Tibet

Originally, Wei Jiansu's retirement was a foregone conclusion. Many people were anxiously considering their careers. More often, low-level officials were closely following the dynamics of the top officials. Any change in a high-level official would involve their backers and interests.

After the news that Wei Jiansu would continue to stay in office came out, some were happy, some were worried, some were excited, and some were disappointed.

Li Mi walked into the imperial study and bowed, "Your Majesty, I am your humble servant!"

Li Ye looked at this old minister who had followed him for more than ten years. He was still so calm. Li Ye had never seen Li Mi angry or ecstatic. He was always so calm and watertight.

In history, Li Mi was a famous prime minister in plain clothes, but now he is called a prime minister who cultivates his mind and cultivates Taoism in the officialdom and governs the world in the cultivation of Taoism.

"Li Shangshu, I have decided to let Prime Minister Wei serve another term as Prime Minister!"

Li Mi smiled faintly: "Your Majesty, it's a wise decision!"

Li Ye shook his head, "I don't need your praise, I just want to hear your opinion!"

Li Mi smiled slightly, "I'm afraid my opinion will be different from your Majesty's!"

"Speak out and let me hear it."

"I think that Prime Minister Wei's biggest advantage is his seniority. Your Majesty needs his seniority to support the throne. In another four or five years, Your Majesty can truly sit firmly on the throne. That's when Prime Minister Wei will retire."

Li Ye nodded and said, "But Pei Zunqing also has deep seniority!"

Li Mi still said calmly: "Pei Zunqing does have enough seniority, but he is too selfish. If the interests of the court and When there is a conflict between his family's interests, he will definitely choose the family's interests. "

Li Ye laughed, "I think these noble families are the same! Wei Jiansu will not choose the family's interests? "

Li Mi shook his head, "Your Majesty, it's not the same thing. Wei Jiansu will choose the family's interests, but he has a sense of propriety and will not harm the interests of the court, while Pei Zunqing will choose to maximize the family's interests and will not hesitate to harm the interests of the court.

In fact, when he betrayed Li Xian, Your Majesty no longer considered him. I am not wrong, am I!"

As expected of his confidant, Li Ye praised him in his heart. He did decide not to use him as the right prime minister because Pei Zunqing betrayed Li Xian. In fact, he would rather use Zhang Hao, who had just been promoted, as the right prime minister. Zhang Hao's integrity and decisiveness satisfied Li Ye.

However, he valued Wei Jiansu's steadiness and conservatism more. He needed a conservative prime minister to remind himself all the time not to move too fast and not to make major decisions easily. After all, he was the emperor, and every major decision he made was related to the livelihoods of millions of people.

Li Ye pondered for a moment and said, "I want Li Shangshu to go to the local area for five years of experience!"

Li Mi was still so calm, but his heart was as clear as a mirror. He would come back in five years and officially take over the position of Prime Minister handed over by Wei Jiansu. He was 47 years old this year and 52 years later, which was the right time for him to have the most experience and energy.

"I am willing to share your worries!"

Li Ye nodded with satisfaction and said, "There are two places now, one is the governor of Zhejiang East and Fujian, and the other is the governor of Jiannan and Shannan West. Minister Li can choose one."

Li Mi hesitated for a moment and said, "I prefer to go to Zhejiang East and Fujian, but can your majesty put the two administrative centers in Fuzhou?"

Li Ye nodded, "This is a small problem, you decide for yourself, I will approve it."

Li Ye hesitated for a moment and said, "According to convention, I plan to let Liu Yan serve as the Minister of Personnel, but who will take over as the Minister of Revenue? Does Minister Li have any recommendations?"

Li Mi bowed and said, "I recommend Minister of Works Xiao Hua as the Minister of Revenue!"

"Why not Zhang Hao?" Li Ye asked with a smile.

"Your Majesty, wealth is like water, which requires tact and innovation. Xiao Hua is very suitable. Zhang Hao is upright and impartial. He can be the Minister of Justice, but the Minister of Revenue is not suitable for him."

"That's right, but I have decided to let Yan Zhenqing become the prime minister and serve as the Minister of Justice. This is what I promised a long time ago, and I have always wronged him. Zhang Hao will serve as the Minister of the Yellow Gate and be in charge of the White Tiger Hall."

Li Mi knew that this was to let Zhang Hao restrain Zhang Li. Zhang Li was the left prime minister and was also in charge of the White Tiger Hall. His power was too great and must be divided. Zhang Hao was very principled and was the most suitable person to be in charge of the White Tiger Hall.

Li Ye smiled slightly and said, "Zhang Hao is already a great Vajra. If Your Majesty invites another Vajra, there will be quarrels in the future!"

Li Ye smiled and said, "As long as he is a loyal and upright minister, I can accept it!"

"Nothing else, I'll take my leave!"

