He said, "In the sixteen years since you ascended the throne, you have quelled rebellions, repelled foreign soldiers, and eased burdens on the people, allowing them to live in peace and prosperity. No one has done better than you."
The Emperor looked down at him and said, "But now Sanlang wants to emulate back then..."
"Your Majesty," Yin Li couldn’t help but interrupt before he could finish his sentence. So words are regrettable once spoken, and it wouldn’t be easy for those who hear them either.
He could only say solemnly, "The past is different from the present. Back then, the Third Prince was aggressive, and most of the direct supporters of the First Prince chose the Third Prince. There were many conflicts between the noble families and us, the generals, and the late emperor favored the Third Prince. If you didn’t fight back, not only would you not survive, but those of us who follow Your Majesty would also be dood. Back then, you were fighting not just for yourself, but for all of us as well."
"And now, Your Majesty is magnanimous and loving towards all the princes, the Empress is virtuous, and the Crown Prince is affectionate to his siblings. The events of the past will surely not happen again."
Saying the Crown Prince is affectionate to his siblings, the Emperor would have agreed a few years ago, because although the Crown Prince focused on his brothers’ studies, he also cared for them.
But in recent years...
The Crown Prince not fighting with his brothers was already considered good.
The Emperor’s mood improved sowhat after this interruption, mainly because Yin Li had persuaded him right—that the past is different from the present. Back then, he had no choice, but now it’s not a ti of chaos.
He and the Empress treated Prince Gong very well, so why would Prince Gong want to seize the throne?
The Emperor’s heart gradually cald as he began to ponder how to handle this matter.
Now the Crown Princess is about to give birth. Whether this child is a boy or a girl, the Crown Prince will have an heir. A son would be ideal, but if it’s a daughter, there will be another chance.
The Crown Prince has toned down his previously arrogant deanor. Although not all the courtiers praise him, things are much better than the previously tense situation.
As long as the Crown Prince is grood attentively and those who encourage Prince Gong are dealt with, the ministers and his sons should understand his and the Empress’s intentions.
Sanlang should also restrain himself sowhat, right?
"By the way, whose children frequently accompany Prince Gong?"
Yin Li sowhat regretted coming personally to protect the Emperor, but he didn’t pause for long. After thinking for a mont, he said, "I only know that Cui Family and Wang Family both have sons accompanying Prince Gong."
The Emperor’s face darkened instantly with anger, "Do they want my son to beco a tool in their hands? Hmph!"
The Emperor’s heart was blocked again with anger, reluctant to talk with Yin Li anymore, he turned and headed down the mountain.
Yin Li sighed, exchanged a glance with Gu Zhong, and imdiately chased after him.
The grudges between the Emperor and the noble families could not be explained even over three days and nights.
Things in this world aren’t simply black or white; they’re quite complicated. The royal Li Clan is part of the noble families themselves. The late emperor loved grand achievents and aid to weaken the influence of the noble families, leading to rebellions across the regions.
Li Clan was just one of the many back then. The late emperor and the late Crown Prince were connecting with noble families in Taiyuan, while the current emperor was recruiting soldiers outside. They worked together to conquer vast lands.
But after conquering the land, they found that the real challenge was just beginning, as the political governance ideas between the current emperor and the late emperor were different. The late emperor believed that the previous dynasty’s downfall was their lesson, so the previous ways should be resud, and the royal family should govern alongside the noble families for a lasting dynasty.
The current emperor also believed the previous dynasty’s downfall was their lesson, so he intended to gradually weaken the influence of the noble families and not let them control the change of dynasties.
Looking back through history, how many nations have fallen at the hands of noble families?
Furthermore, when the country’s politics are controlled by noble families, not only does the royal family suffer, but the people do too, as lands are extensively seized by noble families, leaving the people with nothing, ultimately forcing them to rebel.
Once the people have rebellious intentions, if the rulers don’t align with these noble families, they will leverage the people to raise banners against them.
How did the previous dynasty fall, and didn’t the current one know?
Instead of handing the sword over to the noble families, it’s better to gradually take it and wield it alone.
So after the country settled, the current emperor proposed awarding nobility based on military rits, and those who followed him into battle all received honors.
Half of the nobility in the court were his forr subordinates, causing not only the Crown Prince, but even the late emperor to feel uneasy. Coupled with the noble families’ dissatisfaction and incitent, the emperor and the three legitimate princes were caught in disputes.
The current emperor saw clearly, and after the heartbreak, stepped back, voluntarily relinquishing military power and distancing himself from those titled generals to quell the royal fight.
Yet, stepping back once led to continuous retreats, until the late Crown Prince fell seriously ill, and seeing that he would die, the emperor beca the legitimate successor, making the fight even more chaotic.
The current emperor indeed had his thoughts.
If his elder brother lived, he was willing to step back as a subject. But if his brother died, then by priority, legitimacy, or rit, he should be the emperor.
Having fought and bled on the battlefield, one’s heart softens only so much, and at that ti, many generals around him were repressed by the late Crown Prince and the Third Prince, leaving him incensed, willing to follow him in another rebellion.
The emperor hesitated, hesitated, then was cornered on the battlefield. During that battle, they were cut off from retreat and suffered heavy casualties.
At that ti, Yin Li was beside the emperor, begging alongside surviving generals for him to rebel,
and then they rushed thousands of miles, bypassing the late emperor’s convoy to storm back to the capital, killing the Third Prince, and when the late emperor heard the news and returned, they had already stabilized the capital.
The late emperor was forced and could only crown him as Crown Prince, but due to heavy blows, fell seriously ill, passing away after a few months.
And due to this thunderous action by the current emperor, the noble families were completely subdued. After years of chaotic wars, the people could no longer endure another war. The emperor proclaid himself and showed deference to the noble families, both sides stepping back to maintain surface peace.
Yet over these years, the emperor never intended to excuse the noble families. Though the imperial examinations were sotis halted for various reasons, they must be held every two or three years, with each event seeing so impoverished scholars entering Hanlin Academy.
As a confidante of the emperor, Yin Li knew that the emperor was slowly weakening the noble families’ influence.
But the noble families likewise never gave up, with many of their people around the Crown Prince, Prince Gong, and even other princes.
The emperor and noble families couldn’t say who wronged whom, even as insightful as Yin Li couldn’t think of a solution, but to prevent the emperor from regretting later, he quietly reminded, "Your Majesty, beware of breaking the jade vase when catching a rat."
Those sent by the noble families to compete for succession are generally not of the legitimate branch, and even if they are, they are not from the main house.
Look at Yang Heshu; he is not only the most famous scion in the capital but also the legitimate heir of Ms. Yang, grood as the patriarch.
So he won’t show bias towards any one prince, even if he assists in the Eastern Palace, he answers to the emperor, not the Office of Palace Affairs of the Eastern Palace.
If Ms. Yang has other descendants participate in the succession struggle, winning would be a dragon’s rit, with wealth and honor; losing, though the family would be affected, the legitimate branch remains, and after years of dormancy, they can erge again.
Thus, the royal family may perish, a dynasty may fall, but the noble families endure through generations.
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