HLnovel Chapter 76 Chu Suiliang continues to serve as Minister of Personnel, while Yuwenzhang and Liu Shi ar
Chapter 76 Chu Suiliang continues to serve as Minister of Personnel, while Yuwenzhang and Liu Shi ar
Li Zhi walked to Changsun Wuji's door and knocked gently, already prepared for the event.
But once the door opened, he couldn't avoid looking directly at Changsun Wuji's serious uncle face.
Changsun Wuji: "Little Zhinu, what brings you here?"
Li Zhi was stunned. The old man kept calling him "little child slave," and it hurt him as if a big footprint had been stepped on.
Li Zhi: "Uncle, don't you think we should change how we address each other? I'm the emperor now, and you still call me 'Little Slave,' it always makes me feel... a little uncomfortable!!"
Changsun Wuji smiled and said, "Oh, Your Majesty, isn't it just a more intimate way of addressing someone in private? Very well, then you can call me 'Your Majesty' from now on." After saying that, he walked into the house.
Li Zhi was taken aback, thinking: What's going on? He doesn't even bow, and he can say "Your Majesty" so easily? He followed him inside, sat down in a chair, pursed his lips, and couldn't help but say, "Uncle, I have something I'd like to ask you for help with."
Changsun Wuji sat down, smiling slightly: "Are you looking for advice or a political decision from me again? Hmm? Why don't you try making a decision yourself and see how it goes? What do you say?"
Li Zhi felt a pang of frustration and wanted to say something, but he was choked by the tone of "uncle".
Changsun Wuji glanced at him, then suddenly changed the subject: "But Your Majesty, rest assured, you must be sensible in your duties as emperor. Now that you have the title of 'Your Majesty,' you can occasionally act coquettishly and show weakness. Everyone will think you are very...approachable."
Li Zhi: "...But, Uncle, if I show weakness, people won't find me approachable. Instead, they'll think you have the highest wisdom of 'shrewdness and deep calculation,' and that everything is under your control!"
Changsun Wuji laughed heartily, his eyes darting around: "Little Zhinu, the way you talk sounds like you learned it from someone? I was the one who strongly protected you to become emperor, would I really harm you?"
Li Zhi thought to himself: Stop rambling, this is just a vicious cycle of endless chatter! He was left standing outside the door again, and all his enthusiasm was forced back down.
He was deeply distressed, thinking, "Why is being an emperor so frustrating?"
Li Zhi suppressed his displeasure and continued with a polite smile: "Uncle, there have been many matters in the court lately. What do you think of Chu Suiliang's situation...?"
Changsun Wuji interrupted him, waving his hand gently: "Chu Suiliang has some minor flaws, but when you do things, you're bound to make mistakes. As the emperor, you should be more tolerant and magnanimous, understand?"
Li Zhi was even more annoyed and couldn't help but complain, "But Uncle, his problem is no small matter, is it? He's treating my imperial hat like it's just for show! I was planning to handle it myself, and you just smoothed things over for me? He's back again??"
Changsun Wuji glanced at him, a knowing smile playing on his lips: "Zhinu, when I was your age, I saw this kind of thing all too. Being more tolerant won't hurt."
Li Zhi was extremely frustrated. "Uncle, am I still the emperor?"
Changsun Wuji shook his head, his face full of earnestness: "Of course you are the Emperor. Your father had so many princes, but in the end, he still chose you. As an elder, I have always been sharing your burdens. You see, there's nothing wrong with showing some weakness at this time; it's called being low-key!"
Li Zhi, unable to contain himself any longer, blurted out: "Keep a low profile? Then shouldn't I also be a little 'low-profile' about my throne and give it to someone else?!"
Changsun Wuji laughed heartily, stroked his beard, and said seriously, "Abdicating the throne is out of the question. Your uncle worked hard to secure it for you. But you still need to control your temper. Why have you been so short-tempered lately? It's not good for His Majesty's health."
Looking at his composed demeanor, Li Zhi felt helpless and decided to change the subject: "Uncle, if we're really going to follow the rules, there's not only the rule of seniority, but also the rule of the ruler and his subjects, right? I must have the right to choose who my ministers are. There's a lot of evidence against Chu Suiliang for corruption; you wouldn't protect him too, would you?"
