Don't be a prince

"Since the status of the five surnames has declined, although their strength is still the same, their prestige is not as good as that of the real power in the court. This person has a strong opponent, and he can still make progress. , the imperial court has become the Wuzhong family, isn't this a self-willed degeneration!"

Hearing the sound, Li Chengqian looked behind him and saw Tang Jian with one arm hanging, but his mouth was still as poisonous as ever.

"Duke Ju, I heard that in addition to the ceremony where the father sacrificed to heaven, there is also a link to award meritorious ministers. Although you are a duke, your official position is really low, so that others think you have no merit. I guess , this time, you can also enter the position of Shangshu."

Tang Jian smiled slightly, and said with a long sigh of relief: "Your Highness, don't use words to test the humble minister. With the title of Founding Duke, His Majesty has treated the humble minister very kindly. The position of the minister of Honglu Temple is not the humble minister's boasting." Even if they are competent, there are still many problems. The Wang Xuance recommended by His Highness is indeed a bad guy. Although Shanzhi has learned family studies, he has only learned it. In terms of aspects, it is completely inferior to Wang Xuance.

After all, Honglu Temple will be handed over to Wang Xuance, a bastard!Let him practice outside for a few years, and when he comes back, he will almost be in the position of Sicheng, and when the humble minister retires, he will just be allowed to take the position. "

Seeing Tang Jianyu's seriousness, Li Chengqian knew that this guy had misunderstood, thinking that he wanted to put his own people in Honglu Temple.However, this is only [-]% of the factors affecting his decision, as he said, Tang Shanshi is completely inferior to Wang Xuance in the position of Minister of Honglu Temple.Instead of driving ducks to the shelves, it's better to find another way out for Tang Shanzhi.

Not intending to clear up the misunderstanding, Li Chengqian cupped his hands and said, "Duke Ju just underestimated Brother Shanzhi. Maybe he is not suitable for Honglu Temple, but now he is serving in the Ministry of Officials, and he has made a lot of achievements? The Ministry of Officials assessed Middle and upper class, you won’t write casually for your own people!”

This is the style of the bureaucrats to reduce one level when they meet their own people.The fact that Tang Shanzhi can get a mid-upper rating can only show that he is qualified to be rated as "upper".

Tang Jian smiled slightly, but did not continue talking, but bowed to salute, and walked forward slowly.He was going to see whether the five surnames and Wu Zhong's family were really opposed, or if they were just acting.With the existence of those two thousand dead men, no one would believe their superficial skills.

The minister of Honglu Temple is not just a simple foreigner.

Not only people came up, but the material delivery line built by the Xuanjia Army finally became operational.The things used in various ceremonies were sent to the top of the mountain.When a lot of food and water came up, Li Chengqian finally felt relieved.

When there was enough water, the emperor had a chance to bathe.After all, even the emperor can't sacrifice to the heavens all in mud.

After another whole day of trimming, on the morning of the fourth day, before the sun rose, everyone was ready.

On the barely repaired small altar, Li Chengqian and Li Shimin stood facing the east. Behind them, civil and military officials, nobles, and heads of aristocratic families stood in layers, with extremely solemn expressions.

With such a grand etiquette, no one dared to make trouble.

Amidst the clouds and mist, a round of red sun suddenly exposed half of his face. Although the sunlight was not very strong, it dispelled the darkness on the top of the mountain in an instant.

Lu Kuan also had an arm hanging, but it didn't affect his voice in the slightest.

He didn't raise his voice, but a loud voice rang out: "The sacrifice to heaven has begun, His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince salute, and all the ministers bow down!"

Li Chengqian and Li Shimin bowed their hands, and everyone behind them fell to their knees.

"After the ceremony, offer incense!"

Lu Kuan's voice ended, and the emperor took the three pillars of incense that had been lit and inserted them into the sacrificial copper tripod.Li Chengqian took three medium-sized incense sticks, and when it came to the ministers, they were all small-sized incense sticks.

After the incense is burnt, it is time to offer sacrifices.

