Chinese New Year

Chapter 614: Looking at the Sun
It is November 15th. There is a court meeting today, and it happens to be the full moon day. Almost no officials claim to be sick or make excuses, and a large crowd of people sit there.

The emperor had not arrived yet, and the ministers were already whispering and discussing the matter.

Wang Yan took a white pen from the ear of the Jinxian crown and wrote and drew on the tablet, sometimes frowning in thought, sometimes smiling.

Zheng Shida, the deputy minister of state, looked at the officials who came to court with a smile on his face.

After taking office, he replaced all the original halberd-bearing warriors in the palace, and then asked Mr. Chen to temporarily let the palace soldiers who stayed in Luoyang serve as halberd-bearing warriors.

Just for this matter, Mr. Chen even wrote a letter to him, which made Zheng Shida flattered and then ecstatic.

He knew that Mr. Chen favored him not only because he was capable, but also because he gave him a woman.

This girl is a singing girl trained by his family. Her name is Zheng Yingtao. She is only thirteen years old this year, but she is already very beautiful and can sing and dance well.

Zheng Shida originally planned to enjoy her himself, but after much thought, for the sake of his future, he decided to present the girl to Mr. Chen - everyone knows that Mr. Chen loves beautiful women.

After sending her away, Zheng Shida felt a little regretful. He had not seen such a pretty woman in all these years. Perhaps only Wang Jingfeng and Queen Hui Yang could be compared with her.

But the position of Rong Cong Pushe was appointed by Mr. Chen, and it seemed to have worked. I just hope that Zheng Yingtao can seduce Mr. Chen more in the future and help Zheng Shida's future. This girl is only thirteen years old, but she is already quite scheming. Her ordinary-looking wife even calls her a "witch" and wants to kill her.

While I was daydreaming, Jiale music started playing.

After changing into his crown and robes, the emperor walked out to the sound of music and sat behind the dragon table.

All the ministers stood up, bowed and congratulated him. After the ceremony, they returned to their respective seats.

"I have something to report." Emperor Sima Chi looked unhappy. According to gossip, he did not sleep well last night, and no one knew the reason.

Wang Yan raised his head and looked at the emperor.

Sima Chi avoided his gaze, looking angry.

"Congratulations to Your Majesty!" A drake-like voice suddenly sounded.

Wang Yan frowned slightly and looked carefully, and it turned out to be Pei Yi, the Imperial Court Minister.

Sima Chi was disgusted when he saw Pei Yi, the "tail bug" who was spying on him, but he couldn't say anything at the court meeting, so he could only say unhappily: "What are you congratulating for?"

"I congratulate your majesty on finding a good person." Pei Yi said, "For the past ten years, the Xiongnu have been rampant outside, causing great suffering to the people; and bandits have been gathering in the mountains and forests inside, robbing the people. As a result, wolves and jackals are everywhere, and no one is left alive. The court has spent many efforts to quell the chaos, but has been unable to do so."

"Now there is Shao Taibai of Donghai, who has recruited refugees in Henan, reclaimed wasteland, repaired farm tools, and bought oxen, so that the hungry can get food and the cold can get clothes. The people no longer have to run on the road, and the common people no longer have to hide in the mountains and valleys. Now there are fathers and sons reunited, living and working in peace and contentment. I congratulate Your Majesty, Your Majesty has found the right person!"

"Youzhou Wang Jun has been blessed by the country for generations, and has held the highest position among the people, but he has no intention of repaying his country's kindness and has a rebellious heart. He hides things that are beyond the limit and secretly plots to usurp the throne; he bands together wolves and invades neighboring states; he extorts the wealth of the people and strips them of their clothes. Such disloyal, unjust and unkind people deserve to be punished by heaven. Lord Chen summoned the righteous men of Hebei to capture this beast, relieve the suffering of the people, and consolidate the momentum of the emperor's revival. I congratulate your majesty, your majesty has found the right person!"

"The counties of Jizhou have long been occupied by bandits. Thorns grow in the fields, and corpses are scattered in the ruins. The governors and generals have been talking about nothing but military training, and for a long time they have forgotten to fight, so they were defeated at the sight of the enemy and abandoned their cities. Mr. Chen trained his soldiers and tempered his spears, and then he led a team of tigers and wolves to defend against the bandits; he quickly killed the fierce and stubborn ones and successfully broke the enemy's formation. The soldiers of Yan and Zhao can now take off their armor and work on the farm; the people of Hebei can now live in peace and cultivate the fields. This is an extraordinary achievement, rarely seen in the world. I congratulate Your Majesty, Your Majesty has found the right person!"

After Pei Yi finished speaking, he glanced at the emperor, bowed and left.

The emperor remained silent, as if he was engaging in silent resistance.

The ministers waited patiently.

After a long time, the emperor could no longer bear the pressure and said in a hoarse voice: "Pei Qing just said that Wang Jun was disloyal, unrighteous and unkind. In comparison, Shao Xun respects the emperor, so he is loyal; he cares for the widow of his former master, so he is righteous; he cares for the common people, so he is kind. I have got this man, what else can I ask for? How can I not give him the reward of promotion?"

The hall suddenly became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

The resentment and sarcasm in these words are so overwhelming that they are about to reach the sky.

Pei Yi, who had just returned to his seat, showed a hint of impatience.

Chicken feet, I am your head! If you continue to be so weird, I will die without knowing how.

But he couldn't refute it, especially since he had just heard that Donghai Concubine Pei was seven months pregnant and would soon give birth...

He didn't know what to say about Shao Quanzhong. With such status and position, what kind of woman could he not get?

