Li Zhi, don't be a coward

Rewards and punishments are the qualities that an emperor must possess.

The sweet potato has been planted for two seasons, and the harvest is huge, and the facts are all there.

The contribution made by Li Qinzai can be regarded as certain and indisputable.

How could Li Zhi pretend to ignore such a huge contribution?Heroes who have lasted for hundreds of years can't be just rewarded with gold, silver and cloth, right?
The truth is before the monarch and his ministers, and the reward is too small to justify.

Today, Li Zhi summoned all the important officials of the court into the palace, and laid the groundwork for a long time in front of everyone. It is a vast territory, and the country is eternal, emphasizing the importance of sweet potatoes to the Tang Dynasty again and again.

What for?
In order to promote Li Qinzai to the throne.

A very troublesome problem is that Li Qinzai is really too young, only in his 20s, and now he is a county marquis, which is a bit too much at this age, and there are few people who have heard of it throughout the ages.

The only thing comparable to it is probably the champion of the Han Dynasty, Hou Huo Qubing.

Counting the days, it was only two years ago that Li Qinzai was granted the title of Marquis of the county, and just two years later, he was about to be promoted again.

If the title rises further, he will be the county magistrate.

A county magistrate in his 20s, can you believe it?Huo Qubing has never been so beautiful.

Li Zhi had already anticipated the huge resistance from the court to Li Qinzai's promotion.

This is why he summoned the important ministers today and paved the way for half a day in front of them.

Li Zhi wanted to convince them by presenting the facts and reasoning.

If the Han Dynasty had a Huo Qubing, why can't my Tang Dynasty have a Li Jingchu?

Although Huo Qubing was crowned champion, although it was a special case, it was not the standard, and no one stipulated that he should not be surpassed.

There is a Li Qinzai in the Tang Dynasty, who has made so many contributions to the community, especially the introduction of sweet potatoes.Just because you're young and don't have enough qualifications?
In fact, after Li Zhi laid the groundwork for a long time, the officials already understood his intentions.

The crowd was silent, and many people's faces were still not very good-looking.

Yes, age and seniority matter.When a person lives to this age, his thoughts often become old-fashioned and decadent, and age and qualifications become a magic weapon for them to block latecomers.

The courtiers present were either prime ministers or ministers, but only a few of them were knighted.

I have fought life and death in the court all my life, and I have not been able to get a title when I am old, even if it is not my turn to be a baron. up?

This is not fair!

Although Li Zhi stated the facts and made sense, and every sentence was reasonable, no one in the crowd expressed his opinion.

At this time, Xu Jingzong finally stood up.

Xu Jingzong actually didn't want Li Qinzai to be Duke of Jin County in his heart.
However, courtiers often have a precious quality, that is, they take the emperor's likes and dislikes as their likes and dislikes.

It doesn't matter what you think, what matters is following the emperor's heart.

Besides, Xu Jingzong was conferred the Duke of Gaoyang County as early as the second year of Xianqing, and his title was not small, so he would not be too jealous of Li Qinzai as the Duke of Gaoyang County.

Don't worry about scarcity but inequality, isn't that what human nature is all about.

Seeing Xu Jingzong stand up and express his opinion, Li Zhi's eyes lit up.

You are worthy of being my right-hand man, and I did not hurt you in vain.

With Xu Jingzong's statement, Li Zhi suddenly felt more confident.

"Ms. Xu is right. Hehe, my Tang Dynasty has always been very clear about rewards and punishments. If you make a contribution, you should be rewarded. If you make a mistake, you must be punished. This is an iron rule."

After Li Zhi finished speaking, he quickly glanced around at the rest of the people, and said indifferently: "If I turn a blind eye to this world-class achievement, it will not only chill the hearts of the heroes, but also damage the emperor's prestige."

"In the future, if we raise our troops to subjugate Fanyi and calm the world, who will fight to the death for a fool whose reward and punishment are unknown? Who will sacrifice their lives for me?"

As soon as these words came out, the faces of everyone present changed.

