CHAPTER 479: CHAPTER 479: ENCOURAGEMENT

Jiang Shaohua stepped into the Emperor’s bedroom.

Emperor Taihe waved his hand, and several secretaries retreated. Jiang Shaohua sat on a chair beside the Dragon Couch and softly recounted the journey to the Prince Mansion.

After two incense sticks’ time.

After listening to the story, Emperor Taihe’s brows relaxed, and he revealed a long-lost smile: "With my cousin taking the lead, it’s no surprise that the Prime Minister Wang is persuaded. I must thank my cousin properly."

Among the many civil and military officials, there are indeed very few who are truly loyal and capable enough to share his burdens. Jiang Shaohua’s arrival instantly filled the void around him.

Jiang Shaohua did not take credit and replied with a smile: "Prime Minister Wang has been secluded for more than a month, and he’s surely eager to take action again. Previously, the Grand Empress Dowager sent someone twice, and Prime Minister Wang intended to keep his stance. I was the third to talk to him. Things happen in threes; if the Prime Minister Wang doesn’t come down, it would be too much."

"Besides, the Emperor has already promised to spare Wang Yi and allow the Zuo Family to regain their position, giving enough face and dignity to Prime Minister Wang. What reason does Prime Minister Wang have not to return to the court?"

"I merely ran errands and passed words; when it comes to credit, the Emperor deserves eighty percent."

Emperor Taihe was amused and laughed heartily: "Cousin, your words are indeed humorous."

With the Prime Minister Wang agreeing to return to the court, most of Emperor Taihe’s concerns were alleviated. He sighed to Jiang Shaohua: "Despite Prime Minister Wang’s shortcomings, he is still the Da Liang Chancellor, possessing both ability and talent. Most civil servants in the court are his students or old acquaintances. With him absent, many officials dawdle in their duties. Once he returns, these problems will naturally resolve. At any rate, let’s first stabilize the court."

Why must the dignified Emperor endure this?

In the end, it’s because the power of the Prime Minister Wang is immense; he can stir the court with a mere gesture. Over the past month, with his door closed, many officials in the court have been working with minimal effort, leaving official duties unmanaged, slowing down the Six Ministries, and piling up reports.

Emperor Taihe had no choice but to yield and invite the Prime Minister Wang back first. Being forced into this situation by a powerful minister, how could he not feel stifled?

Jiang Shaohua reined in her smile and said softly to Emperor Taihe: "When my grandfather passed away, I, as his granddaughter, mourned for a year. After the mourning period, I was only ten years old."

"For a ten-year-old girl to take charge of the Prince Mansion was naturally not an easy task. Yet I took it step by step, and within three years, I won the loyalty of the ministers in the Prince Mansion and gained control over the Fourteen Counties of Nanyang."

Emperor Taihe, upon hearing these words, let out a bitter smile: "I’ve been enthroned for over two years now. At first, I was ambitious, but after two years, I’ve accomplished nothing of note and now even fell ill and confined to bed. Compared to you, cousin, I truly feel exceedingly ashamed."

Jiang Shaohua gently said: "Cousin has misunderstood. I mentioned these things earlier to tell cousin that a mere Nanyang County, with only a hundred thousand people, and just over twenty officials in the Prince Mansion and the Fourteen Counties. Yet it took me three years. Da Liang consists of forty provinces, three hundred prefectures, over a thousand counties, with tens of millions of people, and hundreds who have the qualifications to attend the Grand Assembly. Counting the civil and military officials of varying ranks across all places, there are over ten thousand officials."

"To govern such vast lands and populace, such an extensive realm, and so many officials, is extraordinarily difficult and cannot be achieved overnight."

"Cousin has already done tremendously well. Do not lose heart; once your health is restored, take things slowly."

"If not in two years, then in five. If not in five, then perhaps in ten or eight years."

"Cousin is still so young that even twenty years later, you won’t yet be forty, still in your prime. This kingdom belongs to you, cousin. Just sit assuredly on your Dragon Throne. There’s no need to rush any matter; tackle things one at a time, step by step."

Emperor Taihe remained silent for a while before saying in a low voice: "The Grand Empress Dowager often nags in my ear, complaining that I can’t control the Prime Minister and manage the court. My mother, suppressed by the Grand Empress Dowager, complains often too. The courtiers, being much different in age and status, neither dare nor care to console me. Several secretaries are my closest aides, yet they’ve never spoken such words of comfort and encouragement to me."

The heavy burden on his shoulders frequently leaves him anxious and fearful.

Everyone around him demands much and critiques endlessly, without offering words of warmth or encouragement.

Jiang Shaohua gazed steadily at Emperor Taihe and spoke softly: "Between a monarch and ministers, there is in fact opposition. When the ruler is strong, the ministers are weak; when the ruler is weak, the ministers are strong. Cousin ascended to the throne at a young age, with powerful ministers at your side, being constrained in all matters, leaving little room for achievement. Neither is this cousin’s fault. The several secretaries, though your confidants, are also your officials, and certain words won’t be said by them since they lack the courage."

"As for the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, pardon my boldness, if they had political acumen to relieve cousin’s worries, they would naturally be cousin’s greatest help."

The rest need not be said.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng manages the inner palace well and is adept at battling with people, yet lacks the ability to govern state affairs. Empress Dowager Li fares even worse, merely reaching the level of palace intrigue among concubines.

Unfortunately, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are at each other’s throats, both exerting pressure on Emperor Taihe. After attending to matters of the court, Emperor Taihe still had to mediate between his grandmother and mother, exhausting both mind and spirit.

Hitting the sore spot, Emperor Taihe couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.

"As a Vassal King, I shouldn’t leave my territory lightly. But knowing cousin was gravely ill, I couldn’t help but worry and had to come." Jiang Shaohua sighed as well: "Upon arrival, seeing cousin bedridden truly unsettles me."

"Cousin must pull yourself together, take good care of your health. Da Liang cannot do without you, the palace depends on you, and I thrive due to your grace, achieving my status and glory today."

The slightly somber atmosphere was broken by the last statement.

Emperor Taihe chuckled: "Cousin, you indeed speak frankly."

Jiang Shaohua softly laughed: "It’s just the truth. Cousin allowed me into the court, permitted me to gather troops and establish my strength. Without cousin’s generosity, how would I, this Nanyang County Princess, have such dignity today!"

Emperor Taihe was amused again: "Hearing this, indeed I should gather myself and continue to be cousin’s support."

Jiang Shaohua nodded repeatedly: "In the shade of a great tree, it’s good to rest! As long as cousin is stable on the Dragon Throne, I too can bask in the glow."

After a few more jesting remarks, the atmosphere significantly relaxed.

Emperor Taihe smiled and said: "You’re rarely in the Capital City, stay a few more days before returning."

"This is also my plan. At least until cousin can get up and attend court before returning to Nanyang County." Jiang Shaohua smiled lightly: "I plan to return to Nanyang County for the New Year and will stay in the palace for three months."

Three months should be enough to recuperate.

Emperor Taihe responded with a smile, looking at Jiang Shaohua: "You come and chat with me daily."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and agreed: "I humbly obey the imperial decree."