Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

Just as officials today are increasingly concerned about their posthumous reputation.

Fu Bi was destined to never be on the same side as the emperor.

Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean that the government's considerations were inadequate; it could also mean that the government had no other choice.

Advising the emperor to resolve the issue of succession and consolidate the dynasty has become the top priority in recent years.

Regardless of which prime minister or grand chancellor takes office, they will be the main force advising on the succession. Rather than that, it would be better to choose an old minister with similar pain points to take office, at least there would be a chance to appeal to their emotions.

"Is the teacher writing this letter to take advantage of Master Fu's promotion and rise to prominence?" Jiang Zhao pondered for a moment and guessed his teacher's thoughts.

“Exactly.” Han Zhang nodded.

The emperor has his own schemes, and so do his ministers.

This time, he planned to take advantage of the situation and use Fu Bi's status as a former official of the Qingli era to rise again and be recalled to the capital.

Admittedly, Fu Bi's reinstatement had little to do with his status as a former official of the Qingli era.

However, Fu Bi always carried this label.

At least in the eyes of the uninformed common people, Fu Bi was a former official of the Qingli era!

He was a former official of the Qingli era, and the Emperor promoted him, thus elevating a former official of the Qingli era!

In other words, Fu Bi's promotion could, to some extent, be a test of public opinion, to see if the common people were sensitive to the promotion of former officials of the Qingli era.

If there isn't too much uproar among the people, then it wouldn't be a bad idea for the Emperor to appoint another former official from the Qingli era.

This is Han Zhang's "ride-sharing" promotion plan.

As long as the public outcry wasn't too severe, the stain on the "former officials of the Qingli era" wouldn't be so dark anymore. A letter was sent to the palace in Bianjing, reminiscing about the past and discussing the relationship between the emperor and his ministers.

If the emperor still cherishes past favors, he will naturally take advantage of the situation to promote him.

Jiang Zhao understood; this was indeed a rare and excellent opportunity.

Historically, most officials who were demoted were forced into new positions and found it difficult to make a comeback.

But Han Zhang is truly different.

He's too young!

At that time, he was a high-ranking official, only thirty-seven years old. Even after being demoted for six years, he was only forty-three, a period when he was full of energy.

Their willpower, experience, and political skills were all at their peak.

Generally speaking, in the officialdom, one is considered "young" before the age of sixty.

Han Zhang is only forty-three years old, how could he possibly accept his fate?

Having finally gotten a chance, I naturally had to give it my all.

If he doesn't seize this opportunity, he might have to wait until the new emperor ascends the throne and he can win over the old ministers of the previous dynasty before he has another chance to rise again.

How could I possibly wait patiently?

"This letter is to be delivered to your grandfather in Bianjing."

Han Zhang then handed over another letter.

As a fourth-rank official, Jiang Zhi was a powerful and respected censor. Due to his censorate status, he could speak directly to the emperor and recommend others.

To some extent, Jiang Zhi also represented the opinions of the remonstrating officials, which was very important.

Officials who offer advice may not necessarily succeed, but they are certainly adept at causing harm.

Jiang Zhi represented the opinions of the remonstrating officials, meaning that once the emperor had the intention to promote someone, the remonstrating officials would not obstruct it.

Jiang Zhao nodded.

"These five letters are to be presented to the five great scholars, to make you famous." Han Zhang said earnestly, "Zhao'er, even if I fail, your widespread fame can mitigate the impact of becoming a disciple."

The master and disciple shared both glory and fortune, and Han Zhang devoted himself to scheming for his disciple.

By using some past favors, one can help the great scholar gain fame, ensuring that even if one cannot reinstate him, the disciple will still have a future as an official.

Jiang Zhao couldn't offer an opinion on this matter, so he could only nod.

In a daze, he saw a familiar name.

Ouyang Xiu!

This is the extent of Han Zhang's influence.

The officials in Yangzhou only focused on Han Zhang's fall from grace and the apparent difference in his official rank, but they did not understand the influence represented by the title "Grand Secretary".

Even if he only held the position for a day, he was still a Grand Secretary, proving that his past influence was enough to make him a member of the Grand Secretariat.

Not to mention a 37-year-old Grand Secretary!

Even if he can't make a comeback, Han Zhang knows top-tier figures, and even if he falls from grace, he's still capable of paving the way for his disciples.

"These three letters are for my old friend." Han Zhang said with a look of reminiscence and a hint of sadness in his eyes, "These past few years, my mentor Yan Shu has been traveling all over the place. He is now over sixty years old. I'm sending him a letter to express my condolences."

