Chapter 899: Recalling the Past, the Han princes pacified the rebellion (800 monthly votes goal reached, plus more)
What does an emperor who emerged from a battlefield full of corpses and blood look like?
That's what Li Shimin was like.
He stood in the temple with an expressionless face, and everyone was terrified.
Even a general like Yuchi Jingde was trembling with fear like a quail.
In the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin's power was almost unlimited. He could kill anyone he wanted, whether they were from the Shandong gentry or the old nobles in Guanlong.
He didn't kill him because he missed their old friendship. He didn't kill him because he had a bottom line and didn't want the people to bear the aftermath of the fight between the emperor and the aristocracy.
But this does not mean that anyone can be above Li Shimin.
He is reasonable, but he is not weak and can be bullied!
Li Shimin looked around at the ministers who were holding their breath, then looked at King Jiangxia Li Dao Zong and said, "Take King Jiangxia to treat his injuries. King Jiangxia has made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty and is also my relative. If he goes blind in this palace, the history books will definitely record that I have blamed my relative."
After Li Shimin finished speaking, he immediately shouted, "Yuchi Jingde!"
Yuchi Gong was so frightened that he immediately ran out from the table, knelt directly in the hall, and trembled and said, "Your Majesty, I am guilty!"
Li Shimin stared at Yuchi Gong for a few seconds. Luo Xuanye, who was most familiar with Li Shimin, could sense the deep helplessness in Li Shimin's eyes, but there was not a trace of murderous intent.
yes.
That was Yuchi Gong. How could Li Shimin kill Yuchi Gong?
Li Shimin sat down slowly, closed his eyes, not knowing what to say. Fang Xuanling wanted to get up, but was stopped by Luo Xuanye's eyes. Then Luo Xuanye stood up, walked to Yuchi Gong in front of everyone, took off Yuchi Gong's crown, and stripped off his shirt.
Yuchi Gong looked at Luo Xuanye with gratitude. On his broad chest, there was a scar as deep as a ravine across his right shoulder, as if it was solidified from molten iron. Below his left rib, there were a cluster of arrow marks scattered around. Each scar represented a life and death situation. He had countless scars on his body.
Li Shimin slowly opened his eyes and looked at Yuchi Gong who was kneeling on the ground. He had fought with Yuchi Gong on the battlefield before. He knew how many wounds Yuchi Gong had without looking. These wounds were for others to see.
But looking at these wounds, Li Shimin seemed to have returned to those glorious years, the era of conquering the world.
He finally spoke with deep emotion: "I really like reading the history of the Han Dynasty, and I was very excited when I read about Emperor Gaozu of Han.
'Even if the Yellow River becomes as thin as a belt, even if Mount Tai is worn flat, your kingdom will always be peaceful, and your descendants will be loved.'
This was the oath of Emperor Gaozu of Han, and with the love of Emperor Hui, Emperor Wen and Emperor Wu, the Han Dynasty had the Jingnan princes who were determined to serve the country.
What about later kings?
Suspicion, suspicion, and killing of meritorious officials. There is no longer any such person as the Princes who Jingnan. I think it is because these kings do not know how to follow history and are quite complacent.
But now it seems that is not the case.
The reason why the princes who fought in the Jingnan Campaign were able to enjoy wealth and honor for more than a hundred years was because they understood what it meant to be modest and not overbearing, and they knew how to do things loyally instead of becoming conceited with their achievements.
Qingyang, Taishigong wrote the "Records of the Grand Historian" in Zhaocheng. Please explain the last paragraph of the "Chronicle of Meritorious Officials Since the Rise of the Han Dynasty" to the ministers. "
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Luo Xuanye cleared his throat upon hearing this, and said in a clear and melodious voice: "When Yuan Cong and other meritorious officials were awarded titles, Emperor Gaozu vowed: 'Let the river be like a belt, and Mount Tai be like a fierce beast. Let the country be forever peaceful, and let the Miao people be loved as well.'
When the Jingnan Campaign came, Emperor Xiaoxuan said: "The dukes and barons of Zhou have existed for more than a thousand years through three dynasties, and their names are still recorded in history. I swear: 'Let the mountains have no edges, the rivers dry up, and the country and the dynasty come to an end together, without changing the hereditary system.'"
"I have always wanted to strengthen its roots, but after more than a hundred years, some branches and leaves may be slightly withered or languishing, while others may be luxuriant and towering like a canopy. This is all my own merits and demerits."
Luo Xuanye's voice echoed in the hall. In the silent Taiji Hall, only his voice was heard, but it fell into the ears of everyone.
Li Shimin's tone gradually calmed down, "What a good writing! The emperor has always wanted to strengthen the foundation. How similar is this to me?
I want to share wealth and honor with you, instead of slaughtering meritorious officials for the so-called power. I will keep my promise, give you wealth and honor, and let you pass on to your descendants everything you have gained with your blood, tears and sweat.
Look at Prince Zhou, when has he ever lived the same life as you? Why do I trust Prince Zhou? Because he is steady and he never makes things difficult for me. I just want to give him everything, and I also want to give you everything, but you only smash these things to pieces.
Whether the branches and leaves are withered and weak, or they are lush and tall like a canopy, it is all in your own hands!
Yuchi Jingde, feel the scars on your body. Each one represents wealth and glory. If you continue to act recklessly, nothing will be able to protect you!"
