So much so that Xu Jingzong said a very shameless statement at the Great Court meeting, "Your Majesty, the Tubo people have been looking up to the Tang Dynasty for a long time. This is what the Tubo people want in their hearts. They look forward to the will of the Zhongtian Khan and the Central Plains." Use Confucianism and Legalism to educate them."
Wei Zheng came to speak and Xu Jingzong took the lead. His Majesty also nodded in agreement.
It is said that he was treating Songtsen Gampo favorably, but because of the interests of the Tang Dynasty, His Majesty felt that treating Songtsen Gampo favorably would be beneficial to the country's overall plan, and he could do more things in the future.
Once the Tubo people surrendered, and if the Tang Dynasty's territory could expand to the west of the Tubo Snow Mountains, then Songtsen Gampo would not be so important to Tian Khan. Apart from his current role, his future life and death would not be important.
For Tian Khan, he now has no worries about food and clothing, setting an example for envoys from other small countries, and also for the positive image of the Tang Dynasty.
When Zhang Yang established the Diplomatic Academy, he did a lot of things, but those things were not very good for the reputation of the Tang Dynasty.
Now for Tian Khan, can this kind of positive image of the Tang Dynasty be restored?
After the ministers reported what they had to do this year, envoys from various countries came to see him.
The envoys from various countries came to the palace to congratulate the Tang Dynasty and said their congratulations to the Tang Dynasty. The envoys from the various countries presented their congratulatory gifts, and the Tang Dynasty also gave gifts in return. Among them, the most numerous gifts in return were paper and grain from the Tang Dynasty, and some Iron materials and weapons.
The amount given is not much, but these are new things to the envoys from various countries.
Just the iron material cast by Lishan is the best among the best in terms of quality, weight and steel.
As for how this kind of iron material is cast, these envoys from various countries who do not understand the forging skills of Lishan cannot cast it if they do not understand the key points.
This also gave Tian Khan enough confidence.
The weapons made from this kind of iron material are not as good as the weapons made from iron, not to mention cutting iron like clay.
The court meeting did not end until the afternoon, and Tian Khan retired from the court in good spirits.
This year, all countries are in peace. After the Uighurs became honest, they sent many war horses, sheep, and treasures this year.
As for the matter of the Protectorate, envoys from all countries are present today. Your Majesty does not mention it, and it is difficult for the courtiers to speak.
This matter had to be shelved for the time being, but after the court meeting, Li Shimin changed out of his court clothes. As soon as he sat down in the Ganlu Hall, the eunuch eunuch entered the hall with a large box, and inside the box was the memorial.
"Your Majesty, the Central Secretariat has sent reports from officials from various places on last year's winter management and last year's land reclamation."
Li Shimin nodded and said: "I know everything, please step back."
"Here." Wang Gonggong bowed and left.
After a long day of court meetings, Li Shimin heaved a sigh of relief, drank a sip of tea, and relaxed before picking up the memorial and reading it. He read several volumes in succession. The Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Household Affairs were all talking about the affairs of the Protectorate. There are also Zuowuwei, Youwuwei, Leading Army Guard and Qianniu Guard.
Not to mention that the civil servants were concerned about the Duhufu, the military generals were even more anxious about the Duhufu.
In the words of Changsun Wuji, the civil servants did not hope that the power of the Protectorate would fall into the hands of military generals. Once the military power of the Protectorate was in the hands of military generals, these generals would definitely use these troops to expand borders and capture other countries.
The military generals also did not want the power of the Protectorate to fall into the hands of civil servants, and the military generals did not want to be hampered by civil servants outside.
It's all for the sake of the country, and the country has been quarreling over the authority of the Protectorate from last winter to the current New Year's meeting.
The emperor was very sad about this.
There are still two people in Lishan who are very melancholy at the moment. Xu Jingzong is going to visit Lishan now, and he still wants to see what Zhang Shangshu means.
A carriage of files was delivered to the entrance of Lishan Village. Zhang Yang looked at this scene with his hands and felt melancholy. He thought in advance that there would be a lot of files, but he didn't expect that there would be a carriage full.
It seems that I have seen the future of working at my desk and staying up late to deal with official duties, which makes me feel sad.
It is said that His Majesty gave generous rewards to several ministers in the Ministry of Rites. Even Li Baiyao, who had resigned, was granted the title of Duke of Anping County.
And Zhang Shangshu is still a county prince, lower than Li Baiyao.
In fact, the Ministry of Rites has made a lot of achievements over the years. At the beginning, there were only three people in a small government office. The current position of the Ministry of Rites was hard-won.
It's just that the Ministry of Rites has become so powerful now, and Zhang Shangshu has the most credit. Zhang Shangshu, who held the Ministry of Rites up by hand, is getting farther and farther away from the court.
Not long after, Li Xiaogong also came.
Xu Jingzong bowed and saluted, "I have met the Prince of Hejian County."
Li Xiaogong nodded and said: "Xu Jingzong, I thought you were not a simple boy back then, but now you are also the minister of the Ministry of Rites, and you have gained quite a reputation in Chang'an City."
