Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 609

Chapter 609: Chapter 606: Absurd_1

The Emperor intended to emulate Wei Kingdom, abolishing the Prime Minister’s position and establishing a cabinet. This was no small change for the Jin court.

She still remembered in her past life, the Emperor passed away without abolishing the position of Prime Minister.

From ancient times till now, whenever an Emperor wanted to strengthen centralization and imperial power, reforms were inevitable. Even if not reforming, they would undertake major endeavors.

But this Emperor was now old and muddle-headed, obsessed with the pursuit of immortality.

Could it be that he wanted to pave the way for his successors?

As for the matter of the Emperor’s fall from his horse as mentioned by her uncle, she always harbored doubts about it. But with no one inside the palace knowing the details of the Emperor’s fall, she couldn’t find out more.

"In the time before the handwritten letters of the Left Prime Minister and the second Prince were presented by the Imperial Censor, did something happen in the court that made the Emperor intend to abolish the position of Prime Minister?" Bai Qingyan asked again.

Since Bai Jinxiu was not in the court, her knowledge was quite limited. But Dong Qingping was different... as a court official, he naturally knew some things.

Dong Qingping greatly admired Bai Qingyan’s acuity in political matters. He nodded and said, "The Emperor wanted to build a nine-fold platform for the State Preceptor to pray for national prosperity. All the court officials agreed, praising the Emperor’s wisdom. Only Prime Minister Lu objected, and his objections were very tactful and without any intense or offensive words. He only mentioned that currently, the Jin Kingdom’s treasury was tight, and the people’s livelihood and the soldiers’ provisions at the border should be prioritized. The Emperor had already spent a lot on renovating the palace, so the construction of the nine-fold platform could be postponed for a few years. Otherwise, if the construction began now, it might incite public resentment. Later, the Grand Historian observed celestial phenomena and requested the immediate construction of the nine-fold platform, and was subsequently impeached by Prime Minister Lu and the Imperial Censor Station for accepting bribes."

As expected...

The Emperor wouldn’t abolish the Prime Minister’s position without reason. After the death of her grandfather Bai Weiting, the Emperor’s true nature gradually emerged. He grew increasingly impatient with anyone obstructing his plans. By abolishing the Prime Minister’s position and setting up a cabinet, he further consolidated power and strengthened imperial authority. This wasn’t about reforming but about his sole dominion over Jin Kingdom, impervious to any opposition.

He wanted to ensure no one in the entire Jin Kingdom dared to defy him, and that whatever he decreed, no one would dare disobey.

Prime Minister Lu was a very shrewd person, best known for self-preservation. However, he still had principles and wasn’t completely oblivious. His objections must, in his view, have placed the Emperor first. Yet even so, the Emperor couldn’t tolerate it.

The current Emperor had become more unrestrained.

She pressed her lips together, thinking of the Heavenly Master, which led her to think of King Liang.

The Heavenly Master came from the Liang Palace, but few knew that this Heavenly Master was actually found by Li Mao’s son, Li Mingrui.

Bai Qingyan recalled Bai Jinxiu telling her earlier that the Imperial Censor accused Li Mao of being involved in the rebellion case of the second Prince back then. However, the letters were later found to be forged, and Li Mao never returned to court. Even when King Liang invited him back, Li Mao submitted a resignation.

At that time, Bai Qingyan wondered if King Liang intended to use Li Mao’s authority as Left Prime Minister for his own benefit, and Li Mao, unable to evade, claimed illness to stay away from court.

Now it seemed that Li Mao was trying to reduce obstacles for the Emperor to abolish the position of Prime Minister.

But how would this benefit Li Mao? Or perhaps... Li Mao simply wanted to obey the Emperor’s wishes?

Bai Qingyan paused, holding the chess piece, and suddenly had a wild guess.

She looked up at Dong Qingping: "The Crown Prince returned to Dadu yesterday. Today... has anyone brought up the matter of building the nine-fold platform again?"