Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 373 A Cabinet That Can't Keep to the Balance, Wants to Appoint a Regent? [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

The all-night celebrations left many of the people of Chang'an with a hangover.

This may be the best way to part ways with the Sui Dynasty.

Although the people of Chang'an do not want to recall the past, the direction of Liaodong has always been a source of pain for them.

It's not that many of their relatives and friends died in Liaodong, but rather that the shadow of national annihilation that Liaodong cast upon them continued to loom over them.

Especially during the period immediately following Li Shimin's expedition, some people were already praying that the Tang Dynasty would not be as short-lived as the Sui Dynasty.

However, the truth is that the Tang Dynasty could never have been the Sui Dynasty, because Li Shimin was not Yang Guang.

He will not lead the country into an abyss of no return.

Therefore, last night's all-night celebration has transcended the impact of the war itself; it was a night of breaking through barriers for countless people in Chang'an.

At this very moment, the morning light pierced through the clouds and shone on the streets of Chang'an.

Several figures could be vaguely seen lying on the corner of the street, with wine jugs lying beside them and a slight smile on their lips.

As carriages and pedestrians passed by, they all unconsciously slowed down, afraid of waking them.

In one of the carriages, Cen Wenben smiled and lowered the curtain, saying to Ma Zhou beside him, "The Tang Dynasty is getting better and better, and the people are becoming more and more lovable!"

"Ha! You're starting to sound more and more like a prince!"

Ma Zhou laughed, then picked up a fried dough stick, tore it in half, handed it to Cen Wenben, and said while stuffing it into his mouth, "Did you notice what happened yesterday? It seems that our conflict with them is getting bigger and bigger."

"How could they not be? They rose to power with His Majesty, while we rose with the Crown Prince. The more successful the Crown Prince becomes, the closer we are to replacing them. What do you think they will do?"

Cen Wenben smiled and took the half-eaten fried dough stick, then continued, "You may not know this, but some time ago, Fang Gong came to me, hoping that the Information Department would accept more people from the Hanlin Academy and let them write articles to be published in the newspaper. He also said that they have great advantages in literature and should not be wasted."

"Do you know what this means?"

"What else could it be? They just want to interfere in public opinion!"

Ma Zhou shrugged, picked up another fried dough stick, and said, "There are so many strange things happening in the Ministry of Revenue! Some time ago, the Ministry of Revenue arranged for local authorities to remeasure the land across the country, but before they had even measured much, accidents happened one after another, and five or six people died. I asked Sun Fujia to send someone to check it out, and the investigation revealed that it really was an accident. What a coincidence!"

"It's such a coincidence! How could there be so many unexpected events!"

"so!"

Ma Zhou took a big bite of the fried dough stick, then squinted and said, "I think these old guys are already openly or secretly working against us!"

"Then what do you suggest we do? Should we report this to the Crown Prince?" Cen Wenben asked, frowning.

Ma Zhou glanced at him and shook his head, saying, "The Crown Prince's affairs are enough for him to worry about. I don't want him to worry about our affairs anymore."

"What happened to the Crown Prince?"

Cen Wenben suddenly became interested and said, "Didn't he destroy two countries in one battle?"

"Ah!"

Ma Zhou gave a cold laugh, then picked up the soy milk, took a big gulp, wiped his mouth, and mumbled, "Sometimes, I really admire the Crown Prince. He said that you don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household. Since I became the Minister of Revenue, I have seen and remembered all the expenses of the Tang Dynasty. Do you know how big the difference is between the expenses on His Majesty's side and the expenses on the Crown Prince's side?"

"How big?"

"ten times!"

"what?"

Cen Wenben asked in surprise, "How can there be so many?"

"Yes, I also want to know why there are so many, but that's the amount of supplies requested from below!"

Ma Zhou said with a wry smile, "Sometimes, I even wonder if His Majesty doesn't want the Crown Prince to win the battle."

