Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 17 My Son Has Grown Up [New Book, Please Collect]

Faced with Li Chengqian's sudden "accusation", His Majesty Li II's face looked very ugly.

Even Empress Changsun began to worry about her son.

As for the little fat boy who was subconsciously supported by Empress Changsun, he felt extremely excited.

Although he had a brief collaboration with Li Chengqian when they were in school, it did not mean that he would always stand with Li Chengqian.

After all, the premise of their cooperation is that it is beneficial to him.

Now, Li Chengqian suddenly "accused" Emperor Li II, which made him see new benefits, so he decisively stood against Li Chengqian.

But he heard him say righteously and sternly: "Royal brother, how can you speak to father like this? You are unfilial!"

Don't think that the little fat boy is cunning.

He has loved reading since he was a child and has read many historical stories about power struggles. He would definitely not miss this opportunity to form a sharp contrast between him and Li Chengqian.

Moreover, after the Xuanwu Gate Incident, what Li Shimin cared about most was filial piety.

Because you do not respect filial piety, you hope your children will respect it.

Therefore, the fat man's words are extremely destructive.

"Qingque, stop talking nonsense!"

Empress Changsun's face changed and she quickly covered Li Tai's mouth and scolded him in a low voice.

How could she possibly hide the little fat boy's little tricks from her?

But when Li Chengqian heard what the fat boy said, he just smiled dumbly: "It seems that we haven't read enough books from Qingque."

"Ok?"

Li Shimin frowned: "What do you mean by that?"

The fat boy's little tricks could not be hidden from Empress Changsun, and naturally could not be hidden from His Majesty Li II either.

But he didn't think the fat boy was wrong.

Because what Li Chengqian said just now did offend him and was also an act of unfilial piety.

However, Li Chengqian disagreed and said, "The so-called filial piety cannot be understood simply from one aspect. It must be considered from many aspects. I remember that the ancients divided filial piety into three types: minor filial piety, medium filial piety, and great filial piety."

"Oh?"

Li Shimin raised his eyebrows and said, "Tell me about it!"

It seemed like he was hearing this for the first time, and he couldn't help but become interested.

Empress Changsun also showed an expression of anticipation.

As for the little fat boy, his face was full of disbelief.

Li Chengqian walked along while talking eloquently:
"The so-called minor filial piety is to be filial to one's parents and to ensure that they have enough food and clothing and do not have to live in the open air.

The so-called filial piety is to make parents happy physically and mentally and spiritually satisfied.

The so-called great filial piety is to make parents feel proud of their children's achievements, to gain the respect of those around them, and to bring honor to the family."

Having said that, he paused, then looked at the little fat boy with a half-smile: "Qingque probably hasn't read such a book, right?"

"I"

The little fat boy opened his mouth, wanting to say something but stopped.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun looked at each other with shock on their faces, as if they were meeting their eldest son for the first time.

The so-called three filial piety directly made the couple's thoughts clear.

You know, because of the Xuanwu Gate Incident, they often reflect on whether they are unfilial.

They are even afraid of being called unfilial by others.

But now, after listening to Li Chengqian's words, they suddenly felt that they were very filial!
As long as they can govern the country in an orderly manner, make it prosperous and make everyone respect Li Yuan, the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty, isn't this great filial piety?
But the little fat boy didn't seem to understand Li Chengqian's words and retorted loudly, "My royal brother's rude words have angered my father. How can this be considered filial piety?"

"Hey, Qingque, you don't understand. I, your Royal Brother, am making my parents proud. This is a great act of filial piety!"

"What pride?"

"hehe."

Li Chengqian smiled, then turned to look at His Majesty Li Er and saluted, "May I ask, Father, is reducing the number of palace maids really to save money?"

"Uh"

Emperor Li II hesitated for a moment, but did not directly answer Li Chengqian's question. Instead, he turned to look at Empress Changsun.

He knew that it was Empress Changsun who told Li Chengqian about this matter.

But Empress Zhangsun smiled and explained, "Chengqian, it's your mother's fault for not explaining this to you clearly. The reason your father ordered the reduction of the number of palace maids was not only to save money, but also because the news of the begging for bones spread to the palace, causing the palace maids to be distracted, crying day and night, and often doing the wrong thing."

"What is begging for bones?" Li Chengqian asked somewhat confusedly.

Empress Changsun glanced at Li Shimin and sighed, "During the Wude years, many people died in the continuous wars. Your father couldn't bear to see their bodies exposed in the wilderness, so he ordered the collection of their remains throughout the country. These palace maids also learned about their relatives' news."

Hearing this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but show deep respect to His Majesty Li II.

But His Majesty Li Er did not waste any words, but asked him directly: "What do you think about this matter?"

