As for reporting the drought, Zhang Mingzhong has already warned him that such matters cannot be mentioned recklessly; doing so would only lead to trouble and would not help in any way.
Yang Zhenshan heaved a long sigh, "I hope the newly appointed Grand Secretary can stabilize the court situation!"
Besides Li Siyuan, there are four cabinet officials in the current Cabinet: Vice Grand Secretary Zhou Ruoyun, cabinet ministers Song Yuange, Zhang Shaqing, and Guo Xiaochun.
Vice Grand Secretary Zhou Ruoyun is even older than Li Siyuan, already in his eighties; clearly, he is not suitable for the role of Grand Secretary.
As for Song Yuange, Zhang Shaqing, and Guo Xiaochun!
Yang Zhenshan thought about it and felt that these three were all slightly lacking.
It’s not that they are incapable, but rather, they are unable to command the confidence of the other ministers.
However, Emperor Yanping might actually prefer to appoint a Grand Secretary who cannot command the confidence of the ministers, as this would allow him to have greater control over the court.
Yang Zhenshan walked out of his study, looking at the clear sky that stretched for miles, with a look of worry in his eyes.
In fact, the drought in Liaodong had already begun.
Since the end of spring ploughing, there had been no rain at Chongshan Pass, and according to Yang Zhenshan’s sense, in half a month, Chongshan Pass would experience significant rainfall.
And this rain would be the most important one for Chongshan Pass.
It is precisely because of this rainfall that the drought on the eastern side of Chongshan Town wouldn’t be as severe as in Liaodong.
As for the provinces of Liao Yuan and Ping Yuan, there wouldn’t be any rain until August, and it’s doubtful that the farmers can last until then.
Changes in the court went as Yang Zhenshan had expected.
On the eighth of April, Li Siyuan once again petitioned to retire, and Emperor Yanping agreed, allowing him to retire and return home.
However, the changes in the court far exceeded Yang Zhenshan’s expectations.
The day after Li Siyuan retired, Song Yuange was appointed as the Grand Secretary, concurrently holding the title of Great Scholar of the Central Extreme Hall. Subsequently, the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Personnel, Zhou Yunsong, entered the Cabinet, also serving as Great Scholar of Wuying Hall.
Song Yuange becoming the Grand Secretary, while Zhou Yunsong combined the roles of Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Personnel with that of Great Scholar of Wuying Hall in the Cabinet.
The Ministry of Personnel takes the lead among the Six Ministries, and as Chief of Staff, also known as the Heavenly Official, Zhou Yunsong’s power is by no means weaker than that of Song Yuange, the Grand Secretary.
Already having difficulty in earning the ministers’ trust, Song Yuange now also faced the eagerly watching Zhou Yunsong, and one can imagine his precarious position in court.
Emperor Yanping’s clear intention with such appointments was to maintain a balance.
However, this was just the beginning.
As the saying goes, each era of sovereign brings its own cohort of officials.
Zhu Qinwen, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, was degraded and sent out of the capital; Lu Ming, former Deputy Chief of Staff of Prince Cheng Mansion, was promoted four ranks to take over as Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War.
Wu Liangzai, Minister of Rites, was dismissed for mishandling Rong Chongzong’s funeral rites; Zheng Shizeng, Vice Minister of Rites, was promoted to succeed him as Minister of Rites.
Duke Zhou Mao requested resignation due to old age, and Emperor Yanping allowed him to retire to his Duke Mansion.
Immediately following, Marquis Liang Chu was relieved from his position as General of the imperial guard and appointed as Left Governor of the Central Army Commander’s Mansion.
Marquis Lu Baishu was promoted to General of the imperial guard, concurrently serving as Commander of Xianwu Camp.
Duke Zhou Mao’s retirement signified the end of an era for the once-glorious Duke Ning Mansion. From now on, in the military, only Zhou Lan from Duke Ning’s house remained, and Princely Heir Zhou Xu did not even hold a nominal office.
The promotion of Marquis Liang Chu to Left Governor of the Central Army Commander’s Mansion might not amount to a bright promotion or covert demotion, but clearly, Emperor Yanping favored the newly appointed Marquis Lu Baishu.
During April, the disturbances in the court continuously unfolded, and while Yang Zhenshan was busy, he also kept a close watch on the changes in the political landscape.
Yet, regarding such changes, Yang Zhenshan didn’t have much concern.
Whether it’s the decline of Duke Ning Mansion or the ostensible promotion and covert demotion of Marquis Changping, they had little impact on him.
He is no longer the military general who needed the support of Duke Ning Mansion, but now stands as the independent Marquis Jing’an.
As for whether he would feel sorry for Duke Ning Mansion, there really is no need; the decline of Duke Ning Mansion was an expected outcome. From the moment Emperor Chengping transferred Zhou Lan into the imperial guard, the fate of Duke Ning Mansion today had been sealed.
Moreover, such an outcome is not necessarily bad for Duke Ning Mansion.
Duke Zhou Mao, devoid of official duties, can retire peacefully within the mansion. Although Duke Ning Mansion lost its power, it still retained its wealth and glory.
To be able to retreat from the center of court power intact is actually a blessing for Duke Ning Mansion.