Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 508: Subjugation
Prime Minister Wang was also shocked by this sudden turn of events.
Judging others by his own heart, he did not believe that Jiang Shaohua would have such a lofty mind. It must be to win the Emperor Taihe’s favor and trust.
It must be so!
A young girl, how could she have the demeanor of a wise ruler? Absolutely impossible!
Prime Minister Wang quickly suppressed his surging emotions, bowed to Emperor Taihe, and said, "The Commandery Princess has clear eyes and an enlightened mind, her vision and structure are beyond the ordinary, this old minister is in admiration."
"This old minister dares to guarantee with his life for the Left General. The Left General is loyal to the country and has also received the grace of the Commandery Princess, he would never commit such an act of assassination!"
"Please, Your Majesty, see clearly!"
Emperor Taihe sighed, "Prime Minister, please rise! I have never doubted the Left General and the Prime Minister. You are the pillars of Da Liang. If I can’t even trust you, then among all the civil and military officials, there would be no one trustworthy."
Moved to tears, Prime Minister Wang bowed deeply and knelt down.
Emperor Taihe stepped forward to personally help Prime Minister Wang up, speaking kindly, "Please, Prime Minister, go to the Zuo Mansion on my behalf, explain the origin of this matter to the Left General, and reassure him."
"Also, I plan to let the Left General take command of the Divine Guard Camp."
The main general of the Divine Guard Camp used to be General Wei. Unfortunately, General Wei led troops to suppress a rebellion two years ago and suffered a major defeat in Pingzhou, with heavy casualties. After returning to the Capital City, he was executed.
As a result, the Divine Guard Camp has been in a slump, becoming the weakest of the Capital City’s garrison troops in the past two years.
The Left General was formerly the main general of the 100,000-strong border army and the number one figure in the military. To now be reinstated to take command of the Divine Guard Camp is naturally somewhat of a grievance. However, being able to reestablish oneself in the military is always a good thing.
Currently, the Left General can’t afford to be picky.
Prime Minister Wang hurried to thank the Emperor on behalf of the Left General for this favor.
Emperor Taihe appeared tired, and the ministers all took their leave one after another, bowing as they exited. Several secretaries escorted them out of Zhaohai Palace on behalf of the Emperor. Wang Jin stepped forward to support Prime Minister Wang’s arm.
The crowd tactfully slowed their pace, leaving space for the father and son to speak.
"Today, if the Commandery Princess had gone along with the flow, the Zuo Family would have been mired. The Left General would also find it hard to rise again," Wang Jin said in a low voice. "This favor, the Left General must acknowledge, and you, Father, should also be more courteous and respectful to the Commandery Princess in the future."
Prime Minister Wang gave Wang Jin an ambiguous look and suddenly said, "I was planning to arrange a marriage for you, but now it seems we should wait a little longer!"
The court is like a quagmire, once you step in, it’s hard to leave unscathed.
Perhaps Jiang Shaohua will change her mind and stay in the Capital City long-term.
Wang Jin still has a chance.
As for Elder Changning, Cui Du, Prime Minister Wang did not really keep him in his sights. Aside from being able to marry into the family, what else could surpass the future head of the Wang Family? If Jiang Shaohua truly has ambitions for power, she should know that marrying into the Wang Family is the best choice!
Wang Jin detected the implication in Prime Minister Wang’s words, suddenly becoming a bit emotional, "Father..."
Prime Minister Wang interrupted Wang Jin’s words unhurriedly, "That’s far enough, you can return now!"
Wang Jin acknowledged, but his steps did not stop until he had escorted Prime Minister Wang to the palace gates before turning back.
Prime Minister Wang boarded the carriage but did not hurry to leave. After waiting for a moment, a familiar figure indeed approached, "This humble official is traveling in the same direction as the Prime Minister and shamelessly requests to accompany him for a stretch."
It was Minister Dai.
