Chapter 538 Rectification of the Imperial Court "

Your Majesty! Now that the remnants of the Eastern Turks have fled, and the Tang Dynasty has just put down the Eastern Turks' rebellion, the people in the southern desert are still in a panic." " We should rebuild the Shanyu Protectorate to govern the Eastern Turks in the southern desert, and send people to the southern desert to comfort the soldiers." "At the same time, replace General Pei Xingjian and continue to eliminate the remaining Eastern Turks." Pei Yan, the Imperial Court Assistant Minister, said. "Your Majesty Pei is right. Pei Xingjian has made great contributions this time, and he should be recalled to Chang'an to be rewarded." "Then let Cui Zhiti, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, go to Dingxiang to convey the order to comfort the soldiers, and deal with the remaining bandits, and order Pei Xingjian to return to the court." Li Chengqian said. Li Chengqian felt that the main leaders of the Eastern Turkic rebellion had been brought to justice, and the rest were no longer a concern, and anyone could handle it. "That's all for today, and you can all leave! The Crown Prince should think more about what we discussed today and what we should do." Li Chengqian said. "Yes! Your son will remember your father's teachings!" Li Jue said. "Don't just remember, you should think clearly about what you should do." Li Chengqian said. "Yes!" Li Jue responded, bowed and retreated. "Your Highness! Please stay." After leaving the hall, Pei Yan caught up with Li Jue. Li Jue stopped, turned around and looked at Pei Yan and said, "What do you want to ask me, Minister Pei?" "Your Highness!" Pei Yan saluted and said, "This is not the place to talk. Can we talk somewhere else?" "No need! This prince has nothing to hide from others. Minister Pei, please speak here." Li Jue said. "I heard that Prince Wei Li Xiang will come to Beijing in person this year, and Your Majesty has also approved it!" Pei Yan said. "What does Minister Pei mean? As a governor of a state, isn't it normal for you to come to Beijing in person? What's so weird about it?" Li Jue said puzzledly. He felt that Pei Yan had been a little well-behaved recently. It's not like there were no governors who came to Beijing in person in previous years. Is there any need to be so surprised? "Others are naturally no problem, but Prince Wei Li Xiang, that's a big difference!" Pei Yan said. "What's the difference?" Li Jue asked. "Your Highness, have you forgotten? Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has issued an edict that all vassal kings who are local officials are not allowed to come to the capital to attend the court without permission." "But now Prince Wei wants to come to Chang'an to attend the court in person, what's the reason?" Pei Yan said. "What other reason can there be? The only one in the entire Tang Dynasty who can allow Li Xiang to come to the capital is my father, so it is naturally my father's permission! What do you want to say, Minister Pei?" Li Jue said impatiently. "Your Highness has already guessed it in your heart, so why pretend to be confused here?" Pei Yan said. "This prince is not a worm in Minister Pei's stomach, how can I understand what Minister Pei is saying? If Minister Pei has nothing else to do, this prince will go back to the East Palace." Li Jue said. Li Jue was upset at the moment. Li Chengqian suddenly allowed Li Xiang to come to the capital for the court, which made him feel a sense of crisis. Why did Li Xiang suddenly think of coming to Chang'an in person? He thought that his chief secretary was appointed to come to the capital for the court. Did Li Xiang have any ulterior motives for coming to the capital this time? Rather than saying that Li Xiang wanted to come to Chang'an, it would be better to say that Li Chengqian wanted him to come to Chang'an. What was the purpose of letting Li Xiang come to Chang'an? Li Jue knew in his heart that his father had become more and more dissatisfied with his actions recently. Was he letting Li Xiang come to the capital this time to establish another prince? The more he thought about this, the more scared Li Jue became. "Your Highness! His Majesty has not been very satisfied with your performance recently, especially your close private contacts with Li Jingxuan and others." "This time Li Xiang came to the capital, in fact, His Majesty specially summoned Prince Wei to the capital." "Your Majesty summoned Prince Wei to the capital at this time! What is your intention? It is hard to say whether the position of the crown prince will still be yours." "I have said what I should say. Your Highness should know what to do. I will take my leave!" Pei Yan finished speaking, saluted and turned to leave. Li Jue looked at Pei Yan's back as he left, said nothing, turned around and returned to the East Palace. Li Jue had heard what Pei Yan had just said. After returning to the East Palace, Li Jue was thinking about how to deal with future events. What should he do if his father really wanted to abolish his position as crown prince? Send someone to assassinate Li Xiang and prevent him from entering the capital. In that case, no one will be able to seize his position as the crown prince. ... "Everyone! Di Renjie, the Imperial Secretary and the Minister of the Secretariat, requests to see you!" the eunuch reported to Li Chengqian. "Announce!" Li Chengqian said. The eunuch bowed and stepped back, letting Di Renjie, who was waiting outside, in. "Your Majesty, I, Di Renjie, pay my respects to you!" Di Renjie bowed to Li Chengqian. "No need for formalities! Please give me a seat!" Li Chengqian said. "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Di Renjie thanked him, and the eunuch brought him a chair. "What do you want to see me for?" Li Chengqian said. "Your Majesty ordered me to rectify the government a few days ago. I worked very hard and did not dare to be negligent in the slightest. I also impeached some officials to Your Majesty." Di Renjie said. "You have done a good job! I am very satisfied. Since you have rectified the court system, some people who have been idle in office have been cleared out of the court, allowing those capable ministers to display their abilities." Li Chengqian said with a smile. " These are all my duties. It is mainly because of your majesty's wisdom and the justice of the Tang Dynasty. Otherwise, I would never be able to do this." Di Renjie said. "Of course, I can't let those people who have been idle in office ruin the court system. Did you find out who is unqualified during your visit this time?" Li Chengqian said. "I remember that a few days ago, I impeached Wei Ji, the Minister of Agriculture, for inducing His Majesty to live an extravagant and wasteful life." Di Renjie said. "Haven't I already dismissed Wei Ji from his post? Why are you bringing it up again?" Li Chengqian asked in confusion. "What I want to talk about is not this, but another matter. In addition to impeaching Wei Ji, I also impeached Wang Liben, the left secretary, for taking advantage of his favor. Please let the court handle the case." "Your Majesty pardoned Wang Liben. With Your Majesty's indulgence, how can I continue to rectify the government?" Di Renjie said. Li Chengqian was silent after hearing this. It was really that Wang Liben was so good at handling things. He could always speak to his heart, which made him feel comfortable.

"Even though the Tang Dynasty lacks talented people, how could it lack a Liben? Your Majesty, why do you pity the criminals and violate the royal law? You must pardon Liben based on personal likes and dislikes."

"Then I ask your Majesty to exile Renjie as a warning to loyal ministers." Di Renjie stood up and said.

He wanted to strike while the iron was hot, thoroughly define the matter, and let the emperor deal with Wang Liben, so that his future work could proceed smoothly.

"I understand what you mean! In order to make the laws of the Tang Dynasty fair, then I will hand Wang Liben over to the court as you wish." Li Chengqian said.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Di Renjie saluted.