Standing in front of the cauldron, the emperor held the sacrificial rite, and a steady and powerful voice sounded: "I, Li Shimin, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, dare to declare to the emperor of heaven, the sages of the three emperors and five emperors:

I was born in troubled times, fighting for the people in the grass and fields, fighting in the army formation; when the Sui Dynasty was out of control, the world was divided, and I took advantage of the chaotic autumn of the heroes, gathered the crowd to use force, and there were still foreign enemies. How dangerous is the situation.It has been ten and nine years since the Tang Dynasty ruled the common people in order to control the world.

Since the Tang Dynasty was established, it has been several years since the chaos and thieves were suppressed internally, and powerful enemies were defended externally.In the second year of Zhenguan, a plague of locusts occurred. Fortunately, thanks to the protection of the emperor, the people survived despite suffering.Three years, discuss Jieli...

God is virtuous and sympathetic to all living beings, but gods are different, and I have no other way except offering sacrifices at a distance.All sages were born in ancient times, followed the heavens and set up the pole, and became a democracy; their divine merits and virtues have been passed down to this day.I promote the worship of the gods, and test that the gods are similar to the mortals, but they are very far away from the last year; according to the classics, although they are deeply admired, they are born with ignorance. There are ancient and modern, and the folk customs are also different. Look up The holy god, the law of all ages, specially brings all the officials and people to worship here.

The emperor is benevolent, the Holy Spirit is not ignorant, what can be learned from it!I offer the fire of incense paper, the sacrifice of three animals, and the gift of five grains, all for food! "

(Extended from Ming Taizu Hongwu Four Years Festival Astronomy)

After reading, three animals, five grains, etc. were immediately carried up to the altar as sacrifices.The sacrificial oration in the emperor's hand was also thrown into the brazier, turning into a wisp of green smoke and a large piece of ash, flying to nowhere with the wind.

It was just a sacrificial oration, but it made everyone ponder.

Even Li Chengqian felt a little dumbfounded.Different from the past, this time he listened to the sacrificial oration without missing anything from the beginning to the end.Although there is nothing wrong with the emperor bragging about himself when offering sacrifices to the heavens, especially when Mount Tai was enshrining Zen, it is still not good to brag too obviously.

It has been less than 19 years since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, nine years of Wude, and ten years of Zhenguan, but he, the second emperor, was mentioned throughout the article, but Li Yuan was not mentioned at all.Although he made great contributions in the troubled times at the end of the Sui Dynasty, it is still a bit too much to squeeze out Li Yuan, the founding emperor.

Poor Li Yuan has completely left the world of Tang Dynasty, indulged in wine, sex and gambling, and unscrupulously explored the limit of endurance with his body.It's nothing more than being deprived of the throne, and even the past achievements have been taken away by Chunqiu's brushstrokes, which has to be said to be a kind of sadness.

Chapter 387 Don't worry

but....

It's none of my business.

He glanced at Chang'an's direction with pity, and when Li Chengqian turned his head again, he put on a proud look.Because, in the emperor's sacrifice to heaven, his achievements were also mentioned.Although it is classified as the blessing of the emperor, he has actually appeared in the list of offering sacrifices to the sky.

People are like this, knowing that the spiritual rewards are useless, and there are no physical rewards that are as beneficial, but they still feel secretly happy when they really get it.

The etiquette of worshiping heaven has already passed the part of the high dynasty, but for the ministers and nobles who knelt on the ground, the next part is the part of the highest dynasty.

Lu Kuan respectfully took out an imperial decree, stood on a high place and read: "The emperor's decree said: I only heard that the achievements of the king are all due to the assistance of the ministers. Today, Mount Tai is enshrined in Zen. I am very happy, and I especially express your achievements. In heaven and earth, there is another reward.

Zhao Guogong and Sun Wuji, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, were conscientious and conscientious, and solved my worries in the court. He specially named his third son, Sun Jun, the governor of Changzhou, and the county uncle of Ankang.

Liang Guogong and Fang Xuanling, the secretary of the Zhongshu, devoted themselves to the society and made great contributions to the society. They specially named the second wife Yiai as the right guard general.

