Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

According to Li Shimin's plan, "The Emperor's Model" will be written in 12 chapters in total. He has currently only written three chapters, namely, the emperor's body, building relationships, and seeking talents. The subsequent nine chapters are still being completed.

"The Emperor's Model" records his experience in governing the country, so Li Shimin planned to leave it to Crown Prince Li Chengqian to study after he finished writing it.

However, he had just started writing, and the content still needed to be adjusted and improved. In addition, Li Chengqian was currently busy assisting in handling state affairs.

Li Zhi, who came to study literature with him every day, was still young and honest, so Li Shimin felt at ease letting him come.

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Chi Nu, after reading the "Emperor's Model" written by my father, do you have a different opinion?"

"Or after reading it, do you have any deep feelings in your heart?"

When Li Zhi heard that his father was testing him, he was not at all panicked.

Because yesterday afternoon, he had gone to his uncle Changsun Wuji's residence and showed his uncle the "Emperor's Model" that his father had lent him.

When my uncle saw "The Emperor's Model", he looked very surprised and analyzed the content of "The Emperor's Model" word by word to him.

After all, his uncle is the one who understands his father best, so Li Zhi now has a look of confidence in victory.

Li Zhi clasped his fists in admiration and said, "Father, I have carefully read the three chapters on the emperor's character, building affinity, and seeking talents, no less than a hundred times."

"I was most touched by the words about the enfeoffment of vassal kings in the article on establishing a family relationship."

Hearing that his beloved son actually had feelings about the enfeoffment, Li Shimin's face showed a hint of anticipation.

Among the first three articles he wrote, the second one, Jian Qinhua, put the most thought into it and is also the longest.

Not only did he trace the origin of the feudal system back to the ancient Zhou Dynasty, he also made a detailed analysis of the pros and cons of the feudal system of the powerful Han Dynasty, which he admired.

Li Shimin raised his eyebrows and asked, "Zhi Nu, tell me."

He wanted to see what the young Li Zhi could learn from it and whether it was consistent with what he thought.

"promise!"

Li Zhi clasped his fists in response, then lowered his head and thought carefully for dozens of breaths, then raised his head and spoke loudly.

"So the feudal relatives serve as the vassal guards, sharing the same strength in safety and danger, and the same heart in prosperity and decline."

"If the seal is too strong, it will cause trouble; if the seal is too weak, there will be no foundation to consolidate the foundation!"

After finishing speaking, Li Zhi paused for a few breaths before continuing.

"I agree with your words very much. If we want to maintain the status of our Li Dynasty, we must rely on the royal family. Only when everyone works together can the country be stable."

"But the kings cannot be too strong, otherwise they will be unable to shake off their power and may rebel. If the kings are too weak, they will not be able to protect the country."

"Therefore, I believe that the way to be a king is to strike a balance, to balance the important and the unimportant, and to share the joys and sorrows."

Because "The Emperor's Model" contained his father's insights and feelings, Li Zhi wisely agreed with it in its entirety instead of expressing his own naive views.

In addition, his uncle Changsun Wuji also gave him a detailed analysis of the three contents of "The Emperor's Model" and taught him how to respond.

"Chi Nu is right!" Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction.

He didn't expect that his beloved son, who had never served in government, would have such a keen mind on how to govern a country.

Li Shimin said with emotion: "Whether it is the way to be a king or the way to govern a country, the core point is balance!"

"Once the balance is lost, it will cause many unexpected hazards and even a major disaster!"

Speaking of checks and balances, Li Shimin thought of Li Chengqian and Li Tai again, and his face showed a bit of helplessness.

The checks and balances among the princes are the easiest thing to resolve, but the checks and balances among the princes are not so easy.

Li Zhi saw that there was something wrong with his father's face. He paused slightly and then asked in a low voice.

"Father, have you encountered any troubles?"

"If it is convenient for you to tell me, I am willing to be your listener."

Hearing his son's comforting words, Li Shimin suppressed his worries and his face regained its calm expression.

He could only keep these words in his heart and could not tell them to anyone else.

Moreover, Li Shimin's expectation for Li Zhi was that he would become a king of peace and happiness, and he did not want him to get involved in the struggle for royal power.

In the future, Li Zhi would be able to assist Cheng Qian in consolidating the country, which was Li Shimin’s greatest wish.

Li Shimin shook his head slightly, then waved his hand and said.

"Chi Nu, father is fine."

Then he turned and walked to the shelf behind him and took down a brand new bamboo scroll from the top one.

Li Shimin opened the bamboo slips and took a look at it. Then he sat down on the imperial platform and came to Li Zhi. He handed it to Li Zhi and said.

"Chi Nu, this is the fourth point of the judgement that the emperor has just written. Take it back and read it carefully."

"After you have finished reading it, return it to Father."

Because he had been busy transferring officials in recent days, and in the midst of this major transfer, he also wrote down his experience as an examiner.

Li Shimin believed that his vision in identifying people and judging officials was comparable to that of Qin Shi Huang and Han Wudi, and even better than theirs.

The civil and military officials under him were not only capable, but also loyal to him.

Li Zhi took the bamboo slips with joy, then saluted with a smile on his face.

"Father, I will read this carefully!"

Li Zhi's hand holding the bamboo slips trembled slightly, and his mind recalled a sentence his uncle said.

"The Imperial Model is a book written by His Majesty for future emperors. Now His Majesty is showing this book to you, Your Highness. There is a divine intention behind it!"

Judging from the current situation, he is probably the first person to finish reading "Emperor Fan".

The more he thought about Li Zhi, the more uneasy he became, and a hint of ambition began to grow in his heart.

Li Shimin looked at his well-behaved son in a daze, then patted him gently on the shoulder, smiled and whispered instructions.

"Chi Nu, you cannot show The Imperial Code to anyone else, and you must not let anyone else know about this. Once you've finished reading it, take it back to your father!"

Li Zhi immediately clasped his fists and said, "Your Highness obeys my command!"

Not only did his father warn him, but his uncle also warned him not to tell this to anyone.

Otherwise, a group of ministers would advise my father, and the final result might be to force my father to drive him away to his fiefdom.

After all, it had only recently happened that the fourth brother, the Prince of Wei, had colluded with the enemy and committed treason to murder the crown prince, and the court officials could not bear to see him pose a threat to the crown prince's position.

Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "You go back first. Father is ready to deal with state affairs now."

"My son, please retire."

Li Zhi saluted with his fists and then walked out of Ganlu Hall obediently.

After he was far away from Ganlu Palace, his silly expression became shrewd, and his whole temperament was completely different from before.

He murmured, "Today!"