Chapter 406 The Battle for the Ministry of Commerce

"Your subject, Choi Sin-ki, greets Your Majesty."

Upon meeting Li Shimin, Cui Shenji bowed respectfully.

When it comes to etiquette, Choi Shin-ki knows even more than Wei Shu-yu.

No need for formalities.

Li Shimin waved his hand: "Shenji, why are you making a scene outside the Taiji Hall? Do you know that this is a crime of offending the court?"

"Your Majesty, I have important matters to report!"

"What is it?"

"I believe that the Ministry of Commerce can start its future development by focusing on security escort agencies..."

Choi Shin-ki then explained the concept of a security escort agency in the imperial court.

Both were headstrong, but not intimidated.

He could speak eloquently and captivatingly even in the imperial court.

"What do you all think, my esteemed ministers?"

After pondering for a moment, Li Shimin asked.

"His Majesty."

Wei Zheng immediately stepped forward: "Your subject agrees with the matter of the escort agency."

"First, it can win over all the mountain bandits in the world to the heart of the Tang Dynasty."

"Second, people no longer need to live in fear when going out."

"Third, it can increase the economic benefits of the Tang Dynasty."

"Fourth, the imperial court will have another source of revenue."

"five……"

Li Shimin glanced at Wei Zheng.

Why are you so eager?

This security escort agency must have been set up by your precious son, right?

"I second that proposal."

"I second that proposal."

The ministers unanimously agreed.

With so many benefits, they couldn't find an excuse to object.

"Your Majesty, I have a different opinion."

Just then, Changsun Wuji stepped forward again.

"Does my minister think this policy is bad?" Li Shimin asked in surprise.

"Your Majesty, that's not what I meant..."

Changsun Wuji bowed and said, "What I mean is that after Wei Shuyu was dismissed from his post, the Ministry of Commerce is leaderless. The most urgent task now is not to implement policies, but to find an official who can lead the Ministry of Commerce."

Changsun Wuji's words were like a stone thrown into water, enlivening the atmosphere of the entire court.

The ministers' eyes were all brimming with enthusiasm.

"oh?"

Li Shimin naturally saw this scene as well, but still calmly asked, "May I ask who you have in mind, my dear minister?"

"The Ministry of Commerce is innovative and has wildly imaginative ideas."

Changsun Wuji bowed and said, "I believe that having the older generation in charge might limit its development. The Tang Dynasty should give young people some opportunities and gradually cultivate them to become the cornerstone of the Tang Dynasty!"

"I propose that the Crown Prince take on this role."

Upon hearing this, many officials frowned.

They initially wanted to argue that the young man lacked experience and maturity, but Changsun Wuji mentioned the Crown Prince…

The assembled officials couldn't help but look at Li Shimin.

If Li Shimin agrees, no amount of talk from them will make a difference.

"Your Majesty, I cannot agree."

At this time...

Li Xiaogong suddenly stood up: "The Ministry of Commerce is mainly in charge of matters concerning merchants."

Merchants have always been meticulous and calculating.

"And the crown prince, as the heir apparent, should be magnanimous and broad-minded."

"As the Celestial Empire, our Great Tang Dynasty should have an emperor with the ambition to conquer mountains and rivers!"

"The two are fundamentally contradictory."

"I believe it is not appropriate for the Crown Prince to assume the responsibility of the Ministry of Commerce."

The ministers nodded.

That hits the nail on the head.

Being petty and calculating can easily escalate into being vindictive, which is a major taboo for a ruler.

"Then who is the candidate for Prince of Hejian?" Li Shimin gave Li Xiaogong a lot of face.

Given Li Xiaogong's merits and tact, he deserved Li Shimin's favor.

"Your subject recommends my son, Chongyi."

Li Xiaogong bowed and said, "Chongyi has been working in the Ministry of Commerce for some time now, and he has been conscientious and diligent every day without daring to slack off in the slightest."

"In my opinion, Chongyi is the most suitable candidate!"

The ministers frowned.

To be honest, apart from Wei Shuyu, the Ministry of Commerce...

Li Chongyi is indeed the most senior one.

"I object."

