Li Ke and his group were brought to the garden of the Prince's mansion.
In the pavilions of the garden, peach trees were blooming.
A beautiful red lantern hung on each peach tree, and a few tables were placed around the peach trees.
The light shone on the peach blossoms, and the breeze blew gently. The candlelight swayed, and the fragrance of the flowers floated gently.
The scholars who had arrived long ago stood up and cupped their hands."Greetings, Crown Prince and King Wu."
"Everyone, please excuse the formalities." Li Chengqian looked at the scholars in Li Tai's residence. A solemn look flashed across his eyes, but he said with a smile.
This was the reason why Li Chengqian was wary of Li Tai.
Li Tai had a great influence among the scholars.
If that was the case, Li Tai would at most be able to walk on half a leg and would always be a cripple. Unless the Emperor was determined to appoint Li Tai, Li Tai would only be able to threaten his position as the Crown Prince.
However, once Li Tai obtained Li Ke's full support, things would be different.
At the start of the training camp, Li Ke had gained the favor of some generals.
However, at that time, many people were only optimistic about Li Ke, or more accurately, they were interested in Li Ke's training methods.
To Li Ke himself, it was better to keep a respectful distance.
you can pass through the earth gate for a while.
Li Ke first seized Tumen Pass with a stroke of genius, and then led his troops to defend Tumen Pass for more than ten days.
Whether it was his tactics or his courage, he had already won the respect of the generals.
The high-ranking generals might consider their own interests and not dare to get too close to Li Ke.
However, the lieutenants in the army, these middle and lower level soldiers, admired Li Ke from the bottom of their hearts.
Li Ke already had a deep influence in the army.
Li Ke's support for Li Tai was equivalent to making up for Li Tai's shortcomings. From now on, Li Tai would no longer be limping.
He had the ability to overturn him from the position of Crown Prince.
"The peach blossoms are so beautiful that even the immortals in the heavens would be envious. Royal brother really knows how to enjoy it.”Li Chengqian pretended to admire and said enviously.
However, Li Tai knew that Li Chengqian was hinting at Li Ke. He, Li Tai, was a waste of manpower and money, and his greed was insatiable.
He smiled humbly and said," Eldest Brother Crown Prince, you must be laughing at me. After I moved into the Wei Manor, I personally brought my servants and planted them one by one. I don't have any gay interests. I only love these flowers and plants. Only by doing it myself can I feel the joy.”
Li Chengqian's face instantly darkened.
What gay love!
Li Tai's counterattack hit his sore spot.
It had only been half a year since he had been satisfied.
"Green Sparrow, where are we sitting? Hurry up and make arrangements. In order to eat your meal, I deliberately left some food for lunch in the Imperial Palace today.”Li Ke patted his belly without any scruples, interrupting the two brothers from bickering and exposing their shortcomings in front of everyone.
"Yes, King Wei, we are still hungry.”
"Your Highness, when we were defending the city, you said that you would invite me for a drink if you survived.”
……
As Cheng Chumo and the others spoke, the hundreds of men in the army also let go and joked.
"Why did Wu Wang bring a group of rough and lowly people?”
"Isn't that so? Are these people going to drink with us here?”
"How insulting! How insulting!"
……
The surrounding scholars began to discuss.
These scholars were all talents from all over the world who had just finished the spring examinations and were waiting to be posted.
There were aristocrats and heroes from the Humble Class.
Because of the battle of Tuyuhun, nearly half of the ministers of the imperial court had followed Li Shimin to the battlefield. In addition, the battle of Tuyuhun had been fluctuating, so the announcement should have been made earlier, but it was delayed until now.
Li Tai was in a difficult position.
From the discussions of most scholars, he could tell that these scholars disdained to drink with these vulgar soldiers.
Moreover, he also felt that this group of men who were fighting in the army really did not have the right to sit here.
" Royal brother, I asked the steward to arrange a banquet for our brothers in the courtyard next to the garden. Should we let our brothers go next door? This place is only so big..." Li Tai said with a troubled expression.
Cheng Chumo and his brothers 'faces turned cold.
The soldiers behind them also felt awkward.
After entering the Wei Manor, they thought that they would be fighting side by side with Tumen Pass.
