Chapter 415 Princess Huo (Part 1)

Just as Li Heng was conducting an open and secret investigation in Chang'an City, Li Yu also held a meeting in the imperial study room to discuss the case of Mrs. Huo's wife occupying the land with several important officials. The situation had forced Li Yu to have no way out. I don't know who made the case in the army, saying that the court's money and food were empty and that it would be unable to pay the food and salary. More than a dozen battalions began to make trouble.

Li Yu forced himself to release grain and rice from the 100,000 troops to temporarily stabilize the morale of the army, but where did the money come from? At least one million guan, but he only had 500,000 guan.

For this reason, Li Yu had to borrow money from Li Qing'an with shamelessness. However, when Anxi sent a message, Li Qing'an agreed to borrow money, but there were additional conditions and he had to exchange the heads of Meng Yun and Luo Zhengyi. How could this be possible? Meng Yun and Luo Zhengyi are now his generals, and each hold heavy troops. How could they send their heads to Li Qing'an? Helplessly, Li Yu could only focus his attention on the case of Princess Huo again.

However, after Princess Huo voluntarily returned the land and tied up her subordinates to question the crime, several of Li Yu's confidant officials also had differences in the case of Princess Huo.

Wang Gong is an opponent. He did not agree with taking action against Princess Huo from the beginning. His reason was very simple. Li Yu was originally alone and alone. If he forced the law to deal with Princess Huo, he would undoubtedly offend the entire royal family and push himself to the opposite side of the royal family, making him even more isolated.

Wang Gong knew that if he wanted to persuade Li Yu, he had to find a way out. He stood up and smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I have been thinking about it for a long time. In fact, we have a way to raise funds."

Li Yu summoned a few confidant officials in Xiuchaori today to discuss the next trend of the Madam Huo case with everyone. Unexpectedly, Wang Gong said that there was a way to make money. Of course, this was also something he was extremely concerned about. He immediately smiled and said, "Present Wang, please tell me!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Wang Gong smiled and said, "I have been investigating both the east and west cities these days. I found that although the court has no money, the people are rich. Many big merchants have accumulated over a hundred years of wealth and are as rich as the country. They are willing to spend money to buy some things."

"The King of Kings shouldn't say he is selling official positions!" Li Yan next to him said coldly.

Li Yan is a minister with outstanding reputation. He has always been disgusted with Wang Gong. Wang Gong's cruel past made him despise. If it weren't for Li Yu's sake, he would never have lived in the same room with Wang Gong.

Wang Gong was told by him, and he couldn't help but feel a little angry and said, "Please don't interrupt me."

Li Yu waved his hand and smiled, "Please ask Mr. Wang Xiangguo, and Shangshu Li will express his opinions again."

Wang Gong glared at Li Yan fiercely and continued, "I mean selling official positions, but it is not selling official positions. You can sell casual officials, honor officials, and titles, especially titles. Many great merchants are willing to spend a lot of money to buy them. They would rather not give land and salary, just want this title, because they can change their low status and pass them on to their descendants. I just think that this will not affect the government affairs of the court, nor will it add burdens. It is just a false reputation, so why not do it?"

As soon as Wang Gong finished speaking, Pei Min next to him interrupted, "The Prime Minister Wang planned to grant titles to merchants because they had money. So what would the border soldiers who fought bloody for the country think? The little honor they earned with their lives was bought with money, and how could they feel?"

Li Yan also interfered: "Mr. Pei is right. A gentleman does something and does not do anything. Money cannot buy everything. Some things cannot be sold even if they lack money. Otherwise, what they sell is not a title, but the character of my Tang Dynasty."

"You! Hum!"

Wang Gong was speechless by the two of them. He sat down angrily. Li Yu's face was a little embarrassed. In fact, he was a little moved. It was actually good to sell a title. As long as he could get money, he no longer cared about these minor points, but the righteousness of Li and Pei made him have nothing to say.

At this time, Li Yan said again: "Actually, I have considered it. I have served as the Jingzhao Yin. I know the people's conditions very well and know some emergency measures. It should be no problem to get 500,000 jin of money."

Li Yu was overjoyed. If he could get 500,000 jin of money, he would solve his urgent problem, at least he could pay half of the military expenses.

"Li Aiqing, please say it!"

