PFC Chapter 414: Entering the Cabinet and Being Promoted to Minister of War...
Chapter 414: Entering the Cabinet and Being Promoted to Minister of War...
"Jingzhi, you and I, the king and his subject...are strangers now!"
Such a light sentence made Gu Jingzhi even more silent!
For four years, Gu Jingzhi, a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, never appeared in the imperial study again, to have a passionate dialogue between the emperor and his ministers as before!
In four years, the king and his ministers never met alone!
These four years were just a blink of an eye for Gu Jingzhi. Although his demeanor became more majestic, his face did not change much!
But for Emperor Xia, these four years seemed like a lifetime.
Seeing Gu Jingzhi standing respectfully beside him, Emperor Wen felt a surge of anger in his heart.
Gu Jingzhi was like a ball of cotton, making him feel helpless!
Emperor Wen couldn't help but sarcastically said, "It's really curious. Gu Jingzhi, who used to carry a sword while doing his job, is so well-behaved today!"
"..."
Gu Jingzhi said silently: "Your Majesty once taught that without rules, there can be no order! I am fortunate to receive your Majesty's teachings, and today I am simply following your instructions!"
Emperor Wen's eye twitched!
Follow the teachings?
"It seems... Marquis Xiling is angry!"
"I dare not! On the contrary, I am grateful to Your Majesty. I listened to Your Majesty's teachings in the past, and in recent years, the number of memorials impeaching me from the Censorate has decreased significantly. Your Majesty treats me so well, how dare I harbor resentment?"
Gu Jingzhi still answered calmly.
A few years ago, Gu Jingzhi went to the imperial court with a memorial but was stopped at the door of the imperial study. The reason was simple: the memorial could be submitted directly to the cabinet or stated directly in the court. Why did he have to go to the imperial study to make a secret report?
Emperor Wen accused Gu Jingzhi of defying court rules and ordered him to serve as a guard with a knife, standing at the door of the imperial study for a whole day!
It was also from that day on that the relationship between the emperor and his subjects became alienated!
At least, in Gu Jingzhi's heart, he has become alienated from Emperor Wen!
In the past few years, he has never been to the Imperial Study. All memorials are either submitted directly to the Cabinet or reported in the court. He has never violated the rules again!
This has lasted for four years!
Emperor Wen understood the aloofness in Gu Jingzhi's words, but he had been thinking a lot during the more than one month he had been ill.
It would be fine if he was in good health, but now his own life is in danger, how can he not choose a few regents for his eldest son?
I think the gap between the monarch and his subjects will disappear sooner or later with his departure.
After all, his eldest son and Gu Jingzhi have a master-disciple relationship, and the Qiao family and the Gu family have a good relationship. I think after he leaves, their relationship will not be affected by what he has done... right?
He no longer thought about repairing his relationship with Gu Jingzhi. After all, when he stood at the door of the imperial study, Gu Jingzhi lost all his face!
"Ministry of War Dong Zhentang has been ill lately and has requested to rest. However, the Ministry of War bears the responsibilities of state and society, and therefore cannot be without a leader. I intend to transfer you to the Ministry of War to serve as Minister."
Emperor Wen stared at Gu Jingzhi, but saw him frown, then relaxed his brows. He said, "Your Majesty, I have no military experience and I am obsessed with money. How can I be qualified to be the Minister of War?"
Gu Jingzhi had thought about where he would go. He wanted to be the Minister of Revenue, or the Minister of Justice, or the Minister of Works...
But he never thought of going to the Ministry of War!
In fact, there is also a rotation system for officials in the capital. Those officials of lower ranks will face rotation among the six ministries unless they have professional matches.
He was promoted very quickly without having experienced anything like this. Now he was suddenly promoted to the Minister of War, which was indeed unexpected!
Emperor Wen noticed his momentary surprise and couldn't help but smile, "In your early years, you have been to the border and participated in wars. Even General Li petitioned the late emperor to keep you in the army for training!"
"The two Generals Lin currently guarding the border... I heard they were also personally trained by you. With such a versatility in both civil and military matters, how could they not be up to the task?"
"Besides, you are equipped with a powerful weapon from Great Xia. How can you not be competent?"
