A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

The Chinese nation has a long-standing tradition of martial arts and highly values ​​martial prowess and glory.

Since the establishment of the military merit system in the Qin Dynasty, this practice has become increasingly prevalent.

By the Han Dynasty, the roles of general and prime minister gradually became synonymous.

Generals who made military achievements in the field had a high chance of returning to the court and serving as prime minister.

Zhou Bo, Zhou Yafu, Huo Guang, Dou Xian, Liang Ji, etc., of the Han Dynasty;

Cao Zhen and Liu Yu, among others, during the Qianlong reign;

Li Jing and Li Ji of the Tang Dynasty, among others.

These men were all promoted through military merit, posing a significant threat to his position as prime minister.

If someone were to achieve great merit at the border, it would be highly likely that they would return to the capital and be appointed prime minister based on that merit.

He would never allow anyone to take his place in this way.

He had also figured out how to persuade Li Longji. Historically, most of the ministers who became prime ministers because of their military achievements were both civil and military, capable of governing the country with their pens and conquering the world on horseback.

This also led to significant conflicts between them and the emperor after they gained power.

For example, Zhou Yafu was involved in the Willow Camp Incident, and afterwards repeatedly disobeyed the emperor, ultimately being sentenced to death.

Zhou Bo was also the mastermind behind the killing of Emperor Hui, and the ruthless man who eliminated the Lü family and returned power to Emperor Wen.

Huo Guang, Dou Xian, and Liang Ji need no further introduction; they were all famous and powerful ministers.

So he went to Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, again and persuaded him to appoint more generals who had been Sinicized.

These generals, due to their backgrounds, were not recognized by the orthodox Han Chinese forces and had no foundation, posing no threat whatsoever.

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang agreed wholeheartedly.

Who is he?

How could Li Longji, who revitalized the Tang Dynasty and ushered in a golden age, possibly allow anyone to simultaneously hold both civil and military power and threaten the imperial authority!

The Tang Dynasty would not allow such an awesome person to exist!

The Wei family is an exception.

The Wei family already has one outstanding figure; there absolutely cannot be a second one.

Moreover, Li Linfu's words make sense; if those generals who have been naturalized from other ethnic groups are appointed, there is absolutely no possibility of them being overthrown.

"My dear minister, you are indeed a pillar of the nation. This plan is very much to my liking. Do you have any recommendations for generals to guard the border?"

Li Longji asked.

"Your Majesty, I believe that An Lushan, Geshu Han, and Gao Xianzhi are capable of undertaking this important task."

Li Linfu recommended it.

"allow."

Li Longji nodded.

"Prime Minister Li, I am preparing to build a Qujiang Hibiscus Garden."

"The Yellow Canal was dug to draw water from the Zhongnan Mountains, the Qujiang River area was expanded, and architectural complexes such as the Ziyun Tower, Caixia Pavilion, and Furong Hall were built; an imperial road was constructed directly to the Daming Palace."

"Is the national treasury adequately funded?"

Li Longji pointed to the area around Furong Lake and asked Li Linfu.

Li Linfu's eyes darted around, and he smiled broadly, "Your Majesty, the expenses are naturally sufficient."

"However, the border war has been intense recently, and a large amount of military supplies have been sent to the border. The journey is long and the losses are enormous."

"More than half of the imperial court's annual revenue is allocated to the border regions."

"The expenses on the road alone exceeded 30% of the imperial court's annual revenue."

"Your humble servant suggests that after replacing the military governor, the military governor should be responsible for his own profits and losses and have control over the local finances. The court's support for the local area should be gradually reduced each year, and after three years, military supplies and provisions should no longer be provided."

"In this way, the court's expenses will be greatly reduced."

As the emperor with real power, Li Longji was informed of every change in the court's finances, and he was also fully aware of how much grain the court needed to consume at the border.

If the Jiedushi system could enable local Jiedushi to raise enough grain and military supplies on their own, then the imperial court would be rid of a huge burden.

He will then have more resources to enjoy himself!

