My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 380 The Crown Prince is better than His Majesty
At the end of the 19th year of Zhenguan.

In a few days, it will be the Chinese New Year.

As the year draws to a close, the weather is getting colder.

The sales volume of coal is also increasing.

The current coal mines are still the same ten that Li Chengqian previously ran.

It’s not that Li Shimin didn’t want to open more coal mines, but the coal produced by the existing coal mines had major problems in technology and management.

This resulted in the benefits generated by the eleventh coal plant after its opening being far less than the previous ones.

In fact, when it comes down to it, the biggest problem here is corruption.

Unlike the coal factory run by Li Chengqian, the one set up by Li Shimin was naturally to be purchased by officials. The profits were so tempting that who wouldn't want to give a hand?

Moreover, these coal mines were located extremely far away from Chang'an, making it difficult for the imperial power to directly govern them.

After Li Shimin realized it, he simply didn't bother to continue.

Inside the Daming Palace.

Li Yuanchang was somewhat unhappy with Zhao Jie.

Because the ten coal mines mentioned above were almost all built by the two of them. If Your Majesty had not taken advantage of the Crown Prince's expedition to the east, they would now be under the Crown Prince's name.

The two discussed how to take the coal factory back from His Majesty.

Even if not all of them, at least we should get back a few.

It should be noted that every coal plant can generate huge benefits.

However, when the two reported this idea to the prince, they were opposed.

"No need, let Father take it."

Li Chengqian's attitude was very firm.

Li Yuanchang and Zhao Jie had no choice.

Li Chengqian did not give any explanation for this matter.

You can't say that I just want Your Majesty to lose his ambition due to pleasure.

Money is a good thing, and no one can have too much of it.

Just for the time being, Li Chengqian is not short of money.

As for Liaodong, the treasuries of the three kingdoms of Goryeo, Silla and Baekje were all emptied.

There are also private properties of almost most of the nobles in the Three Kingdoms period.

Gold, silver and treasures were piled up like mountains.

Since the ten coal mines brought in funds from the imperial treasury, Li Shimin has been spending even more lavishly.

Inside Tai Chi Palace.

The steady flow of revenue from the ten coal mines was like a drug.

Li Shimin half-leaned on the golden nanmu couch, looking at the new drawings submitted by the Ministry of Works.

It was a summer palace to be built at the foot of Mount Zhongnan, with pavilions, towers and artificial lakes designed to be extremely luxurious.

"Your Majesty, this project is extremely expensive, I'm afraid..."

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

"Since I ascended the throne, I have devoted all my energy to governing the country. Now that the world is at peace, why not enjoy some peace and quiet? When Emperor Yang of Sui built the Grand Canal, he abused the people's power and caused disaster. My leaving the palace is just to use the treasury, which is harmless."

Li Shimin sipped the wine that was tribute from the Western Regions, and his words were filled with unquestionable majesty.

Wei Zheng raised his sleeves and took a half step forward: "Your Majesty is wrong! Although the treasury is not the national treasury, the coal mines earn their income from the blood and sweat of the people. There is a severe drought in Guanzhong, and the refugees in Longyou are still living in dilapidated temples. Your Majesty is using the people's blood and sweat to build a palace, which may chill the hearts of the people!"

"I have already opened the granaries to release grain, and the Ministry of Revenue will take care of disaster relief!"

Li Shimin placed the jade cup heavily on the table, and the wine splashed out, smearing the ink on the drawing.

I have already opened the granaries to release grain, and the Ministry of Revenue will take care of disaster relief!"

"Renovating the Li Palace is just to imitate the previous emperor's construction of Cuiwei Palace. Why is it a waste of money and manpower?"

Wei Zheng's white hair trembled slightly with indignation: "The previous emperor built Cuiwei Palace for summer heat relief and treatment of illness, and its scale was far less than this!"

"Your Majesty, do you know how much the ten coal plants lost due to corruption? Officials exploited the people at every level, and in the end, the people suffered. If you use this money to build water conservancy projects and provide relief to disaster victims, you will show your benevolence!"

Li Shimin stood up suddenly and shouted: "Enough!"

"I have governed the country for more than ten years. When is it your turn to speak so alarmist? In the past, I accepted advice because the country was just beginning to be settled. Now that the country is peaceful and the sea is calm, you are still binding me with the old rules!"

