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

To prevent cheating or other breaches of fairness, three officials were often required to vouch for the candidates, pledging their official positions.

If a candidate cheats, the official who vouched for the candidate will be demoted.

Generally speaking, for military officers, if they lack popularity and power, simply finding someone to vouch for them is a significant matter.

Gu Tingye nodded repeatedly.

Since ancient times, men and women have been distinguished.

Therefore, the front courtyard was used for banquets by officials, while the back courtyard was used for gatherings of female relatives, where they would drink wine by the winding stream.

Around noon, South Korean officials arrived one after another.

"Wu Zhongfu, Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, has arrived!"

The servant announced the arrival, and Jiang Zhao strode out.

"Haha." Wu Zhongfu stepped forward quickly, cupped his hands, and said, "May your new residence bring you lasting blessings! Just like soaring to great heights, young Grand Secretary, you are sure to have a bright future!"

"You flatter me, you flatter me."

Jiang Zhao waved his hand and said gently, "The matter of the imperial estate is truly a favor to Lord Wu."

"Please." With that, Jiang Zhao gestured for the person to enter.

A moment later, an announcement was made.

"Sun Yi, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, spoke of swordsmanship..."

When Han Zhang became prime minister, Sun Zhuoyuan was very pleased with the news.

Jiang Zhao strode out, a smile on his face: "Please."

"Please." Sun Yiguan said.

The two, host and guest, slowly entered.

Before half an incense stick had burned, the announcement rang out again.

"Grand Master Chen Yi, Lord Chen has arrived!"

Chen Yi was one of the three highest-ranking officials of the older generation in Huaizuo.

Now, due to his advanced age, he holds a nominal post in the Imperial Academy.

Fortunately, six years is enough time for a person to grow.

People from Jiang Zhao's father's generation, including members of the Jiang, Chen, and Zhang families, have already come of age.

Jiang Zhong was a fifth-rank official, while the other two were fifth-rank officials.

Given time, they may not be inferior to the older generation.

Among the younger generation, Zhang Ci served as an official in a remote area for six years and had already reached the eighth rank. Chen Fu had also passed the imperial examination and was appointed as an official in a remote area.

Jiang Zhao went out to greet him again.

"Zhang Fangping, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, has arrived!"

"Li Zhenglian, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, has arrived!"

"Liu Shiping, Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, has arrived!"

"Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Yao Jiang, has arrived!"

"Minister of Rites Wang Yaochen, Your Excellency Wang has arrived!"

This process was repeated continuously.

Literati and scholars flocked to the area.

The vast majority of these officials were greeted by servants.

Jiang Zhao personally greeted a few key figures from the Korean faction who were ranked third or above.

Even the Grand Chancellor Han Zhang made a special trip over for a few drinks and stayed for a full hour.

Many people secretly watched, the gathering of Korean officials was an absolutely top-notch display!

Of course, given the young Grand Secretary's achievements, he certainly deserves such treatment.

Royal study room.

Zhao Zhen held a memorial from the front lines, his heart sinking.

The Tibetan leader, Gusiluo, has passed away!

I'm leaving Beijing soon, and writing about my daily life is making me feel uncomfortable...

Chapter 103 The King Asks for Advice!

The night is falling and the sky is dotted with stars.

Jiang Zhao, dressed in a purple robe and jade belt, with a gold talisman and fish-shaped pouch, strode into the palace.

Emperor Zhao Zhen summoned him specifically!

Royal study room.

"Cough cough!"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Zhao Zhen coughed a few times, held the memorial in his hand, and continued to write his comments in vermilion ink.

As people get older, their health deteriorates.

"Your Majesty, Pacification Commissioner Jiang requests an audience," said Li Qi, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, as he stepped forward to announce.

People are coming!

Zhao Zhen paused with his vermilion brush, then rested it on the brush holder: "Let him in."

Less than ten breaths later, Jiang Zhao entered.

Looking around, one could see only Emperor Zhao Zhen and a few eunuchs and palace maids; there were no other officials.

A private audience!

Jiang Zhao was taken aback.

The emperor summoned him specifically, so there must be something important to discuss.

However, no other officials were summoned.

In other words, other officials can't get involved in this matter?

Xihe Frontier!

Or perhaps it's about the crown prince!

These are the only two things that other officials find difficult to interfere with.

When it comes to matters concerning the frontier, apart from the Pacification Commissioner, no matter how much other officials discuss them, it's all just empty talk.

Regarding the matter of the crown prince, he gave advice to the "good grandson".

