The weather was good today, but it was still dark inside the Manna Palace. The palace attendants opened the windows on the side to make the palace a little brighter.
Some sunlight filtered in, but the spot where His Majesty was sitting was not exposed to the sunlight.
Xu Jingzong quickly walked into the palace and saluted, "Your Majesty."
His Majesty's expression could not be seen at this time. Xu Jingzong bowed and said: "Half a month ago, spies from the Ministry of Rites sent news to Goguryeo. The King of Goguryeo received the letter from the Ministry of Rites and the credential of the Tang Dynasty. He indeed intended to congratulate the Tang Dynasty and was willing to do so. Apologize, just..."
After a pause, Xu Jingzong continued to explain: "Your Majesty, the situation in Goguryeo is complicated now. Yeon Gaesomun holds the military power, but the royal power is weak. The king of Goguryeo cannot be appointed. The military generals are in power and the king of Goguryeo has been imprisoned."
Xu Jingzong explained the current situation in Goguryeo.
This is all the information the Ministry of Rites has been keeping an eye on Liaodong for these years. All changes in the Goguryeo royal family have always been under the control of the Ministry of Rites.
Next, Xu Jingzong explained to His Majesty the recent events in Goguryeo, and how the Yi Eui Mansion surrendered to Yeongaesomun, how it made Yeongaesomun become a leader, and how it gradually deepened the conflict between the Goguryeo royal family and the military power.
Ri Yifu was like a stick in Goguryeo, which not only muddied the waters of Goguryeo, but also aggravated Goguryeo's internal conflicts.
There was no one else in the palace. The prince asked other palace people to leave, and he stayed outside the palace.
In the hall, Li Shimin stepped forward and said, "Li Yifu is an envoy sent by the Ministry of Rites. Will what he did in Goguryeo become a source of criticism for others?"
Xu Jingzong bowed and said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, Li Yifu will not participate in the internal fighting in Goguryeo, and there is still Zhang Daan in Liaodong to block it."
"So, I should be relieved?"
"Yeongaesomun's power is getting stronger and stronger. The previous Goguryeo king has died of illness, and the current King of Goguryeo is a young man..."
A bloody struggle for power within Goguryeo slowly unfolded in front of the emperor.
Everything that should be said has been told to His Majesty, and as for what should not be said, Xu Jingzong will not say more.
Some of the plans of the Ministry of Rites are only known to a few core people. There are some things that Xu Jingzong will not tell Zhang Xiangxiang and Zhang Dashu, and Xu Jingzong will only tell Zhang Shangshu.
Xu Jingzong believed that he had struggled all his life for an official career. He was recommended by the prince of Hejian County and met Zhang Shangshu by chance.
While feeling that life is interesting, he also understands that he must live cautiously.
With Zhang Yang's support, he could rise to great heights, but Xu Jingzong did not dare to tell outsiders about the methods he used in some plans.
That all happened before the establishment of the Diplomatic Academy. Now the Ministry of Rites is more cautious in doing things, at least not to let others take advantage of it.
With Zhang Yang leaving the Diplomatic Academy, the current Ministry of Rites does everything in accordance with the regulations of the DPRK.
Li Shimin nodded and patted his shoulder, "You are a capable person."
Xu Jingzong bowed and said: "Thanks to your Majesty's trust, everyone in the Ministry of Rites is willing to go through fire and water for the country without hesitation."
"In the future, you can come directly to see me regarding matters related to the Foreign Affairs Commission, without going through the Ministry of Education."
"minister……"
Hearing this, Xu Jingzong was in a daze, and then calmed down a little, "I accept your order."
Li Shimin nodded and said: "When the Tubo and Hanhai Protectorate are completed, you will serve as the Minister of Rites. As for Zhang Yang... you will stay in Taifu Temple for now."
Xu Jingzong lowered his head and said, "I will definitely live up to your majesty's trust."
"Just back off."
Li Shimin said calmly.
The Eastern Expedition has been a matter of concern for a long time. Ever since Wen Yanbo entered the court and talked about it, it has been like a stone hanging in his heart.
The Tang Dynasty will eventually capture Goguryeo, and the earlier the day, the better.
Xu Jingzong walked out of the Manlu Hall, thinking that this was the fourth time His Majesty had a private conversation with him.
The earliest time was because of Gaochang, then it was because of Tubo, the latest time was His Majesty's promise to be the Minister of Rites, and now it is for Goguryeo.
Your Majesty has said that from now on, matters related to the Ministry of Rites will not need to go through the Zhongshu Province, and we will be able to meet His Majesty directly.
To stand firm in court, in addition to your own abilities, you must also understand the implication of His Majesty's words.
After an agreement between Zhang Yang and Zhao Guogong, he fought for the diplomatic authority of the Ministry of Rites from the DPRK.
Up to now, the Ministry of Rites has always stayed away from the battles in the court, whether it is the battle for the Protectorate or the imperial examination, the Ministry of Rites is not involved.
