Chapter 410: The Empress Dowager as a Model
It had been barely a month since the Empress Dowager began overseeing state affairs from behind the screen.
Over this past month, memorials were all submitted to the Empress Dowager, reviewed, and then returned to the officials. Those ministers could sense that the Empress Dowager truly possessed the talent to govern the country.
However, the common people’s resistance was severe. If incited by those with ulterior motives, it could indeed form a force of internal unrest.
Most of the Great Jin’s military forces were stationed in the western frontier. Now, with additional troops dispatched to the eastern front, there were not many garrison soldiers left in the capital. If chaos erupted, it would be somewhat difficult to control.
“Then, I shall ask all of you,” Yun Chu’s voice was light and calm. “A month ago, there was no such severe resistance among the people. Why, starting from last night, have so many commoners suddenly forbidden the Empress Dowager from participating in state affairs?”
Minister Qiu spoke up, “That is because the Empress Dowager advocates attacking the Eastern Tomb Kingdom.”
Yun Chu continued, “I recall that when the proposal to attack the Eastern Tomb was first made, the voices in favor of war among the people were predominant. It is absolutely impossible for this to be the reason.”
“Your humble servant has heard a little about this,” Marquis Pingjin stepped forward. “Someone has spread rumors that the Empress Dowager intends to raise taxes to gather military funds, which touches upon the most fundamental interests of the common people. As a result, a large number of workers, farmers, and merchants have gathered to resist this matter.”
The corners of Yun Chu’s lips curved upward. “Then, I shall ask one final question: Have I ever proposed increasing taxes?”
Marquis Pingjin declared loudly, “The Empress Dowager has never mentioned such a matter.”
“Therefore, the voices among the people are all baseless rumors,” Yun Chu said unhurriedly. “To treat baseless rumors as evidence and demand that I end my oversight of state affairs ahead of time is no different from changing policies at a whim. Isn’t that somewhat too frivolous?”
Minister Zhu of the Ministry of Revenue looked at the officials in the court.
The scheme he and the Regent had meticulously arranged was unexpectedly dismantled so easily by the Empress Dowager.
Suppressing his emotions, he cupped his hands and said, “I believe the concerns of the common people are not without reason. Engaging in war with the Eastern Tomb Kingdom requires a large amount of silver for provisions, military funds, and compensation. The national treasury is already struggling to make ends meet... If the war drags on, to secure victory and ensure the country’s stability, raising taxes would ultimately be the only option.”
“How ridiculous,” Nie Zhou sneered. “When you, the Minister of Revenue, propose raising taxes, it is for the sake of the country’s stability. But when the Empress Dowager proposes it, the people all say that women should not interfere in state affairs, and the court forces the Empress Dowager to step down. A grown man like you, bullying a woman—aren’t you ashamed?”
Minister Zhu’s face flushed red and then turned pale.
After all, he was the head of the Six Ministries, the Minister of Revenue. How dare Nie Zhou, a mere second-rank Junior Tutor, publicly humiliate him?
At that moment, Yun Ze stepped forward. “The Empress Dowager previously promised Minister Zhu that she would prepare provisions. As of today, a full five million dan have already been secured.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire court erupted in an uproar.
“What? Five million dan?”
“That is more than enough provisions for hundreds of thousands of troops.”
“Where did the Empress Dowager get the silver to prepare so many provisions?”
Yun Ze continued, “The Empress Dowager used all of her dowry.”
At this, everyone recalled that three years ago, when the Empress Dowager married the then-Prince Pingxi, her dowry was so lavish that even ten miles of red bridal procession could not fully describe it, leaving countless people envious.
All that dowry had actually been exchanged for provisions."Who says women are inferior to men!" Nie Zhou declared with conviction. "At this critical moment for the Great Jin, it was the Empress Dowager who donated her entire dowry. I dare ask everyone present in this court—which of your wives would exhaust their dowries to donate to the soldiers of Great Jin?"
The entire court fell into silence.
In Great Jin, a woman's dowry was no small sum—it not only supported her for life but also helped raise children. As officials, their salaries were modest, and often they relied on their wives' dowries to maintain their households.
If they were to ask their wives to donate their entire dowries, not to mention the wives themselves, they would be the first to refuse.
This comparison starkly revealed the gap between them and the Empress Dowager.
"All the civil and military officials—the finest men of Great Jin are gathered here, yet none dare claim they could match the Empress Dowager's actions," Nie Zhou emphasized, word by word. "The Empress Dowager's deed sets an example for all of Great Jin. Only a woman of her caliber could raise a benevolent ruler. Therefore, the Empress Dowager should continue to govern from behind the screen until the young Emperor is capable of ruling independently. Do you all agree?"
Chief Li stepped forward: "The Empress Dowager, concerned for the nation and its people, should govern from behind the screen."
Lately, he had spoken little, as two factions in the court vied for influence, and he wished to avoid entanglement.
But the Empress Dowager had performed a great service benefiting the country and its people. If he remained silent now, he would be unworthy of his position as Chief.
Once he spoke, several other civil officials followed, agreeing that the Empress Dowager should continue to govern.
At the forefront, Chu Rui's eyes darkened.
He had underestimated Yun Chu. He never imagined she would use her entire dowry to purchase provisions—she was going all out to challenge him.
Moreover, in such a short time, she had managed to acquire five million dan of grain, and he had heard no whisper of it. This indicated her influence far exceeded his expectations.
Now that the neutral faction supported the Empress Dowager, it was a significant disadvantage for him.
He glanced sideways, signaling to someone nearby.
The message passed down, and soon, an official from the Censorate stepped forward: "Your subject has a memorial to present."
Chu Hongyu waved his small hand: "Permission granted!"
"This humble official has heard that since the Empress Dowager began governing from behind the screen, the Emperor has become increasingly willful and unruly," said the Censorate official, who held the authority to impeach both commoners and the Son of Heaven, thus speaking without restraint. "I acknowledge the Empress Dowager as a model for women in Great Jin, but mothers often share a common flaw—they spoil their children. Under the Empress Dowager's indulgence, the Emperor has indeed shown no improvement!"
Other ministers, sensing the Regent's intent, quickly followed suit.
"Even inviting the venerable Master Ouyang to personally instruct the Emperor seems to have had little effect."
"According to palace maids in the Imperial Study, the Emperor sneaks out of the palace for at least one or two hours every afternoon—utterly absurd."
"With the Emperor's daily duties so numerous, how does he find time to sneak out and play? He has truly been spoiled by the Empress Dowager."
"A leopard cannot change its spots—the Emperor is far too unruly...""I believe it is not His Majesty who is unruly!" Nie Zhou stepped forward once more. "Rather, it is the study companions selected for His Majesty by the Regent—each and every one of them is utterly wayward. One could say they are the most incompetent children from their families, yet they were chosen to serve by His Majesty's side. As the saying goes, 'One takes on the color of one's company.' With His Majesty spending every day in the company of such individuals, how could he not be tainted by their bad habits? This cannot be blamed on His Majesty. If blame must be placed, it should be on the Regent for selecting the wrong study companions for His Majesty!"
Chu Rui cast a cold gaze toward Nie Zhou.
This Nie Zhou had been appointed as Junior Tutor by Chu Yi when he first became Crown Prince and still served in the Six Ministries, holding real power as a second-rank official.
Wholeheartedly loyal to Yun Chu, he was truly a sharp blade in her hands.
While Nie Zhou charged at the forefront, her elder brother Yun Ze schemed in the shadows, ensuring Yun Chu remained securely in her position as Empress Dowager.
What if this blade were to be broken?
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