The Great Han Dynasty: From Crown Prince Li to Emperor of All Ages!

Chapter 46: The Crown Prince's Cleverness: Openly Plowing the Plank Road While Secretly Crossin

"The Imperial College is related to the cultural heritage of our Chinese nation, and it cannot be managed by anyone but a person of high moral character and prestige."

"During the reign of Emperor Xiaojing, he greatly valued Wan Shi Jun, a fact known to everyone both inside and outside the court."

"His Majesty appointed Shi Gong as Prime Minister, valuing his filial piety above all else."

"Your subject requests that if Lord Shi were to be appointed as the Director of the Imperial Academy, all Confucian scholars and academicians throughout the land would surely accept and submit to his authority."

Immediately, Liu Ju stood up and spoke sternly.

"Oh?"

The officials all turned their heads in surprise. They never expected that Shi Qing would fall from the position of prime minister and so quickly obtain a new official position. Although the position of Director of the Imperial Academy was not as high as that of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, it was in charge of the education administration of the country and served as a model for scholars. His position was undoubtedly very high.

"allow!"

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, glanced at Liu Ju, his eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.

The Crown Prince used the example of Emperor Jing of Han valuing Shi Qing's father and himself valuing Shi Qing to recommend Shi Qing for the position of Director of the Imperial Academy. If Shi Qing refused, he would undoubtedly be overturning his own and the late emperor's judgment and telling the world that he was bad at judging people.

What Liu Che looked down on was Crown Prince Liu Ju's womanly kindness. If Shi Qing hadn't been the Crown Prince's tutor and a staunch member of the Crown Prince's faction, would Liu Ju have gone to such lengths to plan for him?

"Your Majesty is wise."

A smug look flashed across Liu Ju's eyes. In any case, he had achieved his goal.

Seeing the Crown Prince emerge victorious in yet another clash between father and son, the courtiers in the hall began to speculate. Compared to a ruthless and cold-blooded emperor like Emperor Wu of Han, a benevolent ruler like the Crown Prince was clearly more popular.

"Crown Prince."

"There are also four prisons."

Before the assembled officials could react, Emperor Wu of Han's words resounded once again throughout the Xuan Shi Hall.

"promise."

Liu Ju straightened his expression and continued, "The Director of the Imperial Household Department is in charge of the production of handicrafts for the royal family."

"The Arsenal is in charge of manufacturing weapons, armor, bows, and crossbows."

"The Directorate of Imperial Workshops was in charge of palace construction and the production of imperial utensils."

"The Directorate of Waterways is in charge of matters related to rivers, lakes, bridges, boats, canals, and other waterways."

"The Water Balance Commandant's Office remains unchanged, following the same procedures as the Five Directorates, and is in charge of all matters related to minting coins."

"A separate Imperial Medical Academy was established to oversee all physicians and administer medicine."

"The Court of Imperial Sacrifices was equipped with the Bureau of Pharmacy, the Bureau of Imperial Kitchen, and the Bureau of Imperial Soup. The Bureau of Pharmacy supervised the diagnosis and medication of the imperial physicians. The Bureau of Imperial Kitchen was in charge of the palace's food, winemaking, vegetable cultivation, consumption of rare birds and wild animals, and the offering of seasonal fruits. The Bureau of Imperial Soup was in charge of supplying cakes, fruits, and other food items."

"I see!"

The ministers understood immediately.

Of the nine temples and five directorates, the most severe division was that of the Shaofu (Minister of the Imperial Household Department). Its authority was directly divided into the Taifu Temple, the Shaofu Directorate, the Military Equipment Directorate, the Directorate of Works, and the Directorate of Waterways. A portion of it was also assigned to the Guanglu Temple. Everyone believed that this was the work of Crown Prince Liu Ju, who harbored resentment towards the Shaofu.

"What do you all think?"

After hearing this, Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, turned his gaze to the assembled officials in the hall.

"good!!!"

"Excellent!"

The senior officials, including Sang Hongyang and Er Kuan, had no other thoughts besides praising him.

The emergence of the Nine Temples and Five Directorates undoubtedly centralized all power in the imperial court, consolidating it under the control of the Left and Right Chancellors.

In this way, Emperor Wu of Han's inner and outer courts became nominal. Apart from the Grand Marshal, who replaced the Grand Commandant, the other officials in the inner court did not hold real power and were merely the emperor's confidants. How could they refuse such benefits?

"By imperial decree, I grant the Crown Prince's request to change the system of the Nine Ministers and establish the Nine Temples and Five Directorates."

"The Grand Minister of Agriculture was promoted to Grand Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Justice was promoted to Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, the Grand Master of the Palace was promoted to Grand Master of Ceremonies, the Grand Minister of Ceremonies was promoted to Grand Herald, the Commandant of the Guards, the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan, and the Grand Master of Ceremonies remained the same, the Minister of the Imperial Treasury was promoted to Minister of the Court of Imperial Treasury, the Commandant of the Central Army was promoted to Director of the Imperial Treasury, Dongguo Xianyang was appointed Director of the Imperial Arsenal, Kong Jin was appointed Director of the Imperial Workshops, Gongsun Qing was promoted to Director of the Imperial Water Conservancy Bureau, Hu Sui was appointed Director of the Imperial Medical Academy, and Shi Qing was appointed Director of the Imperial Academy."

