Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 420: Stealing Chicken Fails
Chen Qingsi was a little surprised when he heard Wu Minzhi explain his purpose of coming. He had not been working in the East Palace for a long time. If we were in the capital, it might be understandable. Now one of them is in Chang'an and the other is in Luoyang. Although the two places are not far apart, it would still take two or three days to travel.

Although Li Shimin was not in the right position, he still attached great importance to the entire East Palace system.

He perfected the operation of the East Palace. The entire East Palace was like a small imperial court. Aren't Zhanshifu, Menxiafang, and Dianshufang a reduced system of three provinces?

Under this complete system, Li Hong had no shortage of ministers to answer his questions.

Chen Qingsi stayed in the East Palace. The prince Zhan Shi of the East Palace was Zhang Wenguan. Dai Zhide, the concubine on the left and Xiao Dezhao, the concubine on the right, were all well-educated people and had many talents as assistants.

Li Hong has their help, why should he come here to ask for help?
Chen Qingsi had doubts, but said naturally: "But I don't know what His Highness the Crown Prince is asking about?"

Wu Minzhi said: "It's about the discussion about Tubo..."

He did not realize that his teacher had heard of the "Tubo Dispute", and continued with an incomprehensible look in his eyes: "Tubo lives on a plateau and is extremely difficult to capture. Prince Zhang Zhan Shi suggested that he should follow the example of Emperor Taizong in defeating Songtsengan Let them know that the power of our empire can bring peace. Even if Tubo may rebel again in the future, we can break the treaty in exchange for ten years, or even five years of peace. I will spend five more years in the Central Plains to recuperate.”

"The prince also thought it was reasonable, so he agreed to Prince Zhan Shi's proposal."

"But it seems that His Majesty does not agree with this proposal, which makes His Royal Highness a little confused and does not know what to do. His Majesty knows that His Majesty trusts Mr. the most, so he sent me to ask for advice."

Chen Qingsi asked: "Is this the prince's intention?"

Wu Minzhi was startled and said: "Of course it is the prince's wish. The students are here under the prince's order."

Chen Qingsi didn't believe this either, but seeing that Wu Minzhi didn't look like he was lying, he guessed that the queen in the palace was up to something.

This matter seems to be just a simple request for advice, but there is still an unusual attitude inside.

First of all, Li Hong is kind-hearted, so it is not surprising that he supports Zhang Wenguan's suggestion.

The strange thing is how did Li Hong know that Li Zhi was dissatisfied?
This is critical.

It is impossible for Li Zhi to personally express his position. He is indeed the emperor, but he is still Li Hong's father and the prince's biological father. He has the obligation to educate the prince. If the prince makes mistakes in policy, as a father and emperor, he should teach by words and deeds. , explained the reasons, and taught the prince to correct his mistakes. Instead of dismissing and expressing dissatisfaction like you would a minister.

It is true that Li Zhi is unpredictable, but he is usually very easy to get along with. It can be seen from his indulgence of Queen Wu that he can tolerate some minor problems as long as it is beneficial to him.

The prince was the future of the Tang Dynasty. Li Zhi didn't dare to give him power, so how could he not teach him?
There is only one possibility: someone told Li Hong about Li Zhi's attitude.

This made Li Hong uneasy and wanted to ask for help to understand Li Zhi's true thoughts.

There is no other candidate besides Queen Wu.

For Li Hong, Queen Wu took great pains.

No, this is killing two birds with one stone.

Chen Qingsi thought of another possibility. If she solved the prince's doubts today, this kind of thing would inevitably happen in the future.

As time goes by, I will definitely become familiar with the prince.

It can become the prince's invisible assistant in the future, which is equivalent to holding a handle.

Having an excessive personal relationship with the prince behind the emperor's back was exposed under special circumstances, but it was a killer move.

Chen Qingsi thought in her heart and said: "How did the prince know that your majesty does not agree with this proposal?"

Wu Minzhi thought for a while and said: "The student doesn't know this. He just knows that the prince was a little depressed a few days ago. His Majesty said that he has some kindness for a woman, so he asked the student to come to Luoyang for advice."

Chen Qingsi sighed: "The prince is young, easily influenced by external things, and not confident enough in his own judgment. Minzhi, your highness is the prince and the heir apparent, and his opinions and attitudes are very important and critical. The ministers try to figure out the holy will and make remarks that go against their conscience. It shouldn’t have happened. How about the prince? I don’t know who revealed the news to the prince, but it’s a big mistake to act like this.”

Wu Minzhi said with a serious face: "Sir, what you said is absolutely true. The prince has a soft ear and doesn't know who he listened to. My trip was in vain..."

He complained, then smiled: "It's not in vain. I'm very happy to see you sir."

He said immediately: "Don't worry, sir. After the student goes back, I will talk to him well and tell him not to listen to other people's words."

