noveltune Chapter 5503 Fate and Destiny
Chapter 5503 Fate and Destiny
Chapter 5503 Fate and Destiny
Just as families have traditions, so too does the officialdom.
Families pass on bloodlines, knowledge, and wealth, while officialdom passes on power, lineage, and political ideals.
When people reach a certain high position in the officialdom, few of them are after wealth. They all have some ideals or ambitions. However, many things are extremely difficult to accomplish within their short term. If they want to continue this political ideal, they must choose a successor, or even help him get started and support him.
Although a person may be far removed from officialdom, their political ideals continue to exist; this is another kind of life.
Moreover, even if one steps down from office or retires, there are always children and family members who need protection. Therefore, the person who chooses to inherit the political mantle also bears certain responsibilities.
Dai Zhou was experienced and shrewd in planning. Just look at how he survived the turbulent political environment of the Wude era and was trusted and entrusted with important responsibilities during the Zhenguan and Renhe reigns, and you can see how outstanding his political wisdom was.
He did his best to cultivate his nephew Dai Zhide, but he could see that although the boy was intelligent and could thrive in officialdom, he lacked vision, breadth of mind, and knowledge. He might be able to govern a region in the future, but it would be extremely difficult for him to advance further.
The officialdom is a place of power struggles and intrigue. Forcibly promoting someone to a higher position is often not a good thing, as someone who is not qualified for the position will inevitably suffer disaster.
A modest fortune is sufficient.
His entire political philosophy was passed down through Di Renjie.
Although this little guy is still young and lacks experience, he has a calm demeanor that remains unchanged even when Mount Tai collapses before him. He is as steady as a rock when faced with important matters, and his talent and ability are outstanding. He is a promising talent.
Moreover, Di Renjie came from an academy and was highly respected among the students.
Today, everyone knows that the "well-rounded talents" cultivated by academies are a powerful tool for governing the country. The central leadership is fine, as long as they can speak some classical Chinese and Confucian sayings and choose the right side, they can be competent. But the officials in charge of specific tasks need more professional knowledge.
It's easy to imagine that, given time, the talents cultivated by Zhenguan Academy will fill the middle-level officialdom of the entire empire...
Most importantly, Fang Junzhi valued and cultivated him.
The academy boasted numerous outstanding students, a veritable constellation of stars. However, among them, Fang Jun valued none more than Cen Changqian, Di Renjie, and Xue Yuanchao, among others. His favor and cultivation of them were comparable to those of his own sons…
With the protection of the Dali Temple and the powerful backer of Fang Jun, Di Renjie only needs to develop steadily and he will surely become a great man in the future.
Isn't this better than choosing someone who seems exceptionally talented but actually has a bumpy career?
Dai Zhou's words were intended to make Di Renjie famous, to let everyone know that he was the successor he had chosen, and that the entire Tang Dynasty's judicial system would treat him differently, with all his loyal followers and allies protecting him.
The saying "One should become famous as early as possible" applies in any era.
*****
When these words reached the palace and entered Li Chengqian's ears, they prompted him to ask a somewhat wistful question during his meeting with Li Ji.
Why do I always feel that all the outstanding talents and rising stars have gathered at the Eastern Palace?
This puzzled Li Chengqian.
He was clearly the emperor of the empire, the one who could utter the sentiment, "All the heroes of the world are now within my grasp."
Li Ji usually doesn't offer specific opinions on such matters, so at this moment he comforted His Majesty: "As the saying goes, 'A child prodigy may not necessarily be a great adult.' Although one may have some fame now, after a few years of setbacks and trials in officialdom, very few can persevere and advance further. Your Majesty need not worry."
Li Chengqian shook his head: "Lord Ying, there's no need to deceive yourself like this. I can see whether someone is talented or not."
While there is some truth to the saying "a child prodigy may not necessarily achieve greatness in adulthood," the fact is that the vast majority of those who are famous from a young age and have exceptional talent will eventually succeed. Those who are "unknown" in their youth but "achieve great things later in life" are extremely rare.
People like Di Renjie and Cen Changqian, unless they were born out of their talents and died young, how could they not become successful?
Li Ji's lips twitched, speechless.
Since you know I'm just trying to comfort you, why make it so clear?
Li Chengqian took a sip of tea and said in a low voice, "I have always respected Lord Ying. It would not be an exaggeration to say that I am like a teacher or a father to him. Today, there are only the two of us here. I would like to ask Lord Ying a question—does the so-called 'destiny' or 'fate' really exist in this world?"
Li Ji's mind raced, and he said, "Your Majesty's trust is overwhelming, this old minister is flattered... Why does Your Majesty ask this?"
Li Chengqian sighed and said, “When I read history books, it is always said that when great achievements are made, it is because of ‘the mandate of heaven’s will’; when dynasties fall, it is said that ‘their fate has run out’. I sometimes wonder, before achieving great things, can one sense ‘the mandate of heaven’s will’? Similarly, before a dynasty falls, can anyone foresee ‘their fate has run out’?”
"Mandate of Heaven" and "destiny" are not only the lifeblood of a dynasty but also the foundation of a monarch.
He had always believed it without a doubt.
When the Tang Dynasty replaced the Sui Dynasty and unified the world, wasn't it "the mandate of heaven"?
