Duke of Zhenguan

Chapter 129 Coup

"Only after the main force of the Turks pressed to the front line did Chai Shao suddenly unleash his improved ballista. In just two rounds, hundreds of Turks' vanguard were killed!"

It was snowing heavily at the time. The Turks were originally capable of fighting, but they were so frightened that they lost more than 10,000 elite cavalry in the chaos and fled in disarray!

"The Uyghurs and Xueyantuo have both rebelled, and that brat Jieli is too busy to help himself. He certainly won't send troops south again anytime soon. The Liang army is finished!" Cheng Yaojin picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp, sighing softly.

Anyone with eyes could see that Liang Shidu was only making a last-ditch effort. Now that even half of Shuofang City had been occupied by the Tang Dynasty, without the support of the Turks, he was like meat on a chopping block, and it was only a matter of time before he was beheaded.

Thus, the mess left by the previous dynasty was completely cleaned up by the Li Tang dynasty.

Cheng Yaojin glanced at Lin Chuan, then at his two sons, and suddenly felt like testing them. He smiled and asked Cheng Chumo, "Eldest son, who do you think will be the next Liang Shidu?"

Cheng Chumo thought for a moment, then carefully replied, "Jieli?"

Cheng Yaojin nodded and then asked, "When shall we make our move?"

"Father, the Turks have hundreds of thousands of cavalry. Even if they lose 10,000, it won't be a serious blow. The Turks are currently in internal strife. If we let them continue their chaos for a while longer, I think it will take at least three to five years, right?" Cheng Chumo said softly.

"Ha, eldest brother, Jieli has been indulging in pleasure all these years, and the Turkic cavalry is far from what it used to be. Even the likes of Chai Shao and Xue Wanche can easily defeat them. It's clear that the Turks nowadays are nothing but a showy spearhead, all show and no substance! This is the perfect time to wipe away our shame!"

Cheng Yaojin chuckled twice, then asked Lin Chuan, "What do you think, Xiao Chuan?"

"Uncle Cheng has a keen eye, and I also think now is a good time. However, an army cannot march without supplies. The Tang Dynasty has had poor harvests for years. In my opinion, when to send troops depends on the timing!" Lin Chuan said.

"An army marches on its stomach? These eight words hit the nail on the head. I never expected you to have such insight!" Cheng Yaojin looked at Lin Chuan in surprise.

"I'm just a novice, it's all theoretical knowledge, Uncle Cheng, please forgive my ignorance!" Lin Chuan said modestly, then asked with a smile, "Uncle Cheng, does this mean His Majesty already has plans to attack the Turks?"

"Alright, now that you've become a teacher at the academy, just focus on being a good teacher and don't worry about anything else! Come on, let's drink!"

"Cheng Yaojin said softly."

Lin Chuan nodded thoughtfully, picked up his wine glass, and drank it all in one gulp.

Drinking with the Cheng family father and son, Lin Chuan rarely didn't get drunk. That night, he naturally got drunk again and slept at the Cheng family's house. The next day was the grand court assembly, so Lin Chuan got up early, hurriedly went home to change into his court robes, and then rushed to the palace.

The grand court assembly held every two weeks was attended not only by officials of the ninth rank and above from the capital, but also by local envoys.

The vast Taiji Hall was packed with people, and low-ranking officials could only stand outside the hall.

Having missed the morning assembly for half a month, Lin Chuan was still half asleep when he suddenly woke up so early. There was a huge pillar behind him and people all around him, so he leaned against the pillar and started to doze off.

Just when everyone expected the meeting to be as dull and tedious as before, the Ministry of Rites officials announced the start of the proceedings. Suddenly, Lu Zushang, the envoy from Yingzhou and also the governor of Yingzhou, stepped forward and loudly proclaimed, "Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

Whether it's a regular court assembly or a grand court assembly, there are some rules that aren't explicitly stated. For example, it's usually Fang Xuanling, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, who starts by reporting on the work, followed by the six ministers in order.

While the governor of Yingzhou was indeed a fourth-rank official, it was certainly unusual for him to step forward at this time.

Moreover, the Hundred Cavalry Command had already sent news of officials colluding to Li Shimin, so he was mentally prepared, but he did not expect them to launch an attack in this way.

Li Shimin glanced at Lu Zushang and calmly nodded: "Granted!"

"Your Majesty, since the beginning of spring, many parts of Yingzhou have not received a drop of rain, and the people are saying they fear a locust plague. I beseech Your Majesty to allocate grain for disaster relief!"

As soon as Lu Zushangfu finished speaking, the envoy from Qizhou also stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

Li Shimin sat up slightly, glanced at Lu Zushang with interest, then at the Prefect of Qizhou, and even smiled slightly, saying, "Granted!"

As before, they reported the drought and locust plague, requesting the imperial court to provide disaster relief.

The envoys from Luzhou, Jizhou, and six or seven other prefectures stepped forward and unanimously requested disaster relief.

