Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 177 Yin and Yang

These seemingly simple words had a tremendous impact on Li Longji.

Because no one has ever told an emperor that the rise and fall of a nation is a natural law. The Confucian saying is usually that if you don't do this, the nation will perish, or if you do this, the nation will prosper.

Whether a country rises or falls depends on what you do.

However, Wang Xi argued that the rise and fall of a nation is like the birth, aging, illness, and death of a person—it is a natural law. You can only prolong your life, but you cannot achieve immortality.

Gao Lishi, who was standing to the side, was sweating profusely as he listened.

Fortunately, Wang Xi was just a kid, and he had the protection of innocent words. What adult would dare to say such a thing? That would be courting death.

There are three reasons why Wang Xi was so bold. First, of course, he wanted to prevent Li Longji from setting his sights on Tao Mo and having Tao Mo become an official in the court.

Secondly, it was to avoid conflict between Taoist thought and Confucianism and Legalism. Suppose Li Longji really wanted to respect Taoism, and Wang Xi didn't know how to govern the country with Taoist thought. In fact, Confucianism and Legalism were indeed more suitable for the imperial system. He wanted to integrate the three schools of thought and let each perform its own function.

As for how to integrate them, it lies in the third point, which is also the most important point. Wang Xi hoped to use this to transform Taoist thought into a thought that follows objective laws, laying the foundation for future scientific development.

Let's first give Li Longji a heads-up.

Li Longji pondered for a while, then suddenly slammed his hand on the table. "Interesting! Interesting! Sir's remarks have truly broadened my horizons."

He paused, then continued, “Regarding land annexation, people always say it’s wrong, but no one ever says that it’s actually inevitable, and they even blame it on the monarch’s lack of benevolence.”

Wang Xi nodded and said, "Uncle is right. If it's not right, then it's Confucianism; if it's restrictive, then it's Legalism; if it's normal, then it's Taoism."

Li Longji laughed again and said, "Que'er is truly gifted. With just three simple words, she has thoroughly explained the thoughts of Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism!"

The more he thought about it, the more interesting it seemed. He even felt that his thinking had been elevated and that he had a sense of sudden enlightenment. The reason was simple: land annexation was indeed very troublesome, and he had been racking his brains over it. He had been troubled by it recently.

However, with this explanation from Taoism, which portrays it as a natural law, he was able to examine the matter more objectively.

After careful consideration, he nodded slightly. "As the saying goes, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle.' Therefore, we should start with Taoism, first understand the reasons for things, then determine the general goals according to Confucianism, and finally formulate policies according to Legalism."

Wow, Li Longji, who didn't lie down, is truly gifted. It's a pity he lived too long. That's the law of nature, alas! Wang Xi blinked and suddenly exclaimed with delight, "Uncle is really clever. How come I didn't think of that?"

"Ha ha!"

Li Longji laughed triumphantly.

If someone else had said that, he wouldn't have cared, because he had heard such words far too often. But when Wang Xi said it, it was different. His age and tone made people feel that he was speaking from the bottom of his heart.

It's certainly something to be very happy about.

Little did he know, his little nephew was an actor, and every word he said was carefully considered.

Li Longji returned the favor, saying, "That's because your explanation was so insightful, Que'er. It's no wonder that your uncle entrusted you with such an important task."

She was especially fond of her little nephew.

Wang Xi chuckled smugly.

Just then, a eunuch came to the door and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Wu has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xi's expression immediately changed.

Li Longji noticed the change in Wang Xi's expression and quickly said with a smile, "Que'er, it's like this, your uncle accidentally told Consort Wu about the new musical instrument you made, and she...she also wants to see it."

"Oh"

Wang Xi responded calmly.

The atmosphere instantly turned extremely cold.

Li Longji was also somewhat flustered. He stood up abruptly, walked to Wang Xi, and took out an imperial edict. "Que'er, look at this."

"A lollipop?"

"what?"

"No!"

Wang Xi hurriedly asked, "What is it?"

Li Longji chuckled and said, "This is the imperial edict to exonerate your teacher."

"Really?"

Wang Xi feigned surprise.

"You have no joke."

Li Longji pushed the imperial edict forward, saying, "Take a look for yourself."

Gao Lishi, who was standing to the side, saw this and deeply felt Li Longji's favor towards Wang Xi. He thought to himself that he would have to be careful when dealing with the Wu family in the future, and not offend this kid.

Wang Xi quickly took it, opened it, and saw that it was indeed so. He then chuckled and said, "Thank you, Uncle."

Li Longji chuckled, "Uncle is so busy, yet he still remembers your affairs. You'll be here later!"

Wang Xi was angry because he wanted to maintain his public image. Now that he had to be with Consort Wu, he quickly backed down and said, "I understand, I won't make things difficult for you, Uncle."

If you get too sentimental, it might backfire.

After appeasing Wang Xi, Li Longji breathed a sigh of relief and then allowed Consort Wu to enter. It wasn't that Li Longji was so humble in front of Wang Xi, nor that he doted on Wang Xi so much. It was just that Wang Xi was still young and spoke without thinking. If he said something in a moment of passion, there was no way to blame him. He would only have brought trouble upon himself.