"How could that be? How could His Majesty not want the Crown Prince to win the battle?" Cen Wenben said, not quite understanding.

Ma Zhou glanced at him and shook his head, saying, "If it's just a huge difference in supplies, I might be overthinking it. But I heard that Hou Junji is about to set off on an expedition and has asked our Ministry of Revenue to prepare supplies for next year's attack on Gaochang."

"Huh? This... this means we're going to fight on multiple fronts?"

"It doesn't feel like a multi-front war to me; it's more like a halt to the Crown Prince's plans, with Hou Junji taking his place."

"How could this be?"

Upon hearing this, Cen Wenben's face darkened: "How could Your Majesty treat the Crown Prince like this?!"

"Is this weird?"

Ma Zhou looked at him with amusement: "Even His Majesty's ministers have started targeting us, let alone His Majesty's treatment of the Crown Prince."

"This is outrageous! If things continue like this, the nation will cease to exist!"

Cen Wenben was clearly furious, and he threw the fried dough stick in his hand onto the table, splattering countless soy milk and oil stains.

Ma Zhou casually straightened his official robe and continued, "These are all my speculations. As for the specifics, we'll have to wait and see at today's cabinet meeting. I heard that Lord Fang has something important to discuss."

"What's the big deal?"

Cen Wenben frowned.

Ma Zhou said somewhat speechlessly, "You are the director of the Information Department. Logically speaking, you should have the best information. How come you don't know anything?"

"Well, to be honest, when the Crown Prince left the capital, he took a large number of intelligence personnel with him, including many from the News Bureau. I'm currently building a new intelligence network, but it's not quite complete yet, especially regarding information from the palace and the ministers. You know, it's very difficult for newcomers to get access to important information."

"Okay, but I've only heard about it. Apparently, there have been some problems with the reward system."

"Rewarding those who have rendered meritorious service?"

Cen Wenben asked with a puzzled look, "Shouldn't this be His Majesty's decision?"

"Yes! Under normal circumstances, it is indeed His Majesty who makes the decision, and rewards are usually given after the war ends and the army returns to the capital."

"Then why are we rewarding those who have made contributions now?"

"Yes, it is said that the King of Shu submitted a memorial to His Majesty, saying that the major families and officials of Yizhou had put in a lot of effort to raise the provisions needed for the army, and he wanted the court to reward them as encouragement, so that they would continue to do their best for the Tang Dynasty."

"Furthermore, he also said that when the Crown Prince was in Ganzhou, he had commended the Ganzhou army, which led to the great victory later on. Therefore, he hopes that Your Majesty will allow him to do so as well!"

"What did His Majesty say?"

"I don't know the specifics, but His Majesty has given Lord Fang an imperial decree, which will probably be discussed at today's cabinet meeting."

Ma Zhou shrugged, then ate the remaining fried dough stick in his hand in one bite, and then gulped down the soy milk he hadn't finished drinking.

Cen Wenben looked at him and immediately laughed: "Don't you have anything to eat at home? Did you spend all your salary on alcohol?"

"woooooo"

Ma Zhou pouted and shook his head.

Cen Wenben waited silently until he finished swallowing before thoughtfully saying, "I have a feeling that this King of Shu has been quite active lately!"

"Ha, it's not just him who's been very active. The Prince of Yan, the Prince of Wei, and even that Prince of Lu have all been quite active lately!"

Ma Zhou sneered, then reached up and rested his head on his hand, saying, "It really proves what the Crown Prince said: When the tiger is away, the monkey becomes king!"

"Then should we not report this matter to the Crown Prince?" Cen Wenben pressed.

Ma Zhou glanced at him and laughed, "With the Embroidered Uniform Guard around, there's no need for us to report. Besides, we have more important things to do."

Before the words were finished, a coachman's voice came from outside the carriage: "Master, the palace eunuch Gao has blocked our way."

