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

Chapter 483 Emperor, please go and rest. I am a little tired. (First update)
The imperial carriage came out of Xingqing Hall and passed by Datong Hall.

Zhao, who had heard the news a long time ago, came out of the hall holding her son Li Zhong, who was less than two years old, and knelt on the steps.

Li Shimin turned sideways to look at Zhao, then passed her and looked at the two old women in the hall, and then looked at Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian turned around and said, "Tell Zhao what my father and I just said in Xingqing Hall. Also, tell her to teach Li Zhong well. I will not treat him unfairly in the future."

"Yes!" Zhang Ananda bowed and walked quickly towards the Datong Hall.

After hearing what Zhang Ananda said, Zhao was immediately overwhelmed with tears and bowed her head to the ground: "Thank you, father, thank you, Your Majesty."

Li Shimin raised his hand slightly, and the imperial sedan chair was immediately lifted up and headed towards the Daming Palace.

The Daming Palace is still under construction, but the project is progressing very quickly.

"The century-old timber from Xichangzhou has been shipped back. It is expected to be completed by the end of the year and air-dried for three months. In April or May next year, your father won't have to go to Cuiwei Palace and Luoyang." Li Chengqian whispered in Li Shimin's ear.

Li Shimin shook his head and lay on the imperial sedan chair. He didn't look so excited. He just looked up at Li Chengqian and asked, "Chengqian, will you really use Xin'er and Zhong'er in the future?"

"Of course." Li Chengqian looked at Li Shimin in surprise, then explained with a smile, "Xin'er was raised by me. I know his personality very well. As for Zhong'er, I will send someone to teach him in the future. I will shape him into who he will be. There's nothing to worry about."

Li Shimin nodded slightly, wanting to say something but unable to.

"Besides, Father, I'm only a Censor. I won't be promoted or demoted, so I can't pose any threat." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian whispered, "Besides, the two of them are out there. If anyone else really wants to do something, they'll inevitably have to contact them. I just need to make arrangements for their wives."

Li Shimin suddenly looked up, looked at Li Chengqian in surprise, then nodded slowly, his expression suddenly relaxed a lot.

……

The sun sets and the earth returns to sleep.

In Ganlu Palace, Li Chengqian helped Li Shimin lie down on the bed.

Wu Meiniang and Zhang Ananda served carefully, one holding a fan and the other holding a thin silk quilt.

Li Shimin lay down, smiled, then waved his hand tiredly and said, "Your Majesty, go and rest. I am also a little tired and want to rest early today."

"Then your Majesty, please take a rest first and remember to have dinner later." Li Chengqian bowed slightly, then turned and walked out of the inner hall.

Inside Ganlu Hall, Zhang Baozang, Yin Wencao, and Xuanzang stood in the hall and saluted Li Chengqian, saying, "Your Majesty!"

"Please take good care of my father." Li Chengqian nodded slightly.

"We obey your command." The three of them bowed in unison. Seeing Li Chengqian walking out of the hall, they all saluted and said, "Your Majesty, we respectfully bid you farewell."

Li Chengqian strode out of the hall.

Wu Meiniang half-knelt beside the bed. She only fanned it twice, and the sound of Li Shimin's snoring could be heard from the bed.

Wu Meiniang looked up in astonishment, looked at Zhang Ananda on the side, and asked, "Zhang Jian, what happened to the saint?"

Zhang Ananda shook his head and said, "The Saint went to visit the King of Wei and his family, as well as the Princess of Jin."

Wu Meiniang's pupils dilated instantly, and she asked in disbelief, "Just now."

"Yeah!" Zhang Ananda nodded helplessly.

Wu Meiniang couldn't help but frown.

What is the physical condition of the retired emperor? If you let him meet the Prince of Wei and the Princess of Jin, and think of what happened in the past, what will happen if something happens to him due to the mental shock?
Wu Meiniang glared at Zhang Ananda fiercely, then gently fanned herself again.

As the breeze blew on his face, Li Shimin's snoring became much quieter.

