Li Shimin faked his death? Then I will be powerful enough to conquer the world!

Night fell over Chang'an City. The flickering candlelight in the Liangyi Hall stretched Li Zhi's figure long and swayed slightly on the wall.

The mountain of memorials on the desk seemed even heavier under the dim light.

He sometimes frowned, sometimes sighed, his eyes full of fatigue and worry.

Reshape people's hearts, these four words are like a huge rock, pressing on Li Zhi's heart.

Since ancient times, the root cause of chaos has always been the confusion of people's hearts.

While the Tang Dynasty may appear prosperous on the surface, undercurrents are surging within, with numerous problems emerging one after another. Official corruption is rampant, the people are complaining, and social order is beginning to show signs of weakening.

If people's hearts cannot be reshaped, the foundation of the Tang Dynasty may be shaken. But how can people's hearts be reshaped?

This question was like a tangled mess, entangled in his mind and couldn't be shaken off.

Li Zhi paced back and forth in the hall, his steps heavy and slow.

He recalled the Zhenguan Reign initiated by Li Shimin during the Zhenguan period. At that time, the Tang Dynasty had clear politics, the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, and everyone was proud to be a citizen of the Tang Dynasty.

But now, why has it become like this?

Is it because of their own poor governance, or have officials forgotten their original intentions?

The more he thought about it, the more confused he felt, and the anxiety in his heart became stronger.

Outside the window, the night wind blew, and the leaves rustled, as if they were also sighing for the future of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Zhi walked to the window, looked at the bright moon hanging high in the sky, and his thoughts drifted away.

He thought of the suffering of the people, those who were oppressed by corrupt officials, and those families struggling in poverty, their eyes full of helplessness and despair.

As the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, he is responsible for the well-being of the people of the world. How can he sit back and do nothing?

Li Zhi did not sleep a wink that night. He pondered over the solution in his mind, trying to find a way to reshape people's hearts.

Finally, at dawn, a determined glimmer flashed in his eyes, and he had made up his mind.

The next morning, an imperial edict was quickly issued from the Liangyi Palace and distributed to all parts of the country.

The decree contained only one word: "Investigate!" This short and powerful word, like a thunderclap, exploded over Chang'an City, foreshadowing the coming of an unprecedented storm.

Soon, a large investigation team set out from Chang'an. They were like sharp swords, dispersing to various places and penetrating into every county and town.

During this investigation, Li Zhi issued a strict order that no matter who was involved or how high their position was, as long as there was corruption, there would be no tolerance.

The intensity of the investigation was beyond everyone's imagination, and even village heads in some remote areas were included in the scope of the investigation.

As the investigation deepened, many secrets hidden in the darkness were revealed, and those dirty things that sank underwater surfaced like rotten seaweed.

In some remote areas, officials colluded with local tyrants to seize the people's land and property.

In other places, tax collection was chaotic and the people suffered terribly.

What is even more shocking is that the evil of trafficking in women and children exists, and countless families have been torn apart as a result.

These findings made Li Zhi furious and heartbroken. He could never have imagined that there were so many disgusting things hidden in the corners of the Tang Dynasty.

The Tang Dynasty, which he once thought was prosperous and stable, had actually been riddled with holes.

In the spring of the fifth year of Xianheng, the streets and alleys of Chang'an were filled with an atmosphere of tension and expectation.

The people were all talking and speculating about the big events that were about to happen in the court.

And in the Liangyi Hall, an unusual court meeting was being held.

In the past, "small matters" like people's livelihood affairs could never be brought to the court and were handled by the Ministry of Justice.

But today, Li Zhi rarely put these people's livelihood issues on the agenda of Liangyi Hall.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Li Zhi had a serious expression on his face, and his eyes were scanning the ministers below with sharp gazes.

Although his posture looked a little tired, his eyes revealed an unquestionable majesty.

Sitting on the phoenix chair beside him, Wu Meiniang looked dignified, with her eyes also flashing with shrewdness and wisdom.

Since Li Zhi fell ill, Wu Meiniang has gradually become involved in government affairs. Now the situation of "two saints ruling the court" has long been accustomed to by everyone in the court.

Seeing that Li Zhi's health had improved and he began to take charge of government affairs again, many old ministers were secretly relieved.

In their opinion, no matter what affairs His Majesty deals with, even if they are trivial matters, it is better than having Wu Meiniang monopolize power.

They have always been resentful of women interfering in politics, believing that this goes against ancestral rules and will disrupt the government.

"My dear ministers," Li Zhi's voice rang out in the hall, steady and powerful.

"I am here today to discuss with you, my dear ministers, the recent and vigorous campaign to punish evildoers and investigate corruption."

"Originally, I thought these measures were only aimed at the corruption of Tang officials, but I never imagined that beneath the glamorous exterior of Tang, there were so many shocking things going on."

At this point, Li Zhi's tone grew heavy. He paused, his gaze sweeping across the courtiers like a sharp sword, and continued, "I ask you, are you aware that there are people trafficking women and children in many parts of the Tang Dynasty?"

There was a sudden silence in the hall. The ministers looked at each other, not daring to look Li Zhi in the eye.

After a long time, someone finally stood up tremblingly and tried to explain something.

But to Li Zhi, their words seemed so pale and powerless.

Li Zhi could no longer suppress his rage. He slammed the table and stood up, loudly scolding, "As officials of the imperial court, you eat the emperor's salary and bear the emperor's worries, yet you turn a blind eye to these evil deeds. Where is your conscience?"

"Those abducted women and children are also citizens of our Tang Dynasty. Their families are suffering from the pain of separation and death, and you do nothing!"

All the ministers dared not even breathe a word.

Li Zhi looked at the crowd with mixed feelings.

He knew that simply reprimanding would not solve the problem, and that practical and effective measures must be taken to reshape people's hearts.

He suppressed his anger and said slowly, "I have decided to establish a special agency from now on to thoroughly investigate the trafficking of women and children."

"No matter who is involved, no matter how powerful the forces behind them are, once verified, they will be severely punished!"

"At the same time, local governments must strengthen public security management and protect the lives and property of the people."

"There will be no tolerance for those who commit evil!"

As soon as Li Zhi finished speaking, voices of "Yes, Your Majesty" rang out in the hall.

"It's not just the trafficking of women and children. There are also people secretly selling Wushisan in our Tang Dynasty."

"Many of you know this, but why didn't you report it to me? Don't you know that this Five Stone Powder is strictly prohibited in the Tang Dynasty?"