Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 709: Negotiation (Part 2)

Whenever Zhao Wu and the Zheng family’s father and son are mentioned, along with the border army’s defeat years ago, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s anger feels as if doused by a bucket of icy water.

It chills her from head to heart.

Isn’t it just striking her where it hurts?

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s expression stiffened for a moment, forcing herself to lower her stance, her voice softened: "Without conclusive evidence, how can one be convicted merely based on speculation?"

"It might just be a coincidence that Zhao Wu was with the Yu State Army. Zheng Chen fleeing there might also be mere chance."

Jiang Shaohua wore a face of helplessness: "When Grandmother speaks such words, of course, I believe them. But can the entire court of civil and military officials believe it? Can mere coincidence silence widespread doubts?"

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was at a loss for words for a moment, her tone becoming even more conciliatory: "You are the Emperor,"

Who dares question what you say?

Jiang Shaohua replied calmly: "The Emperor’s prestige and power are meant for governance, not to shield ministers of crime."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng: "..."

Cui Du almost wanted to worship his Empress. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

In just a few sentences, there was restraint without revelation, authority without force. It lightly struck the opponent’s weak spot, truly formidable.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng knew she had wholly fallen into a disadvantageous position, after staying silent for a while, finally resorted to her last measure.

"I do not care about these things. In any case, I cannot stand by and watch the Zheng family destroyed."

"I am over sixty years old and cannot withstand the calamity of my maternal family being exterminated. If you have an ounce of filial piety, consider my face, and at least preserve the Zheng family."

Half of the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s words were theatrics, the other half genuine sentiment, as she spoke, her eyes reddened, two turbid old tears teetered on the brink of falling, appearing most pitiable: "Shao Hua, take it as my plea to you."

Jiang Shaohua sighed deeply, reaching out to support the trembling, grief-stricken Grand Empress Dowager Zheng: "I will honor Grandmother and provide for her in old age. Why must Grandmother be so stubborn, sacrificing the dignity and face of an Empress Dowager for a single Zheng family?"

"Grandmother cares so much for them, protects them, yet how do they treat Grandmother? It was Grandmother who granted them power, yet behind her back, they commit such treasonous acts. Where does this leave Grandmother? Where does this leave your trusted brothers?"

"Now Zheng Chen instigates the Yu State Army to rebel, evidently disregarding Grandmother’s position in the palace. Is it worth Grandmother bowing and bending for them?"

Struck at her vulnerable point, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s turbid old tears, poised to fall, immediately welled up, streaming down her elderly cheeks.

Jiang Shaohua sighed once more, taking a kerchief from Chen Sheren to wipe the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s tears: "I know, Grandmother has always been concerned with the Zheng family. Over the years, they have also done many errands for Grandmother. But in essence, it is still Grandmother who has given them more. Grandmother owes them nothing, nor does she owe the Zheng family a cent. Now is not the time to shed tears for them."

"Shao Hua," the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng cried bitterly, clinging tightly to Jiang Shaohua’s hand, reluctant to let go: "Grandmother pleads with you, save the Zheng family. Let the Duke An voluntarily resign from his Minister of War position, the title can also be revoked."

Jiang Shaohua pondered silently.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng gritted her teeth and continued in a low voice: "Zheng Chen must die. Let Duke An submit a memorial, shifting all blame regarding Zhao Wu over to Zheng Chen. The Zheng family will open the ancestral hall and expel Zheng Chen from the genealogy."

That means sacrificing the pawn to preserve the general.

Jiang Shaohua replied calmly: "Zheng Chen has already rebelled, adding or removing one crime won’t affect the larger scheme."

In other words, the conditions provided are still insufficient to move the Emperor.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng continued to make painful concessions: "I’ll have the Zheng family donate thirty percent of their estate as military funds."

Showing sincerity through tangible silver coins.

Jiang Shaohua’s brows slightly relaxed: "The court dispatching elite soldiers of the Heroic Guard Camp to Yu State indeed costs greatly. Last night, Vice Minister Ding of the Ministry of War submitted a memorial, detailing the uneven quality of warhorses, and the arsenal’s weapons and armor experiencing substantial loss. I had to temporarily requisition usable warhorses and weapons from the Imperial Army’s military camp."

This was all the mess left by Duke An during his tenure. Naturally, it’s only right for Duke An to make amends.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng wasn’t entirely aware of the magnitude of this gap. However, being cornered on all sides by Jiang Shaohua, there was no choice but to discard her armor: "All lacking warhorses and weapons required by the Ministry of War shall be replenished by the Zheng family."

Jiang Shaohua gave a slight nod, gazing at the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng lamented: "I’ve retreated again and again. Surely you’re not suggesting I should use my private funds to patch the court’s deficit!"

Where did such a huge deficit in the court come from?

A slew of gluttonous rats in court, and the Grand Empress Dowager herself is also extremely greedy. "That bit of private stash" has long surpassed the National Treasury.

Jiang Shaohua’s heart filled with cold laughter, yet his words were exceedingly soft and considerate: "Grandmother has lived many years, keeping some private funds, aren’t they for passing on to your descendants? Grandmother, rest assured! I would never aim for Grandmother’s private treasury."

Pass on to the descendants?

These words again stabbed at the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

Her son died young, and her eldest grandson also passed away in his prime. Now only an eight-year-old foolish boy remains. She holds vast wealth, but once she departs this world, can Prince Ping guard such an enormous fortune?

Who knows, it might fall into the hands of Imperial Concubine Fan... pfft! She doesn’t deserve it! Might as well give it to Jiang Shaohua across from her.

The complicated emotions of the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s heart were likely only understood by herself.

Jiang Shaohua waited patiently for a moment, but the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng remained wooden and unyielding, unwilling to move aside or offer any further concessions.

Seems that this time, this is all that can be squeezed out.

Jiang Shaohua felt a bit regretful, but then said: "Grandmother, the ministers are waiting in the main hall, and I must go to court. After the assembly disperses, I shall accompany Grandmother for lunch."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng reluctantly released his hand.

Cui Du immediately stepped forward to support Jiang Shaohua’s arm. Jiang Shaohua chuckled: "I’m not so delicate."

Cui Du, unusually persistent: "I simply want to hold on to you."

Jiang Shaohua let him.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng watched the Emperor and his retinue leave, casually commanded: "Zhao Jingming, assist me back to Jingyang Palace."

No one responded nearby.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng frowned and looked around, surprise overtook her when she realized Mr. Zhao was absent.

Eunuch Lin lightly coughed: "Grand Empress Dowager, Zhao Jingming is lying on the bed nursing his injuries, he cannot serve temporarily. Let this servant escort the Lady back to Jingyang Palace."

Zhao Jingming entered the palace when young—serving her by the age of ten—for nearly twenty years. To her, he was not a common servant replaceable by anyone.

On a whim that night, she had Zhao Jingming beaten, and these past days without him attending because he was bedridden, she found herself deeply unaccustomed.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng did not speak of it, but in truth, she regretted it profoundly.