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

Chapter 45 How could his actions that benefited the country and the people be considered nonsense?
"Father, since you want to implement policies that benefit the people, why not simply stop the Sinong Temple from selling firewood to the outside world? Now that the market price has risen, it will be more beneficial to the people."

Li Tai was standing beside Li Chengqian. He could clearly see the suppressed excitement in Li Tai's expression as he bowed his hands and lowered his head.

Li Tai's words made everyone in the Taiji Palace fall silent, and they all looked up at Li Tai in disbelief and surprise.

On the Danbi, Li Shimin looked at Li Tai quietly, his eyes had become completely gloomy.

The entire Tai Chi Hall suddenly fell into an eerie silence.

In this silence, Li Chengqian suddenly turned around and shouted coldly at Li Tai: "Qingque, stop talking nonsense."

Li Tai was stunned and looked up at Li Chengqian with confused eyes.

How could his actions that benefited the country and the people be turned into nonsense?

Li Chengqian turned around again and bowed slightly to Li Shimin above him: "Father, I have something to say."

"Go ahead." Li Shimin suddenly laughed and looked at his two sons sideways with a seemingly casual expression.

The ministers couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief at this time, but their eyes were still solemn when they looked at Li Tai. When they looked up at Li Chengqian, a hint of expectation appeared in their eyes.

Li Chengqian turned around and looked at Li Tai, who was already dissatisfied and even had a hint of resentment in his eyes, and said, "Qingque, do you know exactly how many civilians there are in Chang'an City? Do you know how much firewood they need day and night?"

Li Tai wanted to speak, but he didn't know what to say.

Li Chengqian took a step forward and raised his voice, "I am here to tell you that even if all the common people cut down trees for the needs of Chang'an City in one day and one night, it may not be enough.

Especially those wealthy and powerful families, those wealthy and powerful families who don't care about the difference of a penny or two. They not only use large quantities of firewood, but also require the firewood to be of uniform length and width, and delivered on time. How can ordinary people do this?

Li Tai wanted to say something, but for some reason, under Li Chengqian's cold gaze, he couldn't utter a word.

Li Chengqian raised his head, his gaze solemnly directed at all the civil and military officials in the hall, and said seriously, "Once the Sino-Agricultural Ministry stops selling firewood, it's inevitable that those powerful families will intervene in the firewood issue themselves... Eventually, someone might even take over the Sino-Agricultural Ministry's role and enclose the mountains to cut down trees. At that point, the market price will be driven up and down, causing even greater harm to the people."

Li Tai was so confused that he opened and closed his mouth. He had never thought that there were so many mysteries in this.

Among the civil and military officials in the hall, Yan Liben frowned tightly. He was about to speak when Li Chengqian spoke again.

"What's more, if some families deliberately lower the selling price to please the people and win their hearts, then it will not be a matter of the people, but a threat to the country. Qingque, do you understand?" Li Chengqian clenched his fists tightly and looked at Li Tai with a look of disappointment.

This deafening sound made several people in the hall who were about to speak for Li Tai, including Yan Liben, subconsciously retract their steps.

They wanted to defend Li Tai by explaining how the people were doing good to the Sinong Temple.

However, Li Chengqian said something very right.

What the people did to the Sino-Agricultural Ministry was a rebellion and a conspiracy to rebel.

In this case, who would dare to take it?

……

On the dragon bed, Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian in surprise.

He didn't expect that Li Chengqian could say such words. It seemed that he had really reflected a lot during this period of time.

Li Shimin nodded slightly, then fixed his gaze on Li Tai and said in a cold and hard voice, "Qingque, do you understand what your brother has said?"

"Your son...your son understands." Li Tai bowed stiffly.

"Hmm!" Li Shimin's tone softened before he continued, "In all matters of state, we must be more cautious at all times. We must not act rashly based on our own whims. We must think more, observe more, learn more, and remember to look up and see where we are going."

