Recreating the prosperous Tang begins with summoning players

In the early 48th year, Chang'an, Zhengshitang.

The current emperor, Li Tan, has been in power for 48 years. Counting the ten years he served as the prince of Jian Guo three years after Qianyuan, Li Tan has been in power for a record 58 years.

However, since the early 40s, the emperor has seldom intervened in the government affairs of the court. Even on ceremonial occasions, the crown prince was always allowed to come forward.

In the political affairs hall, the five prime ministers gathered together for a rare occasion. A middle-aged official in a purple official robe, holding a white Xuanma imperial decree, walked into the political affairs hall.

The already gray-haired Chief Prime Minister Wang Chengwei immediately took the middle-aged official's hand and said enthusiastically:

"Retire, I finally hope that you will join the cabinet!"

The middle-aged officials quickly crossed their hands to salute the old prime minister. Wang Chengwei said:
"You are no longer in the North American Governor's Mansion. You are not an official under my sect. Now you are the Prime Minister of the same court. Don't cross your hands again."

Han Yu smiled wryly. He was full of respect for this old boss. His official career was not smooth after the Jinshi examination. If Wang Chengwei hadn’t left the North American Governor’s Mansion at that time, he had been appointed as an official by name. The scenery of worshiping the prime minister.

The Zhengshitang is still the same. The emperor hasn't built a palace in these years, and the prime ministers can't build a lot for themselves, so they can make do with it.

However, as the political core of the Tang Dynasty, the Zhengshitang is low-key, luxurious and connotative. Anything here is a precious treasure, recording the glorious history of the Tang Dynasty.

Wang Chengwei led Han Yu to sit down on a soft bed, and he said:
"This is where Xianggong Jiang used to work. Now that Xianggong Jiang is out of town in Songjiang, you can sit here."

Han Yu was a little apprehensive, but there was no high or low seat in the Zhengshitang, as long as he entered the Zhengshitang, he had one vote, and it was the same wherever he sat, so Han Yu sat down according to Wang Chengwei's arrangement.

Wang Chengwei continued: "By the way, let's leave. Have you chosen your Zhongshu Wufang official affairs?"

Han Yu immediately said respectfully: "Reporting to the Prime Minister, Yu has already been selected. He Dong Liu Zongyuan is my friend and a subordinate for many years. He has also made some achievements in North America over the years, so I brought him back this time."

Wang Chengwei nodded and said: "Nowadays, the Prime Minister's Zhongshu Wufang's official affairs are expensive and important. He is an official with secrets in the court. Don't be careless. After the Ministry of Officials approves Liu Zongyuan's qualifications, I will follow you."

Han Yu hurriedly bowed his hands and said yes.

After all the prime ministers were seated, Wang Chengwei cleared his throat and said:
"Han Xianggong entered the political affairs hall today. It was originally a happy event to celebrate. However, the state affairs have been complicated recently and there is no rest. Let's discuss things first and add a meal when the prime ministers will eat at noon."

Everyone laughed and said yes, Wang Chengwei continued:

"The financial crisis in Songjiang is getting more and more serious. His Majesty sent Mr. Jiang to Songjiang to suppress the bubble in Songjiang. Mr. Han, you returned to the mainland from North America. Did you stop at Songjiangkou?"

Han Yu immediately said:

"I was in port at the mouth of Songjiang, and the situation in Songjiang is very bad now."

Everyone looked at Han Yu. Although the prime ministers could get the information from various channels, they were collected layer by layer through the bureaucratic system, which was not as good as the first-hand information from Han Yu's personal experience.

Han Yu coughed and said:
"The Wangfu Bank building by the Songjiang River is full of people, and people jump off every minute."

The prime ministers frowned. Those who can achieve this position will naturally not care about the life and death of one or two speculators who failed in gambling. But Songjiang has reached this point, and it is indeed time for the court to pay attention.

Han Yu continued: "The Ministry of Finance has already reminded us of the bubble in the North American pioneering company, but the market is still too frenzied. If you ask me to say that it is a good thing for these investors to go bankrupt, it is better than dragging the entire empire's finances into a quagmire."

Wang Chengwei shook his head and said, "It's expected that the North American pioneer company will go bankrupt, but now the three big banks in Songjiang have to save it."

Han Yu just entered the political affairs hall, he opened his mouth and held back, but Wang Chengwei called his name again and asked:
"A few days ago, "Chang'an Daily" published an article by Tuizhi, "On Bigness, Not Downside the Book".

Now that the names were called, Han Yu did not hide his opinion anymore, he said:
"These big banks rely on their monopoly position to continuously promote various speculative transactions. Now that the bubble has burst, they have to be rescued by the whole people! What is the reason for this? Let me say that proper bank bankruptcy is good for Datang's economy !"

The prime ministers frowned. Han Yu's attitude towards the economy was so radical that he might have another conflict with Jiang Lun, who was fighting the fire on the front line.

Wang Chengwei coughed and said:
"Saving the bank is His Majesty's intention, but half of these Yushitai have gone to Songjiang to investigate the bankers' illegal behavior over the years. The imperial court will definitely not let these guys have a good time!"

"Since you have retired and entered the cabinet, according to the reformed system of the Zhengshitang ten years ago, you will take the post of Minister of Administrative Affairs."

Ten years ago, the Zhengshitang was reformed. Except for the chief prime minister who was in charge of government affairs, the other prime ministers were all in charge of some affairs and served as "ministers".

The prime ministers were also a little surprised. Han Yu had done a very good job in the North American Governor's Mansion in recent years, and had received awards from the emperor many times. He thought that Han Yu's entry into the Political Affairs Hall this time was to succeed Jiang Lun as the Minister of Finance, but he did not expect that the prime minister would The most unnutritious post of minister of administrative affairs was given to Han Yu.

Although Han Yu was a little disappointed, the position of a minister was decided by the emperor and the prime minister. He entered the political affairs hall before the age of 60, which is already quite eye-catching. There is hope that he will be promoted to the prime minister in the future.

Besides, Songjiang's economic crisis is intensifying now, and the finance minister is also a hot potato. Thinking of this, Han Yu feels a lot easier.

Wang Chengwei sighed and said, "Retire, Your Majesty asked me to concurrently serve as the Minister of Finance because he didn't want to disrupt the continuity of Prime Minister Jiang's financial policy. Do you understand what that means?"

Han Yu immediately understood what Wang Chengwei meant. It was impossible for the prime minister to personally manage the affairs of the Ministry of Finance. The emperor let the prime minister also serve as the finance minister, which meant that Jiang Lun, who was far away in Songjiang, would continue to be in charge of the empire's finances. published remarks that are contrary to the imperial court's fiscal policy.

Han Yu said respectfully:
"According to the order."

Wang Chengwei continued: "However, the Administrative Affairs Department is not a good job. Now Chang'an has too many officials and staff to the point where it has to be reformed!"

"His Majesty set up a secretary back then to assist officials in decision-making and office work, but over the past few decades, countless departments have been added, and the secretary has expanded to the point of ridiculousness!"

"The Administration Department has only been independent from the Ministry of Officials for ten years! Now there are ten permanent secretaries who enjoy the fourth-rank treatment! 40 senior secretaries who enjoy the fifth-rank treatment! 120 assistant senior secretaries who enjoy the sixth-rank treatment!"

"It's ridiculous that none of the 170 secretaries can use a typewriter! In the entire administrative department, there is only one temporary secretary who is about to retire who can type!"

Wang Chengwei said to Han Yu: "Abolishing redundant officials is related to the future of the empire, so you have to work hard to get rid of it!"

"Yes! Prime Minister!"