207 Chapter 207
◎For now. ◎
"In this matter, Qingque was at fault first," said Li Shimin.
Li Chengqian was stunned and asked, "What?"
Li Shimin repeated: "Qingque was wrong."
Li Chengqian confirmed that he had heard correctly: "Ah... then..."
He also thought that Li Tai would never make mistakes, at least in front of Tian Khan, Li Tai would never make mistakes.
"Years ago, I had a conversation with Qingque. He felt that my father was partial and treated my eldest brother better than him." Li Shimin sat down next to his eldest son. "I told him that because my eldest brother is the crown prince, he shoulders the responsibility of the Tang Dynasty. He is different from the other brothers."
Li Chengqian thought for a moment and said, "That's why those things happened..."
The prince's dignity and uniqueness were highlighted everywhere, not only for Li Tai to see and know, but also for everyone in the former court and the harem to see that the emperor valued and favored the prince.
Li Shimin nodded and added, "We've talked about this so many times, father and son. You can't just ignore it forever. Besides, Qingque wants to be like you. He's just kidding now, but if he still thinks the same way when he grows up, then..." He shook his head grimly, "The sooner he sees the truth, the better. Only then can we preserve our brotherhood."
But his father's heart was obviously betrayed, and the brotherhood between Li Chengqian and Li Tai was destined not to be what he expected.
It is impossible for brothers to be above the monarch and his subjects in the royal family.
Let Li Tai recognize his identity and know that he can never surpass the prince, then he will not fight with the prince.
Li Chengqian pondered the meaning, covered his face and laughed twice. It turned out that the Khan of Heaven could understand this truth?
It is not too late for this life, but it is too late for Li Chengqian.
"Okay..." Li Chengqian wiped his face, "But, forget about brotherhood, I really can't be the big brother Qingque wants."
After careful consideration, Li Chengqian could understand why Li Tai broke down. First of all, he already understood the difference between himself and his elder brother. He could no longer get his father's first preference, but at least he still had his father's preference.
Because of his father's words, Li Tai now feels that the best he can do in this life is to be a prince. However, a prince favored by the emperor is different from an ordinary prince. He has the favor of his father, the emperor, but what if someone else takes the throne in the future? Li Tai also wants to get the favor of that person.
Coincidentally, the prince is Li Tai's biological brother, and Li Tai usually thinks that the prince favors him over his other brothers. For Li Tai, this is a kind of comfort after facing the reality.
However, the glass crane shattered Li Tai's fantasy. As a child who had always been spoiled, he certainly could not accept the successive losses.
If it is really as Guanyinbi said, Chengqian and Qingque can only be a pair of monarch and minister brothers who are neither close nor distant. Li Shimin could not help but feel heartbroken.
"...Alright." Li Shimin said hoarsely, "Alright..."
After all, his children are all fine, so he... he shouldn't be greedy.
Li Shimin suddenly felt deeply tired and sad, as if he had witnessed his children fighting for life and death with his own eyes, so that he could accept that Cheng Qian and Qingque would no longer be close.
Li Chengqian looked at his red eyes and blurted out, "I'm sorry..."
Li Shimin suddenly turned his head, a tear slipping out of his eye: "Cheng Qian?"
Li Chengqian shook his head: "I...actually, you shouldn't have to endure all this, Aye, I'm sorry."
In the early years of Zhenguan, Tian Khan was full of confidence and high spirits. He had a beloved wife by his side and two sons and one daughter. He should not have been worried about these things at this time.
"Silly boy..." Li Shimin touched his head, "You are all my father's sons. If I don't take care of your affairs, who will take care of them?"
Li Chengqian turned his head away without saying anything. The father and son sat in silence for a long moment before he continued, "I won't deliberately embarrass him. In the future, when we're all... grown up and no longer so childish, perhaps we can truly be the brotherly and respectful people you wish for, Father. But for now, this is all we can do."
Li Shimin nodded slowly: "Okay, Aye got it."
"I won't go to my mother's place, lest she feel sad seeing me." Li Chengqian said, "Please ask Aye to persuade her."
Li Shimin patted his shoulder and said, "Don't think too much, Cheng Qian, just go to your mother's place as usual."
"Yeah." Li Chengqian agreed.
…
From that day on, there was no awkward atmosphere in Lizheng Hall. Even when things seemed fine before, Li Chengqian and Li Tai had almost no time to be alone together. There were always other people present, such as Li Shimin, Zhangsun, Li Lizhi, Li Yuxiu, or other sisters and brothers.
Therefore, except for the fact that Li Tai no longer enjoyed the same treatment as Li Lizhi and Li Yuxiu with Li Chengqian, there was not much room for change in their way of getting along at other times.
Probably because they were never very close brothers.
Li Tai, who was in the middle of it, was still angry and frightened, but fortunately, except for his eldest brother, he still received more favor from his father than his other brothers. He could only slowly plan for the future.
Changsun looked at him and could only repeat those words over and over again to comfort herself. She thought that she would get used to it over time.
Brothers in heaven, all we ask for is peace.
