Chapter 11 The Eleventh Chapter Tang Huanghui Knows Ma Zhou and Li Jing Loyally Leads the Three Armies
In the summer of this year, the Central Plains was flooded with water. Because the Ministry of Household Affairs had already spread a letter to the states, telling them to pay attention to the water situation, the doctor of the Ministry of Water even inspected the places prone to flooding one by one, and supervised flood control. Although the rain continued, it did not cause a catastrophe. .In the blink of an eye, it is the autumn harvest season, and there are big ripe crops in the fields.
After Li Shimin read the memorials from various places, the joy in his heart is self-evident.Thinking of Chen Junbin's merits, he made a decree to promote him as Tai Fuqing.Li Shimin believes that Chen Junbin has the ability to manage money, and Taifu Temple is in charge of the state's wealth and goods. It has two capitals, the left Tibetan office, the right Tibetan office, and the Changping office. Chen Junbin is in charge of the government affairs here. I believe it will be more effective. its ability.
Li Shimin was overjoyed, and wanted to go hunting, but he remembered the faces of Wei Zheng and others, so he didn't dare to act rashly.On this day, Wei Zheng and Yu Shinan, the secretary of the province, came to play the matter, Li Shimin replied on the spot, and then said: "Mr. Yu, I wrote a poem today, how about you comment on it?"
Yu Shinan took the silk paper, only to see an erotic poem written on it, the poem said:
Li Shimin wrote in the tone of a palace man that he could not get the emperor's favor.Yu Shinan nodded repeatedly after reading it, and felt that the poem was well written, but then he thought about it, Li Shimin, in the body of the emperor, wrote such courtly erotic poems, after all, something was wrong, so he remonstrated: "Your Majesty's holy work is not good, but it is not easy to write it." However, the system is not elegant. If people in the world know that the emperor likes such poems, they must follow them. This article may become popular all over the world. I will not obey the imperial edict." It turns out that it was popular at that time to write poems according to orders, and the emperor showed his subordinates every time he wrote a poem. , the officials must write poems and it.Since Yu Shinan made this statement, he obviously disapproved of Li Shimin's writing such erotic poems, so he did not follow the edict and poems.
Li Shimin was very happy to see that the world was ripe, and he spent most of his time walking in the palace, because he remembered the game of writing erotic poems.Unexpectedly, Yu Shinan, who has always been taciturn, gave him a blow to the head, and Li Shimin's mood suddenly sank.
Wei Zheng looked at the poem sideways and understood why Li Shimin was like this, so he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, what Mr. Yu said is also the intention of my ministers. At the beginning, Emperor Jianwen of Liang was fond of writing erotic poems, and it became a custom in the whole country, which is called palace style poems." Although this kind of poem is well-crafted in battle and the words are colorful, it is not the style of the prosperous age, and I hope your majesty will refrain from it."
Li Shimin had already understood what the two of them meant, and motioned Yu Shinan to put the tissue paper on the desk, and then said, "I know, the emperor's words and deeds affect the whole world, Mr. Yu. I will never write such poems in the future."
Wei Zheng smiled and said: "Actually, Your Majesty wrote this poem to vent the excitement in his chest. The world is ripe this year, and the whole country is happy, but there is still a lot of progress to be made. Your Majesty must keep a clear head."
Li Shimin was displeased, and said: "People say that being the emperor is self-respected and fearless, but I think that I should keep myself humble and always be in fear. Every time I say or do something, I will fear the emperor and the officials below. Wei Qing, do you mean to say that I'm a little dizzy?"
"No, I see that the emperor is so excited these days, and I wrote this erotic poem today, because I want to remind you. The ancients said: 'There is no beginning, but there is an end.' May your majesty abide by this way of constant humility and fear. If you are cautious every day, the clan society will last forever and will not be overthrown."
Li Shimin nodded in agreement, secretly thinking that it is really difficult to be an emperor, and it is better to be as free as an ordinary person.However, he bears the weight of the society, and if he wants to do it perfectly, he must restrain his own desires, so as not to follow the mistakes of Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty.
After Wei Zheng and Yu Shinan left, Li Shimin got up and stood beside the case on the left, where the strategies of the officials were piled up.He took a few books at hand, and then reclined on the recliner to watch.
The first book was written by Wang Gui, which said: "Compared to the selection of officials by officials, they only choose their words and pens, but they don't know their deeds. After a few years, the evil deeds began to show. Although the punishment was increased, the people have been tortured." Its disadvantages.” Wang Gui’s passage means that when selecting candidates, the Ministry of Officials only considers their performance in the general examination, but does not carefully examine their own virtues and other aspects. Then its bad influence is irreparable, and the common people have suffered from it.
Li Shimin raised his head and looked out the window, so he sent someone to tell Wang Gui to come over for lunch.
When Wang Gui came over in a hurry, the Shangshi Bureau had already set up the lunch, and Li Shimin sat at the head, making Wang Gui sit face to face with him, and said while eating, "Wang Qing, I have already read your table. .However, the book only mentions its disadvantages, not how to change it. You can mention it today.”
Wang Gui said: "Your Majesty, now thousands of people are selected every year, and the official department cannot know the virtues of each person, and only depends on the results of the general examination to match their grades. I think the method of selecting people in the Han Dynasty can be used for reference."
"Two Han? You can take your time. Come on, add wine for Wang Qing."
A beautiful woman, Niao Tingting, was holding a jug to refill wine for Wang Gui. Wang Gui looked sideways and found that the woman was beautiful and refined, which was really enviable.
Wang Gui settled his mind, and then replied: "Thank you, Your Majesty. The two Han Dynasty recruited people, and they all went to the countryside to visit their talents and virtues. The prefectures and counties selected the outstanding ones to pay them, and then the imperial court used them. At that time, they were called Toshi."
"Aren't there people who are from the village tribute among the candidates who are taking part in the examination?"
