pappabearbooks Chapter 5412 Everyone gets what they need
Chapter 5412 Everyone gets what they need
Chapter 5412 Everyone gets what they need
Li Chengqian looked at Fang Jun and smiled, "Grand Commandant, why don't you tell everyone about your strategy? That way, everyone can hear it, and if there are any shortcomings, we can brainstorm and make the strategy more reasonable and comprehensive."
Fang Jun put down his teacup and coughed lightly: "I have been feeling quite hot-tempered these past two days, and my throat is sore that I can't speak properly. I discussed these matters with the Grand Secretary yesterday, and he knows them very well, so let him tell everyone about them."
The hall of state affairs was quiet.
As expected, old habits die hard. Even with immense power, he's still the same old blockhead. When his temper flares, he won't even give face to the Emperor...
Ma Zhou was somewhat embarrassed. He had realized that he had been tricked by His Majesty, but since things had come to this, he couldn't very well lose his temper with His Majesty like Fang Jun had.
Having no other choice, he said, "The Grand Commandant only suggested an idea, and I also participated in refining it..."
Fang Jun couldn't escape the infamy. Feeling guilty, he dragged himself into it as well. Although it was of little use, it lessened his sense of guilt.
He then explained in detail the strategy of "using people from Guanzhong to fill the land in Hebei".
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, he was met with a chorus of angry shouts and curses from the audience in the Hall of State Affairs.
Minister of Civil Affairs Tang Jian stroked his snow-white beard, glared at the emperor, and angrily shouted, "Are you crazy? Guanzhong is the capital region and the cornerstone of the empire. If Guanzhong is stable, the whole country is stable; if Guanzhong is unstable, the whole country will be in chaos! You, the Grand Secretary, not only cannot share the emperor's worries, but you also come up with such a terrible idea that will ruin the foundation of the empire. You are simply absurd!"
He was old and experienced, so even when Ma Zhou was harshly rebuked, he could only swallow his anger and remain silent.
Pei Huaijie's face also flushed red with anger: "Foolish! Originally, Hebei was a place that did not submit to the king's rule, and the people were suffering. Now you want to drag Guanzhong into it, causing turmoil in both places and instability in the country. Ma Zhou, what are you up to?"
In his view, His Majesty would never accept such a strategy.
Although Your Majesty is eager to prove that you can be a capable and good emperor, it is difficult to do so simply by being a "benevolent and righteous ruler". Governing Hebei is an excellent opportunity, but this strategy was proposed by Fang Jun. Even if it succeeds, it will be Fang Jun's achievement. If it fails, Your Majesty's reputation will definitely be damaged. How could Your Majesty possibly agree to it?
The reason this matter was brought up for discussion in the Council of State is likely because Fang Jun and Ma Zhou joined forces to put pressure on His Majesty. His Majesty was reluctant to openly refute them and risk a falling out, so he hoped that the gentlemen in the Council of State could "understand His Majesty's intentions" and "understand His Majesty's heart," so as to "rescue" His Majesty and at the same time give the "treacherous officials" a good beating.
With Xu Jingzong completely suppressed and out of hope for the position of prime minister, Pei Huaijie considered himself the number one "henchman" of the emperor. If he didn't cheer for the emperor now, when would he?
Moreover, as a Chamberlain, how could he stand with the Grand Secretary and advance and retreat together?
I am the vanguard of His Majesty's camp, opposing Fang Jun and Ma Zhou!
Ma Zhou looked displeased. As the prime minister, he naturally had the dignity of a prime minister. He couldn't refute Tang Jian because of his seniority, but he didn't have such concerns about Pei Huaijie.
"Your Excellency, please be careful with your words. Hebei is also within the territory of our Great Tang. Whether they are aristocratic families or ordinary people, they are all citizens of the Great Tang. How can you say that they do not submit to the rule of the king? The people of Hebei are willing to follow the princes to go to the vassal states to seek a better life. This was promised by His Majesty when he established the feudal world. What is wrong with that? Once the population of Hebei decreases, will the vast fields be left uncultivated and abandoned? It is the right time to move the people of Guanzhong to cultivate them."
For example, it's inconsequential for someone to say something like "the land of Hebei does not submit to the king's rule" in private or among the common people. However, it is extremely inappropriate for a high-ranking official, one of the emperor's chancellors, to mention it openly in the Hall of State Affairs.
Pei Huaijie's expression changed as he realized he had said the wrong thing.
Since Hebei "does not submit to the king's rule," why does the imperial court allow it to continue?
If we were to launch a military campaign, it would ignite a civil war and destabilize the very foundation of the nation.
If we turn a blind eye, the authority of the central government will be completely lost.
Therefore, it's best to keep such matters to yourself and never openly proclaim them, lest you put the central government in a passive position.
How could someone who is a high-ranking official and the prime minister of the empire not even have this much political acumen?
He quickly retorted, "Did I say that first? The Grand Commandant and the Chancellor are determined to transport the people of Hebei overseas, isn't it because the powerful families of Hebei have formed their own faction and are exploiting the people too much?"
Ma Zhou shook his head and said no more.
Such people likely spent too long in Luoyang, where, as the governor of Henan, they held immense power and developed a habit of micromanaging and handling practical matters. Upon entering the central government, they retained the same domineering style, completely unaware that in the central government, "idealism" is more important than "practicality," and that political acumen and ideology are far more crucial than actual ability.
The Imperial Censor Liu Xiangdao, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but remind him, "Your Excellency, please don't speak recklessly. The people of Hebei are only going to the vassal states voluntarily with His Majesty's permission, partly to find a way to make a living, and partly to participate in the construction of the vassal states. It is a win-win situation. How come it seems to you that the people of Hebei are being forced to board ships and be sold overseas? If this causes turmoil in Hebei and panic among the people of Guanzhong, Your Excellency will bear the responsibility."
