Chapter 681: We must prevent Li Zhi, the root of trouble
Su Mingzhe had to admit that he had made a mistake just now.

Before, I only thought that Xu Hui had thin shoulders, a slim waist, long legs, and a pretty face, but I didn't notice that her slender and well-proportioned body under her white long skirt was so plump.

At this moment, Su Mingzhe suddenly remembered the words of a certain philosopher:

The ultimate temptation that a woman can show is to simplify things, return to nature, remove all unnecessary external conditions, and use the most primitive curves to arouse the most primitive impulse in a man's heart.

In this way, poor Wu Meiniang was left beside the imperial desk, alone and at a loss.

She could only watch the man holding Xu Hui and striding towards the bed.

Fortunately, Su Mingzhe didn't leave her alone for too long.

Xu Hui has been weak since childhood and has little endurance.

Until midnight.

The melodious bell of the quiet night rang out, and the Ganlu Palace slowly returned to peace.

On the second day, the sun rose in the east.

Su Mingzhe quietly stood up and prepared to go to the Hanyuan Hall of Taiji Palace. When he saw Wang De outside the hall, he called him to his side and instructed:

"Wang De, don't send the two beauties back, just let them rest in the palace. And don't let Chi Nu and the others come in and disturb them, understand?"

"Here."

When Wang De heard the emperor's order, he was even more surprised.

He had been the chief eunuch in Ganlu Palace since the first year of Zhenguan. For twelve years, he had never encountered a situation where the emperor did not let a beauty leave.

However, Concubine Zhang and Concubine Yin, who were the most favored by Emperor Gaozu at that time, often received such imperial edicts.

Could it be that Concubine Xu and Concubine Wu have the potential to become Concubine Zhang and Concubine Yin?

Wang De thought about it and didn't dare to neglect it. He ordered his eunuchs to keep the door closed and not let anyone in to disturb the two talented people's rest. He went in quietly and saw that the two talented people had woken up and were dressing up. He hurriedly greeted them and passed on the emperor's order:
"My two talented people, His Majesty has allowed you to rest in Ganlu Palace. This is a great honor. If you need anything, just tell me and I will help you."

Xu Hui was a quiet person and couldn't think of anything to trouble her with, except that she felt a little hungry.

Wu Meiniang was not polite at all and said with a smile: "Eunuch Wang, please ask someone to get some clean water so that my sister and I can wash. Also, please go to my and my sister's residence and get two sets of dresses. My and my sister's dresses were torn by His Majesty. His Majesty didn't even offer to compensate us..."

"Cough cough!"

Seeing that Wu Meiniang spoke without restraint, Wang De coughed to remind her not to speak so recklessly, and at least not to say bad things about the emperor.

However, Wang De saw her innocent look and felt pity for himself, a castrated woman, so he gave up the idea of ​​warning her.

Afterwards, Wang De sent someone to prepare hot water for the two talents to take a bath, and also sent someone to the residence of Wu Cairen and Xu Cairen to bring back two sets of clothes for each of them.

About half an hour later, Wu Meiniang and Xu Hui changed their clothes with each other's help, and called Wang De to start "ordering food".

"Eunuch Wang, I want to eat wontons. I remember they were stuffed with meat, and I also want to drink lean meat porridge, eat venison, and goat cheese..."

Due to her poor brain, Wu Meiniang could only name a dozen kinds of delicacies that she had heard of but never eaten.

Wang De was not surprised to hear this. Although Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun both advocated frugality, Emperor Gaozu, who had just passed away two years ago, was very fond of extravagant life.

There are also four concubines and more than a dozen princes and princesses in the palace, so the imperial kitchen of the palace always has some high-end ingredients ready to supply the nobles with "orders" anytime and anywhere.

After Wu Meiniang finished ordering, Wang De asked Xu Hui what she wanted to eat.

Xu Hui was simple and just ordered a staple meal.

Wang De will go down and make arrangements right away.

Half an hour later, the delicious food was delivered.

Just as Wu Meiniang and Xu Hui were about to enjoy their meal, they heard another noise coming from outside the door.

Just like yesterday, Xu Hui maintained a nonchalant attitude towards external affairs and objects.

Wu Meiniang became curious, so she stood up, walked to the door, and asked:

"Eunuch Wang, there is the Ninth Prince and the Little Princess outside?"

Wang De didn't expect that Wu Meiniang was so bold that she dared to meddle in other people's affairs when she came to the palace. He quickly reminded her:

"In reply to the talent, it is indeed the Ninth Prince and the Princess. His Majesty has ordered that they are not allowed to disturb the two talents. Please eat and rest in peace, Talent Wu."

"How can we eat and rest peacefully when there is so much noise?"

Wu Meiniang grumbled, then spoke again:

"Since the Ninth Prince and the Princess want to come in and play, let them in. They won't disturb me and Sister Xu from resting."

"Ahem—ahem!"

When Wang De heard Wu Meiniang's words, he was almost scared to death and quickly coughed to remind her.

He was also impressed by Wu Meiniang's innocence and simplicity.

If the emperor says it is not allowed, then it is not allowed.

How dare Wu Meiniang bargain with the emperor's will?
Fortunately, Wu Meiniang was not a fool. After hearing Wang De coughing many times, she knew that he was reminding her.

