Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 215 Empress Wu teaches her son

Among the many sons of Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan, most were dissolute and decadent princes like Li Yuanying, who were not liked by Li Shimin and his son.

Most people only had 800 households, and some even had only 700 households, which was even less than some princesses.

Among these people, there is also a special case, King Han Li Yuanjia.

He was smart and studious since childhood. He could draw a circle with his left hand and a square with his right hand, recite scriptures and history, and count sheep with his eyes. He was known as the "God-like Boy".

Li Yuanjia was not only extremely loved by Li Yuan, but also because he was filial, Li Shimin also admired this younger brother very much.

After he left Chang'an as an adult, he did not degenerate like other vassal kings. He still maintained his studious nature, collected tens of thousands of books, collected ancient inscriptions, and gathered a group of students to analyze ancient texts.

Although Li Yuanjia was a vassal king and the governor of Yizhou, he often dressed up as an ordinary citizen, walked on the streets, and did good things for the people.

These good deeds also earned him the reputation of a "virtuous king".

That night, Li Yuanjia was studying the text copied from a stone tablet with some scholars in the palace. The chief secretary of the palace came to the room and whispered to him that Prince Li Lingkui of Lu wanted to see him.

Li Yuanjia was shocked. He said "Excuse me" to the scholars, left the house quickly and went to the study.

Sure enough, Prince Lu Li Lingkui was sitting in his study drinking tea.

"Shijiulang, are you crazy? The princes are not allowed to meet privately. If we are discovered by the inner guards, both you and I will be held accountable!" Li Yuanjia said anxiously.

Li Lingkui crossed his legs and hummed, "This is urgent, so I can't worry about that. Brother, you should know about the land reform that the emperor is carrying out, right?"

Li Lingkui and Li Yuanjia were brothers from the same mother and had a very close relationship, so they spoke very directly.

Li Yuanjia did not answer. He first went outside the study and ordered his confidants to guard it. He also sent someone to observe outside the mansion to see if anyone was following him. Then he returned to the study and sat down behind the desk.

"Alas, it's such a big deal. Someone in Chang'an wrote to tell me about it."

Li Lingkui snorted coldly, "Our emperor is becoming more and more troublesome. Not satisfied with the changes to the imperial examination system, he's even changing the land system. Isn't this destroying the foundation of our Tang Dynasty?"

Li Yuanjia sighed, "He had just defeated Zhangsun Wuji and was extremely proud of himself. It would be difficult to expect him to honestly follow the ancestral rules."

Li Lingkui slammed the table and said angrily, "I don't care what he does with other things, but the land system cannot be changed!"

Li Yuanjia glanced at him and said, "Are you afraid that your land will be confiscated by the government?"

Li Lingkui, in front of his brother, made no secret of his feelings and snorted, "Brother, you've also bought a lot of land in Jiangnan. Besides, we all paid for it. If he orders everyone to hand it over, who wouldn't be resentful? If everyone starts to make trouble, wouldn't the Tang Dynasty be plunged into chaos?"

Li Yuanjia said slowly: "Do you think everyone will make a fuss?"

"Is not it?"

Li Yuanjia said slowly, "Nineteenth Brother, you underestimate the emperor. Although he is young, he has done a lot of great things. His prestige is very high now. In my opinion, those noble families dare not oppose him."

Li Lingkui sneered, "With Changsun Wuji banished to Zhaoling, those noble families have become powerless. I don't count on them. But what about the imperial clan? The emperor's rule depends on us. How dare he ignore our opinions?"

Li Yuanjia sighed and said, "I have thought about this matter a long time ago. Apart from you and Prince Guo, no one will object."

Li Lingkui was shocked and angry: "I don't believe it!"

Li Yuanjia said slowly, "The Emperor rehabilitated Prince Wu Li Ke. His peers, led by Li Zhen and Li Shen, are very supportive of him. You saw the scene at this year's royal family banquet."

Li Lingkui's face turned pale. He said, "I didn't count on those youngsters, but King Deng and the others..."

Li Yuanjia interrupted, "Have you forgotten the Emperor's warning to Prince Teng at the imperial clan banquet? What was Li Yuanying's reaction then?"

Li Lingkui snorted, "That kid is a coward."

Li Yuanjia said, "He has always been lawless. Even he doesn't dare to cause trouble with the emperor again. What do you think Prince Deng and the others will think?"

Li Lingkui said angrily, "Don't they want those fields anymore? The emperor only gave us so little land. Without the rent from the fields, how will we survive?"

