The Confrontation

The next day, Li Ke came back from the school practice martial arts. After breakfast, he put on court clothes under Lan'er's service, accompanied by Xiao Baozi and Chen Qi's guards to head straight to Tai Chi Hall. Today is October 15th. As the prince, he will attend the court meeting twice a month today.

After getting off the train at Chengtian Gate, Li Ke asked Chen Qi to wait and took Xiao Baozi to the Taiji Temple in the morning court. There was still half a moment before Mao hour, and Li Ke, like everyone else, could only wait in front of the Taiji Temple. During the waiting period, Li Ke greeted everyone one by one.

Li Tai appeared in front of everyone shortly after Li Ke arrived at Tai Chi Hall, which gave Li Ke an illusion, did Li Tai always like to appear shortly after he arrived? Now he was named King of Wei, no longer as depressed as Li Chengqian was when he was crowned the crown prince at the beginning. He seemed full of energy and kindness, which made people easily feel close to him. No wonder historical records show that even if he and Li Chengqian did not have the support of powerful officials like Changsun Wuji and Li Ji, they could still compete with each other.

The key is that his style makes those officials in the middle and lower reaches feel respected and realize their opportunities. Therefore, they support Li Tai, so Li Tai can gain a foothold in the court. Li Tai's approach is very consistent with the strategy of surrounding the city in the countryside. There are only a few officials in the Tang Dynasty, and there are still many supporters among them. Even if he wins some of them to support him, he may not be able to fight against Changsun Wuji.

Therefore, he took the grassroots route and established feelings with middle and lower-level officials. When Li Shimin was in power, he paid great attention to discussions. He liked to let the ministers discuss state affairs. In this way, these officials were also a big force. Thinking of this, Li Ke had to admire Li Tai's wisdom. He was not a simple person. He could come up with such a curved route to compete for the stock market. At this moment, Li Tai came to him and bowed and said, "Qingque had met the third brother. I heard that the third brother had moved to the Han Palace. My brother missed him very much."

Li Ke said affectionately: "I thanked my fourth brother for my concern. I can go to my Han Palace to talk to you if I have time."

Li Tai said respectfully: "San brother invited me. I dare not obey me. When I have time, I will definitely go to the third brother's mansion to nag me."

The two were having a happy chat, and suddenly saw Li Chengqian and Changsun Wuji coming slowly. Li Ke and Li Tai saluted them. Li Ke said a few polite words to Li Chengqian. At this time, Feng Deyi and Xiao Yu came slowly. The three of them had to stand step by step and wait for Li Shimin to meet and enter the court.

The morning court discussions were unresolved, so they were inevitably debated. Li Ke, Li Tai and Li Chengqian were still young and had no say. Letting them attend the morning court was just Li Shimin to cultivate their ability to govern the country. Therefore, they listened in detail, and did not forget to think silently, so that they could be ready to answer Li Shimin's questions at any time.

Li Ke lowered his head and heard Feng Deyi say slowly: "Your Majesty, the old minister thinks that the emperor has been ascending the throne for three months, and the matter of this year's title cannot be delayed. We should make a decision early."

Everyone agreed with Feng Deyi's statement. Many of them were the masterminds and accomplices of the coup. They helped Li Shi grab the position of crown prince from Li Jiancheng, and forced him to abdicate his throne to Li Shimin in Li Yuan's hands. Therefore, they always felt uncomfortable using the Wude era name. Now that Feng Deyi has mentioned it, how can they be unhappy and not support it?

So, they all said loudly: "The Emperor should determine the year number."

"I hope the emperor will make a decision early, so I can't delay it." Suddenly, everyone in the hall was quarreled with me.

Li Shimin really couldn't stand it anymore, but he couldn't say anything. It was the court meeting he stipulated that it could be discussed and not pursued. Now, he wanted to pursue these ministers too presumptuous in front of him, which obviously made him look not strong enough, so he looked blue and silent.

At this time, Changsun Wuji stood up at the right time and shouted: "What kind of morality is it to be like this in the court?"

Everyone obviously did not expect anyone to scold him, so they hurriedly kept silent and looked at Changsun Wuji involuntarily. Especially Feng Deyi and Xiao Yu, they were very dissatisfied with Changsun Wuji's lack of understanding of the current affairs, and they all cursed in their hearts that their Secretary of the Shangshu Pushe didn't say anything, what qualifications do you, the Minister of Personnel, have to scold everyone?

I wanted to stand up and sue Changsun Wuji for being ruthless, but seeing that Li Shimin was very satisfied with Changsun Wuji's performance just now, he knew that it was the emperor who spoiled him, and both of them were old men in the officialdom, so he naturally knew that he could not blame Changsun Wuji at this time. Therefore, he stopped talking.

Li Ke saw all this clearly. Changsun Wuji yelled at the court to scold important officials. Li Shimin not only did not blame him, but also praised him very much. This shows that Li Shimin is indeed very favored to Changsun Wuji. No wonder historical records show that when Li Shimin wanted to make himself the crown prince, why did he not discuss with everyone and insist on discussing with Changsun Wuji alone, mainly because he trusted him too much. Li Ke couldn't help but have a new understanding of Changsun Wuji, so he was wary of his heart.

