strictlysupreme Chapter 484: Shock all the ministers, take charge of the Ministry of Rites, and build intelligence!
Chapter 484: Shock all the ministers, take charge of the Ministry of Rites, and build intelligence!
"Why, are you dissatisfied with my reward?"
The emperor frowned and stared at Chu Ning.
This kid wouldn't really think that he is asking for a huge reward just for his meritorious service in saving the emperor, right?
The general is already higher in rank than the great general among military officers. If he is still not satisfied, he is too greedy!
While thinking, Chu Ning said with a serious face: "Father, I am very satisfied with your reward, but Ran Ming and Lord Deng contributed a lot to what happened last night, so I want to ask for a reward for them both."
It turned out that he was asking for a title for the people below him.
As long as Chu Ning doesn't want the reward himself, everything will be fine.
Chu Ning was already a prince, so it was impossible for him to get any higher in title. His official rank had also reached that of general, so it could be said that he had reached the highest position among officials.
There is nothing that can be done to Chu Ning.
But Ran Ming and Deng Hongwen are different. Their official positions are actually not very high.
When we welcomed the emperor last night, it was Ran Ming who led the charge.
Not to mention Deng Hongwen, who entered the game himself, deceived the Tenth Prince, became an insider, and then struck back at the critical moment, successfully reversing the situation!
To be honest, the contributions of these two people are actually greater than Chu Ning's.
"It turned out to be for both of them."
The emperor nodded slightly: "Actually, there is no need to say it. I have also prepared rewards for them."
"Draft an imperial decree. For Ran Ming's meritorious service in protecting the armor, he shall be promoted to the third rank loyal and brave general!"
"Deng Hongwen successfully reported the Tenth Prince's rebellion, led the army to capture Yan Wuji, and was named Minister of Rites!"
Ran Ming and Deng Hongwen immediately stepped forward and saluted: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"
This scene made the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince's faces change drastically.
They had long coveted the position of Minister of Rites, but they did not expect that it would eventually go to Deng Hongwen.
This newly crowned number one scholar leapt from a commoner to a third-rank official in just over a month!
And all this was planned by Chu Ning!
Thinking of this, they both looked at Chu Ning at the same time.
Chu Ning noticed someone was staring at him, he turned around and saw the three of them looking at each other.
Seeing that the two of them had ugly expressions and a look of unwillingness in their eyes, Chu Ning couldn't help but grin at them.
The two princes each snorted coldly and turned their heads away without looking at Chu Ning's victorious face.
Fortunately, at this time, the emperor seemed a little tired and waved his hand and said, "Okay, the matter is settled, everyone can leave."
"Your servants (your sons) take their leave!" Everyone bowed and saluted, then left the Yingwu Hall.
But as soon as everyone left, the emperor immediately issued an order: "The Yingwu Palace is no longer suitable for me to live in. Burn this palace. I will move to the Yangxin Palace."
At the order, the imperial guards immediately found firewood and flammable materials.
As soon as everyone left the palace, a raging fire was heard inside.
Chu Ning, who had already mounted his horse and was about to return home, couldn't help but raise his eyebrows when he saw this. He stood there and watched quietly as the fire engulfed the Yingwu Palace.
Ran Ming couldn't help but touch his bald head when he saw this, and asked in a low voice: "Your Highness, there is a fire in the palace, why are the imperial guards not nervous at all?"
Chu Ning said calmly: "It must be my father who ordered the burning of Yingwu Palace."
Ran Ming was stunned, and just as he was about to ask, Chu Ning shouted to the side: "Master Liu, Master Deng, please come to the mansion for a chat."
After saying this, Chu Ning rode his horse back home. Ran Ming had no time to ask any more questions, so he could only follow him.
Liu Shouren and Deng Hongwen looked at each other, and then went towards the Prince of Chu's Palace.
Half an hour later, in the living room of Prince Chu's Mansion.
Chu Ning sat in the main seat, while Liu Shouren and Deng Hongwen sat on his left and right respectively.
The fragrance of tea filled the air, making people feel relaxed and happy. Chu Ning took a sip, then put down the teacup with satisfaction and said calmly:
"Lord Liu, the mansion of the tenth brother was raided, but his property is still there. I have asked the Shen family to take over. When the time comes, you need to help me complete the formalities."
Liu Shouren smiled and said, "The other princes don't dare to seize the Tenth Prince's property at this moment. The Shen family took over very smoothly, and the Ministry of Revenue has already completed the formalities for them."
