Chapter 870 Li Shimin, don't let me down! (End of Volume)
A tree with lush branches and leaves.
A person who is always illuminated by the light of God.
Luo Su seemed to be always shrouded in a layer of bright green light.
Looking at Li Shimin walking in, Luo Su smiled slightly, with the drooping willow branches resting on his shoulders. He was still as gentle as Li Shimin remembered. "King Qin, long time no see."
In Li Shimin's 23 years of life, he met all kinds of people, but in his heart, there was only one person who could be his teacher, and that was Luo Su.
It was the first time in his life that he knew that a person could be so knowledgeable.
Even though he had gathered many heroes under his command in recent years, including Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, he had seen the highest mountains and the longest rivers, so he felt that everything in the future would not be high or wide enough.
"Duke Wen."
Li Shimin clasped his fists and bowed.
"sit."
There was a chessboard in front of Luo Su, with black and white chess boxes on both sides.
Li Shimin sat in front of Luo Su politely. Luo Su pushed the black chess piece to Li Shimin, making a rustling sound on the chessboard, and said with a smile: "I haven't played chess with you for many years. Let's see how your chess skills have improved.
As usual, you go first."
According to the old rules, Luo Su gave Li Shimin the third place.
Li Shimin did not refuse. Duke Wen Luosu was extremely strong and his chess skills were undoubtedly the best in the world. Even when he was given a handicap of three points, he had never won.
It is difficult for people who have something on their mind to calm down and play chess.
Seeing that the advantage he had gained by taking three steps ahead had disappeared, Li Shimin could not help but ask, "Duke Wen, do you have anything to say to me when you come here?"
Luo Su twisted the white chess piece in his hand and said with a smile: "I came to congratulate you. The world will soon be unified, and the government will return to the Li Dynasty. The new emperor's crown will rise on the land of China."
Li Shimin's eyes narrowed, and he didn't look very excited. "Oh, so that's it."
Luo Su seemed to be chatting, "The fact that the Li family was able to unify the country is due to your contribution. Did your father ever promise you anything?"
When Luo Su asked, Li Shimin remembered that Li Yuan had often said to him, "You have made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty. I am considering whether to make you the crown prince."
But although Li Yuan said this, he never said these words formally, but only chatted about them in private.
But when Duke Wen asked these questions, it was definitely not a casual question. He suppressed his excitement and asked, "Duke Wen, why are you here?"
Luo Su tapped the chessboard and smiled, "What were you thinking about on your way to see me today? What's on your mind now? That's why I came here. You know, I like you very much."
Li Shimin felt as if his whole body was being strangled by a huge hand, and then he was filled with great surprise. He wanted to say something but stopped, and finally said hoarsely, "Duke Wen, I..."
Luo Su pressed down a chess piece and took away Li Shimin's chess piece. "Don't be anxious. Think slowly and ask whatever you want to ask."
Li Shimin collected his thoughts, his handsome face slowly regained its composure, and he asked thoughtfully, "Why me?
With your ability, assisting my eldest brother can create a prosperous era comparable to the Han Dynasty. He is the eldest son and is in line with the tradition of the Luo family."
Say it out!
Finally said it!
Li Shimin had never felt this way before, and he said these words openly.
His heart was trembling, but his hands were becoming steadier.
Just like countless life and death moments, his hands holding the bow and arrow had bulging veins and were sharp and cold!
Luo Su held a white piece and knocked it on the stone table, saying calmly but gently: "Why not you?
I may have ten thousand reasons to choose Li Jiancheng and Li Yuan.
The current emperor, the legitimate crown prince, the eldest son, with good abilities and a relatively gentle personality.
But I have no reason not to choose you, Li Shimin, the King of Qin of the Tang Dynasty. I want to create a prosperous era and need an emperor who surpasses the ancient ones. And you are that person.
You will be a holy king. I believe in my own judgment."
This is the highest evaluation.
