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

Chapter 284: The third rank official in the General Directorate of News, Li Yifu has broken through the defense.

PS: Updated in advance, I wish all readers a happy New Year’s Eve and good health to your family!

The grand court meeting at the end of the year.

High-ranking officials who were studying in the Hanlin Academy also entered the palace to participate.

As has been the practice in recent years, after a relatively intense process of interrogation and calculation.

The Commissioner of Taxation made a grand appearance and reported on the progress of work since its establishment.

"This year, the tax bureau has checked more than 3,000 Taoist temples, 500,000 hectares of farmland, and 170,000 hidden people."

"Both items are registered for the imperial court's taxation..."

Xu Jingzong looked very proud when he reported the matter.

Such achievements by the Department of Taxation mean a huge boost to the national treasury.

This is in line with the main functions of the Taxation Department.

As for the proceeds from the Taoist temples and monasteries sealed by the Taxation Bureau, they do not belong to them and are not reported by them.

Responsibilities must be clearly defined and one must not overstep one's authority.

"A population of 170,000."

Li Shimin said angrily: "I never expected that these temples would hide so many people."

“Why didn’t you notice it before?”

"How much loss and harm will this bring to the court?"

"Why didn't we notice it before? We have to wait until the tax commissioner comes to investigate before we can catch these bugs."

"Devote oneself to Buddhism, be pure, quiet and noble?"

"I think they are just a bunch of beasts in human form wearing monk's robes, bringing disaster to the country and the people."

Fang Xuanling responded, "Your Majesty."

"The imperial court has always been lenient and generous to Taoist temples, granting them special exemptions from paying taxes."

"But they have no intention of repaying the emperor's kindness and have done something so outrageous that violates the court's laws."

"I think we should cancel all the preferential treatment given to them by the court and treat them equally..."

This has been discussed.

Since we are taking action against them, we must do it once and for all and completely remove the special halo bestowed on them by the court.

Without this halo, the court will no longer treat him differently, and the common people will also become disenchanted with him.

The status of Taoist temples will naturally be lowered.

It is impossible for the kind of behavior that occurred before the investigation to happen again, where people dared to resist the imperial court's orders.

Wei Zheng raised his tablet to ask for permission to speak, and after waiting for permission, he said, "Your Majesty, I think that in order to prevent such phenomena from happening again in Taoist temples, we should increase the intensity of control over them."

"Besides, there are too many Taoist temples."

"There are thousands of them, big and small, all over the world. How many people are not doing any productive work in them?"

"We should order the closure of a number of these companies, and have their disciples return to secular life, so that they can be treated like ordinary people."

"After all, they were originally monks from among the common people, so this can be considered as letting them return to their original nature."

Hear the words.

The ministers discussed in low voices.

There is no problem in canceling the preferential treatment. Things have developed to this point, and the Tax Commissioner has made such a big deal, yet he is still given preferential treatment.

Then wouldn’t the tax commissioner’s investigation have been in vain?

But Wei Zheng's words were obviously beyond everyone's expectations.

Closing down Taoist temples will destroy their Taoist tradition.

"Duke Zheng, isn't this a bit too much? Many people become monks because they are homeless and have nowhere else to go."

An official said: "It is a bit inhumane to force them to return to secular life. What should they do?"

Wei Zheng didn't expect that someone would dare to talk back to him.

how?

I haven't fired a shot for a long time. How dare any Tom, Dick or Harry dare to challenge me?

"I have looked into the development of Taoist temples. The prosperity of Taoist temples began during the turbulent times."

"In times of chaos, people are living in poverty. The common people suffer from war and cannot get enough food, so they can only become monks to earn a living so that they can survive."

"Taoist temples took in refugees on a large scale, expanded themselves, and seized farmland to enrich the temples."

“That’s how they become powerful.”

Without investigation, there is no right to speak. Wei Zheng specifically checked the classics on this matter.

He continued, "The world is peaceful, but they are hiding the truth and concealing their power in secret."

