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Jiang Shaohua returns to Jingyang Palace and has to deal with Empress Dowager Zheng.

The harem was the territory of the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, and nothing could be hidden from her. The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng knew exactly who Jiang Shaohua had met and what he had said in the afternoon. But she had to wait for Jiang Shaohua to return to the palace to ask him again.

Jiang Shaohua also pretended not to know and explained it in detail. When it came to the fact that Empress Dowager Li interceded for Li Shangshu and Emperor Taihe softened his heart, Empress Dowager Zheng snorted coldly: "Li Shangshu has a filial daughter and a considerate grandson. The Ministry of Rites receives salaries and eats idle meals all day long."

What a harsh statement. The Ministry of Rites was relatively free, but it was not to the point where all the people were idle.

Jiang Shaohua did not argue with Empress Dowager Zheng, and followed the words: "I just told the emperor what I saw and heard. How to decide depends on the emperor's opinion."

Empress Dowager Zheng snorted again: "The emperor is young and easily deceived. He should be reminded."

The death of Eunuch Lan and Eunuch Yuan caused rumors in Jingyang Palace, pointing the finger at the Li family. Empress Dowager Zheng hated the Li family so much that she was eager to find a reason to beat up Minister Li.

Jiang Shaohua was well prepared, and whispered softly: "The Li family is disrespectful to my great-aunt, and they will be punished sooner or later. However, the emperor's health is the most important thing right now, and we can't let him get angry any more. My great-aunt should also be patient for a while, and it won't be too late to take action after the emperor recovers."

Empress Dowager Zheng said bitterly: "If it weren't for the emperor, I wouldn't have endured it for so long."

Jiang Shaohua finally appeased Empress Dowager Zheng with his kind words.

Empress Dowager Zheng added, "The Ministry of Rites is fine. Tomorrow we will inspect the Ministry of Works. Don't be polite. Minister Zhou and Prime Minister Wang are on the same page. They have to repair the river embankment every year. Huge sums of money and grain are spent, but the river embankment is always washed away. Just check the Ministry of Works. I will support you in everything."

Jiang Shaohua nodded in agreement.

Even without Empress Dowager Zheng's reminder, she would also carefully investigate the Ministry of Works.

……

"Is the princess really going to the Ministry of Works tomorrow?"

After returning to the dormitory, Chen Jinyu asked in a low voice.

Jiang Shaohua hummed.

Chen Jinyu frowned and reminded: "The princess has good intentions and is trying to help the emperor. But don't go too far and become a knife in the hands of the Empress Dowager."

Jiang Shaohua said calmly: "The Empress Dowager thinks highly of me because I am a sharp and easy-to-use knife. The Emperor supports me because I show my edge and suppress the ministers. Even if it is out of my heart, I also want to rectify the atmosphere of laziness and shirking in the Daliang court."

"But if this happens, the princess will offend people everywhere and make enemies, which will be very disadvantageous to Nanyang County in the future." Chen Jinyu was a little anxious, and his voice was still very low: "The princess must also take care of herself."

Jiang Shaohua looked at Chen Jinyu: "Everyone cherishes themselves, is unwilling to work hard, and is unwilling to take responsibility. That's why the Daliang officialdom has become so rotten."

"I decided to come to the capital to do something. Otherwise, I could have stayed in Nanyang County and taken care of myself."

Chen Jinyu was speechless.

"Don't worry, I know what I can do." Jiang Shaohua slowed down his tone, "In just three months, there is actually a limit to what I can do. The officials silently forbeared and yielded because they knew that I would return to Nanyang County in three months. They didn't turn against me because they wanted to get through this period. Even if I had great ability, I couldn't rectify the administration in such a short time."

"All I can do is cut off a few rotten branches and leaves to shock the ministers who have different thoughts. This will make the atmosphere in Daliang's officialdom a little better and allow the people to breathe a little."

A truly drastic reform would bring chaos and unpredictable consequences. Now is not the right time. It is not her turn as the Princess of Nanyang to do it. Jiang Shaohua did not say the last sentence, but Chen Jinyu understood it.

Chen Jinyu was silent for a moment, then sighed, "The capital is far worse than our Nanyang County. In Nanyang County, everyone is united, and when the princess gives an order, everyone follows it. They work together as one, as one. But here, everyone has their own selfish desires. I follow the princess around every day, and I see the faces of the important officials in the court fighting against each other. I also have to see the princess pretending to be nice to them, and I feel really fed up."

"It would be great if so many people, so much time and energy, could be used to govern the country. Why do they have to fight each other? They don't care about the people, the overall situation of the court, or the stability of the country! It's really disappointing that Daliang's court has only such a group of important officials."

Chen Jinyu became more and more excited as she spoke, her pretty face turning red with anger.

Jiang Shaohua said calmly: "Perhaps, in their eyes, I am the one who is fighting for power and profit at all costs!"

"It's better not to talk about these. It's okay to complain in private, but don't show it in front of others."

Chen Jinyu nodded sullenly.

……

The next day, after the small court meeting, Jiang Shaohua again mentioned going to the Ministry of Works for inspection.

With five days as a buffer and the precedent of the Ministry of Rites' mild inspection, Minister Zhou was not so nervous. He cupped his hands and said, "I will lead the way for the princess."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "Thank you, Minister Zhou."

At this moment, an unexpected voice sounded: "If the princess goes to the Ministry of Works alone, I'm afraid she won't be able to handle it. I dare to offer myself to go with you."

It’s Zheng Chen.

Obviously, it was Empress Dowager Zheng's idea to accompany Zheng Chen on the inspection of the Ministry of Works, and she also got the permission of Emperor Taihe.

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Zheng Chen calmly and said, "It's fine if Mr. Zheng wants to come with us, but when you get to the Ministry of Works, you must follow my instructions. Don't act rashly."

Zheng Chen bowed and accepted the order.

Minister Zhou naturally knew what Zheng Chen's appearance was about, and his heart suddenly sank, and he quickly looked at Prime Minister Wang. Prime Minister Wang shook his head slightly, and Minister Zhou swallowed his rebuttal.

The six ministries were all located on both sides of the imperial road outside the palace. The Ministry of Works was opposite the Ministry of Rites, and they had the same regulations and gates.

However, it’s quite different inside.

The Ministry of Rites was quiet and elegant, with the unhurried and reserved demeanor of civil servants everywhere. The Ministry of Works was spacious and open, with no extra flowers, plants or trees, and the number of officials was more than twice that of the Ministry of Rites. There were also many people dressed as craftsmen, kneeling in the distance to pay their respects.

Minister Zhou opened his mouth to explain: "Recently, the Ministry of Works has been busy repairing the river bank, and has summoned many craftsmen who are good at repairing the river bank to come and make plans. There are inevitably more people, and they are all rough people who don't know the rules. The princess is a precious body, it is not appropriate to let them get close to her, so as not to offend her abruptly."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "This princess is quite interested in the construction of the river bank and wants to learn more about it." Then he turned around and ordered, "Mr. Zheng, go get two articulate craftsmen."

Zheng Chen was not happy or unhappy, but he could not show it on his face, and he followed the order and went. (End of this chapter)