Wei Zheng knelt down with his forehead touching the ground: "Your Majesty! Before the fall of the Sui Dynasty, Emperor Yang was also arrogant and extravagant. The lessons of the past are not far away. I hope Your Majesty will take history as a mirror and not let the Zhenguan Reign be destroyed by..."

Li Shimin grabbed the blueprint on the table and threw it fiercely: "Shut up!"

"I think you are getting old and confused! Someone, send Duke Wei back to his mansion. You are not allowed to enter the palace unless you are summoned!"

Li Shimin was very angry. I used my own money, not the national treasury's money, so what does it have to do with you?

Can’t the emperor enjoy himself?

Wei Zheng left, but had no intention of giving up.

In the early years of his reign, Li Shimin created a prosperous era with the Zhenguan Administration, practiced frugality, and gave the people rest.

But as the country became stable and the treasury was full, the emperor's desire for extravagance quietly grew.

Wei Zheng was well aware of the truth that "it is easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality". A summer palace may seem to be just a private enjoyment for the emperor, but it may become the beginning of a life of extravagance.

Once this precedent is set, there may be more extravagant actions in the future, such as increasing court expenses and holding frequent celebrations, which will lead to the whole bureaucracy and social atmosphere being corrupted.

Wei Zheng's advice was actually to "nip the problem in the bud" and prevent Li Shimin from going astray in pursuit of pleasure, and to maintain the hard-earned clean political style during the Zhenguan period.

Li Shimin mentioned that "Emperor Yang of Sui's construction of the canal caused the disaster" in an attempt to prove that there was nothing wrong with his behavior.

But what Wei Zheng saw was that the tragedy of Emperor Yang of Sui was not only that he abused the people's power, but also that he betrayed the people's will.

Although the canal itself has positive significance, Emperor Yang of Sui ruled the country with tyranny and indulged in extravagance, which eventually caused public resentment.

Wei Zheng was worried that Li Shimin only saw the surface and ignored the essence of historical lessons.

The power of the emperor is not unlimited. If he ignores the people's ability to bear it, even if he uses private property to build large-scale projects, it may shake the foundation of his rule.

He hoped that Li Shimin could learn from history and avoid repeating the same mistakes.

On the surface, the imperial treasury is the private property of the emperor, but in reality, the imperial treasury is closely linked to the national treasury.

Moreover, although there was a good story of mutual understanding between Wei Zheng and Li Shimin, the essence of the relationship was still a check and balance relationship under the power game.

Wei Zheng was very depressed after he returned.

He went to his good friend Li Baiyao to complain.

Li Baiyao participated in the compilation of "Book of Northern Qi", while Wei Zheng majored in "Book of Sui", and the two met in this way.

Speaking of which, Li Baiyao's life was full of ups and downs.

During the Sui Dynasty, in the early years of Kaihuang, Li Baiyao served as the Eastern Palace Tongshi Sheren, and was later promoted to the Prince's Sheren and the Eastern Palace Scholar. Due to jealousy and slander, he resigned on the grounds of illness.

In the 19th year of Kaihuang, he inherited the title of Duke of Anping, and was later appointed as the Deputy Minister of Rites. He was also summoned by Crown Prince Yang Yong to be a scholar of the Eastern Palace, and participated in the revision of the "Five Rites" and the formulation of laws and decrees.

After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was demoted to Sima of Guizhou, and later served as the Infantry Captain of Lu County and the Magistrate of Jian'an County. He was also involved in an uprising and served in the armies of Shen Faxing, Li Zitong, and Du Fuwei.
After the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, during the Wude period, Du Fuwei returned to the Tang Dynasty, and Baiyao was implicated and almost killed. Later, Li Yuan exiled him to Jingzhou on charges of treason. After Li Shimin ascended the throne, in the first year of Zhenguan, he summoned Li Baiyao to be the secretary of the Central Secretariat, granted him the title of Anping County Man, and ordered him to participate in the compilation of the Five Rites and laws and decrees, and to compile the History of Northern Qi.

In the tenth year of Zhenguan, he submitted the Book of Northern Qi and was rewarded. He was promoted to Palace Attendant and served as Prince Zuo Shuzi.

