Listening to the anxious and concerned tone Murong Chong used with Jia Lingyun, anyone unaware might think the two were on excellent terms. In reality, a whirlpool of a life-or-death power struggle had already quietly emerged.
"Since that is the case, then I shall let..."
Murong Qingqing and her father, Murong Chong, were singing in perfect harmony, and it looked as if they were about to start assigning officials. Jia Lingyun let out a thunderous shout:
"Let's see who dares!"
The sudden roar gave Murong Qingqing a jolt.
"Minister Jia, Minister Murong is also doing this out of consideration for you~"
The tone of that "s~" made Murong Qingqing’s expression shift, and she quickly covered her mouth. *It’s over, it’s completely over. Why do I feel like I’m acting coquettishly toward Jia Lingyun? For no good reason, why did I say that?* Murong Qingqing was filled with vexation. She hadn't shown even a shred of the dignity expected of a reigning Empress Dowager!
"Ahem, ahem... What I meant was, Minister Murong is being considerate of you, fearing you might be overworked. You really should try to understand him!"
Jia Lingyun tried to peer through the beaded curtains to see the beauty’s face clearly, but he could only faintly discern her silhouette. He cursed to himself, thinking it a pity; if only those annoying beads weren't in the way.
"My thanks to the Empress Dowager, but this subject has no need for anyone's consideration! Nor do I need to understand others. I propose that, effective today, the Secretariat abolish the offices of Left Prime Minister and Right Prime Minister. One Prime Minister—myself—is more than enough!"
Murong Chong hurriedly stepped forward to object. "Jia Lingyun, you are in such a rush to consolidate power. Could it be that you intend to monopolize authority and throw the government into chaos?"
Jia Lingyun’s face was as calm as stagnant water. "Monopolizing power does not necessarily lead to chaos, and sharing power does not guarantee the absence of treacherous officials. At this moment, with the State of Wei at a crossroads of survival, every policy carries immense weight. Power must be concentrated in one person to stabilize the court; otherwise, should two Prime Ministers come into conflict, whose orders is the Secretariat supposed to follow?"
A man stepped out from the ranks of the military officials. Though he was a general, he was dressed as a scholar. "Prime Minister, that is where you are wrong. Sharing power is always better than monopolizing it. The burden of the world is too heavy for one person to bear; without anyone to consult, one is forced to act arbitrarily. As the ancient saying goes, 'Listen to both sides and you shall be enlightened; heed only one and you shall be blinded.' It is better to discuss matters together!"
Jia Yi whispered in Jia Lingyun’s ear to introduce him. "This man is Qi Tai. He holds the rank of General of the Nine Gates and is a subordinate of Murong Chong."
Jia Lingyun frowned slightly. "Murong Chong again? Isn't he the Head of the Ministry of Personnel? How is he involved with the Nine Gates?"
"My third brother, there is something you don't know. Murong Chong also holds the concurrent title of Commander of the Nine Gates. Therefore, the Nine Gates Garrison is under his command."
Jia Lingyun stood with his hands behind his back, pacing the jade steps as if in deep thought.
"Very well, very well. 'Listen to both sides and be enlightened; heed only one and be blinded.' Qi Tai, may I then interpret your words to mean that as long as everyone deliberates together, no mistakes will be made?"
Qi Tai nodded. "Exactly!"
A smile tugged at the corners of Jia Lingyun’s mouth. "That’s wonderful. I once heard that when the Emperor ascended the throne, some officials here were opposed to it, feeling that the Emperor was too young to inherit the Great Succession. In that case, let us bring this matter up for discussion. Are you in favor of Prince Lu ascending the throne, or do you support the current Emperor?"
Prince Lu, Cao Ziheng, was the eldest son of the Late Emperor. For reasons unknown to Jia Lingyun, Cao Ziheng had failed to seize the throne and was instead named Prince Lu, confined to the Capital forever, becoming a prince who spent his days drinking and chasing women.
The courtiers exchanged glances. Could this even be discussed? Did anyone dare discuss this?
Murong Qingqing’s face was filled with fury. "Presumptuous! These are the internal affairs of the Royal Family and the succession of the throne; how can you allow yourselves to debate such things!"
