Until today's morning court hastily concluded amidst a flurry of disputes, the assembled ministers still couldn't quite process what had happened.
Wait, seriously? The princess participating in state affairs—such an outrageous matter—and none of the senior officials expressed any opinion?
Moreover, Princess Fukang has long resided deep within the palace, so how could she have so many supporters in the court? Isn't this... utterly absurd?
Despite these thoughts, when considering Her Highness's earlier thods and the palace inner court that remains tightly sealed without leaking even the slightest information, aside from a few hardliners, many in the court ultimately softened their opposition.
Setting other matters aside, this one truly holds grudges and wields a rciless hand!
After the initial shock, Zhao Zhen, who had ntally prepared himself to face the storm of criticism from his ministers: "..."
Recalling how previously, whenever he made the slightest misstep, countless censors would swarm forward with sharp criticisms, and now seeing that even when making extraordinary requests, the court ministers still chose their words carefully...
Even their objections remained asured, not daring to use the slightest inflammatory language.
Zhao Zhen: "..." After a mont of silence, the official wearily waved his hand. "Fukang, it seems your father has underestimated you after all..."
That night, Zichen Palace remained brightly lit.
Gazing at his daughter before him, dressed in crimson robes and having blossod into an elegant young woman, Zhao Zhen's eyes unconsciously revealed complex emotions.
Who could have imagined that this seemingly harmless young girl could manipulate the court's political landscape to such an extent?
Others might be understandable, but to make Han Qi, Fan Shenzhi, and even the chief and deputy commissioners of the Bureau of Military Affairs and the Three Departnts remain silent, even subtly showing support...
The official knew these n's characters well—they were not people who could be swayed by threats or bribes.
Lifting his gaze again, Zhao Zhen's eyes now held gravity and astonishnt. After a long mont, he finally took a deep breath: "Fukang, you... those earlier impeachnts and dismissals concerning several ministers, court officials, and deputy commissioners of the Three Departnts—were these all orchestrated by your hand?"
Sitting casually opposite him, An Ning replied with natural ease: "Father, you jest. Your daughter lacks such capability—it was rely normal court political struggles."
"Indeed, regardless of the reasons, Father, the previous charges weren't fabricated, were they?"
At most, she had rely found vulnerabilities, given a small push, and replaced them with more intelligent and pragmatic people.
At best, it could only be considered adding fuel to the fire! Ah, she certainly couldn't bear the title of mastermind.
"Moreover, Father, you rather underestimate these gentlen's integrity."
Gently turning the blue-and-white porcelain teacup in her hand, An Ning's expression grew more serious: "In truth, Father, you should understand best that while others might be different, what I can offer these gentlen—or what makes them believe in —is never re power or profit. Rather, it's that I possess, or they believe I possess, the ability to help them achieve their political aspirations..."
Or perhaps one should say, the determination to see them through...
As the saying goes: offer profit to those who seek profit, offer fa to those who seek fa, and show power to those who fear authority—since ancient tis, winning people's hearts has always followed this pattern.
But An Ning understood that for so people, what transcends personal and even family fa and fortune are the ideals and aspirations they pursue throughout their lives, or rather, their political ambitions.
And these were clearly things the person before her couldn't provide...
If he could have, the earlier new policies wouldn't have started strong but ended weak, eventually failing to protect even the people involved.
Taking a gentle sip of the clear tea, An Ning finally raised her eyes. The young woman's clear gaze soon reflected the image of the person before her: "Actually, Father, you should understand this point better than anyone..."
Behind the desk, Zhao Zhen's eyes again revealed complex emotions. After a long silence, he finally said slowly: "So indeed, those workshops and lands from before were all yours..."
Facing the almost certain tone of the person before her, An Ning didn't deny it but nodded directly. After a mont, she raised her eyes and looked directly at the person before her, smiling lightly: "Yes, so Father, considering how much tax revenue your daughter has contributed to the court over these years. With Lord Han currently serving as Commissioner of the Three Departnts, your daughter won't aim too high. But regarding the chief position at the Ministry of Revenue—I've heard Minister Liang unfortunately fell seriously ill a few days ago and has already submitted his resignation..."
"Such coincidence surely indicates heavenly will. Why not temporarily entrust the Ministry of Revenue to your daughter for now?"
The official: "..."
Long after the young woman's crimson figure had completely disappeared from view, Zhao Zhen remained in Zichen Palace, unable to collect his thoughts. The vast hall was utterly silent:
Only when Zhang Maoze approached to replace the official's now cold tea did he hear an almost imperceptible sigh: "Maoze, if only Fukang were a prince..."
With such skill and ability, he could depart this world without any lingering concerns...
After a long while, another complex sigh echoed through Zichen Palace.
anwhile.
"Ah, it went so smoothly? No way!"
The system, which had thought its host would need to engage in lengthy persuasion and three hundred rounds of debate with her father, couldn't help but be stunned.
Wait, is this cheap father really so easy to talk to?
"What else did you expect?"
Flipping through the book in her hand, An Ning remained noncommittal: "With having already secured the ministers' support, what reason would he have to oppose?"
This cheap father may be benevolent yet weak, and overly indecisive, but he's not foolish.
Just as she had won over Ministers Han and Fan, the sa principle applied to this cheap father.
Given the hidden problems beneath the court's prosperous surface, as the official, could he truly be unaware?
Actually not. Being able to recognize talent and appoint suitable people, having nurous talents and literary giants erge during his reign, and maintaining the dynasty's surface prosperity—for this official, these achievents couldn't be dismissed as re coincidence or luck.
Even his good temper and tolerance weren't entirely flaws. Without ntioning other aspects, his openness to counsel, refusal to suppress talent based on personal preferences, and avoidance of extravagant living already surpassed many emperors.
But unfortunately, An Ning thought to herself:
If he had been born in truly peaceful tis or during the founding of the dynasty, when power wasn't yet dispersed and social contradictions hadn't accumulated to critical levels, this benevolent ruler might well have been a capable monarch.
Yet unfortunately, there are no ifs...
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