Qian Song

...

A group of candidates for the crown prince who reached the finals just came out of the Qianqing Palace. A middle-aged man who looked almost exactly like Li Cun, except that he had blond hair and blue eyes, and was extremely burly, and an upright civil servant, who was Anne. Li Cunsheng's son Li Ji and Li Xiang's chief adviser Shi Hao greeted Li Xiang.

Seeing this, Li Xiang smiled and informed the other crown prince candidates, and then walked towards Li Ji and Shi Hao.

After the three met, Li Ji asked Li Xiang bluntly: "What did the emperor talk to you about? Is there anything unexpected?"

Li Xiang smiled bitterly: "My father announced that future emperors can only serve for five years. If they serve well, they can be re-elected for one term, that is, they will serve for ten years. After that, they must abdicate, and the crown prince will no longer be selected by the emperor himself. Voted by members of the royal family..."

After hearing this, Li Ji frowned and said, "Father, what do you mean?"

Li Xiang said: "It should be that he is afraid that future emperors will be lazy and negligent in their administration, or that they will become dull and immoral after being emperor for a long time."

Then, Li Xiang stretched his back and said, "That's fine. If I am elected, at least I won't have to die from exhaustion in office like my brother."

Li Ji said: "Ten years is enough for me to show off my talents, but... it's a pity that Zi Chi, that kid is also a good candidate to be an emperor."

Li Xiang shook his head: "I'm not sure whether I can become the emperor, let alone him. To say the least, if he is as good as you said, he is a good candidate to become the emperor, it will depend on his own ability. Let me, the royal family, elect him.”

When Shi Hao heard this, he asked: "Did the Prime Minister choose to accept this new system?"

Li Xiang smiled and said: "Zhi Weng will test me?"

Shi Hao smiled and did not deny it.

Li Xiang said with a hint of helplessness: "My father said every day that he was getting old, but who doesn't know that he would drive three or five women every night, and sometimes he would hold a swimsuit event or something when the mood struck, let alone our years? The middle-aged man who is nearly forty, even those young men are not as strong as him. With his body, there is no problem at all in living a hundred years, and as long as he is alive for one day, he will definitely be what he says. What, who dares to resist after eating a bear’s heart and a leopard?”

Shi Hao nodded secretly, feeling that Li Xiang was still awake.

In fact, this is the case.

Don't look at the people who fought with Li Cun in the past, many of them have passed away.

But because of the myths Li Cun created in the past, the soldiers of the Daqian Dynasty and countless young people still worshiped Li Cun extremely. Whatever Li Cun ordered them to do, they would definitely move forward.

It can be said that Li Cun's prestige is not that of anyone, yes, it is anyone. It is unprecedented and unprecedented. Even the new emperor, and the new emperor who did a very good job, is completely incomparable to Li Cun.

Li Biao is the best example.

The key is, don’t forget, Li Cun is a humanoid seeder. In the past few decades, he has created thousands of sons and thousands of daughters. If Li Cun’s grandsons and grandsons are also included, this number will be , even if there is not one hundred thousand, there must be eighty thousand.

The key point is that Li Cun's [-] and [-] descendants are filled in every corner of the Daqian Dynasty and are in charge of all areas of the Daqian Dynasty.

It is no exaggeration to say that even if Li Cun is not the emperor, the Daqian Dynasty will definitely be under Li Cun's control.

Unless the new emperor dares to stand up and take risks to kill Li Cun.

But there is another problem here, that is, Li Cun is cautious by nature. When he sleeps, he is surrounded by experts.

And once Li Cun cannot be killed, whoever kills Li Cun will die.

Li Xiang added: "Furthermore, the new system created by my father will definitely be supported by all the royal family and most officials. If I oppose it, I will become an enemy of almost everyone. How can I win?"

Shi Hao smiled knowingly. He had not misjudged the person. Li Xiang indeed had great wisdom.

Just as Li Xiang said, all members of the royal family will definitely support Li Cun's decision.

After all, this will first increase their authority, and secondly, they will also have the opportunity to become emperors. Even if they fail to become emperors, their descendants may become emperors in the future. This new system is a big deal for them. How could they not support such a good thing?
Most civil and military officials also definitely support the new system created by Li Cun.

You must know that this can not only select an excellent crown prince, but also select an excellent emperor, so that the excellent emperor can fully govern during his limited term of office.

This can also unite all the royal families and unite the Daqian Dynasty.

The key is that this gives all royal men a channel to become emperor peacefully, so that they do not have to risk using force to seize the throne.

This is not the most critical.

The most important thing is that Li Cun also gave the prime minister a legal channel to limit the imperial power.

In this way, future emperors will not be able to do whatever they want, and the power of ministers will be increased to a certain extent.

Therefore, most civil and military officials will definitely support the new system created by Li Cun.

