In later generations, some countries abolished feudal rule and replaced it with democratic elections. This move indeed allowed them to quickly progress from the primitive state of living on hair and drinking blood to modern society, opening up people's wisdom, developing science, and becoming the masters of the world.
But that political system also has a fatal flaw - when votes matter, anything can happen.
If a businessman with no experience in governing becomes the leader of a country, where will he take the country?
A mentally deranged octogenarian man came to power by relying on votes. Are the decisions he makes conducive to the development and security of the country?
No system can be universally applicable. Only by adapting measures to local conditions and advancing with the times can we find the most suitable system.
Fang Jun nodded and said: "The significance of the existence of a fief is not only to reward meritorious officials and enfeoff the royal family, but also to screen the center of the vassal and expand the territory. For example, if a prince is enfeoffed in the south of the Yangtze River and his address is used to provide financial support, on the one hand it is inevitable
It breeds their arrogance and licentiousness, and their desires are hard to satisfy. On the one hand, it weakens the central finance and causes frequent shortages of money. Over time, they will harbor resentments against each other. Either you die or I die... But if you enclose it outside, its land will be barren and its people will be poor.
If you are determined to forge ahead and work hard, you can only maintain a close relationship with the center, and while it develops and grows, you can achieve the goals of the Pingfan side."
In other words, a feudal country needs to suck blood to exist. If it is sealed inside, it will suck its own blood. If it is sealed outside, it can only suck the blood of others...
Li Jijian frowned, thought for a while, and said in a deep voice: "For example, His Highness King Wu who is currently in Silla?"
Fang Jun smiled and said: "That's exactly it."
King Wu Li Ke was the king of Silla, on the feudal side, claiming kingship and hegemony, inheriting it from generation to generation, never ending, respecting the glory, and attracting world attention. However, he was alone, how could he control Silla with only the team at the time of the founding of the country?
The whole country must rely on the support of the Tang Dynasty to gain a firm foothold and eliminate the remaining power of the Jin royal family bit by bit until it is completely controlled and becomes the Tang vassal state.
During this period, the relationship between Silla and Datang was extremely close and there would be absolutely no internal strife.
After taking control of Silla, or trying to resist the covetousness of the surrounding foreign races, or expanding outward to grab profits, at least within a hundred years, there will be no trouble with the central government.
Li Xiaogong pondered and said: "Ten thousand steps back, even if the princes and grandsons of Wu have trouble with the central government in the future, and even lead troops to attack... No matter who wins or loses, Silla will always be included in the territory of the Tang Dynasty, and it will never be included in the territory of the Tang Dynasty.
Re-split."
Fang Jun made a very appropriate metaphor: "The meat rots in the pot."
The drizzle was gurgling outside the window, and the raindrops rustled on the leaves of the flower trees. The fragrance of tea was thick in the study, and everything was quiet.
Fang Jun drank tea slowly, while the other three were immersed in this topic, thinking over and over again, correcting gains and losses.
He didn't say a word: Even if all the vassal states break away from the center and stand on their own in the future, what will happen?
They are of the same origin and species, so they may fight against each other for their own benefit, and may suffer the consequences of enmity. However, once faced with foreign enemies, they will inevitably stick together and fight against the outside world.
It will not be like the kind of helplessness that China will have to fight against the den of jackals and wolves alone in the future, and the whole world will be the enemy...
Li Ji held the teacup in his hand and said slowly: "Erlang's words are quite reasonable, but the details still need to be considered and discussed, so we can't act too hastily. The biggest thing right now is for His Highness to ascend the throne, and then eliminate the rebellion, and the rest can take care of itself."
To illustrate, first formulate a charter, then discuss it in detail and find out the deficiencies."
Li Chengqian nodded repeatedly and said: "This is a serious matter, so you should act with caution."
Then he sighed and lamented: "It's not that he came to cause trouble in his spare time. In fact, all the sons of the father and emperor are lonely and dull. The rest are all smart and capable. If they all live in Chang'an City, their talents will not be extended throughout their lives, and they will be alone." This brother is depressed and ashamed. If all the brothers and sisters can get a piece of land, use it to build a country and worship, and pass it on, then the blood of Li Tang will spread all over the world and spread its branches, and the father's spirit in heaven will be happy. ."
Li Ji and Li Xiaogong nodded, approving Li Chengqian's thoughts.
Every monarch has some ambitions when he comes to the throne. However, some people, either due to difficulties or indulge in pleasure, gradually forget their original intentions and become dim and wanton, obscuring everyone else.
Everyone knows something about the prince's thoughts. Although the throne has not been abolished, His Majesty Li Er's attitude towards the throne was very clear during his lifetime. If he did not die suddenly, it would be easy to reserve the throne sooner or later. Now the prince seems to have a great sense of status, but in fact He felt guilty, after all, His Majesty Li Er no longer liked this position.