Pei Huaijie's face flushed red, and he was about to say something more, but Li Chengqian stopped him by waving his hand.
He had placed great hopes on Pei Huaijie, but now he was naturally very disappointed. Was the Hall of State Affairs a place where one could speak recklessly?
"Since there are many controversies and opinions are difficult to reach a consensus, let's follow the old rules of the Council of State and vote by raising hands."
While this rule of "majority rule" has many drawbacks, it does have one advantage: it helps to quell disputes and mitigate their impact, allowing resources to be concentrated on major tasks.
The ministers had no objections and immediately raised their hands to vote, and naturally the proposal was passed...
Li Chengqian looked around and said, "Then who should be in charge of this policy? If any of you ministers have a suitable candidate, please feel free to recommend one, even your own nephews or nieces. We should not avoid recommending relatives."
This matter was naturally to be overseen by Ma Zhou, but as the Grand Secretary, Ma Zhou held a high position and was burdened with numerous and complex affairs, making it impossible for him to handle everything personally. Therefore, someone had to travel between Guanzhong and Hebei to oversee the migration and relocation of the people, as well as to reconcile the relationship between the powerful families of Hebei and the central government, which was extremely difficult.
Tang Jian said, "This old minister recommends Wang Jishan, the son of the late General of the Left Guard and Duke of Xing, Wang Jun'e. This son is upright and self-disciplined, and cannot be swayed in the face of adversity. He has the integrity of a great minister and is worthy of being appointed."
Li Chengqian thought carefully before remembering who Wang Jun'e was: "The Duke of Xinxing County was a founding hero, deeply trusted by both Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong, and his contributions to the country were immense. But I don't know much about his son..."
He turned to Li Ji and asked, "Does Duke Ying know the character of Wang Jishan?"
At the end of the Sui Dynasty, the country was in chaos. When Wang Junkuo invaded and plundered Handan, his cousin Wang June advised him to take in the survivors and wait and see how things changed.
Later, when Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan entered Guanzhong, Wang Junkuo and Wang Junkuo returned to the Tang Dynasty. Emperor Gaozu was overjoyed and appointed Wang Junkuo as a general, enfeoffed him as the Duke of Xinxing County, and later promoted him to General of the Left Guard.
He accompanied Emperor Taizong on his eastern expedition and fought against Goguryeo at Zhubi Mountain. He died in battle. Emperor Taizong was deeply saddened and posthumously granted him the titles of General of the Left Guard, Commander-in-Chief of the military affairs of six prefectures (You, Yi, Gui, Ping, Tan, and Yan), Governor of Youzhou, and Duke of Xing, with a fief of three thousand households.
His son inherited the title.
Li Ji, who had fought alongside Wang Jun'e, nodded upon hearing this: "Wang Ji is a diligent and upright man, and can be employed."
Li Chengqian then turned to the rest of the group: "Do any of you ministers have any recommendations?"
Everyone shook their heads. Tang Jian recommended him, and Li Ji approved of his choice. The candidate had already been decided. Even if there were any further recommendations, it would only be a formality.
"Then this matter is settled. Order Wang Jishan to come to the Secretariat for approval."
He then said to Ma Zhou, "My dear minister, please work hard and come up with a detailed and feasible strategy as soon as possible so that it can be implemented promptly."
"Here."
……
After the meeting at the Hall of State Affairs adjourned, Fang Jun followed Li Chengqian back to the Imperial Study in the Hall of Martial Virtue.
After the emperor and his ministers sat down facing each other, and the eunuchs served them fragrant tea, Li Chengqian asked with a smile, "Second Prince, is there something you need?"
Fang Jun sat up straight and said, "Your Majesty, I would like to request a leave of absence for a while."
Li Chengqian asked in confusion, "Hmm? Is something wrong at home?"
Could it be that he's angry because revealing him as the "instigator" might incite feuds between Hebei and Guanzhong, or even slander and attacks in the imperial court?
Fang Jun shook his head and said, "Two days ago, my younger sister sent a letter from Jiang Kingdom, saying that she is several months pregnant and should give birth before the end of the year. Your Majesty knows that my parents have always doted on their daughter. My younger sister and the Prince of Jiang have just arrived in the vassal state, where supplies are scarce and life is simple, so they are worried and cannot sleep at night. However, my parents are too old to travel far by sea, so I thought I would take some midwives and medicine with me on the trip, and return after the delivery, to put their minds at ease."
Li Chengqian exclaimed in surprise, "My little sister is pregnant? Oh dear, Seventh Brother didn't even send a message back about such an important matter. Otherwise, I should have been the one to send someone to deliver the midwife and medicine! Haha, his mother would be so happy if she knew!"
Li Yun's mother, Lady Wang, was merely a low-ranking female official, making it inconvenient for her to communicate with people outside the palace. This is likely why Li Yun did not send a message back immediately.
He said, "Although my family is the imperial family, and my seventh brother is of noble birth, it is truly my seventh brother's blessing that my younger sister is able to marry him. I have always regarded my younger sister as my own sister. Now that they are pregnant, it is a great joy! However, I rely on Erlang quite a lot. Your trip back and forth will take at least half a year. If something happens, I will have no one to consult!"
He understood Fang Jun's intention.
This attack and slander should have been directed at him, the emperor, but now Fang Jun is bearing the brunt of it, though he wants to avoid the limelight...
What is reasonable and justifiable should be done according to one's own needs.
Fang Jun said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Li Chengqian smiled and gestured for tea: "They are my younger brother and sister-in-law, why should Erlang thank you?"
However, he changed the subject, revealing a worried expression: "But now all the vassal states are vigorously attracting people. If this continues, will there be any hidden dangers?"
(End of this chapter)