“Pray tell!”
Upon hearing this, Liang Shicheng became instantly excited.
He was no longer the timid eunuch who used to follow the emperor around, afraid to even speak loudly.
He was now the Grand Commandant of a nation, the highest rank for a military general in the Great Song Dynasty.
With high position and great power, he enjoyed the emperor's full trust. Although the court situation had become increasingly strange in recent years, this was truly the first time anyone dared to make a move against him.
Having navigated the officialdom for so many years, he naturally understood that if he couldn't retaliate quickly, more people would soon harbor ill intentions towards him.
However, both Cai Jing and Prince Yun were now fully established, making it no easy task to deal with them.
Although Cai Jing had lost his position as Prime Minister, his followers still largely looked up to him.
To deal with Cai Jing without being harmed by his faction, he hadn't thought of a solution yet.
And the young man before him, able to propose three strategies in such a short time, had truly earned his admiration.
“For the best strategy, it is naturally to endure for a moment of peace, and take a step back for a broader view. Your Excellency, now is not the time to be righteous.”
“No need for those words, just tell me the middle and lower strategies!”
Liang Shicheng gave Han Mo a deep look and then spoke again.
“Since Your Excellency has made up your mind, I shall speak of the middle strategy. The main mastermind behind this incident is naturally our esteemed Prime Minister Cai. Minister Cai Xiang Gong is seeing his departure, so he wants to secure one or two positions of the Four Capitals' Governors as a final move for his own convenience. If Your Excellency wishes to vent your anger, you might as well start from here!”
Han Mo said casually with a smile.
“Continue!”
Liang Shicheng’s pupils contracted, and as he looked at Han Mo again, his eyes held a newfound apprehension.
This young man, so young, yet his mind was so clear. Not only did he see through Cai Jing's intentions, but his grasp of the court situation was no less than his own as Grand Commandant. Was this truly a young man?
“With Your Excellency’s current influence, if you strongly support Xu Churen’s ascension, the position of Daming Prefect will likely be his. Now let's look at the remaining three positions!”
“Although the position of Xijing Prefect is high in rank and power, it is, after all, too close to Bianliang City. Moreover, the situation there is complex. It’s a high position with no real benefits. Prime Minister Cai likely wouldn’t favor it!”
“As for the position of Dongjing Prefect, that goes without saying. Even if Prime Minister Cai wanted it, His Majesty would not agree!”
After Han Mo’s analysis, Liang Shicheng immediately chimed in.
Cai Jing had been Prime Minister for over a decade. Even if he retreated to the position of Dongjing Prefect, he could still control all members of the Cai faction.
If that were the case, whether he retired or not would have no practical effect, and Zhao Ji would certainly not agree.
“Exactly, Your Excellency speaks the truth. So, only the position of Nanjing Prefect remains. Given Prime Minister Cai’s current status, if he were to directly ask His Majesty for it, perhaps His Majesty would find it difficult to refuse!”
Liang Shicheng nodded silently at this. It was true that after so many years of mutual reliance between the Emperor and Cai Jing, the Emperor would not begrudge him the position of Nanjing Prefect.
“Then what is your suggestion?”
“Has Your Excellency ever heard of striking first to gain the advantage?”
Han Mo said, then gave a sly smile.
“However, I have just recommended a candidate for Daming Prefect. If I were to interfere with the position of Nanjing Prefect at this time, regarding His Majesty…”
The positions of the Four Capitals’ Governors, though only of the third rank, were truly significant regional appointments, except for Dongjing and Xijing Prefects.
Even if he were deeply trusted by the emperor, recommending Xu Churen might be understandable.
But if he were to also meddle in the position of Nanjing Prefect, as soon as he spoke, the emperor would likely begin to feel uncomfortable.
“That depends on whom Your Excellency recommends!”
Han Mo said casually with a smile.
“Does it have anything to do with this?”
“Of course it does. If the candidate Your Excellency recommends is one of your own, His Majesty will naturally feel a bit displeased. But what if Your Excellency were to recommend a prince?”
“Hiss—”
Hearing him say this, Liang Shicheng couldn’t help but gasp. This young man was truly unconventional.
The dynasty had never had a precedent of a prince serving as a regional governor.
After all, if these dragon sons and grandsons were to go to the regions, the situation would be entirely different.
Within Bianliang City, these princes could not interact with those so-called civil and military officials, thus unable to form their own factions.
But if they were to go to the regions, and collude with local powers, it could eventually lead to uncontrollable consequences.
He didn't want to escape safely only to be reprimanded by the emperor for this matter.
“The dynasty has never had a precedent for princes serving in the regions!”
After a moment of silence, Liang Shicheng finally said.
“No precedent does not mean it is impossible. Ancestral rules can be changed, let alone such a small matter!”
Han Mo smiled but did not continue, quietly waiting for Liang Shicheng’s decision.
Seeing Han Mo’s determined expression, Liang Shicheng fell into deep thought again.
Indeed, just as Han Mo had said, even ancestral rules could be changed, so what couldn't be changed for such a minor matter?
After Emperor Zhenzong succeeded the throne, he stated he inherited the legacy of the Holy Ancestor: “All administrative affairs of the former dynasty have established precedents, and it is imperative to abide by them and not dare to falter.”
By Emperor Renzong’s reign, it became: “Having served by the holy countenance, and received the precious instructions, all administrative affairs have established precedents, which shall be diligently implemented, and not dared to be neglected.”
When Emperor Shenzong ascended, it became even more interesting, directly changing to: “Having diligently served by the holy countenance, and heard the holy instructions, all administrative affairs have established precedents, which shall be diligently implemented, and not dared to be lost.”
Although it was just a few words changed, the core idea was completely different.
Times have changed, so each emperor would always add or subtract to these so-called ancestral precedents according to their own ideas.
If even this could be changed, what couldn’t be changed for these small matters?
“Even if changes are to be made, there must be a reasonable explanation!”
After careful consideration, Liang Shicheng frowned and asked again.