Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 209 Duke Chen, Please Execute Your Beautiful Concubine (Part )

In a blink of an eye, it is already the fourth day of the New Year.

Li Chengqian, dressed in a pale yellow python robe, stood in front of the Chongjiao Hall's gate, looking at the falling snow overhead. He leaned over and asked, "Did Duke Chen tell him about this?"

Li Anyan stepped forward and bowed, saying, "As I said, Duke Chen said he would come over after his shift in the evening, and the Young Duke would also come."

"Have you given a heads-up from Suzakumen?"

"I've already said that the person guarding the Suzaku Gate today is General of the Right Jinwu Guard and Duke of Yanmen, Liang Jianfang." Li Anyan bowed seriously.

"Liang Jianfang, that killer?" Li Chengqian suddenly realized.

"Yes, after hearing His Highness's evaluation, the Duke of Yanmen would probably be so happy that he would drink a few more glasses." Li Anyan smiled and bowed slightly.

Li Chengqian shook his head slightly and said, "Duke Chen is here today. Can he accept my advice? Last year, I gave him a suggestion, but he didn't listen. This year, I'm worried he won't listen either."

Li Anyan bowed solemnly and remained silent.

Li Chengqian smiled to himself, then said with emotion, "I know that my father is watching all of this. Duke Chen joined the Qin Palace very early and accompanied my father on his campaigns. Even my father didn't want to see him fall... My father is well aware of all the affairs of the world, but he is helpless in many things."

Hou Junji's affairs were too offensive and too many people knew about it.

Only Hou Junji himself thought that no one knew about it and was trying to cover up his mistake.

Li Chengqian looked towards the Ministry of Personnel and shook his head slightly. In his previous life, Hou Junji came closer to him without him even having to exert much effort. Now, Li Tai has replaced him, so what will Hou Junji do?

……

At dusk, Li Anyan waited for Hou Junji and Hou Zhiyi, the deputy director of the Ministry of War, at Jiafu Gate.

Hou Zhiyi handed the gifts he brought to the Prince's Household Secretary on the side, and then followed Hou Junji to Guangtian Palace.

In the Guangtian Hall, Li Chengqian was sitting on a couch reading a medical book. Hearing footsteps, Li Chengqian immediately came to his senses and saw that Hou Junji and his son had arrived in front of the hall. He put down the medical book and quickly stood up.

"Your Highness, I am Hou Junji, the Minister of Personnel, and I greet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Your Highness, I, Hou Zhiyi, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of War, greet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Stand up, no need to be so polite." Li Chengqian smiled and raised his hand, saying, "Sit down!"

Hou Junji sat down at the upper left, and Hou Zhiyi sat below him.

Li Anyan sits at the upper right.

Hou Junji saw Li Chengqian sitting down, his eyes fell on the medical book beside him, and asked curiously, "Your Highness, have you been studying medical books recently?"

"I read it when I'm free." Li Chengqian smiled, then said seriously, "But to be honest, medical books are often useful. For example, regarding fertility, if the fertility rate of women worldwide could be increased by 11%, then over the years, the resulting figures would be very significant..."

Li Chengqian turned to look at Li Anyan and said, "Serve the meal."

"Here!" Li Anyan turned around and waved his hand, and immediately a maid brought the meal to the table in front of everyone.

"It's a little simple, please don't be offended, Duke." Li Chengqian nodded with a smile.

"I dare not!" Hou Junji bowed quickly.

Li Chengqian raised his glass, and then Hou Junji and Hou Zhiyi drank together. He then spoke, "Last year, my father and I discussed the Fengshan ceremony. The Tang Dynasty has been established for twenty-five years, and now it is the seventeenth year of the Zhenguan era. However, my father has attempted the Fengshan ceremony several times, but it was always interrupted for various reasons. It felt like Heaven's will was against it."

"Your Highness!" Hou Junji bowed quickly. These words were not allowed to be said.

"That's all right." Li Chengqian looked up and said, "I told the emperor about this matter directly in front of him. He is wise and didn't take it too seriously."

"Yes!" Hou Junji finally felt relieved.

Li Chengqian continued, "I've thought about this over and over again, and I think there must be some reason for this. After careful calculation, I've concluded that the problem lies with the population."

