"Relying on law is not enough to govern, and relying on virtue is not enough to govern! A country has its laws, and a family has its rules! His Majesty's decision to give Lantian County to the Marquis of Yong 'an is clearly not in accordance with the country's laws. This is a calamity that will bring chaos to the country! As an important official of the empire, how can this old man sit by and do nothing? "
In front of the Wei Residence, Wei Zheng looked at the aggressive commoners in front of him. There was not the slightest trace of fear on his face as he spoke righteously to Yu Dejin.
Hearing this, Yu Dejing frowned and said in a low voice, "Left Minister Wei's words are incorrect! What does Lantian County have to do with Western Zhou's enfeoffment system? The Marquis of Yong 'an is benevolent and benevolent, and the commoners of his fief all love and respect him. Now that they hear that the other villages of Lantian County have the opportunity to become the Marquis of Yong' an's fief, countless commoners are overjoyed and scrambling like ducks. This is what the people want! Left Minister Wei, you keep saying that you are doing this for the sake of the country's laws and dignity, but you have disregarded the people's will and harmed the tens of thousands of commoners of Lantian County! "
Being spoken to like this by a late student, Wei Zheng's old face was somewhat embarrassed. Brushing his sleeves, he angrily said, "Foolish brat! Since the founding of the Great Tang, there have been many restrictions on the enfeoffment of the nobles. This old man has never heard of anyone being able to obtain the fief of tens of thousands of households as a Marquis! With this example, I'm afraid that in the future, there will be many vassals in the Great Tang. The 'Rebellion of Prince Qi' of the Western Han and the 'Rebellion of the Eight Princes' of the Western Jin are not far off! This old man will definitely not agree to this kind of politics that brings chaos to the country! "
His worries were not without reason. According to history, in the thirteenth year of Zhenguan, Li Er indeed brought up the old system again. However, at that time, he changed the name to feudalism. The so-called feudalism was like the Western Zhou's enfeoffment of vassals, allowing the various princes and meritorious officials to hold a permanent position in a place that could be inherited by their descendants. This matter was clearly a reversal of history. As a result, it was strongly opposed by Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, Zhangsun Wuji, Ma Zhou, Li Baiyao, and Yu Zhining.
Afterwards, under the circumstances where the objections of all the officials were ineffective, it was the already married Princess Changle who personally stepped forward to persuade Li 'er to withdraw the order.
The enfeoffment system had its advantages, but it also had its drawbacks. During the An Lushan Rebellion at the end of the Tang Dynasty, it was precisely due to the excessive power of the regional military commanders that caused the Great Tang Dynasty to suffer an unprecedented blow. It was difficult for it to return to its former glory!
Therefore, it was hard to say whether the enfeoffment system was good or bad!
At this moment, facing his former spiritual idol, Yu Dejing inexplicably felt a little disappointed. He angrily said, "Left Prime Minister Wei, are you going to ignore the suffering of tens of thousands of people in Lantian County just to insist on your political views? In this way, even if you realize your political ambitions, what's the point? This student remembers that the Marquis of Yong 'an once said that everyone in Yanhuang College should have a heart for the heavens and earth and a life for the people. Your actions today are far inferior to the Marquis of Yong' an ~! "
With an ashen face, Wei Zheng said, "Shut up! Since ancient times, only when the country is stable can the people prosper. This old man's political views are to protect the stability of the Great Tang Dynasty. This brat only sees the immediate benefits but cannot see the future of the world. He is truly a short-sighted person! "
At this moment, Yu Dejing no longer cared about being polite. He retorted sarcastically, "Left Prime Minister Wei is truly eloquent! This student does not understand how bestowing Lantian County to the Marquis of Yong 'an would affect the stability of the country. What you are worried about is that the Marquis of Yong 'an will gradually grow in power like the dukes of Western Zhou. However, Lantian County is close to Chang' an. Rather than doubting the loyalty of the Marquis of Yong 'an, why not worry about the lives of the people in the counties surrounding Chang' an?
Furthermore, the Marquis of Yong 'an had once said that if the people of Lantian County could not afford to eat meat, wear clothes, and study within three years, then he would automatically relinquish all of his lands! From this, it can be seen that the Marquis of Yong 'an only wants to let the people live a good life and not for the sake of fighting for power and profit!
As for us villagers, we only want to live a good life under the rule of the Marquis of Yong 'an. Firstly, we do not violate the laws of the country. Secondly, we do not harm our personal morals. Why must Left Prime Minister Wei force us? "
"Yes! We only want to follow the Marquis of Yong 'an and live a good life! "
"We only want to live a good life. We beg Left Prime Minister Wei to grant us this wish!"
Yu Dejing's last sentence could be considered to have spoken the hearts of all the villagers. Immediately, the several hundred villagers in front of the Wei residence all began to talk at once.
"You ~! Humph!! "
Wei Zheng's insistence for many years was completely worthless by Yu Dejing's words. He wanted to say something, but when faced with the knife-like gazes of the people, he could only brush his sleeves and turn around to enter the house.
Because at this moment, a trace of confusion appeared in his heart. Thinking about how he, Wei Zheng, had been cautious and conscientious all his life, wasn't it all to let the people live a good life? But now, he had become the target of the people's condemnation. Could it be that he had really done something wrong?
"Old Master, are you alright?"
In the front yard of the Wei residence, Madam Pei came over with a gentle expression and asked Wei Zheng with concern.
"Sigh! I'm fine! "
Wei Zheng shook his head and sighed tiredly. At this moment, he seemed to have aged several years.
Madam Pei wanted to say something but hesitated. Seeing this, Wei Zheng smiled bitterly and said, "Madam also wants to persuade this old man to give up?"
Madam Pei hesitated and said, "Old Master, this concubine understands your ambitions, but there are times when people need to know how to be flexible. The Marquis of Yong 'an obtaining a bigger fief will only benefit more people. This is in line with old master's original intention of helping the people! Why do you insist on being stubborn and offending tens of thousands of people just because of something that hasn't happened yet? "
Wei Zheng opened his mouth with difficulty and said, "But, madam! The laws of the country cannot be violated, the ratio cannot be changed … "
"Old Master, the Marquis of Yong 'an taking control of Lantian is still unknown whether it will be a blessing or a curse for the Great Tang. Why don't you wait two years and see? Moreover, the Marquis of Yong 'an also said that if he doesn't have any political achievements in three years, he will voluntarily withdraw from all his fiefs. In other words, in these three years, he is only helping the Emperor and the imperial court to manage Lantian County. Old Master, what are you worried about? "
Madam Pei said in a gentle voice.
When Wei Zheng heard this, he couldn't help but feel enlightened. Because according to this, in these three years, Li Zexuan was only helping the imperial court to manage Lantian County! As long as he didn't do a good job, Li Er could take back all his fiefs at any time. This was very different from the hereditary fief system.
"Madam's words are like pearls! This husband will carefully consider it! "
Wei Zheng was silent for a long time before he came back to his senses. He waved his hand at Madam Pei and then walked into the room. However, his back seemed a little bent at this moment.
…
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