Chapter 398 Minister of the Imperial Secretariat
Qian Suihong glared coldly at Xiao Yuanyi, "You framed me!"
Xiao Yuanyi leaned back in her chair. "Yes, you can go and tell Qin Jinzhi that I framed you. How about we make a bet on whether Qin Jinzhi will believe you?"
Qian Suihong looked at Xiao Yuanyi with murderous intent in her eyes.
Now that she has taken full control of the black market, this woman is still able to hide people in the cabin without anyone noticing.
Xiao Yuanyi laughed heartily, "Are you wondering how I did it? Money can move mountains, let alone a few ghosts in the shadows, don't you think so, Miss? If Qin Jinzhi doesn't believe you, then dismemberment, a thousand cuts, would surely scatter the ghosts' souls, wouldn't it?"
Qian Sui Hong clenched her fists tightly inside her sleeve.
Xiao Yuanyi did not press the matter. "I'll give you a day to think it over. If we can't be friends after this day, then Qianniao Si will have something to do."
After saying that, she pushed open the door and left.
Hua Kongque watched Xiao Yuanyi leave and immediately went upstairs.
Upon entering, I saw that Qian Sui Hong's face was gloomy.
"Sister, what happened?"
Qian Sui Hong looked up at Hua Kong Que, "A Ze, we're in big trouble."
Xiao Yuanyi returned to the Wei residence and happened to run into Wei Liangchen, who was returning home after court.
Wang stayed by his side.
The two were talking about how Wei Ziming had been kept in the palace by His Majesty.
There's no need to wait for my uncle for lunch.
Xiao Yuanyi hid behind the artificial hill, her eyes lowered, and then returned to her own courtyard.
After Wei Ziming reported on the important events in Huainan in recent years, the emperor was very satisfied.
"You've worked hard all these years."
Wei Ziming lowered his head and said, "It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens; there is no need to talk about hardship."
After nodding in satisfaction, the emperor looked at Wei Ziming and said, "You have been away from the capital for many years and have made great contributions in Huainan. I have seen it all. The position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat is now vacant, and I plan to transfer you back to the capital."
The position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat is equivalent to that of Left and Right Vice Ministers; this transfer can be considered a promotion.
The Wei family has deep roots in the capital, and their return to the capital to assume such an important position is like a fish in water, bringing glory to the entire family.
Unexpectedly, Wei Ziming spoke up: "Your Majesty, I have no intention of returning to the capital. Huainan is a strategic location and an important defense line for our Jin Kingdom. I have spent a lot of time figuring out the situation in Huainan. If I were to be reassigned as military governor, it would not only waste manpower and resources again, but if any mistake were made and chaos ensued, the losses would outweigh the gains. I am willing to guard Huainan for Your Majesty for the rest of my life!"
The emperor looked at Wei Ziming and said, "Minister Wei has the nation's well-being at heart, and I am honored by that. I will certainly reward you, but please allow me to go back and consider it."
Wei Ziming bowed very respectfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
At this moment, Eunuch Hong went outside to announce the news.
"Your Majesty, Princess Jinzhi requests an audience."
"Let her in."
Qin Jinzhi walked in carrying a stack of official documents.
Today is the first time that Wei Ziming has seen Qin Jinzhi as an adult.
He had met Qin Ziyi and his wife, and Qin Jinzhi's face seemed to have taken all the best features from both of them.
He resembled Qin Ziyi, and also his wife.
Such a face, yet it was able to accomplish such earth-shattering feats in the capital.
Qin Jinzhi placed the stack of official documents on the emperor's desk.
Then he stood to one side.
The emperor glanced at Wei Ziming and held back his laughter.
The little brat got kicked out again.
With great shrewdness, Wei Ziming said, "Your Majesty, since Princess Jinzhi has something to report, I shall take my leave."
The emperor hummed in agreement. "You may leave now. Think about the matter of returning to the capital again."
"Your Majesty, I take my leave!"
After Wei Ziming left, Qin Jinzhi sat down to the side and said, "He won't be returning to the capital."
The emperor raised an eyebrow, stroking his beard as if testing Qin Jinzhi, "Why do you say that?"
Qin Jinzhi looked at Eunuch Hong and said, "I'm hungry."
Eunuch Hong covered his mouth and chuckled, glancing at the emperor.
The emperor said, "Have the imperial kitchen prepare some side dishes; I'm getting a bit hungry."
Eunuch Hong immediately replied, "Yes, this servant will have someone prepare it right away."
Qin Jinzhi walked to the emperor's table, picked up a peeled grape that was placed to the side, and stuffed it into her mouth.
"The Wei family is a prominent family in the capital, but the current political situation does not allow prominent families to rise to prominence. Moreover, he has been entrenched in Huainan for many years, and his influence is widespread. Although the position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat is also a high-ranking and powerful position, his influence is all in Huainan. Transferring him back to the capital would be a demotion in disguise, so he will not return to the capital."
The emperor smiled and then said, "Wei Ziming has been diligent and conscientious as a military governor for so many years without making any mistakes. Therefore, we cannot emphasize this when we return to the capital, lest the court officials suspect that I cannot tolerate capable ministers. Once this feeling of 'the rabbit mourns the fox' is sown, this tale of a good ruler and his minister will become a joke."
Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "Then we can only find some faults for Lord Wei. Huainan is a strategic location and cannot be left in the hands of powerful families. Once they have other ideas, it will cause unrest."
The emperor rose and sat down in the chair next to Qin Jinzhi.
"My dear grandson, do you have anyone in mind who is suitable for the position of military governor of Huainan?"
Qin Jinzhi looked at the emperor, a mocking expression immediately appearing on her face. She said sarcastically, "Your Majesty, you can't even find a single loyal minister under your command? I have to find them for you."
Enraged, the emperor snatched the plate from Qin Jinzhi's hand.
"I'll let you starve to death, you little brat!"
Qin Jinzhi quickly stuffed her mouth full of grapes.
He then leaned back in his chair and said speechlessly, "You old man are such a snob. You were all that obedient grandson just now, and now you're all that brat."
The emperor looked at Qin Jinzhi, "Is Daoist Changfeng still unwilling to preside over the imperial examinations?"
Qin Jinzhi slowly shook her head.
The emperor stroked his beard. "He had this strange temper when I was young, and it hasn't changed all these years."
Then he looked at Qin Jinzhi, who was slumped in the chair, and said, "Qin Ye's four generals are brave and skilled in battle. I have watched Huo Tingshan grow up. He is also a good commander. This battlefield does not necessarily require you to go."
Qin Jinzhi closed her eyes. "Let Uncle Huo fight for me, while I, the so-called young master, hide in a harem like a coward? Morale, my great-grandfather!"
The emperor immediately added, "If he wins the battle, I may make an exception and bestow upon him the title of a king of a different surname!"
Qin Jinzhi suddenly opened her eyes and looked at the emperor, "Did Grandmother hit you?"
The emperor looked flustered. "Nonsense! I am the Son of Heaven! Don't you understand what it means to be the Son of Heaven, you brat? That old woman dares to hit me?!"
Qin Jinzhi laughed and said, "Then why are you acting as a persuader? We already agreed on going to the battlefield three years ago."
The emperor had made an agreement with Qin Jinzhi that she would go to the battlefield to gain experience.
If Qin Jinzhi can achieve first-class military merit in the army, the emperor will allow Qin Jinzhi to send troops to the State of Chu after she has gained sufficient power.
Who knew that Qin Jinzhi would capture Huangfu Nanfeng and bring him back?
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