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

Chapter 217 Jiang Qing, I want to depose the Empress! Wang Anshi, it's not your place to implement reforms!

As dawn broke, it was nearing noon.

"squeak--"

The main gate of the examination hall was pushed open.

Led by the chief examiner Jiang Zhao, nineteen examiners, some in purple and some in red, gathered here.

The examiners locked the courtyard and drafted the exam questions, which meant that the grand spring imperial examination was about to begin.

"Your Excellency, please."

The gatekeeper clasped his hands in a respectful salute and nodded solemnly, showing utmost reverence.

The opening of the borders in Xihe and Xifeng truly benefited a considerable number of people.

Those who dared to fight and kill almost always made a mark by expanding territory.

Among them are many who have distinguished themselves and made a name for themselves.

Especially the second sons and illegitimate sons of noble families with a strong sense of justice almost all used this to defy fate.

This young imperial guard officer, who served as the gatekeeper, was clearly one of the beneficiaries.

Of course, as the commander-in-chief who plans the overall strategy and coordinates everything, Jiang Zhao may not remember such a person.

But that doesn't matter, as long as the gatekeeper remembers!
Jiang Zhaoping nodded and stepped inside.

Subsequently, led by the deputy chief examiner Wang Anshi, the remaining eighteen people stepped forward one after another.

The imperial examination in the first year of the Xifeng reign had nineteen examiners.

Jiang Zhao, a Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, was appointed as the chief examiner, and Wang Anshi, a Grand Master of the Palace, was appointed as the deputy chief examiner, jointly overseeing the grand examination.

The remaining examiners consisted of thirteen officials from the Three Departments and Six Ministries, two officials from the Censorate, and two officials from the Hanlin Academy.

A dozen or so people walked only a few steps.

Wang Anshi deliberately addressed him as "Grand Secretary Jiang".

Ok?
Jiang Zhao frowned and glanced back.

A step away, Wang Anshi stood with a solemn expression, as if he had something to discuss.

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Zhao looked at the remaining examiners and waved his hand, saying, "It's almost noon, there should be food in the inner kitchen. Let's go and have a meal together."

During the imperial examinations in spring, the examiners were divided into inner and outer curtains.

The examiners behind the inner curtain are responsible for setting the questions and grading the papers, while the examiners behind the outer curtain are responsible for invigilation and security.

They are both examiners, but their responsibilities are different.

To prevent leaks of the exam questions, there are separate dining areas for both the inner and outer curtains, with meals served three times a day: 5:00 AM, 11:00 PM, and 5:00 PM.

"promise."

More than ten people bowed in succession and then walked away into the distance.

"Doctor Wang, what are your thoughts?" Jiang Zhao asked slowly, his hands behind his back.

Generally speaking, when setting exam questions, the seventeen examiners are responsible for the specific details of the questions, while the chief and deputy examiners are responsible for controlling the overall direction of the questions.

Wang Anshi was the deputy chief examiner for the imperial examinations. The reason he deliberately stopped him was simply to exchange some opinions on the general direction of the examination questions.

However, it was limited to exchanging opinions.

The chief examiner and deputy examiner are supposed to take the chief examiner's opinion as the primary one, let alone Jiang Zhao, who is a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

The Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet were the chief examiners, but if they were particularly strong-willed, the position of the deputy chief examiners was practically nonexistent.

Ultimately, the decision will rest with Jiang Zhao.

Of course, Jiang Zhao was not a domineering person.

If Wang Anshi's suggestions have any merit, we might as well adopt some of them.

Wang Anshi took a few steps closer and pondered, "Could the essay questions incorporate the historical facts of the reforms of Guan Zhong, Shang Yang, and Yang Yan to examine the candidates' independent thinking and practical knowledge in governing the world?"

"Is the essay question about reform?"

Jiang Zhao was taken aback and looked over with some surprise: "Is Doctor Wang serious?"

