Chapter 5384 Power Shift

Chapter 5384 Power Shift
The "La Sacrifice" originated in the pre-Qin period and has been passed down through generations. In ancient times, "La" meant "the transition between the old and the new," so it was a grand sacrifice to repay merits. By the Northern and Southern Dynasties, "La month" was the twelfth month, and "La day" was the eighth day of the first month...

On the day of "Laba Festival", a "Laba Sacrifice" is held, so the government takes a three-day break.

In fact, once the twelfth lunar month arrives, there are countless sacrificial rites and celebrations to be held, and central government officials can only be seen to be in office a handful of times.

Early morning of the eighth day of the lunar month, at the Hall of State Affairs.

The high-ranking officials of the central government, who had just finished accompanying the emperor in the "La Sacrifice" ceremony, gathered together. Just yesterday, Liu Ji, the Grand Secretary, submitted a memorial requesting to resign, stating that he was "of shallow virtue and exhausted energy" and unable to "oversee all affairs of state and manage national matters." Therefore, he retired and returned to his hometown...

His Majesty simply refused and rejected the memorial.

After repeating this three times, permission was finally granted.

Since the Zhou Dynasty, the concept of "governing the country with virtue" has been emphasized. Before ascending the throne, the monarch would "decline and offer three times" to express humility and the noble virtue of not coveting power. This has long been a standardized etiquette.

After the Qin and Han dynasties, the ritual system collapsed, and this set of rules became more of a performance...

But since it's a program, it must be followed.

If Li Chengqian had granted Liu Ji's request to resign after only one memorial, it would not only have been a great humiliation for the prime minister, but it would have also subjected the imperial authority to criticism and attacks...

Now that time has come, Liu Ji's resignation is inevitable, and he will resign from his official post after the New Year.

The Grand Secretary is the head of the prime ministers and oversees all affairs. He cannot be absent for even a day. Naturally, it is necessary to decide on a successor as soon as possible so that he can take office after Liu Ji officially steps down.

……

The atmosphere inside the Hall of State Affairs was somewhat somber.

Although it is said that "the court remains but the officials come and go," and everyone will eventually retire, Liu Ji, as the Grand Secretary, was impeached and forced to step down. His clean career suffered an indelible stain, which still made the prime ministers and important officials present feel the same way and sympathize with him.

Being an official means doing things, and doing things inevitably leads to mistakes and offending people. Some messy impeachments are unavoidable, some of which are true, and some are frame-ups. But in any case, Liu Ji's experience is truly lamentable.

Moreover, this might involve a power struggle...

Li Chengqian sensed the ministers' feelings and felt that he could not allow such emotions to fester and grow. So he got straight to the point: "I have summoned you all today to discuss the selection of a new Grand Secretary... Minister Liu, you have always been fair and just, and as the current Grand Secretary, you have the most right to advise on the successor. I wonder who you recommend?"

It is customary to respect the recommendations of outgoing officials to succeed them.

But Liu Ji clearly didn't care about any of that. He shook his head expressionlessly and said, "This old minister is muddle-headed and has failed to recognize talent. Your Majesty can make the decisions on your own."

Upon hearing this, all the ministers in the hall looked on in surprise.

How could a subject utter such words?

So much resentment!
The most important thing is that phrase, "misjudging people," who is it referring to?

It was full of sarcasm.

Although His Majesty cannot arbitrarily impose punishments, and your family members can enter officialdom through the imperial examinations, if His Majesty harbors resentment and decides to take revenge, can you escape?

Despite Li Chengqian's refined composure over the years since his ascension to the throne, his face instantly flushed red with fury.

Bang Bang Bang!
A few taps on the table echoed in the Hall of State Affairs, just in time to interrupt Li Chengqian's impending outburst of anger.

Looking angrily, it was Fang Jun...

