My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

Wei Zheng coughed and said, "Your Majesty, according to my understanding..."

This time, undercurrents are surging in the Eastern countries.

The Wa people reached a secret agreement with Goguryeo, Baekje, Yanqi and other countries.

Those agreements, on the surface, were fair.

In reality, it conceals unspeakable secrets and conspiracies.

They want to unite against Silla and our Tang Dynasty.

"Oh, is that so? Do you have any evidence to support your claim?" Li Shimin asked.

"For example, take the matter of the Wa people wanting to purchase 100,000 jars of fine wine from Yanqi. On the surface, it seems like a fair transaction, but in reality, it is not."

We know that the profit margin on wine exceeds 80% of the selling price.

For example, if a jar of wine is worth ten taels of silver, eight or nine taels of that is profit.

If this deal is completed, it will be equivalent to the Wa Nu Kingdom providing financial support to Yanqi.

After receiving this huge sum of money, Yanqi will recruit soldiers and expand its army to fight our Great Tang to the bitter end.

For example, the Wa (Japan) Kingdom plans to sell 100 warships to Goguryeo at a low price. Your Majesty, please consider this.

The Goguryeo navy was already very powerful.

Therefore,

Back then, when Emperor Yang of Sui sent General Huer to lead the navy in a decisive battle against Goguryeo, the casualties were heavy.

Ultimately, our army was no match for their navy.

If Goguryeo were to acquire another 100 large warships from Wa (Japan), wouldn't that be like adding wings to a tiger?

Goguryeo has always coveted our Tang Dynasty and harbored ill intentions.

Why do you think Yeon Gaesomun needs so many warships?

Does he intend to attack our Great Tang Dynasty, or Silla?

but,

No matter what, it's not a good thing for our Great Tang Dynasty.

However, the crown prince eliminated all these potential problems using his wisdom and talent.

Isn't this a great achievement?

Li Shimin listened thoughtfully and said, "Continue."

"King Yamashiro Ōe holds a very important position in the Wa (Japanese) country."

He originally had the opportunity to inherit the throne.

Because Soga no Emishi supported King Jomei, King Yamashiro no Ōe lost his throne.

but,

Even so, King Yamashiro Ooshima commands tens of thousands of naval troops.

It still wields considerable influence and deterrence.

Later, there was some contact between King Yamashiro and the Crown Prince.

The crown prince did not dare to make a decision on his own to accept King Sanbe's surrender. Instead, he suggested that they go to the Silla border to capture pirates.

Isn't this method of using barbarians to control barbarians the best of both worlds?

Our Great Tang Dynasty can deter Goguryeo, Baekje, and Wa without losing a single soldier or paying any wages. What's wrong with that?

How can this be called having an army and wielding power?

If Your Majesty agrees to persuade King Yamabe to surrender, why not just issue a decree to Gao Biaoren, instructing him to persuade King Yamabe to surrender?

In that case,

Isn't the army of King Yamabe no Ooku no Daigo just the army of our Great Tang Dynasty?

How can such a great achievement be considered a crime?

After listening to Wei Zheng's words, Li Shimin thought about them carefully and realized that Wei Zheng's words were not without reason.

Li Shimin looked up at Wei Zheng: "My dear minister, are you saying that I made a mistake in sending Chang He to arrest Li Chenggan?"

"That must be wrong."

Your Majesty is a wise and benevolent ruler; how could you make such a basic mistake?

Unclear rewards and punishments are a major taboo.

Those who perform meritorious service will be rewarded, and those who commit crimes will be punished.

Last time,

The Crown Prince lifted the siege of Chang'an and repelled the allied forces of Zhang Zhongjian and Li Yuanli; this is indeed a great achievement.

but,

However, His Majesty imprisoned the Crown Prince in the Dali Temple jail.

Doesn't His Majesty's behavior make people feel disheartened?

This time,

The Crown Prince has made so many contributions, yet His Majesty has not rewarded him but instead ordered Chang He to arrest him.

Chang'an was placed under martial law, and the entire city was searched, as if they were arresting thieves.

Even though the Crown Prince is very filial, doesn't Your Majesty feel sad?

If Your Majesty continues to hurt the Crown Prince's feelings for you, this will likely not be a good omen in the long run.

Li Shimin's eyes darted around: "My dear minister, according to you, I shouldn't have done that this time."

"Your Majesty, you certainly shouldn't have done that," Wei Zheng shook his head, then continued, "This humble subject must remind you..."

The Crown Prince enjoys a high reputation among the various states, such as Tuyuhun, Tibet, Dangxiang, and Silla. These states respect our Great Tang because His Majesty is wise, powerful, and renowned.

On the other hand, it's also for the sake of the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince used his wisdom and strategy, employing both kindness and force, to win their hearts and minds, making them willing to become a vassal state of our Great Tang.

If Li Chengqian's position as crown prince was not so secure, and he was frequently impeached, arrested, and imprisoned in the Dali Temple jail, then...

It will have many negative impacts.

