Chapter 275 Why Did the Tang Dynasty Forbid Eating Carp?
The Imperial Palace.
Li Shimin tried every possible means.
Finally, using the excuse of Mid-Autumn Festival reunion, they managed to trick Wei Zheng into going home.
Rest, vacation...
What should we do at this time?
Of course, it's about drinking and having fun!
While Lao Wei is away, shouldn't we indulge ourselves to the fullest?
Just as he was lecherously admiring a dancer's performance, another eunuch came in to report...
"Your Majesty."
"The Crown Prince, the Prince of Wei, and the Imperial Censor of Wei request an audience..."
Huh?
Aren't they plowing the land?
The son is farming, while the mother is indulging in pleasure.
This has a negative impact.
After thinking it over, Li Shimin decided to dismiss the dancers first.
"Greetings, Your Majesty (Father)."
Upon seeing Li Shimin, the group bowed in unison.
"What is it?"
Li Shimin asked authoritatively, "Aren't you all in the fields?"
"Father!"
Li Chengqian took the lead and said, "Your subject believes that there is one policy of the Great Tang that is not in line with the current situation of the world."
"oh?"
Li Shimin smiled and said, "You've only worked in the fields for half a day, and you've already gained some experience?"
"Tell me, which decree is inappropriate?"
As he spoke, Li Shimin picked up his wine cup and took a sip.
His gaze, however, involuntarily wandered over Wei Shuyu.
Finally, you're all alone, right?
While Lao Wei is away, let's see how I make things difficult for you!
"Today I witnessed a conflict between the people and the guards over carp."
"I believe carp is just a food ingredient and shouldn't be banned," Li Chengqian said respectfully.
"Um."
Li Shimin nodded.
His gaze then swept over the remaining people.
"Father."
Not to be outdone, Li Tai immediately stepped forward and said...
"Food is the most important thing for the people."
"Carp can also be eaten, which can add another delicious dish to people's tables."
"Your subject also believes that the court should not prohibit the people from eating carp."
sure……
Li Shimin glanced at Wei Shuyu.
In just half a day, the Crown Prince and the Prince of Wei have spoken up for you?
Li Shimin ignored the two.
He then turned to Wei Shuyu and asked, "What does Shuyu think?"
"Return to Your Majesty."
Wei Shuyu bowed respectfully: "These are merely the words of the Crown Prince and the King of Wei; I will not offer any further opinion!"
Um?
What?
Li Chengqian and Li Tai stared wide-eyed at Wei Shuyu.
Didn't you say you were coming to reason with Father?
We all led the charge...
You...you...
You're trying to scam us!
However, Wei Shuyu pretended not to see their gazes.
"It's alright, go ahead and tell me."
Li Shimin smiled like a Maitreya Buddha: "Since there are no civil and military officials here today, let's just have a casual chat between the emperor and his ministers."
"His Majesty!"
Wei Shuyu suddenly said seriously, "There are priorities in matters."
"Now the Crown Prince and the Prince of Wei are discussing politics together."
"Your Majesty, please take this seriously!"
Li Shimin was taken aback.
Is Little Wei reprimanding me?
You son of a bitch...
But with Wei Shuyu saying this, Li Shimin really couldn't make a move.
Indeed, we can't keep leaving the Crown Prince and the Prince of Wei out indefinitely.
never mind.
Let's deal with those two brats first.
I'll try to get information out of you later and find your weaknesses!
I absolutely did not do this because of your relationship with the Emperor Emeritus...
“Brilliant, Qingque.”
Li Shimin spoke authoritatively, "It's not bad that you have this idea."
"However, the Tang Dynasty's ban on commoners eating carp wasn't solely due to surnames..."
“The carp has been mythologized long ago.”
"It's more of a symbol of good fortune..."
"Take Confucius, the sage of Confucianism, as an example!"
"Confucius' son was named Kong Li. Because of the taboo against using the name of their ancestor, all descendants of the Kong family do not eat carp."
"Perhaps you don't know who Kong Li is?"