"The Prince of Hejian County was joking. The original Xiaguan relied on the help of Zhang Shangshu and the Prince of Hejian County to be what he is today. The kindness here, I will never dare to forget it."
Li Xiaogong used to be the Minister of Rites. Although he is not in the Ministry of Rites now, he used to be the Minister of Rites, and he always regarded himself as the Minister.
I feel grateful that it was really not easy for the three of us to work together.
A dilapidated, small and unwelcome Ministry of Rites, a completely idle place among the six departments.
Hearing this, Li Xiaogong stroked his beard and asked, "How is the current Ministry of Rites?"
"Go back to the Prince of Hejian County." Xu Jingzong cupped his hands and said: "I dare not neglect my position as Minister of Rites. There are currently six Ministers of Rites, and there are thirty-five people in the Ministry of Rites. Those who serve in the Foreign Affairs Academy belong to the Ministry of Rites." There are a total of 173 external subordinates, and there are more than 300 spies and informants."
After hearing these words, Li Xiaogong looked troubled, "I didn't expect that a small etiquette department could have as many people as the Zhongwei Mansion?"
"That's not true. Now that the Wei Mansion has been restructured into Zhechong Mansion, soldiers and horses have been mobilized. Many local guards' soldiers and horses have been transferred to the Chang'an City Guard Mansion. Now there are more than 300,000 soldiers and horses in Guanzhong alone. With the Wei Mansion, Still can’t compare.”
Li Xiaogong was silent for a long time. He sighed and sat down immediately, "I haven't been to Chang'an City for a long time and I don't know what Chang'an City is like now."
A sigh expressed the loneliness and helplessness of the middle-aged man.
Zhang Yang patted him on the shoulder, "The prince of Hejian County has spent half his life in the army. He was born a few years ago. Otherwise, if he wants to gallop around the world, this life is enough."
Li Xiaogong nodded solemnly, "I think back then, when I attacked Bashu to capture Zhu Can, fought against Xiao Mian, trained as a navy master, killed Fugong Er, and pacified the south of the Yangtze River! In those years, I was really happy about my grudges."
Speaking of life, Li Xiaogong actually lived a very good life. He spent half his life in the army and now he can spend his old age peacefully. It is best to live a peaceful life.
Zhang Yang smiled and said: "I will leave the affairs of the court to you. I will sit with the Prince of Hejian and watch the clouds rise and fall."
Hearing this, Li Xiaogong glanced at Xu Jingzong again, "I heard the news that your boy is appreciated by His Majesty, and he wants you to be the Minister of Rites."
"How dare you, a lower official?" Xu Jingzong saluted quickly, not daring to raise his head and explained quickly: "When it comes to being in charge of the affairs of the Ceremony Department, a lower official is not as good as Zhang Xiangxiang, and a lower official is not as good as Zhang Dashu in getting along with his subordinates, not to mention that Mr. Chongyi is erudite and talented. , the lower officials are inferior to them in everything, how can they covet the position of Minister of Rites."
After that, he gave another big gift and said, "The Ministry of Rites cannot do without Zhang Shangshu, and I hope that Zhang Shangshu will continue to preside over the affairs of the Ministry of Rites in the future."
Li Xiaogong said nothing with a straight face.
Zhang Yang clasped his hands and whispered: "Prince Hejian, we agreed at the beginning to leave the Ministry of Rites together. You have burned down the official residence of the Ministry of Rites. Now you can escape. However, I was caught and released by your majesty. Ministry of Rites, I will be serving as Minister of Rites for six years."
"In the past six years, you have been as happy as you want, and I have suffered a lot."
"Well, that was indeed the agreement at the beginning. I just thought that you would be lucky to be able to regain the Hexi Corridor. Unexpectedly, you also captured Gaochang. This makes me feel so embarrassed."
After saying that, Li Xiaogong slapped his thigh and said, "I am blind. I should have called you to join me when I set the fire."
Xu Jingzong swallowed his saliva with a loud gulp. He couldn't help but think to himself that the Ministry of Rites was burned down. It would be great to be able to live well now, and he could talk about it.
Zhang Yang looked at Xu Jingzong, "Actually, Prince Hejian and I have made an agreement a long time ago to leave the Ministry of Rites together. It's just that things didn't go well at first. Now I should also leave the Ministry of Rites, Xu Jingzong..."
"I'm here!" Xu Jingzong got angry and bent down again.
"I will leave the Ministry of Rites one day. You are the first to work with me and Prince Hejian, and you are also the one who knows the most about the current staff of the Ministry of Rites, both overt and covert. We are worried about leaving some things to others. When it comes to whom to entrust the Ministry of Rites to, only You are the most suitable."
Seeing that he was about to interrupt, Zhang Yang signaled him not to speak yet, took two steps back and forth and continued: "Long before His Majesty appointed me as Taifu Qing, he recommended you to be the Minister of Rites. You are the one we trust the most."