"That's right, there are indeed township tribute status, but they are a minority after all. According to my opinion, in the central government and prefectural and county government schools, the qualifications for students' admission are too strict. This will prevent many talents from becoming officials. The restrictions must be relaxed. "
Li Shimin disapproved of Wang Gui's opinion, shook his head and said, "No. After the Wei and Jin Dynasties, there were officials of the world, and there were officials of the world. Although there have been changes in our dynasty, we must not confuse the distinction between scholars and common people." Since the Wei and Jin Dynasties, The concept of family status is very important. In the process of fighting and governing, in order to win over talents, Li Shimin gradually broke the scope of Guanlong nobles and used Wei Zheng and other Shandong Han people. This is a great progress.However, there is still a distinction between the gentry and the common people. Li Shimin has not yet thought about breaking the boundaries between the gentry and the common people to select talents without sticking to one pattern.However, he still agreed with the decree of the Han Dynasty, and he was selected from the gentry through the township, county, and state level by level, and his talents and virtues were comprehensively assessed.
Li Shimin looked at Wang Gui and said, "Anyway, you are in charge of the provincial government, and you still pay attention to the shortcomings of the government. I am very relieved. Wang Qing, do you know what strengths I value most in you?"
Wang Gui thought for a while, and then said: "Your Majesty has self-knowledge. If you talk about serving the country diligently and knowing everything you can do, your minister is not as good as Xuan Ling and as dark as you are. Every time you use the heart of remonstrance, you compare your Majesty with Yao and Shun to refer to the king. Short, ministers are not as good as Wei Zheng. Talented and military, generals and ministers, ministers are not as good as Wen Yanbo. Judges in prisons, handling cases lightly, ministers are not as good as wearing helmets. As for promoting turbidity and clearing up, sickness and evil, and goodness, ministers are also comparable to them An inch long."
Li Shimin rejoiced and said: "That's right, you eliminate the turbid and promote the clean, and you really value your strengths for me. Wang Qing, your evaluation of other people is just right. Come and have a drink with me."
What they drank was wine, which was amber in color and very sweet in the mouth.After the two drank, the beauty lightly poured it for them.
Li Shimin said with satisfaction: "I am really happy to hear what you said. No one is perfect, and everyone has their strengths. It seems that I use you, and each of you really deserves what he deserves. Wang Qing, what you said is actually a compliment to me. "
"I am seeking truth from facts, and I dare not exaggerate. Everyone has strengths, but you can't ignore their weaknesses. The right way is to make use of strengths and avoid weaknesses."
Li Shimin had lunch with Wang Gui today, he was in a good mood, and he drank a few more cups.He has never been good at drinking, and at most he can drink a few sips of relatively mild wine.Today, when he was drunk, he looked up at the beauty who was adding wine, and sighed: "Wang Qing, you are right. People have their shortcomings and need to make up for it. However, some people have good qualities, but it is a pity that no one restricts them to do whatever they want. , and gave birth to many shortcomings. Do you know who this beauty is in front of you?"
"I don't know."
"She is the concubine of Li Yuan, the king of Lujiang. Li Yuan was born cowardly and peaceful. But when he arrived in Youzhou, his temper became very arrogant. One day he saw how beautiful this concubine was, so he killed her husband and took her. See People's temperament is changeable, if there is a good environment, it will develop towards the good, which can restrain its shortcomings; if it comes to an arrogant environment, the evil parts of human nature will not be hidden, Li Yuan is such an example."
From the strengths and weaknesses of human character, Li Shimin leads to the scandal of Li Yuan killing his husband and seizing his wife.But he did not think that since Li Yuan was dead, he should return this beauty to his family instead of summoning her into the palace to serve him.
Without hesitation, Wang Gui left the table and bowed, "Your Majesty thinks it's wrong for the king of Lujiang to accept this woman?"
"Killing one's husband and taking one's wife is a beastly act. Is there even a question of right or wrong?"
"What the king of Lujiang did was wrong, but it seems wrong to hide the beauty in the palace. I think that His Majesty is the best opinion of the world, and it is best to let her go home."
Li Shimin was taken aback, he said bitterly about Li Yuan's wrong just now, but he couldn't bear to let this woman go, wouldn't he continue Li Yuan's journey?He couldn't help feeling embarrassed. He was silent for a moment, then burst out laughing. He waved his hand to signal Wang Gui to sit down, and said, "Wang Qing is violent and clear, and he loves good and evil. How fast is it? You just said that admonition is not as good as Wei Zheng. You are not inferior at all. Well, according to your wishes, I will return this girl to her relatives today and allow her to be married."
When the beauty heard this, tears came down like rain, and she fell down in front of Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, my concubine would like to continue serving in the palace, but does not want to return home."
Li Shimin said softly: "Forget it, after listening to Wang Qing's words, you know that our monarchs and ministers value the world. It is a small matter for you to stay in the palace, but it is against the righteousness. How about this, I will give you more gold and silk, thinking that you will settle down Come here, help her to freshen up, and send her out of the palace today."
The beauty was full of reluctance, and was transferred into the harem with the help of the maid.It can be seen that his affection is sincere.At that moment, Wang Guiguan couldn't help but feel pity in his heart.
Li Shimin shook his head.Today I was originally in a happy mood, but unexpectedly I was going to be persuaded by the three ministers Yu Shinan, Wei Zheng, and Wang Gui one by one, so I couldn't help feeling depressed.After thinking about it, now the world has just achieved a great acquaintance, and it is still far away from the time when the world will be ruled. Now is really not the time to be happy.
Seeing that Li Shimin was not interested, Wang Gui stood up and left.After Wang Gui left, Li Shimin felt a little sleepy, so he took a nap in Xinuang Pavilion.When Li Shimin opened his eyes, he saw the light of autumn slanting into the pavilion, and he could feel the warmth of autumn.He stood up, and the maid beside him washed his face and mouth.
Seeing the gloomy look between Li Shimin's brows, Officer Shangyi moved his lotus steps over and said, "Your Majesty, the two new tribute dancers from the Silla Kingdom are waiting at the side of the hall."
