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

On the other hand, Chen Huai'an also saw the deeper meaning behind Li Shimin's demotion of Gao Shilian.

It's not just about giving a warning to the former officials of the Prince of Qin's mansion.

Furthermore, the power of the former officials of the Prince of Qin's mansion was also too great at this time. Considering that Feng Deyi had died, the only people qualified to succeed him as prime minister, besides Chen Huai'an himself, were Xiao Yu, who was not a former official of the Prince of Qin's mansion.

The concentration of power in the court was too high. The demotion of Gao Shilian objectively diluted the power of the former officials of the Qin court, leaving room for the rise of non-Qin officials such as Wang Gui and Wei Zheng, thus achieving a balance in the court.

When it comes to balancing things, Li Shimin was a master among masters.

After a moment of silence, Chen Huai'an stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, in the border prefectures of Guandong, Henan, and Longyou, frost has damaged the autumn crops."

"This frost disaster, coupled with the spring drought, has caused disasters on both the north and south sides of our Great Tang Dynasty, and it has already seriously affected border defenses and people's livelihoods. I urge Your Majesty to make a decision as soon as possible."

This gave Li Shimin a headache.

The officials in the court also had different expressions.

Du Ruhui and the others felt somewhat ashamed.

Initially, they all supported sending troops, but now that this has happened, they truly understand the value of Chen Huai'an's saying, "Preparation is the key to success, and lack of preparation leads to failure."

If troops had actually been dispatched then, they would probably have already prepared provisions and mustered troops, and the arrow would be on the bowstring, ready to be released.

Once troops are deployed, those who initially supported them will all be nailed to the pillar of shame.

Li Shimin pondered for a moment and said, "The national treasury should be full at present. As the Minister of Revenue, Minister Chen, you have already received the disaster reports from below. What are your thoughts on this?"

"Of course, we should use work relief instead of labor relief," Chen Huai'an said frankly. "I have already ordered people to count 200,000 strings of cash and 200,000 shi of grain, and restricted waterway merchant ships. We are just waiting for Your Majesty's order to immediately mobilize the supplies for disaster relief."

Li Shimin was very pleased to hear this. Among all the civil and military officials, Chen Huai'an was the only one who was efficient and thought three steps ahead.

He had already taken various measures to deal with the disaster as soon as he received the report.

It's really hard not to like someone like that.

Li Shimin even felt a little regretful that he should have promoted Chen Huai'an instead of Changsun Wuji that day.

After all, strictly speaking, Chen Huai'an did not belong to any faction, but was a poor boy who was promoted.

"Your Majesty," Changsun Wuji added, "this year's disasters are far too severe, with drought followed by frost, and there has been very little rain this spring, summer and autumn, and I fear there will be heavy snow in winter."

"Simply sending people to provide work relief is insufficient to demonstrate the court's concern, nor is it enough to appease the people. I suggest that several high-ranking officials be dispatched to the disaster-stricken areas of each prefecture to personally oversee the relief efforts and reassure the people."

"In addition, the frost disaster has affected border areas such as Liangzhou, where the food supply is already under great pressure, and we also have to guard against the Turks. We should send good generals and transport food supplies to Liangzhou as soon as possible to stabilize the border."

Li Shimin nodded, then asked, "Is there a more detailed disaster report? Which prefectures and counties are specifically affected? How much farmland has been damaged? How many people are affected?"

"Your Majesty," Chen Huai'an replied, "I have already ordered people to investigate this detailed disaster report, but it will take time. As soon as the disaster occurred, the officials rushed to report it."

"It's not something that can be done in a short time to compile these statistics."

"Hmm." Li Shimin wasn't surprised. After thinking for a moment, he said, "In that case, who is willing to go to the various prefectures to pacify the people? And who should go to the border regions?"

"Do you have a suitable candidate in mind?"

Upon hearing this, many people's eyes lit up.

This is a really lucrative job.

With Chen Huai'an's work-for-relief program and ample financial and food support, disaster relief is certainly not a problem.

In a year of famine that lasts all year, as long as one can ensure that the disaster does not spread to the area one is visiting, does not arouse public anger, and is well managed, then that is a great achievement.

It's fair to say that this was specifically designed to enhance one's resume.

Therefore, many people are eager to try it.

But Li Shimin could easily guess what these people were thinking. Many times, when he asked a question, he wasn't necessarily asking a question.

When asked, Li Shimin already had someone in mind, but he couldn't make the decision himself every time. He needed his subordinates to suggest candidates, and then he would adopt their suggestions.

This is the best.

"Minister Chen, as the one who proposed the work-for-relief program, the reason why the national treasury is full is all thanks to your hard work in accumulating it little by little. Why don't you recommend a few people?" Li Shimin said meaningfully.

There are many people here who understand his thoughts, but very few who are selfless.

Chen Huai'an was one of them.

In addition, Li Shimin did not want Chen Huai'an to leave Chang'an.

He was worried that someone might recommend Chen Huai'an.

Chen Huai'an naturally understood Li Shimin's meaning. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I believe that Wang Gui, the Yellow Gate Attendant, Wei Zheng, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Wen Yanbo, the Vice Minister of the Secretariat, and Sun Fujia, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, are more suitable."

Li Shimin appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly he was smiling.

These were all people he wanted to promote; Chen Huai'an's recommendations really resonated with him.

The key point is that during this disaster, Chen Huai'an never intended to make things difficult for him and handled everything perfectly.

Li Shimin was very pleased.

"Wei Zheng, Minister Chen has recommended you. Do you have any objections?"

Of the four people mentioned by Chen Huai'an, who didn't know this was a lucrative position? How could they possibly refuse? They all agreed.

Wen Yanbo and Sun Fujia also remembered Chen Huai'an's kindness.

"Since that's the case..." Li Shimin was about to make a decision when Wei Zheng suddenly spoke up.

"Your Majesty, I... have something to report."

Li Shimin asked in confusion, "What is it?"

Wei Zheng, holding his breath, recalled Chen Huai'an's words about the country bumpkin that day, and Chen Huai'an's intentional or unintentional hints before court today. He said seriously, "Now the Tang Dynasty is suffering from disasters on both the north and south sides, and the pressure on the border defenses is too great. Rebellions are on the rise, and some bad rumors have already appeared among the people."

"Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty to issue... an edict of self-reproach!"

When the last three words were uttered, everyone except Chen Huai'an was stunned and looked at Wei Zheng in disbelief.

An edict to admit guilt?

You made an emperor who had just ascended the throne a year ago issue an edict of self-reproach?

Li Shimin was stunned for a moment, then laughed angrily: "Wei Zheng, what did you say? What do you want me to establish?"

"An edict of self-reproach!" Wei Zheng met Li Shimin's gaze without flinching. "Does Your Majesty believe that an edict of self-reproach should not be issued at this time?"

"Should we wait until the world says that the endless natural disasters are because Your Majesty is immoral and unacceptable to Heaven?"

Li Shimin's eyes widened instantly, and he abruptly stood up, furious: "What did you say? Say it again!"

"Did I say something wrong?" Wei Zheng asked, his neck stiff.

"You...I..." Li Shimin's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, so angry he couldn't utter a word. Seeing that Wei Zheng still dared to defy him and show him no respect, he suddenly waved his hand, "Guards! Take him away!"

"Exile him to Lingnan! Exile him to Lingnan for me!!!"

"......"