Chapter 242 Du-Zheng Cooperation
At the same moment that Meng Qing and Du Min left Luoyang, a fierce argument broke out in the court. This was because, as the court was about to end, Prime Minister Zheng submitted a memorial requesting that Du Min, the prefect of Huai Prefecture, concurrently serve as the governor to inspect the free schools and academies in more than 300 prefectures, and proposed that Lady Meng Qing of Wu Prefecture remain in Huai Prefecture to act as the prefect and supervise the administration.
After Prime Minister Zheng finished speaking, the court fell into a deathly silence, with all the civil and military officials staring at him. The Empress Dowager was acting as regent in place of His Majesty, and Lady Wu was acting as regent in place of Governor Du. Although their paths were different, they led to the same goal, which meant that Prime Minister Zheng had openly sided with the Empress Dowager.
"Absolutely not!" General Wang was the first to object. He glared angrily at Prime Minister Zheng. "Is there no one else in our Great Tang court capable of serving? A woman from a merchant family, who is ignorant of the Five Classics and Six Arts and does not know how to draft official documents, actually wants to interfere in the affairs of a prefecture. This is truly absurd."
“General Wang is absolutely right.” Cui Shaoshi looked up with his hands in his sleeves and said sarcastically, “Prime Minister Zheng, don’t be too obsequious. Matters of the court are not child’s play. You can’t be close to whoever is favored by the master.”
"As the saying goes, one should look at a scholar with new eyes after three days of separation. Lady Wu is already a court lady, so why do you still look at people with old eyes?" Vice Minister Yin continued, "If we always judge people by their birth, what's the point of the imperial examination system? The court would be controlled by aristocratic families. But even among the sons of aristocratic families, there are incompetent, negligent, and criminal individuals. What kind of situation is this?"
General Wang shifted his gaze, "Don't try to beat around the bush with me. I'm talking to you about whether she has talent or not. You all passed the imperial examinations and have talent and knowledge. What does she have?"
"That's easy. I'll pass on the word right away and have the Lady of the County prepare to participate in the prefectural examination this autumn," said Vice Minister Yin earnestly.
"You!" General Wang was furious. "Don't play dumb with me!"
"General Wang, watch your words," the female sage spoke up, seemingly lost in thought. "Yesterday, when Governor Du came to pay his respects, he said that women were allowed to go to the battlefield and guard the city gates when conquering the country, but why are women not allowed to speak when defending the country? What do you all think?"
Prime Minister Zheng then bowed and replied, “I believe that Governor Du’s words are absolutely correct. The imperial examination is for selecting talented people, and there are also talented women. I propose that starting next year, women may also participate in the imperial examination.”
The civil and military officials stared at him again. Had this man gone mad?
The female sage was also astonished. Had Prime Minister Zheng suddenly unlocked his Ren and Du meridians?
"Prime Minister Zheng is a truly tolerant and magnanimous person; he has a broad mind and knows how to use people effectively." The female sage was overjoyed. "Women participating in the imperial examinations..."
“Sage…” Prime Minister Liu interrupted, “There is no shortage of talent in the court. The predicament of having too many officials and too few positions has only been alleviated in the last two years. If the number of people admitted through the imperial examination is increased, redundant officials will increase year by year, wasting the time and talent of scholars.”
Prime Minister Zheng glanced at Vice Minister Yin, who understood immediately and said, "Speaking of which, it was Lady Wu who solved the problem of redundant officials in the court. In the past four years, the ever-expanding free schools have solved the problem of difficulty in obtaining official positions for more than 230 Mingjing graduates and more than 130 Jinshi graduates. Talented people can use this to realize their ambitions. Among these more than 300 people, more than 50 school principals have been promoted and given higher positions due to their outstanding political achievements."
"Lady Meng rose from a peasant woman to receive two official titles in seven or eight years, earning the title of Lady of Wu County. She did not do so because of her status as a woman; you all know this," Prime Minister Zheng began. "Lady of Wu County not only solved the problem of redundant officials in the court, but also assisted Governor Du in cracking the major corruption case of the criminal Xu Ang. The library she managed was the best among the more than three hundred prefectures in the Tang Dynasty. Her actions have benefited both the country and the people. I urge you all to be careful with your words. You may speak against her because she is a woman, but you must not speak ill of her because of her background."
The court fell silent. General Wang, who had initially spoken ill of Zheng Yu because of his background, looked embarrassed. He found Zheng Yu, this traitor, increasingly despicable.
