After more than two months of recuperation, Pri Minister Wang finally "recovered" and returned to court.
"This old minister greets Your Majesty." Pri Minister Wang stood in front of the Dragon Couch with a face full of guilt, cupped his hands in salute: "Your Majesty, being ill yourself, still worried about this old minister’s health, which makes this old minister truly ashad."
Emperor Taihe, unable to leave the couch, was helped to sit on the Dragon Couch, his voice carrying more strength: "Pri Minister Wang, you may dispense with the formalities. Soone, bring him a seat."
Eunuch Ge and another eunuch brought over a chair. After so polite refusal, Pri Minister Wang sat down.
Emperor Taihe, having been ill, had lost much of his original sharpness, and spoke increasingly with gentleness and calm: "The matters of the past need not be ntioned. Speaking of now, court affairs are complex and governntal duties pile up. With being ill, I cannot manage the heavy tasks, so the burden falls on you, Pri Minister."
Pri Minister Wang naturally expressed his loyalty as a minister. Cliché speeches and insincere words made people weary, no need to detail them.
The monarch and his minister feigned a show of cooperation and soon began discussing official business.
After reviewing Minister Zhou’s morial from the Ministry of Industry, Pri Minister Wang’s expression beca grave: "This matter must be quickly brought to court discussion to reach a decision."
Emperor Taihe nodded: "I have already issued a verbal order, and the Six Ministers and Vice Ministers will soon enter Zhaohai Palace. I am unable to go to the main hall, so let the ministers co to my chamber."
Pri Minister Wang frowned, disapprovingly: "Your Majesty is unwell and should rest quietly, not worry about state affairs. Moreover, with Your Majesty’s current frail condition, it’s inadvisable to let the ministers see. It might undermine your imperial authority. If Your Majesty trusts this old minister, then entrust this matter to . Once a decision is made, I shall report back to Your Majesty."
When Emperor Taikang was gravely ill, he entrusted all state affairs to Pri Minister Wang. This way, he was neither burdened nor did the ministers witness the Emperor’s weakened state, preserving the Emperor’s dignity.
But in such a manner, Pri Minister Wang held all the power in his hands. Once power is relinquished, reclaiming it becos exceedingly difficult.
Emperor Taihe weighed his options but struggled to make a decision, as Jiang Shaohua’s voice echoed beside him: "Pri Minister Wang makes a valid point, Your Majesty should not et the ministers in your current state. It is better if Pri Minister Wang presides over the court session. I, the younger sister, will be your eyes and ears, to see and hear."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Taihe relaxed his brow and agreed with a nod.
Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly.
Pri Minister Wang glanced at Jiang Shaohua without expression, neither opposing her.
Nanyang County was the wealthiest and most prosperous among the vassal territories, and Jiang Shaohua, the Nanyang County Princess, was, in fact, the head among vassal kings. Two years ago, she broke court convention and stood in the court as a woman. She attended all the grand and small court etings without exception.
Now, having arrived, it was only right for her to attend the court session. He, as Pri Minister, had no position to oppose.
Thus, the decision was settled.
An hour later, the ministers entered the main hall of Zhaohai Palace.
The Dragon Throne was vacant. Pri Minister Wang faced the ministers to preside over the court eting. The Nanyang County Princess stood beside Pri Minister Wang, also facing the ministers, giving a semblance of sharing the stage equally.
Minister Zhang had a subtle expression and instinctively glanced at Pri Minister Wang.
Duke An was still in self-reflection behind closed doors. Was the Nanyang County Princess aiming to replace Duke An, becoming the leader of the Grand Empress Dowager’s faction in court?
Pri Minister Wang remained calm and said in a deep voice: "Today’s court eting is to discuss the repairs of the river embanknt. Feel free to present any thoughts you have."
Minister Zhang cald himself and was the first to speak: "Clearing the river and building the embanknt is an paramount matter, and it must certainly be done."
