The Bu Government of Great Zhou is one of the four main offices of the Great Zhou court, with six subordinate divisions: the Ministry of Personnel, the National Tax Office, the Ministry of Armaments, the Ministry of Political Affairs, the Privy Council, and the Jingwei Division.
The Grand Arbiter of the Bu Government holds a first-rank official position, wielding immense power, virtually second only to the Emperor.
As early as when the current Emperor was still a Prince, Situ Wen was already the Arbiter of the Bu Government, deeply trusted by the late Emperor. After the Emperor ascended the throne, he married the legitimate daughter of the Situ Family and made her a noble consort.
As one of the four pillar nations, the Grand Astrologer of the Heavenly Government, Zhang Qisheng, has not participated in court affairs for many years, making Situ Wen, without a doubt, the head of the civil officials. The Situ Family of Qingzhou has a heritage spanning several hundred years, even predating the founding of Great Zhou.
During the late Emperor's reign, the five Princes fiercely contended for the throne. However, Situ Wen, as a crucial court official, consistently maintained neutrality and did not side with any Prince. Normally, such officials would be marginalized or retired after a new Emperor ascended. But Situ Wen was different; even after Longsheng Emperor ascended, his position remained prominent, and he wielded immense power, demonstrating his extraordinary ability.
"Master, Mingde has something he doesn't understand."
"Speak."
"Currently, although His Majesty deeply fears the Jingbei Royal Mansion, summoning Xu Cang's son to the capital as a hostage is not the best strategy. Xu Cang commands a large army and is the head of the three Kings. If something were to happen to his son, wouldn't His Majesty fear Xu Cang's rebellion?"
"Our Emperor has always been cautious; this move doesn't seem like His Majesty's style. If I'm not mistaken, it should be the old fox Zhang Qisheng's scheme."
"Then what does His Majesty intend?"
Situ Wen slowly stood up, stroking his beard, and said, "Back then, Zhang Qisheng and Xu Cang together supported the Emperor's ascension. Xu Cang has commanded a large army for many years, and over time, the Emperor naturally grew uneasy. And Zhang Qisheng, due to the armor case, also developed a rift with the Emperor.
Now, imperial power within the court is weak. The Emperor summoning Xu Cang's son to the capital as a hostage seems to be for the purpose of restraining the Northern Border. However, his true intention is probably not that.
Zhang Qisheng's move, though dangerous, if stabilized, could potentially change the current political landscape of the court. Those two hundred thousand elite soldiers in the Northern Border are not like the incompetent officials of the Five Military Divisions."
After much thought, Situ Mingde seemed to understand a little. "Master means that His Majesty appears to be restraining the Northern Border, but is actually trying to win over the Northern Border?"
"It's not that simple!" Situ Wen slowly walked towards the backyard, with Situ Mingde following closely. "The Emperor is probably going to reduce the power of the feudal lords."
"What!" Situ Mingde was greatly alarmed. "His Majesty is not Zhou Wu Emperor! Reducing the power of the feudal lords is extremely dangerous; a slight misstep could even shake the foundation of the country and lead to widespread war. Great Zhou's national strength is currently weak, and the surrounding countries are all eyeing us covetously. How dare His Majesty?"
"His Majesty doesn't dare, but that old fox Zhang Qisheng dares!" Situ Wen came to the fish pond in the backyard and slowly sat down again.
"Summoning Xu Cang's son to the capital is the first step. Next, it won't be long before His Majesty bestows a marriage upon his son. I imagine it will be either Fourth Princess or Sixth Princess."
"Master means His Majesty will marry off his legitimate daughter to Xu Cang's son?"
"Naturally, it must be his legitimate daughter; otherwise, how would His Majesty demonstrate his sincerity?" At this point, Situ Wen's eyes sharpened. "The bestowed marriage is only the second step. His Majesty will not let Xu Ping marry a Princess, but rather marry his daughter to him. This will undoubtedly disrupt many people's plans, including my own. Since he will be an imperial son-in-law, it is reasonable for Xu Cang's son to reside permanently in the Imperial Capital. The Prince Zhennan is old, and there is severe internal strife in his mansion, so he is not a concern. As long as the North remains stable, how much longer can Prince Wucheng jump around?"
