Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 412 The Crown Prince's Benevolence is Detrimental to the Country

On the eighth day of the seventh lunar month, early in the morning, the clerks of the Street Office began to patrol the streets with their eyes as big as lanterns.

During the Tang Dynasty, there were many festivals, and people often gathered together to celebrate, which easily led to pollution of the streets.

The Tang people loved cleanliness, a tradition that has existed since ancient times.

During the Yin and Shang dynasties, it was said that those who threw ashes on the road would have their hands cut off. This is recorded in ancient books, but it is unknown whether it is true or not.

However, during the Qin Dynasty, there was a clear decree that those who discarded ashes on the road would be punished with tattooing, which meant that characters would be carved on their faces.

During the Tang Dynasty, the laws were not as severe as those of the Qin Dynasty. The Yonghui Commentary on the Laws stipulated that anyone who discharged filth into the streets and alleys would be punished with sixty strokes of the cane.

Therefore, after each festival, the clerks of the Street Office would search for garbage on the streets, and once they found it, they would investigate along the clues.

If you found it, sorry, you'll be punished with sixty strokes of the cane. If you didn't find it, consider yourself lucky.

After sixty battles, people would be bedridden for at least several months, so no one would gamble on luck for a moment's sake. As a result, the streets were quite clean and tidy.

All that could be seen were individual households sweeping the fallen leaves outside their doors.

The street officials were inspecting the area when they suddenly saw a mansion ahead, with what appeared to be an abandoned paper lantern at the entrance.

A young clerk's eyes lit up, and he was about to rush over to check, but was stopped by an older clerk.

"Professor Fei, why are you pulling me?"

The elderly clerk gestured with his lips toward the mansion and said, "Do you know whose residence that is? Don't go looking for trouble."

"Hmph, it's just Changsun Wuji's residence. He doesn't have any official rank now, what's there to be afraid of?" The young man was quite stubborn.

Old Fei snorted and said, "Even if someone who has reached his position is imprisoned and sentenced to death, don't easily provoke him, understand?"

The young man pouted, still looking somewhat unconvinced.

At this moment, a carriage drove along the long street. It was a two-shaft carriage with very special patterns on it, which were obviously made of high-quality rosewood. The curtains were made of Shu brocade.

Old Fei squinted and asked, "Do you know who's sitting in that carriage?"

The young man wasn't very perceptive, but he could tell that this carriage was quite unusual, and asked, "Who is it?"

Master Fei said calmly, "Master Yu."

The young man was taken aback. Yu Zhining was not only the current prime minister but also the crown prince's tutor. In the young man's mind, he was a real big shot.

However, in the eyes of the old officials who had witnessed Changsun Wuji's rule over the court, Changsun Wuji was the truly formidable figure, someone who had even challenged the emperor!
"Look, Master Yu has come to visit Master Changsun."

The young man took a breath, feeling a lingering fear; thankfully, he hadn't acted impulsively.

If, while investigating that paper lantern, a conflict arises with the people of the Changsun family, and happens to be witnessed by Master Yu, then things will be terrible.

"Let's go." The old official led the young man around the Changsun residence to inspect other places.

On the other side, Yu Zhining strolled leisurely along the long corridor of the Changsun Mansion.

The fact that Changsun Wuji sent someone to see him so early in the morning must mean he had something to ask of him, which made him very happy.

However, when he entered Changsun Wuji's study, he was met with Changsun Wuji's dark face.

"Brother Changsun, what's wrong now? I haven't offended you recently," Yu Zhining said guiltily.

Changsun Wuji snorted but remained silent.

After the servants served tea and left the room, he spoke up: "Brother Yu, I just heard that the Crown Prince petitioned His Majesty last night to release the three thousand palace servants of Shanchi Academy, and His Majesty has granted the request. Is that true?"

