Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 226 From a humble peasant in the morning to a high-ranking official in the evening

The inner court of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The three cabinet ministers sat at separate tables, discussing important matters.

The three key figures in charge of the Great Zhou Dynasty's politics—Chen Shaoqing, the Grand Secretary; Guo Zheng, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat; and Wei Min, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat—are gathered together to discuss how to "arrange" the person at the center of the court's turmoil: Jiang Xingzhou.

"Now that Jiang Xingzhou has achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination, he is enjoying great favor from the emperor. His position as a mere fourth-rank Hanlin Academician is probably only temporary, lasting for a few months."

"The Emperor's trust in him is almost absolute. It's only a matter of time before he is promoted again."

"We should make plans early and reserve a position in one of the three provinces and six ministries in case he suddenly takes office. Otherwise we will be caught off guard and put in a passive position."

Minister Wei Min squinted, his gaze sweeping over Chen Shaoqing.

If we were to discuss the most stable position in the cabinet, the one least afraid of being replaced by a successor, it would undoubtedly be Chen Shaoqing, who is in his prime and full of vigor.

He still has grand plans to unfold and great undertakings to accomplish.

However, if we were to ask who felt the most bitter, it would probably be Chen Shaoqing. People always compared him to Jiang Xingzhou, and their conversations were always about a contest of talents.

Wei Min, however, was already very old. In a few more years, he would retire and live in seclusion, for he would not be able to witness the political turmoil of the court for much longer.

Chen Shaoqing remained silent, his expression complex.

"Is there really no way to deal with him?"

Guo Zheng, the gatekeeper, glanced at Chen Shaoqing. These words were spoken on his behalf. Chen Shaoqing was proud and arrogant; even if he was unwilling, he would never utter a word of it.

Now, the three top cabinet members all have to face Jiang Xingzhou's strong rise and cede real benefits, which has led to a situation where they are tied together.

"Jiang Xingzhou is a man of exceptional talent and meticulousness, almost flawless in his actions."

unless--

Unless he makes a mistake.

Wei Min said calmly, "But getting him to make a mistake is easier said than done."

"Now he serves as a Hanlin Academician, a prestigious and important position, but he spends his days in idle talk."

If words are innocent, how can there be any fault?
These minor transgressions were of no consequence to him, who was currently enjoying the Emperor's favor.

Only those high-ranking officials and regional governors who wield real power and bear heavy responsibilities are capable of committing grave errors.

"Within a few months, the Emperor will surely give him an important position."

Such extraordinary talent, how could he be left idle in the Hanlin Academy for long?

"In my opinion, it would be better to make room for him in an important position among the vice ministers of the six ministries."

We took the initiative to submit a memorial to the emperor, recommending him for a substantive position.

Firstly, it demonstrates to His Majesty our magnanimity and that we are not jealous of the virtuous and capable.

Secondly... only by doing things can one make mistakes and offend others. To achieve great things, one must be involved. Only when he commits a serious error will the emperor be disappointed... and only then will others have a chance.

Otherwise, by ordinary means, it would be absolutely impossible to prevent his promotion.

At this point, the inner court fell silent once again.

Giving up a crucial position means that one faction must make concessions and suffer losses.

The central core of the Great Zhou Dynasty was the Three Departments and Six Ministries.

The Secretariat was in charge of decision-making and drafted imperial edicts according to the emperor's wishes.

The Grand Secretary (Zhongshu Ling) was in charge of all affairs, assisted by the Vice Ministers (Shilang), and drafted by the Attendants (Sheren). He held the power to formulate policies and make decisions. All major national policies and imperial edicts originated from him; he was the "source" of all government orders.

Nangong Wan'er, a lady-in-waiting to the emperor, was appointed as a drafter in the Secretariat, where she was responsible for drafting imperial edicts.

The Secretariat was responsible for reviewing cases. It was headed by the Attendant-in-Ordinary (also known as the Chancellor of the Secretariat), with the Vice-Ministers and Attendants also participating in the review.

