Xiaopang was dealing with the memorial. Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong, Jin Youzi and others were also there. When he saw Li Qing and Zhu Zhanji coming in, he stopped what he was doing and stood up to salute:
"Meet the Crown Prince... Your Highness the Crown Prince, I have met Li Shangshu."
"No courtesy." Zhu Zhanji walked to his father and sat down.
Li Qing nodded slightly to the others, and before he could salute the little fat man, he heard the little fat man's "forgiveness", so he also found a place to sit down, motionless as a mountain.
"Is something wrong?" Xiaopang asked.
Li Qing nodded: "Something's wrong."
Xiaopang waited for Li Qing to say something, but Li Qing didn't say anything.
Realizing that Li Qing found it inconvenient to speak, Xiaopang raised his eyes and looked at Yang Shiqi and the others.
They were all old men in the officialdom, and their ability to observe people's emotions was first-rate. Several people stood up quickly and each found an excuse to leave.
After a few people retreated, Xiaopang asked, "What's going on?"
"I heard from the prince, Your Majesty, do you want to improve your cabinet status?" Li Qing asked.
"Well, someone has to do something." Xiaopang spread his hands and said with a wry smile, "There are so many memorials every day. I can't handle it alone. Not all of the six ministers are with me. It's very difficult to implement a national policy.
There is no other way. I can't think of any other way except the cabinet."
"But have you ever thought about what if the cabinet no longer agrees with you?"
"If you say that, then no one will use it." Xiaopang sighed: "Emperors have always been lonely since ancient times. When things develop in the end, it is inevitable that the emperor and his ministers will not be of one mind.
But if we leave the cabinet unused, who knows if people from the Six Ministries won't win over it, so what will happen then?"
Li Qing was speechless.
Xiaopang made an analogy: "Just like when a person is born, he will die. If he knows that he will die, shouldn't he live?"
This logic is impeccable, but Li Qing doesn't know how to refute it.
So he compromised and said: "You can increase it appropriately, but you can't mention it too much. If the pie is too big, they won't be hungry, and their enthusiasm and loyalty will be greatly reduced;
In short, the cake needs to be painted little by little!”
"Li Qing is right." Zhu Zhanji supported.
Xiaopang was a little worried, "It's too small, I'm afraid they won't be able to compete with Liubu!"
"It's not as troublesome as you think." Li Qing analyzed, "You and I are of the same mind, Jian Yi. Although Xia Yuanji is united with the civil service group, the former is in harmony, while the latter is very clear about the big issues of right and wrong.
, it’s not as bad as you think.”
After a pause, "You must keep three points in mind,
First, the cabinet must not interfere with the military. This is the bottom line!
Second, the appointment, dismissal, and promotion of officials must be in their hands. At the same time, the officials in the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Heaven only have the right to make suggestions, not decision-making. The cabinet cannot even have the right to make suggestions;
Third, it’s financial power, let alone the cabinet’s interference!”
After pondering for a while, he added: "The Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Household Affairs are the two most important departments. If you can, try to win them over to your side."
Xiaopang nodded: "I know this. I moved them to tears yesterday."
Li Qing gave a thumbs up, "Nothing else."
Considering that Li Qing's reputation was already bad, Xiaopang, who didn't want his reputation to get worse, said: "Try the water first tomorrow, and don't go to court in the morning."
When Zhu Zhanji heard this, he couldn't help but be disappointed. He wanted to show off in front of Li Qing tomorrow, but now it seems he has no chance.
…
As soon as he left the palace, Li Qing met Yang Shiqi and others.
Several people came forward and saluted, "I have met Li Shangshu."
"Haha...you are so polite." Li Qing said perfunctorily and wanted to leave.
Yang Shiqi hurriedly said: "Li Shangshu was a person that the late emperor relied on, and he was also the minister who was left to the emperor by the late emperor. Now that the emperor has just ascended the throne and wants to start a career, we and others are talking lightly and have to rely more on Li Shangshu."
"Yes," Jin Youzi continued, "Among the six departments, only Li Shangshu can relieve the emperor's worries. I hope Li Shangshu will work tirelessly for the sake of the country and the emperor..."
Li Qing was quite annoyed and said calmly: "I will eat the king's salary and share the king's worries. You don't need to remind me of this."
"Li Shangshu misunderstood." Yang Rong saw the impatience on his face and smoothed things over, "The emperor is determined to let the people live a good life. However, there are always people who say high-sounding words and hinder the emperor's ideas. We see it in our eyes.
, pain in my heart,
However, ability is limited after all;
Li Shangshu has outstanding ability, profound understanding of righteousness, and outstanding character..."
Yang Rong is ignorant of his conscience...
