Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 687 Changsun Wuji: Your Majesty, I Request to Retire (First Update)
In the Zhenguan Hall.

The stove flickered with a faint light.

Li Chengqian walked to the imperial couch and sat down, raising his hand slightly.

Zhang Anan and Xu An immediately brought two cups of hot tea and placed them on the tables of Li Chengqian and Changsun Wuji respectively.

“There’s some honey in this. It’s good for your health to drink more of this in winter.” Li Chengqian took a small sip and then looked at Changsun Wuji and said, “Uncle, you might as well take some with you when you go back. This is all local honey from Luoyang. You can’t usually find it in Chang’an.”

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Changsun Wuji bowed slightly.

Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "The Duke of Ju has it tough. In a few days, after the New Year's court ceremony, he will retire. And he still has to do this kind of thing before he retires."

Changsun Wuji looked up and said thoughtfully, "Liu Ji was a literary master back then and had quite an influence. So many years have passed, yet people still remember him, which shows that there are still many people who feel sorry for his death."

"That was a conclusion made by Father, Uncle, so there's no need for us to overturn it." Li Chengqian waved his hand calmly, indicating that he didn't want to discuss the matter any further.

Ultimately, Liu Hongye's actions were all for his own sake and for the benefit of his family and descendants; there wasn't much that truly impressed anyone.

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed solemnly.

“The Duke of Ju is retiring. With his retirement, only Master Yu will remain in the Secretariat.” Li Chengqian looked up at Changsun Wuji and said, “The affairs of the Secretariat are complicated, so, Uncle, I need to find someone to take over Master Yu’s duties in the Secretariat.”

"I wonder who Your Majesty intends to appoint as Grand Secretary?" Changsun Wuji couldn't help but look up.

“Du Zhenglun, the Governor of Guangzhou,” Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, “He has been a veteran official for many years and has been away from home for a long time. His qualifications are sufficient to bring him back to serve as the Grand Secretary. As for his merits, the supply of food and provisions from Guangzhou has never been delayed during the Dongdao war in recent years, which is itself a rare achievement.”

Changsun Wuji was somewhat surprised that it wasn't Yan Lide.

With a slight frown, Changsun Wuji carefully cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, although Du Zhenglun has sufficient seniority and merit, the late Emperor once said that Du Zhenglun's temperament might be somewhat extreme. If he hasn't changed over the years..."

“He won’t change. As people get older, they become less likely to admit their mistakes.” Li Chengqian shook his head slightly, then said calmly, “But Uncle, sometimes, in some places, we may need someone like him. Although the reforms of Shang Yang did not end well, the process was worth learning from.”

Changsun Wuji's pupils immediately dilated.

What did the emperor mean by that?

Although Shang Yang's reforms were successful, he died.

Or, to put it another way, Duke Xiao of Qin and King Huiwen of Qin used Shang Yang to complete the Shang Yang Reforms, and then threw Shang Yang out of office to appease the anger of the damaged noble groups.

After the anger of these nobles subsided somewhat, they resolutely retained Shang Yang's reforms.

The emperor intends to use Du Zhenglun to do something that will inevitably offend many powerful families.

But in the end, given Du Zhenglun's personality, he was bound to go too far in some things, and was eventually discarded by the emperor as a pawn.

For a moment, Changsun Wuji felt a sense of self-mockery.

If the emperor is like this, how much better can he be?

Changsun Wuji lowered his head slightly and then asked, "Your Majesty, the Governor of Guangzhou is in charge of the southern border. Who does Your Majesty plan to appoint as the Governor of Guangzhou next?"

Li Chengqian glanced at Changsun Wuji, sighed silently, and said, "Chu Qing, he is already sixty years old. After serving two terms as the Governor of Guangzhou, he should retire."

Even though Li Chengqian forcefully suppressed the matter, Liu Hongye's affair was bound to cause public outcry in the court.

Liu Ji's death was somewhat unjust.

Especially among scholars, they wouldn't say much out of respect for the late emperor, but they would still complain in private.

But in the end, all the dissatisfaction would accumulate on Chu Suiliang.

A bad reputation is a fatal blow to the Minister of Rites.

“Guangzhou is too far away. Let’s go to Jingzhou instead. I can serve as the Grand Commander of Jingzhou for five years and then retire.” Changsun Wuji looked ahead calmly.

Li Chengqian was somewhat surprised, but still nodded and said, "Alright, Xu Shuya has been in Jingzhou for ten years, it's time for him to be moved."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Changsun Wuji stepped aside and bowed respectfully.

Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said, "When the position of Minister of Rites becomes vacant, let Li Baiyao, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, take over. At that time, let my cousin be transferred from the Secretariat to the position of Minister of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs. The timing is about right."

“Then it is time for me to retire!” Changsun Wuji raised his head solemnly.

"Uncle, what are you saying? I need you to preside over the Council of State Affairs for a few more years!" Li Chengqian shook his head gently, then said sincerely, "Next year is another big year for the imperial examinations, and there will be another palace examination. I think you should preside over the examinations this time. I will return to court in early March to hold the palace examination."

Changsun Wuji looked up in surprise, then cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "The world is in trouble. Only when everything is peaceful and smooth can it continue. Of course, it also needs Uncle to be in charge at the source."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Changsun Wuji bowed with a smile.

……

East of Tianjin Bridge, Shangshanfang.

Duke Zhao's Mansion.

Red plum blossoms bloom outside the window, while the fireplace inside is warm. A low black table sits on the windowsill, with a fireplace on it warming wine.

Changsun Wuji sat to one side, turning his gaze away from the wind and rain outside the window, and then looked at Chu Suiliang opposite him, saying, "I have already submitted a memorial requesting to retire."

