Chapter 485 The Twenty-Four Meritorious Officials of Lingyan Pavilion
"Is Father Emperor writing letters at a stall?"
Li Shimin was stunned when he heard the news.
How could the Emperor Emeritus write a letter to someone like that!
“Xuancheng”.
Li Shimin turned to Wei Zheng and asked, "What do you think?"
"His Majesty."
Wei Zheng rose and bowed, saying, "I believe this is not a bad thing."
"Now the world is at peace, and the people live and work in contentment."
"It would be nice for the retired emperor to take a stroll around the vicinity of Chang'an."
"On the contrary, once this matter spreads, some rumors that are detrimental to His Majesty will be dispelled on their own!"
Li Shimin nodded.
He placed the retired emperor under house arrest!
Just because many people don't speak out doesn't mean this matter can be covered up.
Now that Li Yuan can freely enter and leave the palace, those rumors have been dispelled!
"If that's the case..."
As he spoke, Li Shimin shouted, "Li Junxian, clean up those hooligans and ruffians on that street. We must not let them offend the Emperor."
"Also, arrange another team to secretly protect Father Emperor."
Li Shimin made the arrangements.
As long as Li Yuan continues to behave himself, he will always be his father.
"Oh, right..."
Li Shimin changed the subject, his gaze fixed intently on Wei Zheng: "Xuancheng, what are your opinions on the twenty-four meritorious officials I proposed earlier?"
Um?
Wei Zheng was taken aback.
Indeed, emperors have always been suspicious!
Li Shimin may seem indifferent, but he actually still has concerns about Li Yuan.
Li Yuan issued a decree to the meritorious officials who had made great contributions to the cause of Taiyuan.
Now Li Shimin has proposed twenty-four meritorious officials.
It was clearly a test of Li Yuan's bottom line!
Conferring titles, rewards, honors...
It's the best way to control your subordinates!
Li Shimin's re-granting of titles to the meritorious officials who helped him conquer the country... was a challenge to Li Yuan's final authority!
After those who had rendered great service to the Tang Dynasty had all received his titles and honors...
Li Yuan is truly without any threat!
"I have no objection."
Wei Zheng's expression turned slightly grave: "Isn't it too hasty to bring this up now?"
Li Shimin had long harbored the idea of bestowing titles and honors upon meritorious officials.
This signifies the rise of a new elite in the Tang Dynasty!
At the same time... it was also used to suppress the five surnames and seven noble families!
"It's alright!"
Li Shimin waved his hand, his every move exuding domineering power: "The twenty-four meritorious officials all rose to their positions based on their merits. If any of the gentry have the guts, let them jump out and try to oppose one of them."
The forces behind the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion are equally complex.
Opposing one will provoke a united attack from the rest.
And the meritorious officials...
Let your achievements speak for themselves.
The Five Surnames and Seven Clans didn't have that much credit!
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Wei Zheng offered a flattering remark.
"Ha ha……"
Li Shimin laughed loudly: "Since Xuancheng has no objections..."
"Issue an imperial decree... ordering the Ministry of Works to build a pavilion at the Taiji Palace!"
"To honor the twenty-four meritorious individuals!"
Wei Zheng did not object.
Building a palace is extremely expensive, while building a mere pavilion doesn't cost much.
Three days later.
A message spread throughout Chang'an.
Li Shimin wanted to build the Lingyan Pavilion to honor the twenty-four meritorious officials who had made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty.
In an instant...
The whole of Chang'an is talking about who will be on the list!
"Big pot, big pot."
Choi Shin-ki rushed over in a flurry.
"Something big has happened! His Majesty is going to bestow additional titles upon the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion."
Bang.
Wei Shuyu kicked him away.
"So what if they grant me a title? What does it have to do with me?"
Wei Shuyu understood perfectly.
The twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion were all ministers who made outstanding contributions to the Tang Dynasty.
I am not qualified enough to be ranked.
Perhaps in a few years, when the Ministry of Commerce has fully developed, there will be an opportunity.
But now... forget it.
"Big pot, you're wrong about that!"
Um?
Do you really think I can make the list?
