After drinking together, Li Shu's respect for Zhao Cheng grew even stronger.
At this time, although Zhao Cheng was far from the court, he was still influencing the political situation in Yanchuan City, and he was doing so through the Princess. It seemed that he was helping Yuan Xiu, but in reality, the Right Chancellor's Office was secretly profiting.
He was amazed by Zhao Cheng's wisdom and even more glad that his son had made Zhao Cheng his friend.
Although it wasn't said outright, Li Shu knew that once he became the Minister of Rites, he would belong to Zhao Cheng.
The reason I'm going to Changsui now is so that I can help Zhao Cheng in the future.
After a hearty meal, Zhao Cheng stood up and said, "Lord Li, I will ask Jin Yong and Mr. Pu to write inscriptions for you as a congratulatory gift for your promotion."
Li Shu said gratefully, "Young Prime Minister, you've hit the nail on the head, so I won't stand on ceremony!"
Li Guanyu raised his wine cup and said, "Young Prime Minister, I, Li Guanyu, will remember this matter for the rest of my life. I am eternally grateful!"
Xu An interjected, "You thank him, but not me?"
Li Guanyu laughed and said, "Together! Together!"
Xu An pursed his lips and said, "One cup wouldn't be enough if we all went together."
Li Guanyu immediately put down his wine cup, picked up the wine pot, and said, "I'll drink the whole pot!"
Xu An and Zhao Cheng looked at each other and smiled, saying, "That's more like it!"
...
Central platform.
Yuan Li sat at the head of the table, followed by Xu Shouli, He Yin, and Chen Changyun.
However, Xu Shouli and Chen Changyun had just had a heated argument, and neither of them looked too happy.
Yuan Li looked at He Yin, who had remained silent, and said, "Minister He, for the position of Minister of Rites, Marquis Qingdong recommended Li Shu, and Chen Changyun recommended Wei Dong. What are your opinions?"
He Yin said, "I am in charge of the Ministry of Justice, so I will not participate in the appointment of court officials."
Yuan Li said, "His Majesty once said that when there are disagreements in the Central Secretariat when discussing matters, all four ministers have the right to vote."
He Yin thought for a moment and said, "Then I will abstain from voting, and Your Highness will decide."
“You…” Yuan Li pointed at He Yin and gave a wry smile.
Chen Changyun said, "Your Highness, Wei Dong is the current Vice Minister of Rites. It would be more appropriate for him to replace Lu Zhao. Why transfer the Vice Minister of Rites from the secondary capital? It's unnecessary!"
Xu Shouli frowned and said, "The appointment and removal of officials depends on their qualifications and abilities. Why would anyone complain about the trouble? I had dealings with Li Shu when I was in Yanchuan City. I am very familiar with both him and Wei Dong. I think Li Shu is more suitable."
Chen Changyun said, "My lord, if you want to place your own people in a different position, then please change it. Please be lenient and let me have this vacancy in the Ministry of Rites..."
"Nonsense!" Xu Shouli roared. "I have no connection with Li Shu. My recommendation of him is a sincere effort to recommend a worthy talent to the Great Jing!"
Chen Changyun laughed and said, "There are no outsiders here, why bother, Lord Marquis?"
Xu Shouli slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "Lord Chen, don't force me to swear!"
"Lord Qingdong, don't be angry!" Yuan Li tried to smooth things over, saying with a smile, "I know you are straightforward, and you even dare to curse people in front of His Majesty. Calm down first, and let me think about it again."
"Hmph!" Xu Shouli snorted angrily. Just as he was about to sit down, Wen Hu walked in.
Wen Hu was dressed in a red velvet coat, with a golden knife at his waist, exuding a menacing aura.
"Lord of Sha County," Chen Changyun quickly greeted him with a smile.
Wen Hu nodded slightly, walked directly to Yuan Li, and said, "Your Highness Prince Xin, His Majesty's oral decree."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Li immediately stood up, and Xu Shouli and the other two quickly followed suit.
