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Chapter 505: Means (II)

It was not until the evening that Jiang Shaohua left the Ministry of War.

After spending half a day with Minister Ding, he was exhausted and ordered the chief clerks to move all the military records and account books back. One of the chief clerks was Minister Ding's confidant. He came over carefully and whispered, "Minister Ding, Minister Wang is still in the Ministry of Justice. Should we go and take care of something?"

Minister Ding sighed, "Don't worry. Minister Yang came here in person before, and Princess Nanyang specifically told us that those words were meant for us to hear. Minister Wang won't suffer any hardship."

The chief clerk muttered, "It is shameful for a dignified Minister of War to be taken to the Ministry of Justice to file a case. Minister Wang is very proud and arrogant, how can he tolerate such humiliation?"

Minister Ding said helplessly, "You have to bear it even if you can't bear it. He fell into the trap set by the princess and spoke without thinking. Based on what he said today, it's not unfair for him to be punished."

The crime of disrespect could be either light or heavy. Emperor Taihe could just spare him with a wave of his hand, or he could take the opportunity to punish him severely.

"In the final analysis, it is still because Minister Wang is too unkind." The chief clerk lowered his voice and sighed, "Minister Zheng has always supported and trusted him, and we all saw it. It can be said that without Minister Zheng, there would be no Minister Wang today. It would be fine if he was ungrateful, but he actually stabbed Minister Zheng in the back. This is really too much!"

Minister Ding glanced at his confidant and said, "Don't say such nonsense. If it gets out, it means that you have also benefited from the sale of official positions."

The chief clerk smiled awkwardly and immediately stopped talking.

If the case of selling official positions in the Ministry of War was thoroughly investigated, 70% to 80% of the people in the Ministry of War would be implicated. Fortunately, Duke Anguo stood in front of them, and since it was a scandal in the officialdom, no real case was filed for investigation. From this perspective, the Ministry of War was plunged into a quagmire because of Minister Wang's backstabbing.

Jiang Shaohua showed his power today and sent Minister Wang to the prison of the Ministry of Justice. There were more than one or two people who secretly clapped their hands and said good things.

Even though he was Minister Ding, while he was giving his confidant a few words of instruction, didn't he secretly feel happy in his heart?
……

"This bastard!"

In the Zhaohe Palace, the Empress Dowager Zheng cursed with full force: "How dare you disrespect the emperor and me! Shaohua did the right thing, he must be severely punished and taught a lesson. Otherwise, the ministers will follow suit and gossip behind his back, and that will be terrible!"

Emperor Taihe was helped down from the couch and walked a few steps today. Now he sat on a chair, looking through today's transcript, with anger flashing in his eyes.

Jiang Shaohua was inspecting the six ministries on behalf of the emperor. Wang Shilang's arrogant words showed that he had no respect for the emperor.

Jiang Shaohua personally poured the tea and handed it to the Empress Dowager Zheng: "Grandma, have a sip of tea to calm down."

After the Empress Dowager Zheng finished scolding, she felt her mouth was dry, so she took the tea bowl and drank it all. She continued to scold Minister Wang.

If Minister Wang hadn't suddenly stabbed him in the back, Duke Anguo wouldn't have been attacked from all sides and would have been so frustrated and cowardly that he would have to shut himself in and reflect on himself. He is still staying in Zheng's mansion, and it's unknown when he can return to the court. Without a leader, the Empress Dowager's followers, the influence of the Empress Dowager Zheng on the court has been greatly weakened.

Empress Dowager Zheng had been holding back her anger for a long time, and now she slammed the table and scolded Minister Wang, feeling extremely happy. Looking at Jiang Shaohua again, she was simply a caring little cotton-padded jacket. Everything she said and did was to her liking.

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly and served a cup of tea to Grand Empress Dowager Zheng. "This matter can be serious or minor. Your Majesty, please consider and decide how to deal with it."

