Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 771: Adding to the Troubles

Chief Historian Chen did not have the title of Prime Minister, but he performed the tasks that the Da Liang Chancellor should have done.

All memorials had to first pass through Chief Historian Chen, where he would screen and select the important ones to present before the imperial court. Minor issues, deemed insignificant, never reached the Emperor’s eyes, as Chief Historian Chen could directly handle them.

For the major matters, even the Empress would consult with Chief Historian Chen. There was also Wang Zhongshu Ling, who, after returning to the Prime Minister’s Mansion at night, could present suitable "suggestions" at the palace by the following morning.

In this way, the real Da Liang Prime Minister, Prime Minister Wang, ended up overshadowed by Chief Historian Chen.

The trust the Emperor had in Chief Historian Chen surpassed even the reliance Emperor Taikang had on Prime Minister Wang back then. Once Prime Minister Wang completely withdrew from the court, the position of Prime Minister would belong to Chief Historian Chen.

This was a fact known to everyone, and it was one of the main reasons Minister Zhang felt resentment and dissatisfaction.

A fifth-rank Prince Mansion Chief Historian, in the past, would only bow and curry favor with the Six Ministers of the court. But now, he had leaped over them, rising to a position above them. In the officialdom, this wasn’t just a few rungs up the ladder, it was an effortless rise to prominence.

Whether others accepted it or not was unknown, but Minister Zhang certainly did not accept it in his heart.

Chief Historian Chen didn’t know what Minister Zhang was thinking, and even if he knew, he wouldn’t care. He carefully reviewed the list and had a clear picture in his mind, then handed the list back to Wang Jin: "Wang Zhongshu Ling should also take a look."

Wang Jin responded, took the list, and straightforwardly said after reviewing, "There are fifty-three people on the list in total. Most of them are appropriate, but two are not suitable."

"Zhuo Yue is a scholar by background and has served as a County Magistrate several times. Now he is going to Yu State to fill the position of Prefectural Governor. This is against the rules. Either replace him, or demote him to a County Magistrate."

"And there’s this Shen Zhi, who originally made mistakes in office and was dismissed. He shouldn’t be on the list either."

Truly, Prime Minister Wang’s beloved son, familiar with every detail of the former Prime Minister Faction’s officials.

Zhuo and Shen, siding with Minister Zhang, naturally sought fame and fortune. Yu State wasn’t a great place, but it was good enough for them.

Minister Zhang was not one to be trifled with, and he retorted immediately: "The Emperor employs people based on merit and doesn’t adhere to formalities. In Nanyang County, there was a County Magistrate Cai, only a Scholar by origin, who still served as a County Magistrate. Later he passed the scholar exam. And then there’s Governor Lu of Pingzhou, once a criminal, who according to court rules, should never be reinstated. Back when the Emperor was still a Commandery Princess, she strongly recommended Lu Cong. Lu Cong first became Prefectural Governor, then Inspector. In a few short years, he managed Pingzhou in an orderly manner. As I was selecting people, I followed this example and was a bit bold."

"If the Emperor insists on not permitting, then I will return and replace them with two suitable candidates."

Chief Historian Chen’s expression was displeased.

Wang Jin frowned.

Minister Zhang came prepared. These two candidates were selected referencing County Magistrate Cai and Governor Lu. If the Emperor disagreed, then why was an exception made for County Magistrate Cai and Governor Lu? Agreeing just like that would allow Minister Zhang to be proud and gratified, wouldn’t it?

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow and suddenly laughed: "I indeed do not bother with these things when employing people."

"As long as one has true talent and learning, and can do the task well, both scholars and advanced scholars are fine, and even former criminals can atone for their crimes. Let’s go along with Minister Zhang’s idea and keep these two on the list."

Minister Zhang’s brows twitched, and his lips drew into a smile as he cupped his hands and responded: "I comply with the decree."

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly and said: "However, there is one thing I must state first."

"Back when I was the Nanyang County Princess, I dared to make an exception in appointing County Magistrate Cai and dared to recommend Governor Lu. They both proved themselves, doing their duties well, and brought me prestige."

"If Prefectural Governor Zhuo and County Magistrate Shen make mistakes while in office, not only will I punish them severely, but I will also hold Minister Zhang accountable for his poor judgment."

Reaching this point, Minister Zhang could not retreat, nor could he retreat, so he stood firm and responded: "I have confidence in them."

...

"Bah! This Minister Zhang is truly detestable."

After the small morning assembly dispersed, Chen Sheren vented his anger and spat: "All these little tricks he pulls are just to deliberately make the Emperor uncomfortable."

Jiang Shaohua glanced at her: "This small matter isn’t worth getting angry or upset over."

"The Da Liang Dynasty has over ten thousand officials, with several hundred in the Capital City. At the small morning assembly each day, I see dozens of them."

"They each have their own personal calculations. Should I concern myself with each one? That would mean stewing in anger all day long, wouldn’t it?"

"Perhaps his sly scheme will backfire, and he might end up losing because of this move he made."

With the last sentence, Jiang Shaohua spoke meaningfully, causing Chen Sheren to beam, nodding repeatedly.

Three years later, in the fifth year of Empress Zhaoping’s reign, a massive scandal erupted in the court of the Da Liang Dynasty with the corruption and bribery case of the Ministry of Personnel, also known as the Ministry’s selling of official positions case.

The trigger of this case was Prefectural Governor Zhuo, who was dispatched to Yu State. During the inspection of counties by the Yu State Inspector, it was discovered that Prefectural Governor Zhuo was embezzling tax revenue, leading to his immediate arrest and interrogation. This revealed further corruption, implicating Minister Zhang.

Subsequently, an official from the Ministry of Personnel submitted a memorial exposing Minister Zhang’s secret selling of official positions, even presenting a price list.

With everyone piling on, memorials of impeachment against Minister Zhang flooded the Emperor’s desk, with many providing evidence. The fatal blow to Minister Zhang came when a clansman of the Zhang family stepped forward, accusing and testifying that Minister Zhang sold official positions at high prices. As this clansman made amends by exposing his crime, the Emperor granted special pardon, sparing him from imprisonment and only exiling him from the Capital City.

Confronted with a mountain of solid evidence, Minister Zhang had no room for denial, resignedly confessed his crimes, and was sentenced to forfeit his family assets, with the entire clan exiled to Lingnan.

The sons and grandsons of Minister Zhang were unwilling to be exiled and made a desperate gamble. Taking advantage of the night, they gathered family servants and clansmen to storm the palace gates, but were completely annihilated by the prepared Imperial Army.

They didn’t have to suffer the hardship of exile, instead directly heading to the underworld for reincarnation.

The Zhang family’s confiscated assets added two years’ worth of taxes to the National Treasury, providing sufficient resources to maintain the army. The soldiers of the Da Liang Army had enough pay, ample food, and warm clothes, with daily drills, rapidly enhancing their combat capability.

These are stories for later. At present, Minister Zhang was secretly self-satisfied with his cunning move!

Minister Zhang leisurely returned to the Ministry of Personnel’s office, issuing orders: "Summon all fifty-some who have been appointed to official positions, and conduct expedited training before they depart from the Capital City for their assignments."

This, too, was a responsibility of the Ministry of Personnel. Although Minister Zhang was greedy, he did not neglect his duties.

One major court affair followed another, with no time for respite.

In July, the Yellow River flooded, breaching dikes in as many as six counties. Tens of thousands of acres of fertile land were submerged; the number of commoners who died in the flood was unknown. Tens of thousands of commoners were left without homes and lands overnight, displaced, with cries of anguish filling the land.

The disastrous news spread, shaking both the court and the public.