Chapter 604
Chapter 604
'Doesn't that mean the Grand Marshal position of Tianbei Province is now vacant?'
The Crown Prince's and Third Prince's factions felt the hairs on their necks stand on end. In the entire State of Yue, there were only two Grand Marshals, two Middle Marshals, and one Lower Marshal. The Grand Marshal was the pinnacle of provincial officials.
“My Royal Uncle Yingjiang has served with great effort. I cannot continue to trouble him, so I believe I should summon him back to the capital. What position would be fitting for him?”
'The Grand Secretariat!'
Everyone instinctively thought of that position. Both Yingjiang and Zhu Rong were provincial Grand Marshals. If he returned to the capital, he would have to be appointed to the Grand Secretariat. However, the Grand Secretariat had a fixed number of positions—typically four, five at most. And a new member could only be added if someone stepped down.
King Ning Yuanxian said.
“The Grand Preceptor has been ill all year, recuperating at home. Therefore, I was considering adding a position to the Grand Secretariat. What does the Minister of Personnel think?”
The Minister of Personnel stepped out from the ranks, bowed, and said.
“The affairs of the Grand Secretariat are beyond your subject's authority. I implore Your Majesty to decide at your discretion.”
“Very well. Then let us recall Royal Uncle Yingjiang and add one more seat to the Grand Secretariat, giving him the final position!”
Everyone trembled inwardly. Yingjiang was a member of the royal family who had never declared a political stance, always standing with the King. Ning Yuanxian continued.
“And the Privy Council—with Su Nan's death, his seat is also vacant, is it not? The Privy Council has always been led by four men, but Bian Wu is away from the capital all year, and Su Nan is dead. Nangong Ao has been deployed to the southern conquest, which means the Privy Council is left with only one man: Zhong Yue. Zhong Yue, are you busy?”
How could Zhong Yue say he wasn't busy? Of course, he wanted to say that he wasn't busy at all and that he alone was sufficient for the Privy Council. But he could never say such a thing. To do so would be to be accused of coveting power.
“Royal Uncle Yingji has also commanded troops, and he currently serves as the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, does he not? Why don't you trouble yourself, Royal Uncle, to temporarily join the Privy Council and take Su Nan's place?”
Yingji stepped forward from the ranks, bowed, and said.
“Your subject obeys the command!”
Yingji knew he was not a man of great talent, but he could step forward and take responsibility when the King needed him. He might lack other skills, but he had the confidence to hold his head high and speak with impartiality.
“Issue the decree. Appoint Royal Uncle Yingji as the Grand General of the Pacification Army and the Second Vice Commissioner of the Privy Council.”
The officials trembled once again. Two of them. The King had placed two members of the royal family into the Grand Secretariat and the Privy Council. But appointments to these two bodies were decided by the King's word alone; the officials had no say. For example, in the Ming Dynasty, there were incredibly powerful officials who could turn the emperor into a mere figurehead, but no matter how powerful they were, they could not directly become Grand Chancellor or hold an equivalent assisting office. The Longqing Emperor, son of the Jiajing Emperor, was one of the two most dutiful yet weakest emperors in the entire Ming Dynasty. But even such a weak emperor could protect his tutor, Gao Gong, allowing him to wield immense power. When the Longqing Emperor died, even a figure as formidable as Gao Gong was driven from the political stage by the combined attacks of Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao, ultimately meeting a miserable end at home.
Finally, King Ning Yuanxian looked at his officials with a mocking gaze. They were like hunting dogs; throw them a piece of meat, and they would all pounce, tearing at it without a care for how unsightly they appeared. Ning Yuanxian continued in a fervent voice.
“But this leaves the position of Grand Marshal of Tianbei Province vacant. Who should take on this heavy responsibility?”
At these words, the court seemed to boil over. It was like tossing bait into a pond, causing countless fish to leap out of the water. The Crown Prince's faction truly couldn't find a suitable candidate. What about Zhang Ziyu? He had served as the Chief Clerk in the Grand Marshal's office of Tianbei Province, so while a promotion to Middle Marshal was possible, a direct jump to Grand Marshal was not. Besides, he had yet to clear his name from the bribery scandal. What about Zhang Zhao, the former Admiral of Tianyue? After being stripped of his office, he was filled with discontent. Moreover, while an Admiral could be promoted to Middle Marshal, a direct promotion to Grand Marshal was too steep a climb.