"Duke!" Chu Suiliang couldn't help but raise his head and look directly at Changsun Wuji: "His Majesty wouldn't be pretending to be confused and agreeing, would he?"

"No!" Changsun Wuji shook his head and said, "His Majesty has asked me to resign as Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and take on the position of Minister of Works. At the same time, I will be the chief examiner for next year's imperial examination. After the examination, I will submit a memorial to the throne, citing old age and illness, to resign as Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel."

"Your Majesty still cherishes old friendships." Chu Suiliang smiled gently and looked at Changsun Wuji, saying, "With the Duke in court, no matter what happens in the future, he can help Your Majesty deal with it."

"Your Majesty is very intelligent." Changsun Wuji nodded in slight agreement.

"So, after the Duke resigns as Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, who will succeed him?" Chu Suiliang's expression turned serious.

“That wasn’t mentioned.” Changsun Wuji shook his head and sighed, “Those should all be His Majesty’s power. But if nothing unexpected happens, it should be Li Ji. As for the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel after Li Ji, it’s hard to guess.”

"Yes!" Chu Suiliang nodded solemnly. Yu Zhining, Yan Lide, Zhang Xuansu, and even Du Zhenglun were all possibilities.

"After Tang Jian retires, Du Zhenglun, the Governor of Guangzhou, will be promoted to Grand Chancellor." Changsun Wuji looked at the shocked Chu Suiliang and continued, "Xu Shuya, the Chief Secretary of the Jingzhou Grand Governor's Office, will be transferred to Guangzhou as Governor. In this way, the Jingzhou Grand Governor's Office will be without a head."

Chu Suiliang suddenly looked up at Changsun Wuji and murmured, "Duke."

"Although His Majesty has appointed me as Grand Minister of Works and put me in charge of the Council of State Affairs, I no longer intend to concern myself with anything and will spend more time recuperating." Changsun Wuji looked at Chu Suiliang with some concern and said, "Dengshan, I'm more worried about you. Although His Majesty has suppressed the matter of Liu Hongye, it won't end so easily. If it erupts again, you..."

Chu Suiliang pursed his lips tightly.

“So, let’s take a step back and go to Jingzhou to serve as the Grand Commander of Jingzhou!” Changsun Wuji picked up the wine pot in front of him, poured a cup for Chu Suiliang, and said, “Besides, if I step back, His Majesty will take power, and the storm you mentioned before will be coming. Go out and hide, or you’ll be the first to be sacrificed.”

Chu Suiliang's expression changed slightly.

With Changsun Wuji's withdrawal, the emperor would have to confront the powerful clans of Guanzhong directly.

At that time, the investigation of hidden land and households, the recovery of previously concealed taxes, and the investigation of illegal money will further expand the things that the emperor had already begun to promote.

Given the current state of affairs, it is unlikely that powerful families can directly resist the emperor's methods and will ultimately have to temporarily submit.

However, their temporary dormancy does not mean they are weak and vulnerable.

They will surely retaliate, but of course, their retaliation will not be directed at the emperor, but at the person who made the move.

There will inevitably be a bloody battle going on here.

"You were the leader in the Yang family's affairs, and now there's Liu Hongye's matter. His Majesty helped you once, but he won't help you a second time." Changsun Wuji couldn't help but sigh softly.

"Duke, who is behind Liu Hongye's affair?" Chu Suiliang's expression turned serious.

Chu Suiliang never doubted the emperor, because the emperor had just finished posthumously conferring the title of Emperor Taishang Xuanyuan. If Chu Suiliang, who was in charge of that matter as the Minister of Rites, were to get into trouble at this time, it would be a slap in the emperor's face.

And indeed, this proved to be true; the emperor forcibly suppressed the matter.

"I don't know." Changsun Wuji poured himself a cup and said, "The auspicious events at Taiqing Palace have greatly increased His Majesty's prestige. Perhaps someone is trying to use you to target His Majesty."

Chu Suiliang slightly raised his head, then looked up again, holding the warm wine, and muttered to himself, "The Grand Commander of Jingzhou isn't too far from Luoyang, and he's a second-rank Grand Commander. When he returns to the capital, I'm afraid he'll only be able to..."

When he returns to the capital, he will only be able to hold the position of prime minister.

Chu Suiliang lowered his head and said earnestly, "Your Excellency, I am willing to advance and retreat with you."

Changsun Wuji raised his wine cup and then drank it down with Chu Suiliang.

……

I don't know how much time passed, but the wind and snow outside the window became much heavier.

"If Your Majesty can truly fulfill your wish, it would actually be a good thing." Changsun Wuji gently put down his wine cup.

"If it can be accomplished, that would be best." Chu Suiliang looked up at Changsun Wuji and said, "The Duke is right. It is indeed difficult for aristocratic families to directly confront His Majesty's sharp edge, but that is because they are still willing to abide by the rules. But if they also use military means... Duke, the means of aristocratic families have never been weak!"

The powerful clans of Guanzhong and the four prominent families of Hedong.

The reason they were able to stand tall in the world was not only because they controlled local and official power, but also because they had considerable influence in the military.

Even within the palace, there were some assassins who had been lying in wait for many years.

Whether it works or not is one thing; whether the message can be transmitted is another.

Over the years, many noble families have sent women to marry into the emperor's family.

Many more maids accompanied these women from the same families into the palace.

Of course, whether these people will obey after many years is another matter entirely.

As long as the emperor is gentle and doesn't push them to their deaths, these aristocratic families generally won't risk their lives by taking this path.

"So, you never thought His Majesty would succeed in clearing up the hidden fields and households from the very beginning?" Changsun Wuji lowered his head, looking at the empty wine cup, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)