Qin Minghuang glanced at him briefly before looking away, and Yin Zhe's expression remained unchanged when he transmitted his voice.
He put away the map of the three prefectures' waterways and said, "You've done a great job. Now, tell me what reward you'd like?"
Qin Zhaoqiong bowed again, saying, "This trip has relied heavily on you gentlemen; I dare not take credit for it."
Qin Minghuang waved his hand, "What do you, my esteemed ministers, think I should bestow upon them?"
Upon hearing this, the hall fell completely silent.
They had already received news of the success of the flood control and disaster relief efforts on behalf of the emperor, so it would be unreasonable to reward them with gold and silver items.
There's only one way to bestow titles and rewards upon the imperial heirs.
During the time His Highness was away from the capital, some people have been quite active.
He held many poetry gatherings and invited renowned scholars to give lectures, which not only showcased his talent but also raised funds for flood relief. His reputation as a virtuous man spread far and wide among scholars, making him both famous and wealthy.
But today, as soon as His Highness returned to the capital, the enthusiasm of the people who spontaneously flocked to the streets had already reached everyone's ears.
Faced with genuine achievements, those underhanded tactics suddenly seem inferior, more like a helpless struggle.
This is just a superficial difference. Public opinion can only be seen if the person in charge is willing to see it; if they are unwilling to see it, it means nothing.
On the contrary, the voices of the scholars cannot be ignored.
But can we really think of it that way? Ha...
"Minister Shen, what do you think?"
Chong Shenxiao, the head of the Wanmin Department, sighed inwardly, "Damn it, I'm so unlucky."
Having a corrupt junior official under his command, sending another junior official to provide disaster relief as a mere figurehead wasn't enough; now he had to be the one to take the lead.
"Your Majesty, I believe he should be granted the title of Prince."
Shen Zhongxiao spoke succinctly and immediately stood back up after finishing his sentence.
Unlike the old calendar, during the Taiwei era, imperial heirs who reached the age of fifteen were allowed to leave the palace and establish their own residences, but they were not granted the title of prince.
With the Empress in power, this matter will inevitably be handled with great care. Either all will be granted titles or none will be granted titles, since the first prince carries a different weight.
Qin Minghuang remained noncommittal. "What about the other ministers? If there are no objections, then it's settled?"
Is this the final verdict?
At that moment, the Junior Officer of the Heavenly Officials stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, the chief envoy for this disaster relief effort is Lord Gu of the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
Your Majesty, I believe that the rewards for meritorious service should first be determined for the chief envoy, and then proceed in order of merit.
The Heavenly Officials' Office is responsible for evaluating, appointing, dismissing, bestowing honors, and supervising officials. It seems fitting that they would step forward now, and their argument makes sense, but the underlying implications...
Gu Tingyun is already the Junior Director of the Six Departments, so how else can he be rewarded?
With all six ministers in office, could they possibly be replacing someone else's position, or perhaps joining the cabinet?
Stop joking. It's just a nice way of putting it. Fengge Terrace is Pei Xuanyun's personal fiefdom.
Why give up the powerful position of Junior Minister to join the cabinet and serve as Pei Xuanyun's assistant?
Fourteen years have passed, and Lao Pei has outlasted several ambitious groups of people, yet his position remains unshaken.
The rewards for the chief envoy in charge of disaster relief cannot exceed his rank, so Qin Zhaoqiong, as the deputy envoy, should naturally not have his merits surpass those of the chief envoy.
Therefore, any talk of bestowing the title of Prince is utter nonsense.
He's certainly got a good plan, but someone isn't willing to let him have his way.
Gu Tingyun immediately stepped forward, offering him as a raft. Did he agree?
"Your Majesty, although I hold the title of chief envoy, I have been unwell since leaving the capital, and His Highness has been in charge of most of the affairs."
Putting aside the other departments, his immediate superior's attitude was clear.
Her Majesty practically made it clear that the Bureau of Civil Affairs was the first unit she placed under the Crown Prince's command.
"I see that Lord Gu is full of energy and in very good health."
"Cough cough cough..." Gu Tingyun didn't care whose words they were, and immediately hunched over and coughed repeatedly.
It was like a real thing; it took a while for the cough to stop.
"Your Majesty, my health is not good, especially with the continuous rain on the way, my condition keeps worsening."
"Thanks to His Highness's leadership in overseeing the disaster relief efforts, this humble subject dares not claim any credit."
Ah, how could Gu Tingyun not know that this reward would surely cause a stir?
Not to mention that he was telling the truth, he didn't have much merit to begin with, and even if he did have merit, he shouldn't be given too much credit, otherwise how else could he be rewarded?
He was unwilling to work as an assistant to Lao Pei, and leaving Fengjing to become a high-ranking official was not his ambition.
It is conceivable that the coming days will be a crucial period in the struggle for the throne, and he cannot leave the capital.
With an experienced senior official in charge, what's wrong with him being a quiet and reliable junior officer?
The hall fell silent once again.
The contributions to flood control and disaster relief are considerable, and as long as Gu Tingyun holds the title of chief envoy, he will definitely take a large portion of it.
Many people did not expect that his attitude would be so resolute.
You just say you don't want it anymore, how can you be so willing to give it up?
Qin Minghuang looked concerned and said, "My dear minister, you have suffered. Su Quan, send the imperial physician to examine Lord Gu later. We must not allow any lingering illness to develop."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
Gu Tingyun bowed deeply and slowly walked back.
He was standing tall and proud just a moment ago, but in the blink of an eye he's hunched over, and he even coughs lightly every now and then. Isn't that amazing?
The second prince, Qin Jingheng, stood upright at the head of the imperial succession, seemingly unmoved by the sharp exchanges in the court.
He had already received news of the various events that would occur during the disaster relief process, and had anticipated this scene from the moment the team set off to return to Beijing.
Having a plan in mind means you won't panic.
At this moment, Cheng Junheng, a third-rank official of the Department of Ceremonies and a Doctor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, stepped forward from the crowd.
"Your Majesty, this old minister believes that His Highness has rendered meritorious service in disaster relief and should be granted the title of Prince."
The Second Prince also deserves credit for his efforts in Fengjing in raising funds and supplies for disaster relief.
This old minister is unfamiliar with military affairs, but while the battles on the front lines are important, the supply of provisions in the rear is equally important.
Your Majesty, I humbly request that the Second Prince also be granted the title of Prince.
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