The horses in the Primordial World were rather strong. When the Li Residence of Chentang Pass held the hundred-day banquet, Wen Zhong and Zi Shou had already secretly returned to Chaoge City.
Li Changshou could only hurriedly represent the servants of the Li family to give a speech. He expressed a warm welcome to Young Master Jinzha's birth. After arranging for the best musical instrument group in Chentang Pass, he pretended to be drunk and left early.
It was night.
Most of Chaoge City had fallen asleep. Only some service streets were still noisy.
In the Emissary's residence, the patrolling guards walked past the front and backyard on time. Occasionally, they would laugh and mutter softly that the emissary was not close to women and had no family.
Li Changshou's paper effigy sat in his study. He was dressed in a dark red robe, and his grayish-white hair was combed meticulously. He had a strict demeanor.
By the window, there was a banquet that had been set up in advance. Although the dishes were simple, there was a lot of them.
After all, the guest that he was going to invite today was famous in Chaoge City for his appetite.
It was midnight.
Two black figures in cloaks climbed over the wall in the backyard. The cloaks carried extremely weak Dharma powers that could hide their figures in front of mortals.
Li Changshou smiled.
Wen Zhong had also figured out the way. Although he was trying his best to hide the fact that he was an "extraordinary person", he had also learned to act according to circumstances.
He still had to continue growing.
Not long after, there was a knock on the door. Li Changshou stood up. The door of the study opened on its own, and the two black shadows rushed into the room.
The first person was naturally Wen Zhong. After entering, he took off his cloak and wide hat and cupped his hands at Li Changshou.
"Greetings, emissary."
Li Changshou smiled and said, "Young Master, you're too polite. There's no need to be reserved."
After saying that, his gaze landed on the burly figure behind Wen Zhong. There was a smile in his eyes.
Now, the person standing in front of him was!
The person who had been cursed for thousands of years, the typical representative of a tyrannical tyrant, the mourner of the Shang Dynasty, Zi Shou Di Xin Zhou!
He was eight feet tall and had long arms. At this moment, he slowly raised his head and took off his hood, revealing a young and chiseled face. His long and narrow eyes exuded an unconcealable confidence.
Li Changshou activated his clear Dao heart to prevent himself from being affected by the calamity when he came into contact with King Zhou.
Then, he cupped his hands and bowed to Zi Shou.
At the same time, according to the rules of the Shang Nation, those who were not slaves did not need to kneel unless they were sacrificed or confessed.
"Greetings, Prince Zi Shou."
"Lord Emissary, you're too polite."
Zi Shou cupped his fists and lowered his head slightly. He said seriously, "I am still not a monarch. The emissary is an important minister of the six ministers. There's no need to bow to me."
Li Changshou smiled and said, "Your Highness is too serious. Please take a seat."
"I'm honored to be your guest, Your Excellency."
Wen Zhong also said, "Emissary, just take a seat. Otherwise, I won't even dare to take a seat."
Li Changshou did not insist and sat on the main seat. Wen Zhong and Zi Shou, one on the left and one on the right, formed a triangle around the small round table.
Then …
The atmosphere was a little awkward.
Zi Shou held his knees with both hands and sat upright with his chest puffed out. For a moment, he did not know what to say.
Wen Zhong deliberated over his words and smiled. "Speaking of which, it's all thanks to you speaking frankly in front of the hall that I became the heir back then."
Li Changshou looked at Zi Shou and smiled. "Prince, what do you think of this matter?"
"Um …"
Zi Shou pondered for a while, but he knew that Li Changshou was testing him. He had no choice but to be cautious.
Over the years, Junior Master had already praised this emissary to the heavens. He had even said that he was an immortal. It was a little exaggerated.
Zi Shou quickly said, "I'm very grateful to you for what happened back then, but I'm only grateful to you for following the rules and speaking frankly."
"Hahaha, ahem."
Li Changshou laughed loudly. "I'm just doing my job in my position."
Wen Zhong smiled and said, "Zi Shou, actually, I have some personal ties with the emissary."
"Oh? Why haven't I heard Junior Master mention it before? "
"This matter should not be made public. Otherwise, it will be easy for others to gossip."
Li Changshou said seriously, "Let's not talk about that. May I know why you're here today, Prince?"
Zi Shou cupped his hands and said, "I'm here for a plan."
"Oh?"
