People in the early Tang Dynasty: I compete with Wu Zhao for the throne

Chapter 1824: The Third Year of Kaiyuan, Datang Work Report
On the first day of the first lunar month in the fourth year of Kaiyuan, a grand court was held throughout the country.

In the Taiji Hall, Ouyang Tong, who was dressed in a purple robe, bowed solemnly and said, "Your Highness, Minister Ouyang Tong is reporting:
In the third year of Kaiyuan, the government was in order and the people were in harmony, and the people lived in peace.

The Ministry of Revenue collected a total of about 14 million strings of tax grain, and the Ministry of Personnel dismissed 124 bad, incompetent, unvirtuous, and corrupt officials, and 526 retired due to old age, and demoted them..."

Sitting on the imperial couch, the crown tassel in front of him swayed gently, and Li Xuan's expression remained calm.

When official articles failed to describe good weather and good harvests, they changed it to "political stability and social harmony". When it came to Li Xuan, the annual work report for the third year of Kaiyuan was still brilliant.

Having said that, in the third year of Kaiyuan, despite the flood, the collection of taxes and grain throughout the country was still recovering rapidly.

Even though many places were exempted from taxes and tax grain was transferred to support the economy, the annual income of the entire Tang Dynasty court was still one million strings of cash more than in the second year of Kaiyuan.

It reached 14 million strings of cash.

This made Li Xuan and many other ministers who knew that there might be a drought this year feel relieved.

In addition, the number of officials who retired due to old age last year was one hundred more than the previous year.

Of course, spending the entire summer and autumn in and out of the water is something not everyone can endure.

Of course, this will also allow more people to enter the official system, such as official positions, transfers from outside to inside the government, and the imperial examinations...

"…In the third year of Kaiyuan, a total of 27 new Jinshi were admitted, 53 officials of various levels were appointed by imperial concubines, 59 officials were transferred from the Ministry of War, and more than 380 people were transferred from the outside to the inside." Ouyang Tong explained the origins of the new officials of last year in just a few words.

Li Xuan nodded slightly. The world is so big, and the most important thing is to transfer the officials from outside the country to the inner court.

However, among these people who were transferred from outside the government to the inside, there were still many officials who were appointed by imperial concubines, and the others were mostly local clerks at all levels, most of whom were local powerful people.

Now, with promotions taking place one level at a time, all the people in the world are under Li Xuan's control.

As for the officials who were recommended by the imperial family, in fact, in the entire court, only the children of officials of the fifth rank could be recommended as officials of the ninth rank.

When the Ministry of Personnel conducts the examination for official positions, they will still be demoted one level and granted the title of first-level official outside the regular system, such as the clerk of the three ministries, the clerk of the nine temples, the recorder of the five supervisory offices, the clerk of each department, etc.

However, when transferring from outside the officialdom to the inside, those who hold official positions will be considered in the first rank.

"…In the third year of Kaiyuan, the Ministry of Justice handled 2,800 cases; the Ministry of Works repaired 250,000 meters of roads, bridges and dams; the Ministry of Rites was in charge of the rituals and music of the country, and it ran smoothly; the Ministry of War sent 6,000 troops to Annan to quell the rebellion."

Ouyang Tong closed the memorial and held it up high, saying: "In the third year of Kaiyuan, all industries are running smoothly and the country is stable. I, as the subjects of the world, wish Your Majesty a long life."

……

"Stand up." Li Xuan raised his hand slightly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ouyang Tong then stood up and stepped aside.

There have been severe floods this year, and even the Ministry of Justice has seen fewer cases.

At the same time, there will be a truce for the whole year.

If it weren't for the Annan rebellion, the Ministry of War would have praised the country as having no war and the barbarians submitting to it.

But unfortunately...

However, a world without war is not a good thing. Over time, the world's combat power will be eroded step by step.

If there is a war in the future, we will be caught off guard.

This is also one of the reasons why Li Xuan wanted to send troops to Silla.

Li Xuan looked at the ministers on both sides calmly, and then said: "In the third year of Kaiyuan, there was a flood in the world. However, with the efforts of all the ministers, the flood has passed and the people are safe. I am here to thank you on behalf of all the people in the world."

