The Great Tang General

Under the leadership of Wei Lun, the movement to rectify Taoism and Buddhism began in the first month of the third year of Qianyuan.

Sun Ti, the editor-in-chief of the Datang Monthly, received an order and began publishing the December edition of the newspaper two years in advance in late December.

The movement to purge Taoism and Buddhism was the front-page headline, explaining the cause and effect.

With the precedent of eliminating the lowly and promoting the virtuous, people in the world blame the Taoist temples and Taoist priests and monks, as well as the farmland that stretches for ridges and ridges.

They also believe that Taoist priests and monks betrayed Taoism and Buddha because they were blinded by greed.

For a time, the popularity of Taoist temples and Buddhist temples was greatly reduced.

The people worship the Supreme as a god and agree with the Supreme's edict with both hands.

It is better to believe in the present supreme being than to believe in Buddha.

It was the Supreme Being who actually enabled the people to obtain farmland and escape from slavery.

It was the Supreme who brought cotton to the world.

Let them truly have enough food and warm clothing.

Some transcendent monks and Taoists expressed their support for the movement to purge Taoism and Buddhism.

They know best that many scums are using the names of Taoism and Buddha to cheat and deceive people.

There are also some bad guys who annex land, support tenant farmers, and do things like a tyrant.

There are many hidden masters in this world.

There are tens of thousands of monks and Taoists, a mixed bag, and among them there are too many speculators.

After Li Xuan learned about the public reaction from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he immediately ordered the Taoists, monks, and nuns to return to secular life.

He knew that the monks and Taoist priests of higher seniority would take advantage of their seniority and stop the monks in the temple.

But Li Xuan allowed killing a chicken to scare the monkeys to serve as a warning to others.

In Li Xuan's view, there may be gods in the world, but Buddhism and Taoism are more likely to be man-made creations that generate beliefs.

After the campaign to purge Taoism and Buddhism is over, let the Zongzheng Temple, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Revenue start counting the number of people in temples across the country.

The land was distributed to each monk or Taoist priest with 50 acres of arable land.

He also ordered Chongxuan Hall to reduce the clothing grants to Taoist temples to save national expenses.

Even though the country's financial resources are unprecedented, we must save as much as possible and use the best steel where it is most needed.

The 3456th year of the Chinese calendar, the third year of Qianyuan, New Year's Day.

Wude Hall.

"My son, I pay my respects to my father."

In the new year, Li Xuan went to the Wude Hall to pay a visit to Li Shizhi.

Since Li Shizhi arrived at Taiji Palace, Li Xuan arranged him in the Wude Hall.

Generally, he would visit Li Shizhi once every three to five days.

"Shichiro, there's no need to be so polite."

Li Shizhi stood up and helped Li Xuan to sit upright.

His Qilang is the supreme ruler, in charge of the universe, so there is no need for him to perform such a grand ceremony.

Now Li Shizhi and Li Xuan are the model of a loving father and a filial son.

Everyone envied Li Shizhi for having a son as talented as Li Xuan.

"Aweng Yuan is just right..."

Li Yi, Li Song and Li Zhenzhen then knelt on the ground and wished Li Shizhi a happy new year.

"You're all one year older!"

Li Shizhi immediately helped them up and gave them red envelopes with a smile.

Li Shizhi is also one year older, and he is no longer as energetic as before.

But my body is still healthy and my steps are still brisk.

Next, Li Xuan’s queen and concubines paid their respects to Li Shizhi.

He also handed his second daughter, Li Feifei, to Li Shizhi to hug.

With the sound of firecrackers a year old, the spring breeze sent warmth to Tusu.

As usual, firecrackers were lit and Tu Su wine was drunk.

I hope my family will be safe and sound in the coming year and the country will enjoy good weather and good harvests.

"I heard from my eldest brother the other day that my father was very unhappy in the Wude Hall. Is it because I have failed to do something right?"

