Chapter 206 Du Biejia

“Indeed, it is a brilliant plan.” The female saint chuckled. “I might as well give it a push and make Chief Secretary Du appear to be on the same side as the aristocratic families. Prime Minister Zheng wants to sow discord, so I will do as he wishes and let him achieve his goal.”

"Does the Emperor intend to make the aristocratic officials mistakenly believe that you have developed a grudge against Chief Secretary Du? How do you plan to refute Prime Minister Zheng's request for merit on behalf of Chief Secretary Du?" the governor asked.

The female sage shook her head slightly. Why would she step forward to refute Prime Minister Zheng's request for merit? Just as the governor said, the officials in the court would not agree to Du Min's promotion from a seventh-rank county magistrate to a third-rank official within three years. She could simply take this matter to court for discussion. It would also let the aristocratic officials see that Du Min was a protégé of Prime Minister Zheng.

After the governor left, the Empress Dowager summoned the Minister of Personnel and the Vice Minister of Personnel for an audience. She handed over the memorial that she had been holding for five days, saying, "Du Min, the Prefect of Huai Prefecture, has made great contributions in the major case in Huai Prefecture. Prime Minister Zheng, recognizing his outstanding talent, intends to promote him to the position of Prefect of Huai Prefecture. I am unsure of what to do, so I have invited you two gentlemen to come and discuss it."

The Minister of Personnel frowned. He took the memorial and read it over and over again. It was indeed Prime Minister Zheng's handwriting. Was this old fellow possessed?

Yin, the Vice Minister, knelt behind the Minister of Personnel. He raised his head slightly and observed the Empress Dowager's expression out of the corner of his eye.

"Minister Yin, I remember that the Prefect of Huai Prefecture is your son-in-law?" the Minister of Personnel asked. "Prefect Du started his official career three years ago?"

"Before assuming his post, he served as an official in the Ministry of Rites for three years, and he also contributed his ideas and efforts to the Fengshan ceremony for the two emperors." Vice Minister Yin spoke a few good words for his son-in-law.

The Minister of Personnel disagreed, saying, "What kind of official is someone without rank? Just a menial servant. How many years has Vice Minister Yin been an official? Fifteen years, surely? You have worked diligently for over ten years and are now a fourth-rank Vice Minister. Your son-in-law has been in office for only three years and has been promoted to a third-rank official overnight. Are you convinced of this?"

Yin Shilang glanced at the female saint again. Her attitude was clear; she did not agree. He then stopped arguing.

"Your Majesty, I urge you to reject this petition for merit. If Chief Clerk Du is promoted to Prefect of Huai Prefecture, I fear it will be difficult to gain the support of the people. As for what Prime Minister Zheng said, I believe his words are excessive. The Chief Clerk of the Prefecture has the responsibility to supervise and advise the Prefect. Chief Clerk Du's accusation of Xu Ang's corruption and perversion of justice is within his duty." The Minister of Personnel presented the official document.

"Whether this will win over the public depends on the opinions of all the officials. Let the memorial be submitted to the Secretariat for review." Prime Minister Zheng was the prime minister of the Secretariat, and the Empress Dowager had passed this thorny issue back to him, ordering him to debate with the officials and see if he would remain a good man to the end or betray them halfway. Regardless of his choice, it was common knowledge that Du Min had earned Prime Minister Zheng's favor.

Upon hearing this, Vice Minister Yin immediately understood that the Empress Dowager would not allow Prime Minister Zheng to have his way. He became anxious immediately. How could Du Min have gotten together with Prime Minister Zheng? A commoner official associating with a powerful family would never gain favor with either side! Had she lost her mind?

Upon returning home, Vice Minister Yin immediately wrote a letter reprimanding Du Min. Halfway through the letter, a question arose in his mind: when Prime Minister Zheng was promoted to prime minister by using paper effigies, he did not value Du Min as much as he did today. What was the purpose of his current request for credit? Could it be that he was truly moved by Du Min's talent? As soon as this thought came to mind, he chuckled.