Seeing that no one else came out, under Li Shimin's suddenly gloomy gaze, the Grand Astrologer Fu Renjun stood up amidst the gazes of the court officials and said loudly: "Your Majesty, from spring to summer, Mars invaded the East Well constellation and stayed there for more than twenty days. Its color was red and its rays were sharp, and its light shone into the sky; then Mars invaded the Heavenly Field constellation, and its light invaded it!"

According to the "Book of Celestial Offices" and "Astronomical Divination", Dongjing (East Well) governs Qin, while Yinghuo (Mars) governs drought and disasters; Tiantian (Heavenly Field) governs agriculture, and if Yinghuo (Mars) invades it, the crops will be completely damaged.

The sun represents the ruler; a reddish sun without light signifies that yang virtue is not spreading, yin energy is excessive, and drought demons are rampant. These are all signs of severe drought, locust plagues, and famine.

The heavens reveal omens, indicating good or bad fortune. A ruler who cultivates virtue will avert disaster, while one who loses virtue will bring calamity!

The drought demon's rampage and locusts covering the fields are all warnings from Heaven. I implore Your Majesty to examine yourself and cultivate virtue, so as to appease Heaven's will.

"Your Majesty, please examine your conduct and cultivate virtue, so as to appease Heaven's will!"

"Your Majesty, please examine your conduct and cultivate virtue, so as to appease Heaven's will!"

'

As soon as Fu Renjun finished speaking, officials from the Ministry of Rites, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the Court of State Ceremonies, the Censorate, the Secretariat, and the Chancellery stepped forward one after another.

Startled by the sudden commotion, Lin Chuan looked around and saw at least a hundred officials in the center of the hall, all bowing to Li Shimin.

After Lin Chuan realized what had happened, he finally understood why Cheng Yaojin had given him that advice the night before.

Looking at these people, Lin Chuan couldn't help but admire them.

It's impossible to rebel against Li Shimin now. The generals of the Sixteen Guards are all Li Shimin's men, and most of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the palace have followed Li Shimin in his campaigns.

With hundreds of thousands of loyal soldiers under their command, anyone who dares to rebel will be sent to their death.

However, while hundreds of thousands of soldiers could stabilize the country, they could not bring peace to the nation. Governing the country still relied on officials from aristocratic families. After Li Shimin ascended the throne, he repeatedly crushed the aristocratic families, and their counterattack finally came.

As everyone knows, although Li Shimin was called the Son of Heaven, he was essentially just an ordinary person and could not change the will of Heaven at all.

Drought will still occur, and locust plagues will still happen. If rain could come simply by worshipping heaven and earth, then governing the world would be far too easy.

However, since ancient times, the emperor has been the Son of Heaven. No matter how talented and ambitious Li Shimin was, he could not disregard these rules. That is why they were able to use the severe drought and locust plague, along with celestial phenomena, to force Li Shimin to admit his moral failings.

Looking at the group of people bowing below, Li Shimin stood up, supporting himself on the imperial desk in front of him. He descended the imperial steps and approached the Grand Astrologer Fu Renjun. Looking at this minister whom he had thought to be utterly loyal, he asked calmly, "Grand Astrologer Fu, how should I examine myself and cultivate virtue?"

Li Shimin spoke calmly, his face showing no coldness, but Fu Renjun felt as if his whole body had been frozen. After a long while, he bowed and said, "Your Majesty should avoid the main hall, reduce your meals, remove the music, wear plain clothes, and personally lead the ministers to pray at the ancestral temple, the altar of the land and grain, and the mountains and rivers to apologize for the divine punishment!"

'

Li Shimin nodded, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly said, "Since it is so serious, why don't I issue an edict of self-reproach? What does Grand Historian Fu think?"

Fu Renjun was taken aback for a moment, then said respectfully, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Li Shimin chuckled, looking at Fu Renjun, then his gaze swept over the bowing officials, and said to Fu Renjun with a smile, "I haven't finished speaking yet, Grand Historian Fu. What if I issue an edict of self-reproach, and the locusts still don't become a plague?"

Fu Renjun then realized that Li Shimin wanted to make a bet with him.

Since the people behind him dared to make trouble at the grand court assembly, they must have consulted countless experienced farmers to conclude that there must be drought and locust plague in Hedong and Guanzhong.

What was Li Shimin's reliance?

Fu Renjun couldn't think of a solution, but he had no other choice. He bowed to Li Shimin and said, "If the locusts do not become a plague, then I have misjudged Heaven's will. I beg to commit suicide to atone for my sins!"

Li Shimin's gamble was the edict of self-reproach; his only stake was his own life. He only hoped not to implicate his entire clan.

"That's fair!" Li Shimin nodded.

Turning to the official who was still bowing, he said in a deep voice, "Since there is a drought, then disaster relief is necessary. Let's discuss it!"

After speaking, he leisurely returned to his desk and sat down.

Since he had made a bet in front of thousands of officials, Li Shimin would have no choice but to issue an edict of self-reproach if a locust plague broke out.

Having achieved their goal, the people standing in the hall silently returned to their posts.

Because of this commotion, the grand court assembly ended abruptly at noon. Li Shimin didn't even prepare lunch for the officials, and it seemed that his mood was not as calm as his face suggested.