Wei Shuyu rolled his eyes.
However, I don't mind if Choi Shin-ki tries to flatter me...
“Uncle Wei will definitely be on the list. How could he be worthless?”
Oh my god.
That makes perfect sense.
but……
*Smack*
Wei Shuyu raised his hand and smacked him on the head.
"Can a father be measured in money?"
"Waaah..."
Choi Shin-ki covered his head: "Sure, you can."
"Money matters and father-son relationships are not mutually exclusive."
*Clap clap clap clap*
Wei Shuyu then unleashed an eighteen-shot sequence.
"Are you playing word games with me? You'll never stop arguing over a single sentence."
"Waaah..."
Choi Shin-ki felt extremely wronged, but still stubbornly replied, "Didn't you teach me, boss? You have to be careful with your words and actions, and never let anyone catch you doing something wrong."
This is outrageous!
Wei Shuyu raised his hand...
Swoosh.
Choi Shin-ki disappeared in a flash.
I'm not stupid, I can run away, okay?
After washing up.
Wei Shuyu leisurely exercised in the small courtyard for a while.
Choi Shin-ki was so exhausted that he lay sprawled on the ground like a dead dog...
"Darling, I was wrong."
"Um."
"Then I don't need to exercise anymore."
"Do another hundred push-ups."
"..."
After teaching Choi Shin-ki a lesson.
Just as he was about to leave, he found Wei Zheng sitting motionless in the hall.
His face was resolute and timeless...
His sharply defined cheeks gave him an air of unyielding indifference.
His eyes, in particular, exuded an aura of boundless majesty.
"Dad, what are you doing?"
Wei Shuyu stepped forward and asked, "Are you pretending to be deep and silent?"
Wei Zheng glanced back.
"You go to your duty first. His Majesty has sent someone to paint a portrait of your father."
portrait?
This reminds me of the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion.
Wei Shuyu couldn't help but ask, "The portraits of the twenty-four meritorious officials in Lingyan Pavilion?"
Upon hearing this…
Wei Zheng's lips curled up slightly.
The twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion are destined to be remembered in history.
They say they don't care.
They must be thrilled.
"Don't move!"
Just as the two were talking, the artist opposite them shouted sharply.
"Minister Wei!"
"This is the crucial moment for drawing the eyes, how can you laugh?"
"Don't you realize that just because you smiled, everything you've achieved has been for nothing!"
Upon hearing this...
Wei Zheng immediately put on a stern face and adopted a serious expression.
This is a portrait that will be remembered for all time; it absolutely cannot be allowed to go wrong.
But Wei Zheng didn't care.
Wei Shuyu couldn't tolerate this!
Anyone would feel uncomfortable seeing someone else scold their father like that.
"Are you Yan Liben?" Wei Shuyu asked the painter.
As far as he knows...
The portraits of the twenty-four meritorious officials in Lingyan Pavilion were painted by Yan Liben.
Its painting skills are undoubtedly superb.
But this person...
They're so young.
He looks to be only in his twenties, and his face doesn't resemble that of a Han Chinese.
They seem more like people from the Western Regions.
"Shuyu, you mustn't be so presumptuous."
Wei Zheng spoke up to ease the tension, saying, "This is Duke Yuchi Yiseng."
"A relative of Uncle Yuchi?"
Wei Shuyu was shocked.
Upon closer inspection, it wasn't as dark-skinned as Yuchi Gong's.
"Uh...no!"
Wei Zheng was also taken aback by the question: "Yuchi Yiseng was from the Kingdom of Khotan. He and his father, Yuchi Bazhina, were known as the two Yuchis. Yuchi Yiseng was an outstanding painter and was granted the title of Duke by His Majesty two years ago!"
Wei Shuyu finally realized what was going on.
The Lingyan Pavilion has appeared ahead of schedule.
At this time, Yan Liben was only in his thirties and was still serving as a vice minister in the Ministry of Justice.
Moreover, Yan Liben was self-taught!
Yuchi Yiseng, however, was a true successor to his father.
Such a solemn matter should definitely be entrusted to someone more capable.
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