Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 238 Recalling Zhangsun Wuji
In the early morning, thick fog rose in Chang'an City.

After serving as a county lieutenant for more than two years, Changsun Quan no longer behaved like a pampered nobleman. He would stand in the backyard and practice boxing early in the morning.

After finishing a set of punches, I felt warm all over and sweated a little.

At this time, Zhang Dianxiao came quickly and said to him, "Prince Consort, His Majesty summons you to the palace for an audience."

Changsun Quan knew that the emperor would summon him if he asked him to come back, so he was not too surprised. He asked someone to tell his wife and then headed towards the palace.

When we arrived at Ganlu Hall, the emperor was having breakfast.

After learning that Changsun Quan had not eaten, Li Zhi asked him to sit down and eat with him.

During the meal, Li Zhi asked him in detail about the changes in Lucheng County over the past two years.

Lucheng County was the first demonstration county to exempt corvee labor and was also an important support for Li Zhi to implement tax reform.

The tax reform is divided into two parts. The first part is to change the method of collecting taxes, from physical objects such as corn to copper coins, which will greatly simplify the tax collection process.

Many officials have already submitted memorials proposing amendments to this point, and it is not difficult to advance them.

The difficult part is abolishing corvee labor.

More than two years ago, Li Zhi abolished corvee labor in Lucheng County and instead adopted the method of recruiting civilians, and then sent Zhangsun Quan there, just for this moment.

Changsun Quan also knew his mission and explained in detail several issues that Li Zhi was concerned about.

After serving as a county lieutenant for more than two years, he lived and ate with the people and was well aware of their suffering, so he strongly supported the abolition of corvee labor.

After listening to him, Li Zhi slowly said, "So, in your opinion, abolishing corvee labor is absolutely fine?"

Changsun Quan put down his chopsticks and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, abolishing corvée labor enriches the people. If wealth is stored among the people, they will surely repay the court!"

Li Zhi nodded and said, "Very good. You will bring up this matter at the first court meeting of the new year."

Chang Sunquan said, "Your Majesty, I have another suggestion."

Li Zhi said, "Speak."

Changsun Quan said, "I think the matter of exempting corvée labor can be implemented first in Hebei."

Li Zhi asked, "Why?"

Chang Sunquan said, "Firstly, the three-year tax exemption period is almost over. Although Hebei has recovered somewhat, it is still the poorest place in the country. I think we should promote it in Hebei first to restore the people's strength."

"Secondly, the land system reform was first implemented in the interior of the country and finally in Hebei. If the corvée reform is also implemented in the interior of the country first, it would be too unfair. The people of Hebei will feel that Your Majesty still values ​​Guanzhong and despises Hebei."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "You've only been in Hebei for two years, and you've already completely taken Hebei's side."

Changsun Quan said, "After interacting with them, I realized how much suffering and grievances they have endured over the years. I believe the court should compensate them."

Li Zhi nodded and said, "Okay, I agree."

Chang Sunquan said happily, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

At this time, Wang Fusheng suddenly came to Li Zhi and whispered a few words into his ear.

After hearing this, Li Zhi's expression changed slightly. He said in a deep voice, "How could such a thing happen? Are the other ships okay?"

Wang Fusheng said softly, "Only one ship sank."

Li Zhi was silent for a long time, then said coldly, "I don't believe there would be such a coincidence. Send an order to the Dali Temple and have Di Renjie investigate!"

Wang Fusheng agreed and left.

Li Zhi looked at Zhangsun Quan and said, "Prince consort, you should also step aside and prepare for the grand court meeting on the main day. There will definitely be many court officials who will object."

Zhang Sunquan replied, "Yes." After a pause, he gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, can I go to Zhaoling to visit my eldest cousin?"

Li Zhi was stunned for a moment, looking thoughtful, and said nothing.

Chang Sunquan said in a low voice: "I have been presumptuous. I will take my leave."

"Wait a minute, I didn't say you can't go." Li Zhi raised his hand and said, "Not only do I allow you to go see him, I also allow you to bring him back to Chang'an."

"Your Majesty, you really..." Changsun Quan showed a look of surprise, which was a little unbelievable.

"In fact, Duke Ying has already pleaded for him. I originally planned to wait until the war with Tibet was over before releasing him from Zhaoling. Now that his plan has succeeded, the success of the remaining Tibetan affairs depends on the generals, not on him. I will issue an immediate decree, and you are to bring him out."

Zhang Sunquan knelt on the ground and kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Li Zhi waved his hand and said, "Wait a moment, I will give you an imperial decree now."

Changsun Quan practically ran out of the imperial city. Before the Changsun clan got into trouble, he only had 70% respect for Changsun Wuji and 30% dissatisfaction.

