Late Tang Dynasty: Descendants of the Imperial Clan

Chapter 88 To establish a regional power and await the opportune moment? To hold the emperor hostage and command the feudal lords?

Li Cenji had already seen the scene at the door. He waved his hand to stop the soldier from speaking, and after glancing at the child in Jing Xiang's arms and Wei Zhuang beside him, he had already guessed seven or eight parts of the situation.

He walked to the door and said to the soldier, "It's alright. This gentleman has come all this way, his sincerity is commendable. It's just a matter of feeding two more mouths and providing two more beds, it's nothing. Let him in."

He then turned to Jingxiang, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Sir, please come in. If there are any family members sleeping outdoors, please bring them in as well. How can you live in your own home, covered with thick blankets, while your family members suffer from hunger and cold outside?"

His voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by the scholars who were watching and discussing it.

Upon hearing this, the scholars who had been huddled hesitantly under the eaves exchanged glances. Then, one of them stepped forward and bowed to Li Cenji, saying, "Sir, my family is also sleeping in a dilapidated temple outside the city. May I bring them in as well?"

The guards hadn't acted on their own initiative because they were worried about triggering such a chain reaction.

People in the world are not worried about scarcity, but about inequality.

Li Cenji was naturally capable of making the decision, and immediately nodded, saying, "Go ahead. As long as they are your family members, you can bring them here to stay temporarily."

The scholar was overjoyed and immediately turned and ran towards the city gates.

Three or five more people followed, all of whom had relatives at home and nowhere to stay.

After hearing Li Cenji's words, Jing Xiang finally felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders.

He first handed the child in his arms to his wife, then bowed deeply to Li Cenji and said, "Thank you for your understanding, sir. I am Jingxiang, courtesy name Zizhen, from Tongzhou. I came here to take the exam after hearing the recruitment notice in Fengxiang. I almost missed the exam due to a delay on the way. Fortunately, you spoke up for me, sir, so I didn't have to sleep on the streets."

He then turned and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Wei Zhuang, saying, "I am also very grateful to Mr. Duanji for his reasoned defense of me just now."

Wei Zhuang quickly waved his hand and said, "Zizhen, you're too kind. I merely spoke the truth; it's nothing special. But this gentleman—"

He turned to Li Cenji, cupped his hands, and said, "May I ask how this steward is addressed? I am Wei Zhuang, courtesy name Duanji, from Jingzhao, and I am also here to take the exam."

When Li Cenji heard the name "Jing Xiang", his heart skipped a beat.

Although his face remained expressionless, a barely perceptible glint appeared in his eyes.

He was very familiar with the name Jing Xiang.

In the history books he had read in his previous life, this person was Zhu Wen's chief strategist, the first meritorious official of the founding of the Later Liang Dynasty, and the founding prime minister. He was resourceful and unparalleled in his resourcefulness.

I got a great deal for free!

When he heard the name "Wei Zhuang," the shock was even deeper.

Wei Zhuang's name is more famous in later generations than Jing Xiang's.

He was a poet of the Huajian School, the author of "Huanhua Ji" and "Qin Fu Yin", and was known as "Wen Wei" along with Wen Tingyun. His poems and lyrics were widely circulated in later generations.

Many beautiful lines, such as "Everyone says Jiangnan is beautiful, and tourists should only grow old in Jiangnan", "Now I recall the joy of Jiangnan, when I was young and wore a thin spring dress. I rode a horse and leaned against a bridge, with red sleeves beckoning from the whole building", and "Now that I see the flowering branches, I vow never to return when my hair turns white", are from this poet's poems.

Besides poetry, Li Cenji, being a pragmatist, valued Wei Zhuang's political abilities even more. Wei Zhuang had been a key minister and prime minister of the Former Shu dynasty.

To meet two figures of the founding prime minister level today is an opportunity I never dared to dream of.

His heart was in turmoil, but his face remained impassive. He simply nodded slightly and said, "My name is Li, and I am the manager of this inn. You two gentlemen have come from afar and must be tired from your journey. Please come in and settle in for a few days so you can prepare for the exam."

He stepped aside to make way for the doorway and gestured for us to enter.

Jingxiang thanked him repeatedly, and together with Weizhuang, led his family into the post station.

Li Cenji stood at the doorway, watching their figures disappear under the eaves, before a slow smile appeared on his lips.

He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the leaden sky beyond the eaves, and silently murmured to himself:

The feng shui of Fengxiang has indeed improved.

On the first day of the twelfth month, before dawn, there was already commotion in Yong County.

Two large lanterns were hung in front of the prefectural school early in the morning. The dim light illuminated the old plaque above the door that read "Fengxiang Prefectural School". Most of the paint on the plaque had peeled off, but it still exuded a sense of solemnity from the past.

