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

Chapter 478 The Emperor's Wrath (Part )
In Qianqiu Palace, Li Chengqian raised his head with an indifferent expression and said, "Tell the Queen to ask, by the way, which of the families present in the palace today has a gentle and unengaged son to choose as the consort of Princess Xincheng."

"Yes!" Xu An walked out from the side, bowed solemnly to Li Chengqian, then turned and left.

Li Chengqian shook his head slightly and looked at Lu Zhaolin leaving with a complicated expression.

Xu Jingzong, the Imperial Secretary and Imperial Recorder, came out from behind the curtain and bowed to Li Chengqian, saying, "Your Majesty!"

"Hmm!" Li Chengqian said calmly, "Xu Qing, is it because I'm too easy to talk to that they don't take my favor seriously?"

"Your Majesty!" Xu Jingzong bowed and said, "For the Lu family, a great family, marrying a princess is not as good as ruling the country themselves. The same is true for the Cui family."

The Lu family of Fanyang, the Cui family of Boling, and the Hedong families have always been like this.

"Yes, they want too much. They want poetry, literature, etiquette, titles of nobility, and the ability to traverse the north and south." Li Chengqian shook his head slightly and said, "They also want to pass the imperial examination."

Li Chengqian had a sharp eye and saw through Lu Zhaolin's real hesitation at a glance.

Lu Zhaolin wanted to pass the imperial examination, but he was only sixteen years old. Although he was talented and intelligent, Li Chengqian was in power at the time.

He had higher requirements for practical work, so the Ministry of Personnel recruited officials according to his habits.

Not to mention that this has been the trend since the Zhenguan period.

Changsun Wuji will definitely follow through to the end.

If Lu Zhaolin had taken the imperial examination honestly, it would not have been difficult for him to pass, but as a genius, he always wanted to give full play to his talents.

Given his personality, he probably wouldn't have a chance to pass the imperial examination under Li Chengqian until he was in his twenties.

If it weren't for Li Chengqian's favor, he would have been able to reach the position of county magistrate in the past 20 years, which would have been a smooth career.

When he was forty years old, he was able to return to Chang'an.

When he was fifty years old, he was able to be sent out to serve as a governor.

Perhaps when he is in his sixties or seventies, he will have the opportunity to become the Minister of Six Ministries or even the Prime Minister.

But now...

Li Chengqian would not wait for him. Li Shimin said that Princess Xincheng's marriage would only be held this year, and very soon.

Li Chengqian turned around and walked out of the hall.

Xu Jingzong followed calmly.

After leaving Yiqiu Gate, Li Chengqian said, "Xu Qing, if you want to do something, think it over and then act quickly. Otherwise, you'll lose all your chances."

"Yes!" Xu Jingzong bowed solemnly.

Standing up, he looked outside the palace, and Lu Zhaolin's figure was vaguely visible.

Lu Zhaolin had no idea what he had missed.

Of course, even if he knew, he might not care.

The Lu family of Fanyang.

Xu Jingzong looked up at Li Chengqian who had walked a little further away, and his face couldn't help but hesitate.

……

On the seventh day of May, the regular court session.

In the Liangyi Hall, Li Chengqian sat on the imperial couch and looked at the ministers calmly.

Yu Zhining stood to the upper left of the ministers, holding the imperial edict, and said loudly: "To promote the relationship between Chinese and foreign people, nothing should come before marriage.

Pei Yin, the son of Pei Shuang, a doctor of the imperial court, the chief officer of Wuzhou, and the Duke of Jiangxia County, had a black chin with a strange glow and feathers of extraordinary color. He did not even need to wait for the training of folding hairpins, but was already destined to be an auspicious sign.

Gui Cen was from a famous family and was known as the match of Taiji.

Zhang Ao is from a prominent family and is suitable to marry Yuan's daughter.

But the princess of Xincheng's son-in-law was granted the title of son-in-law commander, the title of Shangshe Fengyu, and an additional fief of 200 households.

Admire this! "

Li Baiyao, the Minister of the Imperial Clan, and Pei Xuanji, the Junior Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, both stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I accept your order."

At this time, the ministers could not help but make a slight uproar.

Wasn’t it said that Princess Xincheng’s consort would be Lu Zhaolin of the Fanyang Lu family? In fact, the emperor had just summoned Lu Zhaolin the day before yesterday?
How come the candidate for the prince consort changed in just two days?

But he is from the Pei family of Wenxi.

Changsun Wuji stood behind Fang Xuanling and glanced at the short and fat Pei Xuanji.

Secretary-General Pei Xuanji was the son of Pei Ju, but the person who made the decision with the emperor was Princess Linhai, the wife of Pei Ju, the governor of Bianzhou.

Lawyer Pei is the son of Pei Ji.

