This made Li Shimin anxious, and he wanted to trade one for one with me.

Changsun Wuji interjected, "According to you, wouldn't it be better not to abolish it?"

"no!"

Before Cheng Jun could speak, Li Shimin retorted, "It must be abolished!"

If he didn't know, that would be one thing, but now that he knows the public office capital system and the establishment of money-collecting officials are planting time bombs for the future, how can he sit idly by?

Moreover, if it is not abolished, wouldn't that contradict his saying that the people are the water and the ruler is the boat?

Then he would truly become a tyrant!

Li Shimin was very clear-headed about such matters. He could be angry, but national affairs were national affairs. He valued officials who dared to speak out, and rewarded them instead of punishing them. Wasn't that the reason?

This is why he asked Zhang Anan to close the door.

This is no small matter!

This must be resolved today!

Li Shimin stared at Cheng Jun and said, "Minister Cheng, I do not wish to issue an edict of self-reproach."

Changsun Wuji immediately said, "Whether or not to issue an edict of self-reproach is a matter for Your Majesty to decide independently."

Cheng Jun frowned and said, "Minister Changsun, you are also an educated man. You should know that Emperor Wu of Han reflected on his mistakes and issued an edict of self-reproach. Do you want His Majesty to be inferior to Emperor Wu of Han? You are also a subject. Don't just remember the word 'subject'."

"Isn't this an insult?" Changsun Wuji was both angry and furious upon hearing this. Although he could tell that Cheng Jun was cursing him, the other party hadn't said it outright, so he couldn't react immediately.

Li Shimin chuckled in exasperation and said, "See that? There's a stick blocking the way. It's no use just talking to me; you have to make him speechless."

After saying that, he waved to the purple-robed eunuch and said, "Ananda, bring three cushions over."

"The slaves obey the orders!"

Soon, Zhang Anan placed the three cushions on the ground.

Li Shimin sat down first, then pointed to the two cushions on his left and right, and told them to sit down.

"Thank you for offering me a seat, Your Majesty."

Cheng Jun bowed respectfully and sat down on the cushion to the left of Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty, I thank you." Changsun Wuji sat on the cushion on the right.

Li Shimin glanced at Changsun Wuji, then turned to look at Cheng Jun, and said solemnly:

"My two ministers, one of you is the Minister of Personnel and the other is the Censor who impeached me. You are both intelligent. You two should come up with a solution that can resolve this matter without me having to issue this edict of self-reproach."

Changsun Wuji fell into deep thought, but couldn't come up with an answer after a long time. He looked at Cheng Jun and was taken aback to find that Cheng Jun was also looking at him.

Immediately afterward, Cheng Jun's voice entered my ears.

"I do have a solution."

Li Shimin asked, "What method?"

Cheng Jun sat up straight and said solemnly:

"Your Majesty's determination to abolish the public office capital system and the money-collecting clerk is admirable. I have just thought about it and it will indeed affect Your Majesty's wisdom. I think it would be good if someone could stand up at this time."

"Step forward..." Li Shimin pondered his words, feeling that these three words held profound meaning.

Cheng Jun continued, "If there were someone who could stand up and say that the reason why the public office capital system and the order to set up money collection were not abolished during the Wude era is because he insisted on advising His Majesty to implement them, then His Majesty would not need to issue an edict of self-reproach."

Li Shimin thought about it carefully, then subconsciously looked at Changsun Wuji, his eyes suddenly lighting up.

Changsun Wuji's expression suddenly changed. Although His Majesty hadn't said anything, his eyes had already betrayed his thoughts. He was both shocked and angry. At this moment, he could clearly see that Cheng Jun had revealed his true intentions. He decisively said, "Your Majesty, I cannot stand up!"

Cheng Jun looked at him and shook his head, saying, "Minister Changsun is underestimating himself."

"At this moment, you are indeed the most suitable person to step forward."

Cheng Jun turned to look at Li Shimin and patiently explained, "Your Majesty, the capital of the government office is related to the money-collecting officials. The reason why the money-collecting officials seize the people's profits and collect money for the court is to become officials. And the appointment of money-collecting officials is precisely the job of the Ministry of Personnel."

"Minister Changsun is the Minister of Personnel, so I believe it is most appropriate for him to take the lead."

After saying that, Cheng Jun met Changsun Wuji's angry gaze and said with a smile, "Minister Changsun, you are paid by the emperor and should share his burdens. You should take on the responsibilities!"

Changsun Wuji pointed at him and said sternly, "And what about you? Why don't you step forward?"