Such an isolated official residence is also so huge. As it has accumulated over the past five years, the Ministry of Rites has mastered more and more information and sent out more and more manpower.
It is no longer the original Ministry of Rites, but now it plays an important role in government affairs.
The implication of His Majesty's words is that from now on, the Ministry of Rites will be directly under His Majesty's command, and there is no need to report to the Ministry of Education, nor to look at the faces of the various ministries in the DPRK.
But at the same time, the price is that the Ministry of Rites will have to obey His Majesty's orders in the future.
This is His Majesty's power. The Ministry of Rites is like a fruit tree. From the geography inside and outside the customs, to the customs and customs outside the customs, the information about the Uighurs or Tibetans, and the current diplomatic ability, these are all the fruits of the Ministry of Rites.
Your Majesty will not allow anyone to covet such a great achievement. The Ministry of Rites must belong to His Majesty and must be directly under His Majesty. This seems to be something that will definitely happen.
Xu Jingzong walked outside the Zhuque Gate. Now he finally figured it out and understood the reason why Zhang Shangshu would leave the Ministry of Rites.
Perhaps he had already thought that the current Ministry of Rites would be what it is today and would one day be handed over to His Majesty.
It would be best for Zhang Shangshu to retire after success at this time.
Whether it was His Majesty, Zhang Yang, himself, or so many people in the Ministry of Rites, everyone got the results they wanted.
Zhang Yang made everyone happy.
This situation is indeed the best. Xu Jingzong sighed, it is not easy for the Ministry of Rites. It is too difficult to reach the current situation.
I feel that the burden on me is very heavy, and I feel that I must carry it.
When they arrived at the entrance of the Diplomatic Academy, there were several envoys making noisy noise at the entrance. Xu Jingzong realized that they were envoys from Nanzhao.
After many envoys from outside the customs came to Chang'an, they did not want to go back.
More and more envoys are stranded in Chang'an City.
Walking into the Diplomatic Academy calmly, Xu Jingzong asked Li Chongyi, "Master Chongyi, what are these people doing?"
Li Chongyi replied in a low voice: "It's the envoy from Nanzhao. He said that recently a Tang man led a group of bandits to attack the city in Nanzhao."
Xu Jingzong said in surprise: "Tang people?"
"Yes." Li Chongyi's expression was solemn, "They said this is what happened in March."
Hearing this, Xu Jingzong thought about it. If he wanted to attack Nanzhao, he would have to pass through Shu. The roads in that area were very difficult.
The recent reports did not say that there were bandits causing trouble near Jiannan Road.
Xu Jingzong asked in a low voice: "Are you really attacking the city?"
Li Chongyi smiled instead, "It's just a few villages. It's not as big as they say."
Xu Jingzong felt relieved and said, "Maybe it's a conflict between local villagers."
Seeing that Xu Jingzong was about to leave, Li Chongyi asked: "Then do we have to take care of this matter?"
Xu Jingzong walked to the backyard of the Diplomatic Academy, asked the cook here to serve a bowl of soup cakes, and then replied: "Just appease them. As for the Nanzhao village, we in the Tang Dynasty have no need to attack them. We must provide evidence in everything. If they capture the robbers and can bring them to Chang'an as witnesses, we can discuss it later."
Li Chongyi nodded and took notes.
"Has Mr. Chongyi eaten any food?"
Hearing this, Li Chongyi shook his head.
Xu Jingzong asked the cook to serve another bowl of soup cakes and continued eating.
The Diplomatic Academy is still very busy. After several expansions of manpower, it is still extremely busy, especially dealing with envoys from various countries.
The construction of the Tubo Protectorate has not yet been completed, and the construction of the Hanhai Protectorate is also being arranged. It has only been half a year since the Western Turks were pacified, and officials still have to be dispatched to manage it.
After finishing the soup cake in the bowl, Xu Jingzong was filled with hope that he would soon be able to sit in the position of Minister of Rites and continue to carry forward the diplomatic career left by Zhang Shangshu.
Lishan and Li Lizhi are also back.
Li Yue listened to her story and smiled: "Just come back and have a meal."
"Yes." Li Lizhi nodded and washed her hands to prepare for dinner.
This meal sounds very warm. It is always the most cozy when eating in Lishan, with younger brothers and sisters sitting around the table.
The imperial sister and brother-in-law also attach great importance to every meal. No matter how sleepy the younger siblings are, they must not delay the meal time. No matter how playful the younger siblings are, they must stop when it is time to eat. Come back on time for dinner.
This is Lishan's rule, and it is also the warmest rule.
Living in the palace and with the queen is fine, but there will always be trivial matters between the concubines in the palace.
The younger brothers and sisters can be happier in Lishan and will not be separated.
Zhang Yang ate his meal and read the letter sent by the Ministry of Rites. The person Li Shimin sent to the Hanhai Protectorate was Qiu Xinggong.
