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

Chapter 273: Like the princess? I'll castrate you and make you a eunuch, to serve you every day! [Seeking monthly votes]

As Li Chengqian finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent.

Some were stunned, some were puzzled, some were relieved, and some were angry. In short, a variety of emotions continued to emerge among the civil and military officials in the court.

Even the foreign envoys who were planning to marry into the Tang Dynasty were shocked beyond words.

"Prince of the Tang Dynasty, you..."

"I've finished what I'm saying. Who's in favor, and who's against?"

An envoy from a foreign country couldn't help but want to say something, but before he could finish his words, Li Chengqian interrupted him coldly.

"I object!"

Yang Shidao, the Minister of Rites, was the first to speak out: "Let's put aside the other matters for now, but I think the matter of marriage is worth discussing."

As a minister who often handles marriage affairs, he knows the nature of marriage better than anyone else.

The so-called marriage alliance is actually to win over, appease, control and divide other foreign countries through marriage alliance, so as to ensure peace and stability around the Tang Dynasty.

Through such means, the Tang Dynasty achieved the expected results from the beginning of the Wude period to the third year of the Zhenguan period.

This has a lot to do with the fact that the Tang Dynasty was able to destroy the Eastern Turks without any worries.

But it also laid hidden dangers for the Tang Dynasty.

It is true that the Tang Dynasty achieved its political goals through marriage alliances.

But it also strengthened cultural exchanges among all parties, allowing the Tang Dynasty's advanced military, technology, and culture to continue to flow into foreign countries.

When the Tang Dynasty was strong, these foreign countries did not dare to act rashly.

Once the Tang Dynasty weakens, these foreign countries will surely become restless.

In addition, they learned the advanced military, technology, and culture of the Tang Dynasty and would become stronger than before.

That would undoubtedly be a disaster for the Tang Dynasty.

For example, the demise of the Tang Dynasty was largely due to constant internal strife and heavy external troubles. Under the double pressure, the huge Tang Empire eventually collapsed.

Therefore, the prosperity and strength achieved through marriage alliances is nothing but a false appearance.

Li Chengqian simply glanced at Yang Shidao and said decisively, "Objection is invalid. Next!"

"His Majesty!"

"Prince, you."

Hearing Yang Shidao's cry, Li Shimin came back to his senses from his shock.

But Li Chengqian still didn't wait for him to finish his words, and asked him: "Father, do you still remember the Weishui Alliance three years ago?"

"This"

Li Shimin was slightly stunned, then frowned: "What do you mean by that?"

"It's nothing special. I just don't want the emperors of the Tang Dynasty to be threatened by others again!"

"you!"

After hearing this, Li Shimin was speechless.

Yes!

Why was he so obsessed with destroying the Eastern Turks? Wasn't it just to wash away the shame of the Weishui Alliance?
If the emperors of the Tang Dynasty were to suffer such humiliation again, what would be the point of working hard to govern the country?
"Your Highness, I also think that the matter of marriage alliances should not be too arbitrary. Decisions should be made based on the actual situation faced by the Tang Dynasty. Of course, I don't necessarily support marriage alliances, but I just think that sometimes there is nothing wrong with it."

Seeing that Li Shimin was speechless after being questioned by Li Chengqian, Zuo Pushe Xiao Yu stood up at the right time.

"Since Zuo Pushe thinks there's nothing wrong with marriage alliances, then all future marriage alliances in the Tang Dynasty should be handled by Zuo Pushe's descendants!"

Li Chengqian still glanced at Xiao Yu indifferently and said, "As long as the Left Pushe is willing, I will ask my father to make your daughter a princess of the Tang Dynasty today, and arrange for her to marry into another country tomorrow!"

"This is not the prince, this is a matter of state, how can it be treated as a joke?"

"Who told you it was a joke? I'm the crown prince of a country, and my words are not meant to be jokes!"

"Ah? This"

Xiao Yu was so shocked by Li Chengqian's words that his scalp went numb. He quickly cried to Li Shimin: "Your Majesty, this old minister is also thinking about the Tang Dynasty!"

"Oh! What a thoughtful person for the Tang Dynasty!"

