vstars Chapter 645 Desiring the Position of Chief Clerk in the Ministry of War
Chapter 645 Desiring the Position of Chief Clerk in the Ministry of War
The matter of establishing Prince Jing as heir apparent was ultimately decided by the emperor's statement: "We'll discuss it after his wedding and when he has offspring."
Gao Song originally wanted to join forces with others to pressure the emperor, but the emperor said, "I am in the prime of my life. Are you all trying to usurp the throne by pressuring me like this?"
One sentence was enough to silence everyone.
Although they all wanted to side with Prince Jing to avoid being oppressed by Su Heng in the future, they preferred to accept the status quo and go with the flow rather than face charges of treason.
Inside the Prince Jing's residence, Xiao Chang'an spoke with a commanding tone, asking the man in black standing beside him, "Xiao Changshi has already been deposed, and Father still refuses to make me the Crown Prince. Don't you have any ideas?"
The man in black seemed completely unconcerned. "Right now, the only one who can inherit the throne is Your Highness. Why should Your Highness be in such a hurry?"
Xiao Chang'an frowned in displeasure, "But Father Emperor did not issue an edict to kill Xiao Changshi."
The fact that his father didn't kill him for such a serious crime as treason made him very uneasy.
The man in black said, "If we kill His Majesty, we'll only have one son, Your Highness. Wouldn't that be like tying our own hands?"
The emperor seized the throne from his brothers; how could he possibly put himself on the brink of disaster with only one son by his side?
will not.
Even as an alternative, the emperor would not kill Xiao Changshi now.
But he was unwilling to wait.
"The Crown Prince has been deposed, but the Empress is still sitting on the phoenix throne. I dislike this very much. Do you have any way to bring her down?"
Only by bringing down the Empress could he feel a little more at ease.
"Does Your Highness think this is feasible?"
"What do you mean?"
"The Empress risked her life to save the Emperor this time, and such a serious assassination attempt occurred, yet the Emperor only confined her to her quarters. What do you think is the reason, Your Highness?"
Xiao Chang'an was silent for a moment, then said, "For the Crown Prince?"
The man in black nodded. "That's right. If the Empress is deposed, it proves that the Crown Prince is guilty. What's the difference between that and directly eliminating the deposed Crown Prince?"
The long-awaited spot was finally within reach, and Xiao Chang'an was unwilling to wait in vain.
"Snapped"
Xiao Chang'an flicked his folding fan, fanning himself irritably, his face full of displeasure.
The man in black looked at him and asked, "Your Highness, His Majesty is in his prime. Even if you are made Crown Prince now, it will still take at least another twenty years. Which do you think is easier, being Crown Prince for twenty years or being a Prince for twenty years?"
Of course, it's easier to be a prince.
"But this also means losing many opportunities to prove yourself."
The man in black spoke calmly: "There is no longer a crown prince. Your Highness can enjoy the treatment of a crown prince without having to bear the responsibilities. And the most important thing is the matter at hand."
Xiao Chang'an was preoccupied with Xiao Changshi and the Empress, and unwilling to speculate on the man in black's words, he asked directly, "What is it?"
The man in black said, "Minister of War Li Yi has been demoted, leaving a vacant third-rank official position. Doesn't Your Highness want to try and secure it?"
After being reminded by the man in black, Xiao Chang'an suddenly understood, and his complicated emotions became clear.
Correct,
The most important thing now is to get the position of Minister of War.
"Who do you think is suitable?" Xiao Chang'an raised his eyes, waiting for the man in black's answer.
The man in black nodded and said, "Your father-in-law is Lin Ju, a fourth-rank Xuanwei General and the city's garrison commander."
Lin Ju was the eldest son of the Duke of Ying, and he was skilled in both literature and martial arts. However, he preferred martial arts and chose to become a military general. Apart from the affairs of city defense, he never wanted to get involved in court affairs.
The emperor would feel most at ease using someone like that.
His youngest daughter, Lin Yao, will become his concubine next month, and they will be in the same boat from now on.
"You truly are a talent; I was right about you." Xiao Chang'an looked at the man in black, a confident smile playing on his lips.
*
The next morning, after the court session, the emperor came out of the Hall of Diligent Governance and encountered Consort Xian, who had been waiting outside for a long time.
"The sun is scorching outside, what are you doing here, Consort Xian?" The Emperor walked up to Consort Xian, his cold face softening with tenderness.
Consort Xian bowed first, and after the Emperor helped her up, she said gently, "In a few days it will be the wedding day of A Yao and Prince Jing. As her aunt, I would like to add to her dowry and would like to discuss the amount with Your Majesty."
