Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 505: Methods (Part 2)

It was not until dusk that Jiang Shaohua left the Ministry of War office.

The Assistant Minister Ding, who had accompanied him for half a day, was quite exhausted, and ordered the Chief Clerks to move the military roster ledgers back. One of the Chief Clerks, who was a trusted aide of Assistant Minister Ding, cautiously approached and whispered, "Assistant Minister Ding, Vice Minister Wang is still in the Ministry of Justice. Shouldn’t we try to handle the situation?"

Assistant Minister Ding sighed, "No rush for now. Earlier, Vice Minister Yang personally came over, and the Nanyang County Princess specifically instructed us. Those words were meant for us to hear. Vice Minister Wang won’t suffer much."

The Chief Clerk muttered, "An honorable Vice Minister of War, being taken to the Ministry of Justice to file a case, it’s humiliating. Vice Minister Wang is the most proud and dignified, how can he endure such disgrace?"

Assistant Minister Ding said helplessly, "Even if he can’t endure it, he has to. He fell for the Commandery Princess’s provocation and spoke recklessly. Based on what he said today, he wouldn’t be wronged to be punished a bit."

The crime of disrespect can be light or heavy. Emperor Taihe can easily forgive him, or use the opportunity to severely punish him.

"In the end, it’s still Vice Minister Wang who was too ungrateful," the Chief Clerk said in a low voice with a sigh, "Minister Zheng always supported and trusted him, everyone saw it. It can be said that without Minister Zheng, there would be no Vice Minister Wang today. Not knowing gratitude is one thing, but stabbing Minister Zheng in the back is really too much!"

Assistant Minister Ding cast a glance at his trusted aide, "Don’t say such things carelessly. If it spreads, even you could be implicated in the matter of selling official positions."

The Chief Clerk gave an embarrassed smile and immediately fell silent.

If the case of selling official positions in the Ministry of War were thoroughly investigated, about seventy to eighty percent of people in the entire Ministry would be implicated. Fortunately, Duke An blocked the front, and since it was an official scandal, no formal case was filed for strict investigation. From this perspective, the entire Ministry of War was dragged into the mire due to Vice Minister Wang’s betrayal.

Today, Jiang Shaohua displayed his might by sending Vice Minister Wang to the prison of the Ministry of Justice. There were more than a couple of people secretly cheering.

Even Assistant Minister Ding, who chastised his aide a few times with words, was secretly amused?

...

"That scoundrel!"

In the Zhaohai Palace, the voice of Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, full of righteous indignation, echoed, "How dare he be disrespectful to the Emperor, disrespectful to me! Shaohua did the right thing, he must be severely punished to teach him a lesson. Otherwise, if all the courtiers follow suit, whispering behind our backs, what would become of us!"

Today, Emperor Taihe was assisted to walk a few steps out of the bed, now sitting on a chair, looking through today’s records, and anger also flashed in his eyes.

Jiang Shaohua was on his behalf inspecting the Six Ministries. Vice Minister Wang’s reckless words showed that he indeed had no reverence for him as the Emperor.

Jiang Shaohua personally poured tea and handed it to the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, "Please have some tea, Grand Aunt, to calm down."

After a bout of scolding, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, feeling parched, took the teacup and drank it all, then continued to scold Vice Minister Wang.

If Vice Minister Wang hadn’t suddenly backstabbed, Duke An wouldn’t be besieged from both sides, forced to shut himself in for introspection, still staying at the Zheng Mansion until now, not knowing when he could return to court. With the Grand Empress Dowager’s Faction leaderless, the Grand Empress Dowager’s influence on the court greatly diminished.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, having held a stomach full of suffocated anger, was now slamming the table and cursing Vice Minister Wang, feeling extremely delighted. Looking at Jiang Shaohua again, he was simply like a small cotton-padded jacket, speaking and acting entirely to her liking.

