Death of Wang Jingzhi
At the turn of spring and summer in the third year of Sheng Gong's reign, the capital was already covered in lush greenery and warm breezes. However, deep within the Prime Minister's palace, there was a gloomy atmosphere of the end of life.
Wang Jingzhi lay on the sickbed, his body emaciated. His former vigorous spirit had long been devoured by the disease, leaving only his cloudy eyeballs that occasionally moved.
He knew that his time had come, that he was running out of energy and could not hold on any longer.
At this moment, in the distant northern border, the battle for national destiny between Ning Lingyi and Tuoba Hong has entered its third year. The Southern Dynasty's combined might has repeatedly inflicted pain on the powerful ruler of Beishuo, and the "Heaven-shaking Thunder" beneath Dishi City has intimidated him even more. However...
After all, he was unable to completely crush Beishuo's ambitions and was unable to achieve that decisive victory, but Wang Jingzhi would no longer see that day.
My thoughts are wandering, and the ups and downs of decades of official career seem to be right before my eyes.
He has lived through the reigns of Ning Lingyi's father, Emperor Xuanxi, her brother, Emperor Guangqi, her brother, Emperor Zhaoxi, and now the regent Ning Lingyi.
After going through four dynasties, only under Ning Lingyi's command did he truly feel that he could realize his ambitions, see the hope of the Southern Dynasty regaining its glory, and see the possibility for the people of the world to breathe a sigh of relief and have a way to survive.
During the Xuanxi Dynasty, he was tired of dealing with the increasingly corrupt court affairs and endless frictions on the border. He had ambitions but could not reverse the decline.
During the Guangqi Dynasty, he was even more troubled by the emperor's suspicion and rebuke. He was blamed for everything and walked on thin ice. In the end, he was exiled and sent home.
By the time of the Zhaoxi Dynasty, it was actually the result of a compromise with the Jing family, and the empire could only barely maintain its appearance and prevent it from collapsing immediately.
Over the years, the world has cursed him as a "paperhanger", but he can only swallow his anger and continue to work.
Until Ning Lingyi returned.
He watched this princess grow up and go through all the hardships she had experienced. She was tough on the outside and would not give up an inch of territory; she was compassionate and extremely pragmatic on the inside. She was harsh and inhumane to the officials, but always left a glimmer of hope for the people.
Distributing land, redeeming slaves, cracking down on corruption, and even establishing girls' schools and holding "hairpin flower tests"... Many of the things she did made this old-fashioned official feel horrified at first, then pondered deeply, and finally admired.
She does not seem like an emperor. She does not pursue fame or indulge in pleasure. She has her own scale in her heart. One end of the scale is the country and the other end is the people.
Sometimes he even felt that she might be a Bodhisattva sent by God to cleanse this filthy world, but this Bodhisattva held a sword and an abacus in his hands.
Unfortunately, he couldn't see it.
Wang Jingzhi calculated with difficulty that Ning Lingyi should be 27 years old this year.
Ten years have passed since she was betrothed to a foreign prince at the age of seventeen and left the capital in a hurry, and now she holds the power of the world and fights fiercely on the border with the overlord of Beishu.
During these ten years, she traveled through battles and was displaced. The days when she could sit quietly in the capital and handle state affairs were very few and far between.
He has also entered his seventies from his sixties, and is now about to pass away.
He had experienced many ups and downs in his life, but he had no regrets at all when he was able to meet a wise master and show his talents in his old age.
The only pity is that I can no longer guard the rear court for Ning Lingyi and watch her completely pacify Beishuo and create a truly peaceful and prosperous era.
Among Ning Lingyi's current subordinates, Shen Qingyan is only about thirty years old and still full of vigor; Nong Zishi is nearly forty years old and bold and daring; Su Qingfan is even younger, but already capable of standing on his own. And there's also rising stars like Chen Zhiwei...
Talents are emerging, but after careful consideration, there are still too few who can take charge of the overall situation and stabilize the forces of all parties. Who can fill the gap left by his departure?
He had held on for so long, stabilizing the rear for Ning Lingyi, coordinating food supplies, and suppressing dissent. Now, he really couldn't hold on any longer.
