Chapter 241 Men Have No Right to Dominate the Court...
Seeing Du Min's increasingly solemn expression, the female saint smiled and said, "Minister Du, is this putting you in such a difficult position?"
Du Min stiffly bowed, then stood up despite the pain. “Your Majesty, it is indeed a difficult situation. Prime Minister Zheng has the support of the Zheng family of Xingyang, so he has nothing to fear. But I only have my second sister-in-law and father-in-law behind me. I am afraid of a thousand things and ten thousand things. I am afraid of offending people and losing my life, and I am also afraid of implicating my family.”
"So, you've agreed to Prime Minister Zheng's request?"
"yes."
"Why? You know you can refuse."
Du Min fell silent, his face filled with embarrassment and shame, looking as if he couldn't lift his head.
"say."
“He threatened me…” Du Min peeked up at the Empress Dowager, but when he met her eyes, he quickly lowered them.
"Just because he threatened you?"
Du Min understood immediately; the female saint did indeed know what he had done in Wu County, which was why she hadn't asked in detail.
"Not entirely. This appointment is a challenge for me, but also an opportunity. I once advised Prime Minister Zheng to uphold the duties of a subject, urging him to become a prime minister who loves the people like his own children and puts the public interest first. To this end, I did not hesitate to create momentum to force him onto the path I had planned for him. All these actions show that I aspire to govern diligently and serve the country loyally." Du Min began to boast again, "It's just that I didn't have enough power before, and could only work hard in one prefecture. Now is my opportunity to use Prime Minister Zheng's influence to crack down on corrupt officials and clean up the court."
The female saint was amused by the scheming in his words, "It is an honor for Prime Minister Zheng to meet you."
“He doesn’t think so.”
The female saint laughed as she leaned on the table, "That's because he's blind."
Du Min opened his mouth as if to agree, but quickly realized where he was, so he stopped himself and closed his mouth.
The female sage laughed a few more times before speaking seriously: "Regarding the investigation of land ownership, the course of this matter has repeatedly exceeded my expectations. Today's situation is something I never anticipated, but undeniably, it is the best possible outcome. Re-measuring the land and returning it to the people was something His Majesty and I dared to consider but not issue an edict for, yet Minister Du and Minister Meng have pushed things forward and made it happen, even putting forward a powerful and capable leader. Regardless of the outcome, His Majesty and I will credit you two, uncle and sister-in-law, for your contribution."
Du Min couldn't help but feel smug.
"Prime Minister Zheng is willing to compromise and petition, only requesting that Minister Du be his assistant. I cannot refuse, so I can only ask Minister Du to make this difficult for the time being," said the female saint.
Du Min was surprised that the female sage treated him so kindly. He was so excited that he trembled all over. Ignoring the wound on his back, he prostrated himself and said, "As a subject of the Great Tang Dynasty, I am an official of the sage. It is my duty to share the sage's worries and difficulties and to be loyal and responsible to the court. How can I feel wronged? Your Majesty is too kind."
"Get up quickly! I can smell blood. Are you seriously injured? Quickly, summon the imperial physician."
Du Min straightened up and said, "Prime Minister Zheng is ungrateful. He tricked me into coming to the Prime Minister's residence to apply medicine, but instead he hit me with a thorn stick, leaving my back covered in bloody holes."
"He will bear the consequences of his actions. Du Qing, please rest and recover from your injuries. Once you are fully healed, you can then receive the imperial decree to take up your post."
Du Min looked thoughtful. He cupped his hands and said, "I dare to offer this suggestion, and I hope Your Majesty will be lenient. My wife will give birth in a month. May I wait until she has given birth safely before taking up my post?"
"Granted."
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
"Does Minister Du have any other requests? Please feel free to make them."
"I have been away from Huai Prefecture for a long time, and I fear that Lady Wu's supervision of the government will not be well received by the people. This is not because of her talent or ability, but because people's hearts are treacherous. She alone cannot fight against a pack of wolves. Your Majesty understands the difficulties best. Therefore, I propose that Prime Minister Zheng's suggestion to recommend Lady Wu to supervise the administration of Huai Prefecture should be formally approved. If Your Majesty can issue an edict, my sister-in-law and I will be extremely grateful."
