The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 388 Amnesty for the World
In the quiet Taiji Hall, Changsun Wuji looked at the volume of national policy and remained silent for a long time.

When a new emperor ascends the throne, he has to formulate new national policies. This is the biggest thing in the court. Most of the time, this is actually something that the emperor and the regent ministers have to do.

It is rare for other ministers to take the initiative to offer national policies.

Besides, no matter what, it was not Xu Jingzong and Chu Suiliang's turn.

In fact, Xu Jingzong's national policies were all about improving people's livelihood, and he completely denied Chu Suiliang's national policies. The arguments he used were all policies for improving people's livelihood since the Han Dynasty. During the period, Qinghai Salt Lake was mentioned, but only in a few sentences.

Looking at the words on this volume of national policy, Changsun Wuji glanced at Xu Jingzong suspiciously.

Xu Jingzong had stepped out of the court ranks and was standing between the civil and military officials, bowing to His Majesty.

The atmosphere in the court suddenly became turbulent and everyone was silent.

Because of this national policy, Duke Zhao seemed to have been pushed to the forefront.

Before Duke Zhao could speak, Li Chengqian said, "We can discuss national policy later. Let's talk about our preparations for this year first."

Changsun Wuji handed the volume of national policy to the eunuch beside him.

Xu Jingzong also returned to the court.

The morning court continued according to the original process.

The court officials could clearly feel that the new emperor was helping Duke Zhao. After all, he was the most powerful relative on the scene and the uncle of the young emperor.

But now, the Empress Dowager Zhangsun is still alive, and the power of the Zhenguan period has been handed over to the new emperor. After everything has been smoothly handed over, the power of the Duke of Zhao should be even more prosperous.

Zhang Xuansu, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel, stood out from the court and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, since ancient times, when a new emperor ascended the throne, he has always intended to grant amnesty to the whole country. Some nobles from various places have asked, will Your Majesty grant amnesty to the whole country now that you are in power?"

Liu Dewei, the Minister of Justice, stood up from the court and asked, "May I ask if the nobles from all over the country are pleading for the Hebei nobles who were arrested that year?"

There have always been people who speak up for the thieves, and this is not just true in Bozhou.

During the Eastern Expedition, too many people were captured in Hebei, and more than 5,000 people were exiled to the Western Regions. These people are still planting trees in the Gobi Desert.

Zhongshu Ling Cen Wenben stood out from the court and asked, "Who do you want to pardon?"

There was another argument in the hall about whether to grant amnesty to the entire country and who to pardon.

Liu Dewei was opposed to pardoning those members of the aristocratic families. He even thought at one point that they should be killed to put an end to the thoughts of people in all parts of the Central Plains who wanted to cry out for justice for the thieves.

This also happens to prove that if some things are not settled clearly, there will be endless troubles.

What's more, all the people arrested in Hebei that year were implicated by the Jingzhao Wei family and the Boling Cui family. This matter was too serious.

Li Chengqian asked, "Minister Zhang?"

Zhang Xuansu turned around and saluted, saying, "I am here."

The discussions in the hall stopped and everyone saluted once again.

His Majesty spoke very gently with a smile on his face.

"Of course I want to grant amnesty to the whole nation. The Ministry of Justice and the Censorate should collect all the information, such as who wants me to grant amnesty to the whole nation, how to grant amnesty to the whole nation, and who wants to pardon whom. The court can discuss them one by one. It's not that I can't bear to hear these words."

Zhang Xuansu bowed and said in a clear voice: "Your Majesty is wise."

Zhang Sun Wuji stepped forward and said, "I am willing to preside over this matter."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Then my uncle will preside over it, and the Imperial Censor Ma Zhou will lead the Imperial Censorate and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice Di Zhixun will assist."

Ma Zhou stood out from the court and said in a clear voice, "I obey your orders."

Li Chengqian naturally did not doubt Zhang Xuansu's loyalty. Besides, he was also a veteran minister in the court. He also made a lot of efforts in arresting the Hebei noble family.

There are many ways to stop people from talking. The emperor can mobilize huge manpower and material resources with just a few words, so it is very easy to solve such problems.

The emperor was able to accept advice, but as for what happened after the advice, that is another matter.

Xu Jingzong once again stood out from the court and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, all the envoys from various countries have arrived. Do you want to summon them?"

"Tell the envoys of various countries that I will meet with them after they submit their affairs to me."

"Here."

This morning court session ended smoothly.

After Li Chengqian left the Taiji Hall, he summoned Duke Zhao and Yu Zhining, and the rest of the people dispersed in twos and threes.

Chu Suiliang and Liu Li walked together and they talked in low voices, "I always feel that Xu Jingzong is not right recently."

Liu Li is still serving as the Minister of the Secretariat. He is also one of the officials of the Secretariat who has not been promoted by His Majesty since the new emperor ascended the throne.

