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Chapter 694 Establishing Prestige ()

Her Majesty was elected as the emperor by a group of court officials, and she was supported by Empress Dowager Li and Empress Dowager Zheng. From the perspective of justice, she was upright and justified, and there was nothing to blame.

After sitting on the throne, Her Majesty acted impartially. She only dealt with the corrupt Wan Langzhong and transferred a man named Jiang Yuanwailang to a new position. The highest official position she gave to her confidants was only the fifth rank.

Of course, this does not mean that the Empress is soft-hearted. On the contrary, compared to the sickly Emperor Taikang who could only rely on Prime Minister Wang and the soft-hearted Emperor Taihe, the Empress of Daliang was shrewd and decisive, and her methods were ruthless. If she did not take action, it would be fine, but once she did, it would be thrilling.

This also gave rise to real awe in the hearts of court officials.

As soon as Jiang Shaohua opened his mouth, the four or five officials who opposed the women's department suddenly weakened. Except for one censor who still insisted on his own opinion, the others dared not say a word.

Jiang Shaohua said to the impassioned Censor Qian: "Censor Qian is against female officials because there is no precedent in the court. There is also no precedent for a woman to ascend the throne. I am the first person, so why not promote and appoint female officials?"

Censor Qian stiffened his neck and replied, "How can the two be confused? Your Highness Prince Ping is young and ignorant, and it is really difficult for him to take on such a heavy responsibility. On that day, Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu'an were both suspected of assassinating Prince Ping and were imprisoned. The ministers recommended the princess as the emperor out of helplessness..."

Minister Dong was immediately furious and took a step forward: "Asshole! How dare you criticize the emperor in the Golden Palace!"

"I ask Your Majesty to punish Censor Qian for his disrespectful crime!"

All those who can become censors are eloquent.

Censor Qian immediately sneered and retaliated: "As the Minister of Rites, Minister Dong is more familiar with state etiquette than anyone else. Today, in front of all the ministers in the court, I want to ask Minister Dong, is the establishment of a women's department beneficial to the country, or is it only beneficial to you, Minister Dong?"

What a dirty insult! He was almost pointing at Minister Dong's face and calling him the empress's loyal dog!

Minister Dong was so angry that his face turned black. He pointed at Censor Qian's nose and cursed: "These are the detailed rules for selecting female officials that were finalized after half a month of discussion by the Ministry of Rites. They are for selecting talents for the country and for the emperor. It is a pioneering move! You are narrow-minded and short-sighted. You are making trouble here. You are just afraid that women will become officials. In the future, there will be no place for you in the court!"

"Well said!" At the critical moment, Her Majesty the Empress on the Dragon Throne spoke out to support Minister Dong: "It was my idea to set up the Women's Department, and the Ministry of Rites formulated the selection rules for the Women's Department in accordance with my will. Minister Dong has done his job with all his heart, and he is my right-hand man. How can I allow a mere censor to slander him!"

"Someone, please ask Censor Qian to leave! I don't want to see him again today!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Commander Song Yuan strode over and "supported" Censor Qian without any effort.

Qian Yushi was a civil servant who usually relied on his sharp tongue to talk nonsense in the court. If they really got into a fight, the three of them were no match for Song Yuan's punch. He was immediately "asked" to leave against his will.

Being kicked out of a grand court meeting was a great humiliation for an official.

Censor Qian was so angry that his blood boiled. He shouted at the top of his voice: "A woman in power! She is so willful and reckless! I don't want to be a censor anymore. I resign today!"

Censor Qian's men were dragged far away, and their angry shouts were still echoing in the Golden Palace.

Jiang Shaohua didn't even frown, and said calmly: "If Censor Qian wants to resign, let him do it. There are so many loyal and capable officials in the court, and we don't need a seventh-rank censor like him."

"Minister Zhang!"

Minister Zhang was suddenly called out, and his heart skipped a beat. There must be some reason behind Censor Qian's disturbance at the court meeting. However, as the Minister of Personnel, he did not show up in person, but only sent a message to Censor Qian secretly... Could it be that the emperor has already realized that he was the one behind this, and wants to expose him in court?

"I'm here!" Minister Zhang calmed himself and took a step forward.

Jiang Shaohua's eyes swept across Shangshu Zhang's calm face and said, "Censor Qian wants to resign. Let the Ministry of Personnel handle this matter. The vacant position will also be filled by the Ministry of Personnel."

The appointment of officials below the third rank was originally the job of the Ministry of Personnel. Previously, Jiang Shaohua directly arranged for Ma Yaozong and Tang Youyin to work in the six ministries, which was actually not in accordance with the rules.

Minister Zhang showed some difficulty on his face, and he clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, honest advice is unpleasant to the ear. Please allow me to speak."

"The censor is not a high-ranking official, but he has the power to impeach anyone he hears about something. The censor can impeach anyone in the court, whether civil or military. If the censor thinks the emperor has said or done something inappropriate, he can also speak out in court."

"Censor Qian's words and actions today were indeed a bit intense, but he was also public-spirited and had no selfish motives. His resignation was just a spur of the moment."

"Your Majesty is broad-minded. Why bother to get angry with a seventh-rank censor? It is better to put this matter aside for now and deal with Censor Qian after your anger has subsided."

This is the experience of Minister Zhang.

He did not come forward himself, but instigated a censor to come forward and discredit the emperor, embarrassing Minister Dong. Now he used "a public heart" to justify Censor Qian. In this way, he did not directly anger the emperor, but also made his position and attitude clear.

Jiang Shaohua pulled the corner of his mouth and revealed a sarcastic smile: "What Minister Zhang means is that if I insist on dealing with Censor Qian, then I am not broad-minded enough?"

Minister Zhang said calmly: "I dare not!"

"I dare not say it." Jiang Shaohua said coldly: "Zhang Shangshu, you are beating around the bush, just because you are dissatisfied with my establishment of a women's department. I have made my position clear today, and the selection of women's departments is imperative. Anyone who opposes this can resign like Censor Qian."

"The Daliang court does not lack a seventh-rank imperial censor. I have plenty of ministers available!"

"If Minister Zhang can't do this job, there are plenty of people in the Ministry of Personnel who can."

Zhang Shangshu: "..."

In the court, the imperial power was supreme. The ministers were naturally at a disadvantage. However, Emperor Taikang was in poor health and Emperor Taihe was gentle, so the ministers became more and more powerful. Gathering behind Prime Minister Wang, they became a force that could influence the court.

But now, the emperor sitting on the dragon throne is the decisive Princess Nanyang who personally led the troops to kill Jiang Yi and other traitors, and the strong and fierce Jiang Shaohua who can suppress the six ministries.

More importantly, Zhang Shangshu had gradually turned away from the Prime Minister's Party. At this moment, Dai Shangshu and Zhou Shangshu said nothing and did not express their support. The officials who wanted to express their support were either of lower rank or were frightened by Qian Yushi's actions just now. No one stood up for a while.

There was silence in the Golden Palace.

Minister Zhang stood alone in the center of the hall, staring into the eyes of the Empress who looked so majestic without even getting angry.

Jiang Shaohua didn't say anything else, just looked at Minister Zhang coldly.