"Father, I think this is unacceptable!"

Before Emperor Wu of Han could finish speaking, Crown Prince Liu Ju stood up and interrupted him.

Most of the positions in the Nine Temples and Five Directorates were held by the emperor's confidants, which was very disadvantageous for the crown prince.

This wasn't a waste of time offering advice; it was like working for Emperor Wu of Han.

*Whoosh!*

All the officials turned to look at Liu Ju.

"Does the Crown Prince have any objections?"

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, stared intently at Liu Ju with his dragon eyes, exuding a strong sense of pressure.

An emperor, ruling over the entire land, can decide the life or death of countless people with a single word. How can he be stopped again and again?

It’s tolerable, it’s unbearable!

"His Majesty."

Liu Ju changed his form of address and said solemnly, "The Nine Temples and Five Directorates are matters of national importance, not stewardships of the royal family."

"Officials should be appointed based on their talents; in this way, the officials will be convinced, and the people of the world will be convinced."

"I second that proposal!"

Upon hearing this, Sang Hongyang immediately stood up.

"I second that proposal!"

"I second that proposal!"

For a moment, the ministers present all chose to support the crown prince. They did not want to return to the time when Emperor Wu of Han made decisions with a single word. At that time, even the prime minister had to worry about his life every day. It was simply not a life for a human being.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Upon seeing this, Emperor Wu of Han repeatedly praised it, his face unusually cold.

Liu Ju ignored Liu Che and continued, "The Commandant of the Imperial Guards is in charge of military power and the armory in the capital region. The position of Commandant of the Imperial Guards cannot be held by anyone but a veteran general in the army."

"Lieutenant Yin Qi was honest and upright in his administration, decisive in his actions, and did not shy away from enforcing the law even if it came to powerful figures. He served as Commandant of the Passes and Lieutenant, and was knowledgeable in military affairs."

"No one is more suitable to be the Commandant of the Guards than him."

"Whoa!!!"

The moment those words were spoken, the entire hall was astonished.

No one expected that the Crown Prince would recommend Yin Qi to serve as the Commandant of the Guards. If Yin Qi hadn't appeared at Weiyang Palace today, this whole commotion wouldn't have happened.

Yin Qi was stunned. He never expected that even the emperor would demote him to the position of Director of the Imperial Household Department, and that the crown prince would actually give him an important position. It was truly unbelievable!

"Your Highness, your vision is truly remarkable; I second that opinion!"

Li Xi stepped forward and acted as a pawn, no longer caring whether he offended the emperor.

Emperor Wu of Han transferred him from Grand Master of Ceremonies to Minister of the Imperial Clan, just because he spoke some fair words. Is there any justice in this?

"I second that proposal!"

Gongsun He then spoke up.

"I second that proposal!"

After a moment of contemplation, Sang Hongyang, Er Kuan, and others chose to support it.

The lieutenant's duties were to manage the Northern Army and the armory, and the duties of the guard commander largely overlapped with those of the lieutenant, making Yin Qi the most suitable candidate for the position.

"Granted!"

Emperor Wu of Han suppressed his anger and had no choice but to agree to the request.

Following that, Liu Ju put forward several more candidates: "The Director of the Imperial Treasury is in charge of finances, storage, and the palace treasury; he must be an honest and capable official."

"Your subject recommends Zhao Yu, the Chancellor of the State of Yan, to serve as the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices."

"The Imperial Arsenal is in charge of forging weapons, armor, bows, and crossbows. It must be filled by a general from the border army so that the best and most convenient weapons can be provided to our Han army."

"Your subject recommends Guo Chang, the Grand Master of the Palace, to serve as the Director of the Arsenal."

"The Directorate of Water Conservancy must be in charge of all water conservancy affairs in the country."

"Your subject recommends Xu Bo to serve as the Director of Water Conservancy."

"allow!!!"

Emperor Wu of Han gave Liu Ju a deep look and uttered a single word.

Zhao Yu and Zhang Tang were known as cruel officials. Zhao Yu was shrewd and honest, and served as the Grand Commandant's clerk, the Prime Minister's office clerk, the Imperial Censor, the Grand Master of the Palace, the Commandant of the Palace, and the Minister of Justice.

Because of his lax and lenient enforcement of the law in his later years, he was dismissed by Emperor Wu of Han and transferred to the position of chancellor of the State of Yan.

Guo Chang, a Grand Master of the Palace, once served as a Colonel and followed General Wei Qing in attacking the Xiongnu. During the Nanyue rebellion, he served as a General of the Household and led troops to quell the rebellion. Later, he encountered the Qielan rebellion and, together with Wei Guang, pacified Qielan. The court established Zangke Prefecture in the former territory of Qielan. This man can be called a veteran of the border army and is proficient in military affairs.

Xu Bo, a leading water conservancy expert of his time, was as famous as Zheng Guo of the Qin Dynasty. He presided over the construction of the Cao Canal, connecting Chang'an with the Yellow River. When building the Longshou Canal, he created the "well-canal method", which was later introduced to the Western Regions and became the prototype of the Karez well system.

From every perspective, Emperor Wu of Han could not find a single fault with these three men, so it was impossible for his ministers to object.