Chapter 33 Li Shanchang’s Grudge
Lu Xian asked with a stern look on his face: "Your Highness, is this business at sea really profitable?"
The prince was stunned, not expecting Lu Xian to ask such a question. Said: "I don't know about this. You can ask He Xi? He Xi said that he can make money. But I don't know how to make money."
Although Lu Xian didn't get a definite answer. But it was also heard that the prince had left some room for success, which did not mean that this was not profitable. Lu Xian thought to himself: "It's time for me to pay some respects to my brother-in-law."
A banquet broke up.
The prince specially sent Li Qi out. Said: "Send my regards to Duke Han on my behalf, and I would also like to ask Duke Han to give you some advice on today's matters. This will help clear up the doubts of future generations."
The prince said this almost clearly. How could Li Qi not understand?
Li Qi said: "Prince, please rest assured, I will definitely ask my father for advice on this matter."
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Li Qi returned to Han Guogong's mansion and washed his face with cold water first. Get rid of the alcohol, refresh yourself, and then ask your family. Said: "Dad, have you ever rested?"
The person next to him replied: "The Duke of the country has told the young master to come back and see him."
Li Qi immediately understood that his father also felt that the prince must have deep meaning. Now let’s ask about the deeper meaning.
Li Qi immediately went to see Li Shanchang. He told what happened today in detail.
Li Shanchang is now over seventy. Although he has gray hair and has been idle for more than ten years, he is still quick-thinking. After Li Qi finished speaking, Li Shanchang immediately said: "This is not what your Majesty meant. Your Majesty is a strong man, and such a method is not what your Majesty can think of. But After all, His Majesty is getting old and has a soft heart. More than ten years ago, Your Majesty was determined not to let the prince do such useless work."
Li Qi said: "Father, I don't understand something about today's things. Is it really possible to make money at sea? If it can make money. Why did the prince tell us? Still want us to join?"
Li Shanchang said: "Yes, my son has made great progress. There is no free lunch in the world. Especially the Zhu family's meal, there is no free lunch. There is no one in the world who can take advantage of Zhu Chongba. If Just look at the immediate benefits. You don’t even know how you’re going to die.”
Li Qi said: "What does your Majesty mean?"
Li Shanchang said: "Your Majesty wants to drink a glass of wine to release his military power. And the money from sea trade is this glass of wine. But this matter is absolutely impossible for me?"
Li Qi said: "Father, Your Majesty is at the height of his power, why do we have to go against His Majesty? Since Your Majesty has given you face, how can we not take it? This will harm Your Majesty."
Li Shanchang said: "What position do I hold in the government?"
Li Qi was stunned and said: "My father has no longer served in the court. He is just a sinecure."
Li Shanchang said: "That's right. Your Majesty wants to release my power, but I no longer have any power to release? What do you think I should do?"
Li Qi was stunned and felt that what Li Shanchang said was wrong, but he couldn't point out what was wrong for a while.
Because what Li Shanchang said is true.
He has given away all power. He does not hold any official position. There is no such thing as power to give away.
But Li Shanchang obviously distorted one thing: not only official positions can represent power. Li Shanchang used his influence to maintain Huaixi Group. It's very simple. Li Shanchang's qualifications can convince many Huaixi generals.
Just think about it. The arrogant soldiers and brave generals faced off against the arrogance. How can they be harmonious with each other? What a joke. If broken down. There are many factions among the Huaixi generals. Following Zhu Yuanzhang, he worked his way up from the lowest level step by step. Xu Da, Tang He, Li Wenzhong, Mu Ying, etc. are all. In fact, Lawrence Lu is also considered. It's just that he's politically confused. Don't know whose team to be on.
He fled with his own troops. The landlords in the Huaixi area are curious, including the Feng family brothers, Wu family brothers, Geng family uncles and nephews, etc.
There is the Chaohu series, as mentioned before.
There is a line of surrendered generals, such as Fu Youde. And among the fallen generals, they can be subdivided. The surrendered generals from different camps defected.
etc.
If all the Huaixi people among the nobles were gathered together, it would be a powerful force that spanned the civil and military circles and made Zhu Yuanzhang fearful. But if you break it down. These Huaixi people can think of themselves as idiots. In today's battlefield, fierce generals are fighting in and out. Except for a few people. Who obeys whom?
The one who can integrate these people is Zhu Yuanzhang, Xu Da is one, and Li Shanchang is one.
