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

Chapter 364: Chu Suiliang's mourning period, Ma Zhou's chance to become the prime minister (Part )
On March 17th, the emperor traveled north to Mount Zhongnan.

The prince oversees the country.

Inside the imperial carriage, Wu Meiniang knelt on her knees behind the emperor and gently patted his shoulders.

Her gaze passed over the emperor's shoulder and fell on Crown Prince Li Chengqian and Prince of Jin Li Zhi who were sitting on his left.

The Crown Prince was calm, but Prince Jin felt a little uneasy.

He lowered his head as much as possible, but Wu Meiniang always had a feeling that he would raise his head and look at her at any time.

snort!
Wu Meiniang snorted coldly in her heart.

coward.

This was the first time she and Li Zhi met after the incident in Wanchun Palace that day.

Before I knew it, half a month had passed.

The emperor once again gave up state affairs and went to Cuiwei Palace to recuperate, and the prince once again took over as regent.

Although the emperor was only a few dozen miles away from Chang'an City and news could reach him in an instant, Wu Meiniang knew in her heart that the emperor could not handle many memorials.

It is extremely difficult to process three memorials in one day.

In this way, the memorials that could reach the emperor had already been carefully selected by the crown prince and the ministers in Chang'an.

Wu Meiniang lowered her head slightly. She knew in her heart that if the prince tampered with this, the emperor would easily be sidelined.

The emperor was not unaware of the danger.

He tried it once last winter, but the prince was very respectful and cooperated in handing back the power.

So, after half a year in power, the emperor went to Mount Zhongnan again.

tacit agreement.

The emperor and the crown prince had already reached a tacit understanding that each would rule for half a year.

The emperor did not have enough energy.

The prince does not have enough prestige.

This is the fundamental reason why the father and son compromised with each other.

This situation is actually very dangerous. Once the prince has enough prestige, he will take a further step, either actively or passively.

Just like the Xuanwu Gate back then.

But Wu Meiniang had a feeling that things would not develop to that point.

Because the emperor's body could not support that time.

Wu Meiniang's eyes fell on the emperor.

……

"Zhi Nu!" Li Shimin didn't notice Wu Meiniang's gaze. He turned to look at Li Zhi and frowned, "Zhi Nu, what's wrong with you? You look listless and listless."

Li Zhi raised his head and looked at the emperor, his eyes not even on Wu Meiniang.

He touched the tip of his nose somewhat embarrassedly, then lowered his head and said, "Father, I am leaving the capital today, so there have been a lot of things going on at home these days."

Li Shimin was slightly stunned, then reacted, smiled and waved his hand and said: "Okay, okay, that's your family matter, I won't ask."

Wu Meiniang hid behind the emperor, raised her eyes slightly, and looked a little surprised.

What Li Zhi was talking about was naturally the sexual intercourse between him and the Princess of Jin.

Li Zhi had been married for many years, but he still had no children.

The emperor was not too anxious about this, but Li Zhi and many people around him were worried about him.

The prince already has five sons and one daughter in the Eastern Palace, and his wife, Zhang, is pregnant with another.

Who knows when another one will pop up.

Therefore, Li Zhi had to give birth to a child as soon as possible.

But he was about to take up his post in Jingzhou.

That's why I feel a little tired these days.

But is this true?
"Prince!" Li Shimin turned and looked at Li Chengqian.

"Father!" Li Chengqian bowed slightly.

Li Shimin withdrew his gaze and looked inside the imperial carriage. Li Chengqian, Li Zhi and Li Xiang were sitting on the left.

Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Yang Shidao, Chu Suiliang, Li Ji, and Yu Zhining sat on the right.

"This year, all affairs in the world should be focused on agriculture, with spring planting and autumn harvest. We should send more people to visit the local areas, and nothing can be delayed." The emperor looked at his ministers calmly.

Li Chengqian, Zhangsun Wuji and the others all bowed and said, "Yes!"

Wu Meiniang sat behind the emperor and lowered her head slightly. She knew that although this was just a simple sentence, the things involved were never that simple.

It is almost instinctive for landlords all over the world, whether they are wealthy families or poor common people, to conceal land taxes.

The difference is that poor people do not have the ability to hide land taxes, while wealthy families have plenty of ways and means to do so.

No matter whether they are local officials or inspectors sent by the central government, they are all capable of being dragged into the water.

