Chapter 469 Chu Suiliang's letter
"His Majesty."
Wei Shuyu bowed and said, "An edict of self-reproach is an edict issued by the emperor himself or for self-reflection."
"It's generally used in three situations..."
"First, the positions of ruler and minister are misplaced." (The ministers are powerful, while the ruler is incompetent.)
Second, natural disasters cause calamities.
Third, when the regime is in crisis.
"It is an honor for a subject for His Majesty to issue an edict of self-reproach on behalf of his subjects!"
"But similarly, this edict of self-reproach was issued hastily."
"It is not that Your Majesty's actions are wrong!"
"It's just that His Majesty has issued far too many edicts of self-reproach over the years!"
The courtiers were all taken aback.
The Tang Dynasty suffered from natural disasters year after year, and Li Shimin issued quite a few edicts of self-reproach.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Li Shimin's expression was very unpleasant.
It's as if he enjoys issuing edicts of self-reproach.
"What I wanted to say was..."
"The more edicts of self-reproach are issued, the more mistakes His Majesty has made!"
"The people will develop the idea that His Majesty is not a wise ruler."
The courtiers were abuzz with discussion.
The purpose of an edict of self-reproach was to appease the people.
To put it bluntly, it's all just a show.
If there are too many shows, the people will get tired of them!
"There's one more thing..."
"His Majesty has issued edicts of self-reproach year after year, yet natural disasters have not decreased..."
"On the contrary, there is a trend that is getting worse."
"Has Your Majesty considered..."
"You take all the blame upon yourself."
"It will make the people think that the reason why the Tang Dynasty has so many disasters is entirely due to His Majesty's mistakes!"
Um?
Li Shimin frowned.
He seemed to realize the seriousness of the situation.
Especially in the seventh year of the Zhenguan era.
There have been more than 30 natural disasters, reaching the highest number in history.
This edict of self-reproach seems to be completely useless.
He felt nauseous after taking too much of it.
"Go on!"
Li Shimin said with a stern face.
"Newspapers exist in the Tang Dynasty today!"
Wei Shuyu continued, "It can transmit information about disasters occurring in various places to the relevant authorities as soon as possible."
"It also lets the people know clearly..."
"How much has the imperial court done for the people? How much has His Majesty sacrificed for the people?"
"I believe that...the edict of self-reproach regarding the natural disaster should not be issued again."
"The common people don't care whether His Majesty issues an edict of self-reproach; what they care about is whether the court has done anything practical for them!"
The ministers nodded.
Issuing too many self-criticism edicts is utterly useless except for self-deception.
"Your Majesty, I agree with what Shuyu said."
Wei Zheng immediately bowed and said, "Natural disasters are merciless. What the court should do is to believe that human will can overcome nature, not to blindly admit mistakes."
With Wei Zheng taking the lead.
The other officials echoed this sentiment.
"I second that proposal."
"I second that proposal."
Li Shimin's furrowed brows relaxed.
Actually, those words really struck a chord with him.
He's not a jerk.
Who wants to apologize every day?
but……
I lose face by saying that in public!
"After saying so much..."
Li Shimin gave a haughty snort: "What does this have to do with the edict of self-reproach I have just issued?"
I will accept your advice.
But I do not acknowledge it!
I can't possibly let you criticize me, thank you in fact!
"Well..."
Wei Shuyu pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty issued an edict of self-reproach for Dang Renhong, which moved me deeply."
"But I still feel that this action would damage Your Majesty's imperial prestige."
Whether Dang Renhong can escape death depends entirely on his own thoughts and actions!
"As long as his answer satisfies the officials and convinces the people, he can be pardoned!"
Li Shimin pondered.
He had always wanted to protect Dang Renhong.
Little did he know, this was all wishful thinking on his part.
"Dang Renhong..."
Unconsciously, Li Shimin turned his gaze to Dang Renhong.
"His Majesty!"
Dang Renhong broke free from the guards' restraints and knelt on the ground.
"I know that I am guilty of grave sins and dare not ask for Your Majesty's forgiveness."
"Your Majesty, I am aware that fighting is breaking out on the borders of the Great Tang..."
"I beg Your Majesty to exile this guilty subject."
"This sinful subject is willing to use this crippled body to shed the last drop of blood for the Great Tang!"
Being exiled to the frontier is worse than death.
Moreover, participating in large-scale wars like those against Tuyuhun and Xueyantuo was tantamount to a death sentence.
