officials even ignored the etiquette in the hall and couldn't help whispering.

Your Majesty, what medicine did you take? Why are you plotting a rebellion?

If it were in the past, the ministers would have certainly advised Your Majesty.

Your Majesty must not imitate the traitors and rebels of the pseudo-Ming Dynasty, and must not compete with the "people" for profit!

But today.

When the officials in the court looked up, they saw the sinister Li Zhi guarding Li Chengqian.

And when Li Shimin was at the top of the court, looking down upon the world.

Their throats moved, and they finally swallowed the words that were about to come out of their mouths.

Because this was not the emperor's idea alone.

This is the common opinion of the three saints.

This is the Three Saints’ arrival!

(End of this chapter)