Chapter 3217: Court Affairs
Zhou Man and Bai Erlang shook their heads together, "No news received."
Tang He: "Qingzhou has made many achievements in the past two years. Not to mention the salt transported out of Qingzhou by the Salt Transport Bureau every year, the Longchi Wharf and the popularity of the new rice seeds alone are enough to promote Governor Guo."
"Although Qingzhou has developed well, it's still far behind the capital. Otherwise, Wang Rong wouldn't have disdained it being a lower-class state and refused to take up his post." Tang He said, "Since he has the opportunity to return to the capital, it's naturally better for him to do so."
Zhou Man pondered, "This is a completely natural disaster, not a man-made one. Judging from his response over the past few days, he's been very dedicated and has helped Changshou County a lot. He's fulfilled his responsibilities as a governor. Why would he be afraid of your memorial, brother?"
Tang He smiled broadly, "You think I'm a fair person, but some people don't think so."
Zhou Man sighed, "It seems that Governor Guo has misunderstood you, brother. How about I explain it to you?"
Tang He nodded in agreement, "But you don't have to speak up for us. You probably don't know that he was dismissed from his post because my father reported him."
Zhou Man’s eyes widened.
"Oh, by the way, the position that's been vacant in the capital this time is for the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works. I was arrested for my involvement in the embezzlement of funds for the Jiangning River embankment repairs, and I'm in charge of this case."
Tang He shook his head and sighed, "This vacancy has been vacant for over two years, and the news of the selection has only just come out. It seems that His Majesty has already decided on the candidate. Since Governor Guo thinks it's me, he must have received accurate information."
"Guo Cheng," Tang He shook his head and said, "has no other major flaws, except that he's extremely greedy for money. He's not a gentleman, so his methods of making money aren't quite legitimate. He must have thought that my father and I would stop him from returning to the capital, so he's hiding from me."
Zhou Man asked curiously, "Will Brother Tang stop him from returning to Beijing?"
"Why would I stop him from returning to the capital?" Tang He smiled. "As far as I know, it was my father who recommended him for the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works. It's better for people like him to stay in the capital than in the countryside."
He shook his head and said, "Here at the feet of the emperor, under the eyes of all the ministers, with so many censors watching, even if he is greedy, his greed is limited."
"It's different in the lower levels. A provincial governor can practically cover the entire state with one hand." Tang He looked at Zhou Man. "I imagine Bai Shan hasn't had an easy time these past few years. Even though he has a strong background and the princess and Bai Er are here, he still has to follow certain etiquette."
Zhou Man thought for a moment and said, "It's not so bad. Governor Guo is not only greedy for money but also afraid of death. Every year on his birthday and some major festivals, we mostly send him medicine, and he's very happy to receive it."
Tang He: "...Medicine?"
"Yes, I make all kinds of medicines, but most of the ones I gave him were for health maintenance, like ginseng nourishing pills," Zhou Man said. "Although they're not cheap, I make them myself, so it saves a lot of money compared to buying all kinds of precious gifts from outside."
Tang He stared at her blankly, then gave her a thumbs up after a while, "Amazing."
Zhou Man chuckled, "I've learned something today. It turns out that people like Governor Guo should be kept under close watch. But..."
"But what?"
"But isn't someone like Governor Guo a treacherous minister? If he were in the capital, wouldn't you worry that he might mislead Your Majesty?"
Tang He: "Your Majesty knows his true nature, and the current emperor is not a tyrant. Even if he likes to hear nice words, he will not act foolishly. The officials in the court are not just for show."
Zhou Man nodded, "So it's a done deal for Governor Guo to return to the capital?"
Tang He: "It's about right."
"Who will be the next governor?" This is what Zhou Man is most concerned about. Whether it is her or Bai Shan, they have to deal with the governor's office, especially Bai Shan, whose direct superior is the governor.
Tang He stroked his chin and said, "There are many people vying for this position. I don't know who His Majesty has in mind. As you know, I'm away from home, so news will always lag behind."
Zhou Man: "...much better than us, we still don't know anything."
Tang He waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "That means the position of Qingzhou Governor has not been decided yet, otherwise the Crown Prince would have told you."
Tang He paused and said, "His Majesty has issued an edict to confer a title on the Emperor's eldest grandson. Are you aware of this?"
Zhou Man and Bai Erlang nodded together, "I know. We even went to a restaurant to celebrate together that day."
Tang He: "...His Majesty has canonized the eldest grandson. What are you celebrating?"
"That's Mingda's nephew. It's a good thing, why not celebrate?"
Tang He held his forehead with his hand. "I'm saying that since Your Majesty has enthroned the eldest grandson, the Crown Prince's succession to the throne is now set in stone. Unless the Crown Prince rebels, there will be no further changes. To maintain stability, all officials will do their best to assist the Crown Prince. As far as I know, the Crown Prince is already handling more than half of the state affairs on a daily basis."
Zhou Man and Bai Erlang nodded together and continued to look at him, "And then?"
Tang He couldn't help but pat Zhou Man on the head. "You and Bai Shan are the prince's men, so you have a say in the selection of the Qingzhou governor."
Zhou Man covered his head and whispered, "We are actually His Majesty's men."
Tang He glanced at her. "Changbo and I naturally know that you and Bai Shan were forced to move forward by the situation. However, ever since you treated the Crown Prince's illness and helped him have a grandson, and then entered the Chongwen Academy and assisted the Crown Prince in his battles against Prince Gong many times, and Bai Shan was the Crown Prince's companion, you have been firmly branded with the mark of the Eastern Palace."
"You all rise and fall together," he said. "Changbo and I didn't mention this before. First, we wanted you to keep your composure. If something happened to the Crown Prince in the future, even if you couldn't escape unscathed, you would be less likely to be implicated. Second, you were young at the time, so you only needed to study hard and do your job well."
"But now that the dust has settled, if you're still hanging around, it's like pushing away the braised pork that's right in front of your mouth," Tang He said in a low voice, "Do you know how many people are surrounding the East Palace right now, hoping to show their faces in front of the Crown Prince?"
Bai Erlang clapped his hands and lowered his voice, "I see. Brother Tang Xue, do you want Bai Shan to be the governor of Qingzhou?"
Tang He: "...You're so bold! I didn't even dare to think that. He's currently a seventh-rank county magistrate, and he's asking the Crown Prince for a fourth-rank governorship. Do you believe that the officials in the court should first report him for treachery and slander? I'm just saying that you can express your opinions on the selection of the Qingzhou Governor and choose the one that will be most beneficial to you."
"You are the prince's men, and the prince has always valued you. The prince should adopt the suggestions you put forward."
Zhou Man stroked his chin and thought for a long time. After a while, he said, "Actually, I really want to let things take their own course, but I don't know what Bai Shan thinks. I'll ask him later."
Zhou Man didn't need to ask, because Bai Shan was opening the letter from the prince at that time. He was looking for the new governor and wanted to ask Bai Shan's advice.
When Zhou Man finally finished his disaster relief work and returned to Beihai County with Bai Erlang Tang He, his letter had already been sent two days ago.
(End of this chapter)
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