Chapter 221 Strengths
Chen Junbin bowed his head and said, "I have listened to the teachings of Your Majesty and read many books by sages. I understand that the people are the foundation of the country. Since I am the governor of a county, I have my responsibilities. I will do my best to pacify the country and keep the people safe, so as not to let down Your Majesty's grace."

Li Jiancheng nodded in approval and said, "The people are the foundation of the country. That's a good point. If all the governors understand this principle and can follow the imperial court's policy of pacifying the people, then I won't have to worry and can rule the country with ease."

The eyes of the officials in the palace all fell on Chen Junbin. If nothing unexpected happened, this man would be promoted soon.

I also noticed that the official uniform had become a little white due to washing, and there were a few inconspicuous patches on the elbows and other easily worn places. At first glance, I thought he was a very poor official.

This made the officials who knew his identity sneer. Chen Junbin was the Chen of Southern Chen. His father was Chen Boshan, King of Poyang. As the saying goes, a lean camel is bigger than a horse.

Moreover, during the Sui Dynasty, even though he was no longer a noble member of the royal family, he was still a local governor. No matter what, he would not be so destitute.

In order to win the favor of His Majesty, she didn't even care about her dignity.

Li Jiancheng certainly noticed Chen Junbin's slightly shabby official robe, but he didn't say anything. Xingzhou had been invaded and looted by the Turks before the founding of the country, and later Liu Heita rebelled.

The people were displaced and the land was barren, but since Chen Junbin took office, everything has improved in a positive direction. The people have settled down and reclaimed wasteland for farming. In Hebei, Xingzhou has achieved the most remarkable results, and Li Jiancheng specially ordered people to investigate.

With this in mind, Li Jiancheng would not have any objection whether Chen Junbin was dressed luxuriously or shabbily. Besides, no matter what, having this attitude was better than having none.

Therefore, those who should be promoted should still be promoted, and clearly distinguishing between rewards and punishments is also an important responsibility of the emperor.

Then he selected several prefects who passed the examination, and especially praised an old friend who had followed him since Liaodong. He said that this man was a standard warrior, skilled in archery and horse riding, and good at fighting. As for knowledge, he could only recognize a few words.

But he did unexpectedly very well, handling problems fairly and impartially, and putting the people first in everything. He was rated as above average by the Ministry of Personnel, and was praised for his fairness and diligence.

As for those who were unqualified, they could not even enter this palace and would have been taken away to the prison of the Ministry of Justice long ago.

Seeing that everything had been said, the emperor was about to give a banquet. With so many local officials coming to pay homage, Li Jiancheng could not afford not to even offer them a meal. However, in order to comply with the previous imperial edict, he removed alcohol from the banquet, and the meat was also calculated per person.

But at this moment, Wei Zheng, the counselor, suddenly stood up and said, "I have a suggestion!"

Li Jiancheng exhaled and then said, "Please tell me."

Wei Zheng bowed to the emperor and said, "Confucius said that a gentleman is slow to speak but quick to act. I think your majesty has said a lot to me and issued many edicts in recent days.

However, there are few actions, and it seems that you are quick to speak but slow to act. I think Your Majesty is not in line with the words of the sage. "

Although officials in Beijing were also shocked, they still had some expectations in their hearts. However, those who had been in local positions for many years could not bear it and were panic-stricken and at a loss.

Although I have heard that Your Majesty is magnanimous and accepts advice, you officials in the capital are treating Your Majesty like this. It is really disrespectful!

The governors who had just been praised by Li Jiancheng could not help themselves. Chen Junbin stepped out and said, "I want to impeach Wei Dafu for being disrespectful to his emperor and father. He is seeking fame and damaging the emperor. This is actually deceiving the emperor and he should be severely punished!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the motion." Li Jiancheng took another deep breath and waved his hand to signal the others to leave. "If what you said is true, I will accept your advice and make changes."

Wei Zheng did not change his expression in the face of the accusations of his ministers and the hidden threat in the emperor's words: "Since the founding of the country, Your Majesty has often warned us to learn from the fall of the Sui Dynasty, to reduce extravagance and save money, to advocate frugality, and to avoid extravagance and debauchery.

However, today I saw someone transporting heavy wood outside the west gate, saying that they were going to rebuild the palace in Wugong County. I think this is inconsistent with what you said. If Your Majesty does this, it will be difficult for you to set an example for the world."

No matter how magnanimous Li Jiancheng was, at this moment he could only feel the desire for bloodshed rising in his heart. This was not an ordinary small court meeting where you could just say whatever you wanted. Now almost all the officials above the fifth rank in the world were in the palace.

After hearing this, the officials below felt that Wei Zheng was still wrong, but they could not help but look down on the emperor in their hearts. After all, it turned out that he was only restricting us, and His Majesty himself was extremely extravagant and built many palaces.

Li Jiancheng naturally noticed what his ministers were thinking. He suppressed his anger. Killing could establish his authority, but once people's hearts were scattered, it would be impossible to change them back.

"So that's what happened. Lord Wei has misunderstood me."

Before Wei Zheng could speak, Shangshu Zuo Pushe Pei Ji stepped forward and said, "Doctor Wei was ordered to go on a tour to the south and has just returned. He has indeed misunderstood Your Majesty. I know the whole story. When I went to the palace to meet the retired emperor last year, I heard him say that the main hall of the Wugong old house had fallen into disrepair due to years of rain leaking from the roof and damaging the main beams.

After hearing this, I couldn't help but feel sad. After bidding farewell to the Empress Dowager, I was summoned by Your Majesty to the Wende Hall to discuss state affairs, and I informed Your Majesty of this matter.

I think your majesty wants to do some minor repairs to the old house in order to show filial piety to the emperor. Doctor Wei, it shouldn't be considered extravagant to just replace a main beam and a roof tile, right?"

Wang Gui, the Minister of Works, also stepped out and said, "That is indeed the case. Moreover, Your Majesty has ordered all expenses to be allocated from the treasury. I am strictly prohibited from taking money from the Ministry of Civil Affairs."

This made the ministers look respectful again. His Majesty's affairs must be recorded, and it also involved Zuo Pushe and the Ministry of Works. This could not be faked. His Majesty was indeed simple.

Wei Zheng bowed and said: "I have questioned Your Majesty without seeing the whole picture. This is my fault. Your Majesty can punish me.

But I still want to advise Your Majesty. Although I am only moving a brick or a tile now, if it spreads to the world, there will definitely be many people like me who will misunderstand that Your Majesty is not sincere. Since Your Majesty wants to save money and practice frugality, you cannot give people in the world a chance to complain. "

Li Jiancheng said in a deep voice: "You all know how I live and eat, and I am willing to follow your advice, but this matter involves the thoughts of the Supreme Emperor. As a son, I cannot turn a blind eye to it."

"The royal family is all in the capital, and the residence of the retired emperor is even more spacious and magnificent, so it is better not to start construction."

Fang Xuanling hurriedly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Doctor Wei, Your Majesty governs the country with benevolence and filial piety, and helping one's father is also filial piety. As subjects of the Emperor, we should also be loyal and filial."

Wei Zheng insisted: "The Emperor has also experienced troubled times and is well aware of the sufferings of the people. Your Majesty wants to implement a new policy to bring order to the world. When the Emperor learns of this, he will certainly agree with what I say."

The ministers inside and outside the court could no longer bear to hear such words, so they attacked Wei Zheng in unison, waiting for the emperor to nod his head to bring him to ruin. Not only would he lose his life, but his reputation would also be infamous for eternity.

...............

(End of this chapter)