Zhao Jun said seriously, "I know that politics requires restraint, not saying everything so as to leave room for maneuver. But I think that oftentimes, speaking openly is better, because hiding things can easily lead to misunderstandings. It's better to be clear upfront, which makes the conversation more efficient and avoids mutual suspicion and disunity."
“Young people really are.”
Lu Yijian shook his head with a wry smile. Zhao Jun was always like this, breaking many political unwritten rules.
But it is undeniable that Zhao Jun is right.
Once things are discussed openly, the cost of communication will be lower, there will be fewer concerns and suspicions, and efficiency will naturally be increased.
Zhao Jun said, "This change in the Constitutional Council is essentially about dividing the power pie. Old Lu wants two more people to support him, and Old Wang wants two more people to check and balance Old Lu. I'm afraid even Lord Sheng wants to bring two people in."
Shengdu smiled embarrassedly.
"That's definitely not going to work. If you propose one, I propose another, and the Constitutional Council becomes like a Western parliament, filled with too many people and too many opinions, it's going to be a mess. How can that work?"
Zhao Jun spread his hands and said, "So there must be a corresponding system."
Zhao Zhen asked, "Grandson, do you mean to reduce the number of admissions? Only Duke Xiwen, Uncle Tong, and Duke Fugu will be allowed in?"
"That's not the case."
Zhao Jun said, "Western Xia and Liao have been defeated. With our internal reforms imminent, we must rally more forces and recruit more people to the Constitutional Council. Through my role, I can help everyone form a complete political alliance, which will help us focus on achieving major goals."
This identity of traveling from the future is very useful. You can tell everyone that you are from the future and that you should follow my methods. I guarantee that you can make the country strong. No matter how opposed everyone is, they will be forced to follow you.
It was impossible not to believe it, because Zhao Zhen, Lu Yijian, Wang Zeng, Fan Zhongyan, and Yan Shu believed it, and the rest of the people who joined the Political System Council naturally had no choice but to follow the main force.
Therefore, the Constitutional Council can expand. After the reform begins, the prime minister team of more than ten people will be able to carry out comprehensive sorting and political changes.
But there can't be too many people, otherwise it will be too chaotic.
Zhao Zhen asked, "How many people would be appropriate?"
"There are eight of us at the moment."
Zhao Jun looked at the crowd and said, "Li Di will bring in nine people. Old Lu can pull one, and Old Wang can pull one. Eleven people are enough. The rest can be appointed as alternate Tongzhi of the Political and Legal Affairs Council at our discretion."
He glanced at the pitiful Sheng Du and said hesitantly, "How about, Old Sheng, you invite someone too?"
Sheng Du's eyes lit up and he asked, "Is it okay?"
"Go ahead."
"Zhang Shixun."
Shengdu said without hesitation.
Zhang Shixun actually retired in May this year. He was 75 years old and really couldn't bear it anymore.
However, Shengdu and he had been friends for many years. In his early years, Zhang Shixun offended Liu E and was dismissed from his position as prime minister. It was later that Shengdu recommended him to Zhao Zhen and he was reinstated as prime minister in the first year of Mingdao.
Although he had retired, Sheng Du knew that his old friend was unwilling to accept this, so he still hoped that his old friend would come out of retirement to speak for him in the Constitutional Yuan.
As for the fact that Zhang Shixun is now retired, it doesn't matter. During the Tang and Song dynasties, retired officials would often be reinstated if the court needed them.
For example, when Ouyang Xiu retired in his later years, the court held a grand ceremony in the Mingtang to invite him back two months later, but he refused.
Therefore, as long as Zhao Zhen ordered the reinstatement of Zhang Shixun, there would be basically no problem.
"That's it, twelve people in total."
Zhao Jun looked at Zhao Zhen and said, "This way, when I'm around, I can make the final decision for the twelve of them. When I'm not around, with eleven of them, even an extra vote from an odd number will make it easier to make a decision."
"Um."
Zhao Zhen said, "Okay, let's do as Da Sun wishes."
"Then I'll mention Jia Changchao."
Lu Yijian sighed. Compared with others, Jia Changchao was closer to him. In his early years, when Zhao Zhen wanted a teacher to lecture on the scriptures, it was he who recommended Jia Changchao.
Wang Zeng said, "I propose Zheng Jian."
"Zheng Jian is stubborn and self-righteous. No way!"
Lu Yijian objected.
Zhao Jun thought for a moment and said, "Then let's go with Jiang Tang."
This is also done to consider political balance.
On the Lu Party side were Cai Qi, Jia Changchao, and Yan Shu, who was inclined towards the Lu Party.
Jiang Tang, Zhang Shixun and Sheng Du are definitely on the more moderate side.
When Fan Zhongyan and Li Di entered the academy, they both had conflicts with Old Lu. Although they would not join Wang Zeng's faction, they all had a common political enemy.
Then Wang Zeng had Cai Qi's die-hard supporters, and together with Fan Zhongyan and Li Di, they would deal with Lu Yijian. With four votes against four, it was still balanced. But if one more person was added to Lu's party, they would not be able to hold on.
Therefore, in order to maintain balance, Wang and Zeng could not be included. In this way, Zhao Jun would still be the boss of the Constitutional Court, watching the internal fighting between Wang and Lu.
This is an acceptable result for Zhao Jun, Zhao Zhen and everyone else.
Political balance is still important.
"Then it's settled."
Zhao Zhen made the final decision.
Although it is called a vote, it is actually just for outsiders to hear.
After all, Zhao Zhen and Zhao Jun had the final say in the Constitutional Court.
There were six people who were officially admitted to the hospital: Yan Shu, Fan Zhongyan, Jia Changchao, Jiang Tang, Li Di and Zhang Shixun.
Next are the deputy Tongzhi. These people certainly do not have as much power as Yan Shu and Fan Zhongyan did before, and Zhao Jun’s identity will be concealed from them, forming an information barrier between inside and outside the academy.
But no matter what, the alternate director of the Constitutional Yuan is now the vice-prime minister and has the power of advice, so we still have to be cautious.
After discussion, Cheng Lin from the Ministry of Finance, Zhang Dexiang from the Ministry of War, Han Ju from the Ministry of Industry, and Li Zi from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce were finally appointed as alternate Tongzhi, a position equivalent to that of a deputy prime minister.
After finalizing the list, Zhao Zhen ordered the reinstatement of Zhang Shixun and sent someone to his residence to invite him over.
About half an hour passed.
Wang Shouzhong came to the Chuigong Hall again, looked at the many candidates, and announced that Jia Changchao, Jiang Tang, and Li Di would go to the back pavilion of the Zichen Hall!
The others looked disappointed, but Li Di was much calmer, Jia Changchao was very happy, and Jiang Tang was quite surprised.
However, there is nothing much to say about this result. After all, the position was given by the government, and no one dared to make trouble.
The three of them went to the Purple Palace and met Zhang Shixun on the way. The old man was also confused when he was invited, so they went into the back pavilion together.
Everyone in the pavilion remained seated.
The four of them saluted Zhao Zhen first, then Zhao Zhen said in a deep voice: "After voting and deliberation, the four of you will enter the Constitutional Council from today!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The four of them bowed quickly.
Zhao Zhen then stood up and said to the four people, "I know that the world is confused, wondering why Zhao Jun, at such a young age, could be in charge of the Political Affairs Council. Now that you have entered the council, you are qualified to know the truth!"
He pointed at Zhao Jun, who was sitting leisurely on a chair, and whispered, "Han Long, from the future, a thousand years from now!"
(End of this chapter)
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