Jiang Shaohua smiled gently and refilled a cup of tea for Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, "The matter can be dealt with lightly or heavily. Ultimately, how to deal with it, I shall leave it to Your Majesty’s consideration."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng looked at Emperor Taihe, "What does Your Majesty intend to do with him?"

Emperor Taihe exhaled a deep breath, "Duke An cannot return to court for the time being, and there must be someone in the Ministry of War to work. Vice Minister Wang harbors resentment and spoke irreverently, I will dock his salary for half a year. As for imprisonment, that is spared. It is indeed improper for a dignified Vice Minister of War to stay overnight in the prison of the Ministry of Justice."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was somewhat dissatisfied, "Only docking half a year’s salary, that’s too lenient for him!"

"It’s enough to disgrace him," Jiang Shaohua said in a low voice, "Your Majesty wants to be a wise ruler, not punishing ministers for their words. This handling is just right."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng listened to Jiang Shaohua’s persuasion well and nodded, "Alright, I will spare him this time."

Jiang Shaohua looked up at Emperor Taihe, "Now that it is just evening, Your Majesty should send someone to go to the Ministry of Justice and have them release Vice Minister Wang."

Emperor Taihe was somewhat apologetic, "In doing so, I have wronged you, cousin sister Shao Hua."

Jiang Shaohua, angered by the crown, while he put on a show as a wise ruler to release someone. Through this whole play, Jiang Shaohua was obviously the most disadvantaged one.

Jiang Shaohua pursed his lips and smiled, "As your cousin, backed by a big tree, having exercised power against Vice Minister Wang, I am quite pleased. I can imagine that in the future, the courtiers would treat me with even more reverence and caution."

Emperor Taihe couldn’t help but smile, warmth surging in his heart.

Jiang Shaohua had been in the Capital City for less than a month, running around daily and busily. Gave the Ministry of Rites face, admonished Minister Zhou in the Ministry of Industry, showed great might in the Ministry of War, employing various means, all to ease the burdens of him, the Emperor.

"Zheng Sheren, you go to the Ministry of Justice." Emperor Taihe summoned Zheng Chen over and instructed him with the task.

Zheng Chen was the eldest son of Duke An, and this time going to the Ministry of Justice to deliver the Emperor’s decree to handle Vice Minister Wang, while also venting his spleen for his father. Zheng Chen would owe a favor for this.

Zheng Chen accepted the order with cupped hands and took the opportunity to thank Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua casually smiled, "It’s a simple task, no need for thanks."

Emperor Taihe smiled, "After you’ve been to the Ministry of Justice, you don’t need to return to the palace, just go home for the night."

...

An hour later, Zheng Chen returned to Duke An’s Mansion under the cover of night.

Duke An had long received the news, smiling brightly with joy, "Wang Pei’s reputation has been swept away this time. How embarrassing! Hahaha!"

And praised Jiang Shaohua, "The Commandery Princess’s move is indeed brilliant, capturing someone without shedding blood."

Zheng Chen’s emotions were extremely complicated, "It’s more than that; she sold favors to the Zheng Family, pleased the Grand Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and established her own authority. It can be said to kill several birds with one stone!"

Such sophisticated and mature political skills are truly remarkable!

Duke An suddenly sighed, "It’s a pity, Jiang Shaohua insists on marrying into her family. If she were willing to marry, I’d even swallow my pride to ask the Grand Empress Dowager for a marriage decree."

Zheng Chen showed no expression, "The Zheng Family and the Fan Family have already negotiated, just waiting to send betrothal gifts to establish the marriage contract."

Duke An glanced at his son, "Don’t I know that? I’m just saying it offhandedly. But whether or not you have feelings for her, you know best in your heart."

Zheng Chen was silent for a moment, "Even if I have feelings, it’s useless. She wants to be Nanyang County Princess, only willing to take a husband, not willing to marry."

Duke An hmmmed, "Even if she were to marry, she might not marry you. Wang Jin is good-looking with talent and family background, has a better temper than you. If the Commandery Princess gets to choose, nine times out of ten she’d choose Wang Jin."

Zheng Chen: "..."