Lin Chuan was undoubtedly kept behind again, along with Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji, and Du Ruhui.

Yuchi Jingde, Cheng Yaojin, and a mere dozen or so others.

They were all on his side, and Li Shimin, who had been holding back all morning, finally vented his anger, yelling at Zhang Anan.

"This is outrageous!"

"Fu Renjun has always been honest and upright, why would he act this way? Investigate him for me!"

"Those who stepped forward today, remember this well, I will not spare them!"

Lin Chuan silently mourned for those people. Now that they were on Li Shimin's list, their days were numbered.

Unexpectedly, after yelling at Zhang Anan, Li Shimin turned his attention to himself, angrily retorting, "If locusts can't be eaten, I won't forgive you!"

Whether it's edible or not, we'll find out by trying it. Lin Chuan didn't mince words and directly asked Li Shimin, "Your Majesty, have locusts appeared near Chang'an? If so, I'd like to try it myself!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin turned his gaze to Zhang Anan.

"Lord Lin, there are no locusts in Chang'an yet!" Zhang Anan replied awkwardly.

Lin Chuan, who had originally intended to make himself a plate of fried grasshoppers, had to give up. He said to Li Shimin in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, locusts are definitely edible and can also be used in medicine. Their taste is no worse than beef or mutton. I guarantee it with my life!"

But how to kill the locusts before they become a plague is also a big problem!

Purchasing locusts solely with money and grain may lead to problems. I believe that local governments should also encourage the people to participate in killing locusts!

We must make sure the people know that this stuff is not only edible, but also good for their health. If all the people are mobilized, even a large locust swarm won't cause a disaster!

The common people were ignorant. If someone secretly spread rumors about the Locust God, they might not dare to catch and kill the locusts. At that time, the government still had credibility. As long as the government also participated in the propaganda, even if the people dared not eat them, they would still dare to catch and sell them.

As long as the people know that this stuff is edible or can be exchanged for grain, there won't be a problem.

As long as they make it onto people's dinner tables, no matter how many locusts there are, they won't cause a disaster. Crayfish and grasshoppers have reached the point where they need to be farmed to meet the supply, let alone locusts.

Since the matter concerned an edict of self-reproach, Fang Xuanling and others dared not be negligent and voiced their support: "Your Majesty, we believe that the Earl of Lin County is right!"

"His Majesty!"

"Order your men to spread the word to all the prefectures, and make sure to appeal to the people's emotions and reason with them, so that they will participate in the killing of locusts!" Li Shimin ordered in a deep voice.

"yes!"

Fang Xuanling and the others bowed in response.

After the ministers left, Li Shimin called Zhang Anan to his side and coldly ordered, "Take my token and go to the Xuanjia Army to select some elite troops. Temporarily place them under the command of the Hundred Cavalry Division. According to the list that stood up at today's court meeting, have the Hundred Cavalry Division send people to keep an eye on them!"

Anyone secretly inciting public opinion can be executed first and reported later!

"Yes!" Zhang Anan bowed and replied.

West of Chengtian Gate is the Bureau of Astronomy.

Back in his duty room, Fu Renjun sat behind his desk, holding a book on astronomical divination, but his gaze was unfocused as he stared out the door.

Since the end of the court assembly, he, the Grand Historian, has been like a plague, and wherever he goes, people avoid him like the plague.

Even officials from the Imperial Observatory would turn away without hesitation upon seeing him, for fear of getting tainted by something unclean.

After sitting for an unknown amount of time, an old official dressed in a black robe entered the duty room, turned around, and gently closed the door.

Fu Renjun glanced at the clerk and asked coldly, "I've done what you were supposed to do. Can I have that secret letter back now?"

"Conspiring with the Crown Prince, altering the celestial phenomena, and spreading rumors and framing His Majesty in front of the Emperor Emeritus—if His Majesty finds out, do you think you and your entire family will survive?"

Fu Taishi must not have forgotten the fate of Xu Shimo's family of more than fifty people so quickly, right?

Fu Taishi, you are a smart man, you should know that we are helping you.

The celestial phenomena weren't something you made up; dozens of people from the Imperial Observatory witnessed them firsthand. Even if you offended His Majesty, what can he do to you when the locust plague strikes? At most, he'll find a pretext to dismiss you from your position as Imperial Observer!

When the time comes, the head of the family will have someone pull some strings, and it will be easy for you to be appointed as the prefect of a prefecture, let alone the chief clerk of a prefecture. In addition, you will not be shortchanged in the fertile land and money promised to you.

"Isn't all of this better than the anxiety you endured at the Imperial Observatory?" the old official said softly.

Having been caught red-handed, Fu Renjun, who had already anticipated the outcome, sighed and said, "Don't worry, what's done is done, how could I possibly go back on my word!"

"Haha, Grand Historian Fu, you're overthinking it! Farewell!"

The old official smiled, pushed open the door, and came out.

Watching the old official leave, Fu Renjun slammed his copy of "Astronomical Divination" heavily on the table, making a dull thud.