Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 159 I challenged Empress Changsun? Is this true?

"Really? When Mr. Ma reported to his father, the Liaodong Jiedushi was also present..."

Lizheng Hall, Li Zhi's study.

Ma Zhou bowed his head and said to Jin Wang Li Zhi:
“That’s right, His Majesty kept him by his side to listen in on the entire process.

"This matter is of extraordinary significance, so I would like to inform Your Highness.

"Also, I will be leaving for Zhangqiu County, Qizhou soon to take up my duties. I am afraid I will no longer be able to teach Your Highness."

In addition to his position in the Secretariat, Ma Zhou also had another identity:
Chief Secretary of the Prince of Jin’s Palace.

It is equivalent to Fang Xuanling's position in the Prince of Jin's Mansion.

These positions were promoted at the beginning of this year, but they were fired in less than half a year.

But out of a sense of responsibility, he felt it necessary to report to the young leader the unusual situation he saw in the study in Lizheng Hall.

Li Zhi: “…”

He didn't answer for a long time, his eyes were blank and out of focus.

After a long while, he seemed to wake up from a dream, and murmured with his lips moving:
"Mr. Ma, the journey to Qizhou is long. Zhi... I really don't want to leave."

Ma Zhou felt a little sad after hearing this.

"However, what you saw, sir, is related to the secrets of the forbidden area, so it is important not to spread it to others."

Li Zhi instructed carefully.

He warned me that he had me in his heart... Ma Zhou was even more moved, and he bowed solemnly to Li Zhi again and again before slowly leaving.

Looking at the direction where his new chief secretary left, Li Zhi remained motionless for a long time, feeling mixed emotions.

When the emperor met with ministers, the prince accompanied him throughout the whole process!
Everyone in the palace knows what this means.

What kind of work requires learning by your Majesty's side?
Who else could it be other than the crown prince!

This matter must not be spread outside.

Especially, Li Zhi’s two elder brothers must not be informed.

otherwise……

God knows what kind of targeting Li Ming will encounter.

but……

For some reason, Li Zhi always felt a blockage in his heart.

Difficult to appease.

"Could it be him? Is he the one chosen by our father?"

Ever since the real battle report from Liaodong reached Chang'an, my father's mood seemed to have changed subtly, and he made a series of arrangements and adjustments in the palace.

The adjustments mainly focused on the three legitimate sons and one Li Ming.

On the one hand, he distanced himself from the crown prince, and on the other hand, he showed more favor to the other three.

Li Zhi keenly noticed that his father seemed to have some different ideas about the choice of crown prince.

But he wasn't sure.

When my father continued to strengthen the power of his Prince of Jin's Mansion and transferred elite soldiers and generals such as Li Shiji into his mansion.

Li Zhi was still secretly happy in his heart.

Is it me? Could it be me?

However, it turns out that this is just one of the three great illusions of life.

The one that the emperor father favors more is obviously the little prince who is neither the eldest nor the legitimate son, and who doesn't even have a royal palace!

Li Zhi found it unbelievable.

Li Ming has been a naughty boy since childhood. At this time last year, he was making a scene in Kong Yingda's class and was stripped of his pants and spanked in Liangyi Hall.

It’s only been one year!
That guy, the naughty little fellow who peed in the scholar's hat...

He actually became one of the candidates for the crown prince and will have the hope of ruling the world in the future?

The young boy Li Zhi also felt as if he was in another world.

"But what about the Crown Prince and the King of Wei? What about my uncle?
"And Queen Mother... Could it be that Father really has the heart to... leave people alone and forget about him?!"

Li Zhi gritted his teeth, clenched his fists tightly, and his chest heaved violently.

He is not satisfied.

He grew up watching Li Chengqian and Li Tai compete for supremacy.

He would gladly accept the result no matter which of his two brothers, who were born to the same mother, won the championship.

But a half-brother, born out of wedlock, eccentric, whom he had watched grow up, suddenly jumped out from the corner and took the initiative...

It's so hard to accept. It's so hard to accept.

Li Ming's rapid rise ignited a fire in Li Zhi's heart, making Li Zhi uncomfortable.

We are both youngest sons, and I am several years older than him.

If he can do it, why can't I?
Why can't it be me?!