While the children were playing in the courtyard, Li Xuan sat opposite Li Shizhi and asked him.

He has a father, and he is also a father.

But he was more of an emperor, and during the period of change, even if he only focused on major issues, he had many things to do.

During his two years in power, he did not hold a grand banquet, did not go hunting, and did not build a palace.

In his spare time, he not only keeps fit, but also teaches his children.

He did come to Wude Hall every few days, but it was just to say hello and he would leave in a hurry after a while.

"Thanks to Qilang, my father can live in the Wude Hall. I have enough wealth and honor in this life, and there is nothing else to pursue. My father does not like singing and dancing, and has almost lost contact with his old friends. Dalang and Sanlang want to enter the Taiji Palace, but they have to go through many procedures. My father finally understands Qilang's lyrics, 'It is lonely at the top.'"

Li Shizhi replied to Li Xuan.

He was alone in the deep palace and indeed felt lonely.

Li Shizhi was not interested in women, he only liked drinking and making friends.

Just like in the song of the Eight Immortals of Drinking, the left prime minister spends tens of thousands of dollars every day, and drinks like a whale sucking in hundreds of rivers...

When he was in Pingkangfang, Chang'an, Li Shizhi had many friends.

Every day I recite poems and compose essays with friends and drink and chat happily.

Now Li Shizhi is proud of Li Xuan and is also extremely rich and powerful.

But he is an old man after all.

Over the past two years, the Wude Hall has been visited time and time again, and many places in the Taiji Palace have also been visited.

Only a small number of eunuchs were left, and many of the previous games and funs had been abandoned by Li Xuan.

"I only wanted to make my father rich and famous, and never thought about anything else. This is my fault. The closest relationship in the world is the relationship between father and son. In the past, Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang, built Fengyi in Pei County in Chang'an in order to make Liu Taigong happy. If my father has any wishes, I will do my best to satisfy them."

Li Xuan spoke to Li Shizhi emotionally.

"Nothing, it's good in Wude Hall."

Li Shizhi was deeply touched and waved his hands quickly.

He thought it would be better for him not to cause trouble for Qilang.

"Father, I will open a road from the Yongchun Gate of Taiji Palace to the Wude Gate. From now on, my brothers and sisters can directly enter the Wude Hall, and father can also call old friends to the Wude Hall for a drink and chat. No need to announce the decree!"

Li Xuan roughly guessed what Li Shizhi was hoping for and came up with a way to help Li Shizhi get rid of his loneliness.

There are palace restrictions within the Taiji Palace and between the palaces, so this is not an inconvenience.

And that's what he should do.

He never restricted Li Shizhi's freedom, but most of the time, it was inconvenient for Li Shizhi to go out.

Now that Li Shizhi is the emperor emeritus, it would be against etiquette if he continued to visit ministers' homes as casually as before.

"Will this... undermine the dignity of the royal family?"

A flash of excitement flashed across Li Shizhi's eyes.

"No, it's just a small matter."

Li Xuan held Li Shizhi's hand and told him not to worry.

Li Shizhi drank a glass of wine and seemed even more cheerful during this festival.

Although it was against the rules for Li Xuan to open a backdoor for Li Shizhi, when the news spread among the people, they were moved by Li Xuan's filial piety to the emperor and all of them praised him.

Some people call the road from Yongchun Gate to Wude Gate the "Father and Son Road". It is a benchmark of the father-son relationship between the emperor and the retired emperor, and also a witness.

The Tang Dynasty ruled the world with filial piety.

In fact, before Li Xuan, everything collapsed.

Li Xuan's touching deeds, which set an example himself, made people all over the world pay more attention to virtue and filial piety.

Those ancient sayings about filial piety are no longer just written down.

In the afternoon of Yuanzheng day, Li Xuan set out to meet Li Longji at Xingqing Palace as usual.

Li Longji was still alive and was the nominal emperor and Li Xuan's adoptive father. Even if he had to put on an act, he had to go and see him during the New Year.

