Chapter 464: The Controversy between the Court (Part 2)

Because it takes several hours to discuss the court, in order not to delay normal court handling, ministers need to go out before dawn, rushing on the quiet streets with lanterns and stars, day after day, year after year, no weekends, ten days to rest. Not only that, the length and boredom also make ministers afraid. After several hours, their legs and feet are unconscious, especially those elderly officials who are old officials often faint on the spot, so they need a lasting perseverance for both emperors and court officials.

The ministers had the emperor as the boss, and had rules and punishments for deducting wages. They dared not be lazy. However, the emperor had no superiors and the rules were useless to him. Therefore, the requirements for the emperor's self-discipline were particularly strict. Li Longji was good for the first thirty years, but since he adopted Yang Yuhuan as the concubine, Li Longji's self-discipline was difficult to persist. Take a day off today and go to court early tomorrow; take another three days off, and the impact would be fine; in fact, it would be meaningless to have an early court or not, and the world would be peaceful! The red line of self-discipline moved backwards little by little, and the final result was that the emperor would not go to court early from now on.

So after Li Qing'an became the right prime minister, he discussed with Li Heng and members of the Political Affairs Hall to reform the morning court system and changed the morning court every day to the moon court. Some non-major events were held at the seminar, and the emperor did not need to participate. Although it was a bit of a weakening of the imperial power, it was also in line with the fact that the emperor was young and participating was meaningless, which instead increased the cumbersome etiquette.

It is precisely because the times of the great dynasty are fewer, so it is more important to pay attention to it. Many contradictions and differences are often highlighted in the great dynasty. At this time, the Hanyuan Hall is very quiet. Cui Xu, the young supervisor in the hall, is announcing the third issue to build the Tang straight road. Although the Zhengshi Hall has voted on this issue, in the great dynasty, if any minister raises objections and the resolution of the Zhengshi Hall is obviously biased, the members of the Zhengshi Hall will vote again, either in the current dynasty, or afterwards, this is also a kind of supervision of the power of the Zhengshi Hall.

"．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．

The plan to build Tang Zhidao was written by Li Qing'an's aide Wei Qingping, and was finalized after several discussions with Li Qing'an. Although many details were discussed in general and could not be accurate, the original intention of this report was not to calculate how much money and grain was needed, but to turn Tang Zhidao from Anxi's affairs into Tang Dynasty affairs. Therefore, the key is to do things, not how to do them. As for how to do them, we will discuss them slowly in the future.

Cui Xu thought for a quarter of an hour, and finally finished reading the resolution, he asked everyone loudly: "The resolution to build Tang Zhidao has been discussed and approved by the Political Affairs Hall. Can the ministers in the court have other objections?"

There is obviously no opinion. It is not that I don’t want to give it any opinion, but that I cannot give it any opinion. Whether to repair the Tang straight road is a matter decided by the high-level officials of the court. Building the Tang straight road is conducive to the Tang Dynasty’s control over Anxi. From a strategic perspective, it is completely necessary. All members of the Political Affairs Hall, including Li Heng, passed it unanimously. The objection that ordinary court officials can raise is only the feasibility of building the Tang straight road, such as whether the court’s finances can be afforded, whether the amount of money and grain consumed is reasonable, etc. However, these issues are difficult to raise. No one knows how much it will cost to build the Tang straight road. On this issue, the court has not yet had several experts.

Yan Qi, the doctor in charge of bridge construction in the Ministry of Works, knows a little bit. It is far from enough to build a straight road of 2,500 miles, and only allocate 1.2 million guan. At least it needs to be doubled. However, this plan was proposed by Li Qing'an. Once he raises this question, will the plan be invalid and thus offend Li Qing'an?

Besides, after the Tang straight road was built, the road to the west became smooth and quick. He hid a concubine in Fengxiang, which became more convenient to visit, so he would not make any comments regardless of public opinion.

There was silence in Hanyuan Palace. Cui Xu asked three times in a row, but no one raised any objections. The proposal was officially passed.

Cui Xu took out another letter of court and said loudly: "The following is the fourth issue, announcing several changes in official promotions."