Changsun Wuji coughed lightly: "Chu Suiliang is indeed a bit 'clever,' but it is precisely because he is clever that he is capable."
Upon hearing this, Li Zhi held his breath, his lips twitching slightly: "He is indeed clever, he's even starting to think about buying and selling the family property that Father built! If you ask me, that's called reckless and audacious, is he still our honest and upright minister?"
Changsun Wuji remained silent for a moment.
Li Zhi pressed his advantage, changing the subject: "Speaking of integrity, I know someone suitable—Yuwen Jie. He is honest and upright, and has refused many favors. Father values this quality highly."
Changsun Wuji said seriously, "What? You don't trust your uncle's judgment? Chu Suiliang is a talented man."
Li Zhi sighed silently to himself, "If I have to rely on my uncle's judgment for everything, then what am I supposed to look at..."
Seeing Changsun Wuji's confident expression, Li Zhi simply made a decision: "Alright! Since my uncle says Chu Sui is good, then I'll keep him as Minister of Personnel." Although he said this, there was a hint of reluctance on his face.
Changsun Wuji hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "You've grown up and have your own opinions now. I'm very pleased with your decision; the nation and its people must always come first."
Unexpectedly, at court the next day, although it was announced that Chu Suiliang would continue to serve as Minister of Personnel, Yuwen Jie and Liu Shi were promoted several ranks at the same time.
Li Zhi himself did not want to be a tool, so he began to make good use of his own tools, wanting to create some new power to balance the power of his uncle Changsun Wuji.
However, things are unpredictable, and Liu Shi later changed his mind.
A few days later, the two eunuchs, one big and one small, were eating cold tripe and mutton skewers under the moonlight.
Yonghui Sizi rubbed his forehead, shook his head and sighed, "Alas, life is truly unpredictable! Everyone originally thought that Liu Shi, this uncle, was determined to help the Empress and himself so that Li Zhong could become the Crown Prince, but he actually changed his mind!"
Zi'an Xiao Anzi said, "The key is that this Empress Wang's background is indeed not bad. She is the great-granddaughter of Wang Sizheng, a famous general of Western Wei. She was able to marry the emperor when he was still the Prince of Jin, thanks to Princess Tong'an's matchmaking. Her status is indeed noble, but the emperor prefers the charming and beautiful Consort Xiao. This makes Empress Wang feel like she is sitting on pins and needles in her seat as empress!"
Xiao Si spat out sunflower seed shells and continued, "What's even worse is that this Empress Wang had no son and couldn't give Li Zhi a little crown prince. You know, if ordinary families don't have children, they just want to save money, worry, and be carefree. Look at the common people of our Tang Dynasty, they don't have children and they still live quite comfortably, right? But the royal family is different. No offspring means no security, and she herself wasn't particularly favored, so she rarely even got to see her brother, the emperor. Even if she could manage to whisper in his ear once or twice, it was like a gentle breeze on the water's surface; the ripples didn't even spread before they dissipated, and it had no real effect."
“Look at Li Zhong,” Brother Zi’an said with a mocking smile. “His mother has a low status and weak background, so where does he get any support? Liu Shi has been working tirelessly and wholeheartedly on political investments for him. But when he meets Changsun Wuji, he’s nothing compared to him. Although they are both ‘uncles,’ Liu Shi’s connections are far inferior to those of the powerful Changsun.
Xiao Si shrugged and said, "Actually, Uncle Changsun Wuji doesn't particularly care about Li Zhong. But a crown prince without a background is easy to use and obedient, which is a natural foundation for the maternal relatives to seize power. Of course, he has to consider his own power. Why not take the opportunity to push the empress's uncle? Why not go with the flow and use his strength against him?"
Li Zhi had just returned from a stroll with his beloved concubine when he stepped into the courtyard and loudly proclaimed, "Hey, Xiao Anzi, give me a couple of skewers too. What are you all chatting about here?"
Xiao Si mimicked his tone and joked, "Finally, I'm rid of that 'patriarchal uncle'! I can finally make my own decisions!"
Xiao Si truly understands the Emperor's heart. Watching his brother Zhi Nu happily enjoying skewers, it was indeed a joyful time for a young emperor in his early twenties to enjoy his autonomy.