Chapter 370: Chapter 325: The New Chief Minister and the Passing of King Wei (Part 2)

Unexpectedly... Lu Xiangqing was the first to step down.

It seems that now only Xu Mujun can take his place.

Xu Mujun turned slightly and said, "Your Majesty, as for the position of Chief Minister of the Cabinet, please select someone else."

"Oh? Why?"

Zheng Yi was somewhat surprised, this is the position of Chief Minister of the Cabinet, second only to the emperor.

Did Xu Mujun give it up so easily?

Xu Mujun said, "Your Majesty, I am only skilled in military affairs, and am not versed in political matters."

"Now that the rebellion in the south has been quelled and Wu Country to the north has ceased hostilities, it is naturally a time to put the horses back in South Mountain and practice benevolence and righteousness."

"It would not be appropriate for me to assume the position of Chief Minister of the Cabinet."

"Put the horses back in South Mountain? Practice benevolence and righteousness?"

Zheng Yi murmured, but did not express agreement or disagreement.

How could there be lasting peace between nations?

The matter of putting the horses back in South Mountain will be a long enduring issue!

However, if Xu Mujun does not wish to be Chief Minister of the Cabinet, I cannot force him.

Unless...

Zheng Yi’s eyes flickered slightly, quickly thinking of something, and he said to Xu Mujun, "Xu Qing, several years ago I established a military academy, but unfortunately, due to the rebellion, it was shelved and now barely exists."

"As you are the headmaster of the military academy, you should take up the responsibility of establishing it."

Xu Mujun asked with curiosity, "Your Majesty’s meaning is..."

"With the military review approaching, once it’s completed, you may select suitable candidates from among the reviewed soldiers to serve as instructors and students at the military academy, to cultivate military talent for Great Yu. How about it?"

"Put the horses back in South Mountain? Practice benevolence and righteousness? Our Great Yu has been established for over three hundred years, how could there be intent to cease military activities?"

"In my view, the military of Great Yu should maintain a certain level annually, not just the Imperial Guard and Border Army, to prepare for all unforeseen events."

Zheng Yi said," I intend the military academy to become a talent cultivation base on par with the Imperial College. Can Xu Qing accomplish this?"

Xu Mujun immediately said, "I shall obey your command!"

Zheng Yi let out a long sigh of relief, "Since Xu Qing does not wish to be Chief Minister of the Cabinet, then the position of Chief Minister of the Cabinet..."

Everyone present instinctively pricked up their ears.

Especially Zheng Xuanyue, Zheng Zongbing, and Li Changfeng.

Zheng Yi hesitated for a few seconds, then promptly said, "Zheng Xuanyue, I appoint you as Chief Minister of the Cabinet!"

Presently in the cabinet, each person has their own interest groups behind them.

Xu Mujun represents the military, and Li Changfeng as Minister of War could also be considered part of a faction.

Zheng Zongbing as Minister of the Imperial Clan Court represents the royal family and faction of merit.

Zheng Xuanyue stands for the upright officials, and has the largest following.

Wang Anshi, originally from the upright officials, is now a member of the Emperor Faction.

Originally, Lu Xiangqing represented the interests of the noble families.

Although most of the noble families have been wiped out, their strength and talent behind them should not be underestimated.

Unfortunately, now that Lu Xiangqing has retired due to illness, the power of the noble families has greatly reduced in the court.

Though he has long entered the Cultivation Realm and need not bother with mundane affairs.

But Great Yu is ultimately his base and must not be in chaos.

Thus, balance must be maintained.

Only when the Emperor Faction is fully grown can he rest assured.

Zheng Xuanyue’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly knelt down, kowtowing and said, "I accept the decree with gratitude, Your Majesty, and will serve you loyally until my last breath!"

"With your assurance, I feel at ease."

Zheng Yi continued, "Since Xu Qing does not like political affairs, yet the cabinet needs Xu Qing’s presence, then... let’s continue to add the position of Cabinet Minister."

Their expressions shifted slightly, "Your Majesty, please instruct us."

"Cai Dashi and Yuan Qichang have labored hard and achieved much, they are worthy of great responsibilities, and are promoted to Cabinet Ministers."

Cai Dashi and Yuan Qichang quickly knelt and kowtowed, "We bow in gratitude for Your Majesty’s grace!"

Especially Cai Dashi, who was moved to tears with excitement.

He was born in the small country of Wei Country and was always looked down upon.

Now, under Zheng Yi’s promotion, he has become a Cabinet Minister, the highest position his homeland of Wei has achieved in Great Yu, he could not contain his excitement.

"And..."

"Your Majesty!"

Cai Dashi suddenly said excitedly, "I have an important matter to report!"

"Oh? What is it?"

"I received a letter from home, King Wei of Wei Country has passed, and his third son is persecuting the heir of King Wei with family power. Now the heir, with the help of loyal and courageous individuals, has fled back to Great Yu, and I ask Your Majesty to send troops to assist him!"

"Oh? King Wei has passed? When did this happen?"

"Two months ago..."

