186: Monk and Dragon Discuss Politics

Like a morning bell and an evening drum, Li Chengqian's eyes suddenly lit up, but his expression quickly turned despondent.

"Holy Monk, please stop toying with me..."

Li Chengqian said with a bitter, helpless smile, "You also know, with my meager abilities, it's uncertain if I can withstand the attacks of those gods and demons, so becoming an emperor for all eternity is out of the question!"

Tang Ku knew that this fellow was utterly despondent now, having lost confidence in a way, but he wasn't in a hurry.

Instead, he turned around and sat on the steps with Li Chengqian, softly chuckling, "Let's not rush the matter of being an emperor for all eternity. Whether you ascend the throne or not is irrelevant. If you're dead set against being this emperor, then we just won't be it... Hmm, let's just chat. Could you tell Poor Monk about your plans for the future of the Great Tang? It would also pass the time..."

"Alas, what else is there to say? Even if I, this Crown Prince, plan ever so well, there will be no chance to realize it. This Great Tang might not even last until then!"

Li Chengqian said with a bitter smile and lay back down.

Tang Ku smiled. He suddenly noticed a table beside them laden with fruits, pears, peaches, and some snacks, as well as two pots of fine grape wine presented as tribute from the Western Regions.

With a wave of his hand, he brought them into his grasp, handed one pot to the Crown Prince, and took a swig from the other...

It was sweet and refreshing with a rich fruity aroma, not as slightly sour as later generations' wines; in fact, the taste was much better than those of later eras.

"Tsk, what excellent wine... Alas, if the Great Tang doesn't have a leader in the future, I'm afraid there won't be such fine wine to drink!"

Tang Ku smacked his lips.

Li Chengqian sat up with a gulp, grabbed the wine pot, and took a few swigs before saying, "Holy Monk, actually, I really do have quite a few ideas... I think that although our Great Tang is prosperous, there are many unreasonable aspects.

For example, the aristocratic family system, the chaos of merchants, the extravagance among the upper class while many common people struggle to eat and stay warm... I want to change all of these. I want to transform this false prosperity into true prosperity..."

"Good ideas... but it's easier said than done!" Tang Ku chuckled, "Your Highness, do you have any specific ideas?"

"Yes, of course I do!"

Li Chengqian said, "Actually, the seemingly insurmountable aristocratic family system is the easiest to solve. Grant them benefits, gradually reduce their power, and proceed slowly, and power will inevitably be concentrated in the imperial authority.

This way, the problem of land annexation can be reduced to the greatest extent, allowing common people to have land to cultivate..."

Tang Ku's eyes lit up: "The things involved here are all interconnected. If you ascend the throne, are you confident you can solve it?"

Li Chengqian said gravely, "Yes... These years, the imperial examinations have selected talent for the court, but due to the interference of aristocratic families, examination fraud often occurs.

Many impoverished scholars have suffered unfair treatment. I have gathered them and cultivated my own direct subordinates. When I ascend the throne, I will place them in various key positions... The official positions may not be very high, but they must be in the most pivotal and crucial locations..."

"To control the court officials with this... Heh heh, interesting... But what about the military generals? How would you handle figures like Old Thousand-Year Cheng and Li Jing?"

Tang Ku knew he was only speaking in general terms, but he also understood that this Crown Prince was truly a man of ideas.

"Military generals are even easier to handle!"

Li Chengqian chuckled, "Just let them share in the glory and elevate them highly, that's enough!"

Tang Ku narrowed his eyes and said, "So that's it. Military generals love fame... In future wars, they will be the backbone, but power must absolutely not be completely handed over to these military generals... Hmm, yes, different armies can mutually restrain and check each other, but true military power must absolutely be held in one's own hands... Is that Your Highness's idea?"

"Does Holy Monk also understand state affairs?"

Li Chengqian said with surprise, "Exactly, that's right... The first thing I will do after taking office is to hold an imperial examination, both civil and military, to recruit talents, and this examination must be as fair and just as possible!"

"That's a good method... And what about the chaos of merchants you mentioned? Do you have a way to solve it?"

Tang Ku chuckled.

"The great merchants and magnates are basically closely related to the aristocratic families. Once the matter of the aristocratic families is resolved, the chaos of merchants can be easily resolved. Whether it's them inflating prices or hoarding goods, they will no longer exist..."

Li Chengqian said, "Someone suggested that I gather those small peddlers who have a bit of strength and form an organization in the name of imperial authority, primarily dealing with important goods such as salt, iron, and grain.

Based on this, at critical moments, the prices of goods in the entire business world can be controlled..."

Tang Ku's eyes lit up: "Establishing a chamber of commerce, market regulation... Heh heh, this measure benefits both the country and the people. Your Highness is indeed a man of ideas."

"This wasn't my idea; it was a strategy presented by a retainer in my mansion..." Li Chengqian said, "Actually, the Dao of a nation lies in benefiting the people. If the people are prosperous and strong, then the nation will be prosperous and strong.

I think, since even Chang'an City has beggars, then how many beggars must there be in this world? How many suffering common people? And as the ruler of a nation, if I make even a small mistake, how many more starved souls will there be in this world?"

Tang Ku nodded: "Previously, Wei Zheng advised your father, saying: 'Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it.' If the people are prosperous, how could they overthrow a regime? I ask Your Highness, when the two characters 'nation' and 'family' are linked, which comes first, the nation or the family?"

Li Chengqian said solemnly, "Ten thousand families make up the nation, and the nation contains ten thousand families; there is no priority!"

"Hahahahaha... Hahahahahahaha..."

Tang Ku clapped his hands and laughed heartily, then took a swig of wine and chuckled, "Excellent, excellent! Poor Monk truly didn't misjudge you. You and that person in history are indeed not the same person..."

Although Li Chengqian didn't know which 'history' he was referring to, he couldn't help but be infected by the monk's cheerful and hearty laughter, and he smiled faintly, "Moreover, I've also thought that this world is not just the world of my Li family, but the world of all people.

If I, Li Chengqian, cannot be a good emperor, I will voluntarily abdicate and choose a virtuous person to take the position. This act can emulate the ancient system of abdication, avoiding many disputes..."

This time, Tang Ku was not just happy; he was already shocked.

"Isn't this the presidential election system? By the way, have you discussed this with your old man?"

Tang Ku was so surprised his eyeballs almost popped out, he thought to himself.

"Heh heh, Your expression, it seems you don't quite believe me!" Li Chengqian chuckled, "How could my ambitions, this Crown Prince's aspirations, be swayed by mere power? If everything I've planned can be accomplished, it will surely make this entire Great Tang an unparalleled great nation in the world.

What if I abdicate and yield to the worthy? At that time, we can simply choose one from among talented individuals!"

Tang Ku poured the last drop of wine into his mouth, then smacked his lips and chuckled, "Since Your Highness has such grand aspirations and cares for the common people of the world, why not take a gamble for the sake of these common people?"