The film and television world begins with the battle for the throne in Kowloon

Chapter 1084 Power Structure
Li Yan waved his hand and said, "Although the Finance Temple is called a temple, it is only because I think it is a functional department responsible for financial resources, not a comprehensive department like the three provinces that is responsible for the whole thing, but this does not mean that it is just an ordinary institution."

"Master Changsun, the Finance Temple is responsible for the printing, issuance, safekeeping and lending of Tang Dynasty's banknotes, as well as the future management of Tang Dynasty's assets and the countless livelihoods of the East Factory. The money it circulates now is measured in tens of thousands of strings."

"As it develops in the future, its scale may increase several times, or even dozens of times."

"Such a department that easily surpassed the Ministry of Revenue to become the largest source of revenue for the Tang Dynasty, and is also the core lifeblood of the Tang Empire, is only a third-rank official, on par with the Imperial Household Department, the Imperial Household Department, the Imperial Guard Department, and other government offices. Do you think it is appropriate?"

Li Yan asked back bluntly, which made Changsun Wuji blush. He had selfish motives in determining the level. If the level was low, he could arrange his own people to preside over it, and he could also legitimately bring it under the jurisdiction of the Shangshu Province and strengthen his own strength.

But obviously, he still underestimated the importance of this department in the emperor's mind.

Li Yan glanced at Changsun Wuji unhappily. Although he knew that it was the instinct of almost every powerful person to expand his own strength in the power field, he was still very unhappy about such a key department and huge wealth.

He wouldn't trust anyone else to eat it except the emperor himself, so Changsun Wuji actually wanted to try to see if he could eat it. How outrageous!

Hundreds of millions of dollars are involved, and if there is even a slight problem, the whole country will be in turmoil.

If Fang Xuanling were in this position, he would never take over, nor would he let any department be responsible. He would throw this hot potato directly to the emperor.

But Zhangsun Wuji was somewhat lacking in self-awareness. He enjoyed his blessings and prayed for them. Did he really not know when to stop? No wonder that as the most important minister in history and the emperor's uncle, he was eventually abandoned by Li Zhi and died in a foreign land.

Whether in terms of his greed for power or his stance, Changsun Wuji is somewhat confused.

After all, didn’t Changsun Wuji understand clearly the key question of whether the power of the Prime Minister belongs to himself or is held on behalf of the emperor?

In high-level politics, it is extremely important for powerful people to position themselves, which also determines the choices and attitudes of the parties involved when encountering various events.

If you hold power for the emperor, it would be like ordering a maid to fetch the keys. You can be the head of the household but cannot make decisions. You have to follow the emperor's lead in everything. You are just a title. Only in this way can you gain the emperor's trust.

Just like Fang Xuanling to Li Shimin and Yan Song to Zhu Houcong.

If power belongs to oneself, then one must display the army, horses and artillery to become a powerful minister, with a group of wings, to suppress the imperial power, like Dong Zhuo or Cao Cao, so that the emperor dare not move lightly, and make it clear that there is a life-and-death hostile relationship.

Unfortunately, Changsun Wuji had neither the awareness of the former nor the courage of the latter. He was caught between a loyal minister and a powerful minister, and did not know how to advance or retreat. In the end, it was only natural that he died first and was rehabilitated later.

Li Yan did not ask any more questions and directly made the decision: "The Ministry of Finance is set as the second rank, just below the three ministries and above the other ministries and ministries. It is managed by the emperor himself, and one chief official from each of the three ministries can serve as a deputy to manage it."

"The Ministry of Finance has a second-rank official, who will be transferred from Huangmen Shilang Chu Suiliang."

"Three deputy junior officials of the third rank, two chancellors of the fourth rank, and one chief clerk. They will not be given ranks for now. Let Crown Prince Li Xiang go to this new ministry to help out and gain some experience. Don't just stay in the East Palace to study all day."

"We also need to deal with some practical matters. Practice makes perfect!"

A series of arrangements were spoken casually, which showed that the emperor already had a plan in mind. Changsun Wuji wrote them down and quickly thought about the key points in his mind.

Chu Suiliang was from Yuzhou, Henan Province. He was knowledgeable and talented, and was proficient in literature and history.

At the end of the Sui Dynasty, he followed Xue Ju as a Tongshi Sheren, and later served as a Jianyi Doctor in the Tang Dynasty. He was deeply trusted and relied upon by Li Shimin in his later years.

Li Shimin admired his upright character and steady approach to affairs, and appointed him as a minister to be entrusted with the care of the young emperor, and he assisted the new emperor in governing the country together with Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji, Xiao Yu, and Ma Zhou.

Originally, Chu Suiliang had been appointed by Li Shimin as the Minister of the Central Secretariat of the new dynasty.

As soon as the time is right, Fang Xuanling will resign from his part-time position and Chu Suiliang will be able to take up his new post and take charge of the Secretariat together with Ma Zhou, becoming one of the six great ministers.

Unexpectedly, Li Yan directly brought up Cen Wenben in the court, blocking Chu Suiliang from taking any further action.

However, the original six ministers remained six, with no new people taking up the positions. It was just that Changsun Wuji took up two of the positions, resulting in one person being squeezed out.

