Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Hearing the speculations of these ministers, the minds of the other civil officials suddenly became active, and their faces were filled with desire.

Although many people cannot become vice ministers of the three provinces and six ministries, as long as there are officials promoted from the fourth rank to the regular fourth rank, officials of the fifth rank will have the opportunity to be promoted to the fourth rank.

If there are officials in front who are promoted, the officials behind them will also be promoted.

Just when the officials were full of fantasies, Li Shimin, with a dignified look on his face, spoke loudly.

"My dear ministers, the territory of the Tang Dynasty is growing larger and larger, and the various ministries are responsible for more and more things. The burden of government affairs on you is very heavy."

"Therefore, I have decided to gradually restore the vacant official positions in the three provinces!"

Boom!

When the low-ranking officials in the Taiji Hall heard that Li Shimin was going to restore the vacant positions in the three provinces, they felt like a bolt of lightning struck their hearts.

Especially a group of officials of the fourth rank and above, they were so excited that they almost jumped up.

Because the vacant positions of Zhongshu Shilang and Huangmen Shilang can only be transferred from among these people.

According to the official configuration of the three provinces and six ministries, there are two Zhongshu Shilang, two Huangmen Shilang, and two Libu Shilang.

The remaining Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of War, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Works each have one vice minister.

Later, because the treasury was empty, bloated officials were laid off, and the number of vice ministers in the Secretariat, the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Personnel was reduced to one.

In addition to the vacant position of Assistant Minister, the Secretariat is also short of three Secretaries.

The post of Zhongshu Sheren, which originally had a full staff of four people, currently has only one person, Gao Ji Fu, and three vacancies are left.

"call!"

There was a sound of rapid breathing coming from the Tai Chi Hall.

Especially Chu Suiliang, whose mood was fluctuating greatly, his teeth were grinding, and his hands hidden under his wide sleeves were clenched into fists.

When he heard that His Majesty had appointed Yu Zhining as the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, he no longer had any expectations in his heart.

Unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better and hope was rekindled in his heart.

"It's finally my turn this time!"

Chu Suiliang's breathing became rapid again, and his chest rose and fell violently.

Whether it is the Secretary of the Central Secretariat or the Secretary of the Imperial Household, these two positions are too important for him.

This determines whether he can ascend to the important position of Minister of the Secretariat or Palace Attendant within a few years.

Li Shimin went on to say: "The vacant positions in the three provinces will be filled according to the normal selection process, and several prime ministers will be selected within this year."

"In addition, the prime ministers and the Ministry of Personnel should also hurry up and select officials for Liaodong Road, Sishui Road, and Jincheng Road!"

During the Zhenguan period, the law made strict regulations on the selection and appointment system of officials.

Officials above the third rank were selected and appointed by the emperor himself.

Officials above the fifth rank were nominated by the prime minister and submitted to the emperor for approval, and the Ministry of Personnel would then approve and appoint them.

Officials below the sixth rank were subject to a comprehensive assessment of their moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic and labor qualities by the Ministry of Personnel, and their appointments were preceded by review by the Ministry of Personnel.

The prime ministers who had the power to nominate officials of the fourth and fifth ranks were only the Shangshu Zuo Pushe, Zhongshu Ling and Shizhong.

As for Sikong Fang Xuanling, Special Advisers Li Jing, Yang Shidao, Xiao Yu and others, they only had the power to participate in the discussion of state affairs, but did not have the power to recommend and select officials.

Of course, when these prime ministers nominate officials, they actually have to refer to the results of the Ministry of Personnel's assessment of each official. They cannot promote anyone they want.

The Tang Dynasty's official selection system also illustrates the importance of the Ministry of Personnel's assessment.

Zhangsun Wuji, Hou Junji, Cen Wenben and Liu Li all stood up holding their tablets and responded.

"The minister obeys the order!"

Next, Li Shimin discussed a few small matters with everyone. Seeing that everyone's attention was no longer on the court meeting, he stood up and waved his hand and said.

"Let's end today's meeting here."

The officials were still thinking about how to get promoted, so they saluted a few beats slower than usual.

"Farewell to Your Majesty."

After Li Shimin, Li Chengqian and a group of prime ministers left the Taiji Hall, a group of officials who usually liked to stay in the hall also left in a hurry.

I believe that the court will not be too peaceful in the next period of time.

As long as they are not officials appointed by His Majesty, it will depend on the competition among the Guanlong families, Hedong nobles, Shandong nobles and other forces to see how the interests can be balanced.

Seeing that most of the officials in the Taiji Hall had left, Du Gou, with a worried look on his face, walked up to Du He and asked in a low voice.

"Second brother, will the current transfer of official positions have any impact on the promotion of the third brother?"

Du He smiled and comforted him: "Don't worry, brother, it won't have any impact."

Although the Ministry of Personnel had a new assistant minister, Zhang Xuansu, who did not get along with him, his third brother Du Aitong had made meritorious contributions and presented them to the court, so he was promoted based on his merits.

Moreover, among the four powerful prime ministers, Hou Junji and Liu Li were both his allies, and Cen Wenben also had a good relationship with him because of the prince.

As for Changsun Wuji, the two of them cannot be considered friends, nor are they currently in a hostile relationship.

Unless Li Shimin intends to suppress the three brothers, there will not be any big problem for Du Aitong to be promoted to the position of Zhongshu Sheren.

"Then I feel relieved." Du Gou said with confidence.

Thinking about the changes in the core officials of the imperial court this year, which were more frequent than in any previous year, and the restless character of his second brother, Du Gou felt a tightness in his heart.

He warned worriedly: "Second brother, there are too many personnel changes in the court now, you have to calm down and keep a low profile."

"Don't get too close to other ministers, or else you might give them a handle. You must be careful with your words and actions!"

Except for the Minister of Revenue Tang Jian, the chief officials and deputy officials of the three provinces and six ministries have basically been replaced.

In particular, the three people Your Majesty trusted the most, Fang Xuanling, Yang Shidao and Gao Shilian, were all deprived of their powerful official positions, and were left with only the honorary position of a civil official.

I guess only a few veteran ministers can guess what His Majesty is thinking now.

When you don't know the emperor's intentions, the best decision is to keep a low profile.

Du He nodded seriously and said, "Okay."

Seeing that Du He agreed, Du Gou didn't care whether he remembered it or not. He nodded and quickly left the Tai Chi Hall.

Now the Secretariat needs to promulgate and enforce decrees to relocate the people, and they will be very busy in the coming period of time.

In addition, the weather was getting colder and colder, and the tens of thousands of Baekje children had not yet been dealt with. One can imagine the pressure he was under as the Shangshu Zuocheng.

Du He also tried to think from Li Shimin's perspective to see what the intentions of the several core officials he mobilized were.

After thinking for a while and still finding nothing, Du He had to shake his head and walk out of the Tai Chi Hall.

It’s hard to guess what Li Shimin is thinking!

Just as Du He walked to the gate of the Ministry of Works, one of the prince's personal guards who was waiting at the gate quickly came up to him and said.

"Minister Du, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince asks you to go to the East Palace now."