My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 357 Li Chengqian was defeated
Hou Junji never dreamed that he would be able to leave the prison again.

Although he was in prison, Hou Junji still had some connections and was aware of the prince's rebellion. He was not completely ignorant.

The more he knew, the more he understood that unless the crown prince ascended the throne, it would be difficult for him to be released.

The prince would not risk his life by releasing himself.

Isn't this going against Your Majesty?

But the prince did just that, which made Hou Junji extremely grateful.

If Hou Junji and the prince were just partners in the past, now he has become a die-hard member of the prince's gang.

Li Chengqian knew very well that when he did not have enough strength, he did not want to think about changing the environment, but about changing himself.

The Tang Dynasty was originally the world of the emperor and the aristocratic families.

It seems that it is Li Tang now, but in fact the imperial power is only Chang'an and Luoyang.

Be it the Five Surnames and Seven Families or the Guanlong Clan, from the perspective of the royal family, it seems that nothing can be seen.

Because Chang'an and Luoyang were the territories of Li Tang.

But apart from these two places.

The strength of the aristocratic families lies not in the court, but in the local areas.

Imperial power does not extend to the countryside.

When the imperial court's decrees reach the local areas, it depends on how they are implemented.

Even now, aristocratic families still call the shots in too many places.

This has little to do with military power. It's not that any place will disobey the court's orders, but that the emperor has no way of discovering which place is disobeying.

Now Li Chengqian needs to form his own team and have a team that can replace the court before he can become a true emperor.

There will be a meeting the next day.

Lai Tingfang Villa.

Li Chengqian, wearing the crown prince's robes, sat on the throne, his eyes swept across the ministers below the steps, lingered on Chu Suiliang's tense face, raised his hand and tapped the jade table: "Today's court will first discuss the case of Hou Junji. I am thinking of his meritorious service in the war, so I specially request that he be reinstated. Do you have any objections?"

The hall suddenly fell into deathly silence, with only the smoke rising from the incense burner.

Chu Suiliang suddenly stepped out and said, "Your Highness, this action is absolutely unacceptable! Hou Junji's crime of treason is proven beyond doubt. Your Majesty personally issued an edict to have him imprisoned. This was Your Majesty's holy decree. Your Highness pardoned him without authorization. Isn't this a blatant disobedience to the Holy Order?"

Hou Junji's crime of treason was blamed on Li Chengqian.

Chu Suiliang was very cunning. He did not talk about the prince, but only talked about Hou Junji.

After all, it was Your Majesty who made the decision personally, so no matter who he conspired with, it was treason in the end.

Li Chengqian also knew that some things could not be said openly, so he said, "Doctor Chu is wrong. I have sent people to investigate Hou Junji's crime of treason, but the evidence is still insufficient and most of it is just hearsay."

"Since it is just groundless speculation, then of course the official should be reinstated."

"Besides, Hou Junji pacified Gaochang and defeated the Turks. He fought for twenty years and the battlefield was stained with blood. Are we going to erase all his achievements just because of a momentary mistake? As the regent, I can't let the meritorious officials feel disappointed, right?"

Chu Suiliang defended himself, "The crime of treason concerns the foundation of the country. Even if he has made great contributions, it cannot be forgiven! Your Majesty spared his life in consideration of his past merits. Now if Your Highness forcibly overturns the verdict, how should we deal with the traitors in the future?"

Li Chengqian chuckled: "Doctor Chu keeps saying that Hou Junji is plotting treason, why don't you show me the evidence? Tell me where he is plotting treason? And with whom is he plotting treason?"

After hearing this, Chu Suiliang suddenly didn't know how to respond.

You can't say that I was conspiring with you, the prince, to rebel.

He could only forcefully say, "This is the case decided by His Majesty. Does the prince want to disregard His Majesty's decree?"

Li Chengqian said calmly: "Today, I have issued an order from the Crown Prince to pardon Hou Junji. If you are dissatisfied, you can go and ask His Majesty for instructions."

Chu Suiliang gritted his teeth and said, "Of course I will report this to His Majesty."

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Changsun Wuji bowed and said, "I remember an old story. In the fourth year of Zhenguan, Li Jing defeated the Turks, but was impeached by the censor for failing to supervise military funds. At that time, some people advocated severe punishment, but what did Your Majesty do?"

He glanced at everyone and said slowly: "Pardon their sins, reward their merits, and only then can they achieve the title of military god today."

Chu Suiliang said anxiously, "Changsun Situ! How can the faults of Li Weigong be compared with Hou Junji's conspiracy to rebel?"

"Even if he is pardoned, he cannot be reinstated."

Li Chengqian said coldly: "Since he has been pardoned, why can't he be pardoned? Could it be that Hou Junji's merits are fake?"

