Chapter 4927 Drawing fire from the bottom of the cauldron
Chapter 4927 Drawing fire from the bottom of the cauldron
With repeated victories in foreign wars and the growing national strength, Chang'an's status as the political center of the empire became increasingly prominent. People from home and abroad continued to gather here, and today the population has already exceeded one million. The huge capital city is overcrowded and congested, and the surrounding areas of the capital have also become a gathering place for wealthy families in the world. Many aristocratic families and wealthy businessmen from all over the country bought land in the Jingzhao area, either to build manors or as family property. In addition, the court's rewards to meritorious officials and nobles meant that almost all the land was divided up.
In order to reward Fang Jun, Emperor Taizong had to give the valleys and slopes of Mount Li to Fang Jun, because it was really difficult to find suitable land in the Jingzhao area...
Now that the An family has moved inland, this problem has become more serious.
As a last resort, I can only look for it outside...
Li Chengqian said: "The An family moved inland, and the court must provide them with fertile land for them to settle down and reproduce. I hope you will consider it carefully and choose a place that is not too barren."
Everyone looked at each other and understood what His Majesty meant.
As for the An family, Your Majesty would like to wipe out their entire clan, so how could you be willing to give them fertile land to allow them to grow stronger again? It's just that as an emperor, you can't show them a narrow-minded impression, so you say the opposite of what you mean.
If we really choose a place suitable for living and farming, Your Majesty will certainly be dissatisfied...
This was exactly what several civil officials wanted. The land in Guanzhong was not enough to reward meritorious officials, so who would be willing to give the good land to the An family?
Ma Zhou pondered for a moment and said, "Last year, there was abundant rainfall and the Taibai Mountain suffered severe flooding. Many rivers merged and washed away a flat beach in the southern part of Zhuoying County. This year, the riverbed has been greatly managed and has not flooded. The flat beach has stabilized and covers an area of thousands of acres, which can accommodate thousands of people for cultivation and residence."
Liu Li couldn't help but glance at Ma Zhou. He had always believed that he was an honest man, but he didn't expect that he was also a black-hearted person.
Taibai Mountain belongs to the Qinling Mountains. There is abundant water in the mountain, and it is known as the "Nine Mouths and Eighteen Valleys". There are dozens of valleys of different sizes. In years with heavy rainfall, mountain torrents often occur, resulting in a large beach washed away by mountain torrents at the foot of the mountain.
Although these beaches are flat and have abundant water, the soil is poor and not suitable for farming. They are also threatened by mountain torrents at any time, so no one is reclaiming them...
"The Minister of State is indeed very thoughtful. He knows all the places in Guanzhong, just like the lines on the palm of your hand! That area is indeed a rare vacant land in Jingzhao Prefecture. Although it is mostly virgin soil and is often threatened by floods, the An family is large and has a large population. They have excellent farming techniques and talents. It is not difficult to reclaim the land. The court can also reduce taxes as a favor."
He felt that he was much more kindhearted than Ma Zhou, who simply left them there to fend for themselves, while he at least thought of reducing taxes and not letting the An family starve because they couldn't grow food or were threatened by mountain torrents...
Li Chengqian was determined to be a qualified emperor and paid great attention to the various places in Guanzhong. Naturally, he knew the area south of Zhuozhen, so he nodded and said, "Since both of you agree, then let's do it this way."
Anyway, it was these two people who came up with the idea. In the future, the An family won't blame him as the emperor, right?
So, the An family committed treason, and I am being magnanimous and showing mercy by not punishing them. Be content...
Fang Jun coughed to remind Li Chengqian that there were still some things that had not been dealt with.
Li Chengqian came to his senses: "An Yuanshou was appointed General of the Right Guard by Emperor Taizong. Now that his entire family has moved inland, he naturally cannot continue to serve. We should choose someone to take over. Do you have any suitable candidates?"
In any case, it would be impossible for An Yuanshou to continue to serve as the general of the Sixteen Guards, but it was not easy to choose a successor. The Right Guard had always been under the control of An Yuanshou. From the fact that they followed him to attack Guanzhong, it could be seen that all the people in the army were his clansmen and confidants. It would be difficult and not easy to make this army completely loyal to the king again.
Liu Li looked at Li Ji and Fang Jun. Although he really wanted to intervene in this matter, he also knew that these two people would never allow him to interfere.
But these two people must want to take control of an army of sixteen guards, right?
Maybe there will be some internal fighting because of this...
However, to his disappointment, Fang Jun spoke first: "Who do you think is suitable?"
This is an active concession.
Li Ji thought for a moment and said, "Does the Duke of Yue have a suitable candidate? Feel free to tell me."
Instead of taking advantage of the opportunity, he was humble and yielded?
However, the people present still keenly grasped one point: Li Ji addressed Fang Junzhi as "Duke of Yue" instead of "Grand Commander"...
Fang Jun hesitated for a moment and said, "How about the Duke of Langya?"
Li Ji nodded immediately: "That's exactly what I want!"
Li Chengqian laughed and said, "You two are both pillars of the army. Since you have the same idea, it can be seen that the Duke of Langya is indeed the most suitable candidate. In this case, let the Ministry of War sign the transfer order, and I will issue an imperial decree to confer the title and make it known to the world."
