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

They would normally flock to the throne, but once they actually obtained it, they would be overjoyed.

"Your humble servant Jiang Zhao greets Your Majesty!" Jiang Zhao stepped forward and bowed.

"In recent years, the issue of adopting members of the imperial family has been a source of constant controversy among officials. Fortunately, Minister Jiang submitted a memorial proposing a secret method for establishing an heir, which solved this problem." Zhao Zhen leaned on his desk, feeling a weight lifted from his heart, which made him feel much lighter.

"What do you, my esteemed ministers, think should be the reward?" Zhao Zhen laughed heartily, a rare occurrence for him, and waved his hand, looking at the civil and military officials.

Grand Secretary Han Zhang stepped forward at the opportune moment and said respectfully, "I believe that he may be promoted to the position of Vice Minister of Rites, concurrently serving as a Hanlin Academician and holding the position of Grand Master of the Palace."

As a teacher, Han Zhang would naturally take the initiative to fight for what his students deserved if they performed well.

Jiang Zhao's original positions were Hanlin Attendant Reader and concurrently Hanlin Imperial Edict Censor, both highly prestigious fifth-rank official positions.

Historically, the positions of Hanlin Reader and Hanlin Lecturer were both known as "potential prime ministers," which were rare positions that allowed officials of the fifth rank to have long-term contact with the emperor, so it was best not to give them up.

The position of Hanlin Zhigaozhi was responsible for drafting imperial edicts and had extensive access to the edicts issued by the cabinet. It was a very important position as it involved observing the governance of the country.

In the past, even if Jiang Zhao was promoted, suddenly losing one of his positions would have been a bit of a loss for him.

Fortunately, things are different now.

Han Zhang has already joined the cabinet!

As a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, Han Zhang often had access to confidential Cabinet edicts and memorials, which he could have privately taught to his disciples.

Giving up this position of Hanlin Academician is not a big deal.

Among the official positions proposed by Han Zhang, the Vice Minister of Rites was a fifth-rank official position within the Ministry of Rites. This position was one of the important and powerful subordinate officials of the Ministry of Rites, responsible for assisting the Minister of Rites and the Vice Minister of Rites in handling matters related to rites, sacrifices, and the imperial examinations. It even involved setting the questions for the imperial examination papers.

Han Zhang specifically mentioned this official position, firstly because it carried considerable power, and secondly because he wanted to secure a position in the Ministry of Rites for his disciple.

The six ministries in Bianjing (Kaifeng) all had the writings of six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet.

Among them, the Minister of Rites and the Vice Minister of Rites were both from the Han faction, so the Ministry of Rites was naturally the stronghold of the Han faction.

His purpose in doing this was to familiarize his disciples with the procedures of the Ministry of Rites so that they could take over the Ministry of Rites in the future.

The title of Chaofeng Dafu was a fifth-rank official with little power; his only benefit was receiving a salary.

Upon hearing Han Zhang's words, the military officers all looked over in surprise.

After all, to become a fifth-rank official in just one year is not quite in line with the practice of civil officials taking "one step at a time".

The literati, on the other hand, were much quieter, with almost no activity.

The matter of persuading officials to establish an heir has lasted for nearly ten years, and it has finally come to a conclusion. It's impossible that he won't be promoted, right?

Ultimately, whether it was Jiang Zhao's peak political struggle of rising from the sixth rank to the sixth rank, or his promotion from the sixth rank to the fifth rank, both were highly prestigious and not simply arbitrary promotions.

This matter is of great significance, as the promotion from the fifth rank to the fifth rank with real power is extremely prestigious.

Jiang Zhao has been climbing step by step, and hasn't "skipped a grade" yet!

It should be noted that almost everyone who enters the Pavilion skips a level.

After all, theoretically speaking, it takes ten ranks to rise from the sixth rank to the first rank. Even if one is promoted every three years without interruption, it would still take thirty years to have a chance to enter the cabinet.

This is still the configuration of a top-scoring student, so the starting point is higher.

Even so, if someone becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination at the age of twenty-five, they still have to work until they are fifty or sixty years old before they can enter the cabinet.

