Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 205 Li Jing: No, Your Majesty???

Chapter 205 Li Jing: No, Your Majesty...???
"His Majesty."

Fang Xuanling walked in slowly.

At dusk, Li Shimin was sitting cross-legged in the setting sun, holding a scroll of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy in his hands.

Seeing his trusted old friend coming, he casually put his calligraphy on the corner of the table and said in a relaxed tone:

"Come on, please sit down and chat."

When your boss is “casual” with you, it means big things are going to happen.

Fang Xuanling lowered his head respectfully and glanced at His Majesty's hand calmly.

The authentic work of Wang Xizhi, which was usually treasured by Li Shimin, was now placed face down on the side like an ordinary document.

He immediately realized that His Majesty was hiding something.

"I'm afraid this will be the last time I lead troops in my life."

Li Shimin leisurely made tea for him and his old friend.

Fang Xuanling immediately knelt down:
"May the country be blessed, and your majesty be healthy and well. Why do you say that?"

"Hahaha~ It's my fault for not explaining myself clearly and alarming Lord Xuanling."

Li Shimin smiled and stroked his mustache:
"My point is that a ruler does not have to do everything himself, but should leave the opportunity to serve the country to future generations.

"There are many domestic affairs to deal with. I should focus my energy on them."

Oh, it turns out that time is not running out... Fang Xuanling breathed a sigh of relief and said slowly:

"In fact, there were some complaints among the court officials about your Majesty's personal expedition this time."

However, after the expedition to Gaochang was thwarted the year before last, the ministers no longer easily expressed their opinions on Your Majesty’s military actions.

If we consider it from the perspective of dark political struggle.

With His Majesty away from home and Li Ming staying behind, the Fourteenth Party will naturally be in the limelight, while the Anti-Fourteenth Party can also take the opportunity to take revenge.

The two sides reached a consensus for once, so there was no opposition.

"It's hard to say what's right or wrong."

Li Shimin looked at the setting sun and sighed sadly:
"We are all old now, and we are no longer the young men who rode horses and charged into battle.

"Li Xiaogong, Wei Zheng, Du Ruhui...I am determined to lead the army in person this time. Isn't this just an act of anger because I refuse to accept my old age?

"You have to accept it. It is ridiculous to fight against the law of nature with a mortal body."

Fang Xuanling also felt dazed after listening to this. Bathed in the gentle and gradually dimming sunset, he felt a strong sense of sadness in his heart.

He was stunned for a long time, then realized that he had lost his composure, and answered immediately:

"Your Majesty is still young and strong, why do you say you are old?"

"No need to do that. I know whether I am old or not." Li Shimin laughed generously:
"I have begun to feel nostalgic and old, just like the old man at the entrance of the village. Am I not old?"

He took a sip of tea and said:

"Speaking of my old friend, Lord Li Wei, how are you?"

Fang Xuanling's heart trembled.

He immediately understood why His Majesty had called him here this time.

"I am stupid and don't know much about Li Jing's recent situation." Fang Xuanling answered truthfully:

"I don't see him very often, and even less since his wife passed away."

Just objectively describe what you see, and never say anything extra, or add subjective judgments like "Li Jing has been staying indoors all the time."

Otherwise, His Majesty would definitely think: Good boy, you have been squatting outside the door of the Duke of Weiguo's house to observe, right? What is your intention?

Fang Xuanling was of course well aware of Li Jing's delicate status and the complicated relationship between him and His Majesty.

That little old man is the only one that Your Majesty is truly "worried" about.

In addition, Li Jing was a latecomer and was almost beheaded by the emperor because of his loyalty issues, and this happened twice.

One was when he had just surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, and another time was when he was fighting against the southern separatist regime of Xiao Xing. He was procrastinating and dithering, and it seemed that he was referring to Xiao Xing.

Such a person with great talent but questionable loyalty would not survive more than three episodes in any other unified dynasty.

