20demayo Chapter 67 Changsun Wuji Instructs His Son, Su Wan Offers a Plan
Chapter 67 Changsun Wuji Instructs His Son, Su Wan Offers a Plan
morning.
Empress Zhangsun summoned Li Lizhi to the Lizheng Hall and recounted the events that had transpired to her.
Li Lizhi said dismissively, "If Changsun Chong wants to commit suicide, that's his own business. What does it have to do with me?"
Empress Zhangsun sighed: "That's true, but we can't just look at this matter so simply."
The most important thing for a woman is to find a good man. Now, Changsun Chong is willing to die for you, which shows how much he loves you.
How many people in this world would be willing to do that for you?
As your mother, I will never force you; I will always fully respect your wishes.
Changsun Wuji is my elder brother and also your uncle. He is a meritorious official, as you know.
He was also someone who knew when to retire gracefully, and resolutely resigned from the position of prime minister.
However, their family is wealthy, so if you marry into their family, you can live a life of luxury.
What do women strive for in this life?
Li Lizhi cried again: "Mother, is there any room for discussion on this matter? I really don't like Changsun Chong."
"This matter is also putting your father in a difficult position."
If Changsun Chong really died because of this, could Changsun Wuji say he had no resentment?
He was your father's most loyal minister, and your father truly didn't want to lose such a good minister.
"If you are unwilling to marry Changsun Chong, then let me ask you, if I were to marry you into a commoner's family, where you lack food and drink, can only wear coarse clothes, and have to work in the fields every day, could you endure such hardship?"
Li Lizhi shook her head after hearing this.
"Yes, without an economic foundation, life would be even harder. After all, Changsun Wuji is the leader of the Guanlong Group, so how can it be the same?"
For a man, looks aren't the most important thing; what matters most are his character and talent. What do you think?
"But Changsun Chong is no good at this either. I heard that he actually went to Li Ke to ask for a piece of land in the south of the city."
He was a subject, and Li Ke was a prince. Had he really become so domineering?
Empress Zhangsun frowned upon hearing this: "Is that so?"
"Yes, and he also frequents gambling dens and often goes to Beili with some shady characters."
"No way, if that's really the case, then it's just that he was young and reckless."
I remember that when Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty, was young, he was also unruly and did many outrageous things. Later, he changed and, through hard work, finally became the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty.
There's a saying, "A prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold." Changsun Chong is still young; we should give him a chance to reform.
As the saying goes, words can unlock the heart. After Empress Zhangsun's persuasion, Li Lizhi's attitude was no longer as firm as before.
Finally, Li Lizhi stated, "If Changsun Chong can repent and reform, then I can consider this marriage."
However, the prerequisite is that he has truly changed, a complete and radical transformation.
night.
At Changsun Wuji's residence.
Changsun Wuji and his son Changsun Chong had a private conversation.
Changsun Chong stood with his hands at his sides.
"How is your injury?" Changsun Wuji asked, looking at him.
"It's much better now."
"How could you do something so foolish for a woman?"
"What will your mother and I do if something happens to you?" Changsun Wuji said, exasperated.
"Your son knows he was wrong." Changsun Chong was terrified when he saw his father's grim expression.
"From now on, you are not allowed to do such foolish things again."
"Yes, Father, I will certainly follow your teachings."
At this point, Changsun Chong poured his father a cup of tea.
"Also, I've heard that you've done a lot of outrageous things lately. Do you think your father doesn't know about all the things you've done?"
How could our family have produced such a spendthrift son like you?
"I...I didn't do anything." Changsun Chong's face turned bright red.
"Didn't you do anything? Did you go to Li Ke to ask for the land in the south of the city?"
"I--."
When Changsun Chong heard this, he thought to himself, "This is really strange. How did his father know about this?"
"You've got some nerve! Li Ke is the king, and you're his subject. Who do you think you are? How dare you ask him for land?"
You're not a child anymore, you should be more sensible by now, why do you still make your father worry like this?