Li Shimin waited for everyone to calm down and said slowly: "When I ascended the throne, I had a lot of big and small things, and I couldn't be busy. Therefore, the year name has been delayed until now. Since Feng Deyi has proposed it today, you all think about what year name I should use."

When everyone saw Li Shimin telling them to say something, they were talking all the time, saying you said yours, I said mine. At this time, Feng Deyi was no longer willing to fall behind and shouted loudly to everyone, saying, "Your Majesty, I think it is better to use 'Shunde', and follow the will of heaven, and be kind to the world."

As soon as Feng Deyi finished speaking, Changsun Wuji opposed: "Your Majesty, I think it is best to use 'Yongchang'." After Changsun Wuji finished speaking, Feng Deyi was about to refute and heard Xiao Yu say: "I agree with Lord Feng's opinion." Xiao Yu said this purely because Changsun Wuji stole his limelight just now and couldn't stand his arrogance. In fact, he was not optimistic about the year name proposed by Feng Deyi.

For a moment, there were many people who supported Changsun Wuji, and many people supported Feng Deyi, and the court was in chaos. Seeing that Li Shimin would not scold him again, these people had to make trouble for God, so he shouted: "So noisy, do you treat the court as a vegetable market?"

Li Shimin roared, and everyone knelt down and said, "I am guilty, I hope the emperor will atone for his sins."

Li Ke knelt down with everyone, thinking to himself that the difference between the emperor and the minister was here. Even if the ministers had a great official position, everyone just stopped talking. When the emperor yelled, everyone could only kneel down to apologize. But what he didn't expect was that just when everyone was kneeling down to beg for mercy, Li Shimin observed his expression on a high place. Seeing that he didn't care about it, he seemed to have made a decision in his heart, so he asked: "Li Ke, which year name do you think I should use?"

Li Ke was startled by Li Shimin's question and hurriedly said, "This is a big deal, my son is young, so he dare not make any attribution."

When Li Shimin heard that he didn't dare to say it casually, he knew that he had an idea in his heart, so he said, "Let me tell you, I will decide whether to use it or not."

Li Ke was very regretful. He just wanted to tell Li Shimin that I was young and hadn't decided on such a big thing yet. You can't just say it casually, and you can't just listen to me casually. However, he didn't expect Li Shimin misunderstood his meaning. Li Ke was secretly anxious. What should he do?

Seeing that Li Ke was silent, Li Shimin couldn't help but shout: "Li Ke, haven't you heard what I just said?"

Li Ke was shocked by Li Shimin's shout and blurted out: "Zhenguan."

Li Shimin was about to criticize Li Ke's attitude, but suddenly he heard him shouting the word "Zhenguan". At first he didn't realize anything, but after thinking about it, he felt that the word "Zhenguan" was very appropriate. At this time, Feng Deyi initiated a speech: "The emperor, the two words "Zhenguan" mentioned by His Highness the King of Han are very good. "The Book of Yi Da" says: The way of heaven and earth is the master of Zhenguan; Zhen: the principle of heaven and earth is the rule of righteousness; Guan: to show people. The two words represent the way of heaven and earth, which means to tell the subjects and emperors all over the world what they do and follow the will of heaven." Feng Deyi learned a lot, and after explanation, he was very good at it. The more Li Shimin listened, the more he felt it made sense, and asked Fang Xuanling, "What do you think, Fang Aiqing?"

Fang Xuanling saw that Li Shimin was asking for his opinion, which meant that Li Shimin had already agreed and hurriedly said, "I agree with the word "Zhenguan" of the King of Han."

Li Shimin glanced at everyone below with his eyes, and finally froze on Du Ruhui's body, and asked, "Love, what do you think?"

Du Ruhui also felt that these two words were innovative and suitable for a wise monarch like Li Shimin who was so talented and magnificent that he created a prosperous era, and said: "I also agree with His Highness the King of Han's words "Zhenguan".

Seeing that Li Shimin had supported the people he trusted the most, everyone immediately expressed their attitude. At this time, Feng Deyi shouted appropriately: "Your Highness the King of Han is such a great talent, which is the blessing of the emperor and the blessing of the Tang Dynasty."

When the people who supported Feng Deyi heard the boss say this, they still dared to fall behind, so they shouted in a lingering voice: "Your Highness the King of Han is really a blessing for the Tang Dynasty." Anyway, they said a lot of good things, which made Li Ke get goosebumps when he heard it.

Li Ke predicted the result when he said these two words. Although he did not see anything in Changsun Wuji's eyes, he saw Li Chengqian's slightly resentful eyes and Li Tai's vigilant expression. He felt a little deeper. He accidentally said the word "Zhenguan" today. I wonder what price he would pay for it in the future. God is so willful, what can he do. Therefore, Li Ke was not interested in listening to other things that everyone discussed, and was confused. After a while, he followed the ministers out of the Tai Chi Hall.

After leaving the hall, Li Ke greeted everyone one by one. It was obvious that Li Chengqian and Li Tai had become vigilant about him, but Li You spoke to him with kindness, which made him unexpected.