"But you know the Confucian classic 'The Doctrine of the Mean,' right? Its author, Kong Ji, was the son of Kong Li."
"Laozi was Confucius, and his son was Kong Ji."
"Although Kong Li himself is not very famous, he is considered a senior figure in Confucianism!"
"And our Great Tang Dynasty reveres Confucianism, and we are surnamed Li..."
"The two sides are working together perfectly, and it is also for the stability of the Tang Dynasty!"
Regarding his two sons.
Li Shimin was very patient and explained things in great detail.
"There is also a record in Liu Xiang's 'Biographies of Immortals' from the Han Dynasty: The immortal Qin Gao went in and out of the Zhuo River, riding a large red carp."
The Southern Dynasties scholar Tao Hongjing wrote in his "Annotations on Materia Medica": "The carp is the leader of all fish. It is not only cute in appearance, but also has the ability to transform itself, even flying across rivers and lakes. Therefore, the immortal Qin Gao rode on it."
The Han Dynasty scholar Xin Shi wrote in his "Pre-Qin Records": "Longmen Mountain is located on the border of Hedong. Yu the Great carved out a gate in the mountain, which is more than a mile wide. ... Every year in late spring, yellow carp come from the sea and various states to flock to it. In a year, no more than seventy-two carp can ascend Longmen. When they first ascend Longmen, clouds and rain follow them, and heavenly fire burns their tails from behind, and they then transform into dragons."
"It's not that I forbid the people from eating carp."
"Instead, the carp symbolizes courage, perseverance, and the success of leaping over the Dragon Gate!"
"It represents going against the current, not being afraid of difficulties, and giving people a belief in striving."
"Coincidentally, the Tang Dynasty happened to be surnamed Li."
That's why this national law exists!
As Li Shimin recounted his story, the group suddenly understood.
"Thank you for your teachings, Father Emperor."
Li Chengqian and Li Tai bowed together.
Then they all looked at Wei Shuyu, their faces showing gritted teeth.
That damned Wei Shuyu.
They almost screwed us over.
"Shuyu, I trust you so much, why did you instigate me?" Li Chengqian asked coldly.
"That's right, I thought you were loyal and righteous, but I never expected you to betray us and turn on us like this..."
Li Tai appeared heartbroken, but his words were full of accusations.
"Shuyu, is this true?"
Li Shimin put on a stern face and questioned him in a stern voice.
Finally, I've caught them red-handed.
I'll summon Old Wei to the palace right now and give you a good scolding in front of him!
Then he secretly gave Wang De a wink.
"His Majesty."
Wei Shuyu bowed calmly: "That is indeed the case, but I am merely fulfilling my duty as a tutor!"
Edited.
Keep making things up.
Don't think I don't know what you're thinking...
Not only did they win over the Emperor, but now they also want to win over the Crown Prince and the Prince of Wei to criticize me!
Compared to your father, your cleverness is just petty!
Fortunately, I am wise enough to see through your scheme.
never mind.
Anyway, you're already trapped, so I'll just listen to what you have to say...
"Since you have something to say, then please speak."
Li Shimin said sternly, "But let me make this clear: instigating the Crown Prince is a serious crime. You'd better think carefully before you answer!"
Li Chengqian also looked at people sideways.
He wanted to see what kind of nonsense Wei Shuyu could spout.
"Back then, His Majesty asked my father..."
"What makes a ruler enlightened, and what makes him ignorant?"
My father replied: "Listen to both sides and you will be enlightened; believe only one side and you will be misled."
"I am merely following my father's example and fulfilling the duties of a tutor."
"And the facts have proven..."
Wei Shuyu glanced at Li Chengqian: "The Crown Prince blindly trusts his ministers without thinking; this is a great taboo for a ruler!"
Huh?
Li Shimin frowned.
Are you using me and Lao Wei as examples?
That's something that can't be refuted.
etc……
Grass!
Wei Zheng the Dog.
I have no objection to you teaching your son.
But you wouldn't use me as an example to teach your son, would you...?
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