The crown prince of a country, where can you change it if you want? If Duan Ling was Li Yanqiu's biological son, it would be fine, but the two were uncles and nephews, which involved the late emperor Li Jianhong. Li Yanqiu's succession to the throne is a brother and a brother, and Duan Ling is Li Jianhong's son. The courtiers tacitly agreed that Li Jianhong's son will be the heir to the next Nanchen monarch.
As for Duan Ling's identity, that's not Li Yanqiu's final say. Although Li Yanqiu is the emperor, in proving "who is my nephew", he only stands in the position of a witness and cannot change the prince at will.
In other words, if you want to abolish Cai Yan, who has been recognized by Nan Chen, and welcome Duan Ling to become the heir, you must have enough evidence to prove that he is that person.
In the past two days, Li Yanqiu has discussed with Duan Ling, and the evidence in their hands is insufficient. Even if Lang Junxia corroborates it, it is only a witness. There is suspicion of collusion, and more evidence is needed.
As long as the first court confrontation fails to win the trust of the Manchu civil and military, then there will be extremely embarrassing problems. The ministers could neither be sure that Cai Yan was fake, nor could they admit that Duan Ling was real. Likewise, we can only wait for more evidence to keep the two "Prince Princes" in the palace until everyone is convinced.
During this period of time, there were a lot of variables, and it was even more likely that more ministers would be involved, giving Mu Kuangda an opportunity to take advantage.
But Duan Ling knew that Li Yanqiu had endured for so long and couldn't wait. Li Yanqiu has a temper, and his temper is very big. His uncle and his father are very similar in character, but one is rough and the other is restrained. Although Li Yanqiu is usually gentle and elegant, he will never be soft-hearted when he kills people.
"Fourth uncle." Duan Ling said, "I'm not ready yet."
Li Yanqiu sighed, raised his hand and touched Duan Ling's head.
The sky is clear, the sky is cloudless, and the sun is warm in winter.
"Then, when you are ready, let's go back together." Li Yanqiu said.
Duan Ling could not laugh or cry. It was in the middle of the winter and the twelfth lunar month, and the New Year was just around the corner. During the festival, the emperor was not in the capital, and sacrifices to ancestors, blessing of the crops, government affairs reports from previous years, and plans and budgets for the new year were all pending. How could this be possible
Duan Ling looked at Li Yanqiu, and Li Yanqiu also knew that it was a prank talk just now, so he smiled helplessly.
"Ruo'er." Li Yanqiu said, "Although I am reluctant, I have to admit that you are still safer here."
"That's it." Duan Ling said, "In a few days, let Zheng Yan escort the fourth uncle back."
Li Yanqiu got up after soaking in the hot spring, and Duan Ling hurriedly wiped him off for fear that he would catch the cold. Instead, Li Yanqiu asked him to put on his clothes first. He had no clothes to change, so he temporarily changed into Wu Du's robe and went down the mountain with him.
For several days, Li Yanqiu was even more reluctant to let Duan Ling leave his side. Duan Ling wanted to talk about government affairs with his uncle, but Li Yanqiu only liked to chat with him. Occasionally, I can't help being entangled by Duan Ling, so I only say a few political affairs.
"This pattern was deliberately created by your grandfather." Speaking of the current situation, Li Yanqiu explained to Duan Ling, "The Li family does not have to enter Sichuan, but a deal with Yao Fu, the content of this deal. It is Yao Fu who takes care of Hebei, and the area south of Shangzi is actually Yao Fu's sphere of influence."
"Then why did Zhao Kui get up?" Duan Ling asked.
"In order to prevent Yao Fu from becoming a senior, someone must fight against him." Li Yanqiu replied, "Zhao Kui was born in the Central Plains and has soldiers in his hands. He brought him into Sichuan with the army. family, and split power with Zhao Kui, so that the imperial court can be stable."
"The initial plan is to divide ten years into a period." Li Yanqiu said again, "In the first ten years, use Xichuan's taxes to support the northern front, recover the country, and advance the front to the Great Wall."
Duan Ling suddenly realized that this was all planned!
"In the second decade," Li Yanqiu said, "after defending along the northern route, abandon Xichuan, move the capital again, move to Jiangzhou, develop people's livelihood, and prepare for the full-scale northern expedition in the third decade."
"But the plan can't keep up with the changes." Duan Ling said, "The goal has not been achieved now."
"Yes." Li Yanqiu sighed and said, "There have been problems in the past ten years. Actually, Mu Kuangda and Zhao Kui, although they are powerful ministers, in the final analysis, they are only ministers. Yes, in today’s world, the surname is still Li. All the land you see is ours—my and yours, Huang’er. Don’t be afraid of them. If you are too friendly, they will have to take every inch to divide you. the land, divide your rights."
Duan Ling discovered the biggest difference between Li Yanqiu and Mu Kuangda. No matter how Mu Kuangda understood Nan Chen, he always looked after him like a housekeeper. I can't take this country as my own with peace of mind.