The Duke of Langya County is Niu Jinda, who is currently the General of the Left Guard and the most trusted aide of Duke Lu Cheng Yaojin. Niu Jinda's succession as the General of the Right Guard is not only a reward for his meritorious service over the years, but also a way to cut off Cheng Yaojin's source of power.
Far away in Guzang, unfamiliar with the people and the place, unable to return to Beijing, feeling depressed, with no help from anyone, feeling overwhelmed... This is probably Cheng Yaojin's situation for some time to come.
Li Chengqian smiled reservedly, and his thoughts became clear.
*****
The news that the "Three Judicial Departments" were trying the "Zhaoling Case" soon spread throughout Chang'an City. Not only were the royal family members trembling with fear, but the merchants who had close ties with the royal family were also in a state of panic. The court's intention was obviously to make a big deal about this case, so the final result would most likely be infinitely expanded, and it would not be surprising if more people were implicated.
In this day and age, many things are actually very difficult to explain. It is not easy to obtain solid evidence for anything, and it is difficult to say that a certain person is indeed involved in a certain event. On the contrary, many times, solid evidence is not actually needed. Witnesses and confessions are enough.
And how many people can withstand it under Sanmu?
Therefore, any major case often involves a wide range of people, because there is basically a certain political intention behind it. When a certain person needs to be guilty, that person is basically guilty...
Moreover, this case involved Zhaoling Mausoleum, and almost crossed the bottom line of all classes including civil officials, military generals, and nobles. Even the people in Chang'an City gathered together from time to time and ran to the outside of Suzaku Gate to make a fuss, demanding that the court severely punish those involved in the case.
Emperor Taizong and Empress Wende had excellent reputations and great prestige, and had countless supporters. The angry people wanted to skin and chop into pieces the thieves who had tampered with the building materials of Zhaoling Mausoleum.
……
After Li Xiaogong came out of Taiji Palace, he did not return home, but took a carriage directly to the Prince of Xiangyi's Mansion.
Inside the study, Li Qun served fragrant tea and left.
Li Xiaogong glanced at Li Quan's back and said with a smile, "My dear nephew is intelligent, steady, and talented. He is well-known among the royal family members. In time, he will surely become a pillar of the empire."
Li Shenfu waved his hand: "Young people are still very impetuous. Not only do they need more experience, but they also need more urging and teaching from elders like you. I don't expect them to achieve success. If they can settle down and inherit the family business, I will be satisfied."
The grandson is good, but his father is too stupid. What can we do?
His eldest son had passed away due to illness, and now Li Demao was the eldest son. If he passed the family business to his youngest son Li Siliang without him, not only would Li Demao disagree, but the other illegitimate sons would also be dissatisfied, which might lead to internal strife...
Li Xiaogong sighed and said, "Who says it's not true? Now the children of the royal family are so bold that they don't know what's good for them. His Majesty is furious, public opinion is boiling, and the court has decided to let the 'Three Law Departments' sort out the Zhaoling case. After the trial, all the guilty people, regardless of their status, will be dealt with severely, strictly and quickly. This wave of waves has swept in, and I don't know how many people have been ruined. Many of them may not even be able to keep their ancestral titles."
For the royal family, the death of a few people is not a big deal, because who doesn't have a large family with descendants? If the upper ones die, the lower ones will take over.
The most terrifying thing is to be deprived of the title. Once the ancestral title is gone, the entire branch will be indistinguishable from the crowd. There will no longer be any privileges brought by the status. Even the mansions and fields bestowed by the previous two generations of emperors will be taken back. Why should one continue to wear fine clothes and enjoy a life of luxury?
Li Shenfu said angrily, "Your Majesty is so cruel! Although the Zhaoling case is an unforgivable crime, in fact, only a few people were involved. So he made such a big fuss to let the three judicial officials intervene, isn't it just to involve the public and attack dissidents? It's a pity that he always preaches benevolence and generosity, but in fact he is cruel and ruthless. It's really the same lineage!"
This is of course referring to the old story of the "Xuanwu Gate Incident" when Emperor Li II killed his brothers and exterminated his entire family. In fact, not only were the East Palace and the Prince of Qi's Palace slaughtered, but the royal family was also slaughtered. Today, few of the heirs to the title in the royal family are the eldest sons of each family...
"Uncle, you are wrong," Li Xiaogong frowned, "They are unworthy. They actually tampered with the construction of Zhaoling. Even if they die a hundred times, it is hard to atone for their sins. Who can blame them for their own death? Taizong's achievements are brilliant and his prestige is known all over the world. Even if there are flaws, it is not for us to judge. Uncle, please be careful."
"Ah,"
Li Shenfu sneered: "Do you think I said that? Go out and listen. It is the consensus of the world that the boy is hypocritical, cruel and ungrateful. If he stays in that position for a few more years, the reputation of the Li Tang royal family will be ruined. By then, people of insight will rise up to condemn him, and the country will be in turmoil. It will be too late for you to regret!"
Li Xiaogong had a headache and raised his hand to interrupt the other party. He said in a deep voice: "I will not argue with Uncle Wang. I came here today just to warn Uncle Wang. Don't think that you can take advantage of the opportunity to harvest the loyalty of many people just because this major case involves many royal family members. If Uncle Wang disregards the great cause of the country and the country, and insists on taking risks, don't blame me for turning hostile."
(End of this chapter)
