Chapter 344: The founding ministers of the Tang Dynasty are dying and leaving
After Wei Zheng presided over the imperial examination, he seemed to have lost all his strength. His physical condition took a sharp turn for the worse and his health was very worrying.

Sun Simiao went to Duke Zheng’s mansion yesterday to examine Wei Zheng and came to a bad conclusion.

Li Shimin was sentimental after all. Wei Zheng had been at odds with him in the past and always made things difficult for him.

Now that I heard that his life was in danger, I couldn’t sleep well the whole night.

Li Jing left.

Now, it is hard to describe Wei Zheng, whom he regards as a bronze mirror.

Li Shimin felt very sad.

Whenever I think of Wei Zheng’s situation, I feel sad.

“Master Wei has never been to the Shangshu Province in his life.”

Li Chengqian said: “Although I will be appointed as the Prime Minister of the Ministry of Shangshu, I will not let Master Wei share the affairs.”

This is an act that has more meaning than reality.

Wei Zheng was in charge of the Menxia Province, whose status was equivalent to that of the prime minister, but it was still inferior to the Shangshu Province.

After all, the Secretariat is a place to test capable and virtuous ministers.

No matter how well you do in other places, you will always be inferior to others without experience in the Secretariat.

“That’s fine.”

“So be it.”

Li Shimin nodded.

Li Chengqian didn’t know if it was an illusion, but he saw a look of old age on Li Shimin’s face.

There are also a lot more white hairs.

Seeing this, he could not help but remain silent and bowed to take his leave.

Li Shimin looked at his back as he turned away, stretched out his hand and wanted to say something, but in the end he didn’t say it.

After the imperial edict was issued, Wei Zheng was appointed as the first vice-prime minister and was in charge of the daily affairs of the Secretariat.

This is emphasized in the imperial edict.

When Wei Zheng received the imperial edict, he climbed up from his sickbed to accept it.

Both the older and younger sons were there, in addition to Di Renjie and Li Jue.

Di Renjie came to thank his teacher.

Wei Zheng presided over the imperial examinations, and candidates had to recognize Wei Zheng as their nominal mentor no matter what.

This is the unspoken meaning.

As the top scholar, he should set a serious example.

Li Jue came with Di Renjie to visit Wei Zheng.

Wei Zheng was also his teacher. Whenever he was in Chang’an, he would receive Wei Zheng’s teachings.

“Thank you, old minister, for your grace.”

Wei Zheng burst into tears. He felt that he had not much time left and did not force anything.

Just this one decree of grace made his life much more complete.

“Aye, don’t get excited, be careful not to hurt yourself.”

Wei Shuyu said hurriedly.

Li Jue helped Wei Zheng up and said, “Master, you are not in good health, so don’t kneel down and cry all the time.”

“If anything goes wrong, I’ll be sad.”

Wei Zheng’s face was covered with age spots, and wrinkles appeared when he smiled. He held Li Jue’s hand and said with a smile, “Your Highness, the Holy Emperor has bestowed upon me. How dare this old minister disrespect you?”

“With a broken body, etiquette cannot be abandoned.”

“I know that Your Highness is polite and cares about me, but I still have to…”

Wei Zheng started mumbling again.

If it were in the past, Li Jue would not be able to bear it at all, but now he can only listen quietly and act seriously.

“Da Lang, Er Lang.”

“Tell someone to wash me. I have to go to the Shangshu Province tomorrow.”

Wei Zheng shouted loudly, this time with full of energy, as if he was inspired and had a goal.

“No matter what, I will go to the Shangshu Province anyway.”

“Even if it’s just one day, one hour, one moment…”

He talked to himself, and everyone present could hear it clearly.

Wei Shuyu and Wei Shuyu had no choice but to do as they were told.

The next day.

Wei Zheng needed someone to support him when he walked and coughed from time to time, but when he arrived at the Secretariat, he pushed away the people who were supporting him, stood up straight, held his head high, and walked into the Secretariat.

Changsun Wuji and others were waiting.

“Meet Duke Zheng!”

“Meet Duke Zhao…”

After Wei Zheng greeted the ministers, he went into his duty room.

As soon as I sat down, I couldn’t help coughing.

“Duke Wei’s body…”

“Hey.”

The ministers had nothing to say and had to hand over some simple matters to Wei Zheng.

At the end of the day, after Wei Zheng bid farewell to the ministers, he returned home and began to write.

“Aye, you’ve been working hard all day, you should take some medicine and rest first.”

Wei Shuyu said with concern.

Wei Zheng shook his head and said, “After death, you will sleep forever.”

“Grind ink for me. I want to do one last thing for the Tang Dynasty.”

Looking at his old and frail father, Wei Shuyu ground ink for him with tears in his eyes.

……

Li Chengqian was holding the memorial in his hand and was deeply moved.

Wei Zheng submitted several suggestions regarding the imperial examination.

The most important one is the reference qualification of the imperial examination system.

He believed that the system of recommendation must be gradually abolished, and the imperial examination would be the only way to select officials in the future.

The reference qualification must be students who have graduated from appropriate education.

As long as these students graduate from appropriate education, they will automatically be given the title of “Tongsheng”.

In other words, the only candidates for the imperial examinations were “tongsheng”.

“This proposal has simply forced the noble families to leave them with no room for maneuver.”

Li Chengqian was deeply moved.

This was the last thing Wei Zheng did for the Tang Dynasty at the end of his life.

Obviously, Wei Zheng had a lot of thoughts and ideas after presiding over this imperial examination.

It’s just that God won’t give you long.

“Your Highness!”

Fang Yiai came in quickly and said in a sad voice: “Duke Zheng has passed away!”

pat!

