Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 213 Li Chengqian: As long as the timing is right, everything is possible! [Seeking monthly votes]

Man-made disaster relief was something that was unthinkable in the past.

Unexpectedly, now we have not only successfully prevented the disaster caused by locusts, but we can even eat the locusts.

It's really unbelievable and hard to believe.

Although it is difficult to completely defeat the invasion of locusts by manually killing them, the most important thing is to reduce the impact of locust plagues through human intervention and eliminate people's fear of locusts.

This is also the spiritual thought that Li Chengqian and Li Shimin wanted to instill in the people.

Man can conquer heaven.

on the contrary.

Those Confucian disciples and Confucian officials who firmly believed that God controlled everything seemed to have lost their souls and were at a loss.

Because what they saw and heard today has greatly subverted their previous cognition.

Once upon a time, they believed that the monarch was a bridge connecting heaven and the people, and his behavior was supervised by heaven.

If you do not obey God's instructions, God will send down disasters or visions as warnings.

The theory of disasters under the interaction between heaven and man not only imposed certain moral constraints on imperial power, but also provided a basic theory for Confucian scholars to participate in politics and affairs of state.

Therefore, they have always been committed to interpreting the theory of disasters.

Only in this way can they serve their respective interest groups.

However, the locusts that they touted as "divine insects" were not only killed by a group of ducks, but were also eaten by people in a rush.

Where is the fear of God?

Without the reverence for heaven, is there any need for Confucian scholars like us who are responsible for interpreting disasters to exist?

Thinking of this, Kong Yingda, a great scholar, couldn't help but tremble all over and his face turned pale.

"Master Kong!"

Seeing Kong Yingda staggering and about to fall, the Confucian scholars around him hurried forward to support him.

It took him a long time to recover from his weakness.

However, his condition is still very worrying.

"Master Kong, what should we do from now on?" a Confucian scholar asked bitterly. Kong Yingda gave him a wry smile, then glanced at Li Shimin and the others, sighing and saying, "The theory of the divine insect will no longer exist. From today on, our Confucianism will collapse!"

"But Master Kong."

"Let's go, stop talking, staying here is just asking for trouble!"

Kong Yingda waved his hand weakly to interrupt a Confucian scholar who wanted to speak, and then, supported by his family members, slowly walked out of the crowd.

In fact, from the moment the duck army appeared, the disaster theory was shattered.

He knew that from now on, it would be difficult for them, the Confucian disciples, to say anything to the emperor, such as this is a natural disaster and you should issue a self-criticism edict.

As Kong Yingda led the Confucian disciples and left the crowd in disgrace, the aristocratic families who had been standing at a distance watching the show all looked extremely ugly.

Because this was not only the defeat of Confucian disciples, but also the beginning of their loss of their voice.

Once the Confucian disciples no longer serve as a sharp sword for them to attack the emperor, their influence in the court will become increasingly lower.

This is not a good sign.

"Master Cui, what do you think?" Li Zhen approached Cui Renshi with a grim face and asked in a low voice.

Cui Renshi glanced sharply at Li Chengqian in the crowd and frowned, saying, "Send someone to the Crown Prince's Mansion and tell them we want to talk to him!"

"what?"

Li Zhen's eyes suddenly widened, and he looked at Cui Renshi repeatedly with a puzzled look.

He sighed deeply, extremely surprised by Cui Renshi's decision: "Did I hear correctly? You want to negotiate peace with the Crown Prince!?"

Cui Renshi smiled disapprovingly. "Actually, if you think about it carefully, there's no need for us to fight the Crown Prince to such a desperate end. Besides, the Crown Prince is very clever, far more clever than we imagined. If we can negotiate peace with him, it won't be without benefits for us!"

Li Zhen's face turned a little unnatural, and he immediately asked unhappily: "What about our nephews? Didn't they die in vain?"

"My Five Clans and Seven Families have been able to survive for hundreds and thousands of years, not by acting on impulse. Sometimes, standing on one side is also important, especially when we know we are no match for the enemy. We must compromise when necessary. This is our way of survival."

Cui Renshi said this, and then said without question: "If you don't want to send people to ask for peace, I will send people myself!"

"No, it's not that I don't want to send someone to ask for peace. I'm wondering if the prince will agree to negotiate with us."

"Whether you agree or not, let's talk about it first!"

"This"

Li Zhen hesitated for a moment, then nodded helplessly and said, "Okay, I'll send someone to notify the Prince's Mansion right away!"

After saying that, he turned and left.

And the other side.

After listening to the locust extermination plan led by Sun Fujia, Li Shimin immediately decided to let Sun Fujia promote the "locust extermination" method and set up a "locust extermination department" with Sun Fujia as the director.