Therefore, as Li Xiang said, if he dares to oppose the new system created by Li Cun, he will definitely not become the emperor. Even if he does, he will definitely be deposed soon.

Seeing that Li Xiang had this clear understanding, Shi Hao said: "Your Majesty is far-sighted. Although the new system may seem a little deviant at first glance, but when you think about it carefully, it has far-reaching implications. Maybe because of this new system, I may not be able to win forever. "

Li Xiangxin said: "Yes, he is another supporter of the new system."

Shi Hao also knew that the biggest victim of this new system was Prime Minister Li, who was most likely to become the crown prince. Therefore, he stopped talking and changed his tone:
"Although your Majesty can live a hundred years and has unparalleled influence on me, your Majesty has long been tired of the throne. Only because Taizong suddenly died suddenly and a new suitable crown prince has not been elected, your Majesty has to personally If the Prime Minister successfully succeeds to the throne, I don’t think His Majesty will interfere with the Prime Minister’s governance, just like he did when Taizong was in power.”

There is no need for Shi Hao to say this.

As a person, you know that Li Cun has long been enough to be the emperor.

Just to be responsible for the Daqian Dynasty, Li Cuncai reluctantly remained emperor for a few more years before a suitable successor was selected.

Besides, there is also the example of Li Biao.

Therefore, all the candidates for the crown prince are not worried. After they win the election, Li Cun will not delegate power to them. In fact, on the contrary, as long as Li survives, no matter who they are, after they win the election, because Li Cun will protect them, They will definitely be able to express their own political ambitions and will not be ignored by others.

Shi Hao said: "Therefore, this is a disadvantage and a benefit, so the Prime Minister should be more open-minded."

Li Xiang smiled and said: "Ten years is enough for me to eliminate the stubborn diseases of the Daqian Dynasty. The emperor has done too much, and that's it. It's better to put all our energy on these ten years."

Li Ji and Shi Hao said in unison: "This is the right solution!"

……

Three months later, the election results were announced.

As expected, Prime Minister Li was elected with a high number of votes.

The person with the second highest number of votes was Li Cun's fourth son Li Di.

When the results came out, Li Cun didn't waste any time and issued an order directly, appointing Li Xiang as the crown prince and the first heir to his throne; Li Di as the emperor's speaker, the second heir to his throne.

What people didn't expect was that Li Cun did not send away the other candidates for the crown prince, but placed them all in important positions to continue their training.

At the same time, Li Cun asked Li Di to take charge and let his children and grandchildren select thirty outstanding children and grandchildren again, following the old path of Li Xiang and Li Di running for the crown prince candidate.

What is not surprising is that as soon as Li Xiang became the crown prince, Li Cun threw all the government affairs in his hands to Li Xiang, allowing Li Xiang to take power from now on.

Li Cun delegated power to Li Xiang so happily, which made Li Xiang's team excited.

This is not only because they can take power immediately, but also because, in this way, Li Xiang will definitely be in power for a longer period of time than the subsequent emperors.

As a result, Prime Minister Li's people hoped that Li Cun would not pass the throne to Prime Minister Li too quickly.

After Prime Minister Li took power, he immediately lit three fires:
The first step is to fulfill all the promises he made when he ran for election.

This is what Li Cun told Prime Minister Li. Jun Wuxi said that he could not let these promises become his handle and the reason for others to attack him. He also wanted to set an example for the subsequent crown prince candidates.

The second priority is to adjust officials.

The most significant adjustment is that Shi Hao became the Councilor for Political Affairs and Li Ji became the Privy Council Member. In other words, Shi Hao and Li Ji became deputy prime minister and deputy defense minister, preparing to take over from Chen Kangbo and Chen Tao in the future.

In addition, Prime Minister Li knew that Li Cun was going to use members of the royal family to check the ministers of the Daqian Dynasty, so he continued Li Cun's political path of reusing members of the royal family.

The third fire is to move the capital.

Li Xiang believes that Jiangnan is too beautiful, with picturesque scenery and pleasant environment. Such a place can easily make people lose their fighting spirit and settle for pleasure, so it is not suitable to be the capital. He wants to move the capital to Yanshan Prefecture in Beijing.

This is certainly not the truest reason, at least not the most important one.

In fact, the main reason why Prime Minister Li wanted to move the capital was because the Daqian Dynasty had a vast territory in the north. Siberia and the Far East were important energy supply areas for the Daqian Dynasty and could not be lost.

In addition, after these years of recuperation, the number of nomads on the northern grasslands has gradually increased. Moving the capital to Yanshan Prefecture can effectively prevent the resurgence of nomads.

In fact, some people suggested to Prime Minister Li to move the capital to Chang'an, the capital of Xijing.

However, it was vetoed by Prime Minister Li because the Daqian Dynasty was not only a land-power country, but also a sea-power country, and Chang'an was too far away from the sea.