Chu Suiliang bowed and said, "Your Highness, this matter concerns your majesty's dignity. I beg you to think twice! If this precedent is set today, where will the court discipline be in the future? Where will the dignity of the law be?"

Then he turned to look at Changsun Wuji, his eyes full of resentment: "Changsun Situ is the pillar of the country, how can he help the prince to disrupt the law?"

These words are more of a question: how can you, Changsun Wuji, stand on the side of the prince?

Didn't he know that releasing Hou Junji and allowing him to resume his post would be tantamount to empowering the Prince's Party?

You are His Majesty's man, do you have to support the Crown Prince?

The corners of Changsun Wuji's lips curled up in an arc that seemed like a smile, and his eyes swept across Chu Suiliang's flushed face like a hawk: "Doctor Chu, are you accusing me of a crime? Are you saying that I violated the law?"

"When Your Majesty pardoned Li Weigong, did you speak so righteously? Or, in the eyes of Doctor Chu, Li Weigong's mistakes were excusable, and Hou Junji's 'rebellion' should never be reversed?"

Chu Suiliang's forehead was bulging with veins. "Don't talk nonsense, Grand Master Changsun. Li Weigong's negligence was an unintentional mistake, but Hou Junji was trying to overthrow the country! Your Highness the Crown Prince pardoned the serious criminal without the approval of Your Majesty. If this trend continues, everyone will follow suit. Where is the law? Where is Your Majesty's dignity?"

Chang Sun Wuji sneered: "Law? Majesty?"

"Doctor Chu, do you still remember the first article of the Zhenguan Code? 'Law is the procedure for the world and the standard for all things.' But procedures and standards are also set by people!"

"Many years have passed since the Hou Junji case, and the evidence is questionable. The Crown Prince is re-examining the old case just to demonstrate the justice of the law!"

"Doctor Chu, you have repeatedly stopped me. Is he doing this to uphold the law, or is he doing this for some selfish motive?"

Talking about the law, it just runs into Changsun Wuji's trap.

After Li Shimin ascended the throne, he realized that the Wude Code could no longer meet the needs of the situation at that time. So in the first year of Zhenguan, he ordered Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling and others to revise a new code based on the Wude Code.

Based on the Confucian idea of ​​benevolent government, Zhangsun Wuji and others further strengthened the legislative principle of "virtue as the main and punishment as the auxiliary". After ten years, they completed the revision of the "Zhenguan Code" in the eleventh year of Zhenguan and promulgated it throughout the country.

Looking at it from another angle, the final right of interpretation of the Zhenguan Code lies in the hands of Zhangsun Wuji.

How can you lose with judges and referees?

After hearing this, Chu Suiliang didn't know how to start talking.

They could only turn to Fang Xuanling for help.

After all, when it comes to the Zhenguan Code, Fang Xuanling was also one of the leading figures.

However, this time, Fang Xuanling lowered his eyes and remained silent.

There is absolutely no intention to go against the prince.

Chu Suiliang was suddenly panicked. Why would Mr. Fang be like this?

Upon seeing this, Li Chengqian made the final decision.

"Alright, I have made up my mind. Hou Junji will be reinstated immediately." "Let's end today's matter here. If you have any objections, please feel free to advise His Majesty!"

Hou Junji was the Minister of Personnel, in charge of the promotion of officials.

It is very important to Li Chengqian.

This is also the reason why Chu Suiliang strongly opposed it.

After the court was dismissed, the news naturally reached the palace as soon as possible.

The study is filled with the scent of sandalwood.

Li Shimin held the memorial in his hand, but his eyes did not fall on the handwriting, and his expression was uncertain.

Zhang Ananda stood by with his hands hanging down, not daring to breathe.

"The prince is becoming more and more assertive."

Li Shimin suddenly spoke in a low voice with a hint of meaning.

He put the memorial aside casually, and it made a slight "pop" sound.

Zhang Ananda's heart tightened, and he said quickly, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's pardon of Hou Junji and his reinstatement of his post is indeed against your Majesty's holy decree. This... this may undermine your Majesty's dignity."

Hearing this, Li Shimin shook his head slightly, with a complicated smile on his face: "Ananda, you have followed me for many years, why don't you understand?"

"The prince's move may seem reckless, but in fact he has a hidden agenda. Although Hou Junji is guilty of treason, he has a very high prestige in the army and is connected to Shandong nobles and military officers from humble backgrounds. By releasing him, the prince not only gains a loyal helper, but can also use this opportunity to win over various forces."

Zhang Ananda said cautiously: "But Your Majesty, if the prince is not punished for making decisions on his own, he will probably do more..."

Before he could finish his words, Li Shimin raised his hand to interrupt him.

"Punishment? How to punish?"

Li Shimin sighed, leaned back in his chair, and looked into the distance: "If I forcefully suppress the crown prince, the conflict between him and me will only deepen, and the situation will be difficult to handle by then."