When everyone left, Li Ke came directly to the Liangyi Hall where Li Shimin handled the government affairs.

Li Shimin had just left the morning court and came to Liangyi Hall. He thought about the two words Li Ke had just said, and felt that it was very suitable for him. He couldn't help but be happy that his son could think of such a year name. But he still had some doubts. Li Ke's martial arts are okay, but his literary talent is not as good as Li Tai. How could he come up with such appropriate two words? At this time, Wang De came in and reported, "Emperor, His Highness, the King of Han, is asking for a meeting outside the hall."

"Let him come in." Li Shimin seemed very happy. He also wanted to ask Li Ke whether these two words were what he thought.

Li Ke walked into Liangyi Hall and hurriedly saluted Li Shimin and said, "My son is the one who bows to his father."

Li Shimin said slowly: "Get up."

Li Ke stood up, stood aside, waiting for Li Shimin to ask. Sure enough, Li Shimin asked, "Do you think about the word "Zhenguan" you said in the morning court?"

Li Ke knew that Li Shimin would ask this question and replied: "It is the thought of my sons."

Li Shimin asked again: "How did you think of these words?"

Li Ke said respectfully: "Zhen is righteous; Guan is righteous. "Zhenguan" shows people with righteousness. The meaning is to instruct people to do things according to the laws of natural social development." Li Ke had read the annotations of these two words before and remembered Zhu Xi of the Song Dynasty's annotations of these two words. Therefore, even if Feng Deyi is knowledgeable, it is impossible to know the annotations of people who were hundreds of years later.

After hearing Li Ke's explanation, Li Shimin no longer doubted him and encouraged him: "I feel so relieved that you can have this knowledge. I hope you will continue to work hard in the future and not be proud and complacent."

Li Ke said modestly: "My son respects the teachings of his father."

Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction and said to him: "What are you doing today? Tell me."

Li Ke directly presented Li Shimin two memorials written by Ma Zhou for him last night. When Li Shimin was watching the memorial, Li Ke carefully looked at the Liangyi Hall where Li Shimin handled government affairs. Indeed, as history said, Li Shimin pursued frugality, and even his Liangyi Hall was not very gorgeous and luxurious, which was rare among many emperors.

After a while, Li Shimin finished reading the memorial and put it on the table and said, "Although I have never seen the new Cuju you mentioned, Cuju is more prosperous among the people of the Tang Dynasty. The memorial lists in detail. I can also know a little about your new Cuju method. As mentioned in the memorial, it is indeed beneficial to the people of the Tang Dynasty."

When Li Ke heard Li Shimin say this, he knew that he did not object to his promotion of Cuju competition, and was secretly happy. Li Shimin continued: "As for you suggesting that the court holds such a competition, I think it is not the time. Now the development of the Tang Dynasty is imminent, and I and the ministers have no time to take care of this matter. When the Turkic matter is resolved, I can issue an order for such competition to be held by the Ministry of Rites." Li Shimin's reply was as expected by Li Ke, and Li Ke did not expect him to be held by the court and supervised by the court.

Seeing his son's face disappointed, Li Shimin comforted him and said, "You don't have to be discouraged. After all, this is a matter that is beneficial to the people. Even if I can't handle it now, I will not abandon it." Li Shimin said and looked at Li Ke. Seeing that he had some hope to wait for his article, he said, "I can allow you to hold a Cuju competition in the name of the Han Palace, and the regulatory department you proposed will be listed in your Han Palace, but it can't be called Cuju Temple anymore. This is not in line with the system, so it's called Cuju Session."

When Li Ke heard this, he was very happy. Suddenly, Li Shimin asked, "Didn't you write this memorial?"

Li Ke replied: "The content of the memorial was written by Bo Ma Zhou, the lord of Erchen's house. The memorial was copied by Erchen."

Li Shimin praised: "This memorial is clear and rigorous, and he is a talented person at first sight." Then, he looked at Li Ke and said: "Ma Zhou is responsible for Cuju. I will appoint him as the Censorate of the Censorate, so that officials in the Hundred Door Competition can use their power to seek personal gain."

Li Ke quickly thanked him and said, "Thank you for your father's kindness, my son will do his best to do this."

Li Shimin said, "I didn't expect that in just a few days, your calligraphy was very nervous and fast. My father was very happy. I hope you can continue to work hard and create your own style."

Li Ke said, "My son is obeying the teachings of his father."

Li Shimin asked again: "Do you have anything else?"

Li Ke replied: "Not yet. When the Cuju Department encounters problems in the future, my son will come to ask the emperor for advice."

Li Shimin said: "Then you go down. Remember not to neglect your studies because of this, do you know?"

Li Ke knew that Li Shimin had to make a reply, so he stopped disturbing him and said with concern: "Father, please take care of your health, and your son will leave."

When Li Ke was about to withdraw from Liangyi Hall, Li Shimin said again: "Tomorrow I will ask the Secretariat to draft an imperial edict, so you don't have to worry about this."

Li Ke bowed again and withdrew from Liangyi Hall.

Li Shimin looked at his far away back and said to himself: "I am looking forward to you to see if you can really accomplish this."
Chapter completed!