Firefly Journey

Chapter 265 Chu Ting’s Grand Stage (2)

Lin Yuanran originally thought that the Prime Minister's flattery and Emperor Zhuang's awkward praise were already abstract enough, but he didn't expect there to be even more experts.

Duan Feibai looked deeply moved, placed his hands on his chest, and bowed deeply.

"Not at all, I was merely doing my duty; it's nothing to boast about!"

"If the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam will be crooked too." Lin Yuanran had come to a profound understanding of the meaning of this saying.

The Chu court was practically a theatrical troupe, with Emperor Zhuang as the most outstanding actor, leading a diverse cast of actors in all roles...

At this moment, Lin Yuanran noticed that His Highness the Crown Prince next to the dragon table was trying to laugh but dared not, looking extremely aggrieved and struggling to hold it in.

Duan Feibai sang a bit of the opera with him, and then it was his turn. Lin Yuanran understood this. So he followed Duan Feibai's example and humbly offered his own performance.

Their modesty naturally earned them applause from the officials.

After the grand performance, Emperor Zhuang said, "Minister Lu, your family members have now been transferred to the Ministry of Justice prison. Aren't you going to plead for them?"

Lu Yong gave a smile that was not quite a smile: "Your Majesty is joking. My family has committed a grave mistake. As the Vice Minister of War, I should act impartially and not show favoritism."

Emperor Zhuang looked him up and down, and finally gave him a meaningful smile. Some people in the audience understood it, but most did not.

Lin Yuanran and Lü Jianming didn't understand; their minds were rather simple, and they didn't think too deeply.

Duan Feibai and Zhao Zheng were among those who immediately understood, and they secretly admired Lu Yong.

Sending He Changqing, who had no connections, to govern Yunzhou was the first step in suppressing the powerful clans. A prefect who obeyed the imperial court was always better than one chosen from among the local gentry.

The Lu family had deep roots in Yunzhou and could not be conquered overnight. The seemingly weak-willed He Changqing was a perfect excuse to lull them into a false sense of security. In reality, he was meticulously collecting evidence of the misdeeds of the powerful families in Yunzhou, piling it all together for a final reckoning.

Lu Yong's act of sacrificing his own family for the greater good, though driven by his nature, was not without a sense of helplessness.

He had to do it.

Otherwise, the Lu family will disappear forever.

Those accounts are the best evidence, but not the only evidence.

The imperial court wanted the powerful families of Yunzhou dead, and no matter how hard they struggled, it was all in vain.

With this resolve, Lu Yong had no choice but to expose his own accounts. In this way, although Lu Xianju and others were gone without a trace, Lu Yong's report was meritorious and a righteous act, so he would not be implicated.

At least, Lu Yong still bears the surname Lu, and his descendants will still bear the surname Lu. It's better to linger on than to disappear completely.

Emperor Zhuang coughed once: "Minister Lu is concerned about the country and its people, and he values ​​principles over family ties. I am very pleased with him and he should be rewarded."

"How about this, I think the position of Vice Minister of War is quite easy, so I'll find you something else to do. Twenty miles outside Danyang is where my Imperial Guards are stationed, and we happen to be short of an instructor."

Lu Yong quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to help you."

The position of Vice Minister of War, seemingly the second-in-command of the Ministry of War, was in fact a nominal one. He had no power to mobilize troops and was mostly responsible for clerical work.

The Imperial Guard instructors... have real access to the military; today they're instructors, tomorrow they might be commanders. It seems Emperor Zhuang values ​​him highly and wants to place him in a position of real power.

Then, he looked at Lin Yuanran.

Lin Yuanran felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze.

"Minister Duan and Mr. Morris, your inspection of Yunzhou has been extremely meritorious. What reward would you like?"

Duan Feibai quickly replied, "Your subject is devoted to the country and dares not ask for any reward. I only wish that our Great Chu will enjoy favorable weather and peace and prosperity."

Lin Yuanran quickly cupped his hands in agreement: "Your subject seconds this!"

Emperor Zhuang laughed heartily.

“Interesting. You may refuse, but I cannot withhold it. Clear rewards and punishments are the way of a wise ruler. You have rendered meritorious service this time. If I do not reward you, it would make me seem unwise.”

"Alright then, since Minister Duan is still young and needs time to mature, let him remain in the Ministry of Revenue for now. If he makes any new contributions in the future, we will reward him accordingly."

Duan Feibai's original position was Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, a third-rank official. Sending him to be the governor was a lateral transfer.

Punishing the powerful families of Yunzhou was a merit that was neither too great nor too small, so Emperor Zhuang was hesitant to promote him.

It's important to understand that among the Six Ministries, the Minister is the highest-ranking official, essentially the head of the ministry, and there is only one such official in each ministry. The Vice Ministers, on the other hand, are appointed according to need, and there are usually more than five such positions.

Lin Yuanran was given the position of governor of the third rank upon his arrival. Now that his mission is complete, the question is how to establish himself in Danyang.

"Mr. Morris is my son's classmate, a graduate of the world-renowned St. Louis College. Now he has made new contributions to our Chu Kingdom. My ministers, what position do you suggest he be given?"

The court assembly was silent, including the two prime ministers.

Seeing this, Emperor Zhuang began to call out names: "Crown Prince, he is your classmate. In your opinion, what should be done?"

Lu Jianming reluctantly stepped forward, a sneer on his lips: "Father, in my humble opinion, everyone who graduated from Class 29 is a talent capable of saving the world. If it were me, Alio should be appointed Prime Minister!"

Lin Yuanran was startled. How could you say such a thing? You're appointing me Prime Minister? Does that mean you have to ascend the throne first? Are you sure that's not treasonous...?

However, the ministers at the court meeting reacted indifferently, as if they were used to it.

There was nothing they could do; their Crown Prince was used to his outrageous pronouncements every day. Emperor Zhuang didn't care at all about these treasonous words, which were tantamount to rebellion. Since the emperor didn't care, they cared even less.

After all, we're here to serve as subjects, not eunuchs, so what's the rush?

Emperor Zhuang rolled his eyes in front of everyone and said, "I knew you couldn't say anything nice, so asking you is pointless. Here's what we'll do: there's still a vacancy for the position of Vice Minister of Rites. If you don't mind, you can take it for now."

The position of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites is a third-rank official, which is in line with Lin Yuanran's position.

Lin Yuanran's original intention was not to become an official, and he did not care much about his position or rank. He was content with his lot and quickly thanked the imperial decree.

With the Yunzhou affair concluded, Emperor Zhuang began discussing other political matters.

At this moment, Zhao Zheng stood up.

The old man was all smiles; it was clear he wasn't up to anything good.

He said, "As the saying goes, a family cannot be without a head for a day, and a country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Since ancient times, the issue of succession has always been of paramount importance to successive dynasties."

Three years ago, our Great Chu welcomed back the Crown Prince, a cause for celebration throughout the land, which resolved the issue of succession. However, Your Majesty has two sons, while the Crown Prince has no children. This old minister believes that it is time to select a consort for His Highness the Crown Prince!

Judging by his age, Lü Jianming was in his early twenties. Lin Yuanran had heard about his romantic escapades back in St. Louis, but he never expected that he wouldn't even have a crown princess after returning to the Great Chu.

Zhao Zheng's words were all reasonable. Emperor Zhuang of that time fell in love with Empress Jingmu when he was young, and they held a wedding immediately after he came of age. However, Lü Jianming has been an adult for quite some time, but he still hasn't made a crown princess, which is somewhat late.

Lu Jianming's expression froze. "Old man, thank you so much. Why did you have to bring that up?"