Chapter 254: It’s a promise, double happiness comes to the door

When they saw that it was Li Simo who stood up, the important officials in the court knew that the highlight of this grand court meeting was about to begin.

Since Li Simo submitted the memorial, Li Shimin convened all the ministers twice to discuss the matter.

Everyone had the same opinion, which was not to accept the Turks' submission.

That's right. They were originally settled in Hetao. What kind of place is Hetao that would allow you Turks to stay in Hetao?

We finally managed to break it out for you and put it in the north to serve as a barrier for our country, but now you want to come back?
Is this a stadium?

In fact, Li Shimin's idea was the same as everyone else's, but he was actually quite interested in the plan that Li Xiang had mentioned before.

As expected, Li Simo knelt on the ground and began to explain the pros and cons.

The general meaning is that Dingxiang is a remote place and it is very cold, and I want to go back to Chang'an.

Of course, Li Shimin would not express his opinion first, but looked around and glanced at his ministers.

"What do you think of what the Prince of Huaihua said?"

"His Majesty."

As a close comrade of Comrade Lao Li, Changsun Wuji, the best brother-in-law in the world, was the first to speak out: "I think it is not possible."

"Oh?" Old Li glanced at Changsun Wuji: "Why do you say that?"

"Prince Huaihua led his troops out of Dingxiang before and served as a barrier to the north of the Tang Dynasty. How can he easily return to the hinterland? What should we do when there is no barrier in the north of the Tang Dynasty?" Changsun Wuji asked first.

"Your servants and I think what Minister Changsun said is very true." The ministers immediately came out to support him.

Seeing that all the officials in the court were against the Turks' submission, Li Simo became very anxious.

There was no other reason. He just didn't want to stay in that crappy place Dingxiang for even a moment.

"Your Majesty, we are sincere and hope Your Majesty will understand!" Li Simo said sincerely.

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Ashina She'er and Zhishishili.

However, the two generals didn't even look at him, just standing there like wooden men.

There really wasn't much they could say. After all, they were Tang generals now. If they spoke up for Li Simo, it would seem a bit unreasonable.

Li Simo was so angry. Damn, we were talking nicely a few days ago, but now you are just standing there silently pretending to be experts, right?

"Prince, what do you think?" Li Shimin tilted his head and glanced at Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian immediately replied: "Your Majesty, I think what Changsun Situ said is very true. The Turks are the northern barrier of the Tang Dynasty. How can they be relocated?"

Li Chengqian is no longer the same person he was back then. Learning Turkic customs was just a bad move taken by a rebellious child to attract his father's attention.

If you want to ask whether he really likes the Turks, the answer is definitely no.

What’s going on? Is it because the main hall in Li is uncomfortable to live in, or is it because this silk dress is uncomfortable to wear?

This is the truth. You see, there are people in this world who like the United States and some who like the Soviet Union, but have you ever heard of anyone in the United States or the Soviet Union who likes the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the Republic of Congo?

It's like a child who was originally good at both character and study in a family. Suddenly, his parents gave birth to a second child and started to ignore him. He started to act like a spirited boy. Does he really want to be a spirited boy? He just wants to attract his parents' attention.

Of course, if this continues, he will never be able to return to his original state as a spirited young man.

As soon as these words came out, Li Simo's heart sank.

Who does the prince represent? Isn't it the emperor?
Besides, even if the emperor allowed the Turks to move inland, after the crown prince ascended the throne, he might listen to his uncle's advice and send them out again...

After hearing this, Li Shimin frowned slightly.

However, it was just this one frown that allowed Li Tai to capture the details.

"What about the Crown Prince? What do you think?" Li Shimin asked Li Xiang again.

Three generations of the family sat at the top, as neat and orderly as the Three Pure Ones.

Li Xiang really didn't want to give a direct answer. After all, in his opinion, this was a good opportunity to completely sinicize the Turks.

If he directly expressed his support for Zhangsun Wuji, it would be too hurtful to Li Simo; but if he directly expressed his own views, he would be beaten up by Li Shimin.

Therefore, after thinking it over, he could only show a humble expression: "Your Majesty, this is my first time attending court, and I don't know much about government affairs. Judging from the current situation, looking at the overall situation, looking at the past and present, and considering the complex situation inside and outside the Tang Dynasty, we can analyze and summarize, perhaps we can think that what Changsun Situ said has some truth, but in summary, Your Majesty may find that although the words are a bit unpleasant to the ear, anyway, we don't have sufficient evidence to prove Changsun Situ's point of view... At this stage, we can only expect this."

