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

Chapter 257 The Grand Chancellor Retires!
The 17th day of the fifth month in the fourth year of the Xifeng era.

Wende Hall.

Civil and military officials stood in orderly rows.

On the imperial steps, Emperor Zhao Ceying, draped in a dragon robe, stood with his hands at his sides, exuding the majesty of a monarch.

Below it is the imperial altar.

A vermilion-lacquered wooden chair stands here.

Grand Chancellor Han Zhang sat solemnly, holding his tablet, and rarely smiled. He wore a purple robe and gold belt, a gold talisman and fish-shaped pouch, and a sable-clothed scarf, exuding the composure and majesty of someone who had ruled the country for twelve years.

Generally speaking, when discussing politics in the imperial court, the focus of the ministers' attention is always on the monarch.

Firstly, the central figure in political discussions is the monarch.

Whenever officials discussed state affairs, the emperor had to give his approval before anything could be implemented.

Secondly, one can observe the emperor's face when discussing politics.

Since ancient times, there has been a saying that looking directly at the emperor's face is a grave offense of disrespect.

However, it's just talk.

In reality, when it comes to discussing politics, almost all the civil and military officials will look directly at the emperor.

Even more so, it was not uncommon for them to disagree with the emperor and argue with him.

The so-called conviction for "great disrespect" leans more towards "disrespect."

Generally speaking, all officials in the imperial court can look directly at the emperor's face!

This led many ministers to focus on "gazing at the emperor's face."

Memorizing the king's appearance will allow you to speak eloquently and convincingly even when you retire in the future, even if it's just boasting!
However, today is a little different.

The attention of the civil and military officials was mostly focused on Grand Chancellor Han Zhang.

You may sit in the hall; there is no need for you to bow!

Such an honor made all the civil and military officials take a step back.

The purpose was to make room for wooden chairs.

In the main hall, only two people are allowed to sit and listen to government affairs.

One is an official, and the other is a high-ranking official!
What is prestige? This is prestige.

All the civil and military officials couldn't help but look over.

People would occasionally exchange glances, secretly marveling.

What is scenery?

This is what beautiful scenery looks like!

He nurtured countless talents, rose to the highest ranks of officialdom, expanded territories, earned a place in history, and will be remembered for eternity.
Who wouldn't yearn for such a life?
Even several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet couldn't help but take notice.

You may sit in the hall; there is no need for you to bow.

Even experiencing such treatment for just a second would make a lifetime of ups and downs in officialdom and a life well spent in this world worthwhile!

Of course, the most valuable quality in a person is self-awareness.

Several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet sighed inwardly.

Apart from Han Zhang, the other Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet probably wouldn't be qualified to enjoy such treatment.

Firstly, the gap between the others and Han Zhang was simply too great.

Han Zhangzhi's qualifications, achievements, reputation, and prestige almost completely overwhelmed everyone else.

The gap is too large; his virtue does not match his position, so naturally he cannot rise to the top.

Secondly, not everyone has a disciple named Jiang Zhao!

He stood on the throne and took his seat in the hall.

Such treatment was not only due to Han Zhang's abilities, but also to the indispensable contributions of his disciple Jiang Zhao.

Jiang Zhao's influence might even be greater.

After all, this man was a true favorite minister, virtuous minister, capable minister, and loyal minister of two generations!
Without Jiang Zhao, Han Zhang would most likely have been unable to receive this honor.

Without Jiang Zhao, Han Zhang would most likely not have dared to accept this honor.

In the turbulent world of officialdom, one must be able to rise to power and then fall from grace.

Without a suitable successor, even if Han Zhang were to receive the honor of "being offered a seat in the palace," he probably wouldn't dare to truly enjoy it.

The scholars exchanged glances, all showing a hint of longing.

For a subject to receive such an honor, it is truly the pinnacle of life.

Every human being experiences joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, and Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet are no exception.

Honestly, who wouldn't be envious?
"All internal and external departments may immediately submit their reports."

Standing on the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying looked straight ahead and spoke calmly.

Just yesterday, the Grand Chancellor submitted his retirement document.

