Chapter 61: Bao Si (IX) Government Affairs
The next morning, before daybreak, the candles in the Qiongtai Palace were already lit.
Lin Jiaojiao was adjusting her dress in front of the bronze mirror. Today she was wearing a simple light grey cloth skirt with only a wooden hairpin in her hair, deliberately reducing her presence.
Ah Mo placed neatly stacked new papers into a brocade box and whispered, "Madam, Taishi Bo's attendants are waiting outside the palace gates. As you instructed, these papers are marked 'For Government Records Only,' and contain the key points of your 'Proposal for the Regent'."
Lin Jiaojiao nodded, her fingertips lightly brushing across the paper. This was new paper that Lao Mu had rushed to make overnight. It was finer than before and specially cut into regular sizes. It was the key to promoting today's court meeting.
"Ling, is there any movement from Lord Shen?" She asked softly in her heart, her eyes fixed on the gradually brightening sky outside the window.
"Scans have detected that Marquis Shen entered the palace half an hour early and is currently lobbying his loyal ministers in a side hall. He plans to use the excuse of 'support from the Jiang clan' to force King You of Zhou to agree to a marriage." Ling's voice was grave. "His squad leader in the Imperial Guards has adjusted their patrol routes, focusing on monitoring areas near the imperial court. However, I've already interfered with their orders to ensure the safe delivery of Taishi Bo's supplies."
Lin Jiaojiao took a deep breath and handed the brocade box to A'mo: "You should personally hand these papers to Taishibo's attendants and be sure to tell Taishibo to demonstrate practicality first during the court meeting and then make suggestions to the regent. Don't be impatient." A'mo nodded seriously and left quickly with the brocade box.
After A'mo left, Lin Jiaojiao took another trusted palace maid and walked towards the East Palace. According to the plan, she needed to meet Yijiu before the court meeting to finalize the details of his statement in the palace.
When passing by the palace road, the guards would unconsciously linger their gazes on her for a moment. Her light grey cloth skirt made her skin look even whiter, and she walked with ease. Although she wore no makeup, she had an elegance that could not be ignored. Even the patrolling soldiers subconsciously slowed down their pace.
In the side hall of the East Palace, Yijiu was sorting out his thoughts in front of a bamboo slip. When he saw Lin Jiaojiao come in, he quickly stood up and said, "Madam Si." The prince was wearing a dark casual suit, with a hint of nervousness between his brows. It was obvious that he was not completely sure about today's court meeting.
"Your Highness, there's no need to be nervous." Lin Jiaojiao handed over a folded silk cloth with the words "Key Points for Court Meetings" written on it. "Marquis Shen will undoubtedly pressure us to form a marriage alliance. Simply emphasize 'government matters first, marriage later.' When mentioning the unrest on the border, cite the Quanrong invasion last month as an example to give the veteran ministers reason to support you."
Her voice was soft, and her light grey cloth skirt looked particularly gentle in the morning light. Yijiu looked at the clear handwriting on the silk cloth, then looked into her eyes, feeling inexplicably relieved. He nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, Madam. I've made a note of it."
Lin Jiaojiao also instructed: "The Grand Historian will bring new paper into the palace. When you show how useful it is, you can take the initiative to mention 'I'm willing to use this paper to record government affairs.' This will not only show your pragmatism, but also help the Grand Historian promote his proposal to be the regent."
Yijiu agreed to all the requests, and then Lin Jiaojiao took Ajing out of the East Palace and walked towards the side hall near the court. According to the etiquette of the Western Zhou Dynasty, only the queen had the right to participate in the affairs of the court, so she could only communicate with the palace servants who delivered messages in the hall through Ajing to deal with emergencies.
When they arrived at the side hall, the palace maid "Xiao Lian" who was responsible for delivering messages was already waiting.
The maid was from the same hometown as Xiao Tao and had great trust in Lin Jiaojiao. When she saw her come in, she quickly whispered, "Madam, the palace has begun a meeting. Marquis Shen has just proposed that the prince marry his niece, but the king has not yet expressed his opinion."
Lin Jiaojiao nodded, asked Ajing to get paper and pen, wrote "Ask Tai Shi Bo to spread the paper immediately", and handed it to Xiaolian: "Try to pass the note to Tai Shi Bo's attendants, be sure to do it quickly." Xiaolian took the note and walked quickly towards the court.
In the side hall, Lin Jiaojiao peered through the window toward the imperial court. Ling's voice echoed, "Marquis Shen is emphasizing that 'marriage will strengthen the relationship between the Jiang clan and the royal family.' His loyal ministers are beginning to echo this sentiment. King You of Zhou is hesitant, and Yijiu is preparing to retort, just as you instructed."
Not long after, Xiaolian hurried back, her face filled with excitement. "Madam, Taishi Bo has taken out new paper. The king took it and looked at it for a long time. He even wrote on it, saying, 'This thing is much lighter than bamboo slips!'"