Hou Zhiyi, who was sitting below Hou Junji, blinked and listened very attentively.

Li Chengqian glanced at Hou Zhiyi, his thoughts turning slightly, and then continued, "Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, its population has not yet reached half of that of the Sui Dynasty at its peak. This means that although the Tang Dynasty has a strong military, its national strength is still less than half of that of the Sui Dynasty."

Half, not even a third.

Hou Junji was the Minister of Personnel and had once served as the Vice Prime Minister. The specific figures here could not be concealed from him.

Although the Tang Dynasty destroyed several countries, it was still based on its foundation. As for how much it gained from the war, there is no such thing.

This is also why the country has gradually recuperated in recent years. Even if there are wars, they are ended within one or two months, such as the Xueyantuo.

"One of the main reasons why Father attacked Goguryeo was because there were hundreds of thousands of former Sui Dynasty survivors living there." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said, "Of course, the most important factor is the dozen or so cities in Liaodong."

Hou Junji nodded. Once the attack on Goguryeo was victorious, the Tang Dynasty would immediately gain hundreds of thousands of people. With a little rest and recuperation, this number would immediately double.

This is an extremely cost-effective deal, not to mention that even Goguryeo is definitely the territory of the Han Dynasty.

Tang succeeded Sui, Sui succeeded Jin, Jin succeeded Wei, and Wei succeeded Han.

Emperor Xuan of Han even said: "Wherever the sun and moon shine, wherever the rivers flow, all is Han territory."

It was naturally orthodox for the Tang Dynasty to attack Goguryeo.

"We have a population base, but we still need to manage childbearing. That's why I've commissioned Master Sun to study childbearing. In my opinion, this is the most important thing for the Tang Dynasty." Li Chengqian looked up and said seriously, "If we have children, the people will have food and can afford to support themselves. Then they can study, join the army, become officials, and have a future. This is how the Tang Dynasty will grow stronger."

"Your Highness is wise!" Hou Junji bowed, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he nodded and said, "Your Highness's way of governing the country is thorough, and it is a blessing to the world."

"You are so kind, Duke." Li Chengqian waved his hand and raised his glass, saying, "Please, Duke."

"Your Highness, please!" Hou Junji drank the wine in the glass. This time, he finally connected everything that Li Chengqian had been doing in recent years.

Creating agricultural tools, improving planting methods, and strengthening women's childbirth skills are all for the purpose of increasing the world's population.

Li Chengqian put down his wine glass, then looked at Hou Junji and said, "Duke, there are still many things I need to consult with you on. The imperial examination is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Personnel. As for military service, you have served as the Minister of War for many years, so being an official is even more important. I hope you will give me more guidance." "Your Highness is very polite." Hou Junji looked up, flattered, and said, "Then I will try to explain a few things."

Hou Junji was very familiar with the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War. After a little hesitation, he began to speak.

During the conversation, Hou Junji was also thinking about why the prince wanted to call him here today.

But Hou Junji thought that it might be related to the simultaneous vacancies of the Shangshu and Zuo Pushe positions a few days ago.

Now there are two vacancies for prime ministers in the Council of State. In the entire court, no matter his merits or qualifications, Hou Junji is the first and no one dares to say he is second.

This is not just Liu Li who took advantage of the situation back then. It is true that no one in the entire court can surpass him in terms of merit and qualifications.

He came to the East Palace today to find out from the Crown Prince what His Majesty meant.

The prince openly invited him, the Minister of Personnel, to dinner. Hou Junji was no fool and he saw at a glance that the emperor must be behind this.

Although there was no news from any source that His Majesty had issued an edict to the Crown Prince, Hou Junji saw it very clearly.

……

Before we knew it, the banquet was almost over.

Li Chengqian raised his wine glass in a daze, then looked at Hou Junji and said, "Duke, the most important matter in the court right now is my father's eastern expedition. Food, fodder, troops, and the mobilization of officials are all crucial.

The Duke has been in office for many years. If he could recommend and discover more talented people at this time, like Zhang Liang, Xiao He, Li Si, Mao Sui, and Zhao She, it would definitely be a great thing for my father."

