Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 723: Digging a Pit (Part 2)

The Ministry of Revenue approved the budget within a day.

Tang Youyin handed the note for the silver to Yang Zheng: "Keep this note safe. There’s no need to rush to take the silver. You can use this note to buy materials directly, and then settle with the Ministry of Revenue later. This will save some costs."

Yang Zheng was extremely grateful: "I must thank you for your help this time."

Tang Youyin was of average height and plain appearance, seemingly unremarkable, but he was an expert in his duties and well-versed in dealing with people. Smiling at Yang Zheng’s words, he said, "No need for formality. We are both old folks of Nanyang County; it’s natural to help each other. In the future, if I encounter difficulties, I may need Brother Yang’s assistance."

He then lowered his voice and advised: "To deal with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, you should seek out Jiang Yuanwailang. He is a former official from the Ministry of Revenue and easier to deal with than the eunuchs."

Jiang Yuanwailang was transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs that day, feeling disgraced and embarrassed. However, as long as he didn’t resign, he had no choice but to endure the situation. Privately, he still maintained contacts with officials from the Ministry of Revenue.

Tang Youyin was an extraordinary person, taking over Jiang Yuanwailang’s position, which should have made him an eyesore to Jiang Yuanwailang. Surprisingly, after privately visiting Jiang Yuanwailang twice, whatever he said managed to quell Jiang Yuanwailang’s resentment. They even developed some friendship!

Having received Tang Youyin’s guidance, Yang Zheng thanked him profusely and invigorated himself to visit the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The Chief Eunuch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, surnamed Min, was naturally a close confidant of the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng. Regarding the Ministry of Industry’s request for silver, Manager Min’s principle was that tasks could be started first, but the silver was not available for the moment.

Tang Youyin didn’t go to Mr. Min but instead went to speak with Jiang Yuanwailang.

Jiang Yuanwailang’s duties in the Ministry of Internal Affairs were much lighter than before, but he had plenty of opportunities for gain. Moreover, as the Ministry of Internal Affairs had always been the domain of the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, as long as she was kept pleased, no one would scrutinize the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ accounts.

Apart from the reputation, actually, it was a bit more favorable than when he was at the Ministry of Revenue.

Did Jiang Yuanwailang resent the Emperor? Of course, he certainly did! However, one day, Tang Youyin spoke sincerely to him: "The Emperor is magnanimous; once he has dealt with a minister, he bears no grudge. Brother Jiang, now at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, should continue to serve well as a court official."

"If Brother Jiang harbors resentment and fills his belly with complaints, upsetting the Emperor when it reaches his ears, what good would it bring in the future?"

"Pardon my bluntness, but the Grand Empress Dowager is not young, and longevity of another ten or twenty years would already be considered old age. The Emperor, however, is at the prime of his youth."

"Even if Brother Jiang doesn’t care about his career, wouldn’t he spare some thought for the future of his family and descendants?"

This last sentence hit Jiang Yuanwailang’s weak spot precisely.

A fifth-rank official, considered mediocre in the Capital City, was transferred disgracefully into the Ministry of Internal Affairs with just a word from the Emperor. How could he have the confidence to contend with the Emperor?

The Grand Empress Dowager’s power was not as strong as before and couldn’t be relied upon.

Later, Duke An resigned his post, surrendered half of his family’s assets, and even his plaque was taken down. Jiang Yuanwailang fully realized and took the initiative to connect with Tang Youyin.

Now that Doctor Yang, a confidant of the Emperor, came to manage an affair, Jiang Yuanwailang was also willing to offer convenience and advised: "Such a large expenditure cannot be decided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs alone; it must be reported to the Grand Empress Dowager, and only after her consent can the silver be allocated. However, it’s heard that the Empress Dowager has been unwell lately, so Mr. Min may not be willing to report this matter."

Yang Zheng, with a full smile, flattered him and requested Jiang Yuanwailang to make a report on his behalf.

Jiang Yuanwailang sighed: "I am, after all, an external minister and cannot enter the palace all the time. I can only enter Jingyang Palace to report matters every ten days to half a month, which might delay Doctor Yang’s task."

This is not an excuse, as Jiang Yuanwailang indeed did not enter the palace frequently.

Yang Zheng knew this trip was not easy and persisted in convincing Jiang Yuanwailang.

Jiang Yuanwailang had no choice but to offer a suggestion: "Mr. Zhao and Eunuch Lin are both favored by the Empress Dowager. If Doctor Yang contacts one of them and has someone whisper a plea into the Empress Dowager’s ear, the task could then proceed smoothly."

...

"So, did Yang Zheng go to see Mr. Zhao?"

The charcoal brazier in Zhaohai Palace emitted warm heat.

Jiang Shaohua, having approved several memorials, was a bit weary, took a sip of warm tea, ate some snacks, and listened to Chen Sheren gossiping for entertainment. When he heard about Yang Zheng being in trouble, he wasn’t at all angry but rather intrigued: "Did Mr. Zhao help out?"

Chen Jinyu chuckled softly: "Mr. Zhao has a significant appetite, and asking him to intercede isn’t achieved by mere words. It’s heard that Doctor Yang privately sent a lavish gift."

Jiang Shaohua laughed: "He should have come directly to me; wouldn’t I have backed him up? Instead, he’s competing with Minister Zhou in a huff."

Chen Jinyu, from the minister’s point of view, could understand Yang Zheng: "The Emperor brought a few ministers into the capital; both my grandfather and I served smoothly in the palace. Ma Yaosong was given an external post and then entered the Ministry of Personnel, which was also appropriate. As for Tang Youyin, there’s no need to mention it, as he thrived in the Ministry of Revenue and was esteemed and utilized by Minister Ji. Yang Zheng, always competitive, went to the Ministry of Industry and became a fourth-rank Chief Doctor, ranking highest among us ministers."

"Being in such prosperity, he was put in a bind by Minister Zhou, looking foolishly vexed, too ashamed to request the Emperor for help."

"He surely wants to find a way to handle the task appropriately before reporting to the Emperor."

Jiang Shaohua smiled warmly: "Very well, I shall wait and see."

There wasn’t much to critique about Minister Zhou’s side. Even if the Emperor questioned, he could confidently answer back. Precisely because the task was challenging, it required capable and efficient talents like Doctor Yang to handle it!

Thinking of Minister Zhou, Jiang Shaohua couldn’t help but sigh: "The court seems stable, but it’s just surface-level stability. True loyalty from all ministers is still a long way off."

Chen Jinyu laughed: "The Emperor has only been on the throne for half a year, and to have such a situation is already impressive."

Jiang Shaohua chuckled: "I am still not content, not quite satisfied."

Just as they were laughing, Qin Hu entered, holding a military report with a solemn expression.

Jiang Shaohua restrained his smile, took the report, and glanced over it.

In just a few lines, it was steeped in the scent of blood. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The Yu State Army had risen in rebellion, occupied the Yu State Government Office, and killed all Yu State officials who refused to surrender. The Yu State Army also requisitioned the money and grain from all noble families, recruiting more than ten thousand soldiers within two to three months.

The Yu State Army even forced the people to build city walls, completely displaying an attitude of establishing itself as an independent kingdom.

Chen Jinyu, beside him, was so furious that smoke almost came out of his ears: "These damn scoundrels!"

Jiang Shaohua’s eye was cold: "Convey my decree, summon the civil and military officials above third-rank to enter the palace immediately."