Three whips break the father-son relationship, please call me prince

Chapter 138 The prince wants to have more children
"Shou Xing Hou's face is rosy and he looks very happy."

Li Chengqian teased, "But he is more romantic than a teenager."

Sun Simiao was not shy at all. Instead, he did not care. He was in his eighties and still able to do things. He wondered how many people envied him.

Your Highness, what kind of joke is this?

It's obviously a compliment to him.

"Your Highness, Confucius said that food and sex are human nature. Although I am old, I am still full of energy..."

"You are so old and shameless."

Li Chengqian shook his head and asked him about the affairs of Jishiguan.

When Sun Simiao came back this time, he had a lot of things to do. Not only did he have to summarize the experience of battlefield treatment, but he also had to compile a set of military medical guidance manuals.

It can be said that from then on, he truly found the secret to saving the world.

The experience gained from the battlefield can also benefit the people.

After all, ordinary people might get hurt, and even a minor injury might cost their lives. But now that we have experience, we can deal with it calmly and avoid many tragedies.

After Sun Simiao went to Jishiguan, Li Simao, the Turkic leader who was regarded as a "gentleman", also came to pay a visit to Li Chengqian.

I have to say, Li Simo is really good at pua.

Create a 'gentleman' persona for him.

This barbarian's every word and action was in accordance with the ethics and etiquette of a 'gentleman'.

After hearing about his banquet, he couldn't wait to invite someone to teach him more "gentlemanly" etiquette.

With such a love of learning, he admired the barbarians of the Tang Dynasty.

Don't take it too easy to control him.

Li Chengqian said a few words and sent him away.

But Li Debiao, this stupid guy, actually came to the door.

"Your Highness, from now on, my life belongs to you."

"Please accept my submission and allow me to kiss your boots!"

Li Debiao knelt on the ground and said with great piety.

Li Chengqian: "???"

"Where did you learn this?"

Li Debiao said: "When I was in India, I would kiss their boots when I saw them submitting to the strong..."

"I heard it came from the far west. I don't know whether it's true or not, but I think it can show respect."

Li Chengqian thought it was funny, "The barbarians' ways are not popular in the Tang Dynasty."

"Your life is not mine, it belongs to His Majesty and Tian Tang."

"You are submitting to His Majesty, not me."

"As long as I know your purpose, go down."

Li Debiao kowtowed and said, "I'm leaving now!"

Seeing him leave, Li Chengqian was a little puzzled. He didn't know why, but he was not too disgusted with this black man from the Tang Dynasty.

Could it be that it was because the Tang Dynasty was too powerful?

……

Li Shimin decided to lead his army on a northern tour, taking a group of military generals as well as Zhangsun Wuji, Wei Zheng and others with him, leaving the crown prince in Chang'an to supervise the country.

None of the ministers had any objection to this.

It is perfectly normal for the emperor to go on tour and the crown prince to govern the country.

It was not the first time that Li Chengqian had been regent. Whenever Li Shimin went out on a tour or inspection, he would basically leave Li Chengqian in Chang'an to look after the house.

However, Li Shimin still made some arrangements before leaving.

February 27th.

Li Shimin set out and headed straight for the north.

Li Chengqian saw him off.

"Prince, I am not in Chang'an. Please discuss state affairs with Duke Liang and Duke Shen."

Li Shimin gave this instruction, and then told Fang Xuanling and others, "You should assist the crown prince well."

"I understand." Li Chengqian nodded.

"According to the order!"

Li Shimin then entered the imperial carriage, with the ceremonial guard leading the way. The carriage was like a dragon, heading north.

After a long time, the imperial carriage procession disappeared from the official road.

It is estimated that Li Shimin will not be able to return for at least three to five months during this northern tour.

The burden of state affairs fell on Li Chengqian.

However, there is a saying that if there is no emperor in the court, the prince is the king.

"Eastern Palace meeting!"

He would not go to the Taiji Hall because it was not a big deal. He would only go there when there was a grand court meeting.

Wait until they gather at Xiande Hall.

Li Chengqian said, "It's almost the beginning of March."

"Duke Liang, how is the plan to encourage childbirth going?"

Fang Xuanling said: "Your Highness, all the plans have been completed. We will officially announce and implement it on the first day of March."

"How was it planned specifically?"

Fang Xuanling's report was very detailed, with many details considered very carefully and done very well.

For example, after becoming pregnant, one must register with the government.

After a newborn is born, someone from the government will check on the baby every month and distribute monthly allowances.

This is to prevent the situation where male babies are born and raised while female babies are sold.

The reason why Li Chengqian increased the reward and monthly subsidy for baby girls.

The root cause is that the cost and benefits of raising a baby girl are disproportionate, and that traditional concepts do not attach importance to baby girls.

Drowning a baby girl is something that not many ordinary families would do, considering the cost and labor of raising her.

When the conditions of an ordinary family are only enough to raise a baby boy, and the first child is not a boy, considering the issue of passing on the family line and family labor, the baby girl will most likely be drowned.

Under such circumstances, if the imperial court did not take action, it would be impossible to achieve significant population growth.

In fact, the Tang Dynasty was established for more than twenty years.

There has been no significant growth in population.

Part of the reason was the war and Li Shimin's use of foreign troops. But another reason was that there was no substantial investment or welfare policy to encourage people to have children.