You know what, not only Old Li, but even the ministers in the court were confused by his long and difficult sentences.

"Then what do you mean?" Li Shimin lowered his eyelids.

"Yes and no." Li Xiang lowered his head modestly.

Old Li took a deep breath. This rebellious grandson...

It really is a non-stick pan!
"Your Majesty, I do have some humble opinions." Li Tai suddenly stood up and said.

Seeing Li Shimin nod, Li Tai immediately said: "Since the Prince of Huaihua is so sincere and wants to submit his entire family, in my opinion, it is not impossible to accept it."

As soon as Li Tai said this, everyone present showed a look of surprise, including Li Simo.

The court officials did not know why Li Tai suddenly expressed his willingness to accept Li Simo's surrender. The Yellow River has a hundred disadvantages but only one benefit. The Hetao area is the most important horse-breeding area for the court and a bridgehead for controlling the grassland. It must be controlled by the court. How could it be given to the Turks so easily?

Although the Turks were a tribe that surrendered to the Tang Dynasty after being defeated in the war, they were still not of our race after all. It would be fine if we allowed them to become a barrier for the Tang Dynasty in the south of the desert, but how could we allow them to cross the Yellow River and enter the heartland of the Central Plains?

However, Li Simo was pleasantly surprised that after many twists and turns, he found a new way out.

I thought that the matter of surrendering would cause widespread opposition at the court, but I never expected that the King of Wei would actually express support for me?

This... this is truly the wise king of our Tang Dynasty!

Li Simo was really happy. People used to say that the King of Wei was a wise king, but he didn't quite believe it. Now, he finally got to see it.

Liu Li stood in the second row of civil servants, with a look of pain on his face.

Oh my god, your Majesty.

What type of situation is this?
Why did you suddenly leave on your own without even discussing it with us?
However, Li Tai was still speaking, and his next sentence made everyone in the Taiji Hall change their expressions.

"If the Turks could get rid of their country name, give up their identity on the grassland, completely submit to the Tang Dynasty, and disperse to the interior to farm, I think it would be acceptable."

Liu Li breathed a sigh of relief, it’s okay.

As a high-ranking official at the level of Shizhong, his political sense is very keen.

He thought of what Li Tai meant by this, which was to use an unacceptable condition to force Li Simo to give up his request to surrender.

Hey, he is the king after all, he always thinks of everything.

Li Xiang was sitting at the top and couldn't help but patted the armrest lightly.

Oh, my good second uncle... Then he heard a cough, and when he turned around, he saw Lao Li looking at him with a dark face.

Without thinking, he understood what Lao Li meant by his expression.

You rebellious grandson, you are cheating your second uncle again!

Li Chengqian also noticed the interaction between the grandfather and grandson, and immediately understood what was going on.

It seems... this should be the work of Xiang'er.

This elephant is too bad. Next time, he must not... he must not do this again!
Li Tai glanced at Li Simo and felt relieved when he saw that he was looking at him in shock.

Humph, it seems that Li Simo is troubled by this condition.

That's good, that's good.

That way, he has no excuse.

However, what surprised Li Tai was that Li Simo's expression changed from shock, to calm, and then to ecstasy.

It's like the face-changing in Sichuan Opera, with so many expressions changing in such a short time.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the conditions proposed by the King of Wei are acceptable to us Turks!" Li Simo expressed his opinion immediately.

Judging from his expression, he seemed to be afraid that Li Tai would go back on his word.

A promise is a promise, double happiness!
After hearing what Li Simo said, Li Tai's expression was like a huh cat with its mouth wide open in surprise.

No, buddy?

what's wrong with you?

This is to completely disperse the Turkic tribes! How could you agree so easily?

Shouldn't he explain the pros and cons to me in the court and then refute me with hundreds of objections?
Why did you just agree to that?

In fact, this was because Li Tai didn't understand Li Simo well enough. He didn't know at all that Li Simo didn't want to be the Turkic Khan at all.

Not to mention canceling the country's title, as long as he can go to Chang'an to be a prince, he will do anything.

Now it was Li Tai's turn to be a wooden man. He stood there, submerged in the water, at a loss as to what to do.

Li Shimin certainly knew what kind of person Li Simo was. It can be said that he was the person who knew Li Simo best in the Tang Dynasty.

When Li Xiang made the suggestion, Li Shimin already knew that Li Simo would definitely accept this condition.

But he is the Heavenly Khan after all, and he cannot propose such harsh conditions on his own.

He was not surprised at all that Li Simo now accepted this condition in full.