All decrees issued by the Secretariat had to be reviewed by the Chancellery. The Chancellery had the power to reject imperial edicts and block political proposals, making it a crucial step before the issuance of edicts.

The Secretariat and the Chancellery were the most core departments of the imperial court, and their staff was not large.

The Ministry of Personnel (尚书省) was in charge of implementation and had the largest system.

It was responsible for implementing the edicts and policies passed by the Secretariat and the Chancellery, and served as the highest administrative executive body.

Overseeing all six ministries and managing all administrative affairs of the Great Zhou Dynasty, it possesses the broadest power and responsibility. However, all its actions must be based on imperial edicts passed through the procedures of the Secretariat and the Chancellery.

"If Jiang Xingzhou were to advance to the central government and enter the Three Departments and Six Ministries, he would naturally start as a Vice Minister of the Six Ministries."

"The Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Rites are the three highest ministries, holding the most power and authority."

The Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Works were the three lower ministries, with slightly less power and responsibility.

Wei Min pondered for a moment, then slowly said:

"The Vice Minister of War is not suitable."

Minister of War Tang Xiujin was Jiang Xingzhou's mentor... If he were to enter the Ministry of War, the entire ministry would likely become a one-man show between the master and apprentice.

"But if we were to place him, a top scholar who has achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations, in the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Works as a vice minister... it would be seen as disrespectful and would make it seem as if we were deliberately suppressing him."

Only the three vice ministers are a more suitable candidate!

"Since we've decided to appoint him as a vice minister in one of the six ministries, we might as well be generous with it!"

Guo Zheng, the gatekeeper, nodded slightly and replied:
"The Ministry of Personnel manages officials, and the Ministry of Rites is in charge of the imperial examinations; it is not easy for either of them to make mistakes."

The Vice Minister of Revenue, ranking second among the Six Ministries…was in charge of the nation's money, grain, and commerce.

He chuckled softly, his words carrying a profound meaning: "Ha, a scholar from a humble background suddenly comes into control of the nation's money, grain, and goods."

The three exchanged deep gazes, understanding each other implicitly, and all bowed their heads in silence.

Money, grain, and goods are the most tempting things in the world.

Many local magistrates, prefects, and officials of the Ministry of Revenue have fallen from grace and been disgraced here.

This was not a deliberate scheme by them to frame someone.

If Jiang Xingzhou couldn't control himself and became greedy, then he would suffer the consequences of his own actions.

Even the emperor would be disappointed. Even if he is not severely punished, the emperor's favor in the past will likely be difficult to regain.

Time flies, and a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

As dawn broke, the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty was shrouded in solemnity.

The officials entered the hall in order, standing solemnly and attentively below the jade steps, holding their breath.

The empress sat upright on the dragon throne, ruling with her hands clasped in reverence.

Her phoenix eyes were lowered, her red lips slightly pursed, as if she were immersed in thinking about national affairs, exuding an aura of unapproachable majesty.

The Grand Eunuch Wang Dequan flicked his whisk and said in a drawn-out tone, "If there is anything to report, speak now; otherwise, the court is adjourned."

"His Majesty!"

Minister Wei Min stepped forward, holding a jade tablet, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, we now have vassal states within the country that need to be appeased, and barbarian and demonic states on the borders outside the country that have repeatedly caused trouble and coveted our land."

As a result, national treasury expenditures surged, making the allocation of funds and grain extremely tight.

"At this critical juncture, we urgently need capable ministers and officials to oversee expenditures and rectify the finances so that the national treasury can be full and the foundation of the nation can be secured."

"In my opinion, the current Vice Minister of Revenue, Liu Fanzhen, has limited talent and is not up to the task."

I humbly request Your Majesty to grant him permission to be transferred to a local post.

"The position of Vice Minister of Revenue is crucial to the national economy and affects the nation's finances. I humbly request Your Majesty to make a wise decision and select a virtuous and capable person to succeed him, so as to ensure the stability of the country!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Fanzhen, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, looked up abruptly, and immediately understood. His face turned pale.