Li Shimin shuddered, this was the evaluation from Duke Wen.
The great-grandson of King Su, the sage who was closest to King Su, perhaps even King Zhao of Zhou, who founded the Kangzhao era, did not receive such an evaluation from Duke Wen.
This evaluation made Li Shimin feel that the blood in his body was boiling. He believed since he was a child that there was a kind of power in him. This power drove him to accomplish great things time and time again, until he reached his current point.
After escaping death countless times and having countless glorious victories, he believed that he had received some kind of revelation that he was a favored person, and that was why he was successful in everything he did.
Now Duke Wen recognizes this power, right? Does King Su recognize this power?
Li Shimin came back to his senses. He looked at Luo Su's still calm face, but he didn't know what to say. Luo Su asked a question instead, "King Qin, what do you think of Kangzhao's prosperity?"
Li Shimin replied: "It is recorded in history books as bright as stars and brilliant as fire."
Luo Su nodded and asked, "What about the reigns of Emperor Xiaowen and Emperor Xiaowu of the Han Dynasty?"
Li Shimin added: "It is beyond the ancient times and has no parallel in later generations. I yearn for it."
Luo Su laughed when he heard this, "I said none of these are good enough. I want a greater world than these, and the founder of this greater world will be you, Qin Wang Li Shimin."
"I?"
Li Shimin was stunned by these words. The world was still in a state of exhaustion. Years of war had made people all over the world tired of war. Large tracts of land were barren. In this situation, restoring production was the first factor.
The prosperous era of Emperor Xiaowen of the Han Dynasty was based on the foundation laid previously. Could he really create a prosperous era under such circumstances?
The most important thing.
"I am not yet the future emperor or son of heaven."
Li Shimin stared at Luo Su, "Duke Wen, are you going to put the crown of the Son of Heaven on my head in the name of the Su King?"
Luo Su laughed out loud upon hearing this, "If it was Li Yuan or Li Jiancheng, I would give them a crown as the Son of Heaven, but you are different.
Where in this world is there a throne bestowed by someone else?
The road to becoming the Son of Heaven is full of thorns and tribulations, you have to go through them yourself. Now you already have almost all the qualities that an excellent king possesses, but you still lack a little bit. "
Still a little short.
For Li Shimin, this was the most serious problem. He wanted to know what he was lacking, so he asked hurriedly, "What's missing?"
With pity in his eyes, Luo Su gently put down the white chess piece in his hand. With murderous intent, the chessboard was dead!
He said calmly: "I want you to go through some hardships, I want you to feel the greatest loneliness in the world, and feel the pain of losing everything. You are still bound by a layer of constraints.
You are still expecting to use the divine power from Su Wang to solve some problems. This won’t work. I want you to solve them by yourself. When you can solve everything by yourself, Su Wang’s light will fall on you.
Wash away all your fatigue."
Luo Su's voice was very soft, but it sounded like a roar in Li Shimin's ears. He didn't dare to think about the deeper meaning behind these words. He looked down and saw that he had already lost.
He threw the chess piece he had just picked up back into the box, no longer thinking about those complicated things, with a bitter smile on his face, "Mr. Wen, your chess skills are still so superb."
Luo Su asked casually, "I heard that you promised Dou Jiande to save his life?"
ah?
Li Shimin didn't expect that Luo Su would actually ask this question. Isn't it wrong to save Dou Jiande's life?
"Do you have any suggestions, Lord Wen?"
Luo Su asked: "I want to hear what you think about saving Dou Jiande's life. Every action of a politician must have a core to support it. Why did you do this?"
Li Shimin realized that he was being tested. He sat up straight and said, "Dou Jiande is popular among the people in Hebei. If we kill him without authorization, it may backfire and appease Hebei will become empty talk.
