Chapter 121 - A Good Husband
"Your highness, this is the list of the government officials who have given marvelous performance for over twenty years to the Han Empire," the Head of Civil Service Department, Shao Zichen, handing the List to the assistant Huo who passed the List to the Emperor.
"What is the suggestion of Minister Shao?" Han Wenji queried after skimming through the list.
"Your majesty, according to me, Gong Yutong, who is currently working as the Chief in the Department of Law will be suitable for the Prime Ministerial Post." Shao Zichen put forward his suggestion.
"Your majesty, Gong Yutong is a known scholar from the time of his grandfather. He reformed the laws for the Empire which has benefited us in a good way. The law and order of Han is better thanks to Chief Gong," Sheng Li proclaimed.
Han Wenji looked at Prince Nianzu and asked for his advice. "I agree with the Crown Prince and Chief Head of the Civil Service Department. Gong Yutong is a true Civil Servant who works for the people. The law and order situation is not only maintained in the Capital but also in the areas far from the capital. He was offered the position of Law Minister earlier by you but he refused it saying he would like to serve the people from outside. So, we can see that Chief Gong has no greed for power or status." Han Nianzu rested on his words.
"What about you, Law Minister Zhi?" Han Wenji questioned.
"I will go with the name of Chief Gong. He deserves to be the Prime Minister," replied Zhi Xiang. Han Wenji after five minutes announced his decision.
"After the discussion for two days, I would like to entitle the Post of Prime Minister to Gong Yutong. He will be titled as Prime Minister Gong from today onwards." Han Wenji was handed a scroll in which the decree was written and he put the Imperial Seal on the decree. "Convey this message to Gong Yutong and call him to the Palace," Han Wenji ordered Han Nianzu who took the scroll from his father.
"Head Shao, Minister Zhi, you two shall leave," Han Wenji asserted. Shao Zichen and Zhi Xiang stood up from their respective seats, bowed their heads, and left the Private chamber.
"Father, there is something you must know," Sheng Li proclaimed. "There is ongoing corruption which needs to be checked especially at the village levels. Brother Nianzu and I think that there must be reforms in the administration system," asserted Sheng Li.
"Firstly, I would like to see the ground reports on all this. After analyzing everything, further action will be taken. The Crown Prince also needs to check the ongoing rebellions in the Southern Province. I think you shall expeditiously work on the situation of the Southern Province first," Han Wenji pronounced.
Sheng Li nodded. "Father, I also want you to appoint the new Governors of every province of Han, even for those who are ruled independently by the Kingdom who will be directly responsible for the Empire. That way we'll keep a check on every state without worries," Sheng Li suggested another important thing to the Emperor.
"The Crown Prince is saying the right thing. The sovereignty of Han must be realized by every Province. Since the Crown Prince has completed the military campaign so now the chief focus shall be on the betterment of the Han Empire and its people," Nianzu advised the Emperor.
"You are right, Prince Nianzu. Start your preparation on this plan," Han Wenji ordered the Fourth Prince. He then looked at the Crown Prince and said, "Crown Prince, you must leave for the Southern Province as soon as possible and return within a month with the Crown Princess."
"Yes, your majesty. I have prepared everything for my departure with the Crown Princess but now I am thinking we shall leave in disguise as the safety of the Crown Princess is of utmost importance," Sheng Li pronounced.
"Do not let her get harmed. I am letting her go with you because I believe that her intellect will work there more. Talk with people and do not lose your temper," the Emperor affirmed.
Sheng Li bowed his head. "Father believes the Crown Princess more," Sheng Li stated. Han Wenji and Prince Nianzu smile at how the Crown Prince was complaining about that.
"You are not giving a tough time to the Crown Princess, right?" Han Wenji asked.
"I am not giving her a tough time. I even took her to the Lantern Festival and purchased a gift for her. I am doing my duty as a good husband," Sheng Li pronounced.
Han Wenji laughed, seeing the reactions of Sheng Li. "It is good to see that my son is gentle around his wife. I want you to be gentle around everyone," Han Wenji enunciated.
"I understood, father," Sheng Li replied.
"How is the investigation going on with Zhang Yong Wei?" Han Wenji questioned.
"Father, his residence is being raided where it is found how he accumulated such a vast amount of wealth. Not only that, some maps of the neighboring kingdoms are found which shows that he has links with them as well," Sheng Li replied to the Emperor.
"Wei family is one of the strongest families of the Han Empire. Father must punish Zhang Yong because he misused the title just to fill his greed. It will set an example if he will be given the harshest possible punishment," Sheng Li pronounced with abhorrence.
"I will announce the punishment for Zhang Yong tomorrow in the Court," stated Han Wenji. Sheng Li and Nianzu took their leave from there.
Xing-Fu was waiting for the Crown Prince outside the chamber. "I will see you later, Crown Prince," stated Nianzu. Sheng Li nodded and turned to Xing-Fu.
"Your highness, a message has come from Juyan City," Xing-Fu reported to the Crown Prince.
"What message?" Sheng Li asked.
Xing-Fu lowered his eyes. "Your highness, the Crown Princess's mother has passed away. She could not take the demise of her husband and then she was also worried about the Crown Princess' safety," Xing-Fu informed the Crown Prince, looking disconsolate.