Chapter 78 Interlocking Links
The people of Jin were open-minded, and women were allowed to engage in commerce and politics.
It's one thing to be able to do it, but it's another to whether the world will tolerate it.
Since the founding of the State of Jin, there have been very few female merchants, let alone female officials.
Women from prominent families were expected to be dignified and proper. They could achieve something in the inner quarters, but were not allowed to show their faces in public.
For ordinary women, survival is already difficult enough; without money, connections, or background, it's simply a pipe dream.
In the end, all she wanted was to marry into a good family, spend her life tending the household, and hope that her husband and son would have a bright future.
The greatest honor would be to be granted the title of Lady of the Imperial Decree.
However, not all women are willing to live their lives accepting this set of dogmas that somehow appeared out of nowhere.
They are thoughtful, knowledgeable, skilled in writing and capable in combat.
They can earn money to support their families and also manage household chores.
Why should they be confined to that small world of the inner quarters and waste their lives?
Qin Jinzhi looked at Cui Ying, who was deep in thought, but her smile didn't reach her eyes.
This must be what all women like Cui Ying think.
Cui Ying stared intently at Qin Jinzhi, "What does your Thousand Bird Guard do?"
"It is a new military organization that I plan to establish, responsible for His Majesty's personal safety, and to form His Majesty's personal guard. Not only that, but it will also have a prison under it, with the power to patrol and arrest, and be responsible for investigating, arresting, and questioning officials in the capital."
Cui Ying was utterly shocked!
This is not a good position. If the Thousand Birds Guard is established, it will be a job that offends people.
Inspecting all officials—isn't that a perfectly legitimate way to investigate their mistakes?
If it were to actually be established, it would be tantamount to declaring war on all the powerful and influential families in the capital!
Qin Jinzhi is too audacious!
Qin Jinzhi smiled. She liked smart people who could understand her meaning without her having to say much.
Cui Ying said with a serious expression, "So you chose me because I have the Cui family backing me?"
Her father was the prime minister, and her Cui family was at the height of its prosperity. If she really became the deputy envoy of the Thousand Birds Guard, people in the capital would not dare to do anything to her because they were wary of her family.
Moreover, since Qin Jinzhi said she was requesting an order, if His Majesty really established this so-called Thousand Birds Guard, then it would be a real court official, and she and those so-called officials would be colleagues. Her previous thoughts and wishes could then be realized. But would her father agree?
Qin Jinzhi seemed to see right through her. "Go back and tell your father that you can get him reinstated, but the price is that he has to mend his relationship with me."
Cui Ying immediately realized that if he said that, Prime Minister Cui would definitely think it was His Majesty's intention.
The fact that the Cui family has formed a deadly feud with the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion is not something His Majesty wants to see.
If possible, His Majesty would most like to see the two sides resolve their conflict.
However, Cui Ying still frowned. "But my father probably still won't agree. After all, he has raised me for many years. Even if I don't marry into the Pei family, I will eventually marry into another noble family. Besides, my father is only under house arrest. After three months, His Majesty will restore him to his original position."
After all, Prime Minister Cui had been in office for many years, so he must have been quite shrewd and cunning.
Qin Jinzhi said with a half-smile, "What if his position as prime minister is about to be lost?"
Cui Ying hurriedly asked, "What do you mean? Does His Majesty intend to depose the Prime Minister?"
Qin Jinzhi's ambition to target the powerful families in the capital must be backed by His Majesty.
If His Majesty wants to abolish the position of Prime Minister, Father may really lose his position!
Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "Don't be nervous. My grandfather has always relied on Prime Minister Cui. How could he possibly depose him? But others might be a different story. For example, some of his subordinates might want to take his place."
Cui Ying frowned. Her father was the head of all officials, wielding immense power. Who among his subordinates would dare to replace him?
Qin Jinzhi knew that Cui Ying was intelligent, but after all, she had never been to the imperial court.
"After Prime Minister Cui was placed under house arrest, who will take over his duties?"
After thinking for a moment, Cui Ying realized that after her father was placed under house arrest, his duties would be temporarily handled by Minister Du.
Minister Du! Du Zhong!
Du Zhong was appointed as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, a position equivalent to the Right Chancellor. If anyone in the court was most qualified to succeed the Chancellor, it would undoubtedly be Minister Du!
In terms of official reputation, power, and family background, they are on par with the Cui family!
Most importantly, Du Zhong's only daughter was Consort Du, one of the four imperial concubines!
He also has two sons, the seventh prince and the thirteenth prince.
However, the Du family has always kept a low profile.
Cui Ying's mind went blank for a moment, and she sat up abruptly. "It's the flood in Jiangnan!"
Prime Minister Cui does not avoid discussing political matters with Cui Ying on a daily basis.
If Father had known about such a major flood in Jiangnan earlier, he would surely have made preparations.
She would have known about it much earlier, but even she only learned about the floods in Jiangnan today.
It must have been one of my father's men who blocked or intercepted the news; they never intended for my father to know in the first place.
Today at the horse farm, Du Chong's act of killing someone to silence them must have been Du Zhong's idea.
Du Zhong colluded with officials in Jiangnan!
Qin Jinzhi said lazily, "Pei Jinnian will set off for Jiangnan tomorrow. If the disaster can't be kept secret, who do you think will be the biggest scapegoat?"
"Princess, we have arrived at the Cui residence!"
As soon as the driver's voice rang out, Cui Ying jumped out of the carriage, abandoning all pretense of dignified composure.
If the disaster cannot be concealed, her father is the head of all officials. If Du Zhong can pin the blame on her father, even if it is negligence, it will be a serious crime. Although he will not lose his life, he will be out of a position as prime minister.
At that time, not only will Eucommia ulmoides be safe, but it will also reap the benefits!
That old man is quite the schemer!
Which natural disaster hasn't claimed tens of thousands of lives?
Even if His Majesty doesn't dismiss the prime minister, the entire nation's spittle will drown the Cui family!
Qin Jinzhi came prepared for every single thing today!
Not just today, but everything!
Every action Qin Jinzhi took was not without purpose.
Not a single word she uttered was empty talk!
That's terrifying!
Fear and chill shot straight to my heart and lungs!
How long did she prepare for all of this?
She had actually planned everything.
If Father knew that his official position was in jeopardy, he would surely comply with His Majesty's wishes.
She doesn't need to worry about her father's obstruction, but once he is reinstated, he will definitely get involved in the flood, making a complete falling out with the Du family inevitable.
Qin Jinzhi effortlessly shattered the harmony between the two most powerful families in the capital!
Regardless of who wins or loses between the Du and Cui families, both sides will suffer heavy losses.
Every step was interconnected; if any one aspect had been overlooked, this game wouldn't have been so successful!
No one would have guessed that this was the work of the biggest playboy in the capital!
Wouldn't she be sold out and helped count money if she stayed by such a person's side?
But if she follows someone like that, wouldn't her ideals be realized to the greatest extent possible?
Cui Ying's eyes lit up with excitement.
It's time for Beijing to change its ways!
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