Chapter 500 Noble Families

Li Shimin was already a mature emperor who cared about his reputation. Therefore, he couldn't very well tell outsiders about being beaten by his father.

Of course, as an emperor who cared deeply for his country and its people, it was time to get down to business! It wasn't about avoiding a second or third beating; he simply had a heart set on protecting the Tang Dynasty!

A new dynasty brings a new atmosphere. In the first year of the Zhenguan era, the emperor issued a series of reform decrees, which was fine in itself. The problem was that some of these decrees seemed rather strange.

Under the pretext of improving administrative efficiency and reducing the burden on the people, local bureaucratic institutions were streamlined, and provinces, prefectures, and counties were abolished. The country was also divided into ten circuits based on the terrain: Guannei Circuit, Henan Circuit, Hedong Circuit, Hebei Circuit, Shannan Circuit, Longyou Circuit, Huainan Circuit, Jiangnan Circuit, Jiannan Circuit, and Lingnan Circuit.

Those who could become court officials were no fools; they could clearly see that this was a means for their emperor to consolidate power. Currently, the aristocratic families and imperial power were still in a honeymoon period, so the aristocratic families didn't mind relinquishing some power.

They could understand the various officials in the Ten Circuits, such as the Commissioner for Promotion and Demotion, the Commissioner for Pacification, the Commissioner for Inspection, and the Commissioner for Surveillance. But what was the Commissioner for Spiritual Contracts? Was he some kind of mysterious figure, or was he the head of the Ten Circuits' oversight?

The position of Supreme Inspector is just a title without a candidate in sight? What is the purpose of creating this position? Is it for someone to draw a salary without working? To embezzle funds themselves?

There's also the "Zhenguan Code." Before a law is promulgated, there are always rumors circulating. Even though it's said that a new law will be released at this time, in order to avoid becoming a scapegoat, aristocratic families restrain their clansmen from committing any offenses recently.

So, after all that restraint, the laws stopped being issued? What, are they deliberately spreading false information to let them discipline their people?

Of course, the top aristocratic families were aware that the Zhenguan Code was undergoing a major revision, with new content added. Although they didn't know exactly what was added, it was certainly a significant amount.

After all, Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and others in charge of revising the laws had dark circles under their eyes as if they had been punched twice, and their resentment was so deep that no one dared to go forward to inquire about the news.

Of course, the main reason was that other things had caught their attention.

It's clear that their emperor had the idea of ​​recruiting talent, and valuing education and the imperial examinations wasn't a big problem. With a thousand-year-old heritage, these aristocratic families were also proud not to fall behind.

They could understand the Jinshi and Mingjing examinations, but what was the newly added Lingqi examination?

They know about the Imperial Academy and the National University, but what does Lingqi Xue teach? The Chancellor is the Emperor, and the Director of Studies is the Retired Emperor and the Crown Prince. What are these three generations of the family planning to do?

The royal family has secrets—this is something all the powerful families have guessed. But guessing is one thing, but what exactly those secrets are really intriguing.

...

Inside the Da'an Hall, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood incense. Li Yuan held a scroll of the Book of Rites between his fingers and was explaining it to Li Chengqian word by word.

The eight-year-old prince knelt on a soft cushion, his neck tilted forward, his obedient and focused appearance forming a stark contrast with Li Shimin, who leaned against a dragon pillar beside him.

“Father, you should go fishing when you have nothing to do. Now you can catch some, right? Chengqian is the Crown Prince and he has to do things for me.”

A smile played on Li Shimin's lips. His python robe and jade belt swayed gently with each step he took, and the jade pendants at his waist clinked together, producing a crisp sound.

Li Yuan paused, his hand holding the scroll still throbbing. He was getting angry just looking at his rebellious son and couldn't help but glare at Li Shimin.

In his view, if it weren't for his father Erlang's incompetence, why would Chengqian have thought of becoming a playboy? If his father is so unruly, then he, the grandfather, will have to step in!

Look at Chengqian, he studies very diligently.

"Chengqian is still very young, it's the time for him to learn. As the emperor, don't you think about being lazy and corrupting Chengqian?"