In fact, Li Xuan would take time to visit Xingqing Palace once every year on the New Year's Day, Lantern Festival, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Li Longji's birthday, Spring Solstice, Summer Solstice, Autumn Solstice, and Winter Solstice.

Even if Li Longji didn't look at him favorably, he would still greet him with a smile.

How could he care about an old man who had completely lost his power?

"Mr. Gao, now woodblock printing workshops have been opened in all counties, and are being further established in the prefectures to train woodblock craftsmen. It is Mr. Gao's painstaking efforts that will benefit future generations."

Gao Lishi came to the Xingqing Gate of Xingqing Palace to welcome Li Xuan.

He is older now, his hair is grey, and his eyes are said to be blurry, also known as presbyopia.

Li Xuan did not forget the help Gao Lishi had once given him. After Gao Lishi paid him a visit, Li Xuan took Gao Lishi with him to Xingqing Palace to meet Li Longji.

Along the way, he also talked to Gao Lishi about printing.

"Movable type printing is the work of Your Majesty, and I dare not take credit for it. It was Your Majesty who had foresight and used me to promote woodblock printing."

Gao Lishi waved his hands quickly.

He no longer dared to take on the credit of inventing movable type printing and promoting woodblock printing.

Gao Lishi was undoubtedly loyal to Li Longji.

It is sold by the pound in the two capitals, but no one picks it in the Wuxi River.

Although there are differences between the barbarians and the Chinese, their customs and flavors remain unchanged.

In history, even though Gao Lishi was exiled to Wuxi, suffered hardships, and was ignored and ridiculed, he did not change his character and loyalty.

After learning the news of Li Longji's death, he vomited blood and died facing north.

Even with his preconceived loyalty, Gao Lishi could not deny that Li Xuan was a benevolent and righteous monarch.

Never punish innocent people because of your joy or anger.

Eliminating the lowly and promoting the good may seem cruel, but it is actually benevolent.

"Movable type printing was invented by Mr. Gao, and woodblock printing was popularized by Mr. Gao. No one can take away this honor from you. Mr. Gao's name will be engraved forever in the newly compiled craftsman's register of our dynasty."

Li Xuan patted Gao Lishi's hand and said.

For him, inventing movable type printing was just a trivial thing, but Gao Lishi really promoted woodblock printing.

More than ten years of dedication.

Without Gao Lishi laying the foundation and training woodblock craftsmen for more than ten years, it would have been impossible for Li Xuan to set up printing shops in all counties soon after he ascended the throne.

You know, the destruction of aristocratic families was never "killing".

The reason why the aristocratic families are aristocratic families is because they monopolize knowledge.

When woodblock printing becomes popular and more rural schools are established, the aristocratic families will completely disappear.

Noble surnames are no longer honorable, and small surnames and humble names can also break through the siege.

"Don't worry, Mr. Gao! Just treat it as a serious statement. I can't go back on my word."

Seeing Gao Lishi unable to speak, Li Xuan tried to comfort him, "The world has changed, the sun and the moon have come again. This is the era of the Holy Emperor, the Divine Emperor, the era of me, and the era of Mr. Gao. This is the era of millions of people in the world. Together, we will create history and continue the prosperity."

"Woooo..."

Gao Lishi was so moved that he burst into tears.

Read the error-free version at 69shuba! 6=9+shu_ba is the first to publish this novel.

He truly felt Li Xuan's charm and the mind of a ruler.

As a eunuch with no offspring, his only belief was to leave a good reputation in history books.

Although Cai Lun's character is controversial, he is remembered by all scholars and literati because he innovated the papermaking technique.

The printing technology that can produce books quickly is as brilliant as papermaking.

Although Gao Lishi "lost power" along with Li Longji, he never used his tremendous power to bully others or play political games throughout his life.

Instead, he recommended many virtuous people and gave advice to the emperor many times.