Yu Zhining, holding his teacup, smiled and said, "I thought it was something serious. Yes, there is such a thing. Last night, the Crown Prince was strolling around the East Palace and climbed a tall building. He saw the palace servants working in the pavilions and ponds. Seeing that they had to work on Qixi Festival, he felt sorry for them and asked His Majesty for permission."

Changsun Wuji's face was ashen as he said, "You think this is a trivial matter?"

Yu Zhining frowned and said, "The Crown Prince is kind-hearted, isn't that a good thing?"

Changsun Wuji stared coldly at him and said, "The Crown Prince's excessive benevolence is indeed a good thing for officials, but it is a bad thing for the country! Don't you know that?"

Yu Zhining paused, then remained silent.

The crown prince is the future emperor. If he is too kind, he will lack ruthless methods, be unable to control the court officials internally, and be unable to suppress the barbarians externally, making it difficult for him to achieve great things.

On the other hand, a benevolent monarch, at least, won't cause trouble, and he should be able to maintain his kingdom.

“Brother Changsun, we are no longer in the early days of the dynasty. I think it would be fine if the Crown Prince were to be more merciful,” Yu Zhining said.

Changsun Wuji shook his head and said, "You are wrong. Although it is not the founding period of the dynasty, His Majesty has been reforming the court system, which has offended the interests of too many people. If the Crown Prince does not have a strong hand, these forces will launch a joint attack in the future, and His Majesty's reform measures will all be in vain!"

Yu Zhining stared at Changsun Wuji in surprise, not expecting him to agree with the emperor's reforms so much.

Changsun Wuji said calmly, "What's so surprising? Judging from the current results, His Majesty's reforms are beneficial to the country. Since that's the case, I will naturally support them."

Yu Zhining laughed and said, "Brother Changsun, we're all getting on in years. Let's leave the matter of the Crown Prince to the younger ministers. We shouldn't concern ourselves with it."

Changsun Wuji said, "Of course, they hope that the Crown Prince is as benevolent as possible, so that their future days will be easier."

Yu Zhining sighed, "But His Majesty has already agreed to the Crown Prince's request, so why should we worry about it?"

Changsun Wuji was silent for a moment, then said, "Between father and son, it's easy to be blinded by affection. Have you forgotten the lessons learned from the late emperor and the deposed crown prince?"

Yu Zhining was taken aback and dared not reply.

Changsun Wuji slowly said, "His Majesty is kind and benevolent, so he will feel that the Crown Prince is very similar to him and will become like him in the future."

"However, the Crown Prince's experience is different from His Majesty's. He lacks the tempering of the struggle for the throne and only has a kind side, but he cannot show a decisive and ruthless side at critical moments."

Yu Zhining glanced at him and said in a low voice, "I'm afraid only you would dare to say such things."

Changsun Wuji glanced at him and said, "That's because you neglected your duty!"

Yu Zhining asked in surprise, "How did I neglect my duty?"

Changsun Wuji said, "Don't forget your position as the Crown Prince's tutor. What have you taught the Crown Prince all these years?"

Yu Zhining immediately fell silent.

He would occasionally visit the East Palace, where the Crown Prince would take the opportunity to ask a few questions, which he would answer casually, and that would be the end of it.

In contrast, when Changsun Wuji served as the Crown Prince's tutor, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to cultivating the heir apparent.

“You can’t blame only me. Li Ji was the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and he didn’t do anything either,” Yu Zhining argued.

Changsun Wuji glared and said, "Li Ji is a warrior, how can you compare yourself to him?"

Yu Zhining stared at Changsun Wuji, his expression suddenly becoming a little strange.

"What?" Changsun Wuji raised an eyebrow.

Yu Zhining asked, "Why have you suddenly become so interested in court affairs lately?"

"If I didn't care about court affairs, why did I agree to deal with Xiao Siye in the first place?" Changsun Wuji sneered.

"No, you were rather passive back then; I was the one who came to you. Now you're taking the initiative, so something must have happened in between."

