My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 281 Can Li Shimin also be bribed by money?

The only way to control Luoyang is military.

Li Chengqian couldn't devote too much energy to the civil service.

He didn't care much about the opposition from civil servants. Since he had military power, he would simply replace any civil servants who insisted on opposing it.

Political power comes from the barrel of a gun. Li Chengqian saw this very clearly.

With the help of Luozhou Governor Liu Huaijin, 50,000 elite troops quickly entered the city in batches.

The military forces of Luoyang City are divided into three major groups.

There were left and right garrisons, the Zhechoufu, and a navy of several thousand in number.

The main elite forces are the Left and Right Tunying, which are the imperial guards affiliated to the Sixteen Guards of Chang'an, with about several thousand people.

The Zhechoufu under the jurisdiction of Henan has a total force of about 30,000, who are on duty on a rotating basis for maintaining public security and patrolling in Luoyang City, with a regular force of 15,000.

The Zhechoufu and the navy were under the jurisdiction of the governor of Luozhou.

The left and right garrisons were returned to the Tiance Palace.

The supreme commander of Luozhou City is nominally the Tiance Mansion, that is, Li Shimin, the General of Tiance.

In fact, the governor of Luozhou also served as the chief secretary of Tiance Palace, and could command the left and right garrisons to a certain extent.

However, Li Chengqian was the crown prince.

Before the imperial edict was issued, the prince's orders were above all else, not to mention that Li Chengqian lived in the palace.

It was impossible for the generals stationed on the left and right camps to disobey the prince's orders at this time.

Li Chengqian’s first step was to assimilate these troops into his own people.

The simplest way is to improve the treatment of soldiers.

At the same time, a large number of factories of various types were built.

In just a few days, the recruitment announcement was widely publicized throughout Luoyang city.

Textile factories, in particular, recruited a large number of female workers.

There is no doubt that the establishment of the factory will have a huge impact on traditional small workshops.

But more people were able to have a stable income.

For a moment, Luoyang City became boiling because of the arrival of the prince.

Inside the Imperial City of Luoyang.

The eunuch Wen Zhong reported: "Your Highness, Changsun Situ wants to see you."

After replacing the city's defenses, Li Chengqian lifted the restrictions on Changsun Wuji and Li Daozon.

"Xuan."

"Xuan Changsun Situ came to see you."

Zhang Sun Wuji walked in and said, "Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Chengqian asked with a smile: "Uncle, what's the matter?"

Changsun Wuji said solemnly: "I don't know when His Highness will set off to return to Chang'an."

Looking at the current situation, no matter how stupid Changsun Wuji is, he understands that the prince has no intention of returning to Chang'an.

But he had to ask.

It would be best if we could convince the prince.

In fact, as a member of the prince's party, Changsun Wuji hopes that the prince will return to Chang'an.

Your Majesty has let go of the Crown Prince's past conspiracy and has no intention of pursuing it.

In addition, the prince unified Liaodong and expanded the territory, making such great contributions.

As long as he doesn't commit suicide, his position as crown prince will be secure and he will still be the future emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

In this case, why should I fall out with His Majesty?

"Uncle, do you remember what the emperor's edict said?"

"Let me return to the court within three months."

"It's only the beginning of January now, why rush so much?"

"It just so happens that I can make some arrangements in Luoyang, so that the people of Luoyang can benefit from it."

Li Chengqian explained with a smile, as if he had no intention of occupying Luoyang at all.

What we are doing now is just to develop the eastern capital Luoyang.

Faced with this excuse, Changsun Wuji was speechless.

After thinking for a while, he said, "Your Highness has been away for a long time, and Your Majesty misses you very much. It's only a few days' journey from Luoyang to Chang'an. Why not go back to Chang'an first, and then come to Luoyang later."

It would take only two days to get from Luoyang to Chang'an by riding a fast horse.

A simple convoy would only take four or five days.

Li Chengqian's smile remained on his face, but a barely perceptible coldness flashed in his eyes.

It sounds nice, but if it were someone else, they might really be fooled.

However, Li Chengqian had already made up his mind.

He slowly said, "Uncle, I also want to return to my father's side as soon as possible to fulfill my filial duty, but the affairs in Luoyang are complicated and I am really worried."

"Look at Luoyang City. Although it is the Eastern Capital, it still has many livelihood issues to be resolved."

"These factories I built can provide livelihoods for many people. If I leave now, the factory operations will be in chaos and the people will lose their support. I can't bear it."

Zhangsun Wuji frowned slightly, secretly sighing at the prince's stubbornness, but still insisted: "Your Highness cares about the people, which is a blessing for all. But His Majesty, if Your Highness does not return to the court for a long time, he will inevitably have doubts. Moreover, the situation in the court is complicated, and Your Highness is not in Chang'an. I am afraid that someone will take the opportunity to cause trouble and shake Your Highness's foundation."

Li Chengqian turned around, his eyes firm: "I also understand what my uncle said. But I have already laid out many plans in Luoyang. If I give up halfway now, all my previous efforts will be wasted. As for the situation in the court, I have my own arrangements."

"My father should be able to understand me. After all, these newly built factories will bring huge income to the Tang Dynasty."

