Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 617 Knocking on the mountain and shaking the tiger
The first court meeting in his life was very simple and left Li Lin speechless.

It is located in the lobby of the government office in Kaifeng City, Bianzhou.

Looking at this group of makeshift teams in front of him, Li Lin felt that the construction of Bianliang City should be accelerated. As long as the capital is built, everything will be fine!
The house I am in now is far from what I should have.

It's so damn shabby!

"My dear ministers, what do you want to report?"

Li Lin looked around at everyone and said this, only to find that all the ministers, led by Fang Chongyong, had serious expressions on their faces.

His former staff, including Wei Zichun, looked somewhat bewildered.

It seemed that there was not much mental preparation for the sudden convening of the court meeting.

Li Lin secretly groaned in his heart, thinking that Fang Chongyong would definitely propose to make him the queen.

“Your Majesty, the late emperor did not handle the Crown Prince issue properly, which allowed Huangfu Weiming to take advantage of the situation and caused chaos throughout the country.

The crown prince is the foundation of the country, and the Tang Dynasty cannot be without a foundation. I, your humble servant, would like to ask Your Majesty to establish a crown prince to correct the foundation of the country! "

Fang Zhongyong, who was standing at the front of the ministers, stepped out, saluted Li Lin with his arms crossed and said.

These words were like a wake-up call, which stunned Li Lin!
He widened his eyes, clenched his fists, opened and closed his mouth, his Adam's apple moved, but in the end, he didn't utter a word.

To appoint a crown prince, it was actually to appoint a crown prince!

How could he do that? He wanted to establish a crown prince?

Li Lin was suddenly in a state of confusion and was completely unprepared.

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

Ministers behind Fang Chongyong stood up one after another.

Yan Zhuang, Liu Yan, Zheng Shuqing and others stood up one after another. Even Li Lin's aide Wei Zichun stood up.

The scene was like a tide, an unstoppable offensive was coming towards us, and the air seemed to be filled with the words "people's will".

Well, the people in front might have discussed it with Fang Zhongyong, but Wei Zichun definitely wasn’t one of them.

He simply thought that there was nothing wrong with Fang Zhongyong's proposal.

In order to stabilize the newly established regime, it is indeed necessary to establish a crown prince.

This is what is called the people’s heart and the general trend.

Wei Zichun agreed with Fang Zhongyong's proposal based on public spirit and had no intention of colluding with the other party.

"My dear ministers, why did you suddenly bring up the matter of appointing a crown prince?"

Li Lin's hands were shaking and his speech was incoherent.

Fang Chongyong's move was really too cruel!

If Li Lin still had a lot of room to maneuver when it came to deposing and enthroning the queen, then the matter of enthroning the crown prince could form the broadest consensus in the shortest possible time!
There is nowhere to escape and no way to retreat!
Ji Ge never had a queen in his life, and he lived a very carefree life.

But even he had to hold his nose and make someone he disliked the crown prince.

Why is this so?
The reason is simple, because the crown prince is the foundation of the country. Without the crown prince, the regime will not be stable.

Since he has ascended the throne in Bianzhou, it means that Li Lin's clan has temporarily obtained the imperial power and holds the sacred weapon.

No matter what outsiders think, at least this is the rule in the areas that you can control.

Then the question is, there are unexpected events in life. What if Li Lin caught a cold or fell while walking, and died accidentally.

How should the situation be dealt with next and who should do it?

This question is easy to answer: Fang Zhongyong "assisted" the prince to clean up the situation.

This is the only answer and the consensus of all ruling classes in the controlling area.

This was also the main reason why Wei Zichun, who did not know about this matter in advance, still agreed with Fang Chongyong.

Generally speaking, this does not seem to be a problem for the emperor, at least not a serious problem.

However, Li Lin's situation was not "average".

Because he is a puppet emperor!

What does it mean for the emperor himself to appoint a crown prince as the puppet emperor?
To put it simply: If you don’t obey, I will let the “Crown Prince” take your place!

No hassle at all!
So when Fang Zhongyong proposed the idea of ​​establishing a crown prince, from then on, the close unity of Li Lin's family no longer existed.

With just one ruthless move of the sword, Fang Chongyong cut out the emperor and the prince, and a rivalry had begun between the two.

This does not include the few princes who cannot become the crown prince.

"Is it too early to appoint a crown prince now?"

Li Lin said somewhat unconfidently, his tone very soft.

He really couldn't muster up the strength because no one was willing to stand on his side when it came to appointing a crown prince.

This also applies to his staff.

Even Gao Shang, who was beside Li Lin...did not say anything to stop him.

There is no way to avoid appointing a crown prince. The only thing that can be bargained is when to appoint him.

"Your Majesty, when it comes to appointing a crown prince, it is never too early.

Your Majesty already has three adult sons. Is it impossible to choose a crown prince among them?

At that time, Emperor Taizong..."

Fang Chongyong said the four words "Emperor Taizong" and didn't say anything else.

Anyway, those who understand will understand, and talking too much is not beautiful.

If Li Yuan had appointed a crown prince when he started the rebellion, regardless of whether it was Li Erfeng or not, the tragic Xuanwu Gate Incident would not have happened later.

