Originally, Du Ruhui was on sick leave and the post of Shangshu Ling was vacant. Li Shimin announced that he would be temporarily replaced. But after he said his words, there were dozens of civil and military personnel in the court. No one dared to stand up and recommend himself. It's not that he didn't know the hearts of these people. The idea was to wait for others to recommend him. But the king also had his own helplessness. Li Shimin could only sit on top and watch the ministers below without saying a word.
They are all veteran ministers who have been in the court for decades. They naturally know when to break the deadlock. They have already calculated the time. Prince Li Chengqian, who is standing in the front left position of Taiji Hall, may be trying to please Li Shimin. He is the first to stand up and say: "Father, I think that now is the time when all the nations come to the Tang Dynasty. Many adults in the three provinces and six ministries have their own important matters to deal with. But this year, the Minister of Rites did not serve as the reception envoy. And he is also familiar with the affairs of the Shangshu Province. According to what I Erchen said See, Mr. Hou will temporarily take over the post of Shangshu Ling. Once Mr. Du recovers, everything will continue as before."
"Yes." Li Shimin nodded. "You adults have no objections."
"I have no objection." Most of the ministers immediately complied with the prince's wishes and supported Hou Wenhai, the Minister of Rites, to temporarily act as the Minister.
He had known for a long time that there would be a one-sided situation. Li Shimin saw it, but felt uncomfortable in his heart. They were all once emperors and ministers. He, Li Shimin, was still sitting on the throne. Some old ministers began to favor the prince. This was very difficult for Li Shimin. Say, that is a huge taboo.
"Do the ministers of the six departments have any opinions?" Li Shimin asked again. The minister was left in charge of the six departments. When he asked, people who are good at perceiving will know that the emperor's intention is not to let Hou Wenhai become the minister. They don't dare to do so. Tiao Ming and Hou Wenhai made enemies. They were both mute and silent.
Just when everyone was cautious due to a certain chilling atmosphere, the veteran minister Zhang Sun Wuji, who was standing behind Fang Xuanling on the right, stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I feel that it is inappropriate for Mr. Hou to be the minister."
Changsun Wuji killed Hou Wenhai's official career with one sentence. Unlike other ministers who were afraid of the prince and Hou Wenhai, he didn't care about anyone's face when he stood up to refute.
Li Shimin was happy in his heart, but puzzled on his face: "Brother-in-law Wuji, why did you say this? I'm afraid there are not many people here who are more familiar with the post of Minister than Hou Qing's family. He is not qualified. Then who else can?" It’s my responsibility.”
Yi Changyi and Li Shimin are very familiar with each other. He keeps a low profile on the top and controls the overall situation. A group of errand runners below follow him and get involved. In the end, it is not Li Shimin who makes the final decision.
"Yes." Changsun Wuji said seriously and righteously to the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty. Then he looked at the relatively hidden position at the end of the Taiji Hall and said: "Master Hou has to take care of the affairs of the Ministry of Etiquette. Take time out to go to Shangshu Province to handle other official duties. I'm worried that you are already old now. If you are overworked and overworked, you may end up in the same way as Du. Have you ever thought that by then, you will become sick from overwork? Who among the six films will find time to take care of the things he put aside?"
Li Shimin lowered his head and thought deeply. Changsun Wuji was indeed an old fox. He hit the point with just one sentence. He immediately acted like he cared about the minister and said sympathetically: "What brother-in-law Wuji said is very true. If Hou Aiqing is tired, then who can replace him?" I am in charge of the Ministry of Rites. But I don’t know who else among the six departments can hold the post of Minister."
Changsun Wuji reminded: "Did Your Majesty forget that there is also the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs?"
It turned out to be Meng Xinghe. No way. What kind of good luck did this kid have? He just jumped from the top scholar in Jinke to a historian and then to a doctor. Now he is not only the minister of household affairs, but also under the guidance of Changsun Wuji. He is very likely to become the youngest prime minister.
