Emperor Zhenguan

Chapter 907 Another year of rebellion

As a prince, in theory, Li Chengzhao doesn't need to learn the art of war too well, what he needs to learn more is the emperor's mind and the art of controlling people.But to a certain extent, the art of war has something in common with governing the world, so Li Zhiyun doesn't want his son to know nothing about the art of war.

Therefore, he did not ask Li Chengzhao to become a victorious commander, but he must understand the basic military strategy and the strategy of governing the country.Otherwise, if there is a war in the future, he doesn't know who to use as a general, which will be a big problem.

The 11th year of Zhenguan has passed, and the Tang Dynasty has entered Zhenguan for 12 years.

Last year was a year of good weather, and this year is also a year of good weather.There is no major event in the empire, that is to continue to build granaries and store grain.As for food, there are two completely different concepts when there is so much rotten in the warehouse and there is nothing in the warehouse.Of course, as the Son of Heaven, Li Zhiyun is very conscientious. He has people pull out all the food that is about to expire and rot for the slaves to eat, so it is not a waste.Moreover, the slaves can also have a full meal, and everyone is happy.

The situation of slaves today is much better than in the early days.The early empires used slaves as one-time consumables. They ate less and worked harder. They got up earlier than chickens and slept later than dogs. They were completely used as animals.There is a folk song: the bones are under the cement, the bones are in the mud, the bones and coal are not separated, and the slaves have no homes.

Wherever cement roads are built, not far from the roadside, you will definitely find huge incineration pits full of slave bones.The same is true on both sides of canals and canals, basically.The Ministry of Civil Affairs has counted the number of slaves who died, adding up to nearly 60.This is an extremely large number, not including those who are dying and those who are being escorted to die.

Under the glory and prosperity, it was actually made up of slave bones.The benefits of doing so are also obvious. The more obvious point is that the labor of the people of the empire is reduced, and they can let go of farming land and having children.The population is rising, and the food tax is increasing every year.

As for whether the slaves were miserable or not, this was not within the consideration of imperial officials.It is well known that slaves are not subjects of the empire, then they are not human beings.Since they are not human beings, why bother to pity their experiences.

Right now, some of the constituent parts of the empire are from aristocratic families.Although they are full of poetry and books, when it comes to cruelty, they are more cruel than anyone else.During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Shandong gentry built forts everywhere to protect tenant farmers and their families.Not to mention the Guanlong nobles, who were born out of Xianbei and other tribes, essentially still practiced the grassland.That is, whoever wins enjoys everything the enemy has.

Now, as the food that the empire can't eat is taken out, and the slaves are occasionally given extra meals, it is enough for them to be grateful and continue to dedicate their lives to the empire respectfully, helping the empire to speed up its development and expand its territory abroad.

Occasionally, Li Zhiyun would feel that he was about to start a bloody era of oppression.However, it is the foreign people who are oppressed.He has never regretted it, because this is an important way for the empire to become stronger.He not only wants the empire to win at the starting line, but also to let the empire win directly to the finish line.

The reason for using slaves, of course, Li Zhiyun must instill this idea in Prince Li Chengzhao.Once, the prince asked him, if he keeps oppressing the slaves like this, will there be no accidents?
Li Zhiyun's answer is, don't let the slaves conflict with the empire, but let the slaves conflict with each other, disintegrate from within, let them serve the empire while fighting each other, and finally die together.

The bloody facts kept the prince silent until Li Zhiyun told him the old stories of the Huns and other grassland tribes, and told him that the Turks and other tribes were wolves.When the empire was strong, they were an obedient dog.When the empire is weak, they will jump out to endanger the empire just like they did in the last years of the Sui Dynasty.

Li Chengzhao, who was familiar with history books, could naturally quickly understand the meaning of his father's words. Gradually, his thoughts began to assimilate with the emperor, and he no longer sympathized with those slaves.

And this is exactly the effect Li Zhiyun needs.The prince just wants to take him with him and teach him, so that he can walk on the path he wants to see.As for the prince teachers, they are only used to teach the prince etiquette and poetry.How can the art of emperors be taught by them.

The ministers couldn't see what the prince was thinking. The main reason was that although the prince was young, he learned quickly because he followed the emperor, and he was able to restrain his emotions and anger, and not show himself in front of others.This left many speculators who wanted to please the prince and become ministers of the hidden mansion helpless.

Back to the point, the slaves were oppressed, and naturally they resisted.Most of the slaves who have been captured are domesticated, and their resistance is average, harmless, and the soldiers who supervise the work of the slaves can suppress them.But the rebellion in the direction of the grassland has always been fierce.

For the governance of the grassland, the imperial court has always prepared with two hands.When a tribe in the grassland rebelled, first let those grassland people who have applied the Sinicized patch to suppress it. If they can't suppress it, then the soldiers of the empire will have to go out.

Now, in the area of ​​Shengzhou, tribal rebellion has occurred, and the slaves killed the local prairie officials enshrined by the imperial court to revolt.It's ridiculous to say that after they rebelled and killed officials, they did nothing wrong with Tang Chenqiu, and even sent someone to ask the court for canonization.

In this regard, Li Zhiyun naturally refused.If he agrees, the consequence is that the situation will gradually erode.If the prairie tribes follow suit and kill those prairie ministers who were conferred by the court and rebel to request canonization, the court will gradually lose control of the prairie land, and the prestige of the empire will also be hit.

This precedent cannot be set!

No matter who rebels, as long as it is a rebellion, he must die.Even if the officials killed by the rebellion of the grassland tribes were grassland people who had been patched with Sinicization, that is the same reason.

Ganlu Temple.

"You want to quell the chaos?" Li Zhiyun sat high on the emperor's couch, holding a memorial in his hand, and his eyes fell on the prince below.

"Yes." Li Chengzhao said, "I want to go."

"Why?" Li Zhiyun changed to a comfortable sitting position, looked at the prince quietly, "give me an explanation."

Li Chengzhao said without hesitation: "My son is the prince of the empire. If you don't understand military affairs, how can you let the soldiers of the empire die in the future? Besides, I don't want to stay in Chang'an all the time, but also want to go out to expand the territory for the father and praise me. The prestige of the Tang Empire."

"Tch." Li Zhiyun laughed, and then played with the taste: "Did you know that there are many emperors in the history books who prevented the prince from going out, do you know why?"

Li Chengzhao said without hesitation: "My son thinks that the reason is that firstly, he is worried that the crown prince will not be able to lead troops and will only misuse state affairs. Second, the crown prince is important and should not be moved lightly. Thirdly, um, thirdly, the crown prince is the best." It’s better not to be in charge.”

"Why is it best not to command soldiers?" Li Zhiyun asked.

Hearing this, Li Chengzhao was a little speechless, but he still said helplessly: "Yeah, do you really want the child to speak out?"

"Speak, I'm listening."

Li Chengzhao took a deep breath and said, "Yeah, I don't know why. The third reason is made up by me. I don't know anything."

Having said that, he showed a mischievous smile.

"Hahahahaha." Li Zhiyun couldn't help laughing.

The suspicion between so many kings and fathers and sons seems insignificant between this pair of fathers and sons.

(End of this chapter)