"We dare not. This is our duty." The ministers immediately bowed solemnly.

Li Xuan nodded slightly, then looked at the ministers and continued, "The flood in the world has been properly managed. We should summarize the experience and lessons, and then promulgate it to the whole country, so that it can be managed accordingly in the future. Lord Chengyang, this matter should be handled by you."

Liu Jingxian immediately stood up, bowed solemnly and said: "I accept your order."

Li Xuan continued, "The Secretariat, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Water Conservancy, and other departments involved should do their best to cooperate."

"We obey your orders." The ministers bowed solemnly.

……

The crown in front of him swayed gently. Li Xuan looked to the side and nodded, "Crown Prince!"

Li Zhizhao, with a black scabbard on his waist, bowed solemnly, took the imperial edict from the tray held by Xu Lu beside him, walked down the steps, and handed it to Ouyang Tong.

Ouyang Tong bowed slightly to Li Zhizhao, took the imperial edict with both hands, turned to the ministers, and said loudly: "There is an order!"

All the officials in the palace knelt on the ground and said loudly: "Your Highnesses, please listen to the Holy Prophet's instructions!"

Ouyang Tong said loudly: "On the fourth year of Kaiyuan, in the year of Wu Zi, on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar, on the Ding Chou day, the emperor said:

Yu Xi!

This evening, at the beginning of the year, the world will be at peace, all directions will be at peace, merits and virtues will be equally shared, and kindness will be present both inside and outside...

The heavens have their own calendar, and they favor our dynasty; our power and grace are both great, and people from afar are submissive; I share the joy of taking up my new position with you."

All the ministers kowtowed and said, "We celebrate your new position with your Majesty. We wish your Majesty a long life and pray that the Tang Dynasty will live forever."

The rumbling sound resounded throughout the Taiji Palace and echoed over the entire Chang'an Road.

Li Xuan raised his head with a serious expression, then raised his hand slightly.

The eunuch Sheng Dianyi on the side immediately stepped forward and shouted loudly: "Xing!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The ministers then stood up and held their tablets in their hands.

Ouyang Tong raised his head, took the imperial edict from Li Zhizhao, and said loudly to the ministers: "In the fourth year of Kaiyuan, in the year of Wu Zi, on the first day of the first month of the first lunar month, on the Ding Chou day, the emperor said:

Yu Xi!

There are many affairs in the world, and the news from above is blocked.

The great plans of the imperial court are lacking in the central code.

The Dao is suffocating, so I use an open heart to visit the wise, sit beside the front hall, and offer secrets. I read it myself, and I advise you to do it without hesitation. Therefore, I use the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Li Yiyan, the Duke of Changle County, as the chief examiner of the Wu Zi year of the Kaiyuan period.

Seek virtuous and upright people, praise them in the court, be capable of setting the imperial examinations, and select talents for the country.

The Ministry of Personnel, Yongzhou Prefecture, the Left and Right Jinwu Guards, and the Left and Right Qianniu Guards assist each other and there must be no mistakes.

Admire this! "

Li Yiyan, Yun Hongyin, Lai Jingye, Qin Shandao, Li Dazhi and others all stood up and bowed: "Your Highness, we accept your order."

Li Xuan's serious gaze fell on Li Yiyan.

The biggest variable in this year's imperial examination is the issue of keeping the names anonymous.

Although it was Li Xuan who was behind the scenes, with Di Renjie, Zhang Jianzhi, Yao Chong, Song Jing, Wang Yinke, Li Zhaode and others manipulating both inside and outside the organization, it was Li Yiyan's job to gain the respect of the people of the world.

Even if something goes wrong, it will be Li Yiyan who will stand up and take responsibility.

"Stand up!" Li Xuan raised his hand slightly, and the ministers stood up.

……

Ouyang Tong looked up, glanced at Li Zhizhao, and then took another imperial edict from his hand.

Ouyang Tong turned around, faced the ministers, and said loudly: "In the fourth year of Kaiyuan, in the year of Wu Zi, on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar, on the Ding Chou day, the emperor said:

Yu Xi!

The road to the city is steep, and the land is well managed.

