Li Chengqian had extremely complicated feelings about Li Ji, the number one person in the dynasty.
On the one hand, as the head of the prime minister, he resists government affairs and eats nothing. This is an extremely irresponsible performance, which leads to complaints and dissatisfaction among the government and the public. On the other hand, such a super boss with unparalleled prestige on both the military and the government does not accept Power and staying out of the affairs are another great benefit for the emperor who has just ascended the throne and has a shallow foundation, and can consolidate the imperial power at will.
But now, Li Chengqian vaguely felt that Li Ji's mentality seemed to have undergone some subtle changes. Although he still did not hold power, he was somewhat more aggressive.
For example, recommend Cui Dunli.
Of course there was the idea of being lazy and letting Cui Dunli work more, but didn't he have other thoughts?
The word "Fang Jun" was clearly marked on Cui Dunli's forehead.
The Ministry of War has always been Fang Jun's territory. Even though he has long since resigned as Minister of War, the top and bottom are still obedient to his orders and follow his lead. This institution added to reform the military system falls under the Ministry of War, and Cui Dunli will be the actual leader in the future. In charge of affairs, Zheng Rentai and Pei Huaijie are afraid that they will be suppressed to death...
Perhaps Li Ji and Fang Jun had reached some kind of tacit understanding in private?
Li Chengqian was sitting on pins and needles.
The solid foundation of the imperial power came from the army. Liu Jie and others could not affect the ownership of the imperial power in any way. However, if the two giants of the military, Li Ji and Fang Jun, worked side by side and advanced and retreated together, they could not only vacate the imperial power in an instant, but even dominate the imperial power. Belong.
"Deposing an emperor" is difficult to say, but it is not difficult to say that it is really not difficult...
Therefore, Li Chengqian believed that he had no qualifications to resist at all, and nodded with a smile: "I love you both in civil and military affairs, loyal to the country, and have a good understanding of people. Since I have recommended you, I will not disapprove."
Li Ji seemed to feel the fear and dissatisfaction in Li Chengqian's heart. He stood up and left the table, bowing his hands to the ground: "I thank your Majesty for your kindness!"
He must express his loyalty to His Majesty and the Empire, but if Li Chengqian is self-righteous and self-righteous, then there is nothing he can do...
……
Only later did many ministers realize that the so-called "imperial selection" was just a formality. The candidates for the additional organizations of the Ministry of War had already been decided, and were divided between His Majesty, Liu Ji, and Fang Jun. It would be difficult for others to participate in it. .
And everyone knows that this additional institution will play a huge role in the future. Once the "Privy Council" is established, these people will now be filled in and take charge of power.
In short, the future military structure is established...
Li Chengqian can naturally see the disappointment in many people's hearts, but he doesn't take it seriously. At any time and in everything, one is favoring one over the other. It is impossible to treat a bowl of water equally. Otherwise, how can we inspire people and strive for the top?
He looked at Fang Jun: "Although this additional organization is under the Ministry of War, it should also have a name. I wonder if Duke Yue has any suggestions?"
Fang Jun said with a smile: "How about calling it the 'Military Preparatory Committee'? Its functions are as the name suggests and clear at a glance. The organization of this 'committee' will be very large, with Duke Ying as the head and the other ministers as 'committees'. How many members of this organization are there?" In addition to the core figures, some people who are familiar with military affairs and have outstanding military strategies must be recruited and filled in. They must perform their duties from top to bottom, so that they can pool their wisdom and leave nothing out.”
Li Chengqian was not surprised. The reform of the military system is of great importance, and naturally the whole army must be involved. Otherwise, if only a few ministers sit in a room to discuss and make a final decision, that would be nonsense...
It’s just this name...
Although it is a bit plainer and not as elegant as "Privy Council", it is indeed "as the name implies, it is clear at a glance".
Li Xiaogong, Prince of Hejian County and Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, looked at everyone's expressions and reported: "Your Majesty, now that Pei Huaijie has resigned and returned to the capital, I don't know how to place him and what official position he should be given? In addition, although His Highness the King of Wei is stationed in Luoyang to build the Eastern Capital, However, the position of Governor of Henan cannot be vacant for a long time. The right person should be selected to take up the post. On the one hand, the situation in Henan can be stabilized, and on the other hand, he can better cooperate with His Majesty the King of Wei."
Although Pei Huaijie entered the "committee", his duties were not granted, which was inconsistent with the system.
Tang Jian, Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, stroked his beard and said slowly: "The Duke of Yue naturally wants to be in this 'committee'."
The reform of the military system was proposed by Fang Jun, and the establishment of this "committee" was also suggested by Fang Jun. However, now, whether intentionally or unintentionally, everyone is recommending this and that, but no one has mentioned Fang Jun...
Fang Jun smiled and nodded to Tang Jian.
Tang Jian lowered his eyelids and drank tea without looking at anyone.
Li Chengqian said: "There is no doubt about this. Even if we don't say it, the Duke of Yue will be indispensable."
But if no one really mentions it, Fang Jun can't just recommend himself, right?
After the court meeting, will Fang Jun be excluded from the "committee" because "everything is settled"?
What surprised Li Chengqian was that the person who mentioned Fang Jun was not Cui Dunli, not Ma Zhou, not even Li Xiaogong, not Li Ji, but Tang Jian...
Looking at Tang Jian, who was full of age spots, white beard and hair, and old, Li Chengqian sighed secretly.
