27: Chapter 27 The Problems of Confucianism

"The biggest problem with Confucianism is that it makes people complacent."

"It doesn't develop production; once the population increases, farmers will clash with the Aristocratic Families, sowing the seeds for future rebellions."

"Furthermore, these so-called scholars are lazy and ignorant of agriculture, believing that if the common people become wealthy, they will riot."

"They preach that 'a full belly leads to lewd desires,' keeping the common people in a state of half-starvation and half-life."

"You feel comfortable with it because Confucianism is more conducive to the rule of an emperor."

"Moreover, these Confucianists exclude those who hold different views and suppress other schools of thought, causing China's technological development to stagnate for thousands of years."

"So, can you understand what I am saying? Your two sons have already been imprisoned by Confucian ideology."

"As for you, it is different. You have been fighting battles since you were young, so Confucianism can no longer influence you."

"Therefore, my suggestion is still Li Zhi. After all, he is still young and can be corrected."

"Furthermore, historical records from later generations state that Li Zhi grew up by your side. His methods are by no means inferior to yours; he is a capable emperor. Moreover, the kid is very cunning; later generations called him a 'black-hearted white lotus.'"

"He lets others do the dirty work while he plays the good guy!"

"As for Wu Zetian, you can't blame him. After all, she was already 60 years old at the time; who could have imagined she would usurp her own son's throne!"

Yang Fan spoke a lot in one breath, combining his own understanding with summaries of history he had read before.

Emperor Taizong of Tang had also been listening all along.

He could also perceive the drawbacks of Confucianism from Yang Fan's words.

After all, Yang Fan was looking at it from the perspective of a thousand years later, just as he himself looked at the institutions of the First Emperor of Qin's time.

Wouldn't it have been better to just appoint Fusu as the crown prince?

"Then what do you suggest I do about Gaoming and Qingque? If I skip over them and appoint Zhinu, they will have strong objections!"

"First, let them go to the frontier to gain experience, and then enfeoff them elsewhere, just like the Zhou kings."

Emperor Taizong of Tang frowned. How could the system be turned back?

"Wouldn't that lead to a great war between the brothers in the future!"

Yang Fan took out a large world map and unfolded it.

"This is the location of the Tang Dynasty."

"I mean to enfeoff them in these locations."

Yang Fan pointed to other locations on the map.

Emperor Taizong of Tang took the map from Yang Fan's hand.

He examined it carefully.

For someone like him who had fought wars for so long, understanding a map was child's play.

"How could such a detailed map be drawn?"

Although there were slight variations in the rivers, he knew this map was definitely accurate.

"Drawn from the sky."

Yang Fan pointed upwards.

Emperor Taizong of Tang called Wang De over and had him hang the map in his sleeping quarters.

Yang Fan watched from the side.

Emperor Taizong of Tang's movements were extremely practiced; it seemed he had done this kind of thing often.

"I will consider what you said."

Emperor Taizong of Tang never thought that other places were not part of the Tang Dynasty; as long as his men went there, it would be his!

This was the confidence of the General of Heavenly Strategy.

Plus, with Yang Fan able to solve his logistics problems regarding grain, attacking anyone would be very simple.

"I saw that rice came from some place called Nanyue last time. Where is this place? Why don't I have any impression of it?"

"It's Annam."

"The rice there harvests three times a year; it's a natural granary."

Yang Fan yawned; he felt a bit sleepy after eating.

"Oh? I know about Annam."

"Three harvests?"

"I have never heard of that!"

Emperor Taizong of Tang was puzzled. The Tang Dynasty had a protectorate in Annam, and he had never heard of rice that harvested three times a year.

"That must be because you haven't found the plains of Annam. Don't you have the map? Study it again."

"The map I gave you shows mountains and plains in 3D; they are very easy to identify."

Yang Fan's intention in giving this map to Emperor Taizong of Tang was very obvious.

With so many princes, enfeoff them abroad; the territory outside is so vast, they can take as much land as their capabilities allow.

He believed that Emperor Taizong of Tang would certainly be able to figure it out, since he had been so explicit.

"Hmm. You mean those plains on the map that are like the Central Plains are all natural granaries?"

"You are teachable!"

Yang Fan patted Emperor Taizong of Tang on the shoulder; it seemed he had figured it out.

"You brat, you have no sense of propriety. I will deal with these Aristocratic Families first, otherwise, these people will hold me back later."

Emperor Taizong of Tang thought about the map he had just seen.

He also considered the possibility of enfeoffing all the princes abroad.

If he could really occupy all the plains on the map, then the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, or the First Emperor of Qin and Emperor Wu of Han, wouldn't even be fit to carry his shoes.

"Hmm, go easy on the killing; we still need these people to develop these places."

"Are you telling me how to do my job?"

"Why don't you be the emperor?"

Emperor Taizong of Tang rolled his eyes at Yang Fan. If he were to kill all the Aristocratic Families like Huang Chao, he might as well commit suicide.

"No, no."

"I don't care for the throne."

"Just give me the imperial seal!"

Yang Fan rubbed his hands; he couldn't sell this thing, but he could keep it for his own collection!

Emperor Taizong of Tang gritted his teeth.

"Young man, do you know what that symbolizes?"

"Having received the mandate from heaven, may one live forever and prosper."

"Can you handle these words?"

"It's a piece of cake. Didn't you hear my Brother Famous physician say that he can't see through my destiny? Carrying these words is more than enough."

Yang Fan was not a man who cared about face; his skin was as thick as a city wall. Emperor Taizong of Tang's words had absolutely no effect on him.

Emperor Taizong of Tang was speechless. Can a shameless person really be invincible in the world?

"Brother Yang, your medicine is ready. Come and drink it."

At this moment, the voice of the Famous physician came over.

Emperor Taizong of Tang breathed a sigh of relief; otherwise, he wouldn't have known how to respond. Who asks for the imperial seal instead of the throne?

Yang Fan took the decoction and gulped it down in one go. The palace had special cooling tools, which was very convenient.

"Thank you for your hard work, Brother!"

Emotional value must be provided; after all, he had been watching from afar and it looked very hard to keep controlling the heat.

"Hmm, do not get close to women for the next 7 days. With 3 days of acupuncture and 7 days of herbal medicine to coordinate the organs, you should be balanced."

The Famous physician was actually a bit tired, as he hadn't practiced acupuncture for a long time.

Moreover, he only prescribed medicine for 7 days. If it didn't get better in seven days, drinking more medicine would be useless.

Yang Fan was speechless. He felt a bit awkward saying this in front of Emperor Taizong of Tang, but then he thought that Emperor Taizong of Tang probably didn't know about the monogamy of later generations.

"Okay, I understand."

The Famous physician bid them farewell and left the palace; after all, he had more than just Yang Fan as a patient in a day.

He had been delayed in the palace for a long time today, but he was in a good mood, carrying two bottles of fine wine in his arms.

"Wang De, give Yang Fan the list of the businesses run by the Aristocratic Families."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wang De took the collected information out of his sleeve and handed it to Yang Fan, although he didn't know why this person who had just arrived at the palace a day ago was so deeply trusted by the Emperor.

"Take a look, where should I start?"