Li Zhi's words were a bit harsh, but he had to admit that what he said was indeed reasonable.

If you want to blame it, blame the person who made this great achievement is too young, it is really incredible.

At this moment, Li Zhi's expression was very determined, as if he would not give up if he didn't agree, but the officials really didn't want to agree.

Master Xu Yu, the prime minister on the left, cast his eyes on Li Ji, and suddenly smiled and said: "Li Jingchu has made such a great achievement, and His Majesty is a blessing to the country. In addition to the young people who dare to fight, it is also thanks to the good education of Yinggong. Qilin'er, Duke Ying has done even more, I wonder if Duke Ying has any ideas?"

The people present all looked at Li Ji after hearing the words.

Li Zhi and Xu Jingzong scolded the old man inwardly.

The ball was kicked to Li Ji inexplicably.

Li Ji, who had been silent all this time, finally opened his eyes, stroked his beard and said slowly: "The old minister is already in his twilight years, and the misfortunes, blessings, favors and disgraces of his descendants are their own business. Everything he has done these years is his own. The old minister didn't care too much about making up his mind, I'm really ashamed of the education."

Speaking of which, Li Ji suddenly said: "Of course I understand Xu Zuoxiang's meaning. Your Majesty, I think it's better to postpone the proposal to be promoted..."

Master Xu Yu was stunned for a moment, then turned pale and said: "Yinggong, this...Your Majesty, I have no such intentions. I just ask Yinggong's opinion. Whether to be promoted or not is up to His Majesty's discretion, and I have nothing to say."

Li Zhi hooked his mouth.

Hey, the ball kicked back again.

Not only kicked back, but also shot.

As expected of the old fox of the Three Dynasties, his Taoism is much higher than Master Xu Yu.

Master Xu Yu was in a cold sweat, but he just asked a casual question, how did Li Ji understand it as objecting?

Everyone is a decent person, even if they disagree with Li Qinzai's promotion, they will never say it out loud. Blocking someone's future is like killing his parents, which will offend the entire Li family to death.

The situation seems to have changed a bit, of course Li Zhi will not let go of this opportunity to turn things around.

So Li Zhi nodded and said slowly: "Since Xu Zuoxiang has objections, I will follow Yinggong's opinion and postpone the discussion. Haha, Xu Zuoxiang's concerns are indeed reasonable. After all, Jingchu is still a little younger, which is reasonable and courteous." No, let’s talk about it in a few years.”

The cold sweat on Master Xu Yu's forehead grew more and more.

At this moment, he really wanted to slap himself hard, what kind of mind is he playing when he is full, all the old foxes present are old foxes, who has no more mind than him?

It's all right now, somehow the Son of Heaven and Duke Ying joined forces to take a scapegoat.

When did I say I objected?This word reached Li Qinzai's ears, with that bastard's temper, if he knew that I was in the way of his future, it would be strange if he didn't set fire to my mansion.

His expression suddenly changed, and Master Xu Yu said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I think that Li Qinzai must be promoted to the rank, not only because of his meritorious service, but also because His Majesty should make the rewards and punishments clear, so as not to be criticized by the world. It can establish imperial prestige in the hearts of scholars and soldiers of the three armies."

"The old minister thought that Li Qinzai must be promoted to the rank, and he couldn't wait for a moment!"

Li Zhi's face was expressionless, but the corners of his mouth trembled slightly. He tried his best to restrain himself from laughing out loud.

The two prime ministers made it clear, and the rest of the ministers...

What are the ministers still struggling with? What else can they do besides agreeing?

It doesn't matter if he is young or his qualifications are low, but he has indeed made great contributions. In terms of merit alone, it is not too much to be promoted to the county magistrate.

His grandfather was still present, and it would be a bit disgusting to talk about age and qualifications.

After looking at each other in blank dismay, the several ministers bowed together and said: "The ministers are willing to submit the opinions of the left and right ministers. Li Qin has made great achievements, and he must be promoted to a noble and cannot be rewarded."