Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

Late at night in the imperial study, the emperor and Shen Huaizhong sat face to face playing chess.

"It's been a long time since I played Go with my uncle. I remember that it was my uncle who taught me how to play Go." The emperor placed a black piece.

Shen Huaizhong held the white piece in his hand and pondered, "Your Majesty is very intelligent. He mastered the game after just a few attempts. Now your chess moves are even more comprehensive, with a comprehensive view of the entire situation. It's been a long time since I, this old minister, have defeated Your Majesty."

"Uncle, do you really think I can't tell that you're deliberately letting me win? You only lose by one or half a piece every time, and you have me completely under your thumb."

"I dare not." Beads of sweat began to appear on Shen Huaizhong's head.

"Uncle, don't be nervous. Today, let's just have a personal chat between us uncle and nephew."

"Yes, yes, I am listening."

"Prime Minister Huang submitted two letters of resignation, and I approved them today."

"Prime Minister Huang is a dedicated and conscientious person. He must be seriously ill before he resigns."

"Whether he's truly ill or faking it, the position of Right Prime Minister is now vacant."

"The position of Right Prime Minister must be taken by Prime Minister Su."

"I think so too, but who will fill the vacancy of Prime Minister Su?"

"I believe that Lord Shangguan Heng has held the position of Minister of Personnel for over ten years without making any major mistakes. Based on seniority and ability, he should be the one to take the position. However, the Minister of Works led the team in digging the canal two years ago, which was a great achievement, but his seniority is a bit lacking."

"My uncle has been the Minister of Revenue for more than ten years. His qualifications and abilities are no worse than Shangguan Heng. Doesn't my uncle have any ideas?" The emperor stared at Shen Huaizhong, not missing a single expression on his face.

Shen Huaizhong put down the chess piece in his hand, raised his head, and stared into the emperor's eyes. "Your Majesty, I would like to, but I cannot."

"Oh? What do you mean, uncle?" The emperor continued to stare at Shen Huaizhong.

"It is said that an official should serve the people of the world, but in my heart, the people of the world are far less important than Your Majesty. Your Majesty is my only nephew."

"While both my position as Minister of Revenue and Prime Minister has been a burden for Your Majesty, I have managed the purse strings for Your Majesty over the years. I can't say I've done a great job, but I've certainly not caused Your Majesty to worry about money. If the Minister of Revenue were replaced, I'm afraid that Your Majesty's ambitions would be hampered by a lack of funds."

"Furthermore, I, Shangguan, and I have similar qualifications and abilities. If Your Majesty promotes Shangguan, people will say that Your Majesty is a wise ruler who knows how to judge people. However, if Your Majesty places me in the position of Left Prime Minister, there is no guarantee that some will accuse Your Majesty of nepotism, which is something I do not wish to see."

Shen Huaizhong spoke sincerely, and the emperor was so moved that he almost issued an order on the spot to promote Shen Huaizhong to the position of Left Prime Minister.

"Uncle, if I ask you to compete with Prime Minister Su, are you confident?" asked the emperor.

Shen Huaizhong shook his head. "I will not challenge anyone. I only wish to be the shield and sword in your majesty's hands."

……

Early morning on the second day.

The eunuch Dequan beside the emperor read out the imperial edict, "By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Left Prime Minister Su, of upright character, diligent and capable, has won my heart. I appoint you as Right Prime Minister, leading all officials and holding the reins of state power. I hope you will devote your wholehearted efforts to assist me in governing the country, ensuring the people live and work in peace and contentment, and our country prospers."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace." After Dequan finished reading the imperial edict, Prime Minister Su knelt on his knees and kowtowed to express his gratitude.

Dequan ran down in small steps and handed the imperial edict to Prime Minister Su with both hands. "Congratulations, Prime Minister Su."

"Thank you, Eunuch De."

The imperial edict promoting Prime Minister Su did not cause much discussion among the officials in the palace. Since Prime Minister Huang had been ill for the past half month, everyone was more or less mentally prepared.

"Now that the position of Left Prime Minister is vacant, everyone, please tell me who should fill this vacancy." The emperor said with a light cough.

There was an uproar in the hall. No one expected that the emperor would decide on the candidate for the left prime minister so quickly. Everyone was discussing in a low voice, and no one dared to speak first.

"Uncle, please speak." Seeing that no one spoke, the emperor pointed to the gray-haired Prince Jing standing in the front row.

King Jing curled his lips and began to cough violently, "This old minister... cough... cough cough... is not... not familiar with the current... cough cough... current... cough... boys... cough cough... but I can only choose from... cough cough... from these Shang... cough... Shangshu... cough... cough... "

The emperor frowned, cursed inwardly as "old sly guy", and then ordered Dequan to pour a glass of water for King Jing.

"Do you have anything else to say, my dear?"

"Your humble servant proposes to the Minister of Personnel, Lord Shangguan." The speaker was the Minister of War. He had been promoted for less than a year and was the least experienced among the six ministers. He knew he had no chance, so he lined up early.

"I second the proposal."

"I second the proposal."

"I second the proposal."

Nearly half of the ministers in the hall stood up, while Shangguan Heng stood there calmly stroking his beard.

"Your humble servant proposes to the Minister of Revenue, Lord Shen." The speaker was General Dingguo Zhou Antai, who was also the father of the eldest lady of the Shen family.

"I second the proposal."

Many people in the hall also stood up.

The Minister of War said to Zhou Antai, "General Zhou, if I remember correctly, you and General Shen are relatives, right? As the saying goes, we should appoint the virtuous and capable. How can General Zhou only recommend his relatives?"

Zhou Antai said angrily, "I, an old minister, have always been pragmatic. Since I recommended Lord Shen, it was because he was suitable, not because of some random relationship."

The emperor was also a little angry about what the Minister of War said, and asked Prime Minister Su, who had just been promoted, "Prime Minister Su, tell me who is suitable."

Prime Minister Su stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that both Lord Shangguan and Lord Shen are qualified for the position of Left Prime Minister. If I must choose, I would choose Lord Shangguan. Lord Shangguan has managed officials for many years and will provide better advice to Your Majesty on personnel selection."

The emperor pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Prime Minister Su, I remember you are from the south?"

"Your Majesty, I am from the Su family of Jinling."

The emperor nodded and said, "I will think about it again. My dear ministers, if you have nothing else to do, please go away."

Not long after the court session ended, the imperial edict from the palace arrived at the Shen Mansion, and it was Eunuch Dequan who came in person to announce the edict.

The Shen family set up an incense table and the whole family knelt on the ground to receive the decree.

"By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor declares: I, under the Will of Heaven, have brought peace to the country and happiness to the people. Now, there is Shen Huaizhong, a man of unwavering loyalty and wisdom, and I appoint him as the Left Prime Minister to assist me in governing the empire. I decree this."

After Dequan finished reading the decree, Shen Zong, the chief steward of the Shen family, stuffed a purse containing ten silver notes worth one hundred taels into Dequan's hands.

Dequan pinched the thickness of his purse and congratulated Shen Huaizhong with a smile.

From then on, Minister Shen officially became Prime Minister Shen, nearly four years earlier than in his previous life.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, something big happened to Shen Jingwan.