Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 149 A Commoner in Charge
The emperor's words were hardly cryptic, so Yan Hu naturally understood them.

This means that although Chen Qing has lost his position, he will continue to do what he did before, only he will no longer have to go to work at the Zhenfu Division.

However, this was not a bad thing for Yan Hu and his son, because Yan Cong was promoted one rank, from General Bannerman to Trial Hundred-Household Commander.

Even if Chen Qing returns to the Zhenfu Division, Yan Cong's new position as a probationary centurion will likely remain.

After arranging matters concerning the Zhenfu Division, the Emperor watched Tang Can and Yan Hu leave, then turned to Jiang Chu and said with a smile, "You did a good job this time."

"Chen Qing also did a very good job."

The emperor chuckled and said, "After this, things will be much easier for me from now on."

After this incident, the civil service group was no longer a monolithic entity. Even if Yang Yuanfu did not step down, the emperor could still conveniently push forward the capital inspection of the Zhenfu Division.

Then, you can assign your own people to some key positions.

Following this, the emperor would have enough confidence to replace the cabinet at will while ensuring the stability of the court, thereby truly seizing absolute power.

The chubby boy spoke up: "Your Majesty is wise. Those ministers are no match for Your Majesty."

The emperor glanced at him and said, "You underestimate them. It's not a coincidence..."

The emperor did not continue speaking, but shook his head and looked up at the sky.

He ascended the throne at a very young age, and for a long time after his accession, the court was dominated by civil officials.

With civil officials in a dominant position, they all closely united around civil official leaders like Yang Yuanfu.

It definitely has the feel of a solid, unyielding iron plate.

The emperor might not be able to defeat these civil officials. Even if he could, it would likely be a long tug-of-war that would take ten or twenty years to determine the winner.

This young emperor clearly didn't have the patience to wait that long; as a young emperor, he had too many things he wanted to do.

"Two hundred thousand mu of farmland."

The emperor, with his hands behind his back, looked up at the sky and slowly said, "There is more than one Yang Yuanfu in the world."

"In the last twenty years, land tax has decreased year by year."

The aristocratic landowners occupied a large amount of social resources.

These social resources include not only land resources, but also educational resources.

A single family could often have several Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) and many Juren (successful candidates in the provincial imperial examinations), and while occupying a large amount of land, they also had a large amount of tax exemption.

The annexation of land, coupled with methods like deception, led to a decline in the imperial court's tax revenue year after year.

The emperor turned to look at Jiang Chu and continued, "In recent years, the White Lotus sect has spread rampantly among the people, the Anda tribe in the north has invaded year after year, and the river bandits and Japanese pirates in the southeast have become increasingly rampant in recent years. The governance of the court has reached a point where it must be rectified."

"I have too many things to do."

The emperor, with his hands behind his back, said, "We don't have that much time to waste on them like this."

The emperor was young, so he was eager to get things done. The first step in doing so was to seize enough power, at least to control the direction of the country and the court.

"These are things that I cannot do alone."

The emperor looked at Jiang Chu and said earnestly, "There are too few members of the Jiang family in this capital, which is why I have transferred you to the capital to take up your post."

Even the emperor cannot do whatever he wants. If he acts too aggressively and offends too many people, the emperor's position will be precarious.

The late emperor's death in his prime was suspicious.

Upon hearing this, the chubby Jiang Chu felt a chill run down his spine. He smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, I don't have that kind of ability."

The emperor glanced at him and said with a smile, "That's why I'm letting you get more experience. You've gained a lot of experience these past few years, and in the future you'll be able to do many things for me and for the court."

Jiang Chu's mind raced.

At this moment, he remembered what Chen Qing had once told him.

Chen Qing once said that if the emperor were to change the ancestral rule that members of the imperial clan were not allowed to serve in official positions, he might in the future change the ancestral rule that hereditary succession was perpetual.

Now it seems that my young cousin is indeed ambitious and wants to do a lot of things. So, is targeting the clan system one of his goals?

It's hard to say.

The emperor glanced at his cousin, thought for a moment, and continued, "Chen Qing, whom you brought to the capital, is a talented person."

His Majesty stroked his beard and said, "Later, if I appoint you to head the Imperial Ceremonial Office, it would be perfect for you to nominally serve under him."

Upon hearing this, the chubby boy made a bitter face: "Your Majesty, I still want to return to Bianzhou..."

The Emperor laughed and said, "Uncle, you're still full of energy and vigor. What are you going back for?"

Prince Jiang frowned, "Your Majesty, I am not married yet..." "I will arrange it for you."

