Chapter 259 Wu Wenguang
After the court session, Qin Jinzhi returned to the Empress's palace with the Crown Prince.
On his way to the Empress's palace, the Crown Prince looked around and saw no one.
It took a lot of effort to climb up a tree and tear off a willow branch.
Soon after, the willow twig transformed into a puppy in his hand.
"Your favorite thing when you were a child."
Qin Jinzhi took the puppy, her eyes gleaming. "Thank you, Uncle. I like it very much now."
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "If you like it, that's good. Uncle couldn't get close to you before, but from now on, Uncle will take care of you. You are Ziyi's daughter, so naturally you are my daughter too."
As Qin Jinzhi looked at the little dog woven from willow branches, she walked forward and said, "Don't climb trees too often in the future, or you'll hurt your old back."
The prince chuckled, "You know, climbing trees really was difficult for your uncle."
Qin Jinzhi's smile widened.
The two of them went together to the Queen's palace.
As soon as she entered, Fei Yan was already waiting with her maids.
Feiyan washed Qin Jinzhi's hands, while a maidservant went to serve the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince joked, "Your little maid is quite plump and healthy."
Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "Uncle, don't joke with her. She's easily embarrassed. She'll cry and won't be able to eat when she gets back."
The crown prince smiled and said, "Very well, very well."
The two went into the dining area.
The Queen had been waiting for a long time.
Qin Jinzhi sat down next to the Empress and asked, "My beauty, is there any delicious roast pigeon to eat today?"
The Queen gently pinched her nose. "When will you ever be without your favorite foods?"
The Crown Prince sat down opposite the Empress, who then placed a plate of steamed pork in front of him.
"What you loved to eat when you were little."
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "Thank you, Mother."
Seeing this, the Empress said, "Why is this old geezer walking so slowly! The food will get cold in a minute."
The Crown Prince quickly said, "The ministers have matters to discuss, which may have kept Father Emperor occupied."
Qin Jinzhi clung to the Empress, saying, "Let's wait for Grandfather, or he'll get angry again. He's so old, yet he's so petty."
"That brat is talking badly about me behind my back!"
The emperor stood at the door washing his hands, glaring at Qin Jinzhi.
Qin Jinzhi smiled and walked over to help the emperor to the dining table.
You misheard me.
The emperor snorted, "That's more like it. Let's eat!"
The Empress placed some food on the Crown Prince's plate. "How was court today? Was it too strenuous?"
The Crown Prince smiled and ate the food, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Mother. Everything is fine today."
Seeing this, the emperor asked, "What are your thoughts on the absence of officials?"
The Crown Prince put down his chopsticks. "Your Majesty, I am new to politics and not very familiar with the transfer of officials. What are your thoughts on this, Jinzhi?"
Qin Jinzhi was happily munching on a pigeon when she heard the Crown Prince's words and wiped her mouth.
"The pigeon is a bit salty."
The Queen frowned, picked up the soup spoon, and took a sip.
"If you don't do a good job in the small kitchen, Grandma will make it for you next time."
Qin Jinzhi nodded, then looked at the Crown Prince, "I've never been popular in the capital. There's not even anyone who flatters me. I can't find anyone to help me even if I wanted to."
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "I heard you intend to give the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel to the Xie family?"
Qin Jinzhi ate heartily and mumbled, "That was my grandfather's wish, so I'm just doing him a favor."
The Crown Prince was taken aback. "So it was Father Emperor's idea. The position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel originally belonged to the Pei family. Now that Jinzhi is engaged to the Pei family, if this position is given to the Xie family, what will happen to the Pei family?"
The emperor reached for the steamed pork with rice flour in front of the crown prince with his chopsticks.
"The Imperial Tutor has always been a member of the Xie family. He retired gracefully after being deprived of his position by Grand Tutor Pei."
However, the Pei family has only produced one Pei Qing in the past hundred years. If the eldest son of Grand Tutor Pei were still alive, he might be able to inherit his mantle.
