The first rebel of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 2134 The Successor

On that day, Li Shimin ordered the printing of a large number of stocks, and gave Li Yin a week to print them.

And the same afternoon.

Li Shimin and Empress Changsun said: "Empress, I haven't been to Cuiwei Palace for a long time, why don't you go with me tomorrow."

Cuiwei Palace is one of the imperial palaces.It is located in the south of the ancient capital of Xi'an, at the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains, in the south of Qinghua Mountain, and in the south of Luanzhen Sub-district Office, Chang'an District, Xi'an.It is 19 kilometers away from the center of Chang'an, at the foot of Cuiwei Mountain, at an altitude of 1568 meters.

It is a beautiful palace.

Every year, Li Shimin will live there for a period of time.

Therefore, when Li Shimin mentioned it, Empress Changsun immediately said: "Yes, Your Majesty, then I will be together tomorrow."

"Okay, tomorrow I will also ask a few ministers to live there for two days!"

Everything is as His Majesty wishes.

Queen Changsun said.

So until the next morning, Li Shimin got up early, there was no morning morning today, and he had already sat in the car ahead of time, ready to leave.

At this time, Empress Changsun was also in the car.

The car set off soon.

There are forty miles to the destination, and it takes half an hour to get there.

Along the way, looking at the scenery on both sides, it has already entered autumn.

Li Shimin was very emotional.

He looked at the scenery outside the car window, and he didn't speak for a long time, and there were more than a dozen cars following him.

When the car arrived at Cuiwei Palace, Li Shimin got out of the car and looked at the scenery outside Cuiwei Palace.

Can't help but sigh with emotion.

"Seeing this situation, I want to chant a poem."

Officials egged on.

Li Shimin opened the mouth and said:

"Autumn Cuiwei Palace
In autumn, the green mountains are condensed, and the cool breeze blows away from the palace.

The lotus is sparse and the cover is missing, and the tree is cold and half empty.

The side array moves the shadow, and the round flower nails the chrysanthemum bushes.

Out of the world of Huai Huai, overlooking the white clouds. "

The ministers around were all amazed, and said that the poem written by Li Shimin was a good poem.

The literal translation of this poem is that the autumn sun shines on the green mountains, giving people a sense of tranquility and warmth.The cool autumn wind gently blows the solemn Li Palace, making the atmosphere more solemn and solemn.The lotus leaves are sparse and incomplete, making them a bit messy, while the trees are hidden in them coldly, as if telling a kind of half-screen emptiness.

The gust of wind from the side moves the beautiful figure of the swan, which is beautiful and elegant, and the round flowers nail the lush chrysanthemum bushes, outlining a beautiful picture.With an unworldly feeling in my heart, I look up at the sky surrounded by white clouds, let my thoughts wander freely, and feel the tranquility and magnificence of nature.

Li Shimin was not in a good mood at this moment.

Otherwise, such poems would not have been made.

But no matter what, the ministers still said that this song is good.

Li Shimin's talent in poetry is also extremely high.

Then Li Shimin walked into the palace.

Looking at the surrounding scenery, he seemed to think of something again.

The minister stood behind him.

At this time, Li Shimin said: "Since ancient times, although emperors have achieved great success in pacifying the Central Plains, it is often difficult to completely subdue the tribes in the north. Compared with ancient emperors, my talents are far inferior to them, but I can achieve great success." More significant results. I have not clearly stated why on this issue, and now I invite you to share your views frankly."

Li Shimin is giving everyone a difficult problem.

He was able to do such a thing, half of it was because of Li Yin.

But you can't say that.

Everyone still has to follow his words.

Therefore, all the ministers began to say in unison: "Your Majesty's merits and virtues are equal to the heaven and the earth, and it is difficult to explain in one word."

Everyone attributed all this to something that cannot be explained in words. Obviously, this kind of statement cannot be approved by Li Shimin.

But how could everyone know what he was thinking.

So, Li Shimin made it clear.

He said: "You don't understand me, and you don't say that. The reason why I can do this is because of five reasons!"

All the ministers and others questioned, what are the five reasons?

Li Shimin looked at the sky, then looked at Empress Changsun, and said: "First, since ancient times, emperors have always been jealous of those who are more capable than themselves, but I can appreciate and see the strengths of others, just like seeing myself. !"

On this point, Li Shimin did a really good job.

He can take advantage of the strengths of the ministers instead of being jealous of them.

No one spoke.

