The Heavens: From Knowing Whether You Rule the World

Chapter 33 Let the evil winds from outside blow in!
The Prime Minister made his last vow to the emperor, and the power of the many cabinet ministers who watched and advised him was too great.

Although Zhao Zhen was heartbroken, he had to formally consider adopting a member of the royal family as the crown prince.

After much thought, the only ones qualified to be made princes in the world are the few royal family members who were summoned into the palace and carefully trained. Among these royal family members, only Prince Yan and Prince Yong lived in Bian Jing and were kings. Therefore, making a prince was nothing more than choosing between the two of them.

Thus, another difficult problem was put on the table by Emperor Renzong - who to appoint as the emperor?
Prince Yan is strong and capable, but has a bad temper and few offspring; Prince Yong is mediocre and also has a bad temper, but has many offspring and is quite fertile. Who should he choose?

Under normal circumstances, the capable Prince Yan would definitely be chosen first. However, the main reason for the turmoil in Zhao Zhen's reign was that the emperor had no heir, which magnified the fact that Prince Yong was able to have children, and his reputation among the people was not low.

When it came to the issue of succession, Prince Yan and Prince Yong began to fight openly and secretly, and the city of Bianjing was in turmoil for a while.

While the storm continued, there were also some calms as both sides waited for the Emperor's decision.

However, Zhao Zhen chose to delay again. He did not say who to appoint as the heir, but said that he would carefully consider the issue of succession.

When things got to this point, the Prime Minister and the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet dared not to persuade him any further.

The previous persuasion was naturally because the emperor was unwilling to appoint an heir. If he were to persuade again this time, it would really be like seeking favor from the emperor and becoming a crown prince. Who would dare to do that?
The cabinet ministers did not exert pressure, and the principal officials of the ministries did not dare to speak out, so the issue of who to appoint as the new emperor came to a standstill.

If there is no big shot in the cabinet to take charge of this kind of thing, it would be difficult for the people behind to put pressure on the emperor even if they said a thousand or ten thousand words.

Since they couldn't deal with the emperor, they decided to deal with their competitors. The Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong, who were originally friendly on the surface, gradually became hostile to each other. There were censors impeaching them, and some sought debates with great scholars in an attempt to occupy the center of public opinion.

As a result, the atmosphere in Bianjing became more and more solemn day by day.

Chu Hong looked out the window and sighed silently. How could this happen?

The position of Bachelor of Imperial Tutoring is quite impressive, so why is there no one asking me to do things for them?

Is it because his reputation is too upright?

I can choose not to accept this, but you can’t choose not to give it to me!

Let the evil winds from outside blow in, and let me resist them with my strong will!

"Master, Master?"

"Sanqi, why are you so flustered?"

Chu Hong looked up and saw a simple-looking, fat and broad-minded guard running towards him anxiously. It was Chu Hong's personal guard Sanqi.

"It's Mr. Han. He is hosting a banquet for his friends tonight and asked you to go to the Han Mansion immediately to help with the reception and preparations. He said..."

Sanqi lowered her voice slightly and said, "It is said that Minister Fu Da has returned home after retirement!"

"what?"

Chu Hong's leisurely look disappeared instantly and he stood up in surprise.

"My Lord, there is some movement from Elder Wang's side."

"Wang Qinruo?"

"It is said that a banquet is being held tonight to entertain friends from the six ministries. Many people have received invitations."

Chu Hong waved his hand slightly, "Sanqi, go prepare the carriage."

"Yes!"

Sanqi trotted outside.

"clatter!"

"Da da!"

Chu Hong paced quietly, looking out the window from time to time. He was afraid that he would have a hard time living in peace these days!

When Prime Minister Fu Da returns to his hometown in retirement, people will certainly reward him with a lot of things in consideration of him being a veteran minister of two dynasties. After Fu Bi passes away, he will probably be posthumously awarded the titles of Grand Tutor and Duke.

However, this is not the point. For a position like the Grand Tutor, any cabinet minister with greater influence will basically be enthroned after he retires peacefully. There is nothing surprising about it.

The important thing is that the position of Prime Minister has become vacant!

Several cabinet ministers would certainly want to compete for such a position, but there are only two who are truly qualified and have the background to compete: Han Zhang and Wang Qinruo.

There is no other reason, these two are favored ministers. It is undeniable that Wang Qinruo is a real traitor, but this person is indeed very capable and is a strong competitor of his teacher Han Zhang.

