After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 773 - 763 Recommendation for Promotion

The chaos in Jingzhou brings only harm, not benefit, to the court and the emperor.

Now, with droughts in Youzhou and Jizhou, along with frequent disturbances, there’s a pressing need for grain-producing states like Jingzhou to provide support. The chaos in Jingzhou increases the pressure on the emperor and the court.

Wang Cheng was chosen as Jingzhou Governor by Wang Yan during Prince East Sea’s term, not by the emperor. Can the emperor and court truly trust him, even if Wang Cheng claims to support them?

Moreover, Wang Cheng not only refrains from speaking but actions as well, having spent three years in Jingzhou, successfully creating chaos.

Thus, the emperor has long wanted to replace Wang Cheng, and the ministers in the court, including Zhao Zhongyu and others, desire his replacement even more.

Although the Langya Wang Family has lost Wang Yan, they still have deep foundations.

Currently, the Langya Wang Family in Yun City are few, but in various states and regions, the descendants of the Langya Wang Family hold significant positions.

Wang Dun is currently the Guangzhou Governor, Wang Han is also in Guangzhou, Wang Dao is in Xuzhou, a close friend of King Langya, while the younger generation is dispersed across various places. Not far away, Wang Yan’s two daughters serve under Zhao Hanzhang’s banner, do they not?

Moreover, Wang Rongs’s son Wang Xing is said to be the County Magistrate of Yiyang in Hongnong County.

Hence, they want to replace Wang Cheng but cannot.

Wang Cheng is incompetent in everything but excels in reputation, reaching the pinnacle on the literary forums. Whenever there were literary critiques, Wang Yan would always endorse him, and Wang Yan would not provide further critique once he had.

Although Wang Cheng does nothing in Jingzhou, few among the elite across the land criticize him, only local Jingzhou gentry quietly resent him since they bear the consequences.

In today’s world, even Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi cannot claim to replace Wang Cheng as Governor, else Gou Xi wouldn’t remain holed up in Yan State, seeking to compel the Emperor and thereby bend the Dukes to submission; Zhao Hanzhang would have long moved south to seize Jingzhou.

Therefore, it was only willing resignation from Wang Cheng now, along with successors like Wang Yifeng and Wang Xuan, otherwise, Jingzhou would need to be taken by force to replace the governor.

Zhao Hanzhang submitted a memorial to the emperor, explaining that Jingzhou Governor Wang Cheng was unwell, and with the many affairs in Jingzhou coupled with the uprising of rebels, requests a change of governor for Jingzhou.

Zhao Hanzhang recommended Wang Yifeng, noting her as a descendant of Mrs. Wang, innately intelligent, possessing photographic memory, resolute as rock, yet with a benevolent heart, suitable for the role of a state governor.

Wang Yifeng previously served as Chief Clerk in Luoyang County, later as a secretary beside Zhao Hanzhang, with her highest official rank being from Grade 7, now suddenly being recommended for state governor.

Despite the chaotic times, even court ministers found Zhao Hanzhang’s recommendation too bold, with Zhao Zhongyu inwardly complaining, yet still defending Zhao Hanzhang.

"Your Majesty, Governor Zhao also recommends her brother Wang Xuan as Jingzhou Sima."

Only then did the court ministers react and hastily said, "Why not appoint Wang Xuan as Governor, with Wang Yifeng assisting?"

"Wang Yifeng has experience as Chief Clerk and secretary, yet Wang Xuan never entered officialdom, may not manage state military and politics well."

"But Wang Xuan is exceptionally talented, widely renowned, able to match names with Wei Jie."

"Hmph, recruiting talent based not on capability and virtue but reputation alone, this is precisely why Jingzhou fell into chaos. In terms of reputation and talent, Minister Wang even claims Wang Cheng as the best in the world. Did he manage Jingzhou well?" Jia Pi snorted coldly, saying, "In employing officials, it ought to be as Governor Zhao proposes: prioritizing martial capabilities for generals and virtues and literary merits for civilian governance. Loving and serving the populace, each fulfilling their duty, thereby achieving peace throughout the world."