Li Ye nodded, Li Mi retreated, and Li Ye came to the window with his hands behind his back. He was thinking about Pei Zunqing. Pei Zunqing was the grandfather of the princess, and Li Ye knew it very well, but Pei Zunqing's scheming made Li Ye very unhappy, especially his betrayal of Li Xian, which made Li Ye despise him.

Although Li Xian was his enemy, he had no problem with his character. He stubbornly adhered to his principles. Although he was defeated, he was worthy of respect. Even if Li Xian was willing to bow his head, Li Ye would not punish him so severely, but Li Xian would rather go to Lingnan to serve as the Sima of Duanzhou than bow his head.

In comparison, Pei Zunqing was far worse.

Li Ye originally planned to take advantage of this adjustment to transfer Pei Zunqing out of the Council of State Affairs, but considering that he had just ascended the throne, he still needed to stabilize the situation and let him go for the time being!

When the news of Wei Jiansu's retention came out, the person who was really hit was Pei Zunqing. He thought he was sure to become the right prime minister, and no one could compare with him. Zhang Li was too weak, Li Mi and Liu Yan were both slightly lacking in qualifications, Dugu Lie and Duan Xiushi had already reached the top, Xiao Hua and Zhang Hao were both his juniors, and the only person who could compare with him was Wei Jiansu. If Wei Jiansu retired, he would definitely take the position.

Unexpectedly, the final result was completely beyond Pei Zunqing's expectations. Wei Jiansu stayed in office for one term, which not only meant that his hope of becoming the right prime minister was completely dashed, but also meant that the emperor did not trust him.

Pei Zunqing knew very well that he was no worse than Wei Jiansu in any aspect and could completely replace Wei Jiansu, but the emperor still decided to let Wei Jiansu stay in office, which clearly showed that he did not trust him!

It can also be said that Pei Zunqing is more narcissistic and a little overconfident. In fact, Wei Jiansu's prestige and qualifications are much higher than his. Li Ye certainly knows that Wei Jiansu can calm the situation for him, but it is not certain if it is Pei Zunqing. People with strong selfishness will never be respected by others.

Will the emperor take this opportunity to get rid of himself? It is very likely that a new official will start three fires when he takes office, and the emperor is no exception! The first fire burned towards Nanzhao externally, and will the second fire burn towards himself internally?

Pei Zunqing was restless all night, pacing back and forth, fearing that he would hear an official running to inform him to receive the decree.

Until late at night, it was still very quiet outside the gate. Pei Zunqing finally let go of his heart, and the emperor would not touch him for the time being.

Pei Zunqing knew very well that the emperor rejected Wei Jiansu's resignation. If he wanted to remove himself, then these two things must be done together. Since there was no decree of removal today, it means that the emperor did not decide to remove himself.

The next morning, Pei Zunqing came to the court room. Before he entered the court room, he heard several officials talking.

"Have you heard? The emperor issued an edict last night, and Li Shangshu of the Ministry of Personnel was dismissed!"

"No way! Isn't he a confidant who followed the emperor for a while? How could he be dismissed? What did the imperial edict say? You should know it, Lao Zhang!"

The official named Lao Zhang nodded, "I saw the imperial edict, dismissing Li Mi from the post of Minister of Personnel, and revoking his qualifications as the co-minister of the Secretariat, and changing him to the governor of Zhejiang East Road and Fujian Road, and at the same time inspecting the imperial book doctor, that should be it!"

"Oh! It turns out that he was transferred to the local area as an observer, so he should have been demoted, the dignified Minister of Personnel!"

"Cough! Cough!"

Pei Zunqing deliberately coughed twice, and when everyone saw that it was Pei Shangshu who came, they were scared and scattered.

Pei Zunqing really didn't want to listen anymore, because this was a news that made him completely desperate.

Pei Zunqing knew what this imperial edict meant. It was not what the low-level officials said about gaining or losing favor. It was about training! Going to the local area for five years of training, and when he came back, he would just take over Wei Jiansu's seal.

Pei Zunqing sighed deeply. He had completely lost hope.

At this time, an official came running and said, "Minister Pei, the imperial edict has arrived!"

"Ah!"

Pei Zunqing was shocked and almost lost his balance. Two staff members came to help him, "Minister, what's wrong with you?"

Pei Zunqing waved his hand, "I'm fine, quickly set up the incense table to receive the edict!"

After the incense table was set up, Pei Zunqing knelt down to listen to the edict. The edict officer unfolded the imperial edict and read aloud, "In compliance with the will of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that Minister Pei Zunqing of the Ministry of Justice has worked hard and tirelessly, and has made contributions to the country. He is specially transferred to the Ministry of Rites and is still the assistant prime minister of the cabinet, responsible for this imperial examination!"

"Your humble servant obeys the order! Long live the emperor!"

A gust of wind blew, and Pei Zunqing's head was slightly cold. He finally let go of his heart. The emperor still wanted to use him for one more term. Although he was transferred to the Ministry of Rites, it was also a promotion. The Ministry of Rites ranked before the Ministry of Justice!