Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 214 You dare to talk to me about serving the country?
As night drew to a close and dawn broke, the last rays of sunlight began to appear.

Civil and military officials stood in orderly rows.

People occasionally voice their opinions, adding a bit of noise.

The triennial performance evaluation of officials also means the replacement of officials.

Perhaps some veteran officials will request to retire and return to their hometowns.

Perhaps some officials bribe officials at all levels to recommend their protégés.

Perhaps some officials were scheming and plotting to promote him.

Whether the plan succeeded or not, no one except the six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet and the Minister of Personnel knew.

The specific announcement date is yet to be determined.

It could be the end of March, or perhaps April or May.

The people will remain uneasy as long as the list of personnel is not published.

As a result, some restlessness was inevitable.

"when--"

A resounding bell tolled.

All the civil and military officials stood solemnly.

"squeak--"

In the side hall, a large door opened, and seven people emerged one after another, all dressed in purple official robes.

Of the seven, six wore brocade sashes, jade rings, and jade bracelets, while the remaining one wore a gold fish talisman bag, an official seal, and a robe with a qilin pattern. They were six civil officials and one military officer.

Judging from their official robes alone, it is clear that all seven of them wielded immense power.

Anyone who possesses a jade pendant that represents their identity can roam freely throughout the world without hindrance.

Six Grand Secretaries!
British public!
The side hall is a regular resting place, a privilege reserved for only the Grand Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, and the Privy Councilor.

The head of the military officers was appointed by the emperor to enter the palace, as a sign of his great favor.

Thus, it becomes a combination of six civil officials and one military officer.

All the officials stood solemnly and fell silent.

Seven people, each holding a tablet, walked slowly.

"Just today?" Grand Chancellor Han Zhang asked, holding his official tablet.

“Today.” Jiang Zhao nodded calmly.

His composed demeanor exudes an air of calmness, composure, and steadfastness.

Han Zhang nodded and closed his eyes slightly.

Given this, Ouyang Xiu was destined to be dismissed from office.

After all, this was not only Jiang Zhao's idea, but also his idea, and even more so the Emperor's idea.

Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, Grand Secretary of the Zhaowen Hall, and Emperor.

With all three in agreement, the opinions of others are no longer important.

The master and apprentice did not hide their conversation from others.

Ouyang Xiu's face darkened. He stepped into the procession, holding his tablet and closing his eyes.

After a few breaths, he opened his eyes again.

The countdown to the trial is truly unsettling.

Several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet stood solemnly one after another.

Among the civil and military officials, some would occasionally look up in that direction.

The Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet have always been the focus of attention for civil and military officials.

The person who has attracted the most attention is undoubtedly the newly appointed Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, Jiang Zhao.

Many people were secretly alarmed.

A thirty-year-old Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion is truly astonishing!
Throughout history, many Grand Secretaries have risen rapidly through the ranks.

Or rather, any Grand Secretary of the Cabinet almost always had a meteoric rise in their official career.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to rise to the first rank and become a cabinet minister.

However, among this group of Grand Secretaries who rose through the ranks so quickly, there were almost none who entered the cabinet in just twelve years.

If we're really going to compare, perhaps only Lu Mengzheng, who became prime minister after only six years in office, can truly surpass him.

The rest of the people, whether it was Ding Wei, Fan Zhongyan, Han Zhang, or Fu Bi, were all much slower.

After all, Jiang Zhao didn't just enter the cabinet after "twelve years of service," but rather after "thirty years of service."

Both are twelve years, but entering the cabinet at the age of thirty is definitely more prestigious.

A thirty-year-old Grand Secretary of the Cabinet!
Logically speaking, this should be an impossible thing.

Even a top scholar who was granted the sixth rank in the imperial examination would need to be promoted ten times to reach the first rank.

Based on two terms every three years, it would take fifteen years to enter the cabinet.

But there are always some people who break the rules and are ridiculously strong.

Many people were secretly astonished.

Given Jiang Ge Lao's achievements and political accomplishments, no one knows what the upper limit of his career can be.

But in any case, he was someone who was moving towards the pinnacle of being a minister.

To reach the highest rank at thirty years old—the margin for error in life is simply too great.

