Chapter 686: The Monks in Ganye Temple
Since the sixth year of Zhenguan, which is six years ago.

When Li Shimin went on a tour, he left Li Chengqian in Chang'an to supervise the country.

In recent years, Li Shimin went on tour almost every year, so Li Chengqian's time as regent was not short.

He also has his own views on how to govern the country.

Su Mingzhe asked Li Chengqian and the princes and dukes to write a policy paper.

Li Chengqian did not immediately look for his advisers to write for him, but wrote one himself.

On the second day.

Only then did he call his own group of advisers and ask them to help him evaluate and polish it.

The group of advisers convened by Li Chengqian included Du Ruhui's eldest son Du He, Fang Xuanling's eldest son Fang Yizhi, and Princess Changguang's son Zhao Jie.

These three people have different personalities and their abilities vary.

Among them, Du He has the same temper as his father Du Ruhui, upright and rough.

After reading Li Chengqian's policy proposal, he clapped his hands in applause.

Fang Yizheng was a straightforward person who was careful with his words. After reading the policy paper, he just nodded silently.

Only Zhao Jie, a rough man, Li Shimin's nephew and Li Chengqian's cousin, was not so reserved in his words. He nodded in praise and then spoke bluntly:
"Your Highness, I think that when writing a policy paper, you have to offer suggestions and be able to implement them. Your words are indeed gorgeous, and you also said something about being close to virtuous ministers and staying away from villains, but in the end, it is all flashy and superficial. Not only is there nothing new, but it also lacks the finishing touch that can inspire people's spirits."

"My cousin must have a good idea when he says that!"

Li Chengqian knew his cousin's personality, so he pretended not to hear some of his disrespectful words and asked directly:
"I don't know, is there anything my cousin can teach me?"

"I really do!"

As Zhao Jie spoke, he took out a policy paper from his pocket without any hesitation and handed it to the eunuch beside him, asking him to pass it to the prince.

This Zhang Ce Lun was naturally not written by Zhao Jie, but by his disciples.

As Zhao Jie was the emperor's nephew and the prince's confidant, many scholars came to study under him.

This essay was written by his followers based on Zhao Jie's daily words and deeds.

After reading it once, Li Chengqian had no choice but to bow his head and admit defeat.

As expected, I don’t have the talent for writing policy papers.

However, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have talent, as long as the people around you are talented.

Immediately, the four of them got together, took the policy paper that Zhao Jie had brought out, and began to revise it.

In the city of Chang'an, the scene of the Eastern Palace also appeared in the homes of many princes and dukes.

Unlike Li Chengqian, other princes and dukes directly asked their retainers to write for them.

Including King Li Tai of Wei.

After all, in the eyes of these people, whether they copy the words themselves or have their retainers write for them, the result will be the same.

It is possible that when these policies are submitted, the emperor will not even look at them.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

The time has come to exchange reflections on books and policy papers.

Li Chengqian took the lead and submitted the policy paper he and the officials of the Eastern Palace had written based on their collective wisdom.

After Su Mingzhe looked at it, he nodded with satisfaction.

The text here is concise and the main idea is clear, one, two, three, four, from policy to implementation, it is well organized.

The fact that Li Chengqian was able to submit such a policy paper at least proved that he was a prince with normal thinking.

Historically, Li Chengqian was also a very hard-working young man.

Unfortunately, after Empress Changsun passed away, Li Chengqian broke his leg again and developed a leg disease, which gradually began to twist his mind.

Su Mingzhe was satisfied and praised him generously. Finally, he gave some advice:
"Qian'er, before the next court meeting, you should read more history books. A man can use copper as a mirror to adjust his clothes and hat; he can use the past as a mirror to understand the rise and fall of things; he can use people as a mirror to understand his gains and losses."

"Thank you, father, for your teachings."

Li Chengqian bowed.

Afterwards, the King of Wei, the King of Han and other princes and dukes presented their own strategies.

