Chapter 4991
Cui Dunli opened the door curtain in the cold wind and walked into the main hall. He saw Liu Jie and Liu Xiangdao drinking tea and chatting. They were whispering and mysterious. Then he rubbed his hands and walked over and said with a smile: "Not everyone has arrived yet." Well, are you two planning to connect in private and make joint progress when discussing government affairs later? ”
He walked up to the two of them and sat on a chair on one side.
When a clerk offered tea, Cui Dunli asked with a smile: "Are there any pastries? If so, bring me a few. I have something to do at home in the morning and I won't have time to eat in the future."
"Cui Shangshu, wait a moment."
He turned around and went to the back hall to get a plate of soft cakes and put it on the coffee table.
Cui Dunli picked up a piece of pastry, took a bite, drank a sip of tea, looked at Er Liu, and asked curiously: "Are you really discussing some private connection, and you stopped talking because you were afraid that I would eavesdrop?"
Liu Jie was speechless when he saw Cui Dunli's weird look, and he didn't hide anything. He said bluntly: "Even if we communicate in private, we won't talk about it here. I just talked about Yang Shidao's letter, and the court is full of rebellion. I am clamoring to continue to write letters to advise His Majesty and to abolish the 'cutting punishment' from now on. I wonder what the good brother's intention is?"
Cui Dunli ate the pastries, shook his head and said: "This matter is a matter of fierce public opinion and discussion. Naturally, the lower officials support it. However, the Ministry of War is not the censor's official. Although there are a few civil servants, most of them are ordinary men with military backgrounds. I know a few of them, but I can't explain them clearly, so there is no need to submit a letter. If there are other yamen who submit a letter, the name of the military deployment will be seconded. "
Liu Jie was thoughtful, pondered for a moment, nodded and said: "The words of An Shang are mature and prudent."
The entire civil servant group followed the path opened by Yang Shidao and wrote letters of remonstrance. Some of them were worried about the spread of harsh criminal laws, or some took this opportunity to collude. However, in any case, the situation of gathering civil servants to attack His Majesty has been formed.
First, the military situation is extremely difficult to control, and then the civilian officials are aggressive. One can imagine how your Majesty will feel.
The Ministry of War is the headquarters of the military, and its every move represents the trend of the entire military. If it responds to the call of civilian officials and submits a letter of remonstrance, it will definitely give His Majesty the impression that "both civil and military parties are colluding."
Your Majesty may not be able to sleep at night...
Liu Xiangdao obviously realized this and agreed: "As important ministers of the imperial court, we should perform our duties. This matter is the responsibility of the Yushitai. The Yushitai will perform its duties. All colleagues are aside. Just give your support, you don’t have to do it yourself.”
With His Majesty's stubbornness, more people will definitely need to unite and submit letters to form an unstoppable wave, in order to force His Majesty to withdraw his orders. But everything has advantages and disadvantages. Too many people, too many yamen involved, and even the entire civil service group working together may frighten His Majesty and at the same time arouse his pride, causing things to go against his wishes.
Liu Jie said: "Then let's decide like this. Yushitai will rush in front, and we will help from the side."
"That's just how it should be."
Cui Dunli swallowed the pastry, took out the handkerchief to wipe his hands, took a sip of tea, and frowned: "You must pay attention to the scale, and more importantly, the attention. You must not make things worse."
Liu Xiangdao was full of confidence: "I have already advised your Majesty on this matter before. It will not be abrupt if I advise you again, it will just be on a larger scale."
……
Not long after, a group of prime ministers, assistant ministers and Ping Zhangshi arrived one after another.
The Zhengshitang system was formed in the early Zhenguan period. The reason was to prevent powerful ministers from monopolizing power and to help strengthen the concentration of imperial power. At the same time, the collective discussion of affairs by the prime ministers greatly reduced administrative procedures and improved administrative efficiency, so it was established permanently.
Today, as the territory of the empire becomes more vast, the population under its rule becomes more and more numerous, and the government affairs of various government offices are busy, there is an even greater need for an institution like the Zhengshitang to coordinate various central departments, improve administrative efficiency, and ensure that government orders are consistent and effective.
His Majesty has not arrived today.
The Zhengshitang has its own set of standardized administrative procedures, so there is no need for His Majesty to attend every meeting. After the meeting, the ministers and ministers will submit the collective resolution to His Majesty for adjudication, and the Zhongshu Provincial System will be issued. After review, the Menxia Provincial Department will stamp it and implement it together with the Shangshu Province.
However, now that Shangshu Zuopushe has been deprived of the authority of the prime minister, the entire Shangshu Province has been excluded from the political hall, with only executive power but no decision-making power.
However, there was only one Shangshu right servant, Pei Huaijie, who had a false title but no actual position. He was given the task of "Tong Zhongshu's Pingzhangshi" and became the nominal "top leader" of the entire Shangshu Province...
Matters accumulated in various yamen were mentioned one by one, and then decisions were made one by one after brainstorming and the meeting progressed very quickly. After all, the prime ministers and ministers are the top leaders of their respective yamen and are very busy with affairs. What they can bring to the political hall for discussion are major issues that are difficult to decide. After the meeting, they have to return to their respective yamen to handle departmental affairs, which is very busy.
But there were a lot of things to do today, so we took a short break in the middle, and after everyone drank water and urinated, the meeting continued.
