Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 53: The nobles may have to be dealt with, but it is unlikely to be dealt with

"So it was you who ordered the playboys to beat up the Wei family's servants and throw mud into the Wei Mansion?"

At night, in the study of Lizheng Hall.

Li Shimin's palms were sore, but he felt quite relaxed and relieved.

Li Ming held his buttocks, stood crookedly on the side, and muttered with his teeth bared:

"How would I know that was Wei Daijia's home..."

After His Highness Li Ming dealt with the servants who disrupted the market order, transported the rouge wood to the workshop, and returned to the palace victoriously.

What greeted him was the iron fist (literally) of His Majesty Li Shimin.

Li Ming then realized this painfully.

It turns out that the "Imperial Censor" mentioned by the servant refers to the Imperial Censor Wei Ting, who is also Wei Daijia's father.

The so-called "Imperial Censorate" with its main door facing the street was also the property of Wei Daijia's family.

Damn it, everyone was there except that guy who went out to buy ink, so I couldn’t recognize him.

"Do you know you are wrong?" Li Shimin's mouth was filled with an irrepressible smile.

"I don't know!" Li Ming pouted angrily:

"I just bought some things at a roadside stall, but the Wei family has expanded their home onto the street!
"Why did you punish me and not him?"

Illegal construction is definitely more serious than illegal street stalls, right?

Li Shimin chuckled:
"A little stuff? You bought so much wood, it's enough to build a house."

"Because it's a clearance sale...Huh? You know I'm buying wood?"

Li Ming suddenly discovered the highlight.

Li Shimin skipped this topic and said:
"Don't interrupt. The renovation of Wei Mansion has been approved by Chang'an County, so it is legal.

"On the other hand, the black market where you bought the goods is full of unruly people who occupy the street and set up illegal stalls. They should be punished according to the law."

Li Ming was unhappy:

"Why is this matter under the jurisdiction of Chang'an County? Aren't the dignitaries supposed to live in Wannian County?"

Wannian County and Chang'an County are both counties affiliated with the capital, with Zhuque Street in the center of Chang'an City as the boundary.

To the east is Wannian County, which is a "rich area", while to the west is Chang'an County, which is a "commoner area".

Damn it, there is indeed something wrong with the Chang'an County Magistrate, and he is in cahoots with the Wei family.

If I had known earlier, I would have listened to Lai Junchen and reported the county magistrate for rebellion.

Li Shimin paused and recalled:
“Well…I heard from Concubine Wei that the place is relatively close to Anhua Gate in the southwest of the city.

"When the Wei family went south from the city to avoid the cold in winter, they would stay in that house for half a day...

"where are you going?"

Student Li Ming was tiptoeing out of the study room when he was caught. He tilted his head back and said insincerely:

"Father, I know I was wrong. Can I go home and have dinner?"

Looking at this naughty kid, Li Shimin was not angry at all. Instead, he couldn't suppress a smile on his face:
"Haven't you been busy keeping a low profile and desecrating yourself to save your life? How come you have time to care about national affairs recently?"

Li Ming snorted proudly:
"Even an ordinary person has a share of responsibility for the rise and fall of a country...

"Uh, why did Father say that?"

He had a bad feeling.

Li Shimin raised the corner of his mouth wickedly:
"You and your classmates have recently written some great articles about the criminal Hou Junji!
"It is really a sharp criticism of current ills, a stirring article, and a painstaking effort to maintain the authority of the court!"

Li Ming's face froze:
"You know everything about me handing out flyers? You sent spies to follow me?!"

Li Shimin almost couldn't control himself and rushed over again:
"These past few days, some of the nobles have been suffering from insomnia, some have been overeating, and Chang Sun Yan's hair is almost falling out.

"You don't think their parents didn't notice?!"

Ah this...

Li Ming was speechless.

"If you love writing articles so much, then go ahead and write them!" Li Shimin said angrily and amusedly:
"Since you know you are wrong, then write me an article to reflect on the stupid things you did today!
"Didn't I say before that I wanted to test you? Here are the test questions. You have to hand them in tomorrow morning."

Ah? But the articles were all written by my classmates. I didn’t change a single word. I was only responsible for the overall planning... Li Ming didn’t dare to tell the truth.