Li Chengqian sneered, "Since you care about the Tang Dynasty, why don't you marry your daughter? As the Left Prime Minister, a position higher than the Prime Minister in the Tang Dynasty, shouldn't you sacrifice your family for the country?"

"Minister, minister, minister"

Xiao Yu was speechless, thinking, "Is this a marriage of daughters? This is a game between nations, an exchange of interests, okay?"
"Why, Zuo Pushe is reluctant to let go?"

Seeing Xiao Yu speechless, Li Chengqian still felt unsatisfied. He immediately looked around at the ministers and said, "Anyone who is willing to let their daughter marry a foreign prince, please stand up, every one of you, and immediately ask my father to confer the title of Princess of the Tang Dynasty on her. I guarantee that she will marry off with great fanfare!"

Wow!
As soon as this statement came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

Even Wei Zheng couldn't help but have his eyelids twitching, thinking that the prince's ability to confront others was even more cruel than his own!

I am just criticizing Li Er. The prince is making indiscriminate attacks. Isn't he afraid of arousing public anger?

Sure enough, as soon as Li Chengqian finished speaking, many civil and military officials immediately glared at him.

But fortunately, with Li Shimin's support, they did not dare to act presumptuously.

However, Li Shimin would not allow Li Chengqian to act recklessly in the court. He took a deep breath and waved his hand to Li Chengqian, saying, "Alright, Prince, let's end this matter here!"

"No! This matter cannot end here. I have said that this is the iron law of the Tang Dynasty. Please issue an order to clarify this iron law!"

"Prince!"

Li Shimin's face darkened: "Are you teaching me how to do things?!"

"No, I am not here to teach Father the Emperor anything. I am here to build a strong backbone for the Tang Dynasty!"

Li Chengqian said resolutely, "As the saying goes, if one soldier is cowardly, the whole army will be cowardly. Father has led an army in battle and knows the importance of a commander. If Father cannot lead by example, how can the people of the Tang Dynasty achieve prosperity under your leadership?"

"Therefore, I, your son, implore you, Father, to clarify this iron rule and set a good example for the Tang Dynasty!"

"This"

When Li Shimin heard what Li Chengqian said, he was suddenly speechless.

In fact, based on his personality, he definitely doesn't want to marry a foreign princess.

But the situation was stronger than people, and the Tang Dynasty had no choice but to accept the marriage.

No matter how powerful the Tang Dynasty's military was, highland countries like Tubo and Tuyuhun would be helpless just because of their weak qi.

Just when Li Shimin was in a dilemma, Murong Shun, who had been silent until then, spoke again: "If the Tang Dynasty is unwilling to marry Tuyuhun, then there is no point for us to stay in the Tang Dynasty. I beg the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty to allow us to return to Tuyuhun."

"I sincerely request that the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty allow us to return to Goguryeo."

As Murong Shun finished speaking, Li Siyuan and Gao Yanshou quickly echoed him.

However, as soon as they finished speaking, Li Chengqian laughed out loud.

"You want to leave without getting married? Your memory is really bad! Have you forgotten? You are now hostages of my Tang Dynasty!"

"Prince of the Tang Dynasty! Don't go too far!"

Murong Shun's face changed when he heard this: "My father Khan has already sent troops to the border of the Tang Dynasty. If you dare to continue holding me hostage, my father Khan will send troops to attack you, the Tang Dynasty!"

"Oh, I'm so scared! If you Tuyuhun dare to attack my Tang Dynasty, I guarantee that your Tuyuhun army will never return. If you don't believe me, you can try it!"

"Of course! I also don't deny that you Tuyuhun do have a geographical advantage. My Tang army is currently helpless against you."

"But don't forget, while I can't conquer your country, I can deprive you of most of its resources! And if your nobles aren't satisfied, rebellion is inevitable. How long will your father be able to remain the Khan of Tuyuhun?"

"you!"

When Murong Shun heard what Li Chengqian said, he was choked and speechless.

Because only you know your own business best.

In fact, there were problems not only in Tubo, but also in Tuyuhun.

"Why? Are you doubting my ability?"

After saying this, Li Chengqian immediately looked at Sun Fujia.

Sun Fujia immediately understood and slipped out of the hall.

Soon, he came in from outside the hall with several palace servants, carrying one new thing after another.