He looked at Yang Sizhi, the Minister of Revenue, but the other man lowered his eyes and remained silent, never speaking in his capacity as a superior.

Guo Zheng of the Secretariat and Chen Shaoqing, the Grand Secretary, both important cabinet ministers, did not express their opinions.

The officials in the hall all had somber faces and indifferent expressions, as if the events before them had nothing to do with them.

Liu Fanzhen felt a deep sense of sorrow.

He realized that he had become a silent victim of the power struggle within the court. Various factions had already secretly reached an agreement to use his future to pave the way for someone else.

But he also studied hard for decades and struggled step by step to get to where he is today.

Despite his shallow foundation and lack of connections in the court, he still managed to survive countless open and covert attacks by his own efforts before finally taking up the position of Vice Minister of Revenue.

He even secretly hoped that after Yang Sizhi retired from officialdom, he could succeed him as Minister and take charge of a part of the Zhou Dynasty.

But now, everything has come to an abrupt end.

His political career will ultimately be ruined by this.

A wave of sorrow washed over Liu Fanzhen.

He had done nothing wrong and left no evidence against him, yet he was labeled as "limited in talent" and his future was ruined so easily.

"I am of limited talent and learning and am not up to the task. I humbly request to resign from my position as Vice Minister of Revenue and be transferred to a local post."

Liu Fanzhen did not struggle; he simply bowed and took his leave.

The cabinet ministers had already reached a tacit understanding that any attempt to defend themselves would only bring shame upon themselves.

It would be better to go with the flow and seek a post outside the capital, at least to remain a governor of a region, a regional minister, and live a peaceful life.

Several vice ministers from the Six Ministries and officials from the Ministry of Personnel in the hall breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this, their expressions revealing a sense of ease.

Although they didn't understand why Liu Fanzhen was the one who had to be sacrificed.

But at least, they've managed to keep their positions for now.

"Yes, permission granted!"

The Empress nodded slightly, granting his request.

She didn't care about the whereabouts of a vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue who hadn't accomplished much.

Jiang Xingzhou, the top scholar, officially entered the imperial court, which was what she had been looking forward to.

She turned her gaze aside and asked calmly, "In your opinion, Minister Wei, who is suitable to take over the position of Vice Minister of Revenue?"

Wei Min bowed and reported: "In my opinion, the court is currently facing a tight budget and the treasury is stretched thin."

The newly appointed Vice Minister of Revenue should prioritize expanding sources of revenue.

I humbly recommend Jiang Xingzhou, a fourth-rank Hanlin Academician.

He once offered the strategy of "Decree of Grace" and made many achievements, truly a promising talent.

If he were entrusted with this important task, promoted to the rank of Vice Minister of Revenue (a third-rank official), and tasked with implementing reforms and expanding revenue sources, he would not only gain valuable experience but also be able to earn the respect of others when he is promoted in the future.

"I second the proposal!"

The courtiers all bowed and echoed his sentiments.

Currently, the Great Zhou Dynasty is facing enormous internal and external expenditures. The border regions, including the Northern Frontier Circuit, the Northern Ji Circuit, and the Southern Desert Circuit, are constantly demanding supplies and grain, and the Ministry of Revenue's treasury is becoming increasingly depleted.

This hot potato was best left to Jiang Xingzhou.

If he could open up new sources of revenue and alleviate the court's urgent needs, that would be ideal. The expenditures of the Three Departments and Six Ministries, as well as the various circuits of the Great Zhou, would then be more manageable.

If things go wrong and we offend too many people, wouldn't that just please many people?

Many ministers secretly speculated about this.

If this Vice Minister Jiang were to use this position to harbor greed and seek personal gain... then there would be an even more spectacular show to watch.

In the imperial court, countless eyes were waiting to see how Jiang Xingzhou would fall.