Lin Jiaojiao breathed a sigh of relief and wrote "Let Yijiu use this paper to record border military intelligence" and asked Xiaolian to pass it on again.
At this moment, in the court, King You of Zhou was holding a piece of paper in amazement. Yijiu stepped forward at the right moment and said, "Father, I believe that if this paper were used to record military information on the border, it would not only allow for faster transmission of information, but also avoid the delays caused by heavy bamboo slips. With the current unrest on the Western Zhou border, I would like to focus on sorting out military information and handling government affairs first. We can discuss the marriage after the government stabilizes."
His voice was firm and his eyes were clear. When he mentioned "border military intelligence", several old officials who had handled border affairs nodded.
Marquis Shen's face darkened, and he was about to retort when Taishi Bo suddenly stepped forward, holding a piece of paper with "Regent's Proposal" written on it. "Your Majesty, this paper can not only record military intelligence, but also organize government orders. I propose that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince temporarily assume the position of Regent, taking charge of the imperial guards and finances. He can use this paper to sort out government affairs and eliminate treacherous officials. We, the old ministers, are willing to assist the Crown Prince and ensure the smooth flow of government affairs!"
Duke Zhao immediately echoed, "Taishi Bo is absolutely right. Your Highness, with his pragmatic spirit and the support of the new paper, will surely be able to fulfil the role of regent. Meanwhile, Marquis Shen has been frequently placing his cronies in the palace recently. If his niece is allowed into the Eastern Palace, we risk repeating the mistake of 'foreign relatives interfering in government affairs' and endangering the royal family!"
Marquis Shen hadn't expected his old ministers to suddenly attack him, and his expression instantly turned grim. "Taishi Bo, Zhao Gong, you're wrong. I'm a loyal minister, how could I possibly have the heart to interfere in government? You're trying to alienate me from the royal family!" Just as he finished speaking, a palace attendant suddenly arrived outside the palace to report, "Your Majesty, urgent news from the border—the Quanrong invaded the border yesterday, looting three cities. Send troops as soon as possible!"
This announcement brought an instant silence to the hall, and King You of Zhou's face darkened. "Is the border situation so urgent?" Yijiu immediately stepped forward and said, "Father, I am willing to take over military intelligence immediately. I will use new paper to organize border intelligence and formulate a response plan as soon as possible!"
Lin Jiaojiao heard this from the side hall. Ling's voice was filled with relief. "Marquis Shen's emotions are fluctuating greatly, but he is unable to refute the urgent reports from the border. Neutral ministers are beginning to lean towards supporting the regent. King You of Zhou is studying the paper and seems to have made up his mind."
Sure enough, not long after, Xiaolian returned with the final news, her voice brimming with joy. "Madam! The King has made the final decision, appointing the Crown Prince as Regent, taking over the Imperial Guards and the finances. He has also ordered Marquis Shen to relinquish some of his military power so he can focus on border defense! After the court meeting, Taishi Bo asked me to tell you, 'Thanks to your paper and strategy, we are able to proceed smoothly!'"
Lin Jiaojiao breathed a sigh of relief, a thin layer of sweat already forming on her back.
Ajing handed her warm water. She took it and drank a sip, feeling relieved. Although she had not entered the court, she had successfully pushed Yijiu to obtain the power of regent through advance planning and transmission of information, thus thwarting Shen Hou's marriage plan.
When we left the side hall, the sun had already risen to mid-sky.
When passing by the East Palace, he happened to meet Yijiu coming with his attendants. Seeing Lin Jiaojiao, he stopped and bowed solemnly: "Madam Si, thank you very much for what happened today. If you hadn't taught me the countermeasures in advance and asked Tai Shibo to bring new paper, it would have been difficult for me to get the power of regent smoothly." As he spoke, his eyes fell on Lin Jiaojiao with a bit of gratitude - this lady who was both beautiful and wise, although she did not show up, paved the way for him behind the scenes, making him full of confidence in the future.
Lin Jiaojiao smiled and nodded, "Your Highness, there's no need to be polite. This is all for the stability of the Western Zhou Dynasty. Next, to eliminate the confidants of Marquis Shen and sort out the government, Your Highness and the veteran ministers will need to work together. Don't take it lightly."
Yijiu nodded and walked towards the palace path.
When he returned to Qiongtai Palace, A'mo was already waiting at the door, holding a roll of new paper sent by Taishibo as a thank-you gift, on which was written "The royal family is very fortunate to have the help of the madam."
Lin Jiaojiao took the paper and gently traced the writing with her fingertips. Ling's voice echoed in her mind: "Although Shen Hou hasn't openly resisted, he has been secretly contacting the other princes. He may use 'border defense' as an excuse to fight for military power. We need to help Yijiu control the imperial guards in advance and consolidate his position as regent."
"I understand." Lin Jiaojiao responded softly. The sunlight outside the window was shining brightly, shining on the paper, making the handwriting particularly clear.
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