King Wei set himself on fire, Chang'an was shocked!
All the ministers wanted to hide this matter from Li Shimin. After all, he had just recovered from a serious illness. What if he got seriously ill again due to this huge stimulation
However, such a big thing could not be contained, and Li Shimin still knew it.
All the ministers were frightened - Your Majesty, can you survive this test
To everyone's expectation, Li Shimin did not react very violently after hearing this. Instead, he was extremely calm.
Only Princess Gaoyang and Concubine Yinde who were accompanying him could read the boundless sorrow and heartbreak in his eyes.
th. Perhaps, the incident of former crown prince Li Chengqian, the rebellion of Qi King Li You, the assassination of King Wu and the disappearance of King Jin, all these things added up one by one have already made Li Shimin feel despair.
King Wei's self-immolation was the last straw that broke Li Shimin's defense line. From this moment on, the fantasy in his heart—the fantasy of wanting to be both a good emperor and a good father—was completely shattered like a bubble!
The day after King Wei's self-immolation, Li Shimin miraculously appeared in the morning court, shocking the officials.
Although it was still very inconvenient for him to move and he could barely sit on the dragon chair with the support of four eunuchs, the flaming dragon power in his body still did not fade away. Just by sitting on the dragon chair, the entire Tang Dynasty seemed to wake up from its drowsy sleep and become full of vitality again.
"I have been idle for several days due to a minor illness. Today, I return to Jinluan." Li Shimin's opening remarks were very brief, and the ministers listened attentively.
There was silence in the court hall.
"Following the great victory in Guanxi and the pacification of Tibet, here comes another good news. The commander-in-chief of the Guanxi Army, Qin Mubai, has fulfilled his mission, conquered the Western Regions, and is returning in triumph with his army." Li Shimin said, "I have ordered Zhongshu Province, Shangshu Province and Zongzheng Temple , and reward the officers and men of the Kansai Army in accordance with the laws and regulations."
"I obey the order!" Zhongshu ordered Cen Wenwen, Shangshu's left and right servants Changsun Wuji, Xiao Yu, Zong Zhengqing and others to go out to accept the promise.
"Qin Mubai, the commander-in-chief of the Guanxi Army, resisted the foreign invaders and expanded the territory thousands of miles away, and made great contributions to the world. I will personally award him a reward." Li Shimin said, "The Qin family is a heroic and powerful force. The late Yi Guogong Qin Shubao was posthumously presented to the Military Department of the Military Academy. The eldest son of Qin, Qin Tong, was granted the title Duke of Hu, the first-level general of the state. He was granted the title of Duke of Yi, the title of Duke of Yi, and he was granted the title of General of the Right Guards. Each of them was given 100 hectares of fertile land, 500 pieces of gold, 30 servants, and 200 pieces of satin. Sheji! The mistress of the Qin family, Mrs. Liu, was successful in raising children and managing the family. She was granted the title of Madam of the State of Hu, and she was given ten husks of pearls, a hundred bolts of satin, and ten maids. From then on, the old lady was supported by the state, so that the old lady could live happily for a long time. ”
"The humble ministers thank you for your kindness!" Qin Tong brothers hurriedly came out and knelt down to express their gratitude.
"Qin Mubai..." Li Shimin paused and said, "He will be given a first-class title and a second-class honor. As for the official position and other rewards, I will personally seal him after he returns to the court to report on his work."
After hearing this, all the ministers were amazed!
With one more rank, Qin Mubai is already a Marquis of Lantian. If he adds one more rank, wouldn't he become a duke? From then on, the Qin family became so dazzling that even the famous Weidu family in Chang'an could not compare with it!
Those who were awarded the second rank for their military merits were called the "Shangzhu Kingdom". Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, apart from Li Shimin's posthumous title of Qin Shubao as a first-rank general, Shangzhu Guo has been the highest-ranking officer among the twelve ranks! Once upon a time, Qin Shubao was the Shangzhu Kingdom when he was still alive.
The titles and honors have reached such a high level that it is not difficult to imagine that if Qin Mubai returns to the court, he will definitely be worshiped as a general, and it is very likely that he will be the two elite guards newly created by His Majesty the Emperor recently - General Long Wuwei. One of them, ranking first among the sixteen generals!