Li Shimin also said: "Secondly, it is impossible for a human being to be omniscient and omnipotent. I am also like this, so I often use my strengths and avoid weaknesses to make up for my own shortcomings! Use this to improve myself!"

The second point is also true.

Everyone nodded.

"Third, the kings of the past introduced talented people only for their own self-interest, and rejected the incompetent with a grudge, but I respect the talented and show compassion for the incompetent, and let everyone act according to their own Get where you deserve to be!"

Li Shimin went on to say: "Fourth, other kings often hate upright people and tend to punish people in the dark, but since I came to the throne, there are many upright ministers in the court, and I have never demoted or reprimanded anyone! "

"Also, traditionally, the emperors respected the Central Plains, but despised the Yi and Di tribes. I always protect and care for them, so their tribes depend on me like their parents. These five points are what I achieved. The reason for today's achievements."

Li Shimin saw that everyone was silent.

Obviously, he was still a little dissatisfied with everyone's performance.

So, he turned his gaze to Chu Suiliang beside him.

Chu Suiliang was born in the Chu family of Henan Province. He is erudite and talented, and he is proficient in literature and history.At the end of the Sui Dynasty, he followed Xue Ju, the overlord of the Western Qin Dynasty, and served as a coordinator.After returning to the Tang Dynasty, he was reused by Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty. He successively served as an admonishment doctor, a servant of Huangmen, and moved to Zhongshu Ling to take charge of the political power.

It is one of the few good talents around Li Shimin.

"Chu Suiliang, you used to be a historian. Does what I said conform to the historical facts?"

Li Shimin asked this, perhaps because he didn't know whether the five points he did were right or wrong.

So I asked Chu Suiliang.

After thinking for a while, Chu Suiliang replied: "Your Majesty's great virtues are invincible. Just using these five points to conclude, shows that Your Majesty is too modest."

It means that Li Shimin has done more than these five points, and more.

Li Shimin is still too modest.

But if you really care about it, then half of Li Shimin's achievement is due to Li Yin.

It was Li Yin who made Datang develop faster.

And after Datang develops, the surrounding countries will be afraid.

Therefore, it became very easy for Li Shimin to calm down.

So far, Li Shimin didn't say much.

He went on.

At this time, he said to Chu Suiliang: "Chu Suiliang, how about the twelve chapters of "Emperor Fan" that I asked you to sort out?"

"Your Majesty, it's finished." Chu Suiliang said.

The twelve chapters of "Emperor Fan" are "Monarch Body", "Building Marriage", "Seeking Virtue", "Judging Officials", "Receiving Admonitions", "Removing Slander", "Jie Ying", "Respecting Thrift", "Reward and Punishment", "Farming", "Yuewu", "Chongwen".

It was Li Shimin who compiled some of his views on governing the Tang Dynasty over the years into a book.

The reason why he did this was because he was worried about future generations.

Then he said: "The principles of self-cultivation and governing the country are all contained in these twelve articles. Once I pass away, there will be nothing else to say. This is also the knowledge I left for future generations."

When he said this, he felt a little sad.

The crown prince has not yet been established. If Li Yin came to be the emperor, Li Yin would not need his twelve chapters at all.

However, Li Shimin also said: "If future generations come to the throne, they should learn from the ancient sages and kings. Like me, it is not enough to follow. The ancients said that if you imitate the best, you can only get the best. If you imitate the middle, you can't avoid the lower."

All the courtiers dared not speak, for fear of what Li Shimin would say next.

Unexpectedly, Li Shimin didn't intend to stop.He went on to say: "Since I came to the throne, I have made many faults. I have kept the beautiful pearls and jades in front of me, and I have kept building palaces and pavilions. No matter how far away, I have to collect dogs, horses, eagles and falcons. I have traveled around and troubled the supply of all places. , These are my big mistakes, I hope you don’t think it’s right and follow suit.”

Empress Changsun asked at this time: "Your Majesty, what's the matter with you?"

Li Shimin ignored it, but went on to say: "Looking back, I benefited the common people with great benefits, and made great contributions to the foundation of the Tang Dynasty. The benefits are more than the damage, so the people have no complaints; the credit is great and the fault is small, so the king's industry is stable; but if you want perfection , I am really ashamed. Future generations do not have my merits and hard work and inherit my wealth. If I do my best to do good deeds, the country will only be stable; if I am arrogant and lazy, I will not be able to protect myself.”

Everyone doesn't know what to say.

Chu Suiliang was also stunned there.