Yuchi Jingde knelt on the ground, covered in cold sweat. He was not really afraid that Li Shimin would kill him.
Having fought and died on the battlefield, he knew that Li Shimin would not kill him because of this. He suddenly realized one thing, that is, he seemed to be a little too arrogant.
For example, the beating of King Jiangxia Li Daozon should not have happened under any circumstances.
At this point, Li Shimin and Luo Xuanye looked at each other, knowing that it was time, so they slowly said: "Why am I so angry today? Because I found that it's not just Wu Guogong Yuchi Jingde, but also Hou Junji. The two generals who accompanied me through life and death have become so rebellious.
Hou Junji, because of a personal grudge between him and the Duke of Dai, falsely accused the Duke of Dai of treason. Without any evidence, he should be punished and beheaded.
In the first year of the Wude reign, the retired emperor abolished the Daye Code of Emperor Yang of Sui. In the second year of the Zhenguan reign, we, the emperor and our ministers, discussed for a long time the idea of being lenient and reducing sentences, so we began to revise the Zhenguan Code.
In the past, most kings were above the law as a matter of course, and this did not seem to be a big deal. Many sages have demonstrated the necessity and correctness of kings being above the law.
According to legend, the Legalists of the time used laws as reins in the hands of kings to control the people.
But I think differently. The laws of the Tang Dynasty were not made by me, but were created by the people of the Tang Dynasty.
I have now pardoned Hou Junji because his merits may be justifiable, and the people of the world may understand me.
But how many people have made contributions?
How many people have followed me through life and death?
I pardoned Hou Junji today, how many people will I pardon in the future?
If one day the law loses its credibility among the people, wouldn’t that be a great disaster for the world? This great disaster was caused by me alone.”
Li Shimin walked step by step to Yuchi Gong, "Look at the scars on Duke Wu's body. I always think of the time when we were fighting together to conquer the world, when he rushed in front of me. This arrow was originally aimed at me, but it was Duke Wu who blocked it for me. This one, I remember, was outside the city of Luoyang.
The Duke of Wu disrupted the government, was arrogant, and even beat up the princes, but how could I bear to punish him?
He is my confidant, just like my own flesh and blood. I can't bear to punish him. I just want him to live a life of wealth and honor. At the end of his life, he feels that he has followed the right person in this life, and he will follow me in the next life. "
Li Shimin was already crying as he spoke, and Yuchi Jingde fell to the ground and cried bitterly, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty.
I am willing to serve Your Majesty like a dog or a horse, for my whole life and for all eternity."
Upon hearing this, Li Shimin burst into tears. The light and shadows in the hall were moving, shining on the hem of his clothes like water in rippling waves.
His voice was a little hoarse, "My Lords.
I know that Hou Junji must be punished, but I really can't bear to let him die. The book says that everyone is guilty and the fault lies with me.
Let me take the blame for Hou Junji today."
The ministers were immediately panicked upon hearing this. Fang Xuanling, who was now the de facto first prime minister, lost his voice and said, "Your Majesty, you are the Son of Heaven, supreme and above the law. There is no punishment in this world for the Son of Heaven."
What Fang Xuanling said was exactly what everyone was thinking.
Li Shimin looked up at the dome, as if he saw the clear sky.
"I am the Son of Heaven.
Son of Heaven.
The Son of Heaven cannot be punished by the human world. I will kneel on the Temple of Heaven and beg the King of Heaven to come.
I only drink water and eat a vegetarian meal every day, not meat, to show my love for life. I hope that the Emperor will have mercy on me and allow me to reduce the sentence of Marquis Ji and avoid death and exile."
We have done our best!
This was the only thought that came to everyone's mind. Luo Xuanye even said directly, "Your Majesty, pray to the King of Su to the Heaven. You must be sincere and do your best, otherwise the Heaven will be angry and the consequences will be disastrous."
Li Shimin said firmly: "My sincerity is witnessed by the heavens!"
Chang Sun Wuji said bitterly, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible. How can a mere Hou Junji make your holy body suffer? At worst, you can just pardon him."
Wei Zheng looked at the scene in front of him and touched his neck unconsciously. If he had surrendered to Li Shimin at the beginning, it would have been great and he wouldn't have wasted so many years.
Li Shimin waved his hand.
The ministers in the palace said no more.
Yuchi Jingde knelt on the ground and sobbed.
"You guys, take care of yourself. I don't know what will happen in the future."
Li Shimin slowly left the hall.
Following the eunuch's high-pitched and sharp "dismissal of court", few people in the hall moved for a long time.
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Taizong won people because of their sincerity. He gave them good advice and earnest teachings, and was sincere, like a father teaching his son. He wanted to consolidate the foundation of meritorious officials, to expand the branches of meritorious officials, and to emulate the meritorious officials of the Han Dynasty. Therefore, the meritorious officials were restrained in their words and cautious in their actions. - "The Book of Tang: Chronological Table of Merits of Princes and Dukes since the Founding of the Country"
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Li Shimin's understanding of law was very different from that of other emperors. He attributed the origin of law to the people, that is, the people needed laws to regulate order, rather than using laws completely for ruling. Of course, we cannot deny that Li Shimin also used laws to rule the world, but his spirit of being willing to give up the power of the king for the law is still worthy of our praise and affirmation. ——"The Rise and Fall of the Tang Empire"
(End of this chapter)
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