Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4818: It's not easy to seek an official position
Zhang Liang's eyes lit up. From what His Majesty said, it seemed that he was planning to make Luzon a princely fiefdom like Silla?

If that is the case, since I have made great contributions to the development of Luzon, perhaps I can make some efforts to become the Chief Secretary of the Prince's Palace of his fiefdom, second only to the prince but above everyone else, isolated overseas and holding great power. It seems to be a good idea.

Anyway, he was not willing to return to Chang'an. As long as Fang Jun was still alive, he would not have a good life if he returned...

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will do my best and die for you!"

Zhang Liang regarded this trip to Luzon as another starting point in his official career, so there was some sincerity in his show of loyalty. He could not count on anyone now, so he could only hope to govern Luzon well, make more money for His Majesty, and then become His Majesty's confidant.

With your Majesty's protection, I will be able to sit firmly in the court in the future.

Li Chengqian said, "I know what you are thinking, but I still want to remind you not to be too eager for quick success. After you go to Luzon, you should reduce taxes and levies, govern carefully, and do not damage the prestige of the Tang Dynasty for short-term benefits. I am not a hypocrite who talks about benevolence and morality, and I don't care whether the barbarians praise or criticize me, but the Tang Dynasty needs an image of "a country of tolerance, love, and etiquette" to lead the world and make all countries in the world submit to the wings of the Tang Dynasty. There are many ways to gain benefits, and the most undesirable is to levy heavy taxes, burn, kill, and plunder. At that time, it would be like the barbaric barbarians, and the Tang Dynasty would not do that."

The Tang Dynasty needed to import interests from all over the world to consolidate its foundation and maintain its hegemony, but the means to gain interests required were not just a powerful army. The real hegemony was to spread the culture of the Tang Dynasty to the world, let the people bathe in the glory of the Tang Dynasty and then merge into one.

Burning, killing, looting, and plundering may make one dominate for a while, but it is difficult to sustain it. That is not what a great country like the Tang Dynasty would do.

Just like Fang Jun’s idea, the Tang Dynasty should always stand on the shore to reconcile and lead other countries, rather than personally taking action and seizing power by trickery.

Zhang Liang hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I know that the strategy of the empire is to build rather than destroy, and I will not damage your majesty's reputation."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "But there is no need to shrink back. We should act decisively when it is time to act. The barbarians are all people who eat raw meat and drink blood, and they don't care about human ethics. They are afraid of power but not morality. In many cases, only by using muskets and swords can they understand the principles of our Tang Dynasty."

For example, the Ministry of War’s previous description of the infiltration of the Arab Empire showed that the Caliph expanded everywhere holding scriptures in one hand and a sword in the other. Those who were intimidated by his power chanted scriptures together and established a unified belief, and those who refused to submit were eliminated with a sword.

Although I don't agree with such barbaric practices, the logic is correct. Sometimes those barbarians don't understand reason, but when you put a sword on his neck, he will understand everything...

But the Tang Dynasty didn't need to do that.

The Tang Dynasty possessed the most ancient and brilliant culture of the time, far more than half of the world's wealth, and an invincible and powerful army. What the Tang Dynasty wanted was not just submission, but integration. It wanted the Han culture to benefit the people, and all the barbarians in the world to learn "benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trustworthiness". It wanted all schools to recite "learn and practice it from time to time" in the morning light. This was the achievement that the Tang Dynasty wanted to pursue.

The Tang Dynasty disdains killing, plundering, and occupying.

*****
As the autumn wind grew cooler, the millet, wheat and rice in the fields were all harvested and neatly stacked in bundles and piles on the threshing floor. Li Ji, wearing a casual suit and a fu hat, with a beautiful jade around his waist, walked slowly with his hands behind his back, looking at the piles of grain on both sides with joy.

He was a relatively conservative person, and felt uneasy about the wealth that was pouring into the Tang Dynasty. He thought that no matter how valuable those things were, they were useless if they could not be eaten. He had experienced the turbulent times at the end of the Sui Dynasty. In those years of war, gold, silver, and money were all meaningless. No matter how much money you had, you could not buy food. I don't know how many rich families starved to death despite having mountains of gold, silver, and money...

Food is the foundation of everything.

They even disdained rice imported from overseas, believing that it could only solve the problem temporarily. They had to grow crops and produce wheat and rice in their own fields, so that they could truly stay away from hunger and avoid having to eat their own children...

Liang Jianfang followed Li Ji closely with a confused look on his face. He couldn't understand why the number one military figure looked at wheat ears and rice with even more passion than when he saw the most popular singer in Pingkangfang. He had something to say but didn't dare to disturb Li Ji's leisurely mood, and he rubbed his hands anxiously.

"Just say whatever you want to say. Don't try to be as smooth and worldly-wise as others."

Li Ji looked at Liang Jianfang with a half-smile. This jerk whose words could choke people to death followed him and smiled and was extremely submissive, as if the words "I have something to ask for" were written on his face.

"Hehe, Mr. Ying is still straightforward!"

"If you have something to say, say it now, and then get out of here. What's the matter? Do you want to stay and help me thresh the grain or grind the wheat?"

