Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 794: Side Story: The Marquisate (Part 3)

Prime Minister Wang laughed heartily, masking the embarrassment of being hit right at his core: "No matter what, it’s much more leisurely now than before. As for the river embankment, I have sent Jiao’s advisor over. He will keep an eye on the Ministry of Industry for me, ensuring that no errors occur."

Prime Minister Wang felt a pang in his heart, almost unable to breathe freely, whenever he thought about the large sum of silver he had taken out. This silver must all be used for repairing the river embankment. No one should harbor thoughts of embezzling even a tiny bit.

The Left General was naturally well aware of the Prime Minister’s temperament, and couldn’t help but think how formidable the Empress’s methods were. Not only had she extracted a large sum of silver from the Prime Minister but also made him the overseer. Even if Minister Zhou had some cunning plans, he dared not employ them before the Prime Minister. The task of repairing the embankment could proceed smoothly indeed!

Reflecting on the events since he returned to the Capital City for a day, the Left General couldn’t help but sigh deeply: "Having such a shrewd and formidable Emperor is indeed a blessing for Da Liang!"

Prime Minister Wang glanced at the Left General, smiling insincerely: "A loyal general meeting a wise ruler is certainly good fortune. You, Left General, have commanded troops for over twenty years, experiencing ups and downs, and finally being conferred the title of marquis by Empress Zhaoping. If it were me, I’d certainly be endlessly grateful and devoted to her as well."

The Left General seemed unbothered by the sarcasm, responding seriously: "I will never forget the kindness of Prime Minister in discovering and mentoring me. In future, should Prime Minister have any orders, as long as they do not harm the court, nor go against the Emperor’s wishes, I will not refuse."

In the past, he did whatever the Prime Minister told him.

Now, two conditions have to be added: not harming the court, not going against the Emperor’s intent.

How is this any different from changing tunes?

However, Prime Minister Wang had neither the confidence nor the qualification to criticize the Left General. After all, he had resigned from the position of Prime Minister, withdrawing from the center of power. The Left General still had to continue in his role commanding troops! Could he possibly contest with the Emperor everywhere just for the sake of a former Prime Minister who stepped down?

Water flows downward, but people strive to rise upward.

That the Left General still bothered to promptly come to the Wang Family to show his stance was already a display of beginning and ending. It was ten times better than that traitor Minister Zhang.

Prime Minister Wang took a deep breath, squeezing out the last bit of unwillingness from his chest, speaking softly: "I have already stepped down; henceforth, the matters of the court have nothing to do with me, and I will not interfere. You can peacefully assume the role of General Wei Yuanhou. If the Emperor asks you to recruit or train troops, just go ahead and do it."

The Left General nodded, his eyes flickering with a cold light: "Today, the Emperor told me that Da Liang would inevitably face a fierce battle with Rouran in the future. At that time, I will be tasked with leading troops to quell Rouran."

Prime Minister Wang, understanding the Empress better, chuckled twice: "In saying such words, the Emperor surely hasn’t only spoken to you. Perhaps she has also promised General Fan."

"You should give it your all, lest General Fan takes the lead and picks the fruit."

Upon mentioning General Fan, the Left General couldn’t help but sneer coldly: "Fan Zhongliang’s ability to lead troops into battle is a notch lower than mine. What makes you think he can outcompete me?"

"Simply because he aligned early and sided with the Emperor," Prime Minister Wang unhesitatingly pierced into the Left General’s vulnerability: "Fan Zhongliang disregarded Prince Ping, cared nothing for Imperial Concubine Fan’s welfare, and even forced his granddaughter to death with a letter, wholeheartedly supporting the Emperor. That kind of loyalty, you can’t match."

Left General: "..."

The Left General couldn’t help but glance at Prime Minister Wang, thinking silently — Prime Minister, aren’t your words a bit conscience-pricking? My reluctance to pledge allegiance to the Emperor over the past year was all because of you.

Prime Minister Wang showed no sign of shame, continuing to advise the Left General: "However, this time you’ve won a splendid victory in Yu State, eliminating numerous troubles for the Emperor. The Emperor rewarded you with the title of Marquis Wei Yuan and gave you many promises, wanting to thoroughly subdue you."

"From now on, don’t come to the Wang Family anymore. Focus on training troops in the military camp."

The Left General nodded: "I will abide by your instructions, Prime Minister."

Prime Minister Wang felt a bit congested in his chest. Nevertheless, at this juncture, this was the most suitable path for Zuo Feng. Zuo Feng was not the kind who turns his back on people; this grace fell more fittingly upon Wang Jin.

Such words, the Prime Minister did not need to verbalize. They were too direct, risking sounding like coercion with favors.

The Left General proactively expressed his stance: "Rest assured, Prime Minister, I will definitely support Secretary Wang in the court."

Prime Minister Wang slowly exhaled the stuffiness accumulated in his chest.

...

The Left General executed tasks decisively, without the slightest dawdling.

Once the inscription at Zuo Mansion was replaced with Wei Yuan Marquis Mansion, the Left General immediately moved into the military camp. The Heroic Guard Camp had experienced a sortie, suffering considerable losses in soldiers and horses. The deceased must be compensated, those severely injured must be compensated, and lightly injured soldiers need to recuperate. New recruits are needed to replenish the troops. In short, various tasks piled up. And these tasks all concerned money and grain.

The Heroic Guard Camp needed funds, to be requested through formal documents from the Ministry of War; once approved, reported to the Emperor; after the Emperor made a decision, then sent over to the Ministry of Revenue. Pulling back and forth, it was typical to dawdle for one or two months as per prior practices.

Now that the Empress graced the Dragon Throne, she disdainfully rejected procrastination. Upon reviewing the Ministry of War’s memorial, she immediately commanded: "All military expenditures of the Heroic Guard Camp should be fully allocated to the camp by the Ministry of Revenue without delay."

Within merely a few days, the silver from the Ministry of Revenue was directly sent to the military camp, bypassing the Ministry of War entirely.

General Qin, responsible for overseeing logistics at the Heroic Guard Camp, was startled.

General Qin was a staunch confidant of the Left General. He had accompanied the Left General at the border for over a decade. Later, when the Left General returned to the Capital City, General Qin was dismissed and returned to the Capital City, disheartened.

Then, as the Left General rose again, General Qin naturally joined the Heroic Guard Camp, managing the military camp’s funds and supplies.

"Great General!" General Qin’s gaze was fervent: "The Ministry of Revenue truly provided us the military funds, not missing a single cent!"

"With such abundant military funds, the brave soldiers of the Heroic Guard Camp can be well-fed and clothed warmly, can enjoy a prosperous year, and can continually recruit new soldiers! Plus, the soldiers’ armor and weapons can be renewed now."

The more General Qin spoke, the more excited and exuberant he became, almost making his eyes glow.

The Left General glanced at him: "What else do you wish to say?"

General Qin rubbed his fingers together, laughing softly: "I was thinking, with so much silver, why not hold back two-tenths and send it to the General Mansion. Retaining eight-tenths is enough to cover these expenses... Ouch!"

Before he could finish, the Left General kicked him hard.

"You bastard!" The Left General’s face darkened, pointing at General Qin’s nose while cursing: "The Emperor allocated so much military funding here to train and recruit soldiers for the Heroic Guard Camp. If you dare to misappropriate, even before the Emperor, I shall decapitate you!"