Li Yuanjia sighed and said, "Shijiulang, it's time for you to learn how to live frugally."

Li Lingkui stared at Li Yuanjia intently and said, "Brother, have you forgotten everything you said back then? When Li Tai sent someone looking for you, you ignored him. When the King of Jing sent someone looking for you, you still ignored him. Have you forgotten how Erlang shot the crown prince and forced my father to abdicate? Do you really want to cling to your title of virtuous king and live a cowardly life forever?"

Li Yuanjia's expression suddenly changed. He stared at Li Lingkui and said, "Nineteen, I ignored Li Tai and Li Yuanjing because I knew they would lose. Later, it was proven that I was right."

Li Lingkui snorted, "If you had agreed at the time, they might have been able to break up with Li Zhi!"

Li Yuanjia said in a deep voice: "To plan great things, we must first win the hearts of the people and wait for the right time. The world is stable now. If you and I start a rebellion, it would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. We will undoubtedly fail!"

Li Lingkui said, "If we just sit there and wait, we'll never get an opportunity. Why not take advantage of this incident and make a fuss? Maybe we can gain more support from the royal family!"

Li Yuanjia said in a deep voice, "Have you ever thought about this? If the emperor doesn't listen to us and demotes me, all my hard work in Yizhou over the years will be in vain."

Li Lingkui angrily said, "He dares!"

Li Yuanjia said in a deep voice, "He even dealt with Zhangsun Wuji, and he didn't show any mercy to Li Yuanying. Do you think he wouldn't dare?"

Li Lingkui gritted his teeth and stopped talking.

Li Yuanjia said, "Furthermore, the Emperor is currently planning to deal with Tubo. Shu is full of people from the Internal Guards and the Palace Administration. If we are not careful and are discovered by them, you can imagine the consequences yourself!"

Li Lingkui was surprised and said, "I didn't expect this. Brother, should I return to Longzhou immediately?"

Li Yuanjia said slowly, "It's okay. The inner guards of Yizhou are all under my surveillance. You don't have to worry for now. But you must be careful after you leave Yizhou."

Li Lingkui hurriedly said, "I'll remember this, little brother."

Li Yuanjia stared at him and said, "The emperor changed the land system, and he will definitely change the military system later. As long as he makes a mistake and loses the support of the army, that will be our real chance. Do you understand?"

Li Lingkui's eyes lit up and he said, "I'll remember that!"

Li Yuanjia smiled and said, "I still have some gold cakes and silver ingots in my private vault. Take them with you when you leave. Sell the white fields at a low price."

Li Lingkui was stunned and said, "How can that be possible? Brother, keep it for yourself."

Li Yuanjia smiled and said, "I'm used to being frugal. I don't spend much money on a daily basis. You and I are brothers, so there's no need to be so fussy."

Li Lingkui said gratefully, "Thank you, brother. I will follow your instructions from now on and will never act impulsively again."

Li Yuanjia patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile: "You are a straightforward person and you speak from your heart. How can I blame you? Go ahead and be careful on the road." Li Lingkui nodded vigorously, put on the black cloak on the chair, and strode out of the study.

After he left the palace, Li Yuanjia called the palace's chief secretary over and said in a deep voice, "Send someone to keep an eye on the Songzhou Governor's Mansion. Report any movement immediately."

The Chief Secretary agreed and said, "Yes!"

……

Songzhou City is located at a very high altitude and is surrounded by mountains on three sides. The mountain to the west of the city is the steepest, and there is a waterfall on the back mountain.

Xue Rengui liked to practice martial arts on the grass beside the waterfall. After practicing, he would soak in the pool formed by the waterfall.

The red sun is setting in the west, and it is almost the evening hour.

Xue Rengui had just practiced archery for an hour and was soaking in the pool of water when several military officers in uniform came quickly from a distance.

The leading general was quite young, but his face was already filled with determination. Upon seeing Xue Rengui, he said happily, "General Xue!"

Xue Rengui was also slightly moved when he saw the man. He swam to the shore, and with a "hang la" he got out of the shore and said, "General Cheng, why are you back?"

The young general was Cheng Wuting. He couldn't hide his joy as he said, "General Xue, we succeeded! The two major tribes of the Subi tribe, the Niangbo and Dabo chiefs, have surrendered to the Tang Dynasty!"

Xue Rengui was half surprised and half happy, and asked, "Really?"

Cheng Wuting laughed and said, "Niangbo Jinniao and Dabo Wu have both come with me to Songzhou. Do you think they are fake?"

