Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 753: Sovereign and Minister (Part 2)
Jiang Shaohua didn’t like hearing such words and complained, "What do you mean by ’exhaust all efforts, die without regrets’? It sounds inauspicious. I want you to live long and peacefully, with a harmonious relationship with me for thirty years."
Chief Historian Chen chuckled softly, "I’m already over fifty. In thirty years, I’ll be long gone. I have no such ambitions; if I can serve Your Majesty for another ten years or so, I would be very content."
Jiang Shaohua was actually very adept at coaxing his officials. It just depended on whether they were worth it. To Chief Historian Chen, Jiang Shaohua never withheld sweet words: "That won’t do. I can’t be without Chief Historian Chen for even a day. Chief Historian Chen must take good care of his health and accompany me for thirty years."
Chief Historian Chen was so amused that he laughed heartily. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
After a few jokes between ruler and subject, they quickly got back to discussing serious matters.
"The officials in Yu State were all killed by the rebel forces." Chief Historian Chen frowned and sighed, "Now that Yu State has been reclaimed, the court needs to send someone to take charge of it. Does Your Majesty have anyone suitable in mind?"
For officials below the third rank, the Ministry of Personnel selects them. The Pingzhou Governor is an external third-rank official, and the Emperor must make the decision.
According to court conventions, either one is promoted locally or an official from the center is sent there, like a few years ago when Tan Langzhong was sent to be the Governor of Pingzhou. Later, he injured his leg and had been recuperating at home, conveniently filling Wang Yi’s position.
The officialdom in Yu State is completely wiped out, so a local promotion is impossible. We need to send a suitable candidate as the Governor of Yu State. This person must have expertise and be loyal to the Emperor. This is something worth deliberating.
Jiang Shaohua obviously had thought it over and said to Chief Historian Chen, "I would like to send County Magistrate Chen to Yu State."
Chief Historian Chen was taken aback and blurted out, "That’s inappropriate! He is merely a seventh-rank County Magistrate. Even if promoted beyond the norm, becoming a Prefectural Governor would suffice. How could he suddenly leap several ranks to become a Governor?"
Jiang Shaohua replied, "I think he’s very suitable."
"Back then, Lu Cong was a dismissed criminal officer by the court, yet I alone promoted him to become the Governor of Pingzhou. County Magistrate Chen is an Advanced Scholar who has served as the County Magistrate in Bo Wang County for over ten years, managing the iron and silver mines very well. Why shouldn’t such a talent be made a Governor?"
Chief Historian Chen was still uneasy: "Your Majesty’s generous treatment of the Chen Family is immensely appreciated by this old minister. However, this matter stands out too much. I’m afraid someone in the court might cause trouble because of it."
Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow, his smile exuding confidence: "Whoever dares to jump out, I’ll deal with them accordingly."
"This matter is settled."
Chief Historian Chen could not decline further and had to bow, giving thanks for the Emperor’s graciousness.
This was indeed a heavy and significant favor from the Sovereign.
County Magistrate Chen is about forty years old, in his prime. Suddenly rising several ranks to become a Governor, as long as he performs well, and with backing in the court and favor from the Emperor, his future prospects are limitless.
Because of Prime Minister Wang, the Wang Family became the foremost noble family in Da Liang. Now, the Emperor wishes to suppress the Wang Family and elevate the Chen Family as the new nobles of Da Liang.
Chief Historian Chen, amidst his anxiety and trepidation, naturally felt joy in his heart.
Everyone has self-interest. Chief Historian Chen has served with all his heart for the Emperor, and the Emperor bestowing honor and dignity upon the Chen Family should be accepted with composure.
"I actually miss Chief Historian Feng," Jiang Shaohua suddenly sighed, "If Chief Historian Feng were in the Capital City, managing the Ministry of Revenue for me, I wouldn’t have to worry about everything."
"However, Minister Ji hasn’t made any major mistakes. After I ascended the throne, he timely changed his stance to support me. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to move him; I can only let Chief Historian Feng wait a bit longer."
Chief Historian Chen also missed his old friend. If Chief Historian Feng came to the Capital City, the two of them joining forces would make matters much more manageable. However, in officialdom, there’s one position for each role. Minister Ji’s performance was still acceptable, and Jiang Shaohua couldn’t easily replace an old minister in court.
Chief Historian Chen said with a smile, "Nanyang County is the place where Your Majesty’s story began. It is the root. Someone must help Your Majesty hold on to the Nanyang Prince Mansion. Furthermore, Nanyang County still has the Nanyang Army and the Personal Guard Camp. Without Chief Historian Feng, who can manage all those affairs?"
That’s indeed the case.
Jiang Shaohua laughed, "Alright, let’s leave it at that for now. Minister Ji isn’t young; he’ll retire in a few years, and then I’ll summon Chief Historian Feng to the Capital City."
...
In the Zhaohai Palace, the ruler and his ministers conversed harmoniously, laughing and talking.
Meanwhile, in Jingyang Palace, it was a scene of gloom and sadness, the aunt and nephew weeping together.
"How have you become like this?" Grand Empress Dowager Zheng looked at Duke An, with wrinkles and half-grey hair, and her heart ached as her tears flowed continuously, "And your leg, why is it so severely limping?"
Duke An had initially forced a smile, but when Grand Empress Dowager Zheng cried, his nose suddenly turned sore, and tears also welled up: "To be able to enter the palace and see my aunt alive is already a great blessing; how could I care about these other things."
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng grabbed Duke An’s arm and cried out loud.
Duke An first lost his daughter-in-law, then his son, and now his wife had also passed away to the Yellow Springs. The family business he had painstakingly built up over decades was also ’offered’ away. The grief and sorrow in his heart far surpassed that of Grand Empress Dowager Zheng tenfold. Hearing the Grand Empress Dowager’s cries stirred the sadness in his heart, and he burst into tears.
Mr. Zhao silently retreated to the corner.
The piercing cries kept echoing in the ears.
"Jiang Shaohua promised me," Grand Empress Dowager Zheng cried for a while, calmed down slightly, and hastened to reassure Duke An, "You don’t have to worry. With me here, no one dares to touch the Zheng Family."
Mr. Zhao’s ears perked up, quickly raising his eyes to focus on Duke An.
He saw intense sorrow flash in Duke An’s eyes, but he followed the Grand Empress Dowager’s assurance, saying, "Aunt is right. I sought an audience with the Emperor, and he told me the same. Aunt must take care of your health and recover soon. Our Zheng Family, both old and young, need your protection."
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was indeed comforted by this and quickly regained her spirits, "You’re right; I must recover soon. Otherwise, the affairs in the palace are all in Mrs. Li’s hands."
Mr. Zhao inwardly scoffed.
Duke An certainly didn’t tell the truth. The Emperor wielded the knife, and the Zheng Family wouldn’t survive such a storm without making significant sacrifices. He probably concealed it to avoid upsetting the Grand Empress Dowager.
Mr. Zhao silently criticized in his heart, bowed his head again, but his ears remained perked up.
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng continued intermittently, "During this period, you must endure. After a year or two, when the furor dies down, it’ll be better. I’ll have Shao Hua promote a few of the Zheng young men. Also, this year’s female examination is starting. Select the most intelligent and capable girls from home to participate in the examination and enter the palace to become female officials."
Still thinking of such benefits!
Mr. Zhao twitched his mouth, nearly rolling his eyes.
Fortunately, Duke An wasn’t foolish, "Impossible. The war in Yu State has just subsided, and everyone in the court is watching the Zheng Family. At this time, the Zheng Family should be as discreet as possible, and participating in this year’s female examination is out of the question."