The King of Wei was also their brother.
However, Li Tai's seemingly tactful words had wiped out the trace of comfort that everyone had given themselves.
"Soldiers, I will bring you to the next room. This place is not suitable for you. It will be more relaxed for you next door, right? In a while, the King of Wei will personally drink with you brothers.”Li Yifu thought of himself as Li Tai's chief advisor. He stood up and smiled warmly at the soldiers.
However, Li Ke was very uncomfortable listening.
From Li Yifu's words, he could hear a sense of superiority.
" Big brother…" Cheng Chumo said angrily.
Qin Huaiyu stretched out his hand and pulled him. He smiled and cupped his hands towards Li Chengqian and the others. Finally, he asked Li Ke,"Big brother, we can't do it when you guys drink and compose poems. We prefer to eat big pieces of meat and drink big bowls of wine. Chumo, Niu Lu, and I will go next door with the brothers. Zhangsun Chong and Shu Yu will stay here.”
"Yes, the civil and military classes, the civil and military classes.”Li Tai quickly said with a smile.
Li Ke nodded.
After taking their seats, Li Ke, his brother, and a few other noble disciples sat in the pavilion.
Because Li Chengqian was there, Li Tai couldn't say too much about other things.
As they talked, the three brothers changed the topic to the conquest of Tuyuhun.
"Big brother crown prince, if you hadn't borrowed troops from Gao Chang, perhaps this little brother would have died at Tumen Pass. This little brother toasts this big brother.”Li Tai raised his wine glass and said.
His voice was so loud that everyone in the garden could hear him.
Everyone put down their wine glasses at the same time, and their expressions became solemn.
Everyone understood that this was not a show of gratitude, but a provocation.
The Crown Prince Gao Chang borrowed troops. On the surface, he was borrowing troops, but in truth, he was fleeing for his life.
In other words, the Crown Prince had really borrowed soldiers and horses.
Only the Crown Prince had a piece of cover.
Li Chengqian's fingers that were holding the wine glass turned white.
A flash of anger flashed across his eyes as he said indifferently,"Green Sparrow, you don't have to do this. This is what I should do. Fortunately, big brother borrowed troops and defeated Murong Xiaojun. He opened up Dafei River in time and made up for his mistake.”
Li Chengqian emphasized the word Murong Xiaojun.
These words were clearly a counterattack against Li Tai. It was because Li Tai ignored Murong Xiaojun that the situation had collapsed.
* Cough cough *
When the atmosphere was particularly tense, Li Ke coughed and said,""Big Brother, Green Sparrow, since you've mentioned Earthgate Pass, I'll tell you the reason why I brought my crippled brothers here.”
"They're all our brothers who fought side by side with us at Tumen Pass, especially me and Green Sparrow.”
"They are now disabled. Even if they return to their hometown, they will not be able to farm like normal people. Their future life will probably be very difficult.”
"I know that both Big Brother and Green Sparrow have their own businesses. Can we think of a way to settle down some of our surviving brothers?”
"So that they can rely on their own hands to make a living?”
"A total of 4,000 people. The three of us brothers will split them equally. You can try your best to settle them.”
Silence!
The garden became even quieter.
Li Tai and Li Chengqian's expressions changed rapidly.
They were thinking about Li Ke's motive.
Snitch?
One had to know that these veterans were closer to Li Ke!
If these people were placed in their industries, wouldn't the profits of these industries be known by Li Ke?
Also, these industries were used to earn money and compete for reserves.
Hiring a group of useless people, wasn't that the same as raising these useless people for nothing?
The profits would be used up by these useless people.
How could they use money to win over people who were helpful in the fight for the heir?
It had to be known that Li Tai would need to pay a month's worth of profits to host a banquet of this scale.
He didn't have many properties to begin with.
Usually, he would drink with the literati and write poems. Which of the aides in the Imperial Residence did not need to be rewarded?
"Second brother, don't those brothers receive compensation from the Imperial Court? One had to know that his father had given him double the compensation this time.”Li Chengqian said with a smile.
"That's right, Imperial Brother, Chen's little business is just a few small shops. It won't be a problem to arrange two or three, it can't compare to big brother. How about this, I'll grit my teeth and arrange fifty brothers.”