However, he also enjoyed playing music with Wang Xi and Wu Jieyu.

A short while later, Consort Wu entered the hall. Compared to their last meeting, she wore a more comfortable long dress today. Her charming face and voluptuous, graceful figure, even in a loose dress, could not conceal her ample bosom. She was truly like a ripe peach, incredibly alluring.

She first gave Li Longji a graceful bow.

Li Longji smiled and said, "My beloved concubine, please do not stand on ceremony." But out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Wang Xi.

Wang Xi then stood up, bowed, and said, "Wang Xiaoque greets Consort Wu."

Consort Wu smiled kindly, “Que’er, there’s no need for such formality. Calling me Consort Wu makes it seem too distant. The Empress and I address each other as sisters, so you can just call me Aunt.”

Wow, you're shameless! How could you say something like that? Wang Xi hesitated for a moment before calling out, "Aunt," under Li Longji's expectant gaze.

"Hey!"

Wu Jieyu responded happily.

Of course, the happiest person was Li Longji, who hurriedly said, "My beloved concubine, come and sit down quickly."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After taking her seat, Consort Wu said to Wang Xi, "Although I live in the palace, I have often heard about Que'er's deeds recently. By the way, congratulations to Que'er on marrying that Turkic princess."

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "Thank you, Aunt. Uh, I also have to thank Uncle for bestowing this marriage upon me."

Li Longji laughed and said, "Uncle should thank you for this."

Wu Jieyu said, "I met that Turkic princess once at a charity gala. Although she was dressed as a man, she was clearly a beauty. She and Que'er were a perfect match."

Wang Xi scratched his neck and whispered, "You could say they're a perfect match, whether it's a man or a woman."

Upon hearing this, Li Longji burst into laughter.

Consort Wu smiled and said, "By the way, I heard today that Que'er's remarks in the East Market have shocked the court and the public."

Li Longji laughed and said, "That's right, I was just talking about this with Que'er."

"is it?"

Consort Wu said, "Could you tell Aunt about the sparrow?"

Li Longji replied, "Of course."

As soon as he finished speaking, he looked at Wang Xi again.

Consort Wu observed this and thought to herself, "This boy's position in His Majesty's heart is getting higher and higher."

Damn it! I don't believe Wu Chongwen didn't tell you. He might be hiding some bad intentions. But I'm not afraid of you. What's wrong with telling you? There are plenty of women with two breasts everywhere, but I, Wang Xiaoque, am the only one. What can you do to me?

Wang Xi couldn't suppress the corners of her mouth from turning up. "If Aunt wants to hear it, Que'er will gladly comply."

Li Longji immediately breathed a sigh of relief, then thought to himself, "I was overthinking it. This is something that would make Que'er stand out. Even if I told him not to say it, given his personality, he would definitely find a way to say it anyway." Hehe.

Next, Wang Xi vividly recounted the process, omitting Wu Chongwen's part.

Wu Jieyu smiled and nodded, "Que'er's insightful remarks are indeed eye-opening, but..."

She hesitated slightly at this point.

Li Longji's interest was piqued, and he quickly asked, "But what? If my beloved consort has any insights, please speak freely, I would like to hear them as well."

As expected, this woman came prepared! Wang Xi immediately perked up and asked, "Does Aunt not agree?"

Wu Jieyu smiled and said, "It's not that I disagree, but I think there might be something slightly wrong with it, which goes against Taoist thought."

Wang Xi asked, "What's wrong?"

Wu Jieyu said, "It's about women going to academies to study. Taoism emphasizes Yin and Yang; only when Yin and Yang are in harmony can they be integrated."

The woman and the man represent yin and yang, respectively. If the woman were to attend the same academy and study the same subjects as the man, their thoughts would become nearly identical, making it difficult for them to integrate. Wouldn't this contradict Taoist thought?

Li Longji nodded slightly upon hearing this, "What my beloved consort says makes some sense. Since ancient times, the education received by men and women has been quite different. It would indeed be inappropriate for them to attend the same academy!"

damn it!
Wang Xi cursed inwardly, thinking that this woman truly possessed some of Wu Zetian's methods.

What Wu Jieyu meant by these words was actually an allusion to women like Wu Zetian, Princess Taiping, Shangguan Wan'er, and Empress Wei.

It should be noted that Li Longji seized power from women. Even though Shangguan Wan'er had already surrendered, he still killed her without hesitation and showed no leniency.

Therefore, after that, Li Longji began to expand the power of the eunuchs in order to suppress the political status of the harem. Although Li Longji loved Consort Wu and Consort Yang to the point of madness, women never interfered in politics until he abdicated.

It is clear that he was very wary of this and had been on guard against it.

If this question is not answered well, it may cause more problems, and some of them could be fatal.

For Consort Wu, it wasn't a case of harming herself eight hundred while injuring the enemy a thousand, because even if she hadn't said it, Li Longji would have been on high alert for this.

Wang Xi suddenly had a thought, pursed her lips, and her eyes reddened slightly. "If it's really as Consort Jieyu said, then that would be wonderful."

(End of this chapter)