Chapter 507 - Chapter 507: Chapter 455 Only the Emperor has the Final Say! Distribution of the Number of Divine Positions

Chapter 507: Chapter 455 Only the Emperor has the Final Say! Distribution of the Number of Divine Positions

Seeing his father speaking in this manner, a few traces of resistance surfaced on Yan Deqiu’s face. He said, “If that’s the case, please instruct me further, Father.”

In response to the resistance on his son’s face, Yan Weizhong didn’t mind it in the slightest. In a serious tone, he said, “You said that National Tutor Pei Xuanjing is recognized as the best in the world, which is true. However, it isn’t up to him to make the final decisions.”

With a hint of sternness, he said: “Keep this in mind, my son. The one who has the final say in this world should be the Emperor. Regardless of what others think or how they view it, from my perspective, the only one who should have the final say in this world is the Emperor.”

In this world, the one who should have the final say ought to be the Emperor, and only the Emperor.

This is Yan Weizhong’s understanding, and it is a rule he has always upheld.

No matter what others say or think, Yan Weizhong owes his position today to the Emperor’s favor. He could seek to gain some benefits and make plans, but he mustn’t waver at all when it comes to significant matters of right and wrong. His loyalty lies solely with the Emperor.

It is the Emperor who granted him everything he has today. If he were to betray the Emperor one day, then the Emperor could just as effortlessly take it all away.

Thus, the only way for him to hold onto everything he has is to remain loyal to the Emperor, with no room for wavering on this point.

Listening to his father’s words, Yan Deqiu’s expression turned serious, instantly understanding his father’s meaning.

They are officials of the Great Ming, servants of the Emperor. While Pei Xuanjing is mighty and deserving of their respect and reverence, they must not forget their roles.

Yan Weizhong warned his son: “Right now, as the Emperor hasn’t stated his stance on this matter, it is difficult for anyone to discern what the Emperor thinks. However, since the Emperor hasn’t spoken, we must not decide anything on our own.”

As his subjects, there are some matters they could actively speak up about, but there are also matters they absolutely should not meddle with on their own.

Now that the Divine Dynasty is ascending, and the Emperor holds the Golden Book and Jade Scroll, his golden words could confer divine positions. But how many divine positions there are and how they should be conferred is something only the Emperor can decide. If the Emperor asks for their input, they can share their thoughts. However, if the Emperor has no intention of consulting them, no matter how many thoughts they have, they must suppress them and avoid letting any of them show.

Yan Deqiu fell into silence, understanding his father’s concerns. His father’s position was also somewhat awkward now. Although he was favored by the Emperor, there were still several individuals above him in the current court situation.

Setting aside the Prime Minister, who had shown slight favor towards his father before, even the current position and authority of Wang Qiong, the Minister of the Ministry of War, were not something that could be easily shaken. If they provoke criticism at this moment, they might fall into a disadvantageous situation.

While the father and son were talking, a messenger from the palace came bearing an imperial edict, announcing that the Emperor had summoned them.

Seeing this, Yan Deqiu instantly understood, fearing that the Emperor was likely ready to lay his cards on the table. He turned his gaze towards his father.

Yan Weizhong slowly stood up and walked towards the back hall. It was clear that he was going to change his clothes and enter the palace. However, his voice trailed behind him: “Remember, no one is allowed to enter the mansion.”

What they did not know was that not only had Yan Weizhong, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, been summoned by the Emperor, but several other high-ranking officials and nobility had also received the Emperor’s summons.

After returning to the Imperial City from Pei Xuanjing’s residence, Zhu Houji remained silent, contemplating the discussions he had had with Pei Xuanjing.

As the two of them each held the Golden Book and Jade Scroll, representing the imperial court of the Great Ming and the large forces of the Taoist School, they had reached a compromise after some heated discussions and debates, ultimately deciding on all the relevant matters regarding the consecration of the divine positions.

The first point was the distribution of the divine positions’ authority in the imperial court, which would be as they had discussed: only officials above the Fourth-grade could refine divine positions, while officials fifth-grade and below could only control the authority through official seals if they held actual positions, although they could enjoy the benefits of Qi Luck.

