Originally, Wei Jiansu's retirement was a foregone conclusion, and many parties concerned were anxiously considering their career. It was more low-level officials who were paying close attention to high-level developments. Any change of a high-level official would involve their background and interests.
After the news came out that Wei Jiansu would continue to stay in office, some people were happy, some were worried, some were excited, and some were disappointed.
Li Mi walked into the imperial study, bowed and said, "I am here to see you, Your Majesty!"
Li Ye looked at this veteran who had been following him for more than ten years. He was still so calm. Li Ye had never seen Li Bi angry or ecstatic. He was always as calm as smoke and without leaking water.
In history, Li Mi was a famous commoner prime minister, but now he is known as the Taoist Prime Minister. He cultivated his mind and Taoism in the officialdom, and governed the world while practicing Taoism.
"Li Shangshu, I have decided to let Wei Xiangguo serve as prime minister for another term!"
Li Bi smiled lightly: "Your Majesty's wise decision!"
Li Ye shook his head, "I don't need your praise, I just want to hear your opinion!"
Li Mi smiled slightly, "I'm afraid that Wei Chen's opinion will be different from His Majesty's!"
"Say it and let me hear it."
"Wei Chen believes that Wei Xiangguo's greatest advantage is his qualifications. His Majesty needs his qualifications to support the throne. It will take another four or five years before His Majesty can truly secure the throne. That will be the time when Wei Xiangguo retires after his achievements."
Li Ye nodded and said: "But Pei Zunqing also has very deep qualifications!"
Li Mi still said calmly: "Pei Zunqing is indeed qualified, but he is too selfish. If there is a conflict between the interests of the court and the interests of his family, he will definitely choose the interests of the family."
Li Ye laughed, "I think these aristocratic families are all the same! Wei Jiansu wouldn't choose family interests?"
Li Mi shook his head, "Your Majesty, it's not the same thing. Wei Jiansu will choose the interests of the family, but he has a sense of discretion and will not harm the interests of the court, while Pei Zunqing will choose to maximize the interests of the family, even if he hurts the interests of the court.
In fact, when he betrayed Li Xian, Your Majesty no longer considered him, Wei Chen was right!"
As expected of his confidant, Li Ye praised in his heart. He did decide not to use Pei Zunqing as his right minister because he betrayed Li Xian. In fact, he would rather use Zhang Hao, who had just been promoted, as his right minister. Zhang Hao's integrity
Li Ye was very satisfied with his decisiveness.
However, he values Wei Jiansu's stability and conservatism more. He needs a conservative prime minister to remind him at all times not to go too fast or make major decisions easily. After all, he is the emperor, and every major decision he makes is
It affects the livelihood of millions of people.
Li Ye pondered for a moment and said: "I want Li Shangshu to go to a place to experience for five years!"
Li Mi was still so calm, but his heart was as bright as a mirror. He would come back five years later and officially take over the prime minister's seal handed over by Wei Jiansu. He is forty-seven this year and will be fifty-two in five years.
This is the time when experience and energy are most appropriate.
"We are willing to share your worries with Your Majesty!"
Li Ye nodded happily and said: "Now there are two places, one is the Observer of East Zhejiang Road and Fujian Road, and the other is the Observer of Jiannan Road and Shannan West Road. Li Shangshu can choose one."
Li Mi pondered for a while and said: "Wei Chen would rather go to eastern Zhejiang and Fujian Province, but can your Majesty put the two administrative offices in Fuzhou?"
Li Ye nodded, "This is a small problem. You decide for yourself and I will approve it."
Li Ye pondered for a while and said: "According to the usual practice, I am going to let Liu Yan be the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, but who should take over as the Minister of the Ministry of Hubu? Can Li Shangshu recommend him?"
Li Mi bowed and said: "Wei Chen recommends Xiao Hua, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, to be the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs!"
"Why not Zhang Hao?" Li Ye asked with a smile.
"Your Majesty, wealth is like water, and requires tact and innovation. Xiao Hua is very suitable. Zhang Hao is upright and selfless. He can be the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, but the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue is not suitable for him."
"That's right, but I have decided to let Yan Zhenqing become the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Ministry of Justice. This is what I have promised a long time ago. I have always wronged him. Zhang Hao will be appointed as the Huangmen Minister and be in charge of the White Tiger Hall."
Li Bi knew in his heart that Zhang Hao was asked to restrain Zhang Li. Zhang Li appointed Zuotang and was also in charge of the White Tiger Hall. He had too much power and had to be diverted. Zhang Hao was very principled and was most suitable to be in charge of the White Tiger Hall.
Li Ye smiled slightly and said: "Zhang Hao is already a big King Kong. Your Majesty invites another King Kong. There will be a lot of noise in the future!"
Li Ye smiled and said: "As long as you are a loyal and upright minister, I can accept it!"
"Nothing else, Wei Chen takes his leave!"
Li Ye nodded, Li Mi retreated, and Li Ye came to the window with his hands behind his hands. He was thinking about Pei Zunqing. Pei Zunqing was the princess's grandfather, which Li Ye knew very well, but Pei Zunqing's scheming made Li Ye very unhappy.