Those who spoke were shocked, and those who listened were also shocked. Li Qing even had goosebumps.
I was about to send a few people away, but then I thought about it, these people really have the same goal as him at the moment, and they can be regarded as allies. How they will do in the future is unknown, but at least they can be used now.
Thinking of this, Li Qing smiled and said: "You are all talented people, why should you belittle yourself so much?"
"No, Li Shangshu deserves the award." Yang Rong said modestly: "We are far from Li Shangshu."
"Oh? Haha..." Li Qing laughed.
Seeing him like this, several people suddenly had a clue in their hearts and were waiting for Li Qing's next words.
Li Qing stopped laughing and said, "If you have time, you might as well come to my official residence and have a chat."
"It's my wish, but I don't dare to ask my ears." Yang Rong said with a smile.
Yang Shiqi and Jin Youzi also quickly handed over their hands, "That's too much trouble."
~
Yongqinghou Mansion.
Good wine and delicious food were served, and several people drank and chatted happily. It was still in the exploratory stage, so no one mentioned government affairs, but only talked about business.
In fact, Yang Shiqi and others were quite anxious. They wanted to be honest with each other, but due to Li Qing's character, they had to act cautiously.
Come up and open your heart. It would be tragic if Li Qing sold them later.
In their minds, Li Qing could do this.
Without him, he is not short-handed when it comes to taking people, and he is not soft-mouthed when he eats people. Everyone in the civil and military circles of the dynasty knows that this minister can do anything no matter how bad it is. They must leave a way out.
If given a choice, they would fight to death rather than cooperate with Li Qing. However, the other five ministers looked down on them and would not let them play with them. They hugged them tightly, but Li Qing was the only one who was not gregarious.
However, after drinking together and observing carefully, they felt that cooperation was very feasible.
The cabinet members were quite satisfied with the first trial.
After the banquet ended, the two parties chatted for a while, and they reluctantly parted after having finished talking about the situation.
…
The next day.
Li Qing woke up naturally after sleeping, got up, washed up, took his fishing rod and went fishing in the pond.
On a hot summer day, it's so comfortable to lean back on a lounge chair under the shade of a tree, with an ice bucket next to you, with seasonal fruits and fruit wine within reach.
Wan Ling was playing chess as a nv Hongxiu, while Lianxiang was older and could no longer be a nv hong, so they were playing chess on the sidelines.
When the wind blows, the willow branches dance and sway, peaceful and peaceful.
The fish bobber moved twice and submerged into the water quickly. Li Qing flicked his wrist, and a plump fish struggled for a moment and flew out of the water.
Li Qing picked up the bamboo basket and caught it firmly, smiling and saying: "We have the fish soup for lunch. Let the servants make it in advance. If it is too hot, you will lose your appetite."
Wanling put down the female red in her hand and stepped forward with a smile: "I know."
"Also, after you finish this, don't do female celebrities anymore." Li Qing hummed without any doubt.
"Oh~ OK." Wan Ling nodded sadly, turned around, saw Zhu Zhanji approaching, and quickly saluted, "Ms. Li has met His Highness the Crown Prince."
"No courtesy." Zhu Zhanji caught a glimpse of the fish in the bamboo basket and said with a smile, "I'll take it orally today."
Hongxiu, Lianxiang put down the mess, stood up and saluted: "Mr. Li has met His Royal Highness."
"No need to be formal." Zhu Zhanji was in a good mood, with a smile on his face.
The three girls knew that the prince had official business with their husband, so they left together.
Li Qing didn't like this guy who was causing trouble, so he simply pretended not to hear and continued to lean on his chair to fish.
Zhu Zhanji stepped forward and patted his shoulder, "Li Qing."
Li Qing turned around and said, "Hey, have you changed your clothes?"
"Ang," Zhu Zhanji said with a smile, "you also know that I have been appointed as the crown prince!?"
"..." Li Qing turned his head silently and continued fishing, just to answer the question.
Zhu Zhanji touched his nose, walked up to Li Qing and looked around. He was wearing a bright prince uniform, so Li Qing couldn't even see him.
"you……"
"Does this dress still fit you?" Zhu Zhanji asked.
"...It fits." Li Qing was also convinced: Look how proud you are!
He raised his hand and pulled him aside, "What do you want to say to me this morning?"
"It's starting to make a fuss." Zhu Zhanji said enthusiastically, "The six ministries and the cabinet are in the court, and they are quarreling like crazy. You don't know how exciting it is."
When Li Qing heard this, he regretted not going today.
"Who won in the end?"
"Does this need to be said?" Zhu Zhanji said, "Of course the cabinet is completely defeated!"