Li Shimin nodded slightly, which meant he agreed.Officer Shangyi waved his hand, and saw two women coming.They are dressed in gargoyle clothes and crowns of light gold on their heads.At this time, only the musicians behind the tent began to play. The two girls twisted their waists, relaxed their fingers, and danced slowly to the sound of the music. The crown is one.As soon as its singing is released, it is like the sound of a phoenix.
Li Shimin looked at it for a while, waved the dancer to leave, and then told Shangyi officials: "This is an ominous sound, you can return it to Silla. If there are such tributes in the future, the palace will not accept them." After speaking, he stood up Go to Tai Chi Hall.
Li Shimin was walking on the road and suddenly thought of Lu Cai.When Lu Cai was in Taiyuan at the beginning, he performed "The Music of the King of Qin Breaking the Array" according to the ancient tune, which was highly appreciated by Li Shimin. Now he is the Taichang Chancellor in Taichang Temple.Li Shimin enjoyed the singing and dancing just now, and felt that it was outrageous for the imperial court to continue to use Yan music from the Sui Dynasty when offering sacrifices.It is necessary to ask Lu Cai and others to test the temperament and re-determine the Datang Yayue and Datang Banquet.
Entering the Tai Chi Hall, Li Shimin first saw the playbook he had picked up before noon on the reclining chair. He walked over and took a look, and saw Chang He's name written on the cover, and saw that the book was thicker, obviously with more content, and thought. : "It's a good Chang He. I didn't play it for a long time, but I played so many at once."
Li Shimin opened the report, and saw the first article: "In the capital, people have been calling day and night to warn those who walk. This is the old system. The sound is mournful. It's better to set up drums across the street. It's public and private." Li Shimin nodded. I feel that it is feasible to set up drums and paging, which not only saves manpower, but also unifies standards.
Look at the second article: "The former governor of Yingzhou, Lu Zu, was still unwilling to be the governor of Jiaozhou. Your Majesty beheaded him in anger. I thought that Lu Zu still lost the righteousness of a minister, but he would not die. Please restore his official status to your majesty." Li Shimin read it. Surprised, my heart suddenly became uneasy.
It turned out that the governor of Jiaozhou was exonerated because of his crime. Li Shimin saw that Lu Zu, the governor of Yingzhou, was talented, civil and military, honest and fair, so he was recruited into the court and said: "Jiaozhi can't enter for a long time, so I need you to be the governor of Jiaozhou. I want to give you the governor of Jiaozhou. I will take up the post soon." Lu Zushang agreed at the time, but regretted it after leaving the house, and said that he was unwilling to take up the post on the basis of his old illness.Li Shimin was furious when he heard the news, and scolded: "Since you have promised, how can you regret it." He called Lu Zushang to the Taiji Hall, but Lu Zushang was very stubborn and resolutely refused to be the governor of Jiaozhou.Li Shimin was furious again, and scolded: "I make people unable to do so, why do you want to govern!" He ordered to behead him and report back.Poor Lu Zushang has been a loyal official for many years, but he ended up like this.
Li Shimin glanced back again, and saw that there were more than twenty items in the fold.This made him very suspicious: Chang He was born as a warrior, and he usually has very few scribbles. Why are there so many entries today, with fluent sentences and insightful insights?Thinking of this, he made people go on and on.
Chang He was in the mansion at this time, and after the eunuch who came to him explained his will, he was stunned for a long time, unable to figure out what important matters the emperor had at this late hour.He was quite familiar with the eunuch, so he asked a few questions, and when he heard that the emperor was looking at his report, he slapped his thigh and said, "It's broken, it really is the report that caused trouble." He turned to the eunuch Said: "Eunuch Chen, wait for me for a while." Then he shouted loudly: "Where is Ma Zhou? Let Ma Zhou come to see me."
Ma Zhou ran into the door in a panic, and Chang He scolded face to face: "You damn Ma Zhou, I asked you to choose a few pieces to play, but you made more than 20 pieces at once. Look, the emperor is now Blame it, what should I do?"
Ma Zhou became Chang He's guest, and learned of the interests of Li Shimin's appointment of Chen Shizheng, a civil and military official.So he paid attention to current events and asked Chang He to talk more about recent affairs in the court and China.After half a month, Ma Zhou listed more than forty pieces for Chang He to play.Chang He saw so many entries. Although he was amazed by Ma Zhou's ability, he didn't want to say so many at once, so he asked Ma Zhou to choose a few of them to play.After Ma Zhou went down, he selected more than 20 of them, and persuaded him: "General Chang, the so-called political interests are all time-limited. The items proposed here are helpful to the imperial court. It would be a pity to delete them." Chang He Reluctantly handed over the statement.
Ma Zhou calmly asked what was going on, and comforted Chang He, saying: "General Chang, don't worry. I heard that the ministers of the court, such as Wei Zheng and Dai Zhou, have sharp remonstrances, and the emperor is still willing to accept them. This shows that the current emperor is really enlightened." Monarch, he summoned the general to go, maybe he wanted to find out what happened, but you might as well go."
Chang He said: "You wrote the report on your behalf. If the emperor asks you a few words, am I going to reveal my truth on the spot?"
"It's okay. Most of the entries are about military content. They are all things the general is familiar with. I believe the general will be able to answer them."
With a few little rabbits in his heart, Chang He entered the Tai Chi Hall in a panic.Li Shimin had read all the entries at this time, and it was the time when Longxin was overjoyed. When he saw Chang He coming in, he said first: "What a Chang He. I haven't seen you for a few days. I want to look at you with admiration."
When Chang He heard this sentence, a stone in his heart just fell to the ground, because Li Shimin's tone did not mean to blame.He stepped forward and saluted: "Your Majesty, why do you have an audience with the emperor? Long live my emperor, long live, long live!"
"Forget it, sit down. Tell me why you are improving so fast?"
"I have listened to the emperor's admonition, and recently I have been studying with Mr. Yu and others. Although I can't help swallowing them alive, this... this... After all, I have gained some insight."
