Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 510: Wang Yi (Part 1)
The officials of the Ministry of War secretly complained, but they dared not show it openly. In the past, some officials would leave after checking in; now, they come early and leave late every day, and each is more spirited than the other.
The lax atmosphere of the Ministry of War was completely purged.
Duke An was engaged in closed-door self-reflection, yet his ears and eyes were still sharp. The Ministry of War was his territory, and more than one person secretly informed him. Upon hearing about this series of changes, even Duke An had to exclaim, "The Commandery Princess is truly formidable!"
Jiang Shaohua had been at the Ministry of War for nearly half a month, and through thorough investigation, uncovered numerous issues. Almost everyone in the Ministry of War was dragged into it, even Vice Minister Ding was scolded until his face was ashen.
Today, the Commandery Princess finally left the Ministry of War and went to the Ministry of Justice for inspection. Everyone at the Ministry of War breathed a sigh of relief, all smiles, as if they had sent away the plague god.
Vice Minister Ding coughed to remind the officials: "Everyone should still be careful with their duties and not make any mistakes. The Ministry of Justice is just next door; who knows, the Commandery Princess might come over at any time."
The officials thought it reasonable and returned to their positions, each busy with their own tasks.
The assassin case was still under investigation by the Ministry of Justice, and they had some ambiguous clues again. For instance, where the clothes and weapons of the assassin came from, but unfortunately, there was still no decisive evidence.
Vice Minister Yang was not particularly anxious either. That day in the palace, he and the Commandery Princess had already established a sense of mutual understanding with just a glance. Since the Commandery Princess did not intend to pursue it, the assassin case would drag on like this...
"Vice Minister Yang! The Commandery Princess has come to the Ministry of Justice, hurry out to welcome her!"
Vice Minister Yang immediately snapped back to his senses, nodded in acknowledgment, and hurriedly got up and stepped out.
With the precedent of the Ministry of War being rectified, the officials of the Ministry of Justice dared not slack off at all, and they greeted with particular respect: "This official welcomes the Commandery Princess."
Jiang Shaohua glanced around and smiled, "Please rise, everyone."
Minister Dai was prepared and was very polite: "I wonder where the Commandery Princess would like to start? I will have Vice Minister Yang prepare immediately."
Minister Dai, an old fox with decades of experience in the officialdom, without a word, immediately pushed Vice Minister Yang forward.
The Yang family was renowned for its expertise in legal affairs, and Vice Minister Yang’s direct nephew, Yang Zheng, served as an official at the Nanyang Prince Mansion. In recent years, Vice Minister Yang had become increasingly close to the Nanyang Prince Mansion. For Vice Minister Yang’s sake, the Commandery Princess would have to show some leniency!
Minister Dai’s calculations were clear and audible in his mind. Jiang Shaohua understood clearly and smiled slightly, "Very well, I wish to see the Ministry of Justice Prison. Please lead the way, Vice Minister Yang."
Vice Minister Yang respectfully complied.
Minister Dai sighed in relief and leisurely returned to his signature room.
Vice Minister Tang narrowly avoided disaster, but his mood was not good. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
Minister Dai was six months away from turning seventy. Retiring at seventy was a court tradition. Once Minister Dai retires, conventionally, the next Minister of the Ministry of Justice would be contested between the two vice ministers of the Ministry of Justice. Originally, Vice Minister Tang had the upper hand. But now, Vice Minister Yang has latched onto the Commandery Princess, even gaining more favor with the Emperor.
At this rate, he feared he wouldn’t be able to compete with Vice Minister Yang!
Vice Minister Tang’s anxiety was of no concern to Vice Minister Yang.
In officialdom, skills can be refined and duties can be learned slowly; aligning oneself is always the most important thing. At the age of ten, the Nanyang County Princess led her trusted aides to eliminate the bandits of Li County, showing decisiveness and ruthlessness beyond her years. Since then, he decided to bet on the Nanyang County Princess.
Facts have proven that his judgment was indeed accurate.
