A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 693 Jin Shangshu Ling
Dawn breaks, I get up.

Li Yi flipped through the imperial calendar.
Today is the fourth day of the seventh lunar month, just after the Beginning of Autumn.

The heat of late summer has finally come to an end, with only a few lingering heat waves remaining.

Autumn is getting stronger.

Today is a big day.
The emperor ascended the throne.

Wei Sanniang, Du Shuying, and other concubines got up early to help Li Yi change his clothes.

Today, to attend the grand ceremony, Li Yi will wear his most solemn ceremonial robes, a first-rank imperial robe with seven tassels and seven embroidered patterns.

Dressed in the full outfit, facing the bronze mirror,

In a daze, it seemed as if he were about to ascend the throne today. The crown with seven beads and seven tassels on his head was not much different from the emperor's crown, except that there were fewer beads.

No wonder the ceremonial robes of officials were later abolished, and only official and everyday clothes were used; it was indeed easy to confuse the hierarchy. It's similar to how, later in the Ming Dynasty, officials and eunuchs wore all sorts of python robes.

Wei Sanniang was captivated by her husband's imposing presence after he donned his imperial robes.

"Take some gifts back with you and visit the Wei family to express your condolences to Wei Yunqi and Wei Ting."

"Ah."

Last time, Wei Ting's family gave Wei San Niang an extra 800 mu of land and 800 guan of cash as a dowry. Now, Wei Ting has unfortunately died on his way back to the capital to be granted an official post after being pardoned. As relatives, they still have to show the proper respect. Although Li Yi almost couldn't help but laugh when he heard the news.

It's just a pity about Wei Yunqi; he was an exceptionally capable man.

Princess Du Shiniang was also getting ready. Today she would change into a ceremonial robe adorned with hairpins and a floral crown to pay her respects at the palace. Consort Li Yi, who held the rank of a noblewoman, would also be going with her.

A group of wives and concubines, their heads adorned with flowers, trees, pearls, and jade.

People often say that a true man should travel a thousand miles to seek fame and fortune, so that his wife and children may be granted titles and privileges.

Li Yi is now granted the title of Prince of the Commandery, his wife has been granted the title of Princess Consort of the Commandery, and he has ten concubines, all of whom are considered to be of the sixth rank.

Eight sons and six daughters

The two daughters were granted the title of county princess.

One son was a Duke, two sons were Marquises, and there were also five Barons.

Such a favor and honor

It is enough to make the whole world envious.

East Palace.

Before dawn,
Li Shimin had already bathed, and Lady Changsun personally helped her husband change his imperial robes.
Having ascended the throne today, Li Shimin barely slept a wink last night.

However, he was still full of energy at this moment.
After donning his imperial robes, Li Shimin was very satisfied with the emperor's reflection in the mirror.

"I plan to appoint Fu Ji to the Secretariat, concurrently serving as Grand Councilor and Minister of Personnel. What do you think?"

Empress Zhangsun's hand trembled slightly. "Has His Majesty already discussed this matter with the officials?"

"Not yet. Wuji is your elder brother and has always been my confidant. Now that I have ascended the throne, I will appoint him as prime minister."

Empress Zhangsun shook her head. “Your Majesty, I am a woman and do not understand politics. Moreover, the harem should not interfere in politics.”

Wuji is my elder brother; he is still young, and I fear he is not up to the weighty responsibility of prime minister.

Li Shimin laughed and said, "I am only twenty-four years old. Wu Yi is two years younger than me, and the Assistant is older than me. Age is not a problem."

"Yes, age is not a problem. Prince Dai is young, but he has made great achievements, won numerous battles, and has been granted many fiefdoms. He also has a distinguished political career."

However, Wuji lacks the military achievements and political accomplishments of the Prince of Dai, and is also my brother, so he is not suitable.

Furthermore,

The Secretariat now has the Prince of Dai and the Duke of Ying serving as Attendants-in-Ordinary.

“I plan to appoint Wu Yi as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Fang Xuanling as Left Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Du Ruhui as Right Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, your uncle Gao Shilian and Feng Deyi as Grand Secretaries, and Wu Ji and Yuwen Shiji as Attendants-in-Ordinary.”

Upon hearing this, Changsun frowned slightly. "Where are Prime Minister Xiao and Prime Minister Feng?"

"These two positions need to be adjusted. Xiao Yu is stubborn and always at odds with his colleagues. How can he be the Left Minister? I plan to send him to serve as a prefectural governor for a term to help him change his temper."

As for Feng Deyi, I now realize that he is a treacherous and deceitful man. He secretly sided with Jiancheng, sitting on the fence and betting on both sides.

