Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 188 November, New Moon and Full Moon

The morning drum has sounded, but the sky is still dark.

In Chang'an in November, the morning always comes later.

Officials attending court meetings had already gathered outside the Suzaku Gate.

Today is the first new and full moon of November.

Recently, due to Xue Rengui's great victory in Mobei, the court and the people have all focused on the war, and the emperor has frequently summoned military generals to the Shenlong Palace to discuss military affairs.

Although the civil officials did not say anything, they were somewhat worried about this situation, fearing that the emperor would continue to use military force against Tubo at the instigation of the military generals.

Although the Tang Dynasty was powerful, it could not withstand the constant wars.

It’s a pity that with Li Ji and Xue Rengui, one is a veteran of three dynasties and the other is a new upstart of the current dynasty, the military generals now have the upper hand over the civil officials.

Among the prime ministers, no one had as much prestige as Li Ji, nor was anyone more favored than Xue Rengui.

Moreover, the only ones who were really worried about these things were the Qingliu. Three months ago, Liu Rengui, a pillar of the Qingliu, was sent by the emperor to inspect Hebei.

Shangguan Yi suddenly changed his personality again, focusing on his own work and rarely participating in Qingliu gatherings.

Today, the voice of the Qingliu in the court has been reduced.

Pei Yan glanced at the laughing generals gathered in the distance and said to Xu Xiaode, "Mr. Xu, hasn't Mr. Liu returned to Chang'an yet?"

Xu Xiaode was looking towards the side street and said, "Strange, I heard he came back last night, why didn't he come to court?"

Xue Yuanchao shouted, "Look, it seems to be coming!"

Everyone followed his gaze and saw a carriage coming.

It was pitch dark and difficult to see clearly until they got closer. Only then did everyone recognize that it was indeed Liu Rengui's carriage.

When Liu Rengui got off the carriage, everyone rushed up to him and asked about the situation in Hebei.

Liu Rengui answered one by one. After more than a year of recuperation, the people of Hebei have indeed recovered a little.

Xu Xiaode saw that Liu Rengui looked worried and asked, "Mr. Liu, is there something wrong?"

Liu Rengui was silent for a moment, then said, "You will all know when I report to His Majesty later."

Someone said, "Please tell us first, so we can have some time to think about it, and then we can say a few words for you later!"

Liu Rengui shook his head and said nothing.

Xu Xiaode knew his temper best. Seeing that everyone was about to ask more questions, he quickly said, "Since Mr. Liu won't say anything, he must be in trouble."

Xue Yuanchao said, "Yes, if what Mr. Liu says makes sense, we can support him. But if what he says is different from what everyone thinks, do we have to follow the example of the aristocratic factions and shamelessly support him?"

When everyone heard him say this, they fell silent.

Xue Yuanchao suddenly said, "Mr. Liu, I have something to remind you. There's been a lot of gossip about you in the court lately, all coming from the pro-military faction."

Liu Rengui raised his eyebrows and asked, "What gossip?"

Xue Yuanchao asked, "When you were in Hebei, didn't you recommend a Sima to the court?"

Liu Rengui said: "That's right. I recommend Dingzhou Sima Chen Shu as Yongzhou Sima."

Xue Yuanchao said, "I heard that Chen Shu was once your superior and that he made things difficult for you. Later, after you became prime minister, he came to Chang'an specifically to apologize to you."

Liu Rengui nodded.

Xue Yuanchao said, "They say you've forgiven past grudges and not only haven't retaliated against Chen Shu, but have recommended him. This is an overreaction and a sham for reputation."

Rumors that can be spread are often easy to believe. Liu Rengui was indeed too straightforward in this matter, which makes people doubt his intentions.

Xue Yuanchao was also confused, so he brought up this matter.

Liu Rengui said nothing and gave no explanation.

Shangguan Yi said slowly, "I believe that Liu Gong's recommendation is because Chen Shuo is indeed talented, and has nothing to do with anything else. Liu Gong once offended Li Yifu, so it's natural for them to attack Liu Gong."

Xue Yuanchao smiled and said nothing.

Overall, due to Liu Rengui's dull personality, the Qingliu faction did not form a united force.

The pro-military faction is different.

Everyone will support whoever becomes the prime minister. Everything will be discussed in advance, and then everyone will agree and protect each other.

The current leader is Li Jingxuan, but his qualifications are actually a bit lacking.

Fortunately, no one cared about his age. Veterans such as Xu Jingzong and Cui Yixuan did not oppose him, and Li Yifu fully supported him.

West of the Suzaku Gate, the pro-military officials were now gathered around Li Jingxuan, listening to him bring up the topics to be discussed at the upcoming court meeting.

