Chapter 63: Song Tinglan’s last words: Keeping the government firmly in control.
It’s the drunkard Minister of Personnel.
Or to be more precise, he is the drunkard Minister of Personnel who has quit drinking.
Working under Song Sheng, he immediately understood the current situation. The person above was able to regent, so he must have obtained Song Sheng's consent, or this matter was initiated by Song Sheng.
Then he...
How could it make Song Sheng happy?
"Several of the princes of our Great Jin are still alive. Letting the Crown Princess govern the country would be a laughing stock if word got out. Especially the Third and Fourth Princes, who share the same mother as the Crown Princess. In my humble opinion, the Third Prince has a more legitimate claim than the Crown Princess."
The Minister of Personnel spoke with a flushed face and an awe-inspiring look, as if his "heartfelt words" just now were really for the sake of Dajin.
As soon as he finished speaking, several people came out to speak. Their opinions were similar to those expressed by the Minister of Personnel. In short, they did not agree with her being the Crown Princess and acting as regent.
Min Shi'an's eyes darted back and forth between the several people. Finally, she said with dignity, "Does anyone else have any objections to my supervision of the country?"
"You may now raise all your concerns. After today, anyone who continues to speak nonsense will be committing a serious crime, committing a crime of insubordination and making irresponsible remarks about the crown prince."
Most of those who could stand in the hall were prominent figures from the major families. They all knew not to act rashly or take sides casually. Therefore, apart from the few people kneeling in the center, no one else stood up.
Min Shian waited a moment longer, then looked at the kneeling men and slowly said, "According to what you have said, I am unworthy of this position. My younger brother should take the position of Regent."
"Yes, we are also considering the country and the people. We hope that Her Royal Highness will step aside..."
Before the Minister of Personnel finished his words, a sound of breaking through the air was heard, and the next moment he felt a slight pain in his neck. He reached out his hand tremblingly to touch it, only to see that his fingertips were covered in bright red blood.
He screamed and collapsed to the ground.
The dagger that had brushed past his neck was now firmly fixed on a pillar on the side of the hall.
The culprit, Min Shi'an, was still sitting upright on the dragon throne. Seeing this, she laughed out loud and said, "The position of Crown Princess was bestowed by my father, and the position of Regent is to relieve my father's worries."
"I don't know how many lives the Minister of Personnel has. How dare you question the imperial decree and disobey it!"
"My Lord, please be careful with your words and actions. I will be lenient this time, considering that you are acting for the sake of the country."
"Each of them will be demoted one level and fined half a year's salary as a punishment."
"If the adults are confused for a moment and say something they shouldn't say or do something they shouldn't do."
Her voice suddenly became extremely cold, and she continued word by word, "The dagger won't be stuck in the pillar by then."
Several people were sweating profusely, trembling as they repeatedly replied, "Yes, yes, yes, we acknowledge our guilt and thank Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess for not killing us!"
Before everyone in the hall could recover from the shock of the flying dagger, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess swiftly executed those who opposed her, using both kindness and force with remarkable skill.
The Du Shui envoy was someone who had met Song Sheng and Min Shi'an in Sui Yang. He was quick-witted and understood what was going on.
He then stepped out first and announced loudly, "Her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess, possesses both talent and virtue, both civil and military, and has received Your Majesty's summons. She is truly worthy of the position of Regent."
"Not long ago, during the floods and plague in Jiangnan, Her Royal Highness led the charge, prioritizing the safety of the people and loving them like her own children. I am truly impressed."
Xie Zhuangyi saw this and said, "The Dushui envoy's words make sense. I second your opinion."
The current head of the Xie family hurriedly said, "I second the motion."
The reason why he was not in a hurry to step forward was because everyone knew that the real person in charge of the Xie family was the Crown Princess. If he stepped forward in a hurry, it would seem that the Crown Princess was too eager for quick success and instant benefits, and would not live up to her reputation.
More and more officials followed suit and said, "I second this proposal."
From beginning to end, Song Sheng kept his head down and did not express any opinions.
"Everyone, please stand. If there is no other important matter, then we will withdraw from the court."
*
"Some people are so cold-blooded. They were saying 'goodbye' one moment, but when it comes to court, they turn their backs on you. Do the floor tiles in the main hall look good? Song Yanxuan."
Min Shian lifted his chin with his cool fingers and spoke in a veiled tone.
"Your Highness, stop making trouble." Song Yanxuan gently pushed her hand away, smiled helplessly, and continued to bury his head in dealing with the mountain of documents.
Seeing this, Min Shian stopped bothering him. She had things to do next.
It was unheard of that a princess was promoted to the position of Crown Princess Regent while the legitimate prince was still alive. The storms and hardships she would face were no less than the official documents Song Yanxuan had to review.
It happened that her birthday banquet was approaching, and those officials from noble families could not pay her a visit, so they asked their wives or daughters to visit the princess at her residence.
It should now be called the Crown Princess's Mansion.
In short, in just half a day, Min Shian met many ladies who had never met before and lived in seclusion.
She only met with a few ladies who had connections with the four major families. As for the rest, they were all sent away by Xia Mei.
Xia Mei was waiting for her in the mansion as soon as she came home from court.
Although Xie Zhuangwan has withdrawn from the Xie family, she is still well-informed. After learning that Min Shian is the regent, she sent Xia Mei to take care of some social matters because Chuntao went to Beifeng.
