Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 640: Governance (Part 2)

Next, Jiang Shaohua instructed Ma Yaosong to fill the post of Extraordinary Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

The previous Extraordinary Minister of the Ministry of Personnel died tragically during the palace upheaval. The fifth-rank official position became vacant. Ma Yaosong, who was originally a Standard Seventh Rank Chief Steward in the Nanyang Prince Mansion, leaped up four levels.

Though Ma Yaosong was young, he displayed a calm demeanor indifferent to fortune or misfortune and did not show any overwhelming joy. He bowed to express his gratitude to the Commandery Princess.

Minister Zhang, having recently suffered a setback, was inconvenienced to oppose again and repeatedly gestured to Minister Dai.

However, Minister Dai remained silent and immobile today, as if he were a wooden sculpture.

Yesterday, the Commandery Princess visited the Wang Family, promised to give Wang Jin a heavy role, and duly respected Prime Minister Wang. Prime Minister Wang then turned around and sent word to Minister Dai, Minister Zhou, and others, even Minister Zhang received word, not to obstruct or make things difficult for the Commandery Princess at court.

Minister Dai and Minister Zhou listened to Prime Minister Wang, only Minister Zhang harbored resentment and obstructed the Commandery Princess at every turn.

Minister Zhang, seeing Minister Dai ignoring him, felt vexed and turned to Minister Zhou. Minister Zhou simply hung his head.

Jiang Shaohua coldly glanced at the frenzied Minister Zhang and asked, "Does Minister Zhang have any opinions?"

Arguing with the Commandery Princess over a mere fifth-rank official position was indeed making a mountain out of a molehill. Minister Zhang quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind and awkwardly replied, "I have no opinions."

Jiang Shaohua continued to give orders, instructing Yang Zheng to assist the Ministry of Justice in thoroughly investigating the rebellion cases of the Gao Liang Prince Mansion and Prince Dongping Mansion.

Yang Zheng perked up and accepted the order with a salute. However, he felt somewhat regretful. Chen Jinyu leapt from Commandery Princess Attendant to Imperial Attendant, and Chief Historian Chen would become the de facto Prime Minister; even Ma Yaosong was elevated in rank. Only he was given a task...

The main issue was that there was no vacancy at the Ministry of Justice, so there was no position for him.

Jiang Shaohua looked at Cui Du.

Cui Du consciously stepped forward, waiting for the Commandery Princess to issue commands.

"Elder Changning excels in agricultural matters, cultivating and improving grain varieties. This is a monumental task benefiting the country and the people. From today, a Ministry of Agriculture is to be established, with Elder Changning appointed as the Minister of Agriculture. He is to exclusively manage the cultivation and promotion of grain varieties and guide the populace in farming."

Cui Du, uninterested in fame, fortune, wealth, or status, solely wanted to pursue his original profession. The Commandery Princess specially established the Ministry of Agriculture for him, which immensely delighted him, and he immediately bowed in gratitude: "I thank the Commandery Princess for the privilege. In the future, I will wholeheartedly carry out my duties to relieve the Commandery Princess of her worries and ensure the people can lead lives with enough food."

Was another Chief of Staff added?

Minister Zhang habitually opened his mouth to question: "Commandery Princess, the court has long been divided into Six Ministries, each government office has a batch of officials. Now, suddenly establishing a Ministry of Agriculture, will positions also be established?"

Minister Dai finally spoke: "From where does the Commandery Princess plan to allocate the officials?"

Fulfilling positions in one department is not a simple matter. Take the Ministry of Justice, besides the Chief of Staff, there are Left and Right Vice Ministers, additionally two doctors and four Extraordinary Ministers, adding up to over forty people in total.

How many positions does the Ministry of Agriculture need to establish? From where will the officials come? Should they be directly transferred, or newly selected? These are all significant considerations. They will directly affect the structure of the court.

As old ministers, they naturally resist too much change.

