Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 58 Don't Try to Compete with Me for My Son-in-Law

"Among all the surnames in the world, Li, Wang, Lu, Zheng and Cui are the most important.

"Among the great surnames, the Longxi Li family is the most noble."

In the Lizheng Hall, Gao Shilian and Wei Ting jointly presented the latest version of "Clan Records".

Emperor Taizong pretended to stroke his beard, held down the corners of his mouth to prevent them from curling up, and asked as seriously as he could:

"Is it true? This is related to the legitimacy of the surname and folk customs.

"My dear ministers, please do not show partiality to me just because I am the emperor."

Wei Ting said righteously:

"We have done a lot of research and quoted classics. The ranking is absolutely fair and impartial. We are absolutely not biased towards any party!"

"Well, that's good." Li Shimin tried hard to suppress his smile and acted surprised:
“The Cui family of Boling, Hebei, is actually only a third-class surname?

"Didn't they boast that they were the most prestigious family in the world and repeatedly rejected marriage proposals from ministers?"

Gao Shilian spoke:
"Well..."

"This is definitely their own boasting! Cui's is the third rank, fair and square, no doubt about it!"

Wei Ting actively took over the conversation.

"The Cui family is truly despicable and shameless... Kukuku... They have deceived the world for so many years... Kukuku."

Li Shimin tried hard to hold back his laughter and waved his hand nonchalantly:

"If everyone in the world feels this way, then we'll finalize it and print it.

"Keep a low profile. Each government office will probably only have a collection of around 10,000 copies."

"According to the order!"

In fairness and justice, Censor Wei was about to step down and carry out the Emperor's highest instructions with high spirits and courage.

"Wait a moment."

He was stopped by Li Shimin.

Wei Ting paused for a moment, and turned around with cold sweat on his forehead:
"Your Majesty?"

Li Shimin smiled playfully:

"I remember you have a daughter, right? She's about marriageable age?"

Wei Ting's heart skipped a beat: "Yes... yes."

Li Shimin said leisurely:

"It just so happens that my fifth son, Prince of Qi Li You, has also reached the age to marry.

"If the two of them are destined to be together, it will be a good story for us as king and subject."

Wei Ting was almost exhausted, and he fell to his knees and bowed:
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the marriage!"

Although Li You's background was not good, his biological mother, Concubine Yin, was the daughter of Yin Shishi, an enemy of the Tang Dynasty.

Moreover, Li You himself does not have a very good reputation. He seems to be just a fool who only knows how to hunt.

But he is His Majesty's biological son after all.

Your Majesty is now taking the initiative to bring up this matter. Does this mean that...

Does this mean that I have landed successfully?

Fortunately, I was not exiled to Danzhou to fight with crocodiles...

As for the original plan to marry his daughter to Cui Yi, Wei Ting didn't even dare to think about it.

He went back on his word and classified Cui as third-class citizens.

The Wei and Cui families are definitely enemies now, so how can they get married?

"I...resign."

Wei Ting was trembling with fear and left together with Gao Shilian, who was also confused.

Li Shimin looked at Wei Yushi's crooked back and snorted contemptuously.

"Li Ming is right. We should have dealt with these disloyal Guanzhong nobles long ago.

"Just a gentle tap and it immediately became submissive. Where's the arrogance from before?"

Before this, Li Shimin had hinted at marrying his illegitimate prince to Wei's daughter.

But he was always fooled by that old guy Wei Ting's Tai Chi.

At that time, Li Shimin was still cautious and expected them to attack the Hebei gentry, so he did not dare to force them.

Now after being scolded, you seem to be behaving yourself now, right?

Have you taken the initiative to kneel down and thank the emperor for his grace?

What a shame!

Still want to compete with me for my son-in-law?
Cui Yi is my great eldest daughter Li Ling's!
You, the Wei family, will fight against the Cui family for generations to come!
The Wei family has dealt a heavy blow, and now it’s time to give the Hebei Cui family a sweet treat…

"His Majesty."

Cui Renshi, the Imperial Censor in the palace, was summoned to the palace. He bowed respectfully, knelt down in a dusty state, and waited for the emperor's instructions.

He was a member of the Anping branch of the Boling Cui family, a representative figure of the Cui family in Chang'an, and later served as prime minister.

He is in a bad mood today.

Because their entire family was backstabbed by the Wei family!
In the clan records edited by Wei, the Longxi Li was ranked first and the Boling Cui was ranked third!

It's just blatant lies!

The Cui family originated from the Jiang family of the Zhou Dynasty. It has been passed down for thousands of years and has welcomed and seen off countless dynasties!
Even if the Tang Dynasty perished, the Cui family would not perish!

What is Wei Ting doing?!

Wasn’t it agreed that the Cui family of Boling would be the first as a condition for the marriage?
People in Guanzhong are treacherous and untrustworthy!
How could I have trusted these upstarts in the first place...

"Cui Yushi, why are you so unhappy?"

Li Shimin lowered the corners of his mouth and showed concern.

