Chapter 3929 Bottom Line Test
Yu Wenshiji pondered for a moment, but did not immediately object to the prince's words. Instead, he asked in a deep voice: "I wonder how your highness plans to deal with the Guanlong families?"
Money is accumulated by the ancestors of Guanlong families for more than a hundred years, and it is the foundation for future comebacks, so they are not willing to hand it over easily. But if the prince has no other conditions, or the other conditions are looser, then this one is not impossible to agree to.
After all, for a clan, power and political status are the most important. If you have enough power and political status, you can have both sides of the political turmoil in the center of the empire in the future. No matter how much money you lose, you can make it back...
Li Chengqian took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and was not polite, directly throwing out the bottom line of the East Palace: "First, disband and ban all private soldiers, and agree to amend the regulations on private soldiers and slaves in the "Zhenguan Law", any family in the world Supporting private armed forces in any situation will be regarded as treason by the Yi tribe."
Cheng Yaojin looked solemn on the side. He was planning to attack the foundation of the world's powerful families, but this was also reasonable.
The clans supported private soldiers, and they were nominally attached to the central government, but in reality they were independent of one party, making the imperial decrees useless within the areas controlled by the clans. Officials appointed by the imperial court often have to look up to the local clan. Otherwise, they will either be impeached or suppressed. Even the subordinates and subordinates in the government offices cannot command them. How can they be pastoral and protective?
In particular, the clans had many industries and huge power, and directly monopolized most of the local fields and businesses, making it difficult for the court to collect taxes. As time went on, the clans became richer and the central government became poorer.
Why do the clan members dare to ignore the center? Because each family maintained private soldiers, some of which were even huge in number and powerful, the imperial court wanted to return local power to the central government, so it had to send troops to directly exterminate them. This resulted in wasteful logistics, loss of soldiers, and panic among the people. It’s something every regime doesn’t want to face.
Whenever the political situation is turbulent, the clans will form their own, peer into the world, and choose a force to rely on, regardless of the thoughts of family and country, and the meaning of loyalty. What's worse, they will simply rise up, gather together, and participate in the military and legal melee that competes with the world. middle.
Such lessons are not far away, such as Wang Shichong and Xiao Mian in the late Sui Dynasty...
Yu Wenshiji thought for a moment and said: "Although I cannot give an accurate answer on behalf of the Guanlong family, this matter is related to the stability of the empire. I think everyone will support your highness."
Now that Guanlong has been defeated, except for the private soldiers of the Hou Mo and Chen family, which are still relatively complete, all the elite private soldiers of the other families have been killed and injured. The survivors are all rabble. Even these rabble can still be counted on. They will cultivate the vast fertile fields of each family in the future, where will there still be a population to organize private soldiers?
Therefore, the prince's request was obviously aimed at the noble families in the world, especially the aristocratic families in Shandong and Jiangnan. The mutiny had not yet ended, but he had already begun to make arrangements for the noble families in the world. This is evident from the fact that the East Palace not only has far-reaching strategies, but also has a firm attitude.
The prince did not comment on Yu Wenshiji's answer and continued: "Secondly, from now on, all the nobles of Guanlong will step down. They can retain their titles, but they will not be allowed to enter the court for life. The descendants of Guanlong cannot hold official positions above the fourth rank, but if they enter through the imperial examination Officials are not among the restrictions. ”
Yu Wenshiji was shocked, finally reaching this point...
He was not willing to completely withdraw from the imperial center of the Guanlong clan, and tried to save it: "Your Highness clearly knows that all the previous events, Guanlong and his subordinates have realized their mistakes and regretted them. They vowed to change their past mistakes and are willing to die to repay His Highness. If he violates the rules, This oath will be punished by heaven and earth..."
"Hey, hey, Duke Ying's words are serious."
Li Chengqian smiled and waved his hands, with a gentle smile on his face without any anger: "It is common for each other to have different political views and criticize each other. Now that the winner is determined, we should abandon our prejudices and conspire together in government affairs. Although I dare not Claiming to be sensible, But at least the credibility is still there. As long as this negotiation is reached, everyone will be treated equally in the future, so the Duke of Ying does not have to worry that Gu will target Guan Long, Gu is not so irresponsible and lacks magnanimity..."
His smile is gentle and his tone is kind, showing his gentleness.
But at this point, the conversation changed and he felt quite awkward: "But Duke Ying must also be well aware of the chronic problems of today's sects, which is that the children are unworthy and it is difficult for talents to come out. In fact, it is no wonder that the younger generation cannot endure hardships and has no future. At home, the bells ring and the food is eaten, and when you reach adulthood, you can be appointed an official. In the officialdom, there are all relatives and friends who protect each other. Who can Are you willing to work hard and forge ahead? Therefore, your father generously promoted the imperial examination in order to recruit scholars from poor families to join the court, hoping to stimulate the children of aristocratic families to devote themselves to learning and serve the country. Otherwise, these dandies will fill the court and dominate the government. The Tang Dynasty is afraid that it will prosper and decline like the Qin and Sui Dynasties.”
Yu Wenshi and his heart didn't quite agree with the prince's words.
It is true that the original intention of the imperial examination was to benefit the country. This is an indisputable fact. Once the children from poor families entered the court one after another, and even gradually rose to high positions, the current situation that made the empire's people idle was greatly improved. But the ideal is beautiful, but the reality is not.
Since the Qin and Han Dynasties, the best education has been monopolized by aristocratic families. The best books, the best interpretations, and the broadest connections have enabled the children of aristocratic families to receive the best education since childhood. Is this just a "headline" for the children of poor families? Can "cantilever beams and conical thorns" be achieved?
