Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4686 Struggle for Power

The grand court assembly is one of the most important ceremonies of the country, but the highlight is during the New Year holidays, when people from all directions come to congratulate and pay homage, Chinese and foreigners gather together, and Hu and Han people stand side by side, demonstrating the power of the empire and shocking all nations.

For example, the grand court meeting in June had no important agenda. The emperor and his ministers completed the entire process of the grand court meeting according to etiquette, which was unremarkable...

After the grand court meeting, the emperor will hold a meeting in the inner court, which is the most important thing.

Today the sky is gloomy and dark clouds are gathering. The doors and windows of the side hall are open, and a gust of wind blows the fragrance of the lush flowers and trees in the yard into the hall, making it clear and refreshing.

After a while, fine rain fell from the sky, moistening everything.

In the side hall, there were Shangshu Zuo Pushe, Prince's Junior Tutor Li Ji, Shangshu You Pushe, Prince's Junior Guardian Fang Jun, Zhongshu Ling, Prince's Junior Tutor Liu Li, Shizhong, Jingzhao Yin Ma Zhou, Hejian County Prince, Minister of Personnel Li Xiaogong, Minister of War Cui Dunli, Minister of Civil Affairs Tang Jian, Minister of Punishments Zhang Liang, Chief Censor Liu Xiangdao...all the important officials of the court gathered together.

It was already noon. Li Chengqian was considerate of his ministers and asked the eunuchs to prepare cakes and tea, and the imperial kitchen to prepare a banquet. After the meeting, the emperor and his ministers would sit together and celebrate.

Fang Jun's eyes swept across everyone's faces. He didn't care about the previous meeting procedures and polite greetings. He got straight to the point when he spoke: "Your Majesty, the establishment of an additional agency within the Ministry of War has been prepared. Your Majesty, please appoint suitable personnel to take up the post, discuss the charter of military reform as soon as possible, and formulate laws and regulations, and then circulate them to the entire army to implement the reform."

Chinese culture is moderate and implicit. Everything must have a tactful and smooth process. For example, most of the time, the agenda of a meeting will be brought up naturally by one person along with a certain topic, and everyone will then express their opinions.

There are very few people like Fang Jun who are as straightforward and to the point.

Liu Li was disgusted with Fang Jun for not knowing how to be an official, so he said, "Military reform is a matter of great importance, and we must be extremely cautious. The people who formulate the charters, laws, and regulations must be carefully selected, and nepotism must not be used."

The selection of candidates should be made through consultation. While focusing on their abilities, we should also take all parties into consideration. No one person can make the final decision...

Fang Jun was surprised and said, "Military reform is a military matter. What does it have to do with the Minister of the Central Secretariat? I am ignorant, but I don't know when the Minister of the Central Secretariat can also take charge of military affairs? Did you increase your authority yourself?"

Liu Li said calmly: "The 16 guards are stationed in various places, and the 633 Zhechongfu are spread all over the country. They all need logistical supplies from local governments. How can you say it is none of my business? The military and the government are one, and they have never been separated from ancient times to the present."

Fang Jun nodded, seemingly unwilling to argue with Liu Li, but he reminded him: "There are currently 617 Zhechoufu in the country. The Minister of the Central Secretariat should do his homework before making a fuss, so as not to make a fool of himself."

Liu Li didn't care: "I will pay attention to it."

Zhechongfu was the grassroots military organization of the "Fubing System" of the Sui and Tang Dynasties. It was distributed in various places, and was abolished and established at any time, and its number changed frequently. It was not considered dereliction of duty for the Minister of the Central Secretariat to fail to tell the exact number of Zhechongfu.

Even within the Ministry of War, if you are not an official directly in charge, I am afraid you won’t be able to figure it out…

I just need to open the topic. The establishment of additional institutions in the Ministry of War cannot exclude civil servants. That is enough.

Li Chengqian felt Liu Li's eyes looking at him vaguely, so he coughed and said, "What the Minister of the Central Secretariat said makes sense. The original intention of the military system reform is to prevent the army from being too involved with the local areas. Both the military and the government must participate and brainstorm."

Everyone's eyes moved slightly, and they were all surprised. His Majesty actually sided with Liu Li and refuted Fang Jun?

This is a big deal...

Fang Jun's expression remained calm and he said, "Your Majesty is right."

Everyone was shocked again. As a staunch supporter of His Majesty, Fang Jun actually accepted His Majesty's "love for another person" so calmly?

In the end what happened?

All the ministers in the palace were shocked and bewildered, and only a few knew the truth.

Li Chengqian glanced at Fang Jun and said, "If the Duke of Yue has a suitable candidate, please bring him up so that we can discuss it together."

Fang Jun nodded and said, "Liu Rengui, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of War, is from a well-known family, but he was poor when he was young. However, he never stopped studying, read widely and has a profound knowledge. Since he took office in the navy, he has both civil and military skills and made outstanding military achievements. He can take on the important task of reforming the military system."

Li Chengqian looked around and asked, "Do you have any objections, my dear ministers?"

Everyone looked at each other and shook their heads.

Your Majesty's words are very clear. He supports Liu Rengui. Otherwise, he should have said "Is this person competent?" instead of "Who has any objections?"...

Obviously, Liu Rengui has been approved by His Majesty. Even if others are coveting the position of military reform, they cannot compete with Liu Rengui.

Li Chengqian said: "Everyone should recommend talented people and gather ideas."

