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

On May 21, no attempt was made to dissuade them.

"Mother, why don't we openly support the abolition of the empress?" Wang Shiping suggested tentatively.

Fifteen days passed without any sign of being won over, and he began to feel a little uneasy.

Old Mrs. Wang gazed at the inner court with a somber face.

After a few breaths, he pondered and said, "Early June, let's hold on for a few more days."

"After court, remember to sound out Sheng Hong's opinion."

"Yes."

Wang Shiping nodded helplessly.

Royal study room.

The ruler and his ministers faced each other.

“In recent days, the voices opposing the abolition of the empress have become increasingly faint.”

"Even memorials opposing the deposition of the empress are becoming increasingly rare."

Holding several memorials in his hand, Zhao Ceying said, "I estimate that around June, I can try to depose the Empress and let her go to the temple to burn incense and chant Buddhist prayers."

After being discarded, there are generally three ways to dispose of them.

First, being sentenced to death or committing suicide.

Just as Emperor Xuan of Han deposed Empress Huo, forcing her to commit suicide; Emperor Gaozong of Tang deposed Empress Wang, who was then beaten to death by Empress Wu Zetian.

Second, confinement and exile.

Just like when Emperor Wu of Han deposed Empress Chen, he imprisoned her in Changmen Palace.

Third, he was demoted and became a monk.

Just as Emperor Guangwu of Han deposed Guo Shengtong and demoted the empress to "Empress Dowager of Zhongshan", she still received preferential treatment.

Among them, being demoted or becoming a monk/nun is considered the best outcome.

Putting everything else aside, at least they'll be wealthy and worry-free, and their lives won't be in danger.

If her offspring are successful and seize the throne, she might even have the chance to regain the position of Empress and ascend to the position of Empress Dowager.

“The Empress has no power base. Once those people realize the Emperor’s firmness, they will naturally back down and jump back into the ranks of those who support the deposition of the Empress,” Jiang Zhao said slowly.

After all, not everyone is as simple-minded as Qi Heng.

Seeing that things were not going well, they fled faster than anyone else.

“Escape won’t help; he’ll still be demoted,” Zhao Ceying said, waving his hand.

He remembers all those people!

Last time, during the Ouyang Xiu and Lü Gongzhu incident, many people stepped forward, and he gave them an opportunity.

This time, they actually dared to jump out again; they're practically courting death.

Those who disregard the emperor's kindness should at least be exiled!

"Wang Shiping, Jiang Qing, what do you think we should do?" Zhao Ceying looked down and asked.

The series of titles that Wang Shiping read out truly left a deep impression on him.

However, if the Jiang and Wang families still have old ties, he might let Wang Shiping go for Jiang Qing's sake.

Jiang Zhao lowered his head, pondered for a few moments, and slowly said:

"The Imperial Ancestral Temple is too crowded!"

On this day, at the Jiang residence.

Lanterns hung high, and drums and music resounded.

People come and go in an endless stream.

Whether they were high-ranking officials, noble ladies, sons of powerful families, or daughters of famous families, they all came to visit one after another.

rockery.

A shallow stream meanders, its waters winding and turning, carpets the ground, and tables and desks are scattered like stars.

From time to time, maids would bring out wine cups, or cups of clear wine, or cups of cold dishes, or cups of pastries and fruits, which would float down the stream.

All the noble ladies and daughters of famous families sat on their own seats around the water, stretching for nearly ten zhang (approximately 33 meters).

The harp's soft notes resonated, and the music continued.

In the main seat, Sheng Hualan wore a peony-embroidered gold silk robe, with a gold hairpin in her hair and a jade belt. At first glance, she appeared noble, gentle, and naturally virtuous.

Sheng Hualan raised a cup of sake, her jade bracelet clinking softly on her wrist, and looked down.

Instantly, all the women who had taken their seats turned their attention to the scene.

"I am honored to have you take the time to sit here. Your humble abode is truly a great honor." Sheng Hualan smiled slightly and said softly, "Your entry into the inner palace is truly thanks to the Emperor's favor, the great assistance of your husbands, and the hard work of your sisters in managing the household."

"A cup of wine, first to thank Heaven for its grace, and second to thank everyone for your hard work. In the future, let us visit each other often, share in the blessings of the Emperor, and work together in harmony."

A hundred or so ladies from noble families and prominent households raised their glasses in unison:

"Madam Jingsheng!"

Sheng Hualan nodded gently and took a small sip.

After taking a sip and setting down her cup, Sheng Hualan said gently:

"There's nothing to be constrained about today, so feel free to enjoy yourself."

After he finished speaking, opera, storytelling, and acrobatics took to the stage one after another.

Before long, he became very excited.

High-born ladies and daughters of noble families, whether playing pitch-pot, ball-throwing, fishing, or composing poems and lyrics.

A cool pavilion.

The seven strings of the zither played a clear and melodious tune, lingering long after the music started.