Do you know how treacherous people can be?
Why did your father resign from his official post? Have you ever thought about the reasons behind it?
"I don't understand either. Many people aspire to become prime minister, seeing it as the ultimate goal and ideal of an official. Why do you do this, Father?"
Changsun Wuji picked up his teacup and took two sips: "Here, I'll tell you two stories. During the Spring and Autumn Period, King Goujian of Yue endured hardship and humiliation, and finally defeated King Fuchai of Wu."
Goujian had two ministers, one named Fan Li and the other named Wen Zhong.
Fan Li resigned from his official post and went boating away.
So he wrote a letter to Wen Zhong, urging him to resign from his official post and go boating with Fan Li.
Wen Zhong thought to himself, "I worked so hard to help the King of Yue conquer the country and achieve my current status. How can I give it up so easily?"
He ignored Fan Li's advice and insisted on becoming an official.
But in the end, what happened?
He didn't even know what mistake he had made, that the King of Yue had given him a sword to commit suicide.
By the time of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang was originally just a minor official in Sishui. He started a rebellion by slaying a snake, destroyed the Qin Dynasty in three years, and conquered the Chu Dynasty in four years, finally establishing the Han Dynasty.
At a banquet, he said that he was able to conquer the world thanks to three people: Xiao He, Zhang Liang, and Han Xin.
These three are the famous "Three Heroes of the Early Han Dynasty".
After Han Xin conquered the State of Qi, he believed that his contributions were great and asked Liu Bang for the title of King of Qi.
Liu Bang was furious and plotted to kill him.
When Liu Bang was enfeoffing the princes, he allowed Zhang Liang to choose 30,000 households in Qi.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if it were an ordinary person?
However, Zhang Liang declined, saying, "I first met Your Majesty in Liu, so please grant me that place." Thus, Zhang Liang was also called Marquis of Liu, and he only asked for 10,000 households.
He then told Liu Bang that he was in poor health and would resign from his official post to stay home and recuperate.
Han Xin was determined to become king, but he was eventually killed by Empress Lü in Weiyang Palace.
Although it was said that Empress Lü killed him, did it have nothing to do with Liu Bang?
Isn't that tragic?
"Han Xin's fate was tragic, but I heard that he harbored rebellious intentions in the end, which is why he was killed."
"When Han Xin was in Qi, he had 300,000 troops under his command. He did not rebel then. But in the end, he was demoted to the Marquis of Huaiyin. He no longer had an army. Why would he rebel?"
It wasn't that he wanted to rebel, but rather that he had no choice but to do so under those circumstances.
If Han Xin rebelled, then did Peng Yue also rebel?
Why was he killed too?
"Peng Yue was also killed by Empress Lü. I heard that he did not plot a rebellion."
"Yes, as a monarch, whether you rebel or not, in the end, you will have to be killed."
That's how monarchs are; they can only share hardship, not prosperity.
Even though my father and the Emperor are relatives, it still won't work.
The status of maternal relatives is even more sensitive.
Throughout history, how many relatives of the emperor have been killed?
Therefore, he resigned from his official post to await a change in circumstances.
"I understand a little bit now."
"Therefore, you must not flaunt your father's past achievements and dare to ask Li Ke for land. Do you not want to live?"
"Go and apologize to the King of Shu tomorrow!"
"This—." Changsun Chong hesitated.
"What? Didn't you hear what your father said?"
"I heard that, but the King of Shu is too stingy. I did help him before."
Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji shook his head: "Let me tell you again, you should forget the favors you do for others, but you should remember the favors others do for you for the rest of your life."
"I've remembered it."
"Also, do you know why Li Lizhi disagrees with this marriage?"
"Because I'm ugly."
"At least you have some self-awareness."
But it's not just because of those things. Do you frequently visit gambling dens? Do you often go to Beili?
"Uh—." Changsun Chong choked for a moment. He wondered how his father knew about these things.
"Chang'an is only so big. Don't think that no one knows what you've done."
