The Heavens: From Knowing Whether You Rule the World

Chapter 68: Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion!

The Duke of England is a smart man who always respects orders rather than people.

After seeing the blood edict, the Duke of Ying did not hesitate at all and led the troops to quell the rebellion together with everyone else.

Chu Hong also had the authority to open a city gate, so there was naturally no obstacle to entering the city.

Without any surprise, the rebels were easily suppressed.

The turmoil came too suddenly, and Prince Yan almost succeeded. He pressed the knife on Zhao Zhen's neck several times, leaving blood marks on his neck. Zhao Zhen was frightened in the turmoil and fell seriously ill not long after.

Not long after falling ill, Zhao Zhen died.

According to custom, when a king passed away, the day would replace the month, and the whole country would be in mourning for twenty-seven days.

This day was the day when the new emperor Zhao Zongquan ascended the throne.

The new emperor Zhao Zongquan sat on the throne, the empress dowager was behind the curtain, and the whole hall was filled with rich and powerful people.

A eunuch held an imperial edict in his hand, and his sharp voice echoed throughout the room: "Your Highness. The people respect you. Respect you like the head of state. The Son of Heaven. It is said that you will receive the divine weapon."

Sheng Changbai, dressed in a red robe, looked up and forward with some joy. The style of what the eunuch was reading was quite familiar, and it was obviously the work of his eldest brother-in-law.

What delighted and surprised him was that the enthronement edict contained the reform policy of breaking down and then rebuilding, and his grand ambitions were clearly visible.

As expected, did my brother-in-law also see the shortcomings of the Great Zhou Dynasty?
In the crowd, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang both frowned. Was this enthronement edict actually written by Chu Zifeng?

Yes, he is the junior cabinet minister, the representative of the Korean faction, and the nephew of the new emperor. If he doesn’t write the edict, who will?

Chu Hong, wearing a purple robe and a golden and purple fish bag on his waist, vaguely felt the gazes of the crowd. He turned his head quietly, smiled slightly, and said nothing.

The political views were implicitly written in the enthronement edict, which was a privilege unique to civil officials and also the secret weapon that made them absolutely superior to military generals.

After all, every new emperor had an enthronement edict, and this edict must contain his political views.

With this political view, some like-minded people will naturally gather together to plan political matters together.

This political view can even determine the political direction of the emperor's reign to a certain extent.

The Duke of Yingguo, the chief military general, nodded slightly. The main theme of this edict was to break the old and establish the new and to enrich the country and strengthen the army. It had a little more blood and energy than before.

This is a good thing, which means that the degree of suppression of the generals will probably be lighter.

Han Zhang, the head of all officials, also nodded slightly. This edict was somewhat similar to the one written by Fan Wencheng back then, but in comparison, it had a lot more roundabout parts and was not so strong and intolerant.

This is a good thing. In fact, officials do not mind reform. What they mind are desperate reforms and infringements of their interests. If they are not so tough, the possibility of successful reforms will be much higher.

"I still look forward to the spirits of the ancestral society, and the loyal and virtuous people will work together to consolidate the protection of the grand plan and ensure the inheritance of the precious destiny. I ask all of you to understand my intentions."

The eunuch was quite capable as he read the enthronement decree without taking a breath.

"I will pay my respects to Your Majesty!"

"I will pay my respects to Your Majesty!"

"I will pay my respects to Your Majesty!"

After the edict was read, all the civil and military officials bowed in unison to formally pay homage to the new emperor. The empress dowager, who was ruling the country from behind the curtain, also stood up symbolically.

"Everyone loves you!"

Zhao Zongquan wanted to make a speech with great ambitions, but when he thought of the empress dowager who was ruling the country from behind the curtain, he sighed in his heart and asked sincerely: "Madam, do you have any will?"

Empress Dowager Cao nodded slightly, looked at the officials and said: "When the previous emperor was in power, he relied a lot on the officials to govern the country. The new emperor is a kind and filial person. He should follow the previous emperor's governance and let the people of Dazhou live and work in peace and contentment, and govern wisely."

Zhao Zongquan smiled gently, but his hands in his sleeves were clenched tightly.

The decree of enthronement said that the old should be abolished and the new should be established, but the empress dowager, who was ruling the country from behind the curtain, said that the old policies should be continued. This really did not give any face at all. With the curtain covering it up, it was almost like saying that the new emperor was a puppet.

He is both kind and filial, and the only thing missing is that he should not disturb the positions of civil and military officials during the reign of the previous emperor.