Li Chengqian wished he could smash the wine glass in his hand on Li Tai's head.
He suppressed the anger in his heart and smiled."How about this, second brother? I'll think of a way to arrange for 300 people.”
"It's too little." Wei Shuyu shook his head and spoke for Li Ke.
Then, he took out a few documents and gave them to Li Chengqian and Li Tai."This is the idea that big brother came up with. The Crown Prince, the King of Wei, my big brother, and us will jointly fund a placement center for disabled veterans.”
"Each of the three majesties will invest fifty thousand strings in advance, and we will invest no less than ten thousand strings.”
"All the profits will be used to settle the families of the disabled veterans and the soldiers who died in battle.”
"In the future, if there are any operational difficulties in the relocation center, we will continue to inject funds or accept donations from other sources.”
"Big brother only has one purpose for doing this, and that is to let our comrades sacrifice their lives for the country, and at the same time, have a good home.”
"Who will control Imperial Brother's organization in the future?”Li Tai and Li Ke asked.
Li Chengqian also looked at Li Ke.
If he was controlled by Li Ke, he would not do such a foolish thing.
If it wasn't for the fact that this matter had been completed, that they could control this organization and make the soldiers grateful, they would have been willing to ask. Otherwise, they would have directly refused.
Li Ke smiled and said," Of course it's handed over to the Imperial Court. None of us have the qualifications to manage such an organization. We're only the party that raises funds."”
Li Tai and Li Chengqian instantly lost interest.
Wasn't this a typical sucker?
Moreover, such a non-profit organization would not receive any returns in the future. If it could not make ends meet, it would have to continue investing.
Was there such a fool in this world?
Why did the Imperial Court not dare to do so?
Two words, no money!
No one could afford to run such a huge organization.
"Second brother, your plan is well-intentioned, but it's a little whimsical. Imperial Father, don't the civil and military officials of the court sympathize with the soldiers?”
Li Chengqian opened his mouth, his words sincere and sincere."But why has the court never dared to do this? Because we can't afford it. Even with the power of the Imperial Court, we can't afford it. It's simply wishful thinking for us to rashly do this.”
"Yes, big brother is right." Li Tai understood what Li Chengqian meant and echoed,"Imperial Brother, the possibility of not being able to do it is very high. You understand the principle of 'a grain of rice favors will lead to a grain of rice feud.' Once it is not done, it will attract the resentment of our brothers in the army. This resentment will even turn towards the Imperial Court.”
"It's just some vulgar soldiers. The Imperial Court's pension for them is exceptionally generous compared to the past dynasties!”At this moment, an elite stood up from outside the hall and said with disdain.
"That's right, Your Highness seems to value these vulgar people too much!”
"I've long heard that His Highness Ke is eccentric and doesn't respect the etiquette of saints…"
……
With someone taking the lead, many of the scions of the aristocratic families stood up and complained loudly.
The imperial examinations had officially begun in the Tang Dynasty. The children of the aristocratic families had lost the advantage of being able to enter the official career directly through filial piety and honesty. They were already very resentful in their hearts when they competed with the poor.
It was just that the Li Dynasty's control over the country had already far surpassed the Sui Dynasty.
Therefore, everyone could only pinch their noses and admit it.
In any case, the people who were marking the papers were still from the gentry clan.
In the future, the scholar-bureaucrats would still have the greatest advantage.
Now, Li Ke actually wanted to increase the treatment of the vulgar soldiers in the army.
Many people couldn't take it anymore.
One had to know that when Li Tang founded the country, a large number of uncouth soldiers in the army became new dignitaries.
The cake was only so big. The more the martial artists snatched, the less left for the old aristocrats.
Of course, there was also Li Ke's challenge to the Sage's etiquette, which made many people feel conflicted.
For all these reasons, Li Ke was now being attacked by a group of people.
Li Chengqian and Li Tai had not expected that so many scholars would oppose the attack.
This made them even more determined not to participate.
"Royal brother, you see, you are not allowed to mention this matter again!”Li Chengqian's face was cold as he took on the airs of an elder brother and ordered.
