Chapter 172: Guo Rong's Methods

(ps: I can't go on, brothers— the new novel is 100,000 words, only 10% read, today I dropped a bit more; the passing line is said to be 15%; not reaching it, the new novel has no premiere 《Water Margin: Transmigrated into Lu Qian, I Lead Lin Chong in Revolt》)

On the seventh day after Guo Wei's passing, Guo Rong formally ascended the throne.

In the Purple Throne Hall, the officials knelt and shouted "Long live!". The new emperor wore a dragon robe, his expression calm, yet the innate heroic aura in his brows was stronger than before.

He did not rush to announce any major state policy, but proceeded step by step handling the late emperor's funeral rites and the court's transition matters.

Given his series of actions as Crown Prince, everything seemed very smooth, as if only a different person had taken the dragon throne.

Yet beneath this stability, the political undercurrents in Kaifeng City had begun to stir quietly. Everyone craned their necks, eager to see whose head would be struck by the new emperor's first blaze.

Especially those royal relatives and former court officials who had once feuded with Guo Rong or backed the wrong side in the succession struggle, all felt uneasy and could not rest.

However, contrary to everyone's expectations, Guo Rong's first official appointment was neither aimed at a royal like Li Chongjin nor at the former court's troublemakers, but fell upon Wang Hao.

During the morning court, when Prime Minister Fan Zhi finished reading the award edict, the entire hall fell silent.

…Wang Hao, Chief Clerk of the Jin Prince's Residence, who assisted the Jin Prince with great labor and merit. In the southern campaign he captured Cheng, managing logistics well; in aiding Sichuan he saved countless lives. Now that I have first ascended the throne, I have established the Department of Agriculture, overseeing all agriculture, sericulture, waterworks, and commerce of the realm. I promote Wang Hao to Minister of the Department of Agriculture, a third‑rank official, to assume office immediately…

The Minister of the Department of Agriculture, a third‑rank senior official.

From an unranked Chief Clerk of the Jin Prince's Residence to a third‑rank court official in a single leap, this is an unprecedented exceptional promotion since the founding of Later Zhou.

But the Minister of the Department of Agriculture is truly a modest post for an elder who had followed Guo Rong before his rise.

Nevertheless, some minor officials, unaware, took advantage of the hall's clamor to whisper:

"This Wang Hao, truly favored by the heavens! The new emperor ascends, and the first promotion goes to him!"

"Indeed! The Department of Agriculture, overseeing agriculture, sericulture, and commerce—what a massive lucrative post!"

"It's not just lucrative; the power is enormous! Half of the empire's treasury now falls under his control!"

Yet amid this envy and jealousy, the seasoned veteran ministers sensed something unusual in this appointment.

The Department of Agriculture sounds powerful and handles many affairs, but in plain terms, it is a 'non‑core' department.

It oversees storage, garden and depot affairs, and supplies officials' salaries and provisions, but does not directly control personnel appointments or military deployments—the most core powers.

At first glance, the three main duties—especially supplying officials' pay—seem very profitable. But does the Wang Family lack money? Does Wang Hao lack money?

More importantly, the Minister of the Department of Agriculture, though high‑rank, is a 'clean' position. It is far from the central decision‑making bodies such as the Secretariat and the Privy Council.

This is not a promotion? It's clearly Clear Reduction!

The new emperor, in a respectable manner, moved Wang Hao out of his innermost circle of power.

Fan Zhi glanced at Wang Hao standing among the civil officials, trying to read something on his face, but Wang Hao's expression remained unruffled.

When he heard his appointment, he showed no surprise or elation, merely stepped out of the line and bowed deeply to Guo Rong on the dragon throne.

"Minister Wang Hao, thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace. That Your Majesty entrusts such a heavy responsibility to a humble minister, I am truly humbled and fearful. Only by dedicating myself fully, even unto death, can I repay Your Majesty's favor."

His demeanor was humble, his words sincere, leaving no flaw to point out.

Guo Rong looked at him, feeling a complex mix of emotions.

He knew Wang Hao had surely seen through his intention. Yet he showed no displeasure, instead accepting it obediently.

This cleverness and restraint made Guo Rong, while sighing in relief, also feel a twinge of guilt. He knew his action was somewhat inhumane. After all, in recent years, Wang Hao had rendered him great service.

But his late father's words before death were like a thorn lodged deep in his heart.

"The emperor is a solitary, lonely person."

He cannot, and must not, place complete trust in anyone, even if that person is Wang Hao.

"Wang Qing, stand down." Guo Rong composed himself and spoke in a formal imperial tone.

"I trust your ability. The Department of Agriculture is newly established, with many tasks pending; I hope you can swiftly get the duties underway, to seek welfare for the people of Great Zhou."

Era Name Official Compliance. Wang Hao bowed again, then silently returned to the line.

The small incident passed just like that.

Most people thought this was merely the new emperor's accession and rewarding of meritorious officials. Only a few realized it was already a major court reshuffle.

After the court adjourned, Wang Hao did not return to the Jin Prince's Residence, but went straight to the new office on the edge of Huangcheng—the Department of Agriculture.

It was originally an abandoned government office, looking somewhat dilapidated. Its subordinate officials were all transferred from other offices, a group of disheartened 'marginal men'.

Seeing the newly appointed chief—a excessively youthful man—each official could not muster spirit, gave a lazy salute, and then dispersed.

Wang Hao was unfazed. He knew these were seasoned bureaucrats; to make them truly follow him, a third‑rank title alone would not suffice.

He walked alone in the empty office, made a circuit, and finally sat down in his own quarters.

He spread a sheet of paper and began to write a letter to Head of Family Wang Zhen, who was far away in Yangzhou.

In the letter, he wrote only a few brief lines, simply recounting today's court appointment.

At the end he wrote: "Your Majesty's action, for the Wang Family, is not a misfortune; Head of Family, do not worry."

After finishing, he blew the paper dry, placed it in an envelope, sealed it with wax, then walked to the window, watching the drifting snowflakes, feeling a surge of emotion.

He knew that from today onward his days in Kaifeng would no longer be as grandiose; he would stay away from the sword‑clashing military affairs.

But that is also fine. The Wang Family's roots are not in Zhongyuan; the northern court is ultimately just a chessboard.

Being able to place one or two crucial pieces for the family on this board and gain some benefit means his mission is already fulfilled.