Li Tai bowed with an embarrassed look on his face and said, "Your son will follow the teachings of my father and my brother."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly with a calm expression.

Li Shimin sat on the dragon couch and sighed softly: "Governing a great country is like cooking a small fish. Cheng Qian, it seems you have remembered it."

"Most of it is from my father's teachings." Li Chengqian bowed heavily and breathed a sigh of relief.

After today's thrilling confrontation, he finally won back the hearts of the people in the court.

Once again firmly established his position as crown prince.

Even his father, the Emperor, wouldn't do anything rash at this moment. Li Chengqian heaved a sigh of relief.

Li Shimin raised his head, looked at Zhao Yuankai, and said, "Just do as the Crown Prince said. Don't be rigid. Pay attention to the increase and decrease. Make sure the people of Chang'an get through this winter safely."

"I obey your order." Zhao Yuankai bowed solemnly.

"Chief Clerk of Yongzhou!" Li Shimin's eyes swept among the densely packed ministers.

Yin Jun, the chief officer of Yongzhou, dressed in a purple official robe and with a stern expression, stood out solemnly, then bowed solemnly and said, "Your Majesty!"

"Although this winter is warm, it will only last for this month. By next month, it will be cold at the end of the year. Please note that the people may not react in time and may even suffer from freezing... Yongzhou Prefecture needs to provide relief in time." The emperor looked at Yin Jun seriously.

Lord Yin immediately bowed and said, "I obey your command."

"King of Wei!" The emperor turned his head and looked at his good-for-nothing fourth son. He sighed in his heart and his eyes softened again.

Li Tai immediately bowed and said, "Your son is here."

"You are the governor of Yongzhou. At the end of every year, a large number of people will flow to Chang'an. Remember to send people to set up tents outside Chunming Gate and Jinguang Gate to provide them with food and support. Don't let people die of cold and starvation inside and outside Chang'an at the end of the year... If anything goes wrong, I will hold you responsible!" Li Shimin stared at Li Tai seriously.

Li Tai immediately bowed in fear and said, "Your son obeys your order."

Li Chengqian looked solemn and didn't say a word.

The Eastern Palace is now compiling the "Kaogong Zhi". Although the Shaofu and Jiangzuojian have some objections, he still used a lot of the Eastern Palace's private property to subsidize it.

At this time, the Eastern Palace did not have the ability to deliberately win the hearts of the people.

Since the emperor wants to give it to King Wei, then let them do it.

However, Li Chengqian could also see that Li Tai didn't seem to be that concerned about this matter.

Who knows how this will turn out in the future!
The sneer swirled in Li Chengqian's heart, gradually subsided, and was then completely suppressed.

……

"Next month, Duke Chen will lead his army back to the imperial court to offer sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Crown Prince." The emperor turned to look at Li Chengqian and asked, "How are you? Can you come out of the city to greet him on my behalf?"

"Your Majesty," Li Chengqian's expression suddenly grew solemn. He saluted and said, "Although my injuries have fully healed, offering sacrifices to the Imperial Ancestral Temple is a solemn undertaking. I fear that this may disturb the spirits. I implore Your Majesty to choose another virtuous king to take your place."

Li Shimin nodded gently and said, "Very well, Qingque, you will go to greet Duke Chen on my behalf. Please be careful in everything and make no mistakes."

At the end, the emperor's voice became stern.

Li Tai immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I obey your command."

Li Chengqian looked at Li Tai expressionlessly.

The Eastern Palace had clearly sent a letter to the Secretariat regarding this matter last month.

The Secretariat also responded.

Even the Prince of Wei's palace expressed its agreement.

But today, the emperor brought up this matter again and talked about it separately.

What? Do you really think his leg injury is completely healed?

Father, don’t you know what happened to my leg injury? Why do you have to do this?

But it doesn’t matter, all the civil and military officials have eyes.

Li Chengqian turned around with a calm expression.

He stood holding a sceptre with a solemn expression.

The meeting continues.

(End of this chapter)