The state school, which had been abandoned for many years, has been neatly restored in the past two months.

Just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the candidates began to arrive one after another.

Some wore blue cloth robes, some wore worn-out cotton-padded jackets, and a few wore old clothes that had been washed until they were faded. Although they were poor and simple, they were washed clean.

The scholars lined up in front of the gate according to the rules for participating in the imperial examinations. Soldiers checked their identities, verified their name cards, and searched their entire bodies before allowing them into the courtyard.

There were more than two hundred students, divided into six examination rooms. Each room had desks and tables arranged neatly, and all the necessary writing implements were provided.

A hundred or so martial arts students lined up on the drill ground east of the state school. Zhou Ping, clad in armor and holding a sword, stood in the center of the drill ground, with a large banner bearing the character "武" (martial arts) behind him, its corners fluttering in the north wind.

Today, Li Cenji was not wearing his official robes, but only a round-necked robe with a leather belt around his waist. He went to the drill ground with two attendants to take a look.

The martial arts exam was actually quite simple:

First, they tested archery on horseback, with a target set up a hundred paces away, and each person had three arrows; next, they tested arm strength, with each person lifting a stone weight to determine who was better.

Finally, there was a military strategy question written on a piece of paper. You could do it if you wanted, or you wouldn't be forced to.

When Zhou Ping saw him arrive, he quickly came forward and whispered, "Master Jie, there are about a hundred martial arts students. Most of them are decent in archery and horsemanship, but a few are a bit older and their muscles and bones have hardened, so they may not be of much use. However, there are three or five young men among them who are skilled in riding and archery and have considerable strength. I have already noted their names and will carefully examine them after the test."

Li Cenji nodded and said, "It's good that you've made your judgment. If there are any outstanding ones, just add them to your ranks; there's no need to wait for the results to be announced."

Zhou Ping responded and returned to the center of the training ground. Li Cenji then turned and walked towards the main hall of the prefectural school.

The liberal arts exams were held in the state examination hall.

Li Cenji quietly strolled into the examination hall, walking around and surveying the scene, his gaze sweeping over the scholars who were writing furiously at their desks.

More than two hundred people, some deep in thought, some writing furiously, some pondering with their chins in their hands, each with a different expression.

Five sets of exam questions were laid out on the table:

There is one math problem and four policy questions, respectively about agriculture, water conservancy, commerce, and education.

The exam questions were carefully drafted by Wang Chu and Zhao Zhang. They did not include obscure or difficult classical texts, nor did they test those flowery and impractical poems and prose. They only asked for practical policies that were relevant to the times.

Li Cenji glanced at several completed exam papers and nodded inwardly:

Although most of these people were disillusioned scholars who had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, they had a lot of insightful and practical policies for the grassroots.

As he was inspecting the area, his gaze suddenly fell on a young boy.

The boy, about ten years old and still quite young, sat in the corner by the window. He wore a worn-out blue cloth robe and was answering questions with his head down. His writing was steady and showed no hesitation.

Li Cenji was slightly taken aback. He walked closer, but not wanting to disturb him, he stood two steps away and glanced at the exam paper on the boy's desk. He saw that the handwriting was neat and elegant, and although the essay was still immature, it already had some structure.

Surprised, he turned and left the examination hall, finding Wang Chu patrolling the next examination chamber. He asked in a low voice, "Wang Sima, that boy in the corner over there, who looks no more than ten years old, why is he here to take the exam?"

Wang Chu glanced in the direction he was pointing, stroked his beard, and smiled, "General, you may not know this, but that young man's surname is Li, and his given name is Qi. His father, Li Gu, was an old friend of Lord Zheng. During the Huang Chao Rebellion, Li Gu had already passed away, and the Li family fled to Qilong to avoid the disaster. They now live outside Yong County. Li Qi came with his elder brother, Li Ting. The two originally agreed that they were just testing the atmosphere of the examination hall and not taking the exam, but only preparing for the imperial examination in the future. I thought that since our recruitment examination does not have an age limit, and since he is a descendant of Lord Zheng's old friend and is indeed talented, I let him in as well."

Li Cenji nodded, thinking carefully that he had never heard of these two names before, and they should not be famous in history, so he did not take it to heart, and only said: "Since they are descendants of Zheng Gong's old friends, there is no need to be harsh. If he wants to write, he can write; if he doesn't want to write, we will not force him. Just don't disturb others."

Wang Chu responded and went to inspect other areas.

The exam lasted from Chenshi (7-9 AM) until the end of Shenshi (3-5 PM).

As the sun began to set, the soldiers struck the gong to collect the exam papers. More than two hundred papers were collected in order, divided into several stacks, and carried into the back hall by several clerks.