I wonder who in the hall today would stand up to stop Li Lin from establishing a crown prince?

No one would violate this taboo, at least in the Tang Dynasty.

"Well, that's true."

Li Lin coughed lightly to hide his inner embarrassment and nervousness, and his words seemed insincere.

It’s just like many people, when invited by friends, make a lame excuse and finally say something like “I’ll definitely do it next time”.

He looked around, but couldn't find anyone to smooth things over for him!

"If that is the case, Your Majesty, please tell us who is the crown prince?
No matter which prince it is, there must be one who is the crown prince, right?"

Fang Zhongyong took a step forward aggressively, looking intimidating without even getting angry.

"This……"

Li Lin was speechless for a moment.

He didn't want to appoint a crown prince in the first place, and now he is forced to ask who to make the crown prince. How should he answer this question?

Gao Shang was anxious, but it was not convenient for him to express his opinion. As a eunuch, if he spoke at this moment, it would not be unimaginable that he would be beaten to death in the hall.

At this moment, all Li Lin can do is rely on himself.

It is absolutely impossible not to appoint a crown prince, but it can be delayed a little.

Establishing a crown prince when there is an adult prince is a natural thing to do and will gain the support of the vast majority of neutral people.

Fang Zhongyong proposed to establish a crown prince, which was a righteous cause. In addition, he had troops and a group of scholars cheering for him.

How could Li Lin, a lone man, resist?

Seeing that Li Lin seemed to be in a dilemma, Fang Zhongyong saluted him with his arms crossed and said:

"Your Majesty, the matter of appointing a crown prince is extremely important and concerns the foundation of the country.

Even if we cannot decide today, we cannot keep dragging it out. I think we can come back here in three days to discuss the matter of appointing a crown prince. "

He then took a step back.

You don’t have to give an answer today, but the candidate for the crown prince must be decided after three days!
Otherwise, it would be hard to explain!
You don't really think you are the emperor with real power, do you?

Fang Chongyong has already revealed his true colors and will not give Li Lin any way out!
"That's okay."

Li Lin sighed, knowing that he had been tricked accidentally this time. He simply admitted his mistake and planned to discuss countermeasures with his staff after returning to Chenliu County.

"The meeting continues!"

Gao Shang shouted at the top of his voice.

"Your Majesty, the spring ploughing season is about to begin, and it is time to measure the land.

The decree for the state to redeem land and establish public fields is also imminent.

I suggest that starting tomorrow, we should conduct land inspections and census of the population in the prefectures and counties under our jurisdiction. Please grant your approval, Your Majesty. "

Fang Chongyong stepped forward and handed a memorial to Gao Shang.

The big job of "redeeming" the land is finally about to start! This is a major event related to whether the current makeshift troupe in Bianzhou can continue to perform.

Li Lin also looked solemn.

He understood that in this matter, he and Fang Chongyong had the same goal.

Li Lin himself had a hard time because he couldn’t take the land from the big landlords and powerful people!
The main disagreement between him and Fang Chongyong was whether the land should be distributed to the peasants.

Since the biggest local tyrant, Zheng of Xingyang, has already surrendered, there is nothing to worry about in this redemption operation.

Just show your knife! If you don't obey, I will send your whole family to hell!
"Okay, you must thoroughly inspect the land for me. All the hidden land and household registrations of those wealthy families must be found out!"

Li Lin said viciously. In his excitement, he saw the helpless look in Gao Shang's eyes, and then he realized that he seemed to have said something he shouldn't have said.

So he immediately kept silent.

All the ministers behind Fang Chongyong were dumbfounded.

Many things can indeed be done.

But it must never be said, let alone publicized.

At least the emperor cannot speak for it.

For example, the current "land redemption" is essentially the same as robbery, except that the targets are mainly those wealthy people who have land and money but no power or connections.

No matter what, the government has to behave in a government-like manner. After all, this is the embezzlement of private property. How can they act like bandits and not let go after grabbing something?
The fact that Emperor Li Lin actually said such words shows that his political literacy is very low. His thinking has not yet gotten rid of the level of a vassal king and is far from reaching the level of an emperor.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report. It concerns the salaries of officials at the central government and the income of officials in various prefectures and counties. Your Majesty, please review it."

Liu Yan also handed in the memorial.

The formalities still had to be carried out, after all, Li Lin was the nominal emperor. Although Fang Chongyong and his staff had already set the tone for the official salaries.

Officials’ salaries were mainly in the form of money, supplemented by goods in kind, and accompanied by the output of “official land” belonging to the government.

It can be said that it takes into account the "historical status quo" and development trends and is very complete.

There were so many complicated rules that Li Lin couldn't even understand them, let alone whether the salaries were reasonable or scientific.

Sure enough, the new emperor felt overwhelmed when he saw these boring statements.

He casually placed it on the table and said, "Let's do it this way."

Then, the ministers present handed in their memorials one by one. Li Lin knew nothing and had no say, and he had not participated in the formulation of government affairs beforehand.

He felt like a puppet and could only nod and agree.