"Simo, I hope you will think twice before doing anything about this matter." Li Shimin did not accept it first, but comforted Li Simo.

"I don't want to stay in Dingxiang. I only wish to stay in Chang'an for generations and be a dog of His Majesty the Heavenly Khan!" Li Simo knelt on the ground and said sincerely.

Translated it means, Your Majesty the Khan, I want to be your dog!
If you don’t know, you might think that Li Shimin is Miss Kamisato Ayaka.

"Si Mo, think twice before you act." Li Shimin looked reluctant.

However, Changsun Wuji, who knew Li Shimin very well, immediately saw through Li's thoughts.

"I think that since the Prince of Huaihua has accepted it, there is nothing that cannot be discussed." Zhang Sun Wuji immediately stood up to express his support: "The Prince of Huaihua is interested, and the Tang Dynasty should also help him."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I hope Your Majesty will grant my request for the sake of my sincerity!" Li Simo pleaded with tears in his eyes. He looked as if he would imitate the old marquis and kill himself in the Taiji Hall if Li Shimin did not agree to his request.

"I hope Your Majesty will consider Prince Huaihua's sincerity and agree to our request!" All the ministers came out and said in unison.

Since all the ministers said so, there was naturally nothing Li Shimin could not agree to.

He had no choice but to say, "Well, I sympathize with Simo's loyalty. Since all the ministers think it is feasible, then I will grant Simo's request!"

"Your Majesty, I, Li Simo, thank you!" Li Simo said happily.

This is really a great bargain, Li Simo thought happily.

What Dingxiang, what Turks, how can they compare to the glamorous world of Chang'an?

Well... after we completely surrender, we should not only stay in Chang'an, but also go to Dengzhou, which was established by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, to have some fun and taste the seafood.

Li Simo was already thinking in his mind where he should go for fun after the internal annexation was completed.

After accepting Li Simo's request and stating the plan, the court began to discuss the matter of the Spring Examination again.

This spring examination is the first one after the reform of the imperial examination system, so we naturally have to be prepared for it.

The Spring Examination is actually the imperial examination.

The joint examination is one of the imperial examination methods, which is one level higher than the provincial examination and one level lower than the palace examination.

Because scholars gathered in the capital to take the exam, it got the name. Also, because it was held in the spring by the Ministry of Rites, it was also called "Spring Examination" or "Rites Examination".

It was originally planned that after two spring examinations were held in the 19th and 20th years of Zhenguan, the system would gradually get on track. Scholars had to pass the county examination, prefectural examination, and provincial examination before they could participate in the metropolitan examination and the palace examination and finally obtain the status of Jinshi.

Logically speaking, the Spring Examination should be held every three years, but this was a reform after all, and talents had to be selected first before making radical changes. So after consultation in the court, it was decided to hold the examination for two consecutive years, to select talents first and then carry out the reform.

Many people have a misunderstanding that there is a huge gap between the Mingjing examination and the Jinshi examination. The Mingjing examination selects people who are good at rote memorization, while the Jinshi examination selects people who are truly talented.

In fact, this is totally wrong. The scope of the Mingjing exam includes classics and current affairs, while the Jinshi exam is based on the Mingjing exam, with an additional question of poetry and prose. The only difference between the two is that the Mingjing exam has three current affairs and policies, while the Jinshi exam has five.

Actually, when it comes down to it, poetry and prose...are really not very useful in governing a country.

After Li Xiang's reform proposal, the Jinshi examination removed the examination of poetry and prose, changed the emphasis on current affairs and classics, and added some basic mathematics.

After discussion, the chief examiner of the first reformed Spring Examination was decided to be Xiao Yu, and the deputy examiners were Ma Zhou and Liu Li.

The number of people to be admitted for this joint examination is tentatively set at 300, and admission will be based on the examination areas.

In the previous examination area division, the five surnames and seven families were divided into the same examination area.

As for what kind of monster will be rolled out, Li Xiang is actually looking forward to it.

The entire Tang Dynasty was divided into eight examination areas, namely Lingnan Examination Area, Jiangnan Examination Area, Hehuai Examination Area, Jiannan Examination Area, Hebei Examination Area, Guanlong Examination Area, Hedong Examination Area and Shannei Examination Area.

Yes, the Five Surnames and Seven Families were all assigned to the Hehuai examination area.

The so-called Hehuai is the general term for the Yellow River and the Huai River.

(I just came back from the IV drip not long ago, there will be another chapter later, the inflammation in my legs has subsided a lot)

(End of this chapter)