Chapter 1,167 The Emperor and His Subjects Are Inseparable
Today, when the emperor and his ministers were talking, Li Qinzai paid some attention. From the initial emphasis on etiquette to the later request for a title reduction, Li Qinzai was testing Li Zhi's attitude.
After an unusual storm occurred in the court, Li Qinzai was no longer sure what Li Zhi had in mind for the Li family.
The word "friend" is so insignificant in front of Jiangshan Sheji. No matter how deep the friendship is with a friend, when he threatens the country passed down by his ancestors, Li Qinzai doesn't know what choice Li Zhi will make.
However, when Li Qinzai observed Li Zhi's expression at this moment, he found that he was no different from usual. He still looked carefree, could distinguish right from wrong, and had a clear mind.
Li Qinzai secretly breathed a sigh of relief, as if...he had not lost this friend.
Li Zhi's expression was very sincere. He clearly analyzed the rights and wrongs of the Goguryeo battlefield. He knew very well what should be held accountable, what should be forgiven, and who was innocent and who was guilty.
A smile gradually appeared in Li Qinzai's eyes.
Li Zhi was an emperor who was discredited and underestimated by history books. His achievements and mind were not inferior to those of his father.
At least in Li Qinzai's eyes, Li Zhi should be called "Khan of Heaven".
At the end of the Tang Dynasty, only during the reign of Li Zhi, the national power and territory of the Tang Dynasty reached its peak.
The subsequent Kaiyuan prosperity was actually just the shadow of the predecessors. Under the rule of the two emperors Li Shimin and Li Zhi, the national strength had laid a very solid foundation. The subsequent Kaiyuan prosperity was just the inevitable result.
Today's Tang Dynasty is a very simple and pure era. In this simple environment, right is right and wrong is wrong. There is no desire to impose guilt and no overlooking from the moral high ground.
After roughly understanding Li Zhi's attitude, Li Qinzai still cautiously probed: "Your Majesty, there are a lot of rumors in the court, and I am a little worried..."
Li Zhi glanced at him: "What are you worried about?"
"Your Majesty is a wise Lord and can distinguish between loyal and traitorous people, but the courtiers still think that my Li family is too sharp. I just asked to be demoted for the sake of Your Majesty, and I don't want to embarrass Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty can ignore the slanders of one or two people, but if thousands of people slander them with one voice, can your Majesty not take it seriously? Rather than causing an ignominy at that time, I would rather take the initiative to retreat now..."
Li Zhi raised his eyes and glanced at him, suddenly burst out laughing.
"Jingchu, you are really..." Li Zhi laughed.
After laughing for a while, Li Zhi stopped and his expression gradually became serious: "If Jingchu is worried that I will be suspicious of the hero, or that your Li family's achievements will shock the master, there is no need to do so."
"My mind is not that narrow-minded. All three generations of the Li family have been loyal ministers, especially you, Jingchu. Do you remember? You saved my life back then, bleeding from the tip of my ear, and pulled me back from the gate of hell. Later, you told me
Soaking ginkgo leaves in shreds and soaking them in water has relieved my old ailments for many years."
"Your grandfather was the mainstay of our Tang Dynasty, and his loyalty was confirmed by my father. Most of the twenty-four heroes of Lingyan Pavilion are deceased now, and the remaining ones are also old. The hero is also old.
If my guess is correct, the battle in Goguryeo should be the last battle in the life of the great hero, right?"
"When Duke Ying was seriously injured in a horse fall in Goguryeo, and the news reached Chang'an, I didn't even order a change of commander. I just wanted to make Duke Quan Ying's last battle in his life, and hope that he would have a happy ending."
Li Zhi sighed: "A dying old man, a benefactor who saved my life, a family full of loyal ministers, who have made countless contributions to the country. If I am still suspicious of such a family, and fearful of the master who has made great contributions, I am not like those who have made great contributions to the country."
What’s the difference between a mean and unkind king?”
"Jingchu, you have misjudged me. I govern the world by being broad-minded and able to tolerate all things. I also rely on knowing people well and appointing them without suspicion. If even you and the Li family have to doubt whether they are loyal and traitorous, the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty
Is there anyone I can use?"
Li Qinzai was moved when he heard this and hurriedly stood up and bowed: "My lord, thank you for your trust. The Li family has been loyal to the Tang Dynasty for generations and will never change until death."
Li Zhi said with a half-smile: "Do you still want to test me? If you don't want to test me, just sit down and talk a few words."
"I was presumptuous just now, and I am guilty."
"You are indeed quite presumptuous. Thanks to you, if it had been someone else, I would have fulfilled his wish and dismissed him from office." Li Zhi twitched the corner of his mouth and suddenly opened his eyes: "Hey,
No, how can you stand up? You seemed to have walked in by yourself when you entered the palace just now?"
Li Qinzai was speechless. How long is your reflex arc...
"I suffered internal injuries, not my legs. I was able to stand and walk when I returned to the Tang Dynasty."
"But you use a wheelchair..."
"Oh, I feel very elegant when using a wheelchair. From ancient times to the present, all powerful figures sit in wheelchairs and shake goose feather fans. For example, Prime Minister Zhuge of the Three Kingdoms, I am fascinated by it..."
Li Zhi was stunned for a while, then pointed at him: "You are such a bastard..."
Li Qinzai sat down. Only then did he have an appetite. He picked up the silver chopsticks and started to grab the vegetables.
Li Zhi said slowly: "Jing Chu doesn't need to take those unpleasant voices to heart. I have the final say on the loyalty and treachery of the court officials. If anyone tries to implicate the Duke with desertion, I will remember them and settle the accounts in the future."
After a pause, Li Zhi suddenly said: "Chang'an City has been a bit uneasy recently. Is Jing Chu also confused?"
Li Qinzai was stunned for a moment, and then quickly understood what he was talking about. The matter of establishing a prince was very sensitive, but Li Zhi started chatting with him without any scruples. It was obvious that he really regarded him as a confidant.
So Li Qinzai put down his silver chopsticks and said: "If Your Majesty is referring to the matter of competing for the throne... yes, I have been very troubled recently and have planned to take the students back to Ganjingzhuang tomorrow to take shelter."
A look of sorrow flashed in Li Zhi's eyes, and he said sadly: "The prince has been sick since he was a child. This year, I have focused all my energy on the Eastern Expedition. The prince supervises the country and assists me in handling government affairs. I didn't expect that he collapsed from exhaustion."
Li Qinzai whispered: "Your Majesty, I went to the East Palace yesterday to see His Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness was lying on the bed very haggard. It seemed..."
Li Zhi said sadly: "The imperial doctor said that the prince's time is short."
Li Qinzai didn't know how to comfort him. The prince Li Hong had a very good reputation among the government and the public. Both Li Zhi and the courtiers were very satisfied with the prince. Even a picky official like Liu Rengui had said that the father of Donggong Lei was mentioned more than once. , can inherit the great power.
Such a basically perfect prince did not live long, which was a huge blow to Li Zhi and his courtiers.
"Your Majesty, we should do our best to find more famous doctors to diagnose and treat His Highness, maybe..."
Li Qinzai couldn't say any more. He didn't know what he was saying.
Jin Dayan suddenly came to mind. Although she was from Beibang, her medical skills were indeed superb. However, Jin Dayan was still in Goguryeo, following Li Ji in the war. Even if an order was issued to recall her to Chang'an urgently, it would be too late.