Thief Emperor

Chapter 1088 Father and Son Passing on the Torch
There are certainly many fools in this world, but none of the few who have followed Li Yun for many years and handled state affairs with ease are fools.

Since they weren't stupid and had followed Li Yun for many years, they could naturally see something was off about Li Yun, and... they noticed it a long time ago.

For example, when they first met in Yuezhou, Du Qian immediately recognized that Li Yun was no ordinary person.

Later, Li Yun's actions made him determined to start a business with Emperor Li.

Because Li Erlang at that time had many strange traits.

For example, in his eyes, there was not much difference between being born into a prominent family and being born into a poor farming family.

For example, he truly puts the interests of the people first, and he is the only person Du Qian has ever met who would rather have financial problems than mistreat the lowest-ranking soldiers in the army.

These qualities alone make him seem like an ancient sage king.

However, Li Erlang also had many extraordinary qualities. Whether it was the invention of novel objects or the construction of the army and the political system, Li Yun seemed to have some self-taught abilities.

However, since his background is clear and transparent, there is only one explanation.

They are born with knowledge; they are born divine.

According to folklore, Emperor Li descended the mountain and spent ten years learning magic from immortals before finally descending at the age of twenty to help the common people.

This is also the most widely circulated version of the story.

But in reality, this claim wasn't entirely unfounded; it was largely spread by people close to Li Yun. Otherwise, Emperor Li's abilities and traits wouldn't have been so readily apparent...

There is no way to explain it.

For twenty years, Du Qian had grown accustomed to these characteristics of His Majesty the Emperor, and to his ability to create novelties out of thin air that did not exist in the world at that time.

All of this can only be attributed to the transmission of magic by immortals or the reincarnation of an ancient sage king.

Emperor Li looked at his two close advisors from left to right, and after a long while, he smiled wryly: "So, all along, this is what you've thought of me."

He shook his head slightly, not saying much, but simply said, "No matter what, everything we do today is for the future, so that the lives of the people of this world can be better."

"And then try to get better and better."

Minister Zhuo looked at Li Yun and shook his head, saying, "People are selfish. No matter how much His Majesty does, there will always be some people who hold him back."

The emperor said calmly, "It is precisely because people have selfish desires that we have remained ignorant from ancient times to this day. Selfishness is not a terrible sin."

He looked at the two people on his left and right and said slowly, "The problem is, how can we draw a line and confine everyone's selfish desires within that line?"

"At the same time, we must develop this country."

He said with his hands behind his back, "You scholars often say that the universe has its constant order, and you think that my running an agricultural institute is against the natural order, disrupts the constant order of the universe, and overdraws the soil's resources."

"They believe that new learning is also a heretical and crooked path."

His Majesty the Emperor walked outside with his hands behind his back: "The universe has its constant order, that's true, and I believe so too. But now, what do we think about the power of the universe..."

"Less than 100% was utilized."

Emperor Li smiled and said, "It is far from the time for us to say that the will of Heaven is constant."

After saying that, he strode away.

Du Xiangong stood there, stunned, for a long time without moving.

Minister Zhuo looked at him with some curiosity: "Why isn't Prime Minister Du leaving?"

Du Qian snapped out of his daze and said with a smile, "I'm leaving now."

At this moment, he was quite shaken.

Because the emperor's words just now, which seemed to be lecturing and also seemed to be talking to himself, were very similar to what his third brother, Du He, had said to him in private.

It's just missing a few details.

At this moment, even Prime Minister Du could not determine whether it was a coincidence or whether His Majesty the Emperor had indeed heard the conversation between the two brothers.

If it's the latter...

That would be terrible.

Those were whispered secrets!
Thinking of this, Prime Minister Du collected his thoughts, turned to look at Zhuo Guangrui, and said with a smile, "Let's go, let's go back to the city. Today is the first day of the new year's court session. If we leave Yao Juzhong alone in the Secretariat to work, and we don't go back soon, I'm afraid Prime Minister Yao will scold us."

Zhuo Guangrui said with a smile, "Your affairs in the Secretariat are none of my business."

Minister Du lowered his head slightly and said with a smile, "But the thing His Majesty brought us to see today is closely related to your Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works. This matter will have implications for the future..."

"It will probably fall on the shoulders of your Zhuo family."

Zhuo Guangrui smiled and said, "At that time, it was uncertain whether I would even be here, so there was no point in thinking about it." Du Qian shook his head and said with a smile, "What I mean is, if any of Brother Zhuo's sons are not interested in serving in the government, you could select one or two of them to speak to His Majesty and have them come to the workshop more often to learn a thing or two."

Upon hearing this, Zhuo Guangrui's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately bowed slightly to Du Qian: "Thank you for the reminder, Prime Minister Du. I almost overlooked this matter."

