My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 359 Moving to Daming Palace
No one expected that the prince would dare to do this, to forcibly issue the decree, and to bypass the Menxia Province and issue it directly from the court bulletin to announce it to the world.

This is a typical struggle between imperial power and ministerial power.

From the perspective of the common people, they did not know that the Menxia Province could reject the emperor's edict.

Naturally, this decree must be recognized.

But the court ministers were in a lot of trouble.

Imperial city official office.

Several important court officials gathered together.

"This is nonsense!"

Minister of Rites Li Gang was the first to break the silence, his beard trembling with anger: "Your Highness, this is blatantly trampling on the laws of the court. Where does this put the review power of the Ministry of Personnel?"

The Minister of the Central Secretariat, Cen Wenben, frowned and said, "What the Minister said is absolutely right. All imperial edicts and decrees must be reviewed by the Ministry of Personnel. This is a long-standing rule in the court."

"The Crown Prince bypassed the Ministry of Personnel and directly issued the decree. If this continues, where will the court's discipline be?"

Chu Suiliang was so angry that his face turned red: "The prince's behavior clearly shows that he does not take your majesty and the civil and military officials in the court seriously! The reform of the imperial examination system is of great importance, how can it be so careless? Where is he putting the foundation of the Tang Dynasty?"

Zhang Sun Wuji narrowed his eyes slightly, pondered for a moment and said: "Everyone, since the prince dared to do this, he must have been prepared to deal with it. Now that the decree has been announced to the world, if we force the prince to take back his order, where will the face of the royal family be?"

As subjects, they naturally have to consider the reputation of the royal family, so this matter is a headache for everyone.

Fang Xuanling sighed softly and spoke slowly: "What Changsun Situ said is true. The key now is how we should deal with this matter to minimize the impact. The prince's promotion of the imperial examination reform was well-intentioned, but the method was too radical."

The words of Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling made the atmosphere in the hall a little weird.

Such words obviously seem to be an attempt to excuse the prince.

However, the two men were the left and right prime ministers of the imperial court, in charge of the court's affairs, so since they said so, it was difficult to question it.

On the other hand, Li Gang, the Minister of Rites, was furious and said, "What good is that!"

"The prince is violating the law and disrupting the order of the court! If he is not stopped, will he be able to disobey your Majesty's edicts at will one day?"

Hearing this, many people fell silent.

What does it mean to disobey His Majesty's edict at will? Don't you see that the prince has already rebelled? What else can he not dare to do?

You never know when he will bring a large army into the palace to stage a coup.

The situation between His Majesty and the Crown Prince is very delicate right now, and it is even more difficult for them, the ministers.

Chu Suiliang naturally ignored all this and echoed, "That's right! The prince's action has set an extremely bad precedent. If he can issue a decree today without going through the Ministry of Personnel, he may do something even more outrageous tomorrow. We must jointly write a letter to His Majesty, begging him to stop it!"

He hoped that Your Majesty would fight with the Crown Prince. If Your Majesty allowed the Crown Prince to do everything, wouldn't it mean that he really wanted to inherit the throne?

The prince inherited the throne, so what should the King of Wei do? And what should Chu Suiliang do?

The reason why he can now clamor in the court is entirely because it is His Majesty who sits on the throne.

When the prince ascends the throne, his official career will be over.

Obviously, Chu Suiliang did not want to retire so early.

Zhang Sun Wuji saw through Chu Suiliang's thoughts at a glance and sneered, "Write a joint letter?"

"How will His Majesty view our joint petition? The Crown Prince is the heir apparent, the future Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. If we force the emperor to abdicate, won't His Majesty suspect we have ulterior motives?"

Fang Xuanling nodded slightly: "What Changsun Situ said makes sense. Your Majesty asked the Crown Prince to govern the country in the hope that he could gain experience and grow. Although the Crown Prince is acting rashly now, if we act too hastily, it may backfire."

The left and right prime ministers set the tone for the matter, so naturally no one else could say much.

Chu Suiliang couldn't continue to maintain the stalemate.

After all, he was just a counselor.

Cen Wenben thought for a moment and said, "Then according to the opinions of the two ministers, what should we do? Should we just let the prince do whatever he wants?"

Zhang Sun Wuji pondered and said, "Let's not act rashly. Since the prince dared to announce the decree to the world, he must have made a lot of preparations."

"We can wait and see what impact the prince's reform will bring."

Fang Xuanling added: "We can also discuss the prince's edict in the court and put forward reasonable suggestions and opinions. If the prince can realize his mistakes and take the initiative to modify the edict, that would be the best."

Chu Suiliang said sharply: "But what if the prince is stubborn and refuses to repent?"