"But……"
Seeing his hesitation, Zhang Yang said again: "I know that your talents are mediocre, but everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. If the Ministry of Rites is handed over to Zhang Xiangxiang and Da Su, they are loyal people and will sooner or later take away all the power of the Ministry of Rites." Leaving them all to His Majesty cannot protect the rights and interests of the Ministry of Rites."
"The only person we trust is you. Let's leave aside the duties of the Protectorate for the time being. The power of diplomacy must be in our own hands. We should be tough when dealing with foreign ministers, and we cannot give in easily."
Xu Jingzong took a deep breath and said loudly: "I will accept your order."
Li Xiaogong nodded solemnly, "Xu Jingzong, please don't betray the trust I and Zhang Yang have placed in you."
"Even if I die, I will defend the Ministry of Rites to the death. I will fight for what the Ministry of Rites deserves. I will take back whatever the Ministry of Rites deserves."
Li Xiaogong nodded with satisfaction, "Tell them that the Ministry of Rites is not someone to be bullied."
"I understand that the Ministry of Rites is not easy to bully."
Who would dare to bully the current Ministry of Rites? The current Ministry of Rites plays an important role in the court.
Li Xiaogong left with satisfaction. He was very satisfied with the successor of the Ministry of Rites.
Zhang Yang warned: "If I am not here in the future, everything in the Ministry of Rites will remain as usual."
Xu Jingzong hesitated and said: "If the official has trouble making a decision, can you..."
"Just come to Lishan and ask me."
After sniffing, Xu Jingzong didn't know whether he was sad or happy, so he started sobbing, and he felt like he was finally seeing the sun after parting the clouds.
It has indeed been difficult for him these past few years, and he should be given a future.
According to the teacher's previous instructions, leaving the Ministry of Etiquette is inevitable.
"Old Xu, what's the current situation of Taifu Temple?"
Xu Jingzong collected his emotions and replied: "The lower official of Taifu Temple also went to inquire in person. Among the nine temples in the six departments and three provinces of the DPRK, except Honglu Temple and Dali Temple, the rest are short of manpower. Although the imperial examination has supplemented it, But most of the officials are in the province, and among the nine temples, Taifu Temple has the smallest manpower, with only one chief registrar and two supervisors, and..."
After a pause of words, Xu Jingzong looked troubled, "Similar to the three temples of Taifu, Guanglu and Weiwei, Taifu Temple does not have its own official office because its duties involve too few and the court is afraid of too many redundant officials. Your Majesty It was only that the system of three provinces, six ministries and nine temples was retained, so it was not banned. It was just that the manpower and official positions were retained, but the official residence was never assigned."
"Most of the discussions in the temple are done sitting on the floor, or gathering together to discuss."
Originally, Taifu Temple was in the hands of Fang Xuanling, and part of the functions of Taifu Temple were replaced by the Ministry of Revenue. This also resulted in the current nine temples, except Dali Temple and Taichang Temple, which originally performed their own duties. There is uneven leisure, the staff of Taifu Temple is withered, there is a lack of classics on farming and mulberry farming, and the officials in the court do not have the experience of old farmers.
As a result, the position of Taifu Temple Minister has been vacant to this day.
Xu Jingzong added: "But His Majesty has always been committed to encouraging Nongsang. With Zhang Shangshu's talents, he will definitely be able to show his ambitions in Taifu Temple, so that Taifu Temple can regain its foothold in the court."
It seems that in his understanding, going to the Ministry of Rites will make the Ministry of Rites stand up, and going to Taifu Temple will also make Taifu Temple stand up. Wherever he goes, there will be prosperity.
This treats me as a mascot.
Xu Jingzong is a very thoughtful person, and his words certainly did not mean this. He might not even know what the mascot is.
"You said that Taifu Temple only has one chief registrar and two eunuchs, so that means it still lacks one eunuch?"
Xu Jingzong nodded, "Since Zhang Shangshu is also the Minister of Taifu Temple, is there anyone who can choose him?"
"Well, there is a candidate, but I'm worried that the other party won't be willing."
"As long as Zhang Shangshu likes him, the subordinate will kidnap him even if he is kidnapped. If he doesn't obey, the subordinate will castrate him and give him to the big eater to serve as our internal agent, using his family as a threat. The spies are spying for us."
Zhang Yang shook his head and said: "Old Xu, it's over, it's over, there's no need to be so vicious."
Xu Jingzong nodded again, "Zhang Shangshu is kind-hearted, so I'll chop him up and feed him to the dogs, and he will die happily."
Zhang Yang picked up a scroll of bamboo slips in the carriage and opened it. He saw that many of the words and ink on it had faded. Then he saw that the inscription was "Wude Three Years". He couldn't help but frown and said, "Go and find Pei Xuanji. Ask him to come to Lishan and tell him that I have something to arrange with His Highness the King of Wei. Doesn’t he want a future? I’ll give him a future.”
"Here."
When he was about to leave, Xu Jingzong bowed again and said respectfully: "I have resigned."
"Well, be polite when you invite someone here. I'll keep this person useful. If he doesn't obey, don't chop it up and feed it to the dogs."
"Here."