The memorial in Li Chengqian’s hand fell to the ground. He could not believe that Wei Zheng would die so soon.

He was just reading Wei Zheng’s memorial.

“Master Wei, he’s gone!” He raised his head and cried, feeling heartbroken and sad.

At the same time, there was a sound of weeping in Taiji Palace.

“When Wei Zheng passed away, a mirror was lost.”

……

April 651, the th year of Zhenguan ( AD).

Wei Zheng, the Prince’s Grand Tutor, the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Secretariat, and Duke of Zheng, died of illness at the age of 71.

The emperor issued an edict, ordering the officials to hold a state funeral for Wei Zheng, with the national flag at Chengtian Gate covering his body and the flag at half-mast to mourn him.

Li Chengqian personally mourned for Wei Zheng.

The Tang Empire News used a large amount of space to report Wei Zheng’s life and deeds.

For a time, the court and the public were immersed in the sorrow of losing Wei Zheng.

Wei Zheng offended many people during his lifetime, but he was also admired by many people.

His death was a great loss to the Tang Empire.

“Your Highness.”

“Your Majesty will abolish the imperial court without much trouble.”

Fang Yiai reported carefully, “I heard from the housekeeper that Your Majesty has not slept well for many days and has not eaten enough water or rice, which has damaged his mind and energy.”

The prince was also very sad about Wei Zheng’s death.

Fang Yiai didn’t dare to speak loudly, and he was always careful in everything.

Li Chengqian frowned and asked, “How does Zhang Anan do things?”

“If His Majesty is in poor health, can he afford to offend him?”

Fang Yiai was speechless.

Li Chengqian ordered: “Go and call Erlang back immediately and go to Taiji Palace.”

“Yes!”

At this time, it was inappropriate for him to comfort Li Shimin, so he should let the younger generation do it.

After receiving the summons, Li Jue went to Taiji Palace without stopping. Seeing Aong’s haggard look, he couldn’t believe it.

“Aunt, what’s wrong with you?”

He couldn’t believe that the once majestic and tall old man now had white hair and looked old and weak.

“Erlang.”

“Aung is sad.”

Li Shimin grabbed Li Jue’s hand and said, “I think of the things that happened in the past, and they seem to be replaying before my eyes one by one.”

“The pharmacist is gone.”

“Now Wei Zheng is gone too.”

Li Jue was also somewhat infected and said, “Ah Weng, you are the Son of Heaven, and your life is tied to the country and the nation’s safety.”

“Wouldn’t it be even more heartbreaking for the people of the world to see you so depressed?”

“Aweng, you have to cheer up…”

Li Shimin said sadly: “I don’t know how many old friends I will see pass away in the future.”

“Erlang, you don’t understand the separation of life and death, but Aong has seen too much.”

“Aong remembered your grandmother.”

“I’m old, too.”

“old.”

……

Li Jue accompanied Li Shimin in the palace every day. Li Shimin’s mood gradually improved after Wei Zheng was buried.

Wei Zheng was posthumously awarded the title of Sikong and Governor of Xiangzhou, and given the posthumous title “Wenzhen”. He was buried in Zhaoling Mausoleum.

Li Shimin also issued an edict to marry his legitimate daughter, Princess Hengshan, to Wei Zheng’s eldest son, Wei Shuyu.

This is also the highest honor after death, and the blessing of descendants.

Time flies, like a white horse passing by in the blink of an eye.

The 26th year of Zhenguan arrived.

Li Chengqian was reading the memorial handed over by Southwest.

Li You’s actions in the southwest were extremely fast and his methods were extremely decisive.

In just a few months, the Six Zhaos were destroyed.

Those who fled to the deep mountains and forests, Li You said to set fire to the mountains, and he did so without any hesitation.

The wild people and barbarians in the southwest suffered a great crime.

All the captured savages and barbarians were put under centralized custody, and roads were built and opened up every day.

After all, the southwest is to open up the channel to Tianzhu.

Li Chengqian wrote “after reading” on the memorial and then looked at the memorial outside.

It was presented by Li Ke.

“Your Highness.”

“Duke Shen is seriously ill, and Duke Song is also in a coma.”

Fang Yiai said: “Marquis Shou Xing is leading the doctors and scholars to treat the two dukes.”

“But the news from Shou Xinghou doesn’t seem good.”

Li Chengqian put down the memorial and couldn’t help but sigh.

With the death of Li Jing, it seemed that the beginning of the decline and farewell of the old ministers who founded the Tang Dynasty had begun.

After Wei Zheng, it was Gao Shilian and Xiao Yu’s turn.

Both of them are very old.

Their sudden illness was expected, but it was emotionally difficult to accept.

“I see.”

“Tomorrow, I will visit my uncle first, and then visit Duke Song.”

Li Chengqian brought Li Jue, Li Zhi and others to Gao Shilian’s mansion.

Changsun Wuji was also there, and he looked worried.

To him, his uncle was both an uncle and a father. He and his younger sister, Empress Changsun, were raised by his uncle since childhood.

After growing up, Gao Shilian taught Changsun Wuji by example, protecting him from the wind and rain and keeping him under his wings.

Now this big umbrella is about to leave.

He was very confused.

“Uncle, I’m here to visit you.”

Li Chengqian looked at Gao Shilian who was unconscious, said a few words, talked with Changsun Wuji, and left.

Then go to Xiao Yu’s house.

Sun Simiao and others were also there, and they all shook their heads when they saw the prince.

“Not many days left.”

Sun Simiao shook his head and said.

Li Chengqian couldn’t help but sigh again, “Let’s do our best and leave the rest to fate.”

He turned around and asked Li Zhi, “When will Sanlang arrive?”

“It should take a few days.”

“I hope he’s still in time.”

(End of this chapter)