Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 833: Li Xingsheng · Ling Yuezi Side Story (05): The Competent Rise, the Mediocre Fall
The Gatekeeper looked puzzled, glanced at Ling Yuezi and her two servants, and invited them inside.
Arriving at the study, Ling Yuezi ordered Ah Qing and Ah Lan to wait outside the door and walked alone into Prime Minister Lv’s study.
The seventy-year-old Prime Minister was a smooth operator.
With his triangular eyes half-squinted, he looked at Ling Yuezi, "May I ask, the person standing before this old minister, could it be Princess Yue?"
Returning to the Capital today, when she reached the city gates, Ling Yuezi deliberately abandoned the carriage and took to horseback, aiming for the Capital people to recognize her and remember her face.
She was found by the Regent King and threatened to return to the Capital; knowing the Regent King’s cunning, he certainly did not want her to be too publicly visible and make acquaintances.
But for her brother, she went the opposite way, wanting to make a splash in the Capital.
She wanted everyone to recognize her and remember her.
"It is indeed I, old Prime Minister," Ling Yuezi smiled and nodded.
Prime Minister Lv asked suspiciously, "Princess Yue visiting so late at night, I wonder what important matter you have to instruct?"
"It’s nothing significant, just a small issue, hoping for the old Prime Minister’s assistance," Ling Yuezi smiled.
Prime Minister Lv shook his head, "This old minister is ready to retire to the countryside, afraid of not being able to assist the Princess in any way."
Ling Yuezi smiled, "I haven’t mentioned the matter yet, how can the old Prime Minister know that he can’t help?"
Prime Minister Lv was compelled to say, "Then, Princess, please speak."
Ling Yuezi said, "The Emperor wishes to appoint me as the National Guardian General. From what I know, appointments above third-rank officials require cabinet approval, so I have come to seek your assistance, esteemed sir."
Prime Minister Lv’s face immediately darkened, "Princess, forgive this old minister, I am powerless."
Ling Yuezi chuckled, "Refused so quickly, are you not worried that when your youngest son needs help in the future, he will be refused by others too? The Eucalyptus Street house has been built for some years; the house may be old, but the occupants are not, beautiful as flowers. Oh, her son is cute and smart too. There are old pear and crabapple trees in the garden. I wonder if the pear tree overshadows the crabapple, or the crabapple overshadows the pear tree; these two trees grew together, and I can’t quite tell them apart."
Mentioning the house on Eucalyptus Street, the young woman and child living inside, Prime Minister Lv’s face suddenly turned ashen, and his expression became anxious.
"Princess! This old minister, though aged, has never dared negligence, always sharing the Emperor’s worries daily; why does the Princess hold onto the old minister’s private matters just now?" Prime Minister Lv was shocked and flustered, not daring to anger.
In memory, this Princess’s style was unusual, independent as a man.
Seven years without seeing, besides taller, still the same face, the same temperament.
Ling Yuezi smiled, "Prime Minister, I only wish to be the National Guardian General, just hope for someone to speak for me; I’m not clinging to your private matters, surely you must not wrong me."
The conversation returned.
Prime Minister Lv bowed to Ling Yuezi, "Princess must realize, even if this old minister speaks for you, yet the cabinet has five members; if the other four disagree, even an imperial decree is ineffective; besides, the Regent King’s consent is necessary for Princess to smoothly become the National Guardian General."
Ling Yuezi replied, "Prime Minister, just agree; the rest I will handle, simply do your part, esteemed sir."
Prime Minister Lv deliberated for a moment, saying, "The Princess’s request, this old minister will agree to fulfill, but please do not disclose anything about that house to others."
Ling Yuezi nodded, "Rest assured, Prime Minister, the house matter I accidentally saw, no second person knows besides me; if you help, how would I not remember your kindness?"
Prime Minister Lv said, "Good, this old minister agrees to help the Princess this time, you must keep your word, Princess."
"Certainly," Ling Yuezi nodded.
.
Leaving Prime Minister Lv’s house, Ling Yuezi visited other ministers’ homes.
Similar to Prime Minister Lv’s attitude, they saw Ling Yuezi, and upon hearing her request, initially disdainful.
But after Ling Yuezi mentioned the secrets in their hearts, they all instantly changed their tune.
Their thinking was, they would just sell Ling Yuezi this favor; whether she could become the National Guardian General still depended on the Regent King’s opinion, still needed some ability.
Without ability, even if smoothly becoming the National Guardian General, future mishandling and impeachment by the Imperial Censors could ensue.
.
