Ji Tang

Chapter 939: Stirring up an era

Since that day, apart from visiting the Ministry of War, Ji Song spent all his time reading the books in Furong Garden.Except for some important matters, he basically ignored the affairs of the court.

But sometimes if you don't pay attention, things will come to you.

He put down an ancient book in his hand, rubbed his swollen forehead, and said to Chen Shou, who had been waiting for a long time: "What does your Majesty want from me? Now I am in charge of the Ministry of War, and I don't want to pay attention to other things at all."

Hearing Ji Song's words, Chen Shou looked inappropriate and said: "This is not something that this servant can know. Your Majesty is still waiting. I advise Duke Xi to go as early as possible. If it offends Your Majesty, then... "

Although the words were not finished, the threat was very strong, which made people very unhappy.

"Okay, why are you talking so much to this idiot like you? It's a waste of time!"

After saying that, he ignored Chen Shou's ugly face and walked out.

"Don't be angry, don't be angry, why should the Zajia be angry with him!"

Seeing that Ji Song was almost out of sight, he hurriedly ran outside.

In the Taiji Hall, many ministers were present one by one, including Zhang Shigui from Liaodong.

Li Shimin stood up and came to everyone. Wherever he walked, even the most unruly people lowered their heads.

This is the aura of an emperor, the power of ten thousand people surrendering!
This is not something that can be formed overnight, but after great victories again and again, people can't help but feel no resistance to the emperor.

He came to a stop in front of the gray-haired Yuchi Gong, and said with some emotion: "I still remember the scene when you rescued me in Luoyang. At that time, I led you hundreds of cavalry to rush into the camp. If you hadn't been by my side to protect me, , I’m afraid there won’t be the Tang Dynasty now.”

Before Yuchi Gong could say anything, he came to Qin Qiong again and looked at Qin Qiong and Qin Shubao, who had been so majestic and heroic back then and had beaten Qin Qiong all over the country with a pair of iron whips.But now he has been bedridden for a long time and can no longer afford the weapons of the past.

"You were injured for me and for Datang. I will never forget it, and Datang will never forget it!"

He passed by the old ministers one by one, and he could tell everyone's heroic deeds.Everyone who was told this was in tears.

Iron-beaten men, who never shed tears even if they were shattered to pieces on the battlefield, yet they all shed tears after just a few words from the emperor.

For no other reason than that, his position has been recognized by those who are loyal to him!
Even if they kill people like crazy, even if they have a reputation for being evil.But is everything they do really killing for the sake of killing?

Is it just for power?
Perhaps most people think this way now, but they dare to pat their chests and say loudly: I was also a reputable man who prayed for the people back then.

How many years have passed, some people still stick to their original intentions, even if they are powerful, they have never forgotten their original intentions.But more people lose themselves in the face of power, just like Hou Junji!
But no matter what, their contribution to the Tang Dynasty and this nation cannot be obliterated. They were lucky to survive to the end.But what about those who died in battle?
Can you really forget to be busy?

They are called warriors and reckless men by the literati, they are the killers who kill many people, and they are the generals who are feared by the people.But who knows, if they had not sacrificed their lives to support the Tang Dynasty, who knows how many people would still be living in dire straits?
"His Majesty!"

Everyone knelt down, their heads were thrown to the ground, and some even cried in their arms.

Li Shimin stepped forward to help them up one by one, and asked people to bring them seats, and then he said: "I know all your grievances, I know all your dissatisfactions, and I know all about the things that were choked by civil servants. Clearly!”

Everyone looked at the emperor, and the doubts in their eyes could not be hidden!
They really want to ask, why?
"Because Datang's current focus is on domestic affairs and people's livelihood."

As if he knew what they were going to ask, Li Shimin said directly.

"It's not that I don't need you anymore, and it's not that the Tang Dynasty doesn't need you anymore. We used swords to expand the territory of the Tang Dynasty, but now we need to forge swords into plowshares and work hard for the long-term peace and stability of the Tang Dynasty!"

"You all know the suffering of the people of the Tang Dynasty. For the Turks, the whole country tightened their belts and sent troops. Have you ever thought about what would happen if it failed? I am afraid that the Central Plains will be in trouble again by then."

"After more than ten years of war in the late Sui Dynasty, the people were so war-weary that it was time to postpone the war. I can tell you clearly now that after the settlement of Goguryeo, it will be difficult for the Tang Dynasty to have a major war in a short period of time. This It’s an indisputable fact.”