His thoughts were in a mess and he was filled with endless worries. After he left, Ning Lingyi had to return to the capital as soon as possible to take charge. Otherwise, the center would be leaderless, and various forces would cause unrest, leading to chaos.
But the war in the northern border was raging. If the commander left, what would happen to the front line? He pondered this dilemma for a long time, not knowing what to do.
I'm afraid only God knows.
Nothing in the world is perfect, and Wang Jingzhi is just an ordinary person in the secular world.
Wang Jingzhi slowly closed his eyes. Before his last wisp of consciousness faded, he had only one thought in his mind: "Your Majesty, I have done my best. In my next life, if I have the chance, I will serve you again..."
*
The news of Wang Jingzhi's death was transmitted all the way north to the military camp along with the expedited mourning document.
Ning Lingyi unfolded the letter, which was Wang Jingzhi's last words.
"This minister, Jingzhi, weeps on his deathbed: Ten years of war have brought us to this day, thanks to Your Majesty's strenuous efforts. Millions of people have shed their blood, fighting for every inch of land for posterity. Who can predict the outcome? The blood and tears of the people are shed."
"I have done nothing for my country, and it is all thanks to Your Majesty that I am where I am today. I sincerely hope that Your Majesty will not take victory as pride, nor defeat as shame, but will consider your subjects a little more, and give them a little more chance to survive."
Seeing this, Ning Lingyi's throat was choked with sobs.
"Since I left, the position of Prime Minister has been vacant. If Your Majesty is keen on innovation and practical work, then the Minister of Agriculture is the best choice. However, if you are concerned about the long-term interests of the country and the stability of the court, I, this old minister, dare to recommend the Minister of Chen."
"The Minister of Agriculture's loyalty lies with Your Majesty, but Your Majesty's determination to govern the country is often at odds with the interests of the officials and gentry. If you appoint a Minister of Agriculture, it would be tantamount to announcing Your Majesty's determination to the world, which could instantly alienate millions of scholars and shake the foundation of the country. Minister Shen is the third place in the imperial examination and the hope of the literati. Although he acts in a moderate way and may not always align with Your Majesty's wishes, he is good at balancing all parties and is capable of maintaining the overall situation and stability."
"The Minister of Agriculture can be a sharp sword in Your Majesty's hand, breaking the old and establishing the new; however, if you want to set an example for the world and reconcile the three, you must have a Minister of Agriculture. These are the words of an old minister from the bottom of my heart. I hope Your Majesty will put the country first and make a prudent decision."
"Your Majesty, as a woman, you are carrying out the duties of an emperor, which are extremely difficult and dangerous. However, your determination is unbreakable, and this old minister admires you. However, power can be transferred, loyalty can be easily changed, and even wisdom and darkness can be determined by a single thought. This old minister only hopes that Your Majesty, when you ascend to the throne and hold the world in your hands, will not forget the flames of war in Shanshan, the blood and tears shed on the stone, and will not betray your determination to save the people today..."
"I...will leave."
Just a few words brought Ning Lingyi to endless tears.
“Puff.”
A warm teardrop fell on the letter paper, blurring the ink.
Wang Xiang...left.
She lost an arm!
The world has lost its magic needle!
Upon seeing this, all the generals in the tent held their breath and lowered their heads, not daring to disturb him. They had never seen His Majesty so out of control and so grief-stricken.
When Prime Minister Wang was around, she felt like she had a mountain behind her, and she could rely on her old ministers to help her. When she encountered something unclear, she still had a wise teacher to ask for advice on the way forward. But once Prime Minister Wang was gone, she would be like hanging alone on a dangerous cliff. From then on, when she was confused and distressed, who should she turn to in this vast world?
No matter how much Ning Lingyi refused, this day finally arrived. The Han Dynasty lost Zhuge Liang, and she lost respect for him. There were countless ways to express her sorrow.
The war in the northern border has not yet ended, and the storm in the capital is about to come.
Prime Minister Wang, why did you leave me alone?
*
A few days later, an imperial edict was delivered to the capital at an expedited speed of 800 miles.
The interior and exterior of the Prime Minister's Palace were already covered in white.
