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

Zhao Ceying felt uneasy and slowly sat down.

After Zhao Ceying passed by, none of the remaining four members of the imperial clan immediately stood up.

Zhao Zhen looked up and glanced down.

The more they scanned the area, the more flustered the members of the royal family became, unsure of what to say to demonstrate their best behavior.

The Imperial Study remained silent for a full ten breaths.

Finally, Zhao Zhong stood up and bowed.

Previously, he worked at the Transport Department.

"For the past three years, I have served in the Transport Office, leading five hundred soldiers and responsible for escorting grain and fodder. During my tenure in charge of grain and fodder escort, I have strictly adhered to military regulations and made no mistakes for three years."

However, the soldiers are mostly uncouth, and I have disciplined them with propriety and law, daring not to slacken in the slightest. The Tibetans and Western Xia are both known for their fierce and warlike nature; if we implement education and promote ethnic integration, we can ensure the safety of the border regions.”

Zhao Zhong bowed respectfully, believing he had already exceeded expectations.

"Ah."

Zhao Zhen nodded, expressionless, and said nothing.

After observing for a while, Jiang Zhao couldn't help but glance at it.

Actually, judging solely from the answer itself, Zhao Zhong's answer was quite good.

Whether it was "three years without fault" or "disciplining soldiers with etiquette and law", both were manifestations of his personal abilities.

My views on Tibet and Western Xia are based on a broader perspective.

Even if he can't compare to Zhao Ceying, he's still quite remarkable.

Unfortunately, Zhao Zhong misunderstood the Emperor's intentions.

If education and cultural integration are implemented, the border regions can be kept safe!

This statement has a major problem.

The emperor doesn't want a ruler who only maintains the status quo!

Zhao Zhen reigned for over forty years and held power for nearly thirty, which also allowed him thirty years of rest and recuperation.

Having finally had nearly thirty years of recuperation and with the hope of unification, what they needed was an emperor with abundant martial virtue, who would emulate the actions of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing of Han in recuperating and laying the foundation for Emperor Wu of Han's territorial expansion.

"And you?" Zhao Zhen looked at the remaining three.

The three exchanged glances, none of them having decided how to answer.

After exchanging glances for a few moments, Zhao Shicheng steeled himself and stepped forward: "Your subject serves in the Ever-Normal Granary, leading 500 soldiers, and is in charge of maintaining the tea-horse trade. I have personally recorded and verified all inflows and outflows of accounts, and copied them by hand, ensuring there are absolutely no errors or omissions!"

Jiang Zhao lowered his brows inwardly.

Even now, Zhao Shicheng still hasn't realized that personally copying the account books is not a good thing.

However, he understood Zhao Shicheng's thoughts.

After all, how diligent it must be to transcribe it personally.

“In the winter of the year before last, a caravan was smuggling ironware. I led men to investigate for three days and nights and finally captured the head of the caravan. In addition, I have learned some Tibetan and can communicate fluently with the Tibetans,” Zhao Shicheng replied respectfully.

Jiang Zhao shook his head inwardly. Of the three who were in charge of military affairs, only Zhao Ceying was not limited to simply training soldiers. Instead, he took on tasks such as land reclamation, bandit suppression, and pacification of foreign tribes. The other two had not stepped out of the limitations of their assigned duties.

Or rather, neither of them was proactive in their work.

Given their positions, if either of them were to proactively request to their superior to perform tasks that would demonstrate their individual abilities, the supervising officer would certainly not refuse.

Like Zhao Ceying, whose original job was simply to train soldiers, he made some additional requests to Gu Tingye, thus embarking on the path of land reclamation and bandit suppression.

It's not like Xihe Road is poorly informed; as competitors, the two of them must know what Zhao Ceying has been up to.

Unfortunately, even knowing that Zhao Ceying's political achievements were almost unparalleled, the two of them never did anything else.

The reason, of course, is a lack of ability.

Furthermore, Zhao Shicheng did not discuss the overall situation of the confrontation between Western Xia and Tibet.

In this respect, there is a significant difference.

Zhao Zhen's gaze flickered slightly.

Having dealt with state affairs for many years, he naturally became aware of this.

Zhao Shiyi, son of the Prince of Yan, stepped forward and said honestly, "When I governed Yunshui County, I personally inspected the fields and got close to the people. Last year, there was a drought in spring, and I fasted and prayed for rain for three days. The rain came, and the people praised me."

A few years ago, after Jiang Zhao demonstrated the "personal cultivation" method, he did it again in private.

"In addition, I have also developed canals, established military farms, and implemented policies to integrate Han and non-Han peoples."

Zhao Zhen glanced at it and sighed inwardly.

In short, garbage!

Canal construction, land reclamation, and integration of Han and non-Han peoples were all policies of the Pacification Commissioner.

Zhao Shiyi simply carried out the orders from above.

Furthermore, Zhao Shiyi did not discuss the overall situation.

Or rather, he simply lacks a sense of the big picture!

The remaining person was Zhao Shiqian, the son of the Prince of Yong.

He rose and bowed, his eyes darting around: "In governing Huaishui County, I implemented education, canal construction, land reclamation, and integration of Han and non-Han peoples. In addition, I also captured several traitors who colluded with the enemy and beheaded them as a warning to others."

After everyone had answered, Zhao Zhen sighed slightly.

Apart from Zhao Ceying, everyone else is a bunch of ugly and deformed people!