The other princes see an opportunity and are eager to try, which may cause discontent among those countries that were originally loyal to the Crown Prince.

Li Shimin paced back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back, pondering Wei Zheng's words.

It should be said that Wei Zheng's words made some sense.

Wei Zheng straightened his clothes: "Your Majesty, I heard that you have issued two more decrees. One is to allow Consort Yang to move into Jiucheng Palace."

Secondly, was it true that Tuyuhun was ceded to Li Ke?

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin nodded slightly: "You are right, I did issue two such decrees."

Wei Zheng sighed: "Your Majesty, I believe these two edicts are inappropriate."

"Oh," Li Shimin said, his gaze fixed on Wei Zheng, "what do you think is wrong?"

"Fang Xuanling made it very clear at the completion ceremony of Jiucheng Palace that whether they were concubines, princes, or princesses, they had to make outstanding contributions and perform exceptionally well if they wanted to move into Jiucheng Palace."

Then, I must ask, what are Consort Yang's outstanding contributions?

"No matter how great her contributions were, could they compare to Empress Zhangsun's?"

"This—." Li Shimin choked on his words.

"Your Majesty, I believe that you should first allow Empress Zhangsun to move into Jiucheng Palace."

Empress Zhangsun was the mother of the nation, and her contributions were immense; no one could replace her.

How could Your Majesty usurp the host's role?

Li Shimin waved his hand: "My dear minister, it's not that I don't want Empress Zhangsun to live in Jiucheng Palace,

But she herself doesn't want to live there, so what can be done?

"Am I going to force her to move into Jiucheng Palace?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Zheng bowed again: "Has Your Majesty ever considered why Empress Zhangsun was unwilling to move into Jiucheng Palace?"

This precisely demonstrates Empress Zhangsun's humility, modesty, and lack of arrogance.

Li Shimin also expressed his approval and agreement with Wei Zheng's evaluation of Empress Zhangsun.

Li Shimin pondered for a moment: "However, what Consort Yang said also makes sense."

"May I ask, Your Majesty, what did Consort Yang say?"

She said that Jiucheng Palace was formerly known as Renshou Palace.

Back then, Emperor Wen of Sui lived in Renshou Palace.

Since her grandfather used to live in Jiucheng Palace, then...

Why couldn't she choose two side halls in Jiucheng Palace to stay in?

Upon hearing this, Wei Zheng looked surprised: "Did Consort Yang really say that?"

"Yes, is there something wrong with it?"

"If Consort Yang really said that, Your Majesty, please immediately rescind the imperial decree and do not allow her to reside in Jiucheng Palace."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin frowned and asked, "Why?"

Wei Zheng analyzed, "Ah, Your Majesty, the reason is very simple. It involves the question of who is the host and who is the guest."

In other words, does Jiucheng Palace belong to the Li family or their Yang family?

According to Consort Yang's logic, this means that Jiucheng Palace was built on the foundation of Renshou Palace, which implies that Jiucheng Palace belonged to the Yang family.

But His Majesty snatched it away from the Yang family.

This is no longer just a problem with Jiucheng Palace.

in other words,

In Consort Yang's eyes, the empire belonged to the Yang family, but His Majesty had seized it and made it belong to the Li family.

Li Shimin felt that Wei Zheng's analysis was not without merit.

Wei Zheng continued, "If Consort Yang were to say that she made many contributions to Your Majesty's conquest of the empire and the establishment of the Zhenguan era, and did many things for Your Majesty, Your Majesty might allow her to reside in Jiucheng Palace."

If Consort Yang were to say such things to you, Your Majesty should sternly refuse.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin asked, puzzled, "Why is that?"

"Your Majesty, please consider this: if you acknowledge this matter and allow Consort Yang to move into Jiucheng Palace, wouldn't that mean that Jiucheng Palace originally belonged to the Yang family?"

How can they be the same?

Your Majesty was able to become the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty because it was ordained by Heaven.

This is the will of Heaven, and the will of the people.

but,

After Consort Yang's words, it seemed as if their Yang family was the legitimate heir, while His Majesty was suspected of usurping the throne.

Your Majesty, don't you think this makes sense?

Li Shimin smiled, but seemed somewhat unnatural.

Wei Zheng shook his head: "Back then, Dong Zhongshu presented Emperor Wu of Han with the 'Three Strategies on Heaven and Man,' which received high attention and praise from Emperor Wu."

This is because Dong Zhongshu explained the legitimacy and irreplaceability of Emperor Wu of Han as emperor.

It is often said that if the name is not correct, the words will not be proper. Dong Zhongshu rectified the name of Emperor Wu of Han.

The Han dynasty's rule lasted for 400 years.

Isn't Your Majesty doing the opposite of what you're doing?

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin thought to himself, "This old Taoist priest is quite eloquent." In his haste, he truly didn't know how to answer him.

of course,

Li Shimin knew without a doubt that Wei Zheng was completely loyal to the court.

Wei Zheng bowed again: "Your Majesty, your decision to cede Tuyuhun to Li Ke is highly inappropriate."