Changsun Wuji, fearing that he would discover his secret of entering the Inner Palace, said in a deep voice, "Don't change the subject. The matter of the Crown Prince cannot be delayed any longer." Yu Zhining also knew that what Changsun Wuji said made sense. A kind heart cannot command an army. If the Crown Prince is really too benevolent, he may not be able to maintain the new policies in the future.

He thought for a moment and said, "Then starting tomorrow, I will go to the East Palace every day to guide the Crown Prince slowly."

Changsun Wuji shook his head and said, "The Crown Prince is already twelve years old. His character is already formed, and it is difficult to change him with words alone."

"Then what do you want to do?"

Changsun Wuji said, "It is difficult to teach people with words, but easy to teach them with deeds. You need to advise His Majesty to let the Crown Prince leave the Eastern Palace and gain more experience."

Yu Zhining exclaimed in surprise, "What if something happens to the Crown Prince?"

Changsun Wuji closed his eyes and remained silent.

Yu Zhining blushed slightly. He knew Changsun Wuji very well and could guess what the other was thinking.

The reason he asked that question was because he was afraid of taking responsibility, which is why Changsun Wuji disdained to answer him.

Yu Zhining naturally understood that a person cannot grow without experiencing some setbacks and dangers. If he were afraid that the Crown Prince would be in danger and locked up in the Eastern Palace, it would only harm the Crown Prince.

"Very well, I will go to the palace immediately and report this matter to His Majesty!"

Changsun Wuji opened his eyes and said, "That's right, but don't go to His Majesty yet, go to the Empress first."

Yu Zhining asked in surprise, "Looking for the Empress?"

Changsun Wuji said slowly, "Your Majesty, like the late Emperor, is too indulgent in his children and I'm afraid he will not accept advice."

Yu Zhining asked, "Would the Empress be willing to help us persuade His Majesty?"

Changsun Wuji sighed, "Putting aside her status as the Empress, she is actually more rational than His Majesty in many ways. For example, her upbringing of her nephew Wu Minzhi is something I greatly admire."

Yu Zhining nodded and said, "Alright then, I'll go and try to find the Empress. But the Crown Prince is the guarantee of her power, so I'm not as optimistic as you are."

Changsun Wuji did not refute this time. He knew that the Wu clan valued power and was not sure himself.

At Yu Zhining's level, he no longer needed to go to the palace to work every day like ordinary officials.

After leaving the Changsun residence, he did not go to the Ministry of Personnel, but went directly to the Changle Gate to announce his arrival.

Before long, Zhang Duohai came to greet him personally and led him to the Lizheng Hall.

Wu Zetian held him in high esteem and personally greeted him outside the palace.

Yu Zhining quickly bowed and said, "This old minister greets Your Majesty the Empress."

Wu Meiniang said, "No need for such formalities, Mr. Yu." She led Yu Zhining into the main hall and ordered someone to serve him tea and a seat.

After tea, Wu Meiniang inquired about Yu Zhining's purpose in coming.

When Yu Zhining spoke to her, he couldn't be as casual as he was with Changsun Wuji. He first brought up the matter of the Crown Prince requesting the Emperor's decree to release the palace servants the previous night, praising the Crown Prince's benevolence.

Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang frowned slightly and said, "The Crown Prince is indeed filial, but he doesn't know how to handle things properly. I hope the Grand Tutor will guide him more in the future."

Upon hearing this, Yu Zhining knew that Empress Wu was slightly dissatisfied with the matter.

However, he was still unable to discern the reason for Empress Wu's dissatisfaction.

Was it because the Crown Prince interfered in the affairs of the inner palace that she was dissatisfied with, or because she also felt that the Crown Prince was too benevolent, which was not a good thing?

If it's the latter, then there's no need to worry too much.

“That is true. Such a major matter should be reported to Her Majesty the Empress first, as is proper. I will certainly advise the Crown Prince in the future.” Yu Zhining probed for the second time.

Wu Meiniang said, "He came to ask me for instructions last night. I'm not worried about that, but I'm afraid that the Crown Prince is too kind-hearted and easily deceived."

