Chapter 387 Minister of Personnel
Any official in the court with a modicum of sense knew that the Prince of Lingnan was a thorn in the Emperor's side. The royal family would get rid of him sooner or later, and if not the current Emperor, then the next one.
Considering what Jiang Yu had been doing recently—reforming the money shops and merchant houses—even if Grand Tutor Yan wasn't an official of the Ministry of Revenue and hadn't participated in the reforms, he could guess that the national treasury was definitely more abundant than before.
What to do after the national treasury is full? Of course, to solve the biggest problem. Ning Yunchuan's trip to Lingnan now is probably to prepare for future wars.
While Grand Tutor Yan was somewhat worried about Ning Yunchuan, he was also glad that he had made the right decision.
The next few days passed peacefully in the capital. Jiang Yu and Prince Rui exchanged gifts twice more, and then it was time for Ning Yunchuan and his group to depart. This trip to Lingnan was led by Ning Yunchuan and the heir of the Marquis of Chengen. The night before their departure, Jiang Yu had a long talk with Ning Yunchuan.
Because they were traveling in secret, Jiang Yu did not see them off. When he returned home after his shift in the afternoon, the steward immediately reported, "Lord Duke, the eldest young lady has arrived and is in the madam's courtyard."
Jiang Yu, knowing that her aunt was worried about Ning Yunchuan, went to the backyard. After chatting with her aunt for a few moments, Jiang Yu dismissed the servants and sat down next to her aunt, whispering, "Auntie, don't worry, my cousin will be fine. The Yu family in Lingnan will help him."
She gave a general account of the Yu family's situation, and then said, "The Yu family has been operating in Lingnan for hundreds of years, and their roots are deeply embedded in that land. Even the King of Lingnan cannot easily touch them. The Yu family has a grudge against the King of Lingnan, and the two families are already irreconcilable. They are eager to weaken the King of Lingnan's power. Now that my cousin is gone, it is a good opportunity for them to take advantage of this. They will definitely do their best to protect my cousin. Aunt, you can rest assured."
Upon hearing this, the eldest aunt relaxed considerably, grasped Jiang Yu's hand, and said, "I'm relieved to hear you say that. Your uncle didn't tell me any of this, which made me worry for a long time."
Jiang Yu smiled, "Our cooperation with the Yu family is a secret, and even my uncle doesn't know much about it."
Aunt patted Jiang Yu's hand, "Yu'er, you have no idea how much easier my life has been since you came back."
"Your best days are yet to come," Jiang Yu comforted her for a moment, then got up to take her leave.
After she left, the eldest aunt talked to Lu Yifang about Ning Yunchuan's marriage to Yan Fengju. She still seemed to mind Yan Fengju's status as an illegitimate daughter and worried that since Yan Fengju worked at the Tiangong Division, she wouldn't be able to take care of Ning Yunchuan wholeheartedly after they got married.
Lu Yifang felt somewhat displeased upon hearing her words. If she looked down on Yan Fengju for working at the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, then her daughter was even busier; wouldn't she also be looked down upon in the future?
However, knowing that Ning Yunchuan and Yan Fengju's marriage was important, she suppressed her discomfort and advised, "Sister, a woman's true ability is the foundation for her to establish herself in the world; whether she is legitimate or illegitimate is not so important. Look at this capital city, how many female officials can serve in various ministries?"
Fengju's ability to enter the Heavenly Crafts Bureau and excel there demonstrates her exceptional capabilities; she is no ordinary woman. Besides, didn't our Yu'er also inherit the title of Duke as a woman? We cannot judge women like Yu'er and Fengju with worldly standards.
My aunt sighed, "I understand everything you're saying, but I just haven't quite grasped it yet."
Lu Yifang nodded and said, "Besides, families like ours have plenty of maids, servants, and maids. Are we short of people to serve us? How could we not serve Yunchuan well?"
At this point, the eldest aunt realized that Jiang Yu was busier than Yan Fengju. She complained that Yan Fengju couldn't take good care of her husband, but wasn't Jiang Yu the same?
She quickly replied, "I was mistaken. Besides, when our Yu'er found a husband, it was that husband who served her. She, a duke, was not allowed to serve others."
These words made Lu Yifang laugh. Basically, anything was fine with her own child; everything was good. But if it were someone else, that would be a problem. Even the most reasonable and insightful woman can become confused when it comes to her children.
She didn't pay any attention and whispered, "The marriage between Yun Chuan and Feng Ju is a union between the Duke of Wei's mansion and the Grand Tutor's mansion, which is very important to the current situation."
The eldest aunt naturally knew that she was just overly concerned and worried about her son, so she quickly said, "I know, don't worry, I'm just nagging you. Don't you know what kind of person I am? How could I be a bad mother-in-law?"
Lu Yifang smiled, "That's definitely not the case."
...
The marriage alliance between the Duke of Wei's mansion and the Grand Tutor's mansion was being prepared quietly. The Prime Minister and the Crown Prince were also making their own plans.
Grand Tutor Yan refused to board their ship in a firm but not overt manner, so naturally they wouldn't let it go. A few days later, the Crown Prince visited the Grand Tutor's residence with gifts, and then news spread throughout the capital that the Crown Prince had taken a liking to Grand Tutor Yan's eldest granddaughter, Yan Fengxi, and that Yan Fengxi would soon become the Crown Princess.
Many people were watching and observing, and the Emperor naturally received the news as well. He frowned and pondered for a while before saying, "Let him do as he pleases."
The chief eunuch Zhao Fuquan sighed inwardly, "Can't the Crown Prince just behave himself?"
Meanwhile, in an ordinary residence in the capital, two people were also discussing the Crown Prince's marriage. These two were Pu Tonghe, the Minister of Personnel, and the Prime Minister.
"What does the Prime Minister mean by this? Do you think I'm no longer of any use to you? Prime Minister, don't forget who I am working for! How much I've done for you all these years!"
Pu Tonghe's voice was filled with anger, and his gaze was fixed on the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister, however, remained calm and composed, drinking his tea. He glanced at Pu Tonghe, put down his cup, and said, "I did not know that you could be so impatient."
Pu Tonghe snorted heavily and sat down opposite him, saying, "Prime Minister, why pretend to be ignorant? Let's not beat around the bush. Over the years, I, Pu Tonghe, have followed you and the Prince, taking countless risks and doing countless shady things. Was it all for the sake of peace and stability? Wasn't it because I hoped that one day my Pu family could rise to a higher position?"
The prince personally promised that my daughter would be the Crown Princess, but now you've sent the Crown Prince to visit the Grand Tutor's mansion and spread rumors that he's taken a liking to Yan Fengxi. What does this mean?
"Do you think my Pu family is useless and want to kick us aside? Don't try to fool me with that story about the Crown Prince being attracted to Yan Fengxi. I, Pu Tonghe, am not that stupid!"
The Prime Minister remained seated calmly. He poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Pu Tonghe, saying, "Zishi! Tell me, what is the greatest pain for Marquis Chengen and the current Empress?"
Pu Tonghe's courtesy name was Zishi.
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