Empress Dowager Zheng looked at Emperor Taihe and asked, "How does Your Majesty intend to deal with him?"

Emperor Taihe exhaled deeply, "Duke Anguo cannot return to the court for the time being. Someone must be on duty in the Ministry of War. Minister Wang was resentful and disrespectful, so he will be fined half a year's salary. He will be spared from jail. It is really unbecoming for a Minister of War to spend the night in the prison of the Ministry of Justice."

Empress Dowager Zheng was somewhat dissatisfied: "Only fining him half a year's salary is too easy for him!"

"It's enough to embarrass him." Jiang Shaohua whispered, "Your Majesty must be a wise ruler and cannot punish his subjects for their words. This is the right way to deal with it." Empress Dowager Zheng listened to Jiang Shaohua's advice and nodded, saying, "Well, I will spare him this time."

Jiang Shaohua looked up at Emperor Taihe: "It's just getting dark now, Your Majesty, send someone out of the palace to the Ministry of Justice and ask the Ministry of Justice to release Minister Wang!"

Emperor Taihe said apologetically: "I am sorry for my cousin Shaohua."

Jiang Shaohua was furious, and he, the emperor, came out to play the role of a wise ruler and let the people go. After all this good show, Jiang Shaohua was obviously the one who suffered the most.

Jiang Shaohua pursed her lips and smiled: "My sister leaned against a big tree, showing off her power and angering Minister Wang. I felt very happy. I think that in the future, when the court officials see my sister, they will be more respectful and cautious."

Emperor Taihe laughed silently, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.

Jiang Shaohua had been in the capital for less than a month, and he was busy running around. He gave the Ministry of Rites a good reputation, criticized Minister Zhou in the Ministry of Works, and showed his power in the Ministry of War. All these methods were different, but they were all to relieve the worries of the emperor.

"Mr. Zheng, go to the Ministry of Justice." Emperor Taihe called Zheng Chen over and gave him the task.

Zheng Chen is the eldest son of Duke Anguo. This time he went to the Ministry of Justice to convey the emperor's oral order to punish Minister Wang, and to vent his anger for his father. Zheng Chen had to accept this favor.

Zheng Chen bowed and accepted the order, and took the opportunity to thank Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "It's just a small favor, no need to thank me."

Emperor Taihe smiled and said, "Since you have been to the Ministry of Justice, you don't have to go back to the palace. Go back to your mansion and rest for a night."

……

An hour later, Zheng Chen returned to the Duke of Anguo's Mansion in the dark.

Duke Anguo had already heard the news, and he was so happy that he smiled broadly: "Wang Pei has been humiliated this time. It's really embarrassing. Hahaha!"

He also praised Jiang Shaohua: "The princess's move is really powerful. She lured you into the trap without bloodshed."

Zheng Chen was in a very complicated mood: "Not only that, he also sold favors to the Zheng family, flattered the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and established his own prestige. It can be said that he killed several birds with one stone!"

This kind of sophisticated and mature political means is really brilliant!

Duke Anguo suddenly sighed, "It's a pity that Jiang Shaohua insisted on marrying into the family. If she is willing to marry, I will have to ask the Empress Dowager to grant the marriage even if it means sacrificing my old face."

Zheng Chen had a blank expression on his face: "The Zheng family and the Fan family have already discussed the marriage, and they are just waiting for the betrothal gift and the engagement."

Duke Anguo glanced at his son and said, "How could I not know this? I just said it casually. But you know best whether you are thinking about her or not."

Zheng Chen was silent for a moment and said, "It's no use thinking about it. She wants to be the Princess of Nanyang and only wants to marry a son-in-law, not to marry out."

Duke Anguo hummed, "Even if she really gets married, she may not be willing to marry you. Wang Jin is good-looking, talented, and has a high family background. His temper is better than yours. If you let the princess choose, she will most likely choose Wang Jin."

Zheng Chen: "..."