Chapter 272 The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel

Chapter 272 The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel

Prime Minister Zheng paused, put down the water jug ​​in his hand, glanced at Meng Qing a few times, and replied: "With Lady Wu's talent, she is qualified to serve in the court."

Meng Qing remained expressionless, waiting for him to continue.

Prime Minister Zheng fell silent, fiddling with the ring on his finger as he sat down in thought. Logically, with an empress now in power, it wasn't surprising to see a woman in the court. But he knew all too well the ruthless methods Empress Wu had employed to ascend the throne, and how she had succeeded by offering enormous rewards to entice support for her. Meng Qing lacked both the power to exert pressure and the allure of profit; how could she possibly gain the approval of the civil and military officials? He wasn't confident he could get her what she wanted.

"Has Madam consulted with the Holy Mother Goddess?" Prime Minister Zheng intended for her to find someone whose word was law to issue the decree.

Meng Qing shook her head and said bluntly, "The Holy Mother Goddess has just won a battle. After the war, she needs to win back people's hearts, not challenge human nature. I want to win the approval of the court officials with my own abilities and stand before the Holy Mother Goddess again."

She was well aware of history. During Wu Zetian's reign, women were highly valued, but their talents could only be utilized within the inner court. They gained status and power through the Empress's favor, while the outer court remained entirely dominated by men. She didn't know the specifics, but she was almost certain that officials in the outer court vehemently opposed women entering the court as officials, so much so that a talented woman like Shangguan Wan'er could only receive the title of "female prime minister," rather than a true prime minister with real power.

If she were to seek the assistance of the Holy Mother Goddess, she would most likely fail. There is a significant difference between the Holy Mother Goddess's promotion of women to official positions and Prime Minister Zheng's recommendation of her. The former would be seen by scholars as the Holy Mother Goddess's attempt to reform the civil service examination system, thus undermining the interests of all scholars and creating much greater resistance. Once she fails in one attempt, it will be difficult to plan anything further.

"Does Lady Wu have any plans?" Prime Minister Zheng asked directly. "I have received many favors from you, and I will not refuse to repay them if I can. But you also know that this is not an easy matter. In the ten dynasties from Qin to Tang, there was only one empress, and there were no women serving as civil or military officials in the outer court. It can be said that you and the Holy Mother Divine Emperor are facing the same obstacles."

“It’s different.” Meng Qing shook his head. “Prime Minister Zheng didn’t object to me entering the court as an official, just because he was impressed by my talent? No, it was the Empress who broke down your psychological defenses. There’s a woman sitting on the dragon throne, so it’s not surprising that there’s a woman among the officials in the court who are his colleagues. Now that the Empress has shattered the insistence of the civil and military officials, they compromised once, and it will be much easier for them to compromise a second time.”

After a few moments of contemplation, Prime Minister Zheng admitted that Meng Qing's words made sense. If she had come to him ten years ago and said she wanted to become an official, she would have been his mother reincarnated, and he would have served her tea and seen her off by now.

"There are only three ways for officials to enter officialdom: the imperial examination, hereditary privilege, and recommendation. Hereditary privilege is a continuation of the previous dynasties' system of selecting officials, while the imperial examination is the result of breaking away from hereditary privilege. The former has a history of nearly a thousand years, while the latter is rooted in Confucian ethics. Neither of these paths is something I can challenge, nor do I intend to challenge. I will choose the path of recommendation. Prime Minister Zheng and all the officials in the court, do not worry. I am just an exception. The path to officialdom will not change. Hereditary privilege and the imperial examination will still be for men, and the right to recommend is in your own hands." Meng Qing made her point clear. At the moment, she was only concerned with herself. She suggested, "When you go to persuade the civil and military officials, you can use this argument."

Prime Minister Zheng himself didn't even realize that his furrowed brows had relaxed. "Alright, I'll give it a try."

"How many prime ministers are there in the Council of State now?" Meng Qing asked.

“Seven.” Prime Minister Zheng understood her meaning. “Prime Minister Du, Prime Minister Yin, and I can jointly recommend you for a government post. The other four prime ministers are all ministers trusted by the Holy Mother Goddess. As long as the Holy Mother Goddess issues an edict, most of them will not object.”

