Hearing that this method was proposed by Bai Qingyan, Shen Jingzhong’s heart was immediately filled with mixed emotions. He could not help but rise and bow deeply to Bai Qingyan, his lips trembling as he found himself unable to speak.
It was said that the Bai Family Army was established with the original intention of protecting and pacifying the people. Their Majesty was born of the Bai family, and even in the face of supreme power, had never forgotten the Bai family’s original aspiration. How could this not inspire admiration?
Dong Qingping looked at his niece, his brows filled with gentle smiles, and bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan in the manner of a minister to his sovereign.
With such a ruler, how could they worry that the people would not prosper?
Such a sovereign who held the sufferings of all people under heaven in her heart would surely be the king of all people.
“Please rise quickly, honored ministers!” Bai Qingyan set her teacup on the small table and gestured to help up Grand Marshal Lu, who was closest to her.
Seeing the three ministers straighten up, she then said: “I have great confidence in our Great Zhou’s national policies, so I ask the three ministers to trust in Bai Qingyan, and also trust in our Great Zhou’s national policies. Please assist the Great Zhou and Yan Kingdom in uniting as one in the manner most beneficial to the people, completing the unification of all under heaven.”
“This old minister will certainly sacrifice his life to help Your Majesty complete this great undertaking…” Grand Marshal Lu straightened his back and was the first to declare his position.
“This humble minister is also willing to sacrifice his life for the great cause, using my meager strength… to help our Great Zhou complete the unification of all under heaven!” Minister Shen also declared solemnly.
“This humble minister naturally need not say more – I shall dash my brains out for Great Zhou! For Your Majesty… I am ready to die for the cause!” Dong Qingping’s tear-filled gaze was resolute.
“Good…” Bai Qingyan nodded with a smile. “Then, the matters to come will trouble the three ministers. I imagine that after Yan Kingdom’s Ninth Prince returns to the Yan capital, Yan Kingdom will send envoys to our Great Zhou. At that time, our Great Zhou court will surely be filled with endless debate. The three ministers will need to carefully study how to skillfully take on this matter, and… persuade the main ministers in court!”
The three ministers nodded repeatedly.
“Moreover, regarding my current presence at the Bai family residence in the capital, please keep this confidential until… the Great Zhou Emperor’s carriage returns to the capital!”
Bai Qingyan’s carriage had only just reached Baiwuo City and would take several more days to arrive. Bai Qingyan had also ordered Chen Qingsheng to check on the matter of the residence when he reached Baiwuo City.
With official business concluded, Bai Qingyan smiled and congratulated Grand Marshal Lu and her uncle Dong Qingping, celebrating Lu Fenglang and Dong Tingzhen’s achievements in the imperial examinations.
“Whether Miss Lu or cousin Tingzhen, both truly deserved their rankings this time! When the examination papers were posted… at least the Empress Dowager was spared from criticism!” Bai Qingyan said with a smile.
“Indeed, before the papers were posted, some students said the Empress Dowager was specifically awarding second place, third place, and first place in the second tier all to women for the sake of Your Majesty’s new policy allowing women to study – having three of the top four positions go to women was excessive. Some even said the Empress Dowager named Miss Dong as first in the second tier to elevate her maternal family.” Minister Shen smiled and said, “But the Empress Dowager’s decision was excellent – after the papers were posted and those students read Miss Lu’s, Miss Tan’s, and Miss Dong’s papers, they all finally quieted down.”
“Posting all the palace examination papers was… Your Majesty’s idea, wasn’t it?” Grand Marshal Lu said with a smile.
“By posting the papers, we can also let the students know that the Great Zhou court selects truly capable scholars who can be used by the court, practical ministers, pointing out a clear direction for them!” Bai Qingyan’s brows carried a light smile. “It also lets court officials know what kind of ministers our Great Zhou currently needs.”
“Your Majesty… is this to conduct a reorganization of court officials?” Grand Marshal Lu was very perceptive, sensing Bai Qingyan’s intention, though he used the gentle term “reorganization.”
Bai Qingyan nodded with a smile: “This time, Tingzhen’s ‘Great Zhou Official Assessment Guidelines’ written in her paper very much suits my mind. The Grand Marshal can discuss with the Minister of Personnel to modify it, and then it can be implemented.”
“Yes!” Grand Marshal Lu nodded. “Previously, Jinxian mentioned to me that this ‘Great Zhou Official Assessment Guidelines’ could be implemented after modification, but we needed to wait for Your Majesty’s return to request Your Majesty’s approval.”
“Good… then let Grand Marshal Lu proceed with this!” Bai Qingyan nodded with a smile.
In mid-April, Yan Kingdom’s Ninth Prince Murong Yan and Murong Ping brought the trusted followers of old General Cui Shanzhong back to the Yan capital.
Yan Emperor Murong Li had long since brought the court officials to welcome them outside the city, with an unprecedented grand ceremony and great fanfare. However, this time, Yan Kingdom’s Ninth Prince Murong Yan and Murong Ping had not returned with a great army, but only with guards on fast horses.
The court officials, seeing this situation, were puzzled but dared not ask, properly following behind Murong Li to welcome the Regent Prince.
“Ninth Uncle!” Murong Li smiled and stepped forward, looking up at the travel-worn, masked Xiao Rongyan. Ninth Uncle has worked hard on the journey. A’Li has prepared a welcoming feast in the palace to celebrate Ninth Uncle’s great victory!”
Playing the role of a regent prince who wanted to control the Yan Emperor, Xiao Rongyan casually tossed his riding whip to Yue Shi, perfunctorily cupped his hands toward Murong Li, then questioned: “The matter of conspiring with Western Liang and stabbing allies in the back – was this Your Majesty’s doing?”
The court officials following behind Murong Li were silent as cicadas. They had not expected the current Ninth Prince to be so arrogant – this was in front of all the court officials, giving the Yan Emperor no face at all, questioning the Yan Emperor in this manner.
Murong Li had already received Murong Yan’s letter first, so today he had specifically brought all the officials to welcome Ninth Uncle, planning to perform a good show with him.
However, although the treachery was done by his mother, at this moment, Murong Li still had to protect his empress mother on the surface, even though… everyone in Yan Kingdom now knew about the Yan Empress Dowager’s frequent contacts with Western Liang people. As her son, he could not directly throw his mother out.
Murong Li showed a face full of shame: “Ninth Uncle, when A’Li learned of this matter, it was already too late. Our Yan Kingdom has wronged Great Zhou!”
“Now Great Zhou has deployed troops at Yan Kingdom’s borders, our main forces are trapped in Western Liang by Great Zhou’s Bai Family Army and Zhao Family Army and cannot return, and Great Zhou has now handed over old General Cui Shanzhong’s trusted followers to our Yan Kingdom, demanding an explanation from Yan Kingdom.” Xiao Rongyan’s ink-black eyes behind the mask showed no emotion, but his voice was so cold it made people’s spines chill. “I wonder what explanation Your Majesty… plans to give Great Zhou?”
Murong Li pretended to look ashen, appearing extremely distressed as he lowered his head and said softly: “Ninth Uncle…”
“Your Majesty, when Your Majesty ascended the throne, this Prince told Your Majesty that your father’s ambition was to unify all under heaven. But to unify all under heaven, one must never rely on methods like stabbing allies in the back; otherwise, it would be displaying faithlessness before all people under heaven!”