With less tax revenue from local areas, the imperial court not only saw a decrease in revenue, but also needed to provide relief.

If this continues, the imperial court will become weaker.

The imperial court is the tool used by the emperor to rule the world.

Once this tool is weakened, the emperor's power to rule the world will be weakened.

Therefore, how to ensure that the tool for controlling the world is not weakened, while at the same time effectively striking down any attempt to weaken this tool, ensuring the stability of the world while ensuring the steady growth of the tax population.

This is the real core matter, the real foundation of the world.

Only by controlling these can you control the world.

Only then can you become the heir that the emperor expects to see.

Wu Meiniang looked at Li Zhi cautiously.

Compared to the Crown Prince who is taking steady steps, controlling the world's taxes, and even influencing the salaries of officials, the Prince of Jin is still far behind.

……

"Duke Yingguo." The emperor turned to look at Li Ji and said seriously, "You should go to Hebei this year to check on the spring planting and autumn harvest. After the Tang Dynasty completes its 30th anniversary next year, it will be time to prepare for another war against Goguryeo."

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed.

"By the way, go to Liaodong. Su Xu should have governed Liaodong well. You can go to Yalu River and take a look at the army." After a brief pause, Li Shimin continued, "Since Gai Suwen has some plans in mind, don't let him down. You command the army according to the previous strategy, destroy the fields, burn the mountains and forests, and don't attack the city unless necessary." "Yes!" Li Ji bowed seriously. Even if it is not necessary, it is okay if it is necessary.

"We need to send out the navy as well." Li Shimin sneered softly and said, "In the past two years, the navies of Goguryeo and Baekje should have been reorganized. Find them and destroy them."

"Yes!" Li Ji bowed solemnly.

"My attitude has always been the same." Li Shimin's expression calmed down. He looked at Li Ji and said, "Next year, when we take action, I will march all the way to Pingrang City, break into Pingrang City, and pacify Goguryeo as quickly as possible."

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed.

"Finally, it will be next year." Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian and said, "Prince, tomorrow, in May, we will offer sacrifices to heaven and earth and the ancestral temple. If possible, send someone back to Taozhou to offer sacrifices to the ancestral land."

Taozhou is the ancestral home of the Longxi Li family.

The family tombs of Li Zhongxiang, the Grand Commandant and General of the Western Expedition of the Western Han Dynasty, the cenotaph of Li Hong, the King Wu Zhao of Western Liang, and many others are buried there.

"You and the Secretariat, the Ministry of Rites, the Imperial Clan, the Imperial Household, and the Imperial Household must prepare all the necessary formalities." Li Shimin raised his head and said softly, "I must at least inform my father that the Tang Dynasty has been established for thirty years."

"Your son obeys your order." Li Chengqian bowed seriously.

At this time, Wu Meiniang also bowed her head deeply.

In May of the next year, the emperor will offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, ancestral temples and the country.

At that time, would it be the emperor who would ascend the altar to offer sacrifices?

In other words, will the emperor who will be worshipped on the altar be Li Shimin?
……

A burst of rapid horse hoof sounds suddenly came from outside the carriage, and then an urgent memorial from four hundred miles away was delivered to the emperor.

Li Shimin casually opened the memorial, took a look at it, and his face instantly became solemn.

Turning around, Li Shimin looked at Chu Suiliang.

Chu Suiliang was still feeling a little puzzled, but suddenly, his heart skipped a beat. Then, the emperor, feeling somewhat embarrassed, asked awkwardly, "Your Majesty!"

The emperor handed over the memorial and said, "My condolences!"

Chu Suiliang took the memorial with some trembling, opened it and took a look. He couldn't help but cry out in pain: "Aye!"

"Come, help Prime Minister Chu down to rest." Li Shimin glanced at Zhang Ananda beside him, then looked at Chu Suiliang and said, "My dear minister, please accept my condolences and take care of yourself. You still have to return to Hangzhou. The journey will be arduous. Don't break down."

"Yes, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." Chu Suiliang bowed slightly, then walked out of the imperial carriage with some difficulty with the help of the eunuchs.

Li Shimin withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhangsun Wuji, saying, "Marquis Yang Di joined the Qin Palace thirty years ago and served me for twenty-four years. After he retired, Chu Qing followed me, working hard and diligently. Now that Marquis Yang Di has passed away, I am unable to go to Yangzhou to pay my respects, but the Ministry of Rites must prepare his posthumous title and honor."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed seriously. Chu Suiliang's father, Chu Liang, Marquis of Yangdi, was one of the eighteen scholars in the Qin Palace.