"Tighten local financial power, require the central government to approve the allocation of funds and grain in prefectures and counties, weaken the financial resources of local governors, and prevent local officials from becoming too powerful."

"The border regions are secure, and no one can shake Your Majesty's rule."

Li Longji's eyes lit up. This was indeed a good way to weaken local power and strengthen central authority. Li Longji looked at Li Linfu approvingly and was even more satisfied with his decision to appoint Li Linfu as prime minister.

Li Linfu was indeed a rare talent.

With the help of this policy, Li Linfu had already seized control of the power to promote and appoint officials in various regions, and now he has also seized control of the financial power in various regions.

His power will increase greatly, and officials in various places will no longer be able to disobey his orders.

He appointed Niu Xianke and Chen Xilie, who were timid and submissive, as his second prime ministers. Although they were timid, they were very capable and easy to control.

After gaining control over personnel appointments and financial matters in various regions, Li Linfu completely consolidated his power as prime minister, and his ambitions grew significantly.

But despite his mediocre abilities, he was extremely afraid of other capable officials.

Therefore, he appointed cruel officials such as Ji Wen and Luo Xishi to fabricate cases of treason and corruption against nobles, civil officials, and border generals. Any minister who was suspected by Emperor Xuanzong and posed a threat to Li Linfu's power was imprisoned, tortured, demoted, or exiled. Everyone in the court and the country was in danger, and no one dared to form a faction to oppose Li Linfu.

Li Linfu's power in the court had grown, so he began to discuss with Consort Wu Hui the possibility of deposing Crown Prince Li Ying and installing Consort Wu Hui's son, Prince Shou, Li Mao, as the new Crown Prince.

At this time, Zhang Jiuling, the biggest obstacle to deposing the crown prince, had been eliminated. If Li Linfu could successfully put Prince Shou, Li Mao, on the throne, he could rest easy.

"Li Linfu, I have fulfilled my promise to you and appointed you prime minister, and eliminated Zhang Jiuling. Do not forget what you promised me."

Consort Wu looked at Li Linfu with anticipation in her eyes.

Once her son ascends to the position of Crown Prince, she will become the Empress and the future Empress Dowager.

Leaving aside replicating Wu Zetian's merits and demerits, emulating the powerful empress dowagers of the Han Dynasty wouldn't be bad either.

The thought of ruling from behind the curtain and wielding absolute power was irresistible to Consort Wu Hui.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I already have a plan."

Li Linfu smiled sinisterly.

"What plan? Tell me quickly!"

Consort Wu Hui asked impatiently.

"Your Majesty, do this and that, and so on."

Consort Wu Hui's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands in approval.

Under the arrangement of Li Linfu and Consort Wu Hui, Crown Prince Li Ying, Prince E Li Yao, and Prince Guang Li Ju soon received news that bandits had appeared in the palace, and Emperor Xuanzong ordered them to go to the rescue immediately.

The messengers were all close eunuchs of Emperor Xuanzong. The three princes had no suspicions and immediately led their troops, donned armor, and entered the palace to protect the emperor.

The three had barely approached the palace when Li Linfu's spies stationed there relayed the news to Consort Wu Hui, who immediately rushed to Emperor Xuanzong's residence.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"

Consort Wu Hui rushed into the palace, speaking hurriedly and anxiously.

Li Longji frowned slightly. Seeing that the visitor was Consort Wu Hui, he suppressed the impatience in his eyes and asked, "What's the matter that you're so flustered?"

"Has the sky fallen?"

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince, along with the two princes, has led troops into the palace with treacherous intentions!"

"Your Majesty, we urge you to immediately lead your troops to safety and order the Imperial Guards to quell the rebellion!"

Consort Wu Hui hurriedly said this, and then tried to pull Li Longji away.

Li Longji was furious upon hearing this. He shoved Wu Huifei aside, climbed onto the high platform, and looked towards the palace gate.

After climbing to a high place, Li Longji indeed saw a group of soldiers storming into the palace!

"Damn it!"