Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

coming!

Changsun Wuji's brows paused slightly. He did not answer immediately, but lowered his head and pretended to be in deep thought.

It’s time for a cup of tea.

Zhang Sun Wuji then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that Zhongshu Shilang Yu Zhining is qualified for the position of Minister of Personnel."

"Yu Zhining is one of the Eighteen Scholars of the Qin Palace. He defected to Your Majesty after the uprising in Jinyang and is utterly loyal to you."

"Furthermore, Yu Zhining is a kind and upright person, making him a more suitable candidate!"

When Li Shimin heard the person recommended by Changsun Wuji, his expression did not change at all.

If it were four years ago, Yu Zhining would have been the right candidate.

But the Yu Zhining now is no longer the pure person he was four years ago!

When Changsun Wuji saw that His Majesty's expression was not right, he felt a pang in his heart.

He quickly made amends, "Besides Yu Zhining, I think Duke Yingguo Li Ji is also a suitable candidate."

"Li Ji previously served as the Minister of Personnel for a period of time. He managed the Ministry of Personnel well and there was no case of favoritism or corruption."

"It's just that he's currently leading an army outside and doesn't have time to come back and take charge of the Ministry of Personnel."

When he heard the name Li Ji, Li Shimin's expression changed slightly.

Li Ji is indeed the most suitable candidate, but the Tang Dynasty will need to conquer foreign races in the next few years, so it is not appropriate to appoint a military general as the Minister of Personnel.

Pause for a moment.

Zhang Sun Wuji continued, "For the position of Shizhong, I would first recommend Zhongshu Shilang Chu Suiliang!"

"He is a descendant of Chu Liang, one of the Eighteen Scholars of the Qin Palace. He is also the most resolute and remonstrant minister after Wei Zheng. He served as a counselor for many years."

"Chu Suiliang is a man of integrity and can speak his mind frankly. He is the most suitable candidate for the position of Minister of the Interior."

After listening.

Li Shimin stroked his beard and nodded, saying, "Yu Zhining and Chu Suiliang are both good. I will make them my priority in choosing."

If Chu Suiliang could stick to his original intention and not commit himself to the Prince of Jin's Mansion, he would indeed be the most suitable candidate for the position of Shizhong.

Pity...

When Changsun Wuji saw that His Majesty neither accepted the person he recommended nor rejected him, his mood became complicated.

Now the emperor's mind is becoming more and more difficult to predict!

Li Shimin continued, "Fuji, go back and observe mourning for three days, then return quickly to take up your post."

"Without Gao Shilian's assistance, Fang Xuanling would have been unable to carry on alone."

Fang Xuanling is 68 years old this year and is somewhat ill.

He was afraid that Fang Xuanling would fall ill due to overwork and end up like Yang Shidao and Gao Shilian, dying within just a few months from falling ill.

If Fang Xuanling were to be lost, it would be a real blow to him.

Zhang Sun Wuji stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please protect the dragon's health. I will take my leave now!"

After walking out of Ganlu Palace, Changsun Wuji's expression became extremely stern.

I haven't seen Your Majesty for just over eight months, and you've changed so much.

Although His Majesty suffered from severe rheumatism before, he still looked relatively strong. But now His Majesty has lost a lot of weight.

Even his speech is not as vigorous as before.

If there is no magic pill in the world, I'm afraid Your Majesty will not live long.

"We have to prepare early!"

Changsun Wuji muttered something, then left the palace with a worried look on his face.

Inside the Manna Hall.

After half a minute of silence.

Li Shimin ordered the eunuchs, "Pray Prince Jin, come here."

"promise."

The eunuch responded, then lowered his head and walked away quickly.

It didn't take long.

Li Zhi, with a short beard, walked in quickly and saluted obediently.

"My son, I will meet my father."

He still had the same innocent and cowardly expression as before, but his eyes had already changed.

Became more gloomy.

Li Shimin waved his hand and asked directly, "Chi Nu, you have participated in court meetings for nearly a year. You should be very familiar with the ministers in the court."