The emperor said calmly, "It won't delay your marriage."

"The Dowager Consort Jing is getting old."

The emperor patted the chubby boy on the shoulder and said with a smile, "While you're in the capital, you can visit her more often and show your filial piety."

Upon hearing this, Prince Jiang sighed silently and said, "Your subject understands."

As he spoke, he glanced at the emperor and asked, "How can Chen Qing be reinstated after this incident?"

"You don't need to worry about that."

The emperor smiled and said, "Just watch quietly. The current situation is far more interesting than I had imagined."

………………

Another day has passed.

Minister Yang submitted a memorial to His Majesty the Emperor, claiming illness, and returned home.

The entire cabinet and the court were rife with undercurrents.

While the court and the public were discussing the matter, Chen Qing, one of the parties involved, was able to enjoy some rare leisure time. He stayed at home and took the time to finish reading the two seasons of The Legend of the Condor Heroes and Romance of the Western Chamber.

Now that he had time, Chen Qing was able to spend more time with Miss Gu. After all, when he was working at the Zhenfu Division, he didn't have much time all day.

That afternoon, Chen Qing was in the courtyard reading a book when Xiao Yue came running over and said to him, "Young Master, Lord Xiao Yan is here again. He says he has something to discuss with you."

As she spoke, Xiaoyue asked with some confusion, "Didn't the young master stop working at the Zhenfu Division?"

Chen Qing glanced at her and said irritably, "I'm not in the Zhenfu Division anymore, and it's not like I don't know Xiao Yan. What's so strange about her coming to find me?"

At this point, Chen Qing stood up and said with a smile, "I'll go greet him."

Young Master Chen came to the door to greet him. After exchanging greetings, Yan Cong finally spoke, "Brother Zizheng, why have you come to the door?"

Chen Qing tugged at his sleeve and said with a smile, "Now that I'm just an ordinary citizen, of course I have to come out and greet Lord Yan."

Yan Cong's face darkened, and he said with a stiff expression, "Brother Zizheng, you're slapping me in the face by saying that."

The two returned to the backyard and sat down. After Xiaoyue brought them tea, Yan Cong said in a low voice, "Brother Zizheng, my father said that you are still the centurion of this centurion's office. I will have someone send all matters to you and entrust them to you for handling."

Chen Qing waved his hand and said indifferently, "Since I'm no longer with the Zhenfu Division, these matters are not for me to handle. Brother Yan, you can take care of them."

Yan Cong frowned, but did not insist. Instead, he changed the subject and said, "When I arrived at Brother Zizheng's house just now, I saw a lot of unfamiliar faces. They must have appeared yesterday. I guess there are quite a few people watching around Brother Zizheng's house."

He paused, then continued, "I think I also saw your younger brother, and Madam Li from the Chen family."

Previously, when Chen Qing was in the Zhenfu Division, he asked Yan Cong to help him find out where Chen Huan's family lived after they came to the capital. Yan Cong went there personally, so he knew Chen Qing's younger brother and Madam Li.

Chen Qing thought for a moment, then laughed and said, "They, mother and son, probably heard that I was dismissed from my post and wanted to wander around here to see if they could say a few sarcastic things about me."

"Ignore people like that."

Yan Cong nodded and continued, "The others are probably people from the imperial court who were sent to keep an eye on Brother Zizheng."

"Let them keep an eye on it."

Chen Qing said with a smile, "I'm not afraid of them watching."

Yan Cong hummed in agreement and continued, "My father also said that Zizheng should stay at home during this period and try to go out as little as possible."

He paused, then said, "The last thing is about the White Lotus Sect."

"He Jia sent a message back saying that during this period, Miss Mu's influence in the capital area has grown stronger and stronger, and the reputation of the White Lotus Holy Mother has also gradually become well-known."

"The White Lotus Sect's leader, surnamed Yang, sent someone to say that he wanted to see Miss Mu. He Jia asked the Zhenfu Division whether they should take this opportunity to arrest her directly."

Chen Qing stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment before asking, "Where should we meet?"

"Hejian Prefecture".

Yan Cong replied, "It's not close to the capital. If we're going there to arrest someone, our brothers from the Zhenfu Division need to make arrangements in advance."

Chen Qing thought for a moment and shook his head slightly: "Don't pay attention to them. If we make contact and they get arrested by the Zhenfu Division, it will only arouse suspicion. What's important is the entire White Lotus Sect, not this damned Sect Leader Yang."

Chen Qing reached out and tapped his thigh, speaking slowly.

“When he gets impatient, he will naturally come to the capital to see Mu Ziran.”

(End of this chapter)