Chen Qingsi said solemnly: "Be serious about the prince."

"That's the lesson, sir!" Wu Minzhi agreed casually, obviously not taking it seriously. He has an excellent relationship with Li Hong, which goes beyond dignity and inferiority.

Chen Qingsi asked casually about Li Hong's situation.

Wu Minzhi said: "The prince is still weak, but he is much better than before. This is the credit of the sir, and also the credit of the students."

Chen Qingsi smiled and said, "How do you say that?"

Wu Minzhi said: "My husband said at the beginning that everything should not be excessive and should be balanced with work and rest. Over the years, students have been listening to my husband's idea of ​​combining work and rest. They would drag the prince to practice polo, horse racing and archery every day. They are much weaker than before. , much better.”

Chen Qingsi laughed dumbly and said: "It seems that you often drag the prince to play with you..."

Wu Minzhi said: "Students only have this hobby."

Chen Qingsi is not proficient in medical skills and has no way to deal with the family diseases inherited from father and son Li Zhi and Li Hong.

When he first persuaded Li Hong to exercise more, he also wanted to strengthen his body through exercise, so as to fight against diseases and extend his life.

Whether it will succeed or not, Chen Qingsi doesn't know, but now it seems that the results are good.

If Li Hong had not died early, perhaps the transition of power in the imperial court would have been relatively smooth.

Of course it's only relative.

Chen Qingsi has no confidence in Queen Wu.

Empress Wu may not have any ambitions for future generations, but she has already gained a certain amount of power, and it is not easy to let her go.

Chen Qingsi asked Wu Minzhi some indirect questions.

Wu Minzhi answered casually and without any pretense.

Wu Minzhi is indeed smart, but he is not a well-established person, not to mention he is still young...

From his answer, Chen Qingsi further judged that he was indeed unaware.

Wu Minzhi reluctantly said goodbye to Chen Qingsi and said, "Don't worry, sir, I will talk to the prince well after I go back."

Chen Qingsi watched Wu Minzhi leave with a smile, her eyes deep.

……

Wu Minzhi left Chen's house and returned to the house of his mother, Mrs. Wu Shun of South Korea.

When he learned that his son was back, Wu Shun took him lovingly, dragged him to the table and sat down, and said, "I knew you were coming back today, so I specially ordered my servants to stew yokan for you. It's delicious."

She said giving Wu Minzhi food.

Wu Minzhi remained motionless like the elder, letting his mother take action.

Most of his frivolous and domineering character came from Wu Shun's favor.

Looking at his son who was eating with relish, Wu Shun asked: "Why are you here so late? There is news from Beijing that you should arrive in the afternoon."

Wu Minzhi said: "My child went to Mr. Chen's place first."

Wu Shun raised his eyebrows. He was now angry with Chen Qingsi and Xiao Miaochen. He felt uncomfortable listening to them and said angrily: "This is your home."

Wu Minzhi heard about what happened in Luoyang in Chang'an, and also heard about the conflict between his mother and his mistress Xiao Miaochen. He knew that his mother was at fault, so he said angrily: "My child is following orders, and naturally he puts official duties first. "

When Wu Shun heard about the official business, he quickly suppressed his anger and asked, "What official business do you want to talk to your mother about?" Wu Minzhi said, "You don't understand even if I tell you."

Wu Shundao: "Who said mother doesn't understand? She just wants to know his views on the Tibetan affairs."

Wu Minzhi looked at his mother in astonishment, and realized in an instant that the person who was instigating behind the scenes was his aunt.

He responded very quickly.

Wu Shundao: "Tell me, mother, what did Chen Qingsi say?"

Wu Minzhi thought for a while and said: "Sir, he didn't say anything. He just asked the prince to stick to his own opinion and not to be half-hearted."

He concealed Chen Qingsi's accusations against Queen Wu.

In fact, Chen Qingsi deliberately told Wu Minzhi and Empress Wu...

But Wu Minzhi didn't know this. He knew his aunt's methods and was worried that it would be detrimental to Chen Qingsi.

Wu Shun said in astonishment: "That's all?"

Wu Minzhi said: "Only these..."

The next day, Wu Shun entered the palace and told Queen Wu what he heard from Wu Minzhi.

When she said the words, she felt the surrounding temperature drop instantly.

Queen Wu's charming peach blossom eyes were full of murderous intent, but he actually refused?
What do you mean?
Don't want to work for Hong'er?
Hong'er is the prince, why should he refuse?
Is it possible that he still wants to assist Li Sujie, that bitch's son?

All kinds of thoughts are running through my mind...

Queen Wu looked at Wu Shun, who was trembling a little, and asked, "Have you asked clearly?"

She had some suspicions that her stupid sister, who was only thinking about sleeping with her husband, had messed up the matter.