Yu Zhining nodded secretly. It seemed that Empress Wu was also somewhat worried about the Crown Prince's temperament.

"Yes, as Zhuangzi said in 'Lie Yukou,' the human heart is more treacherous than mountains and rivers, and harder to know than the heavens. The Crown Prince's benevolence is excellent, but I worry that he might be deceived by villains."

Wu Meiniang glanced at Zhang Duohai, who waved his hand, and all the servants in the room withdrew.

Wu Meiniang looked at Yu Zhining and said slowly, "You've come to see me today on behalf of the Crown Prince, haven't you? Please speak frankly."

Yu Zhining hurriedly said, "This old minister was just thinking that the Crown Prince is already of child age. Staying in the Eastern Palace for a long time is not conducive to broadening his horizons, or may be detrimental to the Crown Prince's growth."

Wu Meiniang pondered for a moment and said, "The Grand Tutor's words are exactly what I think. In fact, I have advised him several times, but His Majesty is too concerned about Hong'er and is unwilling to let him leave the palace, as if he is afraid that he will catch a disease."

Yu Zhining was taken aback, thinking that the emperor's concern was quite strange. Could it be that the emperor himself had a headache and was afraid that the crown prince would also catch it?

But the emperor's headache was an ailment of nature. Even if he didn't leave the palace, if Heaven allowed the crown prince to get this disease, there was nothing that could be prevented!

Empress Wu said slowly, "I agree to this matter, but it needs to be considered carefully. I wonder if you have any good ideas?"

Yu Zhining thought for a while, but couldn't think of a way to persuade the emperor, so he said, "I will think about it carefully after I return to my residence."

Wu Meiniang said, "Then I'll have to trouble the Grand Tutor." She personally escorted Yu Zhining out of the palace gate.

After leaving the palace, Yu Zhining went straight to the Changsun residence and told Changsun Wuji about the situation.

"Brother Changsun, His Majesty is probably afraid of this headache, which is why he is being overly protective of the Crown Prince."

Changsun Wuji pondered and said, "Then we can only think of a way to make His Majesty realize that the current training of the Crown Prince is not appropriate."

Yu Zhining hurriedly asked, "Do you have a solution?"

Changsun Wuji pondered without answering.

After a long pause, he slowly said, "We need to select someone and let them gain more experience, so that they can be contrasted with the Crown Prince. When His Majesty sees the changes in this person, he will realize that there is a problem with the way the Crown Prince is being trained."

This method is troublesome, but persuading a monarch to change his mind is inherently a difficult task.

Yu Zhining stared at him and said, "Ordinary people are useless. You don't mean to choose another prince, do you?"

Changsun Wuji said, "If I had a choice, I would really like to choose a prince. However, this would create new hidden dangers."

Yu Zhining said, "Then let's choose a member of the imperial clan, preferably one who frequently appears before His Majesty."

After hearing this, Changsun Wuji fell silent.

There is one such candidate: Li Ji, the Prince of Wu. However, there is a history of hatred between the two.

Yu Zhining also thought of Li Ji, glanced at him, and said, "It doesn't necessarily have to be a member of the imperial clan. Relatives of the empress are also fine. How about choosing Wu Minzhi? Since the empress has agreed to support us, she should be able to agree."

Changsun Wuji said, "Let's choose the King of Wu. We can petition His Majesty to send an envoy to Baekje with a batch of grain to aid Baekje, and recommend Li Ji as the chief envoy. I think His Majesty will not refuse."

Yu Zhining said, "Very well, I will submit a memorial to His Majesty tomorrow."

Changsun Wuji reminded him, "We should go and tell the Empress first."

"Since we've already mentioned this to her, if we go around her again halfway through, we'll offend her. It's better to mention it to her; maybe she'll take the initiative to handle it."

Yu Zhining smiled and said, "You've thought of everything."

(End of this chapter)