noveltune Chapter 5528 Full of Resentment
Chapter 5528 Full of Resentment
Chapter 5528 Full of Resentment
It was harmless to indulge Cheng Yaojin and Liang Jianfang, since both armies did indeed participate in the rescue, and the people of Guanzhong had absolute trust in the army. However, the "Hundred Cavalry Division" was a completely different case.
As the "imperial hounds" protecting imperial power, the "Hundred Cavalry Division," whose mission was to monitor the court, also had the responsibility of supervising officials and maintaining stability in the capital region. This meant that every piece of information they collected could lead to the downfall of an official or even the initiation of a major case.
If they were allowed to roam freely in every corner of Guanzhong, who wouldn't feel fear and unease?
Seeing His Majesty remain silent in contemplation, Ma Zhou continued, "The present age is truly a time of unprecedented prosperity, surpassing all the golden ages recorded in history. With the ruler and his ministers united and the people following his lead, we have expanded our territory and improved our governance, expending countless efforts. This should have lasted a long time, benefiting future generations, and be remembered by history. However, the court is in turmoil, the people are unsettled, and we are beset by internal and external troubles, shaking the very foundation of the nation. A slight misstep could destroy our glorious achievements, and we would all be sinners for all time!"
At this point, his voice choked with emotion, and he bowed deeply to the ground.
While Fang Jun was indeed highly accomplished and prestigious, and the Crown Prince was indeed intelligent, gentle, and kind, the reason why many ministers in the court attached themselves to the Eastern Palace was not for any merit in following the emperor, but to continue the system and national policies of the "Renhe" dynasty.
Throughout history, even including the mythical era of the Three Kings, none of the so-called golden ages have ever been as prosperous as we are today. The nation is strong, the people are wealthy, the culture is thriving, and the military is powerful—this is unprecedented in history.
Especially now, with the country's strength constantly increasing, wealth accumulating, and people's wisdom being awakened, these insightful people have a vague intuition that since Qin Shi Huang unified the six kingdoms and established the prefecture-county system, whether it was the prefecture-county system or the enfeoffment system, the Tang Dynasty had almost reached the pinnacle of centralized power.
Population, military, territory, culture... there is no way to surpass these aspects, otherwise the central government will lose its ultimate control over the local areas, and may even decline and disintegrate after reaching its peak.
But precisely because they had reached the pinnacle of authoritarianism, these insightful individuals were filled with longing—what would happen if they were to break through this boundary?
Ma Zhou also discussed this issue with Fang Jun, and he still remembers Fang Jun's words at the time: "Sweeping across the world, with no upper limit."
That was a new world.
A new world unlike any other.
Everyone wants to see.
So now, in order to maintain the supreme power of the emperor, His Majesty is going to personally stifle any possibility of breaking through the boundaries, and forever imprison China in the flaws of the centralized system, endlessly repeating the same cycle. How could he be willing to accept this?
Li Chengqian sat up from the bed, staring intently at the Grand Chancellor before him. His tone was slow but his voice was firm: "I am ordained by Heaven to rule the world. This Tang Dynasty is my Tang Dynasty!"
Imperial power is supreme and cannot be desecrated or damaged.
Ma Zhou remained bowed and said softly, "Your Majesty, you will always be the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty."
Whether it was out of gratitude for the two emperors, Gaozu and Taizong, who swept across the land and unified the country, or to maintain the integrity of the political system and the implementation of national policies, no one in the court wanted to establish a new emperor or change dynasties.
Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has been lenient with taxes and levies and treated people with kindness. This "benevolence" has long been deeply rooted in people's hearts and is extremely popular. Everyone is willing for the Li Tang royal family to sit on the emperor's throne.
Li Chengqian pursed his lips and said in a deep voice, "Emperors are decisive in killing and ruthless, and have absolute authority over the state!"
Ma Zhou sighed softly, hesitated slightly, and slowly said, "Your Majesty, the world does not belong to one family or one clan, but to all people. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it; therefore, water comes first, and then boat."
The people are the most important, the ruler is the least important, and the state comes next.
How can a monarch who disregards the well-being of the people in pursuit of absolute imperial power gain popular support, and how can such a dynasty last long?
……
When Ma Zhou walked out of the Wude Hall, a gentle spring breeze was blowing in his face, but his mood was very heavy.
This was probably his last attempt to advise the emperor, but it still ended in failure.
His Majesty is not a domineering person, nor does he crave power. However, he cannot tolerate the weakening, division, or even fall of the supreme imperial power in his hands. He has a strong conviction in his heart and would rather smash everything he currently possesses than back down an inch.
The situation is beyond saving.
*****
In the spring of the tenth year of Renhe, the celestial phenomena were indeed strange and the climate was abnormal.
A heavy snowfall at the end of January and the beginning of February caused widespread damage in Guanzhong. This was followed by a light spring rain. The alternation between snow and rain came suddenly and caught people off guard.
February 9th.
The continuous drizzle has been falling for several days, the sky is covered by dark clouds, and it gets dark very early.
Just as the time of Shenshi (3-5 PM) arrived, the lanterns in all the neighborhoods of Chang'an were already lit. The bluestone slabs on the road were washed clean by the rain and were spotless, reflecting the lights and creating halos. Carriages and horses rumbled and pedestrians hurried along the streets.
Inside the study of the Duke of England's mansion, the brothers Li Ji and Li Bi were drinking across a tea table, on which were several small dishes and a pot of fine wine.
Li Ji took a sip of wine, glanced at his brother in front of him, and asked, "What brings you here today for a drink with me?"