The scholars walked out of the examination hall in twos and threes. Some looked tired, some were still full of energy, some were discussing the questions with their companions in hushed tones, and some hurried back to the post station to rest.

The martial arts exams had long since ended, and the training ground was deserted, with only a few targets still bearing scattered arrows, trembling slightly in the evening breeze.

Li Cenji followed the clerks into the inner hall, where he saw Sun Chu, Wang Chu, and Zhao Zhang already seated at the desk.

A thick stack of exam papers was piled on the desk, the scent of ink mingling with the fragrance of paper, filling the room.

Li Cenji didn't say much, pulled up a chair and sat down, and the four of them went their separate ways to read the papers.

This reading lasted all night.

It wasn't until noon the following day that all two hundred-plus exam papers were graded.

The four of them spent another two hours checking, sorting, and ranking the scores one by one.

Sun Chu was the oldest, and after staying up all night, his eyes were bloodshot. He leaned back in his chair and yawned repeatedly.

Wang Chu and Zhao Zhang were also pale and looked exhausted.

Li Cenji, however, remained energetic. His strength had been increasing recently, and his energy was much more abundant than before. Even after staying up all night, he only felt slightly thirsty.

After the rankings were finalized, Li Cenji first scanned the overall leaderboard:

Jing Xiang came in first, Wei Zhuang second, and the third place was surprisingly Li Ting, the elder brother who came with Li Qi.

The ten-year-old boy, Li Qi, ranked outside the top twentieth.

Li Cenji deliberately pulled out Li Qi's exam paper and looked at it again. Sure enough, as Wang Chu had said, the essay was beautifully written and full of classical allusions, but the policy discussion was mostly superficial and lacked practical solutions.

After reading it, Li Cenji said to Wang Chu, "This child has an excellent foundation, but he lacks practical experience and is only good at theory. Write a few comments on his paper and tell him where he should focus his efforts in the future, so as not to waste his talent."

Wang Chu agreed, and then wrote several lines of neat, tiny characters at the end of Li Qi's scroll, pointing out the merits and demerits of his policy essay, and pointing out several old records about water conservancy and land tax in Guanzhong, asking him to read them.

After grading the papers, Li Cenji put them away and said, "I will personally give this paper to Li Qi when the results are announced tomorrow, so that he can know which direction to focus his efforts on."

None of them objected.

With the rankings finalized, Li Cenji ordered two copies of the list to be made, one to be posted at the entrance of the prefectural government and the other outside the post station.

They then selected several soldiers with loud voices to announce the news along the street, accompanied by gongs and drums.

When the news spread, scholars from all over the city flocked to the place where the results were posted.

In an instant, the area in front of the prefectural government building was packed with people, making it impossible to move.

Li Cenji did not rush to the gate of the prefectural government to watch the excitement, but went to the post station first.

He changed into civilian clothes, still disguising himself as an ordinary clerk, and quietly walked to the notice outside the post station.

The crowd below the list was three or four layers deep. Some clapped and laughed, some shook their heads and sighed, and some pulled their companions to congratulate each other.

Some students whispered among themselves about the rankings, pointing to the two names at the top: "Jing Xiang? Who is that? I've never heard of him before."

"Wei Zhuang? Could it be Wei Zhuang, the one who wrote 'Thoughts at Zhangtai at Night'? He's here too?"

"With Wei Zhuang's talent, he was actually outshone by Jing Xiang? I wonder who Jing Xiang really is?!"

Li Cenji stood outside the crowd, waiting for the excitement to subside a little before stepping forward.

He was still wearing the same casual clothes today, looking like just an ordinary manager.

He cleared his throat and said loudly, "Gentlemen, I have a few words to say."

When the scholars saw it was him, they all quieted down.

These past few days, everyone at the inn has come to know that this "Manager Li" is easy to talk to, and if anyone has any difficulties, they can usually get through to him.

Upon hearing him speak, they all gathered around.

Li Cenji said, "Those who passed the exam today will be selected based on merit; even those who did not rank highly will not be ignored. Apart from a few whose answers were truly perfunctory, all the rest of the examinees will be employed. Some will be assigned to various counties in Fengxiang and Longzhou to serve as assistant officials..."

Those appointed to positions such as registrar or county commandant; others remained in the army, serving as military officers, clerks, or secretaries. The military commander said: "You are all talented men, though your talents vary in degree and you each have your strengths. As long as you are willing to work diligently, your future prospects will certainly not be limited to today."

He paused, then continued, "From now on, there will be annual assessments, and those with outstanding performance will be promoted. You should not be discouraged by your lower rankings today, nor should you be complacent about your high rankings. There is plenty of time ahead, and as long as you have real skills, you will eventually have your day."

