Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 720: Pawn (Part 1)

The drama in Jingyang Palace quickly reached Jiang Shaohua’s ears.

Cui Du chuckled softly, "What a shame I wasn’t at Jingyang Palace today to see the Grand Empress Dowager fuming with anger."

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes gleamed with amusement, "No hurry, there will be plenty more opportunities like this in the future."

Uprooting the giant that is the Zheng Family while maintaining stability in the court is almost impossible. Yet now, it seems inevitable due to Zheng Chen’s rebellion, his fleeing, his mobilization of troops, and the series of actions such as drafting public announcements. From this perspective, Zheng Chen has made continuous ’contributions.’

How could this not make Jiang Shaohua feel delighted?

There’s more good news.

Minister Dai has privately hinted that he will resign and retire in the upcoming year.

For such a knowledgeable and insightful veteran official to retreat at the right time, it naturally warrants respect. Jiang Shaohua has been much more courteous and gentle with Minister Dai lately.

Minister Dai, who has been in court for forty years, is a real veteran of officialdom. Having decided to retire, he is doing his utmost to curry favor, constantly elevating Vice Minister Yang in front of other officials at the Ministry of Justice.

Everyone knows Vice Minister Yang is the inevitable choice for the next Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Like carrying a sedan chair, everyone lifts; consequently, the gate of the Yang Family is lively, with visiting cards piled a foot high at their door daily.

Yang Zheng, who returned to the Capital City from Wu’an County, just caught this great news, his eyes shining with delight, "Uncle is finally about to see the light of day."

Vice Minister Yang was cheerful with his current fortune, looking rejuvenated, seeming a few years younger, yet he continued speaking with restraint and humility, "Do not speak idly. As long as Minister Dai has not retired, the position of Minister of the Ministry of Justice remains unsettled. One must not be reckless!"

Yang Zheng laughed, "Rest assured, nephew only becomes complacent in front of Uncle; once out of this door, I guarantee not to show the slightest hint."

Vice Minister Yang stroked his beard and smiled.

The Yang Family is a prestigious judicial family, with eight cousins in Yang Zheng’s generation, five of whom are external officials. Originally ordinary, Yang Zheng was indeed fortunate to latch onto Nanyang County Princess like a massive tree. Now that the Commandery Princess has become Empress, in just six months, she has stabilized the court and the people’s hearts. Yang Zheng can be considered one of the loyal followers who supported the Empress, destined for a promising future.

It might even be that the future power and riches of the Yang Family will rest heavily on Yang Zheng’s shoulders!

"Have you clarified the murder of Prince Wu’an?" Vice Minister Yang asked casually.

Yang Zheng quickly responded, "Yes, I have."

"Prince Wu’an and his trusted aides encountered a group of roaming bandits. These bandits had no idea of the identities of Prince Wu’an and his aides; they were just after money. After committing murder, they recklessly discarded the bodies and took all valuables clean, even stripping off the clothes."

"I continued leading people on an extensive search for these bandits’ whereabouts. Unfortunately, they are incredibly sly, and I don’t know where they’ve hidden in the deep mountains."

"I had the government office issue a notice, seeking the whereabouts of these bandits. As soon as information emerges, the local office will immediately send constables to apprehend them. I led the people back to the Capital City."

Until the bandits are captured, the case cannot be closed. Such is the rule of the Ministry of Justice.

Vice Minister Yang nodded and urged, "When you enter the palace and report to the Emperor, be sure to clearly articulate the entire cause and effect. Don’t give cause for gossip."

Yang Zheng had matured a lot now and would not speak the bare truth privately, such as "What need is there for gossip when everything is obvious, it’s clearly orchestrated by the Grand Empress Dowager." He complied with all of Vice Minister Yang’s instructions.

Yang Zheng waited two days before receiving the summons from the Empress.

From this, one could tell that the Empress already had a thorough understanding of the assassination of Prince Wu’an; the process of filing and investigating was merely procedural.

"The subject pays respects to the Emperor." Upon entering Zhaohai Palace, Yang Zheng bowed respectfully.

"No need for formalities, rise."

The familiar voice reached his ears. Yang Zheng thanked the Emperor for his grace and quickly glanced at her while rising.

The Empress was pregnant, her belly growing larger, and her beautiful face slightly swollen. Yet, the sharpness and majesty in her eyes were undiminished.

Jiang Shaohua said, "Tell me the details of your trip."

Yang Zheng steadied himself and began narrating smoothly.

Jiang Shaohua expressed regret, "Prince Wu’an was indeed unfortunate, unexpectedly killed by bandits. The family of Prince Manor need not travel to the Capital City; let them remain in Wu’an County. Chen Sheren, write a letter on behalf of me and deliver it to Wu’an County Prince Mansion, to give them some peace."

With Prince Wu’an and his son dead, the remaining women, children, and elderlies in the Prince Manor cannot stir up a storm.

On the other hand, if there are those harboring resentment and secretly planning trouble, the court will have legitimate grounds to deploy troops and publicly settle Wu’an County.

It all depends on whether the people of Wu’an County Prince Mansion have enough sense.

Jiang Shaohua further said to Yang Zheng, "Ma Yaosong has received a position in the Ministry of Personnel, Tang Youyin in the Ministry of Revenue. You and Vice Minister Yang are close uncle and nephew, so it’s not suitable to be in the same government office. How about you go to the Ministry of Industry?"

Among the Six Ministries, Minister Dong leads the Ministry of Rites, Vice Minister Ding leads the Ministry of War, Vice Minister Yang is about to lead the Ministry of Justice. They are all trusted ministers of the Emperor. Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Personnel is the most challenging, requiring someone to keep an eye there. The Ministry of Revenue manages the nation’s finances and is prone to corruption; Tang Youyin stationed there is also a key piece.

Only the Ministry of Industry is left, where Minister Zhou is a staunch supporter of the Prime Minister Faction, now aligned with Wang Jin. Jiang Shaohua dispatching Yang Zheng to the Ministry of Industry serves to discipline Minister Zhou.

Yang Zheng, prior to entering the palace, was already guided by Vice Minister Yang, and he promptly responded without hesitation, "Wherever the Emperor needs the subject, the subject will go to serve."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "Good, then you shall go to the Ministry of Industry."

He turned to Chief Historian Chen and asked, "Chief Historian Chen, are there any vacancies in the Ministry of Industry currently?"

Chief Historian Chen laughed and answered, "Coincidentally, there is a vacancy due to mourning in the Ministry of Industry for a Minister."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly, "Then let Yang Shi fill the vacancy of Minister in the Ministry of Industry. Chief Historian Chen, accompany Yang Shi to the Ministry of Personnel, handle the official documents, and let him take office promptly."

In the Nanyang Prince Mansion, he was a Judicial Officer of Standard Sixth Rank. The position now filled is a fourth-rank Minister of the Ministry of Industry, a promotion of four levels! Previously envious of Ma Yaosong’s and Tang Youyin’s positions, unexpectedly, the Emperor treats him most favorably.

Yang Zheng became invigorated and promptly cupped his hands in gratitude, "Many thanks to the Emperor for the support. Once in the Ministry of Industry, the subject will diligently serve, never failing the Emperor’s generosity."

After Yang Zheng happily took his leave, Chen Jinyu whispered with a smile, "This Yang Shi has vented privately several times, thinking the Emperor only favors Ma Yaosong and Tang Youyin, while our Chen Family’s grandfather and grandson occupy high positions. Now becoming a fourth-rank Minister of the Ministry of Industry, he must be quite satisfied."