Liu Li whispered, "In fact, Xu Jingzong is a man who is not afraid of anyone. He is not afraid of the Duke of Zhao."

Xu Jingzong, who had the achievements of Jingzhao Prefecture in his hands, naturally was not afraid of anyone.

Chu Suiliang vaguely felt that Xu Jingzong would be the biggest rival of Duke Zhao in the future.

One is the most important relative of the dynasty, and the other is the earliest minister to follow Your Majesty.

Liu Li continued talking to Chu Suiliang, and most of his words were about his evaluation of Xu Jingzong. A person who had finally been appointed as one of the six ministers of the ministry would be the most daring to climb up.

On the palace wall of the East Pavilion Gate of the Imperial Palace, which is very close to the East Palace, a table has been placed here and the food has been prepared.

Li Chengqian sat at the table and asked Yu Zhining and his uncle to sit down.

The two men stood there bowing, and only heard His Majesty say one sentence, "Sit down and have dinner."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

They both saluted.

Li Chengqian ate his meal quietly. The Lantern Festival had just passed and the weather had become much warmer. He could still feel the warmth while eating in the sun.

The meal was eaten in silence, with both of them lowering their heads as they ate the dishes in front of them.

After the meal, wait for the eunuchs to bring all the bowls and chopsticks and wipe the table clean.

Li Chengqian felt much more comfortable looking at the tidy table, and then he took out a book and placed it on the table, "This is a book compiled by Mr. Gu Nalu back then, uncle, please take a look."

Changsun Wuji took the scroll, opened it and read its contents.

Li Chengqian said: "I plan to expand the papermaking workshop in Jingyang and open a larger printing workshop."

Chang Sun Wuji closed the scroll and said, "Your Majesty can ask for paper from the paper workshops in various counties."

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "In this way, the printing of books in the court will be restricted by others and cannot have any contact with the workshops in the counties and towns outside."

Yu Zhining asked, "How many men does Your Majesty need?"

Li Chengqian thought for a moment and said, "About two thousand people."

Yu Zhining pondered for a moment and said, "I am willing to share your worries."

Chang Sun Wuji hesitated and asked, "Where did Jingyang get so many people?"

Today, Yu Zhining is in charge of the Menxia Province and is the deputy of the Shizhong. He is the Counselor who presides over the deliberations of the Menxia Province. Although he has no rank, he wears crimson official uniform and his official position is the fourth rank in the court.

Although he does not work in the Secretariat, he is the second-in-command of Your Majesty in charge of the court's expenses.

"Duke Zhao, there are indeed not so many strong laborers in Jingyang now, but there are still many women in Jingyang."

Changsun Wuji said: "That's good."

Li Chengqian continued, "Print out Mr. Gu Nalu's book, and add more books in the future. I can prepare a huge amount of money for it."

Changsun Wuji understood and said, "Yes."

Now the treasury is abundant, and Your Majesty spends money not for your own pleasure or to build palaces, but on the country.

When Changsun Wuji and Yu Zhining walked down the East Pavilion Gate, they still felt a little disappointed. In the early years of Zhenguan, the court's expenses had always been tight, but now that the treasury was full, there was no need to worry about these things.

The wars of the Zhenguan period, the wealth and livestock seized, have provided the country with a solid foundation. After leaving Chengtian Gate, Changsun Wuji returned to the familiar Zhongshu Province to take up his post. Next to his own seat, this was the seat where His Majesty originally sat when he was the crown prince, and at that time he was still studying politics and observing government.

But now this place is empty.

Looking at the position where Prime Minister Fang was supposed to sit in the past, the person sitting in this position now is the Minister of the Central Secretariat Cen Wenben, and the person sitting in the position of Duke Zheng in the past was... Ma Zhou.

Rolls of documents were placed in front of him. Changsun Wuji sat in the center of the Secretariat, and after sorting out his thoughts, he began to handle government affairs.

Until dusk, a group of officials headed by Ma Zhou were still busy with the matter of "general amnesty".

Changsun Wuji walked out of the Secretariat and came to his uncle's mansion.

After the prince ascended the throne, his uncle returned to live.

Gao Shilian was humming a Sichuan ballad while tending to a withered potted plant.

There were several eunuchs standing in the courtyard, and it seemed that they were arranged by His Majesty to take care of my uncle's daily life.

Changsun Wuji stepped forward and said, "Uncle."

Gao Shilian asked, "What are you doing here?"

Zhang Sun Wuji said in a clear voice: "Come to visit uncle."

Gao Shilian smiled and said, "Is the new emperor presiding over state affairs well?"

"very good."

"Well, His Majesty is indeed capable of presiding over state affairs. As a regent, you are deeply trusted by His Majesty, but you must not covet power. His Majesty needs people who can do things down to earth, not people who can control the government."

Changsun Wuji hadn't heard his uncle teach him this way for a long time. He felt a little sad. He nodded and said, "Uncle's teachings, I will remember them."