Even when Wei Zichun suggested building an "official residence" in Bianzhou, opening an imperial school, and creating a "German Language Hall", Li Lin didn't know how to do it.

Even if it is a makeshift team, there will be "justice" and "private interests" in every policy, and the corresponding officials will have their own ulterior motives.

But Li Lin just couldn't figure out what benefits or harms these policies would bring to him.

He also couldn't tell whether the issues raised by Fang Chongyong were for the sake of "justice" or for "private purposes".

Perhaps it was both, but Li Lin was unable to tell the difference, let alone come up with a solution.

Bring the country back on track and re-establish a stronger central court.

It's easy to say something like that, but it's not easy for one person to hold financial power, human power, and administrative power in his hands.

If we want to get things done and set up a central organization, it will be even more difficult.

Li Lin had neither such ability nor the corresponding mind.

Power cannot exist in a vacuum. If Li Lin cannot hold on to it, power will naturally fall into the hands of others, into the hands of those who can do things.

At this moment, in this small government hall, Li Lin felt unprecedented frustration.

Although he had thought about it before, when the world was settled, he would find a way to get rid of Fang Zhongyong, and then he could reap the benefits without having to do anything.

But at this moment, Li Lin realized that even if Fang Chongyong was gone in the future, he seemed unable to manage the country and control power!

Li Lin was in a daze until the last minister handed in his memorial, and the entire hall fell into an extremely awkward silence.

"If there is something going on, go ahead and leave if there is nothing going on!"

Gao Shang shouted.

Then Li Lin stood up woodenly and walked out of the lobby of the Bianzhou government office, surrounded by several guards.

Afterwards, Fang Chongyong and a group of ministers also turned around and left. They looked at Li Lin walking in front of them and felt that even the way this puppet emperor walked was a bit funny.

A puppet is just a puppet, it can only pretend to be one.

Once it comes to government and military affairs, once their true abilities are tested, that layer of painted skin will be peeled off, leaving only a few insects wriggling inside.

Nothing, nothing!
"Your Majesty is indecisive and incapable of governing the country.

From my perspective, I feel that he does not have the talent to restore order and rebuild the prosperous Tang Dynasty!
Did Pei really see it wrong? "

Pei Min, who had been silent in the hall and had not submitted any memorial, said something slowly when he passed by Fang Zhongyong.

He didn't even look back, as if he was talking to the air.

Then he walked to the front.

A smile flashed across Fang Chongyong's face, then quickly disappeared.

Li Lin might not be able to see that he was trying to scare the enemy with his trick, but someone else would definitely be able to see it.

What will those people do then?

It's really something to look forward to.

He still has a trick up his sleeve, but he doesn't know if those people can handle it!
……

During the day, Fang Chongyong applied eye drops to Li Lin. At night, Fang Chongyong sat at the desk in the study, revising the laws himself while waiting for Da Zhenhui to come over and make tea.

Although Lu Yu's method of brewing tea has not been around for long and Da Zhenhui had never seen it when she was in the palace of the King of Bohai, she quickly mastered it.

Now the operation has become very proficient.

"Has your uncle Damenyi ever done anything obscene with his daughter-in-law or granddaughter-in-law?"

Fang Zhongyong suddenly asked curiously.

Da Zhenhui shook her head and said, "How is that possible? My uncle and grandfather had very few concubines, so how could they mess with their daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law and do such an ugly thing?"

Actually, it’s hard to say about this kind of thing, because Da Menyi used to be a guard for Brother Ji for many years.

I'm afraid that Damenyi has seen a lot of "big scenes". Of course, Dazhenhui probably won't take similar things too seriously.

As for the nobles, they are all wearing beautiful clothes, but their inner parts are rotten.

"Your father sent someone here a few days ago, saying that after the canal freezes over, a second batch of good horses from Bohai will be delivered.

He really works hard.”

Fang Zhongyong said pointedly.

Why is Daqinmao so dedicated to his work?
Because his uncle, the current King of Bohai Kingdom, Da Men Yi... is very old and not in good health.

It could happen at any time.

"Many people will die by then."

Da Zhenhui sighed, as if she had thought of something.

At this time, Zhang Guangsheng walked into the study and whispered to Fang Zhongyong, "Li Lin's third son, Li Zhen, wants to see you."

Haha, there are still smart people in this world.

Fang Zhongyong showed a playful smile on his face, looked at Da Zhenhui and said, "Do you want to watch a drama of a loving father and a filial son? Just sit behind the screen and watch."

"Then I will go behind the screen."

Da Zhenhui seemed very interested in Fang Zhongyong's words.

Soon, Li Zhen was brought into the study by Zhang Guangsheng. He looked at the brewed tea with some confusion, and felt that there should be someone brewing tea here, but now the person is gone.

"Please sit down, Your Highness the Third Prince."

Fang Zhongyong pointed at the cushion in front of him and waited for the other party to speak.

"Marshal, I want to be the crown prince! Please grant my wish!"

Li Zhen did not beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly.

"Oh? The Crown Prince is the head of the nation, and the King's word is final.

I am just a humble subject, how can I help you, Your Highness?"

Fang Zhongyong asked slowly.

(End of this chapter)