Just then, Zhong Yue, the Vice Commissioner of the Privy Council, stepped forward and said.
“Your subject recommends His Highness, the Third Prince Ning Qi, for the position of Grand Marshal of Tianbei Province!”
As soon as he spoke, the court erupted in an uproar. The Third Prince Ning Qi maintained a cold expression, but he couldn't hide the fire in his eyes. He even seemed to exhale hot breath. The Middle Marshal of Tianyue was a decent position, but it was still just a Middle Marshal. Besides, this was the capital, where there were too many people offering unsolicited advice, making it difficult for even a Middle Marshal to act as he pleased. But Tianbei Province was different. Not only would he become a Grand Marshal, but he would also be able to truly and independently govern an entire province.
Ning Yuanxian's gaze turned to the Third Prince Ning Qi, revealing a look of high regard.
“In recent years, Ning Qi has certainly done well in the capital. But if he is appointed Grand Marshal of Tianbei Province, the position of Middle Marshal of Tianyue will become vacant. Who, then, should take on that role?”
At the mention of the Middle Marshal of Tianyue, the entire court didn't just boil over; it roared.
'My heavens! Are two provincial governorships really being decided in one fell swoop?'
At that moment, the Third Chancellor of the Grand Secretariat stepped forward and said.
“Your subject recommends Zhang Zhao, the former Admiral of Tianyue. I believe his promotion to Middle Marshal of Tianyue would be most appropriate.”
It seemed the Crown Prince's faction was growing desperate. For a Chancellor of the Grand Secretariat to jump out impatiently and try to seize the position... It was a pity the Crown Prince couldn't make the recommendation himself. Otherwise, Ning Yi would have stepped forward to speak. But upon hearing Zhang Zhao's name, the King frowned, then looked at the Third Prince Ning Qi and asked.
“Ning Qi, you have been in charge of the Middle Marshal's office in Tianyue for many years, so you know its affairs best. In your opinion, who is most suitable for the position?”
Hearing this, the Third Prince Ning Qi was inwardly ecstatic, on the verge of exploding with joy. How could he not be? When had so many good things ever happened in a row?
'Becoming the Grand Marshal of Tianbei Province is already a immense joy, but could the Middle Marshal's office of Tianyue also fall to an official from our faction? But who should I recommend? Zhong Yue? What if he served as both Vice Commissioner of the Privy Council and Middle Marshal of Tianyue? No, the positions don't align!'
The Third Prince Ning Qi quickly thought of someone. His other father-in-law, Xue Xue's father, Count Wu'an, Xue Che—the State of Yue's envoy stationed in the Yan capital. He was a direct official of his Royal Father, currently overseeing the State of Yue's diplomacy and intelligence. But to gain an advantage in the struggle for the throne, having control in the capital would be more important.
“Your subject recommends Count Wu'an, Xue Che.”
At the Third Prince Ning Qi's words, the officials of the Crown Prince's faction were so shocked they nearly jumped out of their skins.
'Ning Qi, do you have any idea how unsightly your greed is? Not content with the Grand Marshal position of Tianbei Province, you now want your own father-in-law to take the role of Middle Marshal of Tianyue. If that happens, won't your faction control three of the five marshal positions in the State of Yue? Are you trying to build a power base that surpasses even His Highness the Crown Prince in a single stroke?'
As soon as they heard this, the officials of the Crown Prince's faction all came forward to oppose Xue Che's appointment as Middle Marshal of Tianyue. They didn't attack him directly, but argued that Xue Che's current position as the State of Yue's minister in the Yan capital was too important for him to leave. The Crown Prince and Zhu Rong sensed something was amiss and exchanged glances. Their plan for today had been to ally with the Third Prince to once again pressure the King, force a compromise, and get rid of Ning Zheng.
But unexpectedly, the situation had turned into an all-out assault on the Crown Prince's faction. The King was now counterattacking the Crown Prince and the Zhu Clan as if he had lost his mind. Just as they expected, the King spoke calmly.
