Chapter 342: Conversation in the Car
In the third year of Yonghui, after offering sacrifices to the Taimiao, Li Chengqian went to offer sacrifices to the Shennong Temple, and then went to the Jietian in person. After holding the Jietian ceremony of personally ploughing the fields, he returned to Chang'an under the escort of the imperial guards.
The next issue of farming was handed over to other people to do, and he had already completed the part he should do.
The emperor personally ploughed the fields and the concubines personally picked silkworms, which was an important task of the state. The purpose of the emperor personally ploughing the fields was to demonstrate its exemplary significance of "encouraging agriculture", indicating that the emperor valued agriculture.
The emperor personally held the plow and pushed and pulled the fields three times on the Jietian, which was called "Jieli". It was a manifestation of the policy of taking agriculture as the foundation of the state.
The Jietian was still cultivated by the people, and the so-called "personal ploughing" by the emperor was just a formality.
On the way back, Li Chengqian invited Li Ke to ride in the same car back to Chang'an. Changsun Wuji and others objected, but were all blocked by Li Chengqian.
He still had something to say to Li Ke, and they could chat on the way back in the same car.
"Wu Wangke, you have been investigating favoritism, corruption and bribery recently, and the results are good! But aren't you afraid of offending the civil and military officials of the court?" Li Chengqian asked.
“Everything I do is for the great cause of the Tang Dynasty. As the brother of the saint, I can do something for the saint and the Tang Dynasty. It doesn’t matter if I, Li Ke, offend the civil and military officials in the court, or even the whole world.”
“As long as you can clean up the bad politics and bring peace and prosperity to the Tang Dynasty and the whole world, I will not be afraid even if I am torn to pieces.” Li Ke said sincerely.
"If my Tang Dynasty could have more capable ministers like you, I would be able to be a hands-off manager with peace of mind."
"However, I heard that you often forget about your family because of political affairs. Don't just focus on handling official business. Take some time out occasionally to go back and see your princess and children."
"Although military and political affairs are important, family is also very important. Don't just focus on your career and ignore your family." Li Chengqian said meaningfully.
With Li Ke's personality, he would offend Changsun Wuji and others sooner or later. If they united to play tricks on Li Ke, Li Ke might not be able to resist.
"For the Tang Dynasty, a small family is not worth worrying about!"
"I have an unwelcome request, and I hope that my brother can agree." Li Ke said.
Between family and career, Li Ke chose career without hesitation. If a man has a career, he will not be afraid of not having a family.
Moreover, with Li Ke's status, he does not need to worry about these.
"What is it? Just tell me, I will never refuse anything I can promise you." Li Chengqian said.
Li Ke worked hard for the Tang Dynasty. As an emperor, he naturally could not be stingy. Except for some things he could not promise, he would give whatever he wanted.
"I would like to thank my brother in advance." Li Ke smiled, and he knew that Li Chengqian would not object.
"Don't be in a hurry to thank me, tell me what you want first." Li Chengqian said.
"It's like this..." Li Ke told Li Chengqian what he wanted.
"Okay, after I go back, I will order someone to do it for you." Li Chengqian said.
"Thank you, my Royal Brother!" Li Ke said, "What do you plan to do about the Li Daoyu incident a few days ago?"
"You mean the incident in which Li Daoyu wrote to Gao Deyi, saying that the horses he had taken for himself were very strong, and requested to fill the imperial treasury." Li Chengqian said.
"Yes!" Li Ke said.
"I remember that at that time, it seemed that the military censors impeached Liang Jianfang for not pursuing the victory when he pacified Ashina Helu." Li Chengqian said. He remembered the situation at that time.
As soon as the morning court started, the military censors jumped out to impeach Liang Jianfang and severely reported Liang Jianfang.
"Yes, Yu Shi impeached Liang Jianfang for having well-trained soldiers and sufficient food but not moving; for having the strength to continue the pursuit but staying there without moving; and for allowing Ashina Helu and his gang to escape."
"Liang Jianfang's deputy general Gao Deyi ordered the purchase of horses, but only selected good horses for himself. Yu Shi requested that they be severely punished." Li Ke said.
"I think! These military historians are just full and can only support themselves. Things on the battlefield are unpredictable. How can these military historians who are in the court understand the matter of conquest?"
"They often impeach court officials based on testimony, so I will naturally not punish Liang Jianfang and others."
"As for Li Daoyou, he is originally a judge. The matter of horse promotion is not within his scope of responsibility, but he tried to please me. Isn't it that my actions are not trusted by my subjects? I am blaming myself, so I will not dismiss Daoyou." Li Chengqian said. "
In this case, why doesn't my brother dismiss the military historians? They impeach the generals who go to the expedition at will, but they don't understand the matter of conquest. Such reckless behavior will cause a big disaster." Li Ke said.
"The officials are responsible for supervising all officials. It is their job to impeach any official who has made a mistake."
"Although they don't understand matters of conquest, they are not wrong. Liang Jianfang does have well-trained soldiers and sufficient food. He has the ability and strength to pursue the remnants of Ashina Helu."
"After all, no one knows the specific situation in Mobei. Although I don't understand military affairs, I know the principle of time, place and people."
"Besides, Mobei is a desert area, and there may be sudden situations such as sandstorms from time to time. It is not up to us to decide whether to pursue. This is why I don't blame Liang Jianfang." Li Chengqian said.
Whether it was Liang Jianfang or Yu Shi, they were all doing their own jobs without any deviation. Both parties were not at fault, so naturally they would not be punished.
Yu Shi could not be dismissed just because he did not understand military operations. Who would dare to stand up and criticize the mistakes of officials in the future?
Who would dare to speak frankly in front of the emperor in the future? If no one tells the truth, it would be easy to deceive the superiors and deceive the subordinates.
"Why does the emperor want Chu Suiliang to come back? He was exiled from Chang'an for his crimes. Is it inappropriate to recall him now?" Li Ke said.
"Although Chu Suiliang was demoted to Tongzhou because of the land transaction, his ability is obvious to all."
"He also made outstanding contributions as the governor of Tongzhou, so it is reasonable for him to be promoted and return to Chang'an."
"It just so happens that the Ministry of Personnel is still short of a minister, so let him be the minister of the Ministry of Personnel." Li
Chengqian said. "In this case, I shouldn't say anything more, but why did my brother grant him the third rank of Tongzhongshumenxia?" Li Ke asked.
As a minister, Li Ke shouldn't question Li Chengqian like this, and he didn't have the right to do so, but who let him be favored by Li Chengqian, and Li Chengqian also wanted to emulate Taizong and accept advice readily.
"Chu Suiliang is capable enough to be the prime minister. I also believe that he can assist me in governing the Tang Dynasty. As you serve in the same court, you should be united and sincere." Li Chengqian said.
Now that things have come to this, Li Ke has nothing more to say. He does want to unite with these people, but the key is that they may not be willing to unite with him.