"I am returning to Luoyang today. I expect the Holy Mother Emperor will summon me within three days and bestow upon me rewards. At that time, I will request to enter the court as an official." Meng Qing was looking for an opportunity to obtain the imperial decree.

"Go and speak with Prime Minister Yin and Prime Minister Du. We need to get this matter approved at the morning court before the Holy Mother Goddess summons you." Prime Minister Zheng had also realized this by now. The officials in the court were now like frightened birds. Any decree from the Holy Mother Goddess would be repeatedly considered. If she were to discuss Meng Qing's entry into the court with the officials, it would definitely cause many twists and turns.

Meng Qing nodded, stood up, picked up the long-neglected teapot, poured herself a cup of tea to quench her thirst, and then said, "In the past three years, I have traveled to all 143 prefectures in Jiangnan, Shannan, and Lingnan, and met more than 10,000 scholars. I have a good reputation in half of the Tang Dynasty. If possible, I would like to work in the Ministry of Personnel. If that is not possible, I can also work in the Ministry of Revenue. I have a talent for business and have traveled thousands of miles. I have a good understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of most of the 143 prefectures and can promote the economic development model of Huai Prefecture to other prefectures and counties."

Prime Minister Zheng was deeply moved by Meng Qing's talent and once again lamented that he had not been born a man, so that his talents could not be fully utilized.

"I will certainly allow Lady Wu to enter the court as an official. Please wait patiently for good news," Prime Minister Zheng strongly guaranteed.

"Meng Qing thanks Your Excellency the Prime Minister." Meng Qing smiled. "Has Du Min returned?"

"He returned half a month earlier than you. The Holy Mother Empress ascended the throne on the Double Ninth Festival; as a meritorious official, how could he not return to pay homage?" During these three years, Du Min, leveraging the power of his copper box remonstrance and taking advantage of Empress Wu's purge of political enemies, launched a massive nationwide land survey, ruthlessly eliminating any obstacle in his path. He decimated the royal families and monks who had concealed or seized land, measuring 3.27 million mu of land in three years, 550,000 mu more than before the survey. His reputation in the court was comparable to that of the cruel official Lai Junchen, but his popularity among the people surpassed that of Di Renjie. According to Prime Minister Zheng, eleven stone statues of Du Min have been erected in various places to commemorate him.

"Alas..." Prime Minister Zheng sighed, "Man proposes, God disposes. Fate is cruel. I shamelessly sought a way out for my Zheng family. Ye Cong worked for Prime Minister Du and was able to earn some credit. But his mother passed away, so he had to stop his work halfway and come back to observe mourning."

"Prime Minister Zheng, please don't be anxious. With your merits, the Zheng family's glory during the reign of the Holy Mother Goddess will not be extinguished. If the Holy Mother Goddess lives a long life, you will have another twenty years to find a way out." Meng Qing comforted her, put down her teacup, and said, "I will take my leave now. I still need to go to Prime Minister Yin's residence."

Prime Minister Zheng rose and went out to see them off. He then discussed the matter, saying, "Yunnu has finished her mourning period, and Wangzhou is getting old. How about we arrange their marriage this year?"

"Can your household hold weddings?" Meng Qing asked. Zheng Xiaoniangzi had finished her mourning period, but her parents had not.

"We can arrange for her to marry from her uncle's or cousin's residence, since Wangzhou is not young anymore," said Prime Minister Zheng.

After a few moments of thought, Meng Qing nodded in agreement, "I'll discuss the wedding date after I've finished dealing with my current matters."

"As you wish, Madam." Upon arriving outside the mansion, Prime Minister Zheng stopped. "Please take care, Madam."

"Your Excellency, please wait." Meng Qing boarded the carriage and instructed, "Go to Prime Minister Yin's residence."

The two offices were located on two separate streets. In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Meng Qing appeared in Prime Minister Yin's study. She claimed that Prime Minister Zheng had promised to recommend her for a government position and earnestly requested that Prime Minister Yin also be one of the recommenders.

After a moment's thought, Prime Minister Yin agreed. He had been promoted to Vice Minister of Personnel by Meng Qing, a favor he had owed for over a decade or two, and now it was time to repay it.

