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Chapter 255
Chapter 255
Chapter 255
Some impatient courtiers stepped forward, bowing respectfully and saying, “Please, Your Majesty, reconsider!” Several other senior officers stepped forward and echoed in unison, “Please, Your Majesty, reconsider!” This was an unprecedented situation. In contrast, they had witnessed land grants, nothing of this magnitude. It was like splitting the Great Tang into two countries, one still bearing the Li surname and the other belonging to Su Li.
Wei Zheng, known for his bold advice, stepped forward with a stern face and spoke with eloquence, “Your Majesty, I implore you to revoke this edict. Wei Zheng acknowledges his broad knowledge and has never heard of an emperor dividing his realm in such a manner. This action… Since the time of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the unification of territory, ideology, people, agriculture, currency, and the like has been the goal of every dynasty’s first ruler! Now, by dividing the entire Great Tang in half, Your Majesty reverses the course of history.
It is nothing short of absurd! I believe, Your Majesty, you are making a grave mistake…” Wei Zheng, a staunch supporter of imperial authority, couldn’t understand the emperor’s ludicrous decision. However, he still exercised caution, as he didn’t want to be too harsh in his criticism.
A hundred years from now, or even longer, he wondered, would this realm be named after Li or Su? In the end, weighing the pros and cons, Wei Zheng chose to keep these words to himself. Among the twenty-five honored officers in the Lingyan Pavilion, Kong Yingda couldn’t stay silent and stepped forward to advise, “We recognize Prince Yongle’s significant achievements, and he deserves a land grant.
However, regarding the allocation of this land, I share Wei Zhang’s concerns. Your Majesty, please reconsider… I pray you do not act recklessly concerning the state’s welfare!” The twenty-four honored officers of the Lingyan Pavilion, now numbering twenty-five after Su Li’s inclusion, represented nearly half of the courtiers. They all raised their voices in protest, “We concur!” “We concur!” And so on… They were either opposing the edict that granted Li Er’s lands to Su Li or advising Li Er to limit the grant to the former Tibetan territories or even to smaller territories. However, no courtier came forward to say a word against Su Li.
Even the Five Surnames, Seven Gentry, and even Your Majesty found themselves at odds with Prince Yongle, Su Li. Not to mention, they were just courtiers. They couldn’t afford to provoke Su Li and dare not offend him. Li Er had anticipated this situation regarding the land grant today. Even if some courtiers remained silent, as long as venerable figures like Wei Zheng and Kong Yingda from the Lingyan Pavilion were present, there would be courtiers standing up to oppose the mandate. It seemed that, under the protests of Wei Zheng and Kong Yingda, more courtiers had gathered the courage to oppose Li Er’s decree. Li Er’s face turned grim.
Revoked the edict? That was out of the question! He had worked hard to persuade Su Li to accept the land grant. Instead, Li Er sent a subtle signal to Zhangsun Wuji, who was among the courtiers, suggesting that Zhangsun Wuji should respond.
The decision to confer Su Li with the title of “One Word Co-Regent King” and grant him the northwest as his domain was entirely Zhangsun Wuji’s idea. With the courtiers now heatedly debating, it was time for Zhangsun Wuji to use his influence to counter their arguments. “Your Majesty, I hold a different opinion from Chancellor Wei,” Zhangsun Wuji began, using his position as the Deputy Minister, an equivalent rank to a prime minister. As an influential confidant of Li Er, he carried significant weight in the court. After Zhangsun Wuji’s counter-argument, the noisy court became noticeably quieter, and everyone turned their attention to him, waiting for his performance. In astonishment, Wei Zheng, Kong Yingda, and the other courtiers stared at Zhangsun Wuji. Li Er nodded, signaling for Zhangsun Wuji to express himself freely in the court.
Clearing his throat, Zhangsun Wuji continued, “I believe that the northwest is a desolate region consisting of plateaus, snow-capped mountains, deserts, and barren lands. It is sparsely populated and impoverished. However, the vast expanse of the northwest should be noticed. We should revitalize this region as part of the Great Tang’s territory. The barbarian tribes, neighboring nations, and infertile lands in the northwest require governance and development. We should transform the impoverished northwest into a thriving land like Changan. I support Your Majesty’s decision to grant the title of ‘One Word Co-Regent King’ to Prince Yongle for the northwest!”
Zhangsun Wuji’s vision of turning the desolate northwest into a thriving land like Changan was beautiful. However, concerning population density alone, it couldn’t compare to Changan. Not to mention the other aspects… It would require a massive investment if they truly intended to make the lonely and impoverished northwest resemble Changan. Zhangsun Wuji didn’t believe that even someone as capable as Prince Yongle, Su Li, could accomplish it!
On the other hand, Wei Zheng watched Zhangsun Wuji with a look of utter disbelief. The idea had some merit… The development of the northwest lagged far behind the Central Plains of the Great Tang. The region had a mix of barbarian tribes and Han Chinese, but it was undermanaged, and in some parts, the knowledge of Tang laws was scarce. Many of its people struggled for their basic needs. While Wei Zheng acknowledged the validity of Zhangsun Wuji’s argument, he believed there were alternative methods for development, such as appointing a prince or sending officers to govern the northwest. It didn’t have to involve the clumsy approach of dividing the Great Tang.
Wei Zheng let out a cold snort and rebuked Zhangsun Wuji, his fellow prime minister, without holding back, “The development of the northwest is indeed important, but this is a matter of state! We should dispatch…”
By emphasizing “a matter of state,” Wei Zheng reminded Zhangsun Wuji and Li Er that this was not a decision to be taken lightly. While it was not wrong to develop the northwest, dividing it away was illogical and unnecessary. Developing the northwest and granting it away were not mutually exclusive concepts. Did the northwest need to be granted away for it to be developed? What kind of logic was this?
Before Wei Zheng could finish his point, Zhangsun Wuji mercilessly rebutted, “Does Deputy Minister Wei have a better candidate than Prince Yongle? In terms of military achievements, who in the army surpasses him? In agriculture, Prince Yongle discovered new crops. In commerce, the steel mills he established supported countless Tang citizens. Regarding reputation, the neighboring countries in the northwest tremble at mentioning Prince Yongle’s name.”
Zhangsun Wuji’s flattering rhetoric was undoubtedly effective. He had skillfully diverted the conversation towards Su Li, leaving Wei Zheng red-faced and ultimately resorting to silence. Debate all he wanted, but why brought up Prince Yongle? Could Wei Zheng argue against Su Li?
Zhangsun Wuji’s maneuver was anything but fair—it was blatantly flattering. Seeing the opportune moment, Li Er intervened and declared, “That’s enough. This matter is my decision, and Chancellor Zhangsun Wuji’s words align with my intentions.” With Li Er’s final say, the decision to confer Su Li with the title of “One Word Co-Regent King” and grant him the Northwest became an irrevocable reality.