Being in a position like Grand Secretary of the Cabinet is like rowing against the current; if you don't move forward, you will fall behind.

When one prospers, all prosper; when one suffers, all suffer!

Then let’s fight for it!

Anyway, the teacher won the argument in the original book, so there is no need for me to be scared.

Chu Hong straightened his clothes solemnly, flicked his sleeves, and strode out.
Hall of Wende

The scholars are elegant, the military generals are steady, and the scene is harmonious and prosperous.

However, almost everyone knows that this harmony will not last long. Yesterday, Lord Han and Lord Wang hosted banquets for court officials at the same time, which almost made it clear that people were forced to choose between the two or remain neutral. It would be strange if there could be harmony.

Sheng Hong was a little nervous, but also a little expectant. With his personality, he would usually choose to remain neutral when encountering such a fight between gods.

Unfortunately, as Chu Hong's father-in-law, he had no choice this time.

So, Sheng Hong attended the banquet of the Korean members yesterday, feeling nervous and happy. To be honest, Sheng Hong had an inexplicable feeling that he had found his organization.

Who would have thought that with his status as a sixth-rank official, he would actually be qualified to take sides? Although the result had already been decided, it did not prevent Sheng Hong from feeling a little proud.

If I win this time, I'll get a promotion, right?
Before Sheng Hong could think too much, Emperor Zhao Zhen had already sat on the throne.

Zhao Zhen's cloudy eyes brightened up for once today. "Do you have anything to report?"

For a moment, almost everyone's eyes were on Prime Minister Fu Bi. During this period, there were indeed many things worth reporting, but none of them were as important as this one, so they were all suppressed by various departments.

"Your Majesty, your servant Fu Bi has something to report."

Fu Bi, with pale hair, walked out slowly.

"Your Excellency, please tell me what you have to say."

Zhao Zhen smiled slightly, showing his kindness.

"I have received Your Majesty's great grace and am deeply grateful for it. However, I am now old and unable to perform the heavy responsibility of being a prime minister. Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to allow me to retire and return to my hometown to enjoy my remaining years."

Fu Bi bowed slightly and asked.

Generally speaking, the position of prime minister in the Zhou Dynasty was based on three years, and six or nine years.
Up to now, Fu Bi has only served as prime minister for five years. It is obviously not a normal procedure for him to retire after five years.

However, at the level of prime minister, whether the process is normal is no longer important, and leaving early is also a very normal thing.

There is nothing that can be done about it; Fu Bi's early retirement is inevitable.

He is over seventy years old now. Although he looks gray-haired, he is in good health. Some time ago, he seemed to want to be favored by the crown prince. If he does not retire voluntarily, the emperor might regard him as a person like Sima Yi and be on guard against him. Rather than ruin his reputation for life, it is better for him to retire a year early.

"Haha! You have devoted yourself to the court, and I am very grateful. Now that you want to retire, although I regret it, I also understand and will approve your request."

Zhao Zhen's bright eyes were full of admiration, and his expression was quite relaxed.

As he spoke, Zhao Zhen waved his hand, obviously having been prepared long ago. His trusted eunuch immediately held up an imperial edict and began to read it:
"Here is your noble family, Fu Bi, a wise minister of two dynasties, with both talent and virtue, outstanding achievements, loyal and diligent to the country, diligent in politics, profound wisdom, broad knowledge, and a pillar of my country. Now that you have retired, I am very sad. I will grant you 3,000 strings of cash, 1,000 acres of good land, and the right to support 10 people, to show my appreciation and to show your virtue and achievements. I decree this!"

"Your Majesty, I, Fu Bi, thank you!"

Fu Bi, with white hair, took the imperial edict, his eyes filled with tears, and walked to the side with the support of two trusted eunuchs.

It was customary for the emperor to have a private conversation with the grand tutor after the prime minister and the cabinet ministers retired.

Zhao Zhen looked at Fu Bi and nodded with satisfaction. He knew that Fu Bi might not have such thoughts, but no one dared to gamble on the Prime Minister who was in his seventies and in good health!
"Well. Do you have anything else to report?"

"Your Highness, the Minister of Revenue, Chen Duan, has something to report."

In an instant, eyes shifted and many officials looked solemn.

Chen Duan, the number one general under Wang Qinruo!

(End of this chapter)