Du Ruhui, Duke of Lai Kingdom..."

Every time Lu Kuan uttered a name, the person being uttered bowed in all directions, smiling extraordinarily happily.Like the sacrificial rites burned by the emperor, this imperial decree will also be burned as a reminder to heaven.This honor is much stronger than sheltering the sons.

There are happy ones, and naturally there are also sad ones.

When Lu Kuan finished reading the last word and turned his head to burn the imperial decree, there was a lot of crying under the altar.Most of these are not named.Different from the usual ceremonial ceremonies, those who do not appear in the imperial decree's list now may lose their titles.The same face is not good, but did not cry, and there are five surnames and other wealthy patriarchs.As a big family, even if they have not contributed to the founding of the country, each family still has a title of Duke.For example, Duke Fanyang of the Lu family, Duke Boling of the Cui family... This time, their names were not removed by the imperial decree, but what is frustrating is that the Duke of the county has become a prince of the county.

It seems that the fiefdom remains the same, but the title has dropped by one level, but the difference is huge!Because of this "Junhou", they are about to be overwhelmed by the emerging nobles, and it is becoming more and more difficult to breathe.

Hearing the continuous cries behind him, Li Chengqian, who was walking with the emperor towards the Tiandi Palace, couldn't help but said: "Father, you have cut off too many titles this time. Didn't you say before that fat meat needs to be cut by a knife?" Shave it?"

Li Shimin said without turning his head: "What do you know, taking advantage of this Fengchan ceremony to cut them off at once, although the action is too big, but it is the best way once and for all. If you still follow the previous rhythm Cut, it is estimated that it will last until the day you succeed. I am the master of pioneering, so naturally, no one dares to resist.

But you are different, these people are no matter what the name of a 'founding veteran', if you do something at that time, you will have to face their criticism. "

Li Chengqian nodded, the truth is indeed the truth, the emperor is called the founding emperor, and he is barely qualified, but that's it, when the regime was changed, he still used the butcher's knife to deter the political situation. At his time, there was really nothing he could do .

It's not that he can't be ruthless, it's just that the peaceful and prosperous age has lasted for a long time, and suddenly waving the butcher's knife is still unacceptable to his own people, even ordinary people.

The emperor did not really enter the Tiandi Palace, but entered a tent in front of the palace gate.

After sitting down, Fang Xuanling and others came over to thank the emperor for his kindness.This is a necessary process, the emperor gave them a guarantee, and they must also be loyal to the emperor.Even this time, only the taboo title appeared in the imperial decree, but there was no other award.

Wave after wave of ministers came to thank you, but there was no sign of the family head.Being cut off from their titles meant that they were no longer feared by the emperor. They came to thank them at this time, and it seemed like they were surrendering.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the rope for going down the mountain has been pulled, and the following ceremony will be carried out under Mount Tai, and it will be the same."

Lu Kuan was very excited when the ceremony was successfully concluded, and he also appeared in the imperial decree. Although his arm was injured, he didn't feel any pain.

Nodding his head, Li Shimin asked, "Where are the five surnames and the Wuzhong family?"

"It's gone down the mountain."

"Hehe, they walked fast. Anyway, my anger towards them has weakened a bit, so I don't care about them anymore. I'm sure about building the climbing road on Mount Tai, but every once in a while, I have to There is a statue of me, and let future generations know that I built this road for them!"

Lu Kuan nodded and accepted the order. He didn't think there was anything wrong with this. On the contrary, Li Chengqian had a new understanding of the narcissism of the emperor's father.

Unlike the outings of some people in later generations, the brigade retreated down the mountain, leaving no rubbish except for footprints, ropes, and altars built.

Although going down the mountain is more difficult than going up the mountain, because the Xuanjia Army has already set up ropes in dangerous places, as long as there are no limbs that need to be donated, they can go down the mountain without any danger.

It was originally planned to take more than four days, but it took only two days to return to the foot of the mountain.

