The reason why the family had a large number of private soldiers was because during the Southern and Northern Dynasties and the great chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, a large number of fields were annexed and a large number of refugees were gathered.
These refugees had no household registration and did not pay taxes to the court. They were completely the private property of the aristocratic families.
That's why the aristocratic family has so many private soldiers.
Li Shimin was still worried about what Lin Xuan said about employment.
In fact, it was too easy to raise an army in ancient times.
It's not that Li Shimin doesn't believe Lin Xuan, but once this hole is opened, other people will follow suit and hire people on a large scale. What should they do?
What if the family takes advantage of this opportunity to increase its strength?
It was because of various concerns that Li Shimin directly opposed it.
"Xuanling, these matters are not urgent. You can first arrange for envoys to go to Xue Yantuo and the Western Turks." Li Shimin said.
Fang Xuanling cupped his hands and said, "I'm leaving."
Just after Fang Xuanling left, Li Mu reported: "Your Majesty, His Highness the King of Wei wishes to see you."
"Let him come in." Li Shimin said.
Not long after, Li Tai walked in, bowed and said, "See my father."
Li Shimin smiled and said: "Without courtesy, why does Qingque come to see my father?"
Li Tai smiled and said: "Father, my sons and ministers are here to share my father's worries."
"Share the worries?" Li Shimin was slightly startled.
Li Tai said: "Father, Western Turks and Xue Yantuo dare to offend our Tang Dynasty's power. They should send troops to attack them."
Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "Now is not the time to send troops."
Li Tai smiled and said: "Father, I understand that now is not the time to send troops, but you can do something else."
"Do something else?" Li Shimin asked: "If Qingque has any good ideas, let me tell you."
Li Tai said: "I heard that my father was going to send an envoy to the Western Turks and Xue Yantuo. I thought I could do something about it."
"How to do the tricks?" Li Shimin asked with great interest.
Seeing Li Shimin's interest, Li Tai said cheerfully: "Father, there is a saying in the art of war: if you know yourself and the enemy, you can fight a hundred battles without danger. Why don't you send someone who knows military skills as an envoy to take this opportunity to learn about the situation of the Western Turks and Xue Yantuo."
"Yes, Qingque actually learned the art of war." Li Shimin praised.
Li Tai said in a deep voice: "I also want to do my part for the Tang Dynasty, but I am fat and cannot mount a horse to lead the army."
"I'm very relieved that Qingque has this idea. It's just that Baiqi has been monitoring the situation of Western Turks and Xue Yantuo. It's completely unnecessary." Li Shimin said.
"Father, Baiqi only knows their basic situation, and does not have an intuitive understanding of their combat power. If my father sends a battlefield general there, he will definitely be able to see their combat power at a glance." Li Tai
said.
Li Shimin thought about it and felt that what Li Tai said made some sense.
It's just that the Western Turks and Xue Yantuo must have some knowledge of the Tang Dynasty's intelligence. If they send someone with identity there, it might arouse their vigilance.
Seeing Li Shimin frowning and thinking hard, Li Tai said, "Father, you haven't thought of a suitable candidate?"
Li Shimin glanced at Li Tai in surprise and asked, "Do you have a suitable candidate?"
"Father, what do you think of Duke Lu?" After Li Tai finished speaking, he kept paying attention to Li Shimin's face from the corner of his eyes.
Li Shimin had no expression on his face and asked calmly: "Why do you think Hou Junji is suitable? Is he looking for you?"
Li Tai felt a sudden thought and pretended to be calm and said: "Father, Duke Lu has never approached my minister. My minister recommended Duke Lu because he just thought he was suitable."
"Then tell me why he is suitable." Li Shimin said noncommittally.
"Father, Duke Lu is a veteran general in the army. He can probably tell at a glance how good the Western Turks and Xue Yantuo are. There is another important reason. Duke Lu was punished by his father for corruption before. If he sends
If he goes, even if they know the identity of Duke Lu, they won't doubt it," Li Tai said.
Li Shimin nodded and said with a smile: "Qingque has really grown up, and his analysis is clear and logical."
Li Tai secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "It is what a son should do to share his father's worries."
Li Shimin laughed and said: "Qingque's suggestion is a meritorious service, and he will be rewarded with a hundred thousand dollars and ten pieces of silk."
"Thank you, Father, for the reward." Li Tai said happily.
He didn't care what the reward was, what he cared about was Li Shimin's attitude.
The news that Li Tai was rewarded by Li Shimin for his suggestions soon spread throughout Chang'an.
When Fang Xuanling heard this, he sighed secretly.
Li Shimin is not short of ability or means, and he is very decisive in doing things.
But he has a big shortcoming, that is, he cannot have "no relatives in heaven".
This does not mean that the emperor cannot have family affection, but this kind of affection cannot be shown.
Since ancient times, it has been common for brothers to quarrel because of their preference for one of their sons, causing Xiao Qiang to suffer.
This is true for ordinary people, let alone the royal family.
Li Shimin made Fang Xuanling the crown prince and grand master in order to consolidate Li Chengqian's position.
But few people can understand it.
But Li Shimin's love for Li Tai can be seen by everyone.
In this way, let alone Li Tai being ambitious, even if Li Tai is not ambitious, he will still be taken advantage of.
When he heard the news, Hou Junji was happiest. He knew that his opportunity had come.
…
When Lin Xuan returned home, his mood had calmed down.
It will take at least a thousand years for the idea of family, country and world to change.
Is Li Shimin's original intention to treat people kindly important?
Whether he truly loved the people as his own son, or was doing it for the stability of the Tang Dynasty, or for the sake of the Li and Tang Dynasties for generations to come, these are not important.
What's important is that the people really get benefits, and that's enough.
After thinking about this, Lin Xuan felt relieved.
"Sir, my wife asked you to come over when you come back," Chunyue said.
Lin Xuan nodded and came to the yard where his parents lived.
"Mom, are you looking for me?" Lin Xuan asked.
Zhang Qing said to the maid who was serving him: "You all go down."
Lin Xuan became even more confused when he saw his mother being so cautious.
"Xuan'er, have you and Chunyue been in the same room for some time?" Zhang Qing said.
"Mom, why are you talking about this?"
Lin Xuan didn't expect Zhang Qing to say this to him, and was a little embarrassed.
"I'm your mother, there's nothing I can't say." Zhang Qing said angrily.
Lin Xuan was speechless. It was embarrassing for his own mother to talk about such a problem.
"I have long discovered that Chun Yue has lost her virginity, but you have been in the same room for so long, why doesn't her stomach react?" Zhang Qing asked.
Lin Xuan was dumbfounded, could you tell this?
Zhang Qing continued: "I asked someone to check that Chunyue had not taken any medicine."
"Mom, I'm still young, why are you so anxious?" Lin Xuan said speechlessly.
Can he say that he brought Tao with him?
Let alone the fact that this thing cannot be explained, even if it could be explained, he would be too embarrassed to say it.
"Why are you so small? You are the only son in our family, so we expect you to spread your wings." Zhang Qing said angrily.
"Mom, I want to marry a princess. Do you think it's appropriate to have a concubine before getting married?" Lin Xuan spread his hands and said.
It's not that he cares about his legitimate concubine, he just simply doesn't want to be a father so early.
For women in ancient times, giving birth to children was equivalent to entering the hell gate. Giving birth to children too early was not good for women.
Zhang Qing said with some pity: "It's really inappropriate."
In ancient times, it was normal to have a concubine without getting married.
But the woman's family has a high status, so it's different.
Lin Xuan breathed a sigh of relief when his mother stopped talking about the child.