When the official from the Ministry of Rites solemnly unfolded the bright yellow scroll in front of the mourning hall and read aloud:
"Prime Minister Wang Jingzhi was a man of pure loyalty and broad vision. He served four dynasties, devoting himself to the country. He oversaw the work of hundreds of officials, diligently serving the people and contributing to the stability of the nation. I am deeply saddened to hear of his sudden passing. I posthumously confer the title of Grand Tutor and the posthumous name of Wenzheng, and grant him the rites of a Duke of the State for his funeral. The entire nation mourns, and he will be honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Alas! May you be buried with me!"
The word "Wenzheng" is the highest honor for an official, and only those who have established virtue, made achievements and made great contributions can be worthy of it.
Ning Lingyi used these two words to put the final conclusion on the life of this old minister.
The state funeral ceremony was solemnly held by the Ministry of Rites.
On the day of mourning, all officials gathered.
Shen Qingyan and Nong Zishi, one in front and one behind, both dressed in plain clothes, came to the coffin.
At this moment, there was no dispute over the new policy and the old system, no debate over radicalism and prudence. The two stood side by side in the curling green smoke and the low mournful music, and at the same time bowed deeply to the heavy coffin.
What they are commemorating is the same elder who exhausted all his energy for the country, and the same years of sharing weal and woe. At this moment, differences in political views quietly disappear, and only admiration for "Wen Zhenggong" remains.
When the funeral was over, the two walked out of the mourning hall in silence, crossed the high threshold, and stepped into the noisy sunlight outside.
Nong Zishi subconsciously straightened his sleeves, as if to brush away the sadness of the moment. He raised his eyes slightly and walked steadily towards the direction where his carriage was parked.
Shen Qingyan also let out a sigh of relief, the gloomy sadness on his face faded away, and he returned to his usual gentleness and composure. He walked towards the official sedan chair waiting on the other side.
The two never looked at each other or spoke to each other from beginning to end. They just stayed like this without saying a word. At the intersection in front of the palace, one turned left, the other turned right, and they went their separate ways. Their figures soon merged into the hustle and bustle of the streets of the capital, as if what they had just seen was just an insignificant dream.
More than a month later, another imperial edict came from the northern border.
This time, it is about the arrangements for the new dynasty.
The decree said: Shen Qingyan was promoted to the position of chief minister of the cabinet, Nong Zishi was promoted to the position of second minister, and he was also in charge of the Ministry of Justice; Su Qingfan was promoted to the position of Grand Secretary of the Minyou Palace, and he was appointed as the Minister of Works, and he entered the cabinet to participate in the affairs of state.
The imperial edict was issued, and the position of Prime Minister was decided, and no one was surprised.
However, Su Qingfan's entry into the cabinet as a woman still attracted some criticism. Although no one dared to openly disobey the order, scrutinizing eyes were often cast on her back.
She entered the cabinet and served as Minister of Military Affairs, Minister of General Affairs of the Imperial Palace, and concurrently served as Minister of Works. Who wouldn't be jealous of this power? Who wouldn't covet it?
The new Prime Minister Shen Qingyan sat in the unfamiliar duty room with a mountain of waiting documents at his hands. He knew that His Majesty would definitely support Su Qingfan, and her position as Prime Minister could not be changed.
The burden of being the Prime Minister was heavier than he had expected.
The balance that Wang Xiang had accomplished during his lifetime seemed so effortless, but he always felt that he was unable to do it, and was unable to focus on one thing while focusing on another. This difficulty is like drinking water, only the person who drinks it knows whether it is hot or cold.
His position as Prime Minister seemed glamorous, but in reality it was a precarious one. However, this was the dream he had pursued for half his life in the government—to lead the government and serve as a role model for the literati.
Now that you have the power, there is no reason to let it go easily.
He pondered for a long time, and finally, on the proposal regarding the division of Su Qingfan's authority, he wrote a vague "as proposed", putting the matter on hold for the time being. Since His Majesty had not returned, it was now up to him to make the decision.
He raised his eyes again, his infinite ambition seemed to be there and not there.
*
In the Northern Frontier military camp, Ning Lingyi thought to herself, "Prime Minister Wang, I've used the person you recommended. What you're worried about won't happen. Now, it's my turn."
She was determined to completely destroy Beishuo in her hands.
Let there be no more disputes in this world.
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