Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 236 The Gamble Between the Emperor and the Empress

Inside the Shenlong Hall, the candlelight is burning brightly.

A map five feet long and four feet wide was hung on the wall.

Li Zhi, Li Ji, Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Gong were gathered around the map, discussing the recent situation in Tubo.

Recently, spies on the front line have been constantly reporting news to Chang'an, so Li Zhi and others have already known about the chaotic situation in Tubo.

It can be said that Changsun Wuji's plan was very successful.

Tubo is now facing internal and external troubles. If the stalemate continues, more changes are likely to occur.

Lu Dongzan could no longer take care of it.

Yesterday, the spy brought back the latest news about Su Dingfang. After learning that Su Dingfang had successfully crossed the no-man's land, Li Zhi breathed a sigh of relief.

The current situation is most favorable to our side, but we need to discuss which direction to use as a breakthrough point.

Li Ji pondered for a long time and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the best option right now is to hold our troops in place and wait for the Niangbo and Dabo tribes to recapture Subi and advance on Lhasa."

"If Lu Dongzan returns to rescue, Xue Rengui can march straight in. If he doesn't, Luoshui City will be captured and the Tibetans will lose their will to fight!"

Li Zhi thought for a moment and said, "What about Su Dingfang's army? He requested permission to attack the Arabs."

Li Ji said: "For now, we should let the Arabs and Tubo continue to consume each other. Su Dingfang only needs to ambush between Gar City and Luoshui City. No matter who wins, they will advance to Luoshui City, and then we can ambush them!"

Yuchi Gong said loudly, "Why go to so much trouble? Just let Su Dingfang capture Luoshui City as planned, and the situation will be settled."

Li Ji said, "If Su Dingfang launches a surprise attack on Luoshui City, Lu Dongzan and Qinling will both return to rescue them, and the Arabs will also pursue them. If that happens, Su Dingfang will be trapped in Luoshui City, which would be disastrous."

Yuchi Gong said: "As long as Luoshui City is captured, the Tibetans will never return."

Li Ji frowned and said, "Since there is a safe plan, why take unnecessary risks?"

Yuchi Gong said, "What you proposed is not a sound strategy. If the Suobi tribe captures Luoshui City instead of the Tang Dynasty, the Suobi tribe may become a new threat in the future."

There is some truth to this.

If Suo Bi captured the city of Lhasa, his prestige would naturally increase, and they themselves might also develop a mentality that victory in this battle depended on them.

In the future, when Suobei becomes powerful, it will inevitably betray the Tang Dynasty and become the new Tubo.

Li Ji shook his head and said, "What we should consider now is to eliminate Tubo. We can make plans for the future later."

Seeing the two men arguing, Li Zhi looked at Cheng Zhijie and said, "General Cheng, what do you think?"

Cheng Zhijie said, "I think Lord Li's approach is more reliable. Let's first reach the established strategic plan. The problem with Subi will not be more difficult than that of Tubo."

After listening to this, Li Zhi nodded and said, "I will carefully consider your opinions. You may withdraw."

The three resigned.

Li Zhi sat alone in a chair, silent for a long time. Wang Jishan came to his side and whispered, "Your Majesty, how should we respond to General Su?"

Li Zhi glanced at him sideways and said, "Jishan, what do you think of the opinions of the three old generals?"

Wang Jishan looked hesitant.

Li Zhi smiled and said, "It's okay to talk about it."

Wang Jishan said, "Your Majesty, these words of mine may be a little ignorant, but I think that Lord Li is old after all, and he is obsessed with stability and lacks some sharpness. The same is true for Lord Cheng."

Li Zhi laughed and said, "So you support Yuchi Gong?"

"No," Wang Jishan said sternly, "General Yuchi's method is too aggressive. While it may achieve the best results, it can also easily ruin the good situation."

Li Zhi smiled slightly and said, "I understand what you mean. Let Su Dingfang make his own decision?"

Wang Jishan smiled and said, "That's right."

Li Zhi nodded and said, "Send the message to Su Dingfang. I still say the same thing. Since I have chosen him as the commander, I will allow him to decide the battle strategy himself. I will not interfere with him."

Wang Jishan bowed and said, "I obey your command."

After leaving the Shenlong Palace, Li Zhi went straight back to the Ganlu Palace. As soon as he reached the door, a eunuch told him that the prince was waiting for him in the room.

