Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 217: Emperor Gaozong of Tang was born? The heads are all gathered! [Seeking monthly votes]

Why was Li Shimin able to create the Zhenguan Reign that is famous in history?

Because the foundation of the Tang Dynasty was not bad, what was bad was the Tang Dynasty’s treasury.

This statement may sound a bit ridiculous, because anyone who has read history knows that the Tang Dynasty was not rich in its early years.

In fact, there is a very important question here, that is, who is not rich in the Tang Dynasty?

Looking through historical records, we can learn that it was the imperial court that was not wealthy in the Tang Dynasty.

So, who is rich?

Naturally, it was the aristocratic families that controlled the money and grain of the Tang Dynasty.

This is also the most frustrating thing for Li Shimin.

On the surface, the Li Tang royal family ruled the world, but in reality they were constrained by the aristocratic families and had to rely on them.

Therefore, if Li Chengqian wanted to effectively implement his strategy, the first thing he had to do was to break this situation.

Otherwise, no matter how good your plan is, if your subordinates do not cooperate with you or even make trouble for you, it cannot be effectively implemented.

Now, through the diversion strategy implemented by Ma Zhou in Henan Province, the disaster situation in Henan Province was quickly alleviated.

As for those wealthy families who were planning to make a fortune from the national crisis, they all lost everything due to the sharp drop in food prices.

Some families even lost all their assets.

There is no way. The grain that used to cost a few cents per dou has been hyped up to hundreds of cents per dou. Anyone would go crazy.

What’s more, those aristocratic families.

They already had plenty of food at home, and since they were rich, they could buy even more. As the cost increased, it skyrocketed.

If food prices continue to rise, they can say they are sure to make a profit.

But Ma Zhou did this and they didn't even have time to react. The price dropped from several hundred coins to just a few coins, and the grain they had purchased ended up in their hands.

Moreover, as the disaster situation eases, it is almost impossible for food prices to rise to their original high levels.

In this case, they only have two choices: either sell the food in their hands regardless of cost, or store the food.

But storing so much food is also a hassle.

Because the conditions for grain storage are very special, if you are not careful, it will become damp, infested with insects, and turn into worthless rotten grain.

Therefore, the vast majority of wealthy families had no choice but to cut off their limbs to survive and sell grain regardless of cost.

At this time, Ma Zhou frantically bought at the bottom, leaving these aristocratic families in tears.

When the news reached Chang'an, not only Cui Renshi and others were stunned, but even officials from other aristocratic families were stunned.

The family business accumulated over several generations was lost by more than half in less than half a month, and some families even lost all their assets.

How can they accept this?

So, at the morning court today, they were determined to die and prepared to impeach Crown Prince Li Chengqian in the court.

Because they all knew that Ma Zhou was Li Chengqian's man.

Without Li Chengqian's instructions, Ma Zhou would never have been able to achieve such a thing.

Therefore, they felt that only by impeaching Li Chengqian could they stop Ma Zhou.

But what they never expected was that when they gathered together in indignation, Li Shimin suddenly announced that there would be no morning court today.

Because Empress Changsun was about to give birth, he had to go and accompany her.

The officials from the noble families who got the news were completely devastated.

Our family is fucking finished!

You're still thinking about your wife and children, and you've even neglected the affairs of state?!
Second Austrian! !
"Master Cui, please think of a solution! If this continues, we will lose everything!"

"Yes, Lord Zheng, we listened to you at first and transported grain to the disaster area to make money. Now we have lost everything we invested. You must think of a solution!"

"Master Li"

The aristocratic officials who failed to impeach Li Chengqian finally turned the conflict to the heads of several families from the five surnames and seven families.

The heads of the five surnames and seven families remained silent.

Gradually, as the silence continued, the conflict intensified.

"Master Cui Ren! You are the head of the Cui family and have caused us so much trouble!"

"Lu Chengqing! We've been friends for decades, I shouldn't have trusted you!"

"Censor Wang, we are relatives! How could you lie to me?"

"Li Zhen! You beast! I saved you on the battlefield!"

"."

They felt that their family's misfortunes were caused by the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Clans, so they attacked several heads of the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Clans.

The heads of the five surnames and seven families could only swallow their anger and suffer in silence in the face of the verbal abuse from the officials of the aristocratic families.

It was not until Fang Xuanling and others could no longer bear their disturbance that they stepped forward to stop them.

