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

Chapter 481: Prime Ministers Must Rise from Prefectures and Counties, and Valiant Generals Must Rise from the Ranks (Part )
In the Zhenguan Hall, Li Shimin sat back on the couch and looked at Li Chengqian: "How is it, are all the things settled?"

"That's about right!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "The rest is just a matter of killing a few more people."

"Although killing is not the best way, it is the most effective way." Li Shimin nodded. There was no problem for Li Chengqian to kill people at this time. If it were him, he would do the same.

"Killing people can deter some timid people from doing it again. Some people who have done it will hurry up and return the stolen goods. But there are also some people who can't turn back at all. There won't be much change, they will just restrain themselves a little." Li Chengqian shook his head slightly and sighed.

"Then kill more people." Li Shimin smiled and said, "Every one or two years, kill a corrupt minister, and then arrest a series of people from him. This will free up a series of positions, which will be beneficial to your governance."

"Son, what you're thinking about is whether corruption can be completely eradicated?" Li Chengqian looked at Li Shimin with pleading eyes.

"No!" Li Shimin shook his head directly and said, "Corruption in the Ministry of Personnel isn't actually the most serious. The most serious corruption lies in the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Finance, as well as local granaries and treasuries. These are all places that have direct access to large amounts of money and grain. Even if you investigate, they will find ways to cover it up."

Li Chengqian fell silent for a long moment, then calmly said, "Ultimately, it's all about greed. If we have no other choice, there's room for tolerance. But if greed is insatiable, then only killing, only death, can completely shock people."

"That's true, but sometimes, too much killing can easily make people feel uneasy." Li Shimin's words made Li Chengqian look up in shock.

Li Shimin shook his head and said, "It's not that I don't want you to kill, but I want you to kill quietly.

For many things, harsh handling will cause serious consequences, so killing some high-ranking officials to deter others is enough.

As for local officials, they should be exiled to places like Yunnan and Guizhou, the more remote the better."

"I understand, son." Li Chengqian nodded. No one was more familiar with such things as being exiled to a place with heavy miasma and then exiled to death than him.

"Don't worry about this matter right now. Just let the people below handle it." Li Shimin changed the subject and said, "Now, the position of the Minister of Personnel is vacant. Do you have anyone in mind to replace him?"

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "Let my uncle handle this matter. After what happened with Liu Shi, I'm sure my uncle will be able to choose an honest and upright official."

"Yes!" Li Shimin nodded and said, "Your uncle is your best helper. It's good that you understand this."

In fact, what Li Shimin was most worried about was that Li Chengqian would take action against Changsun Wuji.

Because once Li Shimin passed away, the only person in the world who was willing to stand in front of Li Chengqian unconditionally and face the world for him was Changsun Wuji.

However, it would be easy for Zhangsun Wuji's prestige in the eyes of his ministers to surpass that of the emperor, and at that time, the situation would be dangerous.

Regardless of whether the Guanlong faction did it intentionally or unintentionally, or the Hedong family fanned the flames, the situation would eventually develop to an uncontrollable point.

Now we can gradually reduce Zhangsun Wuji's prestige, but at the same time keep it at a high enough level, which is beneficial to both Li Chengqian and Zhangsun Wuji.

This is the long-term solution.

……

"By the way, when is Xincheng's wedding scheduled?" Li Shimin waved to the side.

"June 9th, Luoyang." Li Chengqian looked up and saw Zhang Ananda handing him a pill box. Li Chengqian then asked, "Father, is this the second round?"

"Both the Taoist and Buddhist sects have made minor adjustments to the pill formula." Li Shimin opened the pill box, revealing a black pill. He whispered, "Imperial Physician Zhang and the others have examined each other, and the Palace Department has also conducted a thorough inspection. There are no problems. Furthermore, the Taoist pills have been consumed for three days, and this is the Buddhist pill."

"Yeah!" Li Chengqian nodded, his eyes fixed on Danwan. He still wanted to persuade him, but he didn't know how to start.

All he could do was watch Li Shimin put the pill directly into his mouth and swallow it with warm water.

Li Chengqian stared at Li Shimin closely, fearing that something might be wrong with him after taking the elixir. However, after taking the elixir, Li Shimin did not show any abnormality.

Li Chengqian turned sideways and looked at Yin Wencao, Xuanzang, and Zhang Baozang on the side. The expressions of the three of them were very peaceful.

Li Chengqian felt a little relieved. If anything happened to Li Shimin, the three of them would be buried with him.

"If the emperor has something to do, please go and do it yourself." Li Shimin raised his head slightly towards Li Chengqian.

"Son, I don't have anything else to worry about. My uncle and Prime Minister Fang can handle everything." Li Chengqian shook his head calmly and said, "Son, please stay here and spend more time with your father."

"Okay." Li Shimin smiled, looked outside the hall, and said, "You all go down."

"Yes!" Yin Wencao, Xuanzang, and Zhang Baozang all bowed.

After the three of them left, Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian and asked, "We were talking about the Minister of Personnel just now. You plan to hand the appointment to your uncle. You are not so honest. Tell me, what are your thoughts?"

Li Chengqian smiled bitterly and lowered his head, saying, "I know I can't hide anything from my father."

Li Shimin raised his head slightly.

Li Chengqian then said, "The position of Minister of Personnel is one of the most important in the court, and even if it's my uncle, I can't ignore it lightly.

If he wanted to find someone to arrange it, it would have to be the person he trusted the most, and it would be even more difficult to convince his son.