As soon as this sentence came out, the hall suddenly became slightly turbulent. The changes in the personnel at the court meeting have been the focus of officials' attention since ancient times. This was the case before, and today it is the same. The officials standing stretched their necks and raised their ears, for fear of missing a word. The sitting officials twisted their bodies uneasy, with expectations in their eyes. There was only a simple sentence in the court meeting, "Some personnel are promoted and changed," without any details. Many people have more expectations in their hearts. Will the dream of promotion be their turn?

At this time, Li Heng and Wang Gong looked at each other. Li Heng winked at him. Wang Gong understood and nodded slightly. Among the four positions, they had only Jingzhao Yin and the Minister of Works, who had no real power. How could they be willing to release Wei Jiansu and give in to Li Qing'an? It is one thing to make concessions to Li Qing'an, but fighting for actual power is another thing. The concessions are only temporary, while power is permanent.

The eye exchange between Li Heng and Wang Gong was only a short moment, but it was still captured by Li Qing'an's sharp eyes. Of course, he knew Wang Gong's vague intentions in the court meeting. Although they failed in the voting of the Political Affairs Hall, they would definitely make a comeback in the court meeting. Personnel changes are inherently controversial. No one will be fully competent and have no handles or problems at all. Therefore, personnel appointments are generally the result of compromise and concessions. For example, among the four positions, the Ministry of War, the Right Chief of the Minister of the Ministry of War is a real power official, while the Jingzhao Yin and the Minister of Works have no substantive power. Therefore, according to the principle of compromise, the two parties should take one important position and one false position, so that the power balances.

But Miao Jinqing was recommended by Pei Min, and was considered the Zhao Wang Party. Wang Wei was recommended by Lu Huan, and had a good relationship with Pei Zunqing, so he was also considered the Zhao Wang Party. These two people occupied important positions.

Yuan Zai is a relative of Li Heng's confidant eunuch Li Fuguo, and Wang Yan is Wang Gong's younger brother. Both of them are the governors of the State Party, but they have received the secondary positions of Jingzhao Yin and the Minister of Works. This is obviously unfair. Since yesterday's Political Affairs Hall meeting did not compromise, there will definitely be disputes in the court meeting today.

Li Qing'an couldn't help but sneer in his heart, and what he was waiting for was also this moment.

"Appoint the young minister of Taichang, Wang Wei, as the imperial court of Jingzhao; Appoint the prefect of Shaanxi Province, Miao Jinqing, as the Minister of War; Appoint the Guanzhong Grain Transportation Envoy Yuan Zai as the Minister of Works; Appoint the chief of the minister Wang Wei as the right prime minister of the secretary......"

As Cui Xu read out, the officials below were talking louder and louder, forcing the inspector and censor in the hall to shout loudly: "Please be quiet! Quiet!"

But the quiet was only for a moment, and the sound became noisy again. This appointment really surprised many people. Of course, there were no controversy.

Among all the appointments, Jingzhao Yin was the most controversial. Taichang Shaoqing had a good official position, and Wang Yu was Wang Gong's younger brother. He was promoted to Jingzhao Yin. Although he had a high official position, he had fewer real power. It was considered a mistake and gain, and no one was jealous of him.

Secondly, the appointment of the Minister of War was not very controversial. Miao Jinqing was old, capable and pragmatic, and had a good reputation. At the beginning of the year when Li Yu was in power, he had been transferred to the Minister of Revenue by the Ministry of Personnel. However, due to the accident in the imperial village, the transfer order was not approved, and eventually became abolished case. Now he was re-appointed as the Minister of War, which actually reduced his appointment, and everyone was convinced. The key was that the appointment of the Minister of Works and the Right Prime Minister of the Minister of the Shangshu, especially the appointment of the Minister of the Shangshu, which really caused a sensation among the ministers of the court.

Although Yuan Zai was a Jinshi in the early years of Tianbao, he was promoted to Guanzhong's grain transport envoy at the end of last year. He had not transported a stone of grain, and now he was promoted to the Minister of Works. The promotion was no less than that of Yang Guozhong back then. Many people know his background. Isn't it a relative of Li Heng's confidant eunuch Li Fuguo? It makes people feel dissatisfied.