Su Mingzhe took Li Chengqian aside to review and ask questions about these essays.

Princes like the King of Wei, the King of Han, and the King of Ji were studious people. Although the policy essays were written by their retainers, they also read them themselves.

Most of them were able to answer Su Mingzhe's questions.

Some princes, such as Prince Li Yin of Shu, were completely clueless. They simply copied the essays written by their retainers.

When Su Mingzhe asked about it, Li Yin's answer was irrelevant.

Su Mingzhe immediately scolded him and asked him to go back and rewrite it.

In addition, there were some princes and dukes who were too lazy to even copy it and directly called up what their own followers wrote.

When Su Mingzhe asked, these bastards stammered and were sweating with fear.

After half a day, more than half of the twenty-plus policy papers were sent back and asked to rewrite them.

As Li Chengqian followed Su Mingzhe's comments, he gradually understood what was a good policy theory and what was a bad policy theory.

What is the difference between the gorgeous Chinese words and the rigorous and practical policy papers?

the other side.

There are also undercurrents in Su Mingzhe's harem.

As the saying goes: The King of Chu likes thin waists, and many people in the palace starve to death.

Before Su Mingzhe traveled through time, although Li Shimin often slept with several women at night, he still controlled the laws and would only have one beauty sleep with him each time.

And now, Su Mingzhe first invited Wu Cairen and Xu Cairen to sleep with him, then went to Dai Ji's place, and harmed Dai Ji and Zheng Guanyin at the same time.

This kind of thing could not be hidden from the concubines in the harem.

After Concubine Wei got the news, she went to discuss with her cousin Wei Nizi, wanting her cousin to follow her and serve the emperor together.

Wei Nizi agreed reluctantly.

On that day, Concubine Wei invited the emperor to her palace, saying that she had rehearsed a new dance and wanted the emperor to watch it.

When Su Mingzhe arrived at the place, he saw Concubine Wei and her sister, one on the left and one on the right, dancing the most popular "Hua Xuan Dance" in Chang'an City at that time.

The last time, the dance Xu Hui performed for the man was actually a type of "Hu Xuan Dance".

This time, one concubine and one imperial concubine, two stunning beauties, danced the "Hua Xuan Dance" together, doubling the men's happiness.

The actions of the Wei sisters could not be concealed.

Therefore, many concubines in the palace followed suit, making Su Mingzhe's life happier and happier.

For a while.

Wu Meiniang and Xu Hui were left aside by Su Mingzhe. March passed and it was early April.

The grand court meeting is held once a month.

It’s either the first or the fifteenth day.

This time, Su Mingzhe convened a grand court meeting again, only half a month after the last time.

Ministers in purple robes and red clothes all hurried back to attend the court meeting.

Zhang Ananda said, "If you have something to say, please report it. If you don't, please leave the court."

Fang Xuanling had already received Su Mingzhe's instructions, and he immediately petitioned the court to appoint Crown Prince Li Chengqian as Jingzhao Yin and in charge of the six officials of the Eastern Palace.

Ministers such as Zhangsun Wuji, Wei Zheng, and Yan Shigu also received the news and agreed.

These people have a very close relationship with Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Among them, Changsun Wuji is Li Chengqian’s uncle.

Wei Zheng and Yan Shigu were Li Chengqian's teachers.

Now that the emperor wants to use the prince, these people will only support him and not hinder him.

When other ministers reacted, they all seconded the motion.

Su Mingzhe then nodded in approval.

Afterwards, other ministers began to report on other matters.

As half an hour passed, the grand court meeting gradually came to an end.

At this time, an old man with white hair and beard stepped out from among the ministers and bowed respectfully:

"Your Majesty, there have been rumors in Chang'an recently that Your Majesty intends to demote his rank and inherit the title. I wonder if it's true or not?"

Su Mingzhe identified the old man and found that he was his relative and one of the twenty-four heroes in the Lingyan Pavilion, Duke of Song Xiao Yu.