Fan Zhongyan was constantly on his way to his new post, rushing between Yunzhou, Yingzhou, and Jingzhou, barely settling in before setting off again. His last letter mentioned a serious illness; with the Qingli Reforms, someone had to take charge, and he feared it would be difficult for him to be reinstated.

Jiang Zhao understood.

No matter how the government tries to downplay the impact of the Qingli New Deal or how it tests public opinion, one thing is unavoidable.

That is to say, the Qingli Reforms were indeed unsuccessful.

The new policies were spearheaded by Fan Zhongyan, with Han Zhang and Fu Bi serving as the leaders.

As for Yan Shu, he was the Grand Chancellor during that period and was indirectly involved, which is why he suffered as a result.

If the new policy fails, someone must bear the main responsibility. Even if it succeeds and the officials have the intention to promote someone, it is inevitable that at least one of the three people in charge of the new policy will not be able to be reinstated or recalled.

If all three are reinstated and recalled, the nature of the matter will be completely different.

Now, Fu Bi has been reinstated and recalled, Yan Shu is old and was once the Emperor's teacher. If the Emperor cares about his reputation, he will not let him take the blame. Han Zhang is in his prime, with rich experience, clear thinking and abundant energy, and is at the peak of his governance.

In contrast, Fan Zhongyan's position was awkward. He was not the oldest, so he was not easily understood; nor was he the youngest, so he lacked energy and was in poor health, yet he was a key figure in the new policies.

Fan Zhongyan was destined never to return to the imperial court.

"This letter is for Fu Bi." As the future Grand Chancellor, Fu Bi's opinion is very important.

"Send these letters to some high-ranking officials in Bianjing." Han Zhang handed over a few more letters.

Where there are people, there will be conflicts of interest, and one person is destined to lose to a group of people, which in turn leads to factional struggles.

The civil service factions of the Great Zhou Dynasty have a long history. The top-level civil service circle consists of only a few people, so those who want to enter the cabinet often have a "faction" to which they belong. Some factions even existed during the reigns of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong and have continued to be passed down.

Coincidentally, Han Zhang's teacher was Yan Shu, the previous head of all officials!

He was Yan Shu's true disciple, a descendant of Kou Zhun, a famous prime minister during the reign of Emperor Taizong. If nothing unexpected happened, he would be the next party leader after Yan Shu stepped down.

Unfortunately, both of them suffered the consequences.

Fortunately, even a centipede with a hundred legs does not die easily. Yan Shu suffered, but he was not the nominal head of the Qingli New Deal, which allowed the faction to survive.

The government was merciful and did not carry out any reckoning.

Therefore, even though Yan Shu retired and Han Zhang was demoted, and even though officials from different factions were suppressed by their political enemies, the remaining influence in the imperial court was still considerable, and there was still room for maneuver.

Once Han Zhang gains power, he is destined to command a huge following and become a behemoth in the imperial court in an instant.

Jiang Zhao put the letters away and glanced at them. The highest-ranking official among the letters was Wen Yanbo, one of the Grand Secretaries.

This man was also a reformist who advocated reform, but Wen Yanbo had not yet joined the cabinet at that time, so he was not qualified to be the head of the Qingli New Deal and was therefore not purged.

However, Han Zhang and Wen Yanbo were not from the same faction; they could only be considered friends.

Besides Wen Yanbo, the highest-ranking official was Wang Yaochen, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, who was a member of Han Zhang's faction.

A third-rank official!

Jiang Zhao pondered for a moment and said, "My mother comes from the Hai family of Jiangning, and my maternal grandfather is the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, a third-rank official. He should be able to say a few words in the court. Since this involves my master's reinstatement and recall, we must not let our guard down. Perhaps my mother could write a letter and send it to Bianjing together."

Jiang Zhao's birth mother was named Hai Xirui, the eldest daughter of the Hai family of Jiangning. The Hai family had produced officials for generations, with five generations of scholars in the Hanlin Academy, and had extensive connections and resources.

"Alright, alright." Han Zhang nodded, smiled with satisfaction, and stood up to look out the window.

Even he couldn't help but feel a flutter in his heart.

This time, he had both a legendary story to tell and the support of upright censors, and his cronies remonstrating with him. If even this couldn't work, then...

Chapter 7 A Prodigy, a Talented Scholar from Huaihe River Region! (4k)

The north wind howled, and the world was covered in silver.

For the scions of prestigious families, this was undoubtedly a good opportunity to indulge in refined pursuits, compose poems, and indulge in pointless lamentations.