In this way, it is natural to do something that can not only show his broad mind to his brothers and sisters, but also give an explanation to the heroic spirit of His Majesty Li Er - you see, as an emperor, I can also make some achievements that will be remembered in the past. Yes, no worse than others...
The direction chosen by the prince seems to be somewhat feasible at least now.
If this matter finally comes to pass, His Majesty Li Er and all his disciples will be able to establish feudalism on one side and establish the four borders of Pingfan outside the country. This will indeed be regarded as a great achievement that is rare in ancient and modern times.
It is enough to be famous in the history of history.
And when the time comes, this system can really realize its original intention of shielding the vassal from the outside world, blocking the attacks of the barbarians for the center, and reviving the eight-hundred-year-old dynasty in the world. Their founders will also shine in history and be remembered for generations to come.
Faced with such a prominent posthumous name, who can not be tempted...
…
After a busy day, all the dignitaries, clans, princes, and concubines dispersed to rest a little before going to the palace to attend the enthronement ceremony tomorrow.
The Forbidden Army, Baiqisi, and Jingzhao Mansion work together to tightly control the inside and outside of Chang'an City. However, those who commit crimes and make noises will be arrested regardless of the reason, regardless of their severity, and regardless of their identity. He will be imprisoned and will not be tried. He will be detained until the end of the ceremony before making a judgment.
Fang Jun and others could not go home to rest. They assisted Li Chengqian in handling various affairs in the palace, the most important of which was determining the reign name.
Every emperor had more or less ambitions when he came to the throne, so he would choose a reign name to express his expectations.
Kong Yingda led several contemporary great scholars to select for many days, and finally decided on more than ten era names with good meanings for Li Chengqian to choose.
Li Chengqian finally chose the word "Renhe" as his reign title after he ascended the throne.
"Book of Rites: Confucianism": "A gentle person is the foundation of benevolence... A person who sings and plays music is the basis of benevolence."
After the era name was chosen, all the ministers bowed their hands to the ground and praised: "Your Highness has a kind heart, which is a blessing to the world."
From this reign number, we can see Li Chengqian’s political intentions after he ascended the throne: treat each other with kindness, and value peace...
As a minister, in an era where imperial power is supreme, who doesn't want to meet a generous and benevolent master?
Li Chengqian did not show the so-called domineering attitude of an emperor just because he was about to ascend the throne. He was still as humble and kind as before. When he saw the ministers salute him, he stood up and returned the courtesy, and said warmly: "You are all the ancestors of the late emperor, and you have gone through disasters together with Gu. Work hard, and from now on we should work together as one, work together sincerely, inherit the prosperous age of Zhenguan, and create achievements that will shine through the past and the present, so that our Tang Dynasty can conquer the world and make our country of China peaceful and prosperous!"
"I sincerely obey His Royal Highness's decree!"
The ministers in the hall responded in unison, the sound was like thunder, and the hall was buzzing. They worked together and their morale was like a rainbow.
At dawn the next day, Li Chengqian put on the full imperial crown, led the civil and military officials to the circular hill in the south of the city, offered sacrifices to Haotian, and ascended the throne.
Tell the world.
*****
"Shui Jing Zhu" records: "The river flows through Tongguan Mountain in the south of Guan Nei, so it is called Tongguan."
Tongguan was first built in the first year of Jian'an in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Once completed, it became the eastern gate to defend Guanzhong. It was famous throughout the world and became a battleground for military strategists ever since.
During the Sui Dynasty, Guancheng was moved more than ten miles south from its original site, and a new city was built. It faced Guancheng from the north to the south in the Han Dynasty, and the terrain became increasingly dangerous.
Li Zhi was wearing a brocade robe, standing on the city gate with his hands behind his hands, looking at the rushing river in the distance, his ears roaring like thunder, the river wind blowing his clothes and sleeves flying, but his face was solemn as never before.
The father has been buried, and today the prince will be enthroned as emperor, announcing to the world, accepting ministers in the Taiji Palace, and being supported by all people, and he will have full rights and righteousness from now on.
Although the Shandong private army gradually crossed the Yellow River, and Yuchi Gong even sent his fierce generals to set up obstacles along the river, forcing the naval fleet to move slowly, they were not far from Luoyang, and it was only a matter of time before they reached Tongguan.
No matter how big his heart is and how powerful he is, he can't help but feel "at the end of the road" at this moment. He feels dejected and doubts whether he can turn defeat into victory and win against the odds...
"Your Highness, Qiu Xinggong is back."
Wang Shoushi, who was skinny and hunched, appeared silently behind Li Zhi and said softly.
Li Zhi broke away from his depression, took a deep breath into the river breeze, and regained his spirits. Then he turned around and followed Wang Shoushi down the city gate and went to the barracks to meet Qiu Xinggong.