Fang Xuanling was the first to speak: "My fellow ministers! Calm down! This is Taiji Hall, not the West Market or the East Market. If you have anything to say, go outside and speak!"

"Mr. Fang! Please help us!" An official from a noble family came forward and begged.

"What Lord!?"

Fang Xuanling angrily waved his sleeves and said, "Only Your Majesty can make the decision! Everyone, get out!"

"No! I won't go out! I want to see His Majesty!"

"That's right! We are here to seek justice from His Majesty!"

"How ridiculous! You don't even act like a court minister!" Du Ruhui, who was not far away, was so angry that his face turned ashen.

But the officials from the aristocratic families disagreed and responded one after another.

"Master Du, do you have a family?"

"Yes! We have nothing left at home, so what's the point of being a court minister?"

"Make way, I'm going to lie down!"

Hearing these tirade, Wei Zheng's anger flared up, and he immediately shouted towards Yun Duan outside the hall: "Where is Commander Yun!?"

"The general is here!"

Upon hearing this, Yun Duan immediately rushed in with his men.

Those officials from the noble families who were about to throw a tantrum suddenly fell silent, and left with a look of resentment on their faces.

The five surnames and seven families who were at the end were also unwilling, but they did not say a word of complaint.

Because Li Shimin chose not to attend court at this time, it was obvious that he was indulging Li Chengqian and letting them suffer the consequences.

So, instead of complaining, you might as well think about how to deal with it next.

After all, Li Chengqian's goal is not only to make them lose all their money, but also to completely break up these aristocratic families.

Therefore, what they will face next is a life-and-death battle without gunpowder.

At the same time that the officials from the aristocratic families and the five surnames and seven families were returning home in disappointment, Li Shimin was meeting with Li Gang, the Prince's Junior Tutor, with Li Chengqian.

Although Li Chengqian had long expressed to Li Shimin his desire not to study, Li Shimin still insisted that he become an apprentice and learn skills, otherwise he would not be allowed to interfere in state affairs in the future.

Even though he has now been crowned as the real crown prince and has established the crown prince's palace, the emperor still has more power than the crown prince.

As long as the emperor doesn't allow you to interfere in state affairs, you will be constrained even if you interfere privately.

Therefore, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and meet this "Prince Killer", Li Gang.

So why was Li Gang called the "Prince Killer"?

Because of the three princes he assisted, two were deposed and one was shot to death.

Li Gang served as the Prince's Groom to Crown Prince Yang Yong during the Sui Dynasty. Later, Yang Yong was deposed for his arrogance and extravagance.

Later, the Sui Dynasty fell and Li Gang entered the Tang Dynasty, assisting Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Crown Prince Li Chengqian successively.

As a result, Li Jiancheng was shot dead by Li Shimin in the Xuanwu Gate Incident, and Li Chengqian was demoted to a commoner because of his failed rebellion.

It can be said that Li Gang, the "Prince Killer", is worthy of the title.

Li Gang sighed and said, "Your Majesty should know that accompanying the prince in his studies has always been a difficult task."

Li Shimin coughed lightly, then smiled and said to Li Gang: "To entrust a six-foot-tall orphan with one's life, a journey of a hundred miles, was difficult for the ancients, but it is not difficult for the young master to do it!"

After saying this, he glanced at Li Chengqian and said, "From now on, the Crown Prince's studies will be left to the Young Master!"

Li Gang sighed and said in an awkward tone, "I'm afraid I'm powerless!"

Li Shimin smiled, then turned to look at Li Chengqian who was not far away, and said leisurely: "If the prince doesn't study hard, the young master can beat him!"

"hehe!"

Li Gang smiled and bowed to Li Shimin: "Then I will not ask Your Majesty for an imperial decree."

"Oh!"

As soon as Li Gang finished speaking, the sound of a knee hitting the ground suddenly rang out.

He couldn't help but look in the direction of the voice, only to see Li Chengqian looking at him seriously, as if to say, "Try to hit me."

Li Gang's eyelids twitched when he saw this, and he quickly changed his words: "But if you want to fight, this old minister is no longer able to do so. At most, I can persuade him."

"Humph!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin snorted coldly, and then said solemnly: "If you make a mistake, you deserve to be beaten. If the young master can't beat you, I will send someone to help you beat him!"

"Uh, this."