Li Yuan slammed the scroll heavily onto the table, causing ink to splash from the brush washer. Li Chengqian silently moved aside; he couldn't afford to get ink stains on his newly made clothes.

Old Man Weng also chooses his courses. The Book of Rites is a good choice; it would make him a sophisticated playboy, which suits him perfectly.

Li Shimin didn't take it to heart. Let him teach. After a while, his father would understand that Chengqian was not someone who could be persuaded. He was always the one who persuaded others!

He's quite accepting of Chengqian becoming the number one playboy in the Tang Dynasty. Not only does he accept it, he's also very proud of it. No wonder he's his son; he wants to be number one in everything!

Of course, it was not appropriate to say such things to upset the old father, as he was not an emperor with nothing better to do!

Li Shimin slowly pulled a memorial from his wide sleeve and handed it to Li Yuan. "I just wanted Father to see that the aristocratic families are indeed not lacking in intelligent people. I just didn't expect that they would be the first to surrender."

Li Yuan snorted coldly and casually took the memorial. "Of course, aristocratic families aren't stupid. If they were stupid, they wouldn't have become aristocratic families."

His gaze suddenly paused, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened with surprise. "Cui Dunli? I remember he's from the Cui clan of Boling, isn't he? This is quite a grand gesture."

He was getting a little annoyed as he spoke, still thinking about his old relatives. He had previously confidently told Erlang that the first to align themselves with the Li family of Longxi would be the one to do so.

Li Shimin understood his father's embarrassment and anger, and shook his head with a light laugh. Some people, precisely because they are close to someone, become unable to see themselves clearly.

However, thinking of the "gift" presented by the Cui clan of Boling in Cui Dunli's memorial, Li Shimin couldn't help but sigh, "These aristocratic families are truly...well-established..."

Li Yuan gave him a disapproving look. "Tolerate that. Are you trying to make sure they can see through your covetousness with that menacing tone?"

"So what if they can see through it? When it comes to interests, even powerful families have to obediently bow down." Li Shimin shrugged nonchalantly, the black python pattern on his shoulders baring its claws as he moved.

Li Yuan ignored his son and turned to look at Li Chengqian. His expression softened instantly, and his voice became gentle and kind. "Chengqian, do you know the origin of the Cui family of Boling?"

The radar went off. Li Chengqian had always felt that the scions of powerful families were his most likely rivals on his path to becoming the number one playboy in the Tang Dynasty. So he had gathered information about the enemy well in advance.

Faced with Li Yuan's question, Li Chengqian straightened his back, his youthful voice clear and firm: "Since the Zhou Dynasty's enfeoffment, the Cui clan of Qi and Lu took their place names as their surnames. From the Qin and Han Dynasties onwards, the Cui clan of Boling took root in Jizhou, and the Cui clan of Qinghe rose to prominence in Dongwu City..."

He recounted the thousand-year lineage of his aristocratic family on his fingers, his young face brimming with confidence and pride. Forget about the "Five Clans and Seven Noble Families," nothing could stop him from becoming the number one playboy!

Li Yuan nodded repeatedly, his gaze towards Li Chengqian full of admiration. He then turned to look at Li Shimin, who was standing improperly, and glared at him fiercely, scolding him for not properly instructing Chengqian.

The familiar wariness in his eyes reminded Li Shimin of Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, who had blocked his right to education, and he couldn't help but feel aggrieved. Xuanling and Keming were one thing, but why did his father have the right to do so?

Putting everything else aside, just based on Chengqian's familiarity with the situation, he dared to swear that it absolutely affected Chengqian's grand plan of being a playboy. Otherwise, Chengqian wouldn't care about unimportant people and things at all!

But then I thought about it again. He had ideas about the aristocratic families, and Chengqian also had ideas about the aristocratic families. Doesn't this prove that he and Chengqian were of one mind?

As expected, Chengqian still cares about him the most!

Seeing Li Shimin suddenly lost in reverie for some unknown reason, Li Yuan looked at him with obvious disgust. Indeed, he should be kept separate from Chengqian; it was his grandfather who had to educate Chengqian!

Without him, who else does Chengqian have?