Three refusals and three concessions are indispensable.

Today, the focus is certainly not on political discussions.

However, the process of attending court and discussing state affairs still needs to be followed.

"Your subject, Zhang Fangping, Minister of Rites, has something to report."

In just a moment, one person stepped out.

Minister of Rites, Zhang Fangping!

To the left, Jiang Zhao stood solemnly, holding his tablet, and glanced back indifferently.

Zhang Fangping's memorial was mainly for "warming up" the audience.

After all, we can't just ask the Grand Master to petition for retirement right from the start, can we?
All the civil and military officials, those who were well-informed, paid close attention to the scene.

From today onwards, the ten consecutive days and three sessions of political deliberation will not be primarily for political discussion, but rather for "acting."

Therefore, the officials could even guess what Zhang Fangping might submit in his memorial.

With May 17th approaching, and given the major event related to the Ministry of Rites, it's obvious even with your eyes closed!

"Approved," Zhao Ceying said, waving his hand.

As the ancients said: "When a sage receives the mandate of heaven, all people live in harmony with the will of the heavens; when the people are of one mind, great joy spreads throughout the world."

"Now that Your Majesty's birthday is approaching, the stars are shining brightly, and the whole world is looking forward to it. All officials, both inside and outside the court, are filled with reverence and wish to follow the birthday celebration ceremony in the Zhou Dynasty, to present elegant music and offer auspicious words, so as to demonstrate Your Majesty's virtuous rule and to comfort the people's admiration."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request your decision: may the Ministry of Rites prepare for a grand ceremony, so that all under Heaven may rejoice and share in Your Majesty's grace?"

really!

May 25th is the Emperor's birthday!

Many high-ranking officials exchanged glances, unsurprised.

"no."

On the imperial steps, Zhao Ceying shook his head and waved his hand, saying, "With the expansion of territory imminent and the borders not yet secure, I am truly uneasy. The army has been at war for a long time, and military expenses have been considerable. If we were to celebrate a birthday, it would be too much of a waste of resources and manpower."

"I have no intention of holding a grand celebration."

"By order of general amnesty, all under heaven may rejoice."

"As for the court ceremony, let's skip it."

In short, the universal celebrations that should be observed for birthdays will continue as before.

The others are too expensive and unnecessary to hold every year.

"promise."

Zhang Fangping bowed and withdrew.

"Is there anything else to report?" Zhao Ceying asked calmly, seemingly unaware of the situation.

"This old minister has a report to make."

Han Zhang said something and was about to stand up, holding his tablet.

coming!

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

"My lord, you may sit down." Zhao Ceying glanced at him and quickly pressed his hand down to stop him.

The right not to worship is truly an unparalleled honor.

As a senior official, Han Zhang was about to retire, and Zhao Ceying naturally did not mind letting him retire in style.

At the sound of a command to stop him, Han Zhang hesitated as he stood up.

Hesitantly, Han Zhang raised his hand in a salute, finally settling into a seat and not insisting on getting up.

"Since assuming the position of Grand Councilor, I have always aspired to make the ruler like Yao and Shun, working diligently day and night without daring to be negligent, for fear of failing the trust placed in me by the nation."

However, as the years have passed, I have grown old and frail, my eyesight and hearing failing, and I am increasingly finding myself unable to fulfill the duties of a prime minister. If I were to be forced to remain in this position, I would not only be failing Your Majesty's trust, but I also fear that it would hinder the path of virtuous officials.

"I humbly beg Your Majesty to grant me the grace to resign my post and return to my hometown to live out my remaining years!" Han Zhang respectfully submitted his memorial.

With just one sentence, civil and military officials alike began to discuss the matter.

really!

Grand Chancellor Han Zhang is about to retire!

At the peak of his life, amidst a string of honors, he openly retired from office, not coveting any power or influence, but leaving behind a legacy of fame that would be known throughout the world.

In fact, many people already knew about or foresaw this decision.

However, this did not prevent the civil and military officials from paying attention to him. On the one hand, he was the Grand Secretary who had ruled the country for twelve years.

Civil administration can govern the country, and military force can expand territory.