Want face.

"I've already told your mother, she will supervise you, don't try to cheat.

"I have also told all of your accomplices about their grandfathers and uncles. Don't let any of them escape."

Li Shimin waved his hand with a half smile:
"Go ahead and get busy. I look forward to your masterpiece."

You're testing me with this question. This happened almost thirty chapters ago. How come you still remember it... Li Ming muttered and stepped back.

…………Li Shimin looked at the rebellious son’s retreating back, and the smile on his lips slowly faded.

The break was over and he returned to the purest political calculations.

It is true that the gentry were rivals of imperial power, but they were definitely not enemies.

It would be easier to deal with if it was an enemy. When had he, General Tiance, ever been afraid of anyone?
But politics is not either enemy or friend, either black or white.

Politics is grey.

This ancient power of the gentry not only restricted the emperor, but was also the foundation of imperial power.

The Li family’s ability to conquer the world was inseparable from the support of the major families in Guanzhong.

In the court, children of aristocratic families have always held high-ranking positions.

Li Shimin's two most trusted civil servants were Fang Xuanling from the Qinghe Fang family and Du Ruhui from the Jingzhao Du family.

There are also the Jingzhao Wei family, the Bohai Gao family, the Longxi and Zhaojun Li family, the Boling and Qinghe Cui family... and so on.

This is even more true at the local level.

How could the emperor rule the people without the wealthy and powerful families that were deeply rooted in the counties and countryside?

Should he go down to the fields himself and preach and educate the farmers one by one?

The Tang Dynasty is so big that he can’t even walk through it!
"Support the poor and the common people?"

Li Shimin had thought of this idea a long time ago, but it was not feasible in reality.

How can there be any talented people from poor families?
Even if the imperial examination was introduced according to the Sui system, everyone would compete fairly and based on their own abilities, and those who passed were all children of the aristocratic families.

Because printing a book requires dozens or even hundreds of woodblocks, the cost is too high and ordinary people simply cannot afford it.

How can ordinary people, who can't even read, compete with the aristocratic families with a long history?

The exam is fair, it’s just fairer to some people.

So the result was that the gentry remained an integral part of the imperial court.

Li Shimin ordered people to compile the "Clan Records", although his intention was to suppress the restless Hebei gentry.

But the act of "compiling clan records" itself is an official recognition of the aristocratic system.

However, the death of Li Xiaogong changed the situation.

As the royal family declined, the power of the imperial court began to subtly shift towards the gentry.

They even dared to offend the emperor in such a seemingly insignificant place as "Clan Records"!

Li Shimin, the political machine, sensed the crisis.

How long has it been since the Tang Dynasty conquered the world?

He, the meritorious emperor with unparalleled martial arts skills and the Khan of the northern border countries, is not dead yet!

Has the power of the nobles begun to stir?

The generation waiting for him and those who witnessed his great achievements gradually faded away in the long river of history.

He didn't dare to imagine what those nobles would do or what the future of Li Tang would be like!

I can't clean it up, and it will become messy over time. What should I do...

"Your Majesty, please don't be angry because of that naughty boy. The Wei Mansion is a small matter, the dragon's health is a big matter."

Concubine Wei came out from the back hall leisurely and poured realgar wine on Li Shimin's forehead to repel mosquitoes and refresh his mind, while talking in a teasing tone.

To the effect:
Your Majesty, please don't kill that little bastard Li Ming.

Li Shimin had a blank expression on his face.

It was true that he was depressed, but he was not angry at Li Ming.

The one who made her angry was her mother's family, the Wei family.

As a member of the Guanlong Group, he actually turned his elbow outward and supported the Hebei gentry!
If it weren't for Li Ming, he would have given Wei Gui a cold shoulder.

"Huh...you're right. I shouldn't be angry."

Li Shimin let out a long breath, smelled the scent of realgar medicine, and gradually calmed down.

Wei Gui took the opportunity to talk to her:

"The students have been fooling around with 'that' prince all day long, not only have they neglected their studies, but they have also lost respect for His Majesty and the court.

"This evil trend needs to be stopped."

Li Shimin said in a deep voice:

"You're right. We need to put a stop to this trend..."

(End of this chapter)