"Truly a fine young man of the Zhao family!"

"You may all leave," Zhao Zhen said, gesturing for them to leave.

He will decide for himself which is better or worse.

Of the five members of the imperial clan, Zhao Ceying felt uneasy, Zhao Zhong felt he had performed exceptionally well, Zhao Shicheng and Zhao Shiyi felt they had performed normally, and Zhao Shiqian felt slightly flustered.

The five people, each with a different state of mind, all withdrew.

After the imperial clansmen left, Zhao Zhen looked towards Jiang Zhao.

Jiang Zhao was able to expand the territory within a few years of entering officialdom, and he was the "family heirloom" he had chosen!

At fifty-six years old, no one knew how many more years the emperor could last.

He hopes to decide who the good grandson is!

Chapter 121 Change of Crown Prince!

Royal study room.

Zhao Zhen waved his hand, and all the eunuchs and palace maids withdrew.

At this moment, only the emperor and his subject remained.

Jiang Zhao quickly stood up, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty has trusted me and appointed me as the governor of Xihe for three years. I have always adhered to the four principles of securing the borders, ensuring the safety of the people, promoting culture, and strengthening the army."

First, pacify the Tibetans to secure the border; second, implement military-agricultural colonies to replenish border reserves; third, establish academies to civilize the barbarian tribes; and fourth, exchange fine horses to strengthen the border army.

Once the outline was drawn up, Jiang Zhao was about to explain it one by one, but Zhao Zhen, who was in the main seat, stopped.

Zhao Zhen sighed inwardly.

Although they were all around twenty years old, in terms of governance alone, the members of the imperial clan were far inferior to Jiang Zhao, by more than one level.

Even Zhao Ceying seemed quite inexperienced compared to Jiang Zhao.

"I am fully aware of the administration of Xihe Road," Zhao Zhen explained. "This time, let's not discuss the administration of Xihe Road."

Generally speaking, the performance review is often just a formality.

To truly understand the merits and demerits of governance along a route, how can a single performance review be sufficient?

Previously, the five members of the imperial family wrote a letter every month, from which much information about the current affairs of Xihe Road could be gleaned.

Xihe Road was originally a newly expanded territory, so there was nothing messy about it.

Since Jiang Zhao's overall strategy and planning are sound, that's enough.

In contrast, Zhao Zhen had a better topic to discuss.

Jiang Zhao bowed respectfully, secretly making plans in his mind.

If we don't talk about performance reviews, then what should we talk about?

Zhao Zhen pressed his hand down, got up, and took out the Book of Han from the corner of his desk.

He spent a full five years reading this book, the Book of Han.

They even read the book so much that the pages were a little wrinkled!

Jiang Zhao understood and slowly sat down.

From the moment he saw the Book of Han, he knew what the emperor intended to discuss.

Discussing the establishment of a successor!

Let's discuss the matter of the Holy Grandson!

“Back then, I had some concerns in my heart.” Zhao Zhen walked slowly and recalled, “I summoned you in private, and your words, ‘Perhaps the Crown Prince can be adopted by the Prince of Wei,’ dispelled all my concerns.”

Zhao Zhen turned around, his gaze intense: "In your opinion, which of the five members of the imperial clan is superior, and who is suitable to be adopted by the Prince of Wei?"

"I do not know," Jiang Zhao said, bowing his head and remaining silent.

"No matter what, this country and its people need someone to govern it. I have never spoken to anyone about the matter of the Crown Prince. Not even to Minister Han."

Zhao Zhen shook his head and said slowly in a deep voice, "If I need someone to advise me, it is only Minister Jiang!"

After speaking, Zhao Zhen looked at Jiang Zhao with a calm expression.

"The crown prince is the foundation of the state, and I dare not make a rash decision. Only His Majesty can decide." Jiang Zhao lowered his head and remained silent.

The moment the secret succession law was enacted, it was destined that the new emperor who ascended the throne would owe others a favor.

In particular, anyone who ascended the throne other than the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong owed him a great favor without exception.

After all, without a secret law for designating an heir, it would be difficult for others to come into the emperor's sights.

The teacher, Han Zhang, ranked first among all officials and was destined to be a minister entrusted with the care of the young emperor.

This fact destined the master and disciple to have rendered meritorious service in supporting the emperor, thus ensuring the continuation of their power.

In addition, he also achieved his first territorial expansion, which was a rare talisman.

Any emperor who isn't a fool would have to pay attention to the frontier.

Even more so, they certainly intend to expand their territory.

Thus, Jiang Zhao had no desire to actively interfere in the matter of choosing an heir.

If it succeeds, it will simply be icing on the cake.

If that doesn't work, then things will be difficult.

The effort and reward are disproportionate, which makes people unwilling to participate.

Such discussions involving the throne might even be recorded in the imperial court's daily records.

It's best to say less of what shouldn't be said.

Zhao Zhen sighed softly.

If these officials are determined not to say certain things, even if you ask them a hundred times, the result will be the same.

"Then, tell me about the strengths of the five members of the imperial clan!" Zhao Zhen said more tactfully, changing his way of asking the question.

This is some experience he has accumulated since taking power.

They still needed to get certain answers, but if they were too direct, the ministers would not dare to answer.

Conversely, to put it more tactfully, some ruthless individuals even dare to discuss matters concerning the founding emperor.

Strengths?

Jiang Zhao frowned slightly.