Chang Sun Wuji replied casually: "If it really comes to that, we will report the situation to His Majesty. But before that, we must remain calm and not panic."

Zhongshu Ling Yang Shidao said, "Everyone, although the Crown Prince's reform of the imperial examination system is not appropriate, abolishing the investment bank rolls and implementing the method of copying under a false name can indeed solve the problem of cheating in the imperial examination to a certain extent, and it is also a good thing for the children of poor families."

"Can we change our perspective and communicate with the prince from the perspective of supporting the reform?"

Chu Suiliang looked displeased: "Are you speaking for the prince, Yang Zhongshu?"

"The Crown Prince has violated the court's laws. This is a matter of principle. How can we turn a blind eye to it just because the reform is beneficial?"

Yang Shidao was not angry about this and replied calmly: "Doctor Chu, I am not excusing the prince's behavior. It's just that the decree has been issued. If we blindly oppose it, it will not only fail to solve the problem, but may also cause greater conflicts. We can put forward perfect suggestions on the basis of affirming the significance of the reform and guide the prince onto the right track."

Zhang Sun Wuji agreed, "What Yang Zhongshu said makes sense. As court officials, our goal is to ensure the long-term stability of the Tang Dynasty. Instead of confronting the crown prince, we should put the overall situation first and seek a solution."

Yang Shidao obviously had the intention of standing on the side of the Crown Prince, but he couldn't show it too obviously now.

In private, Yang Shidao had no contact with the prince.

But Zhao Jie is Yang Shidao’s stepson, and there is still no explanation here. Who would believe it?

At least Chu Suiliang didn't believe it.

There will be a meeting the next day.

Li Chengqian had just taken his seat and completed the process.

Li Gang, the Minister of Rites, stepped out and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, we believe that the imperial examination reform decree issued yesterday, although far-reaching, has not been reviewed by the Ministry of Personnel and is in violation of the court's laws. We implore Your Highness to withdraw the decree and reconsider the matter."

Li Gang was not targeting Li Chengqian as a person, but this matter. Li Gang himself belonged to the neutral party in the court.

However, the imperial examination itself was under the charge of the Ministry of Rites, and moral principles were what the Ministry of Rites cared about most.

The prince's current actions completely disregard the Ministry of Rites.

It has completely violated all the systems of court etiquette.

Therefore, when it comes to the voices of opposition, the loudest one came from the Ministry of Rites.

Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows and said, "Minister Li, this prince promoted the reform of the imperial examination system in order to select real talents for the sake of the Tang Dynasty. Now that the decree has been announced to the world, the people of the world are eagerly waiting. If this prince withdraws the order at this time, won't it make the world laugh at me?"

Cen Wenben stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Highness, we are not against the reform of the imperial examination system. We just think that the reform is of great importance and should be carried out in accordance with the court's laws and with a long-term plan. If it is implemented hastily, it may cause many problems."

Li Chengqian said calmly: "What's the problem?"

"If we are afraid of problems and hold back, then when will the Tang Dynasty be able to make progress? As for the laws of the court, this prince asks you, the trend of cheating in the imperial examinations is prevalent, and the children of poor families have no way to serve the country. Is this in line with the law?"

Chu Suiliang said anxiously: "Your Highness the Crown Prince can modify the imperial examination system through normal channels instead of bypassing the Ministry of Personnel and issuing decrees without authorization!"

Li Chengqian snorted coldly: "What a joke."

"How many times have my previous reform proposals been rejected by the Ministry of Personnel? You keep saying that you want to follow the law, but have these laws become a tool for some people to protect their own interests?"

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the hall. The ministers looked at each other, not knowing how to respond. They did not expect that the prince would be so sharp and hit the core of the problem directly.

Seeing this, Changsun Wuji hurriedly tried to smooth things over: "Prince, the ministers are also thinking about the court. Reforming the imperial examination system is a good thing, but wouldn't it be better if it could be carried out under the premise of following the law?"

Li Chengqian turned his gaze to Zhangsun Wuji and said in a slightly slower tone: "Uncle is right. The reform of the imperial examination system does require the collective wisdom of all."

"Well, I will give you three days to propose amendments to the decree. But if you just oppose it blindly without coming up with a practical and feasible charter, don't blame me for being rude."

The ministers exchanged helpless glances. They knew that the prince was giving them a way out, but at the same time he also showed his attitude of never compromising easily.

In this contest between imperial power and ministerial power, they can only choose to compromise and find new strategies for the time being.
-
That night.

Lai Tingfang backyard.

Li Chengqian, Du He, Li Yuanchang, Zhao Jie.

The rebel party finally gathered together again.