"This makes them even more rampant and rebellious."

"Now that the Tang Dynasty is prosperous and peaceful, why do we need so many Taoist temples?"

"Since you are fleeing from war, then when the world is at peace, you should return to secular life."

"Could it be that our Great Tang is still unstable and there are signs of war?"

Wei Zheng's words were speechless.

Li Shimin didn't want to hear Wei Zheng say anything shocking again.

He cut the Gordian knot and approved Wei Zheng's request.

"I am an emperor who clearly distinguishes rewards and punishments."

"The tax commissioner has made great contributions and should be rewarded."

Li Shimin said: "The tax commissioners are extremely important to the court, and this also highlights their role."

"I have decided to upgrade the Taxation Department to a fourth-rank upper-level official office."

"Xu Jingzong, I hope that you, the Commissioner of Taxation, will continue to work hard and not slack off, and shoulder the important responsibility of taxation in the Tang Dynasty."

Xu Jingzong shouted excitedly: "I will not let down your majesty's trust and high expectations. I will do my best to fulfill my duties."

The Taxation Department was upgraded.

Or it is an upgrade across multiple official ranks.

Not only will he be promoted along with the tide, but officials at all levels of the Tax Commissioner will also be promoted.

The ministers were envious.

It was not until the 20th year of Zhenguan that the decision to establish it was made. By the end of the 21st year of Zhenguan, in just two years, it had spanned several official ranks.

It's so exaggerated and enviable.

"What else do you have to report?"

Li Shimin asked.

Fang Xuanling said, "Your Majesty, I have something to ask for your approval."

"allow!"

Fang Xuanling said: "The General News Department is responsible for the direction of public opinion, disseminating information, ideas, etc., and is in charge of reviewing newspapers throughout the country."

"In recent years, the newspaper has attracted widespread attention from the general public and has been well received by students and scholars."

"The number of newspapers in Chang'an has increased dramatically to dozens."

"I think it is appropriate to grant exceptional promotions in order to facilitate the management of the General Information Office?"

Li Shimin nodded and said, "Gentlemen, tell me if this is necessary."

Chang Sun Wuji said: "The General Information Department has made a lot of achievements recently."

"After all, the General Information Office has a great responsibility to guide education."

"To censor the newspapers in Chang'an, we must also guide the world's customs and unify the people's thoughts."

"For such a critical responsibility, a fifth-rank official is a bit low."

"I think it can be considered."

Other central ministers also stood up.

During the court meeting, Cui Dunli, who was participating in the meeting, felt something in his heart.

The issues raised at the grand court meeting must have been discussed and a consensus reached by the central government.

Now it's just a show.

It is certain that the Directorate-General of Information will make an exception.

But to what extent will it be an exception? Moreover, what he is most concerned about is that the head of the General Information Department has not yet been determined.

Li Yifu was punished severely by the imperial court and was not allowed to be promoted for three years. He definitely had no chance to be promoted to the position of chief official.

"If one of our own were to take the position, not only would we be able to control the General Information Office, which would bring great convenience, but we would also be able to have a person of high official rank."

As he was thinking about it, he suddenly heard the words "third rank".

Cui Dunli was dumbfounded. He subconsciously looked for Lu Chengqing, and the two of them saw each other's shocked expressions.

The General Administration of News was upgraded to a third-rank government office and was under the jurisdiction of the Secretariat.

this…….

There was an uproar in the hall.

Ascending into the sky in broad daylight.

A fifth-rank official office directly skips over the fourth rank, fourth rank, and third rank, and goes through multiple consecutive steps, becoming directly equivalent to the official rank of the six ministries.

Unimaginable changes.

This is a big break, isn't it?

"The position of Silang in the General News Department is temporarily vacant."

Li Shimin asked, "Do you have anyone to recommend?"

"Prince, do you have someone in mind?"

