Liu Ji understood what Cen Wenwen meant.
The "military remonstrance" implemented by the Guanlong clan not only turned Guanzhong upside down and caused war and disaster, but also made clans all over the world ready to take action, trying to seize more benefits in the coming drastic changes. Mobilizing private armies from various clans in Hedong, Hexi, and the Central Plains to enter Guanzhong to support Guanlong is only one way. They often set up private checkpoints, annex land, and acquire shops on their own territory.
Government offices in various places exist in name only.
It seems that except for Guanzhong, there are no large-scale rebellions in all parts of the world. Some people even whitewash this as the positive role of the clans in various places. However, it is an indisputable fact that the government is paralyzed and the clans are blocking traffic.
The extermination of merchants was one of the most serious consequences.
Since the date of the commercial tax reform that year, all the heavy taxes and miscellaneous taxes that once existed all over the country have been abolished. The situation where the cost of goods shipped from the place of production has skyrocketed ten or dozens of times before it reaches the place of sale is no longer the situation. Instead, it is until the sale. A one-time tax was imposed on each link. This move made the empire's finances more than ten times richer. Taxes in the national treasury piled up like mountains. However, it also caused heavy losses to various clans who originally relied on privately exploiting commercial taxes.
Nowadays, there is a rebellion in Guanlong, and the clans from all over the world are coming back, the government is paralyzed, and all the places are being levied and expropriated, and the atmosphere is full of chaos.
The central finance is almost cut off.
…
Cen Wenwen took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and said slowly: "First, the Eastern Expedition consumed the country's vitality, and then due to Guan Long's rebellion, various parts of the world were ready to stir up trouble. The situation was turbulent, the world was unstable, and almost all merchants were cut off. Just tea. The trade suffered such heavy losses, and what an appalling figure is the total loss of all kinds of goods? What is particularly important is that the reconstruction of Guanzhong after the prince ascended the throne required a lot of money, silk and manpower. The isolation of trade routes by various clans led to a lack of central finance. How could the prince Can you just sit back and ignore it? At that time, don’t say that you have made meritorious service or shed blood for the East Palace. Whoever dares to continue to cut off trade routes and monopolize tax revenue will be the prince’s life-and-death enemy.”
After a pause, Cen Wenwen looked at the thoughtful Liu Ji and continued: "The prince and your majesty are different. Your majesty comes from a well-established family. What you have seen and heard has been the customs of the aristocratic family for decades. Although you are on the throne, He had to part ways with the clan, and even regarded him as a enemy, but his understanding in his bones would not change. He would always regard himself as a disciple of the clan. The purpose of "family interests above all else" among clans is commonplace, and can be understood. It is not surprising. . But the prince is different. His highness has grown up in the court since he was a child, and was canonized as the crown prince of the country early on. All he has learned is how to consolidate the imperial power, how to make profits for the empire, how to balance the government... which is naturally contrary to the tradition of the aristocratic family. "
Liu Jie nodded repeatedly.
Imperial power is the ultimate form of aristocratic families. It originates from aristocratic families, but it is also superior to all the clans. The interests of the clans themselves are to divide the power of imperial power. The two are entangled with each other and destined to run counter to each other.
Therefore, His Majesty Li Er wanted to weaken the family despite the meritorious ministers who fought with him in the past. Therefore, the prince trusted Fang Jun, who had no friends or parties and did not want to establish his own family... All the ups and downs in the empire, inside and outside the government , in the final analysis it is a struggle of interests.
Cen Wenwen took the trouble to teach: "As the saying goes, 'One emperor, one minister', in fact, it should be more accurate, 'One emperor, one era'. Every emperor has his own political views. Only by relying on the political views of the emperor can he prosper and prosper." What he did. The prince's character is a little weaker, but he has his own ambitions, and his ambition may not be as good as your majesty. As ministers, we must give up our past habits and perceptions. We can criticize, meet, and even imitate Wei Zheng's indifference. In government affairs, simply be a remonstrating minister...but you must remember that when the interests of the clan conflict with the interests of the empire, the interests of the empire must be placed supreme."
This is not only because the Crown Prince is more determined to weaken the family than His Majesty Li Er, but also because the times are changing.
At the beginning of a new dynasty, when the world was in chaos, aristocratic families could not only rely on their powerful power to compete in the world, but they could also stabilize the four directions after the founding of the country and gain the trust of the imperial power. However, as the country stabilized and the imperial power became stable, the interests of the aristocratic families began to conflict with the imperial power bit by bit.
At this time, either the aristocratic families are holding on to the imperial power and still dividing the world's power and being proud of one side, or the surge in imperial power makes the aristocratic families dormant under pressure. There is absolutely no third way.
The current situation is like this. If Guan Long destroys the East Palace in one fell swoop and establishes another prince, then the glory of the family will continue, maybe twenty years, maybe fifty years. But now that Guanlong is defeated, the East Palace remains standing, and the prince is about to ascend the throne, the final glory of the clan will gradually dim.
This is the general trend.
The general trend is like the rushing of the Milky Way and the sweeping tide of the sea. All attempts to resist will be uprooted and crushed into powder in the face of this absolute power that destroys the world.
As the saying goes, the general trend of the world is vast. If you go with it, you will prosper and if you go against it, you will perish.