Upon hearing this, Cen Wenben subconsciously looked at Ma Zhou, only to see that Ma Zhou was also taken aback.

But soon, Gao Yao's voice came from outside the carriage: "My lords, I have been summoned by the Empress Dowager to the palace immediately. Lord Sun has already gone!"

"May I ask, Eunuch Gao, has something happened to the Empress?"

Cen Wenben quickly lifted the curtain and asked solemnly.

Gao Yao said in a flustered manner, "This matter should not be publicized. The Empress specifically requested that the three of you come over. Please come with me to the palace immediately!"

"this."

Cen Wenben and Ma Zhou exchanged glances instinctively, and then Ma Zhou decisively said, "The Empress's matter is of utmost importance. Let's go to the Empress first, and then to the Ministry of Personnel!"

"it is good!"

Cen Wenben responded, and the two quickly got off the carriage.

However, by sheer coincidence, they ran into Li Jing as soon as they got off the carriage.

Li Jing paused for a moment, then smiled and greeted them, "Director Cen, Minister Ma, what a coincidence! Let's go in together!"

"Uh, this."

Cen Wenben and Ma Zhou exchanged a glance, hesitating to speak.

Li Jing quickly noticed something was wrong, so he stepped forward and asked, "Has something happened?"

Ma Zhou glanced at Gao Yao, then said helplessly, "We are on the Empress's orders to go to the palace, so we may be a little late going to the Ministry of Personnel."

"But what happened to the Empress?" Li Jing asked instinctively.

Cen Wenben said with a wry smile, "To be honest, General Li, we didn't know either. It was Eunuch Gao who informed us."

"Alright, gentlemen, now is not the time to talk. The Empress is waiting!"

Seeing that the three of them were talking nonstop, Gao Yao hurriedly urged them to hurry up.

The three of them exchanged bewildered glances. Then Li Jing spoke first: "In that case, you should go ahead. I'll take care of things with Master Fang!"

"Then thank you very much, Mr. Li!"

Ma and Zhou bowed together and soon followed Gao Yao away.

On the other side, in the office hall of the Ministry of Personnel.

Cabinet ministers such as Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, Chu Suiliang, Yu Zhining, Gao Shilian, and Liu Ji had long since taken their positions.

But Fang Xuanling spoke first: "Gentlemen, did you all have a good time last night?"

"Hehehe"

Upon hearing this, the ministers couldn't help but exchange a smile.

Chu Suiliang then smiled and said, "Last night, I talked with my father about the past and present. No dynasty has ever been able to compare with the current prosperity of our Great Tang. Even my father said that our dynasty has the appearance of the first dynasty in a thousand years!"

"Scholar Chu is learned and knowledgeable. His words prove that our Great Tang Dynasty is indeed on the right path!" Yu Zhining echoed with a smile.

Wei Zheng, standing to the side, disagreed, saying, "Whether we are on the right path remains to be seen! As for calling it the first dynasty in history, it's rather arrogant!"

"What makes a dynasty the greatest in history? First, it must have a sage ruler, right? When talking about sage rulers of the past, who doesn't mention the Three Dynasties? Second, it must have a long reign, right? When talking about dynasties of the past, which dynasty can compare to the Zhou Dynasty in terms of longevity? Finally, it must have territory and population, right? My Great Tang Dynasty is not only inferior to the Han Dynasty, but it is even somewhat inferior to the Sui Dynasty. How can we have the nerve to call it the greatest dynasty in history?"

"Uh, this."

Upon hearing this, Chu Suiliang couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

Yu Zhining and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.

The atmosphere instantly fell silent.

Even Fang Xuanling, who spoke first, was at a loss for words.

If we're talking about who was the most disappointing person in the Tang Dynasty, Wei Zheng is definitely unique.

Even Liu Ji, whom Li Shimin called the second Wei Zheng, felt somewhat inferior at this moment.