"Haha, it is indeed your blessing that Mr. Yu is willing to teach you to read. It's just that Mr. Yu is well educated, can he be patient with you?"
"Patience, patience, Mr. Yu is a good man. Your Majesty, Mr. Yu is very knowledgeable, humble, and I am not ashamed to ask, um, has your Majesty never heard Mr. Yu praise his ministers?"
Li Shimin couldn't help laughing, and said with a smile: "Shameless to ask? I think you are shameless. When you are in front of Mr. Yu, can you use the word "shameless to ask?"
Chang He opened his mouth wide, Fang Wu himself used the wrong idiom.
Li Shimin picked up Chang He's entry and said: "I have read your entries, most of which are related to the military. I think you pay attention to it every day and are good at studying it. It's really commendable. It's just the other entries that have nothing to do with the military. How did you do it?" What about getting it? Like when I killed Lu Zushang, you don’t think he deserves to die. If you are asked to handle this matter, what should you do?”
Chang He listened to Ma Zhou and read the entry that day, and he knew only a little about it at the time. After many days, he basically forgot all of it.Now that Li Shimin mentioned Lu Zushang, he had already forgotten how he wrote in his report, and hurriedly said: "Lu Zushang is not guilty of death, in fact, he should be exiled. The emperor's words are golden words, how can he refuse to listen to what he says? The exile to the frontier can be regarded as a warning to other courtiers."
Li Shimin was suspicious from the very beginning that this article was written by Chen Feihe. After hearing Chang He's incoherent reply, he fully understood what was going on.He slapped Tiao Chen on the case, and said sharply, "Chang He, do you know the crime?"
Chang He didn't know where he got the wrong answer. Seeing Li Shimin's stern expression, he was terrified, knelt down with a "plop", and said in a trembling voice: "I am guilty, I am guilty, my knowledge has disobeyed the emperor, please punish the emperor. "
"Hmph, you claim to be studying with Mr. Yu. Look at your tone of voice, is it any different from when you didn't study? This statement is concise, with clear grammar and insightful insights. I forgive you for three years and you won't be able to write it. You In the end, whoever wrote it, tell the truth, otherwise you will be punished for deceiving the king."
Chang He cursed in his heart: Damn Ma Zhou, after all he caused trouble.He kowtowed and said: "Your Majesty asked civil and military officials to speak frankly about the gains and losses of current affairs. I don't know how to read and write, and I don't want to disobey the emperor's order, so I found some disciples who are proficient in literature and ink. Written by Ma Zhou."
Li Shimin was terrified when he saw Chang He, and when he remembered the change of Xuanwu Gate, he played a pivotal role, but it was a pity that he was illiterate, so it was really difficult for him to write a statement.It can touch the gains and losses of politics by asking someone to write for it, and it is indeed the heart of loyalty to the emperor.What's more, he was able to interview such a person as Ma Zhou because of his wrong attack.Thinking of this, Li Shimin lowered his voice, and said softly, "Changqing, get up. I think you are following orders, so I forgive you for your innocence."
Chang He got up cautiously, and said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, is the subject really innocent?"
"Well, tell me about the origin of this horse week."
Li Shimin thought about the content and writing style of this article, and felt that Ma Zhou was an extraordinary person.He lives in a corner, can quickly understand the major policies of the court, and can elaborate on specific examples, and has the spirit of admonishment like Wei Zheng and others.After hearing Chang He's brief introduction, he also felt that this person was born in a rough place and faced adversity repeatedly, so he must have a spirit of fortitude.Without waiting for Chang He to finish speaking, he interrupted him and said: "Chang Qing, hurry up and bring this person to see me."
After Chang He left, Li Shimin walked up and down the hall, anxious to see Ma Zhou.He turned his head and said to an eunuch: "Ma Zhou is clothed in common clothes, so he will definitely be blocked when he enters the palace. Go, take my golden arrow and proclaim him."
Not long after the eunuch left, Li Shimin summoned another eunuch and said, "Ma Zhou is clothed in common clothes, so he must not have a horse. You go, and give him a royal horse."
After Chang He left the palace, he galloped back to the mansion, and when he entered the door, he shouted: "Ma Zhou, come and see me." In a blink of an eye, he saw the housekeeper and Ma Zhou's gang on the left.
Ma Zhou hurried over and asked, "General Chang called me, what can I order?"
"Go, Lao He, quickly bring a horse out and let Ma Zhou ride on it, and follow me to see the emperor." As soon as the words fell, an eunuch holding a golden arrow shouted in a drawn-out voice: "The emperor has a decree, declare See you Ma Zhou."
Seeing this situation, Ma Zhou froze in place for a while.The steward had already ordered a horse to be brought in, and he stretched out his hand to give him a push, and said, "You haven't got on the horse yet? The emperor announces that you are a great happy event. Hurry up and enter the palace to thank you."
Ma Zhou just woke up like a dream, he hastily got on his horse, and followed Chang He out of Chang Mansion.Halfway through the journey, the horse sender and another eunuch came to remind him one after another. Chang He sighed greatly. He looked back at the horse and said: "I have been with the emperor for many years, and I have never seen the emperor in such a hurry. You know the emperor You have always been calm and sophisticated, what is it about you that makes the emperor want to see you?"
Ma Zhou's heart was "pounding" wildly, he tried his best to gather his mind, but his mind was still worried.One thing he knew very well, that is, the emperor must be very satisfied after reading the statement he wrote on behalf of him.Otherwise, he wouldn't have made such a big move and sent people to remind him three times.If you are convicted of an article, you must send someone to take it with a rope, which will be a different face.
After waiting for such a long time, Li Shimin's mind has gradually calmed down.He picked up the report and read it again, and felt more and more that this Ma Zhou was indeed a talented person.Unexpectedly, such a rude person can visit capable diners.It can be seen that the world is so big that many talents are hidden in the grass, but unfortunately no one finds it.
Li Shimin heard that Chang He and Ma Zhou had been waiting in front of the gate of the hall, so he sat down behind the case and let Xuan and the others come in.
