Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 389: Reunion (Part 2)

"Young people are just impulsive." Tonight, Chief Historian Feng had quite a bit to drink, and the alcohol stirred up a complaint: "Knowing it’s impossible, why do it?"

"It’s fine for him to come, but our entire Prince Mansion is inconvenienced. The Commandery Princess has to come forward to greet him and prepare a gift when he leaves."

"Moreover, with so many people, the cost of accommodation and meals for several days isn’t small. Although Nanyang County has plenty of grain, we can’t waste it like this."

Chief Historian Chen was amused, reached out to pat his old friend’s shoulder, and teased: "You, managing the internal affairs of the Household Department as the Right Chief Historian, are getting more and more stingy. Even concerning this little bit of grain."

Chief Historian Feng glared: "Why can’t I be frugal? The three imperial envoys went to relieve and comfort the people, and most of the grain was provided by Nanyang County. Now they’re leaving and trying to take advantage of us here in Nanyang, and I’m quite frustrated about it."

Chief Historian Chen laughed heartily.

After the alcohol’s effect wore off, Chief Historian Feng laughed at himself: "Being in charge of grain and silver for the Commandery Princess is really tough. I wasn’t like this before."

"The more capable, the more they work." Chief Historian Chen coaxed with a smile: "For this duty, there’s no one else who can do it besides you. The Prince Mansion can manage without anyone except you."

Chief Historian Feng spat playfully: "Do you think I’m an ignorant little girl, easily swayed by saying I’m indispensable? I’m at this age, how many more years can I keep working?"

"Five more years at most, then I’ll retire and rest."

Chief Historian Feng was older than Chief Historian Chen by a few years, turning fifty-five this year. Working for another five years would bring him to sixty, an appropriate age to retire. However, high-ranking officials on the court, like Prime Minister Wang or Duke An, sometimes serve until seventy.

Chief Historian Chen laughed: "If you intend to retire in five years, you’ll have to train a capable minister to take over your duties. Otherwise, even if the Commandery Princess releases you, you won’t be at ease."

Chief Historian Feng raised an eyebrow with a smile: "No need for you to remind me; I’ve chosen a suitable candidate."

"Tang Youyin?" Chief Historian Chen asked with a smile.

Chief Historian Feng nodded: "He’s thirty-one this year, shrewd and capable, and remains composed while working. With four or five years of honing, he’ll be ready."

The Commandery Princess favors the Tang Family, particularly elevating Tang Youyin, who, being competent and ambitious, is naturally suited for good training.

Chief Historian Chen laughed: "Take it easy, don’t train him too harshly."

Chief Historian Feng replied: "A jade must be carved to become a useful object. Tang Youyin hasn’t undergone the Imperial Examination, so his background is somewhat lacking. Without exceptional skills and talents, how could he earn respect?"

"Tang is well aware; no matter what tasks I assign, he works late into the third hour without complaint and frequently seeks my advice."

For good prospects, one must possess corresponding skills. Otherwise, why should he have a chance to rise?

After some idle chatter, Chief Historian Feng felt tired and got up to rest.

Chief Historian Chen didn’t rush to sleep; he wrote a letter by candlelight and sent it out overnight.

Wang Jin’s youthful sentiments are certainly commendable. Unfortunately, while the Prince Xiang dreams of a goddess, the Commandery Princess clearly has no interest. As the Left Chief Historian, I must worry secretly to solve this little trouble for the Commandery Princess.

This letter was written to an old friend in the court, who happened to have a close connection with Prime Minister Wang, able to privately "remind" him a bit.

...

That night, Wang Jin was filled with thoughts, only barely sleeping past the third hour. The next morning, he was up early.

Jiang Shaohua had a habit of practicing martial arts in the morning, and after inquiring, Wang Jin went to the training ground.

Anyone seeing Jiang Shaohua practicing martial arts for the first time would be impressed by her agile and heroic figure. Wang Jin stood several meters away, almost dazed.

Jiang Shaohua’s hearing and vision were exceptionally sharp; she noticed Wang Jin’s arrival. However, she didn’t stop her practice and trained as usual until finished, with full vigor and a slight sheen of sweat on her forehead.

"Why doesn’t Housekeeper Wang rest a little more and come here so early?" Jiang Shaohua approached with a smile, her pace unhurried.

Wang Jin’s fair and handsome face subtly reddened, smiling in response: "I’ve heard that the Commandery Princess is skillful, extraordinary and unparalleled. Today, I finally witnessed it. I am deeply impressed."

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly: "Everyone has their strengths. Housekeeper Wang is talented, skilled in calligraphy and chess, an exceptional young talent in Da Liang."

"The rarest part is that Housekeeper Wang devotes himself to his duties and cares for the people, which I greatly admire."

Wang Jin was flattered, feeling light with uncommon joy on his usually calm face.

Then the Commandery Princess shifted her tone, with a hint of regret: "It’s a pity that Housekeeper Wang is from the Wang Family. In the future, you may be burdened by Prime Minister Wang, unable to become a crucial minister of Da Liang, and even criticized and condemned by others. Thinking of this, I genuinely feel sorry for you."

Wang Jin: "..."

Wang Jin’s expression froze, unsure how to respond.

If anyone else said such things about his father to his face, he would have already rebuked them. But as Jiang Shaohua spoke those words naturally, he couldn’t retort and even felt a tinge of shame.

"Two years ago, the northern drought and Prime Minister Wang’s untimely response were followed by a locust plague, with Prime Minister Wang still doing nothing. The chaos in Pingzhou, everyone knows the cause."

Jiang Shaohua looked at Wang Jin intently, her speech calm but extremely sharp: "As a prime minister, he neither has the tolerance to accommodate people nor the compassion for the people. Despite having skills to govern, he focuses most on forming factions and acquiring power."

"The northern people of Da Liang live in distress. Surely in these past months, you’ve witnessed it firsthand."

"I ask you, who is responsible for this?"

Wang Jin was speechless, unable to respond.

The late Emperor’s illness left duties to Prime Minister Wang, while the newly crowned Emperor was still young, relying on the Prime Minister for governance.

Hence, the chaos in northern Da Liang and the people’s bitter plight—who else can be blamed but Prime Minister Wang?

"Furthermore, the outbreak of plague in Pingzhou condemned the rebel army, but what fault do the ordinary people have?"

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze brightened, like piercing sword rays: "The court recalled the imperial envoy to the Capital City. Apart from that, what measures were taken? Were Imperial Physicians sent to treat the plague, or did they plan to send envoys to comfort the people?"

"No, the honorable Prime Minister plans to do nothing. The court ignores Pingzhou, allowing the plague to spread unchecked, indifferent to how many die. If it spreads to other states and counties, it doesn’t matter. After all, it’s far from the Capital City, affecting only the northern people."

"Wang Jin, tell me, who is at fault?"

Wang Jin found himself unable to meet the fierce gaze, instinctively turning his eyes away and taking a step back.