……

In the inner hall of Wanchun, the candlelight was dim.

On the bed, Li Chengqian closed his eyes and leaned in Zheng Shuang'er's arms.

Zheng Shuang'er didn't say anything, but just gently pressed Li Chengqian's temple with her hand.

At this time, Li Chengqian had no desire to speak.

He had handled things very well today, but for some reason, after coming back, he felt listless. He didn't even have the desire to think, let alone talk.

Finally, he rested at Zheng Shuang'er's place in Wanchun Palace.

Among Li Chengqian's concubines, Su Shu, as the queen, was able to bear some of the pressure for Li Chengqian and solve problems together.

Wei Wei is a person with a clean and pure mind, and she can make Li Chengqian feel at peace.

However, now, Li Chengqian felt inexplicably uncomfortable in his heart. He didn't want to go to Su Shu because he didn't have any problems to solve.

He didn't go to Wei Wei either, because he couldn't release the pain in his heart to Wei Wei.

Only with Zheng Shuang'er could she silently endure some of Li Chengqian's bad emotions.

Although he didn't say anything, Li Chengqian could feel that his bad mood had completely disappeared after waking up from a night's sleep.

……

The candle suddenly became brighter.

Changsun Wuji raised his head slightly, glanced at the fireworks that were rising again, then turned his head, closed his eyes, and recalled what had happened that day.

The Imperial Censor Sun Fujia found the account book of bribes recorded by Zhang Ruice in his home.

Afterwards, Zhang Ruice, a Langzhong of the Ministry of Personnel, was beheaded, Liu Shi, a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, was demoted to the governor of Shezhou, and Tang Jian, the Minister of the Central Secretariat, was fined three months' salary.

However, although Liu Shi was transferred from the position of Vice Minister of Personnel, the emperor still asked him to nominate the next Vice Minister of Personnel.

The key position of the Minister of Personnel is still in the hands of Zhangsun Wuji.

Changsun Wuji took a deep breath, his eyes swept across the entire study, and he couldn't help but recall the whole incident in his mind.

Chu Suiliang was dismissed from his post as prime minister and replaced by Tang Jian.

Although Tang Jian was from a prominent family in Guanzhong, he was not close to Zhangsun Wuji.

Tang Jian, the Minister of Personnel, left and was replaced by Yang Shidao, who was not very close to Zhangsun Wuji.

Liu Shi lost his position as the Minister of Personnel, but the next Minister of Personnel was still in the hands of Zhangsun Wuji.

In the end, Changsun Xiang became the Minister of Works.

Although the Minister of Works ranks last among the six ministries, he is still one of the six ministers.

If one carefully calculated, Changsun Wuji's losses from Chu Suiliang and Liu Shi were not that great, and he even recovered quite a bit. This sudden change of events ended just like that.

But is it really the end?

……

Changsun Wuji's eyes fell on the candle not far away.

Li Chengqian's figure flashed on the burning flames.

If we only calculate power, Changsun Wuji did not suffer much loss, and the emperor did not seem to gain much either.

But Changsun Wuji knew in his heart that things could not be settled in this way.

This is especially true from the perspective of court officials.

During this turmoil, the emperor dismissed a minister of the Central Secretariat.

Then a new Zhongshu Ling was appointed.

He promoted a minister of personnel and then appointed a new minister of personnel.

He promoted a Minister of Works and appointed a new Minister of Works.

Another assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel was dismissed.

A doctor from the Ministry of Personnel was beheaded.

The entire three provinces, six ministries, nine temples and five prisons must conduct self-inspections.

Changsun Wuji's breathing couldn't help but become heavy.

It was so heavy that even he could hear it clearly.

After a long time, Changsun Wuji sighed softly, his expression somewhat helpless, but also a hint of relief.

Although this incident was sudden, there is no doubt that the emperor seized the opportunity.

After a series of events, the emperor successfully dismissed a prime minister, and then successfully adjusted the attitudes of the Minister of the Central Secretariat, the Minister of Personnel, and the Minister of Works according to his own.