After watching Xia Mei respectfully and gracefully send off a group of ladies and young ladies, Min Shian secretly sighed that her mother was still far-sighted in some minor details, and she still had a lot to learn.
Not only did the ladies come to inquire about the situation, but people inside and outside the capital were also talking about this matter.
Min Shian was so busy that she had no time to care about public opinion and the government. She wanted Song Yanxuan to help send someone to guide secretly.
But Song Yanxuan seemed to have become a red pen, spending all day with official documents, refusing any visitors and completely staying at home.
He always keeps his word. If he says he won't care, then he really won't care.
So, after seeing off the old lady from the husband's family of a legitimate daughter of the Jiang family, Min Shian took a moment to breathe and wrote several similar letters.
Order the summer berries to be sent to the villa outside the capital, the Taifu Mansion, Zhong Shiyou's courtyard in Suiyang City, and Duhai City.
In fact, she didn't have to do so. Ever since the last disaster relief in Suiyang, the people have respected her highly. Although there were objections and pessimism among the people about her being the Crown Princess, she was still in the upper hand.
But Min Shian always wants to do his best in everything he does.
Since she has taken on the important task of being the Crown Princess, she will not allow any stain to occur.
The Xie family is now completely at her disposal. The Song and Jiang families have not said a word about it. Among the four great families, only the Xiao family, far away in Beifeng, has not made any response.
But on the battlefield, there is no distinction between men, women, young and old. The Xiao family is the family that least values the hierarchy of legitimate descendants. Strength is the foundation of their foothold in Beifeng.
In fact, when it comes down to it, as long as Song Yanxuan is willing to give up power, no one would dare to say anything even if she ascends the throne immediately.
This is also the reason why she wanted to get close to Song Yanxuan since she was a child.
Song Yanhao was so talented at that time that it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was unprecedented and unparalleled.
Fortunately, she made the right bet.
The next step is to build up power in the court.
Although Xie Zhuangyi, Wuyin and Wen Liu all held official positions, these were far from enough for her to gain a firm foothold.
She first promoted Xie Zhuangyi to the position of Minister of Personnel, replacing the drunkard who was almost scared to death, and then selected several available people from the Xie family to fill the remaining vacancies.
Min Shian brought out several children from the villa outside Beijing and arranged them in inconspicuous but very critical positions.
She wrote and drew on paper, but then threw it all into the incense burner and burned it to ashes.
Never be impatient for short-term gains.
Min Shian took a deep breath, her eyes showing unprecedented determination. She still had many ideas in her heart that had not been realized.
There are too many miserable women in the world, and she wants to find a bright and smooth way out for thousands of women.
A path that is not bound by men and worldly shackles.
The sun and the moon alternate, the stars rotate, and in the blink of an eye, more than a month has passed.
All the documents that used to be piled on Song Yanxuan's desk were now in front of Min Shian.
Song Yanxuan was beside her, drinking tea leisurely, and occasionally plucking the strings of the zither when he felt like it.
Min Shian angrily threw his pen down and shouted, "Get out!"
"Your Highness, drink some tea to cool down." Song Sheng coughed lightly, clenched his fingers into a fist and pressed it against his lips to cover the upturned corners of his mouth.
"Don't give me that!" Min Shian rolled his eyes and continued to review the documents resignedly.
She looked at the densely packed handwriting and felt dizzy. The words seemed to have life, like countless flying insects, crawling in front of her eyes.
"Your Highness..."
Before Song Sheng could finish his words, he was interrupted by Xia Mei's voice outside the house.
"Master, an urgent letter arrived from Beifeng, eight hundred miles away."
Min Shian and Song Sheng looked at each other, and she hurriedly said, "Come in."
Xia Mei knelt on the ground, presented the letter with both hands, and then retreated silently and tactfully.
This is a letter from Shi An.
I guess you should be with my brother now.
"This girl." Song Sheng came closer and saw the words at first sight. He chuckled and the corners of his lips curled up.
Min Shian simply put the letter on the desk. The two of them sat close together, their breaths intertwined, as they read Tinglan's letter together.
This is a letter from Shi An.
I guess you should be with my brother now. It doesn't matter if you are not here. When you finish reading this letter, remember to pass it on to my brother.
When I first heard that you became the Crown Princess and Regent, I couldn't sleep every day. When I closed my eyes, I saw the scene of all the officials besieging you. Now you are going to blame me for not wanting you to get better.
But everything was calm for several days, and even various nursery rhymes praising you were circulating all over the country, so I knew that my worries were unnecessary.
I have known how outstanding my Shi An is since I was a child. You are like a dusty star. When you voluntarily shed that layer of dust, you will be the shining sun.
When talking about my childhood, I have to mention one thing.
I know your intention of approaching me, but are you wondering why I knew it was profitable for you to approach me so early on, but still chose to be friends with you, and my brother did not stop me?
You may find it hard to believe.
Actually, it was just because I saw you saving a dying kitten, and I felt at that time that you were different from those people in your heart.
I've strayed off topic. As my due date approaches, my mind becomes increasingly hazy. Many things are like fleeting clouds, visible but intangible. I'm clearly weaving, having just struck the first stitch, but have forgotten the pattern.
Shi An, actually, when you see this letter, I should no longer be here.
Shi'an, I dreamed of Yuan Ge again yesterday.
I guessed he must have missed me, so I went to look for him.
Song Tinglan's last work.
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