spend time

Minister Zhou was stunned for a moment, then quickly responded with a folded hand: "The princess wants to go to the Ministry of Works, how dare I stop her. But the princess is a rich woman, and the Ministry of Works is full of men. I'm afraid it will be inconvenient for the princess to go alone."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "This princess is not going alone. She will bring Chen Sheren and Commander Song with her. Besides, this princess often goes to the government offices in Nanyang County to hang out and see how they work on a daily basis. There is no inconvenience."

Judging from the situation, the princess must go to the Ministry of Works today.

Minister Zhou secretly groaned inwardly, and for a moment he could not think of a way to shirk the responsibility, so he subconsciously looked at Prime Minister Wang.

Prime Minister Wang coughed and came to the rescue of Minister Zhou: "The princess is young and is curious about the six ministries. She wants to see how they operate. The Ministry of Works has been quite busy with the river embankment construction recently. I am afraid that we may have been inappropriate in greeting the princess. Please forgive me."

Jiang Shaohua and Prime Minister Wang have been getting along quite well these days. When Prime Minister Wang spoke up for him, Jiang Shaohua gave him face: "Prime Minister, what you said makes sense. This princess didn't say before that she has to go to the Ministry of Works today. It's really rushed. How about this, this princess will go in five days."

I'll give you five days, which should be enough for the Ministry of Industry to clean up all those shameful activities.

Jiang Shaohua still had a smile in his eyes and looked very friendly.

Minister Zhou felt as if a thorn was attached to his back, and his spine went cold. He forced a smile in response.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "Then it's settled. Five days later, this princess will go to the Ministry of Works."

Then, his eyes swept across Minister Hong's face.

Minister Hong's heart skipped a beat. As expected, the princess' next words were like a ghost chasing after her: "I will go to the Ministry of War today!"

"Yesterday I went to visit Minister Zheng, and he was quite worried about the Ministry of War. This princess is just the right person to go and take a look on behalf of Minister Zheng."

Minister Hong had to use an excuse in a hurry: "With Minister Zheng not here, the Ministry of War is leaderless and there is quite a bit of chaos and disorder. I am ashamed. I will definitely sort it out after I return and then invite the princess to come."

Jiang Shaohua followed suit and nodded, saying, "Then wait a few days."

Then he looked at Minister Ji of the Ministry of Revenue.

Minister Ji's temper was much tougher: "Princess, among the six ministries, the Ministry of Revenue is the busiest. In order to allocate funds to the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue has been busy for several days in a row. Everyone lives and eats in the government office and can't even go home. I really don't have time to greet you today."

"Minister Ji, please be patient," Jiang Shaohua said with a smile, "The Ministry of Revenue is busy and hard-working, and this princess has seen it all. Minister Ji is old, and he works hard for state affairs. He is a first-class loyal and capable minister in Daliang. This princess has always respected Minister Ji very much."

Flattery never wears out. Flattery from the princess is especially comforting.

Minister Ji's brows relaxed slightly and he spoke modestly, saying there was no need to elaborate.

Minister Zhang watched with eager eyes, thinking that as long as the princess said she wanted to go to the Ministry of Personnel, he would argue with her and make her back off.

Minister Dai was not worried. The Ministry of Justice was where serious criminals were detained. It was smelly and dirty, so it was easy for him to find excuses to shirk his responsibilities.

No one expected that Jiang Shaohua would go straight to Li Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites: "Li Shangshu, the Ministry of Rites should not be busy now!"

The Ministry of Rites was the most idle of the six ministries. The busiest time of the year was the autumn and spring imperial examinations, and the rest of the time was quite idle.

The Ministry of Rites had been dealing with a lot of government affairs these days, and the number of memorials and affairs was the least. In front of everyone, Minister Li couldn't say that the Ministry of Rites had no time to greet the princess.

Moreover, Minister Li has a smooth temperament and never offends anyone directly.

Well, let me be used as an example to scare the monkeys today!

Minister Li sighed inwardly, cupped his hands and said with a smile: "It is a blessing for the Ministry of Rites that the princess has come to inspect. I will lead the way for the princess now." Jiang Shaohua smiled: "Thank you, Minister Li."

……

what?
Princess Nanyang went to the Ministry of Rites for inspection?

The news spread quickly in the palace. In less than half an hour, Li Boyuan got the news and was instantly frightened and broke out in a cold sweat.

...Wait! What is he panicking about! There is nothing shameful in the Ministry of Rites. Besides, his grandfather is the emperor's maternal grandfather. Even if some minor problems are found, can the emperor still investigate? Jiang Shaohua is a yellow-haired girl. If she wants to see it, she can go and see it. What can she understand? There is nothing to be afraid of.

Li Boyuan took a few deep breaths and repeatedly comforted himself in his heart. For the next half day, he was restless and frequently sent people to ask if the princess had returned to the palace.

No.

The princess didn't return to the palace until dark.

What does this mean? Are we going to investigate the Ministry of Rites thoroughly?

Li Boyuan was like an ant on a hot pan, his mind was spinning with anxiety, yet he had to appear calm and composed on the surface.

When Emperor Taihe ordered dinner, Li Boyuan found an excuse to enter the emperor's bedroom, and while reporting, he quietly observed Emperor Taihe's expression.

Emperor Taihe has been eating and sleeping well these days, and his complexion has improved a lot. He saw all of Li Boyuan's little movements, and knew what was going on. He smiled and said, "Cousin Shaohua went to the Ministry of Rites today and has not returned to the palace. Are you worried about Minister Li?"

Li Boyuan also reacted quickly: "Your Majesty, don't you worry about my grandfather?"

Emperor Taihe smiled and said, "I am not worried. Among the six ministries, the one I trust the most is the Ministry of Rites. If my grandfather is not reliable, then I have no one to trust."

Yes, Li Shangshu is the emperor's maternal grandfather. Emperor Taihe trusts him more than Ji Shangshu.

It's a pity that Li Shangshu is weak and can't hold the position of prime minister. Otherwise, Emperor Taihe wouldn't have to give in to Prime Minister Wang.

Li Boyuan felt relieved and whispered, "Since you can trust her, why did the princess go to the Ministry of Rites? If it gets out, it will seem like she is deliberately looking for trouble."

Emperor Taihe said patiently, "My cousin and I have discussed that we should inspect the six ministries and punish the ministers. We will start with the Ministry of Rites as a show. It is just right to leave a few days of leisure, so as not to press too hard and cause any trouble."

Li Boyuan was stunned: "The county lord is inspecting the six departments?"

Emperor Taihe hummed, "As the Son of Heaven, I should not leave the palace at will, and it is not decent to inspect the six ministries. My cousin volunteered to help me share my worries, so I agreed."

These are Jiang Shaohua’s original words.

"That's what my sister did in Nanyang County. She inspected the fourteen counties one by one. Even if she couldn't find any problems, she had to make her position clear. The county magistrates were on high alert and had to be more diligent in their duties."

"The six ministries are much bigger than the county government, and the affairs are complicated. I may not be able to understand them. If I go there, I will just see the surface work. However, it is better than nothing. If you can see the problems, it means that the six ministries are doing a poor job. Even a girl like me can't fool them."

"Take it one step at a time, and you will succeed one day."

My cousin has a point.

Why not give it a try? (End of this chapter)