As mentioned earlier, Xu Da has stopped forming cliques for a long time. He even specifically uses generals who are not on the same side as himself to show his selflessness.
But Li Shanchang is different.
Li Shanchang had hatred for Zhu Yuanzhang.
This hatred is not shallow.
The main reason is that after the founding of the People's Republic of China, on the one hand, they praised Xiao He, but on the other hand, they let me take care of themselves in old age. He has been raised for more than ten years, and he is now very old. Li Shanchang regarded himself as the first hero in the founding of the country. Zhu Chongba did not have him. Li Shanchang recommended talents, ran the place, and transported grain and grass. He Zhu Chongba can live today.
Zhu Yuanzhang praised him as Xiao He. But in Li Shanchang's view, he is not Xiao He, but a combination of Xiao He and Zhang Liang. Many things Li Shanchang did cannot be compared simply with Xiao He. Many people compare Liu Bowen with him. But in Li Shanchang's view, Liu Bowen was a loser.
That’s all.
However, the Hu Weiyong case made Li Shanchang and Zhu Yuanzhang irreconcilable.
Hu Weiyong is Li Shanchang's old subordinate.
In fact, Li Shanchang didn't feel much about Zhu Yuanzhang's treatment of Hu Weiyong. After all, although Hu Weiyong was Li Shanchang's old subordinate. However, when the tea is cold and Hu Weiyong is successful, he may not be very respectful to Li Shanchang, his old superior.
However, Zhu Yuanzhang took advantage of the situation and used Hu Weiyong as an excuse to carry out a general purge of the court, which Li Shanchang could not bear.
Because Zhu Yuanzhang killed most of them, it is difficult to say that it was the Hu Party, but more Li Party. Yes, it was Li Shanchang's old department and Li Shanchang's influence. Li Shan's wings.
This made Li Shanchang particularly uncomfortable.
He felt that Zhu Yuanzhang was pressing him step by step. Only then did Li Shanchang take advantage of his own advantages and find a way to unite. Let Zhu Yuanzhang not dare to act rashly.
Of course, Li Shanchang himself also has a big or small problem.
Li Shanchang was born as a minor official and was somewhat lacking in cultivation. He did not do a good job in getting along with the emperor and his ministers. He had started fighting with Zhu Yuanzhang from a young age and had seen Zhu Yuanzhang's embarrassing side. Don't look at Zhu Yuanzhang as the supreme king in the world now. Li Shanchang was respectful on the surface, but in his heart, consciously or unconsciously, he regarded Zhu Yuanzhang as Zhu Chongba, who had no more than a few thousand soldiers and no more than one county.
Moreover, Li Shan has good face.
When I was on stage, the natural scenery was beautiful. But after he got off the stage, he still wanted to do so. After all, not everyone can withstand the change of falling from a height.
Li Shanchang couldn't bear it.
So he still wants to be in glory, what should he do?
What kind of old leader can make the people below him respectful? That is an old leader who can use his remaining energy. An experienced leader who can get things done. Otherwise, no matter how prominent you were back then, people below you would still be respectful to you for one or two years. If you go and see what it will be like ten or eight years later, what will it look like?
After all, Li Shanchang is highly respected. There are many things that can only be said by Li Shanchang in one sentence.
In Li Shanchang's view, this is a very common thing. It's just a few words for the old department and a favor for the fellow villagers.
But in Zhu Yuanzhang's view, this was intolerable. Zhu Yuanzhang once drove Li Shanchang back to Fengyang. Just want to cut off Li Shanchang's influence on the court. But it turns out that this can't be cut off. The main reason is that Li Shanchang doesn't want to.
The same is true today. What does Zhu Yuanzhang want? Li Shanchang knew.
Li Shanchang could tell the public that he was ill, but he had been ill for more than ten years and thanked guests behind closed doors. There is no way to retreat or give in. I just don’t want to.
When Li Shanchang saw that his son was silent, he said, "Your Majesty will not be relieved unless I die. We have your Majesty's money, but we cannot do your Majesty's things. That is the way to die."
Li Qi said: "Then how should we deal with this matter?"
While Li Shanchang was thinking about it, he suddenly heard someone outside saying: "My lord, my lord, Lord Lu is here."
This Lord Lu is naturally the Marquis of Ji'an, Lu Zhongheng. Li Qi immediately added: "Lu Xian is here today."
Li Shanchang nodded and said, "Invite him in."