He glanced around the crowd and, seeing the various expressions on their faces, added, "Those who wish to stay should report to the prefectural government tomorrow, and someone will arrange their accommodations. Those who do not wish to stay will not be forced and may leave on their own."

As soon as he finished speaking, a low murmur arose from the crowd.

Most people were willing to stay, but a few well-dressed scholars, probably from wealthy families, shook their heads and turned away when they saw that their rankings were not ideal.

Li Cenji did not keep them, but only told those scholars who were willing to stay to report to the prefectural government office early the next morning.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, he saw a small, thin figure standing alone in the corner of the notice board, head down, motionless.

It was Li Qi. Standing beside him was a young man in his early twenties with clear features, who was whispering something to him; this must be his elder brother, Li Ting.

Li Ting had already achieved a commendable third place, but he showed little joy. Instead, he kept patting Li Qi's shoulder and saying, "Little brother, don't be discouraged. You're only ten years old, and it's already remarkable that you've achieved this. In a few years, you'll definitely do even better."

""

Li Qi remained silent, only pursing her lips, her eyes slightly reddening, clearly showing her deep resentment.

He was only ten years old and had been called a "prodigy" by his neighbors since he was a child, always one step ahead of others. But today he didn't even make it into the top twenty. You can imagine how disappointed he felt.

Li Cenji stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to Li Ting, and asked, "Is this Mr. Li Ting?"

Seeing that the man was simply dressed, Li Ting assumed he was the manager of the post station, so he returned the greeting and said, "That's me. What can I do for you, sir?"

Li Cenji then looked at Li Qi and smiled, "This young man must be Li Qi, right?"

Li Qi raised her head, glanced at him, stood up, bowed, and said in a muffled voice, "Yes, Li Qi greets you, sir."

Li Cenji took the examination paper from his sleeve and handed it to Li Qi, saying, "I have read your paper. Your writing is excellent, and your use of classical allusions is skillful, far surpassing your peers. However, policy essays are not like poetry or prose; mere rhetoric is insufficient. Your agricultural policy essay is full of profound principles, yet it doesn't mention what crops are suitable for the soil in Fengxiang, how to construct irrigation canals along the Wei River, or how to manage farming seasons for displaced people after they have been allocated land. These things are not found in books. If you truly wish to become a minister who governs the world well, you must personally go to the fields to see, ask, and learn. Do not waste your talent and literary flair."

Li Qi took the exam paper and looked down at the few lines of comments from Wang Chu, each word pointing out the weaknesses in his policy essay.

After a moment of silence, he finally raised his head, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. I was too shallow; I only knew how to quote classics, but I didn't know how to put them into practice. I will definitely study it carefully when I get back and go to the fields to see for myself."

Seeing that he was young but willing to learn, Li Cenji nodded inwardly: "You're only ten years old, you have plenty of time in the future. Don't rush, take your time."

He nodded to Li Ting again, then turned and walked straight into the post station.

Jing Xiang and Wei Zhuang were sitting in Wei Zhuang's room, talking over a pot of hot tea.

The results were released today, and although the two achieved their desired rankings, they did not become complacent.

Wei Zhuang was holding a teacup and talking, while Jing Xiang nodded slightly with a smile on his face.

Li Cenji walked up to the two men and, without beating around the bush, cupped his hands and said, "Gentlemen, the commander invites you to come into the city with me."

Jing Xiang and Wei Zhuang exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised.

The two quickly got up, straightened their clothes, and followed Li Cenji out of the post station.

Soldiers were already waiting outside the gate with three horses. The three mounted their horses and headed towards Yacheng.

Upon entering the governor's mansion, Li Cenji led the two to the inner hall, arranged for them to sit in the guest seats, and ordered tea to be served. He said, "Please sit for a moment, gentlemen. I will go and invite the governor out."

After saying that, he went into the back hall.

Jingxiang and Weizhuang sat in the hall, discussing their experiences from today's exam in hushed tones.

Just then, footsteps came from the back room.

The two quickly stood up, straightened their clothes, and stood respectfully with their hands at their sides.

The curtain was lifted, and Li Cenji walked out from the back hall.

He had changed into a purple robe, with a jade belt around his waist and a turban on his head, which was the official attire of the Fengxiang Longyou Jiedushi (military governor of Longyou).

A gentle smile graced his handsome face as his gaze slowly swept over the two of them.

Jing Xiang and Wei Zhuang were both taken aback, then suddenly realized what was going on.

Jing Xiang was the first to react, and immediately lifted his robe to kneel down, saying, "So you are the Commander! I have been blind to your greatness and have been disrespectful these past few days. I hope the Commander will forgive me!"

Wei Zhuang followed closely behind, bowed deeply, and said, "I am truly ashamed that I did not recognize the General's true appearance."