For impoverished children, the elderly, the sick, and the disabled, this is undoubtedly another difficult time, and it remains to be seen whether they can get through it.

Jiang Zhao took each step steadily, becoming more and more stable with each step.

The pageboy, Hesheng, has already gone to the riverbank to arrange the delivery of the letter.

Yangzhou, situated on the coast of the Yangtze River, was a thriving commercial center. Almost every day, several merchant ships would sail to Bianjing (Kaifeng), and delivering messages along the way was naturally a simple task.

Jiang Mansion, Qingwu Courtyard.

This is the courtyard where Jiang Zhao's mother, Hai Shi, lived.

The courtyard faces south and receives excellent natural light.

As soon as Jiang Zhao stepped into the courtyard, he saw several maids serving him, followed by a sandalwood table facing north with two chairs on either side.

A thin, middle-aged man in a long robe and brocade belt was warming himself by the stove, while a gentle woman with simple makeup and a fan half-hiding her face was tasting pastries. The two were chatting and laughing softly.

Further down, the seating area is divided into east and west sections, with three chairs on each side.

Sitting in the head seat on the left was a child of about seven or eight years old, wearing a tiger-head hat, dressed in silk, and with a longevity lock hanging from his arm. He held a cup of honey perilla water in his hand and occasionally popped a bite or two of fruit into his mouth. He looked quite adorable.

In the right-hand seat, there was also a child, about three or four years old, dressed similarly.

As soon as Jiang Zhao entered, several maids hurriedly bowed respectfully: "Young Master."

Upon seeing this, the two children quickly put down what they were holding, stood up, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Big brother."

Jiang Zhao waved his hand, walked forward, and bowed to the middle-aged man and the gentle woman: "Father, Mother."

The slender middle-aged man was Jiang Zhao's father, Jiang Zhong, the current head of the Jiang family; the gentle woman was Jiang Zhao's mother, Hai Xirui, the third daughter of the Hai family.

Because of the clan rules of the Jiangning Hai clan, Jiang Zhong did not take a concubine. The two children were his brothers from the same mother. The older one was named Jiang Xiao, and the younger one was named Jiang Xu.

A gentle smile appeared on Hai Xirui's face. She waved her hand softly and called out, "Zhao'er."

Jiang Zhao nodded slightly in response, then looked at his two younger brothers and said seriously, "Remember to eat properly."

"Yes." The two children nodded quickly and gave up their seats.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, the left was considered the most honorable position. Jiang Xiao, who was older, went to the head seat on the right, while Jiang Xu, who was younger, went to the second position on the left, thus freeing up the seat at the head of the left.

Jiang Zhao calmly sat down, waved his hand, and said, "You may all leave."

The maids bowed again and withdrew in an orderly fashion.

Jiang Zhao looked at the two children and asked, as usual, "How are your studies?"

Eight-year-old Jiang Xiao had already passed the early education period and formally enrolled in the largest academy in the area—Plum Blossom Academy.

That was also the academy where Jiang Zhao enrolled, but because of Han Zhang, he didn't stay there for very long.

Four-year-old Jiang Xu is still young and is beginning his education in the clan school.

"It's alright," Jiang Xiao replied, sounding somewhat unsure.

He was a good student, but he hadn't been in school for long. Most of the students in his class were twelve or thirteen years old, and at eight years old, he was just at the bottom of the class. He could barely keep up with the pace of his studies.

Compared to his older peers who were already quite famous at the same age, he was far behind.

"I'm pretty good; I'm among the top students in our clan school," Jiang Xu said confidently.

Jiang Zhao nodded and said, "If you are bad, work hard; if you are good, strive harder."

"Yes, big brother." The two bowed solemnly.

Having completed his daily task of learning as the eldest brother, Jiang Zhao turned his gaze to his mother, Lady Hai: "Mother, Fu Bi, the Grand Secretary who presided over the Qingli New Deal, was originally demoted to the position of Prefect of Bingzhou. Now, the Emperor has ordered him to be promoted to Minister of Personnel and Commissioner of the Southern Court of Xuanhui. This is a major political trend."

This time, taking advantage of the spread of the good story, Master Han was determined to take a gamble and wrote many letters to Bianjing, even sending one to his grandfather.

My mother comes from the Hai family, and my maternal grandfather, clad in purple robes, holds a high position in the imperial court. I request that my mother write a letter asking my maternal grandfather to speak well of Master Han at the appropriate time, so as to facilitate his reinstatement.