As the Minister of Revenue, he should not have been concerned with these trivial matters, but he understood that this matter was of great importance and must be handled properly, so he personally participated in the matter.
Ever since the second prince committed suicide last time, he noticed that Chu Ning's thoughts were different from before.
The Shen family's expansion this time also revealed Chu Ning's intentions.
Although Chu Ning did not explicitly say that he wanted to seize the throne, everything that happened after the second prince was killed could be said to be a preparation for seizing the throne!
If you want to seize the throne, you must have strength and sufficient financial resources.
To make the Shen family stronger is to make the Chu Palace stronger!
Once he is strong enough, he believes that Chu Ning will not be content with the status quo.
Chu Ning was very satisfied with Liu Shouren's answer, nodded and smiled, "Tenth Brother took over a lot of Eighth Brother's businesses last time, and Eighth Brother also took over some of Second Brother's businesses last time!
Now, all these properties have fallen into the hands of the Shen family, and the prince and his people got nothing this time!"
After a pause, Chu Ning looked at Deng Hongwen and said with a smile: "It is a pleasant surprise that Lord Deng can become the Minister of Rites this time."
Deng Hongwen said calmly, "Thanks to Your Highness, otherwise Your Majesty would not have easily promoted me to the Minister of Rites."
Chu Ning shook his head and chuckled: "Lord Deng's ability has been recognized by everyone, including my father. This position of Minister of Rites is what you deserve.
By the way, I have prepared a mansion for you in the city. When your parents come, you can take them there to enjoy a good life."
These words made Deng Hongwen, who had been calm all along, change his expression slightly. He immediately stood up and saluted: "Thank you, Your Highness!"
Chu Ning laughed: "There's no need to be so polite between you and me."
Waving his hand to signal Deng Hongwen to sit down, Chu Ning changed the subject: "However, this time Yan Wuji was killed, I'm sure the Great Yan Emperor will not let it go!
My father gave me the position of general, and I believe he was planning to send me to the front line.
Once I am not in Kyoto, the Crown Prince and Fourth Brother may take action. At that time, I hope you two can do your best to protect the Prince Chu's Palace."
Liu Shouren's face slightly changed at this remark: "Your Highness, do you mean that His Majesty has other intentions in rewarding the general?"
Chu Ning raised his lips slightly and said calmly: "My father has always liked the way of balance. This time, I have made great contributions in suppressing the rebellion, and a prince has died. I am too popular and have overshadowed the crown prince.
In order to pave the way for the Crown Prince, my father certainly doesn’t want me to be more powerful than the Crown Prince. It’s only a matter of time before I’m transferred to the front line.”
Liu Shouren and Deng Hongwen's faces suddenly turned ugly.
I thought that I had made great contributions in suppressing the rebellion and won a great victory, and I would be able to gain a firm foothold in the court in the future. I didn't expect that the emperor had other plans.
Deng Hongwen believed it without a doubt and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness is right. Among the six ministries, I and Lord Liu occupy the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue. In addition, as a general, you also command 100,000 troops in Bingzhou. Your prestige is indeed higher than that of the crown prince."
Chu Ning chuckled.
This does not include the Vice Minister of War Feng Anguo.
If Feng Anguo can conquer Zhao State, he will become the Minister of War when he returns!
By then, half of the six departments would be his people.
However, the emperor was not a fool. He must have realized that his power was too great, so he deliberately appointed him as a general and prepared to let him handle the relationship with the Yan Dynasty.
"You two adults don't have to worry too much. Although the Crown Prince and Fourth Brother will make some moves, they won't be too big."
Chu Ning said calmly: “As long as the king can do a lot on the front line, they will not dare to act rashly, not to mention that the king will leave white horse cavalry to protect the palace.
The most urgent task is to know the situation on the front line of Bingzhou and the reaction of Yan State after learning that Yan Wuji was killed. "
After saying this, Chu Ning looked at Deng Hongwen and said in a deep voice: "Sir Deng, I need you to form a special army to be responsible for intelligence.
Don’t worry about Yin Zi’s personnel matters, I will fully support you!
As for manpower, you can ask Lord Liu to cooperate. He has a national household registration, so it will be easy to find some people!"
Forming an intelligence organization is the real purpose of Chu Ning asking them to come here!
"Don't worry, Your Highness. We will do our best to handle this matter."