It is even more difficult to accept that Wang Wei was promoted to the right prime minister of the Shangshu. Although Wang Wei had a great reputation, he was an unqualified official. He occupied the position of the minister and took the salary of the court. He never cared about government affairs and went to seclusion. He rarely saw his shadow in the disciples. Such a person should be removed from the list, but he was promoted all of a sudden, which made countless people stunned.

With countless pairs of eyes blinking to the door, Wang Wei also went to court today. Perhaps he didn't expect that he would become the focus. He seemed a little absent-minded and pondered a few odd sentences, but he didn't hear Cui Xu's reading.

Wang Wei suddenly saw countless people looking at him, and he couldn't help but feel a little surprised. Dou Hua, a servant from the Secretariat, whispered: "Brother Mojie, congratulations."

Wang Wei was stunned, and someone next to him said, "You have been appointed as the Right Chief of the Shangshu."

Wang Wei's heart was pounding. How could he become the Right Chief of the Shangshu? After a second thought, he realized that this must be Lu Huan's recommendation. He once wrote a letter asking Lu Huan for help and transferred himself out of the province. He thought he would be transferred to the education department such as the History Museum and the Imperial College. He never thought that he would be promoted, nor did he expect that he could hold an important position like the Right Chief of the Shangshu. He was secretly grateful.

At this moment, a man angrily questioned came from the hall: "I would like to ask the Political Affairs Hall, what kind of virtue can Wang Wei be able to take up the important position of the Right Chief of the Shangshu?"

Everyone turned back together and looked back, and saw a person walking out of the Censorate's team. He was short and dark in size. It was Cui Qi, the chief censor. Cui Qi was Cui Huan's nephew. Cui Huan was not easy to come forward, so he instructed his nephew to come out and attack.

Cui Qi's attack caused an uproar in the hall, and Wang Wei's face turned red. Cui Qi's questioning was too mean, but many people understood that Cui Qi's nephew, Cui Huan's minister of the Ministry of Works, was also a backbone of the National Party. His questioning came forward to question meant that the confrontation between the two major factions of the court had begun.

Li Qing'an gave Pei Min a wink, and Pei Min walked out of the hall to respond and said, "What Cui Zhongcheng said was surprising. Wang Wei was the top scholar in the ninth year of Kaiyuan. His poetry was well-known in the Tang Dynasty. He believed that you and I were not as good as him. In terms of qualifications, few people under the fourth rank could compete with him. When Zhang Jiuling was the prime minister, he had already served as the right clerk and the supervisor censor. Cui Zhongcheng might still study in the family school at that time! In the 25th year of Kaiyuan, Wang Wei was implicated by Zhang Jiuling and was demoted to the judge of the Hexi Jiedushi, and then served as the attendant censor in the palace. He gradually became a minister. He had been in the court and local government for more than 30 years. Could it be that he was not qualified to serve as the fourth-rank Shangshu Right Chief?"

Pei Min made a reasonable and well-founded refutation, Cui Qi's face turned red and white, and he still said unconvinced: "Although that is the case, he has neglected government affairs since the eleventh year of Tianbao. He was not seen in the court, and his refutation was not seen in the memorial. As an official in the court, he ran to the scenic spot to live in seclusion, consuming the king's salary, but not doing his job properly. May I ask the prime minister, why is this attitude of being an official? His political achievements have not been seen, but he has been promoted. How can he convince the public?"

"Cui Zhongcheng's words are biased!"

This time, Li Qing'an stood up in person. He nodded and smiled at everyone, "There is a result. Wang Wei lived in seclusion in Lantian, but why did he live in seclusion in Lantian? As a minister, why did he leave without resigning? He worked diligently for more than 30 years, why did he be so lazy in these three years? Have you ever thought about these reasons? In fact, the reason is very simple. Because of his integrity in his work, he rejected the three decrees drafted by Yang Guozhong in a row and offended Yang Guozhong, but he refused to bow to Yang Guozhong. He was forced to hide in the mountains. Until Yang Guozhong is gone, he dared to come out again, not bow to the powerful and insist on the principle of not changing. I think this is Wang Wei's character. Like our governor, hasn't he also lived in Chang'an for half-hidden and half-living for many years? Why didn't Cui Zhongcheng impeach?"