Wang Anshi's expression turned solemn as he solemnly said, "Currently, the Ministry of Revenue is in dire need of funds every year, the Ministry of War has hundreds of thousands of soldiers on its roster, the Ministry of Personnel has over 20,000 officials on its roster, and the number of clerks is unknown. If we are already thinking of danger in times of peace, how much more so when signs of danger have already appeared?"

"Is it feasible to propose reforms as a policy and select talents who are prepared for danger in times of peace and capable of governing the country?" Wang Anshi asked.

"No."

Jiang Zhao raised his eyebrows and shook his head slightly: "If the imperial examination questions involve reform, it would be tantamount to conveying to the world the political message that 'reform will become the focus of national policy.' With Doctor Wang's political wisdom, he should not have asked such a question."

The exchange of opinions failed!

Wang Anshi's expression froze.

After a few moments of silence, he asked again, "In the fourth year of the Zhiping era, I visited Your Excellency and presented you with the Market Exchange Law and the Green Sprouts Law, hoping that you would use them to submit to the Emperor and thus reform the corrupt practices. However, I was rejected. I wonder if Your Excellency still remembers the reason for rejecting me?"

Jiang Zhao shook his head, not wanting to talk: "I don't remember."

"At that time, the Grand Secretary was the Minister of Rites, a second-rank official. He rejected Wang on the grounds that he did not hold great power and that the Emperor's foundation was unstable."

Wang Anshi's gaze was intense, growing increasingly eager: "Now, with the opening of the borders during the Xifeng era, the Emperor's prestige has soared, and with military power firmly in hand, the foundation is solid. If the Grand Secretary were to enter the cabinet and become the Prime Minister, he would also wield great power."

“Ouyang Xiu has been demoted, and his position is still vacant. If we take this opportunity to present a reform proposal, the Emperor will surely choose someone who strongly advocates reform to enter the cabinet.”

"The Grand Secretary, Han the Grand Chancellor, and the newly appointed cabinet members—these three Grand Secretaries are all intent on reforming the law."

“If we reform the corrupt practices, then we can succeed!” Wang Anshi declared resolutely.

Jiang Zhao glanced at it from the side.

According to Wang Anshi's analysis, it seemed that the reform was a foregone conclusion.

unfortunately
"How do you know that Prime Minister Han is inclined towards reform?" Jiang Zhao asked.

As a disciple, he did not believe that his teacher necessarily supported the reforms.

Or rather, teachers have become more "conservative".

If he, as the disciple, were to preside over the new policies, the teacher would at most maintain a neutral stance.

Support reform? Impossible!

"Ok?"

Wang Anshi was taken aback and subconsciously wanted to retort, "Grand Chancellor Han once presided over the Qingli Reforms."

He hesitated for a few moments, but then forced himself to swallow it back.

Can a person's political views remain unchanged throughout their life?
The Qingli Reforms took place two or three decades ago.

Han Da Xiang Gong was even demoted because of this.

Who says that having undergone one reform means one will be committed to reform for life?

How could an outsider possibly understand their teacher better than their disciple?

“But if we don’t take advantage of the Emperor’s determination to reform, and if he changes his mind, I’m afraid there will be no hope for reform,” Wang Anshi earnestly said.

The higher he climbed, the more he realized the difficulty of reform.

Without the support of Grand Secretaries in the Cabinet, it would be extremely difficult to implement reform measures.

Even without Grand Chancellor Han Zhang, there are still two Grand Secretaries supporting the reform.

This situation is sufficient to support reform!

Jiang Zhao calmly said, "Doctor Wang, reform is not something that can be accomplished in a day."

"The Duke of Zhou established rites and music, which lasted for more than ten years; Li Kui's reforms lasted for more than fifty years; Shang Yang's reforms lasted for more than twenty years; and Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty's reforms lasted for more than twenty years."

Being too hasty is not necessarily a good thing.

Jiang Zhao looked over and said seriously, "You also need to figure out whether it is the ministers who want to reform, or the emperor who wants to reform?"

“This is important!”

After speaking, Jiang Zhao shook his head and walked away slowly.

