20demayo Chapter 1308 Yu Jiu Thinks About Promotion
Chapter 1308 Yu Jiu Thinks About Promotion
Shangjing.
The sixth quarter of the Yin hour.
The sky was a pale gray, the morning dew was slightly cold, the locust trees along the road in front of the Zhuque Gate were half bare, the autumn wind was desolate, and the locust leaves swirled and fell lightly.
Officials, in twos and threes, stepped off their carriages, crossed the Vermilion Bird Gate, and walked towards the Golden Palace in hushed tones.
"This autumn is unusual..." an official exhaled, white mist drifting in the wind. "It's much colder than in previous years, and the days are getting longer and longer."
"The will of Heaven is hard to fathom," one official remarked.
"No matter how hard it is to guess, it's not as hard to guess as His Majesty's thoughts." Someone secretly covered their mouth, their voice so soft it was almost inaudible: "Who would have thought that His Majesty would appoint Lord Shen as the prefect of Liuyang?"
This news was kept very well hidden by the Ministry of Personnel.
If His Majesty hadn't accidentally let it slip during court a few days ago, they probably wouldn't have found out until the end of the year.
"That day...did you see Prime Minister Cui's expression?" Someone glanced around cautiously. "Judging from his appearance, he probably knew all along. Maybe...he's been looking for an opportunity to impeach Lord Shen."
"Improve him? What grounds are you going to use to impeach him?" Some people felt it was really unreasonable. "Lord Shen is staying in Liuyang Prefecture perfectly well, and he hasn't provoked him..."
Shh! Stop talking! They're here!
Everyone shut up and dispersed to either side of the Heavenly Ladder.
"Master Prime Minister."
"I've met the prime minister."
Amidst the rising and falling greetings, Prime Minister Cui stepped onto the first stone step.
He walks up and down this ladder to heaven hundreds of times every year.
But in recent months, he has felt that the steps are becoming more and more unfamiliar.
Reaching the heavens, reaching the heavens.
He sneered inwardly.
Unfortunately, that ladder no longer leads to his heaven.
A short while passed quickly.
As they watched the hem of Cui Xiang's robe sweep across the last step, the officials on both sides breathed a sigh of relief.
Someone muttered, "I feel like Prime Minister Cui's gaze towards people has been a bit strange lately..."
Being targeted by someone feels like having a cold snake coiled around your calf, making your hair stand on end and giving you an indescribable discomfort.
What are you all standing there for?
Lu Botang took three steps at a time, his voice booming: "Hurry up, everyone! It'll be Mao Shi (5-7 AM) in a quarter of an hour. We can't keep His Majesty waiting for us, can we?"
The officials snapped out of their daze.
Compared to Cui Xiang, Lu Botang is like a large axe, which is intimidating at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it can be found that he rarely targets his own people.
"Let's go, everyone!" Lu Botang swept past the officials in a hurry. "Early morning court session, early evening court session, what are you all dawdling about!"
He stirred the wind, and then he brought it down.
A moment later, the whip cracked, and the emperor sat high on the dragon throne.
Eunuch Hong began the formalities: "If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Benchang quickly stepped forward, holding up his official tablet: "Your Majesty, this old minister has something to report!"
The emperor waved his hand, and Eunuch Hong went through the formalities again: "If you have something to say, speak now; otherwise, the court is adjourned!"
Ji Benchang's eyes widened: "Your Majesty! This old minister has something to report!"
The emperor raised his hand to support his forehead, refusing to look at him.
He panicked: "Your Majesty!!"
The emperor grew impatient: "Let's talk about it after you come down."
He refused: "This old minister will just say a few words!"
"I don't want to hear a single word you say!" The emperor's annoyance was written all over his face. "I have no money! If you want to collect your debts, go to the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Justice, or the Ministry of Rites!"
Ji Benchang's face was covered in injuries.
Although the expenditures of the six departments have increased this year...
Although he did "accidentally" complain a few extra times during court a few days ago...