Next morning, it was a grand court meeting.
All officials above fifth-rank attended.
Nanyue Country was small, the officials attending added up to only about fifty.
The Regent King announced recent policies, praised several ministers and asked, "Matters to present, if none, court adjourned."
Several ministers presented painless minor matters, the Regent King addressed them one by one, then asked if others had urgent matters to present.
The ministers looked at one another in silence.
Ling Xingyun lightly coughed and started speaking, "I have an announcement to make."
This little Emperor, for seven years a puppet on the throne, would always make announcements about trivial matters, such as wanting to add some furniture to his bedchamber, praising someone, or declaring the dates of festive celebrations.
All were mundane things that could not be more mundane.
This time, everyone thought he was again announcing what he wanted to eat, drink, or where he wanted to go for fun.
People didn’t take it seriously.
Each person seemed relaxed, thinking about their matters or quietly conversing with the person next to them.
The Regent King calmly said, "Please speak, Emperor."
"I want to appoint Princess Ling Yuezi as the Great General." Ling Xingyun looked at the ministers and announced loudly.
After speaking, he said to the eunuch beside him, "Please call Princess Yue!"
This sudden decree shocked all the ministers in the court.
The National Guardian General is the highest military position in Nanyue Country.
If a war breaks out, the command on military operations is up to the National Guardian General.
When war erupts, with just a gold command tablet from the Emperor, the National Guardian General can mobilize any troops anytime, anywhere, and no one is allowed to block it.
However, the requirements for selecting a National Guardian General are higher than those for a civilian position—it cannot be fulfilled by ordinary people.
Not only must one possess high martial skills, but also exceptional courage and outstanding strategy.
The eunuch glanced at him, then looked towards the Regent King, not daring to go and call the person.
The Regent King chuckled, "Oh? Then let Princess Yue talk about what capabilities she has that qualifies her to become the National Guardian General."
Only then did the eunuch dare to invite Ling Yuezi.
Ling Yuezi was standing just behind the Qianyuan Hall within the meeting hall, and she could hear the voices from the front hall.
"Princess Yue, the Emperor invites you to the front hall."
Ling Yuezi nodded, and gracefully walked through the side door to the front hall.
Today she wore a smart deep crimson robe, with her hair neatly up, and her eyes as calm and clear as water.
Ling Yuezi walked to the center of the hall, stood firm, and bowed to Ling Xingyun, "Minister Ling Yuezi pays respects to the Emperor."
The ministers started to discuss among themselves.
Is this the Princess Yue who just returned?
She looks strikingly like the Emperor; indeed, they are siblings, but their characters seem entirely different.
The Emperor Ling Xingyun is a frail young man, whereas this woman is heroic and valiant.
The Regent King looked at Ling Yuezi, with a half-smile, "The Emperor choosing Princess Yue for the position of National Guardian General, could it be that Princess Yue has extraordinary talents?"
Ling Xingyun replied, "Of course she has, she is adept in both literature and martial arts, and possesses remarkable courage."
Prime Minister Lv said, "I, the old minister, believe the Emperor speaks truly."
Grand Tutor Wu also said, "I concur."
Minister Qu said, "I concur as well."
Luo Zhongwei said, "I have no objections."
Xishangqing said, "I have no objections either."
The five major cabinet members were unanimously supporting the young Emperor’s edict, which was a first.
The civil and military officials looked at each other in confusion.
The Regent King sneered, "It’s rare that the five of you have a unified opinion today. Since you’ve all agreed, what more could I say? According to the rules, if the cabinet agrees, then there’s no further debate on the Emperor’s edict."
Ling Xingyun said, "In that case, I hereby declare Ling Yuezi as the National Guardian General."
"Wait!" the Regent King turned to the civil and military officials, "The position of National Guardian General is of great importance; if occupied by the incompetent, it can harm the entire Nanyue Country in the future. The five ministers have long resided in the palace, unaware of the perils of border warfare, and have hastily agreed. I do not blame the ministers, but I believe that the position of National Guardian General should be sought through competition—let the capable rise and the incompetent fall!"
Ling Xingyun grew tense, anxiously looking at Ling Yuezi.
The five cabinet ministers looked at each other in uncertainty, unsure of what to say.
They feared the Regent King, but equally feared the secrets Ling Yuezi held.
Unexpectedly, Ling Yuezi simply smiled slightly and calmly said, "The Regent King’s concerns are quite valid. Naturally, let the capable rise and the incompetent fall. I, the Princess, consider myself competent. Whoever dares to challenge me, feel free to come forward."