Fortunately, the silence didn't last long. A voice announced from outside the door: "Right Vice Minister Li Jing, Minister of Revenue Ma Zhou, Chief Justice Sun Fujia, Director of the Information Office, and Vice Minister of Rites Cen Wenben have arrived!"

Upon hearing this announcement, all the cabinet ministers, including Wei Zheng, sat up straight, preparing for the upcoming meeting.

Meanwhile, the scholars of the Hanlin Academy and the Hongwen Academy who were invited to attend the meeting also arrived one after another, sitting on stools outside the conference table as observers.

"I apologize for keeping you all waiting. My chronic illness has flared up again today, so I had to go to the medical school first, which caused the delay. I apologize for everything!"

As soon as Li Jing entered the meeting hall, he smiled and bowed to Fang Xuanling and the others to apologize.

But Fang Xuanling asked with concern, "Is General Li feeling any better? If he is still unwell, we can reschedule this meeting!"

"It's alright, it's alright. The medical school has developed a new drug, and I tried it. It seems to work well! I'm not itchy anymore, so there's no problem!"

Li Jing waved his hand casually, then strode over to Fang Xuanling's side and sat down by himself.

Gao Shilian, standing to the side, couldn't help but ask, "General Li, you said the medical school has developed a new drug? Is there any new medicine to treat my cold legs? My cold legs have been tormenting me for years, and they hurt terribly every time it rains!"

"Hehe, didn't the old minister go to the medical school? There's Dr. Sun there, and many other famous doctors. What's even more amazing are those newly trained medical students. The new drugs they've developed are truly miraculous! It was using their new drugs that relieved my stubborn illness!"

Li Jing introduced Gao Shilian with a smile.

Gao Shilian nodded in realization and said, "So that's how it is. It seems I'll have to go and take a look when I have time!"

"Go ahead, go ahead! I guarantee you won't regret it!"

Seeing Li Jing and Gao Shilian chatting animatedly, Fang Xuanling, as the host of the meeting, coughed lightly and said with a smile, "We can talk about the medical matters later; let's get down to business first."

"Wait a moment!"

Li Jing interrupted him, then added, "Minister Ma and the others haven't come in yet!"

"Ok?"

Fang Xuanling frowned, then looked at the positions of Ma Zhou and the other two. Sure enough, he didn't see them. He then frowned and said, "Didn't we just announce their arrival? Why haven't the three of them come in yet?"

"Oh, I sent someone to inform them. I just received an imperial decree from the Empress saying that something had happened in the palace and they need to go and take a look!" Li Jing explained.

"What happened in the palace?" Gao Shilian asked instinctively.

Li Jing glanced at him but did not answer.

Even if he was a member of the imperial family, he couldn't just ask about things in the palace. Li Jing just assumed he was senile.

Seeing that Li Jing did not answer Gao Shilian, the other ministers wisely kept quiet.

About fifteen minutes later, Ma Zhou hurriedly arrived at the meeting hall, bowed to the assembled ministers, and apologized: "I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting!"

"sit down!"

Despite his doubts, Fang Xuanling calmly raised his hand to the three of them.

Soon, Ma and Zhou took their seats as if nothing had happened.

Fang Xuanling then said, “Gentlemen, today’s topic is to reward those who have made contributions. According to His Majesty’s decree, he plans to reward those who made contributions last year before the beginning of spring. Therefore, we need to compile a list of those to be rewarded before the beginning of spring.”

Wow!
As soon as this statement came out, the whole audience was in an uproar!

Some ministers immediately objected, feeling that bestowing rewards at this time was inappropriate.

Some ministers also expressed their support, believing that bestowing rewards at this time would be more effective in boosting morale.

In short, the moment Fang Xuanling finished speaking, the entire hall became lively.

Until Wei Zheng's voice rang out again: "I wonder which meritorious officials Your Majesty intends to reward, those on the front lines, those in the rear, or all of them?"

"Uh, this."