"Before answering your Majesty, I would like to ask you a question."

"Just ask."

Li Shimin seemed to be accustomed to Li Chengqian's way of answering questions by asking questions, so he did not make things difficult for him.

But he heard him say, "May I ask, Father, are you letting them leave the palace so that they can return to fulfill their filial duties?"

"Yes, that's what I meant."

Li Shimin nodded and said, "But more importantly, I hope they can find a good home, get married and have children, and increase the population of the Tang Dynasty."

"If your Majesty thinks so, then you are really wrong!" Li Chengqian shook his head and said.

Li Shimin asked in confusion, "Why was I wrong?"

"Because the Emperor doesn't understand palace maids, and even less does he understand the cruelty of reality!"

"This"

Li Shimin was stunned and subconsciously looked at Empress Changsun.

Empress Changsun frowned slightly and said thoughtfully, "My son, are you saying that those palace maids will encounter misfortune after leaving the palace?"

"Mother is wise!"

Li Chengqian smiled and complimented Empress Changsun.

Emperor Li II felt a little uncomfortable and couldn't help but urge, "Stop talking nonsense and tell me everything you know!"

Mother and son looked at each other and smiled.

But then Li Chengqian added, "Your Majesty, you don't know. Even if these palace maids were allowed to return to their hometowns, it would be difficult for them to fulfill their filial duties, let alone get married and have children, thus increasing the population of the Tang Dynasty!"

"Why is this?" Li Shimin became even more confused.

Li Chengqian bowed and said, "Your Majesty, mother is in charge of the harem and should know many of its rules. The only palace maids who can leave the palace are those whose fathers and brothers have all died in battle, or most of them have died in battle. Other palace maids can only leave the palace when they are around 18 to 25 years old."

"So, in an era when marriages were around the age of 14, all of these palace maids who left the palace were older, left-over women."

"Old leftover woman?"

Both Empress Changsun and His Majesty Li II were stunned.

Li Chengqian continued, "Ordinary families wouldn't want older, single women like these as their daughters-in-law. One reason is that they're worried their bodies have been damaged in the palace and they're infertile. Another reason is that they don't want to be associated with the royal family."

"In this case, it will be difficult for them to even get married outside, so how can they have children soon?"

"But this is just your conjecture!"

Li Shimin said disapprovingly: "Why do you think they will be harmed in the palace? The people in the palace did not abuse them."

Li Chengqian said with a bit of amusement, "Father is the Son of Heaven. The Emperor is in charge of state affairs. It's normal for him to be unclear about the affairs in the palace."

"What are you talking about?" Li Shimin frowned and looked at Empress Zhangsun: "Could it be that they were really abused?"

"This"

Empress Changsun opened her mouth, but hesitated to speak.

She really didn't know how to respond to His Majesty Li II, because what Li Chengqian said was the truth. There were too many dirty things in the palace, not just being abused!

There is no telling how much "human fat" there is in the wells, ponds, and flower beds in the backyard of the imperial palace.

Not only others, but also you, Your Majesty Li Er, kicked a palace maid because she made a mistake in serving you, didn’t you?

Although you later learned that the palace maid's father and brother died on the battlefield and she was distracted and made a mistake in her service, you compensated her and apologized in person, but her physical injuries still need to be recovered slowly.

Seeing that Empress Changsun didn't answer him, His Majesty Li Er also understood and frowned, "You mean, those palace maids were abused?"

"It's not that they were all abused, but working in the palace for years would inevitably lead to various health problems."

Li Chengqian shook his head and changed the subject: "What's more, besides physical reasons, there are also personality reasons."

"Father, think about it. They've become accustomed to the lives of the nobility and the splendor of life in the palace. Can they really return to the countryside and take care of their husbands and children?"

"This"

Li Shimin had nothing to say.

Because what Li Chengqian said was true.

"So, they would eventually become concubines, maids, or slaves of local dignitaries, or even wealthy landlords, or be sold to brothels and eventually die miserably."

"how so."

Li Shimin said in disbelief, "My good intentions really hurt them, didn't they?"

"Hey!"

Li Chengqian sighed and said, "Father, your kindness is not in question. Perhaps your ministers also think that you did the right thing. But they are scholars after all, and they don't consider the problem from the bottom up."

"These palace maids, whether in terms of age, physical defects, personality, or social status, are no longer ordinary women. They are like ferocious birds and beasts kept in captivity in the palace. Can you release them back into the wild?
No, because they can no longer adapt to the law of the jungle. Sending them back would be tantamount to sending them to death."

Hearing this, Li Shimin suddenly realized and finally understood why Li Chengqian offended him.