Li Shimin turned to look at Li Chengqian and said, "Prince, is the Duke of Jiang still in Hangzhou?"

"Here!" Li Chengqian bowed and received the reply: "Father-in-law is now the governor of Hangzhou."

"You write a letter and ask him to go to the memorial service on your behalf and mine, and then wait for the imperial envoy from the court to arrive and announce the decree together." Li Shimin sighed, but felt a little relieved.

Although he himself could not go to pay homage to Chu Liang in person, his status was not much different because the Crown Princess's father was there.

Li Zhi sat aside, lowered his head slightly, and a trace of solemnity flashed in his eyes.

The Crown Princess's father is in Hangzhou.

Li Zhi had some things to discuss with Chu Suiliang in person.

Wu Meiniang was, after all, just a concubine in the palace. She could still play a certain role when she was by the emperor's side, but once she left the emperor's side, no one would know who she was.

However, Chu Suiliang is now the Secretary of the Central Secretariat and the Vice-Chancellor, which means he is the Prime Minister.

And this time after returning from mourning, Chu Suiliang may take a further step.

That is the position of Zhongshu Ling currently held by Zhangsun Wuji.

The Zhongshu Ling was completely different.

He is the real boss in the court.

His role is even greater.

Of course, if Chu Suiliang really became the Minister of the Secretariat, it would be even more difficult for Li Zhi to convince him.

Therefore, Chu Suiliang's return to Hangzhou to attend the funeral was Li Zhi's best opportunity.

But Su Tan happened to be watching from the side.

If Su Tan really found out that Li Zhi went to Hangzhou, the prince would immediately recall him to Chang'an and make him reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors.

He is not allowed to see any foreign officials or hear any external news.

He was not even allowed to attend court meetings.

By then, even if he had a great plan, he would have no way out without helpers to carry it out.

Therefore, I must be extremely careful when going to Hangzhou this time.

……

"Your Majesty!" Zhangsun Wuji suddenly spoke up, looking at the emperor and saying, "Your Majesty, with Prime Minister Chu's departure from Chang'an, the Secretariat is suddenly short of a key candidate. So I wonder if I can seize the opportunity to allow Prime Minister Chu to return to the court earlier."

Inside the carriage, everything suddenly became quiet.

The emperor nodded, looked at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "When do you think it would be best to seize the love?"

"This autumn." Changsun Wuji thought for a moment and looked up at the emperor.

"Jinqiu?" The emperor pondered for a moment, then turned to look at Li Chengqian and asked, "What do you think, Crown Prince?"

For a moment, everyone in the imperial carriage looked at Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian thought for a moment, then shook his head seriously and said, "I don't think it's appropriate."

"Oh!" The emperor looked at Li Chengqian and asked directly, "Why do you think it's inappropriate?"

Li Chengqian bowed slightly, his face solemn as he spoke, "If you calculate it, from the time Prime Minister Chu begins his mourning period today until he returns to Chang'an in the autumn, it's only been half a year at most... According to ancient customs, mourning should last three years. Now that the Tang Dynasty is newly stabilized, we need the service of our ministers, so we've reduced that to one year. However..."

The ministers' breathing became heavy.

"The Tang Dynasty ruled the world with filial piety. Reducing three years to one year is a temporary measure. Reducing one year to half a year is a bit unfilial, father." Li Chengqian bowed and then shook his head vigorously.

"Your Highness, the shortened mourning period is also for the sake of state affairs." Zhangsun Wuji looked at Li Chengqian and said, "The Secretariat is very busy. If Prime Minister Chu is not here, and I cannot handle it all by myself, I'm afraid I will have to ask Ma Zhou to take on the role of Vice Minister."

Ma Zhou, the Secretary of the Central Secretariat Ma Zhou.

Once Chu Suiliang left the court for mourning and did not return for a long time, the vacant position of prime minister in the Secretariat would need to be filled.

Among all the people in the court, Ma Zhou was the most suitable person.

Ma Zhou, the former Junior Secretary of the Crown Prince and current Right Assistant to the Crown Prince and Minister of the Secretariat.

(End of this chapter)