Li Cenji quickly stepped forward, helped the two men up with both hands, and said with a smile, "There's no need for such formalities. I didn't reveal my identity at the post station because I wanted to see how you scholars were truly before the exam. Please forgive me if I was impolite."

He asked the two to sit down again, and then sat in the main seat himself. He summoned servants to light a charcoal fire in the hall, placed a ceramic pot on the fire to brew tea, and then took a plate of tangerines and placed it on the table.

The charcoal fire was warm and cozy, and the aroma of tea filled the hall.

Li Cenji personally poured a cup of hot tea for each of them, then pushed the tangerines in front of them, and said with a smile, "It's freezing cold, and you two gentlemen have come all the way from Bianzhou and Chang'an. You really think highly of me."

Jingxiang held the teacup, the warmth seeping into his palms, as if the chill of the past few days had been dispelled by this cup of hot tea.

He glanced at Li Cenji, then at Wei Zhuang beside him, and a thought suddenly occurred to him:

I know I made the right choice coming here.

The three of them sat around a stove, brewing tea. The charcoal fire burned warmly, and the water in the earthenware pot bubbled and steamed.

After a few cups of hot tea, the chill dissipated, and Jing Xiang and Wei Zhuang's complexions gradually became rosy.

Li Cenji put down his teacup, his gaze slowly sweeping over the two men's faces. After a moment's thought, he spoke: "I have carefully read both of your answers. Your writing is excellent, and your reasoning is clear—truly remarkable. However, I feel that policy essay questions are ultimately limited and cannot fully showcase your true talents. Today, I would like to ask you both to answer two more questions, regardless of style or length, simply to speak freely. Would you two be willing to give it a try?"

Jing Xiang and Wei Zhuang exchanged a glance, both seeing a glimmer of light in each other's eyes.

The military governor himself set the questions, which would be a great opportunity to showcase one's knowledge. How could anyone not want to do that?

The two men bowed in unison and said, "General, please speak. We are eager to hear the details."

Li Cenji placed the teacup back on the table, clasped his hands on his knees, his gaze calm and unfathomable, and slowly said, "I would like to ask you two gentlemen a question from the bottom of my heart: Is there any hope for the Tang Dynasty today? Can the world ever return to the prosperous state it was under Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong?"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent for a moment.

The charcoal fire crackled softly, and the wind outside the window swirled fine snowflakes against the window paper, making a rustling sound.

Jingxiang lowered his eyes, his fingers tapping lightly on his knees, as if he was considering something.

Wei Zhuang picked up his teacup but didn't drink. He just stared at the tea leaves floating in the tea soup with a deep gaze.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Wei Zhuang was the first to put down his teacup and raise his head: "General, your question concerns the fate of the world, and I dare not answer it lightly. However, since you have asked, I will boldly speak frankly. If there is anything inappropriate, please just consider it as my senility and laugh it off."

He paused briefly, as if gathering his thoughts, before continuing, "Let me start by saying this: if you say that the world today can be restored to the prosperous state of Taizong and Gaozong, where all under heaven submits and the government is unified, I believe that is wishful thinking and absolutely impossible."

He tapped his finger lightly on the table: "Why? Because the ills accumulated over the past hundred years since the An Lushan Rebellion cannot be resolved by one or two wise rulers or one or two benevolent policies. The separatist warlords prevent the court's decrees from leaving Guanzhong; eunuchs interfere in politics, turning the imperial guards into their private armies; factional strife and infighting make it difficult for even a virtuous and talented person like Zheng Gong to hold a position for long; the treasury is empty, and although the Two-Tax System can barely maintain the court's expenses, it also increases the burden on the people—these ills are all accumulated over a century and cannot be reversed overnight."

He then changed the subject: "However, to say that the Tang Dynasty has sunk into ruin beyond redemption, I don't necessarily think so. Does the General still remember the five former emperors: Daizong, Dezong, Xianzong, Wuzong, and Xuanzong?"

Li Cenji nodded slightly: "Of course I remember."

Wei Zhuang said, "Emperor Daizong inherited the remnants of the An Lushan Rebellion. The separatist rule of the Hebei warlords was already a fait accompli, and he was powerless to control it. Therefore, he focused on internal affairs: reducing taxes, comforting displaced people, and repairing water conservancy projects. He used the word 'nurturing' to give the country a breather. Emperor Dezong also worked diligently in the early years of his reign, reforming the two taxes and dismissing redundant officials. Although he ultimately failed due to the Jingyuan Mutiny and the Fengtian Rebellion, his policy of 'suppressing the warlords' laid the foundation for Emperor Xianzong's reign. During the Yuanhe era of Emperor Xianzong, he employed Pei Du, Li Xiang, and others to suppress Liu Pi, pacify Wu Yuanji, and subdue Weibo, restoring the authority of the court and earning the title of 'Yuanhe Restoration.' During the Huichang era of Emperor Wuzong, he employed Li Deyu to attack the Uyghurs in the north and pacify Zelu in the east, reducing the number of Buddhist temples to replenish the national treasury, a period known as the 'Huichang Restoration.'" Emperor Xuanzong's reign of Dazhong was so prosperous that he was dubbed "Little Taizong" by his contemporaries, as it represented the most impressive and successful period of revitalization in the dynasty.