When Liang Jianfang heard about threshing millet and grinding wheat, he swallowed his saliva. Although he was tall and strong and looked like a good farmer, he joined the uprising army because he didn't want to farm in his hometown. He fought in the bloody battlefield and made meritorious deeds. Now he has been living a life of luxury for many years. It is really a headache for him to pick up the job that he hated most when he was a teenager...

Not daring to be shy anymore, he simply asked, "I heard that Zhang Liang is about to go overseas to serve as the Governor-General of Luzon?"

Li Ji glanced at him and said, "That's true."

Liang Jianfang smiled innocently, "Well, I wonder how the court plans to deal with the position of the Right Jinwu Guard General?"

"Haha, you have a lot on your mind. Are you thinking about this position?"

Liang Jianfang said solemnly, "I am a dull person with a slow mind. I don't have that many thoughts. I will do whatever your majesty asks me to do. I don't envy others. But since the position of the General of the Right Jinwu Guard is vacant, with my military achievements and qualifications, it's not out of line for me to seek the position of the General of the Sixteenth Guard. Of course, it would be good if Lord Ying could speak for you in front of your majesty. In the end, I will accept whatever your majesty decides."

He was also a meritorious official in the Zhenguan period, but his military exploits were slightly inferior and his experience was relatively shallow. However, compared with those loyal officials who followed Emperor Taizong in his campaigns and fought for the throne, there are few people in the army who can compare with him in terms of military exploits and experience.

Logically speaking, he is fully qualified to compete for the position of General of the Sixteen Guards, but he has no say in front of His Majesty, and His Majesty cannot remember such a person as him. He can only beg a big shot like Li Ji to recommend him to His Majesty.

He really wanted to improve...

"You've actually learned how to be scheming? This is not your style as a tough guy, Liang Jianfang."

"What's the use of being a tough guy? A tough guy on the battlefield is invincible and makes the enemy tremble with fear, but a tough guy in the officialdom is hated by everyone and has a hard time. Besides, I am not scheming, and I can't learn it. Otherwise, why would I have wasted my time until now despite my great military achievements?"

Li Ji nodded, then shook his head: "But it's not a good idea for you to be the general of the Right Jinwu Guard. Haven't you seen and heard about the life Zhang Liang has lived in the Right Jinwu Guard? That is Fang Jun's territory, and everyone in it is Fang Jun's people. Even if His Majesty agrees, you will not end up well if you go to the Right Jinwu Guard."

Liang Jianfang glared and said, "Mr. Ying insulted me. No matter how incompetent I am, how can I compare to Zhang Liang, who was lucky enough to get promoted? As long as I seize the official seal, anyone in the Right Jinwu Guard who dares to disobey will be punished by military law. Let's see who is more stubborn, their necks or my sword!"

"Just shut up!"

Li Ji was in a state of panic. "If a jerk like you really enters the Right Jinwu Guard, someone will die within two days. If you dare to touch Fang Jun's people, do you believe that he will ambush you on the roadside in the middle of the night with a musket and blow you into a beehive? You are old and you always shout for war and killing. What a low standard!"

"Then what do you think we should do, Mr. Ying?"

"The Right Jinwu Guard is Fang Jun's subordinate. If you really want to apply for this position, why not try to talk to Fang Jun? Although he can be a bit of a fool sometimes, he still admires pure soldiers like you and is tolerant. He might be happy to accept you."

"Don't go!"

Liang Jianfang shook his head like a rattle, and said repeatedly: "You can come to ask for help from Lord Ying, and you can beat and scold me as you like, and I won't lose face. But Fang Jun is nothing, his hair hasn't even grown out yet, and you want me to be servile and subservient to him? Then I'd rather not be a general!"

Li Ji said angrily, "Why can't you adapt? Besides, Fang Jun is now the Prince's Junior Tutor and a Senior General. His official position and rank are much higher than yours, and his achievements are far superior to yours. He is also favored by His Majesty. Just because he is a few years younger than you, you refuse to bow down in front of him? Do you also look down on His Majesty, who is younger than you?"

"Whatever you say, asking Fang Jun for help will definitely not work."

"Who asked you to beg? I'll teach you a few words. When the time comes, just say what I teach you. Whether it succeeds or not, that's it."

"Don't go."

"I...fuck you!"

Li Ji was so angry that he glared, pulled his beard and cursed. He was helpless in the face of this stubborn guy.

Liang Jianfang was not annoyed even after being scolded. He just shook his head and refused to go find Fang Jun or leave. He just waited for Li Ji to do the job for him.

Like a dog-skin plaster.

Li Ji had no choice but to think about it and called the steward from a distance and said, "I am going to visit Duke Wei's mansion. Please prepare some gifts."

"Here."

Liang Jianfang was puzzled: "Although Duke Wei has great prestige, he is now retired and at home enjoying his grandchildren. Although he still goes to the Military Affairs Office from time to time to assist in military affairs, he has long ignored worldly affairs. Besides, he may not speak to Fang Jun on my behalf."

At Li Jing's current level, favors are naturally useful, but he, Liang Jianfang, is not worthy of Li Jing's favors, not even Li Ji.

Li Ji said angrily, "Just follow me! Damn it, you came here empty-handed when you asked me to do something for you, and I have to pay for the gifts out of my own pocket for you. How can you be so embarrassed?"