Li Changshou chuckled and touched the wine pot. Wen Zhong was quick to react. He picked up the wine pot first and poured wine for Li Changshou.
"Prince, what strategy are you here for?"
"Previously, the army killed the victorious general. The generals want to return to Chaoge City to complain."
Zi Shou smiled self-deprecatingly and revealed a helpless expression.
"Father has ordered me to lead the army. I have already said the rules. I ordered them not to abduct civilians as prisoners.
There were still generals who pretended to agree but secretly disobeyed. They took off the uniforms of the enemies who had died in battle and put them on the young and strong bodies of the commoners to deceive them.
He was killed to warn a hundred, so he drew his sword and killed the general.
However, if this matter blows up in Chaoge City, I'm afraid I'll be in a passive position. The generals in the army and the families of the generals will probably attack me. "
Li Changshou pondered for a while and asked, "Did Junior Master come up with the rule not to abduct civilians as prisoners of war?"
Wen Zhong sighed and said, "That's right. It's indeed me. Ahem, I came up with it."
Disciple?
Zi Shou pondered.
He then heard Wen Zhong continue, "Too many slaves are already a chronic problem of the Shang Dynasty. The foundation of the building is already floating.
Although there were fewer battles in the Shang Nation now, and the slaves obtained through plundering were far inferior to the slaves that had been accumulated over the years, this was the first step that could be taken.
Only by rejecting the style of plundering prisoners of war as slaves could the slaves whose ancestors had been captured be restored to the status of normal civilians.
In that case, there will be many young people in the Shang Nation. The soldiers and horses will be strong, and there will be an endless stream of talents. The strength of the country will increase soon! "
"And then?"
Li Changshou asked with a smile.
Wen Zhong pondered for a while and said, "Are you asking?"
"Let's not talk about anything else. Let's just talk about the Shang Nation itself."
"Then, the Shang Nation can naturally extend the destiny of the country and exist for a long time …"
Li Changshou looked at Zi Shou and smiled. "Prince, do you think so too?"
Zi Shou's eyes were filled with light. He said firmly, "I will accept Junior Master's words!"
Li Changshou sighed slowly. "Let's raise our cups and drink together. We'll talk as we drink."
The three of them raised their cups and drank together. After finishing the wine in their cups, Li Changshou closed his eyes and put his hands in his sleeves, as if he had fallen asleep.
He was thinking whether he should give some advice to King Zhou tonight or not …
Although Li Changshou knew that even if he helped Zi Shou, the power of the Heavenly Dao's restraint was not something that Zi Shou could resist. However, when a possibility was placed in front of him, Li Changshou still wanted to give it a try.
The point was that, at the very least, this matter would not have any negative effects on him.
From another perspective, there were not many opportunities for him to affect Di Xin. Now, Di Xin was still a "prince" and could still be molded.
"You're wrong."
"Wrong?" Wen Zhong was puzzled.
Zi Shou hurriedly said, "Could it be that there are other ways for the Shang Nation to revive?"
Li Changshou sighed and said, "Junior Master's words are reasonable, but his actions are too reckless. Prince, you should have learned the history of the Shang Nation. Do you know why the Shang Nation's strength is gradually declining?"
Zi Shou said,
"I've been thinking about this problem every day. There are four reasons.
Firstly, before Ancestor Wen Cheng decided on the method to pass down the position to the eldest son, there would often be bloodshed in the fight for the throne. The internal energy of the country was too serious.
Secondly, the aristocratic families were becoming more and more stable. Most of them did not want to advance and only wanted to enjoy themselves. There were many people who were f * cked.
Thirdly, there were too many slaves, which had become a hidden danger. The merchants were impatient, and their extravagance was almost hopeless. There were gradually no talents that could be used.
Fourthly, it was the vassals.
When the Shang Nation was in chaos, the 800 vassals cultivated and recuperated. There was no lack of ambitious people among them.
The Jiang family, who is about to get married, is the daughter of the Marquis of Dongbo. I have yet to meet her and do not know the details. I have only seen the portrait, but she will definitely become my queen.
This is Father's plan to stabilize. "
Li Changshou picked up a piece of beef and placed it in his mouth. He smiled and said, "Prince, why don't we deduce it?
If you obtain the support of the King this time, the matter of killing the generals in the army will become the beginning of your reform of internal governance. What will happen next?
Wen Zhong, think about it too. "
Hence, Wen Zhong and Zi Shou pondered.