Have you thought it through?
Li Shimin asked solemnly, "As a prisoner, there is absolutely no chance of survival!"
"I have made up my mind."
Dang Renhong knelt on the ground: "Please grant my request, Your Majesty!"
"well."
Li Shimin stepped forward and helped him up.
"I will remember your achievements."
"Your family is small, and I will certainly treat them well."
Upon hearing this...
Dang Renhong's eyes were red, and he solemnly bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Li Shimin waved his hand.
He gestured to the guards to take him away.
"Let's continue with the political discussion."
After saying that, he walked straight back to the Taiji Hall.
With the matter concluded, he felt a sense of emptiness.
Born to the King of Qin.
Most of those who fought alongside him were warriors.
Since he ascended the throne, everyone has become arrogant and lawless.
Even Yuchi Gong was like that.
He almost blinded Li Daozong back then, and only stopped after being scolded by Li Daozong.
"Do any of you ministers have anything else to report?"
Li Shimin continued to preside over the government.
"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."
Yu Shinan held up a letter: "Chu Suiliang replied that he has persuaded Yanqi to send troops to attack Gaochang."
What is that?
The courtiers were all stunned.
Then I remembered that when Wei Shuyu mentioned the Silk Road, he sent Chu Suiliang as an envoy to Yanqi.
"Bring the letter up quickly!" Li Shimin seemed a little excited.
With the reopening of the Silk Road, the achievement of expanding territory is about to be realized.
But after he read the letter, his expression immediately turned ugly...
"Chu Suiliang's letter contained these words."
"Yanqi will only send troops if our Tang soldiers are needed."
"What good strategies do you, my esteemed ministers, have?"
The ministers frowned.
That makes things difficult.
Because the Tang Dynasty is currently waging war against the Tuyuhun and Xueyantuo.
The Silk Road routes were all blocked.
It was impossible for the Tang soldiers to get there; they couldn't even manage to take a detour!
“Your Majesty, the opportunity to fight is fleeting. I believe we should send troops there immediately!” Changsun Wuji bowed and said.
How should it be dispatched?
Cheng Yaojin sneered, "The road is blocked. Do you think the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty can fly over there?"
this……
The courtiers were all Muggles.
Cheng Yaojin's words also make sense.
"Delay may lead to unforeseen changes!"
Changsun Wuji said gravely, "If Chu Suiliang stays in Yanqi and the news leaks out, the Tang Dynasty will face not only Tuyuhun and Xueyantuo, but also Gaochang..."
The courtiers were all taken aback.
If the three kingdoms were to besiege it, the Tang Dynasty would be under great pressure.
"Then you can fly over there?" Cheng Yaojin said disdainfully.
"Cheng, you scoundrel, I'm talking about serious matters, please don't interrupt!" Changsun Wuji scolded.
"Then you can fly there?"
Go to hell.
Changsun Wuji gritted his teeth.
Forget it, I'm not going to bother with a scoundrel like you!
"His Majesty."
Changsun Wuji bowed to Li Shimin and said, "I believe we should accelerate the pace of the attack, take down Xueyantuo or Tuyuhun in one fell swoop, and then head straight for Gaochang..."
How do I take it?
Cheng Yaojin jumped out again: "Do you think Tuyuhun and Xueyantuo are fools? You think you can just take them down like that?"
"Then we have no choice but to abandon the attack on Gaochang!" Changsun Wuji said in a deep voice.
This statement was met with a rebuttal from Fang Xuanling...
"no!"
Fang Xuanling immediately stood up to refute, saying, "The decision to send troops from Yanqi to attack Gaochang was initiated by the Tang Dynasty."
"If we give up the attack, it's as if we can't handle it."
"If word gets out... they can't even handle a small place like Gaochang."
"It would mean the loss of our Great Tang's hegemony along the Silk Road!"
"Once the other nations no longer hold the Tang Dynasty in awe, they will seek new allies and form a powerful new force!"
Li Shimin frowned.
The consequences would be terrible.
If the kingdoms of the Western Regions were to unite, they would have no chance of advancing along the Silk Road.
It might even threaten the Tang Dynasty!
What should we do?
Unconsciously, Li Shimin turned his gaze to Wei Shuyu.
"Shuyu!"
Li Shimin shouted, "It was your suggestion to attack Gaochang, do you have any good strategies?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com