After saying that, Li Qingan glanced at Li Heng with a slight smile. At the end of Li Qingan, the hall was silent. No one expected that Li Qingan would even wrap around Li Heng in.

Li Heng's face was gloomy and he said with great displeasure: "In the serious place of the court, impeachment is the duty and responsibility of Cui Zhongcheng. Why should the general mock him?"

Li Qingan also sneered and said, "I am not mocking Cui Zhongcheng, but questioning Cui Zhongcheng why some high-ranking people are overpowering and inadvertent, and he does not impeach, but is staring at a fifth-ranking official? Is there a choice in his duties and responsibilities?"

The air in the court almost solidified at this time. Li Qing'an's murderous questioning made many people so nervous that they dared to look up. Everyone understood that Li Qing'an's counterattack had finally come. The high-ranking person he mentioned was not Li Heng, but Wang Gong and others.

Wang Gong's face suddenly changed drastically. He had already guessed what Li Qing'an was going to attack. He stepped forward and implicitly advised: "General, please don't change the topic. Now he is talking about the appointment of the Right Chief of the Shangshu. Although the Political Affairs Hall has voted to pass the appointment, as the Chief of the Censor, Cui Zhongcheng has the right to question the doubts. I think as long as it is explained clearly, Cui Zhongcheng has no other intentions."

Wang Gong is making concessions, that is, he agrees to the appointment of Wang Wei and no longer gets entangled. I hope Li Qingan can give in and don’t tear him apart.

But Li Qingan had been enduring for half a month. How could he make concessions at a critical moment? He ignored Wang Gong and asked Cui Qi again: "Cui Zhongcheng, Wei Jiansu had an affair with Chengdu and betrayed the secrets of Guanzhong military. Can his charge be established?"

Wang Gong secretly called out terrible. Li Heng secretly released Wei Jiansu in the early morning and did not tell Cui Huan about Cui Qi. Cui Qi must not know that Li Qing'an must have used this matter to attack. He was determined to rescue the situation, but he didn't know how to speak. Wang Gong looked at Li Heng anxiously, but saw that Li Heng's face was gloomy and there was no expression on his face. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It was certainly worthy of praise, but the key was to have a way to resist Li Qing'an's aggressive offensive.

The sweat on Cui Qi's forehead had already come down, and he also understood that he had become Li Qing'an's tool to fight back against Li Heng. They had not communicated in advance, but he didn't know how to answer. When Li Heng arrested Wei Jiansu, he took it for granted: "Wei Jiansu's crime is of course valid, and the crime is not to be forgiven!"

"Very good, very well said, but why did Wei Jiansu be released again this morning? Who put this?"

There was an uproar in the hall. Wei Jiansu was actually released. Things became more and more strange. As the young master of the prince, Wei Tao was also in the hall. He couldn't help but feel a little dissatisfied with Li Qing'an. Wei Jiansu had been released, why should he pursue it?

At this time, Cui Huan, the Minister of Works, stepped forward and shouted sternly to Dali Temple Minister Pei Xiang: "Pei Siqing, you are the head of Dali Temple. How should you explain this?"

Pei Xiang is Pei Zunqing's eldest son. How could Cui Huan let go of the opportunity to attack the Pei family? Pei Xiang had already received Li Qing'an's explanation in advance. He stood up, walked to the middle of the hall, saluted Li Shi, and said calmly: "I really don't know about this. If this is true, I will punish those who violate the law severely and will never tolerate it."

Pei Xiang turned around and asked Dali Temple Chief Luo Xiao sternly, saying, "Luo Temple Chief, you are on duty today. I'll ask you, is there any such thing?"

Luo Xiao, the chief of Dali Temple, was so scared that his legs were trembling. He did this matter with one hand. Why didn't he know that the other party won Li Heng's gold medal, how dare he not let anyone go? Now all the eyes in the hall looked at him. He was sweating profusely and secretly looked at Li Heng, but saw Li Heng staring at him fiercely. He was scared and almost fainted.

