That night, routine banquets were still going on in some mansions in Chang'an City. The topics discussed were all today's court discussions.
Changsun Wuji did not participate in the banquet, but was drinking alone in the backyard study. Suddenly, footsteps were heard outside the door, and the butler walked in and whispered: "Master, the prince is back."
"Let him come in." Changsun Wuji was already half drunk. The housekeeper was afraid of offending him, so he hurriedly ran out. After a while, Changsun rushed in. Seeing Changsun Wuji's drunken state, he couldn't help but frowned.
"Why is father like this?"
"Why is that?!" Changsun Wuji sneered and glanced sideways at Changsun Chong. Seeing this, the housekeeper hurriedly left. If he listened to the ensuing conversation between father and son, he would not get any good results.
"Why didn't you tell me about your Majesty's summons? Is this your filial piety when father and son are separated from each other?"
Changsun Chong smiled bitterly and said: "Father has misunderstood me. What your Majesty summoned to inquire was just about whether to enfeoff. I really don't know anything about the setting up of bachelors and other matters later."
Changsun Wuji looked at Changsun Chong, feeling angry in his heart, but he couldn't let it out. How could he not know that his son was no longer of the same mind as him. He looked at Changsun Chong quietly for a while, and then said: "
Chong'er, let me ask you. Did you approve or not approve the loan from Datang Salt Industry last month?"
Changsun Chong said seriously: "Father, I have said this countless times. According to the rules, it is impossible to approve such a huge amount of loan without sufficient guarantee. This is a rule and there are no exceptions.
Moreover, because you are my father, in order to avoid suspicion, if Datang Salt wants to get a loan, it needs to pay a deposit in addition to the mortgage."
"Changsun Chong, don't go too far!" Changsun Wuji gritted his teeth in anger and said: "Do you know who I am doing all this for?! I will grow old sooner or later, and the Changsun family and the entire Longyou will be handed over to me.
You come to inherit. You are helping Datang Salt Industry now to help you. Help you win over people's hearts and help you earn the next family business. Not only do you not do your best, but you are hampered in everything. Is it possible that you really drank Li Mu?
That guy's ecstasy soup, have you forgotten your last name?"
"Father! This is exactly what the son wants to say to you!" Changsun Chong rarely confronted Changsun Wuji: "Father, please don't forget that everything Changsun has was given by your majesty. Your majesty's preferential treatment of my father.
Usually it's because of the affection that grew up with my father, and the other half is because of my aunt. Although my father's talents are top-notch, they are not outstanding! Apart from the conspiracy back then, has my father ever had any special feelings towards this country?
Is it your credit?"
"What did you say!" Changsun Wuji's eyes widened and he was shaking with anger: "You are such a traitor, you speak disobedient words, you, you..."
"I'm just telling the truth!" Zhang Sun rushed out and said loudly: "In the past, although my father did not have great achievements, he was loyal after all. But since Your Majesty came to the throne and the situation was initially determined, what my father did was to distance himself.
The word 'loyalty' has also gradually faded away. My father's plans are all for the eldest son's family. For personal gain, he set up the court, and your Majesty will do it next. Your Majesty is magnanimous and does not pursue my father's faults, but my father does not wake up!"
"The prosperity of the eldest son's family does not depend on how much his father has planned today, but on whether the eldest grandson's family can remain in the heart of the emperor. My father cannot understand this simple truth! His son did not drink any ecstasy soup. His teacher taught him his skills, but he never
The son was not asked to do anything. The son just did what a minister should do. If it is in line with the rules, the son will definitely do it. If it is not in line with the rules, the son will definitely not do it, no matter who it is. Even if the mentor needs a loan, it is still a step.
Follow the rules step by step, even if the prince needs a loan, you should do the same. Datang Bank controls the world's wealth, so it cannot be without rules!"
After saying that, regardless of Changsun Wuji's livid face, Changsun Chong bowed and said: "It is unfilial for a son to make his father angry. Loyalty and filial piety are in a dilemma, and a son has a heavy responsibility on his shoulders..." As he spoke, tears filled his eyes, and he turned and left the study.
Changsun Wuji stared blankly at the direction Changsun Chong left, and did not come back to his senses for a while.
…
But in another mansion, it was a different scene.
Chu Suiliang was appointed as a bachelor of the Literature Pavilion. From then on, he was involved in secret affairs, and his career was just around the corner. Some people came to congratulate him after hearing the news. Chu Suiliang was young and had few contacts. But his father, Chu Liang, had a wide circle of friends. Although he has retired now
"On the second line", but my friends back then were all big shots.
In the past, Li Shimin set up a literary museum to recruit talented people from all over the world. Du Ruhui, an official of the royal palace, Fang Xuanling, Yu Shinan, literary Chu Liang, Yao Silian, Li Xuandao, chief bookkeeper, Cai Yungong, Xue Yuanjing, and Yan Xiangshi, who joined the army, consulted and signed Su.
Xu, there were Yu Zhining, the lieutenant of the Tiance Mansion, Su Shichang, the military advisor, Xue Shou, the secretary of the Cangcao, Li Shousu, the Cangcao, Lu Deming, Kong Yingda, the assistant teacher of the Imperial Academy, Gai Wenda of the Xindu, and Xu Jingzong, the Hucao, etc., and they were called
As the "Eighteen Bachelors".
Not only were these eighteen bachelors entitled to a fifth-grade salary, but they also had fish to eat and cars to drive. Li Shimin also ordered Yan Liben to paint their portraits, and they were highly favored. Although, after Li Shimin ascended the throne, not all of these eighteen scholars were given important positions.
The friendship of the past has not been forgotten. Everyone has been properly accommodated. Even if they are not in the real power department, they still have a noble job and have no worries about food and clothing.
Today Chu Suiliang was elected as a bachelor. To Chu Liang, it was the same as if his own child had been admitted to a key university in future generations. If someone congratulated him, he would naturally have a banquet and would not return until he was drunk.
After drinking for three rounds, Fang Xuanling, who had the highest official position and the most authority here, smiled and said, looking at everyone, he said with a smile: "In the past, you were all your Majesty's advisers. Today you might as well guess what your Majesty's intention is.
Where is it?"
None of the people present were outsiders, and they had no scruples about what they said. Moreover, it was the job of the counselors to figure out the emperor's thoughts. Even if the news reached Li Shimin's ears, it would probably be nothing. Under the influence of wine, Xu Jingzong answered: "I thought
, His Majesty’s move is nothing more than ‘centralization’.”
Yu Zhining is a serious person with no expression on his face. In his early years, he felt that Xu Jingzong was cunning, so he had a bad opinion of him. But this time, he agreed with Xu Jingzong's point of view and said: "Your Majesty's move
, it is to take the political power into the cabinet. From now on, the position of the prime minister will be in vain. The decision-making power is returned to the king, and the political power is given to the bachelors who have no authority, so there is no longer the worry of losing power. Administrative power is allocated to six departments, and the local government
It is divided into three departments, in charge of justice, military, and administration, and directly connects with the six ministries..."
Yu Zhining couldn't help but sigh: "His Majesty is indeed unfathomable. With just one hand, he can wield great power, far ahead of many emperors in the past."