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

Chapter 220 Grand Tutor Wang: The Imperial Ancestral Temple is in grave danger!

The fifth day of the fifth lunar month, at Shenshi (3 PM).

Outside Donghua Gate, the Prince's Mansion.

The red lacquered copper rings and the central gate are wide open.

Wang Shiping and his wife, Lady Lü, dressed in brocade robes and jade belts or adorned with kingfisher feather hairpins, stood at the gate with their hands hanging down.

"What time is it?"

Wang Shiping paced back and forth, frowning as he asked.

I've been standing at the gate for a whole incense stick's time, but not a single person has come to visit. Something's not right, is it?

“One quarter past Shen time,” the servant replied.

"My lord, please don't be anxious." Madam Lü said softly, holding a brocade handkerchief. "Right now, I reckon all the civil and military officials have left their offices, so it's perfectly normal that no one is coming to visit."

As the saying goes, one should work at sunrise and rest at sunset, and the Shenshi (3-5 PM) is the regular time for officials to leave office.

This is why small gatherings and parties are often held at the hour of You (5-7 PM).

After the court session ended, we had a drink for an hour, and just as dusk was falling, we took a carriage back to our residence.

Of course, if there is an occasional busy schedule, the time may be appropriately postponed.

“What you say makes sense,” Wang Shiping said thoughtfully, then nodded.

The sound of light footsteps rose and fell intermittently.

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

"What time is it?" Wang Shiping asked, his hands behind his back and his brows furrowed.

The journey from the yamen to Donghua Gate should be long enough, right?

Why is no one coming to the door yet?
"The second quarter of Shen time," the servant replied.

"Don't worry!" Madam Lü comforted her.

Wang Shiping nodded.

The sound of light, steady footsteps could be heard.

Another stick of incense.

"What time is it?" A hint of irritation appeared in Wang Shiping's eyes.

For some reason, he had a bad feeling.

"At three quarters past Shen time," the servant replied.

Lady Lü said gently, "Right now, everyone is talking about the Empress's deposition. Perhaps they're too busy with state affairs to talk about it?"

Wang Shiping nodded.

The sound of pacing grew louder and louder.

A moment later, Wang Shiping asked anxiously, "What time is it?"

"It's Shen Shi Zheng (3-5 PM)." the servant whispered.

"It's already late afternoon, why is no one coming to the door?" Wang Shiping felt a sudden unease and couldn't help but ask.

Lady Lü frowned slightly, but instead of comforting her husband, she looked up and gazed into the distance.

It was late afternoon, and no one had yet come to the door.

Something's definitely not right here!
It should be noted that the time for the drink specified on the invitation was the hour of You (5-7 PM).

It is Shen Shi Zheng, which is only four quarters of an hour away from You Shi.

The key point is, shouldn't you always arrive a little early for a visit?

According to common sense, at least 60-70% of the guests should arrive between 3 PM and 5 PM.

The remaining guests who arrived around 5 or 6 PM were either from distant government offices or had some mundane affairs that delayed them.

The time around 7 or 8 pm is usually the grand finale, when the most powerful and influential guests arrive.

Given the Wang family's social standing, the only guests who could truly be considered powerful and influential were Grand Secretary Jiang and Marquis Ningyuan.

However, even though it was already late afternoon, no one came to the door.

Even his brother-in-law, Sheng Hong, never visited.

It is only natural that Grand Secretary Jiang is busy with official duties.

But surely the remaining fifth-rank, sixth-rank, and even seventh-rank minor officials shouldn't be so busy with administrative affairs?
Especially Marquis Ningyuan, Gu Tingye, who is a military general.

How can a military general be said to be busy with administrative affairs?
Something is wrong!
"My lord, please don't be anxious."

After gazing into the distance for a few moments, despite her inner turmoil, Madam Lü reassured her, "Perhaps something really has delayed us?"

"Shut up!"

Just then, a five-foot pear wood carriage drove by, and the driver pulled it to a smooth stop.

Wang Shiping and his wife, Madam Lü, exchanged a glance, secretly relieved, and quickly took a few steps forward.

However, there was no one else on the carriage.

The coachman took out several invitations, bowed, and said, "Gentlemen, you have been delayed by other matters and may not be able to attend. We hope Lord Wang will understand."

After speaking, he presented the invitation, and the driver took the reins and cracked the whip.

"drive!"

Several resignation letters were presented at once?
Wang Shiping had a bad feeling and quickly opened it.

My legs and feet are aching; please forgive me.

[My old illness has relapsed, which may disrupt our gathering.]

I am delighted by your invitation to drink, but due to worldly affairs, I cannot attend. Please forgive me.

A letter of resignation, a reason.

Without exception, they were all very polite.

However, I simply didn't have time to visit for a drink, so I had to break my promise.