There is another issue that cannot be ignored.

Behind Li Shimin's title of Heavenly Khan were countless Tang people who carried heavy burdens.

There were hundreds of thousands of imperial guards near Chang'an alone, who needed to be supported by the court.

A population of more than 16 million has to provide food, drink, and shelter for an army of 200,000, which is equivalent to eighty people supporting one imperial guard.

It seems like a lot, but if we subtract a portion of people who do not pay taxes, the proportion is much lower.

Furthermore, there were nearly one million soldiers in the Zhechoufu throughout the provinces, states, and counties throughout the country, and the ratio was already ridiculously low.

Although the million soldiers are self-sufficient, they are all young and strong laborers.

Li Shimin was always going to fight a war, so how could he concentrate on productive labor?
Their output was enough to support themselves, and they did not have to pay household taxes, which meant they did not have to pay the rent and labor service that ordinary people had to pay.

Without the taxes provided by these one million young and strong men, it is hard to imagine how many people would be able to bear the expenses of a standing army of 200,000.

With such a heavy burden, if people want to have children, can they afford to raise them?
Li Chengqian studied the population and found that although Li Shimin loved war so much, he did not die during the Zhenguan period. This was thanks to the reduction in population due to the war. The people had fields to farm and food to eat and were not left with nowhere to go.

Otherwise, with Li Shimin's ambitious nature, he would definitely get himself into trouble.

The evaluation of the Zhenguan Administration is not wrong.

It has the merit of governing the world, but it does not have the appearance of a prosperous era.

After all, the population during the Zhenguan period is there, and there is no point in making excuses.

The greatest contribution of the Zhenguan Administration was that it laid a solid and stable foundation for the future Kaiyuan Prosperity.

But now if we want to create a prosperous era, no matter from which perspective, the population must grow.

Once the population increases, many problems can be easily solved.

Fortunately, this time the strategy of using Tubo’s national wealth to support the Tang people can effectively promote population policy.

The imperial court pays money to encourage childbirth. Everyone can have children if they want and don’t have to worry about not being able to afford to raise them. The more children you have, the more rewards you will receive.

If we take out real money and relieve the people's worries, we will not believe that they will not have children.

"You are really thoughtful."

"It not only effectively prevents people with ulterior motives from exploiting loopholes, but also effectively protects newborns."

Li Chengqian praised generously, saying, "Not bad, not bad."

"Let's do this, Your Majesty. Do you have any objections?"

"After your Majesty's deliberation, it will be approved and issued." Fang Xuanling said.

"it is good."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "In that case, I feel relieved."

"However, as important officials of the imperial court, you should also take the lead in encouraging childbirth."

Hear the words.

Everyone looked a little embarrassed. Fang Xuanling said, "Your Highness, we are old and I am afraid we are unable to set an example."

"Ha ha!"

Li Chengqian laughed and said, "Some time ago, when Shouxinghou was first conferred the title of marquis, His Majesty rewarded him with ten beauties, and the next day they came to see me with a smile on their faces."

"Marquis Shou Xing is over eighty years old, but he is still strong and healthy."

"Why are you so powerless?"

How can that be compared?

Who can be over eighty years old and still run around like Sun Simiao, walking briskly?

"Two years ago, Shou Xinghou had a son late in life, and he treasured him very much."

Everyone: "..."

This old man is a bit too outrageous.

"I want you to set an example, but shouldn't the prince take the lead?"

Gao Shilian twisted his beard and said, "As the crown prince of the country, I shoulder the heavy responsibility of ensuring the prosperity of my descendants, which is related to the country."

"With only two sons, it would be hard for the prince to explain to the world."

Fang Xuanling smiled and said, "Duke Shen is right."

We are old, but you are still young and are still the prince.

Shouldn't we set an example?
"As the crown prince, I should encourage myself and work hard to make a population contribution to the Tang Dynasty."

"Don't worry, I will definitely invite you when the time comes."

Li Chengqian whispered, "May I tell you that the Crown Princess is pregnant."

"Ok?"

Everyone was delighted, and Gao Shilian hurriedly asked, "When was it discovered?"

"This morning."

"Has your Highness told His Majesty?"

"What's there to say?"

No matter what, the fact that the Crown Princess is pregnant is something to be happy about for everyone.

There has been a lot of discussion in the court.

The prince has only two sons, one illegitimate eldest son and one legitimate son.

Having too few offspring is not good for the country. We should have more children.

The more children you have, the more beneficial it will be to the stability of the Tang Dynasty.

"Your Highness."

"Since the Crown Princess is pregnant, she should be well taken care of."

Gao Shilian said: "I will help Your Highness to find a group of beauties to serve the prince in the palace."

This is to find a woman for Li Chengqian so that he can have a mistress.

Li Chengqian did not refuse and said, "Thank you, uncle."

"Don't worry, Prince. I will select the best of the best for you, whether it's the ladies from the five surnames and seven noble families or the daughters of the wealthy and powerful families."

Gao Shilian was very enthusiastic about this matter and was extremely happy.

Li Chengqian didn't care. As the crown prince, it was necessary for him to have children.

Furthermore, the beauties selected are all from major families.

They coveted a marriage relationship with the prince.

Doesn’t Li Chengqian want to stop thinking about it?
The beauty has slept with me, and I am going to take advantage of the family behind her.

(End of this chapter)