Li Yan stood up and said, "Your Majesty, although the court has no money, there are many real estates and shops in two cities. These belong to the court and can be sold part of them, especially the shops in the West City. Each shop is worth ten thousand yuan. Usually, the court only charges a small rent, but in fact it can increase the rent. If Your Majesty thinks the rent is too slow, then sell fifty rooms first. The reason why I don't agree with selling more is that not every merchant can afford the money. It is rare to sell more stores. If the store sells too much, it is not worth it. So I simply sell fifty rooms in a limited quantity. Some big merchants are definitely willing to pay for 500,000 yuan. I think there is no problem."

Pei Min next to him also smiled and said, "I also suggest that you can borrow money from the counter house temporarily. Li Linfu borrowed it back then and it took two years to repay it. Your Majesty can borrow 500,000 jin first and give some salary to the officials. I know that many lower-level officials have a hard time, and Your Majesty should consider their difficulties."

Li Yan and Pei Min's two suggestions made Li Yu's eyes lit up. After a few days of anxiety, he finally got a way out. His heart suddenly felt refreshed and he smiled and said, "It's right, I think it's very good."

When Wang Gong saw that the emperor praised them and denied himself, he was extremely dissatisfied. He said coldly: "Since you are rich, you don't have to make enemies with your royal family anymore! I think the case of Princess Huo is over."

"I firmly object to it!"

Li Yan stood up and said in a row: "The case of Princess Huo is not just for money, but also to curb the land annexation of our Tang Dynasty and let the royal family return the extra land. If the land problem cannot be solved, what will happen next year's finance? What should we do later finance? Your Majesty, I am forgiving that the land annexation of our Tang Dynasty is getting worse and worse, and the consequences are serious. It has reached the brink of the destruction of the country. If no effective measures are taken to curb the people will not survive, the Tang Dynasty will be in chaos. Moreover, in these few years, the Tang Empire could no longer bear the weight of land annexation."

Wang Gong also retorted: "Do you think it would be so easy for them to withdraw their land? The common people will be in chaos, and the royal family will not be in chaos? And it is even more ruthless. Is this situation less in history? I believe that at most they can pay a little land tax, but they must not start any more turmoil. Your Majesty is very weak now and cannot make too many enemies."

Pei Min couldn't help but say, "I agree with Li Shangshu's opinion. This is the first time that the emperor has fought against land annexation. If it is left unresolved, it will inevitably disappoint many people who report to the emperor with hope. Your Majesty, since you have done it, you must be tough to the end. Even if it fails, you can see Your Majesty's determination to resolve the annexation. I advocate continuing to investigate the case of Princess Huo."

Li Yan resolutely said: "Your Majesty, I am willing to be the chief investigator of the case of Princess Huo. Please delegate power. If there are any consequences, I will bear it with all my strength!"

Li Yu was dizzy by the quarrels among them. He waved his hand and said, "I think about it again in the case of Princess Huo, and I will make a decision."

After pausing, he said, "But selling shops in Xishi City and borrowing money is feasible. These two things will be left to Mr. Pei to be fully responsible. Raise money for me as soon as possible. The army is about to cause trouble."

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Several important officials left, Li Yu was upset. He slowly walked to the window and stared blankly at the lush locust trees outside the window. It has been nearly a year since he ascended the throne, but all the things that happened this year made him exhausted. Countless people accused him of being weak and incompetent, accusing him of not being able to lead the Tang Dynasty out of the predicament, but instead made the Tang Dynasty sink deeper and deeper in the quagmire of weakness. For this reason, Li Yu was filled with confusion and grievance. He didn't understand why everyone looked at it.

What is the reason for the terrible situation in the Tang Dynasty today? His grandfather indulged the powerful and the annexation of land for forty years and indulged the supervision of border generals, and finally had to use the feudal kings to strengthen their control over the local area, which brought about the consequences of the cuts of wealth and the loss of control of the local area today. The problems of decades or even hundreds of years of accumulation suddenly broke out, but Li Yu asked him to solve it in a short time. How could this be done?

Li Yu felt extremely aggrieved and angry in his heart. Anger was that his emperor's grandfather was still interfering in politics. His emperor's grandfather wanted only an imperial power, but he ignored the collapse of the empire.

On the side, Li Mi sat by the wall. He did not speak until the beginning of the meeting. He was observing some subtleties in this meeting. He had discovered the internal dissonance and found the conflict between Wang Gong, Li and Pei. This contradiction consisted of personal likes and dislikes, as well as ideological conflicts, which made Li Mi more worried. These three important officials were the pillars on which Li Yu relied on to rule. If there was a problem between them, Li Yu's throne might be further in danger.