“Our dynasty has countless officials as capable as Lady Wu, and the matter of overseeing the government is of great importance. I think we should send other officials. After all, everyone has their own expertise, just like you can’t have a monk chanting scriptures in a Taoist temple,” said Prime Minister Liu.
"Who does Prime Minister Liu think is suitable?" Prime Minister Zheng asked.
“Lu Shaoqing of the Court of Judicial Review is suitable,” said Prime Minister Liu.
Prime Minister Zheng chuckled lightly. Prime Minister Liu's intentions were completely undisguised. Prime Minister Lu had retired to his hometown to retire because of Du Min's downfall, and now that Du Min was going out on an inspection tour, he arranged for a member of the Lu family who had a grudge against Du Min to raid his home. He was happy to agree, but if he did, Meng Qing would be left behind.
"Your humble servant..." Lu Shaoqing stepped forward, ready to respond.
"Wait a minute," Prime Minister Zheng interrupted. "Has Vice Minister Lu thought this through? For every year that Governor Du is away, you will be in charge of supervising the government for that same number of years. During this period, all the achievements in governing Huai Prefecture will be attributed to Governor Du. The credit is his, and the blame is yours."
Lu Shaoqing's expression changed. "Prime Minister Zheng, if I may be so bold as to ask, why is the fault mine, but the credit goes to Governor Du?"
Prime Minister Zheng shook his head at Prime Minister Liu and said sarcastically, "Minister Lu has been in the Dali Temple for too long and has become accustomed to acting strictly according to the law. He has lost touch with the law and has become ignorant of politics. I am looking for someone to supervise the government, not someone to replace Governor Du. In other words, you are just an obedient errand boy. You are responsible for contacting Governor Du, reporting to him, following his orders, and carrying them out for him."
Upon hearing this, Lu Shaoqing disregarded his embarrassment at being mocked and found himself in a dilemma.
Fortunately, Prime Minister Zheng didn't keep attacking him. He explained, "Lady Wu is an official of an outsider's family. She doesn't get promoted based on her political achievements. Even if she were to oversee the government for ten years instead of Governor Du, she wouldn't worry about her career. Who among you here would be willing to waste ten years of your energy on someone else's career?"
No one answered.
“If Governor Du really intends to inspect the area for ten years, shouldn’t the position of Governor of Huai Prefecture be replaced? He can’t be in office and not fulfill his duties,” Lu Shaoqing asked unwillingly.
Vice Minister Yin laughed, “How about Lu Shaoqing concurrently serving as governor? This is the first time I’ve heard of sending a general out to fight and then dismissing him from his post and cutting off his supplies.”
Prime Minister Zheng looked at Lu Shaoqing.
Lu Shaoqing silently retreated back into the ranks, not daring to say anything more, for fear that Prime Minister Zheng would take it seriously.
The female sage watched a grand spectacle, and seeing that the time was right, she asked, "Which of you gentlemen is willing to go to Huai Prefecture to oversee the administration?"
No one said a word.
"Where is the Vice Minister of the Chancellery? Draft an edict that, while Governor Du is away on inspection tours, Lady Wu will take over the administration." The female sage spoke.
"I obey the decree."
Prime Minister Zheng breathed a sigh of relief, but before he could fully exhale, the female sage pressed on, asking, "Gentlemen, is it feasible for women to participate in the imperial examinations?"
"Women have a path to official promotion, and the female officials in the six palaces of the harem all have ranks and titles. The court is divided into inner and outer courts. Inner courts have female officials and empresses, while outer courts have male officials and His Majesty. Yin and Yang are clearly distinguished, like the Tai Chi diagram in Taoism. Yin and Yang surround each other but do not interact, which is the only way to ensure the continuous cycle of life," Prime Minister Liu said solemnly.
The female saint looked at Prime Minister Zheng, who had already achieved his goal and remained silent with his head down.
"That's enough," the female saint said, stopping her sentence.
Without further ado, the eunuch cracked his whip and dismissed the court.
Civil and military officials poured out of the main hall, while Prime Minister Zheng was surrounded. The powerful officials who had been tricked by him into selling their land were all blocking his way, demanding an explanation.
Vice Minister Yin was passing by, engrossed in watching the play, when he unexpectedly met the gaze of Prime Minister Zheng.
"Minister Yin, shall we return to the residence?" Prime Minister Zheng asked. "I will accompany you. How are Governor Du's injuries?"
"I don't know. He set off for Huaizhou this morning and should be out of Luoyang by now." Vice Minister Yin quickened his pace and slipped away.
Prime Minister Zheng gritted his teeth inwardly. This scoundrel Du had caused a ruckus in Luoyang, leaving him with a mess, and then just walked away without a care in the world.
