"We wish to establish a Left and Right Commissioner in the Bureau of Shipping to coordinate the maritime trade of the Great Tang. This position will be placed under the Ministry of Civil Affairs, but it will not be under its jurisdiction. If there is a problem, it will have to report directly to Us and will have the authority to act first and report later.
In Taiji Palace …
After Cui Shanfu led the emissaries of the thirty-two Nanyang countries to a side hall to rest, Li Er looked down at the officials and asked.
The Left and Right Commissioner of the Bureau of Shipping?
The officials couldn't help but look at each other in dismay. This Emperor was truly too domineering! Earlier, he had announced that he wanted to establish the Bureau of Shipping without discussing it with them, and now he was directly informing them of the personnel structure of the Bureau. He was simply too domineering!
But some people began to think. The Imperial Court had sent a large fleet south to trade, and the enormous profits it had made made everyone understand just how vast the wealth of the sea was. If it was as Li Er said, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Shipping would have far too much authority, and at the same time, the profits from this position would be astonishing. It was clear that this was a lucrative job!
"Your Majesty, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Shipping is of great importance, and tens of thousands of dollars will be handled every day. Forgive this old subject for speaking bluntly, but this position is extremely prone to corruption. If Your Majesty really does decide to establish the Bureau of Shipping, this old subject hopes that Your Majesty will be extremely cautious in choosing the Commissioner. It would be best if Your Majesty could choose someone with both ability and integrity! This will ensure that the Bureau of Shipping operates normally and also increase the revenue of the Great Tang's treasury! "
Fang Xuanling glanced at the buzzing officials behind him, then stepped forward and clasped his hands to Li Er.
To be able to say these words was proof that Old Fang was truly devoted to the country and had no selfish motives. For the sake of the country, he was even willing to offend despicable people!
Li Zexuan couldn't help but nod when he heard Old Fang's words. The Bureau of Shipping was in charge of the entire country's maritime trade, and it was similar to modern customs. Just the taxes alone could bring in thousands of strings of silver every day. This was not an exaggeration at all, especially in this era when maritime trade had just begun. The Imperial Court had a monopoly on all maritime trade, and the Bureau of Shipping was even more profitable than a bank. And for Li Er to give the Commissioner of the Bureau of Shipping so much power was simply a hotbed for corruption!
Throughout the two dynasties of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the collusion with the local tyrants, corruption, and corruption were simply too numerous to enumerate. Who knew how many coastal tycoons were created, and some of them were so rich that they could rival a country!
These people were all parasites of the country because they earned money that originally belonged to the country.
"Minister Fang is right. We will carefully consider the candidates for the Ministry of Shipping. I wonder if Minister Fang has any suitable candidates in mind?"
Li Er narrowed his eyes and asked Fang Xuanling kindly.
"… Your Majesty, I have no ideal candidate in mind at the moment!"
Fang Xuanling thought for a moment before replying.
He knew a lot of officials who were honest, honest, not greedy, and upright. However, it was too difficult to find someone who could meet these conditions, understand sea trade, and have a strong view of the overall situation! For the time being, he couldn't think of anyone who could take on this heavy responsibility.
"Hmm, what about the auxiliary machine? Do you have a suitable candidate in mind? "
Li Er nodded and asked as he looked at Zhangsun Wuji who was like an old monk in meditation.
Hearing Li Er's question, Zhangsun Wuji tidied his clothes and answered unhurriedly,
"Your Majesty, Xuanling's concerns are extremely reasonable. Therefore, I think that there should be a place for Prince Hejian in the Ministry of Shipping! Prince Hejian is an upright person and will not disregard the interests of the imperial court for mere money. Furthermore, Prince Hejian led a fleet to the south not long ago to trade. He is the most knowledgeable about sea trade. Therefore, I think Prince Hejian is the most suitable candidate! "
Surprise!
Li Xiaogong, who was standing in front of the courtiers, couldn't help but feel surprised after hearing Zhangsun Wuji's words. Logically speaking, he didn't have a deep friendship with Zhangsun Wuji. Why would Zhangsun Wuji praise him like this? More importantly, he didn't want to be the minister!
Because he was a member of the imperial family of Li Tang, he had to avoid suspicion. He felt that his current position was enough. If he went any further, it would be a bottomless abyss! He understood that he couldn't participate too much in the imperial court to avoid being disliked or arousing Li Er's suspicion!
"Your Majesty, I also think that Prince Hejian is the most suitable candidate for the Ministry of Shipping!"
Hearing Zhangsun Wuji's suggestion, Fang Xuanling's eyes lit up as he agreed.
He didn't think of Li Xiaogong previously. Now that Zhangsun Wuji said this, he instantly felt that Li Xiaogong was the most suitable candidate.
"Yes, that's right! Xiaogong is indeed suitable! "
Li Er's gaze turned and looked at Li Xiaogong. Just as he was about to speak, Li Xiaogong quickly stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Shipping is very important. I don't have much experience in sea trade and have only traveled a few more miles. It is really difficult for me to take up this heavy responsibility. I hope that Your Majesty can choose someone else!"
To others, this position was a delicious fat piece of meat, but to Li Xiaogong, this position was a hot potato. With his current status and reputation, there was really no need for him to do such things. Not to mention that it would easily cause him trouble, it was also very tiring to be busy every day.
Moreover, he had just returned from the sea and didn't want to go to a coastal city for a "business trip" so soon! How good would it be to stay in Chang 'an!
"Xiaogong, why are you so humble? I know your ability the best. Hehe, don't worry, I won't let you go to Guangzhou so soon. You have just returned from the sea, so you should rest well for a few days. It just so happens that the Ministry of Shipping has just been established and needs to be staffed with many officials. I appoint you, Xiaogong, as the Left Minister of Shipping and give you three months' time to organize the members and court officials below the third rank. After the Ministry of Shipping is established, you will head to Guangzhou to be in charge of the nation's shipping matters! "
Li Er smiled and without any explanation, he transferred Li Xiaogong to the newly established Yamen of the City Shipping Department.
"…" Li Xiaogong was completely speechless. Li Er was simply acting like a hooligan! Who would force the position onto someone who wasn't willing to take it? He was too unreasonable!
"Your Majesty, your Majesty!"
Li Xiaogong knew that he couldn't "reform" someone who was purposely acting like a hooligan, so he could only accept this appointment.
"As for the Right Minister of Shipping, I have decided to appoint Li Zexuan as the Left Minister of Shipping. What do my beloved subjects think?"
Li Er smiled with satisfaction and then used the same trick again. He extended his "fangs" towards Li Zexuan who was leaning against the wall and half asleep.
F * ck! Old Li, don't trick me!
"Your Majesty, I don't think so! I'm only fifteen this year (I just celebrated my fifteenth birthday last month). My ability is limited and I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince the masses. Moreover, I've been prone to seasickness since I was young. If I go to Guangzhou, I might lose my life! Furthermore, I still have to teach and educate people in Yunshan and nurture talents for the Tang Empire. I really can't leave! Your Majesty! "
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