"Your Highness, is this a military uniform? Why does it look so thick?"

When Cheng Yaojin saw the new and strange things brought by the palace servants, he immediately widened his eyes and asked.

Li Chengqian smiled and teased him, "General Cheng has a good eye. This is indeed a military uniform, and it's our Tang Dynasty winter uniform. It's filled with cotton and is very warm. Even in ice and snow, this uniform is enough!"

"what?!"

Hearing this, Cheng Yaojin was immediately shocked and said hurriedly: "This military uniform has such a miraculous effect? ​​Let me try it on!"

After saying that, Cheng Yaojin rushed forward without saying a word and picked up the military uniform. Then, in front of all the civil and military officials in the court, he took off his official uniform without any image and put on the thick military uniform.

In just a moment, he felt the warmth of the uniform and couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Great! This uniform is great! Warm, very warm!"

"Really, old bastard? Let me wear some too! I want to be warm too!"

Upon hearing this, Yuchi Gong immediately became interested, and without saying a word, he rushed forward to snatch the military uniform from Cheng Yaojin.

Upon seeing this, the other ministers looked at each other in bewilderment.

Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian with curiosity and asked, "What is this cotton that the Crown Prince is talking about? Why have I never heard of it?"

"Haha, to be honest with you, Father, the so-called cotton is actually the fluff of white flounder!"

Li Chengqian explained with a smile, "I accidentally discovered that this stuff is as good as fur coats in terms of warmth retention, so I had a cotton coat made for me. I didn't expect it to be so warm!"

"White stack?"

Li Shimin was stunned for a moment, then as if remembering something, he angrily said, "I was just wondering why the white folds in the imperial garden disappeared. It turns out you, the rebellious son, took them away!"

"Hehe~"

Li Chengqian smiled slyly, then touched his nose and spread his hands, saying, "Anyway, with this cotton-padded jacket, our Tang Dynasty soldiers will be more than capable of overcoming the cold weather!"

"Yes, Not Bad!"

Li Shimin was not a stingy person. After seeing the warming effect of the cotton clothes, he immediately agreed with Li Chengqian's statement.

However, before the father and son could continue their discussion about the cotton coat, Wei Zheng looked at another object in the palace attendant's hand and asked curiously, "May I ask, Your Highness, what is this?"

"Oh, that's a marching medicine bag!"

Li Chengqian took a look at it and then patiently explained: "It contains Rhodiola rosea and Ephedra powder made from snow lotus, which can help soldiers relieve gas symptoms in a short period of time. There is also ointment for treating frostbite, and other first aid medicines."

"So that's how it is!" Wei Zheng suddenly understood what he said, and then said with emotion: "It seems that the prince has been preparing to resist foreign enemies for a long time!"

But Li Chengqian said sternly, "I just said it! I don't want the emperors of the Tang Dynasty to be threatened by others again!"

"I understand. Your Highness the Crown Prince is wise!"

"Humph!"

When Li Shimin heard Wei Zheng praising Li Chengqian, he immediately snorted in dissatisfaction.

However, Li Chengqian has already done so much, and if he continues to insist, it will probably be difficult to convince the public.

After a brief pause, he decisively issued an edict: "Minister of the Central Secretariat, pass on my decree. From now on, the Tang Dynasty will not marry off princesses, cede territory, pay indemnities, become a vassal, or pay tribute. Future generations must uphold this aspiration and enhance the prestige of the Tang Dynasty!"

"This"

Fang Xuanling hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly stepped forward to receive the order: "Your Majesty, I obey!"

"Alright, this matter is settled. If you ministers have nothing else to report, then we will adjourn the court!"

"Father, wait!"

Just as Li Shimin was about to announce the adjournment of court, Li Chengqian quickly spoke out to stop him.

"What do you want to do again?"

In fact, Li Shimin didn't want to adjourn the court so soon, but Li Chengqian stole the limelight in today's court meeting, which really made him a little depressed.

He now just wanted to end this court meeting as soon as possible and prevent Li Chengqian from continuing to steal the limelight.

However, how could Li Chengqian let him get his wish?

But then Li Chengqian added, "Reporting to the Emperor, I have another matter. The Tuyuhun, Goguryeo, and Tubo kingdoms have launched an invasion against the Tang Dynasty. We cannot let this go!"

