Li Zhi, don't be a coward

Chapter 366
If Li Qinzai was in the golden hall of Taiji Palace, he would like to call Li Zhi "Xiu'er".

For more than ten years since he ascended the throne, he has been a sage inside and a king outside, inheriting the legacy of Zhenguan. The government and the public have mostly praised the emperor, and Li Zhi rarely made foolish tricks.

Abolishing the king and empress, expelling the eldest grandson Wuji Chu Suiliang was out of political needs, and suppressing the aristocratic family was for the purpose of centralizing power.

In addition, the clean-up of nomadic tribes in the north, the Huairou of Tubo in the west, the three-sided blockade of Goguryeo in the east, the destruction of Baekje and so on.

In the past ten years, Li Zhi has indeed done a good job. In the years from Yonghui to Longshuo, Datang has improved on the basis of the rule of Zhenguan, and there is a hint of transcendence.

However, in the eyes of the courtiers, Li Zhi's performance this time was a failure after all.

On such a grand occasion, the court publicly announced its decision to build roads and ships regardless of the consequences. What is important is that this decision has not been recognized by the prime minister and the officials of the six ministries.

The court atmosphere in the Tang Dynasty is generally good. The government and state affairs are discussed together by the monarch and his ministers. Even if there is a disagreement, it is temporarily put aside. After an agreement is reached, it will be announced to the public.

This time Li Zhi unilaterally announced the construction of roads and ships, which really shocked the courtiers.

So the Golden Palace was immediately fried.

Xu Jingzong and Xu Yushi, the left and right ministers, stood in the middle of the court with gloomy faces and remained silent. Several servants and the doctor Yu Shi fought fiercely against each other. Someone took the lead, and the rest didn't hesitate and came out Ban objected.

From the standpoint of a courtier, Li Zhi's decision to build roads and build ships is a waste of money and people. Now that there is a severe drought in the north and the autumn harvest is coming, the already empty treasury does not know how much food will be spent, and it may not be relieved next year.

At the critical moment of this kind of natural disaster, Li Zhi still has to start construction and road construction, which is simply extremely stupid.

There were many objections in the palace, and Li Zhi helplessly explained to the courtiers the principle of substituting work for relief, but the courtiers did not accept it.

Because it is too difficult to implement it, if any link goes wrong, it will be a big mess.

Among the many voices of opposition, a courtier jumped out. The courtier's name was Liu Rengui.

Of course Liu Rengui did not agree with Li Zhi's decision, but the angle of his opposition was quite strange.

Even if "relief with work" can be implemented, it may be detrimental to the community in the long run. When the people get used to working to earn money for their families, in contrast, farming will lose their motivation.

After all, the risk of farming is not small these days. In this era without chemical fertilizers and pesticides, farming is completely dependent on God's gift. Any natural disaster will make a year's hard work in vain.

But working is much safer. As long as you are willing to work hard, you will definitely be rewarded. The government will distribute money and food, and the harvest will be guaranteed in drought and flood. If things go on like this, who would want to go back to farm?If no one is farming, what will the people of the world eat?
I have to say that although Liu Rengui's thinking angle is strange, it still makes sense.

The Golden Palace was suddenly stunned, and then echoed.

Seeing that the courtiers objected and the golden palace was full of uproar, Li Zhi's face became more and more gloomy.

Before the process of the Great Court Meeting was completed, Li Zhi got up angrily and left in a huff.

Back at Chengxiang Palace, Li Zhi was so angry that he dropped several tribute celadon. At this time, Empress Wu rushed over after hearing the news.

"Your Majesty, calm down, the concubine heard about it just now, and there is no need to get mad at those stupid people..." Empress Wu comforted.

"A group of old men with vegetarian meals!" Li Zhi cursed.

Empress Wu hesitated for a moment, and couldn't help but said: "Speaking of which, Your Majesty is too impatient today, at least convince the two prime ministers first, and then it will not be too late to announce to the courtiers."

Li Zhi said angrily: "How can I not be in a hurry? Seeing that the autumn harvest is just around the corner, and the people in the north are in panic all day long. I must hurry to issue this policy before the autumn harvest to calm the hearts of the people in the north, otherwise there may be troubles." .”

Empress Wu sighed: "But your majesty is in a hurry to make a decision, and the courtiers object, isn't it counterproductive?"

Li Zhi's face was ashen and authentic: "I never thought that they would be so opposed. It is obviously a good thing that benefits the country and the people. Why don't they understand?"

Empress Wu shook her head: "Your Majesty's thinking is too simple. Relief with work is certainly a good thing, but it may not be a good thing for powerful landlords and aristocratic families. That's why the courtiers are so opposed today."

Li Zhiqi asked: "Why do the dignitaries and aristocratic families object?"

"Your Majesty, substituting work for relief has broken the balance between the rich and the peasants. Originally, the peasants depended on the sky for food, while the rich and powerful depended on the peasants to cultivate the land for rent. In other words, the peasants not only depended on the sky, but also depended on the powerful and the landlord."

"But once farmers have another way of life, they find that they can support their family by going out to work. Farming is no longer the only way of life for them, then the dependence of farmers on the rich and powerful will decrease year by year."

"The rich and powerful rely on farmers to farm for their livelihood. If the farmers all work for the government, what will the rich and powerful do? Not only will their income drop sharply, but their prestige and appeal among the people will also decline. This is something that the rich and powerful will never allow Yes, most of the courtiers who oppose His Majesty today may have such small thoughts in their hearts."

Empress Wu emphasized, "If the balance of anything in the world is broken, it will inevitably experience labor pains and turmoil until another balance emerges. That's why the concubine said that His Majesty is really in a hurry today."

Li Zhi looked dazed, then he sighed for a long time, and said with a wry smile: "I was reckless, thanks to the queen's reminder, I didn't expect such a small thing to have so many ways, I really did it too hastily."

Then Li Zhi gritted his teeth again and said: "But I still have to carry on with this matter. Sooner or later there will be labor pains. It's better to come early than late, and short-term pain is worse than long-term pain!"

Empress Wu nodded and said: "Yes, my concubines also feel that long-term pain is worse than short-term pain. Since His Majesty has already spoken out in the court today, and there is no turning back when you open the bow, let's continue to implement it."

Li Zhi nodded: "It is still necessary to call the two prime ministers to discuss, and by the way, also beat the powerful family. This is a century-old national policy. Don't add trouble to me at this time."

Empress Wu thought for a while, and said: "It is not appropriate for Your Majesty to come forward in person. If the courtiers still object, His Majesty's imperial prestige will be damaged again and again, which is not good for the imperial power."

"What does the queen think of me?"

"Your Majesty, it was Li Jingchu's proposal to provide relief with work, why not..."

Li Zhi's eyes lit up: "Why don't you leave it to Jing Chu?"

Empress Wu said with a smile: "Jing Chu is still very young, but he handles things in a down-to-earth manner. Back then, Jing Chu handled the state grain case very well. It must be no bad thing to hand over this matter to Jing Chu."

"Furthermore, Jing Chu is a subject that His Majesty values ​​very much. It is time for him to train more while he is young. Your Majesty does not want him to spend his whole life as a teacher in Ganjingzhuang, does he? That would be too condescending."

"It's hard to keep a talented person in the court. Jing Chu is the future minister of the Zhu Kingdom. Give him more opportunities to hone, so that he can share the worries of His Majesty in the future."

(End of this chapter)