in2ebook Chapter 76 In all my years, I've never had a conscience.
Chapter 76 In all my years, I've never had a conscience.
At noon, the couple had lunch together, and then went to the capital. Cheng Yan went to the Ministry of War, while Qin Yizhen went to the palace to wait by Empress Dowager Cheng's side.
When she arrived, Empress Dowager Cheng was meeting with several officials to discuss matters. She was led by a nanny to a side hall to wait.
Today, the imperial kitchen delivered a lot of food to the side hall.
Qin Yizhen ate a small pastry while drinking tea, and listened intently to the sounds coming from the main hall.
She entered the Imperial Study only after all the ministers had left.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Hmm, get up." Empress Dowager Cheng didn't even raise her eyes. She crossed out the memorial with her imperial brush and tossed it aside. "I'm tired. Read it to me."
"Yes." Qin Yizhen stepped forward and stood beside Empress Dowager Cheng. She quickly sorted out the new memorials according to yesterday's method, then picked one up and read it aloud.
"Imperial Censor Li Jin'an of the Censorate and the Imperial Inspectorate kowtows to Your Majesty's grace. I have been ordered by Your Majesty to inspect various regions. Now, having traveled to the west of Lanzhou, I have witnessed bandits causing chaos, and the people are suffering greatly and in imminent danger..."
The Censorate's Inspector is a sixth-rank official.
Among the many officials in Qin capital, this position was not of high rank, but it was also quite special. They did not stay in Qin capital often, but instead went to various places to inspect the emperor's decrees.
Investigate the good and evil of officials, check household registration, taxes, agriculture, and inventory; check for bandits; check if powerful families and clans have oppressed the people; check if the people have suffered grievances; and if you encounter any virtuous and capable people, you can recommend them to the court.
The official rank wasn't high, but there was a lot of work to do, and it was truly tough. Many times, he had to face life-or-death crises.
They had a name even more famous than the Censor-in-Chief—Imperial Envoy.
Empress Dowager Cheng valued practical abilities, and since she came to power, she especially liked to use officials who had come from the ranks of censors.
"Should we send troops?" Empress Dowager Cheng suddenly asked.
Qin Yizhen exclaimed "Ah!" and belatedly realized that the question was directed at her. She nodded and said, "Of course we should send troops. Since there are bandits causing trouble and disturbing the peace of the people, they should be killed."
"However, this place borders the Southern Qi, so it would be unwise to send troops rashly. We need to be careful, otherwise the Southern Qi might think that our dynasty is causing trouble and it would be bad if disaster were to occur."
It wasn't that Eastern Qin was afraid of Southern Qi, but rather that this war would result in deaths, so it was best to avoid it if possible.
Qin Yizhen glanced cautiously at Empress Dowager Cheng as she spoke, "Mother, am I right?"
"That's quite thorough." Empress Dowager Cheng nodded. "Your personality is such that you're not very bold, but you're also careful and cautious, always thinking ahead. That's a good thing."
A cautious nature is better than recklessness, but it also means being somewhat hesitant and indecisive. If only she had some courage and ability, that would be wonderful.
"Then how do you think the imperial court will send troops? Will the court send people there, or mobilize troops from elsewhere, or order troops to be dispatched from Lanzhou?"
Ask her about this?
Qin Yizhen felt a little uneasy, as if the blood in her veins was surging wildly, and her palms and back were covered in sweat.
After a long silence, she gripped her sleeve tightly and suggested, "I think we can transfer troops from Leizhou, which is next to Lanzhou, and the court can send people to supervise and monitor the process."
"Oh? How so?"
"Censor Li said that there are bandits west of Lanzhou. If there are only a few of them, he can simply ask the prefectural governor to send troops to help. There is no need to ask the imperial court to send troops as well."
If there are many bandits, then there are two possibilities.
Firstly, they couldn't defeat the enemy in Lanzhou; secondly, there might be some ulterior motive, and the Lanzhou army could no longer be trusted. That's why they petitioned the court to send troops.
"But Qindu is far from Lanzhou, and sending troops there would be time-consuming and laborious. It would be better to mobilize troops from the surrounding areas. Furthermore, if the court sends people down there, it can serve two purposes: first, to supervise, and second, to resolve any conflicts with the Southern Qi as soon as possible."
Qin Yizhen racked her brains and could only think of these things. She asked Empress Dowager Cheng, "Mother, is there anything wrong with this?"
"Then who do you think is suitable to go?" Empress Dowager Cheng asked her again.
"This..." Qin Yizhen thought and thought, but really couldn't answer. "Your subject is foolish and doesn't know any of the officials in the court. I really don't know who is suitable."
This is the most crucial person; we absolutely cannot make a mistake in assigning them.
Empress Dowager Cheng thought for a moment and asked her, "What do you think of Xie Zhan?"
“Xie Zhan?” Qin Yizhen blinked. “Your subject remembers that this Young Master Xie has never held an official position.”
"This is a trivial matter. If he is truly capable, what harm is there in promoting him?" Empress Dowager Cheng glanced at her indifferently. "Do you think Xie Zhan is capable of handling this matter?"
Qin Yizhen hesitated for a moment and said, "I don't know much about this Young Master Xie. Although people outside praise him as if he were a god descended to earth, it's hard to say how much ability he actually has."
"You mean you're worried that Xie Zhan is just a pretty face with no substance?"
"I didn't say that." Qin Yizhen refused to take the blame for this. "Young Master Xie certainly has the ability, but whether he can live up to it depends on the discerning eye of the Empress Dowager."
Empress Dowager Cheng scoffed, her face full of disgust: "You people with the surname Qin are all equally detestable. When I asked your father, the Emperor, what would he do if I were to covet power and seize the throne from your Qin family?"
Qin Yizhen asked curiously, "What did Father Emperor say?"
Empress Dowager Cheng sneered: "Your father said it, let's see how much conscience I have."
"Conscience? That's hilarious! I've never had a conscience in all my life."
Qin Yizhen glanced at her cautiously, thinking to herself, "Look at you, how long have you been the Empress Dowager? Why don't you just become an Empress?"
Qin Yizhen thought to herself, but didn't dare say a word.
Empress Dowager Cheng continued, "The eldest grandson of the Xie family is certainly capable and has an excellent reputation. In addition, Xie Qu is currently in trouble, and the Xie family is busy showing their loyalty. They will definitely do their best, so it is appropriate to send him."
Moreover, it's good that Xie Zhan left Qindu for a while. By the time he returns, Cheng Yan and Qin Yizhen will probably be expecting a child.
Qin Yizhen nodded: "Then let him go."
"It's settled then." Empress Dowager Cheng made the decision directly.
Is that it?
Qin Yizhen was stunned. She said, "Mother, we just had a few words, and you've already decided on this? This is a big deal. Shouldn't we discuss it with some ministers before making a decision?"
"What are you afraid of?" Empress Dowager Cheng gave her a cold glance. "Are you afraid that these ideas are your own, and that you won't be at ease if something goes wrong?"
Qin Yizhen nodded vigorously. Indeed, she felt uneasy.
Empress Dowager Cheng continued, "Do you think I'm joking with you? From now on, you will be the wife of the eldest princess and the Marquis of Pingxi. You must think carefully before making any decisions."
"Since you think you have a point, and I also think it's feasible, then let's just go ahead and do it."