However, after the Changsun family encountered trouble, Changsun Wuji's various response measures had won all his respect.

He first went back to the princess's mansion, and without even bothering to meet his wife, he rode a fast horse and headed straight for Zhaoling.

He rode his horse to the foot of Jiuyi Mountain, followed the mausoleum road all the way up the mountain, and soon arrived at the mausoleum in the belly of the mountain. After showing his decree, he was led by the mausoleum commander to Changsun Wuji's stone chamber.

Zhang Sun Wuji was sitting at a desk, writing with his head down. When he heard footsteps, he asked without even looking up, "What's bothering me?"

"Brother, it's me."

Changsun Wuji suddenly raised his head and looked at the dark-skinned young man in front of him. He was stunned for a moment before he reacted and said, "Are you Changsun Quan?"

Chang Sunquan stared at him and said, "It is me, my younger brother. I have come to take you away."

Changsun Wuji was shocked and asked, "What did you say?"

Changsun Quan smiled and said, "His Majesty has issued an order allowing you to leave Zhaoling and return to Chang'an."

Chang Sun Wuji took a deep breath and asked, "Is the battle over in Tubo over?"

Chang Sunquan shook his head and said, "No, His Majesty said that your strategy has been successful. The remaining events on the Tibetan battlefield will be decided by the generals and have nothing to do with you. So, I will let you go early."

Changsun Wuji felt his whole body lighten, and he was not in a hurry to leave. He smiled and said, "Come, sit down and talk, I'll make tea." Then he took out two tea cakes from the tea box.

Changsun Quan rushed to say, "Let me do it." He went over to take the tea cake and started to boil water to make tea.

Changsun Wuji walked to a chair and sat down, saying with a smile: "Tell me, how have you been doing in Lucheng County over the past two years?"

Changsun Quan then told him about the situation in Lucheng County and that Li Zhi had asked him to help promote tax reform.

After hearing this, Changsun Wuji was stunned and fell into deep thought.

"Brother, what's wrong with you?" Changsun Quan asked, tilting his head.

Zhang Sun Wuji was silent for a moment, then sighed, "Silang, I have to thank you. If it weren't for you, His Majesty wouldn't have let me out so early."

Chang Sunquan's hands trembled as he said, "Brother, this is all His Majesty's grace. What does it have to do with me?"

Zhang Sun Wuji's expression became extremely serious. He said, "Exempting corvée labor is no small matter. It has been implemented for over 800 years since the Qin and Han dynasties. The opposition from court officials will only be greater than the reform of the land system."

Changsun Quan said, "I believe that just because a policy has been implemented for a long time doesn't necessarily mean it's correct. During my years in Lucheng County, I've deeply experienced the harm of corvee labor. While abolishing corvee labor may seem to have increased the financial burden on the court, the money can be recovered from other sources."

Changsun Wuji smiled and said, "You don't have to convince me. I am your helper."

Changsun Quan was stunned for a moment, and finally reacted.

"Brother, His Majesty asked you to come out early. Is it because he wants you to help me?"

Changsun Wuji twirled his beard and said, "Indeed, I can clearly see the thoughts of those ministers in the court. I can even roughly guess the reasons for their opposition. Your Majesty can only be truly at ease with me helping you with your counsel."

Zhang Sunquan smiled and said, "With big brother's help, I feel more confident."

Changsun Wuji said sternly, "That being said, you must not be careless. Tell me the situation in Lucheng County in detail. Don't miss a single detail."

Changsun Quan handed him a cup of brewed tea, and the two brothers started chatting directly in the stone chamber.

During this chat, the two of them completely forgot about time. It was Ling Ling who came in to remind them that if they didn't set off now, they would not be able to return to Chang'an before the city gates closed.

Chang Sunquan said with a smile: "Brother, there is still more than a month before the wedding day, so there is no need to rush. Go back first, and I will tell you slowly."

Changsun Wuji turned his head and looked at the books on the bookshelf, saying, "Then these books..."

Chang Sunquan said with a smile, "I will bring some people over tomorrow to help you transport it back."

Ling Ling also smiled and said, "Don't worry, Lord Changsun. I will send people to guard the stone chamber and will not let any of your books get lost."

Changsun Wuji bowed and said, "Thank you very much."

It was already afternoon and the sunlight was not glaring, but when Changsun Wuji stepped out of the mausoleum, he was still dazzled and hurriedly covered his face with his hands.

It took a long while for my eyes to finally adjust.

He looked up at the vast sky outside and sighed, "I thought I would spend the rest of my life in the mausoleum, but I never thought I would see the light of day again."

He turned around, kowtowed towards the mausoleum and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for not being able to serve you any longer. I will come to see you again after I die."

(End of this chapter)