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

Chapter 686 A Petition to the Emperor at Tianjin Bridge: Requesting the Execution of Chu Suiliang (Third Update)
The majestic Qianyuan Hall is right in front of us.

Li Chengqian walked calmly, with Su Liangsi following beside him.

Li Chengqian said indifferently, "Nowadays, the total amount of taxes levied on the country is increasing by 300,000 strings of cash every year."

"Only 300,000 strings of cash?" Su Liangsi looked up in surprise.

“That’s normal.” Li Chengqian shook his head and said, “Although the whole country is expanding, it doesn’t yield results immediately. Being able to guarantee an annual increase of 300,000 strings of cash is already the result of a bountiful harvest and the hard work of all the officials.”

"Yes!" Su Liangsi nodded solemnly.

“However, 300,000 strings of cash is really not a large number.” Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said, “If next year’s tax revenue growth is less than 300,000 strings of cash, we need to investigate where the problem lies. If the tax revenue growth becomes negative…”

“Then the world was in big trouble.” Su Liangsi muttered unconsciously.

Li Chengqian calmly raised his head and said, "I am never afraid of disasters in the world. What I fear are only three things: hidden land, hidden households, and bad money."

“They are aristocratic families.” Su Liangsi immediately understood the emperor’s true purpose in orchestrating all of this.

“Yes, aristocratic families, aristocratic families are the real parasites of the world.” Li Chengqian turned to look into the hall and said calmly, “For now, things are better. Aristocratic families in the world are still somewhat restrained, so we only need to give them a direct warning.”

Although powerful families are the biggest parasites in the world, they are also the emperor's greatest helpers in ruling the world; they are two sides of the same coin.

It's alright now, but once the powerful families have eroded the country to an unbearable degree, and the emperor can no longer control the hidden land, households, and taxes, that will be the time when the land tax, labor service, and tax system will completely collapse.

In his previous life, Emperor Li Longji began to relax the equal-field system at the end of the Kaiyuan era and the beginning of the Tianbao era, which quickly led to its collapse.

With the collapse of the equal-field system, taxes could not be supplied stably, and the militia system also collapsed.

It is still difficult for Li Chengqian to make any comprehensive institutional reforms.

Throughout history, the most effective method used in this regard has been to carry out large-scale prisons.

The reason why Emperor Gaozong of Tang was able to maintain a prosperous era despite repeated defeats at the hands of Silla and Tibet in his previous life was because the emperors Li Zhong, Changsun Wuji, and the brothers Li Hong and Li Xian were successively deposed.

One major case after another has dealt a heavy blow to countless prominent families.

This indirectly alleviated the conflicts across the country, allowing the prosperous era to continue.

Li Chengqian sighed softly.

He cannot take this path, and his only solution is to bring in the enormous profits of maritime trade to alleviate the hunger of the powerful families.

Of course, there are other ways to carry out large-scale imprisonment.

To force people to rebel, or to entice them to rebel.

Then clean it.

Although it lacks a righteous and aboveboard approach, it is the best way to alleviate conflicts in the world.

……

Just as Li Chengqian stepped onto the steps of the Qianyuan Hall, a series of hurried footsteps came from the direction of the Qianyuan Gate, and Li Chengqian stopped.

Lou Shide, the interpreter, hurried up from behind and bowed to Li Chengqian on the steps, saying, "Your Majesty, someone is crying out for justice on the Tianjin Bridge!"

Li Chengqian frowned deeply: "What kind of place is Tianjin Bridge? How could anyone just casually shout grievances on it? Tell me, who is it?"

"Your Majesty!" Lou Shide bowed his head and said with a solemn expression, "It is Liu Hongye, the second son of former Prime Minister Liu Ji. He is kneeling on the Tianjin Bridge, pleading for his father's innocence, saying that it was the Minister of Rites, Chu Suiliang, who framed his father and ultimately caused his death."

In fact, what truly led Liu Ji to commit suicide was the late emperor's decree.

Li Chengqian was also involved.

Of course, it is absolutely forbidden to mention the late emperor or the current emperor here.

Li Chengqian looked up and asked, "Where is Liu Ji's eldest son now?"

"Your Majesty," Xu Jingzong stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, Liu Ji hanged himself back then, and Your Majesty did not pursue the crime of his eldest son. However, his eldest son, Liu Guangzong, was serving as a secretary in the Ministry of Justice at the time, and was later transferred to a local post as a prefect. There has been no news of him for many years, and he should have passed away by now."

Liu Ji is dead, so his son will have a better life.

The Ministry of Personnel transferred him away in the blink of an eye, and he died in depression a few years later.

"So what about Liu Hongye? What's going on with him now?"

“Your Majesty!” Li Yifu stepped forward, cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, if we calculate his age, Liu Hongye should have already reached the age for taking the imperial examination, but given his status, it would be extremely difficult for him to pass the examination.”

"So he had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure." Li Chengqian understood somewhat.

“Perhaps this is related to the auspicious omens that occurred after His Majesty posthumously conferred the title of Supreme Mysterious Origin Emperor, so Liu Hongye had some hope and came to plead his case.” After a slight pause, Su Liangsi said, “Perhaps it is for himself, and also for his descendants.”

