Chapter 786: 6: Expanding Territory, King of the Northern Barbarians

Chapter 786: Chapter 6: Expanding Territory, King of the Northern Barbarians

“Your Majesty, I believe this matter is inappropriate!”

In the Great Hall, as soon as Feng Cheng finished reciting all the rewards for Li Fei, a minister immediately stood up to oppose.

“The role of Blue Patrol Envoy is unique. Since its inception, it has never been granted a cabinet official’s rank. I believe Marquis Jing’an can enter the cabinet as an official, but he should not continue to serve as the Blue Patrol Envoy!”

“Your Majesty, I second this!”

“I also believe it’s inappropriate! Although Marquis Jing’an has merits, they do not warrant this!”

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

“…”

One after another, ministers stood up in opposition, all of whom were cabinet officials!

Although the sitting official of the Blue Patrol Envoy has no direct power to oversee cabinet officials, he can already directly report to the central government, imposing some constraints on cabinet officials.

If the Blue Patrol Envoy were to become a cabinet official, wouldn’t that mean direct oversight of cabinet officials?

At that time, over ninety percent of the civil officials in the court would be intimidated by Li Fei alone!

Therefore, at this moment, a crowd of cabinet ministers stood out in opposition, and quite a few military generals also stood out in opposition.

Although the Forbidden Army and the Border Army are two independent systems outside the cabinet, the Blue Patrol Envoy has no jurisdiction over them, but local City Guard Army and military generals are still under the Inspection Bureau’s supervision, so even many generals from the Military Affairs Office are unwilling to see Li Fei, the Blue Patrol Envoy, promoted to a cabinet official.

For a moment, the Great Hall was filled with voices of opposition!

Li Fei stood calmly below the Red Steps, and the voices of opposition all came from behind him; officials of equal status or higher than him had yet to stand out in opposition.

“Enough!”

From the Dragon Chair, the Emperor’s voice interrupted the crowd.

Like a thunderclap, it exploded in everyone’s hearts, causing their spirits to tremble, and they fell silent.

“I have made my decision. This matter need not be discussed further!”

The Emperor declared.

The Da Lan Dynasty employs a dual monarchy system, with two core mechanisms:

First, the Emperor has the executive power to appoint cabinet ministers.

Second, the Central Cabinet holds legislative power.

In essence, the Central Cabinet assists the monarch in governing the world.

Though the emperor’s power has been curtailed, he still stands above all.

Now, the Emperor insists on exercising his power to forcibly appoint a cabinet minister.

Theoretically, all civil and military officials could not oppose it.

But the dual monarchy system of the Da Lan Dynasty has been in place for so many years, and the ministers’ ability to balance royal power has matured considerably, especially with a Grand Secretary like Ye Ze’an.

If the Central Cabinet is dead set against something, even the Emperor finds it difficult to push it through.

So, at this moment, the civil and military ministers who stood out were all looking at Ye Ze’an sitting in the front row, hoping the Grand Secretary would make a statement.

Over the years, Ye Ze’an has not shied away from openly opposing some of the Emperor’s decisions.

If Ye Ze’an expressed opposition to this matter, there might still be room to maneuver!

In everyone’s eyes, the Emperor’s decision was obviously unreasonable and would disrupt the existing balance, something Ye Ze’an would likely not be pleased to see.

But Ye Ze’an seemed lost in thought, quietly sitting in his seat, showing no reaction.

Apart from him, the six Pavilion Masters of the cabinet, the dozen or so Deputy Pavilion Masters, and the dozen University Scholars from Zixu Hall also showed no response.

“…”

This made many people realize that this matter was likely not as simple as it seemed.

The Great Hall quickly fell silent again.

The Emperor glanced at Feng Cheng, who immediately proclaimed loudly:

“If you have matters to present, do so, otherwise, court is dismissed—”

After proclaiming three times, he finally announced the dismissal of the court.

Thus, the grand assembly came to an end.

Li Fei’s appointment to the cabinet and his continued position as Blue Patrol Envoy became a foregone conclusion!

With a cabinet official serving as Blue Patrol Envoy, he could directly supervise cabinet officials outside Lanling City at the same level, while higher-level officials still needed to report to the central government.

This meant Li Fei could directly monitor provincial Level 16 cabinet officials. If he suspected any wrongdoing, those individuals had to submit a petition to defend themselves!

As for those below Level 16, he could, unconditionally, order them to suspend duties to cooperate with investigations, with the suspension lasting up to a month.

Essentially, with just a word, Li Fei could have the highest officials of a province, like Bian Jingru, suspended and investigated!

This promotion elevated Li Fei’s power by one level on an existing basis.

And this one-level difference signifies the distinction between a sitting official and a cabinet official!

In the major provinces, the highest official is the Inspector, a Level 17 cabinet official.

Below the Inspector, Li Fei can monitor anyone!

Such power is unprecedented, and coupled with the fact that Li Fei is now also the head of the Blue Patrol Pavilion Inspection Group.

This means he alone holds the supervisory authority over both the court and the world.

This is the true inspector of the realm!

And crucially, Li Fei is only twenty years old!

No one in history has ever wielded such power at this age.

Moreover, Li Fei possesses the talent noted as the best in history, leading many to think:

In another ten years or so, there might just be another seat in the front row of Zhenglan Hall!

After court adjourned, many approached Li Fei to offer congratulations.

However, the Crown Prince, who had previously shown great friendliness towards Li Fei, unusually did not approach him, not even to greet him, and left directly.

Instead, the Third Prince, who had previously been depreciated greatly due to the investigation of the Righteous Law Pavilion arising from Li Fei’s capture of Ye Zhao, walked over with a smile:

“Congratulations, congratulations!”

Seeing that the Third Prince had words for Li Fei, the surrounding ministers, after exchanging greetings, sensibly stepped away.

“Your Highness.”

Li Fei saluted the Third Prince.

The Third Prince, with phoenix-like eyes fixed on him, said with a smile: “With one hand overseeing local officials and the other the world’s martial world, you can now be counted as a powerful minister in our Da Lan Dynasty.”