His biggest fault was that he accepted gold, silver, jewelry, mansions and land given to him by others without any respect.

Moreover, Gao Lishi did not care about money and gave rewards without restraint.

Another thing is that Gao Lishi was a pimp for Li Longji.

If Li Longji had not looked at Yang Yuhuan with shining eyes, Gao Lishi would never have done this.

But after Gao Lishi's final judgment, these did not affect his achievements.

It is conceivable that Gao Lishi of later generations would have a historical status comparable to Cai Lun, and a better reputation.

At this moment, Gao Lishi no longer blamed Li Xuan for taking away Li Longji's kingdom.

Perhaps the Tang Dynasty can only regain its vitality in Li Xuan's hands.

Xingqing Palace, Yuelong Hall.

At this moment, Li Longji is surrounded by his children and grandchildren in Yuelong Palace.

On the New Year's Day, all the princes, princesses, princes and grandchildren had to pay homage to Li Longji.

In two years, they have accepted the reality that the small clans are replacing the big clans.

They knew they couldn't defeat Li Xuan.

Even if Li Xuan "took away" their farmland and orchards and released their serfs, they could only watch.

In their view, Li Xuan's only remaining conscience was to allow Li Longji to enjoy his old age in peace.

They were even more afraid that after Li Longji passed away, Li Xuan would become even more ruthless in his purges against them.

"Supreme Supreme..."

As the shouts came from outside the Yuelong Palace, the princes and grandchildren couldn't help but tremble.

Li Longji just lay on the couch, accepting wine poured for him by his daughters, being very willful.

The country was stolen by thieves within his family, and his beloved was in a Taoist temple just across the wall, and he could no longer see her.

The landscape in the dream is picturesque, and the longing in the dream is lingering.

Li Longji is now living a life of drunkenness and dreams.

He was drunk in a dream and asleep in a dream. If his children had not come to visit him, he would not have known that the New Year's Day had arrived.

"Greetings to the Supreme..."

After Li Xuan stepped into Yuelong Hall, everyone saluted him.

Even Li Heng, Li Chu and others who were full of hatred towards Li Xuan had to bow their heads.

Li Xuan is the supreme ruler, ruling the world.

"On the first day of the first lunar month, there is no need for extra ceremony. Like all of you, I am also fulfilling my filial duty to the Emperor."

Li Xuan signaled the princes, grandchildren, princesses and their husbands present to stand up.

When these words were spoken, the princes and grandchildren of the emperor sneered, saying that this was too filial.

They felt that Li Xuan did this on purpose for the world to see.

There was a double city wall between Taiji Palace and Xingqing Palace, but Li Xuan traveled through the streets of Chang'an in a grand manner and entered through Xingqing Gate.

He was afraid that others didn't know that he was going to pay a visit to the Holy and Divine Emperor.

"The Supreme Emperor..."

Li Xuan came to Li Longji's bed and called softly.

"Shichiro! How is the country doing now?"

After seeing Li Xuan, Li Longji suddenly became energetic again and stood up from the couch.

"The world is peaceful, the people live and work in peace, the emperor does not need to worry about this."

Li Xuan replied to Li Longji.

Every time he came, Li Longji was drunk. But when he saw him, he was very energetic and had a very strange temper.

When asked about state affairs, he seemed to be used to it.

"It's good to have peace... It's good to have peace..."

For some unknown reason, Li Longji repeated the sentence in a perfunctory manner and then asked Li Xuan, "It is said that the kings of many countries and chiefs of many tribes have gathered in Chang'an to attend the Hundred Nations Conference."

One can hear the nostalgia and envy in Li Longji's tone.

When he ruled the world, the kings and chiefs of various countries did not gather together like this.

This is Li Xuan's unparalleled appeal.

Compared with Li Xuan, the Heavenly Khan, Li Longji's title of Heavenly Khan is not worth mentioning.