Li Zhi entered the room and saw Li Hong sitting on the couch. He smiled and said, "Hong'er, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Li Hong bowed respectfully and said, "Father, I have something I don't understand. I hope you can help me understand it."

Li Zhi pulled him to sit next to him and said, "Tell me, what's the matter?"

Li Hong then told the story of Chen Shun'er and whispered, "I feel like something is wrong, but I don't know where I am wrong. Please teach me, father."

Li Zhi pondered for a moment and said, "Hong'er, in fact, there are many things in this world where right and wrong are just a fine line apart."

"One line?"

Li Zhi said: "Yes, as long as it does not cross the line, it may be a good thing. However, if it crosses the line, it is a bad thing. Take the mother-and-child coins for example. Throughout the dynasties, it has been banned and allowed at times because it has both advantages and disadvantages."

Li Hong was stunned and asked, "Is there any benefit in mother-child money?"

"Of course." Li Zhi nodded. "For example, someone might be very capable, but then encounter a disaster and become penniless, with no relatives to lend them money. In such cases, mother-and-child money comes in handy. The person can borrow the money to tide them over, then repay it later, and they can get through the crisis."

Li Hong nodded and said, "What do you mean by crossing the line?"

Li Zhi said in a deep voice, "Most people who lend money are greedy. They will take advantage of others' difficulties and set very high interest rates, which will eventually cause others to owe more and more money and be unable to pay it back."

"So the Tang Dynasty has a clear rule that no more than five percent of the profit from pawning can be collected. This is the bottom line, the red line that constrains the Qian family's greed. Once this line is crossed, it becomes illegal."

Li Hong nodded his head and said, "Father, I understand, but why can't the government help those people?"

Li Zhi was stunned for a moment and said, "Hong'er, what do you mean by help?"

Li Hongdao said: "The government can also lend them money, so that they don't have to pay such high interest."

Li Zhi pinched his chin and fell into deep thought.

Li Hong's suggestion is basically the practice of banks in later generations.

There is so much money in the national treasury now, it would be a pity to leave it unused. Instead, it can be lent to those in need. By setting the interest rate lower, it can not only increase revenue but also save ordinary people from having to borrow money at high interest rates.

In fact, the Tang Dynasty already had similar pawnshops, called pawnshops and cabinet shops, one for pawning and the other for depositing and withdrawing money.

However, these were all private institutions. In his impression, it was not until the Northern Song Dynasty that government-run pawnshops were set up, allowing people to pawn their belongings in exchange for money to tide over urgent needs.

This matter is different from the land system reform and is easy to promote.

However, Li Zhi was determined to train Li Hong's practical ability, so he smiled and said, "Hong'er, you can discuss this matter with the officials of the Eastern Palace and come up with a plan to solve this problem."

Li Hong said in a daze: "Father, will you let me take responsibility?" There was a hint of joy in his eyes.

Li Zhi said, "Since you discovered the problem, it's of course up to you to solve it. However, you must consider it carefully. If there are any drawbacks, I won't approve it."

Li Hongxi said happily, "Then I will go to discuss it with Su Xima and others." He bowed and took his leave.

There were not many memorials today, so Li Zhi finished dealing with them quickly. He left Ganlu Palace and wondered which palace to go to to kill time.

Suddenly, he remembered something.

Recently, I often hear Wu Meiniang say that Princess Changshan and Lu Zhaolin are very close.

Lu Zhaolin was a close minister of Li Zhi. He was generous and magnanimous, and had talent in poetry. If Princess Changshan liked him, Li Zhi would not object.

I just don't know why Princess Changshan has never come to him to talk about this matter.

As an older brother, Li Zhi felt that he should take the initiative to worry about his sister's marriage, so he walked towards the princess's courtyard.

When he arrived at the Princess's Courtyard, the palace servants had already informed him that Princess Changshan and Princess Xincheng were waiting outside the palace to welcome him.

The two women escorted Li Zhi into the hall and asked him to sit at the head of the table. Princess Changshan was about to make tea for Li Zhi herself when she was stopped by Li Zhi.

"No need for tea. Changshan, it's almost the end of the year again. The Imperial History Bureau has reported that next year is an auspicious year, suitable for marriage. Do you have someone in mind?"

The princess's wedding is very unusual and all preparations will take more than half a year, so it needs to be planned early.

After hearing this, Princess Changshan not only blushed, but also her ears turned red. It was obvious that something was going to happen.

Princess Xincheng said with a smile: "Brother, I already have a lover."