The other ministers also expressed their agreent one by one. Only Minister Ji of the Ministry of Revenue had a deeply furrowed brow: "Last year, we rebuilt two hundred miles of river embanknt, conscripted tens of thousands of civilians along the Yan River for labor, and spent millions in funds and resources. As a result, during the flood season, five sections of the embanknt were washed away by floodwaters. Many fertile fields and villages were subrged, and nearly a thousand people perished in the floods."
"It’s not that I oppose the embanknt repairs, but the money and resources must be spent wisely, and the embanknts repaired must be truly effective."
This directly criticized the Ministry of Industry for being perfunctory in embanknt repairs, leading to poor quality.
Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Industry’s face suddenly turned grim: "What does Minister Ji an by this? Many of us in the Ministry of Industry, for the sake of river managent and embanknt construction, have been busy to the point of not being able to return ho. The embanknts being washed away by river floods is due to natural disasters. How can it be blad on us not doing our utmost?"
Minister Ji, with his straightforward personality and fiery temper, imdiately retorted expressionlessly: "Whether or not you’ve exerted yourselves, those in the Ministry of Industry know best. If Minister Zhou has a clear conscience, why be so incensed?"
Minister Zhou sneered: "The Ministry of Revenue oversees the National Treasury, Minister Ji is always shouting about an empty treasury. Exactly where does each year’s tax revenue go?"
Minister Ji replied coolly: "If you’re so capable, you should co and be the Minister of Revenue."
Argunts during court sessions were a common occurrence among the ministers. Pri Minister Wang showed no intent to stop them. Just as the familiar scene of bla-shifting and mutual accusations was about to unfold once more, an unexpected voice echoed in the hall.
"If argunts could solve problems, you could shout until nightfall without issue. Now, with ti pressing, unnecessary nonsense should be spared."
Her words were sharp and blunt.
It was the Nanyang County Princess, Jiang Shaohua.
Minister Zhou was left speechless, and Minister Ji’s face also looked unpleasant. Zhaohai Palace fell into silence for a mont.
Jiang Shaohua looked towards Pri Minister Wang: "Pri Minister Wang, I recall that court etings have their own set of rules. Everyone is allowed to speak, however, no one may interrupt while another is speaking. Why have court etings beco so unruly now?"
Wasn’t it because Duke An always opposed the others that court etings in recent years turned into large-scale bickering scenes among ministers? You accuse , and I won’t let you.
The truth being what it is, said so publicly by Jiang Shaohua implies a failing on the part of the Pri Minister.
Pri Minister Wang had no choice but to cup his hands and apologize: "This old minister is incompetent."
Jiang Shaohua said indifferently: "I, the Commandery Princess, do not understand river managent. Today I am here on behalf of the Emperor to listen and observe. Please, proceed."
The ministers did not look pleased. However, losing face is less of an issue when it’s shared equally among everyone.
The court eting continued.
This ti, one minister after another spoke, and no one interrupted. In fact, without Duke An present, there was no argunt to be had.
Jiang Shaohua patiently listened and occasionally glanced at Wang She Ren, who was writing furiously: "Has Wang She Ren recorded everything? Later, it will be presented to the Emperor."
Wang Jin acknowledged with a sound and continued writing.
Pri Minister Wang slightly twitched the corner of his mouth.
Previously, there was no such practice in court etings. It was Jiang Shaohua who advised the Emperor to have the secretary record everything, then present it before the imperial court. In this way, everyone had to be particularly cautious in their speech and stance, lest they inadvertently leave evidence of misconduct.
Jiang Shaohua’s ticulousness was truly unmatched.
What usually resulted in prolonged argunts without resolution during court sessions was conducted exceptionally smoothly today. Within less than an hour, the preliminary plan for the embanknt repairs was concluded.
After remaining silent for a long ti, Jiang Shaohua spoke again: "There is still ti, so let’s also discuss the urgent piled-up governntal affairs!"
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