Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 750: Divergence

Prime Minister Wang was left speechless by his son’s bluntness, yet it wasn’t the first or second time.

Looking at Wang Jin’s righteous face, Prime Minister Wang felt both troubled and somewhat comforted. He repeatedly reminded himself that although his son was blindly loyal, at least he was better than Zheng Chen, who brought nothing but disaster to his father even in death.

"Minister Dai has submitted his resignation for the third time; surely Father knows this by now!" Wang Jin’s voice echoed in his ears.

Prime Minister Wang’s sore spot was hit again; he snorted lightly, "Do you even need to tell me? I knew last night."

Minister Dai’s resignation was yet another heavy blow to the beleaguered Prime Minister Faction. Prime Minister Wang was naturally reluctant, but Minister Dai was resolute in his decision, having informed him before the new year. During the first grand court assembly after the Emperor emerged from his seclusion, Minister Dai formally submitted his resignation.

The Emperor declined to accept it, earnestly trying to retain him.

This was also a gesture of respect and dignity towards the old minister.

Minister Dai was aware of this, and after some time, he submitted his resignation again. The Emperor once more kept it confidential. Today’s submission was the third one. Three resignations with three attempts to retain, and the propriety is upheld. Next, Minister Dai will vacate the position of Minister of Justice, to be filled by Vice Minister Yang of the Emperor’s Faction.

Thus far, three of the Six Ministers were the Emperor’s people: Minister Dong of the Ministry of Rites, Minister Ding of the Ministry of War, and Minister Yang of the Ministry of Justice.

Minister Ji of the Ministry of Revenue had also been swayed by the Emperor, rendering the Ministry as pure as it had never been since Da Liang’s founding.

In comparison, the Prime Minister Faction was left with only Minister Zhang and Minister Zhou. Moreover, Minister Zhang had dissociated from the former Prime Minister Faction, gathering a clique of officials. Minister Zhou was the most loyal, looking up to Wang Jin... The crux was that Wang Jin was the Emperor’s most loyal official. How could the Prime Minister Faction stir up any trouble?

"Why does Minister Dai want to retire? Father should know very well." Wang Jin purposefully touched on his father’s sore points tonight, each word piercing to the truth: "Minister Dai is a senior official of four reigns, older than Father in terms of experience. If he doesn’t retire, then for the sake of court stability, the Emperor would not move his position. Minister Dai could occupy the position of Minister of Justice indefinitely."

"But in doing so, he would be marked by the Emperor. After three to five years, when old accounts are settled, can the Dai family withstand it? Can Minister Dai withstand it?"

The answer was, of course, no.

Of all the civil and military officials in the court, if you examine them for corruption and bribery, who can withstand a thorough scrutiny?

Minister Dai’s proactive retirement was a tactful gesture to vacate his position, to ensure a dignified exit. After enduring a few years, who knows what the future holds?

Prime Minister Wang sneered, looking at Wang Jin: "If Minister Dai wants to retire, I can’t stop him. You tell me all this, do you wish for your father to draft a memorial resigning from the position of Prime Minister?" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Yes," Wang Jin responded frankly, "As long as Father doesn’t resign, he remains the Da Liang Chancellor. Even if just in name, you are occupying Chief Historian Chen’s position."

"For the sake of the long term, for my sake, it would be best for Father to resign with dignity..."

Bang!

A dark object flew over, and Wang Jin, ready for it, sidestepped.

The object flying across was Prime Minister Wang’s usual teacup, with tea still inside. Wang Jin dodged the teacup, only getting some tea splashed on him.

The teacup shattered on the ground.

Unfazed, Wang Jin continued, "If Father doesn’t wish to, as your son, I’m powerless. We must endure patiently. Until the day when the Emperor exacts his reckoning on the Wang Family, perhaps he will consider my diligent service and not be too harsh. However, by that day, whatever merits I have earned will all be nullified. My political future will be hopeless; I can never become a pillar in Da Liang. Father, you must not be disappointed."

Prime Minister Wang’s face turned livid with anger, "You scoundrel! Are you threatening me?"

Wang Jin sighed, softening his tone, "I am not threatening you, Father. I’m only speaking what’s in my heart. There is no outsider here, just father and son. There are no words left unsaid."

"How the Emperor operates doesn’t need to be detailed by me step by step. Just look at Jingyang Palace, and look at the current Zheng Family."

"The Emperor is stabilizing the situation while gradually reorganizing the court and the harem, slowly replacing them with his people. I originally estimated that this process would take at least five to ten years. But now it seems, I underestimated the Emperor. In no more than three years, he will firmly secure his Dragon Throne."

"Father, by not retiring and occupying the position of Prime Minister, using the officials of the Prime Minister Faction and me to influence the court. The Emperor, for the sake of the bigger picture, has tacitly allowed and tolerated it. The day the Emperor no longer wishes to tolerate will be the day the Wang Family suffers."

"To put it even more bluntly, once the Emperor thoroughly suppresses Jingyang Palace, skins and bones the Zheng Family, and frees his hands, the next family to be rectified will be ours, the Wang Family."

"Our Wang Family may have deep roots, but compared to imperial power, what does it amount to?"

"Zheng Chen failed in his rebellion, was beheaded, and didn’t even have a complete body. The Zheng Family lost one Mrs. Zheng; next, they must voluntarily offer tribute to the court to survive this ordeal. The lesson is right before our eyes. Is Father not at all affected?"

How could he not be affected?

In the past, at the first word from Wang Jin, he would have been chased out.

Now, Prime Minister Wang listened to him saying all these piercing words without a word, his face extremely grim, yet he didn’t erupt in a fury or drive him away.

Wang Jin sighed again, murmuring softly, "For the long-term consideration of the Wang Family, Father should think carefully!"

With that, he made a salute and withdrew.

Prime Minister Wang glared in the direction his son left, his eyes blazing with fire.

In the end, he could only mutter, "The disgraceful fool!"

...

Mrs. Zheng lay in state for three days before being buried.

The Zheng Family hastily completed the funeral, soon after, Duke An sent a message to the palace, seeking an audience with the Emperor.

The Emperor granted it.

Duke An limped through the palace gates.

The Da Liang Imperial Palace had changed rulers and appeared vastly different from before. The tragic aftermath of last year’s coup was long gone. The Imperial Guards at the palace gates were unfamiliar faces, with more guards patrolling than before. Conversely, there were fewer Palace Attendants and eunuchs coming and going.

Duke An walked slowly forward, dragging a lame leg amid the deliberate and accidental glances from the crowd, which did require some courage. However, he bore it with the attitude of having nothing to lose. The Zheng Family had come to this, and he sought a way out for them; what did a bit of disgrace matter?

Outside Zhaohai Palace, a tall, brawny Emperor’s personal guard stopped him, "The Emperor is currently meeting with Minister Dai, please wait, my Lord."

Duke An nodded, patiently waiting.

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Minister Dai came out from the palace.

Seeing the half-gray, weary Duke An, Minister Dai started, hastening over to exchange pleasantries and ask, "My Lord, what brings you to the palace today?"