“Appointing Xue Che to the Middle Marshal's office of Tianyue seems like quite a good choice!”
Hearing this, the officials of the Crown Prince's faction felt their bodies turn ice-cold.
'His Majesty has truly lost his senses. He's shamelessly elevating the Third Prince Ning Qi's status just to strike a blow against His Highness the Crown Prince. W-what are we to do?'
The faces of the Crown Prince's faction paled, and they were at a loss, the matter of impeaching Ning Zheng completely forgotten. In an instant, the officials of the Crown Prince's faction all knelt and kowtowed, looking at the King with sycophantic eyes.
“Your Majesty, we implore you to reconsider...”
Witnessing this scene, the King was inwardly triumphant and utterly delighted. The strategy Shen Lang had given him before leaving had indeed proven remarkably effective. It could be called a resounding success. The brief alliance between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince had shattered in an instant, and Ning Yuanxian immediately regained his position as the supreme arbiter. However, as if this wasn't enough, Ning Yuanxian decided to add fuel to the fire.
“Royal Uncle Yingji, the position of Middle Marshal of Tianxi Province has been vacant for a long time. There was talk of appointing Zhang Ziyu, but after repeated investigations, it seems he is not suited for such a heavy responsibility. In that case, who would be a good fit for the role?”
Hearing this, the Crown Prince's faction was once again so shocked they nearly jumped, and a chill ran down their spines.
'Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this? Are you planning to replace the Crown Prince? There are only five marshal positions in the State of Yue, and to drive out all of the Crown Prince's officials from those roles... is this your way of plucking every last feather from His Highness's wings?'
Unlike Ning Yuanxian, Royal Uncle Yingji did not add fuel to the fire. He bowed and said.
“Your Majesty, this is a grave matter. It is only right that we discuss it with caution!”
“Very well, then. We shall discuss it again! How about we adjourn for today?”
With those words, the court was formally dismissed. The officials of the Third Prince's faction were ecstatic and triumphant, while those of the Crown Prince's faction looked ashen and dejected, sensing that things had taken a wrong turn. Just before entering the grand hall, the officials from both sides had even exchanged smiles, remembering their secret pact. But now, they frowned and treated each other with cold disdain, as if they were mortal enemies. Everyone knew that His Majesty was elevating the Third Prince to suppress the Crown Prince, but what could they do? The Third Prince's faction had no reason to refuse such a sweet offer.
After court was dismissed, the Crown Prince, his face pale, rushed to Zhu Hongzhu's residence. A crisis was upon them. His Majesty was attacking him, attacking the Zhu Clan!
***
Xuanwu City.
Nearly six months pregnant, Mulan was ecstatic. Her scoundrel of a husband was coming home. The two of them could once again live like conjoined twins, a life of shameless bliss. She had already done her research: it was safe to make love from the third to the eighth month of pregnancy.
She had set out to greet Shen Lang three days before his return, venturing farther and farther out until, in the end, she was only three hundred li away from his party. Finally, her husband's carriage procession came into view. Mulan decided she would act spoiled and even a little grumpy. Because she felt she deserved credit for being pregnant. But her belly had grown a bit, so she couldn't hug him too tightly.
'I'll just have to hold him horizontally so he doesn't touch my belly. Yes, that's what I'll do!'
When the carriage procession was still several hundred meters away, Mulan broke into a sprint.
“My lady, please slow down! You must be careful with the child.”
Running up to the procession, Mulan found Bing'er, Jin Mucong, and the astonishingly beautiful Shen Mi, but there was no sign of Shen Lang.
“Bing'er, where is my husband?”
Bing'er quickly replied.
“He said he was going somewhere to meet someone.”
Utterly disappointed, Mulan asked, on the verge of tears.
“Where did he go? Who is he meeting?”
Bing'er, holding the baby, said.
“I don't know. He doesn't tell me about such secret matters. Baby, say 'Mama.' Mama...”
As soon as Bing'er saw Mulan, she told Shen Mi to call Mulan 'Mama.' Shen Mi's large, dark, and clear eyes widened as she looked at Mulan's face, then glanced curiously at her large belly. Mulan's heart melted at the sight of the child. She reached out to hold her and said.
“Sweetheart, let Mama hold you!”