The fate of the dynasty has not yet been decided, and my father is still balancing the forces of all parties, and there has been no clear signal from the court that a change of crown prince is necessary.

I still have a chance, and I'm going to fight for it.

After all, I am the son of Empress Changsun!
"call……"

Li Zhi let out a long sigh and suddenly realized that his clothes were soaked with sweat.

"Brother Chi, are you...feeling unwell? Do you want to call the imperial physician?"

A clear voice behind him soothed Li Zhi's irritable heart.

He turned his head slowly and saw Li Mingda sticking his head out of the door, his big watery eyes full of concern.

"It's okay...it's just that I feel a little reluctant to let Mr. Ma go."

Li Zhi told white lies very fluently.

It’s better not to bother your carefree sister with such a heavy topic as brothers’ fighting.

"Qi is Brother Li You's fiefdom, right? Oh, I hope nothing goes wrong—

"Is Brother Chi worried about this?"

Li Mingda exaggeratedly imitated Li Zhi's frown and slowly walked out from behind the door.

This naive look made Li Zhi laugh.

He looked up at his sister with tenderness in his eyes.

Well, look up.

"Hiss..." Li Zhi scratched his head:

"Have you grown taller again?"

"Really? I don't feel anything." Li Mingda looked down at his brother.

She has always followed the instructions given by her brother Xiao Ming before he left for Liaodong, such as combining meat and vegetables, eating a lot of meat, eggs and milk, exercising hard, and going to bed early and getting up early.

Then, his height started to grow rapidly.

He has surpassed his brother Li Zhi who lacks sleep every day.

I have a grown-up daughter who is as strong as a mountain and as brave as the world.

"You... forget it, it's okay." Li Zhi hesitated to speak.

Does little brother Li Ming have any special magical powers?

I don’t know if it’s an illusion, but everything under his management, whether it’s territory, economy or individuals, seems to soar in size?
…………

In Lizheng Hall, Li Ming was also assigned his own study.

It was a storage room used to store cosmetics and perfumes for the queen.

After Empress Changsun passed away, it has remained sealed until now.

After Li Ming returned from Liaodong, this place was reopened as the temporary base of the Fourteenth Party in the palace.

Because Li Ming's other stronghold, Lide Hall, was located north of Yongxiang, it was not very convenient to receive foreign officials.

“Liaodong can stop paying land taxes to the imperial court, but the imperial court’s transfer payments cannot be stopped.

"Our great victory helped the Tang Dynasty resist the advance of Goguryeo's army southwards, and saved the people of the Central Plains from being ravaged by the barbarians.

"This is immeasurable merit, and it deserves extra money."

Li Ming sat at the head of the study, with Fang Xuanling and Hou Junji, two core members of the Fourteenth Party, sitting on his two sides.

The three of them sniffed the lingering, fresh and elegant scent of powder and discussed the most naked distribution of interests. The scene was a bit weird.

Hou Junji was a little scratching his head:
"Is there anything else we need to ask the court for?

"Forget about the copper and iron ore. Liaodong can't even use them all. The price of ironware has plummeted. I don't know how many blacksmith shops have closed down this month."

Ah, this is overcapacity?
No, it’s only the Tang Dynasty now. How can the annual iron production be so low?
This is because domestic demand is sluggish and the people have just solved the problem of food and clothing, so they have no spare money to buy ironware.

After all, we are still poor.

"Look, Old Hou, you're extorting money... No, isn't this the chance to beg for divine grace?"

Li Ming slapped his head:
“Since Liaodong does not need to import iron products, we can export them!

"Let the emperor allow Liaodong merchants to sell ironware to other places. The profits earned can stimulate domestic demand and also boost the demand for ironware in Liaodong."

"OK." Hou Junji quickly wrote this on the memorial.

Fang Xuanling was a little dazed. He suddenly realized that he couldn't even get a word in after not seeing him for half a year.

"What do you think, Mr. Fang? I saw you hesitated several times."

Li Ming found out the younger brother who was slacking off and said that he always listened to both sides and was wise, so he should also give the governor some crooked ideas.

Lao Fang was still expressionless as always. He just twirled his goatee with two fingers and said slowly:
"Your Highness has devoted all his efforts to the governance of Liaodong.