Li Gang's face was filled with embarrassment, and he hesitated to speak.

But Li Shimin continued, "From now on, when the Crown Prince is in charge of government affairs, the Junior Tutor must be by his side and correct his mistakes at any time!"

"Yes!" Li Gang replied helplessly. Then, as if remembering something, he looked at Li Chengqian and sighed, "Although the Crown Prince's appointment as a disciple is the Emperor's order, as the Crown Prince's Junior Tutor, I would still like to ask the Crown Prince a few questions first to assess his knowledge. I wonder if the Crown Prince is willing to do so?"

"Master, feel free to ask whatever you want to ask!" Li Chengqian said calmly.

Li Gang smiled, then stroked his beard and said, "It is said that the Crown Prince is extremely intelligent. I will not embarrass the Crown Prince. Just ask him about the political code!"

"This"

Li Shimin was surprised and couldn't help but worry that Li Chengqian would be embarrassed.

Because although Li Chengqian had been crowned as the real prince, he had never officially been involved in court affairs.

If you can't answer it, it would be embarrassing.

After all, the princes that Li Gang had taught before were all negative examples. If he was not even as good as them, the so-called perfect prince would become a joke.

But Li Gang said with a half-smile: "Those who arrive early will be killed without mercy, and those who arrive late will be killed without mercy. Why is that?"

"Ok?"

Li Shimin's heart sank, and he thought to himself, it's over. This is not an easy question to answer.

Because this question involves the understanding of systems and orders.

What does "those who take the lead will be killed without mercy" mean?
This means that if the forecast is made too early before a solar eclipse occurs, the forecaster will be executed without pardon.

So what does "those who fail to act in time will be killed without mercy" mean?
It means that after a solar eclipse occurs, if the forecast is made too late, the forecaster will be executed without pardon.

It seems to be the forecast and management of astronomical phenomena, but in fact it is the standardization of systems and orders.

Li Chengqian had not received any real political education, so generally speaking, it was difficult for him to answer this question well.

But when Li Chengqian heard this question, he answered calmly: "The emperor is gentle and cares about the world. The reason he uses killing is not because he likes killing, but because he cannot help killing."

"To frighten the world by killing is the virtue of an emperor."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Li Gang's cloudy old eyes suddenly brightened, and he continued, "Killing in war is the yin-strong energy, while governing a country is the yang-harmonious way. To regard killing as a virtue, isn't that absurd?"

Li Chengqian thought for a moment and said, "I've heard that the great roc loves its young and chases them when they grow up, not allowing them to return to the nest. The strong ones spread their wings and fly into the sky, while the weak ones fall to the ground and die. This is how we pass on our bones and blood."

"Is it cruel for the Peng to drive away its own children? If not, how could it have the talent to cry out to the sky? It is the father's sincere love."

"The Emperor establishes his authority through the use of military force, and his desire for peace and harmony under heaven is the same as the Emperor's."

Li Shimin: "."

What a fatherly love!
You rebellious son!

What you say is better than what you sing!
Have you forgotten how you treated me before?!
hypocritical!

How hypocritical!

When Li Shimin heard what Li Chengqian said, he sneered and was filled with grief and anger.

But Li Gang's face was full of excitement: "As expected, the title of Crown Prince is indeed well-deserved!"

“Thank you for the compliment, teacher!”

Li Chengqian smiled faintly.

Li Gang stroked his beard again and said, "It is my great honor to be able to teach such a talented person as the Crown Prince!"

After saying this, he bowed to Li Shimin and said, "I dare to ask Your Majesty to preside over the ceremony of becoming the crown prince's disciple!"

"This"

Li Shimin hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Li Chengqian reluctantly, frowning and saying, "Crown Prince, from now on, you must treat the Junior Tutor as you would treat me: knowledgeable and well-mannered, not arrogant or reckless. Do you understand?"

"Your Majesty, I heard it clearly!"

"Well then, pour the young master a cup of tea, salute, and kowtow!"

"Yes!"

Li Chengqian responded respectfully, then picked up the teapot and carefully poured a cup of tea for Li Gang, and then poured another cup for Li Shimin.

Then he picked up the wooden tray and placed the teacup in front of Li Gang.

Li Gang took the teacup, nodded in satisfaction, and then said with a smile: "The Crown Prince is intelligent, and this old minister should rarely give him any admonitions. I hope that the Crown Prince will be diligent and self-motivated in the future, and not let down His Majesty!"

