Qin Hui kept thinking about it in his mind, and he realized that whether it was the invasion of the Huns in the past, the relief work for the victims in the Nine Provinces of Hedong, or the corruption problems found in the three citadels, all these matters, big and small, were discovered and solved by His Majesty personally.
However, as the head of all officials, he himself did not seem to play his due role in this, as if he was just a character who did nothing and earned nothing.
Qin Hui was filled with fear. He realized that if he did not recognize his own abilities and limitations, not only would his official position be in jeopardy, but even the lives of him and his family might be threatened.
Since he would eventually hand over his position to Cao Mengde, Qin Hui decided to take the initiative to go to Cao Mengde's residence at this time to discuss some specific matters regarding the handover. At the same time, Cao Mengde could also use this opportunity to make follow-up arrangements for the Ministry of War to ensure that everything went smoothly.
When Qin Hui arrived at Cao's residence, Cao Mengde personally came out to greet her, demonstrating his importance to her. The two sat down in the residence's reception room, and servants brought them exquisite pastries. Cao Mengde initially thought it was just an ordinary discussion.
Cao Mengde looked at Qin Hui with a hint of doubt and asked with a puzzled tone, "Prime Minister Qin, you have come to my residence at this time. What brings you here?"
Qin Hui smiled faintly and replied calmly, "I have come here specifically to congratulate Lord Cao."
Cao Mengde frowned slightly, his heart filled with confusion. He really didn't understand why Qin Hui came to congratulate him at this time. After all, it had been a few days since he was appointed Minister of War. Why did she come to congratulate him now?
Seeing the bewildered look on Cao Mengde's face, Qin Hui continued to explain, "I've come here to congratulate Lord Cao on his upcoming promotion to Prime Minister."
Cao Mengde's face darkened when he heard this. He stared at Qin Hui sharply, and asked with a hint of anger in his tone, "Qin Hui, what do you mean by this?"
When Qin Hui saw Cao Mengde's face turn so ugly, he realized that he could not delay any longer, so he decided not to hide it anymore and directly told him everything about the emperor's oral instructions.
After hearing Qin Hui's words, Cao Mengde's face turned extremely ugly, and he was so angry that his eyes seemed to bulge out. He stared at Qin Hui and asked seriously, "Are you really planning to resign as Prime Minister?"
Qin Hui felt deeply embarrassed and reluctantly replied, "Yes, since I took on this position of head of officials, I have not made any significant contributions to Your Majesty or the court. Deep down, I feel deeply uneasy and feel that I am no longer fit to continue in this important position of Prime Minister."
When Cao Mengde heard Qin Hui's words, he could not help but angrily rebuked him: "You foolish fellow, do you think that when His Majesty appoints officials, he only decides based on a person's ability?
If Your Majesty truly wanted to replace the Prime Minister, why didn't he raise the issue openly in the court? Why didn't Your Majesty instruct the princes in the Royal Affairs Office to recommend a suitable candidate?
Cao Mengde's tone was full of anger and disdain, and he was obviously very dissatisfied with Qin Hui's naive ideas.
He continued, "Don't you understand that appointing officials involves complex political considerations and the balance of power? His Majesty sent a eunuch to tell you to abdicate and resign as Prime Minister. He even hinted that I, Cao Mengde, should be the Prime Minister. Do you think that's possible?"
After hearing these words, Qin Hui couldn't help but feel puzzled. He knew that His Majesty always acted decisively, but this time, he actually consulted her before deciding to replace the Prime Minister. This was truly unusual. Qin Hui felt that there must be some hidden meaning that he had not yet grasped.
Qin Hui didn't dare to retort Cao Mengde's anger. Instead, she humbly asked Cao Mengde, "Is it possible that the eunuch was misrepresenting the emperor's will?"
Cao Mengde shook his head. In other countries, there might be cases where eunuchs falsely conveyed imperial edicts, but this would never happen in Wei; because not everyone could be a eunuch or a palace maid in Wei.
Qin Hui was at a loss to understand the profound meaning of His Majesty's instructions, so he turned to Cao Mengde and asked, "Please, Lord Cao, enlighten me."
Cao Mengde sighed deeply, his tone filled with helplessness and heaviness. He slowly said:
"Your Majesty's oral instructions were primarily directed at me, a veteran minister. You must understand that I have served three dynasties and have now been appointed Minister of War. Looking back, during the reign of the previous emperor, I served as Prime Minister. Back then, my influence in the court was unmatched.
During the days when Your Majesty had not yet attended court, you officials came to my residence and gathered together to discuss various matters.
Do you think His Majesty is truly unaware of these matters? Even though His Majesty already knows all of this, he still asks if you are willing to voluntarily resign the position of Prime Minister and let me take over.
"So, do you think Your Majesty can truly trust me? If I really become Prime Minister, then almost all the ministers in the court will have more or less connections with me. Then, when the time comes, will the State of Wei obey Your Majesty's will or my will?"
Cao Mengde sighed deeply, his tone filled with helplessness and heaviness, and he slowly said, "If you dare to resign from the position of Prime Minister, then both you and I may fall into an abyss from which there is no escape.
It's true that I, Cao Mengde, am a bit greedy for power, but I know my limits. If you resign as Prime Minister and I take over, what do you think His Majesty and the royal family will think?
Even without your Majesty's intervention, the princes in the Royal Affairs Office would find a way to exterminate our entire family. After all, a former prime minister and a current prime minister have such a good relationship that they were willing to give up the position. Do you think the royal family would consider this normal?
They will definitely think that there is a hidden secret between us, or that we are plotting something. If such suspicion spreads among the royal family, then both you and I will become targets for their elimination.
By then, our family's honor and even the stability of the entire country may be threatened."
After Cao Mengde finished his important remarks, he slowly stood up and prepared to see the guest off. Qin Hui saw Cao Mengde's gesture and immediately realized it was time for him to leave. After all, he had already gained too much valuable information from Cao Mengde. If he hadn't come to Cao's residence tonight, he might have really done something wrong.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