Without it, the name is not right, and the words are not smooth. From the beginning, this power is not in the hands of the shepherds, but the foundation laid by the ancestors of the Li family. Since ancient times, the coup d’etat of the powerful officials has rarely ended well, precisely because they have not been like the founding emperors, and they have not fought everywhere to regain their land, and their vision is still limited.
Li Yanqiu, on the other hand, looked at the country from the perspective of a master. According to what Duan Ling learned in the past, the world is home, and the whole world belongs to the emperor.
Only the Li family owns the ownership of all the land.
Duan Ling asked, "So where did the mistakes come from in the first ten years?"
Li Yanqiu replied: "Your grandfather is sick in bed, and the power is delegated too much, which makes the shepherd's family grow too fast. If he could handle it himself, many things could have been avoided."
"But the shepherd's family will grow up sooner or later." Duan Ling said.
"Well." Li Yanqiu said, "So after the first stage, the capital has to be moved. After changing to Jiangzhou, as long as there is the support of the Jiangzhou gentry, after the power is taken over, he can be removed. Next During this period of time, all you have to do is to support the nobles in Jiangzhou and fight against the Marquis of Huaiyin."
Duan Ling: "..."
Li Yanqiu thought for a while, and then said: "Yao Fu has a young son who is unbearable for his duties. After his death, Huaiyin's jurisdiction will be recovered sooner or later. At that time, you will need to face the power struggle of the southern gentry, division, suppression, and checks and balances. Don't let anyone have too much power, not even Xie You."
Duan Ling replied, "Understood."
"The way to govern a country is the way of checks and balances." Li Yanqiu said, "but your father said it well, we still need to properly decentralize power in these ten years, and we must not take risks to centralize power. After all, the minister is also in the I work hard for you, and I can't cause frequent border troubles in order to stabilize the imperial power, otherwise there will be problems sooner or later."
"That's right." Duan Ling replied, "The other day when I discussed the land issue with Mr. Fei Hongde, it was really difficult."
"I see that you also mentioned this in the question of your palace exam." Li Yanqiu said, "You must have made up your mind when you go back. You are different from your uncle, your father, even your grandfather. You are the only member of the royal family in the past dynasties. With this experience, I grew up in the people since I was a child, and it is also God’s will. You care about the people’s livelihood and hardships, and in the future, this world will be in your hands, and you will be able to sweep away the current decadence and usher in a new prosperous age.”
"It's too difficult." Duan Ling shook his head and said, "Many things are intertwined, and the whole body is affected by one stroke. I don't know where to start."
"Everything can't be done overnight, not to mention the country?" Li Yanqiu said, "You just turned seventeen, and you still have a lot of time to prepare."
Duan Ling nodded, and Li Yanqiu said again: "Meeting you again is due to God's grace to the Li family. I don't want to talk about this, but it's fine to have a chat. Well, I'll drop by to see Wuluohoumu today, See what he has to say, but from what I know about him, there should be no regrets."
Duan Ling's heart thumped, but Li Yanqiu finally planned to meet Lang Junxia.
"I'll bring him here." Duan Ling said.
"I'm going to see him." Li Yanqiu replied, "Shang Wu Du."
Li Yanqiu and Duan Ling came to the side, Wu Du and Zheng Yan also came.
Lang Junxia was taking a nap. When Duan Ling opened the door and went in, Lang Junxia rolled over and slowly sat up when he saw Duan Ling.
"Wuluo Houqing." Li Yanqiu said, "I've been looking for you for a long time, but I didn't expect you to sleep here. You are quite leisurely."
When Lang Junxia saw Li Yanqiu, his face was shaken for a moment, as if he had lost an inch, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Your Majesty." Lang Junxia said, and then got out of bed, standing in front of Li Yanqiu in a single shirt.
"Is there anything to explain?" Li Yanqiu said to Lang Junxia.
"No." Lang Junxia replied, "My subordinates are convicted."
Li Yanqiu said, "You really gave me a surprise."
Lang Junxia just stood with his hands down and remained silent.
"Do you think I'm here to make you testify to the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty?" Li Yanqiu said lightly, "You guessed wrong again."
Lang Junxia glanced at Duan Ling.
"You don't need to prove it." Li Yanqiu said, "I can also end this stupid mistake you made with my own hands. I came here today just to hear how much repentance you have."
Wu Du and Zheng Yan watched Lang Junxia.
"The emperor told me before." Li Yanqiu added, "During the time he was in Beijing, you brought him up and taught him to read and write. You have brought up the eldest Prince Chen. Afterwards, if you brought back that fake prince, it would be reasonable if you wanted to stabilize the overall situation of the imperial court, but when you found out that he was still alive, he actually poisoned and murdered him, and I cannot forgive you for this crime.”
"I know." Lang Junxia said.
"Since you already know," Li Yanqiu said, "then figure it out for yourself."
After speaking, the sword was unsheathed, and with a clear sound, Zheng Yan's saber was pulled out, threw it in front of Lang Junxia, and fell to the ground with a "dang clang".
Duan Ling: "..."
Lang Junxia bowed slowly and picked up the long sword on the ground.