Minister Ji from the Ministry of Revenue coughed slightly and tactfully indicated that the National Treasury has long been depleted and may not have the capacity to support the sudden additional expenses.

Minister Dong and Minister Ding, however, expressed support for the Commandery Princess’s effort in establishing the Ministry of Agriculture. The justification was exceedingly clear and upright: "Agriculture is the foundation of the nation. Nanyang County’s people are affluent, each household has surplus grain, new grain has already been promoted in the North, all thanks to Elder Changning’s achievements. The Commandery Princess values agriculture, establishes the Ministry of Agriculture to allow Elder Changning to fully utilize his skills, which is a good deed that benefits all citizens."

The ministers each voiced their opinions, whether anyone secretly lamented "The Empress is indeed troublesome, raising her husband before ascending the throne" remains unknown.

Jiang Shaohua patiently listened for a while, and after everyone expressed their views, she spoke: "I understand everyone’s concerns."

"First, establishing the Ministry of Agriculture is to better promote new grain and improved grain varieties. This is a significant matter benefiting the country and people, with no personal agenda."

"Secondly, the Ministry of Agriculture differs from the Six Ministries, it does not require so many officials. Besides Elder Changning, only two positions will be set up to assist. The location for handling affairs will be outside the court; the Commandery Princess plans to choose a field manor with expansive fertile lands, Elder Changning to lead people there. Any inquiries can be directly reported to the Commandery Princess."

Thus speaking, the ministers had nothing to oppose. The Ministry of Agriculture was merely a proposal; Elder Changning was to stay at the Imperial Manor to cultivate grain varieties, essentially not participating in governance. It held no real authority.

Minister Zhang and others couldn’t help but think that the Commandery Princess was indeed naturally adept at wielding power and authority, even taking precautions against her husband, directly excluding him from the political power center.

For civil officials, the changes were thusly temporary; for military officials, there were more vacancies.

Firstly, General Bao was severely injured; whether he can recover is still uncertain. Jiang Shaohua’s attitude towards General Bao was similar to her attitude towards Prime Minister Wang, keeping the position reserved, waiting for recovery before discussion.

Two military generals died in the palace upheaval, additionally, the traitorous Gao Shan Weixiong had been killed. These positions needed filling. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Jiang Shaohua looked at Minister Ding: "The Ministry of War has a merit record of military generals, select the outstanding ones from within to present before the Commandery Princess for review, then deliberate and decide."

The Commandery Princess did not rush to seize military power, instead, adopting a prudent, official attitude. Not only Minister Ding but also the Left General and General Liu had nothing to say.

In truth, the Commandery Princess had already indicated today that she would not engage in a massive upheaval of personnel changes, calming the ministers considerably.

Next, the accumulated governmental affairs needed addressing.

Jiang Shaohua continued her previous habit, instructing the ministers to report the affairs under their charge to her. If matters could be negotiated and resolved immediately, decisions were made quickly. Those requiring consideration and discussion could not be delayed indefinitely, a conclusion was expected within three to five days.

Chen Sheren spontaneously took up the pen to record notes.

Wang Jin was familiar with palace affairs and consistently provided suitable suggestions when the Commandery Princess sought advice.

Chief Historian Chen, the de facto Prime Minister, remained exceedingly low-key, barely voicing any opinions. This was a wise choice, allowing the ministers to first adapt to his presence, and only revealing abilities after the adjustment period had passed.

...

Busy throughout the day, the ministers departed from the palace with buzzing heads.

After Vice Minister Yang got into the carriage, he did not hurry to leave. As expected, a figure soon boarded the carriage: "Uncle."

Vice Minister Yang nodded slightly and glanced at Yang Zheng: "This is not the place to talk, let’s speak once we return to the mansion."

Yang Zheng swallowed back the words that were at the tip of his tongue.

Once they returned to the Yang Family, entered the study, Vice Minister Yang ordered all attendants to leave, leaving only the uncle and nephew. Yang Zheng did not speak but he first sighed.