He paused slightly, then abruptly changed the subject, his voice turning somber: "But if you look closely, General, you'll see that the Yuanhe Restoration, the Huichang Restoration, and the Dazhong Era were all built and destroyed by the same people. When Pei Du retired, the regional military governors rebelled again; when Li Deyu was demoted, the Uyghurs caused trouble again; when Emperor Xuanzong died, the empire descended into chaos once more. These restorations were all maintained by a wise ruler and one or two capable ministers. When they could hold on, the empire experienced a brief resurgence; when they couldn't, it sank again. The reason I say there is still hope" is because as long as the emperor is wise, the prime minister is capable, and the generals are loyal, the Tang Dynasty can still survive. But if you expect the system itself to automatically correct itself and repair itself, I don't believe it."

He picked up his teacup, moistened his throat, and his eyes held a hint of sorrow: "I've lived in Chang'an for most of my life, and I've witnessed the factionalism and corruption in the court, the infighting between eunuchs and officials, and the independent rule and taxation of local warlords. These are not things that can be changed by a single edict, nor can they be eradicated by one or two wise ministers. Therefore, I can only say: there is still hope, but a return to prosperity is impossible. The Tang Dynasty, like a ship, has been leaking for a long time, but if everyone works together to bail it out..."

With some minor repairs, it can drift for a few more years, a decade, or even several decades. But to turn it back into the brand-new ship it once was is like trying to find a sword by marking the boat – utterly impossible.

Li Cenji nodded, then turned to Jing Xiang.

Jing Xiang had been listening quietly to Wei Zhuang's words, and now he slowly put down his teacup, his gaze fixed on the table, as if he was carefully considering his words.

After a moment, he raised his head: "What Mr. Duanji said is all true, and I have no objection. However, I think that you are still a little too conservative in your assessment."

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and placed it back on the table, his fingertips gently tracing the rim. "General," he said, "may I ask you a question: what is the foundation upon which this dynasty was founded?"

Before Li Cenji could reply, he muttered to himself, "The foundation of the Tang Dynasty lies in the equal-field system and the military system."

"The Equal-Field System ensured that the people had permanent property and that taxes were based on evidence. The Fubing System ensured that soldiers had permanent property and that they were not paid for war. These two systems complemented each other and were the cornerstone of the prosperous reigns of Zhenguan and Kaiyuan. But what about now? The Equal-Field System had been gradually deteriorating since the end of the Kaiyuan era, and the Two-Tax System replaced it. It seemed fair, but in reality, it placed the entire tax burden on the population. Those with more land concealed their wealth, while those with fewer people bore the heavy burden. The Fubing System is even worse. Since the abandonment of the cavalry system during the Tianbao era, the court has been recruiting and maintaining soldiers. From then on, soldiers did not know their generals, and generals did not know their soldiers. Soldiers were subordinate to generals, and generals were subordinate to military governors. Money and provisions came from the military governors, and soldiers were supported by the military governors. What did the court have left?"

He spoke faster and faster, but his tone was not impassioned: "Once the equal-field system and the military system collapsed, military power shifted to the regional military governors, and finances shifted to the local governments. The court wanted to weaken the regional military governors, but had no troops; it wanted to centralize power, but the treasury was empty. So it could only rely on eunuchs and use the imperial guards as its henchmen. But the imperial guards, after being raised for a long time, also became the eunuchs' private army. If the emperor wanted to move against a eunuch, he would first have to consider whether the imperial guards would rebel. This is not the fault of any one person, nor the fault of any particular incident, but the fact that the entire system has collapsed step by step over the past hundred years, and now it is beyond repair."

At this point, his voice suddenly lowered, his gaze slightly bowed, and his expression carried a complex mix of pity and regret: "As for the current emperor—I have never met him, only heard of his reputation among the common people. But the military governor must have seen him and knows that the rumors are true. The emperor is young, loves polo and hunting, and has the appearance of a foolish ruler. He is impatient with politics, does not associate with virtuous ministers, and only trusts Tian Lingzi. In peaceful times, such an emperor could be a ruler who maintains the status quo, since he has the prime minister to support him. But now we are in a chaotic world, no one in the court dares to take responsibility, and the emperor is unwilling to take responsibility. Tian Lingzi only knows how to seize power and consolidate his favor; how can he care about the country? I dare to say: the fall of the Tang Dynasty will probably be within the next generation or two."

