Three whips break the father-son relationship, please call me prince

Chapter 212: Gao Shilian is dismissed, and Zhangsun Wuji's royal favor is at its peak
It is unknown how much wealth the aristocratic families that have stood for several dynasties have, and no one has the ability to calculate the value of this wealth.

They were either hidden in cellars or taken underground.

No matter what method is used, as long as it is not circulated on the market, it will be harmful rather than beneficial to the country's economy.

Li Chengqian was thinking of various ways to make these people take out their money so that he could use it.

Grassland development is one.

Newspaper is one too.

There is no bank that has unveiled its true identity yet.

This is the ultimate weapon for making money.

He set the newspaper deposit at a threshold of 100,000 strings of cash, which was a well-considered decision.

This will eliminate many small and medium-sized newspapers and prevent the newspapers from being mixed with good and bad.

It can also prevent newspaper reports from being like wild horses that are out of control.

But now he suddenly realized that when facing Li Shimin.

I was still too conservative. I overestimated the importance the aristocratic families placed on money and underestimated how wealthy they were.

Li Shimin was more radical than him and knew too much about the aristocratic families.

What is one hundred thousand strings of cash?
What is two hundred thousand strings of cash?
As long as they have fame and status, they can have money if they want it.

Because the court will use the money to spend on various aspects.

They can get this part back from all aspects.

"His Majesty."

"Our dynasty advocates freedom of speech, and Your Majesty has repeatedly told all officials that you should speak your mind without reservation."

“Now that a general press directorate has been established, a deposit has to be paid.”

"Isn't this a move to block the channels of speech? It is not good for the country or the people, and it goes against the original intention of our dynasty's speech."

Cui Dunli cupped his hands and said in a sad voice: "Nowadays, newspapers in Chang'an are flourishing and a hundred schools of thought contend."

"It is like the various schools of thought of the past."

"How can we kill such a magnificent spectacle just because of fear of choking?"

Xiao Yu and Lu Dunxin exchanged a glance, and the latter gritted his teeth and stood up, saying, "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"The newspaper's usefulness in opening up the channels for people's speech and educating them is obvious to all and will greatly benefit the world."

"It is right for the imperial court to control, but it cannot be so one-size-fits-all. Each school has its own opinions. It is in line with the meaning of the four sentences of Tianqi for everyone to debate the truth and distinguish right from wrong."

"Even more so under the wise leadership of your majesty's thoughts and spirit."

The two sides suddenly stood on the same front, and everyone was a little uncomfortable with it.

But that's all, everyone here is a veteran.

The measure introduced by the prince is not aimed at the enemy or us, but at all of them.

They can afford to pay the money, but if they don't pay, and there is no such organization as the General Directorate of Information, wouldn't it be better and more beneficial for them?

Cui Dunli was also silent and did not speak.

Fighting is fighting, but sometimes, you have to know when to stop and judge the situation.

If he opposed Lu Dunxin's words at this time, wouldn't he be contradicting himself with what he said just now?
Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian with some amusement. He couldn't see Li Chengqian's front, only his back. He didn't know what his expression was, but it should be very interesting.

Why can't you manage the people under you?
This jump out is not giving face to you, the prince.

Li Chengqian was very calm, his expression normal and extremely peaceful.

It's right to support him, and he is also supporting the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River.

But they also have their own interests and needs.

When benefits are at risk of being lost, they will certainly fight for it.

For example, Zhangsun Wuji supported Li Chengqian as the crown prince, but he also had his own interests. On the premise of supporting the crown prince, he also had to protect his own interests.

It seems conflicting, but in fact it is not contradictory at all.

Of course, in other words, some people are getting carried away.

Being so careless and only seeing the immediate benefits is short-sighted.

But what Lu Dunxin said next made him laugh.

"This dispute was unilaterally caused by Shandong newspapers. If they had not provoked and openly published humiliating articles in the newspapers, it would not have become such a mess."

"I think that we should open up the channels for public opinion and recreate the scene of various schools of thought. We should only punish the main culprits and set an example for others..."

"The meaning of the four sentences of Tianqi has been revealed, and your majesty's thoughts and spirit have been implemented..."

Lu Dunxin once again directed his attack at the Shandong family, saying that they were the culprits and that all the disputes were caused by them.

Cui Dunli was furious, and Lu Chengqing also wanted to eat him.

What do you mean?
We have to take the blame for this, right?
You guys are challenging our authority and taking advantage of the situation to get close to the prince, and you don't know your own limitations.

Isn't it right for me to beat you?

"It's all nonsense. The Jiangnan newspapers are going too far and are full of lies."

Lu Chengqing said angrily: "Now you are turning the tables."

"Humph, you are arrogant and conceited. We all know what the Shandong newspaper said a few days ago..."

Lu Dunxin said one word.

All the civil and military officials in the court were silenced.

The words were not explained, but everyone knew what it meant.

Li Shimin's face turned cold, while Li Chengqian had no expression on his face.

Fang Xuanling and others remained silent.

Changsun Wuji and Gao Shilian had gloomy faces the whole time.

Especially Gao Shilian, he hated him to death.

When old issues are brought up, he is the one who suffers the most.

"This is a court meeting, not a market. Do you think this is a place for quarrels and verbal fights?"

Yu Zhining stood up and scolded, "Do you still have any manners?"

Li Chengqian said calmly: "No matter how you talk about it, it still comes down to who is right and who is wrong."

He paused for a moment and said, "Duke Shen, do you have anything to say?"

What is to come will come.