"Ok?"

Li Shimin was surprised and thought to himself, "No way! Are you really planning to fight three of them alone?"
Even if you have something to overcome the plateau environment, it is impossible for my Tang Dynasty to face these three countries at the same time, right?
However, just when Li Shimin was so surprised that he couldn't speak, Murong Shun's voice rang out again.

But he heard him say solemnly: "Does the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty really want to go to war with us?"

"No, if I remember correctly, it seemed that you were the ones who first raised troops to threaten the Tang Dynasty. How did it become that we have to go to war with you?" Li Chengqian looked at Murong Shundao with some amusement.

Murong Shun narrowed his eyes and asked, "Then what exactly do you want to do?"

"It's simple! Either you, Tuyuhun, submit to the Tang Dynasty, or I will castrate you as a warning to others!"

"What did you say!?"

Murong Shun was shocked when he heard this.

Even the civil and military officials and envoys from various countries present were shocked by these words.

Although from Li Chengqian's words and actions just now, they have already witnessed how vicious Li Chengqian's methods are.

But he is a prince of a country after all. How can you just castrate him?
This is too cruel!
"What? Didn't you hear what I just said? Anyone who disrupts the Tang Dynasty will have their entire clan castrated!"

Li Chengqian said this calmly and indifferently, then as if remembering something, he added, "Of course! Your nine clans aren't in the Tang Dynasty, so I'll castrate you first!"

"Prince of the Tang Dynasty! A gentleman can be killed but not humiliated!"

Murong Shun was really angry.

And it was the kind of anger that was extremely humiliating.

Although the things Li Chengqian brought out did reduce the threat posed by Tuyuhun to the Tang Dynasty, he, Tuyuhun, was not made of clay.

Even a clay figure has some temper.

How could I accept such an insult?

Li Chengqian then added, "I won't say anything else. From today on, I'll give you three days to figure out a plan. Either you, Tuyuhun, will submit to the Tang Dynasty, or you'll stay in the Tang Dynasty palace and become a eunuch!"

"Oh, right."

At this point, he remembered something and looked at Murong Shun with a half-smile, saying, "Aren't you trying every possible means to marry me, the Princess of the Tang Dynasty? Although I can't let you do it, after you become a eunuch, I will ask my father to let you serve the Princess of the Tang Dynasty every day!"

"you you you"

When Murong Shun heard this, he was so angry that he couldn't speak.

Seeing that his prince was about to faint from Li Chengqian's anger, Batou, who had been silent all the time, hurried forward to support him and said to Li Chengqian indignantly: "Prince of the Tang Dynasty, I am Tuyuhun!"

"Why, you want to become a eunuch too?"

Before Batou could finish his words, Li Chengqian interrupted him coldly.

When Batou heard this, he couldn't help but clamp his legs together and immediately swallowed back the harsh words he wanted to say.

Seeing that Batou shut up wisely, Li Chengqian turned his gaze to Li Siyuan and the other two.

"Prince of the Tang Dynasty, we..."

Just as Li Siyuan was about to speak, Li Chengqian raised his hand to stop him: "Don't say anything yet, let me think about it."

"You are now useless envoys, right? Doesn't Goguryeo listen to you anymore?"

"Yes"

Li Siyuan responded with frustration.

He knew that with Murong Shun's rumors spreading, he would probably not have a good ending, so he might as well be sensible.

But then Li Chengqian said, "The Tang Dynasty is quite tolerant of useless people. Since you can no longer influence Goguryeo, then stay in the Tang Dynasty and help us draw the geomancy map of Goguryeo. If you draw well, you will live. If not, you will be castrated and sent to the palace to wash excrement buckets!"

"Ah? This"

Li Siyuan was startled and looked at Gao Yanshou quickly.

Gao Yanshou was startled at first, and then stood up angrily.

"What? Do you still have any objections?" Li Chengqian glanced at him coldly.

Gao Yanshou immediately backed down: "I, don't have any."

"If you don't have any, go down quickly, don't let me regret it!"

