The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

"I know about this problem, but I have a solution," Chen Huai'an said directly, without keeping anyone in suspense.

Yu Shao's eyes widened immediately: "Minister, do you have a way to solve the problem of toxic coal?"

Chen Huai'an nodded slightly.

Ancient people rarely used coal because burning raw coal produces pungent smoke that can easily damage food and clothing, and can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Furthermore, in winter, when everyone keeps their doors and windows closed, burning coal makes it easier to get poisoned.

However, this problem is not insurmountable; burning raw coal is certainly not an option.

If coal slime is mixed with clay to form cakes and ventilated by drilling holes, the problems of excessive smoke and easy poisoning from raw coal can be solved.

In fact, life is difficult for ordinary people every winter, and many people do not survive the winter each year.

It's not that they'll freeze to death, but that they'll get sick from the cold.

In this era, even a common cold or fever can be fatal for ordinary people.

If they encounter a harsh winter, it's normal for them to freeze to death.

Chen Huai'an's next plan was to mine, process, and sell coal, ensuring that people across the country could keep warm in winter while also increasing revenue.

Next year, he also plans to dig irrigation canals and build water conservancy projects.

No one present was stupid; the four of them instantly understood what Chen Huai'an was planning to do. Chang Gui quickly asked, "Minister, so your next step in the work-for-relief program is coal mining?"

"Yes!" Chen Huai'an did not deny it, "But I don't plan to look for a new coal mine. Firstly, there isn't enough time, and secondly, there's too much uncertainty about new coal mines."

"In places like Jinshan in Taiyuan, Zibo in Shandong, and Pengcheng in Jiangsu, there are existing coal mines that can be used directly without the need to dig new mines. If things go smoothly, coal can be produced in as little as half a month."

"That's wonderful!" Ouyang Shu exclaimed excitedly. "If that's the case, everyone will have a much better winter, the national treasury will have an extra source of income, and this will basically not affect anyone's interests."

"It is entirely beneficial and without any harm."

"Minister," Yu Shao said, bowing. "I will immediately send people to inspect the coal mines in Taiyuan Jinshan, Zibo in Shandong, and Pengcheng in Jiangsu to see if they are operating normally."

"Okay." Chen Huai'an replied casually, but what he was thinking about was something else entirely.

The others noticed this, so they didn't bother Chen Huai'an too much. They then asked some questions about the details and arrangements before taking their leave.

After the others left, Chen Huai'an sat for a while, then chuckled as he recalled how Li Shimin had deliberately done something bad that day, making Zhang Anan mention his refusal to marry in front of Chen Sujin.

"Feng, please don't blame me!"

"You were the one who acted ruthlessly first, so don't blame me for continuing to torment you!"

"......"

The next day, before the officials went to court, Chen Huai'an and Wei Zheng walked together, whispering to each other, seemingly discussing something.

When Li Shimin attended court, his expression was not good.

It wasn't just because he received the disaster report from Chen Huai'an and the others; there was another important reason!

"Gao Shizhong!" Li Shimin said with a grim face, "Wang Gui is a Yellow Gate Attendant personally appointed by me. His duties are to offer advice, reject proposals, and review imperial edicts!"

"He secretly reported to me with advice. As a Chamberlain and one of the prime ministers, why did you withhold Wang Gui's secret report?"

The "Gao Shizhong" mentioned by Li Shimin was naturally Empress Zhangsun's maternal uncle, Gao Shilian, who came to the imperial prison to organize the prisoners during the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

Gao Shilian remained silent in response to Li Shimin's questioning.

If it were a normal piece of advice, Gao Shilian would naturally not have kept it; it was just that Wang Gui's advice was too unusual.

Wang Gui impeached the meritorious officials of the Prince of Qin's mansion and the abuse of power by the imperial relatives, which was an allusion to Changsun Wuji, who was officially promoted to Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel in July.

Despite Empress Zhangsun's efforts to dissuade him, Zhangsun Wuji still became prime minister.

As Li Shimin's maternal uncle, Gao Shilian naturally couldn't just stand by and watch this piece of advice be delivered to him.

In his view, he had only withheld a letter of advice, and even if it were exposed and he was punished, it wouldn't be too severe.

Li Shimin angrily said, "Why are you silent?"

Gao Shilian cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that Vice Minister Wang's secret report contains falsehoods and is suspected of exaggeration and sowing discord. I think it would be irresponsible to send such a secret report as advice, so I sent it back..."

"What do you think?" Li Shimin questioned. "Just because you think so, you can withhold a secret report submitted by a mere eunuch?"

"Has your opinion been approved by me?"

"What were the bottom lines I set for governing the country?"

"Open up channels for communication and ensure that the opinions of the people are heard!"

"If even a mere Vice Minister Huang from the Secretariat cannot deliver his confidential reports to me, and thus remain unseen by me, how can we talk about broadening channels of communication and ensuring that the people's sentiments reach the emperor?"

"With so many officials in the land, are their memorials, secret reports, and remonstrances simply because you deem them inappropriate or dislike them, that you can withhold them all?"

"Is that right!" Li Shimin glared at him.

Gao Shilian panicked a little; Li Shimin's reaction was far beyond his expectations.

This hat is too big.

This is tantamount to saying that he crossed the line.

This is not a joke.

"Your Majesty..." Changsun Wuji stepped forward, preparing to plead for his uncle.

Unexpectedly, Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "Enough!"

"No one is allowed to speak, and no one is permitted to plead for him!"

"Regardless of the reasons, I have established a bottom line for governing the country: open channels for communication and ensuring that the people's sentiments are heard from the top! This is a bottom line that no one can cross!"

"Today, you dare to withhold a confidential report from a mere Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Tomorrow, would you dare to withhold confidential reports from the Ministry of Revenue? Or even military reports from the Ministry of War?"

Once these words were spoken, Changsun Wuji dared not utter another.

Li Shimin took a deep breath: "Issue my decree: Gao Shilian, the Chamberlain, has been found guilty of withholding confidential reports from below and abusing his power for personal gain. Effective today, he is stripped of his position as Chamberlain and demoted to Grand General of Anzhou!"

"To be implemented immediately!"

As Li Shimin's unquestionable order was given, the entire court fell silent, and no one stood up to speak.

Everyone could see that Li Shimin was determined.

In particular, the former officials of the Prince of Qin's mansion all had solemn expressions on their faces.

They weren't stupid; they naturally understood that Li Shimin was using this opportunity to give them a warning.

"Gao Shilian, you should go back now," Li Shimin said again.

Gao Shilian's face was full of bitterness, he seemed to want to say something but couldn't, he could only nod in agreement.

After he left, Li Shimin sighed inwardly.

Gao Shilian was a meritorious official of Xuanwu Gate and a core member of the Changsun clan. After ascending the throne, he showed great favor to Gao Shilian.

But it was precisely this identity that forced Li Shimin to nip problems in the bud.

If they dare to withhold the secret memorials of the remonstrating officials now, and are not punished, it will inevitably lead to a situation where "the prime minister conceals the truth from his subordinates and the channels for speaking out are blocked." Demoting Gao Shilian is a warning to others, to all the former officials of the Qin court.

The world is not the private property of the King of Qin, and no one is allowed to cut off the channels for advice!

In addition, Li Shimin gradually understood the deeper meaning behind Chen Huai'an's words that day.

Chen Huai'an seemed to be using Empress Zhangsun as a pretext, but in reality, he was constantly implying that the power of the empress's relatives was growing.

That day, however, he was distracted by Empress Zhangsun and didn't come back to his senses.

"..."