"Zheng Yu, are you determined to become a traitor?" General Wang asked.
Prime Minister Zheng clasped his hands in apology and said, "I never expected this day to come. I am sorry to all of you."
"You said a few days ago that the decree for measuring land would not be abolished? Are you serious?" General Wang asked again. "If it is not abolished, what are your plans?"
Prime Minister Zheng shook his head, his expression unchanged, and said, "It's still unclear. The higher-ups are still hesitating and haven't given any clear instructions."
The officials from powerful families exchanged glances, realizing there was still a chance for their orders to be changed again.
Just as the aristocratic officials were using their schemes to force the two emperors to back down, a carriage discreetly drove out of the prime minister's residence. Prime Minister Zheng, imitating Du Min, also slipped away quietly.
When the female sage announced that Prime Minister Zheng would serve as the governor to inspect the land conditions across the country, Prime Minister Zheng had already arrived in Wen County.
In mid-May, the wheat along the banks of the canals in Wen County ushered in the harvest season, and it was also time to harvest the summer hemp. The golden wheat fields and the brownish-green hemp fields connected, cattle walked between the fields, sheep lay under the shade of trees on the canals to graze, and caravans carrying a lot of goods passed by on the wide and flat official road. The hot summer wind was filled with a salty and bitter bustling atmosphere.
Prime Minister Zheng was blinded by the sun. He squinted at the farmers and livestock in the fields, and then at the endless yellowish-brown dragon of crops. Everything was different from five years ago.
After staying in Wen County for four or five days, Prime Minister Zheng's anxiety and annoyance were greatly relieved. The thriving plants and trees in Wen County, the Yellow River that had lost its ferocity, and the villagers who praised Governor Du were all indelible achievements of Du Min. This also made him realize that Du Min's words of loving the people like his own children were not just empty words.
After leaving Wen County and arriving in Hanoi County, Prime Minister Zheng went to the gate of the governor's mansion and met the magistrate of Xiuwu County who came with four baskets of soft, red peaches and asked Du Min for a sales channel.
"Lord Du, Prime Minister Zheng has arrived." The guard rushed into the office to report the news.
Du Min got up and saw that Prime Minister Zheng had already entered, holding a peach in his hand.
"You all talk, don't pay any attention to me." Prime Minister Zheng, as if he were an old friend, found a place to sit down.
Du Min: "...Serve the Prime Minister a pot of tea. Prime Minister, has my second sister-in-law's matter been formally reported?"
Prime Minister Zheng nodded.
“In a month, I will concurrently serve as the governor to inspect the situation of free schools and academies in various places. The affairs of Huai Prefecture will be handled by Lady Wu. She was invited by Magistrate Gu to help today. Go to the county office to find her and ask her to make arrangements.” Du Min delegated power in advance.
The magistrate of Xiuwu County was astonished. He looked at Prime Minister Zheng, who nodded. "The official document appointing him will be issued later."
"Go ahead," Du Min dismissed the man.
The magistrate of Xiuwu County hesitated for a few moments, then realized that the situation was beyond his control, so he bowed and took his leave.
"Prime Minister Zheng, what brings you here?" Du Min asked rudely.
"I'm about to set off, so I've come to discuss with you where to go first," Prime Minister Zheng said casually.
"You decide, and send me a message when you arrive, then I'll rush over." Du Min wanted Prime Minister Zheng to take the lead.
"A spy is following behind? What use are you to me? What good are you?" Prime Minister Zheng asked.
“You investigate openly, I investigate secretly. By muddying the waters, I won’t be able to slip up and it will be easier for me to investigate the situation,” Du Min said. “If the local officials are outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, I will give you the evidence, and you can submit a memorial to the imperial court.”
"You're not taking any risks at all?" Prime Minister Zheng was displeased again.
Du Min scoffed, "You've already taken all the fame and fortune. No matter how much I do, it's all just a wedding dress for you. Of course, I don't want to take any risks."
"Is this what I wanted?" Prime Minister Zheng's eyes flashed with sternness. "I've fallen to the point where everyone hates me, all thanks to you."
Du Min remained silent, thinking to himself that he would thank him later.
Prime Minister Zheng also fell silent. After a long while, he said, "Let's go to Zhengzhou first."
Du Min raised an eyebrow. "So you're going to use your own people as scapegoats? Prime Minister Zheng, you're really quite selfless, offending your own people first. Let's go to Youzhou first, and pay a visit to Prime Minister Lu."
Prime Minister Zheng: ...
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Author's note: See you tomorrow night.
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