Although Li Jue had forgotten much about his past life, he still had a deep impression of the Ming Dynasty's Embroidered Uniform Guard system.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Eastern Depot, and the Western Depot each had their advantages and disadvantages.

These intelligence organizations strengthened imperial power to some extent, but also caused many negative consequences, so it's hard to say whether they were good or bad.

Therefore, when he learned that Li Shimin wanted to establish a secret service organization, the first thing that came to his mind was the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Compared to the Eastern Depot and Western Depot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had a much better reputation, and in its early stages, it did play a positive role in the centralization of power in the Ming Dynasty.

Most importantly, the Embroidered Uniform Guard did not infringe upon the interests of ordinary people; it only targeted officials, so it had little impact on ordinary citizens.

But both the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot were double-edged swords.

If ruled by a wise ruler, it will naturally not be abused, but will simply be used as an institution to monitor officials. However, if ruled by a foolish ruler, it will become the best weapon to persecute loyal officials and eliminate political enemies.

Now that Li Shimin asked him how to prevent the abuse of such privileges, what could Li Jue do? He could only subtly tell Li Er that such things were simply unavoidable.

"Your Majesty, I suggest that the Hundred Cavalry Division be treated as a temporary means of surveillance, and it is best not to make it a fixed system."

"oh?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's expression hardened, and he looked at Li Jue with some displeasure.

"You don't like the Hundred Riders?"

"Your Majesty, I have no aversion to the Hundred Cavalry Commandery, nor do I object to their oversight of officials. I am only concerned that future emperors may abuse the power of the Hundred Cavalry Commandery, causing immeasurable harm to the Tang Dynasty."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's eyes darted around, and he asked meaningfully.

"If you were to take command of the Hundred Cavalry, would you abuse it?"

Li Jue answered without hesitation upon hearing this.

Of course not!

"I will devise a series of measures to restrict their power, such as prohibiting them from arbitrarily arresting people without an imperial edict, and even more so from killing people at will..."

Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this, and then discussed several details of the Hundred Cavalry Division with Li Jue before personally escorting Li Jue back to the Lizheng Hall.

"It's too late today. I'll talk to you in detail another day. You should get some rest today!"

"oh……"

"Grandpa, I'd like to rest, but I haven't finished my homework yet..."

"I hereby grant you special permission not to write today!"

"no!"

"The homework isn't for my grandfather, nor for my teacher; I have to be responsible for myself!"

After saying this, Li Jue picked up his pen and continued writing. He was starting to enjoy the feeling of the brush sliding across the paper, and he especially liked practicing calligraphy as his handwriting became more and more beautiful.

Seeing this, Li Shimin smiled with satisfaction, then carefully withdrew, afraid of disturbing Li Jue.

Although Li Shimin told Li Jue to go to sleep early, Li Shimin, upon returning to Ganlu Palace, was wide awake. His eyes were wide open, staring blankly at the outline of the Hundred Cavalry Division that Li Jue had written for him.

Li Shimin was also hesitant about whether to strengthen the authority of the Hundred Cavalry Division and optimize its organizational structure.

Although Li Jue pioneered the use of informants, which greatly alleviated the organizational problems of the Hundred Cavalry Division, using informants also required a lot of money, and even required them to be compensated with land, houses and other similar items.

Otherwise, who would abandon their former master, betray them, and tell the emperor about their former master's affairs?

If it were just a small amount of money, Li Shimin wouldn't be too worried. What he feared was that these people would take his money while simultaneously informing his ministers about his surveillance of officials, which would be incredibly embarrassing for him.

Li Shimin thought about it all night, and the next day, with dark circles under his eyes, he ordered someone to summon Yuchi Fan.

"Yuchi Fan, do as instructed. The number of people can be small, but secrecy must be maintained!"

"promise!"

"May I ask, Your Majesty, who were the first people to be monitored?"

Li Shimin hesitated slightly upon hearing this before replying.

"Don't touch the people in Lingyan Pavilion, the rest can do as they please!"

"Understood!"

While Yuchi Fan was busily establishing the Hundred Cavalry Commandery's surveillance network, Li Yifu and Su Dingfang also took office, becoming the magistrates of Chang'an and Wannian counties, respectively.

Although Su Dingfang had never worked in the government system, he had been leading troops and managing people and affairs for many years, so he quickly adapted to the affairs of the Wannian County government.

Comparatively speaking, Li Yifu was less adaptable. He had no experience in governing a region and rarely got involved in managing people.

Therefore, upon entering the Chang'an County government office, he simply acted like a wooden puppet, clocking in on time every day and occasionally treating the people in the office to food and drink.

This was actually his strategy. He believed in planning before acting and would never act rashly before knowing the character of his subordinates.

While Su Dingfang and Li Yifu were in power, Dou Deming and Cui Zhizheng were secretly keeping an eye on them.

According to the original list from the Ministry of Personnel, they were the two magistrates of Chang'an and Wannian counties. It was only because their eldest grandson interfered that they were given two sinecure positions.

The two naturally became allies, meeting at Sun Yang's restaurant every day to drink mutton soup, eat mutton soup, and discuss how to reclaim their official positions.

"Brother Dou, how are you doing at the Ministry of Rites? Are you settling in well?"

"What's there to be used to? I'm just a menial worker."

"How's it going at the Court of State Ceremonial, Brother Cui? I heard the food there is pretty good, and lots of people are scrambling to get in, hahaha!"

"If Brother Dou likes it, I'd be willing to trade with you!"

"ah?"

A gentleman does not take what others love!

"Hahaha!"

After a good laugh, the two got down to business.

"Brother Dou, I sent someone to deliver gifts to Li Yifu yesterday, but he refused them before I could even say anything..."

"Brother Dou, you once served as a county magistrate in a local area. What do you think should be done about this?"

Dou Deming pondered for a moment upon hearing this and then replied.

"Gifts must be given in a specific way, and the recipient must be someone who has a past relationship with Li Yifu and is someone he trusts."

"If you send someone with no official title to deliver a gift, not only will he not dare to accept it, but I wouldn't dare to accept it either!"

"Brother Dou is right, I was really too stupid!"

"By the way, Brother Dou, how can we find someone who knows Li Yifu?"

"You're so stupid!"

“Isn’t your third uncle an official in the Ministry of Personnel? Have him make a copy of Li Yifu’s file. We can find people he knows by just looking at Li Yifu’s resume over the years!”

"Yes!"

"How could I have forgotten about that!"

"I offer Brother Dou a bowl of mutton soup instead of wine!"

The two finished a bowl of mutton soup, and Dou Deming sighed inwardly.

"Your Li Yifu is easy to deal with, but my Su Dingfang is the real troublemaker!"

"This guy is completely impervious to both soft and hard approaches, and he's incredibly decisive in his work. He carries a spear to work every day, scaring the county yamen runners so much that they don't dare breathe, leaving me with many tricks up my sleeve..."

"May I ask, Brother Dou, what methods do you intend to use?"