The sacrifice lasted for seven days, and for the remaining five days, the emperor still had to sacrifice to the sky once a day, claiming to communicate with the sky well.And this time, the queen will follow.For the eldest grandson, who had just recovered from a serious illness, mountain climbing was too cruel, so the emperor let her stay at the foot of the mountain and let her preside over the sacrifice to Houtu.

"Thinking about it carefully, the emperor's conferment of Zen this time is still simplified. I heard that in fact, the original etiquette should be that the queen mother leads the wives of all officials and nobles, and they should accompany them all the way."

Climbing down the mountain made Li Tai exhausted, so the first thing he did when he went down the mountain was to say hello to the meat.As for Li Chengqian and Li Ke, they were tired of eating too much jerky and wanted to eat vegetables.So the two are coordinated, and the hot pot is put on the shelf.

After taking a bite of vegetables, Li Chengqian nodded and said, "You're right. When I was studying etiquette, I also read such a chapter. For an emperor, Feng Chan is a more important etiquette than Mount Tai, but the father is willing to put himself It is also a kind of courage that the grand event is not perfect, and it seems that he regards the queen mother more important than the ceremony itself. Well, now I am relieved to let the queen mother follow back to Chang'an."

He looked at the door, and then turned around to look inside the tent. After seeing that there was no outsider, Li Ke asked in a low voice: "Brother Huang, Qingque, tell me, will father's entrustment continue, will it continue? How do I feel?" He has no intention of this? Otherwise, in the imperial decree, behind the title and official position, there should be a title of governor."

Li Chengqian and Li Tai looked at each other and smiled at the same time.

After taking a sip of tea, Li Chengqian stretched out his thumb and said, "You guessed right, I can only explain it this way. In fact, entrusting governors is just a way of doing things, but not the goal. The real purpose of the father is to make the new nobles compete against the old ones." The aristocratic family, give support to the royal family. As long as they are willing to sacrifice their lives to support the royal family, it doesn't matter whether they are separated or not. Now, after I have had enough fun in Lingnan, I can go back to Chang'an with peace of mind. After this incident, I am afraid that in many years, we There will be no internal conflicts easily."

Chapter 388 Wei Zheng's forward thinking

There are no strong enemies outside, no rebellion inside, and with full development, Datang will definitely enter a period of stable development.The Chinese nation is the most creative race in the world. It seems to be simply "plant something" and "raise something", but for this world, no, for human society, it is a huge boost.

The emperor was retreating from the "Heaven-human Influence", and the ministers and nobles were celebrating. The aristocratic family knew that they had completely lost the qualification to challenge the emperor, so they left the scene in dismay.Taishan enshrined Zen, so that the Tang Dynasty, which was originally undercurrent, calmed down in an instant.No one dared to fight against an emperor who won the hearts of the people and the hearts of his ministers.

Maybe the emperor's Fengchan was hasty, maybe the emperor's Fengchan was shabby, maybe the emperor's Fengchan was not perfect, but these are useless.What the emperor wanted was to declare to the world through this ceremony that he was the sole ruler of this country.

The next day, Li Chengqian did not do morning exercises, but went directly to greet his eldest grandson.

Since the emperor arrived in Dengzhou, the last bit of unhappiness in the eldest grandson's heart disappeared, and it didn't take long after giving birth, but his whole body was as energetic as when he was in his 20s.

The little son is also very healthy, cries loudly, and can eat very well, and there is no sign of any congenital disease at all.

After coaxing her son to sleep, the eldest grandson looked at her eldest son who had already caught up with her in relief.She already knew about Feng Chan, but she was not surprised that the emperor would do this.Various signs show that the prince has indeed become a truly qualified successor, and he will not even become a purely conservative king.

A mother is more expensive than a child, even if the emperor is infatuated with her, she is still very happy to see that her son is fully recognized by the emperor's husband, and even recognized by the world.

"It has been more than a year since we sneaked out. I heard that you are planning to go to Lingnan. Although I am worried, the queen mother can no longer accompany you. We are not here, and the harem is a mess. It is the sons of your grandfather. , are all restless. Rest for a few days, wait for the ceremony to be over, and then go, and be sure to return to Chang'an as soon as possible."