In reality, however, the officialdom has never lacked grand secretaries who entered the cabinet in their forties or fifties.

Just like the Grand Chancellor Fu, who governed for fifteen years and entered the cabinet at the age of forty-one.

Even in the world of officialdom, there are those who are chosen by heaven!

Jiang Zhao's promotion path was so swift that he didn't even skip any levels; at best, he was exceptionally talented and his promotion was a bit too fast.

Civil officials always despise those who have no political achievements or abilities and rely solely on the emperor's favor to rise to power, rather than those like Jiang Zhao who are chosen by their own abilities.

"What do you think, my dear ministers?" Zhao Zhen asked, looking at the civil and military officials.

In fact, the achievement of this "secret succession law" alone is not something that can be rewarded with a promotion.

However, excessive rigidity leads to breakage.

Jiang Zhao has been an official for less than a year, so he should not be promoted too quickly.

With a steady and consistent approach, Jiang Zhao, having resolved the issue of establishing an heir, is destined to enjoy the emperor's favor!

“I think it is very good,” said Grand Chancellor Fu Bi.

"I also believe that Grand Secretary Han's words are reasonable," said Wen Yanbo, a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

"I think it's acceptable!"

"Can!"

The remaining three Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet subsequently expressed their opinions.

Jiang Zhao was destined to be from a different era than them, so since he had both merits and connections, he should be promoted.

"it is good!"

On his throne, Emperor Zhao Zhen nodded slightly, looking at Jiang Zhao with admiration: "I hereby order Jiang Zhao, the Hanlin Academy Reader and Hanlin Academy Imperial Edict Drafter, to be promoted to Vice Minister of Rites and concurrently Hanlin Academy Reader, and to be given the title of Grand Master of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. He shall also be awarded ten mu of fertile land and one hundred bolts of brocade."

Compared to the official positions and rewards approved by Han Zhang's civil and military officials, additional gifts of brocade and land were given.

However, despite the addition of these items, no one made any unusual moves.

During the Zhou Dynasty, the one thing the Zhou Dynasty had in abundance was money.

"Your subject Jiang Zhao bows in gratitude to Your Majesty." Jiang Zhao bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty is wise!" All the civil and military officials bowed in unison.

Zhao Zhen nodded.

Clear rewards and punishments are the way to govern subordinates.

Having received his due reward, Jiang Zhao stepped back and moved to the middle of the group of officials.

Having gained the substantive fifth-rank position of Vice Minister of Rites after this incident, he should be able to advance further and reach a high position among civil and military officials.

"His Majesty!"

Just then, Grand Chancellor Fu Bi stepped forward.

Watching this scene, Jiang Zhao's heart stirred slightly.

Why come out at this time?

"Your humble servant Fu Bi pays his respects to Your Majesty!" Fu Bi stepped forward and kowtowed deeply.

Jiang Zhao's heart skipped a beat.

It should be noted that when submitting a memorial to the emperor on matters of state, there is no need to kowtow.

As the Grand Chancellor, the head of all officials, there is even less need for him to perform grand ceremonies.

Before the Grand Chancellor could say anything, he went up and bowed.

Could it be?

"Since the Qingli Reforms, I have been diligent and conscientious in governing day and night. However, age waits for no man, and my eyesight and hearing have deteriorated, making it difficult for me to fulfill the responsibilities of a prime minister. I humbly request Your Majesty to grant this old minister the privilege of retiring and allowing me to return to my hometown to live out my old age!"

Fu Bi had barely said a few words when the entire court was in an uproar.

The head of all officials retired!

This is no small matter.

Of course, anyone with a discerning eye can see that Fu Bi is indeed unlikely to remain in the central government.

Retiring and returning to his hometown is only a matter of time.

After Fu Bi finished speaking, he bowed again.

Emperor Zhao Zhen was moved and stepped down from the imperial steps: "You are a pillar of the nation, and have been supporting the country for many years. Now, all matters of the court depend on your planning! If you insist on returning to your hometown, I will feel as if I have lost an arm, and how can the country be stable? This request is not approved."

After speaking, Zhao Zhen waved his hand and walked back to the steps of the palace.