Li Jingxuan cleared his throat and said, "Last time, Minister Li proposed revising the clan history, but unfortunately, Lai Ji and Han Ai blocked it, so it couldn't be accomplished. Now that both of them have been exiled to other provinces, it's a good opportunity to revise the clan history. What do you think?"

Xu Jingzong asked, "I wonder what basis Prime Minister Li will use to divide the new clans?"

Li Jingxuan said, "According to Minister Li's suggestion, we will use official titles as the standard. Aside from the four empresses, Duke Zun, and Duke Jie, the three dukes, the Grand Master of the Imperial Court, and the Shangshu Pushe will be the first rank, and the third rank civil and military officials and the third rank Zhizhengshi will be the second rank. We will determine the rank based on the rank. What do you think?"

Most of the pro-military officials were of high rank but low origin. This classification was beneficial to most people, and they all agreed.

Only Cui Yixuan remained silent.

Li Yifu said with a smile, "Mr. Cui, as a third-rank Imperial Censor, you can be ranked second-class, which is not a disadvantage. In the future, when you become a prime minister, you can even be promoted to first-class."

Cui Yixuan said calmly, "At first glance, I'm not at a disadvantage. However, with this division, there will be many more second-class and first-class people. Will the second-class people in the future be comparable to the second-class people now?"

Because Cui Yixuan was born into a concubine family, he was not valued in the Qinghe Cui family. Later, he was promoted to the position of Imperial Censor by virtue of his contribution to the abolition of Wang Liwu.

After the emperor dealt with the Guanlong Group, the Qinghe Cui family elected Cui Yixuan as the patriarch in order to protect themselves.

Although he was still just a figurehead, Cui Yixuan did begin to consider the Cui family.

Li Jingxuan said, "If Doctor Cui has other opinions, please feel free to speak up."

Cui Yixuan was silent for a moment, then bowed and said, "I have no objection, but I suddenly remembered something that I need to discuss with Minister Lu. Please stay with me for a while!"

He turned and walked towards Lu Chengqing in the distance.

If it is beneficial, then unite; if it is not beneficial, then separate.

This is exactly the philosophy held by pro-military officials, and it is not surprising.

However, Cui Yixuan's departure at this time indirectly reflected that because of the emperor's neglect, the pro-military officials had already begun to think about changing jobs.

Li Jingxuan's face was as gloomy as water. He said, "If anyone disagrees, please speak up first."

Fortunately, no one followed Cui Yixuan, but some people still raised questions.

"Prime Minister Li, there's also General Xin Mao from the aristocratic faction, who will definitely object. Lu Chengqing, as a member of the Fanyang Lu clan, will definitely not agree. Plus, we just offended Liu Rengui, so I'm afraid he'll object as well," said Yuan Gongyu. Li Jingxuan said, "It's useless for them to object. As long as the Saint agrees, it's all fine!"

Yuan Gongyu asked, "How do you know the sage will agree?"

Li Yifu smiled and said, "The Sage is still promoting the reform of the imperial examination system. The aristocratic families are an obstacle. By revising the clan records, the influence of the aristocratic families can be reduced. I think the Sage will be happy."

Li Jingxuan continued, "Such a modification of the clan will also benefit the generals. We are not alone."

When everyone heard what the two said made sense, they stopped objecting.

Soon, with the sound of bells and drums, Cui Yixuan shouted, "The time has come, enter the court!"

After finishing their work in the corridor, the ministers entered the Liangyi Hall.

After waiting for a while, Li Zhi entered the hall from the corner gate.

After the ceremony, all the ministers sat down on the mats.

Li Jingxuan was not in a hurry. He planned to wait until the affairs of various states and counties were discussed and everyone was tired before proposing the revision of the clan records.

The first to come out was the Minister of War Xiao Siye.

"Your Majesty, a report has arrived from the Anxi Protectorate: Deputy Protector Pei Xingjian has led his troops to quell the rebellion in Kucha. The King of Kucha and the Prime Minister have reconciled their differences, and stability has been restored in Kucha."

Li Zhi said, "Very good. Give Deputy Protector Pei a credit."

Xiao Siye said: "I obey your order!"

As one official after another came out to discuss matters, time passed quickly.

Li Zhi had been in court for almost two years and had developed the skill of meditation.

For most matters, the prime ministers could discuss and come to the conclusion, so he didn't need to work hard. He only needed to be responsible for setting the tone in the end.

Not long after, at noon, after having lunch in the corridor, the matters were almost discussed, and only officials from various states and counties were left outside the hall to report on some local affairs.

When a Sima from Yizhou finished his report and no more officials came forward, Li Zhi said loudly, "Do you have any other proposals?"

Li Jingxuan saw that the time was right, so he quickly stepped out and said, "I have something to report!"

Li Zhi said, "Speak."

Li Jingxuan then expressed his idea of ​​revising the clan history. As soon as he finished speaking, it was like throwing a big stone into the lake, causing huge splashes.