Meng Qing left the Yin residence and returned to the Wu State Lady's residence, where everyone was waiting for her in the main hall.

"Second Sister-in-law, it's been three years since we last met." Du Min greeted her. "What urgent matter brings you to see Prime Minister Zheng in such a hurry?"

"I want to enter the court as an official before the Holy Mother Goddess ascends the throne, so I went to see Prime Minister Zheng to ask him to recommend me for a government position," Meng Qing said with a smile.

Du Min was shocked and overjoyed. "Really? He agreed? That's wonderful! We can go to the morning court together from now on!"

Meng Qing nodded. "He and your father-in-law have both agreed. Perhaps they will jointly submit a memorial at tomorrow's morning court session. Don't forget to do your part."

"Of course I can't be left out!" Du Min was already thinking about how to phrase it.

"Mother," Wang Zhou walked to Meng Qing's side, "How have you been all these years?"

"It's wonderful, we're so happy." Meng Qing took Wang Zhou's hand, and the mother and son went inside and sat down. She inquired in detail about Wang Zhou's life and career.

The family reminisced about their experiences over the past three years, chatting until late at night before going back to their room to sleep.

*

Du Min barely slept all night, but got up energetically before dawn. He didn't even wait for Wangzhou, and went alone by carriage to the street corner where the Yin and Zheng prefectures were located. When the two prime ministers' carriages appeared, the three carriages went to the palace together.

After getting off the carriage, the three of them walked together, hurriedly discussing and rehearsing their words before the morning court session began.

Today's morning court session continued with the discussion of the Holy Mother Goddess's coronation, lasting for an hour before concluding.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report," said Prime Minister Zheng, stepping forward.

"Please speak, Prime Minister Zheng."

"Upon hearing the news of the Holy Mother Empress's ascension to the throne, Lady Wu returned to Luoyang yesterday. As an elder to both her children, she visited me before even returning to her own residence. During our conversation, we discussed her three years of distributing books to scholars throughout the land on your behalf. I learned that she traveled to 143 prefectures across the three regions of Jiangnan, Shannan, and Lingnan, not only meeting over 10,000 scholars and adding 2,000 to 4,000 books to the libraries of each of the 143 prefectures, but also gaining a thorough understanding of the local economy and people's livelihoods, speaking eloquently about their strengths and weaknesses. I couldn't help but recall Lady Wu's governance of Huai Prefecture during her tenure as regent for Prime Minister Du. Twelve years have passed, and Huai Prefecture's prosperity now rivals that of Bian Prefecture, demonstrating Lady Wu's capabilities. Wouldn't it be a great loss if such a talent were not put to use by our court?" Prime Minister Zheng stated logically and persuasively. "My heart is filled with gratitude for talent. Today, in my capacity as Prime Minister, I recommend Lady Wu to the Holy Mother Empress and all court officials. I urge you all not to be bound by gender differences and to employ talent without being bound by convention."

The hall erupted in an uproar.

The eunuch received a signal from the Holy Mother Goddess, and he cracked his whip, shouting, "Silence!"

The noise inside the hall subsided.

Prime Minister Yin stepped forward and said, "I admire Lady Wu's way of managing her household and governing the world. Today, I would like to recommend her to the Holy Mother Goddess and my colleagues, in the title of Prime Minister, to serve as an official in the court."

"I am willing to pledge my official hat as collateral. If Lady Wu is merely a person with a hollow reputation and no achievements in officialdom, I will certainly take off my official hat and return to my hometown to farm," Du Min said resolutely.

After a period of whispering among the officials in the court, a censor surnamed Su spoke up in opposition. He drew an analogy from the yin-yang order of heaven and earth to human relations, using the "Three Obediences" as an example, arguing that women's conduct should revolve around the family, emphasizing the distinction between the home and the outside world. He believed that if the distinction between the two was blurred, it would lead to disorder within the family and, consequently, shake the foundation of the nation...

The Holy Mother Goddess on the dragon throne stared coldly at him, and Imperial Censor Su's voice grew lower and lower.

