Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 537: Nonsense and Benevolent Government
Zhang Renyi walked out of the Secretariat in humiliation, thinking of Chen Qingsi's merciless scolding of him, thinking of the way the officials of the Ministry of Personnel looked at him, and ran to the Ministry of Personnel without looking back...

The dog got scolded, so he came to complain to his owner.

Li Jingxuan was a little uneasy in his office. In order to welcome Chen Qingsi's arrival, he made a lot of preparations.

These included placing members of the Prince's Party in various positions one by one, suppressing the Qingliu Party, and arranging his own people in the Secretariat to keep track of Chen Qingsi's movements.

He thought he was well prepared and full of confidence. He felt that even if Chen Qingsi really took over the Secretariat, his every word and action would be under his control and there was nothing to be afraid of.

But since Chen Qingsi returned yesterday, even though he did nothing, he felt an inexplicable panic.

"Mr. Li, Minister Zhang wants to see you!"

When Li Jingxuan heard that Zhang Renyi was coming to visit, he couldn't wait to say, "Quick, let him in!"

He was so eager to know what Chen Qingsi had done today when he officially took over the Secretariat that he even neglected why he appeared here at this time.

It was not until Li Jingxuan saw Zhang Renyi with a sad face that he realized something was wrong.

Zhang Renyi was like a bullied wife, and she exaggerated her experience to Li Jingxuan: "My husband, Chen Qingsi is so abominable. He just came to the Secretariat and asked to review all the government decrees, imperial edicts and imperial edicts since your Majesty ascended the throne. I just refuted a few words, and he scolded me without any courtesy, leaving me no face at all. It's okay for me, Zhang Renyi, to suffer a little grievance, but I can't lose face for my husband! Everyone knows that I was promoted by my husband. Chen Qingsi is like this, which doesn't give my husband any face at all."

Li Jingxuan was so angry that he slammed the table and cursed: "You are such a bastard!"

He was filled with righteous indignation and wanted to get back at his enemies, but then he realized something more serious and asked hurriedly, "Chen Qingsi wants to check all the decrees, imperial edicts and imperial decrees issued since your majesty ascended the throne?"

Zhang Renyi said, "Yes, when he came to the Secretariat today, he called us over and said he wanted to check the government decrees, memorials, imperial edicts and imperial edicts. I thought it was ridiculous, so I refuted it, but I didn't expect to be scolded..."

Li Jingxuan had no time to think about the humiliation he had suffered, but was thinking about Chen Qingsi's intention in doing this.

Chen Qingsi is an important minister entrusted with the care of the young emperor, and has the responsibility to supervise the new emperor. It is not an overstepping of authority for him to check on the new emperor's daily work, he is just performing his duty.

Li Jingxuan was worried that Chen Qingsi not only wanted to see what Li Hong did after he ascended the throne, but also wanted to refute what was already being done.

This was the first time that Li Jingxuan had such great power. He used his talents to the best of his ability, promulgated many policies, and handed them over to the Secretariat for execution.

In terms of status, position and achievements, Li Jingxuan is not as good as Chen Qingsi, let alone Pei Yan. He is counting on these policies to gain some fame. If Chen Qingsi stops them, he will be really embarrassed.

"no!"

Li Jingxuan had no time to pay attention to Zhang Renyi at the moment. He just said a few words to comfort him. He ran to the Shangshu Province anxiously and found Pei Yan. He told him about Chen Qingsi's review of the government decrees and imperial edicts after Li Hong ascended the throne. Then he expressed his concerns, "Brother Pei, Chen Qingsi is narrow-minded and holds grudges. I'm afraid he will ruin my benevolent rule..."

Pei Yan smiled and said, "Not really. Brother Li's benevolent policies have won a lot of praise and support. How can it be bad just because Mr. Chen says so?"

Li Jingxuan was worried: "I'm afraid Chen Qingsi will be jealous and interfere. Brother Pei, if Chen Qingsi is really that hateful, you must stand on my side."

Pei Yan said seriously: "This is natural."

After getting Pei Yan's assurance, Li Jingxuan finally felt relieved and left contentedly.

Pei Yan watched Li Jingxuan leave, clapped his hands and chuckled: "It would be best if both of you fight to the death."

Zhongshu Province.

Chen Qingsi looked at the main policies implemented by Li Hong after he ascended the throne, and was so angry that he slammed the decrees and imperial edicts in his hands heavily on the table: "Bastard!" Thinking of Li Jingxuan's "benevolent rule", Chen Qingsi had the urge to hit him.

Without thinking twice, he went straight into the palace to meet the emperor.

Facing Li Hong, Chen Qingsi's face turned pale and he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Li Jingxuan has harmed the country and should be killed!"

Li Hong was startled and asked hurriedly: "Why is this? Mr. Li, how did he offend you? I apologize to you on his behalf..."

It was obvious that Li Hong did not get into his role as emperor and instinctively wanted to be a peacemaker.

Chen Qingsi said: "What I mentioned is public affairs, not personal grudges. What I mentioned are the nine policies he proposed that would ruin the country."

Li Hong was confused and said hurriedly: "Isn't it said that the response was very good and received a very good response!"

Chen Qingsi did not give Li Jingxuan any face and said, "Your Majesty, you rewarded me with 100,000 yuan, and I also praise you. What is benevolent governance? Isn't it just spending money to gain publicity? Use the court's money to please the gentry and the scholars, and win the hearts of the people by issuing tax cuts. Who can't say it's good? But what time is it now? Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and the vassal states are watching, and the eyes of the world are on the Western Regions."

"The war in the Western Regions is not about the gains and losses of one place, but the prestige of the entire Tang Dynasty."

“Whether the east rises and the west falls, or the west advances and the east retreats, all depends on this battle.”

"If our army loses the battle in the Western Region, we will not only lose the Western Region, but also the unshakable position that three generations of Tang emperors have won."

"Benevolent policies can be implemented. At the appropriate time, reducing some land taxes and corvée labor can allow the people to have a comfortable year. Giving scholars some practical policies can encourage them to study and become pillars of society. Winning over some gentry can indeed maintain the rule of the court. There is nothing wrong with these policies, but implementing them at this time is putting the cart before the horse, which is a big mistake!"

"Your Majesty, no matter how hard or difficult it is, we must win the battle in the Western Region first."

“Everything else has to be put aside.”

Li Hong was kind-hearted by nature, and he fully supported Li Jingxuan's benevolent policies.

As a result, Chen Qingsi felt a little dissatisfied and a little anxious after hearing what he said. He wanted to say something, but suddenly his father's last words emerged in his mind: "We must not retreat in the affairs of the Western Regions. If we retreat, everything will be lost. In the affairs of the Western Regions, everything should be put first, and you must not ruin the overall situation because of good intentions."

Li Hong thought of Li Zhi's words and said hurriedly, "Sir, what you said makes sense. I am being too soft-hearted. I will listen to you on this matter. Your opinion will come first..."

Chen Qingsi also breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Jingxuan's benevolent policies must not be allowed to be implemented. Implementing such "benevolent policies" at this time would be nonsense.

If Li Hong insisted, he could only use his power as prime minister to challenge Li Hong's imperial power.

He didn't intend to do so unless it was necessary.

After all, Li Zhi had done him a favor, and Li Hong was Li Zhi's son after all.

If Li Hong could stand beside him, then everything would be easy.

Chen Qingsi immediately forcibly withdrew the nine benevolent policies proposed by Li Jingxuan, leaving none of them behind.

(End of this chapter)