But today, he has a legitimate reason to present his case!
"This old minister is innocent!" He raised his ceremonial tablet above his head. "What this old minister wants to report is that the new crops that Lord Shen brought to the Ministry of Revenue last time are almost ready for harvest!"
The emperor instantly stopped being annoyed, and even slowly lowered the hand that had been supporting his forehead.
"really?"
Seeing the joy in the emperor's eyes, Ji Benchang wanted to sit down on the spot and burst into tears.
“It’s absolutely true.” He took out a piece of withered vine from his pocket and brought up Shen Zheng again: “Before Lord Shen left the capital, he told the old minister and the agricultural master that once this vine withers, the crop will be ready for harvest soon.”
The emperor's gaze at the vines was terrifyingly tender.
Eunuch Hong quickly took the vine from Ji Benchang and handed it to the emperor with both hands.
"It's been a while since I've heard from Shen Qing."
As Ji Benchang's eyes grew increasingly sore, the Emperor gently stroked the vines, seemingly speaking his mind unintentionally: "In my opinion, next autumn, I should summon Minister Shen back to the capital."
Ji Benchang was the first to agree: "Your Majesty is wise!"
Lu Botang was the second to agree: "Your Majesty! I will go to Liuyang Prefecture ahead of time to escort Lord Shen back to the capital!"
Yue Zhenchuan was the third to agree, and even felt that waiting for the autumn examination was a bit too long: "Your Majesty, the roads are difficult to travel in autumn, so... how about summoning Lord Shen back to the capital next summer?"
Officials: ......
This was the first time they had ever heard the saying that roads were easier to travel in summer than in autumn.
But what's frightening is that the Emperor even nodded in agreement: "Indeed. Let's tentatively set it for next summer, then... Minister Shen can also work with the Ministry of Rites to oversee the autumn examinations. What does Minister Guo think?"
All the officials looked at Guo Bizheng, the Minister of Rites.
But they found that the other person seemed dazed and looked extremely unwell.
The emperor frowned: "Minister Guo?"
Guo Bizheng snapped back to reality, his eyes showing a hint of panic.
The emperor frowned even more deeply: "You have a problem with that?"
"No, no..." Reminded by the attendant behind him, Guo Bizheng quickly apologized, "To be able to work with Lord Shen is what I desire most. Just now... I was distracted, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
The emperor, holding the vine, acted as a horse herder for a moment: "Fine, I'm in a good mood today, I won't hold it against you."
The real issues to be resolved with him are yet to come.
Guo Bi's expression improved slightly, but only slightly: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The emperor glanced at him, then turned to the officials: "Do any of you have anything else to report?"
The officials fell silent. Yue Zhenchuan stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, I received a letter from Yu Jiusi yesterday. Mining of Hunyuan Wujin Coal has officially begun, and the first batch of Wujin Coal should arrive in the capital before the end of the year.”
“Yu Jiusi…” The emperor thought of that figure, pondered for a moment, and then raised his hand.
"By imperial decree, Yu Jiusi is hereby appointed as a fifth-rank military officer, to be in charge of the inspection and supervision of the Imperial City's defenses upon his return to the capital, oversee the gate control of the Imperial City's various gates, the storage of military equipment, and assist the Imperial Guards in managing court affairs. His rank is fifth-rank, he will receive the salary of the Imperial City Guard, and he will be directly under my command. The Ministry of War... shall not transfer him without authorization!"
As the word of appointment faded, a gasp arose.
"From the fifth rank?!"
The officials were all surprised. Seeing that the emperor remained silent, they began to discuss the matter in hushed tones.
"Yu Jiusi has only been in the army for a few years? He has never fought a proper battle. He only went to Changnan Prefecture to deliver disaster relief grain and went to Hunyuan to mine. And now he's in charge of the defense of the imperial city?!"
His Majesty's heart is completely biased!
An official glanced at Lu Botang, hoping he would be the first to speak up: "General Lu, say something! It took you a full eight years to rise from a centurion to a military commander!"