Therefore, everyone knows that in the current court, Chu Suiliang is the first person under the decision-making level. As long as Cen Wenben is transferred to the Shangshu Province as the right servant, Chu Suiliang can be promoted to the Zhongshu Ling, or directly let Chu Suiliang be the right servant.

Changsun Wuji will have to give up the position of Right Prime Minister sooner or later, it is just a matter of time.

Now Li Yan directly put Chu Suiliang in this first core department second only to the three provinces, and others really had nothing to say. Although the newly established Finance Temple was of the second rank, one level lower than the three provinces, it could be said the other way around.

The chief officials of the three ministries can only serve as deputy Shaoqing in this department.

Chu Suiliang had nothing to say about this alone. This second-rank official could suppress the three second-rank officials of the Tang Dynasty's new god of wealth! Among the three provinces, except for Zhangsun Wuji, the other two provincial officials, if they had to choose, might really prefer to resign from their second-rank positions and compete for this second-rank official. Chu Suiliang was really blessed!

From the perspective of institutional setup, it is also in line with the current court management system.

The second-rank departmental level shows that the functional status of the Finance Temple is below the three ministries. The fourth-rank Finance Zuocheng and Finance Youcheng are one level lower than the fourth-rank Shangshu Zuocheng and Zuocheng, suppressing other temples and supervisors in every way, but not exceeding the Shangshu Province.

It shows its unique and important position. From this point of view, Li Yan has already gained considerable experience in the establishment and integration of institutions, as well as the deployment and use of personnel.

Such a department, dealing with a large amount of money, does not actually require the chief officer to have great ability, nor does it need to innovate or change. All it needs is to be honest and abide by its duties, and what is needed is a person's steadfast integrity and noble character.

It seems as if it was made for Chu Suiliang.

Changsun Wuji sighed secretly. The reason why Chu Suiliang was squeezed out of the six chief officers was because although he had good character, he lacked some ability. He could not compete with the others in terms of tactfulness, power struggle, and faction-building.

However, it now seems that this person really turned a disaster into a blessing.

Originally, Chu Suiliang was left alone, and Changsun Wuji was always worried, because he was taking up an extra position. Now that Chu Suiliang has a place to stay, Changsun Wuji doesn't have to worry about who to make room for.

Changsun Wuji also felt relieved. From this point of view, the emperor really relied on him and did not want anyone to share his power in the short term.

"Your Majesty, isn't it a little understaffed for such a crucial department?"

Zhang Sun Wuji smacked his lips in envy, and finally bowed and said, "The chief officials of our three provinces each have their main duties. Going to the Finance Temple is the deputy position of the Inspector General, which is only symbolic and performs the supervisory function. Apart from these three deputy positions, there are only two chancellors and one chief clerk."

“Can you handle the huge workload of the Finance Temple?”

"Haha, Lord Changsun, don't worry."

Li Yan said calmly: "A new department is being established and is in the exploratory stage. We need to concentrate power to ensure that the functions of subordinate institutions and departments are quickly implemented. Let Chu Suiliang take full control of the power, so that work can be carried out quickly."

"You three deputies are not responsible for the specific work of the Finance Temple. You only need to check and make suggestions, and then exercise the power of supervision in the future."

"The left and right chancellors are in charge of the four departments of the Finance Temple, each of which is responsible for one area."

"Although the rank of the chief clerk is low and his position is not prominent, he is very important. He plays the role of connecting the upper and lower levels and facilitating communication between the various departments. He can be involved in everything. At the same time, he is also responsible for the specific supervision and management of each department and reports to the minister and the deputy minister."

"Let the prince run errands for now, and we'll find the right person later."

Chang Sun Wuji nodded silently, thinking that this position of chief clerk was so critical, and from a certain perspective, it represented the emperor.

From the current perspective, the only candidate is the prince.

This move can cultivate the prince's actual ability to govern and broaden his horizons. It can also be used to announce the importance of this department and deter those who dare to take advantage of it, killing two birds with one stone and taking care of both public and private interests.

Chang Sun Wuji looked at the familiar face and sighed, "The emperor's methods are becoming more and more sophisticated. The Financial Temple maintains a high degree of concentration of power, while also ensuring checks and balances to avoid a single dominant player. This approach is becoming more and more like that of an emperor."

It was past midnight and Chengqing Hall was completely quiet.

Inside and outside the majestic and solemn palace, in every courtyard and gate, stood the tall guards wearing armor and holding spears. Each of them was like a pine or cypress, with a dignified face and vigilant eyes, guarding the heart of the Tang Dynasty.

The same was true in the imperial study. Outside the screen, every corner of the room was guarded by eunuchs and palace maids. No one talked, and no one looked around. They all stood there silently with their heads lowered. If it weren't for the weak breathing and occasional shaking of the body, one would have thought it was a sculpture.

Only the elderly Wang De was walking with slow steps, turning continuously.

He would look at the eunuchs and palace maids, correct his subordinates who were dozing off, and then quietly walk into the study to make a cup of hot tea or goat's milk for Li Yan.

By the way, he helped Li Yan put the approved memorials aside, and then placed the documents awaiting approval on the table, where the emperor could reach them with just a stretch of his hand.

Li Yan, wearing a light robe, sat behind the desk, quietly reviewing memorials under the light of a tallow candle.

After more than a month of adaptation, he has become somewhat accustomed to his current life.

(End of this chapter)