"My dear minister, you have cultivated a group of outstanding talents for the country! But you have once again given me a difficult problem!" Li Shimin, who seemed to grow younger with age, smiled as he entertained Qin Mu in the imperial study.
"Your Majesty flatters me. The Tang Dynasty has never lacked talented people in recent years." Qin Mu had grown a beard, and the black mustache made him look much more mature.
“Now, apart from the imperial palace, the Tang Dynasty has no female officials, and these two are exceptionally talented. I am very reluctant to part with them,” Li Shimin sighed.
"The two children are still young. Your Majesty, why don't you let them go out and see how capable they are?" Qin Mu said with a smile.
"Two great Confucian scholars, placed in local positions—is this because the Tang Dynasty has too many talented people, or because I am bad at judging character?" Li Shimin shook his head and smiled bitterly.
“Since Your Majesty is going to set a precedent, you must achieve something to silence the criticism. Besides, they are still young and won’t mind so much,” Qin Mu said with a smile.
"My dear minister, take a look at this!" Li Shimin took out a memorial and handed it to the eunuch.
Taking it from the eunuch, Qin Mu opened it and quickly scanned it, his brows furrowing involuntarily.
The memorial stated very simply that some time ago, a ship came from overseas, carrying many members of the White-Eyed Wolf Clan, who were suspected of landing on a large island overseas in Jiangnan.
The Tang Dynasty has explored many islands outside Zhejiang. The only difficulty is that the beasts there are too powerful. They are all covered in scales and armor, with extremely strong defense and large size. Attacking them would be a losing proposition, so they have not paid much attention to them.
However, this is their own property, and while they may not use it, outsiders cannot touch it! In addition, Qin Mu had no liking for anything in that position, and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and say, "Your Majesty! The White-Eyed Wolf Clan has never been a race that willingly submits to others, and they always like to spy on other people's secrets. I think it would be better to send troops to destroy them! There has been no war for the past two years, and the soldiers of the Ministry of Military Affairs are quite bored."
“Your words make sense, but the White-Eyed Wolf Clan lives far overseas. To launch a large-scale campaign against them would be a losing proposition!” Li Shimin nodded slightly. He was equally disgusted by those who coveted his things; he was always the one taking from others.
"Is Your Majesty worried that the casualties will be too great and the gains too small?" Qin Mu asked.
“Indeed, without a good reason, I cannot convince the court officials or give the cabinet an explanation for the arduous expedition!” Li Shimin said. At first, Li Shimin was very happy that Qin Mu had turned the Censorate into a department that could only supervise but not speak, because this meant that there were far fewer people in the court who could disagree with him.
Without any constraints, Li Shimin almost let loose, issuing decrees entirely according to his own will without consulting anyone else.
However, he underestimated the intelligence of the court officials. With cabinet ministers like Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, who were almost supernaturally intelligent, as well as seasoned elders like Li Gang and Pei Ji, they quickly figured out the rules of the cabinet game.
As a result, some unreasonable decrees could not be passed by the cabinet. In the past, when Li Shimin did something, it usually only involved a small number of people, so he only argued with that small group in the court, and he could also shift the blame to others.
However, things changed when it came to the cabinet. It was a collective power of over a hundred people, involving their interests and also serving as a constraint on the abuse of imperial power. Therefore, any unreasonable decrees by Li Shimin would be met with opposition from over a hundred cabinet members.
Li Shimin was indeed angry, but he quickly realized that while the cabinet limited imperial power, it also prevented the emperor from making mistakes. Furthermore, since the cabinet did not control the military, it posed no threat to imperial power, so this was a good thing! Therefore, he personally issued a permanent decree! The number of cabinet members was fixed at 131, which could be increased appropriately but not decreased, and it had to be an odd number; if more than half of the cabinet members opposed it, the decree would not pass. If the entire cabinet agreed, they could join forces with the Three Departments and Six Ministries to vote on whether to depose the emperor. The Court of Imperial Clan Affairs would provide three candidates for a new emperor, who would then be selected after evaluation!
Li Shimin's move shocked the world, earning him widespread praise and the title of a great emperor throughout history.
"I believe that the expedition has great potential! Now that the monkey tribe has submitted, although we have gained a lot of land, we have also lost our source of slaves. The white-eyed wolf tribe has a large population and its cubs are impossible to tame, making them perfect permanent slaves for the Tang Dynasty! If Your Majesty issues such a decree, I believe more than half of the cabinet will agree."