One of them was even a letter of resignation from his brother-in-law, Sheng Hong.

Wang Shiping trembled and almost lost his balance.

It should be noted that the Wang family only had twenty or thirty students in the capital.

At this point, a total of six letters of resignation were presented!
The key point is that it was presented by a single servant, not six.

Something is going to happen!
"drive!"

A whip cracked, and a man rode by, pulling out several invitations: "I am Shi Tou, and I have come by order of the Marquis to present my resignation. I hope Lord Wang will forgive me."

After receiving several letters of resignation, Wang Shiping nodded with a stern face.

The sheer number of poems and essays I encountered was enough to send a chill down my spine.

At this moment, he even found it difficult to manage a polite smile.

Stone clasped his hands in a salute, then rode off on his horse, brandishing his whip.

"drive!"

"You can take it apart," Wang Shiping said weakly to his wife.

Lady Lü opened the letter of resignation.

No time today.

[Lately, I've been overwhelmed with mundane affairs and haven't been able to spare the time.]

[Due to a chronic illness, it is truly difficult for me to attend.]

Five letters of resignation were received, one from Marquis Ningyuan, Gu Tingye, and another from Cai Jing.

The remaining three were invitations from former students and officials.

"Why is that?"

Lu's eyes were slightly red, and her jaw trembled slightly.

A banquet was arranged and invitations were sent out, but no one attended.

If this gets out, the Wang family will be utterly disgraced!

"Jiang Zichuan's work," Wang Shiping said with difficulty, his eyes cloudy.

"Why is Grand Secretary Jiang acting this way?" Lady Lü asked, her eyes slightly moist.

It should be noted that Grand Secretary Jiang has supported a considerable number of people.

Since he's willing to let his subordinates take the lead, he's definitely not a narrow-minded person.

Why would someone like that set a trap to humiliate the Wang family?

Her husband, Wang Shiping, was only a third-rank military officer. Was he really qualified to be targeted by Grand Secretary Jiang?
"I reckon it's to suppress the Wang family," Wang Shiping said with a sullen face.

So far, no one has come to attend the meeting. This silent pressure has truly plunged his spirits to rock bottom.

They didn't even have the desire to speak.

“Suppression?” Madam Lü was taken aback, then shook her head and said, “Grand Secretary Jiang would never have any reason to suppress the Wang family!”

"Otherwise, how could you have been promoted to the capital?"

Such a person could easily suppress a high-ranking official with a single stroke of the pen.

Allowing the Wang family to enter the capital and then suppressing them would be superfluous.
Besides, they're relatives!

If it weren't for the interference of the Kang Wang family, given that person's personality, he might have even taken care of the Wang family.

The Sheng family has benefited a lot from this, hasn't it?

The Wang family was ruined by Wang Ruoyu. Even if they didn't benefit from it, they shouldn't have been suppressed, right?
Wang Shiping was taken aback.

After hesitating for a few moments, he said, "I don't know."

"Send someone to the Sheng residence to inquire about Brother Sheng."

"Ugh!"

With a sigh and a dark expression, Wang Shiping waved his hand and said, "Close the door."

After saying that, he strode into the mansion.

Lady Lü glanced back, seemingly lost in thought.

After a few breaths, he said softly, "Could it be my mother-in-law?"

Almost all of the dozens of posts were written by her and her husband.

Only one was written by my mother-in-law.

Jiang Ge Lao's post!

Main hall.

Below the autonomous position, there were more than twenty seats, all of which were empty.

"I went to the Sheng residence and requested an audience with Lord Sheng."

Below, the steward of the manor reported, "Lord Sheng said—"

Hesitantly glanced at Old Madam Wang, then lowered his head and dared not utter a sound.

"Say!"

Old Mrs. Wang held onto the chair, her face frighteningly grim.

"The invitation, which was supposedly presented to Grand Secretary Jiang, was extremely rude and arrogant, which angered Grand Secretary Jiang."

As the steward spoke, he observed Old Madam Wang's expression: "The invitation was burned by Grand Secretary Jiang's men."

"As a result, this news somehow got out."

"Upon hearing this, the Sheng family and the old master's former students and servants were all furious, and tacitly decided not to attend the banquet." After saying this, the steward hurriedly bowed and dared not utter a word.

Lady Lü glanced at it and thought to herself, "Just as I suspected."

As a daughter-in-law, she knew her mother-in-law, Old Mrs. Wang, all too well.

In terms of his actions, this person was indeed a "scourge," completely lacking in common sense.

"Okay, okay!"

"They are all ungrateful bastards."

Old Mrs. Wang slammed her hand on the wooden table and said with a stern face, "Being intimidated by Jiang Zichuan's tyranny has offended the entire Wang family."

"Mother, please calm down," Wang Shiping quickly reassured her.

"Humph!"