, especially his betrayal of Li Xian, which made Li Ye look down upon him.
Although Li Xian was his enemy, he had no problem with his character. He stubbornly adhered to his principles and was worthy of respect despite his defeat. Even if Li Xian was willing to lower his head, Li Ye would not punish him that severely, but Li Xian would rather go to Lingnan to take up the post.
Sima Duanzhou will never bow his head.
In comparison, Pei Zunqing is far behind.
Li Ye originally planned to use this adjustment opportunity to transfer Pei Zunqing out of the political hall, but considering that he had just ascended the throne, he still needed to be stable, so let him go for the time being!
When the news of Wei Jiansu's retention came out, the person who was really hit was Pei Zunqing. He thought that he was almost certain to become the Right Prime Minister and no one could compare with him. Zhang Li was from a weak background, Li Mi and Liu Yan were both slightly underqualified, and Dugu
Lie and Duan Xiushi have reached the top. Xiao Hua and Zhang Hao are both their juniors. The only person who can compare with them is Wei Jiansu. If Wei Jiansu retires, he must be the one who takes the top position.
Unexpectedly, the final result was completely beyond Pei Zunqing's expectation. Wei Jiansu stayed in office for one term. This not only meant that his hope of becoming right minister was completely frustrated, but also meant that the emperor did not believe in him.
Pei Zunqing knew very well that he was no worse than Wei Jiansu in any aspect and could completely replace Wei Jiansu. However, the emperor still decided to let Wei Jiansu stay in his post. This clearly showed that he did not trust himself!
It can also be said that Pei Zunqing is more narcissistic and overestimates his capabilities. In fact, Wei Jiansu's prestige and qualifications are much higher than him. Of course, Li Ye knows very well that Wei Jiansu can calm the situation for him. If it were Pei Zunqing,
, that’s not necessarily the case. People who are selfish will never get the respect of others.
Will the emperor take this opportunity to get rid of himself? It is very likely that when a new official takes office, he will burn three things, and the emperor is no exception! The first fire will be directed at Nanzhao externally, but will the second fire be directed internally?
What about burning yourself?
The whole night, Pei Zunqing was restless and paced back and forth, fearing that he would hear an official coming to inform him of the order.
It was late at night, and it was still quiet outside the gate. Pei Zunqing finally let go of his heart, and the emperor would not touch him for the time being.
Pei Zunqing knew very well that the emperor rejected Wei Jiansu's resignation. If he wanted to remove himself, then the two things must have been done together. Since there was no order to remove him today, it meant that the emperor had not decided to remove him.
Early the next morning, Pei Zunqing arrived at the court room. Before he entered the court room, he heard several officials discussing.
"Have you heard? The emperor issued an edict last night and Li Shangshu, the official minister, was dismissed!"
"No way! Isn't that a confidant who has been following the emperor for a while? How can he be removed? What does the specific imperial edict say? You should know, Lao Zhang!"
The official named Lao Zhang nodded, "I have seen the imperial edict. Li Bi was removed from the post of Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. At the same time, his qualifications as a subordinate of Zhongshu were revoked. He was appointed as the observer of Zhejiang Province and Fujian Province. At the same time, he was inspected.
Doctor Yushu, this should be the case!"
"Oh! It turns out that he was transferred to the local area as an observer. He must have been demoted. He is a dignified official minister!"
"Cough! Cough!"
Pei Zunqing deliberately coughed twice. When everyone saw that Pei Shangshu was coming, they were so frightened that they dispersed.
Pei Zunqing really didn't want to hear any more, because this was news that made him completely desperate.
Pei Zunqing knew very well what this imperial edict meant, and what these low-level officials said about winning and losing favor. This was experience! He went to a place to practice for five years, and when he came back, he happened to receive Wei Jiansu's seal.
Pei Zunqing let out a long sigh, he had no hope at all.
At this time, someone ran up and said: "Pei Shangshu, the imperial edict has arrived!"
"ah!"
Pei Zunqing was like a bolt from the blue. He almost lost his balance. He was so frightened that two aides helped him, "Prime Minister, what's wrong with you?"
Pei Zunqing waved his hand, "I'm fine, hurry up and place the incense case to receive the order!"
The incense table was placed, and Pei Zunqing knelt down to listen to the edict. The edict unfolded the imperial edict and read aloud: "By God's blessing, the emperor decreed that Pei Zunqing, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, worked hard without complaint, worked tirelessly, and made contributions to the country. He was specially transferred to the Minister of Rites and remained the Assistant Minister of the Cabinet.
, responsible for this imperial examination!"
"I obey the decree! Long live your Majesty! Long live your Majesty!"
A gust of wind blew by, and Pei Zunqing felt a slight cold sweat on his head. He finally let go. The emperor still wanted to use him for another term. Although he was transferred to the Minister of Rites, it was still considered a promotion. The Ministry of Rites was ranked in front of the Ministry of Punishments.