Having served in office for more than ten years, he naturally had his own governing philosophy.

Reform is imperative.

However, drastic reforms are not advisable.

Reforming laws is like treating a patient; every medicine has its side effects.

If the medicine is prescribed appropriately, it will naturally cure the disease.

However, if the medication is administered too aggressively, the life-saving drug can become poison.

More importantly, the reform must not be allowed to degenerate into a black-and-white political struggle.

The intense relationship between the conservatives and the reformers during Wang Anshi's reforms was unprecedented in history.

Ultimately, the problem lies with the reformists themselves.

Reform was no longer a political ideology, but a political stance, which made it difficult for reform to last.

Once conservatives come to power, all reform policies are scrapped, regardless of whether they were effective or not.

The political environment has been completely destroyed.

If Zhang Juzheng extended the life of the Ming Dynasty, then Wang Anshi shortened the life of the Song Dynasty.

Their reform strategy is truly unacceptable!

Wang Anshi gazed at it, remaining silent for a long time.

After a long pause, he sighed:
"The road is long and long, and I will search up and down!"

Time flies, it's March 11th.

The grand imperial examinations of spring have now begun!

The clouds hang low, and the wind rustles the leaves in the courtyard.

Kunning Palace.

"Wow--"

"Wow--"

"Your Majesty, the little prince has a fever and chills, and he's crying incessantly," said Granny Tian anxiously, holding the little prince in her arms.

If a prince falls seriously ill and is not treated in time, it would be a heinous crime.

"Jun'er?"

Holding a handkerchief, Madam Gao approached and looked closely, her delicate brows furrowing slightly: "Why did it have to happen at this time?"

Not long after Zhao Jun was born, he fell ill with fever and chills.

Occasionally, he would have uncontrollable convulsions and foam at the mouth.

The imperial physicians prescribed many remedies, but they only treated the symptoms, not the root cause.

If it's going to happen, it will happen anyway.

It's not unusual for an attack to occur every three to five days.

But why did it happen at this time?
Today happens to be the day she issued an imperial edict, inviting wives of noble ladies and wives of meritorious officials to the palace for a chat and a few drinks!
Almost immediately, a palace maid approached and reported: "Your Majesty, the ladies of high rank and the ladies of meritorious officials have all taken their seats in the front hall."

"This"

Gao's expression froze, and a hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes.

According to common sense, one should not be considering a palace banquet with wives of noble ladies and wives of meritorious officials at this time.

Send someone to inform them; the noble ladies and the wives of meritorious officials will surely understand her choice.

They might even praise her as a "virtuous mother".

The problem is that this palace banquet was not just for conversation and drinking; it was more about demonstrating the demeanor of the empress and the supreme authority of the empress.

Or rather, to establish authority!
By establishing her authority, she could solidify her position as Empress and become the mother of the nation!

How could such an important palace banquet be easily canceled?

After only a moment's hesitation, Madam Gao said, "Granny Tian, ​​quickly have someone feed Jun'er the medicine according to the prescription given by the imperial physician."

"If there is no improvement, go to the front hall and summon me." The prince's illness is not something that can be cured in a day or two; there are even several prescriptions for brewing the medicine.

Since it is an illness, it is nothing more than decocting and administering medicine.

There is nothing wrong with this arrangement.

"Yes," Granny Tian quickly replied.

Lady Gao nodded and strode towards the front hall.
Little did she know that the moment she stepped out of Kunning Palace, a young palace maid of about fifteen or sixteen years old, under the pretense of fetching water, quietly headed towards Huining Palace.

Front hall.

The wives of officials and meritorious officials gathered together.

The main seat and the left seat are currently empty.

Consort Shu, Consort Xian, and Consort De were summoned to the banquet in succession upon receiving the imperial decree.

The remaining wives of officials and noblewomen took their seats in an orderly fashion.

One person, one seat, stretching for several feet.

The social circle of officials' wives and noblewomen consisted of only a few dozen people, and they all knew each other to some extent.

