Li Ji was well versed in the principles of "prosperity leads to decline" and "water overflows when the water is full". Since he served as Shangshu Zuopushe and became the chief minister, he began his career of "fishing". He rarely intervenes in military and political affairs. He avoids and hides when he can. But if he really can't avoid or hide, he mostly just moves in and doesn't offend anyone.
Emperor Taizong was annoyed by this and accused Li Ji of being "unresponsible" many times, and was deeply dissatisfied with his inaction.
When Li Chengqian came to the throne, Li Ji was even more "indifferent to power". As the "number one person in the dynasty", he was idle and indifferent to the government affairs...
But now, Li Ji decided to make some achievements in the reform of the military system.
The first thing is to ask Li Jing to come out.
As a master of military art in the world, his understanding of the military system is unparalleled. If Li Jingzhi is involved, he will definitely be able to fill in the gaps and make the military system perfect after the reform.
Li Jing's gray eyebrows raised.
He originally thought that Li Ji's visit today was for matters above the court, which he did not want to participate in. He has fought in battles for most of his life, both with the wind and against the wind. He has experienced countless battles. He is fearless when it comes to fighting. He is also able to write the art of war. However, he is extremely bad at government affairs. He mentions the factions and conflicts in the court. The dog in the fly camp has a splitting headache.
But he didn't expect that it was for the reform of the military system, which made him eager to try it. After all, this was his professional field.
There has been a lot of excitement in the imperial court these days about the reform of the military system, and local governments and garrisons all over the world are eagerly looking forward to it. How could he not know?
After pondering for a while, Li Jing asked: "After the military reform, will a Privy Council be established to oversee the national army as rumored?"
Li Ji did not beat around the bush and nodded directly: "The core of the military reform is to use the Privy Council to control the national army and form a vertical system, so that the army and local governments are completely separated."
Li Keshi on the side sighed: "But at the same time, it also adds a barrier between the army and His Majesty..."
Li Ji did not make a big deal, but said bluntly: "For the long life of the Tang Dynasty, for the stability of the country and the stability of the people, these are nothing."
Li Jing and Li Keshi looked at each other, both seeing the other's shock.
For the long life of the Tang Dynasty and for the sake of the common people, can we limit the imperial power's control over military power?
Li Keshi was worried: "Today, we may be dedicated to serving the country, but in the long run, there is no guarantee that those who come after us will not have a disobedient heart. If we control the military power, hijack the imperial power, and even go further to covet the sacred weapon, wouldn't we? The eternal sinner? ”
Li Ji asked: "There are loyal and traitorous ministers, good and foolish ministers, who can rejuvenate the country and bring disaster to the country and the people. Isn't the emperor the same?"
Keshi Li closed his mouth, feeling a huge wave in his heart.
Are these people crazy? Even if you can say these words, do you still have the slightest respect for the imperial power?
It’s no wonder that even if you just oppose the imperial power, you still have some respect for it, and you can’t do the “disobedient act” of setting up a “Privy Council” to usurp military power from the emperor...
He looked at his brother Li Jing and knew that he could not dissuade his brother. He could only hope that his brother would not get involved, so as not to get stuck in the mud and get into trouble.
Li Jing's eyes were deep, he thought for a long time, and finally nodded slowly: "If you can do your part in this career, you will have no regrets in this life."
Master Li was anxious and said hurriedly: "Brother, think twice!"
Li Jing waved his hands and said indifferently: "I know your worries, but there are things that a man should not do, but he must do something. If we can really eliminate hidden dangers and shortcomings, make the empire last for a long time, and save the people of the world from war, how can it be done? How can we hesitate to move forward because of personal safety, honor and disgrace? The ultimate goal of our soldiers fighting fiercely on the battlefield is to end the war with war. The highest honor of our people is that there is no war. "
In this life, he just couldn't see the situation clearly and couldn't understand things, but he was definitely not afraid of trouble.
Life lasts only a few decades, winter passes and spring never comes, and no one is young again. Now that he is in his twilight years, what else does he have to fear?
As for children and grandchildren... Children and grandchildren have their own blessings, and they may not be able to control that much.
He has fought in battles for most of his life and has always been victorious without any defeat. However, his short-sightedness and stupidity in politics have caused him to suffer a lot and his reputation is not good. I don’t know how he is evaluated in history books, and I don’t think he will be praised very much. praise.
If Lin Lao can do something that will last forever, it may be able to change the evaluation. When the coffin is finalized in the future, he can be given a beautiful posthumous title that will last forever.
"Zhongwu" dare not think about it, but as long as there is one word "loyalty", this life will be worth it...
And Li Ji personally came to the door to implore him to come out. It was the euphemistic expression that would do his best to eliminate his worries and do his best to protect his affairs. In this way, what else is there to worry about?
As expected, Li Ji patted the back of Li Jing's hand and said warmly: "Wei Gong only needs to offer suggestions and brainstorm, and there is no need to worry about the rest."
There was no sincere guarantee, nor passionate encouragement. A simple sentence made Li Jing feel extremely at ease.
He knew that since Li Ji said this, unless Li Ji died, there would be no trouble coming.
*****
Zhongnan Mountain, Taoist temple.
Recently, a new rain has washed the mountains, forests and vegetation clean. The mountains are verdant, the peaks are beautiful, and the streams are like jade. It is a good time for beautiful scenery and pleasant climate.