Even Emperor Taizong, the first Heavenly Khan, could not match Li Xuan's prestige.

"That's right! In March of next year, the Tang Dynasty will hold a grand banquet in Hua'e Xianghui Tower to show the power of the Tang Dynasty to all the nations and discuss trade matters."

Li Xuan replied to Li Longji.

He knew that Li Longji had the habit of reading "Tang Monthly".

From the monthly Tang Monthly Report, Li Longji could understand some national affairs.

But as the former emperor, this is a kind of sadness.

"Qi Lang has not held a grand banquet since he ascended the throne. I heard that you haven't selected concubines yet, and you only wear eight sets of clothes for the four seasons in a year. You are really able to control your desires! Just like you once said, 'The sea embraces all rivers, and tolerance makes it great; the cliff stands thousands of feet high, and the lack of desire makes it strong'..."

Li Longji stared at Li Xuan and felt that his defeat was not unfair.

He was always consistent, even when he ascended the throne. Who could tell the difference between loyalty and treachery?

"Compared to the common people, I already have a life of luxury. Since we are advocating frugality, we should work harder to govern the country."

Li Xuan replied to Li Longji solemnly.

He lived two lives and had a firm belief. He could endure more than many people.

Some things, no matter how high-sounding they are, are still morally corrupt.

"Since this is a grand banquet that only happens once in a thousand years, will Qilang invite me, the emperor?"

This time, Li Longji did not give Li Xuan the cold shoulder, and his eyes were full of expectation when he spoke.

Normally, the emperor must be invited to the grand banquet and sit in the seat of honor.

But Li Longji's situation was special.

Even hundreds of foreign countries knew that Li Xuan had seized power through a coup d'état and used military power to dethrone Li Longji, who had been in power for nearly fifty years.

Since Li Longji lived in Xingqing Palace, he no longer participated in any political activities.

Therefore, the atmosphere became tense.

No one around dared to say a word, for fear of Li Xuan's wrath.

"You are the emperor, how can I not invite you? People still remember the prosperity of the Kaiyuan and Tianbao eras, and the flowers that bloomed in Chang'an. I now formally invite the emperor to Hua'e Xianghui Tower to attend the Hundred Nations Grand Gathering."

Li Xuan broke the deadlock in an instant and extended an invitation to Li Longji.

Now Li Longji can no longer cause any trouble.

The pro-Li Longji forces in the court and the country have been completely wiped out.

Judging from Li Longji's physical condition, he did not necessarily live longer than in history.

At that time, Li Shimin still invited Li Yuan to participate in the gathering of chiefs from the west and north, and they sang and danced together.

Li Xuan wanted to let Li Longji see what was different about the Tang Dynasty under their rule.

"I have learned from the Tang Monthly that the lowly are eliminated and the virtuous are made. If I had done the same in the early Kaiyuan period, would the country have become stronger?"

Li Longji was overjoyed and drank happily.

He spoke to himself again, as if he was asking himself, but also as if he was asking Li Xuan.

Li Xuan smiled and did not answer.

There is no beginning, and there is no end.

In this world, no one knows Li Longji better than him.

Including Li Longji himself!
"Qi Lang, your writing is earth-shattering and appeals to both the elite and the masses. I can't help but be drawn to your Journey to the West, based on Xuanzang's journey to the west. Can the four masters and apprentices in your imagination successfully obtain the scriptures from the west?"

Li Longji spoke whatever came to his mind and asked Li Xuan a question with deep meaning.

Now Journey to the West has not even been serialized for one third.

But it has become popular all over the country.

This was written by the emperor himself, and it gave it the mystery of a mythological novel.

"Ninety-nine eighty-one difficulties will eventually lead to perfection."

Li Xuan replied seriously.

The transformation of the country, just like these 81 difficulties, will surely succeed.

If all went well, if he lived to be seventy, he would leave behind the foundations for the Industrial Revolution…

(End of this chapter)