Chapter 4447: Even if God dies
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 postwar recovery was almost unsustainable.
Without money and food, how can we rebuild the imperial system that was destroyed 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 at all. He had been abandoned in the previous era. Although he was now reused by His Majesty, he understood the changing times, not to mention that his ambitions had already 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 gain in the court and strive for the top?
He has achieved great fame and numerous honors throughout his life, and it will be enough for him to achieve such a feat that can 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 outstanding. Such a general who is both civil and military-minded, with the support of Fang Jun behind him, will definitely shine in time.
At this time, although you can gain some benefits by suppressing it, it is very likely to create a formidable enemy for your descendants and families. Why bother?
He was stationed outside the Chunming Gate in order to intimidate the garrison and clan officials from all over Guanzhong. The support was regarded as a sure win, and there was no need to go into the city to get involved in interest disputes and only cause trouble.
*****
Li Chengqian stood at the door of Wudemen with his hands behind his hands, looking through the wind and rain from the door steps down to the square where the endless battle was taking place. The situation between the enemy and ourselves was in chaos. It was vaguely visible that the prince's left guard, who was closest to the Wude Hall, was desperately blocking the rebels' fierce offensive. Fortunately, reinforcements were still pouring in from the Daji Gate on one side, which gradually stabilized the defense line and was not penetrated by the rebels. The position rushed to the front of the palace.
Behind the first line of offensive and defensive positions, near Wudemen 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 came one after another, crowded behind Li Chengqian, and tried to persuade Li Chengqian to return to the palace.
Liu Jie 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 even more How can you, Lord Cheng, allow the rebels to attack within easy reach and endanger your majesty’s safety? The Duke of Yue is responsible for the internal affairs of the Taiji Palace, and annihilating the rebels is a great achievement, but there are also many issues that need to be discussed.”
Before Li Chengqian could speak, Xu Jingzong retorted: "We are sitting here with your majesty. To put it nicely, we share 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, Those generals were extremely incompetent. The king has been fighting with all his might since the day he raised his army, and now he is even more willing to die for the sake of your majesty's safety and the survival of the country. The palace is stained with blood, and he deserves to die! Not only can we not go into battle to kill the enemy, but we are here to criticize the warriors. It is really shameful and shameful. Shameless!”
Liu Jie was immediately furious and shouted: "Why did Xu Shangshu devalue the civil and military forces in this country so much that they were so penniless? Civil and military forces have different paths and have their own responsibilities. Si Chen is the way to destroy the country!"
Xu Jingzong sneered: "Rebellious traitors disobey ministers and cause harm to the country. This is the time for military officers to show their loyalty. Although our civil servants cannot go into battle and cut off traitors, we should also think about reconstruction after the war and share our worries and duties with you. , Liu Shizhong does not think about his duties, but he is a loyal general who fights to the death for his duties. His intentions are unpredictable and his intentions are punishable! "
"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 they so quarrelsome and indifferent to each other?" How dignified is it to give in? ”
"I know my fault."
"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 war, do you think there will be any more 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 be unable 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 compensated, and the countless prisoners who are in custody... think about it. 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 for 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 in human affairs and 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 door 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 a lifetime. "
This was not a show, he was deliberately trying to be kind. As long as he remembered his mother’s instructions to him to “care for his brothers and feet” when she was buried, and the scene of the pheasant slave playing and laughing with his legs in his arms when he was a child, he would 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' praise and flattery, so he just smiled lightly 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, flowing 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 ride back and let the guards behind him step forward to resist.
Visiting a battlefield for the first time in his life, Li Zhi finally realized the tragedy of a battlefield where human lives are like grass and horses are wrapped in leather. Even if the armored cavalry loses their mobility, long-term fighting will almost exhaust the physical strength of the soldiers and horses. However, the iron armor covering the body brings a solid defense. To snipe it, it often requires three or five people to work side by side. Find the gap in the armor and kill it.
But how many such opportunities are there on the battlefield? Therefore, he was in a melee with the armored cavalry, and watched helplessly as the guards around him fell off their horses and died in battle as they rushed to resist the enemy's surprise attack. This made Li Zhi see the cruelty of war, and all the pride and arrogance he had in the past disappeared as the war progressed. Bit by bit, it was worn away, replaced by the endless fear of facing death.
Especially in the distance, Fang Jun, who was fully equipped with both men and horses, and whose arms were more than two feet longer than the others, was charging forward with his horse and arms dancing. The strong murderous aura that he had never experienced before, even though he was separated by more than ten feet, was still there. Breaking through the wind and rain.
Li Zhi reluctantly held the horse's hand, and he was extremely frightened in his heart. His two limbs were fighting. He saw Fang Jun getting closer and closer to him. The guard, who was always brave and good at fighting, saw blood spurting under the wave of his horse's hand, and he fell off the horse and died. , a wave of despair came over me. He couldn't understand why Xiao Yu and Cui Xin had not been able to lead the Shandong private army to rescue them. Could it be that I was destined to die?
(End of chapter)