Fang Jun was wearing ordinary clothes, stepping on the grass with bare feet and scooping a can of water from the stream outside the window. Then he climbed in through the window and sat down happily on the mat. He poured the stream water into the kettle on the stove and quietly Wait until the water boils.
Princess Changle knelt down and sat opposite. Seeing his high-spirited and enthusiastic appearance, she couldn't help but pursed her lips and smiled: "Look at you, you are like a naughty child. How can you look like an important military official? What if you were seen by those imperial officials? Come, I will definitely impeach you because you have neither the appearance of a courtier nor the stability of a scholar.”
Fang Jun didn't take it seriously. He reached out and took an apricot from the plate on the coffee table and took a bite, feeling the sweet and sour flesh. "Why do they need to be impeached if they see it? Just wait and see, there are countless officials now." I am laying out paper, grinding ink, and composing words and sentences in my house. By the time tomorrow morning, I will surely have a flurry of notes and notes as sparse as snow, I will be like a rat crossing the street, with everyone shouting and beating me."
Princess Changle was startled and asked hurriedly: "What happened again?"
Fang Junsui told what he had just received about Zhang Liang's frustration in going to Youjinwu Guard to take up his post...
Princess Changle was speechless and said angrily: "You, can't you calm down a little? You actually stumble people like this."
Fang Jun was a little innocent: "With my current status, how can I waste my brains on such a trivial matter? I just let the Youjinwu Guards embarrass Zhang Liang. This matter is completely Wang Xuance's free play."
But I have to say that Wang Xuance did this job beautifully. This blow must have made Zhang Liang dizzy. He no longer dared to expect to be able to control Youjinwu Guard, or even take it as his own...
The kettle buzzed slightly. Princess Changle bent down and took out a can of tea leaves from under the coffee table. Although she had given birth, her waist was still as slender as a willow. She put the tea leaves into the teapot and said helplessly: "Zhang Liang is You Jinwu who has been conferred by His Majesty and appointed by the imperial court." General Wei, you can't force him to retreat by such means, right? Although Zhang Liang will be disgraced by then, your Majesty must also be very prejudiced against you, so why bother?"
At this time, the water on the stove was boiling, and Princess Changle reached out to take it, but Fang Jun beat her to it: "I'll do it, I'll do it, don't get burned."
He took off the kettle, poured boiling water into the teapot, and the aroma of tea suddenly came out. He filled the two teacups on the coffee table, and both of them took a sip, feeling the sweetness of the tea.
Fang Jun put down his tea cup and said calmly: "There is no separation between military and political affairs. The advantages always outweigh the disadvantages. In troubled times, there is nothing we can do. We must concentrate our power to do big things. But if this remains the case in peaceful and prosperous times, disaster will inevitably occur. In short, The integration of military and political affairs can be used to conquer the world, but it can never be used to rule the world. Civilians govern politics and soldiers govern the army. They are interconnected but separated from each other. This is the ultimate perfect form. "
When powerful national institutions like the military are reduced to supporting the struggle for power in the court, the country is not far away from chaos.
Historically, it is not advisable to separate civil and military forces as in the Han, Sui and Tang dynasties, but it is also not feasible to emphasize civil and military affairs as in the Song and Ming dynasties. It is too difficult to balance and restrict each other by promoting both civil and military affairs and being kings on the outside and saints on the inside.
Times are different, and no one knows which system is more suitable. All we can do is to eliminate the bad and retain the good bit by bit, and to cross the river by feeling the stones.
Princess Changle said: "I don't care about these national affairs. I just ask you, what about Si Zi's marriage?"
Fang Jun looked confused: "What does Sizi's marriage have to do with me? Although both parents have passed away, there are still emperor brothers and princess sisters, so who should I worry about?"
Princess Changle saw this guy pretending to be confused and gritted her teeth angrily: "I'm asking you for your attitude on this matter!"
Fang Jun spread his hands and said helplessly: "Outsiders have slandered and slandered me, and all kinds of rumors have spread to the sky, but don't you know about me? I have no intention of coveting Her Highness Jinyang, and I naturally hope that she can find a good person." Mr. Lang, live a peaceful and happy life.”
"But she always compares you with others, so every time she goes on a blind date, she is dissatisfied. Either this or that, what do you think we should do?"
Fang Jun's eyes widened: "Weichen's literary talents, military skills, and poetry are both outstanding. Few men in the world can match them. But can you blame Weichen? He was born to be excellent, but there is nothing he can do!"
Princess Changle covered her hot face, not because she was shocked by this guy's shameless face, but because every time this guy calls himself "Wei Chen" in private, nothing good will happen. He says "Wei Chen is guilty" in his mouth, but... He always does bad things that are enough to "rob the family and exterminate the family"...
"I don't care what you say, but I think you should talk to Sizi and let her give up on you completely."
To untie the bell, the person who tied the bell needs to be tied. If Fang Jun can express his attitude clearly, Princess Jinyang will not be in trouble all the time.
However, Fang Jun had already walked around the coffee table and came over, grabbing the frightened Princess Changle and saying with a smile: "Weichen is stupid and I really don't know how to talk about it, but if His Highness Jinyang learns that Weichen did something to her sister Changle, If she does such a shameless thing, she will definitely give up.”
"Let go! How can Taoists do such a conciliatory thing in a quiet place?"
"Taoism is not Buddhism. Taoists can marry wives of their own accord. Taoist Master Sanqing has long been accustomed to it. Your Highness, don't run away and just become a minor minister..." Outside the window, the breeze was blowing, the stream was gurgling, and the willow branches were dancing in the wind. Birds chirping...