Li Shimin said a lot. Although everyone was unwilling to accept it, they also understood that it would be difficult to fight in the future.Many of them have not read much, let alone these important principles.

They just know that without war, they will have no use. At that time, they will be meat on the chopping board, and others can knead them however they want.

Is a general still a general without fighting a battle?

"Chen Jisong pays homage to Your Majesty!"

Just when everyone was excited, Ji Song came.

Everyone felt a little happy when they saw Ji Song, and this emotion appeared deep in their hearts without knowing when.Is it the Battle of Mobei or the Battle of Liaodong?
In short, the place with Ji Song is the most reassuring place.

Moreover, he is now the Minister of War, the leader of their soldiers.Now the emperor says there is no war to fight, but everyone has to be useful, right?
Can we just stay in Chang'an and live in a dream?
Although Ji Song often falls between military ministers and civil servants, the boundary between the two is not very clear.But the general always regarded him as one of his own, which was determined by Ji Song's attitude towards them.

The civil servants looked down upon them, thinking that Ji Song, a noble man who was basically the best, had never changed his attitude towards military generals. As long as he could help, he would definitely help.

Unlike Li Jing, who completely severed ties with the military after becoming famous, Cheng Yaojin seemed loyal but was the most cunning. Qin Qiong was bedridden and could not do anything at all.

In the end, after counting, Ji Song was the only one who could help them.Over the years, everyone has clearly seen that Ji Song has a special status. He is considered a core figure of the royalist faction, but he is also between many forces, and everyone has the say.

Then there is the trust in Ji Song's own wisdom. Everything Ji Song did has been analyzed thoroughly by others, and it is difficult for them not to know even if they don't know.

At first, everyone just found it baffling, and even thought Ji Song was stupid.But looking back many years later, I realized that I was the murderer.

Everyone in the previous branch of Ji Song's family felt that this was the beginning of Ji's decline.

But what now?In less than a year, Ji Song himself became the top leader of the Ministry of War, and he would not be able to serve as a general or a prime minister in the future.

The four major disciples were knighted, and two marquises were born, and he even earned the title of marquis for his family, which is the highest in the world.As long as the Tang Dynasty lasts, it will be difficult for the Ji family to decline.

Of course they knew what this person was capable of, and now that they saw Ji Song coming, their eyes suddenly brightened.Li Shimin saw everyone's expressions one by one, and it seemed that his arrangements were not in vain.As for whether Ji Song's prestige was too high, Li Shimin immediately forgot about it.

There are only a few direct descendants of the Ji family, and the other clan members have all separated.No matter how big a family this is, as long as one branch wants to merge, it is basically impossible.

People are selfish. If they can be the masters of their own affairs, who would want to be a subordinate to others?I would rather have a chicken head than a phoenix tail. Is it just talk?

"Be flat!"

Ji looked at everyone there, cupped her hands and said, "I wonder why your Majesty called me to this place?"

"Let's not talk about things in a hurry. After all, you are also a noble person, so what I said today cannot go around you. It just so happens that everyone is here now, so I won't hold back."

Li Shimin sat upright and said loudly: "Now in the Tang Dynasty, after the last battle in Liaodong, the Tang Dynasty also focused on people's livelihood. However, all of you here are generals of the Tang Dynasty. The imperial court must be unhappy with the reduction in military expenditures. .”

"So today I will talk about how to arrange your affairs. If you have any ideas, you can say it. Everyone can speak freely today. I am all ears!"

Everyone looked at each other and saw the silence in each other's eyes. Li Jing and others also opened their eyes and looked at the emperor in confusion. I wonder what kind of medicine the emperor was selling in the gourd?

Li Shimin did not show off, and said directly: "I have thought about it. Although we are no longer fighting, you are all meritorious ministers of the Tang Dynasty. It would be a pity if you just idle like this."

"Therefore, I am going to set up a department to accommodate you."

Then he nodded to Chen Shou, who then took out an imperial edict and read it aloud!

Everyone didn't take it seriously at first, thinking that the emperor was just worried about them, so he made such a move. It was just a name with a name but no power, and it was of no use.

But after listening to it, I got a taste of it. The Wuying Pavilion was established, with one person in charge, two assistants, and an uncertain number of counselors for military affairs.