Li Chengqian said: "Your Majesty, the ministers who are studying in the Hanlin Academy are about to graduate, so it is a good opportunity to select and appoint them."

The Minister of Further Studies in the Hanlin Academy must either return to his original post or be promoted.

But there are currently no suitable positions available, so it is impossible to promote everyone.

But if no one gets promoted, then the further studies in the Hanlin Academy will be meaningless.

So, we have to find someone to come out no matter what.

Li Shimin nodded and said, "That's right."

"Duke Shen."

Although Gao Shilian had no official position, he had a title and was actually in charge of teaching in the Hanlin Academy. He also attended the court this time.

"The minister is here."

"Who can take on this important task as the Minister of Advanced Studies of the Hanlin Academy?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not speak nonsense, but I can say a few people..."

When Cui Dunli and Lu Chengqing heard their names, they lowered their heads, hiding their joy.

Before, they were thinking of pushing their own people to the General Information Department.

Now, they have set their sights on it and are aiming to become the Director of the General Information Department.

"Prince, who do you think is suitable among these people?"

Li Shimin asked.

When Cui Dunli heard this, he remembered what the prince had said to them.

"Cui Dunli is good."

Li Chengqian's five simple words decided the candidate.

"Cui Dunli!"

Li Shimin nodded: "I know."

"He has outstanding talents and abilities, and he asked to be sent to a remote place for two years. He managed Yizhou very well."

"During the training period..."

Cui Dunli's eyes flickered with joy.

The third-rank official position was right within his reach.

Prince, you are not lying to me.

He really keeps his word.

After being away for a few years, he returned to Chang'an and was about to become a third-rank minister.

"The Secretary of the General Information Department is Cui Dunli."

Li Shimin made the final decision and officially confirmed the candidate.

Cui Dunli stood up and saluted in the Taiji Hall.

But he didn't notice the teasing look in the prince's eyes.

The grand court meeting ended.

Cui Dunli walked with a breeze, and Lu Chengqing was envious and said, "Congratulations, Brother Cui, on your promotion to the third rank."

"Brother Lu, this is a blessing from heaven."

Cui Dunli said modestly, "This is what the crown prince said back then. I believe that Brother Lu will soon become a third-rank minister like me."

Lu Chengqing, who seemed a little disappointed, became excited after hearing this.

If Cui Dunli has what he has today, then Lu Chengqing will also have a tomorrow.

They all requested to be sent out on their own initiative and had also studied in the Hanlin Academy.

Sooner or later he would sit on it.

"what?"

"What did you say?"

"Can you say that again?"

Li Yifu asked three questions in a row, and his subordinates said tremblingly: "Our News General Department has been upgraded to the third rank and is under the jurisdiction of the Shangshu Province."

"Are you sure it's not wrong? It's a third-rank rank?"

"It's true."

Li Yifu sat down in a daze, the words "third rank" kept circling in his mind.

Soon, a strong sense of anger and hatred filled his chest.

That should be his.

The third-rank official position belongs to him, Li Yifu.

But because of the report, he missed it.

Missed this opportunity to ascend.

"Secretary, although the General Information Office has been upgraded to a third-rank official office, our official rank has not changed and remains the same."

These words completely shattered all of Li Yifu's rationality.

He broke his guard.

Break the defense!
"roll!"

"Get out of here!"

Li Yifu shouted in a rage and lost his composure.

The subordinate ran away in embarrassment.

"what!"

"I hate it!"

Li Yifu roared madly and smashed everything crazily.

If no one reported it.

If he is not punished, he will not be promoted for three years.

If he were still the Secretary of the General Information Department.

Then is it very likely that the third-rank official position will be his?
Even if there is a one percent chance, it is still better than having no possibility at all now.

"It would be unworthy of a gentleman not to take revenge."

"Just wait for me."

"Cui Dunli, did you know that this day would come? Your Shandong family is plotting against me behind my back."

"Okay, that's great."

"If I'm not doing well, you guys can't expect peace either..."

(End of this chapter)