Inviting the "Palace Attendant Censor" of the seventh rank to establish the Zheng Palace, and respectfully addressing him as "Cui Yushi" was a great compliment.

But Cui Renshi felt that there was something ironic about it, and sighed:

"Your Majesty, my son was injured by a wild dog, so he must be worried.

"I am deeply ashamed to have caused Your Majesty trouble with my family affairs." As a wealthy and powerful family, at least their upbringing is first-class and their etiquette in the palace is very strict.

Just wait, those wild dogs in Guanlong will come after you and bite you... Li Shimin was secretly proud and continued along the lines of Master Cui Renshi:

"Your son is also in Beijing? Has he ever served in the court?"

Cui Renshi did not understand the emperor's sudden concern and answered honestly:

"I am still young and have never been an official. I just passed the imperial examination and am still waiting for the transfer order from the Ministry of Personnel."

Li Shimin himself was moved by this condition:

"You are a talented young man! Are you engaged?"

what?
The topic was so jumpy that Cui Renshi was stunned for a moment.

After a while, he finally came to his senses:

The emperor called him here specifically to establish a relationship with him?

"This... should not be..."

Cui Renshi stammered.

As for the engagement with Wei?

Fuck his grandma’s legs!
From now on, people with the surname Cui will be irreconcilable with people with the surname Wei!

"I have a beloved daughter, who has just been named a princess. She is virtuous and kind, and I love her very much.

"A pair of beautiful women are in their prime years. If they can become a couple, it will be a good story for us, the king and his subjects."

Li Shimin started to sell his product with a lot of rhymes.

The corner of Cui Renshi's mouth twitched slightly.

The tough fellows in Hebei have always been dissatisfied with Li Shimin.

If Li Shimin's daughter were allowed to marry him, how would he have the face to face his fellow villagers?
Besides, the family lineage of Lao Li's family is also a mystery.

Li Shimin claimed that he was descended from the Longxi Li family, and his relatives went all the way back to Laozi Li Er.

But the problem is that the Longxi Li family has remained silent.

The real Longxi Li family, such as Li Jing, has a family tree to prove it, and can be clearly traced back to the Danyang branch of the Li family.

But it is difficult to explain the several Lis in Li Tang.

Anyway, the emperor came personally to the door, but the family remained silent.

This explains a lot of problems.

But these shameless people in the Li family just relied on the Longxi Li family.

No objection = agreement.

Moreover, he even gave Longxi Li a high position in the clan records and ranked him first.

This is his second biggest complaint about "Clan Records".

It is quite humorous that the wild son brings honor to his fake family.

If it were usual, Master Cui Ren would definitely start practicing Tai Chi.

But these days are different.

The Cui family was only ranked third, and if such a thing were to become public, it would undoubtedly be a huge blow to the family's reputation.

And the fact that the Wei family had made such a move in the "Clan Records" basically meant that the Cui family, the Wei family, and even the entire Guanlong gentry would engage in open and secret struggles.

In this situation of internal and external troubles, Cui Renshi suddenly came to his senses.
If, he meant if...

What if we could get a little support from the emperor?

Perhaps, Cui's situation would not be so difficult, and they could still maintain their former glory...

"Um……"

Just as Cui Renshi's face was full of confusion, Li Shimin also held his breath.

If the Cui family does not give face and does not accept this good intention.

Then his plan to stir up trouble... no, to instigate a fight between the two noble clan groups, would have failed halfway...

"minister……"

Cui Renshi paused, then bowed solemnly to the ground:
"Thank you."

No matter what, the emperor was helping the Cui family in times of need.

It would be a bit ignorant of the current situation if you still try to please others with your cold butt.

Huh... Li Shimin also let out a silent breath and leaned back in his chair in relaxation.

If it weren't for Li Ming's clever plan, how could Cui lower his proud head...

"Very good. From now on, Li and Cui are in-laws."

Cui Renshi took his leave and left the Lizheng Hall with weak legs.

Zhang Sun Wuji went to the palace to ask for an audience.

Seeing Li Shimin's cheerful face, he asked curiously:
"Your Majesty, is there any good news?"

"Assistant, there is indeed great joy." Li Shimin was in a good mood and called out Zhangsun Wuji's name:

"I betrothed my daughter to Choi In-shi's son."

Zhang Sun Wuji was shocked:

"Bo Ling Cui Clan? They actually gave in?"

Those arrogant and extremely annoying Hebei gentry have always thought highly of themselves and have looked down upon the people of Guanlong, especially Your Majesty himself.

This time he actually surrendered to His Majesty and took the initiative to move closer to the imperial power?

hiss~
Zhang Sun Wuji controlled his doubts and shock, and asked with concern as the uncle of the princesses:

"May I ask which princess your majesty wishes to marry?"

Li Shimin did not doubt him and answered simply:
"Li Ling."

"Oh, Li Ling."

Zhang Sun Wuji was thoughtful:
"Li Ming's sister, right?"

(End of this chapter)