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent once again.

Wei Zhuang held his teacup without speaking, but his hand holding the teacup tightened slightly.

He knew in his heart that although Jing Xiang's words were even more blunt than his own, they were not an exaggeration.

In the end, what I just said was simply "doing my best".

Jingxiang's words, however, were about "knowing one's destiny".

Doing one's best is important, but accepting one's fate is not necessarily a negative thing.

Sometimes, having a clear understanding of the overall trend is more important than blind optimism.

Li Cenji leaned back in his chair and remained silent for a long time.

He was also secretly making plans in his mind:

The method Wei Zhuang described was the old path taken by emperors who revived dynasties throughout history, and it had indeed been effective before, but each time it only lasted for one or two generations before falling back into decline.

Jing Xiang put it even more bluntly, pointing out that the collapse of the equal-field system and the military system, the establishment of regional military governors and eunuchs, and the fact that the foundation of the Tang Dynasty had rotted away.

Ultimately, their judgments arrived at the same conclusion, albeit through different means:

The Tang Dynasty can never go back to what it was before.

The only difference is that Wei Zhuang believed that if a ruler capable of restoring the dynasty emerged, coupled with several capable ministers, the Tang Dynasty could still survive and experience another "Great Zhongzhi Era".

Jingxiang, however, had doubts about the situation over the past few decades, since the current emperor's character and ability were hardly commendable.

He nodded slowly, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and put it down. His gaze had darkened, carrying a hint of barely perceptible sharpness: "I understand what you two gentlemen have said. The Tang Dynasty—it is indeed gone forever."

He put down his teacup, his gaze sweeping over the two men, his eyes burning: "If the Tang Dynasty is destined to collapse, how should Fengxiang position itself? Please, gentlemen, explain your plans in detail, without any reservations."

Jing Xiang and Wei Zhuang were both taken aback.

Wei Zhuang spoke first, asking, "What are the General's ambitions?"

Li Cenji answered without any pretense: "If the Tang Dynasty collapses, I will follow the example of Emperor Guangwu and revive the Tang Dynasty."

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.

Li Cenji smiled and said, "You two may not know my background. I am a descendant of Prince Zheng Yuanyi, a great-great-grandson of Emperor Gaozu, a great-nephew of Emperor Taizong, and a grandson of Li Kuangyi. My family still has a genealogy that can be traced back to our bloodline."

The two then realized what was happening and calmed down to think.

Jingxiang lowered his eyes, his heart churning like a turbulent tide.

He pondered for a long time before raising his head, his voice as steady as a mountain: "Since the commander has asked, I will dare to speak frankly."

He dipped his finger in the tea and drew a simple map of the mountains and rivers on the table. As he drew, he spoke clearly and logically: "Fengxiang is strategically located, bordering Longyou to the west, Hanzhong to the south, Chang'an to the east, and Jingyuan to the north. It has well-trained soldiers, can provide for itself with sufficient provisions, and also has the prestige of protecting the emperor. It has the strength to do so. However, Fengxiang is small in size and has few households, so its resources are limited. If the Tang Dynasty were to fall at that time, and the military governor were eager to fight for the capital Luoyang, he would inevitably be surrounded by various warlords and become the target of everyone's attacks. I believe that if Fengxiang wants to achieve great things, it should proceed in three steps."

He drew the first circle on the table, encircling the lands of Qi and Long prefectures, and said in a deep voice, "The first step is to consolidate the foundation and secure the borders. We must first rectify agriculture and sericulture in Qi and Long, stockpile grain and fodder, and train the troops well. The military commander is already doing this: resettling refugees, distributing land and lending cattle, dredging canals and weirs, and disbanding and reorganizing the army—all of these are strategies to consolidate the foundation. Once the foundation is solid, we should gradually annex the towns of Jingyuan, Fenning, and Langfang, and unify the Guanzhong region. Why take these three towns first?" "Jingyuan controls the strategic pass of Xiaoguan; capturing it would ensure the safety of the northern gate. Banning produces horses; taking it would provide ample cavalry. Langfang, located north of the Wei River, would give control of the entire northern region of Chang'an. If these three towns are acquired, Fengxiang would possess the territory of several prefectures, including Qi, Long, Jing, Ban, Fu, and Fang. With the Longshan Mountains and Xiaoguan Pass as its western shield, and the Sanguan Pass and Qinling Mountains as its southern defenses, it could easily defend itself. With a strong and well-equipped army, it could then plot to seize Guanzhong, relying on its natural defenses to repel the various regional warlords of Shandong."