The female saint scrutinized him for a long time and said, "Once you've gone through the formalities, there will be a lot of controversy, and it's hard to say whether it will succeed."
“Every family and every country has men and women, so why can’t women be present in the court? Women are allowed to go to the battlefield and guard the city gates when conquering the country, but they are not allowed to speak when defending the country? Men have no right to dominate the court.” Du Min said firmly.
The female sage slapped the table and exclaimed, "Minister Du, go find Prime Minister Zheng and convey my decree, instructing him to submit a petition on behalf of Lady Wu."
"Your subject obeys the decree." Du Min was pleased.
“You two, uncle and sister-in-law, have a deep and affectionate relationship,” the female saint said.
"My sister-in-law is exceptionally intelligent. I am able to speak with His Majesty today without her guidance. In public affairs, she is my advisor; in private, she is both my sister-in-law and my mother. If there were no restrictions based on gender or background, she would certainly be a renowned minister of the Tang Dynasty." Du Min did not hold back his praise.
“I see it.” The female sage nodded. Thinking of herself and His Majesty, she said, “I hope that you two, uncle and sister-in-law, will not have any disagreements and will work together to serve the Tang Dynasty.”
"My sister-in-law and I will never part ways," Du Min replied firmly. He was confident, especially after what happened yesterday. He was now full of confidence. His second sister-in-law would always put him first, and he would never betray her.
The female sage smiled gently, "The imperial physician has arrived, Minister Du, please go and examine your injuries."
Du Min left happily.
The female official stepped forward to serve the Empress Dowager tea. Observing the Empress Dowager's expression, she joked, "Lady Wu is truly capable, able to gain Governor Du's complete trust."
"Indeed, he is capable." The female saint could vaguely see her own reflection in Meng Qing. She didn't know if Meng Qing was behind Du Min's petition today, but she hoped he was.
*
After the imperial physician re-applied medicine to Du Min's reopened wound in the side hall, he excitedly left the palace. He first went to the Prime Minister's residence to leave a message for Prime Minister Zheng, and then hurriedly returned to report the good news to Meng Qing.
"Second Sister-in-law, I've made up my mind." Du Min strode into the courtyard. "I choose to serve concurrently as the Governor, and I will take up my post after Caiwei gives birth."
Even though Meng Qing knew Du Min would make this choice, her heart finally settled at this moment. She quickly walked out of the room, "Have you already reported to the Emperor?"
"yes."
"Very well, Second Sister-in-law supports your decision and will definitely hold the rear for you." Meng Qing suppressed her excitement and said, "It's a pity that Wangchuan is too small and Wangzhou has to study at the Imperial Academy. Otherwise, I would definitely have them go out with you on errands. They can run errands for you and also broaden your horizons."
“I can enter the Imperial Academy two or three years later.” Wang Zhou walked in from outside the courtyard. “Third Uncle, I’ll go with you.”
"No way, this isn't some easy job. Don't gamble away the future of our Du family." Du Min refused. "If I take you with me, I'll worry about you. You should stay at the Imperial Academy and study hard, learn skills from Master Li. Your third uncle hopes you can enter the court and help me as soon as possible."
"Then you'd better be careful." Wang Zhou was so worried after hearing the news last night that he couldn't sleep all night.
Du Min refused to discuss such unlucky topics; what he was wary of was someone else entirely.
"By the way, Second Sister-in-law, I petitioned the Empress Dowager to ensure that your decree to oversee the administration of Huai Prefecture is officially approved. You don't need to worry about it being illegitimate anymore; just wait to receive the imperial appointment." Du Min reported the good news with great excitement.
Meng Qing was genuinely pleasantly surprised. Overjoyed, she asked, "Will it work?"
"It can be done." Du Min believed that after he said those words, the female saint would be able to convey this decree through the three provinces to Huaizhou.
"Third brother, thank you so much." Meng Qing no longer hid his excitement; this was truly an unexpected joy.
