Chapter 176

At court, Tian Qianqiu and Huo Guang's opinions disagreed, they argued endlessly, still no conclusion, Liu Ju then announced the adjournment of court.

After returning to the front hall, Liu Ju ordered people to summon Wei Qing, Zhang Qian, and Su Wu, as well as Wei Zifu to discuss matters; several people did not know what Liu Ju intended to do.

Wei Qing, Zhang Qian, Su Wu, and Wei Zifu entered the front hall, their hearts full of doubt.

Liu Ju dismissed the attendants, his expression solemn as he spoke: 'Today I have invited the Empress Dowager and three trusted ministers to come; there is a matter to discuss. All three are those I trust most; I hope they can share my burdens.'

They rarely saw Liu Ju so solemn, and their suspicions grew deeper involuntarily.

But after thinking it over, they still did not know what the emperor ultimately intended to do.

Liu Ju looked around, then spoke slowly: 'After careful consideration, I have decided to abolish the Chancellor system and establish a Cabinet system.'

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, staring at each other.

Wei Qing was the first to regain composure, clasping his hands and saying: 'Your Majesty, the Chancellor is the head of all officials, having assisted you in governing the realm for many years. The Chancellor system has been passed down for a long time; abolishing it suddenly may cause turmoil at court. The Chancellor can share your burdens in many affairs; once abolished, Your Majesty may have to bear more governmental duties, exhausting mind and strength.'

Wei Qing furrowed his brows, his face full of worry.

Zhang Qian also hurriedly said: 'Your Majesty, the Chancellor can coordinate all sides, balancing court power. Now changing to a Cabinet system, with many Cabinet members, opinions are hard to unify, and decision-making efficiency may decline. Moreover, the Chancellor can represent the officials in communicating with Your Majesty; without the Chancellor, the communication channel between the officials and Your Majesty may be obstructed.'

Su Wu's expression solemn, he stepped forward and said: 'Your Majesty, the Chancellor system has endured through generations, already deeply rooted in people's hearts. Changing it rashly will cause the officials' hearts to be unsettled, giving rise to doubts about Your Majesty's decisions. This is extremely detrimental to court stability and the implementation of orders.'

Wei Zifu looked at Liu Ju, her eyes full of concern, and said: 'Ju, the Chancellor has an irreplaceable role at court. Abolishing the Chancellor system—is this too hasty? This concerns the foundation of the court; I hope Your Majesty will reconsider.'

Liu Ju listened quietly to everyone's opposition, then let out a slight sigh and said: 'You are unaware; the current court situation is complex, the Chancellor's power is too great, often causing disagreement with my decisions, as seen in the dispute between Tian Qianqiu and Huo Guang, which highlights the drawbacks of the Chancellor system. The policies I promote are sometimes hindered by the Chancellor, making smooth implementation difficult.'

'Establishing a Cabinet system can disperse power, allowing more capable individuals to participate in decision-making, pooling wisdom for better development of the Han Dynasty. Although I know this move will face many difficulties, for the long-term future of the Han Dynasty, I am determined to give it a try.'

Liu Ju's gaze was firm; he naturally knew that abolishing the Chancellor system would cause a huge uproar and encounter great resistance, but this is an inevitable trend of historical development.

Seeing Liu Ju so resolute, for a moment they did not know what to say.

At this moment, Wei Zifu said: 'Ju, the Empress Dowager supports all your decisions; I do not know what the Empress Dowager can do.'

When everyone saw Wei Zifu express her stance, they also spoke up in turn.

The next day, early court was held at the Xuanshi Hall of the Weiyang Palace.

Liu Ju announced a new personnel appointment, immediately causing an uproar.

'Effective immediately, Huo Guang will no longer be responsible for the development of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal; instead, he will oversee the construction of the new city of Hangzhou, coordinating with Jin Fu according to the situation, while Chancellor Tian Qianqiu's position remains unchanged, fully handling the construction of the Grand Canal and the relocation of the populace.'

As soon as Liu Ju's words fell, everyone in the court exclaimed in shock.