Dou Jiande and I have a deep sympathy for each other. He is such a kind person, and sparing his life just shows that the Tang Dynasty is tolerant of all things. "
Luo Su smiled softly upon hearing this and said, "King Qin, you are truly a natural emperor, a natural king. Your instincts and your character always make you do the right things unconsciously. This is truly an outstanding talent.
It was right not to kill Dou Jiande.
Don't think that you have pacified Hebei just because you have captured Dou Jiande. Nothing is so simple in this world.
Do you know the current problems in Hebei and where the crux lies? "
Li Shimin became serious, clasped his fists and said, "Please enlighten me, Lord Wen!"
Luo Su used water to dip into the tea and drew two circles on the stone table, "This is Guanzhong, and this is Hebei. These two regions have always been hostile to each other.
You were born into a Guanlong noble family, so you should know that because of your origin, the Sui Dynasty adopted a high-pressure stance in Hebei and Jiangnan. Whether it was taxes or corvee labor, Hebei and Jiangnan were better than Guanzhong.
I call it Guanzhong standard.
Therefore, Hebei has always been dissatisfied, and there is extremely deep resistance sentiment among the people. Dou Jiande was able to win the hearts of the people because he implemented benevolent policies in Hebei.
What is benevolent government? It means it is better than under the rule of the Sui Dynasty!
Under Dou Jiande's rule, the people of Hebei felt that this was the life people should live.
Instead of being sucked dry and enslaved by Guanzhong, this is why Dou Jiande has such strong support from the people.
Now he was defeated and captured at Hulao Pass, but Hebei province suffered no damage. Under such circumstances, it was almost impossible for the Tang Dynasty to take over Hebei.
Because Hebei still refuses to accept!
You haven't defeated us Hebei people yet, so why should we surrender and be enslaved by you again? This is the mainstream thinking of Hebei people.
In this case, what do you think should be done to make Hebei surrender? "
Luo Su's words were like a ray of light that cleared away the clouds and exposed the current situation in Hebei, which surprised Li Shimin greatly. This was a perspective that no one had ever mentioned before.
It has nothing to do with a benevolent ruler like Dou Jiande, or with people, but has to do with something bigger.
But this angle is very much in line with Li Shimin's aesthetics. He pulled himself out of his deeper thoughts and said, "Either Hebei is completely subdued, or Hebei is promised and appeased. There is no other way."
To conquer Hebei, we need to wage a few more wars against Hebei, making the people of Hebei fail again and again, until they finally admit defeat in the war and surrender.
Finally, it was the situation of the Sui Dynasty.
The promise to Hebei is to change the Guanzhong-centric approach and at least not exploit Hebei so harshly.
"King Qin, if it were you, which path would you choose?"
Li Shimin said without hesitation: "Of course we should appease them. War is a matter of life and death. It is a major national event that must be carefully considered. If we can avoid fighting, we should not fight. Hebei is strong, and the Tang Dynasty has no need to provoke it. Moreover, I view Guanzhong and Hebei in the same way, and I do not favor either side."
Thinking of this, Li Shimin suddenly reacted, "Mr. Wen, you mean that Dou Jiande is a banner. If Dou Jiande is killed, the people of Hebei will think that the Tang Dynasty will continue to implement a high-pressure policy against Hebei.
And forgiving Dou Jiande means that the Tang Dynasty will implement benevolent policies in Hebei!
Yes, that's it, it must be like that.
Dou Jiande has a good reputation. I promised to protect him. He has no hatred against the top leaders of the Tang Dynasty, so it is very easy to spare his life. "
wrong!
If this were true, Duke Wen would not have said it specifically. If this were the case, it means that Duke Wen thought an accident might happen.
Li Shimin quickly searched and finally chose his father. Would his father want to kill Dou Jiande?
If there is only one fan of Li Yuan in the world, it must be Li Shimin. Li Shimin is a very emotional person and he is full of affection for his father.
When he thought of this, Li Shimin became a little uneasy. If his father really wanted to kill Dou Jiande, what should he do?
He suddenly thought, what Duke Wen said to him when he came in, was it about this?
