Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 781: Aftermath (Part 1)

Now is not the time to settle old scores.

And later? When there’s leisure, are we going to settle accounts with those followers of the Grand Empress Dowager?

No one knows who first came up with the clever idea, but someone suggested donating money and grain to the six disaster-stricken counties to help the Emperor.

It must be said, as soon as these words were spoken, Ma Yaosong’s attitude visibly warmed: "The official has this intent, which I deeply admire. I was just about to enter the palace today and will convey your words to Chief Historian Chen."

The official seeking to intercede breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "Then I’ll trouble Doctor Ma. Here is my meager contribution. Please present it together to Chief Historian Chen."

Ma Yaosong agreed and took the folded paper.

When unfolded, it was only palm-sized, but the figures of money and grain listed were substantial.

After reading it, Chief Historian Chen stroked his beard with a smile and said to Ma Yaosong, "Tonight, go and tell Lin Yushi that I’ve received this token of goodwill. I will report it to the Emperor."

That evening, Ma Yaosong went to Lin Yushi’s residence and relayed Chief Historian Chen’s message.

The next day, the officials who came to see Ma Yaosong, Tang Youyin, and Yang Zheng all brought genuine "sincerity."

Following Chief Historian Chen’s instructions, all three accepted, and they promptly submitted them to the palace.

In just five or six days, the Emperor’s desk was piled with such papers.

Jiang Shaohua looked through them one by one and smiled at Chief Historian Chen: "It seems killing works. In just a few days, the money and grain offered are equal to what the Ministry of Internal Affairs provided."

Chief Historian Chen gave a knowing smile: "Fear and awe is human nature. With the Emperor’s thunderous tactics cleaning up the court, how could they not be afraid?"

If they still do not comply, they’ll be next to be cleaned up.

Jiang Shaohua sighed again: "These court pests, I wish I could just slap them all dead. But I can’t rush it, I have to hold my patience and proceed one step at a time."

In the blink of an eye, they can donate so much wealth, which shows that they are all quite wealthy. Where did all this wealth come from?

While the Da Liang Dynasty faces poverty year after year, the court officials are like rice worms, growing fat and rich.

A slow bleed with a soft knife is hardly satisfying; it’s not as swift as cutting it all off immediately.

However, sitting on the Dragon Throne requires considering court stability and the overall situation. It’s tempting to think about swinging the knife, but one must suppress that urge and gradually teach and manage the courtiers.

The monarch and his minister were speaking in low voices when Wang Zhongshu Ling arrived with a serious expression.

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Wang Jin: "What’s happened?"

Wang Jin bowed and replied: "Returning to Your Majesty, Chief Historian Chen is about to depart. On behalf of the Wang Family, I offer some money and grain as a token of our support. Here is the list I’ve compiled for Your Majesty to review."

As he spoke, he took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his sleeve.

With Chen Sheren absent, the young Lu Zhen stepped forward, took it from Wang Zhongshu Ling’s hand, and presented it to the Emperor.

Jiang Shaohua opened it, his eyebrows slightly raised, and gave Wang Jin a deep look: "Is this the Prime Minister Wang’s intention or your personal assets?"

The figures on the paper were, of course, quite generous.

However, compared to the enormous Wang Family, it was not much. With Prime Minister Wang’s temperament, he wouldn’t make a move unless it was substantial.

Wang Jin was silent for a moment, then replied in a low voice: "It’s my personal property."

Just as expected.

Prime Minister Wang has been holding back, not stepping down. Wang Jin couldn’t persuade his father, so he took out the private savings he’d accumulated over the years.

Jiang Shaohua said indifferently: "Wang Zhongshu Ling, I have over a dozen such lists here. They were all followers of the Grand Empress Dowager, and now, seeing the change in the palace situation, they are frightened and anxious, offering money and grain in hopes that I will soften and spare them. It’s not an exaggeration to call it atonement money."

"Prime Minister Wang is without fault. As for you, you have contributed significantly since the beginning, working diligently and loyally throughout the year. I am aware of it all. Keep your assets for yourself. Even though I am eager for disaster relief, I won’t take a loyal subject’s personal property."

"Take this list back with you."

Lu Zhen carried the paper back.

Wang Jin said earnestly: "I have no other intention, just wish to help the disaster victims. I humbly ask Your Majesty to accept."

"If Your Majesty insists on refusing, I will spend more time sending my family’s attendants to buy grain and then distribute it to the flood-stricken areas to provide food and porridge to the hungry."

Wang Jin appeared gentle, but in truth, he was outwardly mild and inwardly strong, with firm resolve.

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow: "So be it. Only this once, it will not be an example for the future." Then he gestured for Chief Historian Chen to accept the list.

Chief Historian Chen readily accepted Wang Zhongshu Ling’s "gesture of goodwill."

Whatever disputes or differences Wang Jin and Prime Minister Wang had at home were private matters, unknown to outsiders. Seeing Wang Jin’s donation, members of the Prime Minister Faction quickly followed suit and sought out Chief Historian Chen to offer their efforts.

Chief Historian Chen welcomed all comers and accepted everything.

The more money and grain the court gathered, the more the flood-stricken people could receive, and even one more mouthful would be beneficial.

Three days later, Chief Historian Chen led over fifty officials dedicated to disaster relief out of the Capital City. General Liu accompanied them with ten thousand elite soldiers.

Jiang Shaohua, accompanied by officials, personally went out of the city to bid them farewell.

"Chief Historian Chen, rescue every single disaster victim for me," Jiang Shaohua solemnly instructed: "Do not miss any that can be saved."

Chief Historian Chen replied with grave solemnity, bowing: "I will give it my all."

Jiang Shaohua also personally spoke to General Liu: "I entrust the safety of Chief Historian Chen and his team to General Liu. May they go and return safely."

General Liu replied solemnly: "Rest assured, Your Majesty, this humble servant will allow no evildoer to harm Chief Historian Chen."

Clearly, in the Emperor’s heart, Chief Historian Chen’s significance outweighed the sum of the other officials.

Jiang Shaohua nodded and waved farewell.

Chief Historian Chen and his associates bowed again, then mounted their carriages and horses, riding into the distance. The ten thousand elite soldiers galloped, raising clouds of dust, and the ground trembled under the pounding hooves.

Jiang Shaohua watched them until they disappeared, then turned and rode back into the city.

Since ascending the throne, it was the first time she had ridden a horse outside the palace. Riding against the wind felt as if the immense burden on her shoulders had also been swept away in the breeze.

Jiang Shaohua smiled in the warm breeze of the rising sun.

The citizens of the Capital City had long gathered at the city gates upon hearing the news. The tall, strong Imperial Guards wielded shiny weapons to maintain order, preventing people from getting too close. However, through the crowds, they could vaguely see the Empress’s figure.

This was a sight the citizens could boast about for a lifetime.

"Long live the Emperor!" 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Someone led the chant first.

Soon, one voice after another shouted "Long live the Emperor" in a deafening wave of sound.