Chapter 114: Treat the Aristocratic Families Like the Turks and Crush Them

These words left the three of them stunned.

Li Chunfeng's gaze toward Chen Yan grew increasingly admiring, feeling that he hadn't been wrong about him originally.

Chen Yan truly was different from the rest, harboring a great principle in his heart that they could not comprehend.

Based on the glass phoenix presented at Empress Changsun's birthday banquet, Chen Yan only needs to produce a few slightly inferior ones, and the money earned would be a huge sum.

And faced with such an amount, Chen Yan didn't even blink, willing to donate it without expecting anything in return.

No wonder he's Mr. Chen.

Li Shimin's face was full of emotion, "Zi An, you truly are my good son‑in‑law."

"Is that even necessary?" Chen Yan laughed, "Which of us, the father‑in‑law or the son‑in‑law, is who?"

"This sum of money can be taken as the junior son‑in‑law's betrothal gift, just right for solving the flood problem."

"What do you think, Yue Yue Fu Fu?"

Du Ruhui, upon hearing the phrase "Yue Yue Fu Fu," almost couldn't hold back his laugh.

Li Shimin and Li Chunfeng didn't know; could he possibly still be unaware?

The reason Chen Yan told him about the flood was probably to use his help to draw Li Shimin over.

Then he could bring him himself over and present a solution.

The purpose, of course… was for the Tang Dynasty's legitimate eldest Princess!

The two Princesses together are just Yue Yue Fu Fu, aren't they?

Du Ruhui could tell, and Li Shimin obviously could tell as well.

His original emotion vanished without a trace.

He scowled, about to say something.

But thinking of the matter concerning Li Lizhi and today's help from Chen Yan, he ultimately didn't utter any harsh words.

"Alright, you handle this matter; if anything comes up, go straight to the palace and find His Majesty!"

Li Shimin was very irritated, didn't want to stay any longer, and prepared to leave.

But unexpectedly, Chen Yan gently grabbed him, "Your Majesty, the matter hasn't been fully discussed yet; you can't leave."

Li Shimin turned back and said, "What else needs to be discussed?"

"You go back to make glass, then sell it to the aristocratic families, and that's it, right?"

"Once you get the money and give it to me, I will naturally arrange for people to build."

Chen Yan explained, "Your Majesty, the matter isn't that simple; I think we should discuss it properly."

"I have an idea; perhaps we can use this opportunity to deal with the aristocratic families."

"Hm?" Mentioning dealing with the aristocratic families, Li Shimin instantly became eager.

If you ask who wants the aristocratic families to collapse the most, it's none other than Li Shimin.

Although he himself comes from an aristocratic family, since he became emperor, the Li family can be said to have split into two branches.

And the aristocratic families enjoy such high prestige among the people that many Court officials are also descendants of them.

Even among the populace, a saying circulates: "Better to marry a woman of the five surnames than to enter the imperial family."

Li Shimin has long been displeased with the aristocratic families.

If there is a chance to deal with the aristocratic families, he would of course be very willing.

Li Shimin sat down again, his tone tinged with urgency: "Tell me, how do we deal with the aristocratic families?"

Chen Yan grinned, "Your Majesty, actually we needn't raise armies or make it known to the whole Court."

"Once we profit from the glass, we only need to send a few trusted confidants to the regions needing flood defenses, spend money to mobilize the common folk to work."

"First, we can let the locals earn some money in advance, so when the flood hits, they won't be unable to survive."

"Second, if the flood never occurs, the matter can be hidden, preventing officials from saying that Your Majesty, worrying about imaginary dangers, wasted massive funds on meaningless constructions."

"Third…"

He stopped abruptly at that point.

Li Shimin, itching with curiosity, said, "What's the third? Speak quickly!"

Chen Yan said, "Before I speak of the third, I have a few questions for Your Majesty and the two elders."

He paused, then continued, "Do you think that if a flood breaks out, even with flood control measures, the common people would still be affected?"

The three pondered for a moment, their faces turning rather grim.

Du Ruhui said in a deep voice, "Flood control measures can protect the banks of the Yangtze, or we can build drainage channels to divert floodwaters into the rivers."

"But to say the common people wouldn't be affected is probably impossible."

"After all, floods are caused by heavy rains from the heavens; this we cannot prevent."

Li Chunfeng sighed lightly, "Moreover, the period from spring to summer is the sowing season for the people; if a flood occurs, they would likely suffer severe losses."

"Building flood defenses and drainage channels is merely to prevent casualties among the people."

Li Shimin said nothing, but from his extremely unpleasant expression, it was clear he thought similarly.

Chen Yan nodded, "The two elders are right; once a flood erupts, the people will inevitably suffer losses, no matter what."

"And the Tang Dynasty's populace relies on the year's harvest; if floods wash it away, they will fall into turmoil."

"Regional officials would certainly report to the Court immediately."

"So in such a situation, what has the Court traditionally done?"

Du Ruhui, well‑versed in this procedure, replied immediately, "In such cases, the Court officials would likely submit an urgent memorial, asking Your Majesty to provide disaster relief."

Li Shimin twitched his mouth, unable to refute.

Chen Yan added, "Now the Court has no funds; if Your Majesty wishes to provide disaster relief, you must find a way to raise money for it, right?"

Without waiting for a response, he spoke again, "As far as I know, the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes families cherish their own feathers the most."

His Majesty only needs to set up a merit stele now; it will record the names of everyone who donates money and grain to the disaster area, or their families.

Then order people to distribute them everywhere, erect the merit steles in the most conspicuous places so that all the common folk can see them.

What do you think the aristocratic clans will do?

Li Shimin and the other two suddenly woke up as if from a dream, their eyes lighting up instantly.

This is a yang scheme; even if the aristocratic clans know there's a pit, they must still hold their noses and jump in.

Once the merit stele is erected, those who donate much will be remembered for myriad generations; those who donate little will have their reputations swept away.

For the aristocratic clans that value reputation above all and rely on it to stand firm, they can only grit their teeth and donate.

When Du Ruhui and Li Chunfeng were pleased, Li Shimin seemed to think of something, furrowed his brows: 'This method will indeed make the aristocratic clans bleed heavily, but it will also raise their reputation to a higher level.'

'Isn't that somewhat improper?'

Chen Yan shook his head with a smile: 'Your Majesty, could you have forgotten who built the flood-control works that protect the people's lives?'

'Besides, the merit steles are all built by Your Majesty; as long as it's not too extravagant, you can donate as much as you want.'

'By then, spreading the word abroad, the common folk will realize that the flood-control measures saving their lives were ordered by Your Majesty, the wealth on their persons comes from working for Your Majesty, and even the one who donates the most money and grain to the merit stele is still Your Majesty.'

'Your Majesty, who do you think the common folk should thank?'

After hearing that, the three of them stared blankly, unable to come to their senses for a good while.

Li Shimin and Du Ruhui wanted to speak but held back, then wanted to speak again but held back; finally it was Li Chunfeng who, holding back laughter, said.

'Mr. Chen, you're treating the aristocratic clans like the Göktürks!'

'......'