In the face of the educational heritage accumulated by generations of aristocratic families, no matter how much hard work the children of poor families put in, it is all in vain... How can the efforts of generations of people be easily defeated by ten years of hardship?
The so-called imperial examinations can indeed make aristocratic families feel a crisis in the short term, and they may even be competed for power by the children of poorer families. But in the long run, when the children of aristocratic families feel the threat of poor students and make up their minds to study knowledge, they can crush the poor students in any examination.
He was sure that the imperial examination might not pose too many threats to the family, but now it was the most difficult time for Guan Long. His tone was pleading: "Your Highness, please have mercy. Guan Long has risen since Daibei and has been in charge of Guanzhong for nearly a hundred years. luxuriant branches, With a large population, if no one from each family stands in the court, wouldn't it be exposing their wealth to outsiders and attracting wolves into the house? From now on, Guanlong will become a delicacy coveted by all parties, eager to be divided and cooked, and the descendants will never have peace. ”
This sentence seems to be pleading, and the tone is full of fear. There is not a single word of deviation, but its original intention is full of threats-if the descendants of Longzi never have peace, how can they be willing to serve as pigs and dogs? Human slaughter? Why not fight hard and die!
The smile on Li Chengqian's face gradually faded, he glanced at Yu Wenshiji, and said calmly: "This is the bottom line of the East Palace, and we will not give in."
The tone was strong and firm.
Yuwen Shiji secretly complained in his heart...
This is not impossible to agree to. In fact, even if the prince is open-minded and allows the Guanlong family to resume their official positions, after this uprising and the defeat, it will inevitably be resisted by all forces, and no one will continue to give orders. Yamen, drive subordinates...
But if they have no power and no money, how can the Guanlong clan survive in Guanzhong surrounded by wolves, and why can they make a comeback in the future?
Power and money must be kept the same...
He looked at Cheng Yaojin beside him and begged Cheng Yaojin to help him with a few words of kindness, in order to test Cheng Yaojin's position.
Unexpectedly, Cheng Yaojin was not a fuel-efficient lamp, so he left himself completely alone: "The military order I received is to eliminate the mutiny as soon as possible, stop the war, stabilize the situation, and restore the center to operation as soon as possible. As for the East Palace and Guanlong, It doesn’t matter how you choose to advance or retreat.”
Yu Wenshi frowned, feeling even more worried. Cheng Yaojin said he didn't care, but his tone and style were obviously leaning towards the East Palace. I don't know if this was his own position, or the mainstream trend among the Eastern Expedition army, or Or was it simply Li Ji's intention?
Faced with the Crown Prince's tough attitude, Yu Wenshiji neither dared to refuse rashly, nor did he dare to agree hastily. He could only say helplessly: "This is a serious matter, and I don't dare to be expert in it. I will consult with everyone for their opinions after I return." Please reply, I hope your Highness will understand.”
Li Chengqian didn't say anything. The armistice negotiations involve the interests of many parties. How can they be settled with just one word? Naturally, all parties must go through exploration and consultation, and seek common ground while reserving differences bit by bit before they can move forward.
No matter how anxious he was, he knew that this matter would never be solved overnight.
Cheng Yaojin held the pot and poured tea for the two of them. He was dissatisfied with Yuwen Shiji and said carelessly: "Since Duke Ying can't make any decisions, what's the use of coming here today? The current situation is urgent, with floods and military disasters raging. The center of the imperial court is at a standstill, and it is urgent for all parties to stop the mutiny, reach an agreement, and resume the operation of the imperial court as soon as possible. We can't rely on the Youtun Guards to help the people on behalf of the imperial court, right? "
This time, even Li Chengqian glanced at Cheng Yaojin, wondering about this guy's position...
Yu Wenshiji's pressure increased sharply because of these words, and he was filled with hatred. Since he knew that what I said didn't count, he still continued to tease me like this. What's the point?
He said perfunctorily: "Of course I can't be the head of each family in Guanlong. As for the Youtun Guards who are ordered by His Highness to help the people in Guanzhong, Guanlong and everyone are deeply admired. They will also do their best to help later and do their best."
Li Chengqian naturally didn't care whether Guan Long would participate in disaster relief. In fact, even if Guan Long showed great initiative in this regard, he would flatly refuse.
Why did you, Guan Long, single-handedly manipulate the rebellion, causing the people in Guanzhong to be trapped in a series of wars, natural disasters, homeless, dead and injured, but later you showed your hypocrisy and let the people in Guanzhong accept your hypocritical gifts? Still want to be grateful?
Besides, this is also the best opportunity for the East Palace to gain prestige, how could it be given up...
He ignored Yu Wenshiji's words, but spoke aggressively and asked: "Regardless of the choices made by the Guanlong families regarding Gu's conditions, I just ask what is the general will of Ying?"
Yu Wenshi was at a loss for words. He was greatly surprised by the prince's unusual aggressiveness. At the same time, he was forced into a corner. He couldn't do anything more perfunctory or ambiguous.
But at the same time, he also felt the prince's true intention behind being so aggressive...
Is it divided?
Yuwen Shi and his heart beat loudly. Perhaps, this is the opportunity that the Yuwen family has always dreamed of to surpass Guan Long, the leader of the eldest son family...
How to deal with it?
Should he be an ally who is loyal to Guan Long and follow Guan Long into the abyss, or should he be a "second-five couple" who betrays the alliance and regards the interests of each Guan Long family as his own stepping stone and loyally submits to the prince. Achieve the ambition to replace the Changsun family and become the leader of Guanlong?
The first snow in 2021 came earlier than usual... and it was a bit fierce.
(End of chapter)