Such a person, accomplished in both literature and martial arts, destined to rise to high office and become a minister, is destined to be remembered for all time!
For civil and military officials, what is the most important thing?

Some people might say it's money, some might say it's wealth, and some might say it's having many children and grandchildren.

However, when it comes to "lasting fame," everything else—money, wealth, or fame and fortune—must take a backseat.

This is the ultimate pursuit, bar none!

Therefore, it's no wonder that the officials all looked over there.

Han Zhang is a figure who is about to step out of the imperial court and into the annals of history!
On the other hand, the retirement of the Grand Chancellor also meant a change of leadership in the position of Chief Grand Secretary.

Many people secretly watched Jiang Zhao.

Two prime ministers from one family!
What a wonderful story this is!
If we include the story of "Han Men Li Xue" (standing in the snow at Han's door), this tale becomes even more praiseworthy.

The civil and military officials exchanged glances.

Regardless of the reactions of the officials, Zhao Ceying, standing on the imperial steps, appeared deeply moved.

Zhao Ceying waved his sleeves and walked down the steps in a few strides. He walked up to Han Zhang and held Han Zhang's hand tightly.

"Your Excellency is a pillar of the nation, a cornerstone of the country. You govern the state, stabilize the land, expand the territory, and appease the officials. How can you say that you are not worthy of being a prime minister?" Zhao Ceying sighed, his words filled with reluctance.

"This old minister is hard of hearing and sight, and is truly incapable of shouldering the heavy responsibilities of the cabinet," Han Zhang hurriedly said.

"Ugh!"

Zhao Ceying shook his head repeatedly and waved his hand, saying, "Now, with the expansion of Yan and Yun, the people's livelihood needs to be taken care of, and we rely on the Grand Chancellor to oversee the central government. Since you are unwell, I will order the Imperial Medical Academy to treat you and make sure you are alert and clear-headed."

"The Grand Chancellor has served as a high-ranking official for two generations, bringing peace and stability to the country. I absolutely refuse to approve this memorial."

With a wave of his hand, Zhao Ceying took a few steps and ascended the steps once more.

His tone, however, was unusually firm.

Han Zhang's eyes were red, and he looked extremely grateful as he silently bowed.

With one resignation and one concession, the matter is settled!

The civil and military officials frequently glanced over.

Several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet also subtly shifted their gazes.

In May, the Grand Master will retire.

The cabinet needs a change of leadership!
The question remains: who will remain in office, and who will retire?

……

Wenfu.

A gentle breeze blows across the bamboo forest, where the bamboo groves rustle in the wind.

With a cup of tea in hand, Wen Yanbo took two sips and looked out into the distance.

After the exchange of refusals, the Emperor summoned Han Zhang for a private audience, and the two men spoke together.

Han Zhang was about to retire, and the conversation between the emperor and his minister revolved around two main topics:
Firstly, the emperor appeases his officials to show that he values ​​their position.

As the head of all officials, Han Zhang's lineage was deeply rooted and was definitely the core force for reform and innovation.

His disciple, Jiang Zhao, was the core of the reform movement and the designated successor to the Grand Secretary.

This situation meant that the emperor would treat Han Zhang with great courtesy.

When the emperor and his ministers are talking, it must be a scene of great harmony and joy.

Secondly, the government will consult with the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet and the replacement of the Chief Secretary.

This is also the usual practice.

When the Grand Secretary retires, the emperor will certainly ask Han Zhang to evaluate the other Grand Secretaries and consult on their personnel decisions.

Of course, the emperor might not necessarily adopt his suggestion.

but
Wen Yanbo's expression darkened slightly.

That old scoundrel Han Zhang will definitely say some bad things on purpose to try and take him with him.

The so-called bad words do not necessarily refer to real bad words, but rather to evaluations that do not conform to the king's expectations.

Just as the emperor focuses on reform and innovation, if Han Zhang were to criticize a certain Grand Secretary of the Cabinet for not cooperating with daily reforms and administration, do you think the emperor would consider replacing him?
The key is, you can't stop it yet.