Li Shimin frowned and asked, "What's wrong with this?"

Firstly, Li Ke received a reward without any merit, so how can this be considered appropriate?

Last time,

When Chang'an was besieged, Li Ke did not return to its aid; this is a crime.

His Majesty simply didn't hold it against him.

Your Majesty, you can either not cede any territory, or you can cede Tuyuhun to the Crown Prince.

originally,

The Tuyuhun were subdued by the crown prince.

Murong Shun greatly admired the Crown Prince.

However, this might not be the case for Li Ke;

Secondly, this would cause dissatisfaction among the other princes. They would definitely think, "Why can Li Ke receive a reward, but we can't?"

Thirdly, this could also make Li Ke a target of public criticism.

Although Li Zhi is still very young, don't forget that Changsun Wuji has high hopes for him.

Last time,

Chu Suiliang was imprisoned in the Dali Temple jail.

No one expected that Changsun Wuji, who had been staying at home in retirement, would show his face and come to the Emperor to plead for mercy.

Furthermore, His Majesty sent Chu Suiliang to Changsun Wuji to work together on compiling the Zhenguan Code.

On the surface, this seems like nothing serious, and even quite appropriate, but in reality, it's extremely inappropriate.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin thought to himself, "So everything I've done has been wrong."

"Compiling the Zhenguan Code is just a trivial task; what great impact could it possibly have?" Li Shimin thought dismissively.

"Your Majesty is mistaken. Who is Changsun Wuji?"

Have you ever wondered why he stepped forward to save Chu Suiliang?

What is the purpose?

Logically speaking, Changsun Wuji was no longer an official in the court.

We shouldn't interfere in these matters anymore, but why did he intervene this time?

Could it be that he was truly afraid that His Majesty would be branded as a talent-harming ruler because of Chu Suiliang's exceptional abilities?

Let me tell you, it's definitely not that simple.

Your humble servant knows Changsun Wuji all too well. He considers every decision carefully. So many things have happened in the court, yet he didn't get involved, except for rescuing Chu Suiliang. This in itself is extraordinary.

It just so happens that His Majesty assigned Chu Suiliang to Changsun Wuji's side.

Chu Suiliang was a gentleman; he always repaid kindness.

In this way, whatever Changsun Wuji said would be the truth.

Didn't Your Majesty realize that Changsun Wuji was very fond of Li Zhi?

He once said that Li Zhi possessed the appearance of a dragon and phoenix, and the countenance of the sun and moon.

Your Majesty, please consider this.

What did he mean by saying that?

Moreover, I have heard that Changsun Wuji has a strong opinion against Li Ke.

"Why is that? I think Li Ke is wise and brave, much like myself."

At that time, Li Chenggan had a leg ailment.

I worry that if he becomes emperor in the future, he will damage the image of the Tang Dynasty.

"So, His Majesty intends to make Li Ke the Crown Prince, is that right?"

Li Shimin remained silent.

Wei Zheng continued, "Because Li Ke and Li Yuanjing were too close, Changsun Wuji had a problem with Li Ke."

"Li Yuanjing? You mean my younger brother who likes alchemy?"

"Exactly."

"He is devoted to alchemy, which is no different from that of a Taoist priest. Why make such a fuss?" Clearly, Li Shimin did not take Wei Zheng's words seriously.

"Your Majesty," Wei Zheng shook his head, "Your Majesty is wrong again. Is Li Yuanjing really as pure as Your Majesty says?"

I'm afraid that's not necessarily true.

Some people are truly dedicated to alchemy; regardless of whether the elixir can be successfully made, their sole pursuit is the elixir and immortality.

However, for some, alchemy is merely a smokescreen.

Has Your Majesty forgotten?

At the beginning,

When Liu Bei was serving under Cao Cao and was out of favor, did he just spend his days growing vegetables in his garden?

Li Shimin suddenly stopped and stared at Wei Zheng:

"My dear minister, are you saying that Li Yuanjing's alchemy is a sham, and that he has ulterior motives?"

Wei Zheng did not directly answer Li Shimin's question, but instead said: "Your Majesty is a sage ruler."

"There are some things Your Majesty must consider yourself."

Just then, a tall figure flashed in from outside the door, prostrated himself on the ground, and proclaimed loudly, "Greetings, Heavenly Khan!"

Li Shimin looked down and saw that the person was none other than Songtsen Gampo.

Li Shimin was puzzled, because he had not expected Songtsen Gampo to come looking for him.

Li Shimin walked up to Songtsen Gampo and helped him up with both hands: "No need for such formalities!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After Songtsen Gampo stood up, he bowed to Wei Zheng again.

Wei Zheng returned the courtesy.

Li Shimin looked Songtsen Gampo up and down.

It was discovered that Songtsen Gampo was truly a hero of extraordinary skill.

Li Shimin saw this and liked it very much.

Li Shimin then asked, "What brings you to see me?"

Songtsen Gampo said in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, I have been resting at the inn these past two days. I heard that Your Majesty has ordered a city-wide search for the Crown Prince. Is this true?"