Seeing Ma Zhou prostrate on the ground, calling him a grassroots man, Li Shimin smiled and said, "Be flat. If all the grassroots people in the world are like you, I don't have to bother to pick good ones."
Ma Zhou didn't dare to get up, he squinted at Chang He's expression, Chang He said: "The emperor has made an order, so don't hurry up and speak." So Ma Zhou stood up slowly and listened quietly to Li Shimin's inquiry.
Li Shimin held up the statement and asked, "Ma Zhou, did you write this statement?"
Ma Zhou glanced at Chang He again, seeing that he had no expression, he hurriedly replied: "Your Majesty, this report is indeed written by Cao Min on behalf of the master."
"I ask you, Lu Zu resisted and refused to obey the order, and was beheaded. You dare to say that his crime is not worthy of death. Aren't you afraid that I will punish you for your crime?"
Ma Zhou was not at all flustered at this time, knowing that the emperor wanted to judge him, so he replied loudly: "The grassroots thought that Lu Zu had a good official reputation in the past, and he had his own reasons for not wanting to take up the post. The emperor should directly reprimand him for his mistakes and use reason Convincing people, but the emperor puts his face first, and killing him in anger is actually against the spirit of the law. After Lu Zushang's death, the government and the public made some remarks, which is a testament to the grassroots. In order to redeem the lost place, the emperor is asked to restore his official status and Make up for his descendants."
Chang He was shocked when he heard the words, this lifeless Ma Zhou dared to speak wild words in front of the emperor, why did he have such courage?Li Shimin didn't think so. Seeing Ma Zhou's eloquence and ups and downs, he felt very comfortable, and secretly praised: Wei Zheng is really the second.
Ma Zhou went on to say: "The reason why the grassroots dare to violate Yan's words of government is that they have heard that the ancients had seven admonishing ministers in their sage's business. If the words were ignored, the admonishing officials would die one after another. Your Majesty opened up his holy concerns, accepted his faithful words, and ordered Wei Zheng and other lords are like fish and water with the emperor. Your Majesty, I don’t know if the common people think this is right or wrong?”
Li Shimin was stunned for a moment, thinking, this person is very eloquent, so he asked back, and said: "How will I deal with Lu Zushang's funeral, you will never know when you ask."
Chang He said: "The emperor has kindness in his heart, and he has already asked people to draw up an order to restore his official status."
Li Shimin flipped through the article again, and asked, "Ma Zhou, I see that there are some slight remarks on the appointment of foreign officials in the article, why do you think so?"
"Cao Min searched for the emperor's imperial edict since he came to the throne at the master's place, and saw that in the first year of Zhenguan, the emperor ordered the bureaucracy to strictly examine officials outside the classroom, and the decree was 'I live in a deep palace, and the sight and hearing cannot be far away. The only people appointed are the governor and the governor. , this generation really needs people to rule the chaos.' The grass people think that the emperor has worked hard to govern these years, and the strengths of the courtiers around him have been entrusted with important tasks. It can be said that each of them has his own place. Exams one by one. For example, it is a big criticism to use military merits to teach people as governors, etc. People with military merits, their writing is relatively shallow, so even though they are in official positions, they cannot learn from the ideas of sages and sages, and they will inevitably make a lot of mistakes. The grassroots think , from now on, civil servants with experience must be selected as governors, and those with military merits will be awarded titles and rewards, but not administrative officials."
Li Shimin smiled slightly: "Your words are a bit too absolute, like Cheng Yaojin who has been the governor of Kangzhou for several years and has a good official reputation. How can this be explained?"
"General Cheng's move is a special case. It must be known that there are specialties in the art industry. For most people, it is really not easy for them to go beyond their inherent knowledge and take up new positions. General Yuchi also served as the governor of Xiangzhou, and the results may not be satisfactory. "
Li Shimin turned to Chang He and said, "Ma Zhou came to Beijing not long ago, so it must be your credit for knowing many things in the court?"
Chang He replied: "Ma Zhou said that if you want to know the gains and losses of governance, you must know the contents of the edicts issued by the imperial court in recent years, and let the ministers talk more about the affairs of the court. In order to make the above sparse words accurate, the ministers had to take the trouble to help others one by one. Tell me."
"If you want to find out the reason, you need to know the details. Ma Zhou can learn some information from you, and it is not easy to write these more than 20 items. Ma Zhou, you are right. Like the appointment of the governor I really thought about this matter, but I can't identify them one by one. It is inevitable that the good and the bad will be mixed. Chen Junbin is the governor of Dengzhou. In addition to rectifying the affairs of his own state, he also benefits other states. One person caused the people under his command to suffer, and I will work hard to make this happen in the future."
Chang He observed Li Shimin's expression and his eyes were full of smiles when he looked at Ma Zhou.At this time, Ma Zhou had changed from the panic he had when he first entered the palace, and he spoke fluently and eloquently with Li Shimin, and Chang He could barely understand some of the meanings in it.Li Shimin and Ma started to ask and answer more than 20 items one by one on Monday, gradually opened up the topic, and finally talked about the selection of talents and appointments.
Li Shimin sighed: "Selecting talents and appointing talents is easy to say, but it is actually the most difficult thing to do. Since I came to the throne, in addition to trying to appease the people and persuade them to teach farming and mulberry, it has cost me a lot of money to get people for various positions. A lot of energy. I don't have superpowers, but I just want more manpower to help me."
"Your Majesty is thirsty for talents. People like Cao Min, who are living in the wilderness, can also enter the golden palace to face the saints. Then the world's talents will gather. Only time is the only time. People in the world don't suffer from wealth and poverty. The most important thing is to select scholars based on their talents. , Only talents are used. In the past, Zhou Gong spit and nourished, but now His Majesty has a very old style. The grassroots think that the time for the world to return to the heart is today."
Li Shimin was in a happier mood, looked at Ma Zhou and said, "You are fine! From now on, in front of me, don't just call yourself a grassroots."