Later, he served as Minister of Rites and Minister of Clan Affairs, and was granted the title of Duke of Anping County.

Li Baiyao's greatest contribution was his frank advice. He wrote "On Feudalism", opposing the feudal system and advocating the county system.

In Pingkangfang.

Wei Zheng drank the wine in one gulp, and then said, "Bai Yao, do you think that the tyrant emperor in the history books will be remembered for eternity?"

Li Baiyao understood that Wei Zheng must have been wronged in the palace.

He wanted to persuade him, but Wei Zheng continued, "Your Majesty actually said, 'I use the treasury, it's harmless'! But the money from the coal mine was squeezed out of the people's pockets."

"You and I saw it with our own eyes in Luoyang. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, when the people were exchanging their children for food, Emperor Yang's palace was still full of revelry every night. Is this scene going to happen again during the Zhenguan period?"

Li Baiyao suddenly lowered his voice and glanced out the window.

"Xuancheng, do you know that Fang Xuanling did not attend the morning court today, claiming to be ill?"

Wei Zheng was somewhat confused: "You mean, all the important officials are avoiding disaster?"

"When your majesty released three hundred prisoners and made a covenant with the people, they were not like this!"

Li Baiyao sighed, "Do you remember how you and I wrote 'relying on his wealth and power, he did not worry about future troubles' when we were compiling the Chronicle of Emperor Yang? Now, the only thing missing between Your Majesty and Emperor Yang is the fig leaf of 'the Zhenguan Reign'!"

Suddenly, a strong wind blew outside the window, and snowflakes hit the window paper with a crackling sound.

Wei Zheng felt a little sad.

When did the young emperor who was so brave and swift in the Weishui Alliance become a mediocre ruler obsessed with the golden nanmu couch?

"Baiyao, you said that 'it's easy to go from frugality to luxury', is there any way to reverse it?"

"Back then, in front of Xuanwu Gate, Your Majesty held my hand and said, 'I wish to work with you to bring peace to the world.' Now..."

Wei Zheng said dejectedly.

Li Baiyao poured a glass of cold wine and pushed it over. The clear aroma of wine mixed with the smell of charcoal pierced his nose: "Xuancheng."

"Have you forgotten Gao Jiong's lesson? Emperor Wen was suspicious in his later years, and Gao Pushe was demoted for his direct remonstrance, which eventually led to the government going from bad to worse. Although His Majesty is angry with you now, he still retains the honorific title of 'Duke of Wei', just because of the old friendship."

Wei Zheng sneered: "Old love?"

He drank the wine in the cup and said, "If we rely on old feelings to maintain the emperor's heart, then the Zhenguan Reign is nothing but a castle built on a pile of sand!"

At this point, Wei Zheng's eyes turned fierce: "Tomorrow I will advise you again. If Your Majesty refuses to change his ways, I will kneel in front of the Taiji Hall and refuse to get up."

Li Baiyao stamped his feet anxiously: "Xuancheng, you are so confused. Have you forgotten the principle in "Yanzi Chunqiu" that 'the ministers follow the ruler when he is upright and advise the ruler when he is crooked'? Now your majesty is just temporarily confused, you and I should take it slowly."

When Wei Zheng heard what Xu Xutu said, he was suddenly stunned.

After a long silence, he said, "Bai Yao, what do you think about the crown prince ascending the throne? Would it be better than His Majesty?"

Li Baiyao's brows twitched.

Can I say this directly?

"Xuancheng, be careful with your words!"

Wei Zheng didn't care: "Am I wrong?"

Li Baiyao said: "But didn't your Majesty also have the reputation of 'General of Heavenly Strategy'? Xuancheng, don't you forget the Xuanwu Gate Incident?"

When Wei Zheng heard about the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he sobered up.

His eyes looked straight at Li Baiyao, and there was a little more brilliance in them.

But Li Baiyao's heart was falling.
-
Prince Wei's Mansion.

Li Tai was listening to the secret report received by Chai Lingwu.

"The ear-reporting god at the wine shop in Pingkangfang saw with his own eyes that Wei Zheng and Li Baiyao had a secret conversation until the end of the You hour, and the words 'the crown prince ascended the throne' and 'Xuanwu Gate' were mentioned several times during the meal."

