Liang Xiao scanned the civil and military officials, his heart filled with complex emotions.
In officialdom, it was a common phenomenon for bad money to drive out good. Good people adhered to various bottom lines and were too cautious, while bad people could continuously break through bottom lines, speculate, and had more and more efficient avenues to obtain benefits.
Otherwise, why would the late dynasties be characterized by corrupted governance, factional strife, and land annexation?
Looking across the Great Gan Kingdom, the aristocratic families banded together, their influence covering the sky. It was difficult to find even a few individuals within the country who could ascend to high positions while simultaneously opposing them.
Wang Canghai was also swamped with state affairs and had to maintain stability in the central government. It was incredibly difficult for him to personally select and cultivate talents, making him a lone figure fighting against the tide.
Under the close-knit exclusion of the aristocratic families, most talented individuals were ineffective. They would remain in their official positions for years, even decades, without promotion. Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing had to work hard and create opportunities for them.
Even for a Minister of War, Zhuo Wulue had to start as a Vice Minister and see if he could manage the entire Ministry of War and become familiar with its affairs before seizing the opportunity to replace Dugu Qun.
If not for Wang Canghai's adept diplomacy and his cooperation with Emperor Wen and Xiao Qing to balance various factions, it was impossible to predict how dire the Great Gan Kingdom's situation would have become.
Unlike Liang Xiao's contemplation, the civil and military officials were all stunned.
He Wanli recovered his senses and chuckled dryly, "Your Majesty, this old minister is content to be the Minister of Personnel. There's no need for further promotion..."
"How can that be! Your Majesty is a universally recognized wise ruler. If rewards and punishments are not meted out clearly, it is inevitable that the scholars of the world will feel disheartened!" Liang Xiao said with a smile.
"Your words are just!" Xiao Qing replied with a smile. "Minister Dugu, who has succeeded the Grand Tutor, has worked diligently and made significant contributions. His son, Dugu Xiao, is a rare talent, ranking sixth in the selection of national talents."
Everyone was taken aback.
Their Majesty had finally remembered Dugu Xiao, who had been neglected for half a year?!
He Wanli's face turned pale, and he waited in silence.
"I intend to promote Minister of Personnel He Wanli to the position of Tong Pingzhang Shi and concurrently grant him the title of Grand Tutor. His son, Vice Minister of Personnel He Anding, will be promoted to Minister of Personnel. Dugu Xiao will be exceptionally appointed as Vice Minister of Personnel. What do all of you ministers think?"
Xiao Qing's inquiry shocked the entire court.
Dugu Xiao was also from an aristocratic family. Judging by the Emperor's actions alone, the three major aristocratic families did not seem to have suffered any substantial loss of power. In fact, they had gained two high-ranking officials!
However, He Wanli quickly realized something.
Dugu Xiao's exceptional appointment was even more outrageous than Liang Xiao's initial appointment as Vice Minister of Works, as Liang Xiao was ranked first!
Gu Shaoyan, Mu Hong, and Zhang Yang only rose to fourth-rank officials later!
By convention, this position of Vice Minister of Personnel should have gone to an elder like Dugu Liang who was making a comeback...
Dugu Xiao would not be able to win over the populace. Furthermore, coming in directly as Vice Minister of Personnel, he might not be able to perform well. In the future, Xiao Qing could always find an excuse to dismiss Dugu Xiao from this post and replace him with someone they truly wished to employ...
Moreover, if an exceptionally appointed Dugu Xiao could not win over the populace, then Xiao Qing's future exceptional appointments would become even more legitimate...
Such open schemes were difficult to guard against!
After a moment, Wang Canghai was the first to step forward: "Your Majesty is enlightened!"
With Wang Canghai's endorsement, Gu Hong and others no longer hesitated and voiced their support.
Having been in officialdom for many years, they quickly grasped Xiao Qing's intentions.
The Emperor was preparing to target the Ministry of Personnel. This was a warning, telling the Ministry of Personnel not to cause trouble arbitrarily, or they would make an example of the newly appointed Vice Minister of Personnel!
Facing the bestowed honors, He Wanli had no choice but to thank His Majesty for the grace, along with his son He Anding behind him.
Xiao Qing then looked at Wang Canghai, and seeing his head of white hair, felt touched.