Ma Zhou didn't react when he heard this, but Chang He heard Li Shimin's implication, so he said softly to Ma Zhou: "Don't be dazed, don't hurry up and thank the emperor!" It is to confer him an official position in the court.
Ma Zhou never expected to gain Li Shimin's trust so quickly, and to confer an official position on himself, so he knelt down and said, "Ma Zhou respectfully thank the emperor for his great kindness."
Li Shimin said: "Your Wen Han is good, you can first serve as the head of the province. Chang He, after you go down, take him to the Ministry of Officials to make up his background, and then get the official order to work in the province."
The head of the Menxia province is from the eighth rank, and the official ranks of the Tang system are divided into thirty grades, from the eighth rank to the next twenty-six grades.Because Ma Zhou wrote a report on Chang He's behalf, and had an interview with Li Shimin, it actually aroused Li Shimin's great joy, and he was immediately appointed above his rank, which is really rare.
Ma Zhou paused and said: "The emperor has given you such a great kindness, and I will do my best to do my best."
Li Shimin asked him to get up, and then said: "You became an official because of my words. There is no precedent in our court. There are Wei Zheng, Wang Gui, Dai Zhou and others around me. They are watching every day, and they are always ready to correct my mistakes. .The assignment I gave you this time is inconsistent with the regulations, and they will come to remonstrate. I have thought it over, and I will persuade them patiently. But whether this matter is right or wrong, the key lies in you. If you really do what I hope, become A good official earns face for me."
Ma Zhou saw that Li Shimin is now the emperor, and he has to look forward and backward in everything he does and says, and demands himself on the basis of justice and laws. The only way to act at the time is to see the style of Qingming politics, and it is really a blessing for me to be born in this world."
Li Shimin turned to Chang He and said, "You don't know much about literature, but you can interview people like Ma Zhou, which shows that you still have a lot of vision. Tell me, what do you want me to reward you for?"
Chang He didn't expect it to be this kind of result. He was in a daze, and when he heard Li Shimin said that he would reward himself, he hurriedly replied: "As a small soldier in the army, I have been promoted by the emperor to a high position. I am often uneasy in my heart. How dare I be rewarded?" Do you want a reward? Ma Zhou was appreciated by the emperor, which is the result of the emperor's great grace, and those with talents will surely stand out. I dare not ask for rewards."
Li Shimin stood up and was overjoyed at the discovery of Ma Zhouzhi. He was even more happy when he saw that Chang He didn't want to reward him, and said, "People who know martial arts are usually domineering. Chang He, you can always be humble, which is in line with my wishes. Like Yuchi Jing When Germany followed me to fight, he was able to conquer and fight well. Unexpectedly, now that he is in a peaceful world, he thinks about the achievements of the past all day long and doesn't think about making progress. He looks like a completely different person. Chang He, you must not learn from him. If you don’t want to reward him, it is your duty to always remember. However, if you visit this person, I have to reward you. How about this, I will give you three hundred silks and silks.”
Chang He saw that Li Shimin insisted on rewarding him, so he had no choice but to thank him.
A few days later, the news spread that Ma Zhou had been appointed as the head of the province, and all the officials had different expressions when they heard about it.Most of the officials, represented by Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, thought that the emperor's eclectic selection of talents was a good talk.When Yu Shinan learned that Ma Zhou was the one who answered the question, he congratulated Li Shimin: "When I first saw this person answering the question, I thought he was an extraordinary person. He was recognized by the emperor's wise eyes. It can be seen that although the beautiful jade was scattered in the grass for a while, it will eventually be found. Shining." Wei Zheng, Wang Gui, Dai Zhou and the others were more serious, and met Ma Zhou for various reasons, and after careful discussion, they felt that this man was not in vain, so they agreed with this move and did not raise any objections to Li Shimin.There were also people who opposed it in the hundred palaces, like Xiao Yu, who thought that Ma Zhou had no proof and no evidence, and it was a fantasy to leap to the Dragon Gate as a guest.He tried to talk to Li Shimin about this, but Li Shimin replied, "Let's wait for time to see what happened to Ma Zhou. If he is mediocre, it will not be too late to resign." He had no choice but to keep silent.When Wei Ting heard that Chang He's retainer had become an official of the lower province, he was furious and went to the Shu to object.Li Shimin commented on his comment: "I am thirsty for talents, can't I just try this one person?" Wei Ting didn't dare to make a sound anymore, and the matter was suppressed like this.
After Tuli was defeated by Jieli, he led his family and fled to Chang'an in panic. Li Shimin named him the king of Beiping County and the general of Youwei, and set aside the southwest corner of Anyifang as his residence.In order not to be lonely, Li Shimin often sent Shi Danai and others to drink and chat with him.
On August 15th, Tuli received the order early in the morning, asking him to go to the Furong Garden in Qujiang Pond to accompany Li Shimin to enjoy the moon at night.After receiving the order, Tuli was very moved. You must know that there is no such thing as admiring the moon on August 15th in Turkic customs. Li Shimin invited himself to watch the moon with him tonight, which shows that his kindness is very important.
Just after dark, Shi Danai came to ask Tuli to go to Furong Garden together.On the way, Tuli asked about the origin of the moon appreciation on August 15th, and Shi Danai explained to him in detail: "Autumn is in the midst of intense heat and cold winter, August is in autumn, and the 15th is in August." , it is the most moderate day of cold and heat. Autumn is high and the night is clear, which is the best time to appreciate the moon. The four seasons are distinct here in Zhongtu, unlike the land in the northern part of the Great Wall, which enters the cold winter early, because there is a saying of enjoying the moon in the Mid-Autumn Festival. This night is the moon again. When the moon is at its fullest, the people of Middle Earth often derive the meaning of reunion from the full moon, and family members usually get together at this time."
"We watch the moon with the emperor tonight, does he regard us as family?"
"Maybe the emperor has this intention. I think you just came to the capital not long ago, and the emperor was afraid that you would be lonely, so he gathered together."