The ink on the letter, still wet, was quickly consumed by the flames. Vice Minister Yin put down his brush and stared at the candlelight, lost in thought. He was now certain that Prime Minister Zheng harbored ill intentions towards Du Min, attempting to instigate and win him over, preventing him from becoming the Empress's right-hand man. What was the Empress thinking? Had she truly abandoned Du Min, this promising talent? No, given the Empress's nature and methods, those who could not be used by her would be destroyed.

Yin Shilang's mind cleared up, and he made up his mind that the female sage must have become suspicious. This action was to test Du Min, and Du Min still had a chance to choose his side.

There was a knock on the study door, and Yin's mother pushed it open and entered. "It's late. How long are you going to be busy? You haven't even had dinner yet. Come and eat first."

"I'll write a letter first." Vice Minister Yin quickly picked up his pen and wrote, listing the situation in the court and his views, so that Du Min could respond in the future.

*

The Prime Minister's Residence.

After seeing off the last guest, Prime Minister Zheng sighed. He had spent half the day meeting with guests to help Du Min get credit, but the guests either intended to criticize him or to find out his true thoughts.

Prime Minister Zheng was caught in a dilemma. His original intention was to incite Empress Wu to suspect Du Min, and to cripple her before Du Min came of age. He also intended to win Du Min over, but it was impossible to promote Du Min to a third-rank official so quickly. The governor was only one step away from being prime minister, and once Du Min had the power to stand shoulder to shoulder with him, he wouldn't rely solely on the Zheng family of Xingyang. A wild dog that cannot be tamed will turn its teeth against its trainer; he might very well become the third prime minister to fall at Du Min's hands.

However, he had already made his word and taken the step of promoting Du Min, so there was no turning back. If he went back on his word, all his previous efforts would be in vain. If the Empress noticed something was wrong and suppressed the public opinion, she would approve his memorial. Du Min would indeed be promoted to the position of Prefect of Huai Prefecture, and he would become a major threat to him in the future.

Over the next ten days or so, Prime Minister Zheng made no attempt to hide his high regard for Du Min in public, while humbly listening to the criticisms of his officials. As time went on, his resolve began to waver amidst the criticism.

During the court assembly that day, Prime Minister Zheng proposed in front of all the officials that Du Min, the Prefect of Huai Prefecture, be promoted to the position of Assistant Prefect of Huai Prefecture.

"Do any of you have any objections?" The Empress Dowager looked at the Minister of Personnel.

The Minister of Personnel was not very satisfied with the result, but the matter had been going on for almost half a month, and it was rare that Prime Minister Zheng was willing to compromise, so he no longer objected, saying, "I have no objection."

"Granted." The female sage had achieved her goal. She looked at Prime Minister Zheng and said, "Prime Minister Zheng values ​​Du Qing's talent so much, believing that he is capable of serving as the Prefect of Huai Prefecture. However, Du Qing lacks the qualifications and has been opposed by the officials. I will give him a chance to prove himself. The position of Prefect of Huai Prefecture will be held remotely by Prince Ji, and Du Qing will be responsible for all the political affairs of Huai Prefecture."

With Prime Minister Zheng's delay, the position of Prefect of Huai Prefecture was nominally held by Prince Ji, effectively leaving the post vacant. Empress Wu was using this as bait to lure Du Min; to be promoted to Prefect, he would have to submit to her. If he still wanted to win Du Min over, he would have to continue his efforts…

The Vice Minister of Justice sighed inwardly. All of Prime Minister Zheng's efforts had benefited Du Min, not only helping him get promoted but also winning the favor of powerful families, while his own schemes had failed.

Yin Shilang stood in the crowd, secretly delighted. He was right; the female saint had indeed not abandoned Du Min.