Li Chengqian nodded, glanced at Sizi, and said: "Mother, when I found out that you were pregnant, I prepared some things for Sizi, and it was in the East Palace. Although I had a set when I was a slave, but These new cribs and the like can be regarded as Erchen's affection for his younger sister."

"Understood, when you go to Lingnan, you have to take good care of the sparrows. You still need to exercise, but don't be too harsh on him. You also know that this kid has been lazy since he was a child..."

After chatting with the eldest grandson for a long time, Zhang Yun came in and reported that Wei Zheng asked to see the prince, and Li Chengqian got up and left.

Just after he finished saluting, he straightened his waist before turning around. The question that had troubled his grandson for a long time was finally asked: "Chengqian, tell the queen mother that Sizi will be a princess. Is it really just your guess?"

Li Chengqian turned his head with sincerity in his eyes: "Yes."

After a few glances, nothing unusual was found, so the eldest grandson nodded, indicating that he could leave.

Regarding this issue, Li Chengqian was already prepared to deal with it.It can only be guesswork, and it can only be this.

Returning to the side hall, I saw Wei Zheng in a meticulous official uniform, accompanied by Dai Zhou, who was also dressed in a serious formal attire.Without directly calling them into the hall, Li Chengqian walked around to the back door, changed into formal clothes, and then formally greeted them and invited them in.

After sitting down and serving tea, Wei Zheng cupped his hands and said, "You two ministers, you shouldn't have disturbed His Royal Highness when he greeted the Empress. I was really anxious. I heard that His Royal Highness will not return to Chang'an, but is planning to go south to Lingnan?"

Li Chengqian nodded and said: "That's right, although Lingnan has declared surrender to our Central Plains, it is only the words of Feng An's family. In fact, although Lingnan is the voice of the Feng family, the Feng family has no way to represent Lingnan. Now the foreign enemy is lurking, It's time for us to fix our internal problems."

"Although Lingnan is big, it is full of smoky land. It is a pity to take it out of useless land, but it is a pity to abandon it. Your Highness, Lingnan is desirable, but there is no need to be so anxious!"

Although Dai Zhou is considered a celebrity in size, but once he opened his mouth, his image lost a lot.

Li Chengqian took out a simple map from the desk and spread it on the table.The next moment, both Wei Zheng and Dai Zhou came together, regardless of etiquette.

Taking out a charcoal pencil, Li Chengqian drew a line on the coast of Lingnan and said: "Let's not say that Lingnan is the most suitable place to build a seaport, even the land here is also very suitable for farming. The term "smoky land" is indeed true. Well, the south of the Five Ridges is indeed sparsely populated, but didn't our ancestors also set fire to open up wasteland with all their hands and feet, and only then did we have the current situation in the Central Plains?

From a strategic point of view, sooner or later, our Tang Dynasty will develop sea power. The East China Sea and Lingnan must all set up combat power. Otherwise, how can we hold on to the coastline of tens of thousands of miles?We have been slashing and burning for thousands of years. Although this land allows us to continue to claim it, but with the continuous growth of the population, sooner or later it will be saturated.Relying on the mountains to eat the mountains, relying on the sea to eat the sea, our Datang has such a long coastline, how can we do without development?

In the business at sea, the current scene is that many Hu merchants come to our Datang against the wind and waves, unilateral dumping of Datang, trade has always been relative, how can we do without their business?Starting from Lingnan, even if you use the most stupid way to sail along the coast, you can do business in Southeast Asia, Tianzhu, Persia and even the African continent.Oh, it is the ancestral land of Kunlun slaves.

What commercial development can bring to Datang now, you two should be very clear. Since we can revive the Silk Road on land and open up a new Silk Road on the sea, so as to benefit future generations, why not do it? ? "

Every time he said a sentence, Li Chengqian had to draw a few strokes on the map, so that the two of them could understand it more intuitively.After listening to everything, both Wei Zheng and Dai Zhou fell silent, especially Li Chengqian's sentence "benefiting future generations" touched their itching point.

