Tiance Mansion, in the study. Li Shimin sat dejectedly behind the desk, staring blankly at the roof.
Just now in the imperial study, after Dugu Zhen announced that he would resign, Dou Kang, another leader of the Guanlong nobles, also said that if Li Yuan could not solve the problem for them, then he would have no choice but to resign and go into seclusion. Under the threat of the two resigning, Li Yuan finally agreed to take back the fields for them.
"Why!"
Li Shimin sighed helplessly. In fact, he knew in his heart that it was not that Li Yuan did not know the truth of the matter, but due to the current situation, he did not dare to fall out with the Guanlong nobles rashly. It's just that the Guanlong nobles are indeed the foundation of the Tang Dynasty, but aren't the millions of ordinary people in Guanzhong the foundation of the Tang Dynasty?
Li Shimin also admitted that when they first started their army, the Guanlong nobles helped them a lot. They provided money and people, allowing Datang to quickly gain a foothold in Guanzhong. However, as time went by, the adverse effects of the Guanlong noble land began to appear.
There are many manors on the land of Guanlong, and ordinary people have no land to cultivate. They either work as tenant farmers for Guanlong people or move away from home. In the court, incompetent people such as Dugu Huaien and Dou Dan occupied high positions, but the truly knowledgeable and capable people were wantonly suppressed by the Guanlong nobles. They were depressed and unable to succeed, and many people turned to the Sui Dynasty.
Both the father and the prince said they would work hard to govern and accumulate national strength. But they knew the harm the Guanlong nobles did to the Tang Dynasty, but because of various concerns, they did not dare to touch the interests of the Guanlong nobles. How could such timid and fearful people support the Tang Dynasty?
At this time, there was a sudden sound of footsteps outside the door. His concubine Wu Meiniang knocked on the door and whispered, "Husband, can I come in?"
Li Shimin responded in a low voice, "Come in!"
The door creaked open, and Wu Meiniang walked in lightly with a bowl of tea. Seeing the worried look on Li Shimin's face, she immediately walked up to Li Shimin's back and massaged it gently, and advised in a soft voice, "Victory and defeat are common matters for military officers." , Why should husband be so worried? Although I am a womanly family, I have also heard the principle of not being arrogant in victory and not discouraged in defeat. My husband is the commander-in-chief of the three armies. If even my husband behaves so depressed, then who of the people below will Will you still have the confidence to fight against the Sui Dynasty?"
Wu Meiniang's persuasion made Li Shimin's face look much better. He gently patted Wu Meiniang's hand and murmured, "The defeat of Luoyang is indeed a big blow to me, but I, Li Shimin, am not cowardly enough to do anything." We were defeated in this way. What worries me even more is that my father and eldest brother, in the Chancellor’s room this morning, my father adopted my eldest brother’s suggestion to negotiate peace with the Sui Dynasty.”
At this point, Li Shimin couldn't help but snorted heavily, with an angry look on his face, and said, "Brother said it nicely, the negotiation is clearly a request for peace. With Yang Gao'er's behavior, he will definitely extort a large amount of money and food from our Datang. To make up for his shortfall during the Luoyang War. Although I tried my best to dissuade him, it was a pity that my father was frightened by the Sui army because of the Chang'an incident and did not listen to my advice.
In addition, the Guanlong nobles took advantage of the loss of Chang'an to plunder the people's interests. My father and eldest brother were bent on seeking stability, but they indulged the Guanlong nobles even though they knew the truth. I'm afraid there will be even greater trouble in the future! "
Listening to Li Shimin's complaint, Wu Meiniang's eyes sparkled and she whispered, "Only your husband can see through everything in the court. It would be great if your husband were the king of the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty would be ten times more prosperous than it is now."
"What did you say?"
Li Shimin stood up with a sudden movement, his eyes flashed fiercely, and he glared at Wu Meiniang and said, "How dare you say such a rebellious thing?"
Wu Meiniang gritted her teeth. She was a woman who was not willing to settle for mediocrity. Using war to get rid of the eldest grandson Wugao, who was Li Shimin's childhood sweetheart and a close couple, was only the first step. Next, she would take advantage of the eldest grandson's absence. Entering Li Shimin's heart and completely replacing Changsun Wugou's position. She knew that Li Shimin must have such ambitions, otherwise why would he cultivate so many cronies in the army. She must not retreat at this time, otherwise she will only be an insignificant concubine for the rest of her life.
At that moment, she knelt on the ground and said in a neither humble nor condescending manner, "Although I am just a woman, I should not discuss national affairs. But seeing the Tang Dynasty deteriorating, I really can't help it. Although His Highness the Crown Prince is a generous person, , with the air of an elder, he would indeed be a benevolent king in peacetime. But now in troubled times, His Highness the Crown Prince's character is destined to be impossible for him to be Yang Gao's opponent. What the Tang Dynasty needs is a courageous monarch!"
Li Shimin stared at Wu Meiniang, his expression changed again and again. After a long time, he slowly sat down, sighed and said, "After you leave this room, don't say this again, even to your closest people!"
Wu Meiniang was secretly happy when she heard this. She knew that this time she made the right bet, and immediately replied, "Don't worry, husband, I understand!"
Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "Go down!"
Wu Meiniang bowed Yingying, slowly exited the door, closed the door gently, and walked out for a long time. Only then did a smile appear on her lips.
At this moment, a figure quickly walked up to Wu Meiniang, raised her hands and saluted, "I see you, Mrs. Wu!"
"Li Yi? I haven't seen you in the house recently. Where have you been?"
Wu Meiniang frowned slightly. This Li Yi was Li Shimin's personal soldier in his early years. He once blocked a knife for Li Shimin and was promoted by Li Shimin to the leader of the guards of Prince Qin's palace. Although he was brave and good at fighting, he was greedy for money and lust, and was bribed by Wu Meiniang with a lot of money. Wu Meiniang had secretly instructed this person to tamper with Changsun Wugou's carriage.
Li Yi smiled slightly and said, "Madam dissatisfied, I went to Luoyang to find out about the princess in the name of Your Highness."
"What did you inquire about?"
Wu Meiniang's heart suddenly shuddered. Li Shimin was the eldest son of Sun Sheng in his early years, and he and his eldest grandson Wuga had known each other since childhood and had a close relationship. The relationship of more than ten years is the capital that Changsun Wugou can secure as the princess. Wu Meiniang knows that under equal conditions, she cannot win Changsun Wugou. This is why she does not hesitate to take risks and uses war to frame Changsun Wugou.
Li Yi immediately told Wu Meiniang the exact information he had found out in Luoyang City, and at the end he added, "Madam, do you want me to hide this matter? Just pretend that I have not found any information about her. Your Highness may You would think she had died in the rebellion."
Wu Meiniang shook her head and said, "Your Highness is such a person, such things cannot be kept secret for long."
"Then what should we do?" Li Yi's face turned a little pale, "If His Highness knows that the princess is still alive, he will definitely try his best to welcome the princess back. What if the princess returns to the house and investigates the carriage crash that day? "
"Isn't things so bad?" Wu Meiniang smiled slightly and said, "You just said that Yang Gao found someone to settle the mother and son, and also sent an imperial doctor to treat Li Chengqian?"
"Yes!" Li Yi nodded.
"Then God really helps me!"
Wu Meiniang immediately said, "Go back and report to His Highness. There is no need to hide anything. Tell His Highness honestly. But when reporting the fact that Yang Gao sent people to treat Li Chengqian, you can add one more sentence. Yang Gao has also visited many times." . Remember, you only need to add this sentence, nothing else needs to be said!”