Pei Qing was also aware that Pei Hong was not a capable person.
The situation in the court is volatile and dangerous; it would be disastrous for Pei Hong to remain in this position.
Before the emperor's flesh even entered his mouth, he felt a pair of piercing eyes staring at him.
He pretended not to see it and quickly put the meat in his mouth.
Qin Jinzhi curled her lips and placed the meat and vegetables further away from him.
Seeing this, the Crown Prince assumed that Qin Jinzhi was offering him food. "Jinzhi, since your uncle was able to get food, Father, please try this crystal pork knuckle."
The moment the emperor raised his chopsticks, another pair of chopsticks clamped them down.
"Uncle, please eat. The imperial physician forbids Grandfather from eating too much meat."
The crown prince was taken aback, then said, "It was my oversight."
The emperor slammed down his chopsticks. "Not a single piece of meat! I'm turning green from eating all this vegetable leaves!"
Qin Jinzhi looked at him and said, "Oh."
Who cares about you?
He still placed the green vegetables in front of the emperor.
The old man angrily picked up a large piece of food with his chopsticks and stuffed it into his mouth!
The prince smiled and put down his chopsticks.
"It was my foolishness. If that's the case, now that the Xie family has become the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, shouldn't we reconsider the position of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel?"
The Xie family has a deep-rooted background, and His Majesty has given them such an important position since they re-entered officialdom.
If the position of Minister of Personnel were given to an ordinary person, the Xie family would not be able to be controlled, and the Ministry of Personnel would become the Xie family's domain. However, if the Xie family's background is too powerful, and they cannot move freely in the officialdom, then the meaning of His Majesty's intention to reinstate the Xie family would be lost. This is the most difficult situation to handle.
The emperor nodded. "Indeed, this position is somewhat difficult to manage."
Qin Jinzhi thought for a moment and then said, "However, I do have someone in mind for the position of Minister of Personnel. Would you like to hear it, Grandfather?"
The emperor said arrogantly, "Then I'll listen."
Qin Jinzhi pointed to the green vegetables in front of him, "Eat those vegetables."
The emperor was so angry that he was panting heavily, and then angrily ate another bite of vegetables.
Seeing this, Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "My grandfather has a close minister who is responsible for drafting and issuing edicts, as well as revising systems, compiling classics, and managing elections. It can be said that no one in the entire court knows the laws of the Great Jin Dynasty, the official system, or the ways of officialdom better than him."
The emperor looked at Qin Jinzhi, "You mean, Wu Wenguang?"
Qin Jinzhi picked up a large piece of pork knuckle and stuffed it into her mouth.
He then nodded.
The Crown Prince thought carefully for a moment, "Wu Wenguang, the Imperial Secretary?"
The emperor hissed, "This Wu Wenguang is really quite suitable for this position."
The Crown Prince was somewhat puzzled, "Is it possible that Wu Wenguang is not able to control the Xie family?"
The emperor grinned.
Upon seeing this, Qin Jinzhi knew that the emperor understood her meaning.
Wu Wenguang had served as an official in the court for many years. He belonged to a clan, but was not particularly distinguished.
Therefore, once one reaches the position of Zhongshu Sheren (a high-ranking official in the Imperial Secretariat), it becomes very difficult to advance further.
Wu Wenguang was a close minister of the emperor, and even if he held a high official position, he could not surpass the emperor.
Wu Wenguang did not have enough powerful backing.
In this way, he can only rely on His Majesty.
His Majesty does not need anyone to suppress the Xie family.
Instead, they wanted to find a balance.
Wu Wenguang is a good candidate.
Qin Jinzhi ate her food slowly.
The Crown Prince's gaze toward Qin Jinzhi was also meaningful.
Qin Jinzhi could even influence His Majesty's decisions regarding appointments.
And it is exactly what His Majesty wants.
Prime Minister Cui's defeat was not unjust.
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