"Prime Minister Wang Canghai, a veteran of three reigns, has governed the country effectively and served with unwavering loyalty, as heaven and earth can bear witness! He is rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold, ten thousand mu of fertile land, the title of Marquis of Fuguochao, and the right to select two thousand households as his fief!"
The civil and military officials had no objections and offered their congratulations to Wang Canghai.
Xiao Qing immediately drafted imperial edicts regarding Wang Canghai, He Wanli, and others, bestowing them with their rewards.
The newly appointed Grand Tutor, He Wanli, became gaunt and haggard after a mere afternoon, unable to feel any joy.
Although the Grand Tutor was nominally the teacher of the Crown Prince, in reality, like the Grand Tutor, it was an honorary title in the Great Gan Kingdom with little real power. The Tai Bao, the lowest of the Three Excellencies, was actually the one with the most substantial power...
"With the Three Excellencies gathered, Great Gan will be revitalized. Should all of you ministers not be happy?" Xiao Qing said with a smile.
The civil and military officials offered their congratulations, but only He Wanli felt a sense of unease.
Although the Dugu family and his own were in the same boat, the He family was far from happy about Dugu Xiao's intrusion into the Ministry of Personnel.
No matter how polite Dugu Xiao was, as Vice Minister of Personnel, he would have to cede some power!
Human desire for power had no limits. Once power was obtained, one became addicted to it and unwilling to let go. For it, people could even turn against their siblings or fathers and sons, let alone friends...
However, at present, they could only band together with the Dugu family, hiding their dissatisfaction.
Liang Xiao noticed He Wanli's tense expression, his muscles almost contorted, and couldn't help but ask, "Minister He... um, as Grand Tutor, you should be happy about your promotion. Why do you look like you've got hemorrhoids acting up?"
Hemorrhoids?
As soon as Liang Xiao finished speaking, everyone was stunned, and then they covered their mouths and snickered. Luo Changfeng, who was always cheerful, couldn't help but shake with laughter.
He Wanli's face immediately turned ashen. He glared at Liang Xiao, wishing he could devour him alive.
Liang Xiao was at the zenith of his power now. They dared not confront him directly and could only endure in silence!
This court session further solidified He Wanli's resolve.
He was determined to establish his own newspaper to counter Liang Xiao, to prevent Liang Xiao's Great Gan Daily from becoming a tool to harm them!
After the court session ended, everyone congratulated Liang Xiao and Zhuo Wulue.
One becoming a General of Chariots and Cavalry, and the other the new Minister of War, undoubtedly greatly strengthened their confidence in supporting imperial power!
Especially Mu Lingming, the Prefect of Jingzhao, who was beaming with joy because his son held concurrent positions at the third rank. He immediately sent someone to the Liang residence to buy a few jars of "One Drunk Century" to celebrate.
As the content of the imperial edicts spread, the common people of the capital rejoiced for Liang Xiao and the northern troops, clapping and cheering.
"Why have Dugu Qun and He Wanli been promoted!"
The common people did not understand the hierarchy of official power. Hearing that the two had been promoted, they were very displeased!
Through the propaganda of the Great Gan Daily, people knew that the old Marquis of Dingguo, Gongsun Ye, a descendant of the founding marshal Gongsun Wuji, had guarded Jiangnan for decades and made great contributions. He had only recently been promoted to General of the Guards, and not even a first-rank official.
"The old Marquis of Dingguo is only a General of the Guards, so why are these two granted the titles of Three Excellencies!"
The role of newspapers had finally begun to manifest. The common people were well-informed, and the difficulty and cost for aristocratic families to manipulate public opinion were increasing.
Although the Dugu family lost the position of Minister of War, they gained the Vice Minister of Personnel, an envoy, and a Grand Tutor, barely compensating for their losses. They could only lie low for the time being and refrain from agitating Liang Xiao.
If they were to incite the public to believe that Liang Xiao's achievements were too great and threatened the emperor, the effect would only be counterproductive. After all, these were personal bestowals from the Emperor himself, and they could not possibly say that the Emperor was foolish.
Western Palace Villa.
That night, the Empress was affectionate, and the couple was inseparable...
In contrast, the three major aristocratic families were restless. They gathered at the He residence to discuss important matters.
"This foolish ruler is acting arbitrarily and indulging in extravagance. It's time to find someone to replace him! But, who can help us now..." Dugu Liang grumbled, his beard bristling, gnashing his teeth.
As everyone was at a loss, a report came from a death warrior outside: "Master, those lords have arrived!"