He was born into an imperial family, which is surely "his destiny".
However, in recent years, with the gradual development and expansion of the "investigation of things," the truths behind the previously mysterious celestial phenomena and astronomy have been revealed one by one. The theory of "interaction between heaven and man" has suffered an unprecedented blow. Now, Fang Jun is determined to send a fleet on a voyage to prove that "the earth is round," and the legitimacy of "divine right of kings" has also begun to be questioned...
More and more things proved that what he had previously believed in might have been nothing but empty talk, naturally making him full of doubt about everything.
Li Ji said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, as the supreme ruler, how can you belittle yourself?"
Before Li Chengqian could speak, he continued, "Your Majesty is not an ignorant youth without experience. You should know that the saying 'Man proposes, God disposes' is true. Many times, the success of great things depends not only on meticulous and ingenious planning, but also on a bit of luck. The world is unpredictable and is constantly changing. No matter how ingenious the plan is, there will be changes. In the end, success requires a bit of luck... and this 'luck' is 'destiny'."
Seeing Li Chengqian personally pour him tea, he quickly thanked him and then said, "At the end of the Sui Dynasty, the world was in chaos, and heroes from all walks of life rose up in rebellion. When Emperor Gaozu raised his army in Taiyuan, his strength was not the strongest, yet he was able to achieve great things amidst the struggle for supremacy. Isn't this 'destiny'? In the second year of Wude, the Tang Dynasty was newly established. Song Jingang, with the support of the Turks, attempted to 'enter Jinyang and head south to contend for the world' and launched an attack on Jinyang. The King of Chao fled, and Jinyang fell. In the ninth year of Wude, Khan Jieli personally led 200,000 cavalry south to the north bank of the Wei River. At that time, Emperor Taizong had just ascended the throne, and the world was not yet at peace, and the imperial family was not yet stable... Either of these crises could have directly led to the collapse of the empire, but in the end, they were both averted. Isn't this 'destiny'?"
Li Chengqian nodded.
He was naturally aware of the two crises that occurred at the beginning of the empire, especially the latter one, in which he was held by his mother in the Taiji Palace, waiting anxiously for news from his father after he personally visited the Wei River...
At the time, no one thought that Jieli would retreat. Guanzhong was in turmoil and Chang'an was empty. Jieli Khan only needed to wave his hand and his 200,000 cavalry could stop the flow of the Wei River, cross the Wei River, and capture Chang'an. However, in the end, Jieli Khan mysteriously emptied the treasury of Chang'an and then directly withdrew.
In addition, Emperor Taizong once defeated 100,000 with only 3,000 men outside Hulao Pass...
Looking back, any one of those crises could have led to the complete demise of the Li Tang dynasty, yet time and again they were "lucky" enough to achieve final victory.
If this isn't "destiny," then what is?
Li Ji said in a deep voice, "There's no need to pay attention to those rumors and gossip from the outside world. Your Majesty's ability to become the Emperor of Tang and rule the world is 'the Mandate of Heaven'!"
He certainly knew why His Majesty was so anxious and questioning.
With the decline of imperial power and the turmoil of public opinion, the legitimacy of Ke's succession to the throne was questioned, and everyone was worried that the throne would be shaken.
But he couldn't just stand by and watch His Majesty lose confidence and back down, because he had already dragged his whole family onto His Majesty's ship!
Therefore, he advised, "Instead of worrying about these trivial matters, Your Majesty should invite the Empress back to the palace as soon as possible."
He paused for a moment, then added, "The Crown Prince is, after all, the Crown Prince. Even if there are some misunderstandings between father and son, it is difficult to overcome the bond of blood."
His Majesty was extremely dissatisfied with the Empress's attitude and the way he dealt with the Crown Prince.
That's your own son, how could you push him to Fang Jun's side?
The reason why father and son are at odds now, and why the relationship between Taiji Palace and the Crown Prince is so tense, is that you insisted on changing the heir apparent back then.
If he could get close to the Empress and the Crown Prince and not have any thoughts of changing the heir, how could the entire Eastern Palace completely side with Fang Jun?
When you yourself faced Emperor Taizong's intention to change the heir apparent, how trembling and cautious you were, why can't you put yourself in the shoes of the crown prince and empress now?
Li Chengqian's face was ashen, and he did not answer. He picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea.
Li Ji sighed inwardly, knowing that this matter was a sensitive topic for His Majesty, and that not losing his temper on the spot was already a consideration for the face of this old minister.
Suddenly, he glanced at His Majesty with a strange expression.
He recalled the rumors circulating in the city about the Empress and Fang Jun. Could those rumors be true?
Is it because the Empress had an affair with Fang Jun, which severely damaged His Majesty's self-esteem, making him unable to face the Empress?
It seems that from that time onwards, His Majesty's resolve to change the heir apparent grew stronger. Although trust remained between him and Fang Jun, irreconcilable rifts gradually appeared...
But that's impossible, isn't it?
Isn't Fang Jun a notorious "good princess"?
If it were said that a certain princess had an affair with Fang Jun, Li Ji would rather believe it than not, but if it were said that the Empress had an affair with Fang Jun…
We really need to try to understand His Majesty.