Chapter 82: The Destruction of the Guanlong Aristocratic Clans
“At this hour, they must be at morning court, right?” Li Zhi asked.
“Yes!”
“Shall we go see?”
…
Luo Tong’s eyes widened in protest, clearly unwilling. “If you’re looking for death, go by yourself! I refuse to indulge your nonsense!”
“We’re just going to watch, how is that nonsense?”
“Hmph! You always say that, but then you barge into the court and turn everything upside down. I’m the one who pays for it! Do you think I’ll fall for your tricks again?”
Luo Tong turned away, outright ignoring Li Zhi.
“Whether you want to or not, you’re coming!” Li Zhi grabbed him and dragged him along.
“You!”
Afraid of hurting Li Zhi, Luo Tong dared not resist, and was forcibly pulled toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
At that moment,
The morning court had just begun.
The envoy from the Nan-ni tribe, Li Nan, knelt in obeisance.
Emperor Li Shimin said, “Rise, envoy!”
“Today, the Chef God Festival will be held in the plaza outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony. I’ve heard… your tribe boasts its own cuisine. Are you here to participate?”
Li Nan replied respectfully, “Yes, Your Majesty! Compared to the empire, the Nan-ni tribe’s food is not worth mentioning. Yet to miss such a grand event would be a lifelong regret!”
“Though my tribe lacks fine fare, we wish to add some spark to the festivities!”
…
Li Shimin smiled. “Very well! I remember you once said you wanted to bring some of Tang’s ingredients and cooking methods back to your tribe. I promised you—after the Chef God Festival, I’ll have someone arrange it.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Li Nan was overjoyed.
He had come to Chang’an precisely to secure blessings for his people. Whether crops, culinary ingredients, or anything else, he wished to bring them home.
Li Shimin nodded.
He appointed Cheng Yaojin as the festival’s host.
Ordinarily, such matters should fall to the Ministry of Rites.
But after much thought, Li Shimin decided Cheng Yaojin, with his good reputation and cheerful countenance, could bring a unique flair to the event.
After all, it was the inaugural Chef God Festival.
It shouldn’t be dull and lifeless.
“Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do my utmost!”
“Your Majesty…” Changsun Wuji stepped out slowly, disagreement evident. “The Chef God Festival should not be a farce, but conducted solemnly and prudently.”
“In my opinion, it would be better for the Ministry of Rites to preside.”
---
Li Shimin frowned, unsure what Changsun Wuji meant.
“Do you mean that if I host, it won’t be solemn or prudent? Lord Changsun, you’re clearly targeting me!” Cheng Yaojin retorted angrily.
He hadn’t wanted to host the so-called festival in the first place, nor was he greatly interested.
But Changsun Wuji’s disparagement was intolerable!
“General Cheng, that’s not what I meant.”
“Then what do you mean? Do you think I’m easy to push around?”
Cheng Yaojin pressed relentlessly, determined to get to the bottom of it.
Changsun Wuji, however, seemed to have other considerations.
He didn’t argue with Cheng Yaojin, but bowed to Li Shimin. “Your Majesty, the Chef God Festival is not just a showcase of culinary skill. It concerns many important matters. I hope it can be conducted with greater solemnity!”
“Very well.”
Li Shimin did not insist.
For Changsun Wuji not only managed the Secretariat, but also oversaw the Six Ministries. All matters of the realm passed through him before reaching the emperor. To openly question Li Shimin’s decision in court, he must have good reason.
…
After court was dismissed,
Li Shimin kept Changsun Wuji behind,
as well as Cheng Yaojin.
“Just now I didn’t rebuke you and agreed to let the Ministry of Rites host. But now, you owe me a reasonable explanation!” Li Shimin’s gaze grew icy.
The assassination attempt still lingered in memory.
Not sentencing Changsun Chong to death was already tremendous leniency.
To dare confront him publicly—
Li Shimin’s face remained calm, but inside he was uneasy.
“Old Changsun, I’d like to hear your reason!” Cheng Yaojin snorted.
“Of course I have reason!”
Changsun Wuji turned to Li Shimin. “In recent years, our economy has been suppressed by the Guanzhong aristocratic clans, and the Jizhou clans are also at odds with us, even treating us with contempt!”
“Frankly… our economy is already under their control!”
“To escape this predicament and fill the treasury, we must seek change!”
…
“The Chef God Festival gives the envoys hope. Through cuisine, we can open a breach, compete with the clans for the market, and ultimately break free of their control!”
“Such an important matter cannot be entrusted to unreliable Cheng Yaojin!” Changsun Wuji’s gaze was sharp.
“What!”
Cheng Yaojin shouted, “How am I unreliable?”
---
The two glared at each other,
as if they wanted to devour one another.
Behind a distant screen, Li Zhi and Luo Tong burst out laughing like pigs: “Old Changsun’s insight is pretty sharp—he saw Cheng Yaojin isn’t reliable, hahaha…”
“Who’s there? Show yourselves!” Li Shimin barked.
The two immediately fell silent.
Li Zhi stepped out. “Father!”
“Luo Tong greets Your Majesty!” Luo Tong cursed Li Zhi a hundred times in his heart.
He had anticipated this outcome.
Entering the Hall of Supreme Harmony without being announced was a grave offense.
If Li Shimin took it seriously, he might not even be able to keep his life.
“Father, were you discussing the aristocratic clans? May I listen in? Perhaps I might have some ideas!” Li Zhi smiled.
Li Shimin had been about to lose his temper,
but hearing this, he calmed.
“Very well, you may listen.”
“Luo Tong, you stay as well.”
“Yes!”
Luo Tong breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness the emperor didn’t blame us. I must be cautious from now on!”
…
Changsun Wuji continued to elaborate on his views.
He focused on the Guanzhong and Jizhou clans—their existence posed a huge threat to the royal family, not only limiting the nation’s development, but burdening the people.
Whenever money was needed, they had to turn to the clans.
“Alas!”
Li Shimin sighed deeply.
“Trouble from the aristocratic clans has plagued every dynasty, but ours is exceptionally severe! The cause is that my Li family also hails from Guanzhong, emboldening those clans!”
“I have long sought an opportunity to…” he did not finish, but his gaze was cold and his teeth clenched.
If the chance arose, Li Shimin would not hesitate to destroy them.
For the sake of the Tang dynasty’s millennia, he cared not whether the Li family came from Guanzhong.
Any obstacle to the nation’s progress must be removed.
“Your Majesty, right now there’s a golden opportunity!”
“You mean the Chef God Festival?”
“Yes! Once the festival ends, we can reach into the market, stimulate local economies, and when the time is right, destroy them in one stroke!”
…
Changsun Wuji’s ambitions were immense.
He actually sought to annihilate the Guanzhong aristocratic system in one blow.
“Is it really possible?” Li Shimin was deeply skeptical.