The emperor thought for a moment before remembering that the Consort Xian had mentioned A Yao, who was Lin Yao, the son of the Duke of Ying and the daughter of General Xuanwei.
He has arranged a marriage between Xiao Chang'an and Lin Yao, and their wedding is less than half a month away.
The emperor was troubled by matters of state, but when Consort Xian invited him to attend to the wedding preparations, he was happy to go and clear his mind.
Inside Hanying Palace, after Consort Xian sat down with the Emperor, she had a maid bring the gift list for the Emperor to review.
“My brother dotes on A Yao, and since it was a marriage decreed by His Majesty, he originally wanted to give A Yao a large dowry, but he was unsure if it was in accordance with the rules, so he asked me to take the gift list to His Majesty to see if there was anything that needed to be cut.”
Lin Ju meant to see whether the emperor wanted to hold a grand event or proceed on a regular scale.
After reviewing the gift list, the emperor pointed to several ornaments, his expression darkening. He said, "I remember these were bestowed upon him by me. He also intends to give them to Lin Yao as part of her dowry?"
Consort Xian looked frightened and knelt down beside the emperor, clutching his robe. She said, "My brother truly loves A Yao. He wants to leave these supreme honors to A Yao for her protection, but he needs Your Majesty's permission before he dares to do so."
The Emperor smiled and helped Consort Xian to her feet: "Did I say I was angry? Those things were gifts from me; he can do with them as he pleases."
Having received the Emperor's approval, Consort Xian insisted on performing a deep bow before rising, saying, "On behalf of my brother and A-Yao, I thank Your Majesty."
As the emperor emerged from Hanying Hall, a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips, and he quickened his pace.
Eunuch Wan trotted up to catch up, bent over slightly, and looked up with a smile, asking, "What makes Your Majesty so happy?"
The emperor laughed heartily twice and said, "These past two days, the court has been fighting tooth and nail for the vacant position of Minister of War, all for their own selfish reasons. I don't trust anyone to fill that position. Right now, there just happens to be someone who doesn't take sides."
Lin Ju was promoted by him during his time in office. He had a Duke's mansion behind him, but he did not want power and had been leading the city's garrison for nearly ten years.
He had almost forgotten about this person.
That afternoon, the imperial edict arrived at the city's garrison.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that Lin Ju, a fourth-rank general of the Xuanwei Army, has led the city's garrison for many years with utmost dedication and diligence. Therefore, Lin Ju is hereby appointed as a second-rank Minister of War, and shall assume office in three days."
Lin Ju held the imperial edict, stunned for a long time before he reacted and expressed his gratitude.
only……
"Father-in-law, I have led the city's defense forces for many years. If I leave, who will take my place?"
Grandpa Wan smiled broadly, "That's the second piece of good news today."
After saying that, he picked up another imperial edict and began to read it aloud.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: He Zhang, the deputy commander of the city garrison, has guarded the capital for many years without ever neglecting his duties or making mistakes. He is hereby promoted to the rank of commander of the city garrison, with the title of fourth rank. It is hoped that he will be diligent and responsible in the future and never slacken his efforts. This is the imperial decree."
Before He Zhang could react, the soldiers beside him immediately helped him kneel down to receive the imperial decree.
*
Xiao Chang'an smiled at the man in black, his eyes filled with smug satisfaction. "Your suggestion was indeed effective. In just a few days, the position of Minister of War is already in our grasp."
"What do you want? Tell me, and I will grant it to you."
The man in black bowed respectfully to Prince Jing, saying, "This subordinate wishes to take up the position of Chief of the Ministry of War."
Xiao Chang'an stared at the man in black, his eyes scrutinizing him: "Why do you want to enter the Ministry of War?"
The man in black said, "To gain power, one must command an army. Without an army, Your Highness's power is nothing but sand in your palm."
He makes sense. "But the Ministry of War already has Lord Lin."
The man in black countered, "Lord Lin's family has been loyal and valiant for generations. If His Highness ever needs troops, Lord Lin will surely help His Highness."
His words made Xiao Chang'an feel uncertain.
And indeed, it was just as she said.
After thinking it through, Xiao Chang'an's expression softened, and he asked, "A sixth-rank official position is not insignificant, and it's not something that can be recommended just like that. Since you brought it up, you must have thought of a way to do it."
The man in black said, "Yes, Lord Jiang will make the recommendation. Your Highness only needs to get Lord Lin's approval."