Du Qian waved his hand: "There are no outsiders here, Brother Zhuo, you're too kind."

Then he asked, "Recently, the Yao family and Brother Zhuo's family have been getting quite close, haven't they?"

Zhuo Guangrui looked at Du Qian and smiled as well: "It's still far from certain, what's your opinion, Prime Minister Du? If you think it's inappropriate, I'll tell my children and grandchildren to cut off all contact."

"What happens between your two families has nothing to do with me."

Du Xiangong quickly waved his hand, indicating that he would not interfere with the younger generation's marriage.

He coughed once, then said in a low voice, "What I mean is, you are both from Jiangdong, so you can get married."

He looked at Zhuo Guangrui and reminded him, "But you must not form factions."

Minister Zhuo felt a chill run down his spine once more. He looked up at His Majesty the Emperor, who had already disappeared into the distance, then at Du Qian, and bowed slightly.

"This humble official...has learned a great deal."

………………

In the blink of an eye, another two months have passed, and it is now March of the eleventh year of Zhangwu, a time when spring is in full bloom.

Just as the various government offices and decrees of the imperial court were proceeding in an orderly manner, Zhao Cheng, the Minister of War, led Li Hu, the Left Vice Minister, and Zhou Chang, the Right Vice Minister, into the Ganlu Hall to pay their respects to His Majesty the Emperor.

Emperor Li looked at the three familiar faces, raised his hand, and said with a smile, "Get up and find a place to sit."

The three responded, and Minister Zhao bowed to Li Yun and said, "Your Majesty, General Meng's troops are already on their way back in triumph and have now entered the border area between Hedong Circuit and Jingzhao Prefecture."

Meng Qing had returned once before, but that time, he returned alone and had not even received any rewards from the court before he hurriedly went back.

This time, however, it is a true triumphant return of the royal army. More than half of the officers above the rank of colonel who pacified Youyan will be returning with them.

Meanwhile, the troops of Youyan... or rather Liaodong Road, were temporarily led by Deputy General Luo Zhen to continue the construction of Yuguan.

Most of the generals followed Meng Qing back to the capital to receive their titles.

Emperor Li looked at the three high-ranking officials of the Ministry of War and said with a smile, "This is no small matter. This time, we achieved a great victory in Liaodong and recovered Youyan, which the Khitans had occupied for ten years."

"The land of China is barely unified."

Emperor Li smiled and said, "These returning soldiers are all great heroes of the court. The court should give them a proper welcome this time. I will issue a note to your Ministry of War, and you can go to the Ministry of Revenue to collect 100,000 strings of cash to welcome these victorious soldiers."

"Make it as grand as possible, don't neglect the soldiers, especially if we don't have enough money."

His Majesty the Emperor smiled and said, "Your Ministry of War can cover the shortfall for now. Come to me later, and I will make up the difference from the imperial treasury."

Minister Zhao laughed and said, "Why don't we have the Ministry of Revenue approve more money, so we don't have to take money out of His Majesty's pocket?"

At this moment, Minister Zhao was in a very good mood.

Meng Qing's return to the court meant that the imperial court would officially appoint him as a Grand General.

Although this was something that had been decided long ago, when the moment came, Minister Zhao, who always considered himself a military general, could not hide his excitement.

The emperor waved his hand: "The Ministry of Revenue has spent too much money in the past two years. Minister Zhuo is not as easy to talk to as Minister Xue. If we ask for too much, he probably won't give it to us."

"If you're going to spend my money, then spend my money."

Emperor Li said with a smile, "If all else fails, go to the Privy Council and get them to work on this together. The Privy Council asked the Ministry of Revenue for one million strings of cash at the beginning of the year for expenses, and they probably still have a lot left."

The three officials all nodded in agreement.

Emperor Li told them some details and instructed them: "Tomorrow, I will issue an edict to the Ministry of War, instructing them to welcome and reward the troops on my behalf. Go back and prepare, and set off to welcome the victorious soldiers the day after tomorrow or the day after that."

When rewarding the army, it is essential to clarify who is responsible for the reward. This matter cannot be handled by the Privy Council, the Ministry of War, or even the Crown Prince.

It can only be His Majesty the Emperor.

The three high-ranking officials of the Ministry of War bowed their heads once again in agreement.

Just as they were about to leave Ganlu Hall after bowing with clasped hands, Emperor Li called out to Zhao Cheng and said, "General Gongsun is feeling much better now. When the victorious soldiers enter the city, the Ministry of War will send people to carry General Gongsun to welcome them."

“Let him see the power of his son.”

Zhao Cheng took a deep breath and bowed his head deeply.

"Your subject... obeys!"

(End of this chapter)