Zhang Liang, the Minister of Justice, who had just returned to the court and had not yet taken up the post of General of the Right Jinwu Guard, said, "Zheng Rentai, the Duke of Tongan and General of the Right Guard, has a long career and outstanding achievements. He assisted Emperor Taizong in the past and made great contributions to the country! I think he is qualified for the job."

Everyone nodded in approval.

Zheng Rentai seemed to be very low-key during the Zhenguan period. He was neither valued by Emperor Taizong nor had much sense of existence. However, he led his troops to guard the palace and placed Emperor Gaozu under house arrest during the "Xuanwu Gate Incident", which enabled Emperor Taizong outside the palace to successfully eliminate Jiancheng, Yuanji and their followers, and he made great contributions.

Today, the meritorious officials of the Zhenguan period are gradually dying out, and Zheng Rentai, who used to be silent, naturally stands out...

Seeing that no one objected, Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Good!"

This candidate is easy to approve. On the surface, Zheng Rentai is now working closely with Fang Jun, so Fang Jun's faction will naturally not object. In secret, they have already leaned towards him, and Liu Li and other civil servants who are in charge will not object either...

"I recommend Pei Huaijie, the former governor of Henan! Pei Huaijie has been in charge of Henan for more than ten years. He has comforted the people and governed the area, making Henan politically stable and prosperous. He is very proficient in civil affairs and can better coordinate the disputes between the military and the government."

The person who spoke was naturally the Minister of the Central Secretariat Liu Li.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, the Minister of the Interior and Jingzhao Yin Ma Zhou shook his head in opposition: "Absolutely not! Pei Huaijie has served in Henan for many years and has allowed the noble families to annex land and hide people to evade taxes. Previously, the Jin prince rebelled, and the Henan noble families strongly supported it, but Pei Huaijie sat back and watched and let it go. How can such a biased person who is in office for nothing be involved in such an important event?"

For a moment, one could hear a pin drop in the side hall.

The prefect of Henan was a high-ranking official of the second rank, on par with the Shangshu Zuo Pushe and Da Hudu. In terms of rank alone, he was above the Zhongshu Ling, Shizhong, the six ministers and other officials, and was an undisputed high-ranking official of the empire.

It is a very serious political event that such a high-ranking official was charged with a low-level crime when he returned to Beijing to report on his work. It even means a drastic shake-up in the officialdom, because there must be a huge interest group behind it.

But who is Ma Zhou?

Emperor Taizong's most beloved minister, together with Fang Jun, strongly supported Li Chengqian, who was the crown prince at the time. He was a simple person and diligent in government affairs. It is no exaggeration to say that "Jian is in the emperor's heart."

If such a person openly fired at Pei Huaijie, wouldn't the fight continue until one death?

Li Chengqian really had a headache and raised his hand to pinch his eyebrows.

Liu Li retorted, "There are indeed some rumors in the court involving Pei Huaijie, but what Minister Ma said is groundless and without any evidence. Is it inappropriate to slander an important official in the court like this?"

Then, without waiting for Ma Zhou to speak, he looked at Liu Xiang and said, "The Chief Censor has returned from Luoyang and has interrogated officials from Henan Prefecture while in Luoyang. I would like to ask if Pei Huaijie was involved in what Minister Ma said?"

Liu Xiangdao glanced at His Majesty on the throne and shook his head slowly: "We have not found any evidence that Pei Huaijie has violated the law or discipline."

The interrogation in Henan Prefecture was actually a show, and all the records were burned afterwards. Otherwise, if the case was investigated, not only would all the Henan noble families be difficult to clear, but all officials in Henan Prefecture would be thrown into jail, naturally including Pei Huaijie.

So no matter what Pei Huaijie did in Henan, for the sake of the overall situation, we can only turn a blind eye to it.

Liu Li nodded and asked Ma Zhou, "What else do you have to say, Minister Ma?"

Ma Zhou certainly understood that Pei Huaijie could not be touched. The reason why he mentioned it on this occasion was simply because he was dissatisfied with those who so-called considered the overall situation but were actually petty and despicable. Upon hearing this, he simply closed his eyes and said nothing.

A proud look that shows "disdain" to be associated with you...

Liu Li almost laughed out of anger. Okay, you are so noble...

Li Chengqian looked at Li Ji and asked, "Does Lord Ying think Pei Huaijie is qualified for the job?"

Li Ji said: "As the Minister of the Central Secretariat said, military reform may seem like the military's own business, but in fact it involves a wide range of issues and has far-reaching implications. Having an important official who is proficient in government affairs and has a local government in charge can indeed provide more meaningful advice. I agree with this."

Li Chengqian was in a very good mood. With the participation of Zheng Rentai and Pei Huaijie, whether it was this so-called additional institution or the Privy Council that was very likely to be established in the future, at least it would not be out of his control.

"My dear minister, you are the chief of the Prime Ministers. With you in charge and these wise men and their meritorious service, I am waiting for the day when the great work is accomplished and the whole world will celebrate together."

Although Li Ji did not take much charge and would not clash with Fang Jun, as long as he was in charge, Fang Jun would not dare to act recklessly.

Especially when the Privy Council is established in the future, Li Ji must be tied up and made the Privy Councilor...

Li Ji said: "It is my responsibility! However, the military reform is a big matter, involving too many aspects. I would like to recommend Cui Dunli to Your Majesty. He is the Minister of War and is familiar with military affairs. With his participation, we will be able to achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Li Chengqian was speechless. His favorable impression of Li Ji dropped again. He knew exactly why Li Ji recommended Cui Dunli: if he didn't want to work, then he had to find someone who could...