"Oh, I thought I was a brother in alliance with the emperor, and I really wanted to join him in the end. As a defeated army, I came to Chang'an not only was not discriminated against, but was treated as a guest of honor. General Shi, I am really grateful these days, I will thank the emperor personally tonight."
"General Tuli, it seems that you don't know much about the emperor. Your Majesty, he is a rare open-minded person. Da Nai has followed him for many years, and he knows that there is no boundary between Hua and Yi in his heart, and he regards people from all directions. Like the people of Middle-earth. You can slowly understand this."
The two straddled their horses and walked slowly, and before they knew it, they arrived at the Furong Garden.The garden is located on the south side of Qujiang Pond, and the area near the water is full of lotus flowers. After the baptism of the autumn wind, the lotus flowers have withered, but the lotus leaves are still green.Chrysanthemums are planted all over the garden, and you can see that the chrysanthemums of various colors are in full bloom. When you are in it, you can feel the fragrance of flowers.Some people jokingly say that at the end of autumn, this place should be renamed "Chrysanthemum Garden", which is worthy of the name.
An eunuch led them to the inner circle, and after turning a few turns in the flower path, they arrived at an octagonal pavilion in the garden.A few people stood up to meet them, and by the light of the qi-death wind lanterns hung at the corner of the pavilion, they recognized these people as Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui and Li Jing.
Although Tuli came to the capital not long ago, he also learned the polite language of Zhongtu, he cupped his hands and said, "Tuli came late, I hope all adults forgive me."
房玄龄道：“你有何罪？我们对道儿较熟，才早来几步。”
突利问道：“皇上还没来吗？”
众人齐齐将眼光射向东西的夹道出口，房玄龄道：“算着时辰，皇上也快到了。”
原来此园有夹道和北面的宫城相通，皇帝及宫中之人来曲江游玩，不用穿长安城而过，从此夹道过来即可。
过了片刻，就见夹道出口处现出了几只红灯笼，既而就见李世民乘坐肩舆出现。亭内数人急忙出亭跪伏于道旁，迎候李世民。
李世民到了园中，即让抬舆之人停止，示意自己要下地行走。他分花拂枝向亭子走来，看到众人跪伏道旁迎候，急声说道：“快起来，快起来，我们来此赏月，还闹这些虚礼干吗？突利兄弟，你第一次来芙蓉园，这里的风景不错吧？”
芙蓉园为皇家园林，没有皇帝的特旨，寻常人是不许入内的。
突利说道：“今晚月圆之时，陛下本应在皇宫欢庆，却与臣等同乐。臣心存感激。”
李世民招呼众人入亭坐下。亭中的案上摆有葡萄、柑橘、绿李、荔枝等水果，其中的柑橘及荔枝需从南方辗转运来，除了宫廷拥有，外面极为罕见。李世民让突利先食荔枝，说道：“突利兄弟，你以前绝难食到此等果品，与虎肉相较，当是另外一番滋味了。”
李世民提起虎肉，突利和房玄龄、杜如晦皆想起第一次相见的情景。那次他们因争虎相识，此后恩恩怨怨，波折甚多，不想今日却在长安相对赏月。突利想起远在北方的故旧属下，心里又生出一分黯然。他听李世民仍呼自己为兄弟，分辩道：“陛下，臣以前糊里糊涂不知高低与皇上盟为兄弟，如今已做了大唐之臣，'兄弟'二字，那是不可再提了。”
李世民正色道：“我们以前习惯的称呼，岂能因为我做了皇帝而变？突利兄弟，像眼前数人，你知道我至今怎么称呼他们吗？”
突利在数人那里得到求证之后，不禁大为感动，叹道：“多少君主唯以权威压人，总怕臣子对自己失了恭敬。像陛下这样待臣下诚恳，甚至称呼也不改当初，太少了。”
“父皇与我得了大唐天下，若凭己力，断不能为。像他们四人随我多年，我视之非为臣下，乃为兄弟。突利兄弟，若为君者在称呼上就斤斤计较，说明其心中定是战战兢兢，总怕别人蔑视自己——这样的人连自信之心都没有，遑论治理天下。”
