My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 252: The Tang Dynasty is also implementing the Crown Prince's new policy (Happy New Year)

Buyeo Yici has been thinking about how to break the impasse.

After all, he really had no confidence in defeating the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty.

Especially when Silla was annexed by the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, Buyeo Yici was immediately at a loss.

The previous plan was completely scrapped in an instant.

Originally, I thought that if Silla rebelled on the battlefield, I could directly capture the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty and even have a chance to obtain the Thunderbolt Fire.

Now it's all become a dream.

Fuyu Yici sat on the throne, his brows knitted into a deep "chuan" shape, and broke the dull silence with his mouth: "The situation is urgent now. We must be very careful in surrendering to the Tang Dynasty. The person we send to Chang'an is even more important. What do you think?"

The selection of the envoy is very important, as it involves the safety of the entire Baekje.

If things go wrong and the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty does not take it seriously, the entire Baekje will become like Goryeo and Silla today.

Buyeo Uija could not accept it, and Baekje officials and nobles could not accept it even more.

Park Sun-jeong was the first to step out of the line, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I think the Minister of the Honglu Temple, Zheng Wenhuan, can take on this task. He has a long history of diplomatic affairs, is familiar with the procedures of various diplomatic missions, and has dealt with Tang officials before, so he is very experienced."

The veteran general Lian Cheng snorted coldly, "Zheng Wenhuan is too soft. This time we go there, not only to submit the letter of surrender, but also to find a way to disrupt the Tang Dynasty court. With his submissive personality, what can he accomplish?"

Park Sun-jeong looked displeased: "General Lian, being an envoy to the Tang Dynasty does not rely on brandishing swords and guns. The key is verbal confrontation and understanding people's hearts. Zheng Wenhuan's calmness can handle complex situations."

Minister Jin Hongji bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I recommend General Park Yongjun. He is a resolute and courageous man. If an emergency occurs, he can protect his own safety and adapt to the situation. He will not be trapped in Chang'an City and be controlled by others."

Park Sun-jeong shook his head repeatedly: "What a fool! We are seeking peace and alienation, not going to war. Bringing a general with a murderous aura, I am afraid that as soon as we step into Chang'an, the Tang Dynasty will regard it as a provocation. What mission can we talk about?"

Everyone held their own opinions and argued endlessly. Buyeo Yici became upset and slapped the armrest with his hand: "Enough! Stop arguing. The people you are talking about either lack courage or strategy. How can they accomplish anything?"

At this time, the old minister Jin Zaixian, who had been silent in the corner, slowly spoke up: "Your Majesty, I dare to say that Crown Prince Buyeo Long is actually the most suitable."

Kim Jae-hyun is already old and rarely speaks, so he is considered a veteran of three dynasties.

Under normal circumstances, they would enjoy their retirement at home and would not participate in the decision-making of the Baekje court.

But this time the matter is of great importance. If there is any problem, the whole family will suffer, so he can't sit still.

Crown Prince Buyeo Long was the eldest son of Buyeo Uiji, his most valued son, and the future heir to Baekje.

The title of this prince is still the same as that of the Han Dynasty. He is not the imperial prince, but the prince of the king.

It was not until the establishment of the Ming Dynasty that Zhu Yuanzhang formulated a new tributary system. Neighboring countries, influenced by the Ming Dynasty's vassal system and Confucian culture, tended to change the original popular title of "Crown Prince" to the title of "Crown Prince" which was more in line with the norms of etiquette when strengthening the legitimacy of the heir's status and following strict enthronement procedures.

From then on, the crown prince became the title of the only heir to the Central Plains dynasty.

The originally noisy hall suddenly became quiet because of the words of the old minister Jin Zaixian.

Buyeo Yici had a gloomy face.

After a long while, he asked, "It has to be the prince?"

The old minister Jin Zaixian did not answer directly, but said: "The prince is of noble status and is the future crown prince of Baekje. The emperor of the Tang Dynasty will certainly treat him with courtesy and give him some face, so that he will not even have the opportunity to meet the emperor of the Tang Dynasty."

"Your Majesty has never been to Chang'an, and you don't know that in Chang'an, no matter which country the envoys are from, it is not an easy thing to meet the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty."

"Waiting for several months or half a year is normal. If we really wait that long, I'm afraid the Tang prince's army will have already arrived."

"Besides, the prince is intelligent and studious, and has a sharp mind. He is excellent in both civil and military affairs. With the prince as a guide, the mission can be accomplished better than with anyone else."

"At the same time, it can also let the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty feel our determination to surrender."

"In the past, Goryeo surrendered repeatedly like the Sui Dynasty, so now the Central Plains is extremely cautious about surrendering. Only if the crown prince goes there can the doubts of the Tang emperor and all the officials be dispelled."

Everyone looked at him sideways, and Buyeo Yici showed hesitation: "Long'er is still young and has never experienced such a complicated and treacherous situation. I am really worried."

