Surely enough, Empress Jiang did not have good countermeasures. She even wanted her ministers to offer her one!
However, she had been in this stage of politics for several years. Therefore, she was not so frightened by the Empress Dowager’s moves. She gracefully put down the military report. Instead of answering the question, she asked, “Mother, when I entered the hall just now, I seemed to hear Duan Qun saying that it was inappropriate for Ruan Qingyan to be the Chief of Staff of Shazhou? This is really absurd!”
“Why is it absurd?” Empress Dowager Gu gave a cold smile. Although she was nearly 60 years old, she still had unfailingly charming phoenix eyes, smilingly looking at the Empress’s face, “Nowadays, Ruan Qingyan is only in his early twenties. In terms of seniority, he worked in the Hanlin Academy for a few months. And his mourning period was over just days ago – I think that it is okay if he is installed as the Prefect of a District Magistrate. But now, he will be the Chief of Staff of a State. And more importantly, Shazhou is critical to our country now! If there were no wars coming to us, it would be fine to take time to grow. But, now that there is an impending war on the western border, we don’t have time for him to grow.”
Empress Jiang hummed, “Mother, you mentioned that Ruan Qingyan is young. Why don’t you say that he is the youngest Jinshi in our times? He was born in the family of an officer. The children of ordinary families are far inferior to him.”
“That only means he has potential – but potential takes time!” Empress Dowager Gu said indifferently, “He grew up in the south and just stayed in the capital for a few years. He has never been to the west before. Nor has he ever been a Chief of Staff, much less been exposed to military affairs! You have to know that even for an officer who has been in the line for many years, it will take him at least a few months to get familiar with his new post! Not to mention that when they have a heavy work schedule! Let me ask you. Now we have received an emergency letter from Xijiang. Do we have time now for him to get familiar with business and take time to think about what he has to do?!”
Tang Zimo and others echoed, “This is very important. And today, all posts in Shazhou are critical. We can’t take this lightly! Although Ruan Qingyan is very talented, he is too young. The appointment is not suitable!”
The Empress’s party members also wanted to show supports to the Empress, “There are rules for the selection of officers in Darui. It does not say that an officer’s selection should take his age into consideration! Ruan Qingyan has been working at Hanlin Academy. When he was in the Ministry of Civil Service, he took the appearance, speech, culture and logic examinations and passed the examinations. He then was given the post of Chief of Staff of Shazhou after the imperial examination, and the procedures were open. There is no favouritism! Now, you want to cancel his appointment just because of a military report. It’s unfair. You defy the rules of the selection of officers of Darui.”
“That he passed the selection examinations doesn’t mean he can’t be reassigned to another post,” Qiu Dian said slowly and methodically, “Does it mean that the officer granted by the Ministry of Civil Service after the exams can’t be reassigned in this lifetime? We are neither saying that Ruan Qingyan can’t be an officer, nor that there are problems with the selection assessment. We think that he is not suitable for the post of Chief of Staff of Shazhou!”
They had always been hostile to each other. The Empress’s party deliberately misinterpreted the facts, and both knew it very well. Therefore, Qiu Dian immediately refuted it.
Jiang Tianqi sneered, “Qiu Dian, you just said you do not think there is something wrong with the procedures of the exams and assessments. But did you listen to my brother’s words? Ruan Qingyan was assigned to the post after the exams!”
Since the Ministry of Civil Service appointed Ruan Qingyan to be the Chief of Staff of Shazhou, they obviously believed he was qualified! However, you insisted that Ruan Qingyan was ineligible for the post. You deliberately wanted to offend the Ministry.
Jiang Tianqi waved his hand at Xue Chang before Qiu Dian spoke. He forced a smile, “What do you think, Prime Minister Xue?”
Xue Chang was the Chief Imperial Secretary. He was in charge of the six Ministries. Jiang Tianqi asked his opinion on this matter. It was clear that he was forcing him to make a choice.
Seeing this, Empress Dowager Gu grew solemn. The air in the Hall of Taishi was growing solemn, too.
After seeing around, Xue Chang calmly and peacefully made a salute to Empress Dowager Gu and the Empress, “Your Graces, today we gathered for the military letter, which was sent here as an emergency letter. But now, we still did not begin to…”
“Prime Minister Xue, I don’t agree with what you said!” Tang Zimo and Jiang Tianao spoke in unison and then frowned at the same time after they finished speaking.
Xue Chang didn’t turn around to look at them after hearing the words. He said bluntly, “Zimo, Tianao, do you think that Ruan Qingyan’s appointment will affect the impending war on the western frontier? I think there is no need to worry!”
While Empress Dowager Gu’s pupils shrank slightly, Tang Zimo said in a deep voice, “Tell us in detail!”