Li Mi was not in a hurry to tell Li Yu about this situation. He sat aside and looked at Li Yu's thin back quietly. He could understand the pressure this young emperor was under. He no longer only faced the stability of the throne, but also faced the safety of the entire Tang Empire. Whether this slightly weak shoulder could bear this burden, Li Mi was also full of worries.

"Sir, should I go on with the case of Princess Huo?" Li Yu finally spoke.

He slowly turned around and looked at his master, his eyes full of confusion, "Wang Gong is right, Li Yan is right, I feel confused, I beg you to give me some advice."

Li Mi understood his thoughts. He had been thinking about this issue just now. Now he had the answer. Now it was time for Li Yu to make a choice.

"Your Majesty, I only ask one question, does Your Majesty want a family or a country?"

Li Mi's words were like a flash of lightning in the darkness, illuminating Li Yu's heart, but disappeared in an instant. He understood a little, but was overwhelmed by heavy confusion. He walked to Li Mi, knelt on one knee, and stared at Li Mi with an almost pious look, "This will be the turning point of my life. Please tell me bluntly that I can bear anything."

"Yes! I'm going to say something straight."

At this moment, Li Mi also made up his mind that if he did not speak out, he would eventually harm Li Yu and destroy the entire Tang Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, Wang Gong's meaning is very clear. Concessions to the case of Princess Huo will be able to protect Your Majesty's throne. This is Your Majesty's home, and Li Yan's attitude is also very clear. The case of Princess Huo is strictly investigated to the end in order to protect the country and country of the Tang Dynasty. This is Your Majesty's country. Do you want a family or a country? You have to decide."

"Can't you achieve both?"

Li Mi shook his head, "Abandoning the case of Mrs. Huo Guo, Your Majesty can only protect his family, but the Tang Dynasty will surely fall into storms. As Li Yan said, the Tang Empire can no longer bear the weight of land annexation. If Your Majesty insists on strictly handling Mrs. Huo Guo and uses this as a breakthrough to strictly investigate the land in Guanzhong, although there will be a short storm, there will be a clear sky after the storm. Where to go, it will be up to Your Majesty to choose."

Li Yu understood Li Mi's words, and he slowly walked to the window. The sky that was just sunny just now turned into darkness in front of him. A deep pain flashed in his eyes. He knew that the storm meant his throne, and even the end of his life, would he really have to face this choice?

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I don't know how long it took, but he finally spoke with a hint of sadness in his tone, "Actually, I sometimes think, what would happen to the Tang Dynasty if Li Qing'an had my seat? At least he did better than me. He had the army and financial resources, and he had the courage to do more than me. He strictly prohibited land annexation in Anxi. His attitude and ruthless methods made me feel inferior. He led his army to fight everywhere and opened up territory for the Tang Dynasty. His contribution was better than Emperor Taizong.

I once told the queen privately that if one day I really asked me to hand over the throne, I would rather hand over it to Li Qing'an. At least he could revive the glory of the Tang Dynasty and lead the Tang Empire toward Zhongxing, but I couldn't do it. This is the conflict between the family and the country. For the family, I would never hand over the throne to him, because he would kill me and destroy my descendants. But for the country, he is the only emperor of Zhongxing that I recognize. Sir, I have a conflict!"

"But your Majesty, you can't help it!"

"I know! I know..." Li Yu's voice gradually became low again, and finally quietly.

Li Mi was also very conflicted. He was also full of concern for Li Yu's fate. He had seen that no matter whether Li Yu was firm in the case of Madam Huo Guo, the clan forces would no longer tolerate him. Li Longji's awakening from a coma was the clearest signal. He was the highest leader of the clan. Although Li Yu was his imperial crown prince and his designated successor, there was one of the most important prerequisites, that is, Li Yu had to wait until he died before he could succeed to the throne. Otherwise, he would never tolerate it. So when he woke up, he heard that Li Yu had ascended the throne, so that he would be so angry. The current situation was already very clear. If Li Longji wanted to restore the throne, he would inevitably summon the clan's family to rush Li Yu to step down. It is precisely because of this that Li Mi supported Li Yu's tough attitude in Madam Huo Guo's case, killing a chicken to warn the monkeys, and intimidating those royal families. In this way, Li Yu might have a glimmer of life.