Du He looked at the hazy moonlight outside the window and sighed heavily: "Speaking of which, I really miss the days in the East Palace. Back then, we were able to come in and out freely. It's nothing like now, being trapped in this villa, even having to be careful in everything we do."

"This time, the old ministers jumped out to obstruct the reform of the imperial examination system. It is very difficult for Your Highness to implement it."

Zhao Jie nodded slightly, with a helpless look on his face: "That's right, the East Palace is the foundation of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Now that I can't move in, I feel like I've lost my backbone."

"Although this Laitingfang is also quite grand, it is not as good as the Eastern Palace. Moreover, the reform of the imperial examination system this time has affected the interests of the aristocratic families. For the sake of the power behind their families, those ministers will not easily let Your Highness get what he wants."

Han Wang Li Yuanchang snorted coldly, with a hint of dissatisfaction flashing in his eyes: "Humph! It's still the intention of those old ministers and Your Majesty."

"They are afraid of your power and are trying to restrict us in various ways."

"Take the reform of the imperial examination system, for example. It was obviously for the purpose of selecting talents for the Tang Dynasty, but they quarreled in the court for their own selfish interests."

"In my opinion, we should be tougher and go back to the East Palace to see what they can do to us! By the way, let those ministers who oppose the reform know that your highness's decision cannot be questioned!"

Li Chengqian raised his hand to stop Li Yuanchang's impulsive speech, his eyes deep and calm: "Yuanchang, don't be reckless. The situation is complicated now, and rash actions will only put us in a passive position. Regardless of whether we can successfully recapture the East Palace, even if we go back, we will just be trapped in a corner and it will be difficult to show our strength."

"Since I dare to implement the reform of the imperial examination system without going beyond the Ministry of Personnel, I have a plan to deal with it. Those ministers are now strongly opposed on the surface, but the decree has been announced to the world, and they can only worry."

Du He nodded thoughtfully and said, "Your Highness is right. But coming to the court is not a long-term solution. We have to find a way to break the current deadlock."

Li Chengqian was silent for a moment, then suddenly sat up straight, with a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "Since we can't go back to the East Palace, why don't we find another place?"

At this point, Li Chengqian paused for a moment and said in a deep voice, "What do you think of Daming Palace?"

When Li Yuan and Li Shimin first established the Tang Dynasty, there was only one imperial palace in Chang'an City: the Taiji Palace left over from the Sui Dynasty.

The Taiji Palace is located in a low-lying area, is humid in autumn and stuffy in summer, and the palace is small and old, which Li Yuan is not satisfied with.

In the eighth year of Zhenguan, the retired emperor Li Yuan was old, and the censor Ma Zhou submitted a memorial requesting to build a new palace for the retired emperor to provide coolness and relief from the heat, in order to show the royal filial piety. Li Shimin readily approved it and finally selected Longshouyuan as the site for building the new palace.

In October, construction of the new palace began and it was initially named Yong'an Palace.

However, in the first month of the ninth year of Zhenguan, Li Yuan died in the bedroom of Da'an Palace. Due to this incident, the construction of the palace was temporarily shelved.

The initial construction time was very short at that time, no large-scale civil engineering was carried out, and the basic layout of the Daming Palace was not formed.

During the construction process, craftsmen dug up an ancient bronze mirror, the Qin Mirror, under the foundation of the hall. Legend has it that it can reveal the loyalty and treachery of ministers, and the rise and fall of a country.

Minister Wei Zheng congratulated Emperor Taizong on obtaining the precious mirror and wished the country prosperity. Li Shimin was overjoyed upon hearing this and to commemorate the meeting between the monarch and his ministers, he changed the name of Yong'an Palace to Daming Palace.

After that, the construction of Daming Palace basically stopped, and only a rough outline was left.

However, the chief designer of the Daming Palace was the famous painter and master of architecture Yan Liben.

Relying on the natural terrain of Longshouyuan, he designed the Daming Palace in imitation of the Taiji Palace of the Sui Dynasty, making it magnificent and commanding, overlooking the entire Tang Chang'an City.

As the crown prince, Li Chengqian was not allowed to live in the Eastern Palace and had to live in Chang'an City. This had an impact on his status as the crown prince.

Li Shimin would definitely not allow people to live in the Eastern Palace, but what about the Daming Palace?

In fact, in Li Chengqian's heart, even if he became emperor in the future, he would not live in Taiji Palace, but in Daming Palace.

The Daming Palace was built according to the traditional layout of a front court, rear bedrooms and three main halls. From south to north, it was divided into three parts: the court area, the sleeping area and the back garden. However, most of these buildings have not yet been built, but the three main halls have been basically completed.

At least there is no problem with living there.

Besides, the Crown Princess in Luoyang should also return to Chang'an.

(End of this chapter)