"The two important posts of Shizhong and Libu Shangshu are currently vacant. Who do you think can take on these important responsibilities?"

this...

Li Zhi was a little troubled.

He didn't expect that his father would actually ask for his opinion, and he didn't communicate with his uncle in advance before coming to Ganlu Palace.

However, since his father took the initiative to ask for his opinion, he couldn't miss it.

Now that Li Chengqian's power in the army is growing, he has to win over and promote a group of civil officials.

Only with civil officials in control of the government could he gradually eliminate Li Chengqian's military power.

Think for a moment.

Li Zhi bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I think Chu Suiliang and Xiao Yu are qualified for the positions of Shizhong, and Yu Zhining and Li Jing are qualified for the positions of Shangshu."

"However, Xiao Yu and Li Jing are already old, so I think Chu Suiliang should be appointed as the Minister of the Interior and Yu Zhining as the Minister of Personnel."

Hearing similar answers from Li Zhi and Zhangsun Wuji, Li Shimin's expression changed slightly.

This kid has big ambitions!

It seems that what Cen Wenben and Gao Shilian said was correct. The tactic of using the prince to check and balance the crown prince does have great hidden dangers.

Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "Zhi Nu, you go back first."

what?

My father asked me to go back after just asking me one question?

Li Zhi's expression changed several times, and then he bowed obediently.

"My uncle passed away due to illness. I hope that your Majesty will not be overly sad and will ensure the health of your body."

"I will take my leave first."

Li Shimin's deep eyes were fixed on Li Zhi's leaving figure, and there was no smile on his face the whole time.

After retracting his gaze, he continued to give orders to the eunuch.

"Prince Xuan, come here."

Less than half an hour after the eunuch left, Li Chengqian strode in.

After some greetings and greetings, Li Shimin asked again.

"Cheng Qian, do you have any candidates for the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Personnel?"

Father is really testing me!

Li Chengqian responded without hesitation, "Your Majesty, the officials above the third rank will be decided by Your Majesty. No matter who Your Majesty appoints, I will fully support them."

Not bad!

Li Shimin secretly praised him in his heart.

He sat up straighter and said, "Cheng Qian, I asked you to recommend a few suitable people. You can feel free to do so."

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, I have no idea."

No matter what Li Shimin said, Li Chengqian did not recommend anyone.

He kept in mind what Du He said. What his father wanted was balance. No matter which officials he recommended, it would not be balanced in his father's heart.

Du He said something very well in the letter: If he had no secret contact with the people who recommended him, then why would he recommend those officials?

Only by saying nothing can I prevent my father from having too many thoughts.

"Yeah." Li Shimin nodded, then waved his hand and said, "Cheng Qian, you should go back and rest early."

Li Chengqian bowed and said a few nice words before striding away.

This time Li Shimin did not call anyone else over.

He was half lying on the chair, his expression was always in a state of contemplation.

...

Khitan Imperial Court.

Inside the palace.

Xue Rengui reported to Du He: "Duke Hanguo, the Xun tribe has been defeated by us!"

"In this battle, we annihilated more than 5 enemy troops, annihilated 31 enemies, captured 781 enemies, and taught war horses..."

There was a pause.

Xue Rengui continued, "In this battle, our army suffered 19 deaths and 312 wounded."

Then he gave a brief account of the battle process.

After listening.

Du He praised: "Rengui, you fought really well in this battle!"

"Let the soldiers have a good rest for a day, and tomorrow we will escort the prisoners and spoils back to Chang'an!"

Changsun Wuji has been back for a few days and doesn't know what the situation in Chang'an is now.

Du He couldn't wait for Hou Junji and Yuchi Gong to defeat the Mohe, so he had to hurry back to Chang'an to see the situation.

"promise!"

Xue Rengui clasped his fists.

...

Five days later.

When Li Shimin learned that Du He would return to Chang'an tomorrow, he announced it at the court meeting.

"Officials of the fifth rank and above will follow me 20 miles out of the city tomorrow to welcome the triumphant army!"