After all, Wen Zhong was a Qi Refinement cultivator. He had lived for a long time and was knowledgeable. He considered the problem more comprehensively. He quickly realized the seriousness of the problem and frowned.
Zi Shou was still a little angry. After thinking for a while, he said,
"There will definitely be many old officials who object."
Wen Zhong hurriedly added, "That's not all. This matter does not only involve the families of generals.
If we want to resolve the matter of the slaves, we will inevitably touch all the feudal vassals, nobles, aristocratic families, and even the common people.
The slaves only needed a portion of rations. However, they could plow the fields, dig the canals, and be servants of the family. They were born like that. Most of them did not have any thoughts of resisting.
If we attack directly … Hiss!
I'm afraid it will be a shocking change. "
Zi Shou said, "Isn't what Junior Master said a little exaggerated?"
"Prince, I took it for granted previously. I didn't think it through." Wen Zhong's expression was a little gloomy. "The matter of the slaves has to be dealt with later and according to authority.
We have to cover up the matter of killing the generals in the army.
What we discussed previously is that it is impossible to argue about the harm of slaves to the country in the royal court! "
Li Changshou nodded with a smile.
Zi Shou looked angry and said firmly, "What's there to be afraid of? We should debate! "
Wen Zhong sighed and said, "I'm afraid something big will happen if I argue."
"At most, I won't be able to protect this position." Zi Shou stood up. "So what if I give my life to them!?!"
"Prince, Prince," Li Changshou hurriedly said, "Don't be agitated, when the matter is decided, you can't be impatient.
The four rules that the prince had mentioned just now were indeed the drawbacks of the Shang Nation. These drawbacks had accumulated for many years and had existed for an unknown period of time. They could not be easily changed with a few words.
However, if a future ruler like the prince, who had the ability to support the Great Shang Dynasty, was easily destroyed by those stubborn old men, that would be the misfortune of the Great Shang Dynasty.
Your ancestor is watching you from the heavens! "
Zi Shou looked ashamed. He bowed deeply to the sky and sat down.
Li Changshou smiled and said, "If that's the case, I won't hide it anymore. I respectfully offer three strategies for Prince and Junior Preceptor."
Wen Zhong said happily, "With your help, Great Shang will be stable!"
Zi Shou listened attentively.
He was actually a little dissatisfied with the young master flattering the emissary. If the emissary were to spout nonsense and ask him to give up on reforming politics, he would immediately turn around and leave.
Li Changshou said slowly,
"The first strategy is to be stable.
Before the prince becomes the king, he has to obtain the support of the merchants, commoners, and nobles inside and outside Chaoge City.
The prince has to understand this logic. You are not the only son of the King. If the King has no choice but to kill the prince because of the pressure from the Shang Nation, there will still be a successor to the throne.
The one who makes the decision is always the king, not the prince. "
Zi Shou could not help but fall silent.
Li Changshou continued,
"The second strategy is still stable.
Previously, there was the matter of Yi Yin exiling the king. It was enough to be vigilant.
The royal power was not without restrictions. The process of the formation of the Shang King's power was based on the officials, generals, and nobles around him. The political orders needed to be executed, and the army needed to be led by a general. The royal power was restrained.
This is especially important. "
Zi Shou pondered for a while and asked, "Can you tell me in detail?"
"Ask him specifically." Li Changshou pointed at Wen Zhong. "To put it simply, you have to first rope in the ministers and generals and make them be on the same side as you. Then, you have to push for your change step by step.
Whether it was weakening the vassals or changing the slaves into citizens, they had to be realized step by step. It was impossible for it to be effective in three to five months. It would be a little difficult even in thirty to fifty years.
If you take a big step, it's easy to pull … the muscles on the inside of your thighs! "
Zi Shou nodded slowly and felt touched.
Li Changshou continued, "Military power is the most important thing. At this time, the prince has to nurture a general in the army that he can absolutely trust and have absolute authority in Chaoge City.
This is the foundation of everything and the reason why the vassals are afraid of the Shang King. "
"After listening to the emissary's words, I'm suddenly enlightened!"
Zi Shou's eyes were filled with emotions. He raised his glass and toasted Li Changshou.
"Don't be anxious. I'm not done."
Li Changshou chuckled and replied with a cup of wine. He smiled and said, "The third plan is still stable.