His teacher, Han Da Xiang Gong, entered the cabinet at the age of thirty-seven and was demoted for twelve years, which can be described as a long time.

For an ordinary person, twelve years of demotion would have left them old and frail, their career ruined.

But what about Han Zhang?

Twelve years have passed, and he's only forty-nine years old!

Once reinstated, he entered the cabinet and became prime minister, ruling the country for more than ten years.

In terms of tolerance for error alone, Jiang Ge Lao's tolerance is only high, not low.

After all, this man has a history of expanding territory and constantly "making history".

Even historical records have written three separate volumes dedicated to him.

Zizhi Tongjian!
The Record of the Pacification of Xihe!
The Record of Xifeng's Expansion of Territory!
The three-volume history book includes both chronological and biographical accounts.

As a key figure in the opening of the borders in Xihe and Xifeng, Jiang Zhao is destined to be remembered for all time.

Such figures are always creators of history, and all the treatment they receive is destined to be recorded in history books.

History books are a unique "protective talisman" for Jiang Zhao.

With this amulet, you are destined for a smooth and successful life!
The difference lies in the number of years a person can serve as prime minister!
"when--"

The bell tolled loudly.

"Summon all officials to the hall—" A sharp eunuch's voice rang out, and all the civil and military officials entered the hall in unison, shouting:

"May Your Majesty be well!"

"No gift."

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying, dressed in a dragon robe, rested his knees on his hands and looked straight ahead.

Jiang Zhao held the tablet in his hand, looked at the unobstructed view, and couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

Twelve years!
It felt like walking on thin ice; we've finally reached this point.

“All officials, both internal and external, may submit their opinions,” Zhao Ceying said calmly.

The next moment, a man stepped out of the procession, his demeanor composed, dressed in a purple robe with a gold belt and a gold fish-shaped pouch: "Your Majesty, I have impeached several people."

Excuse!
All the civil and military officials were taken aback.

Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, impeaching someone?
This was a person of extremely high rank and influence.

All the civil and military officials turned their attention to the past.

There are only two possibilities for a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet to impeach someone.

It could be either a fellow Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, or it could be the Emperor!
Since it was Grand Secretary Jiang who impeached others, the situation immediately became clear.

The feud between Grand Secretary Jiang and Grand Secretary Ouyang and Vice Minister Lü is well known to all.

Is it finally time for reckoning?
Those from Ouyang Xiu's and Pang Ji's lineages, however, had drastic changes in expression.

Will they ultimately be purged?
Almost simultaneously, Ouyang Xiu and Lü Gongzhu's expressions darkened.

When a major purge is involved, even a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet with the composure to maintain appearances will find it difficult to keep the peace.

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying suddenly perked up.

The turmoil on the frontier caused Ouyang Xiu and Lü Gongzhu to bombard his former students and officials with memorials, which made him suffer a lot.

The new emperor's reign was already unstable, yet these two dared to submit a barrage of memorials, disrupting regular court affairs and using the guise of remonstrance to carry out coercive actions.

This is tolerable!

Finally, it's time for reckoning!

Zhao Ceying's heart burned with passion, so he simply stood up, his dragon eyes blazing as he gazed down.

I held on!

Grand Secretary Ouyang and Vice Minister Lü, it's your turn!
"I will present the specific impeachments one by one," Jiang Zhao said calmly, holding his scepter.

Zhao Ceying shouted, "Granted!"

Jiang Zhao bowed respectfully, then suddenly waved his hand and roared, "Ouyang Xiu, Lü Gongzhu! You two step forward immediately, I will impeach you both!"

A sudden, furious shout sent shockwaves through the crowd.

The sheer scale of the event and the weight of the words were truly startling.

Even Ouyang Xiu, a Grand Academician of the Zizheng Hall, couldn't help but feel a tremor in his heart.

Lu Gongzhu, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, looked even more displeased.

Given Jiang Zichuan's political maneuvering style, once you clash with him, it's truly a painful experience.

He was born with a lower aura!
"Come out!" Jiang Zhao roared.

Judging from his behavior, he seemed to be bossing people around.

Ouyang Xiu and Lü Gongzhu's faces flushed red.

Who would have thought that a high-ranking official in purple robes would one day be ordered around like this?
but
This arrogant attitude is, in a way, a flaw.

