Yu Wenshiji pondered for a moment, but did not object to the prince's words immediately. Instead, he asked in a deep voice: "I wonder how your highness plans to deal with the Guanlong families?"
The money is accumulated by the ancestors of Guanlong families for more than a hundred years, and it is the foundation for future comebacks, so they are not willing to hand it over easily. But if the prince has no other conditions, or the other conditions are looser, then this one will
It’s not that I can’t agree.
After all, for a clan, power and political status are the most important. If you have enough power and political status, you can have both sides of the political turmoil in the center of the empire in the future. No matter how much money you lose, you can still make it back...
Li Chengqian took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and was not polite, directly throwing out the bottom line of the East Palace: "First, disband and ban all private soldiers, and agree to amend the regulations on private soldiers and slaves in the "Zhenguan Law", any family in the world
Raising private armed forces under any circumstances will be regarded as treason by the Yi tribe."
Cheng Yaojin looked solemn on the side. He was planning to attack the foundation of the world's powerful families, but this was also reasonable.
The clans supported private soldiers, and they were nominally attached to the central government, but in reality they were independent of one party, making the imperial decrees ineffective in the areas controlled by the clans. Officials appointed by the court often had to look up to the local clans, otherwise they would either be impeached or suppressed, even among the officials.
Even the subordinates and subordinates cannot give orders, so how can they be considered as pastors and guardians?
In particular, the clans had many industries and huge power, and they directly monopolized most of the local fields and commerce, making it difficult for the court to collect taxes. As time went on, the clans became richer and the center became poorer.
Why do the clans dare to ignore the central government? Because each clan maintains private soldiers, some of which are even huge in number and powerful. If the court wants to return local power to the central government, it needs to send troops to directly exterminate them. The resulting logistical waste
The loss of soldiers and the panic among the people are things that every regime is unwilling to face.
Whenever the political situation is turbulent, the clans will form their own, peer into the world, and choose a force to rely on, regardless of the thoughts of family and country, and the meaning of loyalty. What's worse, they will simply rise up, gather together, and participate in the military and legal melee that competes with the world.
middle.
Such examples are not far away, such as Wang Shichong and Xiao Mian in the late Sui Dynasty...
Yu Wenshiji thought for a moment and said: "Although I cannot give an accurate answer on behalf of the Guanlong family, this matter is related to the stability of the empire. I think everyone will support your highness."
Now that Guanlong has been defeated, except for the private soldiers of the Hou Mo and Chen family, which are still relatively complete, all the elite private soldiers of the other families have been killed and injured. The survivors are all rabble. Even these rabble can still be counted on.
They will cultivate the vast fertile fields of each family in the future, where will there still be a population to organize private soldiers?
Therefore, the prince's request is obviously aimed at the noble families of the world, especially the famous families in Shandong and Jiangnan. The mutiny has not yet ended, but has already begun to make arrangements for the noble families of the world. This is evident from the fact that the East Palace not only has far-reaching strategies, but also has a firm attitude.
The prince did not comment on Yu Wenshiji's answer and continued: "Secondly, from now on, all the nobles of Guanlong will leave the country. They can retain their titles, but they will not be allowed to enter the court for life. The descendants of Guanlong cannot hold official positions above the fourth rank, but if they enter through the imperial examination
Officials are not among the restrictions."
Yu Wenshiji was shocked, he finally reached this step...
He was not willing to completely withdraw from the imperial center of the Guanlong clan, and tried to save it: "Your Highness clearly knows that all the previous incidents, Guanlong and others have realized their mistakes and regretted them. They vowed to change their past mistakes and are willing to die to repay His Highness. If he violates the rules,
This oath will be punished by heaven and earth..."
"Hey, hey, Duke Ying's words are serious."
Li Chengqian smiled and waved his hands, with a gentle smile on his face without any anger: "It is common for each other to have different political views and criticize each other. Now that the winner is determined, we should abandon our prejudices and conspire together in government affairs. Although I dare not
He claims to be sensible, but at least he still has credibility. As long as this negotiation is reached, everyone will be treated equally in the future. Therefore, the Duke of Ying does not have to worry that Gu will target Guan Long. Gu is not so irresponsible and lacks magnanimity...
…”
His smile is gentle and his tone is kind, showing his gentleness.
But at this point, the topic changed and he felt quite awkward: "But Duke Ying must also be well aware of the current chronic problem of the family, which is that the younger generations are not good enough, and it is difficult for talents to come out. In fact, it is no wonder that the younger generation cannot endure hardships and has no future.
At home, the bells ring and the food is served, and officials can be appointed when they reach adulthood. In the officialdom, there are relatives and friends who protect each other. Who is willing to work hard and forge ahead? Therefore, the father of the emperor generously promoted the imperial examination, so as to recruit the poor scholars into the court, hoping to stimulate
The children of the aristocratic families are dedicated to learning and serving the country. Otherwise, if those dandies are allowed to fill the court and control the government, the Tang Dynasty will probably flourish and decline like the Qin and Sui Dynasties."
In his heart, Yu Wenshi didn't quite agree with the prince's words.
It is true that the original intention of the imperial examinations was to benefit the country. This is an indisputable fact. Once the children from poor families entered the court one after another, and even gradually rose to high positions, it greatly improved the current situation that made the people of the empire idle. But the ideal is beautiful, but the reality is not
Not really.
Since the Qin and Han Dynasties, the best education has been monopolized by aristocratic families. The best books, the best interpretations, and the broadest connections have enabled children of aristocratic families to receive the highest quality education since childhood. Is this just a "gift" for children from poor families?
Can "cantilever beams, conical thorns" be reached?