This is stable against the various vassals. We will use the vassals to restrict the vassals. We will be gentle when it's time to be gentle. We will wait quietly for the opportunity to separate them. This matter is the most important. "
Zi Shou pondered carefully, and his eyes gradually lit up.
Wen Zhong asked again, "How should we resolve today's situation?"
Li Changshou smiled and said, "It's easy to say. It can also be beneficial to me."
"Yes, I'd like to hear the details!"
"The prince should be benevolent and righteous. Don't mention the matter of changing slaves into citizens. Don't reveal your ambitions. Even if you said it previously, when someone mentions it, you will firmly deny it."
Li Changshou smiled and continued,
"Prince, you can say that the foundation of the Shang Dynasty is the bloody battle of the ancestors of the Shang Dynasty. How can the descendants of the defeated sit together with the Shang Dynasty?
Of course, that was just an excuse.
Prince, you have to learn to shape yourself. You have to distinguish between interests and stabilize your identity as an heir.
That way, you will have a chance to realize your ambition.
You can discuss with Junior Master on how to perform. "
However, Wen Zhong said, "However, Emissary, wouldn't you be criticized for doing the same thing before you ascended the throne and after you ascended the throne?"
Li Changshou smiled and said, "Does Zi Shou care about being cursed?"
"Hahaha!"
Zi Shou laughed loudly and was filled with heroism!
"Ever since I was young, I was poisoned, harmed, fell into a well, and my house collapsed. I even suffered rumors that I had a strange life.
Infamy is fleeting.
If the country wants to reform, the king has to bear the burden! "
Li Changshou said seriously, "However, you have to pay attention to your reputation. This will also affect the effect of the government order and will also give others a chance to gossip.
In that case, I will use the name of benevolence and martial ethics as a reason.
Why did the prince kill the two generals?
It was because the prince disdained killing unarmed people and felt that the Royal Army should not plunder. That was why he ordered them not to plunder civilians.
The two generals disobeyed the military orders first and had to be beheaded.
Using cruel methods to persecute the weak went against martial ethics and tarnished the face of the King of Shang. They had to be punished.
After the matter was exposed, they tried to incite a mutiny in the army and cover up their crimes. They had to be killed immediately. Otherwise, the army would lose control and the consequences would be unimaginable. In front of the 800 vassals, the Royal Army would be a laughing stock.
After the prince thought about it carefully, he decided to kill the victorious general in the army.
As for the generals in the army who are clamoring to ask the King to punish the prince, they either do not know the truth or have ulterior motives. "
Zi Shou asked in confusion, "Do they not know the truth, or do they have unfathomable intentions?"
"That depends on whether you want them to not know the truth or have unfathomable intentions."
Li Changshou smiled. "The word 'power' comes from the heart.
I hope that you won't forget what I said today. Don't be eager for quick success. Don't seek instant success. Seek stability and change in stability. Only then can you succeed. "
Zi Shou stood up and bowed deeply. "Thank you for your guidance, Emissary."
"Also." Li Changshou smiled and said, "I'm the King's emissary. It's not appropriate for me to tell the prince about this. I'll rely on the prince and Junior Master's hard work later."
Wen Zhong and Zi Shou looked at each other. The former's eyes were filled with relief, while the latter's eyes were filled with stars.
Before Zi Shou left, he asked Li Changshou a question, but Li Changshou could not answer it.
He asked,
"Emissary, I'm confused.
Over the years, there were naturally many people who hoped to die and seize the position. For that, the nobles colluded and his elder brother caused trouble.
Before he was born, many aristocrats had secretly submitted to his elder brother.
Now that Father is old and the internal strife is already in front of him, he has no fear or hatred. However, he is afraid that the internal strife will damage the Shang Nation's destiny. The battles of the ancestors and the teachings of the late King Wen Cheng are still in front of him. He does not dare to forget them.
Emissary, can you teach me if I want to become the king? Do I have to kill my elder brother and destroy my brothers?
If there's no other way, I will naturally slash quickly to prevent chaos. "
Li Changshou pondered for a while and could only say, "Follow your heart.
The decision is up to you. Never forget that the ancestor of Shang is watching you from above. "
…
"Six."
"Bang!"
Youqin Genya frowned and looked at the arrogant Connate Cardinal treasure. She continued to ponder seriously.
She had almost lost half of the Spirit Stones she had earned in the Celestial Court.
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