When things came to this point, many smart people saw a clue. I am afraid that it was not the Li Qing'an faction that he released the people, but the good things that Li Heng's people did, but were caught by Li Qing'an.

At this time, the prince's guest Linghu Fei also saw the strangeness of the matter. He had guessed that the person must have been sent by Li Heng to please Li Qing'an. However, Li Qing'an not only did not appreciate it, but instead took this opportunity to attack Li Heng. Since he was Li Heng's military advisor, how could he stand by and watch at the critical moment?

He walked out, bowed to Li Heng, and said, "Your Highness, the Lord, Rong said something."

Li Heng was also anxious. Seeing Linghu Fei coming out, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief and said quickly: "Please tell me if you are the envoy Linghu."

Linghu Fei smiled at Li Qing'an and said, "Actually, I know a little about this. Of course, Wei Jiansu is unforgivable. No one dares to let him go. As the general said just now, there must be a reason. Wei Jiansu's mother fell ill. She didn't know that her son was arrested and called her son's name during the illness. Wei Jiansu also shed tears secretly because his mother was seriously ill. Luo Sicheng felt sorry for Wei Jiansu's filial piety, so he sent someone to take Wei Jiansu home to visit his mother. He was not letting him go. After visiting his mother Wei Jiansu, he still wanted to go back to prison. Luo Sicheng, but this is the case?"

Dali Temple Chief Luo Xiao suddenly caught a straw if he was about to drown. He nodded desperately, and tears were about to come out, saying, "That's right, after the court meeting, I will order someone to bring him back to the prison."

Li Heng, Wang Gong, Cui Huan and others all breathed a sigh of relief at the same time, especially Wang Gong, who always looked down on Linghu Fei. It was not until this time that he finally admired Linghu Fei's urgent wisdom. It was their luck to have such a person for his plan!

Li Qingan stared at Linghu Fei for a long time. He also heard that Linghu Fei is brilliant for a long time. Today, it seems that he is indeed well-known, but no matter how smart Linghu Fei is, how can he understand his plan to ask you to fall into the trap?

Li Qing'an's face showed a hint of depressedness and asked Li Heng again: "Your Highness, is Wei Jiansu really unforgivable to collude with Chengdu?"

When things have come to this point, Li Heng cannot be vague anymore. If he is vague, he will be caught by Li Qing'an. Since Li Qing'an does not appreciate it, don't blame him for being unrighteous. He said word by word, without hesitation: "That's right, Wei Jiansu colluded with Chengdu and betrayed the secrets of Guanzhong military, and his crime is not to be forgiven."

"Okay! Since the crime is not to be forgiven, I will also impeach one person, both colluding with Chengdu and selling off the secrets of the Political Affairs Hall."

Li Qing'an took out a letter and said to everyone: "This is a handwritten letter written by the fake emperor of Chengdu to Cui Huan, the Minister of Works of the Ministry of Works, with his signature and seal on it. This letter can prove that Cui Huan also colluded with Chengdu and sold the secrets of the Political Affairs Hall."

At this time, there was a burst of exclamation in the hall. Li Qing'an's words were like a thunderclap, shocking everyone. Cui Huan colluded with Li Longji. This was simply explosive news. Everyone looked at the letter in Li Qing'an's hand, believing that it was true, but also feeling incredible.

Li Heng, Wang Gong and others looked at Cui Huan. They never expected that the person Li Qing'an counterattacked was Cui Huan.

Linghu Fei's heart also sank into the abyss. He was trapped. Li Qingan did not want to investigate Wei Jiansu's release at all, but asked them to personally admit that Wei Jiansu was guilty and lead the lord into the trap. They lost in this game and lost a lot.

Linghu Fei was in a mess. He knew that Li Qing'an's letter must be true. Li Qing'an endured for half a month, and just waited for this moment today and used the Cui family to start, just to tell all the aristocratic families that those who follow me will prosper, and those who go against me will perish.