"..."
Gu Jingzhi pursed his lips and said, "Minister Dong is an internal minister... I am still young. If I replace Minister Dong, I am afraid that the court will not accept it, and the whole world will not accept it!"
"That's your business!"
Emperor Wen said calmly, "I summoned you today not to discuss matters with you!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingzhi could only bow and say, "In that case, I thank Your Majesty!"
If you can’t push it away, then keep going!
He knew exactly what Emperor Wen was thinking.
Although the Ministry of War is an important department, Gu Jingzhi is not familiar with it yet. The Ministry of Revenue is his base camp, in charge of the world's money and grain. Gu Jingzhi has spent more time in the Ministry of Revenue than in any other position before!
If he is not transferred now, it will be unlikely for him to get involved in the Ministry of Revenue again in the future!
Although Emperor Wen wanted to promote Wei Zhen, with Gu Jingzhi around, Wei Zhen was no match for him, so he had no choice but to transfer Gu Jingzhi away.
Although he was transferred to the Ministry of War, which was more important than the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War did not hold military power. It was perfect to use the Ministry of War in exchange for the financial power in Gu Jingzhi's hands!
Gu Jingzhi knew that this was to pave the way for the prince. After all, any policy of the court required money, and Emperor Wen was worried that one day when Zhou Quan needed money, Gu Jingzhi would choke him.
So while he can still speak, he should transfer Gu Jingzhi away to prevent power from falling into the hands of others!
Although the Ministry of War was in charge of the national defense of Daxia, the existence of the Grand Council, to some extent, constrained the Ministry of War.
The way of balance.
This is very Emperor Wen!
The imperial edict was issued, and Gu Jingzhi was about to leave with it in his hand. However, Emperor Wen said indifferently from behind: "You and the Eastern Palace have become a little estranged. The master-disciple relationship is still there, so why not go and take a look!"
"..."
Gu Jingzhi paused.
rusty?
Ah……
He certainly didn't go to the Eastern Palace often, but if he said he was unfamiliar with it...
I remember that in the study and guest rooms of the East Palace, he stood up and kicked.
However, he knew what Emperor Wen meant. Now that things had come to this, it was indeed time to go and see Zhou Quan!
……
He followed the young eunuch and strolled to the Eastern Palace. Nothing happened on the way and he soon entered the Eastern Palace.
Zhou Quan, who had received the news, hurried over. After seeing Gu Jing, he quickly bowed and said, "Student greets the teacher!"
teacher……
Gu Jingzhi's eyes flashed with realization. He turned slightly to the side, then bowed and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
"teacher……"
Zhou Quan seemed a little embarrassed.
Gu Jingzhi said calmly: "Etiquette cannot be abolished!"
As he spoke, he looked at Zhou Quan, only to see that he looked a little flustered and his face was a little red.
Zhou Quan felt a little uncomfortable being looked at by Gu Jingzhi, and his eyes seemed to be avoiding something.
"I just heard that the teacher was visiting, and I was so happy that I ran over. I hope you won't mind my impoliteness!"
As he said this, he glanced at Gu Jingzhi.
Gu Jingzhi glanced at his somewhat disheveled clothes and the woman following behind him, and understood what was going on. He pulled a smile from the corner of his mouth and said in a calm voice, "Your Highness, you are too kind!"
Meeting Gu Jingzhi's meaningful gaze, Zhou Quan gave an embarrassed smile: "I am very happy to see you today, Teacher. I have many things I want to ask you recently. I wonder if you..."
"I have come here on the orders of Your Majesty. It has been some time since I last visited Your Highness. Does Your Highness blame me?"
Gu Jingzhi hadn't been to the Imperial Study for four years, nor had he been to the Eastern Palace for four years. Zhou Quan had visited him at his house at the beginning, but gradually he went less and less!
Zhou Quan listened to his words and laughed, "Why blame me? The students are so happy that the teacher can come!"
As he said this, he turned his head and looked at the girl who came with him.
"Qingxuan, serve tea to the teacher!"
The woman named Qingxuan bent her knees and squatted down, saying in a soft voice, "Yes!"
Gu Jingzhi looked at the girl, and somehow, he always felt a sense of familiarity!