Fu Bi stood up, said nothing more, and silently retreated to the left-hand seat.

Three times he declined and three times he refused!

Of course, not everyone can enjoy the privilege of declining three times.

Generally speaking, only on grand occasions such as when a prince enters the Eastern Palace or when the crown prince ascends the throne would someone decline or refuse the throne three times.

Occasionally, some high-ranking officials, such as the Grand Chancellor and the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, would request to retire, and would also observe the etiquette of declining three times.

The remaining officials almost all submitted their petitions to retire early on, and the emperor would usually grant their requests if he spoke appropriately to persuade them to stay during court sessions.

After all, to stage a three-times-resignation-three-times-decline scenario would require at least three regular court sessions, which would take about half a month.

Only the emperor and the crown prince are qualified to have all the civil and military officials act out a play three times to persuade him to take the throne.

Similarly, only those high-ranking officials like the Grand Chancellor and the Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet are qualified to make the emperor act out a three-time plea to stay.

This time, Prime Minister Fu has already "resigned and yielded," and if nothing unexpected happens, the position of head of all officials will be vacant after two court assemblies.

Many officials were watching the six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet closely, looking them over and over.

Who will be chosen as the head of all officials?

After the sacrificial ceremony, there was so much to say about a regular court session.

Seeing that no one submitted a memorial, Zhao Zhen waved his hand.

"Retreat—"

Chapter 65 Sheng Hong's Honor!

When one is an official, one naturally makes a few close friends who share the same ideals and beliefs.

Jiang Zhao has already risen to the rank of fifth grade official in just one year, which is certainly something to celebrate.

Thus, a drinking celebration was inevitable.

Zhang Heng, Su Shi, Su Zhe, Zeng Bu, Zhang Fangping, Wang Yaochen, Sheng Hong, and several core elders of the Han faction.

In addition, Han Zhang also attended for a few quarters of an hour and had a few drinks.

I vaguely remember that when Sheng Hong saw some big shots from the Korean faction, he didn't drink a drop of alcohol, but his face turned red as if he had received a great tonic.

As dusk fell, Jiang Zhao, slightly tipsy, returned to the Jiang residence.

The gifts bestowed by the emperor had already been returned by Hesheng.

Ten acres of fertile land and a hundred bolts of brocade.

Sheng Hualan wiped it several times, afraid of causing any wear and tear.

In fact, neither the Jiang family's resources nor the Sheng family's assets are lacking in such a small thing.

Aside from the ten acres of fertile land outside Bianjing City, the rest of the brocade was nothing more than money and valuables.

However, since this was a gift from the emperor, its significance was different, and Sheng Hualan's excitement was not entirely incomprehensible.

"My lord." As soon as Jiang Zhao returned, Sheng Hualan hurriedly arranged for him to be served.

Foot soak, back massage, hangover remedy, hot compress.

"My lord, should we send some of these silk fabrics to Huaizuo?" Sheng Hualan asked softly, rubbing her shoulders as she looked at the silk fabrics bestowed by the emperor.

Jiang Zhao pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Send fifty bolts of the hundred bolts of cloth down to Huaizuo! Of the remaining fifty bolts, keep thirty for your own use, and send twenty to your grandmother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, Changfeng, Changbai, and your sisters-in-law to make new clothes!"

Wealth and honor do not return to their hometown, just like walking in brocade at night.

This applies to both men and women.

As the older sister, Sheng Hualan married into a good family, so she definitely wanted her family to benefit from it as well.

On the one hand, she genuinely hopes her younger siblings will be well; on the other hand, she also has the intention of showing off.

She hopes her younger siblings will be well, but she also definitely hopes that she will be the most successful among her sisters.

However, since Jiang Zhao didn't speak up, she didn't dare to make the decision on her own.

Jiang Zhao spoke, and Sheng Hualan was overjoyed, so she kneaded him even more vigorously.

"Madam, it's late, please rest!" Jiang Zhao took a rag, wiped himself, and then picked up the beauty in his arms.

Sheng Hualan blushed slightly, but a wave of nausea washed over her at an inopportune moment.