Perhaps the moment the world was pacified, Li Jing's head was hung in the market as a "rebel".

However, His Majesty Li Shimin is a king who values talent and sentiments.

This is why Li Weigong has been able to survive until now under the heavy surveillance in Chang'an.

Therefore, based on Fang Xuanling's philosophy of being an official, he absolutely did not want to have anything to do with that kind of person.

Of course it is not possible to make friends with him, because if Li Jing gets chopped off at any time, the blood will splatter on you.

But it's not okay to kick someone when he's down, because Your Majesty has feelings for Li Jing, and being a villain will only make things difficult for Your Majesty.

Treating Li Jing as air is the greatest common denominator among the officials in the court.

"You really don't care about your old friend." Li Shimin scolded, but he was quite satisfied with the answer in his heart.

"It's the fault of this old minister." Fang Xuanling apologized sincerely and said he would do it again next time.

Li Shimin: "I am different. I met him some time ago."

Fang Xuanling: "Oh? Is Lord Wei still healthy?"

"Very healthy." Li Shimin looked at Lao Fang's expression:

“Although I had dry coughs and my steps were unsteady, I coughed without phlegm and my face turned red every time I coughed, which showed that my Qi and blood were sufficient.

"If you still have such energy at the age of seventy, you will surely be able to continue to shine for the Tang Dynasty like Sima Yi, who was able to strengthen himself despite his old age and establish meritorious services for the Wei Dynasty."

Fang Xuanling could hardly control the twitching of his mouth.

Oh my god, Li Jing was found out while pretending to be sick.

He is also compared to Sima Yi.

There is no need to explain in detail what Sima Yi, who maxed out Luoshui's credit points, did to his master.

"He came to visit me in the palace to plead for mercy on behalf of his cousin Li Qianyou."

Li Shimin looked at Fang Xuanling, who was trembling and dared not say a word, and said to himself:
“I don’t know whether Li Weigong is really old and confused or just pretending to be so secretive as to defend a corrupt official.

"I wanted to reprimand him, but considering his advanced age and his contributions to the country, I agreed."

Li Shimin openly praised himself.

"Alas... indeed, I will definitely talk to His Highness Li Ming about it." Fang Xuanling answered tremblingly.

He understood Li Shimin's intentions too well.

He simply hoped to use his husband's mouth to put all the blame for pardoning corrupt officials on Li Jing, so as to exonerate himself in front of Li Ming, who hated evil.

Anyway, this is also an attempt by His Majesty to improve the relationship with the Crown Prince... sorry, the Prince Regent. Regardless of whether it is true or not, Fang Xuanling has no reason to support it.

"It would be great if Lord Xuanling could have this heart."

Li Shimin was still very satisfied with his sensible old friend and continued to instruct him:
"You must not be disrespectful to Lord Li Wei. The elderly are physically fragile. He was fine yesterday, but he may be gone in a moment.

"During the time when I am on the Northern Expedition, you should send people to visit me morning and evening. If the Duke of Wei is seriously ill, send him to a doctor immediately."

Strengthen the surveillance on Li Jing, right... Fang Xuanling understood and immediately agreed.

“In addition, Li Qianyou is Li Jing’s cousin, so he should continue to serve as the Chang’an magistrate and cannot take any action without authorization.

"I don't want to bear the infamy of persecuting the families of meritorious officials, and I don't want Li Ming to bear it either."

Li Shimin continued to admonish.

"I will obey your order." Fang Xuanling agreed readily.

It is not difficult to guess your Majesty's intention, which is to prevent His Majesty Li Ming from settling scores with Li Qianyou when your Majesty is away.

As for why His Majesty wanted to protect Li Qianyou so much, Lao Fang could also see some clues from the previous conversation -

Li Qianyou is a tool to control Li Jing.

As long as Li Jing is alive, Li Qianyou will be valuable.

Compared with the major project of restraining Li Jing, the evil that Chang'an Ling did to the people was just a drizzle and not a big deal.