Hou Junji had also drunk a bit too much and raised his glass, saying, "The others are fine. Zhao She is fine, but his son Zhao Kuo is not incompetent. But on the battlefield, heroes are judged by victory or defeat, life or death. Zhao Kuo left a shame for eternity, a deed that will be hard to erase."

"The Duke is right. I've had too much to drink." Li Chengqian downed the last of his glass of wine and said drowsily, "Let's stop here for today. Someone, take the Duke and the Young Master back home."

"Yes!" Outside the hall, several attendants had already walked in.

Hou Junji stood up shakily, then bowed to Li Chengqian and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness. I will come back to invite Your Highness someday."

Hou Junji glanced at Hou Zhiyi, who was almost lying on the table, and couldn't help but kick him lightly. Then he bowed to Li Chengqian and said, "I'll take my leave."

"Goodbye, Duke!" Li Chengqian looked at Li Anyan. Li Anyan looked okay. He asked someone to support Hou Junji and Hou Zhiyi, and sent them out of the East Palace, and then out of the Suzaku Gate before returning to the East Palace.

Sitting in the carriage, Hou Junji patted his cheek lightly, shook his head, and finally woke up.

When I opened the carriage window, a cold wind blew in my face.

In an instant, everything Li Chengqian said in the East Palace today reappeared in Hou Junji's mind.

What exactly is the prince saying?

Hou Junji kicked Hou Zhiyi and asked, "What do you think of the prince?"

Hou Zhiyi looked up in confusion, then shook his head to clear his mind. Then he bowed and said, "Father, the Crown Prince is wise."

Hou Junji glanced at Hou Zhiyi unhappily, then thought carefully about what the prince said today. At the beginning, he was talking about the Fengshan ceremony, in the middle he mentioned the preparations for the eastern expedition to Goguryeo, and at the end he talked about the administration of the Ministry of Personnel, and finally he mentioned Zhang Liang, Xiao He, Li Si, Mao Sui, and Zhao She.

"Huh!" Hou Junji frowned.

Although Mao Sui and Zhao She were also famous, they were far inferior to Zhang Liang, Xiao He and Li Si.

The two parties are not people of the same level, so why did the prince put them together?

Hou Junji looked at Hou Zhiyi and asked, "Dalang, is there anything special about Mao Sui and Zhao She?"

Although Hou Junji was the Minister of Personnel, he was uneducated when he was young and became a military general when he grew up. Although he later became the Minister of War, the Ministry of War mostly dealt with military generals.

It was not until he was later transferred to the position of Minister of Personnel that he began to learn more.

However, even so, he only knew about Mao Sui's self-recommendation, and about Zhao She, he only knew that Zhao She had a son named Zhao Kuo.

"Mao Sui and Zhao She were both recommended by Pingyuan Jun." Hou Zhiyi knew much more because he had been studying at the Imperial Academy and the Imperial College since he was a child.

"Pingyuan Jun." Hou Junji nodded, then asked, "What are the characteristics of Pingyuan Jun?"

"Pingyuan Jun, the last of the Four Princes of the Warring States Period. He didn't have much ability. His three best achievements were discovering Mao Sui during his diplomatic mission to Chu, recommending Zhao She, and then beheading his concubine when she insulted a guest." Hou Zhiyi shook his head and said, "He's nothing. The State of Zhao..."

Hou Junji didn't listen to Hou Zhiyi's words anymore. He only remembered two words: beautiful concubine.

Inexplicably, a bone-chilling chill had overwhelmed him.

no no.

Hou Junji shook his head vigorously.

No, no, all of this was just his random guesses. The prince just mentioned these casually and had no intention of saying them at all.

He hid that matter very deeply, and ordinary people had no idea about it.

It was his own son... Hou Junji glanced at Hou Zhiyi, who had already closed his eyes in a daze.

He knew about this matter. If the prince had really mentioned this matter today, he would not have been so unaware of it.

Yes, the prince was not talking about this matter, but something else.

Prime Minister, Goguryeo, food and fodder, and administration.

Could it be that the Crown Prince meant that he should actively assist in preparing food supplies and recommending talented individuals before the Emperor's Eastern Expedition?

Hou Junji leaned against the wall of the car. Deep in his heart, one thought after another completely buried the thing he dared not think of.

Outside the car window, light snow has covered the ground.

(End of this chapter)