Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 689: Taking Control (Part 2)

The detailed regulations for military training went through repeated discussions before being officially set. Then, multiple copies were transcribed: one was submitted to the Emperor, another kept at the Ministry of War, and the other four distributed to General Bao, Left General, and others.

As for the border army, they are tasked with guarding the borders; thus, this set of regulations is basically irrelevant for them. However, the Emperor also has strict training requirements for the border army. The Ministry of War continues to be busy, formulating detailed assessment rules for their training without mention.

Additionally, the stationed troops in various regions cannot idle away their days. The court has fully allocated military expenses this year, so each stationed troop unit must start training.

Thus, the Ministry of War continues to extend their meetings and work late into the night...

Vice Ministers Ding and Wang show a tendency to stay in the government office without going home. Every evening, the Ministry of War office is brightly lit.

The Ministry of Revenue is equally busy.

Song Yuan, Commander Song, has already confiscated the assets of the Prince Dongping Mansion. Except for the immovable field manor and shops, all movable gold, silver, jade, jewelry, antiques, and treasures are transported to the Ministry of Revenue. They must be cataloged and registered in the treasury meticulously, so how can they not be busy?

Minister Ji repeatedly warned the officials at the Ministry of Revenue: "Ensure everything is registered accurately. Should any mistakes occur, you must go to the palace and apologize to the Emperor yourself."

"Not even Prime Minister Wang could protect Doctor Wan. Consider well: once a mistake arises, who can protect you?"

Amongst the Ministry of Revenue are officials from the Grand Empress Dowager’s Faction, hearing such words, they feel a bit discontent. The Emperor is unfriendly to Prime Minister Wang because Prime Minister Wang no longer attends court to handle affairs. The Grand Empress Dowager in the inner palace, even the Emperor must show respect to her. He privately honors the Grand Empress Dowager; can the Emperor indeed punish him for that?

This official, of a lower rank, is an Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. A few years ago, he had already pledged allegiance to the Grand Empress Dowager.

His rank is not high, yet he enjoys substantial benefits, often showing reverence to the Zheng Family and the Grand Empress Dowager. Confident in his strong backing, he deliberately left behind a batch of the finest treasures during cataloging, quietly sending them to Jingyang Palace.

These small maneuvers naturally could not escape Minister Ji’s notice.

Furious, Minister Ji summoned this Jiang Yuanwailang and scorned him harshly.

Jiang Yuanwailang, however, showed no guilt, and righteously retorted: "Lord Minister, I haven’t stolen even a speck. The treasures left behind are all tributes to the Grand Empress Dowager. The assets of Prince Dongping Mansion belong to the Imperial Family. Concerned about the National Treasury, the Emperor allocates them into it. I withheld a portion and sent it to Jingyang Palace; it’s not as if it went elsewhere."

Witnessing Jiang Yuanwailang’s obstinate demeanor, Minister Ji sneered: "You rely on palace alliances, ignoring my words. Fine, I will personally go to the palace and report this to the Emperor. Let’s see how the Emperor deals with you!"

Having said this, he stormed off.

...

Before Minister Ji entered the palace, Tang Youyin’s message had already been delivered earlier.

Upon hearing this news, Jiang Shaohua smirked: "This Jiang Yuanwailang doesn’t possess such courage. Jingyang Palace must have secretly instructed him beforehand, so that he openly withheld some treasures to send to Jingyang Palace."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng is unwilling to see all the assets of Prince Dongping Mansion entirely absorbed into the National Treasury, wanting at least a share.

Song Yuan, who returned to duty after resting for a day, frowned and whispered: "The Grand Empress Dowager’s actions might undermine the Emperor’s authority."

Jiang Shaohua has been on the throne for less than three months. When a new official takes office, they need three fires; likewise, a new Emperor needs to showcase various means to intimidate the ministers.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s actions are simply holding back.

Dealing with Grand Empress Dowager Zheng differs from dealing with Prime Minister Wang. Jiang Shaohua relied heavily on Wang Jin, giving Prime Minister Wang certain political promises in exchange for his silent retreat. Due to Zheng Chen’s treasonous rebellion, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was caught at a weak point, behaving modestly for several months. Now suddenly doing this, though it’s merely about obtaining some wealth, turning hostile isn’t worthwhile but ignoring it won’t work either.

Handling this matter requires a careful balance.

Jiang Shaohua pondered briefly and decided: "Wait until Minister Ji is in the palace, hear what he has to say first."

Minister Ji entered the palace to face the Emperor, first explaining the matter’s circumstances clearly. Then he firmly expressed his intention to severely punish Jiang Yuanwailang.

As long as Jiang Shaohua goes with the flow, the matter can be settled this way. Utilizing Minister Ji’s hand to deal with Jiang Yuanwailang, should Grand Empress Dowager Zheng become angry, Jiang Shaohua could deny any awareness, laying the blame on Minister Ji. Grand Empress Dowager Zheng couldn’t do much to the Minister of Revenue just over such a small issue.

Minister Ji voluntarily offers to "shoulder the blame" for the Emperor, showing his loyalty.

Jiang Shaohua spoke warmly: "Minister Ji’s intentions are clear to me. However, this matter cannot be handled this way. I never let subordinates take undeserved blame."

"I will go and explain the situation personally to the Grand Empress Dowager at Jingyang Palace."

Minister Ji paused: "Emperor, I’m not afraid of being scolded by the Grand Empress Dowager..."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "I know, but I can’t watch loyal and capable ministers be humiliated. I’ll handle this matter personally."

As a minister serving across three reigns, with decades in court, serving as Minister of Revenue for over ten years, Minister Ji could clearly perceive the Emperor’s efforts to win the loyalty of the ministers.

Yet at this moment, his heart was still warmed.

Even his eyes felt a bit teary.

Yes, the Emperor is trying to win you over. But for an old minister, aged fifty or sixty, buried halfway in the earth, managing affairs described only as barely adequate, to not have the capable loyalists immediately replace you, and to instead be taught and placated by the Emperor, how can you not feel grateful?

"The old minister thanks the Emperor for his compassion." Minister Ji bowed deeply in gratitude to the Emperor.

Jiang Shaohua, smiling, instructed: "Wang Zhongshu Ling, assist and escort Minister Ji back to the Ministry of Revenue. Moreover, relay my decree: starting today, Jiang Yuanwailang is to be reassigned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, maintaining his rank and position level."

Wang Jin received the command respectfully.

Minister Ji was surprised, raising his head intending to speak, but realizing an instant later, Jiang Yuanwailang brought this upon himself. The Emperor’s handling of this matter, considering the Grand Empress Dowager’s dignity, was already forgiving.

Swallow the bitter fruit you created!

...

An hour later.

Jiang Yuanwailang, as if struck by thunder, burst out: "I am a court official, how can I serve in the Ministry of Internal Affairs? This does not comply with court regulations!"

He is a two-list Advanced Scholar, with proper Imperial Examination credentials. It took him ten years to reach the rank of fifth-rank official. He pledged allegiance to the Grand Empress Dowager, simply for a reliable backing, hoping to ascend in rank more swiftly.

What kind of place is the Ministry of Internal Affairs?

It’s where the Imperial Family handles finances, purchases, and internal affairs, primarily employing eunuchs, mere servants obeying orders for the Imperial Family. Moreover, the officer ranks within the Ministry of Internal Affairs operate under a different system from court officials, and the Emperor can appoint whom he wishes and dismiss at a whim.

How could he have ended up in such a place?