As for the expedition, we don't need to send many troops at all. Whether it's the grassland wolf tribes or the various beast tribes of the northeast, they all need our help. Your Majesty can simply provide them with a batch of provisions and weapons in exchange for their participation.
"We only need to send a few commanders, provide food and weapons, and solve the logistical problems, and others will naturally help us fight," Qin Mu suggested.
"Won't giving them food and weapons turn them into a dangerous threat?" Li Shimin asked after a moment's thought.
"I don't think so! Providing them with food and weapons can solve their immediate crisis and help them better resist the enemy! Moreover, I suggest that we provide them with more food not only now, but also in the future, preferably at the price that our own people pay," Qin Mu suggested with a smile.
“Excellent, excellent! Selling them grain at a fair price will not only make them grateful, but also allow us to gradually control their lifeline. Once they get used to the grain we provide, they will become a tool in our hands.” Li Shimin immediately realized this and smiled broadly.
"Your Majesty is wise!" Qin Mu chimed in at the opportune moment.
"I will summon the cabinet tomorrow for a cabinet meeting to discuss this matter! As for Zheng Liwan and Wu Meiniang's positions, what do you think of Lingnan?" Li Shimin said with a relaxed smile.
"Lingnan is a good place to temper people. After all, the monkey tribe has already submitted, and we need to use gentle methods to divide and disintegrate them. With their personalities, the monkey tribe would probably be sold out and they would even be laughing and helping to count the money." Thinking of his two disciples, who were so clever and mischievous, yet had a devilish nature, Qin Mu began to feel sorry for the monkey tribe.
"Hmm! Feng Ang is old and has entered the cabinet. Feng Zhidai's methods are indeed a notch below. If they are really as you say, I am relieved," Li Shimin said with satisfaction.
"Your Majesty, I implore you to include Di Renjie in this expedition so that he may experience military life," Qin Mu said, bowing respectfully.
"Oh! It seems you value this young man highly!" Li Shimin said with slight surprise.
"I am somewhat lazy and dislike trivial political affairs, which is why I thought of cultivating a few disciples to share the burden of the court. Ouyang Tong loves calligraphy, Luo Binwang loves poetry and prose, and if he were to become an official, he would only be suitable to be a deputy; Xu Hui loves music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and is not scheming; Li Yan'er is a doctor, astrologist and diviner."
"Di Renjie has a strong sense of the big picture and is meticulous in his thinking. He is the person I have the highest hopes for and will surely become an important minister in the court in the future," Qin Mu introduced.
"Oh! Why didn't you comment on Zheng Liwan and Wu Meiniang, my dear minister?" Li Shimin asked with great interest.
"The two of them... it would be best if they were to serve as officials in their respective regions, bringing benefits to the people! If they were to actually enter the central government, I don't know whether it would be a blessing or a curse." Qin Mu smiled bitterly and said with slight hesitation.
"Why do you say such things, my dear minister? Do you think you can disrupt the administration of the court?" Li Shimin said with a wry smile.
"Those two have been spoiled by me. They act without any rhyme or reason, somewhat capriciously. They cultivate a strong sense of righteousness, so while they are upright, their methods... are not necessarily honorable," Qin Mu explained. Under his deliberate influence, their personalities haven't turned evil, but due to their experiences, it's impossible for them to be truly upright.
"So, the two of them are the ones you value most, my dear minister!" Li Shimin said in surprise.
"Speaking of which, it really is these two who inherited the Guigu lineage! Zheng Liwan learned all the knowledge of the Guigu lineage and was proficient in mathematics. Although she was only proficient in one subject and not top-notch, her strength lay in her versatility; while Wu Meiniang was proficient in the art of diplomacy and had a mastery over people's hearts as if she could read the lines on the palm of her hand!"
"Your Majesty, as you know, I prefer classical Chinese texts; in other areas, I'm really not as good as them," Qin Mu nodded slightly in admiration.
"Tsk!" Li Shimin gasped. He believed Qin Mu's words without a doubt, because Qin Mu had never lied to him or made any boastful claims. Since he spoke with such certainty, it must be almost certainly true.
Considering the immense changes Qin Mu brought to the Tang Dynasty, the fact that he had two young geniuses whom he himself was ashamed of, it all seemed rather frightening.
However, Li Shimin was not worried about them threatening the court. After all, those who cultivate righteousness always put the country and its people first. What he was worried about was whether the ministers who served in the same court would be ruined, just like the Wang family, who had opposed Qin Mu many times and never won, and had been suppressed so badly.
