Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 315: Officials Can’t Be Without Power
Early the next morning, Li Zhi took the princes and princesses to the Hot Spring Palace.

Li Zhi's hot spring bathing time is strictly controlled, so after arriving at Jiulongtang, he did not go into the water, but sat in the dressing room.

After the princes quickly took off their clothes, they all went to play in the pool, except Li Zhong.

He hesitated for a moment, walked towards Li Zhi and sat down next to Li Zhi.

Li Zhi glanced at him and said, "Zhong'er, do you have something to say to me?"

Li Zhong clasped his hands together, lowered his head, and whispered, "Actually, I've always had something I wanted to say to my father, but I didn't dare to."

Li Zhi laughed and said, "How dare you talk about it today?"

Li Zhong looked up at Li Zhi, clasped his hands, and said, "I realized I'd rarely see you again, so I decided to tell you."

Li Zhi asked, "You don't want to go, do you?"

Li Zhong hurriedly shook his head and said, "As a prince of the Tang Dynasty, I enjoy wealth and honor, but I must also shoulder the responsibility of defending the country. How dare I not go?"

Li Zhi said: "Then what do you want to say?"

Li Zhong lowered his head and said, "I don't quite understand why father reappointed Uncle Changsun. He once controlled the government and even controlled father. Why did father release him from Zhaoling?"

Li Zhi was silent for a moment, then said, "A lot of things happened. To put it simply, although he made a serious mistake, my father still has some use for him."

Li Zhong said, "But he has the power of an aristocratic family behind him. If father uses him again, won't that allow the aristocratic family to rise again?"

Li Zhi turned his head and stared at Li Zhong, and suddenly, he had a strange feeling.

A person's first impression is very important. For Li Zhi, the first time he saw Li Zhong was when he saw him secretly visiting his biological mother.

Li Zhi was moved by his filial piety and protected them. In his impression, Li Zhong was still a child.

Unexpectedly, time passed so quickly that he could even discuss state affairs with me.

Li Zhi pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Generally speaking, I do have some old feelings for him, and I still have some use for him, so I'm releasing him."

"But I won't use him again. Even if I need him, I won't go see him in person. Is this answer satisfactory to you?"

Seeing his father patiently explaining to him, Li Zhong nodded and said, "I understand."

Li Zhi asked in return, "Why are you suddenly concerned about him?"

Li Zhong whispered, "I'm just worried that if Father reinstates Uncle Changsun, it will be hard for my younger brother Ji."

Li Zhi was stunned for a moment and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

When he used Changsun Wuji, he did not consider Li Ji's thoughts, and he did not know what this kid was thinking.

"Did Jill ever tell you about this?" he asked.

Li Zhong said quickly, "He hasn't complained about it, it's just that I'm worried about him."

Li Zhi saw that Li Zhong knew how to worry about his friends, which showed that he had indeed grown up.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Zhong'er, there's something I want you to do for me."

Li Zhongxi said, "Father, please give me your instructions."

Li Zhi said slowly, "When you arrive in Laizhou, help me observe the local people's livelihood, especially the effects of the land system reform and tax system reform, and then report to me!"

Li Zhong said solemnly: "I obey your order!"

Li Zhi patted him on the shoulder and said, "Okay, let's go to the hot springs."

The princes soaked in the hot spring until noon, and finally came out after their faces turned red.

After having lunch together at the Hot Spring Palace, the father and son returned to Chang'an in a carriage.

After Li Zhi returned to Ganlu Palace, he ordered someone to fetch a map. He stared at the map of the Ten Great Tang Paths for a while, then said to Wang Fusheng, "Go and invite Lord Sun over."

Wang Fusheng agreed, walked out of the palace, and gave instructions to a eunuch.

The eunuch received the order and went all the way to the Shang Pharmacy to convey the emperor's will, but unexpectedly Sun Simiao was not in the Shang Pharmacy.

When the eunuch asked where Sun Simiao was, Meng Shiyi said, "My master just left the palace. I will go find him now."

After saying this, he hurriedly left the palace, not heading towards the Sun Mansion, but towards the Dali Temple.

In the Dali Temple dungeon, Sun Simiao stood outside the prison door, looking at Chao Shumou in the prison, and sighed deeply.

In the first year of the Sui Dynasty's Daye period, Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty ordered the excavation of canals to connect the canals left by the previous dynasties, connecting the north and the south and connecting the five major water systems.

Although this incident will benefit future generations, it was a disaster for the people at that time.

Millions of civilians were conscripted, and a large number of conscripts died on the riverbanks, with horse-drawn carriages carrying corpses coming in an endless stream.

At that time, Yuwen Kai, the Minister of Works who was in charge of the canal, fell seriously ill. Sun Simiao wanted to take the opportunity of seeing the patient to persuade Yuwen Kai to speak to the emperor and show sympathy for the people.

As a result, when Sun Simiao saw Yuwen Kai, he had already been cured. It was Chao Yuanfang who cured Yuwen Kai.

It was also because of that opportunity that Sun Simiao met Chao Yuanfang.

The two hit it off immediately and exchanged medical skills and pharmacology with each other.

