Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 690: Filling the Vacancy

To Jiang Yuanwailang, this imperial edict was like a bolt from the blue.

However, an imperial edict is an imperial edict, allowing no questioning or reluctance.

Wang Zhongshu Ling smiled faintly and waved his hand nonchalantly. Immediately, a squad of Imperial Guards stepped forward to "escort" Jiang Yuanwailang out of the Ministry of Revenue and head to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to report.

Jiang Yuanwailang’s face turned red with anger, and he furiously flicked his sleeves: "I will wait for the Empress Dowager’s edict! Who dares to force me to leave! I vow eternal enmity with him!"

Wang Jin remained expressionless and instructed the Imperial Guard’s favorite, Meng Sanbao: "Escort Jiang Yuanwailang to the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

Meng Sanbao and his men responded with a nod, stepped forward, and "supported" Jiang Yuanwailang by the arms. Jiang Yuanwailang, over forty years old and a lover of fine wine and beauty, was tough on the outside but weak inside. He was easily led away.

Jiang Yuanwailang, full of resentment and unwillingness, kept shouting, "Ridiculous! Never has there been such a precedent in the country, sending a Minister of the Ministry of Revenue to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to serve! Such actions by a woman are truly absurd..."

Before he could finish, he received a heavy blow to the waist and abdomen, silencing him instantly as the sharp pain bent his waist deeply.

"A mere fifth-rank official dares to speak such arrogance, slandering the Emperor." Meng Sanbao leaned down, locking eyes with the tear-filled Jiang Yuanwailang, his gaze filled with murderous intent: "Speak another word, and I will draw my sword and cut you down right here, then go to the palace to confess. It’s worth exchanging my lowly life for the life of a fifth-rank official."

As he spoke, his hand was already on the hilt of his sword.

Jiang Yuanwailang felt a numbness in his scalp, the scene of swords and blood from that day flashing before his eyes, a chill rising within him.

This fierce and murderous Imperial Guard before him was not threatening but stating a fact.

This Imperial Guard truly dared to draw his sword and kill in public.

The new Emperor on the Dragon Throne is not the weak and easily bullied Emperor Taihe. Even though she is a woman, her actions are decisive and ruthless, with many loyal and brave soldiers and trusted aides willing to die for her. If he continued to rant recklessly, he might truly not see the sun tomorrow!

Going to serve at the Ministry of Internal Affairs is indeed a disgrace, but it’s better than losing his life.

Jiang Yuanwailang clutched his waist and abdomen with both hands, his lips trembling, staying silent.

Meng Sanbao stood up satisfied, patiently waiting for a moment until Jiang Yuanwailang recovered, then continued to move forward.

The decree from Grand Empress Dowager Zheng never came.

Thus, Jiang Yuanwailang went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, remaining in his fifth-rank position without being demoted, to manage the private treasury for the Empress Dowager henceforth.

The effect of this incident was immediate. Not only did the officials of the Ministry of Revenue work more diligently, but the private gossip also ceased.

In fact, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was very angry. Jiang Shaohua using Jiang Yuanwailang to establish authority was an affront to the dignity of Jingyang Palace.

When Jiang Shaohua visited Jingyang Palace to pay respects, she praised Jiang Yuanwailang’s loyalty to the Empress Dowager, calling him a capable minister: "...Such a capable and skilled official is much stronger than those servants in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Grandmother’s private treasury should indeed be managed by such ministers."

A proper official from the Ministry of Revenue, born of the Imperial Examination, is certainly stronger than a eunuch. Even Grand Empress Dowager Zheng could not refute this. Her opposing reasons immediately appeared feeble and weak: "If this matter spreads, it won’t sound good. There’s no reason to treat court ministers as house servants."

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly: "Grandmother’s favor of him is his blessing. My court is not lacking a fifth-rank official. Since grandmother favors him, I entrust him to grandmother."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was left speechless, forced to swallow this silent loss.

...

To the court, this was no major issue. A fourth-rank Minister of the Ministry of Revenue had already been beheaded by the Emperor. Now, a fifth-rank Assistant Minister was sent to manage the Empress Dowager’s private treasury, all out of respect for the Empress Dowager’s dignity.

In just half a month, the Ministry of Revenue lost two people, creating two vacancies.

Minister Ji submitted a memorial, praising Tang Sili’s intelligence and proficiency in accounts and calculations. He suggested Tang Sili fill the Assistant Minister’s vacancy. As for filling the position of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, it was not urgent; after the Ministry of Revenue was through its busy period, suitable candidates would be assessed for promotion based on their performance.

The Emperor approved Minister Ji’s proposal.

Minister Ji personally led Tang Youyin to the Ministry of Personnel to handle the official documents.

Minister Zhang found Minister Ji’s behavior displeasing, coldly smiling inwardly and responding with some sarcasm: "The Ministry of Revenue is so busy, yet Minister Ji makes it a point to free up time to come to the Ministry of Personnel. Such earnest care for subordinates is truly commendable."

This was a jab at Minister Ji for currying favor with the Emperor, even at the expense of a minister’s dignity.

Minister Ji was no pushover, and he glanced at Minister Zhang: "The Ministry of Revenue has been having issues one after another, and I, as the Minister of Revenue, cannot avoid blame. The fact that I am still in the ministerial position is due to the Emperor’s compassion for an old minister. Being a minister through three reigns, I ought to transform accordingly. Otherwise, there’s no need to concern myself with the Ministry of Revenue and I might as well retire earlier."

Take care of your own position before mocking me!

The Emperor methodically dealt with the Ministry of Revenue, executing a Minister and transferring an unsatisfactory Assistant Minister, yet Minister Ji’s position remained secure.

As the head of the Six Ministries, the Ministry of Personnel hadn’t been targeted by the Emperor nor personnel rearranged. Do you really think that’s a good thing?

Most likely, there will be no movement, or it will be a significant one.

Minister Zhang had been holding a grudge against the Emperor. When the Emperor finally consolidated power, Minister Zhang’s moment of reckoning would come.

Minister Zhang’s face twisted momentarily, hit where it hurt.

The verbal sparring between the two Ministers was not something Tang Youyin, a newly appointed fifth-rank Assistant Minister, could interfere with. Tang Yuanwailang stood quietly aside, maintaining a low profile.

After waiting for an hour, the official documents were stamped with the Ministry’s seal. Tang Youyin was inwardly excited, though his demeanor remained calm as he respectfully received the documents, thanking Minister Zhang and then Minister Ji.

Tang Youyin was promoted several ranks overnight, becoming a fifth-rank official at the Ministry of Revenue. This did not cause much of a stir within the Ministry of Revenue.

The Emperor had placed his confidant in the Ministry of Revenue, and awarding a fifth-rank position was not exceptionally high. They had previously thought Tang Youyin might even fill the fourth-rank Minister’s vacancy!

Now that Tang Youyin filled the fifth-rank Assistant Minister position, the Minister’s vacancy remained. Minister Ji had already stated that the vacancy could be filled when someone demonstrated exceptional performance. In the bureaucratic world, a fourth-rank vacancy meant the middle and lower-ranking officials at the Ministry of Revenue were all eager and ready.

When Ma Yaosong brought the confiscated properties from the Huaiyang Prince Mansion to the Ministry of Revenue, he was warmly welcomed by the Ministry’s officials.