Thinking of this, Li Shimin actually began to look forward to it. He wouldn't mind sending a couple of silver carp to the court to see the old guys in the court suffer.
Having resolved the issues with his disciples, Qin Mu leisurely returned home. Their outstanding performance in the imperial examinations was certainly something to be allowed to do, as it was a matter of bringing honor to their families. After seven or eight years of study, it was time for them to return home in glory and bring honor to their homes.
However, there was another person in the Princess's mansion, Luo Binwang. He was born into poverty and his hometown was far away, so he stayed in the Qin family. Qin Mu and his family held a celebratory banquet for him.
"Thank you for your teachings, teacher! I will never forget them!" The once dark-skinned and thin Luo Binwang, though no longer fair-skinned and handsome, was now a dashing young man. Holding a wine cup, he bowed deeply in gratitude.
"Although I have taught you, your own talent and hard work are also indispensable. Today is your special day, so there's no need for so much formality. Sit down and have a good meal to reward yourself for your years of hard work," Qin Mu said with a smile, pressing down slightly with his right hand.
"Yes, sir! Your student obeys!"
"Today, I spoke with His Majesty and made arrangements for your futures. You will be assigned to one of the Twenty-Four Departments, a sinecure. You won't blame your teacher, will you?" Qin Mu asked.
"I have no objection to any arrangements made by the court, let alone joining the Twenty-Four Departments," Luo Binwang said sincerely.
"I'm relieved that you think this way. The Twenty-Four Departments are related to all aspects of people's livelihood and national affairs. Being there will give you a direct understanding and also bring you more insights!" Qin Mu explained.
"Teacher, you've thought of everything so thoroughly."
"Go home tomorrow to pay respects to your ancestors. After that, bring your mother to Chang'an as well."
"Yes!" Luo Binwang gratefully pursed his lips.
"Alright, no need to act like a child. I may have to go on a long trip soon. When I come back, make sure your mother is settled in properly. If she needs anything, just go to the storeroom and get it yourself," Qin Mu said, waving his hand.
The Qin family has several storehouses. The largest one is naturally managed by Princess Changning, while Qin Mu also has a smaller storehouse specifically built for his disciples. Although it only contains daily necessities and supplies, its value is still considerable. Each disciple has a key, essentially giving them a private secret base. What's inside now, even Qin Mu himself doesn't know!
There was no way around it; I had received quite a few gifts. The money was with Princess Changning, and most of the rest was in the Heavenly Mystery Tower. Of course, I also had to keep some at home, not to mention I had to leave things for my apprentice to practice with.
"My lord, are you going to war?" Princess Changning asked. In the present Tang Dynasty, she knew that the only thing that could send Qin Mu on a long journey was an expedition.
"Those ignorant White-Eyed Wolf Clan members, after being peaceful for a few years, are causing trouble again! This time, we'll deal with them and eliminate any future threats!" Qin Mu said with a hint of killing intent in his voice.
"Yes! It's good to get rid of it, so they won't be jumping around there!" Princess Changning agreed.
"It will probably take some time, after all, troop deployment doesn't happen that quickly!"
"I'm not worried, but if you're away for too long and your daughter doesn't recognize you when you come back, I won't care."
That's life. At first, both parties are full of passion, but after a few years, it turns into a deep sense of kinship. Compared to romantic love, kinship is more ordinary, but it is real.
Qin Mu knew that she was expressing her concern in a tactful way, and smiled slightly, saying, "Father and daughter are of one heart, how could my daughter not recognize me? But after I leave, Madam, please don't be too strict with the child. She should still be allowed to play."
"You've never been that good to Ying'er!" Princess Changning said with some dissatisfaction.
There was nothing that could be done; the preference for sons over daughters was inevitable. Qin Mu couldn't reason with them about this, so he could only laugh it off and stop discussing the topic.
After a lively family dinner, Qin Mu continued to refuse visitors, even those who came to thank his teacher, such as Di Renjie and Ouyang Tong's families, were turned away.
Qin Mu had no other choice but to do this. If he really opened the door to welcome guests, the threshold would probably be worn down by the crowds.
Although he remained at home in seclusion, news from the outside world was still quite clear. After the meeting to reward scholars, Li Shimin raised the question with the cabinet about the feasibility of considering an overseas expedition.
Initially, there was strong opposition from the cabinet, but then someone suggested a plan to use someone else to do the dirty work... without borrowing troops, and it was subsequently unanimously approved!
70
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