Like Sun Simiao, Chao Yuanfang expressed sympathy for the people who died in the canal and tried to persuade the emperor.

It’s a pity that even the ministers in the court couldn’t persuade him, so he was even more powerless.

Although the two had only met once, Sun Simiao had great respect for Chao Yuanfang. Later, he read the "Treatise on the Causes and Symptoms of Various Diseases" compiled by Chao Yuanfang several times.

Seeing Chao Yuanfang's son end up like this, I feel very sad.

"Imperial Physician Chao, things have come to this point, and I can't save you." Sun Simiao said.

Chao Shumou sighed and said, "I know, but I never thought I could get away with it."

"Then why did you ask to see me?" Sun Simiao asked.

Chao Shumou said, "King Jiang has imprisoned me for over ten years, which has allowed me to focus on studying medicine. Over the years, I have gained a lot, and I hope to pass it on to future generations for their benefit."

Sun Simiao was stunned for a moment and said, "Since you have such intention, why did you do such a thing?"

Chao Shumou said slowly, "In this world, there are always times when one's fate is beyond one's control. My father was once beneficent to Yin Shishi, so after I joined the Shang Pharmacy, I intended to repay Yin Fei's kindness. Unknowingly, I was drawn into the harem's struggles, and now it's impossible to escape."

Sun Simiao tilted his head slightly, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Chao Shumou said, "All the results of my research over the years are stored in the dungeon of King Jiang's cemetery. Lord Sun is welcome to take them."

Sun Simiao bowed and said, "I will definitely read it."

When he left the dungeon, he suddenly saw Meng Shiyi running towards him and said, "Master, His Majesty has ordered you to come to the palace for an audience."

Sun Simiao nodded, handed over the task of going to the cemetery to get Chao Shumou's medical book to his apprentice, and then took the carriage back to the palace.

After arriving at Ganlu Palace and being informed, he was taken to the bedroom.

Li Zhi was still studying the map. Seeing Sun Simiao come in, he waved at him and said, "Mr. Sun, there's no need to be so polite. Please sit down and talk."

After Sun Simiao sat down, Li Zhi said to him, "I have decided to leave the capital in June for a tour, so I would like to discuss with you which places we should visit."

After hearing this, Wang Fusheng hurriedly dismissed the people in the palace. Although these people were the emperor's confidants, the tour was a serious matter that concerned the emperor's safety and must not be leaked.

After he dismissed the others, he also left the bedroom and stood guard outside the door.

Sun Simiao stared at the map for a while, then smiled and said, "Your Majesty, as long as you leave the capital, change your lifestyle, change your mood, and take a nourishing diet, you will achieve the therapeutic effect. You don't need to go anywhere specifically."

Li Zhi said happily: "In that case, I can go wherever I want."

Sun Simiao smiled and said, "That's exactly it."

In fact, deep down in his heart, Li Zhi also wanted to see the beautiful mountains and rivers of the Tang Dynasty with his own eyes. Under the name of this treatment, he could fulfill his wish.

The place he most wanted to go was Hebei, where he focused his administration. He wanted to see with his own eyes whether his reform policies had been implemented locally.

Next was Jiangnan. He was originally from the south and wanted to see what his hometown looked like during this period.

Thinking about his upcoming trip, all the trivial matters that had been weighing heavily on his mind suddenly disappeared, making him feel light all over.

The next thing to consider is the people who will be traveling with you.

When the emperor went on a tour, it was impossible for him to bring only two or three people with him and simply go on a secret visit.

When Li Shimin left Chang'an because of the Liaodong War, he took most of the court with him.

Emperor Gaozong of Tang had also gone on tours before. Although the place he went to was not far, he brought a large number of officials with him.

This is unavoidable. If the emperor is too isolated from the political power, his authority will decline and he may eventually be sidelined.

However, you can't bring too many people, otherwise you will become like Yang Guang, causing a huge burden to the local area.

Therefore, the selection of accompanying personnel during the tour needs to be carefully considered.

Xue Rengui had to be brought along. Li Zhi asked him to stay in Chang'an and form the Yulin Guard so that he could accompany him for protection.

Li Ji, Yuchi Gong and Cheng Zhijie could not be brought along, for one thing, they were too old and would easily get sick if they traveled with the emperor.

Secondly, with these three old ministers in charge of Chang'an, they are equivalent to the three pillars of Chang'an City. There will be no chaos, and Li Zhi can rest assured when he is away.

When Li Zhi was thinking about candidates to leave the palace, the ministers in Chang'an City were also thinking about the same thing.

The emperor has his own considerations, and the ministers have their own ideas.

Their ideas were very consistent. They all hoped to accompany the emperor and were secretly planning for this matter.

Li Yifu was the most active one among them.

After leaving the court that day, he paced back and forth in his study for a while, pushed open the door, and said to the servant outside, "Go to the Zhang Mansion and invite Mr. Zhang to come over."

Half an hour later, Zhang Jianzhi arrived at Li's house.

Li Yifu ordered someone to serve tea. After the tea, Zhang Jianzhi asked Li Yifu the purpose of inviting him over.

