Li Chengqian drank tea and looked out the window. The light of the lanterns under the eaves illuminated the area, and the fine raindrops were like thousands of lines under the light, swaying chaotically.
The scenery in the distance is shadowy and dreamlike.
"Gu is self-aware, and he is by no means a heroic leader like my father. Not only is he lacking in talent, but he is also soft-hearted. How can he be as decisive and decisive as Emperor Qin and Han Ancestor, with great achievements for a long time?"
Li Chengqian withdrew his gaze, turned around, and looked at Fang Jun in front of him, his eyes sparkling: "However, I don't have nothing to pursue. I only know how to go with the flow and be content with the situation! There are thousands of people in this world, each with his own temperament. There are many. And those people who are supported by all people and can go down in history are all ruthless, resolute and courageous people? This may not be the case."
The wind and rain outside the window are getting thicker and the water is cold.
Fang Jun looked at Li Chengqian, who was talking eloquently in front of him, and felt a little surprised that he could have such an awareness. It could be seen that he had always put his mind into thinking about his future and what kind of path he should take.
Suddenly I felt very interested, and wanted to listen carefully to the fact that Li Chengqian had changed his destiny in this life, and how he would gain different insights from his previous life through his different life experiences.
Then he poured out the water in the pot, made another pot of tea, filled the tea cups in front of the two of them, then picked up a cup, took a sip, and simply changed from kneeling to sitting cross-legged, looking interested and listening. appearance.
Li Chengqian just glanced at him and did not blame him for being rude. He took a sip of tea, closed his eyes and felt the fragrant aftertaste of the tea, and then continued: "People are different, even those emperors who are famous in history, or How many people are unparalleled in martial arts or martial arts? How many people have both civil and military talents? Gu's talent is limited. It can be said that he cannot be successful in literature and martial arts, and he is ridiculed by the world for his weak character and benevolence as a woman. However, the benevolence of women is also Why not? Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty can also be said to be a talented and strategist, and his achievements are rare in ancient and modern times. However, his personality is irritable and willful, and he is even mean and ungrateful towards his courtiers. If he could have some womanly kindness and be more tolerant in his dealings with others, If it wasn’t so radical, how could the empire of the Sui Dynasty have perished for two generations, and how could the people of the world be in ruins?”
Fang Jun nodded and said, "Your Highness has profound insights."
As a minister, you must have the awareness to sit back and praise him, not to mention that Li Chengqian's words are indeed correct.
Later generations only know that Emperor Sui Yang was the "eternal tyrant", and indeed he single-handedly caused the collapse and disintegration of the powerful Sui Dynasty. However, many people do not know the achievements of Emperor Sui Yang at all. Regardless of the rest, just "drilling the Grand Canal" will not only last for a long time?
However, it was precisely because of his too strong ability and tough character that he finally returned from his three expeditions to Goguryeo, which shook the country, caused turmoil in the world, and caused wars and wars to overturn the foundation of the Sui Dynasty's rule.
If Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty had known some forbearance and some kindness and forgiveness, what would have been the outcome of the Great Sui Dynasty?
It's a pity that history has no if...
“If the ruler treats his ministers like his hands and feet, then his ministers will regard him as his heart; if the emperor regards his ministers as dogs and horses, then his ministers will regard him as a fellow countryman; if his ministers regard his ministers as earth and mustard, then his ministers will regard him as a bandit… Mencius said, Take it as a model.”
Li Chengqian put down his teacup and looked at him with a burning gaze: "My father rebelled against us and took it away. There were so many hidden princes and followers in the court and so many former Sui elders, but no one ever openly rebelled. Why? It was just because my father was broad-minded and tolerant of others. For those who had opposed the father from different standpoints, the father not only did not take advantage of their mistakes to purge them, but instead entrusted them with important tasks and employed them without any doubts. This is what the Zhenguan Dynasty has seen in its heyday. The foundation of Zhenguan. My father is decisive in killing, but he has a heart of benevolence and forgiveness in his heart. Since the heart of benevolence and forgiveness can create the prosperous era of Zhenguan, why can't I rely on the heart of benevolence and forgiveness to carry on the past and open up the future, and continue this glorious prosperous era? "
He said that he regarded the words of Mencius as a guideline, but "the way of benevolence and forgiveness" was the value of Confucius.
Confucius said that it is benevolence to restrain oneself and return to propriety, and it is also benevolence not to do to others what you do not want others to do to you. He regards "benevolence" as the highest moral principle, moral standard and moral realm, and believes that the most noble person is a tolerant, loving and kind person.