Gao Shilian nodded and said, "Your Majesty will let you retire peacefully in the future. You can rest assured that Cheng Qian is a good boy and he will not forget your achievements and hard work."

"Oh... help me move those potted plants over here."

Changsun Wuji got up to move it.

"And sweep the floor, too."

Changsun Wuji did not let the eunuchs do any work, but instead cleaned the courtyard according to his uncle's instructions.

Gao Shilian watched the sunset slowly sink into the sky and whispered, "Auxiliary engine."

"exist."

"You feel relieved now, right?"

"Ah."

Gao Shilian sat down with his cane and said, "Some things will always worry you when you don't do them. Only when you make a decision to let them go will you feel at ease."

Changsun Wuji smiled rarely.

The next day, the Censorate issued a notice that His Majesty accepted the advice of the people and granted amnesty to the whole country, and ordered the families of the prisoners to come to Chang'an to inform the emperor if they needed to be pardoned.

As soon as this notice was posted, it caused a stir in Chang'an.

The first people to be pardoned were the princes of the royal family.

Today, Li Chongyi led a group of people into the imperial city and met His Majesty at the Drum Tower beside the Longshou Canal in the imperial palace.

Li Chengqian stood by the canal, looking at the clear canal.

The person Li Chongyi brought was none other than Li You, the King of Qi, who was arranged to go to Songzhou that year.

Prince Li You of Qi was also on the list of amnesty this time, as were many other clan titles, including Prince Teng who was still in the Western Regions.

Li You had a slight beard and wore neat clothes.

This piece of clothing was newly made, and he wore it like this when he was meeting His Majesty. When he was outside, he still wore coarse cloth clothes.

The Majesty before me is not my father...

Li You knelt on the ground and said loudly: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Li Chengqian took the file from Li Chongyi, turned around and looked at his brother again, and said, "Many people from the royal family have pleaded with me to pardon you."

Li You swallowed hard,

"Do you need me to forgive you?"

Li You was still kneeling on the ground, looking at the ground in front of him, breathing heavily, and then he bowed down again and said, "Your Majesty, please demote me to a commoner and do not pardon me."

Li Chengqian raised his head and asked, "Why?"

"Your Highness...Your Highness wants to stay in Songzhou."

Li Chengqian said: "I will not kill you for the sake of my father."

Li You trembled and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty..."

Li Chongyi saw him kneeling down to express his gratitude again and again. Perhaps he felt that if the emperor really pardoned him, he might really kill him at that time.

The emperor wanted to grant amnesty to the entire nation, but Prince of Qi Li You was not pardoned. Instead, he was demoted to a commoner and exiled to Songzhou.

However, Prince of Qi Li You still did not have any special privileges in Songzhou and was just an ordinary soldier. Li Chongyi erased his name from the files of the royal family.

From then on, Prince of Qi Li You was removed from the royal family of Li Tang.

When the words of pardoning the world were uttered, naturally there was a stir from all sides.

For example, Li Yuanchang wanted to send a beautiful woman to the new emperor and ask him to spare Prince Teng.

Not only did Li Chengqian not agree to Li Yuanchang's request, but he sent him back to his fiefdom, confiscated his fiefdom's food and property, and imprisoned him for reflection.

The Empress Dowager and the Emperor were very angry when they heard the news. Rumor has it... the Emperor beat Li Yuanchang so badly that he could not get out of bed for several days.

From then on, no one in the royal family asked for pardon from His Majesty.

In Chang'an City, a platform was set up in front of the Suzaku Gate, and family members of anyone who needed pardon could come and report it.

Di Zhixun sat on the stage, looking at the files of the Ministry of Justice in his hands.

Cui Shen walked up to the stage, bowed, handed over a piece of paper, and said, "Cui Shen, please."

Di Zhixun took the paper and asked, "Cui Shen, you were the magistrate of Husu County. You resigned in the 19th year of Zhenguan."

Cui Shen said: "That's right. I ask Your Majesty to pardon Cui Zhiwen of the Cui family in Boling, Hebei. He is now planting trees in Hebei."

Di Zhixun said in a loud voice: "In the 18th year of Zhenguan, Cui Zhiwen went on an expedition to the east and annexed 500 mu of land. He also embezzled more than 3,000 shi of taxes over the years."

Cui Shen blushed. Di Zhixun's voice was so loud that many people in front of the Suzaku Gate heard it.

Someone shouted, "No pardon!"

"No pardon!"

"No forgiveness."

……

The shouts were getting louder and louder. Di Zhixun asked back, "Do you still want to ask for your life?"

Seeing the crowd in anger, Cui Shen blushed and quickly walked down the platform and took back his letter of request.

Shangguan Yi passed by the Suzaku Gate, which was surrounded by angry villagers. He looked to the other side of the street and saw Xu Jingzong.

Xu Jingzong was negotiating with several Tibetan envoys.

(End of this chapter)