From time to time, dignitaries would tap their cups with chopsticks, recite poems, or compose lyrics, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Zhang Heng, Zhang Dun, Wang Shao, Zeng Bu, Xue Xiang, Shen Kuo, Song Huai, Gu Tingye, Han Jiayan, Zhang Fangping, Jiang Zhiqi, Wu Zhongfu, and others all wrote a single character and watched the water together.

Jiang Zhao held the chilled honey water and savored it with rapt attention.

"Nine years!"

Zhang Heng, leaning on the wooden beam, sighed, "In the end, I'm going to the capital again to serve as an official."

Both were among the top three scholars, but compared to Jiang Zhao, who occasionally went to the capital and occasionally to the border, Zhang Heng had never been to the capital since he was transferred to a post outside the capital.

Nine years have passed, and he has gone from being thirty to a forty-four-year-old man, which is touching to anyone.

"A third-rank official, that's quite the position of a pillar of the state." Zhang Fangping looked over, smiled with his hands behind his back, and said, "With Ziping's talent, he's sure to rise rapidly in his career!"

At the age of forty-four, he became the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Judging from age alone, they may not reach the level of the very top small group.

However, judging from the time he entered officialdom, it is quite remarkable.

After twelve years in office, he became a powerful official of the third rank.

In terms of resume, only a handful of people can compare with him.

Given Zhang Heng's resume and achievements, as long as he doesn't choose the wrong side, he will be promoted every three years at the very least.

There is even a possibility of being promoted beyond one's rank.

This is definitely the demeanor of a prime minister!

After all, once one reaches the third rank or above, one will only consider retiring around the age of sixty.

Zhang Heng can work for at least another twenty years!

"Lord Zhang is right!" Song Huai stroked his beard and sighed.

Among the people in this row, Zhang Heng, Zhang Dun, Zhang Fangping, and Zeng Bu all looked like they were destined for the position of "cabinet member".

Gu Tingye and Wang Shao, on the other hand, were of the highest rank and status among noble families.

Xue Xiang, Shen Kuo, Wu Zhongfu, and Jiang Zhiqi were all of the caliber of "Minister".

Jiang Gong's subordinates are truly full of talented people!

"Lord Song, you're not bad either!" Zhang Fangping clapped his hands and said.

This time, Song Huai entered the capital and was appointed as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, a third-rank official.

At over fifty years old, he was a third-rank official. Even if he wasn't destined for a high-ranking position, he was at least a potential minister of one of the six ministries.

Song Huai nodded and smiled modestly: "Lord Jiang has many talented people under his command, I am nothing."

That's what he said, but Song Huai secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Having climbed up to Jiang Gong, one can say that one has found a "mountain stronghold".

With someone backing you up, you can sleep much more at ease.

Jiang Zhao sipped her honey water and looked at each of them one by one.

Zhang Fangping was promoted to Minister of Rites, a second-rank official.

Zhang Heng was later promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, a rank of third grade.

Song Huai was later promoted to Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, a rank of third grade.

Han Jiayan was transferred to Xihe Road as Transport Commissioner, a fourth-rank official.

Xue Xiang was promoted to Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, a fourth-rank official.

Shen Kuo, Deputy Director of the Court of State Affairs, was a fourth-rank official.

Zhang Dun was promoted to the position of Assistant Minister of Personnel, a fifth-rank official.

Zeng Bu was promoted to Vice Minister of Rites, a fifth-rank official.

Jiang Zhiqi was promoted to Imperial Censor and concurrently held the rank of sixth grade.

Gu Tingye, Marquis of Ningyuan, co-signed Privy Council member, and Commander of the Imperial Guard Cavalry, is a third-rank official.

Wang Shao, Earl of Zhennan, currently has no official rank.

At first glance, it is indeed full of talented people.

"grown ups."

With a soft call, Zhang Zai and Cheng Yi approached one after the other.

"This humble official has written a piece of calligraphy; I hope Your Excellency will not find it offensive." Zhang Zai presented a scroll of calligraphy with a bow, which he then passed over.

Jiang Zhaoping nodded.

Starting with calligraphy and paintings, it's a symbolic opening for viewing.

Zhang Zai was not a famous calligrapher, so his calligraphy naturally lacked the style of a master and was not very aesthetically pleasing.

However, it is common for literati to exchange calligraphy, paintings, and poems as gifts, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Unexpected.

"Ok?"

Jiang Zhao was surprised after just one glance.

His expression grew increasingly grave.

Is this wrong?

"what happened?"

Zhang Heng, Zhang Dun, Zhang Fangping and the others exchanged glances and walked closer together.

Zhang Zai was not famous for his calligraphy, which is why the group did not get a closer look.

After all, he's not a famous calligrapher, so his calligraphy is probably just average; there's no need to go out of your way to appreciate it.

However, judging from Jiang Gelao's expression, it seems that things are not so simple.