“I have already stepped forward.”

Cheng Jun said sincerely, "I'll take responsibility for the proposals, you take responsibility for the consequences, and His Majesty will be responsible for being a wise ruler. The division of labor is clear. Is there a problem?"

"Have!"

Changsun Wuji roared, "If that's the case, won't I be the worst off?"

"Good lad, the true intentions have been revealed..." Li Shimin looked at Cheng Jun, but at this moment he no longer had the intention to criticize him, because he found that Cheng Jun's suggestion was truly brilliant.

As an imperial censor, it was only natural for Cheng Jun to come out and impeach the emperor.

The matter of the government office's capital and the money-catching clerk was indeed related to the Ministry of Personnel. As the Minister of Personnel, Changsun Wuji could not escape blame, and it was reasonable for him to take the blame.

One shares the firepower, the other bears the blame.

In this way, he, as the emperor, will not only not be resented by his officials, but will also be regarded by them as wise and a sage ruler!

Li Shimin stroked his beard and looked at Changsun Wuji, saying in a gentle tone, "Fuji, I think we can try the method Cheng Jun suggested."

"Absolutely not!"

Changsun Wuji said excitedly, "Your Majesty, let's not even talk about whether this matter has anything to do with me. Even if it does, I dare not take the blame. If I do, wouldn't I become a treacherous minister who brings disaster to the country and the people?"

After saying that, he pointed at Cheng Jun and cursed, "Cheng Jun, you're defaming my reputation!"

"Didn't you start it? What's wrong with giving someone a taste of their own medicine?" Cheng Jun ignored him and looked at Li Shimin.

"But now I think he makes sense."

After Li Shimin finished speaking, he paused and added, "That makes perfect sense."

Changsun Wuji panicked, "Your Majesty, we are family!"

Li Shimin gazed at him and said, "It is precisely because of our family that you should shoulder this responsibility!"

"You can't expect me to issue an edict of self-reproach, can you?"

Li Shimin patiently advised, "If I issue an edict of self-reproach, there will surely be criticism from the people. You cannot bear this responsibility. Do you think I can take it on?"

Cheng Jun echoed, "Minister Changsun, His Majesty is right, you should take responsibility."

Changsun Wuji glared at Cheng Jun and cursed, "Shut up! If it weren't for you, how could this have happened?"

"You shut up!"

Li Shimin rebuked him, saying, "Cheng Jun is an official I selected to speak out; this is his job. What he said makes sense, so what right do you have to criticize him?"

Whose side are you on? Why are you speaking up for him...?

Changsun Wuji couldn't help but turn to look at Cheng Jun. His smile was gentle and kind, but in Changsun Wuji's eyes, it sent chills down his spine.

Suddenly, something occurred to him, his eyes widened, a shiver ran through him, and he glared at Cheng Jun, his eyes blazing with fury:

"Cheng Jun, I never imagined you were so malicious, devising such a vicious scheme against me and His Majesty!"

After saying this, Changsun Wuji looked at Li Shimin and said excitedly, "Your Majesty, Cheng Jun killed three warriors with two peaches!"

Two peaches kill three warriors...

Li Shimin's eyes narrowed.

The story of "two peaches killing three warriors" is an event that occurred during the Spring and Autumn Period.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Gongsun Jie, Tian Kaijiang, and Guyezi were ministers of Duke Jing of Qi. The three were brave and arrogant, and disrespectful to others, especially to the prime minister of Qi, Yan Ying.

Yan Ying wanted to get rid of the three men, so he suggested that Duke Jing of Qi give each of them two peaches and let them decide who would eat the peach according to their merits.

Gongsun Jie and Tian Kaijiang recounted their achievements and each ate a peach, but Guyezi's achievements far surpassed those of the two of them, yet he did not receive a peach.

Humiliated, Guyezi drew his sword and committed suicide. Subsequently, Gongsun Jie and Tian Kaijiang also committed suicide out of shame.

This event was recorded in the "Yanzi Chunqiu".

Cheng Jun raised an eyebrow and said, "Minister Changsun, this is a frame-up!"

"You still don't admit it?"

Cheng Jun retorted, "Why should I admit it? Two peaches killed three warriors; those were human beings. Did you die?"

Changsun Wuji was both shocked and furious. He said, "Because your intention is not to kill, but to sow discord!"

"Yan Ying killed three warriors with two peaches; you, Cheng Jun, are guilty of disloyalty to your sovereign!"

…………

Bonus chapter.