As for joining the cabinet and becoming the youngest prime minister in the history of the Tang Dynasty, it seems that it is a natural thing for Qin Mubai. Because the situation at hand is already very clear, it will be a matter of time for King Wu to be established as the crown prince. If there is one person in the world who can be the right-hand man of the new prince, it must be Qin Mubai!
It would be the greatest unreasonableness for such a leader in the military circles to not be in charge of the cabinet and become prime minister, but also to concurrently hold positions such as "Prince Taibao" or "Prince Shao Bao".
If this is the case, then there seems to be a brand new reshuffle in the court, with Li Ke who is about to take over the East Palace as the center, the civil servants are still Changsun Wuji, and the generals of the Kansai Army led by Qin Mubai, Li Ji, Yuchi Jingde, Li Daozong and others, the leaders of the previous military circles, will all closely surround the new prince Li Ke to form a new court team.
The difference compared with the past is that Prince Li Ke has become a standout, and there is no longer any division between courtiers due to the issue of seizing the heir apparent. The king of Wei burned himself on fire, which also saved many of his party members who had followed him, so that after Li Ke returned to the court, it would not trigger fierce factional disputes and lead to too much bloodshed and purges.
In a sense, when King Wei died, he finally did a great thing for the Tang Dynasty, which was in a dangerous situation. After a series of huge turbulences and crises, the Tang Dynasty's artifacts and the foundation of the East Palace returned to stability without any danger.
The situation in front of him may be exactly what Li Shimin has always wanted. For this reason, he did not hesitate to... cut out his flesh to mend the sores! Between family affection and hegemony, he once again chose hegemony!
However, King Wei's self-immolation was not part of his plan, which was beyond his expectation. This variable once again struck a blow in Li Shimin's heart!
Now, just waiting for Emperor Li Shimin to announce Li Ke as the crown prince, the battle for the East Palace that has lasted for many years will be settled.
It's just that all the ministers knew in their hearts that although it was the general trend to establish Li Ke as the prince, now was still not the best time. At the very least, we should wait until Qin Mubai and the Guanxi Army return to the court before deciding on this matter.
The reason is simple. To form a new court team and establish a new civil and military faction with Li Ke as the center, Qin Mubai's role is crucial. He will become the most powerful arm around Li Ke, raising the flag of the military and standing by Li Ke's side to maintain the stability of the East Palace Crown Prince this time.
It's like planting a new tree. In addition to digging a hole first, you also have to bury new soil to maintain the tree's foundation.
And Qin Mubai and the Guanxi Army are Li Ke's first enemies!
As for the civil service line, it is clear at a glance. Li Shimin is still alive, so Changsun Wuji cannot be abandoned or purged. However, Li Shimin still had to spend some time to convince the "anti-Ke faction" headed by Changsun Wuji, and let Li Ke shake hands with Changsun Wuji and make peace.
Now everyone understands why when King Wu was assassinated, the emperor was so angry that he became seriously ill; when King Wei set himself on fire, even though His Majesty the Emperor was heartbroken, he still had to hold on and take charge of the overall situation.
Perhaps, His Majesty the Emperor has already determined that Li Ke is the candidate for the future crown prince; moreover, the political situation of the Tang Dynasty is now at the juncture of "breaking and then establishing". If the emperor becomes ill again and ignores the government affairs, then the Tang court can It's really "broken". The future of the Tang Dynasty will surely fall into endless chaos, and there will no longer be a possibility of resurrection.
Li Shimin, who was suffering from the loss of his son, had to abandon his identity as a "father" at this moment, and thus inevitably shouldered the mission of an emperor.
As for the feeling in his heart, I am afraid that only he will always be able to understand it.
…
"I have decreed that the commander-in-chief of the Guanxi Army, Qin Mubai, and his officers and men should return to the court to receive the title." Li Shimin said, "When Tubo was first established, I did not give any rewards to the officers and men of the Guanxi Army. I owed them. But the Guanxi Army The officers and soldiers had no complaints and were still determined to move forward and forge ahead actively, thus pacifying the entire Western Region and expanding the territory for the Tang Dynasty! The Guanxi Army is the example and leader of our Tang Dynasty army, and is a mighty and majestic army that is extremely rare in the history of China. , the loyal and brave teacher! - Coach Qin Mubai is a man of talent and talent, invincible in every battle, unparalleled in loyalty, filial piety and justice. He is truly a pillar of the country and a national hero! ... When he returns to the court, I will use him in an exceptional manner!"
