"What is your plan?"
The Empress asked with great interest.
Chu Chen had just given her a big surprise, and this made the Empress eager to hear what method he had to solve the corruption rampant among the court officials.
"The court officials are incompetent, corrupt, form cliques, collude with each other, and act arrogantly and domineeringly. Your Majesty is aware of this."
Chu Chen pointed out the crux of the problem, and the Empress nodded repeatedly, sighing, "Since Chen Yuanliang rebelled against me and fell from power, I have realized the many problems in the court and among the people. Now that there is no Chen Yuanliang to obstruct me, I can revitalize the court and rectify the atmosphere, but I am at a loss for a good method. I implore Chu Chen to teach me."
"Your Majesty is too kind," Chu Chen said, feigning apprehension and cupping his hands.
"How can I be too kind? I am merely speaking the truth. Initially, I thought that although the national strength grew slowly since my ascension, it was still growing. In this regard, I could be considered a ruler who maintained the status quo."
"Prime Minister Chen Yuanliang's struggle for power with me was merely a repetition of what has happened in previous dynasties. I thought we would coexist peacefully. Now I realize that the accumulated problems of the Yunyue Kingdom are a great impending disaster, with a crisis of collapse and ruin."
"At this juncture, with great talents like Your Minister Chu Chen assisting me, I can be at ease and not become a ruler who loses the country, shaming my ancestors."
The Empress sighed with worry and regret, even looking apologetically at Princess Xin Yue.
She had initially thought the kingdom was sound and wanted to support her young daughter to inherit her throne. Now, looking back, this move might have been the catalyst for the kingdom's downfall.
If Xin Yue were to truly ascend the throne, she might find herself unable to reverse the situation. At that time, she would likely be burdened with the infamy of a fallen ruler, her name disgraced for eternity.
Since Chen Yuanliang's absolute control and obstruction of information to the palace were removed, the Empress had only then learned the true state of affairs within the country.
She had once considered not supporting Princess Xin Yue's succession, nor even the eldest princess Bai Hua's succession, and only intended to fight with all her might during her reign.
Now, with Chu Chen's assistance, the Empress's idea of supporting Princess Xin Yue had resurfaced.
In the Empress's view, Princess Xin Yue had a good relationship with Chu Chen, and they shared affection. Once she inherited the throne, she would receive Chu Chen's strong support, and all the crises of the Yunyue Kingdom would gradually be resolved and disappear over time.
However, if the eldest princess Bai Hua were to succeed, she might inadvertently harm such a great talent due to the slander of ministers, leading to the continued collapse and ruin of the Yunyue Kingdom.
The choice was clear.
Princess Xin Yue, seeing her mother's distressed state, was very anxious. She secretly kicked Chu Chen, signaling him to stop playing coy and reveal his plan quickly.
Chu Chen smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty need not worry so much. You already possess the prerequisite for governing officials with integrity."
"Oh? Why do I not know?"
The Empress was startled and asked in confusion.
"Your Majesty, Chen Yuanliang rebelled, and all those who dared to rebel and had the strength to do so were apprehended in one fell swoop. Even if there are any who escaped, they cannot hinder the general trend."
"The remaining officials are merely greedy and cowardly. As long as Your Majesty does not shake the foundation of the gentry or the interests of the border lords, and only focuses on rectifying the court, it will be very easy to achieve."
Chu Chen first explained the situation and gave some cautionary advice, then continued, "Therefore, if Your Majesty wishes to rectify the integrity of the officials, you can collect evidence of their corruption and illegal activities, and then, in the court, declare their crimes."
"Then, order the Imperial Guards to drag them away and enforce the law impartially."
"But if you do this, won't the officials rebel against me?" the Empress asked, confused and somewhat disappointed.
"Your Majesty, the remaining officials have no military power and are cowardly. How dare they rebel? Your Majesty holds the three thousand Imperial Guards, the fifty thousand veteran soldiers and fifty thousand new recruits outside the city are all imperial troops, and there are over a hundred thousand soldiers at the border who can come to the rescue."
"If you deal with one person every few days, without affecting the interests and land of the gentry, Your Majesty only needs to face individuals or a few officials. Is this difficult?"
Chu Chen smiled and explained to the Empress.
The Empress finally understood, her expression brightened, then stiffened, and she said with a troubled look, "But I cannot leave the palace to obtain evidence against them, and no one in court dares to speak of it. How can I obtain it?"
"Your Majesty, have you forgotten about me and Princess Xin Yue?" Chu Chen asked with a smile.
The Empress suddenly realized. With Princess Xin Yue's royal endorsement and Chu Chen's ability to handle matters, collecting evidence against the corrupt officials should not be a problem. Even if not all corrupt officials' evidence could be obtained, a considerable portion could be.
Thinking of this, the Empress's stern expression turned joyful, "Chu Chen, you speak wisely. I will entrust this matter to you. Afterwards, I will give you a secret decree, and you need not return the previous imperial sword, allowing you to act as you see fit."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Chu Chen was also happy. Not having to return the imperial sword was a great weapon for him. In the court, anyone below the third rank would pose no threat to him. For those above the third rank, as long as there was evidence of his crimes, he could be apprehended and handed over to the Empress for judgment.
At this moment, Chu Chen seemed to recall something and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, in fact, I have made many friends among the common people recently. Some chivalrous individuals have provided me with a lot of evidence of the illegal activities of the officials' children. If Your Majesty needs it, you can allocate funds to me, and I will establish a new department for Your Majesty, specifically responsible for this matter, supervising the officials and investigating illegal and disciplinary actions."
"May I ask if Your Majesty agrees?"
The Empress thought for a moment and felt there was no problem. Half of the officials in the court were already appointed by Chu Chen to temporarily hold their positions.
It was normal for someone to dare to tell Chu Chen the truth, and it was also natural to want to provide protection for those people.
So, she smiled and said, "I trust you. I will allocate one hundred thousand taels, and you shall begin to establish it. Collect the evidence and submit it to me, and I will start by dealing with the most corrupt individuals."
"Your subject accepts the order!"
Chu Chen cupped his hands solemnly, but inwardly he was beaming.
"What do you intend to name this new department?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, let it be called the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Everyone in the Embroidered Uniform Guard is wealthy and imposing, and they are not short of money. If they have aspirations and are determined to serve the country, they will not fear offending others."
Chu Chen suppressed his joy and smiled slightly.
"Embroidered Uniform Guard? Good, a very good name. Then let it be called the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
The Empress pondered for a moment and found the name excellent, so she waved her hand and agreed.
At this moment, Princess Xin Yue asked softly, "Mother, after the officials are investigated and dealt with, who will replace them? I recall that most of the temporary officials were appointed due to a lack of officials."
"..."
Princess Xin Yue's words caused the Empress's joy to falter.
Chu Chen quickly said, "Your Majesty, the time for sowing is imminent. It will take some time for me to collect and verify the evidence. During this period, we can hold an additional imperial examination, changing the subjects and selecting only those with talent, regardless of their seniority."
"This way, the vacancies can be filled."
"Good, let it be so. Regarding the new subjects for the imperial examination, you shall write them down and submit them to me for review. After my approval, this matter will still be entrusted to you."