Every now and then, the ladies of noble families would exchange glances, secretly astonished.

Several concubines were also present?
Sheng Hualan and Sheng Minglan exchanged a glance, their delicate eyebrows slightly raised.

Generally speaking, allowing concubines to take their seats does indeed have the effect of elevating their status according to the established etiquette.

However, that's a rare case.

After all, allowing concubines to attend the banquet not only had the "positive effect" of elevating their status according to the established etiquette, but also carried the "risk" of allowing them to get acquainted with noblewomen and enhancing their prestige.

If the empress's position is not very secure, she will certainly not allow the concubines to take the seat and steal the limelight.

Empress Gao's position was precarious, as the Emperor had not performed the "New Year's and Full Moon Rites" for over a hundred days.

Logically speaking, it would be impossible to allow concubines to attend!

Something is wrong!
The two women exchanged a glance and subtly tried to make themselves less noticeable.

At almost the same time, the remaining wives of noblewomen and meritorious officials, except for a few who were not particularly sensitive, all kept silent and minimized their presence.

The three consorts, Shufei, Xianfei, and Defei, looked at each other and secretly frowned.

For a moment, the hall fell silent.

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

A sharp announcement rang out throughout the hall:
"The Queen is here!"

Lady Gao slowly entered the palace.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"

Imperial concubines, ladies of noble birth, and wives of meritorious officials all bowed in unison.

Gao nodded, glanced around, and when he saw that the seat on the left was vacant, a hint of unexpected delight flashed in his eyes.

He took a few steps to the head of the table and forced himself to remain calm, saying:

"Be flat!"

Imperial concubines, ladies of noble birth, and wives of meritorious officials took their seats in succession.

"Where is Xiang's younger sister?" Gao asked impatiently.

This time, an imperial decree was issued to hold a palace banquet, with drinking and conversation being secondary.

The main purpose was to overshadow the Consort Gui, Consort Xian, Consort Shu, and Consort De in front of everyone.

This was done to demonstrate the majesty of the Empress.

In fact, simply drinking and chatting can also build up the Empress's authority.

However, it takes too long to see results!

Lately, the emperor has grown increasingly annoyed with her. To secure her position as the empress, she must quickly establish the prestige of being "the mother of the nation."

The best way to achieve this is to suppress other concubines and establish authority.

Once the concubines are suppressed, one can take the opportunity to win over some famous noblewomen and bestow upon them gold and silver jewelry.

Thus, she possesses both prestige and virtue, and has the demeanor of "the mother of the world".

Originally, she didn't know where to start in order to better suppress the concubines.

Unexpectedly, Consort Xiang was absent.

This was a huge surprise for her.

“Since Xiang’s sister is absent, let’s wait for her,” Gao said slowly.

She's going to roast Xiang Guifei!

Time passes little by little.

It took about an incense stick's time for Consort Xiang to enter the palace.

"Your Majesty, my stomach was upset and I vomited for a while, which is why I was delayed. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness." He knelt and bowed to the Imperial Concubine.

Generally speaking, when a concubine greets the empress, she performs the "Wanfu" salute.

The kneeling ceremony was quite solemn.

However, Gao had a rare opportunity to establish his authority, so how could he let it go so easily?

"I, too, have been pregnant before; how could I not know the suffering involved?"

Gao gave a symbolic expression of understanding, and then said, "Indeed, nothing can be accomplished without rules."

"It is truly inappropriate for the Imperial Concubine to be so late in entering the palace, causing me, my sisters, the ladies of the highest rank, and the wives of meritorious officials to wait in vain."

"Considering that my sister has only recently entered the palace, I will establish a few rules for you!"

A few words, but they conveyed a sense of admonition.

"This"

Dozens of officials' wives and noblewomen looked at each other in bewilderment.

Actually, there's really no need for that.

"I. In the Palace."

Royal study room.

Zhao Ceying held a vermilion brush and wrote his comments on the memorial.

"Your Majesty, Consort Zhu from Yanfu Palace has come to report that she requests the presence of an imperial physician," Li Xian announced with a bow.