Fang Jun straightened his back, frowned, and looked at Liu Ji: "What are you dissatisfied with? If the impeachment by the Chu brothers is truly a frame-up, then go to the Censorate to debate it. Does the Censorate really favor one side over the other? If you don't go, then bear all the consequences. Who are you putting on this sour face in the Hall of State Affairs? In any case, you should at least have some dignity."

He had never thought much of Liu Ji; the man was capable enough, but narrow-minded and lacked ambition.

While a minister of any of the six ministries might be considered competent, he was not qualified to serve as the Grand Secretary, the head of the prime ministers.

Liu Ji blushed deeply, realizing his mistake, and quickly stood up and bowed deeply to the ground: "This old minister was foolish, please punish me, Your Majesty!"

The hall of state affairs was quiet, and Li Chengqian was also somewhat stunned.

Fang Jun's words were almost merciless, but instead of retorting or flipping the table, Liu Ji swallowed his anger and dared not refute them...

How could Fang Jun's prestige have risen to such a level by now?
However, his momentary lapse in concentration led others to misunderstand, thinking that he was still angry about Liu Ji's words and refused to accept the apology.

By the time he came to his senses and uttered a few words of comfort, it was too late.

Liu Ji felt utterly humiliated and ashamed: "This old minister has recently caught a cold and is physically weak, so I would like to take my leave for now."

Li Chengqian sighed: "In that case, my dear minister, please go back to your residence to rest. I will send the imperial physician to visit you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Liu Ji bowed deeply to the ground again, then turned and walked out of the Hall of State Affairs.

The curtain at the door was lifted, and with a gust of wind and snow sweeping into the hall, Liu Ji's hunched figure disappeared through the doorway.

The people in the hall were filled with mixed feelings.

Everyone knew that Liu Ji's path to becoming a prime minister ended here, and he would never set foot in this place again...

A prime minister's official career came to an end.

Success and failure, gains and losses, are truly poignant and thought-provoking...

Li Chengqian took a sip of tea to suppress his anger and looked up at Fang Jun: "Does the Grand Commandant have any suggestions regarding the selection of the Grand Secretary?"

Fang Jun, of course, would not personally intervene, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty can make the decisions on your own."

Everyone: "..."

Isn't this Liu Ji's statement?
You just reprimanded Liu Ji, and then you turn around and repeat Liu Ji's words?
What do you mean?
Seeing Li Chengqian's unpleasant expression, Fang Jun chuckled and said, "Your Majesty need not misunderstand. Your humble servant has absolutely no intention of disrespect. It is merely the literal meaning of the words. Your Majesty can make the decision on the position of Grand Secretary."

Li Chengqian: "..."

I don't believe you, you idiot!
Too lazy to pay attention to this fellow, he looked at Li Ji: "Does Duke Ying have anyone to recommend?"

Li Ji sighed inwardly. Ever since His Majesty discovered that he was useful in certain situations, he would occasionally bring him out to be used...

“Since assuming office, the Attendant-in-Ordinary has been upright and honest, with broad knowledge and talent. He has been conscientious in his duties and devoted to public service day and night. He is well-known for his virtue and talent throughout the court and the country. He is worthy of being promoted to Grand Secretary.”

Li Chengqian then asked, "Who will succeed the position of Attendant-in-Ordinary? Moreover, the Attendant-in-Ordinary also holds the position of Governor of the Capital. Once promoted to Grand Secretary, he will be overwhelmed with paperwork and busy with government affairs, and I'm afraid he will no longer have the energy to take on the other duties."

"The position of Attendant-in-Ordinary can be filled by Pei Huaijie, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He has served as the Governor of Henan for many years, and has an excellent reputation, outstanding achievements, and exceptional abilities. He is certainly capable of the position. As for the position of Governor of the Capital Region... perhaps Ren Yaxiang, the Vice Minister of the Chancellery, can fill it."

Li Chengqian remained noncommittal, his gaze sweeping over the ministers in the hall, and asked in a deep voice, "What disagreements do you all have? Please speak them out and let us pool our wisdom."