Fang Xuanling hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "His Majesty's decree did not specify in detail, only that he wanted to reward meritorious officials. But the fact that we are asked to compile a list means that all meritorious officials will be rewarded."

"Furthermore, even if we misinterpret His Majesty's intentions, it doesn't matter. Once the list is submitted to His Majesty, he will handle it accordingly!"

"It's just a matter of time."

“Yes, that’s right. I also think we should compile a list of all the meritorious individuals first,” Liu Ji nodded in agreement.

The ministers exchanged glances, but none of them voiced any objections.

Thus, Fang Xuanling had the lists approved by the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of War, the Censorate, and the Secretariat distributed to everyone present.

The moment Ma and Zhou received the list, they sensed something was wrong, because the list of meritorious officials did not include people from Li Chengqian's side, and even generals like Su Dingfang and Xue Rengui were not on the list.

"May I ask, Minister of Works, why are there no generals under the Crown Prince on this list?" Ma Zhou immediately raised his question.

The entire venue erupted in a roar.

If Ma Zhou hadn't pointed it out, they wouldn't have discovered this shocking problem.

However, Fang Xuanling remained calm in the face of Ma Zhou's question.

But he said calmly, "This list is only a preliminary selection and is not yet complete. In addition, the Crown Prince has not yet reported any meritorious officials. Therefore, there are no generals under the Crown Prince on this list!"

"Has His Majesty informed the Crown Prince about the matter of rewarding meritorious officials?" Cen Wenben interjected.

"I've already sent someone to inform them," Fang Xuanling replied with a smile.

Sun Fujia sneered, "We've already received the list before informing the Crown Prince. Isn't this favoritism? May I ask, Left Minister, is this His Majesty's intention?"

"What are you saying?" Liu Ji immediately said with some displeasure, "Lord Fang only just received His Majesty's decree. These lists were submitted long ago; it was the Crown Prince's side that failed to submit them in time. How can you blame Lord Fang for showing favoritism?"

"Exactly! How come you people from the Crown Prince's Palace have no manners at all?"

"Hey, you can't say that!"

Seeing that some people were starting to target the Crown Prince, Fang Xuanling immediately spoke up to stop them, saying, "It's a good thing that there are doubts, otherwise what's the point of having this meeting?"

After finishing his sentence, he smiled and said to Ma Zhou and the others, "Don't worry, even if this list is compiled, we will wait for the Crown Prince's decision before submitting it to His Majesty for a final decision. There will be no favoritism!"

Upon hearing this, Ma and Zhou remained silent.

Liu Ji then sneered, "Isn't the Crown Prince rewarding his meritorious officials himself? Does he need the court's bestowal of titles and rewards? I'm afraid even the court's rewards are not as generous as the Crown Prince's!"

"Yes! I've heard that the Crown Prince is incredibly wealthy in Ganzhou. Even ordinary soldiers receive a thousand strings of cash each. I, a fourth-rank official, don't even earn a thousand strings of cash a year!"

"Don't even mention a fourth-rank official like you. Even someone as second-rank as me, or even a first-rank official, probably wouldn't have a thousand strings of cash!"

"No wonder people often say that the Crown Prince's wealth is comparable to that of a country. Now that I've seen it, it's indeed true. I wonder where the Crown Prince got all this money from."

As Liu Ji finished speaking, the other officials also began to mock and ridicule Li Chengqian.

It was obvious that the number of people in the court who were dissatisfied with the Crown Prince had suddenly increased.

This is not a good sign.

Not only did Ma Zhou and the others realize something was wrong, but even Wei Zheng was vaguely alert.

Because this has never happened before.

Could it be that something big is about to happen in Chang'an?

Thinking of this, Ma Zhou and his companions suddenly remembered what had happened in Empress Zhangsun's palace, and their brows furrowed even more deeply.

Fang Xuanling and Li Jing exchanged helpless glances, thinking to themselves that this mess would probably require a regent to sort out.
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(End of this chapter)