Li Tai moved closer to Li Ke and whispered,""Royal brother, it's not worth it…"
Li Tai didn't know that although he seemed to be trying to win Li Ke over, it wasn't worth it for him to say it out of goodwill, but he had completely lost Li Ke.
"Thank you for your reminder, Green Sparrow and Big Brother.”Li Ke cupped his fists and thanked him.
Then, he turned to look at the group of scholars and a cold smile appeared on his lips.
"If it weren't for the vulgar and uncouth people in your eyes, you would be two-legged lambs!”
"Without them protecting the country, would you people be sitting here admiring the flowers and playing with the moon?”
"Pah!"
Li Tai and the other two were dumbfounded.
No one had expected that Li Ke, a dignified prince, would actually spit at the disciples of the aristocratic families.
"You rely on the people of the world and suck the marrow out of the coarse class in your eyes. That's why you have your current appearance! In this king's eyes, you are nothing compared to my brothers!”
"Have you ever fought with your enemies on the battlefield?”
"You all only know how to be artsy trash. Do you know what a veteran is?”
"Do you know the value of those disabled veterans?”
"I don't know. You don't know shit!”
"Let me tell you, those disabled veterans next door are the pillars of this imperial court, this nation, and this country! Not you vermin!"
"Veterans don't die, they just wither!"
Li Ke turned around and said this to Li Chengqian and Li Tai.
He spoke very solemnly.
"Big brother, that's all Green Sparrow has to say. I'll give you two days to consider it. If you don't participate in the competition after two days, I'll do it myself!”
Then, Li Ke left without any hesitation.
" Veterans don't die, they just wither…" Next door, Qin Huaiyu, who had been listening quietly, muttered this sentence before quickly leaving.
Haha...
"Big brother is right. Veterans don't die, they just wither! Brothers, let's go to His Highness's Wu Manor to drink."”Cheng Chumo waved his hand and said loudly.
Veterans didn't die, they just withered.
Li Ke and his brothers, as well as hundreds of soldiers, had left. Everyone in the Prince Wei's Residence was thinking about this sentence.
In the harem.
" Veterans don't die, they just wither. The words that came out of nowhere from this bastard hit the nail on the head. Heroes will age, but as long as their spirit is passed on, the pillars of this country will not fall. This country will be able to stand tall.”
"Second brother, the green sparrow lost, and you lost too. You have to admit defeat.”Zhangsun Wugou walked behind Li Shiming and helped him put on his clothes.
"Not yet. That bastard still gave Green Sparrow and Chengqian a chance.”
"They don't dare to take it! He also didn't have Ke 'er's boldness. Ke' er's words offended the entire Shi clan!”
……
General Manor.
" Veterans don't die, they just wither…" Su Dingfang muttered and said with a bitter smile,""Teacher, I really want to support His Highness in his bid for the throne. He understands us better.”
Li Jing sighed and said helplessly," Let's not talk about my identity. It's decided that you can't participate. Even if you participate, I'm afraid that His Highness will kick you away. So far, he hasn't shown any intention of competing for the throne.”
"If you want to fight for the crown prince, this isn't how he does it.”
"Can Wu Wang do this?”
"Impossible! If the Imperial Court couldn't do it, how could the King of Wu do it alone?”
……
"Brother Fuji, do you think Li Ke can do this?”Hou Junji asked.
"It won't work!" " He offended the Shi clan." Zhangsun Wuji sneered." Even if he has a chance to succeed, I won't let him succeed!"”
"Even the Imperial Court wouldn't dare to be so whimsical!”
"That's right. Join forces with the Shi clan to encircle and suppress him! Without anyone to support him, he couldn't do this. As long as the Shi clan opposed it, even Cheng Chumo and the others wouldn't be able to get the support of the clan!”Hou Junji said firmly.
These new nobles constantly encroached on the interests of the old aristocratic families.
At the same time, after the founding of the country, he quickly formed a marriage alliance with the old aristocratic families.
Cheng Yaojin, Qin Qiong, Niu Jinda, as well as him, which one of them did not marry a woman from a noble family?
Once the pressure from the gentry clans arose, they would not dare to risk universal condemnation!
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