This is because we are afraid that he will make a mistake!
Somehow, he suddenly had the illusion that his son had grown up.

Why was it an illusion? Because this child was once called a "rebellious child" by him.

"hehe."

Li Shimin came back to his senses and couldn't help laughing.

When Empress Changsun saw this scene, she also smiled with relief.

Only the little fat boy was angry and very unhappy.

hateful!

I’ve been fooled by my brother again!
"cough!"

After the laughter, Li Shimin coughed lightly and asked Li Chengqian again, "Since you see it so clearly and you said you want to make me proud, there must be a solution, right?"

"Yes, there are, but I definitely can't do it. My mother has to do it!" Li Chengqian said casually.

Emperor Li II was stunned again and turned to look at Empress Changsun.

Empress Zhangsun chuckled and said, "You little rascal! You only care about your mouth, don't you?"

After saying that, she reached out and poked her son's forehead: "Tell me, how do you need your mother to cooperate with you!"

"It's actually very simple. It's just to open a Royal Manufacturing Bureau in the name of the Imperial Palace, specializing in production work, and let those palace maids who lost their relatives in the war work in the Royal Manufacturing Bureau, and pay them.

Of course, the prerequisite is that they are willing to stay in the palace. If they insist on going home, there is no need to force them to stay.

Those palace maids who chose to stay were allowed to send money home to support their parents, or bring their parents to Chang'an to support them, and they were allowed to leave the palace once in a while.

This way, we can avoid the tragic fate of the palace maids and become self-sufficient without the palace having to pay for their support."

Hearing Li Chengqian's words, Empress Zhangsun's eyebrows turned. "That's a good idea, but what kind of production will this Royal Manufacturing Bureau you mentioned engage in? Can the products be sold?"

"Yes! It can definitely be sold!"

"Why are you so sure?"

"Oh, mother doesn't understand. Anything that has anything to do with the royal family is a pile of shit, and it smells good!"

"You little bastard, what nonsense are you talking about!"

"Ouch!"

Li Chengqian was poked on the forehead again, and he grimaced in pain. However, he was not prepared to tell anyone other than Empress Changsun about his money-making scheme, so he smiled awkwardly and changed the subject, "Mother, can I have a word with you?"

"Ok?"

Li Shimin's face darkened. What do you mean? Are you and your son hiding this from me, Li Er?
But Empress Zhangsun understood and said with a smile, "Then let me have a moment with you!"

"Queen, you."

"Your Majesty, please wait a moment. I will be back soon!"

Although Emperor Li II acted arrogantly in front of Empress Changsun, he was not like that in front of Empress Changsun. He could only watch Empress Changsun and Li Chengqian go to the side hall.

About half a minute later, the mother and son came back.

"Your Majesty, with Cheng Qian's money-making method, I believe I can help you manage the entire harem!"

Empress Changsun spoke confidently as she came out.

Emperor Li II was very excited. He knew that Empress Zhangsun would never lie to him. She said this because she was 100% sure.

"Hahaha, alright! I'll take care of everything, Queen!"

"What about Father?"

"All obey the Queen!"

After hearing this, Li Chengqian finally breathed a sigh of relief.

However, at this moment, a system message popped up.

[Congratulations to the host for completing the third side mission. Do you want to settle the reward? ]

"What do you mean? Aren't we going to Zhaoling to pay tribute to Empress Zhangsun?"

[The purpose of the memorial service is to fulfill filial piety. The host has already done this, so the mission is naturally completed! ]

Li Chengqian's mouth twitched, and he really wanted to complain, "Oh my god! Is this even possible?" But when he thought of the system reward, he decisively responded, "Settlement system reward."

A voice suddenly sounded in his mind.

"As expected of my son, Li Shimin! Although he can be infuriating at times, he's still filial. It's just that the position of Crown Prince... Humph, I can't reinstate him so quickly! I need to give him two years to mellow out his temper."

What the hell!

Your son will die in eight months!

Li Chengqian collapsed on the spot. This mind reading skill was too hopeless!
"No! I can't just sit there and wait for death! I have to think of a way."

"Cheng Qian, what's wrong with you?"

Seeing that Li Chengqian looked uneasy and was muttering to himself, Empress Changsun couldn't help but ask with some concern.

"No, nothing, mother. Where were you talking about?"

"us."

Empress Zhangsun glanced at His Majesty Li Er and decided, "We will not reduce the number of maids in your grandfather's palace!"

Grandpa Huang?
Yes! Why didn’t I think of that?

My grandfather is His Majesty the Emperor!
Li Chengqian suddenly became energetic.

　【Please collect, read, monthly ticket, recommendation ticket】

　　
　
(End of this chapter)