Its duty is to help the emperor handle important military affairs across the country. During wartime, the emperor appoints members of the Wuying Pavilion to lead the army in battles, while the rest of the staff perform military maneuvers and calculations in the temple to formulate corresponding and practical plans for the army.

At the end, it was clearly stated that civil servants were not allowed to enter Wuying Pavilion, but prime ministers could be appointed as a staff officer, but they were not allowed to serve as the principal of Wuying Pavilion, and could only assist or check for leaks and fill vacancies.

This.
Everyone was stunned. This is not like sitting on the bench. This is clearly real power!
Although they are no longer leading the troops, all military matters must go through their hands. It is also stipulated that except for the prime minister, other civil servants are not allowed to join the cabinet. Doesn't this mean that all military affairs in the future will be decided by them?

Everyone looked at each other in shock. They really couldn't believe that this would be the result. They thought they would be disarmed and returned to their fields, or be assigned by the court, but now it seems that this is not a distribution, it is clearly a reuse!

"His Majesty."

Everyone’s lips moved for a long time, but no words came out!
Li Jing opened his eyes at this time and looked at the emperor with a very different look. They had no information about today's events in advance, so they announced it so suddenly, without any preparation at all!

Everyone, look at me, I look at you, happiness comes suddenly, and they haven't reacted yet!

"Your Majesty is wise and wise, and the policy of dividing civil and military rule is actually a blessing to the Tang Dynasty and a blessing to the world. I congratulate your Majesty and the Tang Dynasty!"

Just when some people were at a loss, Ji Song stepped forward and bowed.

At this time, Li Jing suddenly looked at Ji Song and then at the emperor, but he understood something in his heart.

Ji Song had known it for a long time, and it was probably his idea.

Now he felt relieved, but his years of experience had made him suspicious and he couldn't believe it was true.But if this kid Ji Song came up with the idea, it would make sense.

He knew who this kid was, and there was no way he would do anything detrimental to the military.Under his seemingly gentle appearance, this kid actually wanted to bring down the whole world before he would be willing to do so.

When it comes to militants, every one of you here can compare to this kid.

What surprised him was that the emperor actually agreed?And also took practical actions.

There are no civil servants today, even the prime ministers Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui are not here, which is intriguing.Even if you want to take care of the military ministers, you won't leave the civil servants aside, right?Don't you worry that the military ministers have made arrangements for the civil servants, but problems arise on the civil servants' side?
But Ji Song's words suddenly made him realize: Separate civil and military rule?

Li Jing breathed a sigh of relief, I understand, I understand everything!
I am afraid that not only the military ministers, but also the civil servants are probably involved in such a big drama.

The idea of ​​dividing the civil and military forces was a stroke of genius!
It’s not that the previous dynasties never thought about the real separation of civil and military affairs, but since the pre-Qin Dynasty, there has always been no separation of civil and military affairs. Military ministers can also be prime ministers, and civil servants can also kill the enemy immediately!
The reason for this is that it has always been aristocratic politics since the pre-Qin Dynasty.It is extremely rare for ordinary people to want to cross class.

The characteristic of the nobility is that they have a monopoly on education. They have been practicing martial arts since childhood, and they have no idea of ​​​​separating the civil and military families. Leading the army and governing the country have been the highest pursuit of literati since ancient times.

but now.
Li Jing suddenly discovered with horror that this was the best time for civil and military divisions.

The aristocratic family is distracted by the affairs of overseas territories, and many elite children will go to sea to find a place for their family to gain a foothold.

As a result, fewer talents from aristocratic families were supplied to the Tang Dynasty, and the vacant parts were inevitably occupied by students from poor families and common people.

The so-called aristocracy, the aristocrat here does not only refer to people who have been reincarnated with titles.The core of aristocratic politics is the combination of clans, nobles, nobles, royal families, relatives, powerful people, etc.

In the past, there was a monopoly on education, and it was extremely difficult for people at the bottom to move up.

He thought of the academy, which could produce a large number of talents every year.In addition, due to the influence of academies, aristocratic families are also building academies in local areas to compete with the court for the hearts of scholars.

Over the years, academies have blossomed all over the Tang Dynasty, which has led to more and more scholars in the Tang Dynasty.Among them, students from the common people accounted for the vast majority.

The huge base determines that students from the common people will definitely occupy a seat in the court in the future, and as time goes by, this trend will become more and more obvious.

Ji Song, relying on an academy, truly moved the entire era.
(End of this chapter)