Although such a hasty decision was still opposed by some ministers, without the support of the Confucianists' theory of disasters, the voices of the opponents were as weak as the buzzing of mosquitoes and flies.

The result was naturally a dismal end.

Other political affairs were not suitable to be discussed here, so Li Shimin soon returned to the palace with Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui and other ministers, feeling satisfied.

As for Li Chengqian, he returned to his Prince's Mansion shortly after Li Shimin left.

Although the locust plague in Chang'an was effectively controlled due to early preparation, it does not mean that the disaster has been alleviated.

Especially in those areas that have already suffered from locust plagues, the food problem remains very serious.

Moreover, according to news from Ma Zhou, grain merchants from the five surnames and seven families are maliciously raising grain prices, causing complaints from people in the disaster area.

Other wealthy families who had previously been transporting large amounts of grain for sale suddenly stopped selling grain to the outside world.

This has created a situation where there is a price but no market.

If this continues, the people will definitely cause chaos.

Moreover, the scale of the chaos far exceeded the previous drought.

"Your Highness, why don't we take action against them? If we keep dragging it on like this, I'm afraid we won't be able to clean up the mess later!" Cen Wenben said with some concern.

Li Chengqian frowned and glanced at him, then said in a deep voice, "As the saying goes, strike the snake at its weakest point. If we can't defeat it with one strike, our two years of hard work will be in vain. Do you understand?"

"Your Highness, I understand. I am just worried."

"Your Highness, General Li Zhen has sent someone to request an audience!"

Before Cen Wenben could finish his words, a report came from outside the door.

He was slightly stunned, then subconsciously looked at Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian was also somewhat surprised, so he frowned and said, "Li Zhen is the head of the Longxi Li family. He sent someone to ask for an audience with the Crown Prince at this time. Does he have some ulterior motive?"

"Ah!"

Li Chengqian smiled: "If he has some plans, I'd like to see what they are!"

"What does the prince mean?"

"Let his people come in first and hear what he means!"

"Yes!"

Cen Wenben responded and quickly brought in the people sent by Li Zhen.

"I, Li Fugui, pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"No gift!"

Li Chengqian waved his hand and said directly, "Tell me, why did General Li Zhen ask you to come?"

"This"

Li Fugui hesitated for a moment, then with a wry smile, he pulled out an invitation from his bosom and handed it to Li Chengqian, saying, "This is something our master asked me to send. Your Highness, the Crown Prince, please come to our mansion tomorrow for a chat!" "Oh, right." He suddenly seemed to remember something and added, "In addition to inviting Your Highness, our master has also invited Lord Cui, Lord Wang, Lord Zheng, Lord Li, Lord Lu, and several others!"

"So, all the heads of the five surnames and seven clans are here?"

Li Chengqian didn't accept the invitation, but said with interest, "It seems that you have something important to discuss with me!"

Li Fugui gave a few awkward smiles, then lowered his voice and said, "To be honest, Your Highness, the heads of several families do have important matters to discuss with you. I hope Your Highness will honor us with a chat!"

"Ah!"

Li Chengqian smiled, then picked up the tea on the table, took a sip, and said calmly and indifferently, "What if I don't want to honor you? What will you do?"

"Ah? This"

Li Fugui looked embarrassed and at a loss.

In the past, when the Five Surnames and Seven Families were in Chang'an, even if they didn't have absolute power, at least other powerful people gave them some face.

Although he didn't understand why his master was afraid of a young prince, before he came, Li Zhen repeatedly told him to put aside the family's reputation and try his best to satisfy the prince.

But he said flatteringly: "Your Highness, our master sincerely invites you. If you have any requests, I can convey them to you."

"No need. Go back and inform General Li Zhen immediately. It would be best if you could invite the other adults over as well. Tell them that I need to talk to them now!"

Li Chengqian waved his hand to interrupt Li Fugui and said solemnly, "If they don't come, then don't come to see me in the future!"

"This"

Li Fugui couldn't help but look embarrassed when he heard this.

But Cen Wenben suddenly said, "If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince tells you to go, then go. Why are you still dawdling here?"

"Yes Yes Yes"

Li Fugui nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice, then left in shame.

Cen Wenben, who had watched him leave, looked at Li Chengqian with a puzzled expression and said, "Your Highness, why did they suddenly come to discuss this with you? Did they discover our layout in the disaster area?"

Li Chengqian thought for a moment and said, "I can't rule out this possibility, but there could be other reasons. But no matter what the reason is, since they took the initiative to find me, they must have a purpose!"