The ministers already knew in their hearts: Okay, no need to guess! "Exceptional" reuse means that Qin Mubai will definitely take charge of the cabinet and become the youngest prime minister in the history of the Tang Dynasty. He will lead the military and become the most capable minister around the new prince, who can compete with Changsun Wuji. Important minister!
At this time, an official from the Hongwen Hall asked to see him outside the palace and said that he should submit a report about the West Memorial.
Li Shimin slapped the case and said, "Send it over!"
The clerk came in carrying a thick package, and the attendants presented it to the dragon table. Li Shimin opened the package with his own hands, and inside was a large and thick yellow silk memorial, shaped like a large book. All the ministers were shocked when they saw it. This may be the thickest memorial in history!
Li Shimin opened the yellow silk memorial and saw the words "Report and Memorial on the Battle of the Western Regions" written on the fold, with a hint of relief on his face. He unfolded and read several pages as if reading a book, and said to the ministers: "Qin Mubai is the minister of the State. This memorial not only records in detail the battles to pacify the Western Regions, but also summarizes the current status of the countries and tribes in the Western Regions. In the next few decades, this memorial will become the basis for me to outline the people's livelihood in the Western Regions and the outline of the remote military states in the Tang Dynasty. The foundation of the great strategy, Qin Mubai, this is a contribution to the present and a benefit to the future!”
"Ministers, congratulations to my emperor for having a good minister and establishing a lasting hegemony!" All the ministers knelt down to express their congratulations.
Li Shimin's bloodless face showed a rare smile. But he immediately discovered that there was a small memorial buried under the thick memorial. So he moved away from the piano and took a look, his expression suddenly froze.
It was a small blue leather notebook with two words written on the surface - "Resignation"!
Seeing the sudden change in the emperor's expression, all the officials were shocked.
Li Shimin glanced at the ministers below and said calmly, "I am tired and will withdraw from the court."
People from left and right hurriedly came to help the emperor step down from the golden gate, and the officials had no choice but to pay their respects and see him off. But the "sudden" change in the emperor's expression just now aroused doubts in the hearts of the officials and made them speculate endlessly.
I thought that everything had been settled, but could something change happen again? Moreover, it is not difficult to guess from the subtle changes in His Majesty's expression just now that this "variable" is probably related to Qin Mubai!
…
Li Shimin, who retired from the imperial court, returned to Penglai Hall to recuperate under the care of palace officials. However, he did not return to the palace, but took advantage of the sunny weather to rest in the imperial garden.
He sat alone in the pavilion among the flowers, unfolded the small "resignation" memorial, and read it at least twenty times.
After a long while, he covered his notebook and let out a long sigh!
"I have worked so hard, even to the point of cutting out my flesh to mend the sores... Could it be that all of this was in vain?" Li Shimin felt that something in his heart seemed to be crumbling.
The worry of establishing a heir has been tormenting him for many years; the pain of losing his son has made his heart wrenching and despairing. Originally, I thought that after completing these last few things and helping Li Ke into the East Palace, the matter would be over. He could also breathe a sigh of relief and no longer suffer from the torture of this shackles. Unexpectedly, at this juncture... Qin Mubai handed in his resignation!
This will break his original plan!
"Without Qin Mubai, who will fully assist Li Ke and lead the military to balance the power of Changsun Wuji? The two parties are not equal. How will Ke'er secure the East Palace and inherit my Tang Dynasty artifact? Do you want me to do it again in my lifetime? Is it possible to be ruthless and remove Changsun Wuji in order to get rid of the future troubles? ... Such a headache, beheading and killing, the pillars of the Tang Dynasty have been cut down, and the people are broken. How can the country and the country survive for a long time? Once I had the feeling of "I have more than enough heart but not enough strength".
"He asked Pang Fei to lead the Guanxi Army back to the court... It seems that he knows everything." Li Shimin sighed again, his brows furrowed tightly and could no longer relax.
"Am I really wrong?"
"Am I... really old?"