Although they are brothers, Li Bi, who now serves as the Vice Minister of the Imperial Guard, has purchased a residence in Buzhengfang for his convenience while on duty. Buzhengfang is located outside Shunyi Gate, and to the left of the entrance are the government offices of Dali Temple, Weiwei Temple, and other government offices.
Li Bi drank very quickly, one cup after another. When he heard his brother's question, he sighed and said, "I'm troubled by trivial matters at home. My wife and children are always arguing. The peace at home naturally makes me unhappy, so I came to find you, brother, to have a few drinks and get drunk."
With that, he raised his glass and clinked it against his brother's, then drank it all in one gulp.
Li Ji held his wine cup in silence for a moment, took a sip, put down the cup, and sighed.
"I'm afraid she's still blaming me, isn't she?"
Li Bi poured wine from the pot, then shook his head: "That's not true!"
Li Ji said, “You only know that serving as the Vice Minister of the Imperial Guard for many years is a demotion, but you don’t know that my family has always been the target of public criticism. I have already done my best to stand on the front line alone, and my future is uncertain. Therefore, I have always regarded you as a way out for the family.”
When Li Mi was defeated at the end of the Sui Dynasty, his power was still very strong. "East to the sea, south to the Yangtze River, west to Ruzhou, and north to Weijun," this territory was in the hands of his general Li Ji.
If Li Mi were to retreat to Luokou and regroup, he might still have the strength to fight again.
However, at that time, someone under his command advised, "When Zhai Rang was killed, Xu Maogong almost died. Now his wounds have not yet healed, how can his heart be trusted?" Li Mi thought this made sense, and dared not go to Li Ji to avoid being harmed by him. Instead, he directly surrendered to the Tang Dynasty and entered the pass.
After learning that Li Mi had surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, Li Ji pondered the matter repeatedly and decided to surrender his territory to the Tang Dynasty through Li Mi.
Therefore, "Xu Shiji surrendered with the troops of Liyang and ten prefectures in Henan".
Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan was delighted upon hearing the news, for he had obtained a vast territory and tens of thousands of troops without lifting a finger. He immediately issued an edict, "appointing him as the General of Liyang, the Pillar of State, and the Duke of Lai." Soon after, he issued another edict, "adding the title of Right Martial General, changing his title to Duke of Cao, bestowing upon him the surname Li, granting him fifty hectares of fertile land, and placing him in the first district of Jia."
It can be said that Li Ji had more "capital" than Li Mi, Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, and others when he surrendered to the Tang Dynasty.
Among the many generals who surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, he was the only one who was granted the surname Li and registered in the imperial household register.
However, no matter how great the merits or how much capital one has, how could one not be envied if one is given such important responsibilities and trust immediately upon surrendering?
Moreover, his so-called "capital" was Li Mi's family fortune, so even the old brothers from Wagang Village were very dissatisfied.
Despite Cheng Yaojin's apparent obedience to him over the years, the resentment in his heart has never dissipated...
The Li family prospered because of Li Ji, but the higher one climbs, the colder it gets.
With his power, it wouldn't be difficult for him to promote his younger brother to a high position, and neither Emperor Taizong nor His Majesty would object to it. However, this younger brother is mediocre in talent and ambitious but unrealistic. Rashly ascending to a high position would be more of a disaster than a blessing. Once he becomes a target for others to attack the Duke of Ying's mansion, not only will he himself be in danger, but the entire family will also be put in a passive position.
But Li Bi didn't think so.
In the past, it was one thing, but even if he was unwilling, he had no choice but to obey his elder brother. But now, Li Jingye has become the commander of the "Hundred Cavalry Division" and is a third-rank military officer, the same rank as the Minister of the Imperial Guard. Even Li Siwen, who used to be a playboy who caused trouble, is now the Vice Minister of Agriculture, the same rank as him... As his uncle, how could he not feel resentful?
This resentment, which had been bottled up for years, was finally released today at the dinner table.
Upon hearing his elder brother's words, Li Bi took a sip of wine, his face flushed with the smell of alcohol, and said, "Fine, what can I do? You're my elder brother. Whatever you say, whatever my wishes may be, I'll listen to you."
Li Ji had no choice but to say, "After two or three years when the situation stabilizes, I will write to His Majesty requesting to retire. At that time, His Majesty will surely promote and give you an important position in recognition of the Li family's contributions. This will be a compensation for your years of frustration and unfulfilled ambitions."
Li Bi's eyes lit up at first, then he felt a little ashamed and hesitated, saying, "Although I am thinking of getting promoted, I am sure that you, brother, will make way for me..."
Li Ji waved his hand: "We're family, two brothers, let's do it this way!"
He then took advantage of his drunken state to complain: "Do you think I'm someone who craves power? All these years I've been in the central government but I've kept my mouth shut like a clay sculpture, just because I'm afraid of getting into trouble! Stepping down now would be a successful retirement, and it would also make way for you, a win-win situation."
Li Bi was so moved that his eyes reddened, and he repeatedly raised his glass in a toast.
Li Ji was deeply moved by his younger brother's words and naturally accepted all offers of help...
When Li Ji fell into a drunken stupor, Li Bi helped him to lie down on the bed in the inner room. He took the fish-shaped pouch containing the official seal from Li Ji's waist, walked to the door, and handed it to the servant who had been waiting outside. After watching the servant hurry to the side courtyard, Li Bi turned back, poured the wine from the wine pot out the window, poured another half pot of wine, blew out the candles, and sat alone in the dark study, sipping his wine slowly and anxiously awaiting news.