The Tang Dynasty was now in a state of disrepair, and Li Shimin had even less energy to lament the passing of time. He had to care about the people's livelihood in various places. As summer approached, he had to be concerned about droughts and floods. He was busy with so many big and small things that he had no time to be sentimental.
As summer approached, in addition to the ice stored in winter, Li Shimin also ordered people to make ice with saltpeter and gave it to court officials to relieve the coming heat.
At this time, Li Chengqian put matters related to cotton on the agenda. Li Shimin received a booklet from him, which included not only the entire process of cotton planting, but also drawings of spinning wheels.
Li Shimin said, "Nowadays, with a large population and abundant land, we can indeed grow cotton on extra land in addition to growing grain, but I'm afraid this will only increase the burden on the people."
"Ordinary people aren't afraid of burdens," Li Chengqian said. "They're afraid of hunger, cold, taxes, and landlords, but they're not afraid of being tired."
The common people at the bottom of feudal society have suffered hardships since birth. As long as they can avoid starving to death, no matter how hard they work, it doesn't matter.
But if the rulers cannot even meet this demand, don't blame the people for rebelling, because if they don't rebel, they will really die.
The common people at the bottom of society only want one thing in their lives, and that is to stay alive.
Li Shimin immediately reflected: "Why don't I eat meat porridge?"
Li Chengqian said hurriedly, "There's no need to be so hard on yourself."
"Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it," Li Shimin said. "Even though I'm very strict with myself, there are still many things I can't do or imagine. If I weren't strict with myself, how could the people tolerate me?"
The Heavenly Khan is the Heavenly Khan. Isn't it natural that he is not as good as him? Li Chengqian felt that he had no need to be ashamed.
After comforting himself, Li Chengqian continued, "Cotton can be planted in the north in April or May, but we don't have enough seeds right now, so we definitely can't plant it on a large scale. I thought we could first try it out in Jitian, and then weave it later. If it's successful, we can gradually start promoting it next year."
Li Shimin nodded in agreement and said, "I'll have someone quietly purchase some cotton seeds for large-scale planting in the future. It's not a good idea to make a big announcement now."
Li Chengqian scratched his chin and said, "As for the cotton seeds, hasn't the Turkic people been weak in the past two years? Shouldn't we take advantage of their weakness and kill them now?"
Li Shimin: “…”
"Why send troops without a reason? Wouldn't that make the Tang appear unjust?" Li Shimin said, "Besides, when I released Jie Li back to the Turks, we already made an alliance with him. The Tang cannot be the first to break the alliance."
Li Chengqian nodded: "I understand. You want to fight too, but you have no reason."
Li Shimin coughed lightly and said, "The Turks have repeatedly invaded the Central Plains. When I first signed the alliance with Jie Li, I did so because I felt the people had only been living in peace for two years and didn't want to start a war. But now the enemy is right before our eyes. If we don't make them surrender, the people will never have peace."
"Then let's fight." Li Chengqian said, "It's easy to think of a reason, for example... to punish the disloyal people?"
Li Shimin thought for a while, then shook his head and said, "If we are going to fight, we must win beautifully. Now is not the time."
Fighting a war is not as simple as dragging a group of people to the battlefield. The right time, place and people are all important, but the Tang Dynasty is still lacking in some aspects.
In terms of military affairs, a hundred Li Chengqians are no match for half a Li Shimin. So after hearing what he said, Li Chengqian said, "Okay, then let's quietly look for some cotton seeds. As long as there are some, we can slowly accumulate them."
Li Shimin said, "I can't wait long."
Li Chengqian laughed and said, "Of course I am talking about this. You are the Khan of Heaven, or the Emperor Taizong of Tang."
Li Shimin: “…”
"I don't want to hear my posthumous title and temple name while I'm alive." Li Shimin said helplessly.
It was okay before, Li Shimin didn't have time to pay attention to this point at that time, but now that his eldest son mentioned it so casually, Li Shimin felt very uncomfortable.
"Father, do you like the Great Saint of Civil and Military Affairs, the Emperor Guangxiao?" Li Chengqian asked, suppressing his laughter.
"What?" Li Shimin asked in confusion, "What is this?"
"This is the love your son and your great-grandson have for you." Li Chengqian said with a smile.
Li Shimin opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
Li Chengqian tilted his head and said, "I won't tell you which son it is."
This means that he and Guanyinbi will have other sons. Li Shimin thought that more sons means more blessings, but this blessing is obviously overshadowed in the royal family.
Seeing that he was not very happy, Li Chengqian comforted him, "He did a good job."
As for the fact that Li Zhi married his father's talented woman and made her his queen, and that she served as emperor for a period of time, Li Chengqian felt that there was no need for Tian Khan to know about it.
The main reason was that they were afraid that he would really get hurt out of anger. For the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, these things were a bit too exciting.
Li Shimin didn't feel comforted either. He said seriously, "Cheng Qian, next time you bring this up, tell Aye in advance."
He had better prepare himself mentally. After all, Li Shimin thought that he must be the first one to face the impact of his posthumous title and temple name while still alive.
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