The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Inside the Fengtian Hall, as the Empress began to speak, the entire banquet hall was enveloped in a tense atmosphere.

Xu Zhenguan reached out, and Mo Chou, understanding his intention, handed a memorial to the Empress.

Then, the female emperor on the throne looked down, her fingers pinching the edge of the memorial, and said:

"This is the report Feng Ju sent back to the capital a few days ago by fast horse. It states that in the months following the opening of the new markets, the court has gained a considerable amount of silver, and this is just the beginning.

According to the financial data Feng Ju submitted, by the latest in early spring, the first batch of converted silver sent from Hu Ting will be at least one million taels. And after the spring, as trade with Western Regions expands, this number will only increase."

Sssss...

Upon hearing this, except for the Minister of Revenue, Vice Minister, Dong Xuan, and a few others in the know, the rest of the ministers all showed expressions of surprise.

Even Li Yanfu was slightly tense in his breathing.

This speed of money-making far exceeded the previous estimates of the court.

Of course, the most crucial point is that this indicates the "opening market" strategy has been a huge success, providing hope for escaping the financial deficit crisis and alleviating distress.

"This one," the Empress picked up a second memorial, not unfolding it, and said:

"This is the initial effect after the Ministry of Personnel's adoption of the Examination Method, where by removing redundant officials, the savings on salaries are already a staggering figure."

After opening sources, there is cutting expenses.

As the Minister of Personnel, Li Yanfu was well aware of this, so he wasn't surprised.

The Empress still did not stop, but continued picking up the remaining memorials in her hand, all of which were positive signals related to the New Policy.

Zhao Douan was greatly surprised, realizing that the local officials who rushed to deliver good news to the Empress as a New Year's gift were not just Feng Ju.

After the Empress finished discussing each matter one by one, the Minister of Rites led the ministers in suddenly bowing and exclaiming:

"Your Majesty is wise, Heaven protects Yu Country!"

The rest of the ministers, as if waking from a dream, quickly followed with their own flattering congratulations.

It was apparent that these memorials in the Empress's hand greatly boosted the "morale" of the ministers.

In the past two to three years, the entire court had been in a state of turmoil, with bad things happening continuously and good things scarce.

Now, the hard times were finally yielding sweet fruit, the empty National Treasury was being replenished, the court had an endless supply of minting machines, and the vacant official positions were giving the hungry scholars and local officials opportunities for promotion.

Especially considering that recently, Cao Mao had retired to his fields, aligning with Duke Tang, indicating that things were getting better, with signs of renewal and prosperity in Yu Country as spring approached.

The ministers in the hall couldn't help but feel deeply moved, as previously, they worried whether the Empress could maintain her rule for several years, filled with pessimism.

Now, however, their attitudes had changed, with genuine thoughts of supporting and acknowledging the governance of this female monarch.

Xu Zhenguan threw the memorial onto the table, waiting for the ministers to finish their congratulations, before slowly saying:

"The court has had so many changes, yet it's not entirely my doing, but the result of the collective efforts of the court. Among all of you, if I were to say who surprised me the most, it would undoubtedly be Mr. Zhao."

Shua—

In an instant, eyes focused like spotlights on the bewildered Zhao Douan.

Wait, what are you doing? If you're going to praise someone at the company annual meeting, shouldn't you give some notice first... I haven't even prepared an acceptance speech... Zhao Douan thought to himself, but he still stood up and bowed, wanting to say something.

"Mr. Zhao need not speak,"

The Empress glanced at him, stopping him again, and continued:

"Mr. Zhao's contributions to the New Policy began with suggestions in Xiuwen Pavilion, then through the Taicang silver mine case and the opening of Hu Ting market, he was even assassinated and seriously injured for this...

Mr. Zhao's contributions also include eradicating rebels, rooting out rebels in the capital, exposing the traitors within the Imperial Court, and successively arresting rebel members of Kuangfu Society's Heavenly Gang...

Mr. Zhao's contributions lie in promoting our nation's prestige, through academic debates in Zhengyang, through Debating Scripture in the Western Regions, spreading the might of Yu Country and intimidating the surrounding nations..."

Uh, this is increasingly like a year-end report. If a music-accompanied promotional video was projected right now, it would be even more fitting... So, is an award coming next...

Zhao Douan was lost in thought, finally realizing that Zhenbao had prepared a surprise for him.

Sure enough, after the Empress finished her speech, she paused, then announced:

"These numerous achievements cannot go unrewarded, so, today I confer Zhao Douan, the Commander of the Divine Mechanism Camp, the title of 'Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince'. Does anyone have any objections?"

Bestowing the title of Junior Guardian!

Even though the ministers were mentally prepared, they were still shocked upon hearing this conferment.

Zhao Douan was also stunned.

Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince!?

He certainly knew this position, as it wasn't a real power position, but more of an honorary title with equivalent rank treatment.

Throughout history, empires have conferred meritorious officials with titles like "Three Masters", "Three Young Masters".

Zhuang Xiaocheng's Grand Tutor belongs to the "Crown Prince's Three Masters" category, highly respected, at Secondary Second Rank.

After the Empress's ascension, Dong Xuan was promoted to Emperor's Master, at Standard First Rank.

And "Crown Prince's Three Young Masters", namely, Junior Master, Young Master, Junior Guardian... serve as deputies to the Three Masters, designated at Standard Third Rank in Yu Country.

In other words, Zhao Douan was directly promoted from an honorary fourth-rank general to Standard Third Rank.

Though it seemed like it was just two ranks, it was as vast as a chasm.

Regarding why the title was "Junior Guardian", it was understandable as per the rules, as Junior Master and Young Master must be real power officials.

Only the Junior Guardian had looser requirements, suitable for him.

However...

More important than the conferment of third rank, the point bewildering the ministers and Zhao Douan was:

"Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince... but Yu Country currently has no Crown Prince..."