Therefore, the position this person currently holds is also extremely important, and this is exactly the position my son wants."

Li Shimin suddenly understood.

It's the next best thing, but not far behind.

"So, if it were you, who would you appoint to fill this vacant position?" Li Shimin stared at Li Chengqian and asked, "Li Yifu, Dai Zhide, Li Yiyan? It can't be Liu Rengui, right? He's already in Yangzhou?" "They are indeed talented enough, but with the position still uncertain, I don't want to touch them." Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "Besides, if I want my uncle to approve of me, this person must be good."

"Who?"

"Does Your Majesty still remember the former Crown Prince's attendant, Liu Yingdao, the magistrate of Luoyang County?" Li Chengqian raised his head slightly.

"He's the son of Liu Linfu, the former Minister of Personnel, Governor of Youzhou, and Baron of Leping County. However, Liu Yingdao's wife is the Princess of Wenxi County, right?" Li Shimin frowned and said, "I'm afraid your uncle wouldn't approve of this choice."

Li Wanshun, Princess of Wenxi County, was the daughter of the Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and the Crown Princess Zheng Guanyin.

"Your Majesty, you've made a mistake." Li Chengqian smiled and said, "The one I want to transfer is Liu Xiangdao, a doctor in the Ministry of Rites. Liu Xiangdao made many suggestions during your majesty's Fengshan ceremony at Mount Song, and he made great contributions to the improvement of various rituals. Your uncle will not refuse this person."

The last time the whole country performed Fengshan was during the Later Han Dynasty, during the reign of Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty. He only toured the east to offer sacrifices to Mount Tai, and did not perform Fengshan.

There is a serious lack of etiquette.

So during the Fengshan ceremony last year, the Ministry of Rites, the Taichang Temple, and the Honglu Temple were busy for a long time.

Liu Xiangdao did a lot of things here, which greatly improved the entire Fengshan process.

Therefore, given his contribution, there was no way Changsun Wuji would refuse.

"You will also use Liu Xiangdao to be the Minister of Personnel in the future, right?" Li Shimin directly bypassed the Vice Minister of Personnel and set his sights on the Minister of Personnel.

"He's still far from qualified. His local experience is insufficient. He can serve as a provincial governor for one or two terms before considering the position of Minister of Personnel." Li Shimin nodded gently and said, "Prime ministers must rise from the prefectures and counties, and brave generals must rise from the ranks. Han Feizi's words are a model for how kings should govern throughout history. If we can follow this, the world will surely be in turmoil."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded.

"No wonder you didn't want Liu Shi to be the Minister of Personnel. He was seriously incompetent in his local posts." Li Shimin looked up and said, "That's why he was bullied by one of his officials."

"Is such that."

"Everything you do is righteous. I have made the right choice in choosing you as the crown prince." Li Shimin couldn't help laughing.

"Everything my son does is to emulate my father." Li Chengqian bowed slightly.

"Hahaha..." Li Shimin couldn't help but burst into laughter. After a moment, he restrained his smile and said, "You can have lunch here with me. In the afternoon, let's go to Beiyuan for a walk. This trip to Luoyang will take several months, and it will be autumn when we return."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded respectfully.

……

In the afternoon, when the sun finally became a little milder, Li Chengqian accompanied Li Shimin on the imperial sedan chair and headed towards Beiyuan.

On the Xuanwu Gate, Xue Rengui stood solemnly holding a long spear.

On both sides of the city walls, there were countless guards at the gates and outside the gates, all of them bowed their heads.

Li Shimin looked at Xue Rengui, but said to Li Chengqian: "Xue Qing is a brave warrior. Remember to use him on the battlefield in the future."

"I understand, son." Li Chengqian nodded seriously.

Li Chengqian will make good use of Xue Rengui's affairs without anyone else having to tell them.

After all, after the older generation of Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Jingde grew old, the only one who was truly suitable for fighting on the battlefield was Xue Rengui.

The others, whether it is Su Dingfang, Pei Xingjian, or Wang Fangyi, are actually a little inferior.

They all prefer wise generals.

Xue Rengui, as long as he is not allowed to be the commander-in-chief of a team, he can do a better job than anyone else.

Before anyone knew it, the imperial carriage had already left the Xuanwu Gate and entered the Western Inner Courtyard.

In the distance, you can see acres of crisscrossing wheat fields appearing in the distance.

A breeze blew by, and a burst of fragrance passed by the tip of my nose.

Li Shimin sat on the imperial couch and took a satisfied breath. Then he turned to look at Li Chengqian and asked, "Emperor, you have always been in charge of the imperial guards, right?"

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Over the years, any ideas the Sino-Agricultural Ministry has for farmland improvement have been immediately used in the Imperial Guards' fields. Although there have been occasional disappointments, overall the results have been positive. The amount of grain stored in the Imperial Guards' fields over the years is enough to feed the people of Chang'an for a month."

Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian in surprise and nodded, "Not bad."

"The generals and soldiers in Beiyuan have wealthy families, and with the rewards from the palace, they are all stable and satisfied." Li Chengqian smiled lightly.

"Yes!" Li Shimin nodded and said, "Remember to transfer more people from the Imperial Guard to the Sixteen Guards."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian looked serious.

Transferring the most loyal soldiers from the North Gate to the Sixteen Guards to serve as middle and lower-level officers was the most direct means for the emperor to control the Sixteen Guards.

(End of this chapter)