Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 688: Taking Control (Part 1)

In just two days, Vice Minister Ding presented the memorial.

This time, only Vice Minister Ding entered the palace to see the Emperor, and Vice Minister Wang was nowhere to be seen.

Jiang Shaohua, while reading the memorial, casually asked: "Why didn’t Vice Minister Wang come to the palace today?"

Vice Minister Ding replied with an honest expression: "In response to Your Majesty, Vice Minister Wang was admonished by the Emperor in the palace the day before yesterday. Feeling deeply ashamed, he couldn’t bring himself to face the Emperor today. I couldn’t persuade him, so I came alone."

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Vice Minister Ding with a smile: "Vice Minister Wang is a tough one to handle. It’s not easy to get a hold of him. This time, since he has finally lowered his head, Vice Minister Ding, don’t miss this opportunity."

The grand court meeting, needless to say, was solemn and dignified. At the smaller court meetings, the ministers reported and discussed matters of the state, allowing no laughter.

It is only when a minister is summoned individually that the Emperor shows a gentle and amiable side. This is a privilege reserved for the Emperor’s trusted ministers.

Vice Minister Ding felt a warmth in his heart and bowed, saying: "Your Majesty, you are occupied daily with state affairs, yet you have to concern yourself with such small matters of managing subordinates. I am truly ashamed."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said: "There’s nothing to be ashamed of. I have placed you in the position of Minister of War, and you must secure it and oversee the Ministry for me."

"Among the Six Ministries, the other five are managed by civil servants, each with their responsibilities. Only the Ministry of War oversees military affairs and commands all the troops of Da Liang. To me, the Ministry of War is the most important of the Six Ministries, even more so than the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of Personnel. I chose you to oversee it because I trust you. I also believe that you can certainly fulfill the role of Minister of War."

The saying goes, ’A soldier dies for his confidant.’

Vice Minister Ding, a seasoned official with decades in the bureaucracy, was unexpectedly filled with fervor upon hearing these words from the Emperor. He responded unequivocally: "I will certainly not fail Your Majesty."

Jiang Shaohua looked at Vice Minister Ding and said slowly: "I don’t listen to empty words. No matter how well they are spoken, they are not as good as doing practical work. Vice Minister Ding, in August next year, during the military exercises, I want to see four true elite forces, without shortages or vacancies in the military ranks."

Vice Minister Ding solemnly responded: "Understood. I will certainly keep a watch on the Imperial Army, the Divine Power Camp, the Brave Camp, and the Heroic Guard Camp, urging them to recruit new soldiers for daily drills."

Indeed, this is what the Ministry of War is supposed to handle. If everything requires the Emperor’s personal attention, what use is a Minister of War?

Vice Minister Ding, accustomed to being third-in-command, can’t be said to be unmotivated, but has been lacking some of the authority and responsibility expected of a Minister of War. At this moment, he begins to show the demeanor of a Minister of War.

Jiang Shaohua nodded appreciatively: "Good, I have noted down everything Vice Minister Ding has said. After the military exercises, I will appoint you as the official Minister of War."

"Ding Aiqing, I will henceforth entrust the entire Ministry of War to you. Do not disappoint me."

Vice Minister Ding’s passion surged, and he replied loudly: "I will certainly serve wholeheartedly, exhausting all my efforts."

Jiang Shaohua laughed: "The last four words are not very auspicious. Just serve diligently, exhausting all efforts is too much. Take good care of your health and serve as Minister of War for twenty years."

Vice Minister Ding is already in his fifties. According to court customs, high-ranking officials of third rank and above can remain in office. Like Minister Dai, who is already seventy and hasn’t retired yet!

The Emperor himself painted a picture, and Vice Minister Ding happily accepted: "I have heard the Emperor’s words and remembered them in my heart. I wish for Da Liang to be prosperous and peaceful, and for Your Majesty to become a wise ruler. In the future, when the histories are written, I hope to be recorded alongside in a story of harmony between ruler and minister."

Who said Vice Minister Ding is silent and reserved? The capability to respond like this in front of the Emperor is not something cultivated without decades of bureaucratic experience.

Jiang Shaohua smiled again, lowered his head to finish reading the memorial, then pointed out two or three inappropriate parts: "This part is inappropriate and needs to be revised."

"And this part is also not quite right. It needs to be discussed further."

Vice Minister Ding took the Emperor’s personally annotated memorial back to the Ministry of War, gathered the officials, and continued to revise the document through collective effort.

The officials of the Ministry of War have already been busy for many days and, seeing that they had to work overtime again today, each lamented silently in their hearts.

Previously, Vice Minister Ding was known as a good person, generous to colleagues and subordinates. Now acting as Minister, his temper is still very good, never pounding tables or scolding people. It’s just that he suddenly became diligent in his work, causing everyone to be constantly busy, like a donkey turning the millstone without rest.

Thinking back to when Emperor Taihe was still alive, which task was not deliberated for at least ten days before results were produced? Not like now, where meetings are held almost daily to arrange tasks and the agenda is set every other day...

Look at Vice Minister Ding, energized like he’s been invigorated after a short audience with the Emperor!

The attendees of the Ministry of War grumbled inwardly yet dared not show it outwardly.

A higher rank suppresses a person. Didn’t they see how Vice Minister Wang, who used to be bustling about, has settled down peacefully? They couldn’t afford to be stubborn; knowing when to bow is crucial, and they should perform their duties accordingly!

...

In the Zhaohai Palace, Chen Sheren whispered with a laugh: "The Emperor indeed favors Vice Minister Ding highly. If I were Vice Minister Ding, I would certainly be grateful and willing to go through fire and water for the Emperor."

Jiang Shaohua, setting down the memorial, stood up to take a couple of paces within the palace, resting his pregnant body briefly. He responded with a chuckle: "It’s not that exaggerated! Old bureaucrats like Vice Minister Ding are best at weighing the situation. The Ministry of War currently lacks personnel; I have no other suitable candidates, so I have temporarily placed him in charge."

After a few more years, once the court stabilizes, those who are useful will remain. The obstinate ones will be gradually removed to make room.

In these years, the ruler and ministers must get to know one another and adapt to each other.

Managing court politics is somewhat similar to managing a household. Eminent ministers with different intentions are like stewards in the inner chambers. Each has their own factions and interests, and everyone has their different temperaments and personalities.

In order to control them, one must carefully study their temperaments, strengths, and weaknesses, most importantly seizing upon their vulnerabilities.

First intimidate, then gradually use gentle methods, bestowing favors, or applying pressure in various ways to gradually subdue the ministers.

This is destined to be a prolonged struggle between ruler and ministers. Only an Emperor with great skill can subdue the ministers to be of use. Otherwise, like Emperor Taikang and Emperor Taihe, unable to control the ministers, they became nothing more than wooden sculptures on the Dragon Throne or were even swayed by the ministers. By the time the decrees left the Imperial Palace and reached the Six Ministries, they became twisted.

Among the Six Ministries, Jiang Shaohua first targeted the Ministry of Revenue, then dealt with the Ministry of War. Both the silver and military power must be firmly grasped.

These skills of the Emperor’s heart and the way of governing ministers are not to be spoken of much.

Jiang Shaohua casually joked a few more times, then fell silent. With Chen Sheren’s wit and cleverness, he could ponder and understand in private!