Zhang Ananda nodded thoughtfully and whispered, "Your Majesty is wise. However, Hou Junji is a man who has committed the crime of treason. If the Crown Prince reinstates him, there will definitely be a lot of criticism in the court."

Li Shimin sneered: "Criticism? When has there ever been no criticism in the court?"

"When I pardoned Li Jing, didn't some people say that I was biased towards meritorious officials? But what was the result? Li Jing helped me pacify the four directions and made great military achievements. If the prince can really let Hou Junji serve him and work for the Tang Dynasty, it would not be a bad thing."

Li Shimin slowly stood up, walked to the window and looked at the palace wall outside.

Over there is the direction of the East Palace.

"It's time for the prince to try many things."

"As long as he doesn't go that far, why should I bother about his slightly overstepping of the line?"

For Li Shimin, as long as Li Chengqian did not go through Xuanwu Gate and did not engage in brother-killing, it would not matter even if the Prince's Party became stronger.

After Hou Junji was reinstated, he became the Minister of Personnel. However, the Ministry of Personnel is now controlled by aristocratic families.

Let the prince fight against the aristocratic families and against the King of Wei and the King of Jin.

In this case, the prince would have no time or energy to fight with me.

Li Shimin was eager to have Li Chengqian involved in the power struggle in the court.

Zhang Ananda whispered, "Your Majesty is very concerned about the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince knew, he would be grateful to him."

Li Shimin waved his hands and said with a wry smile: "If he could understand my intentions, how could he do these things that give me a headache? But it's okay. The prince has ambitions and means, which is not necessarily a bad thing. As long as he can grasp the right measure and take over my burden in the future, I can rest assured."

After saying that, he turned back to the desk, picked up a pen, wrote a few lines on the memorial, and said calmly: "Pass on my edict, the matter of Hou Junji's reinstatement will not be pursued anymore. Let the prince control this person well. If there is any trouble again, the prince will be held responsible."

Zhang Ananda bowed and accepted the order: "Yes, Your Majesty!"

I secretly sighed in my heart that the game between the royal father and son was really unfathomable.

The imperial edict was issued.

Li Chengqian, who was in the villa, immediately understood Erfeng's thoughts.

This is to let him fight against the aristocratic families.

To some extent, this is also in line with Li Chengqian's temporary thinking.

Whether now or in the future when he becomes emperor, fighting against the aristocratic families is inevitable.

Li Shimin would do the same.

The relationship between father and son is now very complicated.

They are father and son, friends, and rivals.

Not a complete enemy.

Li Shimin just happened to use the crown prince to suppress the power of the court aristocratic families, and let the crown prince and the aristocratic families fight to a lose-lose situation.

Li Chengqian also wanted to suppress the aristocratic families and strengthen the prince's party in preparation for his future ascension to the throne.

Everyone has their own calculations, it just depends on who has the better skills.

It is autumn now.

It was the time for the local imperial examination.

Li Chengqian issued an order to the Crown Prince to abolish the investment banking rolls.

However, this order from the Crown Prince was directly rejected by the Ministry of Personnel.

According to the regulations, the prince's edicts do not need to be approved by the Menxia Province, but now that the prince is regent and the imperial examination system is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites, this edict is not much different from an imperial edict, and the regulations also have to go through the Menxia Province.

The system of submitting papers and recommending candidates implemented in the Tang Dynasty's imperial examinations was proposed to overcome the limitation of "determining one's stay or rejection based on one test", so it achieved relatively positive results when it was first implemented.

The combination of examinations and recommendations allowed talented people from all walks of life to be widely absorbed into the government. At the same time, it restricted the path to officialdom for the children of ministers, so that many children of high-ranking officials could not enter the government through family connections, but had to pass the imperial examination to obtain a formal background.

However, many problems have emerged as it has developed to this day.

The examination for the Jinshi degree is not only based on the test scores, but often also examines the candidate's daily poetry and prose skills and social reputation.

These practices involve too many human factors and are easily influenced by unhealthy trends.

In order to pass the imperial examination, scholars would: "Run through the gates of government offices and temples, enter and leave the residences of princes and nobles, present poems to the emperor, hoping to receive their kindness; touch their heads and feet, hoping to receive their support."

In addition to studying hard, scholars also need to curry favor with the powerful in order to win their favor and pass the imperial examinations.

The phenomenon of backdoors and relying on power to seek imperial examinations became rampant, which made the imperial examination recommendation become "private recommendation" and lost the fairness of the imperial examination in selecting talents.

The most important thing is that the power of the aristocratic families gradually grew under such a system.

Whoever controls the imperial examination will choose his own people to serve as officials.

This time, we can't solve the problem by using tough measures.

Even Li Chengqian had no better solution for the time being.

(End of this chapter)