"Perhaps uncle should go and see my new textile factory. In my mind, the textile factory is just as good as the coal mine today."

"Even in the near future, the profits of textile factories will far exceed those of coal factories."

Changsun Wuji was speechless for a moment.

He vaguely felt that the prince was probably not lying.

If the profits of the textile factory are really comparable to those of the coal factory, once His Majesty gets the news, I'm afraid he won't do anything to the Crown Prince for the time being.

After all, the profits from the coal plant make His Majesty extremely happy.

Today, His Majesty's extravagant life is almost entirely paid for by the profits from the coal plant.

In fact, many ministers in the court had already submitted memorials, asking His Majesty to deposit part of the coal plant's profits into the national treasury, but they were rejected by His Majesty. Even the officials who submitted the memorials were suppressed by His Majesty.

The inner city of Chang'an was undergoing massive construction.

But the censors have not yet said anything. Your Majesty is using his own money and following the example of the Crown Prince by not imposing corvée on workers. The people are happy, and so is Your Majesty, and no one can find fault with it.

Changsun Wuji left.

But he had no intention of returning to Chang'an.

He had to go to the textile factory to see what was going on.

If it is true as the prince said, then it is also very important for the prince to report this news to His Majesty.

However, Li Daozon immediately rushed back to Chang'an.
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Changan.

Chang'an has become more lively now.

Historically, it was not until the 21st year of Zhenguan that Li Shimin began large-scale construction projects.

However, now that the inner treasury is full, an imperial decree was issued last year to build Cuiwei Palace on Mount Zhongnan.

The decoration of Cuiwei Palace is extremely luxurious, not only using a large amount of precious wood, but also inlaying gold, silver and jewels.

At the beginning of the year, another decree was issued to build the Yuhua Palace, which was even larger in scale.

Ninety percent of the construction materials were transported from other places over long distances, and the project was extremely massive.

The Taiji Hall has also been renovated. The once simple and solemn decoration of the hall has now been replaced by complicated and luxurious ones.

Li Shimin liked to tour.

He toured frequently, and each time he went out, he was accompanied by a large team.

In order to meet their travel needs, local governments not only had to build a large number of palaces, but also had to prepare abundant supplies, including various rare foods, exquisite daily necessities, etc.

The food is even more particular.

Previously saved.

Daily meals consist of six, eight, or at most twelve dishes.

But now, the starting point is twenty-one dishes.

When there are many dishes, there are as many as ninety-nine and eighty-one dishes, symbolizing the noble status of the emperor.

The daily meals are a top-notch feast that brings together the world’s rare treasures.

In the Shangshi Bureau, dozens of top chefs each display their unique skills.

The table is filled with rare ingredients from all over the country.

The lychees from Lingnan were wrapped in layers of ice and delivered to Chang'an day and night by fast horses, just so that Li Shimin could taste the fresh and juicy flesh at dawn.

The production of ice cubes is naturally based on the prince's ice-making method.

In order to ensure the freshness of lychees, a large number of post stations were set up along the way, and people rode at full speed, day and night, just to let Li Shimin taste the sweetness in the early morning.

There are also dishes cooked with bear paws from the deep mountains of Northeast China. The bear paws have been specially processed, the meat is tender and fresh, and paired with a variety of precious spices, the taste is mellow.

There is also a soup made with deep-sea shark fins. There is a layer of golden fat floating on the surface of the soup, exuding an enticing aroma.

Each dish is carefully prepared by top chefs, and the seasonings used in the cooking process are rare in the world, such as saffron from the Western Regions and cloves from Southeast Asia.

The tableware is no longer porcelain fired in the palace, but is made from large pieces of Hetian jade.

The plate is round, thin as a cicada's wing, and feels like warm, delicate jade, and cool to the touch.

It is carved with exquisite auspicious patterns of dragons and phoenixes, and every line is smooth, natural and lifelike.

The soup bowl is made from a whole piece of mutton-fat jade, and the bowl wall is carved with delicate cloud patterns.

The chopsticks are made of ivory, which has been specially treated to have a mirror-smooth surface. Two small rubies are inlaid on the top, which complement the jade tableware.

One day Li Shimin had a dream.

I dreamed of appreciating flowers with Guanyinbi.

So when he woke up the next day, he ordered the construction of a new imperial garden.

To collect the most beautiful and diverse flowers in the world.

Food, clothing, housing and transportation.

The dragon robe is naturally indispensable.

The base material of the new dragon robe is the finest silk thread extracted from silk cocoons. After a special dyeing process, it presents a dazzling bright yellow color. The dye of this color is taken from a rare plant in the Western Regions. The production process is extremely complicated. Ten kilograms of plants can be used to extract a small spoonful of dye.

There are nine golden dragons coiling on the robe. The dragon bodies are embroidered with pure gold thread. Each dragon scale is embroidered extremely delicately. The thickness of the gold thread is uniform, and it sparkles dazzlingly in the sun.

The dragon's eyes are inlaid with rubies. Each ruby ​​is full and bright in color. Each one is priceless and was transported from the distant South Pacific island country with untold hardships.

