Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 490: Turning the Tables (Part 3)

Jiang Shaohua looked deeply into Emperor Taihe’s eyes: "Cousin is the Emperor of Da Liang, and all civil and military officials are your subjects. Their loyalty to Da Liang is their loyalty to you."

Emperor Taihe discerned the underlying meaning of Jiang Shaohua’s words and felt somewhat disappointed: "I understand what you mean. Zuo Feng is Prime Minister Wang’s man, and it’s likely impossible for me to bring him under my control."

That much was certain. The Zuo Family pledged allegiance to Prime Minister Wang twenty years ago and became his loyal followers. Back then, Emperor Taihe wasn’t even born!

Over the years, Prime Minister Wang has exclusively promoted Left General Zuo, relying on him as a close aide. Left General Zuo’s military accomplishments, at least half, were dedicated to Prime Minister Wang. The intertwining connections were too deep to be easily severed.

Not to mention, Left General Zuo harbors resentment for being dismissed by the court for inquiry. Even if the court reinstates him, it’s to appease Prime Minister Wang. Ultimately, it’s thanks to Prime Minister Wang that he could stand again in the court. Such grace requires utmost loyalty in return.

The truth mustn’t be stated too bluntly, to avoid wounding the Emperor’s pride.

Jiang Shaohua softly said: "Things have their priorities. Now, we must stabilize people’s hearts and get the six ministries of the court functioning smoothly. The most important thing for cousin is to take care of your health. When you can attend court sessions in the future, you can gradually win people’s hearts."

Winning people’s hearts is easy to say, but extraordinarily difficult to do.

Emperor Taihe has been on the Dragon Throne for over two years, yet even his close aides have their own agendas, and the court’s ministers have varied aspirations.

Emperor Taihe let out a self-deprecating laugh: "I am but a mediocre talent, incapable of being a wise ruler. Unfortunately, my brother is a naive child. If you were a man, my own brother, what would it matter if I passed the throne to you?"

"Such a joke ought not be made," Jiang Shaohua immediately chided: "I am but a woman, content with the affluent Nanyang County. If such joking words reached those with ulterior motives, leading to unsavory rumors, how could I bear the responsibility?"

Emperor Taihe had spoken casually and, seeing Jiang Shaohua displeased, quickly laughed: "It was just nonsense, rest assured, there’s no one else here, it won’t spread."

While the two siblings spoke, only Eunuch Ge remained to attend them. Loyal to Emperor Taihe, Eunuch Ge was tight-lipped and wouldn’t divulge anything.

This was yet another sad, laughable, and lamentable reality. Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had managed the palace for decades, with ears and eyes everywhere, well-informed. Even in Zhaohai Palace, there were her spies among the eunuchs and palace maids. The dignified Emperor could truly trust only Eunuch Ge.

Jiang Shaohua felt a pang of sighs within.

Emperor Taihe’s voice arose again: "The administration assessment form you designed truly can be put to practical use? What if they falsify the results?"

Jiang Shaohua came back to herself and replied with a smile: "It’s not a matter of ’if’, but it’s certain some will falsify results. In the officialdom, everyone cares about appearances; no one wants to be last and laughed at, then forced to write an apology petition. Some will diligently do their duties, while some who are shrewd and thick-skinned will indeed devise schemes."

Emperor Taihe frowned: "Then won’t the assessment form be useless?"

"Not at all." Jiang Shaohua’s eyes twinkled: "It’s simply a whip to drive them to work diligently. It’s useful for the majority of ministers. For those scheming excessively, unless it’s too extreme, it’s best to not pay them much heed. If someone is excessively blatant about it, just catch one or two and punish them accordingly."

"In simpler terms, handle major issues strictly and minor ones leniently. In the Nanyang Prince Mansion, this is how I manage the Prince Mansion’s officials. I only assign tasks; how they arrange and execute them, I do not intervene, only observing their results."

"Over time, it becomes clear who is attentive and who is perfunctory."

Speaking of the Nanyang Prince Mansion, Jiang Shaohua exuded confidence and composure, an implicit smile in her eyes.

Even Emperor Taihe couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy: "You spend half the year inspecting the Fourteen Counties, leaving all affairs of the Prince Mansion to the officials. Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng manage the external and internal affairs respectively, handling the Prince Mansion admirably. I’ve heard the other officials are also dedicatedly loyal to you, the Commandery Princess. You’re three years younger than I am, yet your abilities far surpass mine."

Jiang Shaohua chuckled: "How could they compare? Nanyang County is such a small place, while cousin, as the Emperor, must govern the vast Da Liang and countless subjects. The difficulty between the two is worlds apart." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Yet Jiang Shaohua arrived in the Capital City and, in just a few days, subdued the ministers, ensured smooth court deliberations, dealt with accumulated governmental affairs, showed goodwill towards Prime Minister Wang, appeased Duke An, and even took the opportunity to win over Left General Zuo...

If he were more thick-skinned, he could completely take the credit himself. Without his trust and full support, Jiang Shaohua couldn’t have accomplished these feats.

Alas, he hasn’t cultivated enough, nor is his face thick enough for such claims. He knows clearly, even if he recovers and attends court himself, he couldn’t reach this level.

It’s fortunate that Jiang Shaohua is a woman. If someone with such governance skills were Jiang Yi, as Emperor, he would have to tread carefully as if on thin ice.

These thoughts flickered briefly in Emperor Taihe’s mind.

Jiang Shaohua seemed not to notice the trace of forlornness and dimness in Emperor Taihe’s eyes, accompanied him in idle talk for a moment, then took her leave.

Upon exiting Zhaohai Palace, Jiang Shaohua discreetly exhaled a sigh of relief.

Engaging daily with the court’s senior officials, whose minds are as complex as sieves, coaxing Grand Empress Dowager Zheng to refrain from causing trouble, and encouraging the sensitive and fragile Emperor recuperating, even if she were full of energy and determination, she would feel somewhat fatigued.

...

After a night’s rest, Jiang Shaohua stood once again, brimming with energy, before the ministers.

As usual, it began with a small morning assembly.

Perhaps yesterday’s administration assessment form had an effect, as today’s small assembly proceeded particularly smoothly, concluding in just two hours.

It wasn’t even noon yet. The ministers did not stay for lunch, each returning to their respective government offices.

"Minister Zhou, please stay." Jiang Shaohua pleasantly halted the Minister of Ministry of Industry.

Minister Zhou felt a chill in his heart, suddenly sensing an ominous premonition: "What instructions does the Commandery Princess have?"

The other ministers were also a bit surprised, turning their gazes toward them. The assembly was over, so why was the Commandery Princess separately calling Minister Zhou?

They saw the Nanyang County Princess approach Minister Zhou with a smile, speaking kindly: "I have spare time in the palace with nothing to do, and thought to accompany Minister Zhou for a visit to the Ministry of Industry."

Minister Zhou: "..."

The ministers: "..."

This wasn’t merely a visit; it was a true inspection of the Ministry of Industry.

Why choose the Ministry of Industry first? The reason isn’t hard to guess. The Ministry of Revenue allocated a substantial amount of silver to the Ministry of Industry for repairing river embankments. This is currently the most important governmental affair in the court.

The Emperor is unable to leave the palace easily, but the Nanyang County Princess does not have that constraint. If she wishes to leave the palace, she can simply do so, and if she wants to inspect the Ministry of Industry, she can say it directly.