Cai Dashi continued, "The third son, Wei Zifeng, his maternal family is a major family in Wei Country, and controls the court. The heir was the designated successor by King Wei, but is being persecuted by him..."

"Wei Country, Wei Country..."

Zheng Yi tapped the table and looked around, "What do you propose?"

Xu Mujun said, "Wei Country is a vassal state of our Great Yu. Upon King Wei’s passing, it is rightful for the Heir of King Wei to succeed as the new King Wei!"

"What about Zheng Qing?"

Zheng Xuanyue glanced cautiously at Zheng Yi and said in a low voice, "Wei Country submitted a national letter to our Great Yu a month ago, and King Wei’s third son, Wei Zifeng, has assumed the position of King Wei..."

"Hmm?"

Seeing Zheng Yi displeased, Zheng Xuanyue hurriedly corrected himself, "However, the national letter from Wei Country has been withheld by us and has not been distributed. The actions of King Wei’s third son, Wei Zifeng, are indeed rebellious, and our Great Yu should certainly not condone them."

"I request to report to Your Majesty, suggesting that the deployment of a great army into Wei to support the Heir of King Wei in succeeding as the new King Wei!"

"Good!"

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "Let it be according to your strategy, Aiqing."

Only then did Zheng Xuanyue breathe a silent sigh of relief, it seemed King Wei’s third son was doomed.

As for those things he sent... naturally, they would not be returned!

The old man had said all he could, but if Your Majesty disagrees, there’s nothing the old man can do.

"Xu Qing, who do you think should be sent to assist that Heir of King Wei?"

Xu Mujun pondered for a moment before responding, "Wei Country is covered with mountains and forests, making it extremely inconvenient for the army to maneuver."

"A hundred years ago, when the Great Yu was founded, three monarchs attempted to conquer Wei Country with armies, yet all met with failure."

"Now, if we want to assist the Heir of King Wei, we need to deploy the New Army into Wei, leveraging the advantage of firearms to ensure victory!"

"Good..."

Zheng Yi said in a low voice, "Then let Qu Bo, the Commander of the New Army Second Division, lead the Second Division to assist the Heir of King Wei in Wei to quell the rebellion!"

"Understood!"

Qu Bo, a member of the Emperor Faction, was the former commander of the New Army First Division.

He made great contributions during the suppression of the southern rebellion, becoming the Commander of the Second Division, leading over eighty thousand men, all equipped with firearms.

"Additionally, Cai Dashi, as the Military Supervisor, to assist the Heir of King Wei in succeeding."

Cai Dashi said with surprise and delight, "I follow the order!"

After handling this matter, Zheng Yi continued, "Kong Xiangsi, promoted to Cabinet Minister."

Kong Xiangsi, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, loyal and virtuous, has always been one of the evergreens of the Great Yu Court, renowned for his esteem of self-restraint and adherence to ritual, and also a representative of the Noble Family.

Now that Lu Xiangqing has retired, only Kong Xiangsi is most suitable to be the spokesman for the Noble Family in the court.

Unfortunately, Kong Xiangsi is somewhat advanced in age, if Zheng Yi remembers correctly, he is already seventy-two.

He previously requested retirement repeatedly, and now unexpectedly promoted, it’s unknown how many will be astonished.

Although some present were surprised, they respectfully said, "We will follow the order."

Xu Mujun.

Zheng Xuanyue.

Zheng Zongbing.

Li Changfeng.

Wang Anshi.

Yuan Qichang.

Cai Dashi.

And Kong Xiangsi, making up the list of this term’s Cabinet Ministers.

However, Xu Mujun holds a special status, he does not participate in regular cabinet affairs.

To be precise, there are only seven Cabinet Ministers, an odd number, preventing a stalemate in decision-making on resolutions.

"Additionally..."

Zheng Yi continued, "Now that the world is initially stabilized, and the southern rebellion has been pacified, there are numerous post-war affairs. You may propose candidates for the position of Cabinet Minister, totaling twenty, to assist you in your work, Aiqing."

"Submit the candidate list to me in three days, for the final review."

"We will follow the order!"

"You may be dismissed!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After the cabinet members departed, Zheng Yi summoned Chen Liancang.

"Elder Chen, send the Shadow Guard to investigate the situation of the Heir of King Wei, I need an accurate assessment."

"I follow the order!"

Chen Liancang respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I have another matter to report."

"Oh, what is it?"

"Two months ago, Senior Zhao Suzhen returned to the Capital City, but at the time Your Majesty was in closed cultivation and did not meet him."

"Zhao Suzhen? Where is he now?"

"Senior Zhao Suzhen went overseas, saying he is heading to the Overseas Cultivation Realm."

"Overseas?"

Zheng Yi asked in surprise, "Why? I have reserved the position of National Preceptor for him."

Chen Liancang smiled wryly, "As far as I know, Senior Zhao Suzhen went overseas entirely for the Elder Celestial Master."

"Elder Celestial Master Zhao Xizheng? What’s happened to him?"

"Elder Celestial Master Zhao... is nearing the end of his life."

"Hmm?"