Li Jue knew Li Yifu because of Wu Zetian...

In various films and television dramas, Wu Zetian was able to defeat Changsun Wuji and seize control of the court entirely thanks to Li Yifu, her henchman.

Li Yifu was a dark man, but he was always kind and gentle when he spoke to people. Over time, everyone called him Li the Cat.

Li Jue pulled out Li Yifu's file and looked at it carefully. He discovered that this person had actually risen to the rank of a sixth-grade official, serving as a Gentleman-in-Waiting to the Crown Prince.

This official position is not considered high for scions of aristocratic families, but it is not low for Li Yifu, a man from a humble background. At the very least, it is much better than Xiao Mu's position.

Are you familiar with Li Yifu?

"It's alright..."

"Although Li Yifu did not come from a civil service examination background, he was still considered an official from a humble family, and we had a good relationship."

Upon hearing this, Li Jue nodded secretly, then took the official document of the magistrate of Chang'an County, crossed out the name on it, and replaced it with Li Yifu's.

Li Jue employed Li Yifu not only to curb the rise of powerful clans, but also because he valued Li Yifu's abilities.

Li Yifu was indeed a treacherous minister, but he was also a capable one.

As long as he is willing to work, he is capable of being a good official!

Unfortunately, he was unlucky in love and met Wu Zetian, who was eager to rise to power, which led him to collude with her.

Xiao Mu, who was standing to the side, was terrified when he saw Li Jue cross out Dou Deming's name and write Li Yifu's name back in.

This is a fifth-rank official position, and the eldest grandson of the legitimate wife just changed it like that?

"Your Highness, isn't what you're doing inappropriate?"

Li Jue replied nonchalantly upon hearing this.

"His Majesty said that even if I use it wrong, I'll only get a beating, and I'm tough enough to take it!"

"Is it just a beating?"

Hearing this, Xiao Mu felt a pang of bitterness in his heart. It's true what they say, comparisons are odious.

If anyone else had done this, the lightest punishment would have been exiled three thousand miles away. If His Majesty was in a bad mood, he could have been dragged to the Vermilion Bird Street and beheaded on the spot!

However, if it were Li Jue, he would at most receive a beating...

"Your Highness, I suggest you inform His Majesty before taking any action..."

Li Jue waved his hand impatiently.

"No need for that!"

"I am the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and my word is law!"

Li Jue promoted Li Yifu by three ranks, raising him directly from Silver to Gold, and also adjusted the positions of several other people.

There were just too many people to arrange at once, and he couldn't possibly finish looking at them all in one day. Just as he was about to take them back to the Lizheng Hall to look at, he suddenly saw Zhang Gui sneaking in.

"Your Highness, His Majesty is waiting for you to have your meal..."

"ah?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jue exclaimed inwardly that he had almost forgotten about this!

In fact, Li Jue did not like to dine with Li Er, but he was afraid that if he didn't go, Li Er would find a reason to beat him up again, so he reluctantly carried a thick stack of files back to the palace.

However, as soon as Li Jue stepped out of the office, he was stopped by Gao Shilian.

"Your Highness, is that an official's file you're carrying under your arm?"

"yes!"

"Your Highness, according to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, archives cannot be taken out of the Ministry of Personnel!"

Li Jue snorted coldly upon hearing this.

"Is it not allowed for my grandfather to see it if he wants to?"

"this……"

Gao Shilian was speechless upon hearing this. The court's laws could govern everyone except Li Shimin!

But if Li Jue were to take the files away so brazenly, wouldn't he, as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, lose face?

Just as Gao Shilian was pondering how to reprimand Li Jue, Fang Xuanling walked over with a cup of tea.

"Is Prime Minister Gao about to go on duty?"

When Gao Shilian saw Fang Xuanling approaching, he grasped at him as if he were grasping at a straw.

"Prime Minister Fang has arrived just in time. You'd better keep an eye on Prince Yong. He's trying to take away the Ministry of Personnel's files!"

"oh?"

Fang Xuanling's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this.

"May I ask, Your Highness, is it His Majesty who wishes to see this?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jue thought to himself, "This old man is quite something; he's so perceptive."

"Yes, yes!"

"That's exactly what my grandfather wanted to see!"

Fang Xuanling chuckled upon hearing this.

"Since His Majesty wishes to see it, then please trouble the eldest grandson to take it back!"

"Just don't get the files dirty or damaged..."

Gao Shilian was furious when he heard this. Fang Xuanling knew perfectly well that this matter had nothing to do with His Majesty, but he still allowed Li Jue to take the files away.

Therefore, after Li Jue left, Gao Shilian mocked Fang Xuanling in a muffled voice.

"Prime Minister Fang, your stance has changed far too quickly! If I remember correctly, you favored the Prince of Wei a few years ago!"

Fang Xuanling naturally understood Gao Shilian's sarcasm, but he didn't care at all!

"What Prime Minister Gao said is absolutely right. Your humble servant does indeed prefer the King of Wei."

"But I am first and foremost Your Majesty's subject, and my loyalty to Your Majesty's will comes first, and my own preferences come second!"

"Hmph!"

"According to Chancellor Fang, His Majesty now prefers Prince Yong?"

Fang Xuanling smiled slightly upon hearing this.

"That's hard to say, but the eldest grandson is currently living in the Lizheng Hall, which is just a wall away from His Majesty, hehehe..."

"A treacherous villain!"

"Is that all you care about? You let Li Jue take so many files away?"

Fang Xuanling was also angered upon hearing this.

"Minister Gao, please watch your words!"

"This empire ultimately belongs to His Majesty, and to the Li family to whom His Majesty belongs!"

"Is it wrong for me to let my eldest grandson take the files away?"

"you……"

Gao Shilian was no match for Fang Xuanling in his eloquence. After being rebuffed by Fang Xuanling, he angrily turned and left.

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