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

"Kneel down!" Old Mrs. Sheng said again, her voice much louder.

Wang Ruofu was startled and, without thinking of why, immediately knelt down.

In this era, the word "filial piety" is enough to make a mother-in-law crush her daughter-in-law.

"Mother?" Wang Ruofu looked over in confusion.

Old Madam Sheng sighed and said calmly, "Now that Master Fu is about to retire, and Grand Secretary Han intends to compete for the position of the head of all officials, how dare you issue loans at exorbitant interest rates on your own?"

"Kneel for three hours."

Originally, Wang Ruofu voluntarily revealed the matter of usury, and it did not cause any harm.

As a mother-in-law, she no longer intends to discipline her daughter-in-law.

pity.

Look at them, completely unaware of their mistakes!

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu felt somewhat aggrieved: "Mother, there's no interest on usury either."

"Stop making excuses."

Old Madam Sheng was furious and scolded, "Officials' wives lending money at exorbitant interest rates is a capital offense. At best, they'll be demoted; at worst, they'll be exiled. This is right here in the capital! How dare you lend money at exorbitant interest rates?"

"Now, several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet are all focused on each other's mistakes. At this time, by issuing interest at exorbitant rates, are you trying to hinder Grand Chancellor Han, or are you trying to get Hong'er exiled?"

Old Madam Sheng sighed, "Zhao-ge'er is a man of officialdom. He can kill the Kang Wang clan for the greater good, and he can kill the Sheng family for the greater good."

"In Zhao Ge'er's eyes, the Kang family and the Sheng family are not necessarily that different; it's just a matter of a word."

As the only daughter of the Marquis of Yongyi, Old Madam Sheng had long been a part of the elite circles of officials' wives and relatives.

Therefore, she was very aware of the power disparity.

Is there any difference between the sixth and eighth ranks?

Objectively speaking, yes.

But in the eyes of those important figures, there is almost no difference.

If Kang Haifeng can be demoted, why can't Sheng Hong be demoted?

If his career is hindered, Zhao Ge'er can demote anyone when he gets angry!

Not only can they demote someone, they can also divorce their wife!

Wang Ruofu was startled and quickly said, "Daughter-in-law knows her mistake!"

Grandma Sheng glanced at her daughter-in-law and knew that she was only afraid, not that she knew she was wrong, so she couldn't help but say, "Open the curtains."

"What?" Wang Ruofu exclaimed in surprise.

Wouldn't this mean that the servants would see her being forced to kneel as punishment?

She is the matriarch of the household.

How can one gain prestige and establish oneself in this situation?

"Mother!" Wang Ruofu cried, "This is far too heavy!"

Grandma Sheng was a quiet and peaceful person.

Therefore, since marrying into the Sheng family, Wang Ruofu has rarely even paid her respects and has never been punished.

Grandma Sheng glanced at it and sighed softly, "Add another hour."

If this kind of foolishness isn't restrained, who knows if he might make a big mistake?

In the past, it was fine for small, insignificant households.

But Zhao Ge'er had already made his fortune.

The Sheng family originally had no power or influence; they were simply trying to climb the social ladder by marrying Zhao Ge'er.

Even if they don't help, they shouldn't at least hold us back!

"You're worried about Madam Kang, but aren't you worried about Hua'er?" Old Madam Sheng knew what Madam Kang cared about and reprimanded her, "If the news about Madam Kang instigating you to issue loans at exorbitant interest rates hadn't been exposed sooner, it would have affected Grand Secretary Han's appointment as prime minister..."

"Aren't you worried that Hua'er will be divorced?"

“Hua’er?” Wang Ruofu was taken aback and silently shed tears.

The sky was stained with ink, and all was silent.

Jiang Mansion.

Jiang Zhao sat upright in a wooden chair, his feet dipped into a basin of warm water, a cup of tea in his hand, slowly savoring it.

Sheng Hualan knelt down and massaged her husband's ankles, occasionally rubbing his shoulders.

"How is the Kang Wang clan?" Jiang Zhao asked.

Teacher Han Zhang was vying for the position of the head of all officials. Apart from submitting a memorial to the Ministry of Personnel to recommend Kang Haifeng, he really had no time to pay attention to the affairs of Kang Wangshi.

In the end, he was just a low-ranking official.

“Originally, Lord Kang was clamoring to divorce his wife.” Sheng Hualan’s clear eyes flickered slightly. “However, after you submitted a memorial recommending her, Lord Kang didn’t even have time to divorce her before the Ministry of Personnel appointed her.”

Jiang Zhao nodded.

The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was Zhang Fangping, an old-timer from the Han faction, so it's normal that the appointment was made quickly.

"Therefore, Lord Kang no longer mentions the matter of divorcing his wife," Sheng Hualan said softly.

Jiang Zhao was not surprised to hear this.

Even if the Wang family lineage is in decline, they still have connections in the court.

