Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 708: Negotiation (Part 1)

Imperial Censor Cao used Minister Zhang’s connections, and he was someone nurtured by Minister Zhang. He could be considered a semi-member of the Prime Minister Faction.

Whether it was out of the court’s great righteousness or factional grievances, Imperial Censor Cao had more than enough reasons to impeach Duke An and his son.

Once Imperial Censor Cao took the lead, soon, many mid to low-level officials angrily submitted their impeachment memorials. The high-ranking ministers of third-rank or above in the court were still observing the palace situation and the Emperor’s attitude, not getting involved for the time being. However, the wave of impeaching the Zheng Family’s treason and condemning the Zheng father and son had an unstoppable momentum spreading.

These impeachment memorials, stacked up to two feet high.

Wang Jin silently finished reading all the memorials and said to Chief Historian Chen, "The Emperor is not feeling well and needs to rest peacefully, so let’s not trouble the Emperor with these bothersome matters for now."

This spoke directly to Chief Historian Chen’s heart.

Chief Historian Chen slightly nodded, "I had the same plan."

He paused, looking at Wang Jin with deep meaning, "It seems that the impeachment memorials against the Zheng father and son will continue to come in unceasingly."

Though the Prime Minister Faction was internally divided, there were still countless connections. Especially when dealing with the Grand Empress Dowager’s Faction, they worked together with one heart. Stirring up such a large commotion was not something one Minister Zhang could accomplish alone. Prime Minister Wang must have conveniently pushed it along.

Wang Jin did not pretend not to understand, and he replied softly, "I’ll go back to the residence tonight to discuss it with my father. The Emperor wants to use this matter to thoroughly suppress the Grand Empress Dowager, but we can’t let the situation burn too hot."

After all, Jiang Shaohua is eight months pregnant and is about to give birth and go through confinement in the palace over the next most vulnerable months. It’s not advisable to completely tear apart the relationship with Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

Wang Jin, having served as a reading companion in the palace for over ten years, was well aware of the palace situation and very familiar with Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s temperament.

More importantly, Wang Jin completely stood from the Emperor’s perspective to weigh the pros and cons.

Chief Historian Chen smiled, "Then may I trouble Secretary Wang to discuss countermeasures with the Prime Minister upon returning to the residence."

Wang Jin nodded.

That evening, Wang Jin left before the palace gates were locked. After a busy day, Chief Historian Chen still couldn’t rest, processing all the memorials and official documents, picking out the two most urgent ones to report to the Emperor.

Jiang Shaohua had been lying on the bed for five days, doing nothing but eating and sleeping each day, not worrying or being busy, and her cheeks quickly regained their rosiness.

"How is the Emperor’s health today?" Chief Historian Chen asked with concern.

Doctor Sun beside him laughed, "The Emperor has a good physical foundation. After a few days in bed, the pregnancy is stable again. By tomorrow, he should be able to get up and attend court."

In fact, continuing to rest peacefully for the pregnancy is best. But being an emperor, especially now with the Yu State army rebellion and the court dispatching troops, there are countless court affairs. How could he always lie still?

Chief Historian Chen sighed in his heart, showing a look of delight;"Good! Good! That’s wonderful! With so many matters in the court, there are some minor issues I can manage, but for others, I really can’t decide and still need the Emperor to make a decision."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and hummed, sitting up from the bed.

Chief Historian Chen stepped forward, reporting, "Minister Ji from the Ministry of Revenue submitted a memorial, stating that the Ministry of Revenue gave their all and in just a few days prepared the military funds and provisions for the Heroic Guard Camp. This memorial awaits the Emperor’s review."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly, took the memorial, and quickly browsed through it: "These numbers are rather reasonable. By the way, does Tang Youyin have any internal news to report?"

Chief Historian Chen replied, "Tang Yuanwailang reported to the palace today, saying that indeed no one from the Ministry of Revenue was involved in the military funds this time. Procuring and purchasing a large amount of provisions was entirely at market price, with no embezzlement."

Jiang Shaohua pulled the corner of her mouth: "That’s good then."

If anyone still lacks sense and dares to embezzle, just catch another and execute them and confiscate their family property.

Chief Historian Chen then presented the memorial from the Ministry of War: "This is Vice Minister Ding’s memorial. The preparation of warhorses, weapons, and armor by the Ministry of War did not go so smoothly. The warhorses can barely be gathered, but many of the weapons and armor in the arsenal are crudely made and simply unusable."

In fact, there were also significant problems with the warhorses. While the numbers were considerable, about twenty percent were immature horses, which wouldn’t withstand long journeys.

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze turned cold: "It seems this is all Minister Zheng’s handiwork."

With no outsiders in the bedroom, Chief Historian Chen straightforwardly replied, "Yes, Vice Minister Ding privately told me that those in charge of the warhorses and managing the arsenal are all Minister Zheng’s people. Every year, Minister Zheng makes a fortune out of it."

Facing such greedy worms, it’s so hard not to ignite a fiery heart!

Rage flashed in Jiang Shaohua’s eyes before she could speak, and Cui Du, who had been keeping watch beside the bed, couldn’t help but say, "Be careful not to hurt the fetus."

Jiang Shaohua exhaled a long breath: "Mm, I won’t get angry."

"However, this matter must ultimately be resolved. Chief Historian Chen, on my behalf, go to the Ministry of War and see how many warhorses, weapons, and armor are actually lacking. First, requisition from the Imperial Army to ensure the Heroic Guard Camp soldiers are well-equipped when they set out."

The Imperial Army is responsible for safeguarding the Capital City’s security, and even when sending troops to suppress chaos, the Imperial Army wouldn’t be dispatched. Therefore, requisitioning military supplies from the Imperial Army is most suitable.

Chief Historian Chen immediately cupped his hands to accept the command.

After Chief Historian Chen left, Jiang Shaohua said to Cui Du, "I’ll attend court tomorrow."

Cui Du didn’t stop her, only saying, "I’ll accompany you to court."

As the Elder Changning and the Minister of Agriculture, Cui Du usually didn’t attend court, burying himself in work at the Imperial Manor all day. However, when he wished to attend, with his official rank and position, no one could say he lacked the qualification.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and nodded.

...

The next morning, as soon as Jiang Shaohua, dressed in the Dragon Robe, stepped out of her bedchamber, she encountered Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had been denied audience for several days and was furious because of the flood of impeachment memorials against Duke An. She had neither eaten nor slept well and at first glance, her eyes were red, her face was wrinkled, and she looked much older and haggard.

"I finally see the Emperor today." Grand Empress Dowager Zheng sneered, her tone rather sarcastic: "I had thought the Emperor planned to lie in bed to preserve the pregnancy and not attend court anymore."

Cui Du reflexively wanted to step forward.

Jiang Shaohua stopped Cui Du with her eyes, then sighed to Grand Empress Dowager Zheng: "The imperial desk is piled high with memorials impeaching Duke An for treason; how can I lie still?"

"Grandmother, it is not that I don’t want to protect the Zheng Family. It is indeed that their actions are too outrageous. On that day, the border army was disastrously defeated, Peng City was massacred, and thousands of able-bodied civilians were abducted. The Left General was dismissed from his post as a result, and the Border Army Commander was replaced by General Fan."

"Zhao Wu has been hiding in the Yu State Army, and now Zheng Chen is also in the Yu State Military Camp, which clearly shows they have long been colluding in secret."

"The ministers are passionately demanding a thorough investigation and severe punishment. Grandmother, what do you say I should do?" 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng: "..."