Liu Ji's face was ugly, and he tried to speak several times, but in the end he remained silent.
Cen Wenwen breathed out a sigh of relief and said with infinite regret: "Imperial power changes and times change. We cannot always cling to the prejudices of the past and think that a set of principles can be used for a hundred years. We must know how to advance with the times, and even more, we must know how to cater to the times. In order to Follow the general trend and stand firm. Otherwise, no matter how powerful you are, you will still suffer a bloody blow and be completely defeated in the face of the surging general trend."
There is nothing better than this to make heroes out of the times.
Liu Jie opened his mouth, and after a long time he said in a low voice: "The words of my predecessors are so inspiring that I will keep them in mind."
He was born in the Liu family of Nanyang, but his father and ancestors moved to Jingzhou to settle in his early years. He gradually lost contact with his ancestral family and established a separate family, so he was not considered a son of a wealthy family in the strict sense. In his early years, he served under Xiao Mian. Later, after Xiao Mian was defeated, he returned to Li Tang and was reused. However, as he was in the court controlled by the Guanlong clan, he was able to tirelessly transfer his character and style to the children of a noble family. After working hard to change and integrating into the various factions, he had a prosperous official career and became the center of the empire's power.
However, now, we have to face the changes of the times and the changes of the general trend, and strive to transform into a minister who is loyal to the emperor, loyal to the empire, and regards the interests of the empire above all else...
Didn’t I go astray in the first half of my life and achieve nothing?
But he also understood that Cen Wenwen's words were golden words that could not be refuted, so he had to accept them in a low voice, but it was difficult to change his mind for a while...
Cen Wenwen touched the teapot and found that the tea was already lukewarm. He simply pushed the teacup away and sighed: "When the prince ascends the throne, I will retire from office and return to my hometown in fine clothes. I will no longer care about the affairs of the court. Today is the last day for you." A reminder, whether you can understand my deep meaning depends on you. From now on, you will have to go through this officialdom by yourself. Whether it will be smooth and successful, or it will be bumpy and wasted, no one can help you."
Today's words can be regarded as the most benevolent and righteous. Originally, Liu Ji was trained to become his successor to pave the way for his nephew Cen Changqian, but now Cen Changqian follows Fang Jun firmly on the prince's side and has made great achievements to become the prince's confidant. This move is of no use.
Just a few words to clarify the current situation for him, that's all...
*****
In the back hall, the prince changed into regular clothes and came out. He saw Fang Jun kneeling at the table in front of the window. He walked forward, knelt down opposite him and asked with a smile: "Is Gao Yang looking for trouble for you?"
In front of the two armies, Gao Kan actually proposed a "marriage". Although it would be of great benefit to both Dong Gong and Fang Jun, Princess Gaoyang would definitely not let her go...
Fang Jun smiled bitterly: "It's what I meant, and Wei Chen can't escape... But this matter can completely bring Guan Long to His Highness's side, allowing them to drive His Highness with peace of mind. Even if Wei Chen feels a little wronged, It’s nothing. Moreover, His Highness Gao Yang knows the general situation, and the quarrel only lasts for three to five days. After this period, he will naturally understand the profound meaning of His Highness’s operations and will be considerate.”
Li Chengqian was stunned, stroking the short mustache on his lips and frowning. After thinking for a while, he glared and waved his hands and said, "No, no, what does this matter have to do with Gu? It's clearly Gao Kan who wanted to get Guan Longzhi's support for you in the future. The imperial court was protected from the joint suppression of the powerful families in Shandong and Jiangnan, so this happened. You are just going along with the flow and enjoying the beauty of adulthood. You have gained your backer, and even the ladies from famous families have been brought into the palace for your pleasure, but the fault will come to you. Come and take responsibility, how can there be such a truth in the world!"
"Ha ha……"
Fang Jun laughed twice and excused himself: "As human ministers, we should do our best to be loyal to His Highness. As long as His Highness gives an edict, we will go through fire and water, even if we die!" By marrying Guan Long, it seems that the ministers will get benefits, but in fact On a deeper level, His Highness’s foundation is becoming more and more stable. What the humble ministers get is only immediate benefits, but what Your Highness gets is a foundation that lasts for thousands of years.”
"Hey!"
Li Chengqian laughed angrily and said angrily: "Not only do Hezuo Gu have to take the blame for you, but he also has to thank you for your heroic sacrifice for Gu's great cause?"
Fang Jun laughed: "As long as His Highness remembers the minister's small merits, as for sacrifice, it doesn't count, it doesn't count."
Li Chengqian knew that he was clumsy in his speech and could not convince him, so he shook his head helplessly.
The waiter served fragrant tea, and the monarch and his ministers poured tea and drank together. After putting down the tea cups, Li Chengqian asked: "What do you think of Erlang going his own way?"
Fang Jun thought for a while and said: "As a prince, it is important to accept advice with an open mind, but it is even more important to have the unswerving courage after making up your mind. Otherwise, a weak will and swings will easily lead to changes in the government and political instability. , His Highness has done a good job in this regard.”
As a superior, sometimes courage is more important than ability.
It's just that the prince showed his courage later. If he had shown such courage in his early years, how could His Majesty Li Er look down on him and be obsessed with Yi Chu?
(End of chapter)