Your Majesty previously intended to make me the Crown Prince, but Feng Deyi strongly advised against it and insisted on keeping Jiancheng.

Now he and Xiao Yu are the Left and Right Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Personnel. Whenever he discusses political affairs with Xiao Yu, he expresses his agreement, but when he is in front of me, he expresses the opposite opinion.

"Such cunning! How can I continue to employ him as Right Minister? I should also send him to serve as a governor in a remote region."

"Your Majesty, if we do this, all the prime ministers of the retired emperor will be dismissed. Isn't that too hasty?"
Furthermore, the position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat is a high-ranking and powerful position, overseeing all officials. In the past, it was always held by His Majesty personally, but it was mostly a nominal position. In this dynasty, this position has never been actually granted.

The Prince of Dai was indeed highly accomplished.
If Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were to serve as the Left and Right Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Personnel respectively,

Would it be appropriate to appoint Wu Yi as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat again?

"And Your Majesty appointed my elder brother as Attendant-in-Ordinary and my maternal uncle as Chancellor. In this way, both of the two prime ministers in the central government are relatives of the emperor and his concubines."

Historically, it has been a major taboo for maternal relatives to hold power, and it is even more inappropriate for nephews and uncles to serve as prime ministers in the same court.

Your Majesty's arrangement reflects your trust in me and in Wuji and the others, but if they were truly all appointed as prime ministers in the central government...
This would probably bring no benefit whatsoever to Your Majesty, the court, your concubine, your elder brother, or your uncle.

Your Majesty, I believe the position of Prime Minister is extremely important, concerning the fate of the nation and attracting worldwide attention. As the Son of Heaven, Your Majesty cannot be so hasty, lest the people think you are abusing your power for personal gain.

Li Shimin was stunned for a moment.

He planned to adjust the prime ministerial team after ascending the throne, but he had not yet told outsiders about this idea. Unexpectedly, his eldest grandson objected.

“Fuji is your elder brother and also my confidant. Now that I sit in this position, I am still a little uneasy.”

I conquered the world on horseback, and even when facing an enemy army of 100,000, I never felt the slightest fear.

But now that I sit on this throne, facing those memorials, to be honest, I feel somewhat guilty. I fear I won't be a good emperor.

I even had a dream once in which I became Emperor Yang of Sui.

"I don't trust most of the prime ministers and ministers from the Wude era. The only ones I can truly trust now are Wuyi, Wuji, Xuanling, and Keming."

“They are all my confidants. Wuji is also a relative of the emperor. Even if he is resented or attacked, those people will still have some reservations.”

Empress Zhangsun grasped her husband's hand. "Your Majesty has never been afraid of thousands of troops. Now that you are sitting in the Golden Palace, what is there to worry about? Listening to both sides leads to enlightenment, while listening to only one side leads to darkness. Your Majesty, please be more patient and accept more advice. I believe that all the myriad issues can be sorted out one by one."

Li Shimin turned around and embraced his eldest grandson.

"I am very pleased to have you by my side all the way."

Although Li Shimin is only twenty-four years old this year, he married his eldest grandson, who was only thirteen at the time, when he was sixteen. The couple have been together for eight years.

They got married young and are now considered an old married couple.

If someone else were to become empress, they would naturally want their elder brother or uncle to be prime minister. However, only the eldest grandson not only never sought promotions for his elder brother or uncle, but would also dissuade him from doing so.

On the fourth day of the seventh month of the sixth year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty,

The Eastern Palace, Xiande Hall.
The imperial court held a grand enthronement ceremony.
Crown Prince Li Shimin, who was in charge of the state affairs, succeeded to the throne.

The officials shouted "Long live the Emperor!" their voices reaching the heavens.

Li Shimin sat on the throne, ruling over the world.

Li Yi, dressed in imperial robes, led his officials in paying homage. Looking at the young emperor, he couldn't help but recall some rumors.

In the twelfth month of the eighteenth year of the Kaihuang era, the current emperor was born at the Wugong Villa. At that time, two dragons played outside the villa gate and left after three days.

Later, when Li Shimin was four years old, a scholar who claimed to be good at physiognomy came to visit Li Yuan. He said that Li Yuan was a noble man and had a noble son. When he saw Li Shimin, he said that Li Shimin had the appearance of a dragon and phoenix and the countenance of the sun and the moon. He said that Li Shimin would be able to save the world and bring peace to the people when he was about twenty years old.

Li Yuan feared that this revelation would be leaked and bring disaster upon him, so he prepared to kill him. However, the man suddenly disappeared without a trace. Later, Li Yuan still named his son after the idea of ​​helping the world and bringing peace to the people.