Li Mi had already seen the situation in front of him very clearly. Although he kept saying that he would no longer hide anything from Li Yu, he still did not dare to tell Li Yu the truth about this matter. He knew that once he told Li Yu, Li Yu would have some concerns and could not bear to hurt his fellow tribes. This was indeed Li Yu's biggest weakness, and his heart was not cruel enough.

At this time, Li Yu slowly turned his head, his eyes flashed with a never-before-old perseverance. His determination had already made up. For the long run of the Tang Dynasty, he decided to attack Mrs. Huo Guo.

"Sir, I've decided!"

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Princess Huo's mansion is located in Chongrenfang. It is a vast mansion. She is the daughter of Li Dan, the sister of Tang Ruizong, and Li Longji. She married Pei Xuji, the youngest young master of Guanglu, as her wife in her early years. However, Pei Xuji exposed the secret art of prophecy and divination, and had a close relationship with Li Fan, the king of Qi, which angered Li Longji. She was exiled to Lingnan in the eighth year of Kaiyuan. Princess Huo was also forced to divorce her husband. After the divorce, she did not remarry. She only lived in obscurity for more than 30 years, but was involved in the power struggle of the royal family in her sixties.

If we look into it in depth, the occupation of land has nothing to do with Princess Huo. Princess Huo believed in Buddhism in her later years and was addicted to Buddhism every day. She almost ignored the affairs of her family. The problem lies with her adopted daughter Huai Niang. Princess Huo was weak and had no children. After being forced to divorce her husband, she adopted her sister Pei Huai Niang, daughter of Princess Xue, as her adopted daughter, and was handed over to Huai Niang for all matters in the family. Princess Huo was forced to divorce her husband and was loyal to her and refused to marry her. Therefore, she was very grateful to her and gave her great money and other money and things to Huai Niang for her except for Buddhist affairs.

If we look at it today, Huai Niang is definitely an investment expert. She invested a lot of money in real estate such as land, houses, and gained rich returns. But from another perspective, her investment in land must be a land annex that endangers the foundation of the rule of the Tang Dynasty. She ate a large number of self-cultivated farmers and established a manor. During the Middle Tang Dynasty, the Li clan clan, who had accumulated a hundred years of wealth, had already been able to carry out land annexation. In addition, the court's restrictions were not strong, so land acquisition has become a trend of the royal family. Huai Niang was no exception. After more than ten years of annexation and Li Longji's reward, Huai Niang has merged tens of thousands of hectares of fertile land, and there are 3,000 hectares of land in Guanzhong alone.

Despite this, her area ranking among the royal family was only ranked in the middle, and there were many people who were taller than her.

But Huai Niang made a fatal mistake. Recently, a deacon told him that Weinan County suffered a locust plague last year and land prices dropped. Huai Niang had a large manor in Weinan County. She instructed her deacon to forcibly purchase hundreds of hectares of land around her. Unexpectedly, there happened to be Li Qing'an's manor. Because Li Qing'an was extremely low-key in the manor and almost never came here, his deacons did not know and forced him to buy it. As a result, the manager of Li Qing'an Manor joined hands with other small and medium-sized landlords and hundreds of tenants from Li Qing'an Manor to file a lawsuit, which caused a huge disaster for Princess Huo.

In the early morning, before dawn, the brigade of Yulin Army suddenly appeared in Chongrenfang. They were fully armed and murderous intent, and instantly surrounded the house of Princess Huo Mansion. The soldiers held a torch, shining like daytime. Changsun Quanxu was full of armor and pointed at the spear, "Go up and smash them!"

Several strong men rushed up the steps and swung their hammers to smash the door hard. "Bang~!" With a loud bang, the door trembled violently. Several gatekeepers opened the door. They were about to get angry, but they saw that there was an army outside, and their legs were trembling.

"Is there anything wrong with you?"

"Your Majesty has an order, please come and receive the order!"

At this time, a woman in her thirties walked out quickly. She was Pei Huaini, the adopted daughter of Princess Huo. In the fire, she saw so many troops surrounding the mansion and said angrily: "This is the mansion of the princess, do you dare to be rude?"

Changsun Quanxu restrained his anger and said again: "Your Majesty has an order, please ask Princess Huo to accept the order!"

Huai Niang said coldly: "My mother is not here, tell me if you have anything to do!"
To be continued...