Jia Lingyun argued his point. "There are no 'private affairs' in an Imperial family; everything is a matter of state. According to General Qi’s logic just now, matters deliberated upon together cannot be wrong. As subjects, we naturally should deliberate on choosing a capable sovereign to lead our Dawei!"
The Little Emperor, Cao Zijian, looked pleased. *No one would want to be an emperor even if they were a dog!* He had to wake up earlier than a rooster and go to sleep later than a dog every day; only a fool would want to be emperor.
"That's right... we should deliberate..." Before Cao Zijian could finish, he caught sight of Murong Qingqing’s cold, stern face and immediately lowered his head, falling silent.
The Empress Dowager stepped out from behind the beaded curtains. The courtiers all lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at her.
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager!"
In that brief, fleeting glimpse, Jia Lingyun found her breathtaking. What a beauty to be wasted as a widow; it was a pity, a great pity!
Murong Qingqing said coldly, "Qi Tai, 'listen to both sides and be enlightened; heed only one and be blinded'—well said. Next time, keep your mouth shut."
Knowing the Empress Dowager was furious, Qi Tai groveled on the ground, not daring to make a peep. Murong Qingqing couldn't help but be anxious; if things continued to develop this way, she and Cao Zijian, a widow and an orphan, would likely be forced out of the Imperial Palace.
"I have thought it over. The Secretariat requires a leader whose word is final. Minister Jia, I agree to your proposal."
After saying this, Murong Qingqing took Cao Zijian’s hand and left Qinzheng Hall, fuming.
"Respectfully sending off the Empress Dowager!"
With the Empress Dowager gone, the ministers prepared to leave, and the palace eunuchs began to mop the floors. Jia Lingyun waved at Fa Yun.
"Fa Yun, there are three vacant positions on the floor—pick one and take it."
Fa Yun did not hesitate. He carefully examined the official robes of the three, then chose the most prestigious one. "Prime Minister, I like the look of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War!"
"I like your ambition. From today on, you are the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War!"
The courtiers, who had been preparing to leave, turned back, their eyes filled with envy. Some of them had worked until they were nearly at retirement age only to reach the rank of a mere sixth-rank Remonstrance Official. In the blink of an eye, their former subordinate had been promoted to their superior—naturally, they were indignant.
"Prime Minister, to promote an eighth-rank official to a third-rank Vice Minister of the Ministry of War... isn't that a bit too reckless?"
"Not reckless at all. If the Left Prime Minister position hadn't been abolished, I would have had Fa Yun take that, too!"
At the mention of the "Left Prime Minister," Murong Chong felt as if he were sitting on hot coals. *So, a man like Fa Yun is qualified to be Left Prime Minister, but I, the great Murong Chong, am not?!*
"Prime Minister! Fa Yun is a corrupt official; the Ministry of Personnel has records of his graft. To appoint such a man will surely lead the people of the world to mock you for favoring your own and lacking judgment in people!"
Jia Lingyun chuckled. "What use is a 'virtuous' official? Shall I invite a paragon of filial piety to be the Head of the Ministry of Personnel instead? Don't take it the wrong way, Brother Murong; I wasn't talking about you!"
Murong Chong’s face darkened. *You named me by name, and you say you weren't talking about me? Am I a fool to be toyed with?*
*Wait a moment...* The way he addressed him wasn't right. "Brother Murong"... this brat was indirectly elevating his own status to be on equal footing as a brother. If they were "brothers," then the Empress Dowager... would have to call him "Uncle"?
"I value talent. Whether Fa Yun is corrupt or not is a matter for the courts to judge, but during his time as a director, every account was crystal clear, and not a single calculation was wrong. I ask you: among all the directors in Dawei, who has the capability of Fa Yun? If anyone has talent, step forward; I wouldn't mind handing out a few more Vice Minister positions!"
Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to speak. Jia Lingyun coldly rebuked them:
"All you do all day is scheme and deceive. You should learn more from Minister Murong. If everyone were as loyal to the country as he is, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor wouldn't have so many worries!"
*Hmm?* Murong Chong’s expression turned tense. *This little brat... is he trying to drag me down with him?*