Chapter 386

Instead, he breathed a sigh of relief.

It was also incredibly happy and amusing!

Jia Hui is still just a child!

After all, he is only a fourteen or fifteen-year-old youth!

The couple looked at each other and smiled.

Otherwise, at such a young age,

to display such deep cunning

would still make people feel somewhat afraid and wary.

After all, if he is like this now,

what will he be like in a few years?

What an emperor fears most is a subject who is perfectly beyond reproach.

For example, Wang Mang.

The Wang family was a powerful clan of imperial in-laws that dominated the court at the time; nine people from the Wang family were successively enfeoffed as marquises, and five served as Grand Marshals, making them the most prominent family of the Western Han Dynasty.

Most of the people in the clan were generals or marquises, living extravagant lives, indulging in sensual pleasures, and constantly competing with one another.

Only Wang Mang, from a young age, kept to himself, lived a simple life, and was humble and respectful; moreover, he was diligent and eager to learn, studying the "Book of Rites" under Chen Can of Pei Commandery. He served his mother and widowed sister-in-law, raised his elder brother's orphaned son, behaved with propriety, and maintained a rigorous lifestyle. Internally, he served his uncles with great attentiveness, and externally, he associated with virtuous scholars.

Wang Mang was an outlier in this great clan, a moral model in the eyes of the world, and his reputation soon spread far and wide.

Then, after taking office, he remained self-disciplined and tireless, recruiting the virtuous and capable, using all the rewards and fief income he received to entertain famous scholars, while his own life became even more frugal.

Once, when the officials and ministers came to visit his mother, they saw Wang Mang's wife dressed so shabbily that they mistook her for a servant in his house.

Some ministers noted that for decades, whenever Wang Mang went to court, he walked with measured steps and was meticulous in every detail; even every brick he stepped on each day was exactly the same!

Such a person.

Perfect, with everyone saying he is good.

And the result?

He usurped the throne!

This was clearly great villainy disguised as loyalty.

The more he shows no ambition, wanting neither wealth nor women!

Then what do you want?

You must be plotting something huge!

Thinking it over.

The only possibility is the imperial throne!

Therefore, Jia Hui's display of a trace of childishness at this moment

actually allows Li Shimin and Liu E to relax and feel closer to him.

He is already outstanding enough.

There is nothing left to criticize.

Only by having some flaws does he seem like a human being!

Li Shimin, incredibly happy and now more trusting and at ease, immediately waved his hands repeatedly.

He laughed loudly: "Ah Hui, speak your mind boldly. Say whatever you want; I grant you immunity."

【277】 Empress Liu E meets Jia Hui's eyes and recommends a candidate for Minister of War.

Originally.

The title "Aiqing" (Beloved Minister) was already extremely intimate.

Generally speaking.

Emperors address others by their names or official titles.

For example, if the impression is average,

they are called Marquis Wushuang, or addressed directly by name.

Therefore, "Aiqing" is also a special honor!

However.

At this moment, Li Shimin didn't even call him "Jia Aiqing."

He called him "Ah Hui" directly!

This is an even more intimate form of address than "Aiqing"!

It shows the extreme importance, trust, and closeness he places in Jia Hui!

Yang Huan, who was listening quietly on the side, felt a huge wave in his heart: "This is treatment that most of the Emperor's own sons don't even have; for instance, the Prince of Jin is just called the Prince of Jin!"

And after hearing Li Shimin's words,

Jia Hui immediately breathed a sigh of relief right in front of them.

Then he said excitedly with a smile: "Your Majesty, then I will really speak?"

"Speak freely, there is no harm in it!"

Li Shimin smiled.

Jia Hui thought for a moment and said: "Then I definitely recommend Marquis Yongping, Xu Lingyi!"

Li Shimin was surprised: "Why him?"

Jia Hui said: "Because I feel that Marquis Yongping always keeps the country and the people in his heart, and has a far-reaching vision. Therefore, I recommend him as the only choice."

In his heart, he was thinking: "This move by Cheng Yu, Wen He, and the others is truly good. We already discussed it privately beforehand; as long as the case is solved, the Emperor will definitely reward me, and if he gives it to me, I must decline. As for the vacancy of the Minister of War, they also anticipated early on that he might ask for Jia Hui's opinion to show closeness and importance, and to further win him over. All of this was guessed correctly."

And if he were really asked,

the result of their discussion was Xu Lingyi.

Because only then could he show that he is selfless.

Secondly, Jia Hui doesn't have any suitable candidates on hand.

The official ranks of his subordinates are all too low.

It is impossible to recommend them.

In short, don't even think about fourth rank or above for now.

Fifth rank and below might still be possible.

Therefore, recommending Xu Lingyi is the most appropriate first choice!

Regarding this recommendation of his,

Li Shimin and Liu E were both very satisfied and approving after their surprise!

Liu E smiled at Jia Hui, met his eyes, and said: "Minister Jia, your thoughts happen to coincide with mine."

Jia Hui looked at her in surprise, and then, as if only just realizing, asked cautiously: "May I ask who the noble lady is?"

"I am the Empress of the current dynasty!"

Liu E smiled.

With her graceful figure, she looked to be around thirty years old.

Every gesture she made exuded the mature charm of a beautiful woman steeped in peaceful years; Jia Hui had experienced this most deeply before with Yan Shi.

It made Jia Hui's heart itch.

He wished he could beat her until she fled in a panic and called him "Daddy" right then and there.

Jia Hui's face showed shock, and he hurriedly said respectfully: "I did not know it was Her Majesty the Empress, please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

"It is fine, I did not speak up."

Liu E shook her head.

She was quick-witted, had outstanding talent, was well-versed in history and books, and was familiar with state affairs; she was Li Shimin's virtuous helper.

Therefore, she continued with a smile: "I also recommended Marquis Yongping to His Majesty, but Marquis Yongping refused."

Regarding this,

Jia Hui was not surprised at all in his heart.

A few days ago, regarding the rewards after Xu Lingyi returned to the capital for his meritorious service, besides the title of Crown Prince's Tutor, he had refused other promotions and titles.

He used the promotion and title to exchange for the Emperor's loosening of the sea ban; Xu Lingyi keeps the common people in his heart.