During the reign of Emperor Gaozu, Xiao Yu once suggested to the emperor that a virtuous person should be chosen as the crown prince, and recommended Prince of Qin Li Shimin as the crown prince.

Out of gratitude for this favor, after Li Shimin ascended the throne, he dismissed and deposed all other prime ministers during the reign of Emperor Gaozu, leaving only Xiao Yu, allowing him to remain at the center of power.

However, Xiao Yu had a bad temper. Although he was said to be a man of temperament, he was actually a bit narrow-minded and would often quarrel and engage in verbal fights with others.

He had always had a bad relationship with other ministers in the court.

Because of this incident, Li Shimin dismissed him from his position as prime minister several times and reinstated him several times.

Even so, Xiao Yu's personality has not changed.

Now, when the old man mentioned "demotion to succession to the title", Su Mingzhe thought about it for a moment and answered affirmatively:
"Yes, I have made this decision."

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Xiao Yu first affirmed Su Mingzhe's idea, then knelt down and pleaded:
"Since Your Majesty has this intention, you should issue an edict as soon as possible to calm people's hearts and calm the court."

"Duke Song is absolutely right."

Su Mingzhe had already found a gunman and was going to bring it up later.

Now that Xiao Yu spoke first, it saved trouble.

The gunman was quick to step forward and second the motion.

Other ministers, such as Cheng Yaojin, Hou Junji and other military generals, also agreed.

It seemed that most of the ministers agreed to downgrade and inherit the title.

Su Mingzhe took out the system of demotion and inheritance of titles that he had prepared, and asked everyone to discuss it and find out what was missing and fill in the gaps.

Tang Jian, Hou Junji and others immediately proposed some supplementary regulations.

However, such a big thing must not be treated so carelessly.

In the end, Su Mingzhe handed over the task of improving the system to Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu was given the task of improving the system, so he naturally felt proud. Looking at the ministers who had been at odds with him in the past, he couldn't help but make a few provocative remarks after the court was dismissed.

However, now that others see that he is in favor, they don't bother with him.

Even important officials such as Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng avoided him.

However, although everyone avoided Xiao Yu, some people were still dissatisfied.

In everyone's eyes, Xiao Yu was like a stone in a cesspool, smelly and hard.

No one could find any evidence against Xiao Yu and couldn't punish him.

But, his son...well, that doesn't work either.

Xiao Yu's eldest son, Xiao Rui, was the imperial concubine's son-in-law and had always been highly regarded by the emperor.

If you can't trouble his son, then trouble his daughter!
Many ministers in the court are narrow-minded and vindictive.

Soon, someone found the Xiao family's weakness.

It was popular among people at that time to worship Buddha.

As descendants of Emperor Wu of Liang, the Xiao family has the greatest respect for Buddhism among all the prominent families.

In every generation of the Xiao family there are people who enter the temple and become monks.

Among Xiao Yu's children, three daughters and one son became monks.

The eldest daughter became a nun at the age of three, and the third daughter became a nun at the age of thirteen.

These two Xiao girls have been nuns for quite some time, so it's not a good idea to bring up the past.

However, Xiao Yu's fifth daughter only became a nun last year.

Many people with ulterior motives thought of the emperor's beauty contest last year.

Soon, someone impeached Xiao Yu for disrespect.

The emperor wanted to select concubines to enter the palace, but Xiao Yu sent his daughter to Ganye Temple to become a nun at this time.

This is contempt for imperial power.

Su Mingzhe was a little confused when he saw the impeachment memorial.

Qingming Festival is just two days away.

As an emperor, one must also worship ancestors.

However, before offering sacrifices to his ancestors, Li Shimin, according to usual practice, first burned incense and prayed for his deceased mother, Empress Taimu.

The place for burning incense and praying is also Ganye Temple.

Isn't this a coincidence?

(End of this chapter)