"I just personally think that Your Highness should also strive for a more prestigious title for himself, such as being transferred to the title of King of Yan."

Li Ming shook his head repeatedly:

"I don't think so. I don't want this kind of false reputation."

The points of Imperial Grace should be saved and all added to material benefits.

If we cannot enhance our hard power, it will be a waste. "I know that Your Highness is of high character and not seeking fame, but..." Fang Xuanling said tactfully:

"If you don't wear this honor, how would the world know that you have entered the game and competed on the same stage?"

"I...what?" Li Ming didn't quite understand:

"What game am I in? Who am I competing against?"

Fang Xuanling didn't know the answer to this question, so he looked at Hou Junji in confusion.

Hou Junji was also very confused:

"Of course, I'm competing with the Crown Prince, the King of Wei, and the King of Jin for the position of heir to the throne..."

"Shhhhhh! Be careful what you say!"

Li Ming subconsciously covered Hou Junji's mouth.

Fang Xuanling glanced sideways at the brave yet cowardly young master.

"This matter is already a secret among the important officials of the court. Your Highness does not need to keep it secret."

Hou Junji nodded and said:

“Your Majesty has not spoken a word to the Crown Prince for several months, and at the same time he is strengthening the power of you and the other two legitimate sons.

"Among them, His Majesty has given the most support and care to you and Prince Jin, who are the weakest."

Suppress the strong princes and support the weak princes.

The old officials understood this move at a glance.

Isn’t it just a replica of the actions of His Majesty Li Yuan, the retired emperor?
It’s just that His Majesty today is even better than the retired emperor, and he has set up the arena openly.

The four sons competed fairly, each based on their own abilities.

"So...you all think so?" Li Ming's eyelids twitched.

Fang Xuanling and Hou Junji nodded in unison.

Li Ming felt a pain in his head.

While Li Shimin was consolidating his control over Liaodong and protecting the forces that opposed him in the court, he was trying to play a balancing act.

Li Ming actually had some guesses about this.

I just can't be sure whether Li Ming is really regarded as a serious candidate for the crown prince, or just a cushion for the real crown prince.

Now, Liaodong has been taken over, he has attended the court meetings, and his trusted subordinates have also sensed the direction of the wind.

Only then did Li Ming dare to be sure that Li Er was serious!
He is so skilled and bold that he chose the Xuanwu Gate inheritance method!
Yes, the law of primogeniture was seriously unsuitable in the Tang Dynasty, and the first eldest son emperor did not appear until after the An-Shi Rebellion.

only……

Li Ming said with some embarrassment:
"If I say that I am in the Northeast only for self-protection and have no ambition to swallow up the world..."

The old house and the old Hou answered in unison:

"I believe it, I believe it."

"I mean it."

"Ah, yes, yes."

"I just want to save my life."

"Yes, Your Highness was forced to ascend the throne, and he has no desire to take the throne."

The old marquis of Laofang felt that His Highness Li Ming was very genuine.

Even in the fight for the throne, he had to refuse and give in three times.

When the time comes, he will be crowned the crown prince and become the emperor, and there will be a lot to act out.

But Li Ming was serious.

Before, the prince's half-hearted approach to him was enough to overwhelm him.

Now, he has grown up.

But dealing with three legitimate sons at once is still a bit stressful.

Moreover, Li Ming knew very well who his real enemy was——

Not Li Chengqian or Li Tai.

He is not even the last person in history to succeed in eating chicken, Brother Shan Ji, Zhi Nu.

But it was Empress Changsun!
Not being born to the Changsun family is Li Ming’s biggest weakness.

If it were any other ruthless emperor, it would be fine.

But Li Shimin was a sentimental man, and Empress Changsun was still his white moonlight.

Will the one who takes over the Tang Dynasty be a bastard who has no bloodline of Empress Changsun?
Even the original wife of the illegitimate son's biological mother was Li Shimin's younger brother, political enemy, and a despicable person.

This is somewhat abstract.

"Has the emperor summoned all the ministers to discuss the change of the crown prince? Has he issued an edict for the four sons to compete for the throne?" Li Ming asked loudly.

Fang Xuanling shook his head:
"No, there is no news."

"It's just some initial personnel changes," Hou Junji added.