In just over five years, the Nanyang County had plenty of soldiers and grain, prosperous and peaceful, becoming a place envied by everyone in the North. Although the Nanyang County Princess was not in the court, she had a significant influence on it. Now, having come to the Capital City, she has swiftly replaced Duke An, becoming the leader of the Grand Empress Dowager’s faction, winning the Emperor’s trust.
When Minister Dai retires, as the Commandery Princess speaks favorably of him to the Emperor, how could Vice Minister Tang compete with him?
Jiang Shaohua smiled, glancing at Vice Minister Yang: "What is Vice Minister Yang thinking about to be so delighted?"
Vice Minister Yang smiled and said, "This official has always hoped for the Commandery Princess to come to the Ministry of Justice; today I finally waited for her arrival, and I am naturally pleased."
Jiang Shaohua chuckled, "Vice Minister Yang, don’t just humor me. In the ten or so days I spent at the Ministry of War, everyone was on edge, secretly calling me a ’ghost apparition.’ Today I come to the Ministry of Justice, and the people of the Ministry of War must be greatly relieved and joyful. The officials of the Ministry of Justice must feel uneasy."
"Everyone in the Ministry of War was on edge because they were neglectful and had a guilty conscience." Vice Minister Yang quickly picked up the conversation: "Our Ministry of Justice has always been efficient in handling cases and is unafraid of strict scrutiny."
Jiang Shaohua laughed again: "Vice Minister Yang has such confidence in the Ministry of Justice, and I am also comforted. When I report to the Emperor tonight, I will be sure to praise Vice Minister Yang well."
This was the Commandery Princess’s promise to speak favorably of him to the Emperor.
Vice Minister Yang felt secretly delighted and saluted in acknowledgment.
As they spoke, they had already entered the Ministry of Justice Prison.
Vice Minister Yang began to introduce: "The Ministry of Justice Prison is divided into three parts: the Criminal Room for interrogating prisoners, the dungeon for holding major offenders, both underground. The cells above ground are cleaner and can see sunlight. If a court official commits a crime, they are held here."
Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly, "Where is Wang Yi?"
Vice Minister Yang replied, "He is in the first cell ahead; please follow me, your Highness."
The case of Wang Yi’s embezzlement and bribery had been going on for almost half a year. The evidence was so compelling that there was no need for a trial. If it were an ordinary official, he would have been executed and had his family property confiscated long ago.
However, Wang Yi had a powerful father. He managed to preserve Wang Yi’s life, and the court had not yet sentenced Wang Yi, so he remained in the Ministry of Justice Prison.
Jiang Shaohua entered the cell and clicked her tongue in disapproval, turning to give Vice Minister Yang a look.
Vice Minister Yang was thick-skinned and not embarrassed. He accompanied his smile, saying, "This is the eldest son of Prime Minister Wang. Even if he’s inept, we can’t treat him badly for the Prime Minister’s sake."
Thus, the cell was not only spotless with all the necessary furniture, but everything looked like a fine item.
The corpulent Wang Yi sat at a table, sipping fine wine, with several exquisite dishes placed on the table. A beautiful maid was pouring wine for Wang Yi, while another danced gracefully on the empty floor beside them.
This was hardly imprisonment; it was more like a vacation.
Jiang Shaohua’s gaze cooled slightly as she glanced at Vice Minister Yang.
Vice Minister Yang was somewhat helpless and whispered, "This was arranged by Lord Minister himself; I am in no position to comment."
Minister Dai and Prime Minister Wang were longtime close friends, practically like family. When Wang Yi was young, he even called Minister Dai godfather. Unable to absolve Wang Yi of his crimes, Minister Dai arranged for Wang Yi to live comfortably in the Ministry of Justice Prison. As they said, being one rank higher can overpower someone. Vice Minister Yang had no choice either.
Wang Yi was outrageously brazen, having fallen to the point of imprisonment, yet he still carried himself with the air of "my father is the greatest in heaven and earth, and I’m second," looking over nonchalantly, "Who’s this beauty from?"
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