Qiu Xinggong was also a veteran in the court, and was one of the people who followed Li Shimin in the Xuanwu Gate incident.
Moreover, this man had a harsh nature, and people on both the civil and military sides of the DPRK and China were extremely afraid of him.
Qiu Xinggong has a harsh character. He was dismissed from his post due to impeachment and was later re-employed. Such a person would inevitably cause trouble if he stayed in Chang'an. Now he was sent to the Hanhai Protectorate to torment the Uighurs and Xue Yantuo. .
Zhang Yang smiled helplessly, maybe Li Shimin also had an out-of-sight, out-of-sight attitude.
The father and son generals Duan Zhixuan and Duan Zan were sent to the Anxi Protectorate. The civil servant sent out was Du Gou, who was also the son of Du Ruhui.
While civil servants and generals went to protect the governor's offices in various places, the Tian Khan also dismissed many local officials and replaced them with new people in the current government.
In the words of Tian Khan, most of the county magistrates in various places are officials left over from the former Sui Dynasty. Many of them are old and should be replaced.
In this way, the emperor continued to erode the relationships between noble families and wealthy families in various places, and the officials he replaced were also carefully selected. These people were newly promoted officials with very clean financial backgrounds, and they were sent to various places to appoint county chiefs. They are all loyal to the current emperor.
In this way, coupled with the arrangements of the local Zhechong Mansion, the emperor gradually seized the throats of these wealthy families.
This was the policy set by Changsun Wuji to reduce the control of local wealthy families.
After dinner, Zhang Yang went down the mountain and told Zhang Gongjin about the matter, "Teacher, I always thought that Duke Zhao was on the side of the powerful people of the family."
Zhang Gongjin sat in his wheelchair and said with a smile: "Since your Majesty is determined to fight against the aristocratic family and revitalize the imperial examination, his eldest grandson Wuji will definitely stand by your Majesty's side and he will act according to your Majesty's wishes."
"I think he was still helping Guan Long's family members to speak up."
"Guanlong..." Zhang Gongjin thought of the past again and smiled, "That's because they thought of His Majesty too simply. The Guanlong clan today is not what it used to be."
"As the teacher said, I have also heard that many people from Longyou want to move into Chang'an City. Among them, Jingyang, Bashang, and Gaoling have the most people moving into Longyou, and they are over-cultivating It will make the fields poorer."
Since the Qin and Han Dynasties, people have razed mountains to the ground and cut down forests to form plains and fields for food and because of wars. This over-cultivation has also brought negative consequences.
However, the environment in Kansai today is not as harsh as in later generations.
Zhang Yang felt that it was too late for him, the minister of Taifu Temple, to call on people to replant trees. At least from now on, he would plant a large forest in the northwest.
Bringing barren land back to life is a big project that requires the efforts of several generations, starting right here.
The environment in Kansai is getting worse and worse. According to the archives of Taifu Temple, the harvest of food is getting less and less every year. People naturally want to move eastward.
Not to mention that after experiencing the war, the Guanlong clan wanted Emperor Li Tang to fulfill his promise to support Li Yuan when he ascended the throne.
Maybe if Li Jiancheng was still alive, he would support them. Before the Xuanwu Gate incident, Li Jiancheng was still alive, and he had the most support from the nobles and clans.
That is to say, the person sitting on the throne now is Li Shimin, not Li Jiancheng, so he will start to deal with those who originally supported Li Jiancheng.
It can be said that Li Shimin was a tolerant emperor. He endured the infamy of the Xuanwu Sect, the Weishui Alliance, and the scolding of many noble families.
In the few years after he first sat on the throne, Li Shimin made a steady handover of the court, still using the old ministers and local generals, and letting Gao Shilian preside over the affairs of the court.
Until now the emperor's power was consolidated and it was time to begin the reckoning.
The world began to change under the emperor's will.
Zhang Yang listened to the teacher's explanation and said again: "I still don't agree with Zhao Guogong's method."
Zhang Gongjin nodded slowly, "Well, you always say that it is better to draw fuel from the bottom of the cauldron than to stop it from boiling."
"Removing local officials can only weaken the control of the powerful families over the local area, but their strength is still there. Their roots are deep underground and intertwined. It is just cutting off some branches and leaves. It cannot move their vitality."
"Yes." Zhang Gongjin also agreed with this approach. He nodded and said: "Changsun Wuji is a very cautious person. He does not dare to take risks. His every word and deed may be adopted by His Majesty. He will say what is the best with the least risk. A safe way.”
"It's really ironic that we obviously want to eliminate the hidden dangers in the Central Plains, but we have to be cautious and even walk with difficulty."
"You are a very independent child and know how to advance and retreat."
Zhang Gongjin took a sip of tea and said, "I don't have the ability to teach you anything else. You can only protect yourself in everything. Even if you get burned, you have to leave room for escape."
I will update a chapter today and take a break.
Will update normally tomorrow, try to make up for it.