The matter of the good grandson was related to the throne, and both the emperor and his minister tacitly agreed never to mention it.

Jiang Zhao had some suspicions in his heart, but remained calm and respectfully bowed: "Your humble servant Jiang Zhao greets Your Majesty."

"No gift."

Zhao Zhen sat upright in the main seat and waved his hand, saying, "Sit down."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhao stood up, straightened his posture, and sat down.

At the same time, Zhao Zhen took a memorial from a corner of his desk, handed it to an eunuch to present, and then passed it on to him.

Jiang Zhao quickly began to read it.

The messenger of the memorial was Zhang Fu, the Duke of England.

Your humble servant Zhang Fu respectfully reports:

I humbly submit this report, given the weighty responsibilities on the frontier. I have been appointed to guard the seven prefectures of Xihe, and have been vigilant day and night, never daring to slacken my efforts. Recently, I received news from the border that the Tibetan chieftain, Gusiluo, passed away in Qingtang City on the day of Bingxu this month. His followers are now in turmoil, with numerous rebellions breaking out.

Then, Zhang Fu mainly described the situation in Tibet.

When Gusiluo passed away, his business was passed on to his youngest son, Dongzhan.

However, the children of the deceased eldest son, Xiazhan, and the second son, Mojiaozhan, were not very obedient to Dongzhan, and there were subtle signs that they were going to rebel against their uncle.

The adopted sons of Gusiluo also seemed to have an ambiguous attitude, with a hint of a struggle for the family business.

In comparison, Dong Zhan's qualifications are indeed not up to par.

He had neither outstanding prestige nor outstanding achievements; he was simply a second-generation heir who inherited the family business due to his mother's favor.

The internal strife in Tibet caused a significant chain reaction.

The tea-horse trade, in particular, was significantly affected.

The internal strife made Tibetan merchants afraid to move around recklessly, lest they be caught in the crossfire.

In addition, it also involves the struggle between the pro-Zhou faction and the pro-Xia faction.

hiss~!

Jiang Zhao's heart sank.

The memorial was not long, but it contained all the essential points that needed to be explained.

Qusiluo was almost universally recognized as the "Zanpu" of Tibet. Whether in terms of seniority or tribal strength, he was a top-tier figure in Tibet.

Originally, Tibet was already embroiled in internal strife and division.

With the death of Qusiluo, the Tibetan tribes were leaderless and completely without anyone to suppress them.

Dong Zhan alone, along with his grandsons and adopted sons, comprised nearly ten tribes.

In addition, there are some tribes that existed originally.

A rough estimate suggests there could be twenty or thirty tribes.

Without a leader, some fools with little political acumen might actually attempt to advance eastward.

"The Xihe route expanded to seven prefectures, stretching the territory to an extremely long extent."

Zhao Zhen stood with his hands behind his back and pondered, "The border army has 200,000 troops and must defend Shaanxi Road and Xihe Road. In particular, the territory of Xihe Road is unstable and no one is stationed there permanently. With the strength of the Duke of Yingguo alone, it is really impossible to be in two places at once."

"I will depart soon for the frontier," Jiang Zhao replied hastily.

The Xihe route almost cuts through the Western Xia and Tubo, which is why its territory is particularly long.

With the British Duke in charge of the army, he had to defend against the Western Xia from the front via the Shaanxi Road, while also paying attention to the Xihe Road.

If the Tibetan tribes were to actually advance eastward, the battle lines would be too long, and information transmission would take time. There was a risk that they might be able to "remotely control" the battlefield.

If remote command succeeds, people might even praise him as a great general.

But if it doesn't work out, then they'll be nailed to the pillar of shame.

We've only recently acquired this territory; if we were to lose it, we'd be condemned for all time.

Therefore, it's no wonder that the British public was panicking.

(As shown in the picture: the territory is really long, basically sandwiched in the middle, beyond the reach of the whip)

Zhao Zhen nodded slowly.

He summoned Jiang Zhao specifically for this matter.

"What is your explanation for governing Xihe, Minister Jiang?" Zhao Zhen asked calmly.

The situation on the frontier can be urgent, but it's not so urgent either.

With Jiang Zhao's abilities, since he can expand territory, he can also guard it.

The Tubo Kingdom is in turmoil, but barring any unforeseen circumstances, it is unlikely to cause any major upheavals.

In comparison, Zhao Zhen was more interested in Jiang Zhao's policies and strategies.

Of course, this was also the procedure when high-ranking officials were transferred to other regions.

Discussions between the ruler and his ministers are the way to govern the world.