So in Duke Wen's view, would the conflict between himself and his father be so great?
Luo Su took in all of Li Shimin's expressions. He knew what Li Shimin was thinking, "King Qin, if you want to accomplish a great cause unprecedented in history, you cannot create such a big conflict among the people of the world.
Remember, Hebei's strength cannot be suppressed by mere suppression, let alone by Guanzhong.
The reason why the Tang Dynasty was able to rule the world was, firstly, because you were indeed the most outstanding person in the world and a natural emperor, but another reason was that there were less than six million households in the world, so the Tang Dynasty had the national strength to rule the world.
Once the population expanded to 9 million households or even 10 million households, the small Guanzhong area would lose the power to suppress the rest of the world.
The Sui Dynasty's policy of using Guanzhong to control the four directions was tantamount to seeking death.
As time goes by and with the continued development of Hebei, Henan, Jiangnan and Jianghuai, and the increase in population, the power of Guanzhong will become smaller and smaller.
If we continue to use that high-pressure policy against Hebei, I can tell you clearly that the power that Hebei will eventually unleash will destroy the entire Tang Dynasty when its population is at its peak.
You must remember this! "
hiss!
Li Shimin felt a chill run down his spine after hearing what Luo Su said. He believed that Duke Wen would never exaggerate. This was the fact and it made sense. In this war in the Central Plains, the food and grass supplied by Jiangnan and Jianghuai were crucial.
In the past years, Jiangnan and Jianghuai have never been so important.
Li Shimin nodded solemnly and said, "Duke Wen, I understand. I will definitely save Dou Jiande's life. If one day I can really become the emperor of the Chinese nation, I will do as you said today.
The tyrannical Sui Dynasty valued Guanzhong and despised Hebei, but I will treat them equally. "
Luo Su pointed at the chessboard and said, "Let's play another game. I'll let you go four first. With your chess skills, you should be able to fight me on equal terms."
Li Shimin was good at playing chess, but just good, not to the level of a chess saint. Besides, Luo Su himself didn't care about winning or losing.
When he came to Luosu today, Li Shimin felt that he had completely lost his previous composure and became a little jumpy, but he thought that this was normal.
After all, the person sitting in front of him was a legendary figure. He even felt that he could see the vague shadow of King Su from behind Duke Wen. How could he sit peacefully?
The two chatted casually, as if the rather sharp questions just now had disappeared into thin air, leaving only peace and tranquility. However, judging from Li Shimin's hand tightly holding the chess piece, this was not the case.
He hadn't seen Duke Wen for such a long time. How could he be willing to do that without asking a few questions and having a chat?
After a long silence, Li Shimin finally asked the question, "Duke Wen, you said that I should experience all that loneliness and pain, but I don't quite understand. Can you help me understand?"
In Li Shimin's view, if King Su could perform miracles and crown him with divinity, many problems could be easily solved. However, it seemed that Duke Wen was not willing to do so, and instead asked himself to fight for it.
Luo Su pondered for a while, thinking about what to say. He made a move casually like knocking on a lantern flower, and then said: "Because the heart, the power a person can exert is determined by his heart, which is the foundation that supports the human body.
Do you still remember Yang Guang?
Even at the end, he still had countless opportunities to turn the tables, and he still possessed powerful strength and subjects loyal to him.
But he finally chose to escape, hiding himself in the desert like an ostrich, and was killed in disgrace.
I want to train your heart.
I want you to have a clear conscience.
I want you to be strong at any time in the future, and you must be able to tell everyone that I, Li Shimin, stand here, upright.
I have no regrets about anything I have done today or in the future. I have done nothing wrong. The praise or slander of the world cannot shake the truest thing in my heart.
The setbacks you have suffered all along come from external factors, and all the births and deaths you have experienced can be resolved with wisdom and strength.
I will now help you overcome the deepest cowardice in your heart. Through repeated inner suffering, you will become an indestructible hero."
