spend time

Li Boyuan was not reassured or at ease. However, having said that, the emperor trusted the princess so much, if he said anything more, it would be suspected of instigation.

Li Boyuan had no choice but to change the subject and chat with the emperor.

"Your Majesty, the princess has returned to the palace."

Before Emperor Taihe could say anything, Li Boyuan suddenly stood up and said, "I will go to welcome the princess on behalf of the emperor."

Emperor Taihe laughed and nodded. Looking at Li Boyuan's hurried departure, he thought that Shaohua's cousin was right. Inspecting the six ministries would not only be a warning to the ministers, but also be useful to the servants around him.

Li Boyuan hurried to the outside of the Showa Palace. The sky was full of stars, and the palace lanterns hanging under the palace eaves swayed in the night wind, complementing each other. A beautiful girl in the princess's dress came slowly, like a bright moon, illuminating everything in front of her.

Even though he and his fiancée were in love with each other, he was still stunned when he saw such a beautiful woman.

"Your Highness is here to welcome you." Li Boyuan bowed.

Jiang Shaohua smiled knowingly and stepped forward: "This princess has been in the Ministry of Rites for most of the day, and got along very well with Minister Li. Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, this princess plans to continue to go to the Ministry of Rites to see how the people in the Ministry of Rites work."

Li Boyuan paused before his smile fully blossomed: "The princess is still going to the Ministry of Rites?"

Jiang Shaohua nodded as a matter of course: "Of course I have to go. This county lord is inspecting the six ministries on behalf of the emperor. There are more than 30 officials in the Ministry of Rites, and each of them has their own errands. It will take at least four or five days to check it out in half a day."

Li Boyuan took a deep breath and whispered, "If the Ministry of Rites has any problems, please advise me in private. My grandfather is old and he is the grandfather of the emperor. It would be embarrassing if something happened."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "Don't worry, I know what's going on and I know how to act."

It's all you can do, no matter how worried you are.

Jiang Shaohua entered the emperor's bedroom and reported to Emperor Taihe in detail about today's trip to the Ministry of Rites: "... Minister Li was with me today, so I only had time to tour the Ministry of Rites and didn't have time to take a closer look. I will go again tomorrow."

Emperor Taihe hummed and hinted tactfully: "That is my grandfather. If you have any questions, please talk to me in private."

We have to give Minister Li some face.

Jiang Shaohua agreed with a smile.

After the small court meeting the next day, Jiang Shaohua followed Minister Li to the Ministry of Rites.

Last night, the officials of the Ministry of Rites worked overtime and stayed up late, checking their own tasks. They put away what needed to be put away and falsified what needed to be falsified.

Today, the princess came again, and the officials of the Ministry of Rites were much more relaxed. They all bowed and greeted her: "I greet the princess."

Jiang Shaohua smiled kindly and said, "This princess is just here to take a look around. You guys are all busy with your own things. You don't need to greet this princess specially."

The ministers did not dare to move for a moment and looked at Minister Li.

Minister Li nodded, and the ministers dispersed and returned to their signing rooms. They walked hurriedly, looking like they were very busy.

Jiang Shaohua said to Minister Li: "Minister Li, you don't have to accompany me. I can just walk around by myself."

Minister Li was so worried that his eyes fell on Minister Dong's face.

Dong Shilang was the Left Shilang of the Ministry of Rites and was considered the best candidate for the next Minister of Rites. He naturally leaned towards the Ministry of Rites. He also had a good relationship with the princess and spoke for her in the court many times. For the sake of Dong Shilang's face, the princess did not want to make things difficult for him.

Minister Dong understood what he meant and volunteered to accompany him.

Jiang Shaohua smiled calmly.

So, after decades of working in the officialdom, it is not easy to become a minister. Li Shangshu was very clear-headed. "Where would you like to start, Princess?" Dong Shilang asked with a smile.

Jiang Shaohua said casually: "There are more than 20 signing rooms, just check them out one by one."

This is to see it all, to see it all. Dong Shilang nodded and led the way. Before entering each signing room, he clearly stated the official's name, age, hometown, imperial examination background, and even political inclinations.

Jiang Shaohua was also a little frightened when he heard this. The three words "Prime Minister's Party" sounded light, but when it came to reality, one could see how huge a political force this was.

Logically speaking, the Ministry of Rites was the territory of Minister Li. But even within the Ministry of Rites, there were six people who clearly showed their support for Prime Minister Wang. This was still in the open, how many more were in the dark?

As for those who supported the Empress Dowager, there were far fewer, only two of them.

Jiang Shaohua silently wrote down the name.

……

For five consecutive days, Jiang Shaohua stayed in the Ministry of Rites.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites lived in fear for five days.

Princess Nanyang was famous, and even if she acted amiable, the officials did not dare to neglect her. These days, she was busy with her work. In the past, she looked forward to a leisurely time, but now she only regretted that she had few tasks.

Jiang Shaohua watched coldly for a few days, then laughed casually: "Everyone says the government office is busy, but I think the Ministry of Rites is okay."

What this means is that the Ministry of Rites has too many staff members, and the number of people receiving salaries far exceeds the number of people actually needed.

Minister Dong laughed and said, "The Ministry of Rites is different from the other five ministries. It is busiest during the imperial examination period. At other times, there are indeed fewer tasks."

"Next year, the Emperor will be out of mourning and will hold a beauty pageant for his wedding. The Ministry of Rites has already begun preparations."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "This princess just said it casually, Minister Dong, don't be nervous. The six ministries all have a fixed number of officials. Since the Ministry of Rites has so many official positions, it is obvious that so many people are needed."

Minister Dong secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It's too early to relax.

After Jiang Shaohua returned to the palace, he said to Emperor Taihe: "The Ministry of Rites has many empty posts and many idle people. In my opinion, the staff can be reduced by 30%."

Emperor Taihe frowned and whispered with some embarrassment: "Today, my mother came to see me specially and chatted with me for half a day. In her words, she asked me to be tolerant of the Ministry of Rites and at least not to be the first to attack the Ministry of Rites."

Minister Li was the biological father of Empress Dowager Li and the maternal grandfather of Emperor Taihe.

Empress Dowager Li came to plead for mercy, and Emperor Taihe had no choice but to pay attention.

Jiang Shaohua nodded understandingly: "The Queen Mother has spoken, and the Emperor must always give Minister Li some respect. I am only making a suggestion, and the Emperor should keep it in mind."

Emperor Taihe breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "My cousin has worked hard these past few days and has helped me share my worries. I will remember it all in my heart."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "I have said long ago that it is inconvenient for the emperor to leave the palace. I am the eyes and ears of the emperor. I will see and hear on his behalf. How to make a decision depends on what the emperor wants. I will listen to the emperor."

But I sighed secretly in my heart.

No wonder Emperor Taihe has been unable to control his ministers. They are hesitant, easily influenced, and waver from side to side. They have neither the means to act vigorously nor the determination and courage to cut the Gordian knot. (End of this chapter)