Li Chengqian calmed down his emotions, thought for a while, and continued the previous topic: "Although Pei Huaijie was criticized a lot in Luoyang, after all, he worked hard and made great achievements. He was awarded the official position of 'Shang Shu You Pu She'. What does Uncle Wang think?"
Many official positions in the Tang Dynasty can be awarded separately, which is equivalent to a false title. For example, the current minister Youpuse is Fang Jun. If he is given the position of Pei Huaijie, it is a false title. He does not have the authority of Shangshu Youpushe. Enjoy the treatment of Shangshu Youpushe.
Of course, if Fang Jun resigns due to various reasons and the right servant of Shangshu becomes vacant, then Pei Huaijie will be the first successor. Although this is not a rule, it is equivalent to an unspoken rule in officialdom...
Li Xiaogong naturally had no objection: "Your Majesty is wise."
Liu Jie didn't say anything. This arrangement was determined after he communicated and discussed with Li Chengqian in advance. It was very appropriate for Pei Huaijie. In any case, Pei Huaijie's dejected return to Chang'an from Luoyang is regarded as a "sinful person". Not pursuing his fault does not mean that he has no fault. Such a high-ranking and low-power placement is an explanation for both superiors and subordinates. .
Otherwise, if a person is given real power at the level of six ministries, the censorship officials at the Censorship Station will have a huge quarrel...
Fang Jun suddenly said: "Your Majesty is aware that the 'committee' was founded, but you don't know who should be the main and who should be the auxiliary among the committee members? If the top and bottom are uncertain and the superiority and inferiority are inconsistent, I'm afraid you won't know who will be involved in the dispute in the future. Being reduced to a place for power and profit while neglecting important matters is contrary to the original intention.”
Li Chengqian asked: "What do you all think?"
Li Xiaogong stroked his shiny black beard and said, "How about following the old example of the Military Aircraft Department?"
The other ministers looked sideways. Except for this, no one could recall it for a moment. Fang Erlang seemed to be keen on setting up new institutions, such as reorganizing the Navy, establishing the Foundry Bureau, establishing the Military Aircraft Department, and now adding the Military Reform Commission. ', and the future "Privy Council"...
It’s really tossing.
But every time he struggles, he can benefit a lot, improve his status, and gain power...
After struggling so hard, I had to be convinced.
Fang Jun retorted calmly: "The regulations of the 'Military Aircraft Department' are almost perfect, but they are not suitable to be copied to the 'Committee' mechanically. After all, even the British Duke cannot have the supreme authority and 'veto power' of His Majesty." It means using force to suppress others and counterattack And arouse the resentment of others. How about setting up the seats in front of the emperor at this moment, Ying Gong, Cui Dunli, Liu Rengui, Zheng Rentai, Pei Huaijie, and Wei Chen, a total of six people, one chief, one deputy, and four assistants, with clear hierarchy and well-organized authority. What would your majesty think? ”
The so-called "Military Aircraft Department" proposed by Li Xiaogong was that whenever there was a disagreement, the five "Military Aircraft Ministers" would vote, and the minority would obey the majority. If the dispute was huge, the emperor would have "one-vote veto power"...
And Fang Jun's words also make sense. The monarch's power is supreme. "One-vote veto power" sounds like something that means supreme authority. It is indeed not suitable for a minister to have it. But if there is no veto power and several "committees" have equal power, then just wait and see the excitement. Who can convince whom?
The "minority obeys the majority" thing must be abandoned and return to the "official responsibility system".
But the so-called primary, secondary, and fourth assistants arrange their seats... Do they still need to be arranged?
The chief officer must be the British public Li Ji, and the deputy must be Fang Jun himself. The other four people, in no particular order, are all assistants...
Invisibly, Fang Jun elevated himself to a position below one person and above everyone else. But with his qualifications, meritorious service, and the fact that the Ministry of War was his territory, others had nothing to say.
And Li Ji is famous for ignoring government affairs and "eating without food". There is no doubt that this "committee" will be firmly grasped by Fang Jun.
But even Liu Ji couldn't say anything that would put any of Liu Rengui, Pei Huaijie, Zheng Rentai, and Cui Dunli above Fang Jun... But if they were to go hand in hand with Fang Jun, maybe they could.
Liu Ji said: "Tong'an County Duke is a famous official in Zhenguan. He has the merit of serving the dragon. At that time, he established the world under Emperor Taizong and intimidated the world. He has deep qualifications. If he is just an assistant, is he underestimating the meritorious officials? Maybe he can be promoted to one level. The chief and second deputy should be of the same rank as the Duke of Yue and under the Duke of Ying.”
This may seem like a small improvement in status, but it has elevated Zheng Rentai from the status of a subordinate to one of the assistant officials, with a certain degree of power.
Moreover, Zheng Rentai is now known to both the government and the public as Fang Jun's man, and even sent his eldest son Zheng Xuanguo to obey Fang Jun's side. Fang Jun can't suppress his own people, right?
Fang Jun pondered for a moment.
Li Ji lowered his eyebrows and said nothing.
Li Chengqian was afraid of Fang Jun's refutation and couldn't wait to say: "Tong'an County Duke has made outstanding achievements and was a trusted minister of Emperor Taizong in the past. Since he is capable, he should be treated as such." Liu Ji sighed slightly, why are he so anxious? By revealing his whereabouts like this, doesn't it clearly tell others that Zheng Rentai is on His Majesty's side?
Sure enough, as soon as Li Chengqian finished speaking, Fang Jun said: "Wei Chen thinks it's inappropriate!"