As your father, I'm telling you, if you don't want others to know, then don't do it in the first place.
If you want to marry Li Lizhi, you must change all your bad habits and behaviors.
When you have free time, read more books and learn more from the Crown Prince. He is about the same age as you, but his words and actions are no different from those of an adult man.
Look at yourself again, you're ignorant and incompetent, how can this be acceptable?
Li Lizhi is a person who loves reading. If you don't read, will you have anything in common to talk about in the future?
"Father's words are correct. I will definitely correct my mistakes and study hard," Changsun Chong said.
"I hope you will keep your word and make your father proud."
The next day, Changsun Chong indeed brought gifts to apologize to Li Ke.
Li Ke was a magnanimous man. He didn't expect Changsun Chong to come, so he laughed and forgot about the matter.
Changsun Chong then told his cronies, "Don't come looking for me during this time."
"How can it be okay if you don't come?" one of his friends said.
"I'm in trouble, this is really bad."
However, I will give you some money.
Changsun Chong was quite kind; he gave his friends a sum of money.
In order to maintain appearances, Changsun Chong once again sought advice from Du He.
Du He and he were both descendants of the founding fathers, and they felt a sense of sympathy for each other. Therefore, Du He did not want to offend him, and told him everything he knew without reservation.
Changsun Chong then learned calligraphy from him.
As a result, Changsun Chong's reputation quickly spread, and people said that Changsun Chong of Chang'an was an extraordinary person and a model of a prodigal son who turned over a new leaf.
The Eastern Palace.
Su Wan came to see Li Chengqian.
"Due to the overwhelming force of Hou Junji and Li Daliang's armies, Tuoba Chici, persuaded by Yaoshi Huiri, sent troops to provide assistance. With the persuasion of Murong Shun, Tianzhu King, under various pressures, finally withdrew his troops, and the siege of Li Tai was lifted."
Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief: "That's great! Has Ashina She'er been exposed?"
"No, he was just keeping an eye on things from the shadows."
"That's good."
Because Ashina She'er's army was trained by Li Chengqian alone, and no one else knew about it, Li Chengqian was a little worried that Ashina She'er might be exposed. Obviously, Ashina She'er was an excellent general, and he fully understood Li Chengqian's concerns.
Su Wan smiled and said, "I also heard a news story."
"What news?"
"It's about Changsun Chong committing suicide because of love."
I never imagined he was such a romantic. Unable to win Li Lizhi's heart, he resorted to this kind of blackmail. How could he even think of such a thing?
"I never imagined that a man would commit suicide."
"However, I heard that he seems to have changed recently, becoming more humble and often asking Du He for advice."
Li Chengqian was delighted to hear this: "Really? That's a good thing."
If he inherits his uncle's title and is to serve as an official in the court, further education will greatly benefit his future.
Su Wan's eyes darted around. "Do you think he's serious? Can a prodigal son really turn over a new leaf?"
"What do you mean?"
"People often say that it's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature. To say that Changsun Chong can completely change is like asking the sun to rise in the west. Anyway, I don't believe it."
Li Chengqian laughed: "You don't need to say that. Maybe he really has changed."
"Just because he, a grown man, couldn't marry the woman he loved, he resorted to such extreme measures, he's not a qualified man."
I'm definitely not someone who judges people by their appearance, but his usual behavior is really a bit out of line.
Li Chengqian gazed out the window: "If Changsun Chong can really change things, then this marriage isn't so bad."
"Your Highness, Fatong said that Princess Gaoyang came to see him that day. Was there anything wrong with that?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"How could Princess Gaoyang know Fatong?"
"Oh, I've already inquired about this. It's because Princess Gaoyang visited Daxingshan Temple several times to offer incense and had a brief encounter with Fatong."
"Really? But I understand women's psychology. As a woman, I wouldn't just get to know a monk casually."
"What do you mean?"
"I know Fatong is an upright monk, and there shouldn't be any problems between him and Princess Gaoyang, but it's hard to say about other monks."