"Thank you for your teachings, teacher!"

Li Chengqian smiled and nodded, then handed the wooden tray to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin glanced at him with a complicated expression, then picked up the teacup and said calmly, "I heard that you have been practicing martial arts recently?"

"Your Majesty, it is true. In my opinion, both martial arts and literary cultivation are indispensable."

"That being said, you must understand that martial arts training is only for the purpose of strengthening your body. You must not compete with others in martial arts!"

"This"

Li Chengqian hesitated for a moment, and said with some confusion: "There is no first in literature, and no second in martial arts. If you don't compete for superiority, how can you achieve self-realization?"

"Then let me ask you, how do the butchers who kill chickens and sheep in the market use their knives? Do you want to compete with them?" Li Shimin said with a stern face.

Li Chengqian was stunned for a moment, then suddenly said, "I understand!"

"hehe!"

Li Gang smiled knowingly, as if he was very satisfied with Li Chengqian. He immediately turned to Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, I will not teach the Crown Prince today. I need to go back and sort out the teaching content because I find that the teaching content I prepared before is a bit shallow."

"Uh,"

Li Shimin's mouth twitched, and he thought to himself, I think you have overestimated this guy?
But it is also a good thing for him that others think highly of his son.

So, Li Shimin agreed readily.

Li Shimin, who watched Li Gang leave, did not let Li Chengqian leave with him.

But Li Shimin asked thoughtfully: "Did you really mean what you said just now?"

"What's the truth?"

Li Chengqian blinked his eyes, pretending to be ignorant, and asked with a smile, "Do I have any sincerity towards my father?"

"you!"

Li Shimin was so angry that he raised his finger and pointed, then angrily waved his sleeves and said: "You have such talent, that's your ability, but being arrogant because of your talent is not a good thing!"

"Thank you for your teachings, Father! If there is nothing else, I will take my leave now!"

"and many more!"

Li Chengqian was about to say goodbye and leave when Li Shimin called him, "How are you going to deal with those aristocratic families?"

Li Chengqian pondered for a moment and replied, "As long as they don't rebel, everything will be easy to solve. But if they do, it will be even easier to solve. Just kill them all!"

"Confused!"

Li Shimin said angrily: "If we kill them all, who will be the officials in the future? Who will govern the country?"

"Ah!"

Li Chengqian smiled. "Father, don't you understand yet? With all the recent events, including the disasters and the wars, what have they accomplished? And the day their family members were murdered, doesn't Father understand?"

"This world will continue to function regardless of who's gone. What you're afraid of is nothing more than the money and food they control, and the impact they'll have on social stability!"

"But what about now? Do they still have the influence they had before? They are almost finished!"

"I won't kill them now because I have a better way to weaken them. When they are weak and powerless, killing them will be as insignificant as stepping on an ant!"

Having said that, he turned and walked out the door, saying as he walked, "I don't care about fame or not, and I don't need others to sing my praises. My merits and demerits should be judged by future generations!"

“And now, I just want to be myself!”

"Because, using killing to frighten the world is the virtue of the emperor."

"you!"

When Li Shimin heard this, he was completely stunned and his eyes widened.

It turned out that everything he cared about was so worthless in the heart of this son.

It turns out that right and wrong, merits and demerits should be judged by future generations, as this son said.

Before, he thought it was Li Yuan who told him.

Now think about it, how could Li Yuan have such awareness?
"Hahaha!"

Li Shimin suddenly threw his head back and laughed out loud, "What a way to prove one's truth by killing!"

"His Majesty!"

Just when Li Shimin felt that he understood Li Chengqian more and more, a voice suddenly came from outside the door: "The queen has given birth to a prince!"

"Ok?"

Li Shimin's laughter stopped abruptly, and he immediately asked in surprise and joy: "Is the Queen okay?!"

"Your Majesty! Mother and child are safe!"

"Good, good, good! Mother and child are safe! Quickly lead me to see the Queen!"

"promise!"

The palace attendant agreed and immediately took Li Shimin to the harem.

At the same time, Li Chengqian, who had not walked far, stopped and became dazed when he heard the news.

Empress Changsun gave birth?

Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, was born?

I rub!

All the people are gathered!

　[Please give me a monthly ticket, please give me a monthly ticket, please give me a monthly ticket]

　　
　
(End of this chapter)