Li Chengqian nodded slightly and said, "Issue an imperial decree to summon all the prime ministers in the court...to the Zhenguan Hall for a meeting."

"Here!" Everyone raised their hands in unison.

Li Yifu bowed his head.

She sighed softly to herself.

……

In the Zhenguan Hall.

Changsun Wuji, Li Ji, Tang Jian, Yu Zhining, Ma Zhou, Sun Fujia, Xu Jingzong, Zhang Xuansu, and Yan Lide knelt on either side of the main hall. Li Chengqian paced back and forth in the center of the hall.

The expressions on everyone's faces were solemn.

The emperor's footsteps rose and fell with each step, and their hearts pounded and sank with each step.

Liu Hongye accused Chu Suiliang of framing Liu Ji.

If Liu Ji's case is overturned, Chu Suiliang will inevitably be convicted.

The Minister of Rites of a dynasty would be punished for this.

Especially when the emperor has just experienced auspicious omens.

Whether Chu Suiliang is killed or demoted, it won't look good.

After a long while, Li Chengqian stopped and looked at the ministers.

Changsun Wuji sat there with a solemn expression, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Yu Zhining, Sun Fujia, and Zhang Xuansu seemed to want to say something.

Li Ji, Tang Jian, Ma Zhou, Xu Jingzong, and Yan Lide remained relatively calm.

Li Chengqian looked up at Tang Jian and asked, "Duke of Ju, you are a veteran official. You were the least affected by what happened back then, so you should speak first."

"Yes!" Tang Jian cupped his hands and looked at Li Chengqian, saying, "Your Majesty, Liu Ji was forced to commit suicide back then because he spoke recklessly during the late emperor's illness, which almost caused a great upheaval. This is beyond doubt. Minister Chu did not wrong him."

Liu Ji was not the only one killed back then.

After all, it involved the case of the Prince of Jin's rebellion.

Although Li Zhi successfully extricated himself from this matter, many people associated with him were severely punished.

“Perhaps the late emperor was a bit too harsh in his treatment of Liu Ji back then, but under those circumstances, it wasn’t too excessive. After all, His Majesty…” Tang Jian couldn’t help but look at Li Chengqian.

It is true that Li Chengqian was assassinated on his way to Dingzhou.

Li Chengqian waved his hand slightly and said, "Continue!"

"Yes!" Tang Jian cupped his hands and said, "Since the late emperor handled it without any problems, then there is no question of injustice."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly.

The courtiers in the hall fell silent for a moment.

If Liu Ji's case had only involved him and Chu Suiliang, perhaps the two could have confronted each other directly.

Regardless of what evidence Liu Hongye has, or whether Chu Suiliang's events back then were witnessed by more than one person, they can all be brought up.

However, this case was filed against the late emperor, and it also involved the emperor and the Prince of Jin's rebellion. Once it is uncovered, everything will be implicated, and the implications of this matter will be enormous.

No one wanted to hear the name "Prince of Jin" again.

These two words alone caused a huge uproar.

Li Chengqian turned around, looked outside the hall, and calmly said, "Liu Ji was guilty back then. Removing him from all his official posts and exiling him would have been enough. But in reality, if that had been the case, the Liu family would not have been able to avoid being implicated, let alone participate in the imperial examinations."

The emperor's decision to order Liu Ji's execution effectively pardoned Liu Ji's descendants.

I know Liu Hongye must possess something, but even if Liu Ji were to be resurrected, could he truly explain what happened back then?

Everyone couldn't help but sigh softly.

The emperor was assassinated in Hebei Province, that is a fact. Liu Ji was ultimately guilty, it's just that he was punished more severely.

There was no other way during that particular time.

“This matter will not be overturned.” Li Chengqian looked at Tang Jian and said, “Duke of Ju, go and tell him that Liu Ji’s crimes have been punished and his descendants will not be held accountable. He will be treated equally in the imperial examinations and can participate in next year’s examinations with peace of mind.”

"Of course, if he still has any concerns, then I can grant him an official position now—a position in Andong, first as a military advisor, and then, after we conquer Goguryeo, as a county magistrate."

After a slight pause, Li Chengqian said, "I can guarantee that his promotion will not be affected in the slightest while he is in Andong Province. But even I can protect him in Chang'an, because people's hearts are unpredictable."

"Yes!" Tang Jian cupped his hands in greeting and then stood up.

"Thank you for your trouble, Duke of Ju." Li Chengqian said with some emotion.

"Serving His Majesty is our duty." Tang Jian didn't care about taking the blame for the emperor one last time before retiring.

"Alright, that's settled then." Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "Everyone, go about your business. Your uncle will stay a moment!"

Everyone stood up and clasped their hands in greeting.

As they left, everyone couldn't help but glance at Changsun Wuji.

What's the real story behind this?

Liu Hongye came to the palace to plead his case, accusing Chu Suiliang of falsely accusing his father. But who was behind this?

(End of this chapter)