"Wei Zheng said, 'If we rely on old friendships to maintain the emperor's heart, the Zhenguan Reign is nothing but a castle on a pile of sand.' He also said, 'It might be better if the crown prince ascended the throne.'"

Li Tai said coldly: "Xuanwu Gate? How dare he mention Xuanwu Gate?"

Chai Lingwu pondered and said, "Wei Zheng has always considered himself a loyal minister, but now he is secretly discussing with Li Baiyao whether to depose or enthronize the crown prince. This is a serious crime that will lead to the confiscation of property and extermination of the clan."

At this point, Chai Lingwu chuckled: "Even more interesting is that Li Baiyao once compiled the Book of Northern Qi, and he is very good at using history to satirize the present. If they compare it to the 'Xuanwu Gate Incident', Your Majesty will probably have sleepless nights."

Li Tai frowned: "How can you prove the crime based on just a few drunken words?"

Chai Lingwu laughed and said, "Wei Zheng has offended many people in the court, and someone will surely make trouble for him when the time comes."

Li Tai smiled and nodded.
-
Jin Palace.

Li Zhi naturally also got the news.

"Your Highness, this is a heaven-sent opportunity." Li Yifu fiddled with the incense burner. Amid the smoke of agarwood, his eyes were cunning. "Wei Zheng is the prince's tutor, but he said in the wine shop that 'it would be better if the prince ascended the throne' and even dared to mention Xuanwu Gate - this is clearly handing the hilt of a knife into your hands."

Li Zhi slammed the secret report on the table and said: "As the general of the Right Jinwu Guard, if I mobilize troops without authorization..." Before he finished speaking, he caught a glimpse of "Wei Gong's Art of War" hanging on the wall.

The few red circles and dots that read “A general is not bound by orders from the king when he is away from the court” are particularly eye-catching.

He suddenly remembered that when his father was patrolling the city last month, he patted him on the shoulder and said, "With Chi Nu in charge of the Jinwu Guard, I can sleep peacefully."

Li Yifu leaned over to pick up the secret report, and his fingertips traced over the four words "Crown Prince ascended the throne": "When the King of Qin was in charge of the Tiance Army, he never asked for permission for everything. Now the King of Wei is already trying to win over the Yulin Guards. If he is allowed to get there first..."

He paused deliberately and his eyes fell on the fish symbol on Li Zhi's waist.

"The Right Jinwu Guard is in charge of the Left and Right Yifu."

Li Zhi's voice was mixed with metallic coldness: "Wang Shun's Zuo Yifu is on duty in the Pingkangfang area today?"

Li Yifu's eyes sparkled, "That's right. Moreover, Wang Zhonglang has received great favor from His Highness, and his mother's medicine expenses have been paid by the palace so far."

He pulled out a roll of names from his sleeve, "Here are twenty Jinwu Guards, all of whom are not on the list of the Prince of Jin's personal guards."

"That's enough." Li Zhi thrust his sword back into its sheath. "I will lead the team myself at 15:30."

"Your Highness, please think twice!" Li Yifu kowtowed anxiously, "The deployment of the Jinwu Guard requires double verification. Your Majesty..."

Li Yifu understood instantly.

Li Zhi wanted to bypass the regular troop deployment process under the pretext of "urgent pursuit of the murderer."

He looked at the King of Jin in front of him, who had always been known as "kind and weak", and suddenly remembered the record in the History Museum that "The King of Qin knocked on the Xuanwu Gate at night". The two were subtly similar.

Three quarters after pm, at the corner of Pingkangfang Street.

Li Zhi was wearing a black cloak, and the "Wei" flag of the Right Jinwu Guard was fluttering behind him.

Wang Shun led twenty personal guards and waited at the entrance of the alley. The cuffs exposed under the armor were embroidered with small silver fish - this was the secret mark of Li Zhi's personal guards.

"I've met the general."

Wang Shun knelt on one knee, speaking in a low voice.

"I have already found out that Wei Zheng and Li Baiyao are having a secret conversation in the mansion right now."

Li Zhi nodded, his eyes sweeping over the swords on the waists of the Jinwu Guards. These blades were all newly sharpened, shining coldly in the moonlight, just like the scene when he personally inspected them this morning.

(End of this chapter)