As for the other dismissals of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and the beheading of the Doctor of the Ministry of Personnel, they were just incidental.

He successfully left the impression in the minds of his ministers that he was able to depose and appoint the prime minister and the six ministers.

In this way, in the future, when he dismissed the prime minister and the six ministers, as long as he gave a suitable reason, the court officials would accept it respectfully.

In other words, the emperor had the ability to dismiss and appoint the prime minister and the six ministers on his own.

Among them was his eldest grandson Wuji.

The emperor completely controlled the center, and his will was implemented more smoothly.

This is what the emperor gained from this central change.

His prestige increased.

Changsun Wuji smiled lightly. With the help of a sudden change, the emperor had achieved this point. His imperial skills had gradually begun to take shape.

Changsun Wuji lowered his head and his expression became serious.

Did this change really come suddenly?

Why does he feel like he's being manipulated?

Li Shimin's figure suddenly appeared in Changsun Wuji's mind.

"Bang, bang, bang..." A slight knock on the door interrupted Changsun Wuji's thoughts.

Changsun Wuji's expression calmed down, and he looked up and said, "Come in."

……

With a creaky sound, the door opened and Chang Sunchong, dressed in a purple robe, walked in. He then bowed and said, "Aye, someone's here."

"Bring him in." Changsun Wuji slightly turned sideways, made room, and looked behind him.

An old Turkic man wearing a green official robe and with white hair and beard walked in carefully from outside.

Seeing Changsun Wuji, he was a little frightened, but forced himself to remain calm and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant, Shi Hedan, the translator of the Secretariat, is here to see the Minister of Works."

"No need to be so polite." Changsun Wuji stared at Shi Hedan, frowning and asking, "Why do I feel like you look familiar?"

"The Duke has an extraordinary memory." Shi Hedan gave a somewhat flattering smile, then said, "I am the General of the Right Guard, the Prince of Beiping, and a subordinate of Tuli Khan. When Jieli Khan came to the court, the sage held a grand banquet for all the ministers, and I was fortunate enough to be in his presence."

When the Tang Dynasty and Jie Li were fighting, Tuli Khan chose the Tang Dynasty.

So after Jie Li was finally pacified, Tuli was appointed as the General of the Right Guard, Prince of Beiping, and Governor of Shunzhou.

"I used to be a military officer in Shunzhou. I was about to retire, but because the Secretariat needed someone, I was transferred to be a translator." Shi Hedan lowered his head and said bitterly, "It's only because I'm old and my children and grandchildren are unfilial that I'm forced to sell the house given by the sage. This is why this happened."

In the early years of Zhenguan, the population of Chang'an City was not as large as it is now.

At that time, there were many vacant houses in Chang'an City.

Li Shimin was also generous and gave many houses to many Turks who settled in Chang'an City.

This is also the reason why Shi Hedan’s house has a good location.

Changsun Wuji sighed softly, his interest suddenly gone. He waved his hand and said, "Your house will be returned to you by the court soon. You won't be promoted to the fifth rank, but if your son is willing to join the army, I can recommend him to be a deputy captain of the Right Guard."

The deputy captain of a team of fifty elite cavalrymen in the army is an official of the ninth rank or below.

"I am willing to do so. Thank you, Duke." Shi Hedan's face was immediately filled with surprise, and he bowed solemnly.

If he is just a deputy team leader now, he can do it by spending some money, but is the deputy team leader recommended by Changsun Wuji the same as the deputy team leader who can be appointed by spending money himself?

"Okay, go ahead. Someone will come to find you later." Changsun Wuji waved slightly at Shi Hedan.

"Thank you, Sikong!" Shi Hedan bowed again, then turned and left.

Changsun Wuji couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. At this moment, Shi Hedan, who had just reached the door, suddenly stopped, turned around, looked at Changsun Wuji, and said carefully, "Prince, there is something I don't know whether I should tell you or not."

(End of this chapter)