bookrandom Chapter 663 The Real Enemy
Chapter 663 The Real Enemy
Li Chengqian paced with his hands behind his back, his brows slightly furrowed, his eyes full of thought. Zhang Xianhuai stood respectfully beside him, completely unaware that the emperor was feeling turbulent emotions. Li Chengqian had some heartfelt words to say, but after thinking it over again, he decided to keep them deep in his heart and not tell him.
If we trace back to the source of the troubles of aristocratic families, we will find that it all stems from the word "status".
The ancestors of those aristocratic families, relying on the power accumulated by their families over generations, made changes in the court, wove a complicated network of relationships, controlled the power to appoint and dismiss officials, appointed people based on personal connections, and turned the court into their own "one-man show".
Among the people, they seized land by trickery and plunder, and frantically annexed land, causing countless ordinary people to lose their basis for survival and struggle in hunger and cold.
Every evil deed is true and unforgivable, and every blood debt is engraved in the hearts of the people.
Li Chengqian knew in his heart that all these tragedies could not be simply attributed to personal greed.
Behind this is the helplessness and sadness of the times.
In the long feudal era of the past, social classes were severely solidified, and power lacked effective supervision and checks and balances. The rise and expansion of aristocratic families was almost an inevitable trend in historical development. It was the result of the interweaving and joint effect of the limitations of the times and the uncontrollable greed in human nature.
Now, times have passed, situations have changed, and the once high and mighty aristocratic family has collapsed, and its glory and splendor have vanished like a passing cloud.
However, their descendants, these children, have become destitute people who are hated by everyone and suffer from the cold eyes, discrimination and scorn of the world.
The suffering they endured was so similar to the pain experienced by the people who were oppressed and humiliated by the aristocratic families back then!
History is like a cycle. The suffering once inflicted on others now falls on the descendants of the aristocratic family as retribution.
Li Chengqian knew in his heart that aristocratic families were like stubborn roots deeply rooted in the soil of society. Even if you could use tough measures to destroy the external shell of the aristocratic families, confiscate their land, deprive them of their official positions, disperse their family power, and make the aristocratic families disappear on the surface.
However, as long as the essence of human nature, which is the pursuit and greed for power, wealth and status, does not change, the roots of the aristocratic family can never be completely eradicated.
This phenomenon of relying on family power to monopolize resources and manipulate politics may breed and spread again at any time in the right soil.
The teacher was torn to pieces because of this.
But even after knowing what happened to his teacher, the fire in Li Chengqian's heart never went out. He still wanted to fight again and give it another try.
Even though the road ahead is full of thorns and the hope of success is as slim as a candle in the wind, he is determined to open up a new path for the future of the Tang Dynasty, so that future generations will no longer suffer from the pain of the aristocratic families and the Tang Dynasty can enjoy long-term stability.
"Xian Huai, give these kids something to eat."
Li Chengqian spoke slowly.
"Remember, don't let them eat too much. Use small meals and frequent meals until they are 70% to 80% full."
"After they finish eating, arrange for someone to boil water, give them a thorough bath, and then change them into clean clothes."
"Also, quickly convey my decree to Chang'an."
"I allow the children of noble families to remain anonymous. They can freely change their surnames and start a new life."
"I strictly order the local authorities not to investigate their past identities or take any discriminatory actions against them without my permission."
"It is imperative that everyone, regardless of their background, equally enjoys the rights that the people of the Tang Dynasty deserve. There must not be the slightest deduction or discrimination."
"Once all these matters are arranged, we will immediately contact the local authorities to carefully arrange schooling for these children so that they can all enter school and receive a good education."
Li Chengqian's series of well-organized orders made Zhang Xianhuai stunned for a moment.
His eyes widened. In his past understanding, His Majesty was always known for his decisiveness and ruthlessness in dealing with his enemies, never showing mercy.