Old Mrs. Wang snorted coldly, looking disappointed in him, and said in a deep voice, "If your father were still alive, would Jiang Zichuan dare to be angry? And the Wang family's disciples would certainly not dare to side with Jiang Zichuan!"

"Yes, yes," Wang Shiping replied hastily, head bowed.

Lady Lü sighed inwardly, not daring to utter a sound.

Her husband, Wang Shiping, had many flaws.

But if we were to pinpoint its biggest flaw, it would undoubtedly be blind filial piety.

If the old lady Wang, the mother-in-law, said something to the east, her husband would never dare to say something to the west.

The Wang family suffered quite a bit because of their mother-in-law.

The problem is that the husband really didn't learn his lesson at all, and continued to let things go as they pleased without any independent thought.

The steward bowed respectfully and carefully withdrew.

"This Jiang Zichuan is simply outrageous; he has absolutely no respect for elders or juniors!"

Old Mrs. Wang's face darkened.

As the one who started it all, she naturally knew why Jiang Zichuan was furious.

Of the dozens of posts, Jiang Zichuan's post was the most special, as it was written by her personally, speaking in the manner of an "elder."

The purpose was to use the position of an "elder" to suppress Jiang Zichuan's power.

In this way, once the Jiang family, the Sheng family, and the Wang family's former students and officials gather together, she can use moral blackmail to set up a "Hongmen Banquet" and make Jiang Zichuan "pay the price" for stealing the old Grand Tutor's former students and officials.

After all, if Jiang Zichuan hadn't absorbed the Grand Tutor's connections, he would never have been able to enter the cabinet and become a prime minister!

After many twists and turns, and through elaborate planning, they forced Jiang Zichuan to make concessions.

If successful, it would not only allow the eldest daughter, Wang Ruoyu, to enter the capital, but also pave the way for the eldest son's official career.

The Xihe area, being a newly expanded territory, was indeed filled with meritorious figures.

If there is an opportunity to send the eldest son to Xihe to serve as an official, such as the deputy pacification commissioner or the pacification commissioner, he will surely rise rapidly in rank.

In the future, it is not impossible to recreate the glory of the old Grand Tutor!

Unfortunately, the plan was abruptly cut short.

Who would have thought that Jiang Zichuan would disregard the distinction between elders and juniors and dare to offend her?
As the most authoritative person in the Wang family, when Old Madam Wang was angry, the entire household fell silent.

After a long while, Wang Shiping finally said, "I just don't know how to save face?"

Regardless, the old mother's post has indeed caused a great deal of trouble.

A banquet was arranged and invitations were sent out, but no one attended.

This matter will definitely get out.

If no measures are taken in time, the Wang family will likely lose face.

For prominent and distinguished families, reputation is of utmost importance.

"How about we have Lord Sheng and Hua Lan mediate between them?" Madam Lü suggested tentatively.

The trouble should end it.

Let Sheng Hong and Sheng Hualan mediate, saying they had a conflict but have already made up.

This did generate some unnecessary discussion, but it didn't cause them to lose face.

"No way," said Old Mrs. Wang with a stern face. "Are you suggesting that this old woman bow down to Jiang Zichuan?"

“Then say that the letter was written by your son, but he used your name.” Wang Shiping pondered for a moment and said, “At that time, let your son bow down to Jiang Zichuan, so as not to hurt the harmony.”

The mother caused the trouble, and the son took the blame, which is in line with the principle of "filial piety".

"Humph!"

Grandma Wang shook her head: "Jiang Zichuan has taken advantage of all the connections left by your father, and you still want to bow down to him?"

"Very well." Old Mrs. Wang waved her hand and said coldly, "This old woman will swallow her pride and go to the palace to see the Empress Dowager."

"If the Empress Dowager bestows a treasure, it can certainly serve as a symbol of prestige."

A banquet was set up, but no one attended.

This action shows that she overestimated Jiang Zichuan's moral standards regarding respect for elders and juniors.

Now that we've been tricked, all we can do is try to minimize the damage.

With that, Old Mrs. Wang turned and left.

Fushou Palace.

Empress Dowager Cao leaned against the round-backed chair, closing her eyes for a short rest.

Two young palace maids, holding round fans, gently fanned the air.

"Please inform Your Excellency that I am the wife of the late Grand Tutor Wang You, and I request an audience with Your Majesty." A voice, neither loud nor soft, rang out.

Cao frowned slightly and slowly opened her eyes.

"Why do you request an audience?" the old eunuch asked from outside the palace.

"My late husband was bestowed the title of Grand Tutor by the late Emperor, and he devoted his life to serving the country. Now, the Wang family has been humiliated by Jiang Zhao, a Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, who burned the invitation and allowed the guest to break his promise simply because it showed a little concern from an elder."
The position of Grand Tutor was bestowed by the late Emperor; how can it be easily humiliated? I humbly request that Your Majesty, mindful of our past relationship, bestow upon me a precious item to enhance my prestige.”