Ouyang Xiu stiffened his neck, raised his scepter, and was about to retort with "the crime of arrogance" to deflate Jiang Zhao's momentum.

Once Jiang Zhao's momentum is broken, things will be much easier.

However, on the imperial steps, Zhao Ceying spoke up: "Grand Academician Ouyang and Vice Minister Lü, why don't you listen to Minister Jiang's impeachment?"

One sentence instantly interrupted Ouyang Xiu's rhythm.

After hesitating for a few moments, the two stepped out of the train together, their faces solemn and quite grim.

Grand Secretary Ouyang, Vice Minister Lü, and Minister Jiang!

They don't even bother to feign their biased intentions.

Jiang Zhao glanced at the two men, pointed his scepter at them, and angrily rebuked them: "The Emperor ordered you two to step forward, and you hesitated for several breaths. Even with the Emperor's order, you are still so arrogant; it shows just how utterly disrespectful you are to the Emperor!"

With just two sentences, Ouyang Xiu and Lü Gongzhu's momentum immediately plummeted.

Their hearts sank, and their expressions changed repeatedly, their moods shifting unpredictably.

Jiang Zichuan's fighting style was already difficult to deal with, and then the emperor even took his side.

When the emperor and his minister work together, it's truly a situation that leaves one with unspeakable suffering.

Ouyang Xiu pondered for a moment, then bowed respectfully and said, "When Grand Secretary Jiang suddenly shouted angrily, I thought someone was disregarding the order of the court and I intended to reprimand them and punish them. Who would have thought it was Grand Secretary Jiang who spoke."

"Don't make things up."

Jiang Zhao slammed his tablet and said sternly, "I impeach you two for three crimes. Whether they are true or not, do not make up lies."

"Firstly, he framed a high-ranking official, thus delaying military operations."

Jiang Zhao looked at Lü Gongzhu and rebuked him: "Vice Minister Lü has fabricated ten charges against me, intending to sow discord, undermine morale, and bring disaster to the country and its people. Are these charges true?"

This refers to the "Ten Thoughts on Advising the Emperor to Guard Against Powerful Ministers".

This charge is solely against Lü Gongzhu.

"Inaccurate."

Lu Gongzhu quickly retorted, "Throughout history, there have been many instances where military leaders went to war without checks and balances, resulting in chaos and disorder. I, Lu, am concerned about the country and its people, and submitted a memorial to the throne to prevent such a situation from happening in the first place. What is wrong with that?"

"Still dare to argue!" Jiang Zhao rebuked, "If it weren't for the Emperor's wisdom in not listening to your slander, the morale of the troops on the frontier would be in turmoil. In that case, let alone expanding the territory, even pacifying the borders would be extremely difficult."

"Your words nearly destroyed three thousand miles of land; do you still dare to say they haven't brought disaster to the country and its people?"

"Grand Secretary Jiang, please don't make baseless accusations." Lü Gongzhu retorted loudly, "I am merely suggesting that Your Majesty send people to the border to exercise oversight and checks and balances. How could I possibly say that this would lead to the destruction of thousands of miles of land?"

"This is a matter of national importance; Grand Secretary Jiang, you must not speak lightly of it!"

In his response, he exchanged five or six sentences.

Lu Gongzhu gradually calmed down and believed that he had handled the situation quite well.

Who would have thought?
"Hahahaha!"

Jiang Zhao's face showed sarcasm as he cursed, "Lu Huishu, do you even deserve to talk to me about the country?"

"With the country in turmoil, civil and military officials tried every means to pacify and stabilize the border regions."

Jiang Zhao looked at the officials and said, "The expansion of territory by hundreds of thousands of soldiers is not only the achievement of me, Jiang Zhao, but also the result of the strong support of the court, local officials from the two capitals and fourteen circuits. Otherwise, where would the provisions and weapons have come from?"

"However!"

Jiang Zhao turned around abruptly, almost pointing at Lü Gongzhu's forehead: "With all the officials united, you have taken a drastic step!"

"When have you ever thought of your country? When have you ever thought of my Great Zhou Dynasty?!"

His words were passionate and stirring!
quiet!
The entire hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop!
(End of this chapter)