Cai You paid no mind to Wang Fu's animosity.
At this juncture, he had already established a considerable presence with the backing of Prince Yun.
After his father's departure this time, he would be able to legitimately divide and absorb a portion of his father's original power base.
By then, establishing his own faction would be effortless.
He certainly wouldn't deign to notice a mere puppet like Wang Fu.
Although he had put on a show of filial affection today, he had at least received a reward of a one-rank promotion in his nominal official post.
While nominal officials were not particularly impactful, they did secure a more prominent position when attending court. As for the meager monthly stipend, Cai You paid it no mind, as he certainly didn't need to subsist on such meager earnings.
Cai You was content, but Cai Jing, however, felt a persistent unease. To this day, he hadn't found an opportune moment to broach the subject with the Emperor about securing the position of Nanjing Garrison Commander.
Zhao Ji, unburdened by such considerations, played a few rounds of chess with Cai Jing before taking him to fish in the imperial garden under the afternoon sun.
"Your Majesty, Grand Commandant Liang has arrived!"
"What business could he have at this hour?"
Despite serving in the same court for many years, Liang Shicheng and Cai Jing had an inherently antagonistic relationship. Liang Shicheng's arrival at this particular moment led Zhao Ji to suspect his intentions.
"The Grand Commandant states he has urgent matters to report!"
"Let him come in!"
Upon hearing the eunuch's words, Zhao Ji frowned and spoke directly.
"Your Majesty, this is a recently received dispatch for your perusal!"
Upon approaching the Emperor, Liang Shicheng merely clasped his hands in greeting towards Cai Jing before directly handing the document to the Emperor.
He completely ignored Wang Fu beside him. Though Wang Fu felt some awkwardness, he dared not argue with Liang Shicheng.
Under normal circumstances, even for a Grand Commandant like Liang Shicheng with an urgent matter, he should have reported it first to the Bureau of Military Affairs or the Council of State.
Subsequently, it would be forwarded to the Emperor by the chancellors, which was the proper procedure.
However, at this moment, he merely sought a pretext, and thus paid no heed to such details.
And due to his trust in him, Zhao Ji naturally chose to overlook this procedural detail.
"Are all the prefectural governors in Jiangxi and Guangdong province incompetent fools? They can't even handle such a matter properly!"
Upon a mere glance at the contents of the dispatch, Zhao Ji's face immediately contorted with fury.
He roughly tossed the document before Wang Fu, kicked over the fishing basket in front of him, and stood up in a towering rage.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
Wang Fu, having climbed his way up through flattery, was truly flustered at this moment, witnessing the Emperor's outburst.
He crouched down, picked up the dispatch, and after a quick perusal of its contents, his heart seized with alarm.
In the border regions of Jiangxi and Guangdong, bandits were gathering, and the dozens of boats carrying the Huashigang (tax for the imperial garden) destined for Bianliang had all sunk into the great river.
If it were merely about common bandits, such an incident would not have warranted the Emperor's anger.
But the fact that they had sunk the Emperor's Huashigang was something Zhao Ji could not accept.
With the construction of Genyue imminent, the sudden shortage of decorative materials was naturally unbearable for the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, please be patient. The local authorities likely have their own difficulties. After all, these individuals are gathered at the junction of the two provinces, and the troops of either region find it difficult to act effectively..."
Wang Fu, having reached his current position, certainly possessed some genuine capabilities.
After a few turns of his eyes, he quickly found a way to exonerate himself.
However, while such evasive tactics might have been effective in normal times, the Emperor was in no mood to listen to his quibbling now.
"Your Majesty, the situation in the southeast cannot continue like this. First, there was famine in Huaixi, and now bandits are gathering in Jiangxi and Guangdong provinces. If this continues..."
Witnessing the Emperor's growing displeasure, Liang Shicheng felt immensely pleased. This was exactly what he had desired.
"These are indeed words of seasoned statesmanship. Henceforth, spare me such prevaricating talk!"
Regardless, this chancellor was about to take office, and he ought to be given some opportunity. Thus, Zhao Ji shot Wang Fu an admonishing glance before speaking again.
"Your Majesty... Yes, Your Majesty!"
Wang Fu's face fell. He had intended to explain, but upon seeing Liang Shicheng's meaningful gaze, he stifled his words midway.
This was truly a situation where the child felt bitter but could not speak!
After all, it was his adoptive father who had set this trap for him.
"Shou Dao, continue your discourse!"
In any case, Liang Shicheng had finally offered a practical suggestion. After chastising Wang Fu, Zhao Ji turned his attention back to Liang Shicheng.
"Your Majesty, this old servant believes that this matter should be approached in three steps!"
"Explain yourself!"
"The first step is to appoint military officials as Judicial Commissioners and Supervisors in the Jiangxi and Guangdong border regions to apprehend them!"
"The second step is for Your Majesty to establish Provincial and Prefecture Inspectors throughout the southeastern circuits to organize military affairs and pacify the regions! After all, the southeastern circuits are the treasury and granary of the court, and they must not be compromised!"
As Liang Shicheng spoke, Cai Jing felt a premonition of something amiss.
However, at this moment, he was on the verge of relinquishing his post, and it seemed inappropriate to interject further.
"These two proposals are excellent. So, according to you, what is the third step?"
After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Ji directly inquired.
"The third step is for Your Majesty to select a prince of virtue and talent to serve as the Nanjing Garrison Commander, to consolidate defenses and strictly guard against rampant bandits!"
Upon hearing Liang Shicheng's words, Cai Jing felt an urge to curse.
Rampant bandits of what sort!
Could the bandits in Guangdong and Jiangxi possibly reach Henan?
This was clearly aimed directly at him!
The position of Nanjing Garrison Commander, which was originally the most effortless to secure, was now within his grasp simply by asking.
But with Liang Shicheng's suggestion, Cai Jing immediately realized that the duck he had cooked was about to fly away…
"For a prince to be stationed in the provinces, the imperial court has seemingly not... established this precedent..."
Wang Fu blinked in surprise and spoke instinctively.
However, he stopped midway through his sentence, suddenly recalling that this suggestion had come from Liang Shicheng.
But the Emperor had already turned his gaze towards him, leaving him in a rather awkward predicament, unsure whether to speak or remain silent.
Glowering fiercely at him, Wang Fu shivered all over.
Cai You's pupils constricted, and a mocking smile appeared on his face.
It seemed that this newly appointed Chancellor Wang was not very sharp-witted...
When adults are speaking, why should a child interrupt?