With a faint sob in her voice, she spoke intermittently, and after omitting the beginning and end, the old lady Wang talked for a full half-incense stick's time.

"It's too noisy." Cao Shi closed her eyes and waved her hand.

Should we make her go against Jiang Zhao and support the Wang family?
is it possible?
The palace maid, having received instructions, walked over quietly.

"Keep your voice down, don't wake up the Empress."

The sobbing abruptly stopped.

After about two incense sticks' worth of time, faint footsteps sounded and gradually faded away.

Wangfu.

At the head of the table, Old Mrs. Wang held a jade ruyi in her hand, stroking it from time to time.

Since her husband passed away, she hasn't touched any of the imperial gifts she received for two or three decades.

"Since Mother-in-law did not see the Empress Dowager, how could there be any palace items?" Madam Lü felt a sense of foreboding and quickly asked.

This thing wasn't bestowed by the Empress Dowager, nor could it have been given by the Emperor. So who gave it to you?

Old Mrs. Wang glanced at it and said calmly, "I didn't see the First Lady, but I saw the Empress."

"The Queen?"

Startled, Madam Lü could no longer hold back and said, "Mother-in-law, please don't do anything foolish in a fit of anger!"

The empress is impeached and there is a high probability that she will be deposed.

At this point, how can we get close to them?
"Don't worry."

Grandma Wang glanced at her daughter-in-law and slowly said, "Jiang Zichuan is truly lawless. Taking advantage of this incident, this old woman must teach him a lesson!"

"But Grand Secretary Jiang is already a high-ranking official; how can we possibly punish him?"

Lady Lü said anxiously, "Her Majesty the Empress has no power base; I'm afraid she has little chance of winning!"

Even though she was just a woman who didn't understand politics, she knew that the empress was likely to be deposed.

After all, it was the Emperor and Grand Secretary Jiang who were secretly pulling the strings.

In his twelve years in office, Grand Secretary Jiang was undefeated, achieving resounding victories along the way.

This time will most likely be no exception.

"Who says you have to always stand on the Queen's side?"

Grandma Wang looked like she had planned this all along: "Politics is nothing more than reaching a consensus."

"Since there is considerable opposition, Jiang Zichuan must find a way to win over some of those who oppose the abolition of the empress."

"Taking this opportunity, Shi Ping publicly declared his opposition to deposing the empress in the court. Given the influence of the Wang family, there will surely be many people who follow him."

Grandma Wang said slowly, "If that's the case, after opposing for more than ten days, Jiang Zichuan will definitely send someone to win him over."

"At that time, we will be able to set a price."

In short, it means waiting for the right price to go up.

While the empress was still in power, he used his position of "opposing the empress's removal" to elevate his status. Once he gained the support of his faction and secured tangible benefits, he quickly switched back to supporting the removal of the empress.

In this way, one can gain substantial benefits without affecting political alignment.

Before Lady Lü could say anything, Old Madam Wang waved her hand and scolded, "A mere woman confined to the inner quarters should not interfere in state affairs."

Lady Lü sighed and slowly lowered her head.

"Shiping, remember to do as your mother says," Old Mrs. Wang instructed.

As the wife of the Grand Tutor, she witnessed his rise through the ranks and considered herself to be somewhat knowledgeable in politics, a true "expert."

Jiang Zichuan was stingy, but she was determined to extract some benefits from him.

The Grand Tutor's connections will not be taken away by Jiang Zichuan for nothing!
"Yes." Wang Shiping nodded.

The following day, at the Wende Hall.

Civil and military officials stood in orderly rows.

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying stroked his knees and said:
"All internal and external departments may immediately submit their reports."

Holding his tablet, Wang Shiping stepped forward and said, “Your subject hereby recommends Wang Shiping, the eldest son of Wang Youzhi, who was awarded the titles of Grand Tutor, posthumously honored as Wenjian, and granted the honor of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. He has recently entered the capital and has been appointed as a co-signatory of the Privy Council. He opposes the deposition of the Empress.”

A series of titles attracted the attention of many people.

Even Jiang Zhao, who was attending court for the first time since the imperial examinations, was no exception.

Holding his scepter, Jiang Zhao glanced back and spat inwardly.

Depend on!
The title is so long, it scared the hell out of me.

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying curled his lip.

It must have been a terrible sin for Grand Tutor Wang to have such a son!

However, it must be said that Wang Shiping's titles are indeed quite impressive.

The main hall fell silent.

After a few breaths, someone stepped forward, holding a scepter, and said:

"I second the proposal!"

A chorus of agreement rang out.

Zhao Ceying scanned them carefully, memorizing each face.