Lu Chengqing actually came out to oppose earlier than General Xin Mao.

"Your Majesty, clan hierarchy is inherited. Each clan has earned respect and fame through its upright family traditions. It's not the clan itself that is admired, but the family traditions and virtues that the clan upholds. If we were to rank people based on rank, people would no longer value virtue and would only pursue fame and fortune. This would corrupt the morals of the court and the people, and the foundation of our Great Tang's rule of virtue and filial piety would be destroyed!"

Li Yifu laughed and said, "Minister Lu is wrong. The noble families in Shandong value marriage, the noble families in Jiangnan value wealth, and the noble families in Guanzhong value titles. None of them are the same. Morality and behavior are the most important."

General Xin Mao said slowly, "Who wouldn't admire what Minister Li said? However, the reason why the upper-class clans are upper-class clans is that they value virtue more than other clans."

Cui Yixuan also jumped to the side, saying, "Which of the first- and second-class clans today doesn't have a virtuous family tradition? If not for this tradition, how could they contribute so many talents to the court?"

As the argument between the two sides became more and more intense, Li Yifu and Li Jingxuan discovered something bad was happening.

The court officials almost began to attack them together, while Xu Jingzong and other pro-military officials remained silent.

Those military generals didn't even say a word and just watched coldly.

Li Yifu hoped to find some support from the emperor, but unfortunately Li Zhi did not respond at all.

Li Zhi was very clear that Li Yifu's method of modifying the clan history was completely useless and would instead affect the credibility of the court.

It is difficult to truly eliminate the influence of the aristocratic families given the current social structure, and Li Zhi does not intend to focus on this.

As a result, the memorial submitted by Li Jingxuan and Li Yifu ended in a miserable defeat.

Fortunately, at this time, Liu Rengui suddenly stepped forward and helped the two of them, so that they would not be too embarrassed.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Li Zhi sent Liu Rengui to Hebei to understand the effects of the tax exemption policy. He immediately asked, "Liu Qing, are you going to report on the situation in Hebei?"

Liu Rengui said, "Yes, I was ordered to go to Hebei. After inspecting the twenty-four prefectures, I discovered a problem that I need to report to Your Majesty."

Li Zhi raised his hand and said, "Liu Qing, please speak quickly."

Liu Rengui: "After the 24 prefectures of Hebei were exempted from taxes, large-scale land annexation occurred, especially among the wealthy and powerful families!"

Li Zhi's face paled slightly as he asked, "How could this be? Doesn't the imperial court prohibit land annexation?"

Liu Rengui said: "It's mainly because the people of Hebei were living in extreme hardship before. The wealthy families offered high prices to buy their land, so they sold it. Because they kept it a secret from the government, it was difficult for the government to stop them!"

Li Zhi calmed himself down, thought quietly for a while, and soon understood.

The wealthy and powerful families are naturally more far-sighted than ordinary people and can see the benefits of the court's policies.

They knew how much profit the land that was tax-free for three years could bring, so they spent a lot of money to buy the land of the people.

Ordinary people had a hard life and were greedy for quick money, so they sold it without hesitation.

In the end, all the benefits given by the court were eaten up by the wealthy and powerful, and ordinary people would have a harder time in the future because they had to sell their land.

Li Zhi took a deep breath and couldn't help but feel fortunate that he had sent Liu Rengui to inspect Hebei.

"This matter must be severely punished. Every one of the wealthy individuals who took the lead in buying up the land will be punished without mercy. All the land must be returned to the people. Liu Qing, you will be responsible for handling this matter."

Liu Rengui said: "I accept your order, but there is a difficulty."

Li Zhi raised his eyebrows and asked, "What's the difficulty?"

"Among the leading wealthy families," Liu Rengui glanced at Lu Chengqing and continued, "there's the Fanyang Lu family."

Lu Chengqing's face changed drastically. He was about to step out to explain himself when Du Zhenglun pulled him and he suddenly came to his senses.

He did not have a clear understanding of the matter. If he went against Liu Rengui now, he would only suffer losses and would also create a bad impression on the emperor, who would think that he was involved.

Thinking of this, he took a deep breath and sat back down.

Li Zhi glanced at Lu Chengqing, saw him sit back on the mat, and nodded secretly.

Lu Chengqing is in charge of the soil and water restoration plan in Chang'an City. Many things at the moment depend on him. If he insists on getting involved, Li Zhi will feel quite embarrassed.

"The Lu family of Fanyang is a wealthy and powerful family, so it is inevitable that there will be some unfilial descendants. Those involved will be dealt with according to the law, but there is no need to mobilize a large force and involve other people." Li Zhi said.

Liu Rengui bowed and said, "I accept your order."

The court meeting finally ended, but the impact of this meeting had just begun.

(End of this chapter)