"Yes"

Seeing the two tactfully leave, Li Chengqian turned his gaze to the envoys from various countries. "Well, now that we've dealt with these rubbish, it's time to talk about our business. Regarding the details of your cooperation in joining ASEAN, I will keep you in the palace after the court is dismissed for further discussion."

"no no no"

Before Li Chengqian could finish his words, the Kangguo envoy waved his hands in fear: "Prince of the Tang Dynasty! We all obey you! Whatever you say is what it is!"

"Yes, Prince of the Tang Dynasty! Since we have signed the alliance, we must respect the Tang Dynasty! If the Tang Dynasty wants to do anything in the future, just let us know!"

"That's right. We'll go back and inform the country to ship gold and silver to exchange for silver notes."

The other envoys dared not stay in the Tang Dynasty Palace unless they wanted to become eunuchs, so they all agreed with the envoy from Kangguo.

"Uh"

Li Chengqian couldn't help but twitch his lips when he saw this, then smiled and said, "How embarrassing! My Tang Dynasty has always won people over with virtue, but you guys are making it seem like my Tang Dynasty is intimidating you."

"No, no, we all volunteered!"

"Well, since you all volunteered, I don't need to say anything more. You can go back first!"

"Yes!"

Soon, the envoys from various countries left the hall with lingering fear.

The expressions of the civil and military officials of the Tang Dynasty who watched the envoys from various countries leave were extremely complicated.

Especially Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling and other Li Er's trusted ministers, they could not help but look at each other in confusion.

Although Li Chengqian's strength allowed them to see the future of the Tang Dynasty, it was precisely because of Li Chengqian's strength that they became increasingly confused about the future.

They didn't know whether they would be able to keep up with the progress of the Tang Dynasty in the future.

His Majesty Li II has only been on the throne for less than four years, and they clearly have many grand ambitions, so why does it feel like the sun is setting now?

In fact, not only Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling and other Li Er's trusted ministers had this feeling, but also Li Er himself.

"Is it really impossible for me to stop this rebellious son?"

Li Shimin couldn't help but ask himself this question.

The deep feeling of powerlessness made even this battle-hardened General Tiance feel somewhat overwhelmed.

It’s not that he couldn’t use the power of the emperor to stop Li Chengqian, but that he couldn’t use the power of the emperor to stop what Li Chengqian did.

Because Li Chengqian's perspective was for the entire Tang Dynasty.

If he stopped Li Chengqian, he would be stopping the progress of the entire Tang Dynasty.

How could he stop this?

However, just when he was at his wit's end about Li Chengqian's actions, Li Chengqian's voice rang out again: "Father, I have three more requests for your approval!"

"Which three things?" Li Shimin asked subconsciously.

But as soon as he asked the question, he regretted it.

Because he knew that this rebellious son was likely to cause trouble again.

Sure enough, after hearing his question, Li Chengqian said without hesitation: "Your son requests that the emperor reform the imperial examination system, the land system, and the marriage law!"

"What do you mean?"

Although Li Shimin was somewhat helpless about Li Chengqian's actions, he still couldn't help but frown and ask.

Li Chengqian pondered for a moment, then explained seriously:

"Your Majesty, I suggest that we add engineering and medicine to the imperial examinations, abolish the Confucian selection criteria based on Mingjing and Jinshi, and establish a military examination."

"In addition, land reform involves re-measuring the entire country's land, prohibiting the sale of land, and cracking down on land annexation activities such as enclosure, afforestation, and monasteries."

"As for the reform of marriage laws, first, intermarriage between aristocratic families is strictly prohibited. Children of officials, if two or more of their descendants have served in the imperial court within three generations, cannot marry into any official family. Secondly, all citizens of the Tang Dynasty, regardless of gender, are equal, and the trafficking of human beings is prohibited. Finally, the marriage age for men and women should be adjusted appropriately. For example, those under the age of fifteen cannot marry."

boom!
As soon as these words came out, the whole audience was shocked.

If we say that Li Chengqian's methods against foreign nations and ethnic minorities made the civil and military officials in the court see his ruthless and decisive side.

The three reforms proposed by Li Chengqian were enough to overturn their perception of Li Chengqian and instantly ignited their anger.

I have to say, this prince of the Tang Dynasty is really capable!

Is he planning to make the whole country his enemy?!

(End of this chapter)