Pei Yin, who had just become the consort of Princess Xincheng, was the son of Pei Shuang, the chief officer of Wuzhou and the Duke of Jiangxia County, and the grandson of Pei Yun, the Duke of Jiangxia County.

Pei Yun, Pei Ju, Pei Ji.

The Pei family caused countless disturbances from the pre-Sui Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty.

Pei Ji served as the deputy supervisor of Jinyang Palace in the early Sui Dynasty. After entering the Tang Dynasty, he served as Shangshu Zuo Pushe and Sikong. He was an old minister of Emperor Gaozu and died in the sixth year of Zhenguan.

Pei Ju served as Shangshu You Pushe in the early Sui Dynasty and destroyed various tribes. After entering the Tang Dynasty, he served as Shizhong and died in the first year of Zhenguan.

Pei Yun served as the Imperial Censor during the early Sui Dynasty. He was good at using the "appearance inspection method" to inspect household registration. He was in charge of confidential matters with Pei Ju and Yu Shiji. In the 14th year of Daye, he died with Yang Guang.

Changsun Wuji raised his head slightly and looked at the emperor on the steps.

Li Chengqian was sitting on the imperial couch. Seeing this scene, he shook his head slightly.

Pei Yin was a kind and honest man, and he came from a noble family and had a handsome appearance. In the end, he was chosen as the son-in-law of Princess Xincheng.

Perhaps he was not as romantic as Lu Zhaolin, but as a husband, he was the most qualified son-in-law.

Of course, Li Chengqian's choice of Pei Yin as Princess Xincheng's consort actually also meant to make use of Pei Shuang.

During the Sui Dynasty, Pei Yun was good at checking household registration. For Li Chengqian, who wanted to know the exact population of the Tang Dynasty, their family history would be very useful.

"Go away." Li Chengqian waved his hand slightly. Princess Xincheng and Pei Yin had their own people from the Zongzheng Temple to convey the imperial edict.

"Yes!" Li Baiyao and Pei Xuanji bowed and retreated at the same time.

……

Sitting on the imperial couch, Li Chengqian leaned forward slightly and looked at the ministers with a stern face: "Okay, it's time to discuss the case of the Minister of the Central Secretariat." The entire hall instantly became quiet, and everyone couldn't help but bow their heads slightly.

Li Chengqian looked up: "Grand Censor."

"I'm here!" Sun Fujia stood up from the train and bowed to Li Chengqian, saying, "Your Majesty!"

"Tell me, what exactly is going on?" Li Chengqian leaned back slightly, his eyes extremely cold.

"Your Majesty," Sun Fujia said, bowing, "This case was reported by the Secretariat Translator Shi Hedan, and impeached by the Supervisory Censor Wei Renyue."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly.

"Wei Renyue's investigation was flawed. Shi Hedan initially agreed to sell the mansion to the Minister of the Central Secretariat because he promised to transfer him to the position of Assistant Minister of the Imperial Household. However, this never came to pass, so Shi Hedan, indignant, reported it to the Censor and subsequently impeached him." Sun Fujia bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this isn't a case of forced purchase of a mansion at a low price, but rather a case of buying and selling official positions."

All the ministers in the hall stopped breathing for a moment.

If it was just a case of forced purchase of a house at a low price, although there would be punishment, it would be a minor crime. However, Chu Suiliang was involved in a case of buying an official position.

If things get serious, people will be killed.

Changsun Wuji stood among the ministers with a calm expression.

Chu Suiliang has been temporarily suspended from his post and he was not in the palace today.

Li Chengqian looked at Sun Fujia and asked, "Has Shi Hedan ever met Prime Minister Chu?"

"No!" Sun Fujia cupped his hands and said, "But Chu Yanfu was the one who mediated this matter. Chu Yanfu confessed that he had mentioned this matter to Prime Minister Chu in a subtle way, and Prime Minister Chu tacitly agreed."

Changsun Wuji couldn't help but lower his head and gritted his teeth.

Chu Suiliang took the responsibility for his son.

But it ruined the overall situation.

……

"Why do you want to buy a house?" Li Chengqian looked at Sun Fujia and asked, "Officials of the fourth rank and above, and even some fifth rank officials, are granted residences by the court. And Chu Qing is the Minister of the Central Secretariat, so his residence should be quite large. Why would he need to buy a house?"

"Prime Minister Chu's eldest grandson, Chu Fu, is going to discuss marriage." Sun Fujia bowed and said calmly, "The woman's family wants them to have their own house."

The ministers in the hall couldn't help but raise their eyes.

Chu Suiliang was the prime minister. Most families, after marrying their daughter to Chu Suiliang's eldest grandson, would wish them to live together. But now he has the confidence to ask Chu Suiliang to build a house just for his eldest grandson. This is not something that most people can say.

Li Chengqian didn't ask who the woman's family was. He asked, "What happened next?"

