Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 789: Fiery (Part 2)

This memorial was presented to the imperial court. After reading it, Jiang Shaohua sighed to the high ministers, "The Lu Family and Cui Family are loyal to the country and willing to donate money and grain for fifty li of riverbank construction to relieve my burdens. I must appreciate their kindness."

"I intend to confer the title of Earl to the Lu Family and Cui Family. What do all the ministers think?"

Constructing fifty li of riverbank costs approximately a million in funds.

This means that by spending a million taels of silver, one can obtain a hereditary earldom.

Even Minister Zhang was invigorated. After all, the ministers had already prepared themselves to make painful sacrifices. If tangible benefits could be gained in return, wouldn’t that be even better?

Minister Dong of the Ministry of Rites stepped forward with some concern, "It is appropriate for Your Majesty to reward the Lu Family and Cui Family with an earldom. I only worry that such actions might appear as selling official positions. If future historians record this, wouldn’t it tarnish Your Majesty’s renowned reputation?"

Selling official positions does not convey a good reputation. Why should Her Majesty earn such notoriety just to raise funds for riverbank construction?

Minister Yang also did not fully agree, but his words were more tactful than Minister Dong’s, "Your Majesty is to erect a monument for the Empress Dowager. Why not also erect a monument by the riverbank for the Lu Family and Cui Family to commemorate them for posterity?"

Jiang Shaohua looked over, "Minister Dong and Minister Yang are both considerate of me, and I understand. However, I also know clearly that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. When people contribute funds, I must provide them with what they desire."

"The Empress Dowager seeks a good name, so I will promote her. The Lu Family and Cui Family, being noble families of Da Liang, do not lack repute but desire tangible benefits, which I shall grant them."

"You need not worry. I will not recklessly open such a door. Not just anyone can buy official positions."

"I have already had the calculations done. The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Internal Affairs will cover half of the costs. Empress Dowager Li will provide ten percent. Of the remaining forty percent, the Lu Family and Cui Family have already contributed half. I will grant them a hereditary earldom. Next, at most, there will be two more earls."

"I shall wait. Perhaps in just a few days, someone will voluntarily submit a memorial to alleviate my concerns. If the contribution is sufficient, I may also grant a dukedom."

The ministers: "..."

With these words from the Emperor, the ministers’ eyes brightened, rapidly weighing the options in their minds. The Ministry of Industry must construct over four hundred li of riverbank. Calculations show that one hundred li remains unaccounted for. Though the cost is astounding, the high ministers present all possess ample wealth, making it not entirely impossible to contribute...

To exchange half of their wealth for a hereditary dukedom and the honor of serving the country and its people is not unreasonable.

Unfortunately, not just anyone can buy an official position. This lucrative bait is clearly intended for Prime Minister Wang. It remains to be seen if he will take the bait.

...

Just as the morning meeting dispersed, the news reached Prime Minister Wang’s ears.

Prime Minister Wang first sneered continuously, then frowned in silence, pacing back and forth in his study.

Unfortunately, Minister Dai has retired and returned to his hometown, Minister Zhou is still at the riverbank, and the Left General is en route back to the Capital City with his troops. Minister Zhang has already become distant from him.

The remaining Prime Minister Faction officials hold positions too insignificant, unworthy of presenting themselves before him.

Prime Minister Wang stewed for a long time before summoning his trusted advisor, Jiao, to discuss whether to buy a dukedom.

Jiao’s advisor cautiously observed Prime Minister Wang’s expression, then quietly said, "This matter is indeed worthwhile."

"Prime Minister, you have been dedicated to the Da Liang Court, working hard for most of your life. Now that your son has firmly established himself in court, perhaps it’s time to consider a graceful retreat."

One must say, Advisor Jiao, having served Prime Minister Wang for many years, spoke with great tact.

It was not due to desperation or being forced, but for the son’s prospects and the future of the Wang Family, to exit gracefully.

In truth, Prime Minister Wang was well aware. The Emperor’s stance was clear: if he continued to resist without bleeding, the Wang Family would face severe measures.

The palace turmoil seemed initiated by the Grand Empress Dowager, but in actuality, it was Jiang Shaohua’s successive maneuvers that naturally eradicated the Grand Empress Dowager’s influence.

The Wang Family certainly had capabilities and means. However, there is a distinction between ruler and minister. As long as the Wang Family did not wish to rebel, they absolutely could not escalate to that point.

The Emperor was also generous, even allowing for a dukedom. Accepting the Emperor’s "kindness" and exiting gracefully was certainly an option.

The substance might be gone, but at least there was honor.

Prime Minister Wang saw things clearer than anyone, now merely lacking a stepping stone.

Indeed, after Advisor Jiao’s words, Prime Minister Wang’s expression visibly relaxed, although he still sneered, "This dukedom is too expensive. One hundred li of riverbank construction! How much silver will that cost!"

Advisor Jiao nodded in agreement with Prime Minister Wang, and only after Prime Minister Wang vented his anger did he quietly suggest, "This is not a trivial matter. Perhaps we should wait for the young master to return before further discussion."

"Discuss it with him?" Prime Minister Wang sneered, "It’s better to just pay up happily."

"He’s now nothing more than a loyal dog to the Emperor."

Advisor Jiao chuckled, "Prime Minister, please calm down. The young master is a loyal minister of Da Liang, trusted and esteemed by the Emperor, serving the nation faithfully. One day, he will become Da Liang’s Chancellor, bringing honor to the family."

Prime Minister Wang scoffed, "His heart is tender, a far cry from this Prime Minister. There’s no way he can be a Chancellor. Just avoiding squandering the Wang Family’s estate in the future is good enough."

After scolding his son, Prime Minister Wang’s temper calmed slightly.

Then, Prime Minister Wang patiently waited for his son’s return home.

Unexpectedly, with Chief Historian Chen absent, all the administrative affairs piled on Wang Zhongshu Ling’s shoulders. He was busy until midnight, before Wang Jin finally returned home.

Prime Minister Wang waited impatiently, his face grim, "Why return so late? The Emperor doesn’t lack for people, it can’t be that without you, he can’t manage!"

Wang Jin, accustomed to being scolded, remained unfazed, "Is father agitated tonight because of the matter of paying for the riverbank construction?"

Prime Minister Wang, feeling stifled, couldn’t help but sneer, "The Emperor only mentioned allowing for a dukedom, he didn’t specifically instruct the Wang Family to pay."

Wang Jin looked at Prime Minister Wang, "Empress Dowager Li used her private funds, earning praise and acclaim throughout the court, with a monument planned on the riverbank."

"The Lu and Cui Families each built fifty li of the riverbank, earning the title of Earl."

"Now that the Emperor has offered a dukedom, father doesn’t want it. Are you waiting for another family to seize it, and then regret it later?"

Prime Minister Wang, hit where it hurt by his son, was immediately incensed, "Until I speak, who dares submit such a memorial?"

Wang Jin replied, "That’s not assured. From what I see, Minister Dong seemed eager today, with intentions of submitting a memorial."

Prime Minister Wang sneered, "The Dong Family has risen only in the last decade, they can’t produce that much silver."

"Minister Yang and Minister Ding also have intentions to alleviate the Emperor’s concerns."

"Those two have shallow foundations, unworthy of a dukedom."

"Oh, and Minister Zhang seemed interested in submitting a memorial too." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Prime Minister Wang: "..."