These rumors have been circulating widely in Beijing recently.

Li Yi felt that
This could be because Li Shimin had it secretly spread to add some divine mandate and legitimacy to his ascension to the throne, or it could be that someone deliberately added drama to the emperor's story.

Looking at the new emperor,
Li Yi felt a great sense of accomplishment.

Because of him,

Li Shimin became emperor three years earlier than historical records suggest.

Because of him,

The Tang Dynasty captured Jieli and destroyed the Eastern Turks seven years earlier than history.

The interpreter presented an imperial edict and handed it to Fang Xuanling, the Grand Secretary.

Today, Fang Xuanling is wearing a woolen crown with seven tassels and pearls, and his clothes are decorated with seven patterns.

"Imperial edict to change the reign title to Zhenguan!"

Fang Xuanling read out the first imperial edict issued by the emperor after his ascension to the throne.
"I have surveyed the records of past kings and selected those who have served before me. The great way has been hidden, and the most impartial reforms have been implemented... Since I solemnly received the imperial regalia, I have swiftly changed the laws of the past. As the three realms are in their prime, all nations come to my court. The art of longevity has been established, and the mandate of renewal has just begun. The essence of things is in its proper place, and now is the opportune time."

The seventh year of the Wude era could be changed to the first year of the Zhenguan era.

Zhenguan,

This reign title was first proposed by Li Yi during a previous court discussion.

Li Yi couldn't remember who suggested this era name in the original timeline.

But now, it's definitely him who brought it up first.

The only era name that can be used is Zhenguan.

The reign of Zhenguan is one we cannot afford to miss.

Other chancellors also suggested reign titles, but when Li Yi proposed Zhenguan, Li Shimin ultimately chose Zhenguan.

The way of heaven and earth is the way of Zhenguan.

These two characters convey the meaning of bringing peace to the world and upholding the righteous path.

Li Shimin's ascension to the throne was somewhat illegitimate, so he was quite fond of this reign title, which aimed to project an image of legitimacy.

The more you lack something, the more you care about it.

If one has been unjustly appointed, then one must present oneself in a righteous manner.

"The Minister of Works, Prince of Dai, and Attendant-in-Ordinary, Li Yi, receive the imperial decre

The emperor sent Li Yichai to announce this at the southern suburbs.

Li Yi was sent to the southern suburbs to burn firewood, a special ceremony performed when the emperor ascended the throne, where firewood was burned to announce the arrival of heaven.

The sacrificial ceremony to Heaven during the emperor's ascension to the throne.

In the southern suburbs, a large pile of firewood was built and burned to report to the Jade Emperor.
A new emperor has ascended the throne.

The rising fireworks symbolize the arrival of information from the human world into the heavens.

On the same day,

The new emperor issued an edict granting a general amnesty, and those who had been exiled since the first year of the Wude era were released.

The area within the pass, as well as six places including Puzhou, Ruizhou, Yuzhou, Taizhou, Shanzhou, and Dingzhou, were exempted from rent and tax for two years, while the rest of the areas were exempted from corvée labor for one year.

An imperial edict was issued further granting ranks of nobility to civil and military officials of the fifth rank and above who previously held no title, and to those of the sixth rank and below, an additional promotion. For those of the fifth rank and above whose sons succeeded their fathers, commoners were granted ranks of nobility, and commoners aged eighty and above were granted grain and silk, and a three-day feast.

Everyone celebrates.

Upon the ascension of the new emperor, there was a general amnesty and the exemption of taxes and levies in many places.
All officials of the fifth rank and above were granted a rank of one grade if they did not hold a title, and those of the sixth rank and below were granted an additional rank of one promotion.

Even the heirs of officials of the fifth rank or above were granted a first-level civil title, which is equivalent to being promoted one level of merit.

The son who succeeds his father is the heir, which generally refers to the eldest son of the legitimate wife. If there is no eldest son of the legitimate wife, then other sons of concubines or adopted sons can also be heirs.

Li Shimin's rewards this time were indeed generous, even a bit excessive.

As long as there are officials in office, there will be rewards. Officials of the fifth rank and above will be granted a rank of nobility, and officials of the sixth rank and below will be granted a promotion. The successors of officials of the fifth rank will also be granted a promotion.

Elders over eighty years old also received rewards.

"Li Yi, the Minister of Works of Jin and Prince of Dai, is hereby appointed as Minister of Education and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat!"

When Li Yi heard the imperial edict, he felt no joy, only shock.

(End of this chapter)