"And one more thing."

Li Shimin pointed at the table and lowered his voice involuntarily.

Fang Xuanling immediately straightened his body, leaned forward slightly, and listened carefully.

At this time, the sun had completely set and darkness gradually crept up onto the Lizheng Hall.

The palace lanterns outside the hall had not yet been lit, and the imperial study fell into a brief darkness.

Li Shimin did not order anyone to light the lamp. His entire face was hidden in the shadows. His voice was slow and firm:
"If I encounter any misfortune during this Northern Expedition

"You, execute Li Jing immediately."

Fang Xuanling took a deep breath and knelt down without hesitation:

"According to the order."

Any hesitation for a second is a disrespect for your own life.

After expressing his attitude, he slowly tried to make amends:

"Your Majesty is blessed with great fortune, why do you say that..."

"Eighty thousand Tang troops, scattered across Mobei, are like a stream flowing into the sea, and can in fact not create any waves.

"Besides, swords have no eyes. I have brushed shoulders with death several times, and six of my war horses have died. Who knows?"

Li Shimin sighed, but his eyes reflected the last rays of the setting sun, shining especially brightly in the dark room.

Most people went to the battlefield out of helplessness, but Li Shimin was different.

He really likes fighting.

During the more than ten years he was in power, he conquered many countries and took over arable land, while turning uncultivated land into trade routes, border fortresses or buffer zones.

It created a comfortable environment for the peaceful development of future generations of the Tang Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, take care. I will take my leave."

After the emperor and his minister exchanged a few polite words, Fang Xuanling got up and left.

Before he left the room, Li Shimin called him:

"Keep this matter secret from Li Ming, especially before you take action to eliminate Li Jing, you must not let him know about it."

What I mean is that the blame for killing meritorious officials lies with you, who are jealous of talented people, and me, who am foolish in my old age.

The new king must be pure and flawless.

Poor parents in the world...

Fang Xuanling was deeply touched and respectfully took the order to leave.

Huh... Li Shimin sighed. He felt both relieved that a heavy burden had been lifted and heavy-hearted as he had to kill his old friend. His mood was extremely complicated.

He faced the empty space opposite him, pondered for a while, and called the eunuch:

"Light the lamp and call Zhangsun Wuji over."

…………

The light once again filled the imperial study.

Changsun Wuji knelt nervously in the position where Fang Xuanling had just sat.

Li Ming was the regent, and his biological mother became the queen. He felt that he was doomed.

All you hear is the laughter of the new people, but no one cries of the old ones.

Changsun Wuji couldn't even cry.

Even his eldest grandson, Sun Yan, is around, but he can't be coaxed.

For the big families that have placed long bets, being nice to your grandchildren will not prevent them from destroying you personally.

Moreover, Changsun Yan's role and status under Li Ming were far inferior to Changsun Wuji's under Li Shimin. Changsun's family and himself were doomed.

It's the kind of thing that will be swept into the dustbin of history.

After getting drunk several times, he tried several times to learn from Li Ming's advanced experience.

Retreat while the going gets tough, escape from the stain, and avoid subsequent accountability.

But just like Li Ming’s mental state last year, he also felt like the brightest star in the night sky.

No matter where he escapes to, there is always an invisible hand behind him, leading him to his death.

He felt that Li Ming was just such a petty person who would never give up...

"Assistant, are you feeling unwell?"

Li Shimin looked at his former brother-in-law with confusion as his face turned pale.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty."

Looking at his extremely majestic brother-in-law, Changsun Wuji even had a strange impulse.

I want to fall to my knees and say, "Your Majesty, can I resign?"

"You have suffered some injustice in the past few months, and I have seen it all." Li Shimin comforted him kindly.

Changsun Wuji was almost moved to tears.

Your Majesty used "I" instead of "Zhen", and Your Majesty still treated him as one of your own family...

"I asked you to come here this time because I have a very important matter to entrust to you."

