Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 639: Governing Affairs (Part 1)
At this moment, Jiang Shaohua’s emotions were surging, fluctuating and hard to calm for a long time.
This Jinluan Palace is where the power of the Da Liang Court converges. Over the past two hundred years, a total of nine emperors have sat high on the Dragon Throne, wielding supreme imperial power to govern state affairs.
This has been a man’s world, without a woman’s involvement.
Today, she, Jiang Shaohua, enters Jinluan Palace as the new Emperor, about to usher in a new era. The immense tumult within is indescribable in words.
In fact, the hearts of the ministers were equally complicated.
The Nanyang County Princess had also previously attended the court to listen to politics and handle affairs. They had bowed their heads and listened to orders before, but this time, it was vastly different.
The Commandery Princess was no longer attending court for someone else but was their new Emperor!
A bunch of old ministers in their fifties had to bow their heads to a sixteen-year-old girl, and the tremendous impact of this swirled in their hearts. Fortunately, they maintained their composure and did not let it show.
"Everyone, please rise." Jiang Shaohua’s firm and powerful voice broke the stagnation in Jinluan Palace.
The ministers again cupped their hands to express gratitude, standing according to rank and position as usual.
Since Jiang Shaohua had not officially ascended to the throne, she naturally would not sit on the Dragon Throne. A smaller chair was set beside it, and she calmly stepped forward to sit.
All the ministers in the hall bowed their heads and stood solemnly, while only Jiang Shaohua sat. This was the majesty and dominance of ruling over the world.
Whether Jiang Shaohua felt nervous and anxious inside, no one knew. Because no one dared to look up and make eye contact with her.
Prime Minister Wang and Duke An did not manage to attend the court, Minister Li permanently closed his eyes, leaving the civil servants short of the three most important figures.
Among the military generals, General Bao was absent. As for General Song, he was struggling to lead troops back to the capital, which would take more than half a month to reach the Capital City.
Additionally, one civil servant and two military generals died on the day of the palace coup. In this consideration, the number of senior officials qualified to attend the small court meeting was five fewer.
Conveniently, officials from the Nanyang Prince Mansion filled in.
Chief Historian Chen, Cui Du, Yang Zheng, Chen Jinyu, and Ma Yaosong, exactly five of them. They did not stand in the front row, consciously positioning themselves at the back. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
Also attending the small court meeting was Wang She Ren. No, he should now be called Secretary Wang. What Jiang Shaohua said at the Wang Family yesterday had already spread among the ministers.
According to the usual practice in the small court meeting, it generally started with Prime Minister Wang. Now that Prime Minister Wang was not present, whoever spoke first would depend on Jiang Shaohua’s intention.
In the court, positioning and the order of speaking were also important, closely related to both official rank and imperial favor.
Minister Zhang was eager to speak.
Jiang Shaohua glanced over and first pointed to Vice Minister Dong: "Minister Li has loyally sacrificed for the nation, leaving the position of Minister of Rites vacant. Vice Minister Dong will fill it. Formal official documents will be processed later, and Vice Minister Dong will first take charge of all matters of the Ministry of Rites."
Vice Minister Dong restrained his inner excitement, solemnly bowed, and said, "I will serve earnestly, never failing to live up to the Commandery Princess’s expectations."
Vice Minister Dong...no, from today on, he should be called Minister Dong.
Minister Dong was meritorious for raising the banner for the Commandery Princess, and it was only natural for the Commandery Princess to value and promote him. The ministers had nothing to say about it. Only Minister Zhang felt quite displeased inside.
Theoretically, the Six Ministers are of equal rank. In reality, there are distinctions among them. The Ministry of Personnel, overseeing the promotion of officials, is naturally the foremost of the Six Ministries. Next is the Ministry of Revenue, handling the country’s finances and taxes. Following that is the Ministry of War, holding military power. Then come the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Justice, with the Ministry of Industry last.
Prime Minister Wang is severely injured and unable to attend the court, so the next Prime Minister should be selected from the Six Ministers. Minister Zhang believed he was the most qualified.
However, with Vice Minister Dong suddenly becoming Minister Dong, who excels in flattering the Commandery Princess, should the Commandery Princess choose a new Prime Minister, Minister Dong would unfortunately be his strong rival!
As Minister Zhang murmured to himself, the Commandery Princess continued: "Minister Zheng suffered a leg injury, and the Zheng Family is involved in a rebellion case, which will be officially investigated and tried later. The position of Minister of War is temporarily taken over by Vice Minister Ding."
Vice Minister Ding, usually low-profile like an invisible man, stepped forward and bowed to express gratitude for the Commandery Princess’s grace under the shocked and jealous gazes of Vice Minister Wang.
By this time, the ministers naturally realized that Vice Minister Ding had probably pledged allegiance to the Commandery Princess in secret for some time. Normally silent, he now reaped the rewards.
Jiang Shaohua continued: "From today on, Wang She Ren is Secretary of the Secretariat. Chen Sheren, in your future duties, you must follow Secretary Wang’s orders."
Chen Jinyu cupped his hands and accepted the command.
Chen Jinyu had accompanied Jiang Shaohua to court before, and the ministers had gladly accepted the Empress; now there was nothing they couldn’t accept about a woman serving in the court. They all glanced at each other in approval.
"Chief Historian Chen," Jiang Shaohua addressed the most familiar, closest, and reliable minister: "From today, you will stay in the palace to help screen memorials and administrative affairs, submitting the important ones first."
Chief Historian Chen hadn’t yet accepted the order when Minister Zhang couldn’t help but speak: "Commandery Princess, Chief Historian Chen is the Chief Historian of the Prince Mansion, holding a legitimate fifth-rank official position. Even if the Commandery Princess plans to promote exceptionally, a leap to the Prime Minister’s role is inappropriate! This goes against court rules!"
Officials below the third-rank have their promotions overseen by the Ministry of Personnel. Even for appointments above third-rank, the Ministry of Personnel must issue official documents. Therefore, Minister Zhang’s questioning was genuinely righteous and forceful.
Minister Dai and Minister Zhou also chimed in support: "Minister Zhang’s words are correct; this indeed breaks the rules."
"Please reconsider, Commandery Princess."
That the Commandery Princess ascends as the Empress is not something they can stop. However, regarding specific administrative affairs, there are plenty of details to be deliberated.
In fact, who doesn’t bring their trusted aides to power? When Emperor Taihe was alive, he made teenage reading companions into secretaries of the secretariat, who lived in Zhaohai Palace with the Emperor to handle memorials. Was that entirely in conformance with the rules?
In the end, it was the ministers’ internal dissatisfaction, offering a desired obstacle for the Commandery Princess.
Jiang Shaohua remained calm and unhurried, speaking slowly: "In Nanyang County, I was accustomed to Chief Historian Chen managing affairs. Now that I sit here, I will similarly use Chief Historian Chen."
"As for the court rules you mentioned, it wasn’t an exceptional promotion. Prime Minister Wang is recuperating and will return to the court once he recovers, hence the position of Prime Minister is naturally reserved for him."
The ministers: "..."
Prime Minister Wang is so severely injured; how could he possibly return?
The Commandery Princess clearly meant for Prime Minister Wang to hold the title while the actual Prime Ministerial duties are performed by Chief Historian Chen. In doing so, not a single "court rule" was violated.
Minister Zhang was rendered speechless.
Minister Dai and Minister Zhou exchanged glances, each secretly sighing. It seemed the Commandery Princess was well-prepared in advance. Let us watch this small court meeting today!