Princess Changshan said hurriedly: "Don't talk nonsense, I, we just..."

Li Zhi looked at Princess Changshan and said earnestly, "Changshan, what do you really think? Tell me, brother, okay?"

Princess Changshan lowered her head, her hands fidgeting restlessly as she said, "Brother, I don't know what he's thinking. After all, I'm... too old..."

Princess Xincheng said hurriedly, "Brother, my sister always feels that Lu Zhaolin despises her age. She doesn't think about it. Every time she invites Lu Zhaolin, he turns down all social engagements and comes to see her eagerly. He even writes several poems to express his love for her, but she just..."

Princess Changshan said shyly, "Xincheng, could you please stop talking?"

Li Zhi smiled and said, "I understand what you're thinking. How about letting me make the decision for you?"

Princess Changshan lowered her head and after a long while, she said "hmm" in a voice so soft as a mosquito that Li Zhi almost missed it.

Li Zhi looked at Princess Xincheng again and said with a smile, "Xincheng, have you been writing to Changsun Quan recently?"

Princess Xincheng said, "I send a letter occasionally."

Princess Changshan had just been teased by her, so she wasn't willing to let her go. She immediately retorted, "Don't you have to communicate three times a month? And you still say you only communicate occasionally..."

Princess Xincheng wasn't shy either. She smiled and said, "We are husband and wife, so it's okay to communicate more often."

Li Zhi said, "Then write to him and ask him to come back to Chang'an this year. I have an important project to do next year and I need his help."

Princess Xincheng said happily, "Brother, can he stay in Chang'an after he comes back?"

Li Zhi smiled and said, "That depends on whether this great task can be accomplished."

Princess Xincheng asked curiously, "What big thing are you going to do?"

"You'll know then."

Li Zhi chatted with his two sisters for a while, then went to the Forbidden Garden to ride his horse for a while. When he returned to Ganlu Palace, it was already past 3 p.m.

As dinner time approached, Wu Meiniang brought medicinal food to Ganlu Palace.

While Li Zhi was dining, Wu Meiniang casually said, "Your Majesty, have monks from Luoyang recently come to Chang'an and asked you to build a Buddha statue at Longmen?"

Li Zhi raised his head and said, "That's true, but I didn't agree. Mei Niang, why are you asking about this all of a sudden?"

Wu Meiniang smiled slightly and said, "They have also come to me, Your Majesty, why don't you let me handle this matter."

Li Zhi frowned and asked, "Are you going to help them fix it?"

Wu Meiniang said softly, "Your Majesty, I have asked, and the Buddha statue they want to build is called the Vairocana Buddha, which means radiant light. It will surely bring good fortune to the Tang Dynasty."

Li Zhi looked at her and said, "Mei Niang, the war is still going on at the front line. Do you think we should be more frugal in the harem?"

Wu Meiniang hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I have made a vow to the Buddha to build this statue as a token of my sincerity. I ask for the Buddha's blessing to give you another son. I beg Your Majesty to grant this wish."

When these words were spoken, Li Zhi was shocked.

According to the date, Wu Meiniang would soon become pregnant with Li Dan. If she were really asked to build a Buddhist statue, she would definitely be more convinced that it was the Buddha's blessing that gave her another son.

Li Zhi hoped that his wife would become a devout Buddhist. After a moment's thought, he said, "Mei Niang, how about I make a bet with you?"

Wu Meiniang asked in surprise, "What kind of bet does your majesty want to make?"

Li Zhi smiled and said, "I bet that within two years, you will have a child in your belly."

Wu Meiniang asked curiously, "How did Your Majesty know?"

Li Zhi said, "I am the Son of Heaven. I can feel the connection between heaven and earth, so I naturally know things that others do not know. If I lose the bet, I will not stop you from building a Buddha statue or a temple in the future."

Wu Meiniang understood that Li Zhi had gone through a lot of trouble to stop her from building the Buddha statue.

In fact, if Li Zhi really didn't allow it, she would naturally obey. The emperor's willingness to use this kind of bet showed that he respected her very much as the queen.

Wu Meiniang was not someone who did not know how to advance and retreat. Although gods and Buddhas were important, they could not compare to her husband's love.

Furthermore, if Li Zhi wanted to fulfill the bet, he would have to favor her more frequently. How could she refuse?

"If your Majesty wants to gamble, I will accompany you." She smiled charmingly.

(End of this chapter)