Thief Emperor

Chapter 973 Li Tang II
In the past ten years, what Li Yun lacked most was governance talents. This shortage began when he occupied Jiangdong Road.

It was for the same reason that he later became emperor. Therefore, he had no choice but to use a large number of Wu Zhou's former ministers and let them continue to hold their original positions, thus ensuring the stability of the regime and allowing the new dynasty to run smoothly.

The proportion of these Zhou ministers is actually not small. Although Li Yun would not let them hold too important positions, their large enough number still makes them a considerable force. For example, there are quite a few Zhou ministers among the six departments now.

Otherwise, with the team in Jiangdong at that time, it might not be possible to gather all the officials from the six ministries.

Now, more than seven years have passed. During these seven years, Li Yun has admitted four batches of Jinshi, including regular and special examinations, to fill various vacancies in the court. Now is the time to start cleaning up the remnants of the Wu Zhou Dynasty.

This is something that has to be done sooner or later.

It’s not that people are judged by their origins, but that the new dynasty needs to complete the replacement of its blood. When most of the officials in the court are selected or promoted from the Li Tang court, and Zhou officials only account for a small proportion, the new court can be considered to be established.

Prime Minister Du poured a glass of wine for Li Yun, and then said, "Your Majesty, I think that the rotation of court officials is a must, but we should not judge right and wrong based solely on their origins. For example, in the case of the river bursting this time, anyone who wrote to the court and criticized Your Majesty for the connection between heaven and man should be immediately removed from the court, or find an opportunity to do so."

"However, among the old Zhou officials, there are indeed some who are capable of doing things with sincerity. These people are not only fully capable, but also experienced. It is actually a good thing for them to stay in the court."

Li Yun nodded: "I know this."

“So, this is a long-term matter, not something that can be done in one or two years, or three or five years.”

“But this is the trend.”

Emperor Li exhaled a breath of alcohol and said, "I will start to do this, and you should also start to do it, but you should try to keep some talents among the old Zhou officials."

"correct."

Li Yun rubbed his brows and said, "The old Zhou officials we are talking about are those who joined the dynasty after the founding of the country. Those who were already working in Jiangdong before the founding of the country are not included."

Du Qian smiled when he heard this and said, "Your Majesty, I feel relieved when you say this. After all, my third brother and I also served as officials in the old Zhou Dynasty."

Emperor Li was speechless and said, "Didn't I also serve as an official in the old Zhou Dynasty?"

The two looked at each other and smiled.

The drinking session lasted for about an hour. When Prime Minister Du felt a little dizzy, Emperor Li had someone help Prime Minister Du leave. That night, Prime Minister Du was so drunk that he slept in the palace.

The next day was the day of the court meeting. The energetic Emperor still got up early and sat in the Taiji Hall for court. At this court meeting, the Emperor announced the candidate for the Crown Princess, the Crown Prince's marriage, and the matter of allowing the Crown Prince to participate in state affairs. All the civil and military officials in the hall bowed to the Crown Prince and called him "Long Live the Crown Prince".

After the court meeting, the Crown Prince came to the back hall of the Taiji Hall, bowed to his father, and said with his head bowed deeply, "Father."

Emperor Li was reading the military report from the frontline at the moment. Hearing this, he looked up at his eldest son, waved at him, and said with a smile, "Come, come, come closer."

Crown Prince Li Yuan bowed his head and said yes. He hesitated for a moment and then said, "Father, I have something to ask you."

Li Yun put down the brush in his hand and looked at his son in front of him: "You say."

Li Yuan also looked up at his father, thought for a moment, and said, "Father, although I have observed government affairs in the six ministries, I have never handled government affairs. Now that you suddenly ask me to participate in government affairs, I feel uneasy."

As he spoke, he bowed to Li Yun and said, "Please teach me, Father."

Emperor Li looked at him, was silent for a while, shook his head slightly and said: "You have been brought up by your grandfather since you were a child, you are too much like a scholar."

Li Yuan was a little stunned when he heard this.

Emperor Li waved at him, motioning him to come closer. Li Yuan obediently stepped forward and stood beside the emperor.

Emperor Li patted his shoulder and said in a deep voice: "You are the crown prince of the court, the future emperor. You should be more open-minded and do things more generously."

"You don't know how to handle government affairs. Did your father learn it right away after I became the emperor?"