"Today, paper effigies of funerary objects have spread throughout the Tang Dynasty, eradicating the practice of extravagant burials—this is all thanks to Lady Wu. The rise and widespread adoption of the Qingniao Paper Efficiency School has added millions of strings of cash to the Ministry of Revenue—this too is thanks to Lady Wu. The flourishing of public works projects in Huai Prefecture, with live sheep, chive blossom sauce, pickled ginger, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns, sweet potatoes, and lilies being sold across half of the Tang Dynasty—this is thanks to Lady Wu. The city of Yangzhou, occupied by rebels, was recaptured by Suzhou soldiers and many righteous men, resulting in the capture of nearly ten thousand surrendered soldiers—this is thanks to Lady Wu. In three years, Lady Wu tirelessly led nearly ten thousand scholars across one hundred and forty-three prefectures, carrying over six thousand books, and had them reproduced to four hundred and thirty thousand copies, eradicating the predicament of scholars having no books to read—her achievements are comparable to those of Confucius." Du Min's voice grew louder and louder as he spoke, until finally it was almost a shout. He faced the assembled officials, his expression indignant and impassioned, which suppressed the clamor of discussion in the hall and also frightened away the resentment and hatred on the faces of some officials.

"What right do you have to prevent her from entering the court as an official? What qualifications do you have? Which of you has made greater contributions than her?" Du Min glared angrily and pointed at the officials, questioning them, "You all spout Confucian ethics and morality, how laughable! You who spout Confucian ethics and morality are not as good as the political achievements of a woman from outside the court. It's truly shameful."

"Prime Minister Du, please be careful with your words..."

"Be careful with your words? I'm not careful with my words at all. What wrong have I said? Which one of you dares to stand up and guarantee that you haven't seized farmers' land? You hypocrites are all encroaching on the land, secretly engaging in audacious acts, while outwardly pretending to be careful with your words. How ironic! Who are you? You are subjects. What does the selection of officials by the court have to do with you? That's the king's business. Who are you to interfere here?" Du Min shouted sternly. Seeing that someone was about to erupt, he provocatively said, "What's your name? State your name and family, and let me think if any of your relatives are among the heads that have been chopped off."

"Du thief, I'll fight you to the death today!" The official being pointed at rolled up his sleeves and lunged at Du Min.

Seeing this, the officials, who were already full of resentment, joined in the attack on Du Min.

Du Min was no longer a weak scholar. He kicked and stomped, taking down a group of enemies. However, there were too many enemies, and he soon found himself at a disadvantage.

Prime Minister Zheng and Prime Minister Yin were too old to participate, so they directed their respective students and clansmen to help support the opposing side.

The imperial court was in complete chaos. The Holy Mother Emperor was happy to watch the spectacle until the fighting had almost stopped, at which point she signaled the eunuchs to sound the alarm and keep order.

Du Min pretended not to hear, and relying on his strength and hard bones, he pushed an old official who was staring at him into a pillar.

That wasn't all. He turned and glared at the officials, their faces contorted with rage, and berated them: "You keep spouting about the order of heaven and earth, the supremacy of heaven and the subservience of earth, the dominance of yang and the subordination of yin. I won't nitpick that, but I'm just curious where you get the audacity to compare yourselves to yang? Just based on those two ounces of stinking flesh between your legs?"

One sentence almost sparked another war.

The eunuch on the high platform almost broke his whip.

Prime Minister Zheng inhaled sharply, while Prime Minister Yin covered his face. Du Min was infuriating when he was shameless.

"Prime Minister Du, stop your insolence," the Holy Mother Goddess Emperor reprimanded lightly.

"It was my rudeness." Du Min flicked his torn sleeve, walked to the head of the hall, knelt down and pleaded, "Your Majesty, I humbly request that you set aside your concerns and reward based on merit. Lady Wu's talent is worthy of serving as an official in the court."

The Holy Mother Divine Emperor looked around and said, "The achievements of Lady Wu are evident to all of you and are beyond question. I think Prime Minister Du's words are absolutely right. When conquering the world, women could take up arms on the battlefield and carry stones to the city walls to guard the gates. We cannot erase their right to offer advice in court when it comes to defending the world. Today, Lady Wu has been recommended by three prime ministers. I will heed their recommendations and appoint Lady Wu as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel."