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Chapter 641: Governance (Part )

"Are you unhappy that the princess didn't promote you?" Minister Yang was so experienced that he could see through his nephew's thoughts at a glance.

Yang Zheng was a little embarrassed, but he had nothing to hide in front of his uncle.

He simply nodded and admitted frankly: "Yes. Chen Changshi's ancestors and grandchildren are all the princess's confidants, I can't compare. Changning Bo continued to cultivate grain seeds, I can't compare. However, even Ma Yaozong was promoted to the Ministry of Personnel. I didn't get any benefits."

Yang Zheng became more and more angry as he spoke: "I used to be a bit of a jerk, and I didn't do my job well. But in the past few years, I have corrected all these bad habits. I work hard, listen to the princess in everything, and even take a lot of blame for the princess. Why can't the princess see the good in me?"

"And my uncle has been working for the princess. The princess didn't help him get promoted, and I feel unfair for him."

Minister Yang sneered, "You are too impatient. The princess has not officially ascended the throne yet, so how can you promote your own people before you sit firmly on the throne? This is the root cause of chaos in the court and unrest. With the princess's wisdom, she will never do such a stupid thing."

"It is the right thing to do, to take it step by step."

"Minister Dai is already in his seventies. How many more years can he hold on? The position of Minister of Justice will be mine sooner or later. Even now, the job of thoroughly investigating the serious case of treason is mine. Minister Dai is just a title."

"I'm not in a hurry. You're the one who's in a hurry."

Yang Zheng: "..."

Minister Yang frowned and began to lecture him: "When you went to Nanyang County to be the judge, it was an assignment I arranged for you. After you went there, you fooled around and were not diligent at all. After the princess came to power, you didn't take the princess seriously and spoke nonsense in private. If I hadn't risked my reputation and wrote a letter to the princess, you would have lost your job long ago."

"The princess doesn't care about family background, she values ​​diligent and capable officials. If you want to be valued by the princess, you have to serve well."

"Don't look down on Ma Yaozong. The Ma family is dedicated to raising horses for the princess, and has even donated money and grain in private. Ma Yaozong has worked for the princess for several years, and has both merits and hard work. He is also the grandson-in-law of Chen Changshi, and is the princess's confidant. The princess is now supporting Ma Yaozong, and will use the Tang family and a group of Nanyang officials in the future. If you work hard, do you still worry about not having a good future?"

"It's fine if you mutter a few words in front of me, but if you dare to show your dissatisfaction outside, I will punish you first without waiting for the princess to get angry."

Yang Zheng was scolded so badly that he didn't even dare to fart.

Minister Yang cursed for a while, then slowed down his tone and said, "The princess asked you to investigate the case, so you should bring out all the facts and investigate the murder of the emperor and the rebellion of the traitors thoroughly. Let the princess see your loyalty and ability."

Yang Zheng nodded obediently.

……

For five days in a row, Jiang Shaohua got up early and went to the palace. Every day, he would go to Jingyang Palace to be turned away, then go to pay respects to Empress Dowager Li. Then he would go to the Jinluan Palace to handle government affairs.

The government affairs that had been piled up for more than a month were processed with extremely high efficiency.

Jiang Shaohua said in a gentle voice: "You have all worked hard these past few days. From today on, you will go to the palace every morning, and after the meeting, you can go back to work!"

Minister Dong immediately took over the conversation: "I will return to the Ministry of Rites and immediately summon all the officials there to discuss and select a suitable date and plan and prepare for the coronation ceremony."

This was just flattery, and Minister Zhang secretly curled his lips in his heart.

Minister Dai, Minister Zhou, Minister Ji and others all echoed: "The country cannot be without a ruler for a day, and Your Highness should indeed ascend the throne as soon as possible."

Suddenly, Minister Zhang appeared without saying a word.

Zhang Shangshu: "..."

Jiang Shaohua did not give Minister Zhang any room for remedy and said lightly: "The treasury is empty and people's hearts are uneasy. There is no need for a wasteful coronation ceremony. Everything can be kept simple." Minister Dong bowed and accepted the order.

Minister Zhang asked, "I heard that the princess goes to pay respects to the Empress Dowager every day. I wonder how the Empress Dowager is doing now?"

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Zhang Shangshu and said, "The Empress Dowager is not feeling well and doesn't want to see anyone. This is known to everyone. Zhang Shangshu specifically mentioned this matter. Could it be that he wants to see this princess' excitement?"

Minister Zhang hit a snag and smiled awkwardly: "I have absolutely no such intention."

In fact, Zhang Shangshu was not the only one watching the fun. The strong opposition of Empress Dowager Zheng had a great impact on the palace servants. Jiang Shaohua had been living in the Nanyang Palace and did not stay in the palace. It was also rumored that he was on guard against the Empress Dowager Zheng's covert action.

This is absolutely not beneficial to the overall situation of calming people's hearts.

Without the support of Empress Dowager Zheng, Jiang Shaohua's ascension to the throne was indeed somewhat flawed.

Jiang Shaohua's eyes swept across the faces of the ministers: "Everyone, rest assured, this princess will move the Empress Dowager with her sincerity. As long as the Empress Dowager doesn't speak, this princess will not hold the coronation ceremony."

As soon as this statement came out, all the ministers were shocked.

The emperor's words are binding. What is said in public cannot be changed. Jiang Shaohua's words have forced himself into a corner.

Everyone knows how powerful and overbearing Empress Dowager Zheng is. How can Jiang Shaohua make Empress Dowager Zheng change her mind and support her ascension to the throne? If she fails, will the ascension ceremony be delayed or even shelved?
Minister Dong carefully considered his words and said, "I have seen your filial piety towards the Empress Dowager. However, the Empress Dowager is old and her temper is inevitably a bit stubborn. Why should you argue with her?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "Don't worry, Minister Dong, I know what's going on."

Minister Dong quickly exchanged a glance with Minister Yang and suppressed his doubts.

After all the ministers took their leave, a tall guard came in with a thick stack of letters in his hands.

Jiang Shaohua relaxed his brows: "Qin Hu, you have been running around and working hard these days. Thank you for your hard work."

Qin Hu smiled and replied, "I don't feel any hardship in serving the princess. These letters were all found in the secret room. Please have a look, princess."

Jiang Shaohua nodded and opened the letters one by one. There were more than thirty letters, Jiang Shaohua picked out five of them, and then went to Jingyang Palace again.

Eunuch Zhao came out to greet her: "Your servant greets the princess."

Jiang Shaohua took out a letter from his sleeve: "Please ask Eunuch Zhao to present this letter to the Empress Dowager. I will wait here for the Empress to summon me."

Eunuch Zhao's eyebrows jumped and he looked at the princess deeply.

Jiang Shaohua nodded imperceptibly.

Eunuch Zhao took a deep breath and walked into the Empress Dowager's bedroom holding the letter.

Empress Dowager Zheng shouted angrily with a cold face: "Let Jiang Shaohua go! I won't see her!"

Eunuch Zhao stepped forward and whispered, "The princess brought a letter today, please take a look, Your Majesty."

Empress Dowager Zheng sneered: "I want to see what is written in this letter!"