This is not just once or twice. Many times, she gives clear arrangements, but Wu Shun can turn good things into bad things.

But she had no other choice. As a queen, she had no reliable helpers outside the palace and could only rely on her mother and sister who could enter the palace anytime and anywhere.

Wu Shun said: "Of course I will ask clearly."

"hateful!"

Queen Wu gritted her teeth.

Wu Minzhi did not stay in Luoyang for long and quickly returned to Chang'an.

I met Li Hong, the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty, in the East Palace.

Li Hong is ten years old this year, but due to his premature exposure to politics, he also became the prince of the state, making him a bit old-fashioned.

But seeing his few childhood friends, there was still a bit of happiness in his eyes.

"Brother is back!"

Li Hong quickly stepped forward to greet him.

"I have met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!" Wu Minzhi was surprised and bowed respectfully.

Li Hong said hurriedly: "There are no outsiders here, brother, you don't have to be like this."

Wu Minzhi said: "Sir, you should respect His Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Hong said: "I don't think my brother always disrespects me."

Wu Minzhi put a smile on his face and said: "The prince is right. I have a sip of tea first..."

Li Hong saw Wu Minzhi finish a glass of water and asked, "What did you say, sir?"

His face was tense and a little nervous.

This is his first time to formally supervise the country, and he especially wants to perform better.

When I heard the news from Empress Wu that Li Zhi spoke of his kindness as a woman, I was heartbroken.

Under the secret instructions of Empress Wu, Wu Minzhi was sent to consult Chen Qingsi.

Wu Minzhi elaborated on the answer he got from Chen Qingsi to Li Hong.

Regarding Li Hong, Wu Minzhi did not hide anything. He directly told Chen Qingsi what he meant, and then asked: "Did your aunt send you the news of His Majesty's dissatisfaction?"

Li Hong opened his mouth. Empress Wu found out about this after secretly reading the memorial left by Li Zhi.

Regarding Li Hong's memorial to supervising the country, Empress Wu had no right to read it.

Li Hongzi didn't want to let unnecessary people know, but Wu Minzhi already knew it and said softly: "My mother told me, brother, please don't tell others."

Although Wu Minzhi didn't like that aunt, he didn't want to cause trouble for Li Hong, saying: "I understand. But I think what Mr. Zhang Wenguan, Dai Zhide, and Xiao Dezhao said makes sense. Everyone should perform their duties, which is the kingly way. "It's not good for my aunt to interfere with state affairs."

Zhang Wenguan, Dai Zhide, and Xiao Dezhao all disliked Wu Minzhi, and Wu Minzhi was not polite to them and called them by their first names.

But the three of them, Zhang Wenguan, were staunch conservatives, Dai Zhide was a moderate man, and Xiao Dezhao was a member of a famous noble family.

The three of them all had the same attitude and were opposed to the Queen's involvement in politics.

As Li Hong's core team, the three of them usually taught Li Hong many historical allusions about his relatives' involvement in politics.

Li Hong heard a lot of such words and thought they made sense, but he was a benevolent and filial man, and he felt that Queen Wu was doing it for his own good.

But at the age of ten, he was caught in the middle and was in a dilemma.

Now I hear that Chen Qingsi is also alluding to Queen Wu's nonsense, and I can't help but wonder, is the Queen Mother really at fault?
Li Hong looked at Wu Minzhi and said, "I understand, let me think about it."

Li Hong ignored Wu Minzhi and thought about Zhang Wenguan's description of the harm caused by the war and the consequences of Yang Guang's abuse of people's power. He thought about Chen Qingsi's words and thought to himself: "Sir, you are right. As a prince, I really shouldn't speculate. Father, just tell me what you think. If you really make a mistake, you can correct it."

Li Hong did not change his mind and continued to adopt Zhang Wenguan's suggestions.

This time Li Hong received a handwritten commendation from Li Zhi: The prince is kind and I am very pleased.

Li Hong looked at the short eight words and was overjoyed. It turned out that the queen mother was really wrong.

Empress Wu's exposure to politics was limited and she did not pay attention to Li Zhi's real intentions.

If Li Zhi was really disgusted with Li Hong's benevolence, he would not have appointed Zhang Wenguan, a minister whose political philosophy advocated stopping the war and peace of mind, as the most important prince Zhan Shi in the East Palace and in charge of Zhan Shi's Mansion.

As a high-ranking emperor, Li Zhi may not be ignorant of the sufferings of the world, but his ambitions are inconsistent with the sufferings of the world.

Li Zhi is not a virtuous king who loves his people like his son, so he will not wrong himself.

However, based on Yang Guang's experience, Li Zhi did not dare to abuse people's power, but he also failed to be considerate of the people.

He left the arduous task of recuperation to future generations. Li Hong's benevolence, filial piety, and non-compliance were the qualities he valued.

(End of this chapter)