"Hm? Why is the reward too excessive? Changle is the apple of our eye. We have said before that if anyone can cure Changle's illness, we will give them half of the country. Right now, it is only a small Lantian County. Wei Zuocheng, are you looking down on us or Changle by saying that the reward is too excessive? "
Within the Taiji Palace, Li Er saw that Wei Zheng was the first to jump out to oppose and frowned. He paused and snorted with displeasure.
But how could Wei Zheng retreat because of Li Er's displeasure? This fellow was the most typical thorn in the imperial court during the Zhenguan era. Opposing Li Er had already become a common occurrence for him. "Your Majesty, this old subject is not looking down on anyone, but if all the citizens of Lantian County are enfeoffed to Marquis Yong 'an, how is that different from Western Zhou's enfeoffment system? Could it be that Your Majesty wants to restore the Zhou system? "
Enfeoffment system!
Hearing this sensitive word, the faces of all the officials in the palace turned serious.
In the history of ancient China, ever since the Qin Dynasty unified the six states, the biggest problem that the founding emperors of each dynasty faced was which system to adopt to manage the country and ensure that the country would always remain in the hands of their own people.
Regarding this, the Qin First Emperor thought of a way to abolish the enfeoffment system and change it to a county system. As for the county magistrates, they were personally appointed by the Emperor to govern the region. However, the Qin Dynasty only existed for fifteen years before disappearing. Later on, many founding emperors used the Qin Dynasty's disappearance as a lesson and implemented the enfeoffment system.
During the implementation of the enfeoffment system, because the emperor's relatives were watching over the country, they had a very close relationship. Thus, the citizens lived very well and there were very few disturbances. However, this could only be done when the founding emperor was on the throne. Once the founding emperor died, there would be another catastrophe. Many vassals would start to fight for the throne and start to rebel. For example, the Western Han's "Rebellion of the State of Qi" and the Western Jin's "Rebellion of the Eight Princes"!
However, during the Tang Dynasty, although there were painful lessons from the Han and Jin Dynasties, Li Er still wanted to use the enfeoffment system to reward his son and the officials who helped him obtain the throne.
According to historical records, in the seventh month of the first year of Zhenguan, Li Er sought out Xiao Yu to discuss the enfeoffment system. Xiao Yu was a person who greatly respected the Zhou Rites and could be said to be the most enthusiastic proponent of the enfeoffment system. At that time, he said, "Based on my observation of the previous dynasty, I believe that the enfeoffment system will last for a long time. The Qin Dynasty had six states, but the second generation died. The Han Dynasty had the world, and the commanderies participated in the construction, but it took more than four hundred years. The Wei and Jin Dynasties were abolished, and could not last forever.
Li Er was overjoyed that he had finally found a like-minded person. He was about to issue a decree to reward the officials who had rendered meritorious service. But at the crucial moment, Li Er's idea was vehemently opposed by the officials led by Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Wei Zheng, Li Baiyao, and Yan Shigu. In their view, the enfeoffment system was the root of the country's troubles. Once this loophole was opened, the Tang Empire would inevitably be plunged into a chaotic state of war.
Thus, at that time, the imperial court was divided into the 'anti-enfeoffment system' and the 'enfeoffment system'. But after Li Er's consideration, he finally decided not to enfeoffment system. The 'anti-enfeoffment system' faction obtained a temporary victory.
Now that the old matter was brought up again, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and the others could not sit still.
"Bastard!"
How could Li Er, who was sitting at the head of the table, not know what was at stake? His expression changed as he slammed the table and stood up. He pointed at Wei Zheng and said angrily, "Wei Xuancheng, don't confuse the public. I am only giving Lantian County to the Marquis of Yong 'an as a fief. What does this have to do with the enfeoffment system?"
Seeing Li Er so angry, the officials in the imperial court immediately dispelled the idea of joining in the 'fun'. Now that Li Er had ascended the throne for a long time, he had accumulated more and more power. Many officials were still afraid of him getting angry.
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui looked at each other. Finally, the two of them looked at Zhangsun Wuji at the same time. But the latter actually closed his eyes and crossed his arms, standing on the spot as if he was asleep!
What a joke, Changle was Zhangsun Wuji's niece. Now that Li Zexuan had saved Changle, no matter what, Zhangsun Wuji, as her uncle, had to accept this favor! On this matter, even if he did not support it, he could not oppose it! Besides, in his heart, he also felt that Wei Zheng was making a big fuss over a minor issue. It was just a county in Lantian County. Although it was a little out of bounds compared to Li Zexuan's title, forcefully connecting it to the feudal system was a little too far-fetched!
After 'reading' Zhangsun Wuji's attitude, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui looked at each other and shook their heads. In the end, they did not go out to 'stand up' for Wei Zheng.
The pitiful Wei Zheng suddenly became a lonely 'warrior', facing Li Er's anger with his own strength!
But the reason why a troublemaker was called a troublemaker was because he was not afraid of difficulties and faced them head-on. Wei Zheng was never afraid of difficulties. He took a step forward and said aggressively, "Your Majesty! As the saying goes, a small clue reveals the whole picture. Although a county cannot be compared to the enfeoffment system of the Western Zhou Dynasty, once this example is made, I fear that our Tang Empire will repeat the mistakes of the Han and Jin Dynasties ~! "
Speaking of which, this fellow was really stubborn and dared to say anything. If it was in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, just based on his words, the Emperor would chop off his head and even exterminate his entire family!
However, even though Zhenguan's words were more liberal, when Li Er heard this' disgraceful 'sentence, he could not help but spit fire from his eyes. He pointed at Wei Zheng and said in exasperation, "Good! Good! Good! Good for you, Wei Xuancheng! Do you really think that the tolerance I gave you is indulgence? How presumptuous! Men, drag Wei Zheng out and flog him a hundred times! "
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the hall was shocked!
Ever since the Qin and Han Dynasties, especially during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the monarchs had always treated their ministers with respect. It was extremely rare for them to use torture on their ministers. It was only after the Ming Dynasty that it gradually became more common to use caning on ministers!
"What I say is for the sake of the country. I am worthy of the Heavens and the Earth! Today, if Your Majesty wants to be like King Zhou of Shang, I am willing to do it! "
Wei Zheng's temper also rose at this time. He straightened his neck and looked directly at Li Er, tit-for-tat.
"Presumptuous! Men! Drag him out and flog him two hundred times! Hurry! "
When Li Er heard this, he was so angry that he almost flipped the table. He roared out of the hall.
Suddenly, two silver-armored generals came in and walked in the direction of Wei Zheng.
At this moment, Fang Xuanling could no longer sit still. If these two hundred flogs were to be flogged, wouldn't Wei Zheng die directly? He quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down! Your Majesty, please calm down! Wei Zuocheng is straightforward and outspoken. Although his words were a bit extreme, I hope that Your Majesty can forgive him on account of his dedication to the country! "
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