Chief Historian Chen did not have the title of Prime Minister, but he performed the tasks that the Da Liang Chancellor should have done.
All memorials had to first pass through Chief Historian Chen, where he would screen and select the important ones to present before the imperial court. Minor issues, deemed insignificant, never reached the Emperor's eyes, as Chief Historian Chen could directly handle them.
For the major matters, even the Empress would consult with Chief Historian Chen. There was also Wang Zhongshu Ling, who, after returning to the Prime Minister's Mansion at night, could present suitable "suggestions" at the palace by the following morning.
In this way, the real Da Liang Prime Minister, Prime Minister Wang, ended up overshadowed by Chief Historian Chen.
