Li Chengqian had extremely complicated feelings about Li Ji, the number one person in the dynasty.
On the one hand, as the head of the prime minister, he resisted government affairs and stayed in his position. This was an extremely irresponsible performance, which caused complaints and dissatisfaction among the government and the public. On the other hand, such a super boss with unparalleled prestige on both sides of the military and government refused to accept the offer. Power and staying out of the matter is a great benefit for the emperor who has just ascended the throne and has a shallow foundation, and can consolidate the imperial power at will.
But now, Li Chengqian vaguely felt that Li Ji's mentality seemed to have undergone some subtle changes. Although he still did not hold power, he was somewhat more aggressive.
For example, recommend Cui Dunli.
Of course there was the idea of being lazy and letting Cui Dunli work more, but didn't he have other thoughts?
The word "Fang Jun" is clearly marked on Cui Dunli's forehead.
The Ministry of War has always been Fang Jun's territory. Even though he has long since resigned as Minister of War, the top and bottom are still obedient to his orders and follow his lead. This institution added to reform the military system falls under the Ministry of War, and Cui Dunli will be the actual leader in the future. In charge of affairs, Zheng Rentai and Pei Huaijie are afraid that they will be suppressed to death...
Perhaps, Li Ji and Fang Jun reached some kind of tacit understanding in private?
Li Chengqian was sitting on pins and needles.
The solid foundation of the imperial power came from the army. Liu Jie and others could not affect the ownership of the imperial power in any way. However, if the two giants of the military, Li Ji and Fang Jun, worked hand in hand and advanced and retreat together, they could not only instantly vacate the imperial power, but even dominate The ownership of imperial power.
"Deposing an emperor" is difficult to say, but it is not difficult to say that it is really not difficult...
Therefore, Li Chengqian believed that he had no qualifications to resist at all, and nodded with a smile: "I love you both in civil and military affairs, you are loyal to the country, and you have a good understanding of people. I have made recommendations and I will not give up on them."
Li Ji seemed to feel the fear and dissatisfaction in Li Chengqian's heart. He stood up and left the table, bowed his hands to the ground and said, "I thank your majesty for your kindness!"
He must express his loyalty to His Majesty and to the Empire, but if Li Chengqian is self-righteous and self-righteous, then there is nothing he can do...
…
Only later did many ministers understand that the so-called "imperial selection" was just a formality. The candidates for the additional organizations of the Ministry of War had already been decided, and they were divided among His Majesty, Liu Ji, and Fang Jun. It would be difficult for others to participate in it. .
And everyone knows that this additional institution will play a huge role in the future. Once the "Privy Council" is established, these people will now be filled in and take charge of power.
In short, the future military structure is laid...
Li Chengqian could naturally see the disappointment in many people's hearts, but he didn't take it seriously. At any time, everything was done in favor of one thing and in preference to the other. It is impossible for a bowl of water to be equal. Otherwise, how could he inspire people to strive for the top?
He looked at Fang Jun: "Although this additional organization is under the Ministry of War, it should also have a name. I wonder if Duke Yue has any suggestions?"
Fang Jun said with a smile: "How about calling it the 'Military Preparatory Committee'? Its functions are as the name suggests, and it is clear at a glance. The organization of this 'committee' will be very large. Headed by Duke Ying, the other ministers are the 'committees'. How many members of this organization are there?" In addition to the core figures, some people who are familiar with military affairs and have outstanding military strategies must be eliminated and filled in. From top to bottom, each performs his or her duties, so that we can pool our wisdom and leave out nothing."
Li Chengqian was not surprised. The reform of the military system is of great importance, and naturally the whole army must be involved. Otherwise, if only a few ministers sit in a room to discuss and make a final decision, that would be nonsense...
It’s just this name…
Although it is a bit plainer and not as elegant as "Privy Council", it is indeed "as the name implies, it is clear at a glance".
Li Xiaogong, the Prince of Hejian County and the Minister of Civil Affairs, looked at everyone's expressions and reported: "Your Majesty, now that Pei Huaijie has resigned and returned to the capital, I don't know how to arrange it and what official position he should be given? In addition, although His Highness the King of Wei is stationed in Luoyang to build the Eastern Capital,
However, the position of Governor of Henan cannot be vacant for a long time, and a suitable person should be selected to take up the post. On the one hand, the situation in Henan can be stabilized, and on the other hand, he can better cooperate with His Highness the King of Wei."
Although Pei Huaijie entered the "committee", his duties were not granted, which was inconsistent with the system.
Tang Jian, Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, stroked his beard and said slowly: "The Duke of Yue naturally wants to be in this 'committee'."
The reform of the military system was proposed by Fang Jun, and the establishment of this "committee" was also suggested by Fang Jun. However, now, either intentionally or unintentionally, everyone is recommending this and that, but no one has mentioned Fang Jun...
Fang Jun smiled and nodded to Tang Jian.
Tang Jian lowered his eyelids and drank tea without looking at anyone.
Li Chengqian said: "There is no doubt about this. Even if we don't say it, the Duke of Yue is still indispensable."
But if it was true that no one ever mentioned it, Fang Jun couldn't just recommend himself, right?
After the court meeting, will Fang Jun be excluded from the "committee" because "everything has been settled"?
What surprised Li Chengqian was that the person who mentioned Fang Jun was not Cui Dunli, not Ma Zhou, not even Li Xiaogong, not Li Ji, but Tang Jian...
Looking at Tang Jian, who was covered with age spots, his beard and hair were all white, and he was getting old, Li Chengqian sighed secretly.
