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

This is the highest-ranking among the imperial consorts.

Even in Bianjing, a city teeming with powerful and wealthy people, there were far fewer than two ladies of the state.

It would be impossible for someone to be granted the title of Lady of the State unless they were the principal wife of a long-established noble family or one of the principal wives of several Grand Secretaries.

Even if there are exceptions, they are all posthumous titles, not titles of Lady of the State granted while alive.

Eh?

Sheng Hualan was taken aback.

The wife of a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet?

"My lord, where is my lord?" Sheng Hualan asked in alarm.

Sheng Shulan said softly, "The Emperor is holding a ceremony to honor the meritorious officials who have expanded the territory; I suppose Your Excellency is still in the palace."

Before he could finish speaking, a deep and steady voice rang out: "Your husband is here!"

"Official?"

Sheng Hualan looked back.

A dozen or so steps away, Jiang Zhao walked slowly with his hands behind his back and a faint smile on his face.

"My lord!" the two women called out in unison.

Sheng Hualan happily went to greet him, her small hand linked with her husband's.

Sheng Shulan then gave a deep bow.

"Is this the imperial decree of the Lady of the State?" With her soft, fragrant body, Jiang Zhao picked up the document and glanced at it.

Sheng Hualan nodded.

This is the Lady of the State!

As far as the Sheng family is concerned, having a Lady of the State makes their family truly glorious.

Even the ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke!

After hesitating for a few moments, her delicate eyebrows twitched slightly, and Sheng Hualan tentatively asked, "My lord, have you entered the cabinet?"

A woman's official title was almost entirely tied to her husband's career.

In feudal times, there was a strict hierarchy.

Imperial edicts are themselves a manifestation of "rank".

There was almost no difference between the husband's official rank and the wife's title of nobility.

Of course, it cannot be ruled out that the husband's achievements were so great that the court elevated the wife's official rank as a sign of honor.

The problem is that the official is already a second-rank official.

This time, they expanded their territory and returned in triumph, and Grand Secretary Wang Yaochen "coincidentally" retired and returned to his hometown.

The details of the rules inevitably lead to speculation.

"Ah."

Jiang Zhaoping nodded.

Just then, Sheng Shulan walked over.

Jiang Zhao remained calm, sent the document back, and took Hua Lan's hand in one hand and Shu Lan's hand in the other.

"what?"

Both women were startled.

"Has the official entered the cabinet?"

Even though the two women didn't understand the ways of officialdom, they knew what a thirty-year-old Grand Secretary of the Cabinet really meant.

After all, the Grand Secretaries in the court were all old men in their fifties or sixties.

"Whether he joins the cabinet or not, he is still Hua'er's husband."

Jiang Zhaoping said gently, "So, how does Madam intend to repay me?"

"what?"

Sheng Hualan was stunned.

"With this title, I'm afraid it's not enough for just the lady alone!"

Jiying Lane, Sheng Mansion.

Shou'an Hall.

"Join the cabinet?"

Grandma Sheng, holding her teacup, looked surprised.

After a few moments of silence, he didn't know what to say.

A Grand Secretary of the Cabinet at the age of thirty is a rare occurrence throughout history.

"My son-in-law is a Grand Secretary?"

Wang Ruofu was startled, clutched the handkerchief tightly, and said with a smile, "Hua'er is truly a blessed child."

Sheng Hong glanced at his wife and smiled helplessly.

Anyway, just sit back and win!

Chapter 212 A Glimpse into the World of Beings! Ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke! (4k)

To bring peace and prosperity to the people, and to govern the country with the wisdom and virtue of Yao and Shun.

To uphold the nation and leave a lasting legacy in history.

These sixteen characters represent the greatest pursuit of a subject.

Throughout history, there has been no shortage of scholars and poets who were disappointed in their official careers, who wrote poems and lyrics to lament their misfortune.

The reason for this is simply that it is difficult to achieve the goals of "making the ruler like Yao and Shun", "managing the world and benefiting the people", "supporting the country and the nation", and "leaving a lasting name in history".

In fact, the vast majority of poets and lyricists are not even qualified to reach the threshold of this pursuit.

After all, the threshold for this pursuit is to be ennobled and appointed as a high-ranking official, reaching the pinnacle of power.

Without being granted titles and positions, who would dare to claim to bring peace to the emperor, govern the country and benefit the people, uphold the state and leave a lasting legacy?

Poets and lyricists were almost all people who had failed in their official careers.

If one is unsuccessful in one's official career, how can one talk about being ennobled or appointed as prime minister?

Conversely, once someone is granted a title and holds great power, they will have no time to lament or complain.

From this perspective, the threshold is indeed extremely high.

The threshold alone was enough to ruin countless literary figures.