But Li Shimin didn't intend to stop, he went on to say:
"Success is hard to come by, but failure can be quickly incurred, which refers to the country; easy to lose, but difficult to obtain, refers to the throne; can you not cherish it? Can you not be cautious!"

What Li Shimin said made people have to suspect that he was preparing for the next emperor.

"Chu Suiliang!"

"Chen is here!"

"Can you remember what I just said?"

Chu Suiliang was taken aback.

Li Shimin said so much just now, how could he remember it.

He really wanted to say, Your Majesty, please say it again.

But in the end it didn't come out.

Just write it down from memory.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I am remembering now!" Chu Suiliang said immediately.

"Good good!"

At this time, Empress Changsun asked again: "Your Majesty, why do you say so much about governing the country?"

Yes, Li Shimin suddenly said this, which made everyone very confused.

This has never been done before.

"I have to prepare these things for future generations in advance, otherwise, after a hundred years, what will we use to educate future generations?"

What Li Shimin said seems to be reasonable.

It is impossible to refute.

"Your Majesty this..."

Empress Changsun was a little worried.

"Queen, I'm fine. I just suddenly remembered that the position of the crown prince will also be established. Otherwise, I'm afraid there will be changes in a few years."

Yes, it will be beneficial for the prince to stand up early and late.

There are two advantages to the early establishment of the prince:

First, to stabilize the order of succession, early establishment of a prince can prevent disputes and confusion in the process of succession to the throne and ensure a smooth succession of the throne.

The second is education and training. The early establishment of the prince means that he can have a longer time to receive education and training to prepare for the role of a monarch in the future.

However, Prince Zaoli may also have some problems.

Because the crown prince was established too early, if the crown prince was established at a young age, it would be immature and incompetent.If the prince is young and unable to perform the duties of the monarch, it may lead to political instability and difficulties in governing the country.

This point is actually reflected in Li Chengqian.

A good deck of cards was broken by him.

The second point is the cronies and power officials. When the prince was young, the situation of power ministers intervening in politics may form, making the prince unable to truly grasp power and affecting the development and governance of the country.

That's why Li Shimin has so many emotions.

He also wanted to establish a prince early.

If Li Yin hadn't been the emperor, someone else would have been the prince, and now his main candidates have all gone to Shengtang Group.

Only a few people born later are suitable.

Now these people are young and not good enough to be in charge.

But he, Li Shimin, was very anxious.

Just be prepared in advance.

And when the prince is established, the emperor will usually clear up some relations for the prince before he moves. Some ministers who threaten the prince's accession to the throne will generally be cleaned up.

This is what the first emperor can do for the next emperor.

There are still several aspects to cultivating a prince.

The first is education and training to ensure that the prince receives comprehensive education and training, including knowledge and skills in politics, military affairs, economics, and etiquette.This can lay the foundation for the prince to become a qualified monarch.This is very important. If an emperor wants to govern the country well, knowledge is the most important thing.

The second is to provide the prince with practical administrative and management experience. Experience can be accumulated by allowing the prince to participate in state affairs, observing various meetings and decision-making processes, and assigning the prince to take on some specific responsibilities.

Things like the Prince's supervision of the country can be done by him.At that time, Li Chengqian had supervised the country, but Li Shimin taught him more.

Now that Li Shimin is still alive, if he waits for Li Shimin to grow old, he will have to deal with this matter a few years earlier.

And the third is to give the prince a good support system. The prince is not the first emperor, and he generally has no strength to survive.

Therefore, he needs a strong support team, including a trusted prime minister, important ministers, and loyal family members.They can help the prince with affairs, provide advice and maintain the prince's authority.

The fourth point is prestige. A prince without prestige will have no mass base!

Therefore, before the prince becomes emperor, he needs to win the recognition and support of the people, and win the support and trust of a wide range of people by participating in charity, caring about people's livelihood, and demonstrating benevolence and leadership.

The fifth point is the need for a strong strategic alliance.

Before the crown prince became emperor, the first emperor must consolidate diplomatic relations for him and establish mutually beneficial relations with influential domestic and foreign forces.Ensure that after the succession, you can get enough support and a stable international environment.

The last is strategic wisdom, which is very important. If there is no such thing, then the prince's throne will not be long.

If the prince does not have a certain amount of strategic wisdom, is not good at analyzing the situation, formulating policies, and making wise decisions at critical moments, then he is tantamount to a waste-like existence.

Even if he becomes emperor, he is very likely to be cleaned up.

It can be said that Li Shimin is worried about his successor.

(End of this chapter)