“The duties of the Chief of Staff of Shazhou are to manage the Shazhou army and to defend Shazhou city, as well as to take charge of the Western Army’s warehouse together with Prefectural Governor,” Xue Chang blandly said. He added, “The war on the western frontier is supposed to be the duty of the Western Army, and there is no need for the Shazhou army to participate in the war. In case the Western Army loses the war, and the western savages reach outside Shazhou city, it won’t help at that time if we change the Chief of Staff. So whether the western border is in wartime or in peace time has little impact on his duties. Nor will his talent after taking the post have a great impact on the war situation.”
Tang Zimo frowned, “As Prime Minister Xue said so, if Ruan Qingyan agrees to give up the right to be in charge of the warehouse, I will agree to have him take the post!”
“Since he is the Chief of Staff of Shazhou, why does Zimo want to take away his authority?” Jiang Tianao said. He, of course, did not want it to happen. This would be important evidence for Qiu Jinglan to deal with Kuang Shihan. How could it be taken away?
“The army’s warehouse is very, very important. Ruan Qingyan is too young and has little experience. In case there is a delay in sending the equipment and food to the army and something goes wrong because of him, it will be big trouble…” Tang Zimo’s words were interrupted by Jiang Yashuang who was silent until now, “Minister Tang, my wife’s brother is the grandson of General Ruan. Many of General Ruan’s colleagues are still serving in the Western Army. How could Ruan Qingyan do detrimental things to the Western Army? Not to mention that after Ruan Qingyan left the capital for his post, he would be in Shazhou. Once the western savages attack our border, the country’s safety depends on the Western Army. When the time comes, I believe that he will sincerely hope that the army can immediately destroy the enemy. Because of this, I am sure he will do his best to fulfil his duties.”
Tang Zimo felt very unhappy because of Jiang Yashuang. A group of high-ranked ministers were discussing state affairs. The lowest officer position was the Imperial Edict Editor of the Central Secretariat among them. But Jiang Yashuang, as a junior, was an editor ranked at level seven, dared stand up, interrupted them, and expressed himself.
There was a group of people from the Jiang Family here. Tang Zimo knew very well that Empress Jiang was aggressive and shrewd. He dared not directly reprimand Jiang Yashuang. So, he said coldly, “You should know that it is easy to know it but difficult to do it. Trying to do your best doesn’t mean you can get things done!”
“But what makes Minister Tang think Ruan Qingyan can’t fulfil his mission?” Jiang Yashuang smiled, “Now Ruan Qingyan is not here. If you have doubts, why don’t you summon Ruan Qingyan over for a meeting and test him personally?”
After hearing these words, all people of Empress Dowager’s party frowned, “Test personally… It will be okay if he fails. But, if he passes the test, he will have one more reason to take the post.”
In fact, after Qiu Jinglan’s mourning period was over, he went to the Ministry of Civil Service to take the tests – How could these things be hidden from the ears of the Empress Dowager’s party?
If there were hidden stories behind the selection procedures, there would be no need for Empress Dowager Gu to deal with it now!
It was easy for Jiang Yashuang to say the suggestion. If the Empress Dowager party wanted to test Qiu Jinglan, the Empress party definitely would stand aside, monitoring the whole test. With Qiu Jinglan’s talent, he could easily deal with the common questions. But if he was questioned with too complicated questions, the people from the Empress’s party would stand up and object!
So, the Empress Dowager’s party was definitely unwilling to take the risk as they were pondering how to answer. Xue Chang approved the idea suddenly, “It is often said that true gold can survive in fire. We all know there will be a war on the western border. The appointment of an officer there should indeed be more cautious!” He also requested that he would not attend the test for the sake of fairness to avoid arousing suspicion when Ruan Qingyan took the test.
Empress Dowager Gu thought to herself, Xue Chang must have seen that her own people were apprehensive about testing Qiu Jinglan again. Yet, he still suggested doing it. It seemed that he had deep feelings for this student.
“Since Prime Minister Xue said so, summon Ruan Qingyan!” Empress Dowager Gu pondered for a moment and said indifferently.
Qiu Jinglan was soon summoned, along with the Ministry of Civil Service officers.
With the Empress’s party and the Neutral Party standing aside, the Empress Dowager Gu’s party had no chance to ask tough questions to test him. He passed with ease.
The exam went on for about two hours or so. Qiu Jinglan always answered the questions correctly. Tang Zimo, who was in charge of this re-examination, saw that no new questions could be raised, so he had to dryly cough and say it was over.
With both sides standing along, Qiu Jinglan’s performance left the Empress Dowager’s party speechless and they had to agree to his appointment.
But they didn’t exactly lose completely. Although Tang Zimo would no longer oppose Qiu Jinglan’s posting, Empress Dowager Gu immediately said, “In that case, Ruan Qingyan, you quickly go to Shazhou. Then follow the unexpired Chief of Staff to observe and learn to avoid being rusty after taking office next spring and causing big trouble!”
Hearing her words, the Empress’s party was slightly shocked!
The original date of Ruan Qingyan’s appointment was the middle of spring in the following year. This was a comprehensive result considering the term of the current Chief of Staff of Shazhou, the marriage Ruan Qingyan had to manage for his sister after his mourning period, and the arrangement of everything he had to do in the capital before moving to serve… Therefore, both the Empress’s party’s support for him and his own plans were arranged based on this schedule.
