Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 506: Guidance

Vice Minister Wang, who had spent half a day in the Ministry of Justice Prison, did not return directly to the Wang Mansion after leaving the Ministry of Justice. Instead, he took advantage of the night to visit the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Prime Minister Wang, busy all day, was quite exhausted. However, since Vice Minister Wang had come, he had to meet him.

He had been a Prime Minister for over twenty years, and countless officials pledged allegiance to him, more than he could remember. Wang Pei had come under his wing over a decade ago. He arranged for Wang Pei to enter the Ministry of War, but on the surface, they did not seem to have much contact.

Later, Duke An joined the court and entered the Ministry of War. He secretly instructed Wang Pei to side with Duke An. This move had been years in the making and ultimately became a sharp weapon against Duke An.

"Please have Vice Minister Wang come to the study."

As soon as Vice Minister Wang entered the study, he knelt down and cried, "Prime Minister, today I suffered this great humiliation. I beg you to stand up for me and seek justice!"

Prime Minister Wang felt a bit of a headache and frowned, saying, "For a dignified third-rank official, what are some setbacks? It’s no surprise that the Commandery Princess would lash out if you don’t know when to bow your head when overpowered. Now that you know the Commandery Princess’s prowess, keep your head down in the coming days, don’t stir up any trouble."

Vice Minister Wang found himself unable to continue crying. He wiped his face, full of resentment and unwillingness, and said, "Is even the Prime Minister afraid of that little girl?"

Prime Minister Wang’s face turned cold, and his eyes flashed with a chill, "Little girl? Even I, the Prime Minister, admire Nanyang County Princess’s scheming and means, yet you dare to see her as an ordinary, ignorant girl? You must be blinded by greed and stupidity!"

"She has the support of the Grand Empress Dowager, the Emperor’s trust and importance, backing from influential officials like Vice Minister Dong and Vice Minister Yang, and now the Grand Empress Dowager’s followers also view her as a leader. More importantly, she acts openly and rightfully, with sound reasons for all she does. And you, a Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, where do you find the nerve to compete with her?"

"The Emperor merely docked you half a year’s salary and didn’t strip you of your position, already showing you great mercy. If you continue to act foolishly, forget about becoming Minister of War! You might as well step down from your position early and retire to your ancestral home!"

Vice Minister Wang was scolded harshly; he didn’t dare to argue anymore and could only plead guilty. Whether he truly accepted it in his heart, no one knew.

After severely reprimanding Vice Minister Wang, Prime Minister Wang softened his tone to console him, "Tomorrow, attend the morning court meeting as usual. Be respectful and polite to Nanyang County Princess. If she still targets you, it would show her narrow-mindedness and lack of grace. In any case, exhibit the demeanor of a statesman."

Vice Minister Wang responded softly, but feeling discontent, he couldn’t help but ask, "For how long must I endure?"

"Until she returns to Nanyang County." Prime Minister Wang looked serious, "If even I, the Prime Minister, can endure, why can’t you?"

Vice Minister Wang, having reached his current status, wasn’t without intelligence. He sighed, "What is a little loss of face to me? Let it be. What I worry about is the continuous erosion of the Prime Minister’s prestige and authority. Everyone at the court knows that I am your loyal dog. The Commandery Princess putting me in my place is a way of undermining you, the Prime Minister!"

Prime Minister Wang snorted, "You don’t need to incite anything; I’m well aware of the situation. Now go back!"

Vice Minister Wang left reluctantly.

Jiao’s advisor, after seeing off Vice Minister Wang, returned to report. Prime Minister Wang nodded slightly and sighed in front of his confidants, "Jiang Shaohua is making an example to warn me and make me pull back."

Jiao’s advisor said in a low voice, "The Prime Minister already wields considerable power. The Ministry of War is the domain of the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, and Duke An will return after a period of reflection. Keeping Vice Minister Wang in the Ministry of War is just a jab at Duke An and the Grand Empress Dowager. Completely controlling the Ministry of War is extremely difficult."

Among the Six Ministries, the Ministers of the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Industry are all under Prime Minister Wang. Minister Li of the Ministry of Rites and Minister Ji of the Ministry of Revenue are considered loyal to the Emperor. Duke An has been operating in the Ministry of War for years, so while it is possible for Prime Minister Wang to place a few pieces there, completely controlling it is basically impossible.

Even a gentle Emperor Taihe would not tolerate a Prime Minister monopolizing the administration while controlling the military power. The court needs a balance of civil and military, not a Prime Minister with absolute power.

Jiang Shaohua’s actions today were a warning from Emperor Taihe to me, the Prime Minister.

"Well then, I will maintain my current superiority and pull back temporarily. I won’t interfere with the affairs of the Ministry of War for now. As for Wang Pei, his short-sightedness and rashness make him unreliable. Keep an eye on him and don’t let him cause trouble for me."

...

The following day’s early morning court session, Vice Minister Wang attended punctually.

Vice Minister Wang braced himself, ready for the ridicule and scorn from others, prepared for Nanyang County Princess’s humiliation. Unexpectedly, when the ministers greeted each other, no one mentioned what had happened the previous day.

When Nanyang County Princess arrived later, she didn’t even glance at him, acting as if nothing had happened: "Let’s begin today’s small court meeting, Prime Minister, please preside over the session."

Prime Minister Wang happily accepted the task.

Reading the government affairs, the ministers discussed, voted, and everything proceeded as usual.

Vice Minister Wang didn’t know whether to feel lucky or to feel saddened by his insignificance. In any case, his feelings were complicated and hard to describe.

By midday, the small court meeting concluded. The ministers had become accustomed to going directly to the various ministries to continue their work, privately wondering whether the Commandery Princess would still visit the Ministry of War today?

Of course, she did.

"Reporting to Lord Minister, the Commandery Princess has dismounted and entered the Ministry of War. Today, the Heir of Prince Gaoliang accompanied her again."

"Both Vice Minister Wang and Vice Minister Ding came out to greet her. Observing from a distance, the atmosphere seemed harmonious. Vice Minister Wang was much more respectful to the Commandery Princess, showing no signs of disrespect."

Minister Ji of the Ministry of Revenue stroked his sparse beard and nodded slightly, "Having been docked half a year’s salary, he would lose his position if he continued his disrespect. Vice Minister Wang was sensible enough. It seems someone advised him."

"Continue to observe. Report any developments immediately."

Keeping an eye on the Ministry of War was not limited to the Ministry of Revenue. The Six Ministries were all on either side of the Imperial Road, virtually adjacent. If anything happened at the Ministry of War, the other five ministries could quickly get the news.

After observing for half a day, everything in the Ministry of War was normal, leading to some disappointment due to the lack of drama as yesterday’s.

Until evening, when new developments emerged.

"What? The Ministry of Justice has traced the backgrounds of those eight assassins?" Minister Li of the Ministry of Rites inquired in the signature room, "What are their origins?"

His long-term follower responded softly, "I only managed to find out that much, the specifics are not known."

Minister Li glared impatiently, "Useless! Keep investigating!"

His follower acknowledged and promptly went to gather information, quickly uncovering the latest details.

Minister Dai of the Ministry of Justice, accompanied by two vice ministers, entered the palace to report personally to the Emperor.

...