Pei Huaijie looked through the notes in front of him that recorded various matters and said: "Sea trade is booming now. Every year, tens of millions of goods flow into the Tang Dynasty from the Shipping Department of Huating Town, and the taxes paid fill up the Treasury of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. As a result, the national power flourished, and the imperial court established a shipping department in Guangzhou, but only one came to preside over it, which would be embarrassing. If his lack of talent makes it difficult for the Guangzhou Ship Division to reach the scale of the Huating Town Ship Division, it will definitely cause huge losses. In my opinion, capable officials and officials should be selected from the imperial court and sent to Guangzhou to join the Ship Bureau. The company ensures the operation of the Guangzhou Shipping Department, which can not only serve maritime trade, but also obtain tax revenue for the court. ”
There was silence in the hall.
Although the Municipal Shipping Department is an official office of the imperial court, because it has to deal with maritime trade, it has always been considered to be the treasure of the Navy. Without the cooperation of the Navy, who would care about a mere Municipal Shipping Department?
Moreover, the Guangzhou City Shipping Department was newly established, and the first city shipping department was promoted by the former Wannian County Magistrate recommended by Fang Jun...
Is this his plan to attack Laiji, or is he targeting the entire Guangzhou Shipping Company?
Liu Ji looked around, took in everyone's expressions, and said calmly: "The Municipal Shipping Department is responsible for issuing certificates for sea trade, inspecting ships allowed to go to sea, and checking whether there is any gold, silver, copper coins, weapons, and horses. , population and other violations Forbidden items are also responsible for collecting commercial and shipping taxes. This is a heavy responsibility and is related to the success or failure of maritime trade. It is really not possible to let an inexperienced newcomer control it. At the very least, someone must be sent to assist and supervise. "
After saying that, he looked at Ma Zhou: "What do you think, the servant?"
Ma Zhou pondered for a while and said: "The Duke of Yue has always had the ability to know people. Since he recommended Laiji to be promoted, I believe that Laiji will be qualified. Although the worries of the two are not unreasonable, it is not appropriate to criticize the Shibo Department at this moment. If there are changes in personnel appointments, you may wish to wait for a while. If the operation of the Guangzhou Shipping Division is not as expected, it will not be too late to make another change.”
Liu Jie retorted: "Since the importance of the Shipping Department is unanimously recognized, how can we wait until we make mistakes before correcting them? We are the decision-makers of the imperial government. What we should do is to take precautions and take precautions. If something happens to us in the future, Our hesitation and delay caused serious losses to the Guangzhou Shipping Division, which is our dereliction of duty.”
Cui Dunli frowned and said: "Isn't Zhongshu Ling's move a precautionary measure? Lai Ji has just assumed the post of Guangzhou Shipping Department and has not yet received any political achievements, so we are the first to deny his dedication and efforts. It is simply unwarranted."
"Cui Shangshu's words are reasonable. If it is inferred from Zhongshu Ling, anyone or any position can be transferred, appointed or dismissed for this reason. How is this different from the 'inference of guilt'? Just because of your doubts, you will assume that others are guilty. Absolutely No. ”
Dai Zhou, the minister of Dali Temple, spoke out and refuted Liu Ji.
Liu Jie was not annoyed at all, and said calmly: "In that case, let's vote on whether to send an additional promotion and a number of officials to the Guangzhou Shipping Department."
The regulations of the political hall have always been like this. If something difficult to decide is encountered, several prime ministers will vote together, and the minority will obey the majority. But now the number of prime ministers is an even number, so it is possible that both sides are even. If this happens, it needs to be submitted to His Majesty for the final decision.
Liu Xiangdao nodded and said: "Then let's start."
Liu Ji first asked Ma Zhou: "What do you think?"
Ma Zhou did not hesitate: "No."
Liu Jie nodded. This was confirmed. Ma Zhou not only had a close relationship with Fang Jun, but also had a different governing philosophy from his own. His opposition was expected.
He then looked at Tang Jian, Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs: "What does the Duke of Ju mean?"
Tang Jian hesitated for a moment, stroking his beard and frowning his gray eyebrows in confusion. After a long while, he said: "Yes."
It was not beyond Liu Jie's expectation.
Tang Jian had a good relationship with Fang Jun in private, but the commercial tax and shipping tax of the City Shipping Department were closely related to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. If the city shipping department could be directly controlled by the central government, there would be no need to withstand the interception of the city shipping department itself, and all taxes would be greatly reduced. It can be put into the national treasury, making the ministry of the Ministry of Civil Affairs smoother.
After all, the root of all affairs of the Ministry of Civil Affairs lies in the word "money". If you have money, everything will go smoothly, but if you don't have money, it will be difficult to do anything.
Nowadays, the whole country is undergoing large-scale infrastructure construction, including bridge construction, road paving, water conservancy, and animal husbandry. Every day, the door of the state treasury is opened, and money is spent like water. No matter how much money is spent, it is not necessary.
Next, he asked Liu Xiang: "What do you think, the imperial censor?"
"Yes!"
Although Liu Xiangdao will stick to his political bottom line, it will only be within the judicial process. In addition, he will remember that he is His Majesty's "eagle dog". However, Liu Ji suddenly launched an attack on the Guangzhou Shipping Department this time, obviously through His Majesty. Instruction...
Liu nodded. He already had two votes against, and with his own vote, it would be three votes. Among the six prime ministers present, one more vote would guarantee victory.
He looked at Cui Dunli, and as expected, Cui Dunli objected outright.
I asked Dai Zhou again, and Dai Zhou naturally objected.
The vote count was three to two, and he had the advantage, leaving only Pei Huaijie.
The topic was discussed in advance between him and Pei Huaijie, and it was Pei Huaijie who proposed it, so Pei Huaijie's vote had already been received.
Liu Ji walked through the process easily and looked at Pei Huaijie: "Your servant shoots..."
Pei Huaijie said calmly: "No."
Liu Ji nodded and said with a smile: "In that case..." His smile suddenly froze and he looked at Pei Huaijie in shock. Was he hallucinating?
(End of chapter)