Chapter 461 (1/2)

Chapter 461 – Seizing power (2)

Recently, more and more officials came to the marquis's estate. They would rather seek Ning Yuxuan's help to handle matters than enter the palace and request an audience with the emperor. Ji Man didn't know why this was happening.

“That's true, I'll be busy for a period of time, so you'll have to wait for me.” His smile was full of confidence and certainty. “You won't have to wait long.”

—

Zhao Zhe had been living in Zhangjun for the past several years. Most of the current officials were the original ones that were accustomed to using the old methods. When all was said and done, they were the ones that were most familiar with their work. As long as they weren't absolutely loyal to the previous emperors, they were allowed to continue serving in their original official positions.

Naturally, these court officials were closer to Ning Yuxuan than a lofty emperor. From the time that Ning Yuxuan started to secretly approve pet.i.tions, he gained a lot of power to deal with things. Without the emperor noticing, these officials had gained the habit of asking Marquis Moyu's opinion before doing anything.

By the time Prime Minister Xiao told Zhao Zhe there was something strange going on, Zhao Zhe finally noticed that if he wanted to know something like that status of capital's wall repairs, he would have to ask Marquis Moyu.

During court sessions, it was enough if Marquis Moyu attended by himself. It was because he knew everything. However, he wouldn't report anything unless the emperor asked him for the answers, one by one.

Zhao Zhe finally realized there was something wrong. Ning Yuxuan had turned him into a mere figurehead.

However, he had realized this too late. Even if he wanted to remedy the situation, he didn't have the energy right now. The war between the borderlands and Yuzhen was becoming increasingly intense. It was rumored that Yuzhen had divine soldiers. Great Song's army was losing badly. Over time, Great Song's army had retreated 50 kilometers after successive losses. Seeing that the borderlands would soon be lost, Zhao Zhe could only dispatch a ma.s.sive military force to the borderlands.

The military problems were unending. How would they continue to supply army provisions? How would the various military expenditures be funded and which ones should be approved? Every day, officials from the Ministry of Revenue came over to bother him with these types of questions. Over time, Zhao Zhe became glad that Marquis Moyu was helping him out with a portion of his responsibilities.

However, Marquis Moyu started to be selective about the issues he would handle. He would only handle major issues. Piles of unimportant pet.i.tions – such as issues related to Jiangxi Province's ca.n.a.ls, the promotions of officials in Jiangnan, etc – were all left to pile up on the emperor's desk.

Zhao Zhe asked Xiao Tianyi where these pet.i.tions normally went. Were they usually sent to the prime minister's desk instead? However, Xiao Tianyi had no idea. Lately, he had been rolling in riches, and his days were truly free and unfettered.

Other than the war at the borderlands, the imperial court was the picture of joyous harmony. Other than Zhao Zhe and Ning Yuxuan, no one was experiencing the turbulence below.

Zhao Zhe summoned his trusted subordinates to discuss. However, the war with Yuzhen was more pressing. Who cared about how to seize power at a time like this? They recommended that the emperor put his mind to settling the borderland war first.

If Zhao Zhe was a fox, then Ning Yuxuan was nine-tail fox that was a superb compet.i.tor. He knew how to advance by retreating, and how to defeat his enemies with their own tactics.

—

“Let's go.” Ning Yuxuan looked at Ji Man's round belly. Concerned, he amended his words, “With your body like this, let's walk slowly.”

Ji Man was very curious. “Go where?”