Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 103 The Battle of Wits Between Ruler and Minister
You are so greedy!
Watching it once is enough, just to relax. You're thinking of getting a long-term meal ticket? Does that mean that every time you go to a restaurant to tell a story at Wuming Academy, you'll have to stay in the palace for a while?

Why don't you move the imperial court to the nameless academy?

The ministers present were all shrewd and capable of seeing through Li Longji's ulterior motives.

Therefore, they would rather change their tune and praise Dream of the Red Chamber than let Li Longji succeed.

They even harbored some resentment towards Zhang Jiuling. Why did you submit that memorial? Let him tell stories, what a big deal! Why bring it up in the imperial court? Now you've given Li Longji an opportunity to make a fuss.

Li Jieman and the others standing to the side couldn't understand it, and felt that these ministers were really like weather vanes, swaying from side to side with the wind.

If the emperor said it was good, they would agree.

But then he saw that the emperor seemed extremely unhappy when they praised Dream of the Red Chamber, which completely confused him.

What happened in the end?
Why is it all reversed?

Who is the good guy and who is the bad guy?
Li Longji is very unhappy and angry, but should he be allowed to unleash his full imperial wrath?

Now that this great undertaking has not been accomplished, Li Longji can only fume in silence, not daring to show his anger.

But there's a saying that goes, "Taking a step back only makes you angrier, and enduring it only makes you feel like you've lost out."

I just wanted to hear something interesting, and I even came up with so many reasons to set the stage. You just turned a blind eye. Is that so difficult?
You won't even accept a favor that's offered to you? You really don't treat me like an emperor!
Suddenly, Li Longji glanced at Li Qiao beside him, a playful glint in his eyes. "Fine! Fine! If you won't let me have my way, I'll make sure you're all unhappy too." He coughed, "Since you all say so, then don't submit any more memorials saying that 'Dream of the Red Chamber' is decadent music. If such a thing happens again, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"My minister obeys."

Everyone said in unison.

Without any hesitation.

They actually had no objection to the story of Dream of the Red Chamber; they were just very dissatisfied with some of the practices of the Nameless Academy.

But between these two evils, we should choose the lesser one!
For the sake of "Dream of the Red Chamber," to have the emperor hold banquets in the palace every day would definitely be a losing proposition!

“Since Dream of the Red Chamber is not decadent music, then…!” Li Longji suddenly looked at Li Qiao beside him, “Prince Sipu.”

Li Qiao seemed to wake from a dream, his expression froze for a moment, he looked at the emperor blankly, and then hurriedly said, "Your subject is here."

The pace of both sides was too fast, and the change of faces was like a book turning in a blink of an eye. He couldn't keep up. He originally thought that he would have a debate with the ministers, but the ministers turned around and praised Dream of the Red Chamber. The key thing is that the emperor was unhappy. He is still trying to sort out his thoughts.

This is exactly what happened.

Wang Xi, who had been paying close attention to him, felt a slight headache and thought to himself, "The road to raising a father to become successful is truly long and arduous!"

Li Longji asked, "Just now I heard you say that promoting 'Dream of the Red Chamber' is your idea?"

“Exactly,” Li Qiao said hesitantly.

"What is the reason for this?" Li Longji asked again.

Li Qiao blinked, and after a moment, he remembered that he had a mission today. However, the situation at the banquet was changing rapidly, and he hesitated about whether to proceed according to the original plan.

This really worried Wang Xi. Uncle, please don't mess things up now. The emperor is feeding you, so just open your mouth! Uncle, come on, open your mouth.

It can only be said that Wang Xi overestimated Li Qiao; he certainly didn't have the ability to make Li Qiao change his mind on the spot. After only a moment's hesitation, he said, "I advocate promoting Dream of the Red Chamber for two main reasons."

"Which two points?" Li Longji asked very seriously.

Li Qiao said nervously, "The first reason is the reason why I supported the vivid teaching method last time. Poetry and prose are not something that everyone can appreciate, so it is impossible to make the people of the surrounding tribes admire the culture of our Great Tang."

But operas and novels are different; everyone loves them. Take Dream of the Red Chamber for example. It became popular in the West Market, and many listeners couldn't even read a single character, yet they were still extremely fascinated by it.

It's perfect for promoting the culture of our Great Tang Dynasty.

Li Longji nodded and said, "That's a good idea."

Li Qiao was greatly encouraged and immediately added, "The second reason is to provide property for the people."

Li Longji immediately said, "You mentioned this last time, and it seems to be related to the return of hidden households to their registered residence. This is also the most troublesome problem for me right now. Please explain in detail this time. I wonder what the connection is between the two?"

He seemed afraid that Li Qiao would mess things up, so he took the initiative to help him recover some of his memories.

But this left the ministers standing nearby dumbfounded.

and many more!

Isn't it a storytelling performance?
Why are we bringing up national plans again?

this.!

Li Longji saw this and was secretly pleased. He thought to himself, "Let them speak against their conscience. This time, they'll suffer the consequences."

"Yes Yes Yes Yes."

Li Qiao nodded, seeing that the emperor seemed to still support him, and composed himself before saying, "In fact, the meaning of 'hidden households returning to their registered residence' is to restore the Tang Dynasty's policy of providing property for its people. However... however, as far as I know, it is not progressing smoothly at present."

I believe the main reasons can be summarized into two points. First, it is not an easy task to get people to leave their places of livelihood and return to their hometowns. Moreover, they will spend a lot of money and time on the way back, so it is difficult for them to succeed.

Secondly, there was the people's distrust of the imperial court.