Jin Zaixian stepped forward and advised softly, "Your Majesty, it is precisely because the prince is young that it is easier for the Tang Dynasty to let down their guard. We can secretly select a few smart and capable counselors to follow him and give him advice and assistance along the way, so that we can accomplish great things. At this critical moment, only the prince can win the greatest opportunity with the Tang Dynasty."

All the ministers lowered their heads, and the atmosphere in the palace was so solemn that water could almost drip out of it. They also understood that this was a big gamble, and sending the prince away was equivalent to handing the future of Baekje to the hands of the Tang Dynasty.

Buyeo Yici still had a frown on his face, struggling within himself.

Initially, he wanted to deepen the conflict between the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty and the Crown Prince so that Baekje could escape.

But now, they said that the prince would be sent as an envoy, but in fact they wanted him to go to the Tang Dynasty as a hostage.

From pretend surrender to real surrender.

Park Sun-jeong then said softly, "Your Majesty, if you want to consider the Crown Prince, you can put more effort into selecting the entourage. Pick some eloquent counselors who are well-versed in the customs and folkways of the Tang Dynasty, and pair them with a few loyal and skilled guards. Take good care of him along the way, and when he arrives in Chang'an, he will be safe."

Veteran General Lian Cheng also echoed, "Yes, Your Majesty! We can also prepare some rare treasures and Baekje's specialties for the Crown Prince to present to the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, so as to build closer relations and help the Crown Prince do things."

Jin Zaixian spoke again: "My king, time is running out, it is best to make a decision early."

It seems to be a plan, but in fact it is sacrificing the royal power to achieve the power of the ministers.

Only true surrender could gain the trust of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty and prevent the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty from sending troops to Baekje with justification.

Buyeo Yiji did not answer immediately. He slowly stood up and paced in front of the throne. Every step seemed to carry the destiny of Baekje.

After a long silence, Buyeo Yici stopped and took a long breath, as if he had made a great decision: "Okay, let the prince go."

"Park Sunjeong, you are responsible for selecting the entourage. You must be very selective and gather the most capable people. Lian Cheng, you go and collect treasures. Only choose the best. Don't let the Tang Dynasty look down on Baekje."

"As ordered by the king," the two men said in unison. Buyeo Yici looked at Jin Zaixian again and said, "Old Jin, you are very experienced. In the next few days, you should talk to Long'er about the pros and cons and teach him how to deal with it. Don't let him lose his sense of proportion in Chang'an City."

Jin Zaixian bowed and said, "I will obey your order and will spare no effort to assist the Crown Prince."

Buyeo Yici waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave, and he walked towards the back hall with heavy steps. He wanted to personally inform Buyeo Long of this decision.

At this moment, he was full of worries, and he only hoped that Buyeo Long's trip could create a chance of survival for Baekje in the desperate situation.

And it was clear that once the eldest son left this time, there would be no chance for them to meet again.

According to the tradition of the Central Plains dynasty to treat other countries as hostages, the heir to Baekje will still be Buyeo Long.

But only after his death would his eldest son be allowed to return to Baekje to inherit the throne.

This is the last time we will see each other.
-
Chang'an City.

Taiji Palace, Taiji Hall, morning court.

The faint light of morning light shines through the cracks in the palace door and sprinkles into the Tai Chi Hall.

Li Shimin sat upright on the dragon throne, looking majestic without being angry. He looked around at the ministers and slowly said, "I heard that the crown prince has implemented a new policy in Liaodong, which is quite innovative. Today, I will let the prince of Jin tell you about it. Everyone is welcome to discuss it. If there is anything worthwhile, I intend to gradually implement it in the territory of the Tang Dynasty."

These words made Fang Xuanling frown. Although he knew that it would definitely please His Majesty after reading the content of the Crown Prince's new policy, he did not expect that His Majesty would act so quickly and let Prince Jin speak directly.

Li Zhi stood tall and straight, stepped forward steadily, bowed, and said in a clear voice: "Reporting to the emperor, the crown prince made bold reforms in Liaodong, dividing the power of the county magistrate into three parts: civil, military, and legal."

"The Wensi is fully committed to the development of the county, water conservancy, farming, and taxation, and to the well-being of the people."

"The military department is responsible for law enforcement and arrests to ensure the peace of the people."

"The judiciary strictly enforces criminal law and maintains justice."

"The county magistrate coordinates the overall situation, and the county magistrate and county lieutenant each do their job and do not interfere with each other."

"In addition, under the county magistrate, there are many other government offices, such as the county school, taxation department, agricultural department, commercial department, and audit department. Under the county lieutenant, there is a public security department every ten miles, weaving a dense network of control."

Obviously, what Li Zhi expressed to Li Tai was just an ambiguous and casual remark.