The collar and cuffs are inlaid with a circle of white and round South Sea pearls. These pearls are all natural sea pearls and are almost the same size. Each one has been strictly screened and only the most perfect ones are selected.

Li Shimin's extravagance has permeated every detail of his life.

From food, clothing, housing and transportation to entertainment and leisure, everything demonstrates the royal majesty and luxury.

The ministers certainly couldn't stand it.

Representatives such as Chu Suiliang, Ma Zhou and Wei Zheng submitted memorials to advise and remonstrate.

Confucianism advocates self-discipline and restoration of propriety, frugality and love for others.

Your Majesty's current style is obviously not in line with Confucianism.

early morning.

Chu Suiliang made an earnest speech: "Your Majesty, when our dynasty was first established, Your Majesty practiced frugality and won the hearts of the people. Now the palace is being built, which costs the people money and labor, and I am afraid that the people will lose their hearts."

Li Shimin laughed: "How can it be a waste of money? I am spending my own money."

"The people are very happy. I don't require them to do corvée. I pay them enough wages."

"How did it hurt the people's hearts?"

Everyone hates Emperor Yang of Sui, and everyone wants to be Emperor Yang of Sui.

What's more, the inner treasury of Li Shimin now is no worse than the national treasury.

Ma Zhou reported: "Your Majesty, please allow me to report this. I know that your Majesty has hired laborers with money, and the people have temporarily benefited from it. However, the trend of extravagance is becoming more and more intense, just like a fire that spreads across the prairie. If it is not curbed, there will be endless troubles in the future."

"The palaces are being built endlessly, and the expenses for the tours are incalculable. Even if the treasury is well-stocked, how can it last long? If there is a flood, drought, or war in the future, and huge amounts of money are needed to help the people and defend against foreign aggression, how will the treasury be used to deal with it when it is empty?"

"Your Majesty has collected many rare flowers from all over the world to build the imperial garden. Although this action shows the dignity of the royal family, the people are still suffering from hunger and cold and cannot get enough food and clothing. Your Majesty cares about the world. How can you bear to exhaust the people's strength and money to fulfill your extravagant hobby when the people are suffering?"

I have to say that writers can say anything when they open their mouths.

You are the emperor, and all the people in the world are your subjects.

Nowadays, most people in the world cannot even get enough food and clothing, so as an emperor, how can you only care about your own luxury?

Wei Zheng was even more adamant: "Your Majesty! I remember that at the beginning of the Zhenguan period, Your Majesty shared the joys and sorrows with the people, lightened taxes and levies, maintained a harmonious government, and brought peace to the world. All nations came to pay tribute to Your Majesty and praised Your Majesty's virtue."

"Your Majesty is living an extravagant life now. I am afraid that Your Majesty will gradually become alienated from the people and lose their hearts. In the past, Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty relied on his wealth and power to indulge in extravagance, and he built buildings and conquered wars without limit, which led to the decline of the country and the short life of the country. Your Majesty should learn from the Sui Dynasty and never repeat the same mistakes!"

Wow, the people’s sentiments are so clear.

Li Shimin's face darkened and anger rose in his heart.

"Don't talk nonsense!"

"Since I ascended the throne, I have conquered the south and the north, expanded the territory, and created unprecedented achievements for the Tang Dynasty. Now I enjoy a little wealth and honor, but I still spend the money from the treasury. Can it be said that I am repeating the same mistakes?"

Seeing this, Wei Zheng knelt down and kowtowed. Although he knew that the emperor was displeased, he still gritted his teeth and advised: "Your Majesty, calm down!"

"How dare we, your Highness, slander your Majesty?"

"Your Majesty's great achievements have reached the heavens and spread to the people, and the people praise them."

"However, we are worried that the extravagant habits will wear down your majesty's will and prevent you from being as diligent in governing the country and caring for the people as before."

"Thinking back to the past, Your Majesty worked day and night for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. Now you are wasting so much time and energy on extravagant things. How can you devote yourself to governing the world?"

There was a moment of complete silence in the court. All the ministers bowed their heads and held their breath, not daring to make a sound, waiting for Li Shimin's decision.

After a long while, Li Shimin's expression eased a little, and he said, "I will carefully consider what you have said. Let's adjourn the court."

Li Daozon was helpless.

In the morning court, under such circumstances, he didn't even have the chance to speak.

It seems that His Majesty did not ask him either.

Of course, Li Shimin was still very concerned about the crown prince.

Luoyang was once Li Shimin’s base camp, so naturally there was a wealth of intelligence there.

Since Li Chengqian arrived in Luoyang, his every move has been reflected on the exquisite dragon table newly made by Li Shimin almost every day.

At first, Li Shimin was very angry.

He was ready to issue another decree, ordering him to return to Chang'an immediately.

But I also heard that the prince was building a large number of factories.

After thinking about it, I decided to wait.

After all, we gave the prince three months before, which is acceptable.

Just returned to the back hall.

The eunuch Zhang Ananda reported: "Your Majesty, there is news from Luoyang that the textile factory built by the crown prince will have a future profit comparable to that of a coal mine."

Li Shimin's eyes lit up: "Really?"

(End of this chapter)