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Chapter 790 Exit

Prime Minister Wang had a changing expression, wavering between being furious and scolding his son.

Wang Jin was obviously the person who knew his father best in the world. After some ambiguity, he softened his tone and said, "Now that it has come to this, what's wrong with being able to withdraw safely, build a hundred miles of river embankment, and get a hereditary Duke position?"

"There are many envious ministers in the court, but the emperor ignores them. It can be seen that this favor is reserved for my father."

"Father will submit a memorial tomorrow and gain a good reputation as a monarch and his subjects respecting each other. That's a great deal. Does father really want to wait until the emperor loses his patience and draws his spear?"

"The Empress Dowager has been powerful all her life, what is her situation now?"

"No matter how powerful our Wang family is, we are still subjects. Father has always been a loyal minister of Daliang. He even withstood the palace coup last year and did not bow to the traitor. Before the emperor ascended the throne, he came in person once, and father also expressed his support that day, which was considered the merit of following the emperor. In the future, father will definitely leave his name in history and be admired by future generations. Father, please don't be impulsive and take the wrong path."

Prime Minister Wang exhaled deeply.

Yes! Wang Rong was the prime minister of Daliang who had been in power for decades. He might have some bad habits of corruption and abuse of power, but he was not at all dishonest. Let's not talk about the possibility of the Wang family's rebellion being successful. As for himself, he was not willing to go that far.

Unable to advance, the only option is to retreat.

Wang Jin walked to the desk, spread out a blank piece of paper, and ground the ink slowly and steadily.

Prime Minister Wang took another deep breath, walked over, picked up the pen, dipped it in ink, and then started writing.

Wang Jin didn't look around and focused on grinding the ink.

Prime Minister Wang had not written a memorial in person for a long time. After he finished writing it, he read it over and was somewhat dissatisfied: "I am old and I am not strong enough to write. You can write for me and copy a new one."

Wang Jin responded, took the pen from Prime Minister Wang, spread out a piece of paper, and quickly copied a copy with the tip of the pen moving.

As a result, Prime Minister Wang was not satisfied again, complaining that his son's calligraphy was mediocre. Prime Minister Wang pushed Wang Jin aside and wrote a new one himself. This went on until nearly four o'clock in the morning.

Wang Jin was upset because of Prime Minister Wang's troubles.

After all, it was the father who loved his son. Prime Minister Wang said, "It's so late, go get some sleep."

There is a small court meeting at dawn every day. Excluding the time spent on the road, I can only sleep for another hour.

Wang Jin nodded and took away the memorial written by Prime Minister Wang himself.

When he reached the door, Prime Minister Wang's voice suddenly rang out from behind him: "Wait a moment."

Wang Jin stopped and turned to look over.

Prime Minister Wang said, "Leave the memorial here. I will go to the palace to see the emperor tomorrow."

Under the bright candlelight, Prime Minister Wang's face instantly aged a lot, as if all his energy had been drained by this memorial: "Now that I have the title of Duke, it is time for me to resign from this position."

Wang Jin felt sorry for his old father. He turned back, handed the memorial to his father, and whispered, "When does father plan to enter the palace? I will report to the emperor tomorrow morning."

Prime Minister Wang was filled with anger and glared at him: "I am doing what I want, you have no business interfering. Go back!"

Wang Jin had no choice but to leave quickly.

Prime Minister Wang looked at the tightly closed door and sulked for a while, then he let out a long sigh.

……

The next morning, Wang Jin entered the palace at dawn. After all, he was young and stayed up all night, still full of energy.

Before the small court meeting began, Wang Jin went to see the emperor first and reported that Prime Minister Wang would go to the palace to meet the emperor today.

Jiang Shaohua's brows relaxed and he smiled: "I haven't seen Prime Minister Wang for more than a year. This time when the Prime Minister comes to the palace, I have to have a good talk with him."

Wang Jin bowed and responded without saying much.

Why bother saying more about something that both of us already know?
As long as Prime Minister Wang is willing to step down and the power of the Daliang Dynasty is transferred safely, the emperor will naturally give Prime Minister Wang respect.

When the court meeting was halfway through, Meng Sanbao came to report: "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister has come to the palace to see you."

Jiang Shaohua pretended to be surprised: "The Prime Minister has been resting in the mansion, why did he suddenly come to the palace today?"

The court officials were very cooperative and expressed their surprise and joy. Minister Dong took the initiative to suggest that the court meeting be suspended for a while and they go outside the Showa Hall to greet the Prime Minister.

There is a difference between the emperor and his subjects. As the emperor, Jiang Shaohua cannot lower himself to welcome his subjects. It would be more appropriate for Minister Dong and others to go.

Jiang Shaohua agreed with a smile.

Since Chen Changshi was not there, all the ministers, led by Shangshu Dong, welcomed him out of the Zhaohe Hall together.

Prime Minister Wang had not been to the palace for more than a year. He entered the palace alone at this moment, walking slowly. His eyes fell on the faces of his former colleagues, and he felt as if he were in another world.

When Prime Minister Wang was at the height of his power, Minister Dong was only an assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Minister Yang and Minister Ding had not yet made their mark. Now they are all ministers of a certain ministry, and they all look calm, revealing the steadiness and composure of important officials in the court.

Prime Minister Wang did not show his inner sigh, but bowed to everyone and said: "Why did you all come out? I am flattered."

Minister Dong smiled and bowed, saying, "The Prime Minister is coming to the palace today. We are very happy and it is our duty to come out to greet him."

"The emperor is in the palace, please come in, Prime Minister." Minister Yang took over the conversation respectfully.

Neither Minister Ji nor Minister Zhang could get a word in.

This shows that the emperor's party truly occupied the court. Zhang Shangshu was repeatedly excluded, while Ji Shangshu was clear-headed and did not compete with Dong Shangshu, Yang Shangshu and others.

Prime Minister Wang sighed in his heart, but did not show it on his face, and walked calmly into the Showa Hall.

The first thing I saw was Her Majesty the Empress wearing a dragon robe.

Jiang Shaohua had been to the Wang family before he ascended the throne, and had stayed in the palace ever since. Prime Minister Wang's dealings with Her Majesty the Empress were mainly handled by Wang Jin, who passed messages back and forth.

This was the first time they looked into each other's eyes.

Jiang Shaohua did not stand up, just stared at Prime Minister Wang.

Prime Minister Wang looked calm as usual. He stepped forward and bowed, "Your Majesty, this old minister has greeted you."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and stood up. He came over and helped Prime Minister Wang up. "Prime Minister Wang is in good health and can finally enter the palace. I am very pleased."

Prime Minister Wang stood up with the help of the helper, lowered his head slightly, and maintained the respect of a minister to the emperor: "My injury has become serious, and now I can't lift my left arm. Besides, I am old, my mind is slow, and I am unable to bear the responsibility of Prime Minister anymore."

"I am here to see you today for two things. First, I am resigning from the position of Prime Minister. I ask Your Majesty to choose another capable minister to serve as Prime Minister of Daliang."

"The second thing is, I heard that the budget of the Ministry of Works for repairing the river embankment is too high, and the national treasury is empty, so it is not enough to support it. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager generously donated money, and the Lu and Cui families each donated 50 miles of river embankment. There are more than 100 miles of river embankment left, and they are all handed over to me. I am willing to share the worries of the emperor! Please fulfill my last loyalty."