Kang Haifeng's refusal to divorce his wife was probably in the hope that Old Madam Wang would intercede on his behalf, so that he could return to Beijing or be transferred to a more prosperous place.

Danzhou is teeming with snakes and insects; it is truly a miserable place.

"Did Old Mrs. Wang have anything to say?" Jiang Zhao asked calmly.

“The message hasn’t been sent out yet.” Sheng Hualan shook her head. “However, given my maternal grandmother’s personality, she will probably write a letter to plead for leniency or have someone intercede on her behalf.”

As a daughter herself, Sheng Hualan was very aware of how biased her maternal grandmother was.

The old man couldn't bear to see his eldest daughter suffer.

Jiang Zhao closed his eyes slightly: "Old Mrs. Wang can't cause any trouble, my wife, there's no need to worry."

The timing of Kang Wangshi's actions this time was terrible.

This period coincided with a change in the position of the head of all officials.

Kang Wangshi dared to take the opportunity to say something about "recommendation" and even induced Wang Ruofu to issue usurious loans.

Even if she didn't intend to cause trouble, it didn't stop South Korean officials from being on high alert.

Han Zhang just wanted to compete for the position of head of all officials. Is he doing this because he's afraid others won't find any fault with him?

Although the Wang family had fallen on hard times, they were not without powerful connections in the court.

If those cronies are truly willing to speak out for Kang Haifeng, Han's faction officials wouldn't mind initiating a factional struggle to test the capabilities of the Wang family.

Back then, Grand Tutor Wang couldn't stir up any trouble. Could some of his down-on-their-luck followers possibly turn the world upside down?

Sheng Hualan nodded slightly without saying a word.

Kang Wangshi's actions have crossed her bottom line.

Visiting her four times in four days—they were really leaving her no way out!

"My lady, rest now!" Jiang Zhao wiped his feet and picked up his beloved.

"uh-huh!"

On the bed, the passion had just subsided.

"My lord, I am pregnant, and I fear that in a few days I will no longer be able to serve you."

In a daze, Sheng Hualan said vaguely, "I have a younger sister named Shulan. She will be coming to the capital soon to become your concubine. Is that alright?"

"can."

July 20th.

Chang Chao.

Emperor Zhao Zhen sat upright on his throne, surveying the civil and military officials.

After a long pause, he spoke up and said, "Now that you, my lord, have retired, I wonder who you gentlemen think is capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of the position of prime minister?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Yaochen, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward.

"In my opinion, the position of Grand Chancellor is a matter of great importance to the country and the people, so it is best to appoint someone who is full of energy. Grand Secretary Han Zhang may be suitable for the position."

"What does Han Qing think?" Zhao Zhen looked down.

Han Zhang stepped forward, his face full of worry: "This old minister is of limited talent and learning, and I fear I will fail Your Majesty's high expectations."

On the surface, he seemed unwilling, but in reality, he did not refuse.

No refusal means consent!

"Then let's discuss it again!" Zhao Zhen declared.

When a prime minister retires, he must decline the offer three times.

The process of a new prime minister taking office is similar to some other procedures.

At the very least, one should be humble.

End of July.

The emperor summoned Han Zhang, and the two discussed governance and the affairs of the world.

August 11th.

Han Zhangjin was appointed as the Chancellor of the Secretariat and the Chancellery, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, the Privy Councilor, the Pillar of State, the Grand Academician of the Zhaowen Pavilion, the Supervisor of the National History, and was granted the title of Duke of Yi.

The new Grand Chancellor is Han Zhang!

Chapter 71 The Seven Sons of Jiayou

Time flies like water, passing by in a hurry.

The fifth year of the Jiayou era, the first month.

Bianjing (Kaifeng)

Three years have passed since the last imperial examination, and a new batch of candidates has entered the capital to take the exam.

Similarly, this is also the time for the triennial performance evaluation of government officials.

After the imperial examinations, the newly appointed scholars had a three-month rest period.

This period was not only the time for the Hanlin Academy's final examinations, but also a time of significant changes in official positions.

Compared to the minor test when Sheng Hong entered the capital, there are more opportunities for the major test of political performance.

Of course, the competition is also quite fierce.

In the officialdom, the higher you go, the more one is assigned to a specific position.

Fanlou.

Jiang Zhao, Su Shi, Su Zhe, Zeng Gong, Zeng Bu, Zhang Heng, Zhang Dun.

The seven members of Jiayou reunite once again.

This time, the triennial imperial examination was approaching, and Zhang Dun once again went to the capital to take the exam.

He was determined to win back what he had lost to his nephew!

Zeng Gong specifically requested leave to go to Beijing.

As a disciple of Ouyang Xiu and a member of the "Seven Scholars of Jiayou," Zeng Gong was destined to have no shortage of political resources.

Recommended by Ouyang Xiu, Zeng Gong went to the capital to serve as an official, taking up the position of Compiler of the Jixian Academy.

From then on, the seven sons of Jiayou reunited.

Of course, an unofficial member was also added – Sheng Changbai.