The atmosphere in Taiji Palace was extremely oppressive.
Li Shi Min sat on the throne with a gloomy face. Wei Zheng stood in the palace with a straight face. He didn't care if Li Shi Min hated him or not.
Because from the moment he chose to stand on his side, he had never thought of being a fence sitter.
He also understood that Li Yuan wanted Li Shiming to take over the government because he wanted to see if Li Shiming could take on the heavy responsibility. This was something that all the officials in the court could see clearly.
Therefore, Wei Zheng knew that Li Yuan would not punish him for these normal things.
This was his duty.
Li Shiming did not speak, but Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and the others were all restless. However, they knew very little about these things, so they could only look at Zhangsun Wuji.
Zhangsun Wuji held the jade board and said,""Your Highness, Your Majesty personally met the blacksmith in my blacksmith shop when you left the palace yesterday.”
"Since Doctor Wei wants to know,"
"Then there is no need to disturb Your Majesty. We only need to send the Golden Guards to invite the blacksmith over.”
Zhangsun Wuji's words eased the situation.
Li Shi Min also let out a sigh of relief. He knew that he was too nervous, so he said calmly,"That's good too. Your Majesty has ordered this king to take over the government.”
"How could I ask Your Majesty to come over for such a small matter?”
"If Physician Wei thinks it's feasible, this Prince will summon the craftsman into the palace now. However, if it delays Your Majesty's matters, then Physician Wei will have to personally explain it to Your Majesty.”
Li Shimin took advantage of the situation to do so.
He threw the blame to Wei Zheng.
Wei Zheng was about to speak when Li Jiancheng looked at him and shook his head slightly. Then, Wei Zheng said,"Since the King of Qin has given me an answer.”
"Then, after we retire, we will personally go and consult Your Majesty.”
After Wei Zheng finished speaking, he returned to the queue.
Seeing this, Li Shimin smiled and did not provoke Wei Zheng. Instead, he looked at Xiao Yu.
Xiao Yu had discussed the matter of the Ministry of Agriculture with him yesterday.
Now was the perfect time to talk about it in the imperial court.
It could also be considered his contribution.
He could even place some trusted aides in.
Xiao Yu walked out slowly and looked at Li Shimin with cupped hands."Reporting to the King of Qin, this old minister still has something to report.”
Li Shimin saw Xiao Yu and said in a softer voice,"Minister Xiao, just say it. There's no need to be so polite.”
Xiao Yu did not stand on ceremony. He turned around and looked at the court officials behind him. He coughed lightly and said,"Yesterday, Your Majesty discussed with this old minister to set up a farming department in addition to the six departments.”
"I'll leave it to this old minister to plan. Now, I would like to ask if any of my colleagues have any suggestions.”
"After all, this is a matter that benefits the country and the people.”
Xiao Yu said.
The hall was silent for a moment.
Originally, farming was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue, but now it was going to be split from it. Moreover, it was valued by the Emperor, so it was clearly a good job.
However, this was also a double-edged sword. If it was handled well, it would be a promotion.
If he didn't handle it well, he would lose his head.
Li Shiming's eyes swept across the court, then fell on Li Jiancheng and said,"How does the King of Han think we should set up the Ministry of Agriculture?”
"Any advice?"
Li Jiancheng was asked by Li Shimin.
He shook his head slightly and said," I'm not familiar with farming. However, Minister Xiao is the Minister of Revenue. I should listen to his advice."”
"However, don't say anything."
"I feel that although the Agriculture Department is outside of the six departments, everyone in the world, from His Majesty to the people, needs to eat food.”
"This Minister of Agriculture must have something extraordinary.”
"I do have a candidate that the King of Qin and Minister Xiao can use as a reference.”
Li Shimin asked Li Jiancheng because he wanted to annoy him.
Li Shimin asked Li Jiancheng because he wanted to annoy him.
Because he knew that Li Jiancheng was about to leave, he definitely couldn't interfere in this matter. No matter what he said, he would deny it.
This was also a blow.
He didn't expect Li Jiancheng to climb up the ladder and catch him off guard.
However, he did not show his joy or anger on his face. Instead, he said with interest,"Who is the Han King going to recommend?"
Li Shiming's gaze fell on Li Jiancheng.
Xiao Yu and the other ministers were the same.
Li Jiancheng turned his body slightly and said,""Wang Gui!"
As soon as he said that.
Several people in the court gasped.
Many people knew how Wang Gui was exiled. It was because of Yang Wengan's mutiny, and Wang Gui was demoted by Li Yuan.
However, everyone knew.
Wang Gui was just a scapegoat. After all, Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin were both princes.
Li Yuan would not punish them.
It would be fine if it was mentioned elsewhere, but Li Jiancheng's mention of it at this moment was equivalent to slapping Li Shiming's face.
Li Jiancheng naturally knew of Wang Gui's talent.
Moreover, Xiao Yu had some connections with Wang Gui.
Both of them were considered descendants of Nan Liang.
Although they were not related, after the fall of the Liang Dynasty, they still had some kinship, not to mention Li Jiancheng.
Xiao Yu was trusted by Li Yuan and became his confidant.
It was not only because Li Yuan and Xiao Yu were relatives and had many years of friendship, but also because Xiao Yu was upright and dared to speak out.
He understood that no matter who became the Crown Prince or succeeded to the throne in the future.
Xiao Yu would be equally loyal.
Therefore, he took this opportunity to say that Xiao Yu would definitely consider the possibility of Wang Gui becoming the Minister of Agriculture. Then, the problem would be handed over to Li Shimin.
Li Shimin was disobeying Li Yuan's order to recall Wang Gui.