"That's it, don't believe in rumors and don't spread them." Li Ming said lightly.

Fang and Hou looked at each other and never mentioned the matter of winning the throne again.

After spending a long time with Li Ming, they also figured out his temperament:
Be down-to-earth and do it first.

The fight for the throne is not a clarion call to charge, but a song of victory.

If you win, everything will be fine.

Even if they lose, Li Ming has prepared a retreat for you in Liaodong.

As long as you have a basis for your actions, you can be so willful.

Advance and retreat with reason...

"So that's it!" Fang Xuanling finally realized Li Ming's strategic intention.

"That's why Your Highness abandoned the rich land in the interior and retreated to Liaodong, which is easy to defend but difficult to attack... That's why Your Highness would rather fight through difficulties in Liaodong, start from scratch, and do everything he can to cultivate a force loyal to him..."

"Is it because of today's plan, so that I can be invincible regardless of whether I succeed in the fight for the throne or not?!"

What a shrewd strategic layout!

Fang Xuanling rarely opened his yellow old eyes wide, and stroked his beard quickly with his right hand, seeming very surprised.

"What's wrong with you?" Li Ming asked.

"……nothing."

Fang Xuanling calmed his dizzy consciousness and brought the topic back to the topic:

"So what do you think about the new title, Your Highness?
"If Your Highness requests His Majesty to transfer you to the title of King of Yan, Governor of Liaodong, and Protector of Northeast China, His Majesty will certainly agree."

Li Ming still shook his head:

“I think no, it’s not loud enough.

"I will wear a sword and shoes when entering the palace, and I will not bow or prostrate myself. I will be given a nine-gifted crown with nine tassels, and I will be given a military axe and a three-in-one official position. How do you think?"

Fang Xuanling didn't want to pay attention to him.

Hou Junji glanced at him:
"Xue Wanche is the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Court."

"Oh, forget it." Li Ming disdained to associate with the rough man who flirted with decent women.

…………

But then again, what kind of title should I ask for, or what kind of reward should I ask for from Li Shimin?

Not only did I let the ministers know that I was also one of the contestants in the Xuanwu Gate Tournament.

Moreover, this title must be loud enough, and the rewards must be generous enough, so that the ministers who are watching will regard me as a seed player and will win, and will all come to join me.

My biggest disadvantage is my background...

The biggest watershed in life is amniotic fluid.

How could the disadvantages brought by amniotic fluid be covered up by a title or some rewards...

Li Ming fell into deep thought, and even the meat in his mouth lost its fragrance.

"Ming'er, are you feeling unwell?"

Li Ming suddenly came to his senses and saw his mother, Yang, with a worried look on her face and the back of her hand on his forehead.

Today’s dinner was held in Lide Hall. Li Ming went back to his hometown, mainly to visit his concubines.

Yang had been sleeping with her son in Lizheng Hall for several days, and the mother and son had already been reunited.

"You are a brave boy who can still jump around in the barren land of Liaodong. You are very tough." Li Shimin said half-jokingly.

Because Li Ming proposed to go back to Lide Hall for dinner, Li Shimin followed him.

Well, the sign that asked the emperor to turn over the Lide Hall is so simple and unpretentious.

The concubines who had been fighting in the palace for days and had not been able to receive the emperor's favor were gnashing their teeth.

"Let's talk business." Li Shimin said seriously:
"The grand ceremony is approaching. Tomorrow, all the princes and princesses from other places will set off to return to the capital, including Li Ling and the other four princesses who married in Hebei."

Yang was a little surprised:

"According to etiquette, the promotion of a concubine does not require such a grand ceremony..."

The ceremony for Yang's promotion to Defei has not yet been officially held, but it is scheduled for an auspicious day at the end of this month.

The girls in the harem were not allowed to meet the princes casually, let alone summon them back to the capital from thousands of miles away.

"It's not just you."

Li Shimin looked at the little ball of flesh clinging to his knees and said:
"And Li Ming."

"I want to be promoted to Consort De, too?"

Li Ming was startled and suddenly woke up from his thoughts.

Li Shimin was in no mood to joke with him, so he said bluntly:

“It’s adoption.

"The adoption ceremony for Prince Ming was also held."

(End of this chapter)