Chapter 119: Weakness

“Has Li Zhi arrived?” Li Shimin asked the eunuch beside him.

“Your Majesty, the young prince is on his way here now!”

“Good.”

Li Shimin had prepared a variety of pastries, neatly arranged on the desk, waiting for Li Zhi to arrive.

First, to win his favor.

Then, to discuss the matter at hand.

“Your Majesty, the young prince requests an audience!”

“Let him in quickly!”

Li Zhi entered the imperial study, swinging his arms like a toddler who had just learned to walk, hopping as he came in.

No—he was indeed a child.

Only his intelligence was so extraordinary that he appeared mature beyond his years.

“Father, did you summon me for something? I have many affairs to attend to lately and cannot stay long.”

“Come closer and try the pastries your father prepared for you. They were crafted carefully by the imperial kitchen’s chefs. See if you like them,” Li Shimin said, a look of endearment on his face.

“Thank you, Father!”

Li Zhi’s heart was filled with suspicion.

Li Shimin was busy governing the empire; why would he specifically invite him to the palace just to eat pastries? There must be a reason.

After finishing two pieces, Li Zhi wiped his mouth and said, “If Father has any matters, please command freely. I will do my utmost to carry them out!”

“Oh? How do you know Father has something for you to do? Couldn’t Father simply call you back to the palace to eat pastries?” Li Shimin teased.

“Heh.”

“If it were before, I would have believed that! But now is a critical time. The aristocratic families are pressing hard; Father has no time to spare for me. If He summoned me, it must be important!”

Is this the intelligence of a four-year-old?

Li Shimin was thoroughly impressed.

“The aristocratic clans are a great nuisance. To contend with them is even more troublesome! I take pride in my civil and military achievements—what do I fear in this world? Yet the aristocrats hold the livelihood of the people hostage, and I cannot bear it any longer!”

“Father wishes to give up?” Li Zhi detected the hesitation.

Li Shimin was utterly powerless under the aristocrats’ suppression, and with Changsun Wuji unable to find a solution, he considered the people’s well-being and contemplated making peace with the clans.

If that happened...

Li Zhi would have to fight alone, making it nearly impossible to complete the tasks assigned by the system.

Not to mention the astronomical rewards at stake.

No, this cannot be!

Li Zhi quickly said, “Father, don’t be rash. Our struggle with the aristocrats has only just begun. How can you retreat now?”

“Only just begun? I feel it’s... almost over,” Li Shimin sighed.

“That is because Father lacks confidence!”

“You speak the truth,” Li Shimin sighed deeply. “Alas... the world sees the emperor’s glory, but who knows the emperor’s troubles?”

---

“I am the sovereign of a great nation, yet beset by a band of unruly subjects—no, they do not deserve to be called subjects—they are rebels, lawless and treacherous, who dare defy their sovereign!”

“I should never compromise, but...”

Li Shimin wanted to voice harsh words but found himself unable to.

The state was in dire need of talent in economics.

Battling the aristocrats only led to losses.

Li Zhi said, “Father, why not entrust me with the task of dealing with the aristocrats? Lord Changsun has encountered difficulties; frankly, he is no match for them!”

“Do you think you can succeed?” Li Shimin asked.

“Of course I can!”

Li Zhi argued firmly, repeatedly assuring, “Father, though I am young, I am not careless in my duties. I am absolutely confident I can defeat the aristocrats. Let me try!”

Li Shimin hesitated for a long time.

Finally, summoning great courage, he relented, “Since you are so confident, I will give you a chance. The people are on the brink of starvation; find a way to solve this!”

“I obey, Father!”

“But... Father must first write me a decree; otherwise, how will the officials of the Six Ministries listen to me?” Li Zhi directly demanded authority.

With power, he could act freely.

“Here!” Li Shimin wrote an imperial edict and handed it to Li Zhi. “I give you six months. If you cannot resolve the current crisis, I will revoke this decree!”

“Understood!”

It was that easy to obtain the decree.

One can imagine just how desperate Li Shimin was now.

Only when pushed to the brink would he entrust such a crucial matter to a mere child. Even if a prodigy, Li Zhi’s youth was undeniable.

Changsun Wuji, you are too incompetent...

Li Zhi thought to himself, “Now it’s my turn to perform!”

He left the imperial study and went directly to the Secretariat.

There, he found Changsun Wuji.

“Your Highness, what brings you here? Did the emperor summon you with a task?” Changsun Wuji greeted him upon entering the Secretariat’s hall.

“A small matter…”

Li Zhi smiled warmly and sat down.

He took out the imperial edict and unfolded it.

“Lord Changsun, receive the decree!”

“I receive the decree!” Changsun Wuji was stunned and immediately knelt.

“By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: From today onward, all matters concerning the aristocratic families shall be decided by Prince Jin. All officials and local governments must cooperate accordingly. So proclaimed!”

After reading, Li Zhi tossed the decree into his hands.

“Look closely—this bears the imperial jade seal! Lord Changsun, what do you have to say?”

“This...”

He read the decree carefully.

He simply could not believe it.

Or perhaps did not want to believe it.

How could the emperor entrust such a monumental state affair to a mere child? This must be a joke!

“I must enter the palace!”

“Immediately!” Changsun Wuji placed the decree on a nearby desk and hurried away.

“Go on, go on... come back soon, I’ll be waiting right here!”

Officials at the Secretariat gathered around, disbelieving at first.

But when they saw the contents of the decree, they had no choice but to accept it.

“Your Highness, you truly are the reincarnation of the literary star and the martial sage... I find no words worthy enough to praise you. You are truly remarkable—my utmost respect!”

“Please, Your Highness, continue to grace us with your guidance!”

A group surrounded him, fawning excessively.

Li Zhi’s ears nearly grew weary from the flattery.

Until Changsun Wuji returned, his face heavy with frustration.

Everyone knew the chancellor had been scolded; from now on, the Secretariat would likely answer to Li Zhi.

Though young, he was their superior.

“Lord Changsun?”

Li Zhi stood and approached him. “What did Father say?”

Changsun Wuji cupped his hands respectfully. “Your Highness, from now on, whatever you require, you may inform me. I shall serve you faithfully!”

“Good!”

“I have some urgent matters I wish to consult you about. Lord Changsun, could we find a quiet place?”

“Please follow me, Your Highness.”

They entered a study.

Li Zhi asked, “Father said the people across the land are on the verge of starvation. What is the cause? And what is the current situation with the aristocrats? Have they rebelled against the court?”

“Yes.”

Changsun Wuji reported honestly, “The aristocratic families have abundant resources and control prices throughout the provinces. Statistics show prices have tripled or more. Furthermore, the land rented to the common folk by the aristocrats has doubled in rent. Yet wages for laborers have been halved. Under such conditions, how can the people survive? If this continues, within a year, they will be begging on the streets!”

“The situation is indeed severe!”

Li Zhi had not expected the aristocrats to be so shameless.

Their war against the government was dragging innocent people into the suffering.

And this...

Precisely was the court’s Achilles’ heel!