The carriage moved forward smoothly. Inside, the lantern swayed slightly, and Prime Minister Wang’s face was emotionless. Minister Dai looked at Prime Minister Wang and suddenly sighed, "To be honest with the Prime Minister, the Commandery Princess’s behavior today was unexpected, this humble official is also in awe."
Minister Dai, too, was a veteran minister who had served three reigns, ranking equally with Prime Minister Wang in terms of seniority. Compared to the aggressive and sharp Minister Zhang, Minister Dai was much more low-key in court. In terms of personal friendship, Prime Minister Wang and Minister Dai were somewhat closer.
Therefore, Minister Dai spoke his mind directly, "The younger generation is indeed formidable! It’s a pity the Commandery Princess is of the female gender. If she were male, it would be most fitting for her to rule the Da Liang Empire. We, as ministers, would not have to struggle daily, and each of us would just bow our heads and do our jobs."
Prime Minister Wang glanced at Minister Dai, "You seem to hold the Commandery Princess in very high regard."
Minister Dai gave a bitter smile, "The Commandery Princess has been in the Capital City for just over a month, hasn’t uttered a single useless word, nor done a single foolish thing. She has managed to placate the Grand Empress Dowager while soothing the Emperor, stabilize the court by suppressing the ministers, speed up court affairs considerably, and the Six Ministries are several times more efficient in handling official business. Several secretaries, each a rare talent, seemed dull in comparison to her."
"To say the Commandery Princess relies entirely on the Emperor’s power isn’t completely accurate. After all, even when the Emperor wasn’t ill, he couldn’t achieve all this."
Prime Minister Wang finally frowned, "What do you mean by all this? Do you perhaps intend to throw in your lot with the Commandery Princess?"
Minister Dai was not intimidated by Prime Minister Wang even in private, boldly replying, "In half a year I will be seventy. It is rare to live past seventy. If I were twenty years younger, I might indeed consider a change."
Prime Minister Wang couldn’t help but smile and sigh.
Minister Dai smiled briefly and then solemnly said, "This humble official wishes to advise the Prime Minister, since the Commandery Princess intends to ease hostilities, why not take the opportunity to make peace with her? After all, there’s no irreconcilable enmity, why be enemies?"
"We are, after all, old and can only be in the spotlight for so many more years. This court will eventually become the domain of the young."
Prime Minister Wang’s eyebrows moved. He wanted to say something but restrained himself, finally saying after a long pause, "This Prime Minister will give it careful thought."
Minister Dai said no more, closing his eyes to rest.
...
Two sticks of incense later.
When Prime Minister Wang pushed open the door to his study, he saw a tall and valiant middle-aged man standing with his hands behind his back. Hearing the door open, the man immediately turned around and bowed, "Zuo Feng greets the Prime Minister."
It was none other than the Left General.
Before going to the palace, Prime Minister Wang had someone send a message to the Left General. The Left General, anxious, came to the Prime Minister’s Mansion at once. He had expected to wait until midnight but did not anticipate Prime Minister Wang’s early return.
The Left General asked quietly, "Prime Minister, for pleading on my behalf in the palace, I am forever grateful."
Prime Minister Wang said calmly, "No need to thank this Prime Minister. This time you should thank the Nanyang County Princess."
The Left General was startled and looked up.
Prime Minister Wang then explained the situation in a low voice. Some words, even when relayed, were still firm and powerful.
The Left General was silent for a moment, then sighed, "This favor from the Commandery Princess, I cannot not acknowledge. I must find an opportunity to repay it in the future."
Jiang Shaohua’s remarks spared the Zuo Family a great deal of trouble. Otherwise, once this muddied water was splashed over, the Zuo Family would find it hard to explain.
"Did you send the assassin?" Prime Minister Wang asked straightforwardly.
The Left General immediately replied, "Absolutely not. I did not send anyone to assassinate the Commandery Princess."
Prime Minister Wang pondered for a moment and asked in a low voice, "Could it have been done by someone in the Zuo Family without your knowledge?"