After pondering for a while, Wei Zhengcai said: "Your Highness is right, Lingnan is indeed not to be missed. No matter how you count, Lingnan is also one of us, and it is best to solve the problem peacefully without using weapons. Although I have never seen it before, But I can also guess how difficult the Tujia people there are, I am afraid it is not much better than the wealthy families of the five surnames. Your Highness, please be careful!"

Seeing that Wei Zheng had been involved in the Lingnan issue, Dai Zhou hurriedly said, "Wei Shizhong, that's not why we came today!"

With Dai Zhou's reminder, Wei Zheng remembered, and hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, the two of us are here to visit today, but it's not for Lingnan's affairs."

Seeing that his skill of embedding flowers and trees did not work, Li Chengqian had no choice but to smile wryly: "You two have already guessed a bit about the purpose of your visit today. The enactment of new laws is not as simple as the enactment of commercial laws. Feng Chan, if the two of you take this opportunity to speak up, maybe the father and son will agree decisively!"

Wei Zheng said solemnly: "Your Highness is right. We really think so, but you guessed wrong. The law of Tang seems to be formulated perfectly, but there are still many loopholes in the use of these years. My second If someone submits a report to His Majesty and asks to revise the laws of the Tang Dynasty, His Majesty will definitely agree. However, we want to invite all people to participate in the drafting like His Highness did in Dengzhou, what does His Highness think?"

Invite the people to participate in the formulation?Great!What a socialist idea!However, this is too far ahead!

Looking at the serious Wei Zheng and Dai Zhou, Li Chengqian couldn't help but laugh in his heart.The idea of ​​these two people is good, and it can even be said to be right.However, there is no way to implement it.If you want to ask why, it is because it is the tenth year of Zhenguan, and you are not in the 21st century.

The biggest reason why businessmen can participate in the formulation of business laws is that most officials, including the emperor, are not that familiar with business.They couldn't think of new clauses other than the old ones.In addition, the term "contract" has its effect, and the emperor will acquiesce.

It is impossible for the same thing to happen to Tang Lv.What is the purpose of talking about democracy when the imperial power is at its peak?Tang law is a necessity for ruling the world, and the emperor will never give the power to formulate Tang law to the people.Regardless of the fact that it was Wei Zheng who proposed this, if he had a violent fight with the emperor, he might lose his head.

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian could only stare into Wei Zheng's eyes and said: "Although the son does not speak of his father's faults, Wei Shizhong thought that the father would agree to this matter? How is it possible! Whoever mentions it will die! Even the lonely prince will never It is impossible to touch the reverse scale of the father. The revision of the laws of the Tang Dynasty will definitely be revised, and the father agrees. However, you should put away the idea of ​​inviting Wanmin to participate in the formulation.

Today, the two of you came here to visit Gu to inquire about Lingnan affairs, other than that, you didn't say anything. "

Seeing the seriousness of what the prince said, Wei Zheng couldn't help re-examining his thoughts.After thinking about it for a while, he realized that he really took it for granted.The prince was right, in this matter, he really touched the emperor's scales, and whoever touches it will die.

Seeing that Wei Zheng's face became more and more ugly, Li Chengqian knew that he had been liberated from the one-way passage.People are like this, when faced with the ending they desire, they will always involuntarily fantasize about a broad road leading to success, and everything else will be ignored.

Wei Zheng was really thinking about the people and the Tang Dynasty, standing on the side of righteousness, even the emperor had to give in to him from time to time.However, even he can't do things.

That's right, Wei Zheng can indeed be said to be the nemesis of the emperor and the spokesperson of Wanmin.However, this is him, anyone with a larger family would have lost his head long ago.

Li Chengqian only realized it after living in Datang for so many years.Wei Zheng is not invincible, he is actually more like an insurance set up by the emperor for himself, to put it harshly, he is actually a tool man.In the era when the imperial power was supreme, the words of Jun Zhou Min Shui were just beautiful words.

"Duke Zheng, the two of us are indeed meng lang. Tang law can be revised, which is already very good. I shouldn't expect too much."