The trip had to start now, which was months ahead of what had been scheduled all along!
This meant a lot of preparation had yet to be done!
It also meant that the risks on the way to Qiu Jinglan’s appointment would be greatly increased!
But the Empress Dowager Gu’s words were reasonable, which the Empress’s party could not refuse. They could say nothing, just watching Qiu Jinglan promise to pack immediately after returning home.
This temporary small Imperial Court Assembly was finally over. Being out of the palace, Marquess Qin said to Qiu Jinglan, “You are about to travel far. I have some words for you.” Hence, it was logical to invite Qiu Jinglan to Marquess’s Mansion.
The spacious study was once again filled with people discussing the emergency letter’s impact from the border.
Jiang Tianao looked serious, “It seems that the Empress Dowager had planned earlier to force Chunjun to move ahead of schedule. This will catch us off guard!”
This was not a complicated game they couldn’t understand. But the problem was that Qiu Jinglan was young and was a green hand in state affairs. This was the severest problem. The war was coming soon, and it was reasonable to doubt his ability – As his supporters, the Empress’s party could do nothing else except desperately prove his ability.
At this time, the Empress Dowager asked Qiu Jinglan to move as early as possible. They could not refuse!
“Then is it too late to start making arrangements now?” Sir Jibei asked. He had only retained his title after his retirement. After hearing a brief description of what happened, he raised the question.
“We must figure it out!” Marquess Qin shook his head. He continued, “With Chunjun’s status, he can’t bring a large number of people along with him. If so, it would be easy to cause denunciation and would also be easily grasped by Kuang Shihan!” After all, even if Qiu Jinglan brought many men with him, it would be not possible the number amounted to that of the Western Army. If Kuang Shihan got his trip schedule, Jinglan would have to face endless murderers before arriving in Shazhou!
In their original plan, the Jiang Family would send men along his trip to protect him. Now that his trip was months earlier, many of the men had not yet arrived at the intended location and some had not even finished their current errands!
“The Empress Dowager said to go there quickly. That means he must leave within two days or three days, at most. Or he may be punished!” Jiang Yashuang added it for his grandfather.
“Kuang Qingwu is still in the capital!” Jiang Tianqi suddenly said. He continued, “Can we also find a way to get him out of the capital, such as sending him to the south?”
Marquess Qin still shook his head, “He is now working under Tang Zimo. Tang Zimo won’t give us a chance to send him out. It is just a waste of time to do it!”
The study was silent for a while. Everyone was thinking hard about how to end the impasse.
A short while later, Jiang Yashuang said, “If we can’t get Kuang Qingwu to another place, how about we find a way to make Kuang Shihan return to Shazhou?”
“Oh?” Marquess Qin frowned, “Tell me about it!”
“Kuang Shihan is eager to let Kuang Qingwu take over his place in the Western Army. Therefore, he must have prepared it for him in advance. Kuang Qingwu is young. Although he got the title of the Jinshi in this year’s imperial examination, in the army, the title means nothing.” Jiang Yashuang calmly said, “If he wants to let Kuang Qingwu establish prestige in the Western Army, the following days are a good opportunity to achieve it!”
War! With war, he could gain a military medal. With the military medal, the soldiers in the army could be convinced to follow him!
If this plan worked, Kuang Shihan would indeed make Kuang Qingwu return to Shazhou to participate in the war, taking the chance to gain a military medal – The emergency letter had been sent to the palace. Whether the western savages really had a plan to attack or not, this war was unavoidable. Otherwise, how could Kuang Shihan explain to the court?
The risks Kuang Qingwu went back certainly would not be smaller than Qiu Jinglan’s trip to the west. In terms of fighting face to face, the “Tianya” was much weaker than the Western Army. However, in terms of assassination, the “Tianya” was a recognized expert!
If Kuang Shihan wanted to protect his son along his trip, he had to draw some of his men who were originally sent to hunt down Qiu Jinglan!
This was indeed a strategy that could weaken the enemy’s plan, but Marquess Qin was not quite satisfied with it, “The plan you said is based on the condition that Kuang Qingwu and Chunjun start their trips on the same day. But the Prince of Zhou’s wedding is not until next month. The news of Princess Changping’s wedding has not come out until now. But Chunjun has to leave in a few days!”
Kuang Qingwu’s purpose of staying in the capital last year was to attend the imperial examinations and hold a wedding. These two things were not finished. Hence, he was not going to leave, and he could not leave, either.
Jiang Yashuang smiled, “The Empress Dowager only ordered him to leave as early as possible. She did not say that Chunjun must hurry on with his journey day and night to Shazhou. The distance from here to Shazhou is thousands of miles. It is reasonable for him to delay some days during his trip!”
As long as he left the capital, he was not against Empress Dowager Gu’s order. He could find a place, hiding over there and waiting for the day when Kuang Qingwu left.