In response to the mutiny launched by King Jin, the treasury that had been emptied due to Emperor Taizong's Eastern Expedition was even worse. The last grain of grain, the last string of copper coins, and the last piece of cloth were looted. The victory of the war is gratifying, but
The ensuing post-war recovery was almost unsustainable.
Without money and food, what can we do to rebuild the imperial system that was broken down by the war?
Pensions for fallen soldiers, rewards for meritorious generals, the collapsed tax system to be rebuilt, prisoners to be guarded and fed... the money and food required was simply a terrifying astronomical figure.
Although the rebels have been wiped out and the clan has been eliminated, there is still a greater crisis waiting for His Majesty and the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty.
Naturally, a new era is about to begin.
Li Jing did not feel lonely. He had been abandoned in the previous era. Although he has been reused by His Majesty now, he understands the changing times, not to mention that his ambition has long been consumed in these years of investment and idleness.
When everything is exhausted, how can you still have the energy to fight for power and profit in the court and strive for the upper reaches?
He was famous throughout his life and had countless honors. It would be enough for him to be able to win such a feat that could be passed down to his descendants when he is old...
"Go on with the order and closely cooperate with the navy. All prisoners escorted from Chunming Gate must be properly resettled. In addition, the troops must be cautious when entering Chunming Gate, and they are not allowed to interfere with the surrender of Shandong's private army."
Since you don't plan to fight, there is no need to resort to any tricks at this time. Leaving a lasting relationship is more important than anything else.
Even regardless of his relationship with Fang Jun, Liu Rengui, who was just a naval general, was able to lead an army from Jiangnan to Chang'an. His performance after entering the city was even more dazzling, especially in accepting surrender and subsequently restoring order in Chang'an City.
His performance is even more remarkable. With such a capable general and Fang Jun's support behind him, he will definitely shine in time.
Although you can gain some benefits by suppressing him at this time, it is very likely to create a formidable enemy for your descendants and families, so why bother?
He is stationed outside the Chunming Gate in order to intimidate the troops and clans stationed in various places in Guanzhong. The support can be regarded as a sure win, and there is no need to enter the city to get involved in interest disputes and only cause trouble.
*****
Li Chengqian stood at the door of Wude Gate with his hands behind his hands, looking through the wind and rain from the door steps down to the square where the fierce battle continued. The situation between the enemy and ourselves was chaotic, and it was vaguely visible that the prince's left guard, who was closest to Wude Hall, was leading his life to block the rebels.
Despite the fierce offensive, fortunately, reinforcements were still pouring in from Daji Gate on one side, which gradually stabilized the defense line and prevented the rebels from breaking through the position and rushing to the front of the palace.
Behind the first line of offensive and defensive positions, near the Wude Gate in the distance, there were two more armies fighting endlessly. The Jin Dynasty flag erected in the wind and rain was shaky, almost falling several times, but it held firm.
straight.
"Your Majesty, it is very windy and humid at the entrance of the palace. It is better to go back to the throne to rest and wait for the report of the battle situation outside."
Xu Jingzong came behind Li Chengqian and bowed to advise him.
Naturally, the rest of the people would not let Xu Jingzong be alone in front of His Majesty, so they also came and crowded behind Li Chengqian, trying to persuade Li Chengqian to return to the palace.
Liu Zi also said: "Although the rebels are fierce, they are at the end of their strength. If they cannot break through the defense line led by the prince's left guard, they can only wait to be surrounded and suppressed by the Duke of Yue... However, the situation is still dangerous. Wude Palace is the center of the empire.
Your Majesty is the king of ten thousand chariots, how can you allow the rebels to attack Chi Chi and endanger your Majesty's safety? The Duke of Yue is responsible for the internal affairs of the Taiji Palace. Although it is a great achievement to exterminate the rebels, there are also many issues that need to be discussed and the responsibility cannot be shied away from.
.”
Before Li Chengqian could speak, Xu Jingzong retorted: "We are sitting here with your majesty. To put it nicely, we share the joys and sorrows, life and death with your majesty. We can call ourselves 'loyal ministers', but in my opinion, we cannot share your worries for you. In fact,
Extremely incompetent. Those generals and soldiers have been risking their lives since the King of Jin raised his army, and now they are even more willing to die for the sake of His Majesty's safety and the survival of the country. The palace is stained with blood, and they die in the right place! Instead of being able to go into battle to kill the enemy, we are here to criticize the warriors.
, I’m really ashamed and shameless!”
Liu Zi was immediately furious and yelled: "Why did Xu Shangshu devalue the civil and military forces in this country to such a degree of penury? Civil and military forces have different paths, and each has his or her own responsibilities. The way to the destruction of a country is to do it with Si Chen!"
Xu Jingzong sneered: "Rebellious traitors are disloyal and bring trouble to the country. This is the time for generals to show their loyalty. Although our civil servants cannot go into battle and weed out traitors, we should also think about post-war reconstruction, share your worries and take care of our duties.
, Liu Shizhong does not think about his duties, but he is a loyal general who fights to the death to do his duty. His intentions are unpredictable and his intentions are worthy of death!"
"okay!"
Li Chengqian was so quarreled by the two that his brain ached. He turned around and said displeasedly: "Loyal ministers and righteous men fought bloody battles just to protect the country and support Zhengshuo. Both of them are the pillars of the country and my humerus. Why are we so quarrelsome and indifferent to each other?"