"Shang Shu of the Ministry of Finance." Li Shimin immediately looked at the last position of the Taiji Hall and said, "Is there anything wrong with this? Twenty ministers. There has never been such an exception throughout the ages." He was not afraid of something unique. He felt that Meng Xinghe had given power to him at such a young age. Although Li Shimin had the intention of cultivating new ministers for his successor, and the purpose of re-employing Meng Xinghe was for the benefit of the Tang Dynasty, he was still afraid that something would happen to him one day. After abdicating the throne, Meng Xinghe has become a very popular minister. By then, he will have great achievements and become the master. That is the last thing he wants to see.
Changsun Wuji might be speaking favorably for Meng Xinghe. He said: "There is currently no minister in the Ministry of Revenue, and many of the decrees promulgated by the court cannot be implemented immediately. Now Du Shangshu is recovering at home due to illness. Your Majesty, why don't you let Mr. Meng, the minister of the Ministry of Revenue, go there?" He is familiar with the affairs of the Shangshu Province. When Master Du recovers, he will definitely be qualified to take up the post of Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue. Then the officials of the six ministries will return to their original positions. Wouldn't it be a good thing?"
Li Shimin understood everything Changsun Wuji said. He suggested that Meng Xinghe go to Shangshu Province. He just wanted to train a successor who could shoulder the heavy burden for the Tang Dynasty in the future. After all the old men like them faded out of the court, this Someone has to help the emperor manage the country. Although Meng Xinghe's character is not very glorious, he is definitely a talent that can be developed. Although Li Shimin had many scruples, in the long run, he still agreed with Changsun Wuji's words and said: "Meng Xinghe .Come to the front of the temple."
Meng Xinghe did not sleep during the court session today. He could hear clearly below. He even listened to the fact that Changsun Wuji strongly recommended him to serve as the temporary minister. He secretly thought that the old man did not have any friendship with him. Deep. The purpose of treating him like this now is really puzzling.
Regardless of all that, Li Shimin had already called him out. Meng Xinghe wisely came to the middle of the court.
Li Shimin sighed. Instead of kneeling down to thank you, this kid acted like he didn't know what was going on. You can really pretend.
Without saying much, Li Shimin said directly and sadly: "Meng Xinghe, from now on, I will let you temporarily take over the post of Shangshu Ling. After Du Aiqing recovers, you will immediately take over the post of Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue. You must also provide good hospitality to all nations on my behalf. Come, do you know."
As soon as Chrysostom opened his mouth, Jun Wu said nothing. Meng Xinghe's appointment as prime minister at the age of twenty was decisively given by Li Shimin.
Meng Xinghe was not satisfied. This was just a nominal prime minister. It was not a happy thing. On the contrary, he was more interested in being the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. This was another lucrative job. The national fiscal revenue and expenditure had to come from his own hands. Walking through it is not equivalent to taking charge of the lifeblood of the Tang Dynasty.
"Long live thanks." Meng Xinghe received the order and thanked him. He was ready to retreat. However, the ministers on his left who were standing on the same front as Li Chengqian did not feel comfortable with this man who was granted the title of prime minister at such a young age. . It can also be said that it is the kind of old-fashioned hatred. It is against the Hou family and his son. Meng Xinghe stepped on their heads again and again. This tone has reached the point where he could not bear it anymore and decided to take revenge.
I have just been appointed prime minister and you want to run away. You think this minister is just an idle official. Li Shimin immediately stopped Meng Xinghe and said: "Stay here first. I have something else to ask you."
Meng Xinghe stopped. He was waiting for Li Shimin to ask questions.
At this moment, Li Shimin also treated what he said as a court matter and said: "Are the countries in the Siyi Pavilion settled well?"
"Everything is fine. We are all waiting to meet the Holy Emperor in the museum." Meng Xinghe's answer was more pertinent. The group of people were eager to see Li Shimin as soon as possible so that they could complete their purpose of coming to Datang this time.
Li Shimin was obviously taken aback: "Then why did I hear that someone refused entry to the Turkic envoys in the Seyi Pavilion?"