Wen Yanbo sipped his tea and stared at it for a long time.

quite a while.

"Ugh!"

A long sigh escaped, the faint sound carried on the wind.

"Throughout my life, I have always walked on thin ice!"

Will we be able to reach the other side this time?

Kunning Palace.

A bronze mirror lies horizontally, reflecting the evenly applied makeup.

Empress Xiang sat solemnly, with her maidservants doing her hair and makeup.

A golden hairpin gently holds her hair in a bun.

Xiang raised her eyebrows slightly and asked softly, "I heard that the eldest master is about to retire in glory?"

"Yes."

The old woman nodded and replied, "It is said that the Emperor and the Grand Master talked for a whole afternoon!"

Xiang nodded slightly without making a sound.

In fact, ever since she learned from the example of the late Empress Gao, she has rarely taken the initiative to inquire about politics.

However, this time is different.

The Grand Chancellor's retirement caused such a stir that even the imperial harem heard about it.

I had naturally heard of the Xiang family.

"Shen'er, have you been following Grand Secretary Jiang around lately?" Madam Xiang asked again.

The child lived in Prince Jing's mansion for a long time, but that did not mean that the mother and child were separated.

Generally speaking, we'll meet every ten days or so.

As a mother, it's natural to care about your child and ask about their daily life, diet, clothing, and routine.

The news of Prince Jing's persistent pursuit of Grand Secretary Jiang naturally reached the palace.

"They're all following!"

The dressing matron was a maid brought into the palace by Madam Xiang. The mistress and servant worked together and knew what Madam Xiang was thinking. She added, "According to the people in Prince Jing's mansion, the young prince pesters Grand Secretary Jiang every three to five days."

“Every three to five days?” Madam Xiang frowned and said with concern, “Such frequency may annoy Grand Secretary Jiang.”

"No, Your Highness, please rest assured," the nanny replied with a smile. "The young prince is very well-behaved and quite lovable. Grand Secretary Jiang has personally prepared tea and snacks for him on several occasions!"

"Is that so?"

Xiang nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.

A gentleman keeps away from the kitchen. Even though Jiang Ge Lao held a high position, he still made time to brew tea and even cook snacks for Shen'er, which shows that he really liked her.

"If that's the case, then tell the people of Prince Jing's residence not to obstruct the young prince recklessly. Let the young prince go wherever he wants," Xiang Shi instructed, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes.

The implication was that he hoped his son, Zhao Shen, would continue to pester Jiang Zhao.

However, this is not surprising.

Once you enter the harem, you'll spend your entire life there, destined to be prepared for a long period of palace intrigue.

With Xiang's skill in palace intrigue, her contribution in giving birth to a prince, her ability to understand the bigger picture, and her proper management of the harem, her position was naturally quite stable.

However, while it is stable, it certainly cannot be said that its position is truly impregnable.

The emperor was only thirty years old, full of vigor and vitality, and it was common for him to change his favorites every few days.

In the last two years alone, there have been thirty or forty concubines with official titles in the palace.

A rough count reveals that there are already six or seven princes and princesses born, or those currently pregnant.

Therefore, it is absolutely impossible for him to maintain the favor of the empress or any concubine for a long time.

A dignified monarch, wielding supreme power over the world, must certainly prioritize "universal love."

Xiang was fully aware of this and had already made up her mind before entering the palace.

Therefore, in order to better consolidate their positions, the real power struggles would extend to the next generation.

That is, on the prince.

Even before a prince is born, his status is already elevated by his mother's influence.

A mother's status determines a prince's position, whether he is born of the principal wife or a concubine.

But once the prince grows up, the mother's status will rise because of her son.

There's no other reason than that once the princes grow up, the struggle for the crown prince position and the throne becomes a topic of discussion!
For the Xiang family, Jiang Ge Lao is a true towering tree and evergreen tree in the imperial court. It is a great thing that their child can get to know him!

……

Grand Chancellor Han Zhang is about to retire!

Once the Imperial College newspaper was published, the news spread quickly.

In an instant, the people of the city and the government, and all corners of the country, were in an uproar!
……

(End of this chapter)