Gao Shilian sighed sadly, and suddenly he understood something.

Once the old account came to light that day, there was no way he could escape it.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"I have been exhausted recently, and my head and eyes are blurry. It is difficult for me to handle the affairs of the Ministry of Shangshu."

After hearing these words, Changsun Wuji felt a chill on his back and his heart was in turmoil.

He suddenly woke up and realized that this matter was not that simple.

Is someone trying to force Gao Shilian to retreat?

Which side?

Your Majesty? The Crown Prince? A Jiangnan noble family, or perhaps a Shandong noble family? There is a Shandong noble family.

Otherwise they would not have brought up old issues in the newspapers.

Why do they do this?
It was obviously a gesture of dissatisfaction with him and his uncle.

"Damn it!"

Changsun Wuji was very annoyed as this was too different from his plan.

I am not ready yet, how can I take over the position of Right Prime Minister of the Secretariat?

Doesn’t the prince want to see me take the position of Right Prime Minister?
He couldn't analyze the relationship behind it for a moment, and he was just confused.

The ministers also looked at him sideways.

"I cannot delay state affairs. If I force myself to stay in office, I will make a big mistake sooner or later."

"I ask your Majesty's permission to resign from office and retire."

Gao Shilian raised his hands and bowed solemnly to Li Shimin.

The hall was quiet, almost silent.

Fang Xuanling said urgently, "Your Majesty, although Duke Shen is old, he manages the Secretariat in an orderly manner, which is obvious to all."

"Resigning from office is too cautious."

The Minister of the Left stood up to oppose it.

Changsun Wuji also hurriedly stood up and spoke a few words.

Wei Zheng and others hesitated for a moment and also tried to persuade him. Xiao Yu was eager for Gao Shilian to leave, but he still had to put on a good show.

"I already know what you all mean, but I have made up my mind. If you let me stay in office and something goes wrong, wouldn't that ruin my reputation?"

"I hope you guys won't advise me."

Gao Shilian looked visibly older.

Doesn't he want to stay?
In fact, I also want to stay. Who doesn’t covet power?

What’s more, this is the power of the central government.

It is no exaggeration to say that he is second only to a few people and above tens of millions of people.

He controls the life and death of countless people.

But there was nothing he could do.

Have to go.

Because many people wanted him to step down.

Taking the initiative to give him a chance is to give him dignity. If he doesn't ask for leave, and His Majesty really issues an edict to dismiss him,

That's really not decent at all.

From another perspective, it is better to retire now than at any other time.

At least everyone can save face and I can still show some mercy.

"That's fine."

"Since Lord Shen is determined to retire, I can't stay any longer."

Li Shimin said: "Then grant Duke Shen's request."

"Your Majesty, I think we should retain the courtesy of Duke Shen as the Right Prime Minister of the Secretariat..." Li Chengqian said.

"allow!"

The Duke is the Duke.

The Right Pushe of the Shangshu Province is the Right Pushe.

The two cannot be compared.

Li Chengqian's words were meant to give Gao Shilian the dignity he deserved.

Gao Shilian returned to his seat somewhat dejectedly, fearing that this would be the last time he would sit in this position.

“A general directorate of information must be established.”

"From now on, newspapers can only be distributed in Chang'an City. No newspapers are allowed to be distributed anywhere else."

“This is to facilitate the review by the General Information Office.”

"But newspapers published in Chang'an are not restricted from circulation and dissemination in various places."

After Li Chengqian finished speaking, his eyes swept majestically among the officials.

Now Gao Shilian has been removed from office.

Do you have anything else to say?

We will add more pressure on you and limit your scope.

No matter what opinions you have, please bear with me.

Otherwise, was the removal of this Minister of the Secretariat just for show?
"I have no objection!"

Led by Fang Xuanling and Zhangsun Wuji, all the ministers shouted in unison.

Li Shimin raised his lips slightly, "Let the prince choose the candidate for the General News Department."

"Duke Zhao, Lord Shen, you should also know about the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel."

"As for the candidate for the Right Servant, I need to think about it again."

After saying this, Li Shimin stood up and left.

All the ministers cheered and saw him off.

Changsun Wuji cleared the haze and was appointed as the Minister of Civil Affairs to take charge of the Ministry of Personnel.

This is an unprecedented grace.

It was also to tell all the ministers that Zhangsun Wuji's emperor's favor was at its peak.

Even if this was what Gao Shilian got in return for his retirement.

With both departments in his hands, if he takes one more step forward, he will be able to become Shangshu You Pushe in no time.

"Congratulations, Duke Zhao."

Many colleagues congratulated him, but Changsun Wuji remained reserved and apologetically said goodbye, then caught up with Gao Shilian and left quickly.

"uncle."

"How dare he, a Shandong family?"

When he thought of the actions of the Shandong family behind the scenes, he felt very bad and gloomy.

"Fuji, you should also know that since the crown prince rose to power, the Shandong noble families have never gained any benefits. The grasslands also look to the face of the Prince of Hejian to get a share of his pie."

"The rise of the Jiangnan gentry has threatened their reputation and status, which has also made them very dissatisfied."

"After all, it was me who messed up the matter back then. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been a series of subsequent incidents."

"But don't worry about these. You are alone in the court and need help from others. No matter what, you have to rely on them."

Gao Shilian sighed and said:
"The situation in the court is complicated now, with all parties involved. If I don't pay attention, one day, my reputation will be ruined."

"It is a wise decision to withdraw now, which is the best thing for me."

(End of this chapter)