Li Shimin was dumbfounded when he heard this. Does one have to go through so much on the road to becoming a sage king?
No!
Li Shimin thought of what Luo Su had said before, a prosperous age that far surpassed all previous ones. What kind of prosperous age was this that required them to do it this way?
Li Shimin only felt a warm current flowing through his body for a moment. He seemed to see a bright and warm future. However, there were countless thorns on the road leading to the bright and warm sunshine. He had nothing to fear.
With a three-foot sword in hand, he was able to pacify half of the world. In other words, the south was not an obstacle, with only Xiao Xian. He, Li Shimin, had already conquered the entire world for the Tang Dynasty.
Is there any difficulty that could be more difficult than founding a country?
Now Li Shimin really had no more questions to ask Luo Su. Luo Su's meaning was very clear. He only had one last hurdle to overcome before he could completely pass the test.
The two of them really started chatting now. Li Shimin, who was quite unfamiliar with literature in the past, has learned a lot over the years. The two of them started talking about Luo Xuanye and other members of the Luo family.
Li Shimin smiled and said, "It is a blessing that the Luo family has returned to the Central Plains. I wonder how Duke Wen hopes that the Luo family will get along with our Tang Dynasty in the future, like the Han Dynasty?"
Li Shimin spoke frankly to Luo Su, because Luo Su had already recognized him, so he spoke as the future ruler of the Tang Empire.
Luo Su glanced at Luo Xuanye and Luo Xuanxing, and said thoughtfully: "There is no need to say more about Xuanye, he follows you, life and death, and there is no need to say more about Xuanjing and Xuanling.
If Dou Jiande had not died, Xuanzhao and Xuanyun would have followed Dou Jiande back to the Tang Dynasty, on the premise that you would become the emperor, not your father.
For Xuanyun’s marriage, please pick out some suitable ones and send them to me for review.
The Luo clan returned to the south. To create a prosperous era, many Luo clan members are needed. The territory of the Tang Dynasty is too small now. When the territory expands in the future, many Luo clan sons and daughters will have to serve as officials. "
Li Shimin's face was filled with surprise when he listened. Luo Su's few short words contained a lot of information. This Luo family was going to make a great effort!
Instead of being a mascot like in the Han Dynasty, where only branches of the family served in the government!
How could he not be excited? One of the biggest responsibilities of a king is to employ talented people, and the direct descendants of the Luo family are all talented people. Now he is more confident about the prosperity that may come in the future.
As long as you overcome the final difficulties, a beautiful and bright future will be waiting for you!
Li Shimin said almost immediately: "The Tang Dynasty will always open its doors to the Luo family. Let the Luo family accompany the Tang Dynasty and return to its ultimate prosperity.
Duke Wen, is it possible, I mean, that the Li family can form an alliance with the Luo family?
Just like the marriage between Ji and Jiang during the Bang Zhou period!
I know this is presumptuous, but if I may..."
Although Luo Xuanye and Li Xiuning got married, this was not a true marriage between the Li and Luo families. Ji Jiang's marriage was a give-and-take affair.
Instead of the current situation of the Luo family where they only marry men but not daughters.
Luo Su did not refuse directly, but smiled and said: "The Luo family has never said that Luo's daughters are not allowed to marry, but Luo's daughters are not allowed to take concubines, which makes it difficult for them to be queens. After all, it is not right to ask a king not to take concubines.
If there is a girl from the Luo family who is willing to marry and a Li family who is willing not to take a concubine, this is not impossible."
Having said that, it is actually impossible. It is no joke for a king not to take concubines, and Luo's ministers do not agree.
Li Shimin sighed softly, knowing that this was indeed difficult. "I hope we will have some fate in the future. If I have a daughter in the future, I hope I can let her marry into the Luo family."
Luo Su did not refuse this. The fastest way to integrate into a dynasty is through marriage. This is an eternal truth, and the blending of blood will never disappoint anyone.