Zhao Zhongyu immediately concurred, "Precisely, since Governor Zhao recommends Wang Yifeng, she must have the talent for managing civilians."

The emperor pondered for a moment before turning to the eunuch and said, "Go to the General’s Mansion and inquire about the Great General’s opinion."

The court ministers then fell quiet, awaiting Gou Xi’s response.

Once more, Gou Xi cloistered himself within the General’s Mansion, refusing to go out. Passing by his home’s walls daily, one could hear music and singing within. Minor matters the emperor can decide independently, but major matters necessitate sending people to consult him.

If major issues aren’t discussed with him, even if a decree issued, once informed, he’ll retrieve it for re-evaluation. A few days ago, the emperor issued a decree soothing the people of Youzhou and Jizhou, urging officials and gentry in both states to unite against the disaster, waiving two years of taxes for Youzhou and Jizhou.

This matter was deliberated upon in the court, decreed, yet within half a day, the envoy delivering it was brought back by Gou Xi’s men; he disagreed with directly waiving two years of taxes for both regions.

Direct tax exemption merely prevents Youzhou and Jizhou’s officials from sending the taxes due to Yun City, yet they certainly will still collect taxes from the populace.

He believed the emperor’s actions wouldn’t benefit the populace, thus disagreed.

The decree being recalled after exiting the capital greatly embarrassed the emperor, deepening the rift between ruler and ministers. Subsequently, when discussing major matters, the emperor had to send people to the General’s Mansion to ask opinions, lest he face embarrassment again before officials.

Meanwhile, Gou Xi remained indoors, silencing an unsettled court. Those secretly inclined to defect to the emperor had to weigh the consequences, quietly staying in place, not daring to betray Gou Xi.

Physically present on the spot, seemingly still aligning with Gou Xi, yet hearts were divided. Gou Xi insulted the emperor in such a manner, further indulging in pleasures without addressing state affairs, long losing people’s hearts.

Today, Jia Pi’s remarks were not just about Wang Cheng, also criticizing Gou Xi. Insulting officials for neglecting state affairs, failing in duties akin to Wang Yan whom Gou Xi berated before.

It took some time for Gou Xi to reply, so the emperor discussed other state affairs like his concern for the summer solstice sacrificial ceremony.

Zhao Zhongyu hesitated, saying, "Your Majesty, the sacrificial altar is mostly constructed, but the remaining needed golden silkwood and cedar have yet to arrive..."

The emperor pursed his lips and asked, "Why haven’t they arrived yet?"

Zhao Zhongyu explained, "Golden silkwood was procured from Shu, meant to arrive in Yun City at the beginning of the month, but due to the chaos in Jingzhou, the team escorting the timber got trapped there, unable to proceed."

"Cedar is being transported from Guilin County, following the water route to Jingzhou, now trapped there as well."

An official immediately added, "Your Majesty, grain purchased from Changsha and Hengyang is also trapped around Wuchang and Jiangxia. Now, not only Youzhou and Jizhou await grain relief, Yun City’s grain is also being transported from Jingzhou."

The most chaotic places in Jingzhou now are Wuchang County and Jiangxia County.

The grain convoy is trapped in these two regions; soon, they won’t even be able to distribute the officials’ salary grains.

Simply relying on Yan State’s summer harvest isn’t enough.

An official noted, "Yan State has begun harvesting wheat, but according to reports from counties, climate impacts lowered yields per mu compared to previous years."

Thus, Jingzhou is crucial, a major transportation artery connecting all directions.

The emperor pursed his lips and said, "Let them try rerouting through Yu State and Xuzhou, bypass Wuchang and Jiangxia first."

He remarked, "Resolve the issue in Jingzhou sooner."

Merchants traveling from the west and southwest can reroute first to Shu, then through Yu State, those from the south and southeast heading to Yun City may reroute to Xuzhou.

This detour indeed leads to Yun City, but costs are significantly higher.

Displeased, the emperor thoughtfully considered Zhao Hanzhang’s proposal: can Wang Yifeng and Wang Xuan, the sibling duo, truly stabilize Jingzhou?