Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

When Li Chengqian came to Princess Chengyang's mansion yesterday, he revealed to Du He how Li Shimin had dealt with Zhang Jian.

Temporarily dismiss him from his post to show fairness.

As the great-grandson of Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan, Zhang Jian was a minister of the imperial family. In addition, Zhang Jian's younger brother Zhang Yanshi was one of Li Shimin's most trusted guard commanders.

It is impossible to put Zhang Jian in jail, both morally and logically.

Now Li Shimin is putting on a show in the court, probably to pave the way for Crown Prince Li Chengqian and get a group of old ministers to support the Crown Prince.

A moment of silence.

Li Shimin said in a deep voice: "Zhang Jian, since the crown prince has also pleaded for you, then I will exempt you from prison."

Zhang Jian knelt down and bowed in gratitude, saying, "I thank your Majesty for the grace of heaven and the great kindness of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Although he has been dismissed from his post now, there is a possibility that he will be re-employed by the court in the future.

Once he was arrested and imprisoned in the Dali Temple, it would be a stain that could never be washed away in his lifetime, and even his descendants would be brought into disgrace because of it.

Li Shimin waved his hand, then looked at a middle-aged official standing behind Zhang Jian and said.

"Cheng Mingzhen, you have served as the chief officer of Yingzhou and made great contributions in the attack on Beisha City. I appoint you as the governor of Yingzhou!"

"You must keep an eye on the erratic Khitan, Xi, and Xun tribes, and maintain stability in Liaodong!"

Upon hearing that he was appointed as the governor of Yingzhou, Cheng Mingzhen was delighted, as if a big pie had fallen from the sky.

The governor of a lower state is a third-rank official position!

Moreover, the governor is in charge of all military and political power in a state, and only Your Majesty's confidant can hold such an important position.

He quickly stood up and responded: "I thank your majesty for your grace. I will defend the border for your majesty and maintain the stability of Liaodong!"

Many ministers in the court looked at Cheng Mingzhen with envy. This marginalized general finally made it.

Just as the civil and military ministers looked at Zhang Jian and Cheng Mingzhen, Li Shimin's next words instantly caused an uproar in the court.

"My dear ministers, Duke Liang is too old to continue serving as the Minister of the Left."

"From now on, Situ Changsun Wuji is appointed concurrently as Shangshu Zuo Pushe, in charge of the government affairs of the Shangshu Province!"

what's the situation?

Your Majesty actually appointed Zhangsun Wuji, a relative by marriage?

No one among the civil and military officials could have imagined that His Majesty would appoint Zhangsun Wuji as the Shangshu Zuo Pushe.

More than ten years ago, when Zhangsun Wuji was appointed as Shangshu You Pushe, Empress Zhangsun and Gao Shilian advised Li Shimin not to let Zhangsun Wuji, a relative by marriage, hold power.

Avoid having external relatives with too much power, which would endanger the imperial court and disrupt state order.

Therefore, over the years, Changsun Wuji held honorary positions such as Kaifu Yitong Sansi, Sikong and Situ.

I didn't expect that His Majesty would let Zhangsun Wuji take the position of Prime Minister at this critical juncture.

Just when all the civil and military officials in the court were in turmoil, Changsun Wuji stood up.

He declined solemnly, "Your Majesty, I am a relative of the emperor, and if I serve as the Minister of the Left, I am afraid that I will be criticized by the relatives of the Holy Lord!"

"I beg your Majesty to take back your order!"

After saying this, he bowed deeply to Li Shimin.

Du He secretly complained: "He is worthy of being one of Li Shimin's most trusted ministers, and he can also be one of the ministers entrusted with the care of the young emperor. His patience is unmatched."

Ordinary officials who were entrusted with important tasks could not wait to kowtow to Li Shimin.

The impression given by Changsun Wuji now is that he has no interest in power at all, and he is also good at thinking about problems from the emperor's perspective.

Which monarch wouldn’t like such a good minister?

Just as the Taiji Hall fell into silence, Du He glanced at Fang Xuanling in front of him on the left and found that his expression remained unchanged.

On the contrary, Fang Yiai, who was sitting in the front, was trembling slightly, and his fists were clenched tightly.

Du He shook his head and thought, "What a rip-off!"

There was silence for more than ten breaths.

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Fuji, when I was the King of Qin, you were one of my trusted confidants and followed me in my campaigns to pacify the world."

"Over the years, veteran officials such as Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, and Yang Shidao have successively served as the chief officials of the three provinces, but you are still holding a nominal position."

"With your achievements, talents and reputation, you are fully qualified for the post of Shangshu Zuo Pushe. If I don't use you, wouldn't it be a failure to know people and use them well?"

"You are the youngest and strongest among the ministers who have followed me to conquer the world. Don't keep refusing!"

Hearing Li Shimin's words, Changsun Wuji's face was filled with memories.

With a serious face, he replied, "Since your majesty trusts me so much, I will take on the position of Shangshu Zuo Pushe!"

"Hahaha~"

Li Shimin laughed out loud, then pointed at Changsun Wuji and said.

"Auxiliary machine, that's right!"

This time, Li Shimin had obviously informed a small number of ministers in advance about the appointment of Zhangsun Wuji, so they did not stand up to dissuade him.

Especially Gao Shilian, the emperor's uncle, who used to be the most opposed to Zhangsun Wuji taking on important tasks, but now he has become a coward.

Li Shimin stood up and said in a loud voice: "My dear ministers, let's end the court meeting here."

"Crown Prince, Fang Xuanling, Li Jing, Xiao Yu, Gao Shilian, Chu Suiliang, and the heads of the three provinces and six ministries, go to Liangyi Hall to discuss matters immediately!"

After finishing speaking, Li Shimin turned to look at Li Chengqian and spoke with soft light in his eyes.

"Prince, your foot is still injured. Let someone take you to Ganlu Palace in a sedan chair!"

Li Chengqian was moved and clasped his fists and replied, "Thank you, father."

When his legs were injured and he became lame, his father did not order him to ride in a sedan chair to the Taiji Hall to attend court meetings.

Every time he dragged his limping leg into the Taiji Hall, facing the gazes of the civil and military officials on both sides, he felt an immense torment in his heart.

At the same time, the obese Li Tai was allowed by his father to ride in a sedan chair in and out of Ganlu Palace.

Now feeling his father's concern for him, Li Chengqian felt mixed emotions.

Li Shimin nodded, then put his hands behind his back and strode out of the Taiji Hall.

The ministers whose names were called followed Li Chengqian only after Li Chengqian got on the sedan chair and left the Taiji Hall.

After the generals and the chief officers of the nine temples and five academies left, the low-ranking officials instantly gathered in groups of three or five.

"Oh my God!"

"I thought His Majesty would reinstate Fang Sikong Shangshu Zuo Pushe, but I didn't expect His Majesty to reuse Changsun Situ!"

"It seems that Fang Sikong may not have a chance to take charge of the Shangshu Province again!"

"Why do you think His Majesty dismissed Fang Sikong Shangshu Zuo Pushe for no reason?"

Fang Yiai, who was already in a depressed mood, became even more angry when he heard the discussions of the ministers around him.

Before he could lose his temper, his good brother Chai Lingwu patted him on the shoulder and whispered.

"Brother Fang, there's no need to bother with them!"

"The King of Wei sent someone to tell us something important. Let's go now."