Extending from "benevolence" to "forgiveness", Zigong asked: "Is there anything you can say that you can practice throughout your life?" Confucius said: "Forgiveness is about doing to others what you do not want others to do to you." Zengzi also said: "The way of the Master is only loyalty and forgiveness." "Forgiveness" means benevolence, extending oneself to others, extending oneself to others, being tolerant and understanding, and having a mind as open to all rivers as the sea.
Fang Jun pondered for a moment and said: "A heart of benevolence and forgiveness can be kind to the world and accommodate all things. However, this is the ultimate form of morality, which is easier said than done."
Li Chengqian smiled and said: "Is it more difficult than our great ancestor, Emperor Jinyang, who raised troops in Jinyang to establish the foundation of the Tang Dynasty? Or is it more difficult than our father, who went against the grain to seize it and create the prosperous age of Zhenguan?"
Fang Jun thought for a while and said, "Everyone has his own merits."
Which one is more difficult? This is difficult to comment on, but these two not only require their own abilities, but also the general trend and luck. In addition to themselves, the "heart of kindness and forgiveness" also requires perseverance and never forgetting the original intention at all times and anywhere.
Li Chengqian said calmly: "Nothing is difficult in the world, as long as there are people who are willing."
Fang Jun shook his head and laughed, and asked: "Why does Your Highness have such thoughts?"
Li Chengqian smiled and said: "Even traders and lackeys have their value. They may sell goods to enrich the people, or earn money to support their families. After all, Gu is also the eldest son of his father. He comes from a distinguished family and has a noble bloodline. As for being useless, right? So after thinking about it, it probably still has some advantages."
Fang Jun sighed and said: "More than just some advantages? If His Highness can implement the word 'benevolence' throughout the ages, he will be a wise king through the ages."
Throughout the ages, there have been so many emperors, but how many of them can get a posthumous title with the word "Ren" after death? All of them are wise kings of a generation.
Song Renzong, Ming Renzong, Qing Renzong... well, the last one doesn't count.
No one is amazingly talented and capable of doing anything. The key is to be self-aware, see your own abilities clearly, identify your own position, and give full play to your own advantages in the areas you are good at, so that you can make contributions and realize your own life value.
In this regard, Li Chengqian did a pretty good job.
Although there was a time when I lost myself due to being bullied by my brothers, but fortunately in this life, I was able to wake up from my confusion in time and find my undegenerated nature, so that I would not be trapped in a sea of hardships like in history. Entering a road of no return.
In fact, life is always at a crossroads. At different times and places, there will be different choices, making life face various futures.
No one knows the right choice, but if you can be kind to yourself and find your position, you can often realize your own value in the trend of history.
So it is said that times create heroes.
*****
While Fang Jun and Li Chengqian were discussing the value of life in the East Palace, the entire city of Chang'an appeared to be calm under the suppression of all parties, but in fact, undercurrents were already surging beneath the surface.
Prince Jing's Mansion.
Ever since it got dark, King Jing Li Yuanjing has been sitting on pins and needles in the back house, scurrying around like ants on a hot pot.
Officials from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Civil Affairs went to Zuotunwei to inspect the accounts on the prince's order. This news made Li Yuanjing completely lose his usual composure.
Although he has never been a stable person...
After hearing that Chai Zhewei was asking for help, Li Yuanjing almost went berserk. He kicked the tea table in the hall and smashed the teacups, cups and saucers to pieces.
"Mother! Is this bastard Chai Zhewei a fool? At this time, the prince wants to establish his authority. He can't find such a chicken to kill the enemy. He has already sent it to the door. How can the prince let go? ? If you don’t destroy the account books quickly, you will cause big trouble sooner or later!”
Dong Mingzhu on the side was as calm as ever. She squeezed a cup of tea into Li Yuanjing's hand with her delicate hands and comforted her softly: "Your Majesty, there is no need to be so anxious. Even though Chai Zhewei was so panicked that his hands and feet were in disarray, after all, he still has an informant planted by the Prince. It will definitely work at the critical moment.”
Li Yuanjing's irritable conscience calmed down a little, and he sighed: "I have always seen Chai Zhewei as a smart person. Who would have thought that he would be so clueless and stupid when encountering something?"
Dong Mingyue gently pressed Li Yuanjing's shoulders, pushed him to sit on the chair, and said with a gentle smile: "How many people in this world are like the prince, with ravines in his chest and beautiful things hidden inside? When encountering major events, they become flustered and make inaccurate judgments. , It’s really common. But since the prince has laid out the plan many years ago, how could he lose his confidence because of some small accidents? "
