Chapter 557: The Grand Performance Begins

New Year's Day court assembly, Chen Yan actually didn't feel much about it last time, after all he just brought along the little swallow and the Imperial Seal to show off.

Moreover, he went after sleeping in and eating his fill.

But now things are different; he is already the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and in a few days he will become the Minister of Revenue, so every procedure of the court assembly is indispensable to him.

Only then did Chen Yan truly feel how cumbersome the New Year's Day court assembly's rules are, and how sore his buttocks and legs are.

That said, the scene is indeed grand; even after experiencing it once, Chen Yan still feels shocked, truly sensing what it means for all nations to come to court.

In the afternoon, after the foreign envoys withdrew, the following matters concerned Tang Dynasty internal officials, and the atmosphere in the hall gradually relaxed a bit.

According to convention, Li Shimin would usually arrange at this time what needed to be done this year and set a general tone.

However, today Li Shimin went against his habit and didn't mention this, but calmly faced the officials.

"In the early years of the Zhenguan era, various natural and human calamities kept occurring; the Tang Dynasty internally suffered locust plagues, snow disasters, droughts, floods, and externally faced a major invasion by the Eastern Göktürks—it was extremely difficult!"

"Fortunately, I have many beloved officials who shared my burdens, and finally in the fourth year of the Zhenguan era we quelled the foreign enemies, enabling all nations to come to court. Now...... we have entered the sixth year of the Zhenguan era, grain prices have plummeted among the populace, and there are already signs of prosperity."

"I...... am greatly comforted!"

The congratulatory voices below rose gradually, but Li Shimin shifted his tone at this moment: "However, while the Tang Dynasty rests and recovers, advancing toward a prosperous dynasty, there are still many officials in the court dragging their feet."

"For example, the corrupt officials in the Ministry of Revenue uncovered by Minister Chen, and likewise the corruption in the Ministry of Works...... currently, the position of Minister of Works is still held concurrently by the beloved official Wen!"

"Beloved official Wen can hold the post temporarily, but not forever, after all his own duties are already very busy, and as one of the Six Ministries, the Ministry of Works is currently entrusted with an important task."

"Starting this year, I hope to select a Minister of Works; beloved officials, do you have any suitable candidates to nominate or recommend, or perhaps self-nominate?"

Chen Yan raised his eyebrows, and many people in the hall changed their expressions.

How could the position of Minister of Works be decided casually?

Most of the time, Li Shimin himself discusses with many important ministers, then goes through the procedures in court, and then finalizes it.

Is it the same today?

I just don't know who Li Shimin has in mind.

"Your Majesty, the Ministerial Attendant of the Gate Censors, Cui Migan, possesses both talent and virtue; he has served diligently for many years in the post of Ministerial Attendant of the Gate Censors, with meritorious service."

Du Ruhui stood up and said, "Therefore, I nominate Cui Attendant to serve as Minister of Works."

Upon these words, many in the court were dumbfounded.

The person concerned, Cui Migan, was also dumbfounded.

Really?

Ah?

Me?

Me appointed as Minister of Works?

Without giving Cui Migan much time to react, Fang Xuanling stood up to echo, "Your Majesty, I concur."

Tsk!

Chen Yan instantly became interested, knowing there would definitely be a great show to watch today.

Ahead, Wang Gui, who had recently been almost invisible, already understood Li Shimin's plan.

Li Shimin had indeed long decided on the candidate, and that candidate is him.

By proposing it this way, he hopes Wang Gui will self-nominate, leaving a dignified exit.

If he does not care about dignity......

Wang Gui shook his head and spoke, "Your Majesty, I think it inappropriate; Cui Attendant indeed has achievements, but he is still not capable of the Minister of Works post."

"Oh?" Li Shimin shifted his gaze, the coldness in his eyes slightly easing.

Quite sensible!

"Beloved officials Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling have both nominated Cui Attendant; Beloved official Wang seems to have a different view, or perhaps there is a more suitable candidate?"

"Today everyone is present; why not let Beloved official Wang speak?"

Wang Gui forced a faint smile on his face, bearing a hint of twilight aura, "Your Majesty, I am old in years, currently serving as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and handling daily affairs already leaves me somewhat strained."

"Your Majesty, I am old; it is time for me to step down and yield the position."

"Coincidentally, the Ministry of Works has been entrusted with an important task; the court currently lacks a suitable candidate, and this old official still has some strength left; why not let this old official take it?"

After Wang Gui's words, the whole court erupted in an uproar.

Cui Migan suddenly lifted his head, feeling a chill all over, his face turning as pale as paper in an instant.

He understood, he understood everything.

Du Ruhui and the others were never sincerely nominating him.

They were aiming at Wang Gui!

Cui Migan said, given his qualifications, how could he possibly be nominated as Minister of Works?

There are far more suitable people than him.

Moreover, the nominators are Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling.

Even though he had long guessed Wang Gui might step down, hearing the news still stirred a feeling of sympathy like a rabbit's death affecting a fox.

Court intrigue!

It is this ruthless!

It is this cruel!

"Hmm?"

Li Shimin seemed slightly surprised, "Beloved official Wang cannot, the post of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat bears the weight of ten thousand strings; how can it be lightly set down?"

"For a moment I again wonder who should replace you?"

Wang Gui naturally understood Li Shimin was just paying lip service; feeling sorrowful inside, he kept a smile on his face, "Your Majesty, this is actually already the best choice; as for the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat post, this old official has two candidates."

"The current Minister of Revenue, Dai Zhou, and the Secretariat Director, Wei Zheng."

I am indeed old now, truly feeling somewhat unable to keep up......

You...... sigh~" Li Shimin feigned hesitation, turned his head to ask Du Ruhui: "Beloved Minister Du Ruhui, what do you think of Beloved Minister Wang's proposal?"

Du Ruhui clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I know you are reluctant to part, after all Attendant Minister Wang's achievements during his tenure are evident to all; I have served alongside Attendant Minister Wang for many years, and I feel the same sorrow."

However, Attendant Minister Wang's words are indeed reasonable. Since Attendant Minister Wang is advanced in age and finds it difficult to handle affairs, why not let him serve once more as Minister of Works, complete the construction of the 'Wen Ming Dian' needed for the Imperial Examination, so that Attendant Minister Wang may leave a good name and retire after accomplishing his duties.

Exactly, exactly!" Fang Xuanling echoed: "Your Majesty, letting Attendant Minister Wang serve as Minister of Works would still allow him to make a final contribution, then retire after accomplishing his duties, to enjoy his remaining years.

That way, it would be the best choice!

Chen Yan curled his lips, tilted his head back slightly, and said in a voice only those nearby could hear: "Look at your fathers, singing in harmony, they've driven a premier out of office."

Behind them, Du Gou and Fang Yizhi heard this and their mouths twitched.

Clearly it's three people singing in harmony, why do you only mention our father and not your father-in-law?

Just watch, I feel today's grand show has just begun; we're fortunate to witness it.