Such a generous and kind order to treat the children of aristocratic families well was really beyond his expectations and it was difficult for him to accept it for a while.
But it was difficult to disobey the imperial order. Even though he was puzzled, he could only suppress the turmoil in his heart, bowed and accepted the order, and said respectfully: "I obey your order."
After Li Chengqian finished speaking, he slowly turned around and left at Hu Bugui's instruction.
As everyone knows, Your Majesty's health has deteriorated significantly after years of exhaustion, and it is time for him to take medicine and rest on time every day.
Zhang Xianhuai stood alone, watching His Majesty's receding, slightly frail figure, puzzled. How could His Majesty suddenly become so compassionate and kind?
Is this still the emperor who was so awe-inspiring and manipulative in the court?
He subconsciously turned his head to look at Wang Wen, who had been silent beside him, and shook his head helplessly, as if he was talking to himself, or as if he was confiding in Wang Wen.
"Boy, do you know that if it were the previous Majesty, none of these people would survive."
There was a hint of emotion in Zhang Xianhuai's tone, as if he was recalling the emperor's tough tactics. His eyes were filled with deep awe and a hint of indescribable complex emotions.
When Wang Wen heard Zhang Xianhuai's words, he shook his head slightly, his face serious and without the slightest hesitation.
"Commander Zhang, you are wrong. Even if it were the previous emperor, he would still make the same decision."
Hearing Wang Wen's words, Zhang Xianhuai's mouth corners slightly raised, revealing a slightly sarcastic smile, as if he was laughing at Wang Wen's youthful ignorance.
"Boy, that's because you haven't seen His Majesty before."
There was a fierce glint in his eyes.
"The heads just kept being chopped off."
As he spoke, he suddenly turned around and looked fiercely at the group of children who were huddled in the corner with terrified faces.
"Don't look, the ones being chopped off are your family members!"
He suddenly raised his voice, with a ferocious look on his face.
"Are there any brats from the Wang family here? I'm telling you, back then, I chopped off the head of your Wang family's patriarch with my own hands!"
As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes and stared at the group of children with a gaze as sharp as a knife. He hoped to catch even a hint of hatred in their eyes.
In his opinion, as long as these children showed even a little bit of hatred, they would very likely become a hidden danger that endangers the country in the future. He would not hesitate to disobey the orders of His Majesty and kill all these children to prevent future troubles.
But what he never expected was that these children just looked at him with a confused and ignorant look on their faces. There was nothing but deep fear and ignorance in their eyes.
They had no idea who the head of the Wang family was, and they had no idea what the words of this ferocious and brutal adult meant.
In their young cognition, these past grievances and hatreds are too distant and too unfamiliar, like a fairy tale, and completely incomprehensible.
Seeing this scene, Zhang Xianhuai could only wave his hands helplessly, suppressing the surging murderous intent in his heart, and arranged for his men to prepare food for the children, boil water for bathing, and change clothes.
After the Jinyiwei led the children out one after another, Zhang Xianhuai turned around, looked at Wang Wen and asked, "You just said that even the previous emperor would not do this. Why is that?"
"Don't play dumb with me, kid. Tell me the truth!"
Wang Wen had been thinking with his head down, immersed in his own thoughts. When he heard Zhang Xianhuai's words, he slowly raised his head and looked at Zhang Xianhuai with a serious expression.
"Commander Zhang, His Majesty has a clear and precise goal in mind. He wants to deal with the enemies who truly threaten the Tang Dynasty and the well-being of the people."
"But now, these children of aristocratic families who have fallen on hard times and have no power to resist are not our enemies at all. In fact, from a long-term perspective, they are our potential allies."
"So, even the former Majesty would not kill them."
He paused slightly, his eyes sparkling.
"Commander Zhang, you've been with His Majesty for so long. Haven't you heard what His Majesty has said? The first and most crucial thing we must do is to clearly identify our true enemy."
"Our current enemies are not these unarmed children."