Li Chengqian calmed down his emotions, thought for a while, and continued the previous topic: "Although Pei Huaijie was criticized a lot in Luoyang, after all, he worked hard and made great achievements. He was awarded the official position of 'Shang Shu You Pu She'. What does Uncle Wang think?"
Many official positions in the Tang Dynasty can be awarded separately, which is equivalent to a false title. For example, the current minister Youpuse is Fang Jun. If Pei Huaijie is given the position again, it is a false title. There is no authority of Shangshu Youpushe.
Enjoy the treatment of Minister Youpushe.
Of course, if Fang Jun resigns due to various reasons and the right servant of Shangshu becomes vacant, then Pei Huaijie will be the first successor. Although this is not a rule, it is equivalent to an unspoken rule in officialdom...
Li Xiaogong naturally had no objection: "Your Majesty is wise."
Liu Ji didn't say anything. This arrangement was determined after he communicated and discussed with Li Chengqian in advance. It was very appropriate for Pei Huaijie. In any case, Pei Huaijie returned to Chang'an from Luoyang in despair. He was regarded as "guilty" and would not be held accountable.
His fault does not mean that he has no fault. Such an arrangement with a high position and low power is an explanation to both the superiors and the subordinates.
Otherwise, if a person is given real power at the level of six ministries, the censorship officials at the Censorship Station will cause a huge stir...
Fang Jun suddenly said: "Your Majesty clearly knows that the 'committee' was founded, but you don't know who should be the leader and who should be the auxiliary among the committee members? If the top and bottom are uncertain and the superiority and inferiority are inconsistent, I'm afraid you won't know who will be involved in the dispute in the future.
Being reduced to a place for power and gain while neglecting important matters is contrary to the original intention."
Li Chengqian asked: "What do you all think?"
Li Xiaogong stroked his shiny black and neatly trimmed beard and said, "How about following the old example of the Military Aircraft Department?"
The other ministers looked sideways. Apart from this, no one could recall it for a moment. Fang Erlang seemed to be keen on establishing new institutions, such as reorganizing the Navy, establishing the Foundry Bureau, establishing the Military Aircraft Department, and now adding the Military Reform Commission.
', and the future "Privy Council"...
It's really tossing.
But every time he struggles, he can benefit a lot, improve his status, and gain power...
After struggling so hard, I had to be convinced.
Fang Jun retorted calmly: "The regulations of the 'Military Aircraft Department' are almost perfect, but they are not suitable to be copied to the 'Committee' mechanically. After all, even the British Duke cannot have the supreme authority and 'veto power' of His Majesty."
It means using power to suppress others, but it will arouse the resentment of others. How about setting up the seats in front of the emperor at this moment, Ying Gong, Cui Dunli, Liu Rengui, Zheng Rentai, Pei Huaijie, and Wei Chen, there are six people in total, one chief, one deputy, and four assistants, with clear distinction.
, the authority is in order, what do you think, Your Majesty?"
The so-called "Military Aircraft Department" proposed by Li Xiaogong was that whenever there was a disagreement, the five "Military Aircraft Ministers" would vote, and the minority would obey the majority. If the dispute was huge, the emperor would have "one-vote veto power"...
And Fang Jun's words are also reasonable. The monarch's power is supreme. "One-vote veto power" sounds like something that means supreme authority. As a minister, it is indeed inappropriate to have it. But if there is no one-vote veto power, several "members"
If power is equal, then just wait and see the fun. Who can convince whom?
The "minority obeys the majority" thing must be abandoned and return to the "official responsibility system".
But the so-called first leader, second deputy, and fourth assistant arrange seats...then do we still need to arrange seats?
The chief officer must be the British Duke Li Ji, and the deputy must be Fang Jun himself. The other four people, in no particular order, are all assistants...
Invisibly, Fang Jun elevated himself to a position below one person and above everyone else, but because of his qualifications, meritorious service, and the fact that the Ministry of War was his territory, others had nothing to say.
And Li Ji is famous for ignoring government affairs and "eating without food". There is no doubt that this "committee" will be firmly grasped by Fang Jun.
But even Liu Ji couldn't say anything that would put any of Liu Rengui, Pei Huaijie, Zheng Rentai, and Cui Dunli above Fang Jun... But if he goes hand in hand with Fang Jun, maybe he can.
Liu Ji said: "Tong'an County Duke is a famous official in Zhenguan. He has the merit of serving the dragon. At that time, he established the world under the command of Emperor Taizong and intimidated all parties. He has deep qualifications. If he is just an assistant, is he underestimating the meritorious officials? Maybe he can be promoted to one level.
The chief and the second deputy should be of the same rank as the Duke of Yue and under the Duke of Ying."
It may seem like a small improvement in status, but it has elevated Zheng Rentai from the status of a subordinate to one of the assistant officials, with a certain degree of power.
Moreover, Zheng Rentai is now known to both the government and the public as Fang Jun's man, and even sent his eldest son Zheng Xuanguo to follow Fang Jun's side. Fang Jun can't suppress his own people, right?
Fang Jun pondered for a moment.
Li Ji lowered his eyebrows and said nothing.
Li Chengqian was afraid of Fang Jun's refutation, so he couldn't wait to say: "The Duke of Tong'an has made outstanding achievements. He was a trusted minister of Emperor Taizong in the past. Since he is capable, he should be treated as such."
Liu Ji sighed slightly, why are you so anxious? Revealing his whereabouts like this, doesn't it clearly tell others that Zheng Rentai is on His Majesty's side?
Sure enough, as soon as Li Chengqian finished speaking, Fang Jun said, "I think it's inappropriate!"