"You're being too polite." Du Min waved his hand. "It's still early. Let's pack our things and head back to Huaizhou. This place is a dangerous place, too scary."
Upon hearing this, Wang Zhou's face fell. "It seems our family is really going to go our separate ways."
“Oh dear, I forgot you can’t come back with us. How about I go and say hello to Mr. Li, and you can come back with us first, and then come back when you enter the Imperial Academy in June?” Du Min asked.
"Forget it, that would offend Mr. Li." Wang Zhou reluctantly refused. "I will stay in Luoyang to gather information on the court's movements and urge Grandpa Yin to write to you frequently."
"Leaving already?" Vice Minister Yin returned from his shift. "What did the Empress Dowager say?"
Du Min did not tell his father-in-law about the other solution proposed by Meng Qing. Yin Shilang always believed that Du Min would choose to concurrently serve as the governor.
“The matter has been settled. I will take up my post after Caiwei gives birth safely,” Du Min replied. “The Empress Dowager has also agreed to let my second sister-in-law oversee the administration of Huai Prefecture. When Prime Minister Zheng submits his memorial, I would appreciate it if you would respond with a few words.”
“That’s for sure.” Vice Minister Yin sighed. “I won’t say much more. When you leave Huaizhou, come to Luoyang. I’ll give you a few servants who know martial arts. If you run into trouble, they can help you out.”
"Thank you, Father," Du Min said sincerely.
Vice Minister Yin shook his head, "When are we returning to Huaizhou?"
"Tomorrow morning," Du Min said, looking at Wang Zhou. "Send Wang Zhou to the Li residence tomorrow morning, and then we'll leave."
Wang Zhou did not object.
“Father, there’s something else. The magistrate of Heqing County strictly enforced the government’s orders during the land inventory and never slacked off. As far as I know, all able-bodied men in Heqing County received their full share of land, and more than a hundred hectares of redeemed land are still recorded in the official register. This shows that Magistrate Sun is a capable official. I’m thinking of transferring him to Huaizhou as the chief clerk to assist my second sister-in-law in her work.” Du Min wanted to find Meng Qing another useful and obedient subordinate to take back.
"Isn't there a Chief Clerk in Huai Prefecture? But the position of Prefectural Governor is still vacant. Why not promote the Chief Clerk to Prefectural Governor?" Minister Yin asked.
“No, I’ll write a memorial and submit it to the Ministry of Personnel. Chief Clerk Dou has been lazy and negligent in his duties since last year. I want to transfer him,” Du Min said. “Before, he didn’t do anything because he was afraid of offending the Dou family, but now he’s not afraid anymore.”
Vice Minister Yin sighed. He didn't envy his son-in-law's rapid promotion; he couldn't bear the constant anxiety. Looking back on Du Min's career after being appointed, he had never had a moment's peace, always scheming or messing around.
"You get Chief Secretary Dou away first, then I'll help you transfer someone over there," said Vice Minister Yin.
Du Min was relieved to receive the promise.
*
The next day.
Around noon, Du Min, Meng Qing, and Du Li, along with Wang Chuan and Xi Mei, escorted Wang Zhou to the Li residence. He only had one bundle containing clothes he had bought the previous afternoon; the things he left at home would have to be delivered to him another time.
After politely greeting Elder Li, the family left Wangzhou behind and went out.
They watched the boat depart to see them off.
"Go inside, we'll come see you in a few days," Du Li waved.
Wang Zhou took two steps back.
"Brother—" Wang Chuan called out from outside the car window, but then didn't know what to say.
"Don't be lazy, study hard," Wang Zhou instructed. "I'll check your homework when I get back."
Wang Chuan nodded.
"We're leaving now." Meng Qing squeezed past Wang Chuan, and she patiently instructed, "If you encounter anything upsetting, go find your Grandpa Yin."
Wang Zhou nodded.
"Let's go." Du Min instructed the driver to drive the carriage. "It's a two- or three-day journey on horseback. Don't be reluctant to leave. Save that thought for me. When I leave, you can put on a grand send-off for eighteen miles."
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