He then drew a second line on the table, extending southward from Fengxiang to Bashu: "The second step is to expand south of the mountains. After Guanzhong is secured, we will send troops south to take Xingyuan Prefecture and control all the Qinling mountain passes, including Chencang Road, Baoxie Road, Tangluo Road, and Ziwu Road. Xingyuan Prefecture is the throat of Hanzhong; controlling it will allow us to enter Shu to the south and protect Guanzhong to the north. Afterward, we will advance into the two Sichuan regions: first take Xichuan, then Dongchuan. Bashu is known as the Land of Abundance, rich in grain. If we can station troops there, Fengxiang will have no worries about food supplies. Longyou produces horses; if we can acquire them, our cavalry will be elite. This is the pattern by which the Qin and Han dynasties established their foundations: controlling Guanzhong, possessing the grain of Bashu, and stockpiling horses from Longyou, maintaining our power through strategic locations, we can advance and retreat as needed. By then, Fengxiang will be a land of four strategic passes: the Longshan Mountains to the west, the Jiange Pass to the south, and the Tongguan Pass to the east."

He paused on the line on the table, his voice deepening: "The third step is to take over Longyou and then advance eastward when the time is right. Longyou stretches from Qinzhou, across the Hexi Corridor, all the way to the westernmost reaches of the Western Regions, encompassing the entire Protectorate of the Western Regions. As the Jieshi (military governor) of Longyou, if we use the recapture of Longyou as a pretext to continuously send small detachments to conquer it, we can use the Qiang, Hu, and Tubo troops entrenched in Longyou as whetstones for training, and also lower the guard of the various garrisons in the Central Plains, making them believe that the Jieshi is wholeheartedly loyal." "Manage the Western Regions. Only then will the various towns in the Central Plains dare to wage war against each other with peace of mind. When they are exhausted from years of fighting and their morale is low, Fengxiang will launch a two-pronged attack: one route will march east from Tongguan to take the Heluo region, and the other will march south across the Yangtze River to Jingxiang. With both routes advancing simultaneously, they will sweep across the Central Plains. At that time, no matter how vast the world is, who can resist us? If these three strategies are implemented, although they may not be quick to achieve results, they can be steadily advanced. In my opinion, ten years to consolidate the foundation, ten years to expand the territory, and another ten years to observe the success or failure, will surely yield results within thirty years."

After speaking, he withdrew his hand into his sleeve, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Li Cenji, and said with a frank and solemn expression, "What I have said is only a general outline; the details still need to be considered. However, this is the general direction. What does the Commander-in-Chief think?"

After hearing this, Li Cenji did not immediately express his opinion, but only nodded slightly and then turned his gaze to Wei Zhuang.

Wei Zhuang had been stroking his beard and listening attentively ever since Jing Xiang began speaking. Now, seeing Li Cenji looking at him, he lowered his hand, bowed slightly, and slowly said, "I believe Zizhen's three-step strategy is quite sound. Strengthening the foundation and securing the borders, expanding territory south of the mountains, training troops in Longyou, feigning weakness to deceive the enemy, and advancing eastward at the opportune moment—each step is a practical strategy. I have no objections."

He paused, then changed the subject, his gaze deepening: "However, in my humble opinion, while Zizhen's proposed strategy is sound in every step, it lacks a fundamental, overarching justification." As the saying goes, without a proper name, words will not be persuasive; without persuasive words, things will not succeed. If Fengxiang wishes to annex the surrounding regions, without a legitimate pretext, it will be relying on force rather than virtue to subdue people. Those who subdue others by force may be subservient to force, but can also be betrayed by it; those who subdue others by virtue win their hearts, and this subsistence is enduring.

He raised his eyes, his gaze calm and profound: "Does the General remember the events of Cao Cao at the end of the Han Dynasty? When Cao Cao first raised his army, his strength was far inferior to that of Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Gongsun Zan, and others."

But he did one thing right: he welcomed Emperor Xian of Han to Xuchang, using the emperor to command the disobedient. From then on, whenever Cao Cao launched a military campaign, he used the emperor's edict as his justification: when attacking Yuan Shao, he claimed he was "ordered to punish the rebels"; when attacking Liu Biao, he claimed he was "ordered to punish the guilty"; when attacking Ma Chao, he claimed he was "ordered to quell the rebellion." If the various warlords did not obey, they were considered to be defying the imperial decree and had no authority; if they obeyed, they were handing over the initiative to Cao Cao. Cao Cao used the banner of the emperor to gradually erode the surrounding areas, ultimately laying the foundation for the Cao Wei dynasty. This is the so-called strategy of "holding the emperor hostage to command the warlords."

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