"Granted!"
Chen Qing, you shall draft a plan for this matter.

The Snow Wolf Kingdom of Northern Xinjiang has recently been repeatedly violating the border; their intentions are unpredictable, and we must be on guard.

The Ministry of Revenue must appoint capable individuals and raise funds and provisions as soon as possible to prepare for unforeseen circumstances.

Following Wei Qing's recommendation, Jiang Xingzhou was transferred to the position of Vice Minister of Revenue, granted the authority to reform, and tasked with thoroughly rectifying the source of revenue, clarifying the treasury's silver and grain reserves, and expanding new sources of income.

The Empress's tone was calm, yet each word was clear and unquestionable.

"My lord, take the order!"

Chen Shaoqing bowed respectfully, his expression solemn.

His Majesty personally issued an edict at the morning court session, instructing the Secretariat to draft the imperial decree, which was then directly distributed to the Chancellery and the Ministry of Personnel. All departments had no objections, and the matter was completed within half a day.

The inner court duty room.

A young eunuch stepped forward with a smile and whispered his congratulations: "Congratulations, Your Excellency! At the morning court session today, His Majesty issued a decree promoting you to the rank of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, a third-rank official!"

Please return to your residence immediately and await the imperial decree.

Jiang Xingzhou was reading through sacred texts in his duty room.

As a Hanlin Academician, he did not need to participate in regular court sessions. He only needed to go to the palace every day to handle a few literary and literary matters.

He rose with a smile, took out a gold ingot from his sleeve, and calmly handed it to the eunuch: "Thank you for your special invitation, sir."

"Your Excellency, this is unacceptable!"

The eunuch was flattered and repeatedly declined.

Everyone knows that Jiang Xingzhou is no ordinary court official, but a rising star who is very popular with His Majesty.

Within three days, he was promoted from a seventh-rank Hanlin Compiler to a fourth-rank Attendant Reader; less than a month later, he was promoted from Attendant Reader to the powerful third-rank Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

Such a promotion can be described as a meteoric rise and an extreme display of imperial favor.

Throughout the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, no one has ever risen through the ranks so quickly.

How could lowly eunuchs dare to "beg" for the future of this top scholar?

"This is a lucky money to bring good fortune, Father-in-law, you don't need to refuse."

Jiang Xingzhou smiled and pushed the gold ingot back into his hand, his tone gentle but leaving no room for refusal.

The eunuch declined several times, but finally couldn't resist and had to accept it with a forced smile, saying repeatedly, "Then this humble subject will share in the scholar's good fortune and thank you for your reward!"

Jiang Xingzhou left the inner court and returned to the Jiang residence by carriage.

"Vice Minister of Revenue..."

He muttered to himself that the appointment was indeed unexpected.

It is truly rare for someone to be promoted again within just one month.

More importantly, this was not a nominal position—the Ministry of Revenue was in charge of the nation's finances and taxes, and was truly the lifeblood of the country.

In the imperial court, apart from the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue held the most power.

Without His Majesty's strong support and the tacit consent of the cabinet ministers, such an important position would never have fallen so easily into the hands of a newly appointed official with little experience.

He lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment, but ultimately did not delve any further.

The imperial edict will arrive in an instant, and the emperor and his ministers will then understand its intentions.

"Imperial edict has arrived!"
"Jiang Xingzhou, a Hanlin Academy Reader-in-Waiting, receives the imperial decree—!"

A long shout broke the tranquility of the mansion. The imperial eunuch, holding a yellow silk handkerchief, led the ceremonial procession to the gate of the Jiang residence.

"Your subject, Jiang Xingzhou, obeys the decree!"

Upon hearing the sound, Jiang Xingzhou straightened his hat and composed himself, and immediately led his wife Xue Lingqi and the entire household to respectfully receive the imperial edict in the courtyard.

The servants in the mansion all lowered their heads and held their breath, and for a moment there was no sound except for the sound of the wind rustling through their clothes.

(End of this chapter)