Meng Xinghe didn't find it strange at all when Li Shimin said this. Meng Xinghe didn't mean to explain anything deliberately. He just said lightly: "If you offend the Tang Dynasty, even if it is a brick, a tile, a plant or a tree, you will never do it. Will tolerate and support adultery."
"Hahaha." Li Shimin laughed happily. Meng Xinghe's answer was in line with his wishes. In front of the civil and military officials of the court, he loudly said what Meng Xinghe said before: "If I were a tiger, why should I be afraid? .You just drive all the Turkic envoys out of Chang'an. No one dares to say that I am not at all wrong."
Li Shimin spoke plainly, not to mention thrilling, but full of energy. Today's Tang Dynasty has been without war for several years. Li Shimin, who has been a soldier all his life, would like to see with his own eyes whether the great army of the Tang Dynasty would be afraid of the Turks. Even speaking I didn’t show any courtesy, not to mention that I was afraid that the Turks would hear me.
Why not fight? If you invade the Tang Dynasty, you will be punished no matter how far away you are. This sentence is the best sentence he has ever heard from Meng Xinghe.
After discussing the affairs of the Siyi Pavilion, Li Shimin did not explain whether he would personally entertain the envoys that day. When he announced his resignation, he did not go back to the harem directly. Instead, he went to the Du Mansion in a pretentious manner.
Meng Xinghe originally didn't want to go with him. But when he saw that Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji and other officials were going with Li Shimin, he, who had just become the minister, had not had time to tell his family about the happy news, so he had to follow everyone. Go to Du Fu.
When we arrived at the Du Mansion, there were many carriages and horses parked in front of the Du Mansion. The usually deserted Du family gate was also lively at this moment. Knowing that the Du Ruhui family had no servants or maids, Li Shimin led hundreds of officials and walked into the Du Mansion with a luxurious lineup. Mansion.
In the Du Mansion, Du Ruhui was sitting in the courtyard, relaxing and relaxing. Li Jing and Qin Shubao, who were next to Du Ruhui in the mansion, also came to visit at this time. They sat next to Lao Du and chatted with him. The other three were the same age as Mrs. Du. The other women were sitting in the distance chattering, laughing and shouting. However, those four women were not ordinary. Among the many noble ladies in Chang'an, the four of them were probably more well-established. They were all given imperial titles of wives by Li Shimin.
When Li Shimin arrived with all the ministers, he did not ask his wife to inform him. Just as the four ladies were chatting happily, they happened to see that the emperor had moved to the Du Mansion. They were people who knew the etiquette of such a big event, so they all knelt down to welcome it. Holy driver.
"Madams, get up quickly. We don't talk about the etiquette of monarchs and ministers in private." Li Shimin quickly pressed his hand. Mrs. Du quickly ordered the two sisters of the Du family who were hiding in the house to carry Lao Du's most beloved sandalwood chair and come out to greet the Holy Master. .
Li Shimin sat down and looked at the two siblings of the Du family, especially Miss Du, a woman who was as good as any other woman in both civil and military skills. Suddenly an idea flashed in his mind, as if he was asking about ordinary household matters, and he said: "Du Aiqing, your daughter. I don’t know if I’m betrothed to someone else.”
Miss Du's face suddenly turned red with embarrassment. However, she did not dare to leave without authorization out of courtesy. She could only stay by Mrs. Du's side. Her face suddenly turned red. She obviously knew that the Holy Emperor asked about this matter. He was probably doing it for her. Be a matchmaker.
Du Ruhui was happy in his heart and said: "My daughter has not been betrothed to anyone yet. Your Majesty is worried."
"This is easy to handle." Li Shimin looked around. They were all princes and ministers in the court. There were not many unmarried men in the family. He would rather be the elder of the month. He said: "The Du Qing family has worked hard all their lives for my country, but they have delayed the children of the family. In this case, I will act as a matchmaker for the two children of Du Qing's family today."
Li Shimin had just finished speaking. Du Ruhui was filled with joy and said, "The humble minister has thanked His Majesty Du He and Xuan'er first. What are you doing in a daze? Why don't you thank me quickly?"