Sss~~~
Li Chengqian's words caused the entire court to gasp in unison.
Preferential treatment for one's own citizens could even lead other countries to submit!
Sun Tzu said: The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on our having made ourselves invincible.
Therefore, to win a hundred victories and a hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.
Thus, the best policy is to attack the enemy's strategy; the next best is to attack his alliances. The next best is to attack his army. The worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.
The method of besieging walled cities is a disagreeable necessity.
Now, these two small countries surrendered without a fight, which precisely proves Sun Tzu's art of war!
Li Shimin suddenly looked at Fang Er, who was leaning against a pillar, as this matter was arranged by him for Su Dingfang and Xi Junmai to handle!
He hadn't taken it seriously at the time, but he never expected that in less than a year, it would yield results!
Fang Anzhi!
Your subject is here!
Upon hearing Li Shimin's summons, Fang Er quickly stood straight, stepped out of the formation, and bowed with folded hands.
Li Shimin stroked his beard and nodded at him with satisfaction, then scanned the officials in the hall and said: Duke An, Fang Anzhi, has incorporated the lands of two countries through strategy. I intend to grant rewards. Do any of the ministers have objections?
The officials looked at each other, and then they understood that Su Dingfang and Xi Junmai's actions were actually instructed by Fang Er.
Without losing a single soldier or general, without expending a single grain or blade of grass, they made the two countries feed the Tang army for so long for free, and also expanded the Tang dynasty's territory. Who could possibly object to rewarding such merit?
Thus, all the officials clasped their hands and said in unison: Your Majesty is wise!
Hahahaha!~
Li Shimin stood up with a hearty laugh, paced back and forth for a moment, then turned and stood on the imperial steps, speaking loudly.
Fang Anzhi, accept your enfeoffment!
Your subject is here!
For your merit in expanding our territory, you are hereby enfeoffed as King Dingyuan!
You are fond of lands overseas. Wherever you set your sights, that shall be your fief!
Fang Er stared at him, dumbfounded. He was being made king just like that?
The officials were even more bewildered. Lands overseas, wherever he set his sights, that would be King Dingyuan's fief, what did that mean?
Was this essentially giving him permission to conquer wherever he pleased under the guise of an imperial decree?
Was this too much favoritism?!
Seeing the silent crowd in the hall, Li Shimin raised an eyebrow: What, do you have any objections?
Your Majesty is wise!
The officials quickly flattered him. Objections?
Even if they had any, could they voice them?
Your old Li was bestowing a title upon his son-in-law, who had also rendered great service. Who could say anything?
Moreover, with Fang Er's merits, becoming a king was only a matter of time. Who would be foolish enough to seek trouble for themselves in front of Fang Er?
Let alone others, even the stubborn Wei Zheng quietly stood aside, not speaking. Li Xiaogong had been shaking his fists at him several times just now. What a brute!
Hahaha, good. Since that is the case, it shall be so decided.
Li Shimin sat back on the dragon throne with great satisfaction, took a sip of tea, and looked at the ministers.
Does anyone else have anything to report?
Just then, a young man walked in from outside the hall, approached the imperial steps, and bowed with clasped hands.
Your subject, your younger brother, pays respects to Your Majesty~
The person was none other than Prince Han, Li Yuanchang, who was only 13 years old this year, the seventh son of Li Yuan.
Li Shimin did not reply but instead threw a meaningful glance at Fang Er.
Fang Er's face showed a mischievous smile. This look, he didn't need to interpret it; the note Deng Dengjie had given him earlier was about Li Yuanchang.
After clearing his throat, he instantly put on a stern face and said coldly.
Your Majesty, Prince Han is disrespectful, please punish him!
Swish!
All the officials turned to look at him, all with incredulous expressions, even Li Xiaogong wore the same look.
This kid had never impeached any official before, so why was he targeting Prince Han the moment he made a move?
This was the biological son of the former emperor, the younger brother of Li Shimin, and he had just been made King Dingyuan, and now he was going to become arrogant?
They did not know that all of this was arranged by Li Shimin. The reason was that in the historical records of another world, Li Chengqian's rebellion was heavily instigated by Prince Han.
With the Xuanwu Gate Incident preceding it, he absolutely could not tolerate anyone pointing fingers at the throne again, not even his own brother!
Li Yuanchang was utterly bewildered. He turned to Fang Er: What is the meaning of this, Duke An?
Fang Er righteously accused him: Your Highness Prince Han, please address me as King Dingyuan! Oh, right, this was just bestowed by His Majesty.
Of course, you can continue to call me Duke An, but in doing so, it signifies your contempt for His Majesty.
Also, before you entered the hall just now, you barged in without announcing yourself. This sufficiently demonstrates your disrespect to His Majesty. According to the law, you should be~~
He trailed off and turned to Minister of Rites, Dai Li. Minister Dai, in the case of Prince Han, how should he be punished according to the law?
He was not very familiar with the Tang Code, and he truly didn't know the severity of the punishment. Instead of letting him feel awkward, Dai Li found himself in a very awkward situation.
Should he answer, or not answer?
If he answered, he would displease Prince Han.
If he didn't answer, given Duke Dingyuan's temperament, he might risk being beaten after the court session.
After a moment of thought, he quickly made his decision. Compared to the future, going home safely today was the most important thing.
Replying to King Dingyuan, he should be confined for ten days, and his salary suspended for half a year as a warning.
If he offends again, he may be demoted.
For repeated offenses, he shall be reduced to commoner status!
Even if Li Yuanchang had ulterior motives in the future, he was, after all, just a thirteen-year-old child, not even as old as Fang Er.
After hearing Dai Li's words, he quickly retorted.
King Dingyuan, this prince is not disrespecting His Majesty. It is simply that upon receiving the summons from the Imperial Guard, I rushed here immediately~~~
Wait a moment!
Fang Er interrupted him before he could finish.
Are you saying His Majesty summoned you to the morning court?
Li Yuanchang nodded repeatedly: Precisely!
Bold! Fang Er suddenly exclaimed.
Li Yuanchang's heart tightened, and he looked utterly confused, not understanding why the newly appointed King Dingyuan had such a strong reaction.
But Fang Er's next words made him feel deeply wronged.
Your Highness Prince Han, since it was His Majesty's summons, why are you only arriving now! And you claim you are not disregarding His Majesty?
Li Yuanchang almost jumped up in protest. The moment he received notice from the Imperial Guard, he rushed over without the slightest delay!
He quickly clasped his hands towards Li Shimin to explain: Your Majesty, your subject is truly wronged. Before entering the palace, I was blocked on Zhuque Street by a group of ruffians. They refused to let me pass.
Your subject feared that Your Majesty would blame me for being late, so with great difficulty, I managed to drive away those ruffians, which allowed me to enter the palace smoothly. Otherwise, I fear I would still be blocked outside the palace right now!
Old Li remained silent, merely sitting there quietly watching Fang Er perform.
Upon hearing Li Yuanchang's words, Fang Er quickly realized who the ruffians blocking the road were. If nothing unexpected had happened, this must have been Deng Dengjie's doing!
Your Highness Prince Han, please forgive my rudeness.
How can you be so sure that the people you drove away were ruffians? Since when is there a rule that commoners are not allowed to walk on Zhuque Street?
Therefore, I have summarized three charges against you!
Entering the hall without announcement, charge one.
Late arrival to a summons, charge two.
Abusing your authority, charge three!