At this time, Li Qing'an said to Dou Hua, a member of the Secretariat, "Dou Sheren, you are an old minister for many years and are highly respected. Please come and read this letter."

Dou Hua was the leader of the Secretariat of the Central Secretariat. He had been drafting the imperial edict for more than 30 years. He was honest and upright and had great prestige in the court. He was neither the Zhao Party nor the State Party, so it was most appropriate for him to read this letter.

Dou Hua did not postpone it. He took the letter and looked at the handwriting of the envelope, then nodded. He could see at a glance that it was Li Longji's handwriting, not a deliberate imitation by anyone with a heart.

Dou Hua opened the letter and said loudly: "I have received my letter from the Minister of Works Cui Huan. I have not forgotten the old feelings of the monarch and ministers and wanted to join Chengdu. I am deeply moved. But I personally think that it is more beneficial for me to stay in Chang'an. You are a pseudo-emperor and prime minister. Most of the secrets you know about are secrets. I hope you will send Chang'an secrets to comfort me. In the future, I will return to Chang'an to the right, and give me the title of the right prime minister and the title of the Minister of the CPC. I will treat Cui well..."

"Lie! It's nonsense!"

Before Dou Hua could finish his thoughts, Cui Huan shouted hysterically. Immediately, several guards came forward to hold him down. The inspector and the censor in the hall said sternly: "St. Cui, don't roar in the court, this is a serious crime!"

After finishing reading it, Dou Hua looked at the seal and handwriting carefully, raised the letter and said loudly: "I have been planning an order for more than 30 years, and I have guaranteed my personality. This letter is true. A corner of the seal is broken in the first month of the eighth year of Tianbao."

He quickly walked down the jade stairs and handed the letter to several other Zhongshu Shemen. Everyone studied it and said, "This letter is the original work!"

With the proof of the Secretariat of the Central Secretariat, Cui Huan's crime was difficult to be relieved. At this time, Wang Gong suddenly asked: "How could this letter be in the hands of the general?"

Li Qingan had known that he would have such a question, so he waved his hand and more than a dozen Yulin soldiers took into a tied man. Many people recognized this person. He was one of Li Longji's confidant guards, Hu Bingrui, the leader of the sword.

Li Qingan smiled and said, "This person is Hu Bingrui, the chief guard of the Nanming Palace. When he passed Luogu Pass, he was suspicious and was caught by my Anxi soldiers. The letter was found. He had pleaded guilty and had a confession here."

Li Qingan raised another confession and said to Hu Bingrui: "What do you say!"

Hu Bingrui had been cleaned up and obeyed. He sighed and said, "I am hereby the order of the Emperor of Chengdu to come to Chang'an to send a letter to Cui Huan, the Minister of Works of the Ministry of Works. Ten days ago, Cui Huan did send a private message to Chengdu."

Li Qingan suddenly turned around and stared at Li Heng and said word by word: "Your Highness, Cui Huan had an affair with Chengdu, and betrayed the secrets of the Political Affairs Hall, and had all the personal and physical evidence. Can you be guilty?"

Li Heng only felt extremely exhausted. After a while, he sighed and said, "I am guilty!"

"good!"

Li Qing'an whispered to the ministers of the hall: "Your Highness has an order. Cui Huan colluded with Chengdu and betrayed the secrets of the Political Affairs Hall. He was punished with Wei Jiansu, dismissed him from all positions, and was scheduled to be tried by the Grand Third Department."

The hall was silent. It was not until this time that the civil and military officials in Chang'an truly understood Li Qing'an's methods. How brilliant and vicious this was, and they worked step by step without any leakage.

At this time, the young emperor Li Shi, who had been silent all the time, suddenly asked: "General, who can replace Cui Huan's prime minister?"

Li Qing'an bowed respectfully and said, "I recommend the young master of the prince Wei Tao to replace Cui Huan's prime minister. I believe that the Political Affairs Hall will definitely pass."

Li Qing'an's eyes looked at Zhang Yun, and a tacit smile appeared in Zhang Yun's eyes. Li Qing'an also smiled. It seemed that the fish under the bridge did not catch in vain yesterday.
Chapter completed!