Prime Minister Li wanted to fulfill his promise and adjust officials. All the civil and military officials of the Daqian Dynasty and all the royal family had no objections and did not dare to have any objections.

However, when Prime Minister Li wanted to move the capital, he encountered fierce opposition from many civil and military officials and members of the royal family of the Daqian Dynasty.

Among these civil and military officials and members of the royal family, some said that Li Xiang was wasting people and money, some said that Li Xiang's move was tantamount to abandoning the southern counties, and some said that Li Xiang was fooling around.

In fact, the real reason is very simple. It is that these civil and military officials, members of the royal family, and the major forces behind them are unwilling to leave the comfortable nest of Jiangnan and live in the bitter cold Yanshan Mansion.

Later, some civil and military officials and members of the royal family had the courage to come to Li Cun and wanted Li Cun to take charge of Prime Minister Li.But Li Cun didn't even raise his eyelids and said, "Those who don't want to move the capital can stay in Jiangnan."

What does it mean to stay?
That's dismissal!That's losing their power!That's getting them out of the center of this world!
Who can bear this?

The key is, Li Cunke can definitely do what he says.

All civil and military officials and members of the royal family were so frightened that they seemed to run away from Yangxin Hall.

After everyone left, Li Xiang came out from behind the screen and said with a smile: "Thank you, my father, for supporting my son to move the capital!"

Li Cun said angrily: "In politics, you have to use your brain. Don't be so reckless in the future."

Li Xiangxin said: "I used my brain to ask you, Father, to suppress them. I am using your strength to fight."

And on his lips, Li Xiang responded: "Promise."

Who would have thought that Li Xiang immediately changed his tone and said: "I definitely don't want to trouble my father. My father has a hard enough time dealing with everything today. I understand my father's hard work. It's just that there is a thorny matter. If it is not handled properly, Handle it, I am afraid that they will come to trouble my father."

When he heard that Li Xiang added an accent to the words "everyday management", Li Cun wanted to go over and give this little brat a slap in the face.

But after all, their identities were here, and Li Cun could only think about it.

"What's the matter?" Li Cun asked.

Li Xiang rubbed his hands and said, "Well...it's not good for the Ministry of Household Affairs to provide the money for building the palace, otherwise these people will make irresponsible remarks..."

There was no need for Li Cun to ask Li Xiang what he meant. Li Xiang said honestly and politely: "Father, look, can you borrow some money from me so that I can build this palace?"

When it comes to borrowing money, Li Cun gets very angry.

Li Cun's children and grandchildren borrowed money from Li Cun and never repaid it.

As a result, Li Cun didn't even know how much money he had lent out over the years.

Seeing that Li Cun's face was wrong, Li Xiang said quickly: "Father, this is a serious matter. If we don't move, our family's country and country may not be able to be passed down to generations."

Li Cun was too lazy to talk nonsense to this shameless guy like Li Xiang, and directly threw a tips bag in front of Li Xiang.

Li Xiang was not angry, so he went to pick up the kit and asked cheerfully: "What is this?"

Li Cun pretended to be calm and said: "I gave this to your emperor brother. When your emperor brother was in power, he never used it. You can take it and use it."

Li Xiang heard something was wrong with Li Cun's voice, and knew that Li Cun still liked his brother Li Biao the most.

Li Xiang opened the bag directly in front of Li Cun.

As a result, there were only two words on it, or it could be said that there was only one name on it - Qin Hui.

Li Xiang understood instantly.

If you ask, who is the most corrupt official in the Daqian Dynasty, I am afraid that even children will know that it is Qin Hui.

However, the world is very curious. The Daqian Dynasty will fight against corruption every few years, but Qin Hui has done nothing so many times.

Some people say that Qin Hui was Li Cun's favorite, and Li Cun was reluctant to kill Qin Hui.

Others say that Qin Hui is so capable. He has opened up the world's economy and trade, and Li Cun cannot do without Qin Hui.

Li Xiang was also curious as to why his father never dealt with Qin Hui.

Daqing is because the Daqian Dynasty has been too rich in recent years to use Qin Hui, a fat pig.

In fact, as early as more than ten years ago, his father had handed the butcher's knife into the hands of his brother.

Li Xiang wanted to build a palace in Beijing, but he was very short of money. How could he let Qin Hui go?
Without saying anything, Li Xiang grabbed the kit and left.

But just as Prime Minister Li was about to leave the Yangxin Hall, Li Cun's voice suddenly came from behind him: "Leave his whole body intact."

Li Xiang didn't understand why his father wanted to leave Qin Hui's body intact, but he still responded: "No!"

Next, Prime Minister Li launched a massive anti-corruption campaign.

This time the anti-corruption campaign was unprecedentedly powerful, and the big fish Qin Hui was caught.