"In all matters, follow your own thoughts and handle them as you think they should be handled. Anyway, there are two prime ministers in the Secretariat. If they think it is wrong, they will correct you."

"Slowly, you will learn it naturally."

Emperor Li looked calm: "I was like this back then."

"Don't be afraid of making mistakes, just do it with courage. Now you have several prime ministers to teach you, and you still have your father above you, so nothing will go wrong."

At this point, Li Yun looked at him and said with a smile: "Just treat your work as going to the Political Affairs Hall every day. After your wedding this year, give birth to a grandson for your father and your mother as soon as possible."

"We have a grandson."

Emperor Li knocked on the table with his hand and said, "This dynasty has long roots."

Hearing this, Li Yuan scratched his head and said, "Dad, I was just about to tell you about this. There is a maid in my palace..."

"She has been feeling unwell lately. I asked someone to check her pulse yesterday and found out she is pregnant..." Emperor Li was startled when he heard this, and then he said, "How come I don't know?"

"I wanted to tell you in person what happened yesterday afternoon, but after entering the palace, I heard that you were drinking with Prime Minister Du, so I didn't dare to disturb you."

Emperor Li thought about it, then smiled and said, "Anyway, this is a good thing. Go back to the palace and see your mother and explain this to her."

"Let your mother give the rewards to others."

At this point, Emperor Li thought for a moment and said, "After the Crown Princess is appointed, I will also give your maid a title."

The prince bowed his head deeply and replied yes.

After the father and son chatted for a few words, the prince was about to stand up and say goodbye. After he bowed his head, he was stopped by the emperor. The emperor looked at him and asked, "Throughout history, some dynasties could last for two or three hundred years, or even longer, while some dynasties could only perish after two or three generations."

"Among them, the most important one is the second emperor."

Li Yun looked at him and said seriously: "As long as the second emperor can carry on the tradition and be a good emperor, the dynasty will be able to live a long life."

"My son, do you know the reason behind this?"

The prince was shocked when he heard this, then he bowed his head deeply and said, "Please teach me, father."

“Most dynasties that fell after two or three generations were because their successors had never experienced hardship, nor had they visited the people. They thought they were blessed by heaven and were ignorant of the sufferings of the people.”

Li Yun looked at him and said slowly: "It is true that you participate in politics, but when you have time, you can change your clothes, go out for a walk among the people, and visit the county and the village."

"Take a look at what the people down there look like and see what kind of life they live."

Li Yun walked up to his son, patted his shoulder, and pointed at his chest and said, "The so-called Son of Heaven is just a lie. I am not the son of God, and you will not be one in the future. You and I are both human beings."

“They are all living people.”

"The common people down there are real people, not just numbers on paper, and certainly not grass."

"You are the future emperor. Your term is extremely important. You must remember this."

"The emperor is the ruler of the world."

Emperor Li looked at him and said earnestly: "It is not the emperor who created the world."

“Always treat people as human beings.”

Li Yuan bowed his head deeply and replied yes.

Li Yun looked at him and shook his head slightly: "I don't know if you understand or take it to heart. Anyway, I have told you everything I should say. You have to experience it yourself."

"Even if you commit a sin in the future and your family is destroyed, your father will not be able to see it."

The Li family had a close relationship, and the Crown Prince also had a good relationship with Emperor Li. Upon hearing this, he smiled and said, "Father, you are in good health. You will have to take care of the world for a long time."

"Son, there is still plenty of time to learn from you."

"It won't break."

Li Yun stroked the prince's hair and said with a smile, "Okay, go find your mother and let her handle your palace affairs."

"Be a good servant and do everything in a proper way."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince responded with a "yes", then looked at the documents on Li Yun's desk and said, "Dad, Erlang should have arrived in the north by now, right? How is he doing?"

Li Yun was much happier when he heard this, and said with a smile: "I feel relieved that you can ask this question. Your second brother is now serving as a soldier under Meng Qing."

"He can still endure hardship."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was somewhat moved when he heard this, and asked, "Erlang has actually joined the army?"

"rest assured."

Emperor Li smiled and said, "Nothing will happen to him. You brothers should keep in touch. Please write him a letter when you have time."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince nodded quickly.

"I will write a letter to Erlang right now."

(End of this chapter)