"Minister Du has rendered meritorious service, but it is his duty as an official; Lady Meng has also rendered meritorious service, she is a heroine, both brave and resourceful, a model for women, and is hereby granted a purple robe. If she performs further meritorious service in the future, she will be granted the title of Lady of the County." The Empress Dowager offered both Du Min and Meng Qing a tempting offer, allowing them to enjoy the power of a high-ranking official despite their lowly status. To climb to a higher position, these two capable ministers would surely serve her with their lives. She appointed, "Minister Yin of the Ministry of Personnel, listen to my command, I hereby appoint you as envoy to Huai Prefecture to deliver the rewards to Lady Meng."

Vice Minister Yin was overjoyed. Caiwei was about to give birth, and he could take his wife to Huaizhou to visit her.

"Your subject obeys." Vice Minister Yin stepped forward.

With the matter settled, after the court session, the Secretariat and the Ministry of Personnel immediately began drafting the imperial edict and order for the transfer.

Prime Minister Zheng returned to his office with a gloomy face. Before the tea he had brewed had even cooled down, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud arrived.

"Your Excellency, I apologize for disturbing you." The Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud sat down, took out an official document, placed it on the table, and said, "The Director of the Court of Imperial Stud in Luoyang has sent a letter. Prefect Du has come to visit. He wants to buy 10,000 lambs from the Court of Imperial Stud, and on credit, he will repay 10,000 lambs in the spring of the year after next. I have already reported this to Minister Wang, who has asked me to come and inquire whether it is possible to grant Prefect Du this favor."

Prime Minister Zheng gritted his teeth inwardly; the Imperial Stud was here to ask him for a favor.

“Alright.” Prime Minister Zheng, burdened by the reputation of Du Min’s mentor, had no choice but to go down this path to the bitter end. He convinced himself that Du Min was a capable minister, and even without this incident, he would have agreed to Du Min’s request if Du Min had come to him, swallowing this bitter pill.

*

At the end of November, Du Min received the official document from the Ministry of Personnel regarding his transfer. Upon unfolding it and reading it, he was overjoyed and immediately rushed home with the document in his pocket.

"Second sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, where are you?" Du Min shouted impatiently as soon as she entered the gate, "Come quickly, I have good news."

"The Lady is at Maple Forest Courtyard," Butler Ma stepped forward and answered.

Du Min hurried to Fenglin Courtyard. As soon as he saw the person, he waved the official document and shouted, "Second Sister-in-law, I've been promoted! Prefect of Huai Prefecture!"

Meng Qing was both surprised and delighted. What was going on? The Empress had actually promoted Du Min. Wasn't this a blatant declaration to everyone that she had long harbored resentment towards the Xu family? Or was there some change in the court?

Du Min never expected that the female saint would promote him, which meant that the female saint was happy to see the downfall of the Xu family. His second sister-in-law's bizarre guess was confirmed. "Second sister-in-law, you guessed right! You guessed it all! You are amazing! I am completely convinced. From now on, I will obey your every word."

Meng Qing took the document and read it carefully. When she reached the end, she looked up at Du Min and asked, "Didn't you finish reading this document?"

"Yes, I was in a hurry to come back and report the good news." Du Min took the official document and read it again. When he saw the end, his eyes widened. "The Prefect of Huai Prefecture is nominally appointed by the Prince of Ji, and I am in charge of all the government affairs of Huai Prefecture?"

“You’re only one document away from becoming the Prefect of Huai Prefecture,” Meng Qing said. “Prefect Du, be loyal to the Empress Dowager. If she approves, your position as Prefect will be truly deserved.”

"Definitely!" Du Min laughed heartily. His extravagant wish had become within reach; he was really going to become the governor!

“Congratulations, Third Uncle,” Wang Zhou said from the side. He added quietly, “Third Uncle, your promotion was so easy. It’s really enviable.”

Du Min was overjoyed. "So you're jealous of me now? That's so satisfying!"

After saying this, he bowed deeply to Meng Qing, saying, "I will always remember your kindness in supporting me, and I will never forget your kindness in giving me a second chance."

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Author's note: See you tomorrow night. I wasn't in the right mood tonight, so the writing didn't flow smoothly.