"According to Master, reducing the power of the feudal lords is indeed not impossible."
"Reducing the power of the feudal lords is the third step. Once the Emperor successfully reduces the power of the feudal lords, he will probably move against us next."
Upon hearing this, Situ Mingde broke out in a cold sweat. "Zhang Qisheng actually has such courage! The variables here are so great and unpredictable, yet His Majesty would actually adopt it."
"Don't underestimate our Grand Astrologer. Do you think Zhang Qisheng only knows how to look at the stars?"
"No wonder Master wanted to eliminate Xu Cang's son; it turns out it was to eliminate this variable in advance."
"Eliminating him is impossible. Do you think Jingbei Prince and Liu Pi are made of mud?"
"Then why should we still make a move?"
"So many eyes are on me; everything needs a beginning. Those people want to see, so we'll show them." After a moment of thought, Situ Wen seemed to remember something else. "Send another team of men. If our Situ Family's men don't have a chance to eliminate the target, the other team will turn to protect them. Putting all your eggs in one basket is still not very secure."
"Yes, Master! Your servant will go and do it now."
"Also, tell Lu Shangwen and Fu Guozhong to request an imperial decree at the court assembly, and do not let people from the Ministry of Personnel and the National Tax Office participate."
"Yes, Master."
The continent where Xu Ping transmigrated is extremely vast, with numerous large and small imperial dynasties. North of Great Zhou is the Jin Kingdom, also known as the Northern Barbarians. Bordering the Northern Barbarians are the Lu Kingdom to the east and the Yuanwu Country to the northwest. West of Great Zhou are the Anyou Kingdom and the Moon Stone Kingdom, but these two are small countries and are subordinate to Great Zhou. Near the Southern Border is the Nan'an Kingdom, also called the Southern Barbarians, which has relatively harmonious diplomatic relations. Among these surrounding nations, Great Zhou and Yuanwu are the most powerful, and the two countries have been contending for several hundred years.
A few months ago, there were many skirmishes along the border between the two countries. The Yuanwu Country sent Bai Jing'an as an envoy, seemingly for negotiations, but in reality, to cause trouble.
Ji Yun, Seventh Prince, although he has a powerful background, is not outstanding among the many Princes. In terms of governance, he is inferior to the Crown Prince; in terms of martial arts, he is inferior to The Third Prince; and he has no prestige among the common people. To stand out, he can only start from the path of literature. Bai Jing'an holds considerable weight in the hearts of scholars across the land.
Situ Wen had already made his plans. Regardless of Yuanwu Country's purpose this time, Ji Yun had to side with Bai Jing'an. Even if it meant making some concessions in diplomatic relations, it was not out of the question.
Yuanwu's national strength is currently flourishing, while Great Zhou's national strength is gradually weakening. A few concessions in diplomacy, even if there are some losses, are reasonable. Situ Wen was not worried that the Emperor would alienate Ji Yun because of this. On the contrary, if he could thereby befriend Bai Jing'an, or even become his disciple, it would be very beneficial for his grandson.
Northern suburbs of Yan City.
A large contingent of people moved grandly, with Guo Huaian leading the Imperial Guards to clear the way, and Black Armored Elite Cavalry escorting on both sides.
Xu Ping reclined on the carriage, with Ying Yue'e kneeling beside him.
Looking at the large contingent outside the window, Xu Ping recalled his childhood days in the Imperial Capital.
At that time, the new Emperor had just ascended and was as close as family with Jingbei Prince, even addressing him as brother in daily life.
And Xu Ping often entered the palace to play. In Xu Ping's memory, there was a Princess in the palace who was an absolute little tyrant. She followed him around all day, and the two of them would play and cause trouble in the palace every day. They made the entire palace a chaotic mess.
However, within two years, Xu Cang received an urgent military report from the Northern Border, and the father and son left the Imperial Capital and returned to Yan City.
"It's been almost ten years since I left the capital; I wonder how that big crybaby is doing now!"