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

"Hey, who's here? Look, look, who is this?"

After finishing his meal at home, Chen Huai'an received a summons from Li Shimin and rushed over.

As soon as I entered, I heard this strange, sarcastic voice.

He knew without even thinking that it must be a country bumpkin!

Chen Huai'an glanced at him sideways: "Who else could it be? Wei Xuancheng's uncle!"

"What's wrong? Don't you recognize me today?"

"Hahahaha!" Li Shimin immediately burst into laughter, and everyone else in the hall joined in, except for Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling, whose expressions were somewhat unnatural.

Yesterday, when these three were at the Chen residence, they were planning to get Chen Huai'an drunk, but they ended up drinking themselves into a stupor and were even tricked by Chen Huai'an into calling him "Master".

It can be said that his lifelong reputation was ruined in an instant.

"That's all because of you!!" Wei Zheng roared. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have lost face so badly!"

Chen Huai'an scoffed, "Who told you to try and mess with me? Did I force you? If you say that again, I'll have to help you remember what you did yesterday..."

"Fine, fine, fine!" Wei Zheng was furious... but quickly raised his hand to stop him, "Let's not talk about it anymore, okay?"

"Alright," Li Shimin stepped in to smooth things over. These people had indeed been acting foolishly yesterday, and with so many people present, it was impossible to keep bringing it up.

Just joke about it in private.

"The main reason I summoned you all here today is to discuss the trade with Lingnan." Li Shimin looked around at his ministers. He had summoned quite a few people today, not only his core ministers, but also many officials of the fifth rank and above.

This includes Ouyang Shu.

"Regarding the opening of the Grand Canal between the Central Plains and Lingnan, trade is now possible. I am also interested in seeing if commercial taxes can be implemented between the two regions. Therefore, I have ordered Keming and Xuanling to formulate a series of systems, which you can take a look at."

As he spoke, Li Shimin instructed Zhang Anan to distribute the pre-copied contents of the regulations. He then said to Feng Ang, "Minister Feng, I know you cannot stay in Chang'an for long. During this time, I have talked with you quite a bit and listened to many of your suggestions."

"This is the complete version of the policy. Take a good look at it. If you have no objections, we will proceed according to this."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Feng Ang nodded and began to read carefully.

In fact, during his time in Chang'an, he talked more with Chen Huai'an, who had already informed him of the court's plans.

He had no objection to the system proposed by Chen Huai'an.

On the contrary, Feng Ang was quite surprised.

Because the imperial court divided the canal transport into four sections, and entrusted the last and most important section to the Feng family.

Feng Qiao'er and Feng Zhidai didn't understand the deeper meaning, but he understood it all too well.

This thing is legitimate and rewarded by the imperial court. If the descendants of the Feng family are even slightly more capable, relying on this last stretch of canal transport will be enough to guarantee generations of glory.

The section of the canal route that Chen Huai'an gave them was equivalent to giving them half a foundation that they could rely on.

Moreover, they also obtained the rights to produce salt, the right to share profits from overseas exports, and complete control over the enormous profits from tea.

Feng Ang was already very satisfied. These days, he had been talking to Li Shimin mostly about details and things that needed to be adapted to the local conditions in Lingnan.

In short, the overall framework will still follow Chen Huai'an's approach.

After all, the four-stage transportation system proposed by Chen Huai'an was too advanced, and there is currently no better method than this.

"..."

After everyone finished reading, some nodded, some were satisfied, and some frowned, but no one raised any objections.

"My esteemed ministers, does anyone have any objections to this?" Li Shimin asked calmly.

"Your Majesty..." Cui Xuan hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Isn't the position of Transport Commissioner of Lingnan a bit too powerful?"

He naturally wanted to take this position, but he couldn't say it outright; he had to take it one step at a time.

As soon as Cui Xuan spoke, many people were tempted, especially those fourth-rank officials.

In fact, they had many opportunities. The court said it was short of people... but actually it wasn't. However, Li Shimin just didn't want to use them.

For example, Chen Huai'an was in charge of two departments.

Du Ruhui was appointed as the Acting Grand Councilor and also took charge of the Ministry of War, overseeing military affairs of the Eastern Palace.

There are quite a few such examples.

Li Jing held the important position of Minister of Justice and concurrently Inspector of the Secretariat, a position that was almost entirely occupied by these people.

But they couldn't afford to offend any of them, and dared not say anything.

Now, we finally have an extra third-rank Lingnan Transport Commissioner, and it's an incredibly lucrative position.

Who wouldn't be tempted?

"Too much power?" Li Shimin knew perfectly well what he was planning, and calmly said, "In fact, in my mind, the Lingnan Transport Commissioner is just like the Ministry of Works and the Directorate of Works."

"The Transport Commissioner of Lingnan was only in charge of matters concerning the Central Plains and Lingnan, and was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue, which was subordinate to the Ministry of State Affairs."

"The power isn't that great."

"The Chief Craftsman of the Imperial Workshop is a third-rank official, as is the Transport Commissioner of Lingnan. I have given this official rank very much thought."

"There's no need to mention this again!"

"Then..." Cui Xuan continued, "Does Your Majesty have someone in mind?"

"Hmm?" Li Shimin said with a half-smile, "Does Minister Cui perhaps have a suitable candidate to recommend to me?"

Upon hearing this, Cui Xuan was not pleased; instead, his initial enthusiasm waned considerably.

If Li Shimin really wanted him to make a recommendation, he wouldn't have asked that question.

Chen Huai'an glanced back and saw that Ouyang Shu was completely calm at the moment, and nodded to himself.

Indeed, Ouyang Shu is reliable; he didn't show any emotion because of a few words from others.

Otherwise... he would have to consider whether or not to let Ouyang Shu go up today.

"Your Majesty, I dare not make the decision for you. I only wish to say that the position of Transport Commissioner of Lingnan is of great importance, and the selection of the person to fill it must be carefully considered," Cui Xuan replied after a moment's thought.

"I have already thought about it." Li Shimin looked at Ouyang Shu. "The Lingnan Transport Office is similar to the Ministry of Works and the Directorate of Works. It is itself under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue."

"Therefore, I intend to promote Ouyang Shu, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, to the position of Transport Commissioner of Lingnan."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Firstly, Ouyang Shu, as the person in charge of dredging the Lingqu Canal, is already familiar with the area. Secondly, he has served in the Ministry of Revenue for many years and has made great contributions."

"Considering seniority, ability, and the current situation, Ouyang Shu is the most suitable candidate!"

"Anyone who has a problem can speak up!"

His words instantly dispelled everyone's doubts, and those who were initially tempted by the huge profits completely gave up.

Who doesn't know that Ouyang Shu is Chen Huai'an's man?

This was clearly predetermined; they had no right to interfere.

The hall was silent. After waiting for a while and seeing that no one spoke, Li Shimin said, "Ouyang Shu, today I establish the Lingnan Transport Commissioner, and I hereby appoint you as the first Lingnan Transport Commissioner."

"I hope you won't disappoint me!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ouyang Shu rose and bowed deeply, "Your subject will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

"..."