"As I said, if an enemy comes, we must fight him with our own army; if a flood comes, we must block it with earth. Send someone to inform Ma Zhou that he will be fully responsible for all matters concerning the disaster area. If he does a good job, I will nominate him as the Minister of Revenue!"

"hiss!"

Upon hearing this, Cen Wenben couldn't help but take a breath.

Although he had always known Li Chengqian's ambition, he was still shocked that he started to plunder power in the court so quickly.

You know, the Minister of Revenue is a second-rank official who controls the finances of a country.

If the people in the Prince's Mansion were to take control of the national finances, then the Eastern Palace's goal of controlling the world would be nothing more than talk.

"What, is there a problem?"

Seeing Cen Wenben standing there in a daze, looking at him in surprise, Li Chengqian asked with a hint of amusement, "You don't believe I can help him get the position of Minister of Revenue?"

"No, Your Highness, I just feel that His Majesty will not agree easily."

"Of course I know he won't agree easily, but nothing is absolute. As long as the timing is right, everything is possible!"

"not to mention."

As he spoke, Li Chengqian raised his finger and pointed at the invitation on the table, and said meaningfully, "Isn't this a good time?"

"Ok?"

Cen Wenben subconsciously glanced at the invitation, startled for a moment, then seemed to understand something and said, "So that's how it is. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is trying to use someone else's strength to defeat someone else!"

"hehe."

Li Chengqian smiled noncommittally, then waved his hand and said, "Go down."

"promise!"

Cen Wenben agreed and withdrew, and soon sent Li Chengqian's inspiring order to Henan Province, the worst-hit area.

At the same time, in the Imperial Palace, Ganlu Hall.

Li Shimin was in a good mood after resolving the impact of the locust plague.

Not only did he begin to discuss with his ministers important measures for governing the country and maintaining peace, but he also became concerned about the war with the Turks.

Although Jie Li sent an envoy to ask for peace some time ago, he asked Jie Li's envoy to tell Jie Li that in order to ask for peace, Jie Li must come to Chang'an in person and kneel before him to ask for peace, but after the envoy went back, there was no news of him.

Even Tang Jian, whom he sent to the grassland to gather information, did not receive any news.

This made him worry about the war with the Turks.

So, after talking about the important measures to govern the country and maintain peace, he took the initiative to ask Du Ruhui about the situation on Li Jing's side.

Du Ruhui then said thoughtfully, "According to the information I have received so far, General Li Jing ambushed Jie Li in Yinshan Mountain half a month ago, but Jie Li managed to escape. Judging from this information, Jie Li's attitude towards surrender is not as absolute as his envoys claimed. I even suspect that Jie Li is doing this to buy time!"

"That's for sure, he's definitely using a delaying tactic!"

Fang Xuanling said confidently, "It's almost August now, and the snow on the grassland should have melted a bit. As long as there's fodder, his tribe will be well-supplied. Then, when he fights us again, he'll be able to show his superiority!"

"Well, what the Minister of the Central Secretariat said makes sense. We can't give him another chance. We must press on and pursue our victory. We must not give him a chance to breathe!"

Li Shimin nodded in agreement, then gave Fang Xuanling an order: "Well, Minister of the Central Secretariat, draft an imperial edict for me and have Li Jing do it."

"His Majesty!"

Before Li Shimin finished speaking, a report came from outside the hall.

"What's the matter?" Li Shimin asked somewhat displeasedly.

But then a report came from outside the palace: "Honglu Temple Minister Tang Jian requests an audience!"

"Ok?"

Li Shimin and his ministers looked at each other, then stood up from the throne with a look of joy on their faces and said, "Let him in quickly!"

"Yes!"

There was a response from outside the door.

Soon, Tang Jian walked in with a smile, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am Tang Jian, here to see you!"

"Haha, please sit down!"

Li Shimin smiled and waved his hand, then couldn't wait to ask: "What's the current situation on the grassland?"

"Your Majesty, good news! Jie Li has agreed to your terms and has come to Chang'an in person to sue for peace!"

Tang Jian said with a smile.

Li Shimin's eyes lit up: "Are you serious?"

"No lies! This is what I discussed with Jie Li personally!"

"Good good!"

Li Shimin said yes repeatedly.

Given the current situation of the Tang Dynasty, it is indeed not advisable to fight a protracted war. If Jie Li can be captured without bloodshed, it will be a good thing for the Tang Dynasty.

After all, the disaster in the Tang Dynasty has not been resolved yet.

But then Li Shimin asked Tang Jian again, "When does he plan to come to Chang'an?"

"It's said to be before New Year's Day!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the smile on Li Shimin's face disappeared instantly.

The other ministers also had gloomy faces.

What the hell! Do you really think we are fools?!

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(End of this chapter)