Officials whispered to each other, faces full of astonishment, the buzzing discussion surging like a tide.

'This is truly too sudden; Lord Huo has always been in charge of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, yet now he is suddenly replaced……'

'Yes, what deep meaning lies behind this new appointment?'

The officials' eyes were full of doubt and incomprehension.

The officials of Tian Qianqiu's side first stared in disbelief, then their faces showed an undisguised look of delight.

An official who usually was very close to Tian Qianqiu, the corners of his mouth slightly rising, whispered to his neighboring colleague: 'It seems His Majesty still values the Chancellor's abilities more; the heavy responsibility of the Grand Canal construction will ultimately still fall on our Chancellor's shoulders.'

Another official straightened his back, face full of pride: 'That is only natural; the Chancellor has assisted His Majesty for many years, rich in experience, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal in the Chancellor's hands will surely be completed smoothly.'

Tian Qianqiu himself slightly raised his head, a faint flicker of self-satisfaction crossing his eyes, he bowed slightly and respectfully said to Liu Ju: 'Your Majesty, rest assured; I will certainly exert my utmost effort, not betraying your trust, and will properly handle the construction of the Grand Canal and the relocation of the populace.'

As for Huo Guang, upon hearing this appointment, it was like a bolt from the blue; his face instantly turned pale, completely beyond his expectation.

Just recently he had gone to Yanjing with full confidence to inspect and study; this too had been approved by the emperor, so how could it suddenly change?

Huo Guang's hands unconsciously clenched, his eyes full of loss and unwillingness.

All along, he had poured countless efforts into the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal project, originally hoping to complete it smoothly and establish an unparalleled merit for the Han Dynasty.

He also wanted to prove that the Huo family enjoyed such favor from His Majesty, not only because of Huo Qubing, but that Huo Guang himself was in no way inferior.

Yet now he was suddenly transferred away; his previous efforts seemed to have all come to nothing.

Huo Guang suppressed his inner emotions, stepped forward, his voice slightly hoarse, and said: 'Your Majesty, I obey the edict.'

However, that faintly trembling voice still revealed the turmoil in his heart.

The onlookers in the court, at this moment, each harbored their own thoughts.

Some opportunistic officials, seeing Tian Qianqiu's side gaining power, began to calculate how to ingratiate themselves.

An official who usually kept lukewarm relations with all sides quietly approached a minister of Tian Qianqiu's faction, smiling broadly and saying, "Congratulations, everyone; now the Chancellor takes full charge of the Grand Canal, and will surely rise to prominence—don't forget to help me along."

Some officials, their eyes full of envy, secretly lamented that Tian Qianqiu's side was enjoying great fortune while they lacked such opportunity.

And those ministers who remained neutral, watching the ever‑shifting situation on the court, couldn't help but shake their heads and sigh, worrying about the court's future direction.

The next day, as word spread that Empress Wei had summoned Huo Guang for an audience and rebuked him to his face for being youthful and arrogant, not knowing how to adapt, and relying on favor, the court once again erupted in turmoil.

Now Wei Qing is aged, Huo Qubing has gone far to the Western Regions, Huo Guang has been demoted and again admonished—could the fate of the Han dynasty be changing once more?

Huo Guang, already in the spotlight due to his recent position changes, now faced criticism from all sides.

Some officials who had previously held a wait‑and‑see attitude toward him also began to waver, whispering among themselves: "So Lord Huo has actually been behaving like this all along; no wonder the Emperor transferred him away from the Grand Canal project."

"Yes, even Empress Wei came forward to rebuke him; it seems Lord Huo has truly made a grave mistake this time."

As for Tian Qianqiu's side, upon hearing this news, their momentum grew even stronger.

They became increasingly conspicuous in the court; when discussing affairs, the officials of Tian Qianqiu's faction spoke more sharply, everywhere displaying their dominant position.

For a time, the voice of Tian Qianqiu's faction on the court almost drowned out all others.

Huo Guang stood in the court, hearing these harsh words, his heart filled with bitterness.