"Chu Yanfu found Zhang Ruice, a doctor in the Ministry of Personnel. Zhang Ruice drafted the appointment and then submitted it." Sun Fujia turned sideways and looked at Tang Jian beside him.

Tang Jian stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, this minister has not passed."

"Shi Hedan waited a long time, and even after the house was sold, he didn't get the position of Grand Chamberlain. Finally, in anger, he went to the Censor to file a complaint." Sun Fujia bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this is what happened. Chu Yanfu sought Zhang Ruice's name, but Prime Minister Chu didn't report it to the Ministry of Personnel. He said he had forgotten about it."

Li Chengqian nodded, looked at the Dali Temple Minister Yin Jun and asked, "Mr. Yin, how should this case be judged?"

"Your Majesty, the house should be returned to Shi Hedan, and Shi Hedan should return the money to Chu Yanfu." After a brief pause, Lord Yin continued, "As for Prime Minister Chu, for condoning his son's illegal behavior, he should be dismissed from his position as Secretary of State and demoted one rank as punishment."

To be demoted one rank actually means to be demoted from the position of Minister of the Secretariat to the position of Minister of the Six Ministries or Minister of the Nine Temples.

This is how Yang Shidao was demoted.

Li Chengqian glanced at Yin Jun lightly. This kind of punishment was actually a little too light.

Perhaps many of them have already realized that Chu Suiliang had no idea about this matter, and it was his son who was acting in his name.

Of course, Chu Suiliang was not aware of this for the time being.

This time, if Wei Renyue had not filed a complaint, Chu Yanfu would definitely have gone to Chu Suiliang to tell him about it in the future.

But today, Chu Suiliang took the blame for his son. So once Chu Yanfu told Chu Suiliang, Chu Suiliang would probably agree to it out of necessity.

That is really buying and selling official positions.

"My lords." Li Chengqian raised his head slightly, and all the ministers immediately bowed solemnly.

This matter is about to have a result.

Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "In fact, I could fine Chu Qing twenty catties of copper, remove him from his position as Jinzi Guanglu Dafu, and remove him from his post as Duke of Henan. Then, I could punish him with confinement for three months and then just let this matter go. But, that's not me."

With a loud bang, Li Chengqian slammed his hand on the imperial desk. His gaze swept across the courtiers, and he gritted his teeth as he said, "Government is the foundation of the country. If I let Chu Suiliang off lightly today, then in the future, everyone will follow suit. I wonder how many people will not take governance seriously. When that happens, corruption and the selling of official positions will permeate the country, and the governance of the Tang Dynasty will be completely ruined."

Li Chengqian raised his head, his angry eyes gradually subsiding. He said slowly, "So, my lords, for the sake of the Tang Dynasty, for the continuation of the prosperous Zhenguan era, please do not blame me for taking drastic measures today."

"We dare not." The ministers bowed solemnly.

"Send the decree." Li Chengqian looked at Yu Zhining and said coldly, "Remove Chu Suiliang from his post as Minister of the Central Secretariat, demote him from the rank of Jinzi Guanglu Dafu to Yinqing Guanglu Dafu, and demote him to the Governor of Tongzhou. Although his son Chu Yanfu followed his father's orders, he has committed wrongdoings and will be demoted one rank to serve as a county magistrate."

"Yes!" The ministers bowed and accepted the order.

"Issue an imperial decree to appoint the Minister of Personnel Tang Jian as the Minister of the Central Secretariat." Li Chengqian looked directly at Tang Jian.

Tang Jian stood up in surprise and bowed: "Your Majesty... I obey your command. Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"The Minister of Works Yang Shidao is appointed as the Minister of Personnel." Li Chengqian's gaze turned to Yang Shidao.

Yang Shidao stood up with his hands clasped in surprise and said, "I accept your command. Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"The Minister of Guanglu Temple, Changsun Xiang, has been promoted to the Minister of Works." Li Chengqian said the last sentence, and the eyes of the ministers quickly fell on Changsun Wuji.

Changsun Wuji bowed calmly, but couldn't help but feel relieved in his heart.

The emperor's actions were exactly the same as what the emperor said, and the emperor was not targeting him.

"I obey your order and thank you, Your Majesty!" Chang Sun Xiang quickly stood up and bowed.

"The Censor Wei Renyue has been promoted to the Palace Censor for his meritorious service in supervision." Li Chengqian looked at Wei Renyue who was standing behind him.

Wei Renyue stood up in surprise and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Although your impeachment this time was a little off, impeaching a prime minister requires courage. I hope you can continue in the future."

"Yes!" Wei Renyue bowed solemnly, his eyes full of excitement.

Li Chengqian looked at Sun Fujia and said, "Sun Qing, the Censorate should take Wei Qing as a role model in the future."

"I obey your order." Sun Fujia bowed and was about to leave when Li Chengqian said, "Why are you going back? The matter is not over yet."

All the ministers in the hall looked up in surprise.

(End of this chapter)