Or was it because he wanted to attack his faction, so he didn't need Wang Gui?
No matter what the outcome was.
The victory was in Li Jiancheng's hands.
Wei Zheng, Feng Li, Ma Sanbao, Xue Wanche, and Li Jiancheng's trusted aides were all secretly excited.
Xiao Yu's eyes lit up when he heard Li Jiancheng's words. He said,"The King of Han said that Wang Gui's exile was a great loss to the Great Tang.”
"If we can find it, we can make up for it.”
"The Agriculture Department isn't without a leader.”
Fang Xuanling stood up and said,"Prime Minister Xiao, this humble subject feels that this matter is inappropriate. Wang Gui has never exonerated the former Crown Prince of his crimes.”
"It was personally decided by His Majesty. If we recall them, we can only start from the bottom.”
"His Majesty the Minister of Agriculture must have placed great importance on you and His Highness the King of Qin, and farming concerns the millions of people of the Great Tang.”
"How can it be led by a sinner?"
Fang Xuanling said.
Du Ruhui also walked out and said,"Minister Xiao, I also think Minister Fang is right. The Ministry of Agriculture has been established by His Majesty since ancient times.”
"The Minister of Agriculture also needs to pay attention to his character.”
"Wouldn't the people of the world blame His Majesty for this?”
"Then as officials, we deserve to die.”
Hearing Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui's words, Xiao Yu felt that he was thinking too simply. He nodded and said,"This concerns His Majesty, so we should be careful."
"However, if we don't use Wang Gui, do you have anyone to recommend?”
As Xiao Yu spoke, he looked at Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui with burning eyes.
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui also felt an inexplicable pressure, as if they had gotten to know Xiao Yu again. Du Ruhui was a decisive person.
Without pausing, he directly said,"In my opinion, Minister Xiao is in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, and those officials who are in charge of farming should be carefully selected by you.”
"Why don't we choose a capable minister from them to be the Minister of Agriculture?”
"In this way, we can work together with the Ministry of Revenue to serve the Great Tang.”
Li Jiancheng stood there and listened to Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui's words expressionlessly.
Li Shi Min was a bit more relaxed because he knew that the crisis had been resolved. Wang Gui had been exiled.
Of course, Li Shimin knew Wang Gui's talent.
However, the benefits Du Ruhui mentioned actually fell on the officials of the Ministry of Revenue. They were originally not valued much in the Ministry of Revenue.
Now there is another agricultural department.
They had never thought that they could reach the heavens in one step, but at least they could get some opportunities to advance.
Whether Wang Gui became the Minister of Agriculture or Li Gui had nothing to do with them.
This was something that Xiao Yu and Li Shimin had to worry about.
However, with Du Ruhui's words, they had a chance. Who didn't have a few friends? They looked around.
Some officials also walked out.
He echoed Du Ruhui's words.
The entire imperial court seemed to be in harmony.
Li Jiancheng did not speak again because he was not on the same level as these officials. However, Wei Zheng walked out again and looked at Xiao Yu."Minister Xiao, I also have something to say.”
Xiao Yu naturally didn't reject this kind of thing and asked Wei Zheng to speak frankly.
Li Yuan left the matter to him.
His mission was to do the best he could, so he naturally had to listen to many suggestions and choose the best, as long as it was for the good of the Great Tang.
As soon as Wei Zheng stood up, the small officials behind him became obedient.
Everyone knew that the people of the Imperial Censorate were not to be trifled with.
Not to mention Imperial Censor Wei Zheng.
Wei Zheng smiled at Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, then glanced at Zhangsun Wuji. He knew that Zhangsun Wuji was unable to support himself alone in the court.
If Wang Gui could return, it would relieve some of his pressure.
" Minister Xiao," Wei Zheng said bluntly," I think what Minister Du Ruhui said just now makes sense. He's in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, so he definitely knows more about this matter than I do."”
"But I still want to ask Minister Xiao, in your opinion, how are those colleagues from the Ministry of Revenue compared to Wang Gui?”
Du Ruhui listened to Wei Zheng's words and pursed his lips.
He looked at Xiao Yu again and knew that it was bad.
Xiao Yu blinked and didn't give these people any face. He said,"In terms of ability, Wang Gui is naturally superior to them.”
"I have no doubt about this.”
Wei Zheng received an affirmative answer and then continued,"If that's the case, then what Minister Xiao is worried about is Wang Gui's character, right?”
"And whether it will implicate His Majesty.”
Xiao Yu said without hesitation,"This matter concerns His Majesty, so there is no small matter."
"We have to be careful in this matter."
Wei Zheng cupped his hands and said," Minister Xiao is right. However, I have known Wang Gui for several years. I know that he made a mistake back then. He has been exiled for two years now."”
"In the state, he never blamed himself and fell.”
"On the contrary, I understand the people better in that remote place. I feel that His Majesty is worried about the affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture and is concerned about the people of the world. Wang Gui is a great talent, and after being exiled for two years, he has gone deep into the people.”
"If we can return to Chang 'an now and redeem ourselves with meritorious service, wouldn't it be a beautiful story with you, Minister Xiao, in charge of the court?”
"After all, our talents are all for the sake of serving the Great Tang and His Majesty.”
Xiao Yu stood where he was and pondered for a moment.
Actually, when Li Jiancheng had mentioned it, he had already had some thoughts about Wang Gui.
Hearing Wei Zheng's words, he was even more certain that if there was no good candidate, he would indeed transfer Wang Gui back. However, he also knew that.
Li Yuan wanted to test Li Shimin.
He looked at Li Shi Min and said,""Your Highness, this old minister wants to see what you think. Do you want to issue an edict to recall Wang Gui?”
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。