Xue Rengui pondered for a moment and said, "Take them to Chang'an immediately."

Cheng Wuting was stunned and said, "Don't you want to see them?"

Xue Rengui said, "It's useless for me to see them. It's better for Your Majesty to see them as soon as possible. I will gather all the Qiang tribes, prepare for war, and await Your Majesty's orders!"

Cheng Wuting nodded and said in a deep voice, "Okay, I'll take them to Beijing immediately!"

A fast horse galloped along the official road, entered Chang'an from Chunming Gate, and headed all the way to the Censorate.

Not long after, officials from the Censorate went to Ganlu Hall to meet the emperor.

Half an hour later, the news that the censor was meeting the emperor spread in the palace.

Zhang Duohai was originally checking an account book with his eunuchs when one of his eunuchs came quickly and whispered a few words to him.

Zhang Duohai's face changed slightly, and he quickly left the eunuch bureau and returned to Lizheng Hall.

Inside the hall, Empress Wu was sitting on a couch, teaching the Sixth Prince Li Xian etiquette.

Zhang Da Hai didn't want to go over and disturb her, so she had to stand aside.

Half an hour later, Wu Meiniang said, "That's all we'll learn today. Have you remembered everything I taught you?"

Li Xian said with a smile: "Mother, I have remembered everything. I will take my leave now." After that, he turned around and was about to leave.

Wu Meiniang asked in a deep voice, "What about the etiquette for leaving?"

Li Xian was stunned for a moment, then turned around, bowed to Wu Meiniang, and said, "Mother, I'm leaving." Then he turned and left.

Wu Meiniang watched her son go away with a frown on her face.

The method she used to teach Li Xian was exactly the same as the one she used to teach Li Hongshi.

Li Xian is already three years old, but she is completely different from Li Hong when he was three years old. Although she is smarter than Li Hong, she is rebellious at heart and doesn't take what she says seriously at all.

This made her quite angry.

However, Li Zhi repeatedly warned her to be patient when teaching children, and she was reluctant to beat or scold them. She felt extremely uncomfortable with the anger stuck in her heart.

Just then, she noticed that Zhang Dahai seemed to be hesitant to speak, and she vented her anger at him.

"If you have something to say, just say it. Don't wait for me to ask!"

Zhang Duohai was startled and knelt on the ground, saying, "Your Highness, something happened in Suzhou."

"What's the matter?" Wu Meiniang asked coldly.

"Suzhou's judicial officer abused his power for personal gain. He took advantage of the Xiao family trial to embezzle a significant portion of their assets and deliberately framed them with numerous crimes."

Wu Meiniang calmed herself down and said, "Is it true?"

Zhang Duohai said, "The Supervisory Censor of the Censorate has investigated thoroughly and the evidence is irrefutable, so it was sent to Chang'an City. Censor Wei just came to see the emperor with the evidence."

Wu Meiniang was silent for a moment, then asked, "How did Your Majesty deal with it?"

Zhang Duohai said, "Your Majesty has ordered the Dali Temple to handle this matter according to the law, and has also ordered the Ministry of Justice to send personnel to Suzhou to handle the Xiao case."

Wu Meiniang narrowed her eyes and said, "After all, the Xiao family is a powerful clan, and Xiao Siye is still alive. How dare a mere judicial officer mess with the Xiao family?"

Zhang Duohai was stunned and asked, "Do you suspect something fishy is going on?"

Wu Meiniang raised her hand to signal him to stand up, and said calmly: "It's just a small matter, don't pay attention to it. I heard that Di Renjie got promoted again?"

Zhang Duohai stood up and said with a smile, "Yes, His Majesty has also granted him a title, making him a baron of Yangqu County, and promoting him from his current rank to the lower rank of the fourth rank, Tongyi Dafu, and the Minister of the Dali Temple. Xin Mao will be promoted to the rank of Shizhong, and Ren Yaxiang will be transferred to the Ministry of Personnel as a Menxia Shilang."

Wu Meiniang's mood finally improved a little. She smiled and said, "He is less than 30 years old and has already been appointed as the Minister of Justice. It seems that His Majesty really values ​​him."

Zhang Duohai smiled and said, "Apart from Xue Rengui, the official His Majesty values ​​most is probably Di County Man."

Wu Meiniang waved her hand and said, "Alright, if there is nothing else, please leave."

Zhang Duohai bowed and left.

　I wish you all a Happy New Year!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)