During the Zhou Dynasty, the number of people who could be described as "serving the emperor like Yao and Shun, managing the world and benefiting the people, supporting the state and leaving a lasting mark on history" was extremely small.

That is, the six Grand Secretaries who entered the cabinet and became prime ministers!

He was appointed as a Vice Minister of State Affairs, a first-rank official, and could be addressed as Grand Secretary or Prime Minister.

Every Grand Secretary was at the pinnacle of power among the officials. Their words and actions were like an insurmountable barrier, their pronouncements carrying the weight of the law and shaking the entire region.

Therefore, the change of cabinet ministers is always a matter of great concern to officials in the political arena.

Coincidentally, the first year of the Xifeng era was the triennial performance evaluation period for government officials.

With performance evaluations at stake, there will be significant changes in cabinet appointments.

By the end of February, the first person to join the cabinet had already been announced to the world.

Jiang Zichuan!

A native of Huaizuo, thirty years old, a Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion!

After twelve years in office, he expanded the territory, managed the country and benefited the people, and became famous throughout the world. Finally, he entered the cabinet and became a prime minister.

Once the decree was issued, it spread throughout the land, naturally causing a huge uproar.

Huaizuo, Jiangfu.

A long table was respectfully set out, with incense burning and curling upwards.

Jiang Zhong, Hai Xirui, Madam Su, and Madam Sun all knelt down, their faces solemn.

Among them, Lady Su was the daughter of Su Song, a Doctor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and the wife of Jiang Xiao; Lady Sun was Sun Yu, a former Minister of Rites.

The eunuch, holding a brocade, loudly proclaimed:

"The Emperor decreed to the Minister of State:"

I believe that the foundation of education lies in righteousness; and the prosperity of a family and a nation depends on family instruction.

The Jiang family produced four Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), upholding virtue and integrity, and setting a fine example for others.

His son, Zhao, led the army to expand the territory and made outstanding contributions. Tracing back to his origins, his achievements were truly remarkable.

In recognition of his merits, a special honor is hereby granted:

My great-grandfather, Jiang Yuan, was posthumously awarded the titles of Grand Master of the Palace and Grand Tutor, and was granted an imperial inscription and permission to build a memorial archway to commemorate his great honors.

My great-grandmother, née Chen, was granted the title of Grand Lady of Wei and was given 100 mu of sacrificial land.

His grandfather, Jiang Zhi, was posthumously awarded the title of Grand Secretary and was granted a golden book to record his virtues and achievements.

Grandmother Zhang was granted the title of Lady Tai of Han and was bestowed with a jade incense burner.

His father, Jiang Zhong, was appointed Transport Commissioner of Huainan East Circuit, and was awarded the title of Grand Master of the Palace with Gold and Purple Robes, bestowed with a jade tablet, and rewarded with a purple robe and gold belt.

His mother, Lady Hai, was granted the title of Grand Lady of Chen State and was bestowed with an ivory comb and hairpin box.

Yu Xi!

Teach your children loyalty and uphold your family's honors with filial piety. You should diligently adhere to official precepts and honor the imperial favor bestowed upon you.

Awesome! "

"Your humble servant kowtows in gratitude for your boundless grace!"

Jiang Zhong, Hai Xirui, Su Shi, and Sun Shi all bowed in unison.

"Lord Jiang, Madam Hai."

The eunuch passed the memorial to the emperor, smiling as he said, "The emperor has bestowed titles upon three generations of his family, all of whom are first-rank noblewomen. Such an honor is truly a tremendous blessing!"

"I trouble you, Your Excellency, to convey my decree."

Jiang Zhong suppressed his excitement, reached out and beckoned, and a servant stuffed a small, heavy bag of gold into his hand.

"Farewell."

The official accepted the gold and bowed with a smile.

After about ten breaths, the eunuch's figure disappeared.

"quick!"

Jiang Zhong quickly opened the documents and examined them one by one.

The Hai, Su, and Sun families all gathered around and watched.

If it were a regular reward, these women might have been able to maintain their composure as daughters of noble families.

But this reward was so generous that it was hard for anyone to remain calm.

The Grand Master of the Three Departments of Kaifeng Prefecture, Grand Tutor, and Chancellor.

Lady Dowager of Wei, Lady Dowager of Han, Lady Dowager of Chen.

Transport Commissioner of Huainan East Circuit, Grand Master of the Golden Purple Light!

The group scanned the posthumous gifts and honors one by one.

Ultimately, Jiang Zhong set his sights on the substantive title of "Transport Commissioner of Huainan East Circuit," while Hai, Su, and Sun set their sights on the imperial decree of "Grand Lady of Chen State."

After examining the document for a full half-incense stick's time, Jiang Zhongchang hissed.