突利心里赞同，遥望北方，感叹道：“是啊，想起先祖成就突厥汗国，那时何等强盛。到了颉利手里，其任性简单，猜疑重重，将汗国折腾得分崩离析。陛下，看来国家兴旺唯靠人力，且以君主最为重要。”
“不错，国家兴旺唯靠人力，然需要君臣同心。想你对汗国，向来倾心倾力，那颉利却不知好歹，使你流离至此，委实可叹。”
突利眼望李世民，殷切说道：“陛下，臣见今年大熟，国内兵强马壮，何不发兵去讨颉利？臣这样想，并非想报与颉利之间的私仇。要知汗国子民现在内受颉利压榨，外受异族欺凌，日日处于苦难之中。若陛下能擒颉利，使汗国境安，实为万幸之事。陛下若果真起兵征讨，臣乞为先锋。说起对当地的地理风土的熟悉程度，臣还有一己之长。”
李世民沉吟道：“此事要从长计议。突利兄弟，那时我与颉利在渭水便桥盟约，你也在侧，我岂能毁约而战？”
“陛下，那盟约岂能当真？颉利多少次毁约来攻，他什么时候又想起信守盟约了？”
李靖向来沉默寡言，话语不多，往往关键之时才说话，他见突利言辞甚疾，遂插话道：“突利将军，今夜我们以赏月为主，至于军事之事，我们明日再谈如何？”
李世民道：“对呀，我们今晚来此赏月，不要再说别的话题。可惜，今晚未将那些学士召来，像玄龄、如晦也不善此道，否则赏月联诗，就别有一番滋味。”
众人抬头向天，就见朗朗圆月，其清冷的月辉，洒向世间的各个角落。
房玄龄说道：“陛下，臣不善作诗，然近日读到一首赏月诗，堪称佳作。臣想吟诵一回，以为鉴赏如何？”
李世民颔首同意。
房玄龄吟道：“夜月家家望，亭亭爱此楼。纤方溪上断，疏柳影中秋。渐映千峰出，遥分万派流。关山谁复见，应独起边愁。”
李世民听完赞道：“不错。'夜月家家望'，可见赏月风气之盛：只是句尾又起愁意，不免太滥。”
突利和史大柰不懂诗词，只好听他们在那里谈论。
月上中天时，一名太监捧上一盒“中秋玩月羹”供大家进食。大家眼望明月，食此美羹，尽欢方罢。
第二日，李世民来到政事堂，看到众人正在那里议事，他对杜如晦道：“如晦，速派人传李靖过来，朕有事与你们相商。”
须臾，李靖匆匆赶来。
李世民眼望众人，说道：“朕昨晚与突利共同赏月，因触动颉利之事。朕后来又想了许久，觉得该是解决颉利的时候了。唯有一点，天下刚刚大熟，朕即兴兵，会不会惹来天下议论？”
李世民动了进攻东突厥的心思，今天叫来群臣议论一番，事先想到其中定有人反对。像萧瑀定会持有盟约在先不可撕破的陈腐理由，而魏征、王珪则以不能扰民的理由反对。没料想，他此言一出，群臣先是静默片刻，继而皆点头赞同，意见空前一致。
房玄龄说道：“东突厥历来侵扰我境，其先后联络窦建德、王世充、刘武周、刘黑闼、梁师都与我为敌，更领重兵深入内地，实为国之最大祸源所在。其一日不除，即为心腹之患。陛下现在欲出征讨伐，臣以为正是时机。凡出师分为义师与不义之师两种，像隋炀帝数征高丽，劳而无功，即为不义之师；东突厥侵我在先，此去讨伐，顺乎民意，即为义师。”
李世民转问萧瑀道：“萧公，你以为呢？”
萧瑀慨然说道：“东突厥欺凌我朝多年，已经拿走了许多金珠宝贝，为太上皇之最大心病。陛下欲行征讨之事，肯定符合太上皇心意，老臣由衷赞成。”
魏征接话道：“陛下想抚民以静，然面临东突厥威胁，始终不能尽全力。若拔掉这颗钉子，从此北境无事，即可奠定国泰民安之基石。”
李世民见群臣对征讨东突厥如此一致赞成，心想这就是所谓的众望所归了。见李靖在一旁默不作声，即问道：“药师兄，你默默不言，有什么想法吗？”
李靖道：“臣在想此次战事须速战速决方才有效。不错，现在国力增强，人健马壮，然战事延长太久，终归要耗费太多钱粮。如此，非天下之福。”
李世民哈哈一笑，说道：“药师兄已经开始具体筹划战事的细节了。其实东突厥貌似强大，其腹中已空，与我国势相比，是不可同日而语的。前些日子，张公谨曾上一书言称东突厥可取之状，甚是有理。朕因见不是时机，嘱如晦暂压了下来。如晦，你将公谨之言择要给大家讲一讲。”
杜如晦取出张公谨的上表，说道：“公谨以为现在取东突厥有六条理由：第一条，颉利现在纵欲逞暴，诛杀忠良之臣，昵近奸佞小人，已经失尽民心，指挥不灵；第二条，薛延陀、回纥等部落纷纷叛其自立；第三条，突利、郁射设、欲谷设等重要势力皆与颉利反目成仇，其势力大减；第四条，塞北近年迭遇旱灾，粮草本来就少，今年霜早，其糇粮基本全绝；第五条，颉利与本族相疏离，族人怨其亲异族，胡人性格善于反复，若大军一临，其必生内变；第六条，中土之人散居突厥各处，他们往往啸聚一处，占据山险，若听说我军出塞，他们定然起而响应。”
杜如晦讲完，李世民赞道：“想不到公谨武人出身，却能默察时势，汇成条理。可见人若留心，则事事皆成文章。”张公谨原随王世充，洛阳城破后随李世民入了长安，为天策府的幕僚，后来在玄武门之变中立有大功。李世民夺得权位，将其派为外任。
李靖说道：“公谨所提六条，确实切中要害。看来昨晚突利所言委实不错，若不是颉利在那里自作孽，毁其基业，想拿下他还要大费周折呢。陛下，臣以为现在去讨颉利正是时机，臣愿提兵前去，一举荡平。”
看到李靖主动请战，李世民大为高兴。其内心中，曾经晃过自己亲征的念头，然想自己即位不久，若离京出塞，终为不妥。讨伐东突厥的战事极为重要，放眼天下，提兵督师者除了自己之外，他最属意李靖。
李世民问道：“药师兄，朕若派你为帅，你将以何策攻之？”
李靖胸有成竹，朗声答道：“颉利虽自毁长城，然毕竟东突厥兴势已久，不可轻视。臣若为帅去攻，须备好粮草，并在北境沿线驻扎重兵，防止颉利乘乱逃入我境。第一步，稳固边防，保证国内不受其害为要。”
陈叔达赞道：“李尚书此举大有深意，要知突厥骑兵马快犀利，若其撕开边防冲入内地，百姓定要深受其害。”
李靖点点头，继续说道：“臣的第二步，就是以我朝之马对突厥之马。陛下，臣六月间曾到陇右马场看了一回，人言突厥骑兵厉害，殊不知我朝的马儿经张万岁经营，已经不输于突厥之马。臣想这次要硬碰硬，定扬我军之马威。”
“好，药师兄，你不用再说了。此次北征，由你主之。朕授你为定襄道行军总管，张公谨为副，克日讨之。”
君臣又在那里细细讨论了半天，为保万全，李世民又诏并州都督李世为通汉道行军总管，李大亮为副总管，华州刺史柴绍为金河道行军总管，灵州大都督薛万彻为畅武道行军总管，他们合众十五万，皆受李靖节制，分道出击东突厥。
时辰近午时，众人散出门外。李世民又想起一事，交代李靖道：“药师兄，那突利要求为出征先锋，让其去攻同族之人终为不妥。然他深明突厥之地理人情，你将他带在身边，应该对你有所帮助。”
"I understand."