In the face of the educational heritage accumulated by generations of aristocratic families, no matter how much hard work the children of poor families put in, it is all in vain... How can the efforts of generations of generations be so easily defeated by ten years of hardship?
The so-called imperial examinations can indeed make aristocratic families feel in danger in the short term, and they may even be competed for power by the poorer students. But in the long run, when the children of the aristocratic families feel the threat of the poorer students and make up their minds to study knowledge, any examination can crush the poorer families.
student.
I was sure that the imperial examination might not pose too many threats to the family, but now it was the most difficult time for Guan Long. His tone was pleading: "Your Highness, please have mercy. Guan Long has risen since Daibei and has been in charge of Guanzhong for nearly a hundred years.
The branches are luxuriant and the population is large. If no one from each family stands in the court, wouldn't it be revealing the wealth and attracting wolves into the house? From now on, Guanlong will definitely become a delicacy coveted by all parties, eager to be divided and cooked.
There will never be peace for our descendants!"
This sentence seems to be pleading, and the tone is full of fear. There is not a single word of deviation, but its original intention is full of threats - if the descendants of Guan Longzi never have peace, how can they be willing to serve as pigs and dogs?
People are slaughtered? Why not fight hard and die?
The smile on Li Chengqian's face gradually faded, he glanced at Yu Wenshiji, and said calmly: "This is the bottom line of the East Palace, and we will not give in."
The tone is strong and firm.
Yuwen Shiji secretly complained in his heart...
This is not impossible to agree to. In fact, even if the prince is open-minded and allows the Guanlong family to resume their official positions, after this uprising and the defeat, it will inevitably be resisted by all forces, and no one will continue to give orders.
Yamen, drive subordinates...
But if they have no power and no money, how can the Guanlong clan survive in Guanzhong surrounded by wolves, and why can they make a comeback in the future?
Power and money must be kept the same...
He looked at Cheng Yaojin beside him and begged Cheng Yaojin for help with a few words of kindness, in order to test Cheng Yaojin's position.
Unexpectedly, Cheng Yaojin was not a fuel-efficient lamp, so he left himself completely alone: "The military order I received is to eliminate the mutiny as soon as possible, stop the war, stabilize the situation, and restore the center to operation as soon as possible. As for the East Palace and Guanlong,
It doesn’t matter how you choose to advance or retreat in time.”
Yu Wenshiji frowned, feeling even more worried. Cheng Yaojin said he didn't care, but his tone and attitude were obviously biased towards the East Palace. I don't know if this was his own position, or the mainstream trend among the Eastern Expedition army, or
Or was it simply Li Ji’s intention?
Faced with the Crown Prince's tough attitude, Yu Wenshiji neither dared to refuse rashly nor agreed hastily. He could only say helplessly: "This matter is serious and I don't dare to be expert in it. I will consult various families for their opinions after I return."
Please reply, and I hope His Highness will understand."
Li Chengqian didn't say anything. The armistice negotiations involve the interests of many parties, so how can they be settled with one word? Naturally, all parties must go through testing, consultation, and seek common ground while reserving differences bit by bit in order to move forward.
No matter how anxious he was, he knew that this matter would never be solved overnight.
Cheng Yaojin held the pot and poured tea for the two of them. He was dissatisfied with Yuwen Shiji and said carelessly: "Since Duke Ying can't make any decisions, what's the use of coming here today? The current situation is urgent, with floods and military disasters raging.
The center of the imperial court is at a standstill, and it is urgent for all parties to stop the mutiny, reach an agreement, and resume the operation of the imperial court as soon as possible. We cannot be a dignified empire but rely on the right guards to relieve the people on behalf of the imperial court, right?"
This time, even Li Chengqian glanced at Cheng Yaojin, wondering about this guy's position...
Yu Wenshiji's pressure increased sharply because of these words, and he was filled with hatred. Since he knew that what I said didn't count, he still continued to tease me like this. What's the point?
He said perfunctorily: "Of course I cannot be the head of each family in Guanlong. As for the Youtun Guards, who are ordered by His Highness to help the people in Guanzhong, I am deeply admired by everyone in Guanlong and will do their best to help you later."
Li Chengqian naturally didn't care whether Guan Long would participate in the disaster relief. In fact, even if Guan Long showed great initiative in this regard, he would flatly refuse.
Why did you, Guan Long, single-handedly manipulate the mutiny, causing the people of Guanzhong to fall into a series of wars, become homeless in the midst of natural disasters, and suffer casualties? Then you showed your hypocrisy later on and made the people of Guanzhong accept your false gifts.
Still want to be grateful?
Besides, this is also the best opportunity for the East Palace to gain prestige, how could it be given up...
He ignored Yu Wenshiji's words, but spoke aggressively and asked: "Regardless of the choices made by the Guanlong families regarding Gu's conditions, I just want to ask what is the general will of Ying?"
Yu Wenshi was at a loss for words. He was greatly surprised by the prince's unusual aggressiveness. At the same time, he was forced into a corner. If he wanted to be perfunctory, he could not do it by being ambiguous.
But at the same time, he also felt the prince's true intention behind being so aggressive...
Is it divided?
Yuwenshi's heart beat loudly. Perhaps, this is the opportunity that the Yuwen family has always dreamed of surpassing Guan Long, the leader of the eldest son family...
how to respond?
Should he be an ally who is loyal to Guan Long and follow Guan Long into the abyss, or should he be a "second-five couple" who betrays the alliance and regards the interests of each Guan Long family as his own stepping stone and loyally submits to the prince.
Achieve the ambition to replace the Changsun family and become the leader of Guanlong?