Li Shimin looked into Changsun Wuji's eyes and said seriously.

Changsun Wuji immediately sat up straight.

Then, the Emperor suddenly burst into tears in front of him.

"Your Majesty! Why are you so sad?" Changsun Wuji was a little flustered.

No matter how much you have experienced, you will still be confused when the most powerful man in the world suddenly bursts into tears in front of you.

"Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and Li Zhi are all my descendants, the flesh and blood of me and Guanyin."

His Majesty Li Shimin spoke with tears and snot:

"Now that the three of them are about to die, how can I not be sad!"

Your Majesty, why do you say that... Changsun Wuji was shocked.

But after a little thought, he immediately understood what the emperor meant -

Your Majesty is afraid that after Li Ming comes to power, he will purge the three legitimate sons.

Li Chengqian had fought directly with Li Ming several times, so he probably couldn't escape revenge.

Li Tai and Li Zhi were not directly hostile to Li Ming.

However, the status of the legitimate prince as the son of Empress Changsun was also a threat to Li Ming.

I'm afraid it will be difficult to escape reckoning in the future.

Changsun Wuji couldn't help but feel sad for the other party and felt a strong sense of sorrow in his heart.

"If Your Majesty is concerned about the prince's life, why not appoint a kind-hearted person as the crown prince? If brothers don't kill each other, the world can also rest and recuperate, and the dilemma will be solved.

"I think that Jin Wang Li Zhi..."

"Li Ming is very generous, but his generosity is not obvious, and you haven't discovered it yet." Li Shimin wiped away his tears and interrupted Changsun Wuji's slander in time.

Changsun Wuji's eyelids twitched and he sighed silently.

In order to help Li Ming ascend to the throne, Your Majesty has gone to such lengths to be unwilling to do so.

Is the will to support Li Ming so unshakable?
The grace of Empress Wende only lasted for a few years...

"So, what does your majesty mean?"

Chang Sun Wuji couldn't figure out your majesty's thinking, so he simply gave up and gave up, asking your majesty to make it clear.

"Assisted Machine, the lives of your three nephews are actually in your hands!"

Li Shimin couldn't help but raise his voice.

Zhang Sun Wuji was completely confused: "In... my hands?"

Li Shimin said:
"As I just said, Li Ming is kind-hearted by nature. He will not offend others unless they offend him."

what?
Your Majesty, are you serious?
How did those landlords and local tyrants in Pingzhou and Yingzhou "offend" him?
However, while eating hotpot and singing at home, he was suddenly robbed by Li Ming.

The land has been divided, and if you dare to have second thoughts, you will lose your life.

Where exactly is Li Ming's generosity? I'm sorry I'm not very smart and can't tell.

If this can be considered magnanimity, then Emperor Wu of Han was a benevolent ruler.

"I can see something about how to deal with the money shortage." Li Shimin wiped his tears and snot, trying to persuade his brother-in-law:
"When Li Ming was in power, did he crack down on dissidents and support his own party?"

"This..." Changsun Wuji couldn't deny it:
"His Highness Li Ming really put state affairs first at the time and was not targeting people."

At the beginning of the money shortage, when people in the court heard that Li Ming was about to take power, they felt like the sky was falling.

He thought that he would not be able to escape the reckoning and that the fourteen traitors would be able to turn the tables.

Unexpectedly, Li Ming handled the matter quite openly.

He did not make things difficult for his political opponents, nor did he give special treatment to his own people.

All people will be rewarded according to their merits regardless of their positions.

To be honest, this wise operation greatly increased Li Ming's favor.

Many people have become his fans, and even the die-hard Ming haters are not so extreme in their opposition.

Surrounding us on three sides and leaving one side open gives the enemy enough room to retreat, so they naturally have neither the need nor the courage to fight to the death.

This is also why after Li Ming became regent and his mother became queen, they did not encounter much opposition in the court.

