Datang: Rebirth of Li Chengqian, the beginning of the treason interrogation

Chapter 40: Xu Jingzong, the flatterer, fights poison with poison
The reason why the Tang Dynasty is widely praised by later generations is largely due to its glorious and prosperous scenes.

However, even during the Zhenguan Reign, the Tang Dynasty still had many problems.

In fact, the imperial power of the Tang Dynasty was not as strong as people imagined. Among the many emperors, only Emperor Gaozu of Tang and Emperor Taizong of Tang were able to maintain absolute control over the court situation.

Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, was once sidelined by Zhangsun Wuji for a long time, and was later tragically usurped by the Wu Zhou regime.

As a political system, the system of three provinces and six ministries is quite complete in itself.

However, most of these official positions were held by officials from aristocratic families, which led to the weakening of imperial power while strengthening the power of aristocratic families.

Therefore, whenever the court proposed a policy that might harm the interests of the gentry, it would often be vetoed by the Menxia Province or the Zhongshu Province.

Although the system itself was good, the people who implemented it were from the aristocratic families.

As a latecomer, Li Chengqian was naturally very clear about all of this. His steps seemed a little heavy. When he stood in that position, he realized how difficult it was to be the emperor.

If you want to wear its crown, you must bear its weight.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, His Majesty, please move to the Liangyi Hall!" An old eunuch stood in front of Li Chengqian.

"Lead the way!" Li Chengqian nodded. Li Er still didn't trust himself.

"Cheng Qian, please take a seat!"

In the Liangyi Hall, Li Shimin rested his head on the jade legs of Wu Mei, and only opened his eyes slightly when he saw Li Chengqian coming.

I don’t know how to evaluate it, is it stupidity, or is it that the old guy really knows how to enjoy himself, an old cow eating young grass.

Li Chengqian was also sitting cross-legged before committing the crime. Although Li Er seemed to have retreated behind the scenes, he must be well aware of all the important events in the court.

"Cheng Qian, you are pretty good. You should be tougher, otherwise those old guys won't obey you."

Li Shimin changed his relaxed attitude and sat up straight.

"However, since you have removed Fang Xuanling, who do you want to take up the vacant post of Zuo Pushe? Chu Suiliang and Gao Shilian are both good candidates."

Li Shimin spoke casually, as if he was chatting about family matters.

"If I were to choose, I would not appoint any of them." Li Chengqian shook his head. This was not his ideal person.

"Oh, who else in the court can take on this position?"

Li Shimin became more and more interested. Judging from Li Chengqian's current performance, he was definitely not doing anything nonsense.

"Xu Jingzong, the Inspector of the Imperial Household!" Li Chengqian said.

Xu Jingzong was born in 591. When Wu Zhou usurped the Tang Dynasty, he was the main contributor and was nicknamed the No. traitor in the Tang Dynasty. He was also identified as the No. traitor in history books.

It is quite famous.

He truly achieved it. If he cannot be remembered for centuries, he will at least be remembered for eternity.

He also left his name in history, but he was a negative example.

Of course, his deeds are far more than that. He also contributed to Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi's coming to power. Zhangsun Wuji dominated the government for many years, but was overthrown by him and finally forced to commit suicide by him.

"I know this person. He writes good articles, but his ability is not that great. He is good at flattery."

Li Shimin shook his head. He lived up to his reputation for knowing how to use people and he knew Xu Jingzong very well.

There is no other reason. Xu Jingzong was also one of the eighteen students in the Qin Palace and had a high level of literary attainments.

He had just finished the "Wu De Zhen Guan Shi Lu" and was conferred the title of Gaoyang Man and Inspector Huangmen Shilang by Li Shimin. It is suspected that everything in the "Wu De Zhen Guan Shi Lu" was written down after Li Shimin reviewed it, and it was revised seven or eight times.

This is also one of the reasons why Li Shimin was criticized by later generations for falsifying history.

"No, this person is of great use and is not from the five noble families or seven surnames." Li Chengqian hinted.

"You want to break the impasse?" Li Shimin's eyes became extremely sharp.

"A century-old dynasty, a thousand-year-old family, the Five Surnames and Seven Families are deeply rooted and have been passed down for a long time. They have been there in every dynasty and cannot be broken."

Li Shimin's eyes dimmed immediately. The court could not do without the Five Aristocrats and Seven Families. Without them, the court and the country could not function.

"Then we will make sure that all the people in the court are no longer theirs." Li Chengqian revealed his murderous intent, and his intention was obvious.

"If they are killed, who will take their place? How many people in this world can replace them?"

Li Shimin sneered, thinking that Li Chengqian was having wild ideas. He had been emperor for many years and had always been controlled by these aristocratic families.

It took a lot of effort to revise the "Clan Records" and put the Li surname in the first place.

Most of the educated people in the world came from famous families, and the official positions were directly monopolized by the gentry, otherwise there would not be the name of "gentry".

"Reform the imperial examination system!" Li Chengqian said solemnly. This was the only way to allow other people in the world to replace the position of the gentry.

"Do you think I haven't made any reforms? But no matter how I reform, the famous families are still the ones who are famous. How can ordinary people have time to study poetry and practice martial arts?"

"Cheng Qian, I had many considerations when I asked you to go to the people to understand their sentiments. Many things are not as we expect. Even though I am the ruler of a country, I have many things that I cannot help but do."

"In order to consolidate my power, I have to marry into those great clans."

Li Shimin couldn't help but smile bitterly. As the king of a country, he had to rely on marriage to consolidate his position. How ironic!
"It's not difficult. We can open schools among the people so that ordinary people can have the opportunity to read and write. This kind of disadvantage will be alleviated."

After hearing this, Li Shimin nodded silently to show his agreement. Although this method is simple, it can fundamentally solve the problem.

Give common people the opportunity to receive education and improve their own quality, thus breaking the aristocracy's monopoly on knowledge and allowing them to pass the imperial examination and become officials.

Ten years of trees, a hundred years of trees.

However, Li Shimin could not see this situation, and it would be difficult to implement it.

For common people to study, it means they will have one less labor force, and they cannot have enough food and clothing like the rich families.

"However, in this dynasty, I need a cruel official to restrict them," said Li Chengqian.

Li Shimin frowned slightly, thinking about Li Chengqian's proposal. Cruel officials can have a certain deterrent effect, but at the same time they are also likely to cause more conflicts.
"Can Xu Jingzong do it?"

Li Shimin showed a worried look. He knew that among the Five Surnames and Seven Families, there were many outstanding talents. How could a person who was randomly supported easily compete with them?

"It has to be done whether it works or not. Otherwise, after your majesty, the Li Tang Empire will only be a facade."

"Your Majesty is a king who conquered the world. You have loyal ministers around you who come from poor backgrounds. Some of them can be used, and some have risen to prominence through military merit. But after this, there will only be more and more noble families in the court, until the power of my Li family is hollowed out."

When Li Shimin heard this, he did not think that this was alarmist. This was the fact. They were constantly imagining how to strengthen the imperial power, but in fact, it was constantly being weakened.

The one who has the strongest control over imperial power is the founding emperor, and subsequent emperors may be sidelined by powerful ministers.

The demise of the Sui Dynasty is a lesson. It seemed to be the result of a peasant uprising, but in fact it was caused by the powerful families.

The An-Shi Rebellion was, in the final analysis, a war between the aristocratic families.

(End of this chapter)