Knowing that she had said something wrong, Wu Meiniang could only go back to continue eating. Li Zhi and Li Mingda quarreled for a while, and seeing that Wang De refused to let them in, they could only leave in dismay.

Wang De finally sent the two young masters away. After much thought, he sent a young eunuch to Hanyuan Hall to report the matter to the emperor.

When Su Mingzhe left in the morning, he specifically instructed Li Zhi not to bring the princess to disturb Wu Cairen and Xu Cairen.

As a result, not long after the emperor left, Li Zhi really brought the princess over.

There may be a coincidence here.

However, Wang De couldn't believe it was a coincidence.

So, he decided to tell the emperor the truth and leave the matter to the emperor.

In Wang De's view, Li Zhi was just a prince. Although he was a favored prince, his importance was only slightly better than other unfavored princes. His importance might not even be as great as that of Concubine Xu and Concubine Wu who had just been favored.

Therefore, after weighing the pros and cons, Wang De chose to offend Li Zhi and did not dare to hide it from the emperor.

Soon, the eunuch who brought the news ran to Hanyuan Hall and reported the situation to Su Mingzhe.

Su Mingzhe was teaching Crown Prince Li Chengqian how to handle government affairs. After receiving the news, he just glared and then restrained his breath.

According to the plot in the TV series "Empress Wu Zetian", the affair between Li Zhi and Wu Meiniang happened five or six years later.

At that time, Li Chengqian's rebellion failed and Li Zhi was appointed crown prince, which is how he became involved with Wu Meiniang, who was a palace maid.

Li Zhi was still a ten-year-old kid at the moment. Even if he thought Wu Meiniang was beautiful, it was impossible for him to do something so rebellious.

However, Su Mingzhe must definitely take precautions and get rid of Li Zhi, the source of the trouble, in advance.

Thinking of this, Su Mingzhe threw the question to the prince:
"Qian'er, your brothers have grown up. What do you think should be done with them?"

"...?"

Li Chengqian was a little confused by the question. He wanted to say that he wanted all his brothers to go to the vassal states, but he was afraid of angering his father.

However, he was unwilling to say things against his will and leave his brothers in Chang'an City.

For a moment, he was silent.

Su Mingzhe saw that the prince did not answer him, but did not get angry. He just said slowly:

"If you don't want to say it, I'll say it for you. From now on, the princes of the Tang Dynasty will marry and start their own households at the age of seven, and will be enfeoffed at the age of fifteen. This will be a permanent rule. Your children will also have to do the same in the future. Do you understand?"

Li Chengqian was so moved when he heard his father think about him that he immediately knelt down:
"My dear father, thank you!"

"It's all for the Tang Dynasty."

Su Mingzhe sighed, and then asked:
"There are already more than 20 princes in the Tang Dynasty. According to my current situation, if I ascend the throne and become emperor, I am afraid that the Tang Dynasty will have more than 30 or even 40 princes. With so many princes, the final result is that the land of the Tang Dynasty will be completely unclaimed. When the time comes, how do you think we should arrange them?"

Li Chengqian frowned again in the face of new questions. This time he thought for a long time before finally looking up and saying:

"The rulers of later generations should expand the territory."

"That's just empty talk. There aren't that many territories."

Su Mingzhe sighed and looked at the prince. He knew that his son was just an average person, so he did not embarrass him and started teaching him directly:

"Your uncle, or Prime Minister Fang and his people, are planning to abolish the hereditary system of provincial governors. Did you know that?"

"I have heard from my uncle."

As Li Chengqian spoke, he stood up from his seat, clasped his hands and said, "Father, I also think that the hereditary system of provincial governors is a disguised form of feudal states, and it may be the cause of cholera in the future."

Su Mingzhe nodded silently, then smiled and said:
"You are right. The hereditary system of provincial governors is no different from the feudal states of the Han, Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties. It is the cause of cholera. Then tell me, why do so many court officials still advocate the hereditary system of provincial governors?"

Li Chengqian's face darkened:
“They all have selfish motives.”

"Yes, they all have selfish motives!"

Su Mingzhe sighed, and said what he was thinking directly without hiding anything:

"The hereditary system of provincial governors must be abolished. Not only provincial governors, but other titles as well, must be downgraded to hereditary titles. This is the only long-term solution."

"Here is what I have considered. From now on, no one can be granted a title without military merit. The titles are divided into nine levels and twenty-eight grades. The nine levels are Prince, Prince of a County, Duke of a State, Duke of a County, Duke of a County, Marquis of a County, Earl of a County, Son of a County, and Baron of a County. Each level is divided into first, second, and third grades. After Baron of a County, relatives of the royal family are made Generals Guarding the Nation, and descendants of meritorious officials are made Generals Assisting the Nation."

"Father, what you mean is that the son of a prince can only inherit the title of a county prince? The son of a first-class county duke can only inherit the title of a first-class county marquis?"

"Yes."

Li Chengqian had never expected that his own father would be so cruel to a nobleman. His face turned pale with fear:

"Father, I'm afraid the civil and military officials will not agree, right?"

Su Mingzhe smiled coldly, exuding a domineering aura:
"Who dares to object?"

As the founding monarch, Su Mingzhe possesses immortality and the ability to move mountains and seas.

If we really want to fall out, I'll just fight for my kingdom all over again.

(End of this chapter)