"Zhu Jieyu?"

Zhao Ceying was somewhat surprised.

Of the concubines in the imperial harem, he could only recall a handful.

This Zhu Jieyu happens to be one of them.

Four Consorts, Nine Concubines, Jieyu, Beauty, and Talented Woman.

The rank of Jieyu was neither high nor low, but this Zhu Jieyu was definitely from a commoner background.

For a commoner to be promoted to the rank of Jieyu shows how deep an impression he left.

"Let her in!" Zhao Ceying said.

About ten breaths later, Consort Zhu entered.

"Your Majesty, the young prince's old illness has relapsed. May I summon the imperial physician for treatment?" Consort Zhu asked tearfully.

"Huh?" Zhao Ceying was taken aback.

To date, he has only one child, Zhao Jun.

The young prince, of course, refers to Zhao Jun.

"Where is the Empress?" Zhao Ceying asked, frowning.

The young prince was seriously ill and needed to be diagnosed by the imperial physician. It was not Zhu Jieyu's place to report it!
"Her Majesty is having a palace banquet with the ladies of high rank and the wives of meritorious officials. It just so happens that Consort Xiang is vomiting incessantly and is delayed in entering the palace. I reckon she is being reprimanded right now," Consort Zhu said truthfully.

These words were all taught to her by Consort Xiang.

Zhao Ceying's expression changed drastically.

"Jun'er is seriously ill, yet you disregard him, instead drinking, chatting, and reprimanding Consort Xiang to establish your authority?" Zhao Ceying couldn't help but scold, "Where is the demeanor of an empress?"

"Send someone to summon the imperial physician!"

After speaking, his face turned cold, he dropped the memorial and headed straight for Kunning Palace.

Front hall.

After the Empress finished her reprimand, she wept slightly towards the Imperial Concubine.

A eunuch entered and announced, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has summoned you to the rear hall."

"The rear hall?"

Instantly, Gao's expression changed drastically. She only managed to say a few words before rushing back.

Consort Xiang watched this scene and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

A single stick of incense burning slowly is enough to allow one to arrange too many things.

Your Majesty!
Entering the palace means entering a power struggle!
apse.

The imperial physician diagnosed the patient using acupuncture, his expression grave.

Zhao Ceying asked with a stern face, "Empress, did you know beforehand that Jun'er was seriously ill?"

"Your Majesty," Gao said, her eyes darting around, unsure how to respond.

"I understand!" Zhao Ceying sighed.

Actually, there might be more to this story.

It might be a power struggle among the concubines, or it might be a setup.

But none of that matters anymore.

During the fierce battles on the frontier, the Empress repeatedly offered advice, at one point losing her demeanor as the mother of the nation.

Inside the Kunning Palace, the discussions among the Empress, Lady Gao, and Lady Gao about the "defeat on the frontier" were even more unbearable to hear.

Each and every one of these incidents is truly disappointing.

This time, even knowing that the prince was ill, she still insisted on holding a palace banquet.

The purpose was to suppress several concubines.

In order to suppress the concubines, he even went so far as to expose the discord within the palace.

How can such an empress be a model for the nation?
"Jun'er, from now on, let him be raised in the Eastern Palace."

"Your Majesty, take care of yourself." Zhao Ceying sighed, his disappointment evident in his words.

"Your Majesty, I am your wife of many years," Gao said hastily, her heart filled with panic.

Zhao Ceying shook his head, flicked his sleeve, and strode away.

April 7th.

The spring imperial examinations have been completed and the papers have been graded.

Royal study room.

Apart from the eunuchs and palace maids, only the emperor and his minister remained.

Jiang Zhao bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, the list of candidates to be ranked by the Ministry of Rites has been tentatively finalized. The papers of the top thirty candidates have been collected."

Zhao Ceying nodded but did not express his opinion.

Suddenly, he said resolutely:
"Jiang Qing, I want to depose the Empress!"

(End of this chapter)