The noble families would probably rush to send their unmarried girls to your bed, so why do you prefer to make your mistress pregnant?

Wang Yan picked up a white pen and wrote on the tablet again, considering the words. At this time, Shangshu Ling Yu Min coughed lightly, stood up and said: "Your Majesty, special merits should be rewarded. If it weren't for Shao Xun's efforts to defeat the enemy and the soldiers' eagerness to serve, there would be no prosperity today. I ask to promote Shao Xun to a higher position."

Sima Chi seemed to have given up hope and said angrily, "You are all talented people who can assist the king. You have your own plans. I will approve them."

Yu Min seemed not to have heard the emperor's complaint, and continued, "Shao Xun can promote culture and education, and also build military achievements. Such a genius should take on important responsibilities and support the country's politics."

Sima Chi opened his eyes wide and asked, "What does Yu Qing mean..."

"You can let Mr. Chen take charge of the affairs of the Shangshu." Yu Min revealed his true intention and revealed his purpose.

"What is your position in recording the affairs of the Shangshu?" Sima Chi asked.

Jin inherited the Wei system.

Since the Wei Dynasty, Chen Qun was appointed as the Minister of Works, Sima Yi was appointed as the Minister of the Secretariat, Cao Shuang was appointed as the General, Sima Shi was appointed as the General, Sima Zhao was appointed as the General, Wang Shen was appointed as the General of the Cavalry, Jia Chong was appointed as the Grand Marshal, Sima Liang was appointed as the Grand Chancellor, Sima Yue was appointed as the Grand Tutor, and Wang Yan was appointed as the Grand Marshal…

As for Sima Lun, Sima Jiong, Sima Ying and others' titles of prime minister, regent, nine gifts, and chancellor, they had far exceeded the power of the recorder of the Secretariat and there was no need to add these titles.

In short, you must hold an official position at the level of Three Dukes to be eligible for the title of Shangshu Shi and become the master of the Shangshu Tai - as for whether you can get the Shangshu Ling, Shangshu Zuo Pushe and actually hold power, that is another matter.

As for the General of Cavalry and the General of Chariots and Cavalry being in charge of the Secretariat, this has existed since the Han Dynasty, but it was very rare. At least one had to be a general to be able to be in charge of the Secretariat and become the de facto prime minister, right?
"Your Majesty, I think you can appoint Mr. Chen as the general and take charge of the affairs of the Shangshu." Yu Min bowed deeply and said.

Sima Chi felt a little dizzy.

He wanted to refuse, but he seemed powerless. There were no loyal ministers in the court. Even if there were, they dared not express their opinions openly.

The last time he snatched the imperial seals to his side, Wang Yan, Yu Min and others didn't care at all and looked at him like a clown.

Thinking of this, he wanted to cry again.

I don't want Shao Xun to be proud, I want him to die, but it seems like this is also a difficult thing to do.

"Your Majesty!" Minister of the Interior Liu Tun stepped out and said, "I request that Mr. Chen be promoted to the position of General and Recorder of the Secretariat."

Hearing this voice, Sima Chi woke up from his self-pity and said with a blank look, "I agree with what you said."

Upon seeing this, the court officials signaled with their eyes.

We have finally come to this point, getting closer and closer.

"Your Majesty." After Liu Tun left, Wang Yan stood up and said, "I heard that in ancient times, people drew maps to enfeoff their vassal states and to share their happiness and sorrow. It is still the same today. Lord Chen has made great contributions, but he has not been promoted to a high position or been honored in office. This is a pity. I request that the ten counties of Chen, Liang, Xincai, Nandun, Runan, Chenliu, Puyang, Ji, Wei, and Dunqiu be made into the State of Liang, and the Duke of Chen be made the Duke of Liang, with the title of Junyi. In this way, Shao Taibai will lead a powerful vassal state, and he will be both civil and military, and will surely be able to support Your Majesty's great cause of rejuvenation."

Sima Chi swallowed his saliva and said weakly: "How can the title of a prince be given to someone of a different surname?"

"The world is in turmoil and war is still raging. How can we be confined to outdated rules?" Wang Yan said as a matter of course.

"Your Majesty." Zhongshujian Zheng Yu stood up and said, "The special title given to a person of a different surname shows the emperor's great grace. When Lord Chen is the highest official in the Three Palaces, he will surely devote himself to serving the country and never forget his sovereign."

"Your Majesty, Lord Chen has pacified the evil lair and purified the Central Plains. Now that he is in charge of this great country, he will surely be able to support the country." The Chief Justice Zhuge Quan stood up and said.

"Your Majesty, Lord Chen is a veteran of two dynasties. He is loyal to his country. If he is promoted to the throne of Daliang, he will surely ensure our revival." The Minister of Agriculture Cui Gong stood up and said.

"Your Majesty, Duke Chen's ten years of achievements have been highly praised by hundreds of millions of people. The country is celebrating and he should be a minister of assistance. I request that Duke Chen be promoted to Duke of Liang." Weiwei Yang Jiongzhi said.

"His Majesty……"

The court officials came one after another to invite him respectfully.

Sima Chi looked left and right, and found that many people did not leave the line, but they also avoided his gaze.

Finally, he couldn't hold it in any longer. He was heartbroken and said in a tearful voice, "Okay! Okay! Okay! You are all my loyal subjects. I have nothing to say. It's approved! It's all approved! All approved!"

"Your Majesty is wise." All the ministers congratulated in unison.

"There's nothing to do, let's adjourn the court!" Sima Chi turned around and left angrily without waiting for the ministers to see him off or even the background music.

(Please give me a monthly ticket at the beginning of the month, thank you.)
(End of this chapter)