Pei Huaijie, who was usually like an "invisible man" in the Hall of State Affairs, tried his best to keep his expression calm and put on a "calm and composed" appearance so that no one could see his inner excitement. However, his flushed face revealed his true feelings.

Although Li Ji has already recommended him and His Majesty has almost approved, he has not yet been formally nominated, so it is not yet time for him to "decline and offer three times." There are still variables, and we must remain calm...

Ren Yaxiang, the Vice Minister of the Chancellery who was sitting behind Li Chengqian and in charge of taking notes, lowered his head slightly and remained calm.

Although I knew that going to the Arab world to oversee the peace talks would be a huge political achievement that would greatly help me when I was promoted or transferred to other places, I never expected the surprise to come so quickly.

The Prefect of the Capital...

Those were important positions held by Fang Jun and Ma Zhou one after another. As long as they achieved some results, it wouldn't be a pipe dream for them to become prime ministers in the future.

Tang Jian, the Minister of Revenue, was of high seniority and had extensive experience. At this time, he took the initiative to express his opinion: "This old minister believes that Ma Zhou is suitable."

Minister of War Liu Rengui also wrote a letter of recommendation, stating: "Minister Ma is the most suitable."

The others had no objections.

With Liu Ji's departure, the successor needed to gain Fang Jun's support, be accepted by the Emperor, and possess both high prestige and ability. In particular, considering the continuity of policies, the Grand Secretary's age could not be too high. Taking all these factors into account, Ma Zhou was indeed the most suitable candidate.

Pei Huaijie was somewhat anxious. Everyone only agreed that Ma Zhou should be promoted to Grand Secretary, but no one had expressed their opinion on whether he should be appointed as Attendant-in-Ordinary. He hoped that nothing else would go wrong...

Li Chengqian asked Fang Jun, "Does the Grand Commandant think it is feasible for the Right Vice Minister to succeed the Attendant-in-Ordinary?"

Pei Huaijie was nervous. He and Fang Jun had always been at odds. Although the selection of the Grand Secretary, the Attendant-in-Ordinary, and the Prefect of the Capital was within the tacit understanding between the two sides and was the result of secret communication and compromise, what if Fang Jun, that scoundrel, acted out and insisted on sticking to him?
He was nearly fifty years old, and this was almost his last chance...

Fortunately, no accident occurred.

Fang Jun nodded slightly: "Your Excellency's considerations are thorough and your recommendation is appropriate. I have no objection."

Pei Huaijie suppressed his excitement, stood up, and said loudly, "This humble subject is lacking in talent and virtue, and I fear I am not up to the task..."

Li Chengqian waved his hand to interrupt him, slightly impatient: "There's no need for such humble words. You should think carefully about how to take on the administrative duties of the Secretariat."

Pei Huaijie: "..."

The act of "resigning and yielding three times" is not something anyone can do. Apart from "abdication," at the very least, it should be done by a prime minister or chancellor. He had finally reached this point and was thinking of showing off according to ancient etiquette, but unexpectedly, he was interrupted by His Majesty.

He was so depressed that his face turned red.

Although Ren Yaxiang was young, he was much more prudent. Only then did he stand up, bow, and say, "I will obey Your Majesty's decree and will certainly do my utmost to support the country and live up to Your Majesty's trust."

Li Chengqian nodded with pleasure and instructed, "Most of the current systems in the Jingzhao Prefecture were created when the Grand Commandant was in office. The Attendant-in-Ordinary not only followed the established rules but also made many additions. If you have any difficulties, you may consult these two. The Jingzhao Prefecture is a vital area in the capital region and the heart of the empire. No mistakes are allowed to occur. Otherwise, I will hold you responsible."

Ren Yaxiang bowed deeply to the ground and respectfully replied, "Yes, sir!"

Pei Huaijie: "..."

Your Majesty, you could also give me a few words of advice...