Wen Hu said, "Fifth brother, Li Shu, the Vice Minister of Rites in the secondary capital, is a very good person. This time, the Central Secretariat will be fully responsible for filling the vacancies in the government. I will not interfere with the rest, but let Li Shu take over as Minister of Rites."
Yuan Li said, "Your subject obeys the decree!"
Upon hearing the appointment, Yuan Li remained composed, but Chen Changyun was immediately taken aback.
His Majesty actually lifted Li Shu up!
Chen Changyun glanced at Xu Shouli furtively, momentarily confused about the emperor's intentions. Was Li Shu the emperor's man, or had Xu Shouli conspired with the emperor?
Yuan Li smiled and said, "Lord Qingdong, if His Majesty wanted to promote Li Shu, you should have told me earlier, so you wouldn't have had to argue with Lord Chen for so long."
Xu Shouli said, "I was unaware of His Majesty's intention to promote Li Shu."
Yuan Li smiled without saying a word, thinking to herself, "How could you not know the truth!"
Xu Shouli didn't say anything, so Yuan Li went along with him and said to Wen Hu, "Since Marquis Shaxian is here, why don't you sit for a while before you leave?"
Wen Hu said in a serious tone, "His Majesty also has an oral decree."
Yuan Li choked for a moment, thinking to himself, "Can you finish saying it all at once, brother?"
Wen Hu said, “I have said before that when the four ministers of the Central Secretariat have differing political views, they can vote on the matter. Since there are four of you, it is easy for the votes to be tied. In the future, if this happens, you can call on Wen Hu, as he also has the right to vote.”
Yuan Li clicked his tongue in amazement; the emperor had brought Wen Hu into the core power circle of the empire.
Without Wen Hu, Yuan Li would have been in charge of the Central Secretariat most of the time, since Chen Changyun had already sided with him. Now that Wen Hu had an extra vote, his own opinions might be overruled.
It seems I need to improve my relationship with Wen Hu.
Yuan Li asked politely, "Lord Sha County, does His Majesty have anything else to say?"
"It's gone."
"Please have a seat."
"Your Highness Prince Xin, please go first."
After Wen Hu sat down, he saw that all four of them were looking at him and said, "You can continue your discussion. Don't worry about me. Since His Highness Prince Xin has asked me to sit for a while, I will just observe from the sidelines."
Yuan Li nodded slightly and called out, "Serve tea to the Marquis of Sha County!"
As he spoke, Yuan Li looked at Xu Shouli and said, "Since His Majesty has spoken, there is no need to discuss the position of Minister of Rites any further. Let's decide on the position of Vice Minister of Rites."
Xu Shouli asked doubtfully, "Does Your Highness want to move Wei Dong's buttocks?"
Yuan Li nodded and said, "Lord Chen is the Minister of Personnel. Since he recommended Wei Dong, it means that Wei Dong is capable. I have looked at his resume and he is qualified enough. He can be promoted."
Chen Changyun was secretly pleased; Yuan Li's actions were a clear sign of her support for him.
“I have no objection.” Xu Shouli sat up straight and asked, “Then is there a candidate for Vice Minister of Rites?”
"I have someone in mind."
Yuan Li glanced at everyone and said, "Chen Wei, the son of Chen Ke, the former Minister of Personnel, is currently serving as a Supervising Secretary in the Ministry of Rites. His father was a good official, and he is also excellent due to the influence of his family. Promoting him will also allow all officials to feel the warmth of our Central Secretariat."
Chen Changyun said, "This idea is excellent!"
Xu Shou thought for a moment and said, "It's feasible."
Yuan Li asked, "Minister He, what do you think?"
He Yin replied, "Power has ironclad rules, but it also has warmth. Your Highness's suggestion has won me over."
Yuan Li laughed happily, then turned to Wen Hu and asked, "What does Marquis Sha think?"
Wen Hu immediately stood up and said, "Although His Majesty has given me the right to vote, Your Highness need not concern yourself with my opinion on such an important matter. When your opinions differ one day, I will take responsibility for it."
Yuan Li gave Wen Hu an approving look.
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