Li Shimin strode away. Luo Xuanye saluted Luo Su and followed Li Shimin away. Luo Su's last words echoed in Li Shimin's ears: "King Qin, go and face the stormy future until the day when the rain stops and the sky clears."
…
This was the first time Luo Xuanxing met Li Shimin, but just at that first time, he understood why Luo Xuanye was so devoted to Li Shimin and why the ancestor chose Li Shimin.
The intoxicating vitality and charm that Li Shimin exudes at all times are truly one-of-a-kind.
The appearance of dragon and phoenix, the appearance of sun and sky!
It's absolutely so!
Luo Xuanxing only didn't understand one thing. Li Shimin was fooled, but he naturally didn't, so he asked: "Grandfather, is the path to becoming a saint king really that difficult?
Do you need to train your mind so cruelly?"
Yes, it is cruel, especially for the Luo family who values family affection.
Luo Su sat under the willow tree, the drooping branches gently swaying in the breeze. "This is a win-win situation. Li Shimin will become an impeccable monarch, and our Luo family will also gain endless benefits from it. But is there a price?"
Luo Xuanxing asked doubtfully: "Benefits to our Luo family?"
“To create a prosperous era, we need a king. If the king is bad, it will be difficult for us to succeed.
The most important thing is that after we succeed, the luck and fortune we gain will definitely be poor.
We are still assistants, not real kings.
If we are not in the position but do the things that should be done, we will not have much luck and foundation. This is what Su Wang told me.
If we prosper in the position of assistant, the result will be maximized, so we need a strong king.
The more powerful the king is, the more foundation he can give us. This is one of the benefits.
Another benefit is..."
Luo Su said solemnly: "The spirit of King Su is in heaven, bestowing great light upon the king.
The spirit of King Su is in heaven, protecting the Zhou people for thousands of years.
The Su King will bestow blessings upon Li Shimin, which will make him feel forever sacred. "
Luo Xuanxing understood the first benefit, but he didn’t quite understand the following sentence. However, he vaguely knew what Luo Su meant.
If a king is attacked by people with ulterior motives, but the Supreme and Divine King approves of him, what will the king do?
He will lift the King up high!
This is exactly what Luo Su wants to see. The Su Wang Supreme Emperor will stand at the pinnacle of everything, and the king, the Son of Heaven, will be the Su Wang's offspring.
Worship King Su, just like the Zhou people did.
Respect King Su, just like the Zhou people do.
The process of the Luo family and the new dynasty merging is not only a process of the Luo family's integration, but also a process of the new dynasty submitting to King Su.
The Luo family will obtain countless fortunes and foundations step by step in the Li Tang Dynasty. The Luo family will reach the peak of glory in the Li Tang Dynasty and strive for this goal.
Luo Su looked towards Chang'an, the city already filled with murderous intent.
Where does this come from? It comes from jealousy and resentment.
Li Shimin, oh Li Shimin, don't let me down. Only an unprecedentedly powerful king can match an unprecedented prosperous era.
————
Luo Su, a legendary figure active in the late Sui Dynasty and early Tang Dynasty, is surrounded by countless legends. He has never been included in any biography, and his deeds are only recorded in the biographies of other kings, princes, generals and ministers.
Luo said that he was the reincarnation of Luo Wengong from the ancient Zhou Dynasty. He was treated with the highest courtesy, just like a believer treats a god. He never married and lived alone. He was the imperial teacher of the Tang Dynasty and had extraordinary talents, but he did not enter the government. People at that time said that he "did not serve two masters. He was a minister of Zhou in this life and would never enter the Tang Dynasty again."
Thus, a title that had never appeared before appeared for the first time in the land of Zhuxia - Imperial Master. What exactly did this Imperial Master do? The author combed through the vast history books and wrote it down with a sincere heart. - "The Imperial Master of the Tang Dynasty"
(End of this chapter)
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