Give in? What a shame!"
"Wei Chen knows his mistake."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me."
The two of them quickly bowed and took two steps back, not daring to say anything.
Li Chengqian ignored the two of them, walked back to the throne and sat down, and asked Li Ji, who was silent at the side: "At this point in the battle, do you think there will be any changes?"
Li Ji thought for a while and said: "Yu Chigong is exhausted and it is difficult to penetrate Li Dazhi's position. The King of Jin is entangled by the Duke of Yue and it is basically impossible to escape... The only ones who can worry are Xiao Yu and Cui Xinzhi.
If we occupy Chengtianmen, we will not be able to restrain the Shandong private army once it fails, and it is very likely to cause chaos in the entire Chang'an City."
Li Chengqian remained silent.
He is the emperor. He not only has to defeat the rebels and secure the throne, but he also has to think about what will happen after the war, the delayed farming season, the collapsed court, the empty treasury, the large number of soldiers who need to be pensioned, and the countless prisoners who are in custody... I think.
Just thinking about it gives me a splitting headache.
If the rebels eventually lose control and wreak havoc on the entire city of Chang'an, turning this most majestic city in the world into a complete mess, it will cost almost immeasurable money, food, and efforts to clean it up and restore it to its original state.
But as an emperor, he had no choice but to face difficulties.
However, even in the worst case scenario, we have been mentally prepared. At least all the family members were almost completely lost in this battle. The recovery of the center, the reconstruction of the system, and even the relief support in various places will have fewer constraints. The order of the center can
If you follow the principles of the world, all losses are worth it.
Just as I had speculated on the future of the empire during several candle-lit night discussions with Fang Jun, as long as the aristocratic family members, the biggest cancer residing in the body of the empire, are removed, the country will definitely be able to prolong its reign.
Perhaps the Tang Dynasty still cannot escape the fate of "three hundred years of reincarnation", but at least it will eliminate the crises that can be seen and do its best to obey the destiny, so that future generations will not still be obsessed with the evil of the clan when the country is subjugated...
"General Li," Li Chengqian looked at Li Chengqian at the entrance of the palace, considered it, and said slowly: "Send someone to inform the Duke of Yue that if it is possible to spare the life of the pheasant slave, it is better not to hurt him... Although he is unkind and unjust,
He is unfaithful and unfilial, but I cannot be a brother-killer. It is enough to capture him and imprison him for the rest of his life."
This is not a show, he is deliberately trying to look kind. As long as he thinks of his mother's instructions to him to "care for his brothers and feet" when he was buried, and of the pheasant slave playing and laughing with his own legs as a child, he will not be cruel in any way.
Be determined.
Therefore, he believed that he would never be as good as Emperor Taizong, because he could not kill decisively. He knew that letting the pheasant slaves die on the battlefield was the best result, but it was difficult to do so.
From this aspect, Li Chengqian believed that he was not a qualified emperor.
However, if you can't even protect your brothers and sisters, what's the point of being an emperor?
"Here!" Li Junxian accepted the order, turned around and sent someone to convey the emperor's order to Fang Jun.
The ministers in the palace said one after another: "Your Majesty is kind and kind, which is a blessing to the common people!"
"The King of Jin went against the grain, and His Majesty repaid evil with kindness. This is a story that will last forever!"
Li Chengqian was already immune to the ministers' praises and flattery, so he just smiled indifferently and did not stop him.
Sometimes, although I don't need these nice words, I can't stop the ministers from saying them, otherwise it will be difficult to reassure them.
…
Rain and sweat flowed out from under his pocket, and flowed into his eyes. His eyes were burning, but Li Zhi had no chance to wipe them with his hands. He just waved his long spear with red eyes to push back an approaching enemy. There were several more enemies on the other side.
The army rushed forward, forcing him to retreat on horseback, allowing the guards behind him to step forward to resist.
Going to the battlefield for the first time in his life, Li Zhi finally realized the tragedy of the battlefield where human lives are like grass and grass and horses are wrapped in leather. Even though the armored cavalry lost their mobility, the long battle almost exhausted the physical strength of the soldiers and horses, but his whole body
The iron armor covering the top and bottom provides a solid defense. To snipe it, three or five people often need to work side by side to find the gap in the armor's stomach and kill it.
However, how many opportunities are there on the battlefield? So he was in a melee with the armored cavalry, and watched the guards around him fall off their horses and die in battle as they rushed to resist the enemy's surprise attack. This made Li Zhi see the cruelty of war.
His pride and conceit were all worn away bit by bit as the war progressed, replaced by the endless fear of death.
Especially in the distance, there are men and horses in armor, and Fang Jun, who has a spear in his hand that is more than two feet longer than the others, is constantly leaping on his horse and dancing toward him. The strong murderous aura that he has never experienced before is still there even though he is more than ten feet away.
Breaking through the wind and rain.
Li Zhi reluctantly held the horse's hand, and he was extremely frightened. The two horses were fighting, and he saw Fang Jun getting closer and closer to him. The guard, who was always brave and good at fighting, saw blood splattering under his horse's hand, and he fell off the horse and died.
, a wave of despair came over my heart.
He couldn't understand why Xiao Yu and Cui Xin had not been able to lead the Shandong private army to come to the rescue. Could it be that I was destined to die?