The branch sends a long letter, and righteousness precedes honor and rank.

The prince of Qi is ambitious, the Yaopo is upright and auspicious, the Xuanyuan is colorful, his reputation is well known in the Book of Songs and the Book of Rites, and his merits are displayed in Qiyi. The favor of the military commander should be granted by Juzhan; the grace of the rich and powerful should be followed according to the history.

He may be renamed King of Yong, and be given an additional 1,000 households, and the rest shall be as per regulations.

Admire this! "

The eight-year-old Yong Wang Li Zhiming immediately stood up and kowtowed solemnly to the ground: "I thank you, father, for your great grace. May you live forever."

Li Xuan looked at his second son. Compared with the calm Crown Prince Li Zhizhao, Prince Yong Li Zhiming was more elegant.

Yeah.

Li Xuan nodded gently: "Now that you have been crowned the Prince of Yong, Erlang, you must remember to learn more from your brother and share more of the burdens for him. Do you understand? Stand up."

"I understand, son." Li Zhiming kowtowed respectfully.

At this age, he doesn't have so many thoughts.

Li Xuan's eyes flashed slightly. Now that the Tang Dynasty was stable, there was no need to let his sons leave the palace to set up their own governments.

Maybe it would be better to wait for two years.

Using the excuse of delaying adulthood might make the prince's position more secure.

Li Xuan smiled. When did he start to worry about these things?

Li Xuan raised her hand slightly: "Stand up."

"Yes!" Li Zhiming then bowed and left.

All the officials in the court watched this scene calmly, only the kings had complicated expressions for a moment.

The emperor changed the title of King Qi to King Yong because the previous King Yong, Li Chongjun, had died in the sea.

Although there are many rumors that Li Chongjun died at the hands of Li Xuan, but over the years, countless people have investigated but no results have been found.

So much so that yesterday, Crown Prince Li Zhizhao, brought his hopeful Li Zhiming to offer sacrifices at the tombs.

Today, King Qi was officially renamed King Yong.

In this way, the only trace left of Emperor Gaozong's lineage completely disappeared.

……

The servants played the music, the emperor announced the system, the ministers congratulated, a thousand oxen danced in celebration, the states presented auspicious gifts, and the tribes paid tribute.

The rituals of the great dynasty continued one by one.

Finally, Ouyang Tong stepped forward again, knelt down in the center of the hall, held the seal in his hand, and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, congratulations on the auspicious occasion, the ceremony is over!"

Li Xuan nodded slightly. This year, the governors of the lower states and several governors of the upper states appointed by Li Xuan returned to the capital to meet the emperor.

Other states and counties sent congratulatory messages and New Year gifts to the palace.

At the same time, various tribes both inside and outside the country also presented gifts to wish the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty a happy new year.

There were envoys from more than 40 countries including the Turkic, Arab, Persian, Indian, Japanese, Ryukyu, Annan, Cambodia, Java, Huihe, Kangguo, Shiguo, and Anguo, without missing a single one.

In the third year of Kaiyuan, everything was over.

In the fourth year of Kaiyuan, he set out again.

"Stand up!" Li Xuan raised his hand slightly, and Ouyang Tong immediately stood up, bowed and retreated back among the ministers.

Li Xuan looked at the ministers and said calmly: "My lords, in the third year of Kaiyuan, you have all worked hard, and I am deeply grateful. Therefore, I have prepared fine wine and delicious food, music and dance in the Taiji Hall. I will share with you and will not return until we are drunk!"

"We thank Your Majesty very much. We are willing to share the feast with Your Majesty and not leave until we are drunk!" All the ministers held their tablets and bowed.

"Dismiss the court!" As soon as Li Xuan's voice fell, the Ruibin bells rang at the same time, playing the music of Taihe, bringing good luck to the world.

"The court is over, the emperor will come out and hold a grand banquet for all the ministers in Taiji Palace." Hearing the voice of the eunuch in charge of ceremonies, Li Xuan and Liu Jinyu stood up and walked towards the east wing of Taiji Palace.

"I respectfully bid farewell to Your Majesty, long live my emperor!"

(End of this chapter)