Chapter 156 discusses those who failed in their reforms.

Um?

Upon hearing this, the ministers' eyes immediately lit up...

There seem to be quite a few examples of failed reforms.

“Wei Shuyu’s words sound impressive, but his account contains many examples of failed reforms.”

Li Ke showed no fear in the face of Li Shimin's intimidation.

"For the sake of the Tang Dynasty, I dare to request to debate with Wei Shuyu in the palace!"

Li Shimin's expression softened slightly.

After all, Li Ke's starting point was also for the sake of the Tang Dynasty.

They immediately agreed to the request.

"allow."

With Li Shimin's approval, Li Ke looked at Wei Shuyu and smiled warmly.

Unlike Cui Yixuan, Li Ke's tone was comfortable, but it didn't sound as sharp.

It was like the calm before the storm.

"Shuyu".

Li Ke laughed and said, "Don't blame me for refuting your remarks; it's all for the sake of the Tang Dynasty."

"Your Highness, please speak freely," Wei Shuyu nodded in agreement.

“Take Wu Qi’s reforms as an example, for instance. When King Dao of Chu was alive, Wu Qi could do his best to reform, but after King Dao of Chu passed away, the reforms were terminated. So what was the point of the reforms?” Li Ke said with a smile.

Wei Shuyu thought for a moment, then replied with a statement that left Li Ke dumbfounded.

"The significance of reform lies, of course, in reform itself."

Wei Shuyu replied casually, "The effects of Wu Qi's reforms are obvious. It's just that he was killed because he threatened the interests of the old nobles of Chu. It can only be said that time was not on his side."

"If King Dao of Chu were still alive, who would dare to touch him?"

“Take my Great Tang Dynasty as an example. As long as His Majesty is on the throne, I, Wei Shuyu, can speak freely in the court.”

As he spoke, Wei Shuyu bowed to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin was quite pleased and straightened his back.

Every day, Old Wei and Little Wei are quite good at flattery at times.

Next time, I'll make sure you wear one less pair of shoes.

“But that doesn’t change the fact that Wu Qi’s reforms failed, and everything was in vain,” Li Ke replied calmly.

"King of Shu, are you kidding me?"

When Wei Shuyu saw that the other party was still going to bring up Wu Qi's affairs, he immediately lost his temper.

"After Wu Qi's reforms, the State of Chu became powerful and feared by the other states. Isn't this enough to prove the strength of the reforms?"

"And you said it was all for nothing?"

"They've already made a name for themselves in history, so is this all for nothing?"

"Later generations can learn many experiences and lessons from Wu Qi's reforms, so how can it be said that it was all in vain?"

As Wei Shuyu spoke eloquently, the assembled officials couldn't help but sigh.

That mouth of hers...

It is estimated that the King of Shu will soon be defeated.

Just as everyone was thinking this, Li Ke dropped another bombshell!

"So, was Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei's reform a success or a failure?"

"The country collapsed more than 30 years after Emperor Xiaowen's death. Does that mean his reforms failed?"

Upon hearing this, all the ministers fell silent.

Even Wei Shuyu's expression turned serious.

The reforms failed, and the dynasty perished.

This is a major taboo; a wrong answer could lead to your death!

You can't even say things like "dynastic change is a natural phenomenon"!

Wei Shuyu hesitated for a moment before speaking calmly...

"Emperor Xiaowen's order to Sinicize the Xianbei people demonstrated exceptional strategic vision."

"But why did the Northern Wei dynasty fall? I think everyone in the court knows, right?"

Wei Shuyu looked at the assembled officials.

The courtiers remained silent.

The fall of the Northern Wei Dynasty was only a hundred years ago, so they had naturally heard about these things from their fathers and grandfathers.

Even the fathers and grandfathers of many officials served as officials in the Northern Wei Dynasty.

"The reason why the Northern Wei Dynasty perished is not important. The purpose of the reforms was to improve the national system and make the country stronger and more stable!"

"It is precisely because there are flaws that we need to reform. If there are still flaws after reform, then of course we should continue to reform."

"His descendants didn't have that ability, so who's to blame?"

"Emperor Xiaowen died at the age of 33. Can we blame him for dying young?"

The courtiers remained silent.

Although Wei Shuyu's remarks had a somewhat rascal feel to them, it is undeniable that they were not a big problem.

The fall of the Northern Wei Dynasty was largely due to the Six Garrisons Rebellion.

The Six Garrisons Uprising was launched by the Xianbei people.

This can be considered a problem left over from Emperor Xiaowen's assimilation of the Han people.

If Emperor Xiaowen were still alive, the outcome might have been different.

Do you have anything else to say?

Wei Shuyu looked at Li Ke with a teasing smile: "Are you going to talk about Wang Mang next?"

Li Ke was startled.

Then his complexion began to look increasingly unpleasant.

He originally didn't want to talk about Wang Mang, because Li Shimin was inclined to favor commerce.

If you use overly harsh words, you may easily anger Li Shimin.

But now that Wei Shuyu has made things clear, he has no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it...

"Wang Mang is hailed as a reformer, and is the first universally recognized reformer in history!"

"His reforms led to the downfall of the nation!"

When the courtiers heard this, they all held their breath.

They all stole glances at Li Shimin.

However, Li Shimin's expression did not change much...

Even I can't argue with Old Wei.

Can the son really win an argument with Xiao Wei?

If I can win the argument, I should consider changing the heir apparent.

Having you by my side every day to criticize Wei Zheng and his son means you'll definitely be involved in important national affairs.

With such important national affairs at stake, how far away could the throne be?

"Wang Mang's reforms were nothing but a pile of shit!" Wei Shuyu cursed without any politeness.

"Restructuring means breaking down the old system and establishing a new system."

"Updating the system is to continuously meet the various needs of the country and its people!"

What kind of system did Wang Mang implement?

"Many policies are unreasonable, and the people suffer before they benefit from them."

"Under the Wangtian system, all public and private land belonged to the state. The people's private land was taken away. How could they not feel resentful?"

"Changes to the official system and frequent changes to orders left officials bewildered."

"The Five Equal Credit System and the Six Control Policies encroached on the interests of merchants."

"Such absurd behavior naturally harms the interests of the various nobles!"

"He has offended almost everyone in the world he can. If his country doesn't fall, who will?"

Surprisingly, the courtiers remained silent.

They had naturally heard of Wang Mang's absurd system.

Bringing this up to refute is just asking for trouble.

"Alright, Ke'er, you may leave."

Li Shimin finally couldn't stand it anymore.

Why bother stepping forward and getting ridiculed for no reason?

I am so wise that if I can't win an argument, I will try to win him over. I would never argue with Lao Wei in public.

They dragged Lao Wei over to criticize others.

Is there anything more comfortable than this?

"promise."

After bowing, Li Ke bowed again to Wei Shuyu, saying, "It was my recklessness."

"..."

Li Shimin's lips twitched.

As expected of the son who is most like me, his comprehension speed is truly remarkable.

"You are too kind, King of Shu."

Wei Shuyu returned the greeting.

"Do my beloved ministers have anything else to say...?"

After Li Ke returned to his seat, Li Shimin began to ask questions again.

The ministers looked at each other...

I'm completely at a loss.

Just when everyone was about to compromise, an unexpected person stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say..."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound...

Holy crap.

Why are you standing up, you insolent scoundrel?

Cheng Yaojin stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Li Shimin.