As for the quota of divine positions to be consecrated next, the Great Ming court would hold a third, while the remaining third would be under Pei Xuanjing’s control for consecration, including the shares for all the factions in the martial world. However, the number of high-grade divine positions under Pei Xuanjing’s consecration could only be a fifth of what the Great Ming court had.

The two of them classified the nine ranks of divine positions drawn up by Zhu Houji into novice, intermediate, and high according to the three stages of martial arts cultivation. To ensure the stability of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty’s court, even though Pei Xuanjing held a third of the divine positions, most of them were intermediate and low-grade divine positions, with fewer high-grade ones.

Naturally, among the divine positions consecrated by Pei Xuanjing, most could only control some authority over states, mountains, and rivers across the world.

The two of them merely established a rough count. The specific details still needed discussions between both parties, but those were not issues that the two of them needed to debate.

Both Pei Xuanjing and Zhu Houji were quite satisfied with this outcome, understanding that it was only a beginning. As the Great Ming Divine Dynasty progressed and the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi was restored, their strength would grow, and this distribution would certainly change. The how and when would depend on their respective strategies.

“Your Majesty, we have reached the Wenhua Hall.”

An inner eunuch reminded Zhu Houji.

“Have they all arrived?” Zhu Houji asked.

“All Cabinet elders are here,” the eunuch answered.

“Hmm!” Zhu Houji nodded.

As he entered the Wenhua Hall, all the cabinet elders stood up to greet him.

“Your Ministers pay respects to Your Majesty!”

“Sit, everyone!” Zhu Houji said lightly. After taking his throne, he looked at the senior officials of the Great Ming present and went straight to the point: “I have summoned you here today, I presume you all know why!”

The summoned today were mostly the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet, six ministers, some representative nobles, and a few representatives of the royal family.

Only Prince of Xiang, Zhu Yousong, was not present again, as he had been injured on the day of the sacrificial ceremony and was still in seclusion.

Still, each of these people were cunning old foxes. How could they not guess the Emperor’s intentions?

Of course, even when the Emperor spoke, these old foxes would not foolishly claim they had completely guessed his thoughts.

After all, the present Emperor was not easily fooled. His mind was unpredictable and no one dared to speak hastily.

Seeing no one answer, Xia Yan, the Grand Secretary of the Wuying Palace, and the head of state, took the initiative to speak: “Your Majesty, are you referring to the enfeoffment of divine positions?”

As the head of the government, others could play dumb, but he had to speak; such was the responsibility of a cabinet minister.

Zhu Houji nodded, “Correct.”

The greatest matters of a nation lie in sacrifices and warfare. Now that the Divine Dynasty has been newly established, this matter can no longer be postponed.

He looked around at these old foxes, a slight smile on his lips, and asked, “Minister Yan, does the Ministry of Rites have a plan regarding the enfeoffment?”

A thought flashed through Yan Weizhong’s mind, he raised his head to meet the Emperor’s gaze, feigning difficulty: “Your Majesty, the issue of enfeoffing divine positions is of great importance. It should be decided solely by Your Majesty. Your Ministers do not dare to act rashly.”

If it were any other matter, the Cabinet and the six ministries would be able to present corresponding regulations and plans. But the matter of divine positions was different.

Not to mention that the enfeoffment of divine positions was controlled by the Emperor, who could easily remove people from the list if he wished. Besides, they had no preserved systems of the Divine Dynasty from the last few thousand years to refer to, even well-read individuals like Yan Weizhong couldn’t find anything similar.

Moreover, with Yan Weizhong’s character, how could he voluntarily get involved in this matter at this time?

Even though the Emperor was asking, it was just a formality. Whoever took it seriously would embarrass both themselves and the Emperor, leaving no one a way out.

A satisfied look flashed in Zhu Houji’s eyes, saying, “In that case, I will speak my thoughts, and ask you all to deliberate.”

“Your Ministers will heed Your Majesty’s teachings.”

The many ministers and nobles in the hall focused themselves, their expressions solemn. After all, the upcoming matters were also of great importance to them.