According to statistics, Prime Minister Li confiscated nearly [-] billion gold and jewelry from Qin Hui's family. His family's wealth was equivalent to the fiscal revenue of the Daqian Dynasty in the past ten years.

However, what is very puzzling is that Qin Hui built a treasure house and neatly stored all the treasures he embezzled with his money in the treasure house, allowing Li Xiang to easily find these stolen goods. .

Moreover, when Li Xiang arrested Qin Hui, Qin Hui did not resist at all.

Li Xiang asked Qin Hui: "Why doesn't Grand Master Qin escape?"

Qin Hui smiled and said: "Isn't it the king's land in the whole world? Where can Qin Hui escape to?"

Qin Hui added: "I have lived enough when I am old. My life is worth it. This ending is quite good."

Qin Hui didn't say anything before he died. He just glanced at his son Qin Zhen with relief. This was his greatest pride.

Li Xiang glanced at Qin Zhen, who looked very much like him, or to be precise, his father, and seemed to understand why his father wanted to leave a whole body for Qin Hui.

Hongwu 41 years.

Qin Hui's major corruption case was solved, Qin Hui was sentenced to death, and everything in the Qin family was confiscated.

But what people didn't expect was that Qin Hui's son Qin Zhen was not dismissed from his post due to Qin Hui's corruption. He also entered Li Di's shogunate and became Li Di's chief aide.

It is worth mentioning that with this momentum, Prime Minister Li dismissed a large number of corrupt officials and promoted a large number of his own cronies.

At this point, Li Xiang completely stabilized his ruling situation.

Two years later, Li Cun issued an edict against himself:

"I made my fortune in the fields. After I conquered the world, I should recuperate and recuperate for the people. However, I wanted to benefit the people for 30 years and help the outside world. I was in deep poverty, the old, the weak and lonely. And every time I went to a country, I would imprison the royal family and clan of that country. He took the daughters of his country's royal family and clan for his own use, so that I have nearly one hundred thousand harem maids and dependents. This is a big mistake. Future generations must not imitate it. You need to know that if you are full, you must not do anything. In my life, I will kill. Countless, countless robberies. Even if there is retribution, I am willing to bear it on my shoulders, and I will not inflict sin on my descendants..."

After this sinner issued an edict, Li Cun's reputation rose instead of falling.

Most people don't think Li Cun did anything wrong. Many people even think that Li Cun's behavior is the behavior of a true emperor.

Some people even wrote a memorial asking Li Cun to retract the imperial edict, saying that Li Cun was not guilty and should not be like this.

At the same time, there are also those who are blind, taking advantage of Li Cun's self-incriminating edict, they want to intercede for the royal families and clans of various countries who were imprisoned by Li Cun, hoping that Li Cun can release them.

Who would have thought that Li Cunli would ignore these people.

In other words, Li Cunshi, I know I am wrong, but I just know that I am wrong and do not change it.

Not only that, Li Cun also left a posthumous edict behind an upright plaque, emphasizing: After his death, everyone in the city of all nations will be buried with me. If future generations do not comply, it will be unfilial.

It can be seen that Li Cun is not indecisive because he is old. He still knows very well that the royal families and clans of these countries must not be let go. If they are let go, there will be endless troubles.

After another month, Li Cun made a decree: On an auspicious day, he wanted to take the Zen position.

As soon as Li Cun's decision was announced, many people panicked!
Although Li Biao and then Prime Minister Li were handling government affairs in recent years, the nominal emperor has always been Li Cun.

And as long as Li Cun is the emperor, many people can feel at ease.

It is no exaggeration to say that Li Cun is the Dinghai Shenzhen of the Daqian Dynasty.

Therefore, even if Li Cun doesn't care about anything, as long as Li Cun is still the emperor of the Daqian Dynasty, many people will feel safe.

The civil and military officials of the entire dynasty, whether sincerely or falsely, all asked Li Cun to take back his life. People also petitioned one after another, hoping that Li Cun would be emperor for another 20 years.

Li Cun was also a little moved by this!

This shows that his subjects did not want him to give up the throne because of his lust for women and militarism.

To be honest, the emperor is worthy of being proud of Li Cun, and he can be proud of it.

But Li Cun still issued an edict: He is really old, and if a dynasty wants to be prosperous for a long time, it must believe in young people. Li Xiang is the prince he carefully selected, and he will definitely be a A good emperor.

Li Cun said it very sincerely.

But anyone who saw Li Cun's head without a single white hair and face without a wrinkle found it a bit funny.

However, no matter what.

A month later, Prime Minister Li ascended the throne as scheduled and became the third emperor of the Daqian Dynasty. Li Cun also successfully abdicated and became the Supreme Emperor, finally giving up the throne that he had long had enough of...

……