Changsun Wuji retorted, "Although Li Chongyi has spent a considerable amount of time in the Ministry of Commerce, he is mediocre and has accomplished nothing."

"On the contrary, I have also heard that he frequently makes mistakes, neglects his duties, and indulges in pleasure with merchants..."

"How can someone who is so negligent in managing the Ministry of Commerce possibly lead it?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiaogong immediately became furious.

"Changsun Wuji, speak with evidence."

"If you dare to slander my son again, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Li Xiaogong clenched his fists and stepped forward.

With his military achievements protecting him, he could act with impunity in the imperial court.

The more outrageous he was, the more Li Shimin trusted him!

Changsun Wuji glanced at him casually...

"To find out if this matter is true or false, we can simply ask a few officials from the Ministry of Commerce."

"And don't accuse me of covering it up."

"I haven't recommended a single official from the Ministry of Commerce."

Did you not recommend it?

You were competing with the Wei family, so you didn't dare to recommend them, right?

The courtiers secretly scorned him.

"The Prince of Hejian".

Li Shimin thought for a moment and said, "Chongyi is steady but lacks ambition. He has not yet made any contributions during his time in the Ministry of Commerce, so I'm afraid he is not enough to win people's respect..."

Li Shimin's meaning was clear... Li Chongyi was not qualified!

However, out of consideration for Li Xiaogong's feelings, he still spoke very tactfully.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I made the recommendation without knowing the details." Li Xiaogong bowed and returned to his seat.

But she had made up her mind to give her son a good beating when she got back.

If you had even one notable achievement, you wouldn't have put me in such a passive position in the court!

"Do any of my beloved ministers have other candidates?" Li Shimin asked again.

"Your Majesty, I recommend the Prince of Wei!"

Changsun Wuji continued to recommend him.

Li Chengqian and Li Tai were both his nephews. Although he favored Li Chengqian more, it was still better than having an outsider take the position.

"no."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Fang Xuanling stepped forward to retort: ​​"The Prince of Wei is getting older and has reached the age where he needs to go to his fiefdom to take up his post. If he takes on this important task, what will happen to his fiefdom?"

Li Shimin frowned.

He couldn't bear to see the chubby boy go to his fiefdom to take up his post.

"His Majesty……"

Just then, Gao Shilian stepped forward to speak up, saying, "The Ministry of Commerce manages enormous sums of money; I believe it would be better if it were held by someone from the royal family."

"Minister Gao is mistaken..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Tang Jian, the Minister of Civil Affairs, stepped forward to retort: ​​"The Ministry of Commerce is a ministry of the entire nation, not the private property of the royal family. How can it be treated the same way?"

"If what Minister Gao says is true, and our Ministry of Revenue is in charge of the nation's finances, shouldn't I step down?"

The officials all nodded in agreement.

Royal dominance is detrimental to the world.

"Your Majesty, I recommend..."

"I object, I recommend..."

The imperial court resembled a marketplace, with officials vying to speak.

Li Shimin was completely bewildered.

"Your Majesty, I propose that Choi Shin-ki take on the role."

Just then, Cui Yixuan stepped forward.

Swish...

Everyone looked at Choi Shin-ki, who had snot hanging from his nose, and felt a chill run down their spines.

If Choi Shin-ki were to hold such an important position, wouldn't he be laughed at to death?

Cui Yixuan, however, paid no heed...

Because Choi Shin-ki is qualified to compete!

"Jier proposed the idea of ​​a security escort agency, which would benefit merchants worldwide and weaken the power of mountain bandits..."

"In my opinion, it is most appropriate for him to carry out this task!"

"Furthermore, Ji'er has been by Wei Shuyu's side since the establishment of the Ministry of Commerce."

“Every day, he would go up to the Wei residence at sunrise and return at sunset.”

"Through wind and rain, it never stops..."

"In my opinion, Ji'er is the one who understands Wei Shuyu and the Ministry of Commerce the most!"

Holy crap.

All the ministers were taken aback.

Judging from the official rhetoric, Choi Shin-ki is indeed the most suitable person to take on this role!

But... you can't treat us like we're some foreign alien race.

Everyone in Chang'an knows what kind of person your son is.