Li Yifu put down his teacup and said, "Jianzhi, two years ago, His Majesty decided to leave the capital for an imperial tour due to a headache. Now that the time is almost up, it's time for you and me to make some plans."

Zhang Jianzhi said: "The plan you are talking about is..."

Li Yifu glanced at him and said, "Of course I will find a way to accompany you."

Zhang Jianzhi fell silent.

Li Yifu said slowly, "I am the Prime Minister and need to manage the central government. It is unlikely that I will leave the capital with His Majesty. But you are different. There are six officials in the Secretariat, and one more and one less will not make much difference. It is most appropriate for you to stay by His Majesty's side and be responsible for conveying His Majesty's orders to the Secretariat."

Zhang Jianzhi whispered, "Lord Li, I believe that whether we serve His Majesty or remain in the Secretariat, we are both serving the country. Why waste our energy planning this?"

Li Yifu shook his head and said, "No, this is different."

Zhang Jianzhi was stunned and asked, "What's the difference?"

Li Yifu picked up the teacup and said slowly, "Jianzhi, do you know why so many officials like to stay in Chang'an?"

Zhang Jianzhi thought for a moment and said, "Because the imperial court in Chang'an is the center of the world, all policies come from Chang'an. If you want to make a difference, staying in Chang'an is the best choice!"

Li Yifu said: "You are wrong. Officials like to stay in Chang'an for one reason only, because Chang'an is closest to the saint."

Zhang Jianzhi was stunned and said nothing.

Li Yifu continued, "No matter how capable an official is, how much he has contributed to the country, or how much he has done for the people, if the sage cannot see it, it is as if he has done nothing."

Zhang Jianzhi frowned and said, "Isn't there still an assessment?"

Li Yifu glanced at him and said, "Evaluations don't really have much use. Your Majesty is also a human being, and he has his own preferences. He will be close to and use those who are always around him."

"What good are those people Your Majesty hasn't met, even if they're capable and have good test scores? Deep down, Your Majesty doesn't trust them easily. Just one bad word about them in front of Your Majesty will sour Your Majesty's impression. All they've done will be in vain."

Zhang Jianzhi said: "As long as I can do something practical for the people, I will be satisfied and will not feel that my work is in vain."

Li Yifu shook his head and said, "You are even more wrong to think so."

Zhang Jianzhi asked puzzledly, "Why?"

Li Yifu stared at him and said, "Jianzhi, an official cannot be without power, otherwise your ambitions will never have a place to display."

"I know you are smart and capable, with lofty ambitions, but if you remain just a secretary, you will end up wasting your time like Liu Rengui."

"Liu Rengui was just lucky. He happened to meet His Majesty when he needed someone, and that's when he got the chance to show his talents. Do you also want to be like him and leave your fate to fate?"

Zhang Jianzhi was shocked. After a long moment of silent contemplation, he bowed to Li Yifu and said, "Thank you, Mr. Li, for your guidance. I understand."

Li Yifu nodded and said, "That's right. The imperial court is definitely not a good place. If you don't fight for it, you will never have a chance to stand out."

Zhang Jianzhi said, "Yes."

Li Yifu stood up, took a few slow steps, and said, "Something has happened recently in the Honglu Temple. There's been a conflict between the Northern Zhao and the Southern Zhao of the Six Zhao Kingdoms. I'm afraid they'll be fighting soon."

Zhang Jianzhi asked, "What caused the conflict?"

Li Yifu said, "Originally, the leader of the Six Zhaos was the Langqiong Zhao in the north, also known as the Northern Zhao. Later, when attacking Tubo, the Southern Zhao made great contributions and then competed with the Northern Zhao for the leadership of the Zhao, and the incident even reached the Jiaozhou Military Governor's Office."

"The Governor of Jiaozhou submitted a memorial, arguing that Nanzhao had made greater contributions in the war against Tubo, and proposed promoting Nanzhao's ruler, Xinuluo, to the position of Deputy Governor of Jiaozhou. This way, Northern Zhao would no longer dare to compete with Nanzhao."

Zhang Jianzhi said, "This is a very good suggestion. Your Majesty, didn't you adopt it?"

Li Yifu sighed, "I wonder what your Majesty was thinking. He didn't agree to this. As a result, the dispute between Southern Zhao and Northern Zhao has never been resolved. This time, when the two Zhaos came to the court, they clashed several times in the Honglu Temple."

Zhang Jianzhi asked, "Does Your Majesty know about this?"

Li Yifu said, "It has been suppressed for the time being and has not yet been reported to His Majesty. However, the envoys from both countries have not left and are clamoring to see His Majesty. Sooner or later, a report will have to be made."

Zhang Jianzhi said thoughtfully, "You want me to handle this matter?"

Li Yifu smiled and said, "Yes, at this time of year, as long as you can do one or two things that impress His Majesty, he will give you priority when he goes on tour."

Zhang Jianzhi thought for a moment, and after making up his mind, he bowed and said, "Jianzhi thanks Lord Li for his cultivation."

Early the next morning, Li Yifu called over Dai Zhide, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

After some discussion between the two, Dai Zhide agreed to let Zhang Jianzhi mediate the conflict between the two edicts.

(End of this chapter)