I've heard that there's a very handsome monk at Daxingshan Temple named Bianji, and that he's quite interested in women.
"Bianji?" Li Chengqian thought for a moment. "You mean him? I remember now. I've seen him before. He is indeed quite good-looking."
Could it be that Gao Yang and he have some kind of relationship?
"Otherwise, why would Gao Yang visit Daxingshan Temple so often?"
Li Chengqian shook his head: "Aren't you overthinking it? Gao Yang and Fang Yi'ai just got engaged, how could such things happen?"
Su Wan said dismissively, "In my opinion, Fang Yi'ai and Princess Gaoyang are two equally bad people, neither of them is a good person."
I'd heard long ago that Fang Yi'ai had an affair with a woman named Qiu Tianjiao.
Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian laughed: "Isn't what you're saying contradictory?"
Didn't I hear you say that Fang Yi'ai's sexual function is impaired?
Since he's impotent, how could he possibly be messing around with Qiu Tianjiao?
"Just because he can't do it, does that mean things can't be chaotic? Eunuchs and palace maids still sleep together."
Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian grinned and asked, "Who told you all this?"
That's how it is.
This is normal; similar incidents have occurred frequently in the palace throughout history.
"As for the matter between Gao Yang and Bianji, you must not speak of it to anyone without solid evidence."
"I already know that, do you need to tell me?"
Li Chengqian still didn't quite believe it.
"I'm here today to discuss a solution with you," Su Wan said.
"What countermeasures?" Li Chengqian asked.
"Li Tai will be back soon. Although his troops were surrounded and the court mobilized a large force, I don't think your father will blame him."
Your father is already very happy just to see him return safely. Isn't that right?
"Probably. But this time it was fortunate, a close call but no real danger."
You mustn't tease him anymore.
"What, can't I deal with him?"
"You're actually feeling sorry for her? What's wrong?"
"It's not that I feel sorry for him, but this time the joke went too far. If it weren't for Wei Zheng speaking up for me, both you and I would probably be in trouble."
"Really? So, according to you, I should thank Wei Zheng?"
"No need for that, Lord Wei doesn't care about these things either."
I've noticed that your father is far too biased. Why doesn't he blame Li Tai for being careless?
As the commander-in-chief of the three armies, Li Tai's inability to verify the authenticity of the agreement was his first crime.
His second crime is that, regardless of whether the agreement was real or fake, Li Tai went to persuade Tuyuhun to surrender. Such a big thing should have been fully prepared beforehand, right?
Didn't he ever consider the possibility of an accident?
His third crime is that Tuyuhun has always been stubborn and internally divided. He should have given this matter full consideration. Just like the Dangxiang, when they were recruited, weren't there also internal disagreements?
The Tanguts consist of eight tribes, and their leaders have differing opinions. If we hadn't been sent as envoys to Tuyuhun, do you think they would have surrendered so easily?
Later, we went to Tuyuhun and risked our lives to finally subdue the Dangxiang. But Li Tai took over the Dangxiang. What kind of person is he?
"I'm so angry!"
"Don't be angry. Whether it's Li Tai who persuades the Tanguts to surrender, or I who do it, isn't it all the same?"
"How can they be the same? Li Tai originally had twenty-two states, and now he has one more, making it twenty-three states. How much tax revenue do so many states generate in a year?"
With money, he can recruit soldiers and do whatever he wants.
What about you?
Although you are the crown prince, the Eastern Palace is dirt poor.
I'm asking you, how many months has it been since the palace maids and eunuchs received their monthly allowances?
If you can't even pay your monthly allowance, what else can you do?
If I hadn't given you the idea to renovate those three old houses, you wouldn't even have had a gift to give when you visited Changsun Wuji.
However, on the other hand, I've found your uncle to be quite cunning. You went to great lengths to give him a big gift, but he didn't even express any support for you.
He's a really interesting guy; all he thinks about is getting paid, but he has no intention of doing anything.