In fact, Li Zhi not only studied the prince's new policies carefully, but also sought out his confidants to discuss and interpret them together.

The prince's new policies can not only strengthen central power, but more importantly, can effectively crack down on the five surnames and seven families.

The foundation of the Five Surnames and Seven Families lies in the counties. If the power of the counties is divided, it also means that the Five Surnames and Seven Families need to let their clansmen compete for more official positions.

This, to a large extent, is a weakening of the original power structure.

As soon as Li Zhi finished speaking, Wei Zheng was the first to step out, smiling and full of admiration: "Your Majesty, I think the new policy of the Crown Prince is really brilliant. At present, the affairs of the counties and prefectures are as complicated as a tangled mess, and often due to unclear responsibilities, things are delayed."

"Your Highness, by subdividing responsibilities and assigning specific people to specific tasks, it is like cutting through a swathe of grass with a sharp knife. Efficiency will surely increase significantly."

"The county school will educate the people and cultivate talents, and the commercial department will revitalize the market and boost the economy. In the long run, this will surely make the local area flourish. I fully support this old minister."

Although Wei Zheng was a member of the prince's party, he was not a mindless supporter of the prince.

After returning, he studied the prince's new policies carefully for a long time and was convinced that they were indeed superior to the current Tang Dynasty system.

In Wei Zheng's mind, there is actually not much distinction between aristocratic families and imperial power. What he hopes more is that the Tang Dynasty will become more prosperous.

Moreover, the division of power will have the greatest impact on the Five Surnames and Seven Aristocrats, and has little to do with ordinary aristocratic families.

Chu Suiliang immediately stood up, clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I have a different opinion. The territory of our Great Tang is vast, and the customs and economic conditions of the people in the north, south, east and west are very different. The new policy for Liaodong is designed for the local area, which is new and has a complicated situation. If it is rashly implemented throughout the country, it may be like cutting one's feet to fit the shoes, and it will be difficult to achieve real results."

"Furthermore, with the establishment of so many government offices, the number of officials will inevitably increase dramatically, and the cost of salaries and materials will be huge. The tax burden on the people may be unbearable."

In the court, Chu Suiliang naturally spoke from the perspective of the aristocratic family.

At this time, Yan Lide, the Minister of Works, stood up and said excitedly, "Your Majesty, I think it is worth a try. The Crown Prince's new policy emphasizes water conservancy construction and agricultural planting, which is exactly in line with my expertise in the Ministry of Works."

"With a professional agricultural department to coordinate, water conservancy projects will surely be planned more sophisticatedly, irrigating farmland and increasing grain income. Moreover, if the commercial department operates well, workshops will be established everywhere, and the court's tax revenue will only increase. There is no need to worry about the initial investment not being rewarded. I support the implementation."

Although Yan Lide was not considered a member of the prince's party, he had actually already become an admirer of the prince.

The Ministry of Industry itself is based on various technological processes, and the prince's many inventions, including reforms and innovations to existing technologies, have already won the hearts of most of the officials in the Ministry of Industry. This is something that Li Chengqian himself did not expect.

After hearing about the content of the prince's new policy, Yan Lide naturally hoped that it could be promoted.

Wang Gui, the Minister of Rites, also echoed, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Rites also agrees to give it a try. If county schools can take root in various places and popularize education, the atmosphere of etiquette will surely flourish, which will be of great benefit to the inheritance of Tang Dynasty culture and the cultivation of talents. It is in line with our dynasty's policy of respecting culture. We should not give up because of choking and miss the opportunity to govern well."

The influence of the Five Surnames and Seven Aristocrats was great, but under Li Shimin's deliberate suppression, the power of the Five Surnames and Seven Aristocrats was not great in the political center of the court.

Moreover, at the beginning, all the officials were a little worried about the prince's new policy. After all, the affairs between the prince and His Majesty were known to all the officials who had some connections, and it was not a big secret in the court.

But now His Majesty obviously supports it, otherwise how could the Prince of Jin dare to say so.

From the perspective of senior executives, the differentiation of power at the local level means centralization.

The officials in the imperial court are the central government.

Seeing that everyone was holding their own opinions, Chang Sun Wuji stepped forward and said calmly, "Your Majesty, both sides have their reasons. The new policy is novel in concept and has great potential, but it is risky to implement it nationwide. We might as well select a few representative counties to implement it as a pilot, which can both control risks and test the effectiveness. Once everything is running smoothly and we have gained experience, we can make a decision later."

Li Shimin nodded slightly, his eyes calm and wise: "I am very pleased that you have spoken freely and expressed your opinions. In this case, I will follow the suggestion of Lord Changsun and select a few counties to pilot the new policy of the crown prince. The Prince of Jin will take the lead and work with the three provinces and six ministries to make careful preparations. We must not be perfunctory."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" All the ministers responded in unison, their voices echoing in the hall.

(End of this chapter)