Li Shimin was not a foolish king. He still knew who was capable of doing things and who was a loyal minister. Muchuan was the pillar of the country. If he was taken away, who would be able to contribute to the court?
"No, Mu Aiqing can't leave like this! I have high expectations for you. You are a national talent and should stay in the court to benefit the people. You must not belittle yourself!"
"Your Majesty... I am a sinner. I am afraid that some people will not accept this official position."
"What are you guilty of?
And stay and continue to serve the country and benefit the people."
Li Shimin and Muchuan just had a conversation like this, singing and harmonizing. This was simply a show for other civil servants and generals to see.
It happened that these ministers saw it but pretended not to understand. Zhongshu ordered Shangguan Jin to take the lead and speak: "Your Majesty, I think that if the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue is determined to resign from the official position, why not help him?"
Hou Junji: "The Minister of Hubu is indeed a talented person, but since he has accepted the crime, he is a guilty minister and should be dismissed and returned to his field! As for his official position, just find someone else to take over! I think we are a great country.
, there are so many talents, it is not difficult to find someone to take over the important responsibility of the Minister of Household Affairs and the negotiation of peace."
Led by Shang Guanjin and Hou Junji, other small and medium-sized officials responded one after another, and there was a strong tendency to use public opinion to overwhelm Muchuan.
However, Li Shimin was not the kind of cowardly emperor. When he saw his ministers being so disobedient, he raised his fist and smacked the mahogany dragon table in front of him.
There was a "bang" sound, and the desk made a noise. Suddenly, there was silence in the imperial study room, and all the officials were startled.
Li Shimin glanced at the ministers with sharp eyes, and then asked: "How can you force the Minister of Hubu to leave like this? The Minister of Hubu is a loyal minister, and he has made great achievements for the country not long after he entered the court.
With so much hard work, this is something that many ministers have not been able to do for decades! If he leaves like this, the court will lose a good minister and a beloved general!"
Li Shimin's voice was sonorous, as loud as a jade stone falling to the ground. It was obvious that he protected Muchuan very much.
Although Muchuan is surly and stubborn, no one can underestimate his talent and learning ability. For example, the virtuous and virtuous Empress Changsun, as well as hard-working loyal ministers like Wei Zheng, Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, etc. all proposed to Li Shimin to reuse Muchuan.
Naturally, Li Shimin would not drive Muchuan out of the court just because of some rumors.
"You don't need to discuss it further. There is no one in the court who can replace the Minister of Household Affairs. I will not allow him to leave like this."
Li Shimin said categorically, and naturally the ministers no longer dared to make any arbitrary comments.
But there was one person whose heart was in turmoil. Yes, it was Shangguan Jin!
Shangguan Jin and Wang Yue Dagong are in a nest of snakes and rats. He knows that the "plague" incident is fake, so he plans to use this incident to blame Muchuan. It would be best if he can use this impeachment to remove the other party from power.
.
Now it seems that His Majesty wants to forgive Muchuan without imposing any punishment, but this is naturally not possible! Even though Shangguan Jin could see that the emperor intended to protect Muchuan, Shangguan Jin still spoke boldly.
"Your Majesty, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue is misleading the public with his evil words. It is clear that the plague has not happened, but he is so strong in the city. Doesn't this mess up the morale of the people and the courtiers?
If you don’t impose punishment, you won’t be able to convince the public.”
Looking at Shangguan Jin's virtue made Muchuan angry. What's more, Muchuan had already learned about the disgusting things between Shangguan Jin and Wangyue Dagong from Ouyang Bufan, so he naturally knew what the other party's tricks were.
Muchuan smiled slightly: "Sir Shangguan, what if I commit a crime and perform meritorious service?"
"Dedicate one's crime to meritorious deeds?"
"I heard that Lord Shangguan was one of the courtiers who negotiated peace with the Goguryeo Kingdom, but the peace talks have been repeatedly delayed and made no progress. If I were to push forward the peace talks, I could even take back all the occupied territory of the Goguryeo Kingdom.
Is my crime considered paid off?"
"Of course it is. If you, Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, have such ability to push forward the peace negotiation, it will be a great honor and a great achievement. You can more than make up for it."
Shangguan Jin showed an obvious sarcastic smile when he spoke, "The question is, Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, can you really push forward this peace negotiation?
This matter is very difficult, how can you accomplish it just by being a minister?"
In this peace negotiation with Wangyue Dagong, the Tang Dynasty court dispatched nearly fifteen powerful ministers and high-ranking officials, such as Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling, etc., but until now things are still not progressing smoothly, so Shangguan Jin is naturally unhappy.
I think Muchuan has the ability to make this happen.
Muchuan looked confident and smiled confidently: "What's the difficulty in making this happen?
I should be able to make Goguryeo agree to cede territory and pay compensation! And the amount of compensation must increase!"
In addition to the one-fifth of Goguryeo's territory that has been conquered, Muchuan also has to let Goguryeo enter the palace every year with 500,000 taels of gold, silk and satin, and delicacies! And within one month of signing the peace agreement, Goguryeo must also let Goguryeo enter the palace every year.
The royal family of the country personally came to Chang'an City to bow their heads and personally knelt down to express their gratitude to Emperor Li Shimin!
After Muchuan said this, Shangguan Jin and others were startled, and then everyone burst into laughter.
"Shang Shu, aren't you just talking nonsense?
Although Goguryeo is weak, it won't listen to you like this, right?"
"Lord Muchuan, you probably don't know how difficult the ambassador of Goguryeo is?
Let alone the royal family of Goguryeo come to kowtow in person, I’m afraid they won’t even be able to occupy one-fifth of the territory!”
"Who can't tell empty lies? I'm sorry that even with Muchuan's head and six arms, you may not be able to convince Goguryeo!"
Everyone made fun of him one after another, not believing that Muchuan could do such a thing.
Li Shimin, who was sitting on the throne, was also a little suspicious. After all, the peace talks with Goguryeo were at a deadlock, and the famous Wangyue Dagong was a resourceful and eloquent person, so he wanted to obtain such great benefits from the other party.
It's almost impossible.
On the contrary, Muchuan appeared calm and calm, with a posture like a bamboo. He bowed slightly towards Li Shimin and said: "Your Majesty, if I can't do it, I should raise my head and come to see him!"
"This..." Li Shimin was so shocked that his eyes widened slightly. After all, this was a very difficult matter, even Muchuan could not do it. If he really couldn't do it, would he kill him?
This is something Li Shimin couldn't bear.
Shangguan Jin was overjoyed. This was a good opportunity. If Muchuan failed to handle the matter, he would be accused of "ineffectiveness", so wouldn't it be a good thing to kill him with a knife and kill him?
Shangguan Jin quickly said: "Your Majesty, since the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue is so confident, he must have agreed well."
The other courtiers were also very clever. Seeing what Shangguan Jin said, they all agreed.