Li Longji nodded and said, "That makes sense!"

Li Qiao finally understood and said with increasing confidence, "This is why I support the Nameless Academy's charity performance. The Nameless Academy is not an official institution, but a private academy that does good deeds and is easier to deal with among the people. At least the people don't need to fear the Nameless Academy."

Furthermore, the Nameless Academy provides assistance, even direct financial support, to help those who had been living in seclusion overcome difficulties in returning to their registered residence. Coupled with the Emperor's boundless grace in pardoning their crimes, these people have no reason to remain in seclusion. In this way, they can assist the court in completing this reform. "Well said."

Li Longji slammed his fist on the table and said, "That's spot on, the right medicine for the disease."

Many ministers were so angry they rolled their eyes. What was so good about this? Putting aside everything else, how much money could the Nameless Academy raise and how many hidden households could it help? There was also the issue of land; these hidden households would have to be given land when they were officially registered.

An unnamed college may not be able to find land for the people.

This can only solve some very minor issues, while the core contradictions cannot be resolved at all.

They also prescribed the right medicine for the right ailment.

That's utter nonsense.

Wang Xi saw this and was secretly pleased with himself. He thought to himself, "I was just saying it casually, what can you do about it?"

“Your Majesty, that’s not all,” Li Qiao added.

"Then continue," Li Longji said, seemingly intrigued.

Li Qiao added, "As I mentioned before, I hope to put this initiative into practice by providing property for the people. Moreover, the Nameless Academy can only assist, as it has no authority; the specific matters must be handled by the court."

Your Majesty, I propose establishing a special Bureau for Settlement, to cooperate with the Nameless Academy, to be responsible for settling those reclusive households who wish to return to their registered residence.

Upon hearing this, the ministers were taken aback.

It turns out there were so many hidden interests involved.

They regretted it then. Had they known this would happen, they would have preferred to let the emperor listen to "Dream of the Red Chamber" openly and honestly.

As the saying goes, when faced with two evils, choose the lesser one!

Zhang Shuo secretly glanced at Yuwen Rong and saw his anxious expression, a smile flashing in his eyes.

Yuwen Rong opened his mouth several times, but ultimately held back.

He realized that Li Longji was simply arguing with his ministers, so standing up to stop him now would only provoke Li Longji's hostility, which would be counterproductive.

I'm taking my revenge, what are you doing interrupting me?

Therefore, Yuwen Rong could only stand there anxiously, hoping that other ministers would step forward to stop him.

The problem is that the other ministers are also watching what the three prime ministers think. But seeing that the three prime ministers remain silent, the others naturally have to weigh the situation and figure out if there is any hidden agenda.

Li Longji didn't even ask the ministers, but went straight to Li Qiao and asked, "Is the Prince of Sipu willing to take on this important responsibility?"

Li Qiao hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, my main responsibility is education reform. I am not good at such matters, but I have someone who is very suitable to take charge of this matter."

"Who is it?" Li Longji asked.

Li Qiao said, "It is the Duke of Qi."

"Shouyi!" Li Longji hesitated for a moment.

"Exactly."

Li Qiao said, "The idea of ​​providing property for the people was first proposed by Duke Qi. Although Duke Qi is illiterate, he has been in charge of the Palace Secretariat for many years and has an excellent understanding of industry and commerce. Therefore, I believe that Duke Qi is the best candidate."

Pan Haoli immediately recognized them as either members of the imperial family or relatives of the empress. Was this a return to the era of empresses? Without thinking twice, he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this is a matter of national importance and cannot be decided hastily."

When the news of the deposition of the Empress and the establishment of Empress Wu first broke, he was the first to stand up against it. However, this did not mean that he supported the Wang family. He simply did not approve of the deposition of the Empress because he believed that Empress Wang was the model of the harem. She was virtuous and kind, and almost impeccable except for not being able to bear children. In addition, she was from the Wu clan.

However, he also strongly opposed the power of maternal relatives.

The two are not in conflict.

Li Longji remained expressionless, merely nodding slightly. Suddenly, he looked at the three prime ministers and asked, "What are your thoughts on this, gentlemen?"

Zhang Jiazhen and Wang Shouyi had a very close relationship, so she naturally stood up to support him immediately.

Everyone's attention was focused on Zhang Shuo, but unexpectedly, Zhang Shuo also expressed his strong support.

Seeing that both Zhangs supported it, Yuan Qianyao naturally wouldn't object and quickly expressed his support as well.

The ministers were dumbfounded.

What's going on?

What's wrong with you guys?

Li Longji remained calm, nodded, and then looked at Yuwen Rong, "Imperial Censor Yuwen, you were the one who proposed the matter of returning the hidden dangers to their place of residence. What are your thoughts on this?"

Yuwen Rong was naturally extremely unwilling, but given the atmosphere, he dared not say he did not support it. He replied, "Your Majesty, Your Highness considers the country in every way, which makes me feel ashamed of myself. I fully support you."

Li Longji glanced at Pan Haoli with a smile.

Pan Haoli was very unhappy to see that the prime ministers all supported him, but he could only retreat in a huff.

Wang Xi, who was standing to the side, saw this and thought to himself, "He truly lives up to his reputation as the young Cao Cao of the Tang Dynasty. He has grasped everyone's mindset so quickly."

At this moment, Wang Shouyi's ascension to the throne only required Li Longji to open his mouth, and there were no further obstacles. After pondering for a while, Li Longji suddenly said, "I am very satisfied with Shouyi's management of the Palace Secretariat, and I do not want to make any changes for the time being. I will consider it further."

(End of this chapter)