hsntnovel Chapter 2270 The Way of Balance
Chapter 2270 The Way of Balance
The appointment of the aristocratic families to fill vacancies is equivalent to compensating the aristocratic families for the vacant officials.
This is in stark contrast to their policy over the years.
The royal family's strategy has always been to eliminate the influence of aristocratic families, starting with Li Shen's first move ten years ago to overhaul the imperial examination system.
Then Li Shimin seized the opportunity to cooperate with Li Shen in various actions against the aristocratic families.
Finally, after Li Chengqian became regent, he replaced officials and employed people from poor families who had accumulated many years of experience.
This series of actions compressed the power of the aristocratic families again and again, reducing their influence by more than half.
This four-year exam gave them a great opportunity.
Otherwise, the aristocratic families would not have compromised so quickly.
Li Chengqian knew that this time it was because of Li Shen, as a condition of exchange.
But since my father asked this, there must be some other deeper meaning, so I began to ponder.
He had a smooth life in those years because Li Shimin was still alive, so the political situation was stable and there were no major disturbances.
This game is already a big event for him.
Seeing Li Chengqian in deep thought, Li Shimin did not disturb him and drank the ginseng soup quietly. He also knew that Li Chengqian lacked experience.
He had some experience in military affairs from the last attack on Goguryeo, but he had never experienced any storms in the court.
Without experience in gaming with various forces, there is no experience in gaming.
Today, Li Shimin specially demonstrated it to the prince so that he would have a reference when encountering similar things in the future.
After a long while, Li Chengqian still couldn't think of any other meaning, so he said:
"Father, I only know that this is an exchange for my tenth brother's matter, but I don't know the specific meaning. I hope Father can enlighten me."
Li Chengqian is no longer the young boy he used to be. He is already thirty years old and knows that it is good for him to seek advice with an open mind.
Just like what Li Shen told him, when it comes to governing a country, it’s more useful to ask their father than anyone else.
How can an employee teach his boss how to be a good boss?
Li Shimin smiled, put down the soup bowl, and wiped his mouth:
"Gao Ming, the way to be a ruler is to have balance: balance between the ruler and his subjects, balance between the court officials, and balance between the court and the people.
The king needs the checks and balances of his ministers to prevent him from being foolish and cruel. Court officials need to check and balance each other to prevent the emergence of powerful officials. The court needs the checks and balances of the people to prevent officials from persecuting the people.
You should work in moderation and not rush for quick success or instant benefits in anything.
Over the years, you, the Tenth Prince and I have oppressed the aristocratic families too much.
What Old Ten did is very likely to make the aristocratic families feel rebellious.
In the past, Lao Shi used all kinds of conspiracies and tricks to deceive them, but they just hated Lao Shi as a person. Moreover, they were not as skilled as him and were deceived, so they could only accept the defeat.
But this time, Lao Shi took action directly. Although there was no evidence, everyone knew it.
The Tenth Prince represents the royal family. If I still insist on protecting the Tenth Prince at all costs this time, what do you think the aristocratic families will do?"
"Replying to Father, I think the noble families will think that Father is going to take action against them."
Li Chengqian immediately replied that in the past, Li Shen had always taken the lead in fighting against them in the name of Prince Ji's Mansion. His father would punish him every time, although it was not light or heavy, but he showed his attitude.
"Yes, this is what I am worried about, so I will give up this vacancy to the aristocratic family.
It has only been a short time since the people of our Tang Dynasty truly lived and worked in peace and contentment. Although there is now an abundance of food, people in some places still live in poverty and cannot get enough to eat.
The most important thing for us now is to continue to ensure stability for the people, and it is not appropriate to cause unrest among the people.
The power of the aristocratic families is huge and complicated. We can only take it step by step and not act hastily.
You can just focus on handling state affairs, and let Old Ten handle everything. Don't forget that this magical treasure of our Li family is only twenty years old."
Li Shimin wanted to laugh when he said this, and he was also very proud that he had given birth to a magic weapon for the Li family.
It took ten years to solve his biggest problem.
Sometimes he wondered if Li Shen had been there before the Xuanwu Gate Incident, would he not have had to do that?
Or if he had Li Shen's ability to make money, he wouldn't have to do such a thing.
Just spend 10 million strings of cash to buy the position of crown prince.
Thinking of this, he suddenly wondered, if he sold the position of crown prince to Li Shen, how much would Li Shen pay?
Li Chengqian was still laughing at Li Shimin's words. He had no idea that his father was thinking about how to sell his position.
If he knew, he might have to go into business.
He understood and knew the balance mentioned earlier, and the balance between relaxation and tension mentioned later was worth his deep consideration.
He understood what his father said to him at the end. He was telling him to be kind to Li Shen. This was not the first time he was reminded that Li Shen was important.
"Thank you for your teachings, Father." Li Chengqian bowed again.
"Well, it's good that you understand what I mean, Gao Ming. What you lack is experience. As the emperor defending the city, there's nothing you can do about it.
I hope to leave you a stable world before I die, so that you have no worries and no troubles.
But this also makes you lack experience, so you need to learn more and be prepared. It won't be long before I hand over this country to you."
Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian and gave him earnest instructions.
He is very satisfied with Li Chengqian now. He is mature, steady, has a sense of the overall situation, and does things in an orderly manner without being impatient or anxious.
"Father, I still lack experience, so it's better to wait a little longer before taking the throne. Father, you are still in your prime, so there is no need to rush."
Hearing that he would be the successor soon, Li Chengqian was happy in his heart, but he politely declined.
Who wouldn't want to be an emperor? Although there's no difference between being an emperor now and being one, there's still a title missing.
Li Shimin waved his hand:
"Okay, I have my own arrangements, you don't have to worry about it.
Also, although the vacancies for the scheduled exams have been given to them, you should also pay attention.
They must not be allowed to act recklessly, and talented officials must not be replaced by them.
In addition, the generals and officers in the army must be selected by the Ministry of War.
Other local officials can occupy it, those below the fourth rank do not need to be paid attention to."
"Yes, I will pay attention to it." Li Chengqian agreed.
"There's nothing else to do, just watch the show." Li Shimin suddenly smiled.
"Watch a play?" Li Chengqian was stunned. He didn't understand what his father meant by watching a play.
Li Shimin actually laughed out loud:
"Haha, do you think it's a good thing for me to give them vacancies?
Just as Lao Shi said, people are selfish. They are not worried about scarcity but inequality. They have so many families, big and small.
What do you think Lu will do?
Will those small families that follow them end up not getting a spot?
The aristocratic families have always been arrogant and looked down upon the smaller families. This time, they are going to have a big fight among themselves.”
(Hemorrhoids flare up.)