Zhenguan Xiaoxian Wang Li Shen Li Shimin

Li Shen understood the principle that one should wait until the chives have grown before harvesting them.

Moreover, Li Shen could not push the powerful and aristocratic families too hard, lest they become desperate and act rashly.

Although it wouldn't affect the Li Tang dynasty, a rebellion would cause unrest in various regions, and the common people would suffer.

Therefore, Li Shen's choice is to slowly erode these families. He is still young, and he will surely eradicate them all in his lifetime.

Li Shen wasn't a saint, but he knew how much harm war could bring to ordinary people. He vividly remembered what the people of the Third World were like in his previous life.

Li Shen always believed that a country is the foundation of a family, and that a strong country is essential for the stability of the nation. He believed that the sacrifices of their families by their ancestors brought peace and stability to the community.

Otherwise, if the country is gone, what is the point of talking about a family? When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact.

Li Shen did not want to see such a scene on the land of the Tang Dynasty. The Sui Dynasty had about nine million households, but after the change of dynasties, the Tang Dynasty only had three million households.

Tens of millions of people were lost just like that. But what percentage of them actually died in battle?

"Your Highness, if we have a grand plan, will we need the cooperation of the imperial court?" Wang Xuance asked upon hearing that Li Shen had a grand plan.

"Are you getting the powerful families in the court to cooperate?" Li Shen turned to look at Wang Xuance.

"No, no, what I mean is whether we should report this to His Majesty or His Highness the Crown Prince," Wang Xuance quickly explained.

"No need, I didn't say anything just now. It's better for me to handle this matter myself, so as not to involve His Majesty and the Crown Prince."

"Anyway, I don't care about reputation." Li Shen waved his hand.

With a creak, the study door was pushed open. Li Shen knew without a doubt that it must be Princess Lu Dingniang, as only Lu Dingniang could enter without reporting.

Wang Xuance and his companion quickly rose and bowed.

"Your Highness, I've prepared some hangover soup. Please get up and have a bowl." Lu Dingniang slowly knelt down beside the bed.

Just as Li Shenggang was about to get up, he immediately felt dizzy and lay back down.

Lu Dingniang took the hangover soup from the maid and fed it to Li Shen spoonful by spoonful, knowing that Li Shen had drunk too much today.

It's always like this when drinking with His Majesty. The prince can't hold his liquor and can't outdrink His Majesty, but he just won't admit defeat.

In his words, he'd rather not steam buns than lose face.

So every time, it's a case of inflicting 1,000 damage on the enemy while suffering 12,0

Li Shen waved his hand, signaling the maid to leave, then lay down to rest before asking:

"Old Wang, have you done everything I asked you to do in Xizhou?"

As a princess, Lu Dingniang naturally didn't need to hide her identity. He, too, needed someone to take care of him.

"Your Highness, I have already completed the task you assigned," Wang Hongfu replied hastily.

"Did you also spread the word about what I said about technology last time?"

Lu Dingniang wiped Li Shen's mouth.

"Your Highness, the message has already been sent out. Merchants are now taking their secret recipe very seriously. They heard that the Ji Prince's Mansion sold a loom for as much as 500,000 strings of cash."

Everything related to technology is now going up in price.

The man also told them about how the barbarians would manufacture goods and sell them back to the Tang Dynasty, which made the merchants realize the potential danger.

Wang Hongfu took Li Shen's words very seriously and even published an article in the Chamber of Commerce, explaining the importance and dire consequences of the matter.

"Yes, you did a good job. This matter should not be underestimated. By the way, have you found out anything about the 'Shuhu' person I asked you to investigate?"

I've heard they even have their own religious sect.

Li Shen recalled his time in Xizhou.

"Your Highness, I have investigated and found that they are known among the people as the Blue-Hat Hui, and there are quite a few of them in Chang'an and Guangzhou."

The sect they spread was called the Yici Le Ye Sect, which was similar to Buddhism. Both guided people to do good and promised that they could go to a paradise after death.

Many nobles and officials in Chang'an were followers of his teachings.

Wang Hongfu also reported. After receiving Li Shen's orders, Wang Hongfu began sending people to investigate.

"A charitable teaching? In this Great Tang Dynasty, how dare you preach without my permission? This is utterly outrageous."

And those nobles, they're just too well-fed and have nothing to do.

Upon hearing this, Li Shen became furious. In ancient times, the spread of religious sects began with noble officials and wealthy families, which then led to widespread imitation among the common people.

Just as if the emperor believed in Buddhism, then most of the people in that period believed in Buddhism; if the emperor believed in Taoism, then most of the people believed in Taoism.

It's the same principle as buying luxury goods in later generations. First, let the rich buy them to show off their wealth, and then ordinary people will follow suit and sell their possessions to buy them.

"Your Highness, the imperial court currently does not impose any restrictions on these foreign religious sects. As long as they are not cults, they will be tolerated."

Wang Xuance reminded him from the side, "This is not something the Prince Ji's mansion can control."

But Li Shen frowned:

“My Great Tang is a vast and resource-rich land, but it is not a place for people to trample on at will. These sects and ignorant people are eroding the foundation of my Great Tang. How can I stand idly by?”

The court allowed it, only because the scholar-officials in the court had not yet realized this.

Look at those vassal states outside, how many of them have religious sects that outweigh imperial power?

It seems I must think of a solution.

The erosion by religion is very serious; the power of faith can often drive people mad.

They can break through moral and legal boundaries for their beliefs, even disregarding their own families.

"Does Your Highness have any plans?" Having followed Li Shen for so many years, Wang Xuance had gradually come to understand the reasons behind this.

"There is no better way. It is not easy to eradicate them. We can only suppress them and restrict their development as before."

Once a belief takes root, it is by no means easy to eradicate; one can only reduce its influence.

It seems that I should establish a sect to integrate them and manage them in a unified manner.

"Anyone else who wants to preach in the Tang Dynasty in the future must obtain our permission; otherwise, they will be considered heretics and cultists."

Li Shen pondered for a long time but could not come up with a better solution. He could not carry out massacres, so he could only suppress and restrict.

Establishing sectarian associations allows these individuals to develop within a controlled environment, making them easier to manage.

"Forming a religious sect? Your Highness has never heard of such a precedent before. In the past, merchants formed merchant guilds to support each other. I have never heard of any religious sect."

Wang Hongfu was surprised. The prince's mind was indeed sharp; his thoughts were always unconventional.

“It didn’t exist before, but it does now. Send someone to arrange this, and start notifying all sects after the New Year.”

Those who do not join are considered heretics and cultists, and will bear the consequences themselves.

Li Shen said with great enthusiasm.

"Your Highness, I believe it would be better for the Prince Ji's residence not to get involved in this matter. Perhaps Buddhism or Taoism could take charge."

After all, the Prince Ji's family were not outsiders, so they couldn't inspire trust.

Happy Double Ninth Festival!