Chapter 558: Minister Chen

Inside the hall, Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling were standing; Wang Gui saw Li Shimin still pretending to hesitate, so he decided to be more self‑aware, stepped forward, and made a deep bow.

"Your Majesty, this is an old minister's wish; please grant it!"

"…Sigh~" Li Shimin sighed, "Very well, since it is so, let Wang Aiqing temporarily assume the post of Minister of Works."

"However… when Wang Aiqing steps down, the Palace Attendant position is absolutely indispensable; as for the two people Wang Aiqing just recommended, do you have any opinions?"

Most officials in the Court fell silent, quietly watching the drama.

Regarding the prime minister position, fourth rank and above… no, officials below third rank can hardly speak up; just stay honest and watch the big shots perform.

Chen Yan had thought they would still have to perform, but unexpectedly, Dai Zhou spoke directly: "Your Majesty, I was recently examined by Minister Chen and found to be ill; I am currently recuperating and fear I cannot take on this great responsibility."

"Moreover, I think Wei Jian is more suitable than I am for the Palace Attendant position!"

"Oh?" Li Shimin was surprised this time; he truly did not know Dai Zhou was ill. "Is the condition serious? I will immediately summon the Imperial Physician… never mind."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern; my health is not seriously impaired, just overexertion. Minister Chen prescribed a remedy, and my condition has improved considerably." Dai Zhou said, bowing his hands.

"Very well then." Li Shimin nodded slightly, placing great trust in Chen Yan's medical skill.

Since Chen Yan has already intervened, it seems there is no major problem.

And moreover…

This seems like a perfect excuse!

Li Shimin suddenly recalled something, his gaze turning rather subtle, and he instantly understood why Dai Zhou would bring up his illness in such a setting.

He pondered briefly, "How about this: Dai Aiqing is ill, so let Wei Zheng assume the Palace Attendant post; Dai Aiqing needs recuperation, and can also take the Secretariat Director position; as for the vacant Minister of Revenue post, I will discuss it further with the various ministers, what do you think?"

"I second the proposal!"

Unexpectedly, Wen Yanbo was the first to step forward in support: "Wei Jian is fully qualified in every respect to assume the Palace Attendant role, and if Minister Dai is ill and cannot be overworked, the positions can be rearranged for now."

"Taking over the Secretariat Director role fits perfectly."

"Suitable indeed, but the problem is that the Minister of Revenue position is more important; if Minister Dai leaves, who will become that minister?" Zhangsun Wuji timely raised the question.

When his words fell, several officials of the Ministry of Revenue felt a sudden tension.

They did not expect that, as soon as today's drama began, Wang Gui would step down, followed immediately by the changes to the Secretariat Director and Minister of Revenue posts.

They all understood that the young man before them would soon become the center of attention.

Li Shimin no longer wished to waste words on this matter; he calmly scanned the ministers, noting the subtle shifts in some gazes.

"Regarding the Minister of Revenue, I think the current Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Duke of Wei Chen Zi An, is perfectly suitable, so let him take over directly!"

"As for the vacant Assistant Minister position, let Ma Zhou of the Ministry of Revenue assume it!"

His voice was soft, yet like a stone dropped into a lake, it sent ripples that grew larger and larger.

"Your Majesty… that cannot be! Minister Chen's experience is still shallow; he has only held the Assistant Minister post for a month, how could he directly replace the Minister of Revenue?"

Grand Master of the Light Treasury Dou Dan could not help but object.

He has deep seniority and belongs to the top tier of in‑laws; his wife is Princess Xiangyang, making him Li Shimin's brother‑in‑law.

Dou Dan considered himself ready to advance another step, but with the Minister of Works position already taken by Wang Gui, he knew he could not compete.

Now a Minister of Revenue spot has suddenly opened, and it is to be taken by a twenty‑year‑old youth, Chen Yan; how could he accept that?

However, as soon as he opened his mouth, Grand Master of the Dali Temple Sun Fuja could not help but sneer.

This man, you see, is valuable for his self‑awareness.

Consider that Sun Fuja was once the top scholar; his ability likely far exceeds that of Dou Dan, who rose through connections, yet even he never coveted the Minister of Revenue post.

You actually dare to oppose under His Majesty's near‑decisive tone?

Do you truly think being an in‑law grants you impunity?

Forgot what happened to Duan Lun not long ago?

"Shallow experience?"

At this moment, to Chen Yan's surprise, Xiao Yu waved his sleeve and said, "If the Court decides offices based on seniority and lineage, then I should be the Palace Attendant!"

"If the Court decides offices through connections, isn't Chen Zi An more suitable than you?"

Dou Dan was at a loss for words.

Xiao Yu's words sounded innocuous, but upon close thought, one can see he was practically pointing at Dou Dan's nose and berating him.

The second sentence directly labels him a waste who rose through connections, and still can't match others even with those ties.

Indeed!

You are Li Shimin's brother‑in‑law.

But the other is Li Shimin's son‑in‑law; entering Lizheng Hall is just like going home—can you surpass that?

Immediately, Dou Dan retorted angrily: "I do not deny that the Duke of Wei is exceptionally capable, but he entered official service in the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, and even now hasn't been in office for two years."

"First he served as County Magistrate, then in November last year became Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and now he is to assume the Minister of Revenue."

"The interval between these posts is only about a month; do you think that appropriate?"

"What's inappropriate?" Zhangsun Wuji said lightly, "You question his seniority? Since you acknowledge his outstanding ability, that should be enough."

"Minister Chen's promotion is due to his own merit; what does it have to do with you?"

"I…"

Dou Dan still wanted to speak, but Li Shimin smiled faintly and asked: "Wei Zheng, although the matter is not yet settled, you can already be considered a Palace Attendant. In the past you often debated my right and wrong, known throughout the Court; now tell me, I am appointing Chen Zi An to replace the Minister of Revenue—do you think that is right or wrong?"

"Do you support or oppose?"

Wei Zheng was silent for a moment, then said, "In the Court, the capable rise, the incapable fall; seniority is something I have always scoffed at!"

"Everyone knows what Weinan County looks like now and who is responsible for its current state."

"Regarding Minister Chen taking over the Minister of Revenue, I dare not judge right or wrong, but I support it."

"Very good!"

Li Shimin had been seated for a long while, but at this moment he rose, and slowly descended.

I know what your reasons for opposing are, and what you want to say. Nothing more than thinking that Minister Chen is young, his experience is too shallow, having officially entered service for only two years or so......

Of course, I know exactly what scheming ideas you have in your minds, and I don't care. Because after I made this decision, I have no intention of consulting you.

Whether you support or not, it actually doesn't matter to me; what matters is......

Li Shimin came before Chen Yan, pinched his shoulder, made him stand up, personally straightened his collar, then patted his shoulder, surveyed the officials, and spoke word by word:

I just want him to serve as this Minister of Revenue!