Everyone clearly saw the shadow of his father Li Shimin in Li Ming's actions——

When Wei Zheng was a subordinate of Li Jiancheng, he once suggested poisoning Li Shimin. Even so, Li Shimin did not kill the Julu farmer, but entrusted him with an important task.

"This boy has a bad temper, but he is not dark, and he is not someone who secretly harbors hatred."

Li Shimin continued:
"This is one of the reasons why I decided to pass the throne to him."

This was the first time that Li Shimin clearly stated that he would pass the throne to his fourteenth son.

Although he had a premonition, Changsun Wuji still couldn't help but clutch his trouser legs.

Li Shimin looked at his dishonest little hands and asked:
"If Li Chengqian becomes the new emperor, do you think the other princes can be saved?"

The old princeling Zhangsun Wuji really wanted to nod.

But he couldn't tell this lie in front of the emperor:

"It should be... no."

"What if it was Li Tai?" Li Shimin asked.

Chang Sun Wuji answered immediately:

"The King of Wei is so hypocritical that he cannot do this."

“So, the only ones who have a chance of keeping all their brothers alive after taking the throne are Li Ming and Li Zhi.

"Compared with Li Ming, Li Zhi's ability is inferior."

Li Shimin explained to Changsun Wuji the reasons for choosing Li Ming.

The selection of a new emperor is not something that can be decided simply by the old emperor.

The opinions and emotions of ministers and prominent families must also be taken into consideration.

Otherwise, we will be digging a hole for the country's future.

"However, as I said, Li Ming has a slightly bad temper."

Li Shimin added:

"If you go against him to the end, he will definitely not let you off easily. But if you are willing to give in, he may not make it difficult for you."

That cheap nephew's temper is more than a little bad... Changsun Wuji complained in his heart, and responded with a serious face:

"Then what your Majesty means is..."

"You, as an uncle, should set an example and take the initiative to mend your relationship with Li Ming, and not always contradict him in the court."

Li Shimin patiently explained:
"And teach the three brothers to improve their relationship with Li Ming, treat him with the same courtesy as the crown prince, and put aside their past grudges. They should not kill each other."

The fight for the throne had essentially ended, and Li Shimin had already begun to take back control of his business.

Although this open competition method did quickly produce the best option that is beneficial to both the country and the people.

But the side effects are also obvious. The four brothers are already estranged from each other, and their relationship is on the verge of completely breaking down.

If the situation continues to deteriorate like this, with Li Ming's vengeful temper, it is hard to say what stupid things he will do in the future.

While you can still keep control of the situation and before the situation becomes irreversible.

Li Shimin wanted to put the brakes on the rapidly deteriorating relationship between the brothers.

"I will also teach Li Ming a lesson, telling him not to bear grudges against my brother and be disrespectful to him."

Li Shimin said:
"When I return from Xueyantuo, I will take the opportunity to send Li Chengqian and Li Zhi out of Chang'an as well."

Three aggressive hounds were biting each other, and pulling them apart was the right thing to do.

However, as soon as the new queen was appointed, the two legitimate sons of the old queen were kicked out of town.

Li Shimin could not do such a thing.

Not to mention that this is too heartless and fickle, even more so than Emperor Gaozu of Han, and will be criticized by future generations.

From a rational point of view, such an operation would inevitably make Li Zhi and Li Chengqian feel disheartened and resentful, and at the local level, it would easily become a destabilizing factor for the Tang Dynasty.

Don't rush things, take your time...

"Your Majesty, I will obey your orders."

Changsun Wuji felt depressed and took the order to leave.

"Auxiliary machine."

Li Shimin finally reminded:

"Not only the three legitimate sons, but also your own life and future depend on you, so you must be careful."

"Thank you...your Majesty for your instructions."

Changsun Wuji obediently left the imperial study and left the Lizheng Hall.

When we reached the palace gate, it was already dark and the lights were just coming on.

"Old man!"

The servants came to greet him, leading the horses.

Changsun Wuji waved his hand absentmindedly: