Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Just as the civil and military officials were stunned, Lai Ji continued reading.

"By imperial decree, Li Yan is conferred the title of Prince of Qi, and is granted the title of Left Martial General, and concurrently serves as the Grand Governor of Yangzhou."

Li Yan is Li Chengqian's second son, and he is only 1 year old this year.

The nominal titles and official positions bestowed upon him now are of little use. Once Li Yancheng comes of age, Li Chengqian will certainly enfeoff him as a prince.

Including his eldest son, Li Xiang, who would later become one of the feudal lords.

After the bestowal of rewards...

Li Chengqian continued, "My dear ministers, in order to facilitate your acquisition of superior weapons and equipment, the court will soon establish an arsenal."

"All weapons, armor, bows and arrows, and other equipment can be purchased at the arsenal."

what!

The imperial court wants to establish an arsenal!

The civil and military officials and the princes were overjoyed when they heard the news.

The best blacksmiths in the Tang Dynasty were all in the Imperial Workshops and the Arsenal. The weapons forged by the blacksmiths recruited by the court could not compare with those of the imperial court.

In addition, they lacked iron and wood for forging weapons, which not only took a lot of time and effort, but also resulted in poor quality armor.

I wonder what the prices are for the weapons and armor sold by the arsenals run by the imperial court!

While everyone remained silent.

Li Chengqian continued, "The number of weapons, armor, and bows produced by the arsenal is limited, and it may not be enough to equip an army of three or four hundred thousand within a year. You can place your orders in advance."

"The arsenal will deliver the armory and equipment according to your scheduled delivery times!"

this...

When the officials and princes heard the news, their faces showed a hint of anxiety.

If they cannot purchase weapons, armor, bows, and arrows produced by the imperial court, their armed family militia will lag behind other families.

General Li Mengchang of the Right Valiant Guard stood up, cupped his hands, and asked, "Your Majesty, may I ask how much the weapons and armor sold by the court cost?"

Where do we make the reservation?

The others turned to look at Li Chengqian, their faces filled with anticipation.

Li Chengqian said loudly, "Three days later, you can go to the newly established Privy Council of the court to order weapons and equipment. All weapons will be marked with prices, and you can purchase them according to your needs."

"Since the arsenal requires a huge amount of money in its early stages, you need to pay a 50% deposit."

"Pay the remaining money in one lump sum three months later."

When the officials and princes heard that the money had to be settled within three months and that they would have to wait about a year to receive the weapons, their expressions showed slight hesitation.

After a while.

A group of officials from top aristocratic families, as well as a group of wealthy and powerful vassal kings, stood up and shouted.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Immediately afterwards, the remaining officials also stood up and shouted that His Majesty was wise.

It will cost some money now, but when you think about how much territory their family's private army has conquered, and how that territory is their family's fiefdom, you immediately feel it's worth it.

The opportunity to become a prince is only once in a lifetime, and even selling antiques and calligraphy requires purchasing a batch of good soldiers and armor.

Deputy Chief Position.

When Du He saw that all the officials and vassal kings wanted to buy weapons from the imperial court, a faint smile appeared on his face.

The lust for power is a terrifying thing; it made even these intelligent officials lose their heads.

This time, selling weapons and armor will probably empty their coffers.

"it is good!"

Li Chengqian shouted "Good!" and then waved to Lai Ji, saying, "Lai Ji, continue reading the imperial edict."

"promise."

After receiving the order, Lai Ji bowed and walked to the side of the imperial platform with the imperial edict in his hand.

Under the watchful eyes of all the officials, Lai Ji unfolded the imperial edict and read it aloud.

"The Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty decrees: It is said that the poem 'Guanju' was first sung, laying the foundation for the customs and morals of the nation; and the poem 'Zhongsi' was written, expounding the fundamental principles of human relations. In the past, when sage kings ruled the world, they always valued the inner palace duties, in order to regulate the teachings of the inner palace and to support the masculine virtues... Now, the rituals of the six palaces are still lacking, which is not the way to follow the ancient system and maintain the harmony of the inner palace."

"I hereby issue this decree, ordering the relevant officials to follow the established rules and rites, and to search for and promote virtuous women. Daughters of all the noble families and officials throughout the land, aged between fifteen and twenty, who are free from illness, gentle and virtuous in nature, skilled in etiquette and knowledgeable in the ways of women, may all be considered for selection. Those from prominent and respected families should be given priority, in order to fulfill my intention of seeking virtuous women to assist me in my wife's service."

“The governors of all prefectures should be conscientious in their duties, carefully select candidates, thoroughly examine their names and registers, and must not appoint indiscriminately.”

"I advocate simplicity and dislike extravagance. All matters concerning the selection of officials should be conducted in a frugal manner to avoid disturbing the people's livelihood. You, my subjects, should understand my intentions and gladly comply."

"Announce it to the whole world, and let all know it."

As soon as the imperial edict to select a concubine was issued, the civil and military officials immediately became very interested in the matter.

After they all stood up to receive the decree, they all pondered in their hearts which younger, beautiful, and virtuous descendants in their families they could find.

If a woman from a family becomes a concubine and bears several sons for the emperor, it will not only elevate the family's status but also bring enormous benefits to the family.

Both the size and location of their fiefdoms are better than those of other families.

Take Su Dan, the emperor's father-in-law, for example. He had previously only served as the governor of Qizhou, but now he has risen to become the Grand General of Songzhou, overseeing the military affairs of the four prefectures of Song, Hao, Chen, and Ying.

It's no exaggeration to say that Su Dan's power ranked among the top six in the Tang Dynasty.

After discussing the important matters...

Li Chengqian stood up and ordered, "My beloved ministers, follow me to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices. The enthronement ceremony will then be officially concluded!"

The officials and princes stood up and bowed again.

"The minister obeys the order!"

Just as Du He was about to follow Li Chengqian out of the Taiji Hall, Li Shimin's personal attendant suddenly walked over quickly.

"King Han, the Emperor Emeritus requests your presence."

Upon hearing the eunuch's words, Du He's expression paused slightly.

He exchanged a glance with Li Chengqian, then cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I will go to see the Emperor Emeritus first, and will go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple as soon as possible."

"Go."

Li Chengqian waved his hand, then led everyone out of the Taiji Hall.

Li Zhi, standing to one side, felt a slight tightness in his heart, a look of anxiety on his face, and then followed after them with a worried expression.

Led by an attendant, Du He walked to a side hall to meet Li Shimin.

"Greetings to the Retired Emperor."

Li Shimin pointed to a cushion on one side and said, "Sit down and talk."

He then waved to the eunuchs and palace maids, signaling them to leave the hall.

After everyone has left.

Li Shimin laughed and scolded, "Du He, wasn't it you who came up with the idea of ​​setting up an arsenal?"

It turns out they were asking about the arsenal.

Du He thought Li Shimin would ask about Wu Meiniang, but he didn't expect it to be such a small matter, and his mood became much calmer.

Although Wu Meiniang's affairs had nothing to do with him, she had done Li Chengqian and him a great favor after all, so he still had to leave her a way out.

Du He cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, in order to speed up the process of unifying the world and to give powerful families and vassal kings the tools they need, Your Majesty and I came up with this plan together."

"Moreover, the quality of the imperial army's weapons and equipment will also improve after the establishment of the arsenal."

"This is a win-win situation."

Seeing Du He spouting nonsense with a straight face, Li Shimin revealed a strange smile.

That brat, he still doesn't tell the truth even in front of him.

Li Shimin leaned back in his chair and said, "If I'm not mistaken, you'll probably take the captured weapons and equipment and sell them as inferior goods, right?"