A few days ago, he adopted the descendants of the Rebel King. Are the Rebel King's followers also treating them with caution?
If the emperor does not abolish the old and establish the new and eliminate dissidents, how can he appoint and dismiss officials?
If an emperor cannot appoint officials, what kind of emperor is he?
Are you just a good guy, ruling the country from behind the scenes?

Zhao Zongquan said nothing and waited quietly for the empress dowager to lecture him.

Hmm. Lecture! For about half a quarter of an hour, the Queen Mother kept talking, and the people of the Queen Mother's party kept seconding the motion, while officials from other factions watched with their eyes and ears. The usually lively court felt like a single-player game.

After talking for a while, Empress Dowager Cao, who had been receiving praise, realized that no one from other factions seemed to agree. She immediately looked at the head of the military commanders and the heads of the officials, "Old General Yinggong, Grand Chancellor Han, you two are both veteran officials, what do you think?"

The Duke of England was silent for a few breaths, "I am a military commander, not good at speaking, I can only arrange the troops."

Behind the curtain, Empress Dowager Cao frowned slightly, sighed, and said nothing in the end.

"My Lady, today is the day that His Majesty ascends the throne. We still have to write history books, so why not discuss state affairs?"

Han Zhang took a step forward. He knew what the Queen Mother was thinking and immediately tried to dissuade her.

The Queen Mother is regent, this is not a good thing!
At this time, a eunuch read out the rewards for official positions at the signal of Zhao Zongquan.

Seeing this situation, Empress Dowager Cao frowned slightly and sat down gently.

The new emperor is rewarding his meritorious officials, there is no way to stop this. If anyone dares to stop it, he will be cursed to death by the public.

The merit of following the dragon cannot be left unrewarded!
"The Emperor pardoned and said: Now there is a son, Ce Ying, who is both civil and military, and a loyal minister. I specially confer the title of King Huan. I respect you!"

"Your Majesty, I, Zhao Ceying, thank you!"

"The Emperor issued an edict: Your Majesty seeks to govern the country with an empty heart, and you really rely on your loyal and trustworthy minister, Chu Zifeng, who has a thorough knowledge of classics and history, is knowledgeable about worldly affairs, and writes about matters that are relevant to the country. He has collected all the secrets of the past and present, and has presented good things with evidence, and he has continued to sing praises to the glory of the country.

The imperial edict of Xizhi was issued in Xizhi, and he understood that the country's economy and wildness had been pacified, and he had made practical contributions to changing the customs and habits, and restoring peace. He was loyal to the country and kept his promise. I commend his great achievements and they are in line with my will.

I hereby grant the title of Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion, Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Personnel, Right Vice Minister of Revenue, Left Vice Minister of Rites, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Grand Master of Imperial Households to lead the investigation of the rebellious king and his party, and grant them the power to act at their discretion. I respect your kindness."

"Wow!"

"Grand Scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion!"

"Master Chu!"

All the ministers looked towards Chu Hong; some were envious, some were jealous, some were in favor, and some were excited.

The word "small" is gone!
Twenty-eight-year-old Cabinet Minister!

Oh my God!
Chu Hong was also shocked, as he was also involved in the negotiation of official positions.

At that time, the officials appointed were the Tianguan of the Ministry of Personnel, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and the Qing of the Ministry of Rites.

There is no such thing as a "small" word.

After all, jumping from a third-rank official to a second-rank official is already quite remarkable.

Now, all in one step?
The top three of the six ministries in the world are undoubtedly the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites. One is in charge of official positions, one is in charge of money, and one is in charge of diplomacy. These are undoubtedly the three giants.

Nowadays, one is either the top leader, the second-in-command, or the third-in-command, and is in charge of money, power, and diplomacy.

As the Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion, he was in charge of three of the six ministries. It was no exaggeration to say that, except for Master Han, his power was higher than that of any other Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

Moreover, the right to act at one's own convenience.
Chu Hong looked towards the throne.

Zhao Zongquan nodded and smiled. There was no need for the uncle to say more since he trusted his nephew.

Chu Hong looked at the teacher again, and Han Zhang nodded slightly.

Chu Hong immediately took a deep breath. Before he knew it, his teacher had been the prime minister for eight years!

For an old man in his seventies, it is indeed time for him to retire after working for another year.

Chu faction?
"Your Majesty, I, Chu Hong, thank you!"

"Hong'er, no need to be polite!"

"The Emperor pardoned: I have a sister named Zhao, who gave birth to a son named Hong. He is gentle, kind, and virtuous. I posthumously confer the title of Princess Changle, and allow her to be worshipped by the Chu family. I decree this!"

"Your Majesty, I, Chu Hong, thank you on behalf of my deceased mother!"

"No gifts, no gifts!"

(End of this chapter)