Chapter 594: Chapter 596: Conclusion
It seemed like Jin Qianqian had just sent her a group of people from the ships in the middle of last month. This girl really knew how to stir things up.
Lidong breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that her Madam had guessed it. To be honest, they had felt their scalps tingle when they read the letter.
That girl had some self-awareness this time. She didn’t dare ask the Madam for people directly, instead forwarding the letter to them in the hopes they would put in a good word for her.
"Li Xia just acquired two more storefronts a few days ago. She’s preparing to set up a tea house..."
Jin Qianqian said, "That little rascal really knows how to stir things up. Now she even wants to get her hands on a tea house."
Jin Qianqian should have been happy that her subordinate was so capable, but being *too* capable was giving her a headache.
And here she was, asking for more people again.
Jin Qianqian said, "Write her a letter back and tell her to take it easy for a while. As for Ming Tian and his group, tell her not to even think about it."
She already had plans for those people.
Li Qiu said with a smile, "Well, now she’s the one who’s going to have a headache."
Lichun said, "You might be wrong about that. Who’s going to have a headache? It certainly won’t be Li Xia.
That little rascal loves to pass the buck. And if she can’t, she’ll always find a way to solve the problem.
It’s not like you haven’t seen her do this before. How can you still be falling for it?"
Jin Qianqian smiled as she held her teacup. Lichun’s disposition was growing more and more steady; she had seen through Li Xia’s intentions so quickly.
"Now I’m reluctant to marry you all off," Jin Qianqian teased. "You’d better train the younger maids well. Otherwise, if I find them difficult to work with, I’ll just keep you all here for a few more years."
Lichun replied with graceful composure, "That would be wonderful. If the Madam wishes it, we would naturally love to stay and enjoy a few more relaxed years with you."
Jin Qianqian said, "Really? Then I’ll make the decision and actually keep you for a few more years."
While Lichun’s expression remained serene, the smiles on Li Qiu’s and Lidong’s faces grew a little stiff.
Jin Qianqian chuckled and shook her head. "If I really kept you for a few more years, you’d end up resenting me. I, your Madam, wouldn’t do something so thankless.
Don’t worry. As soon as the Master finishes his debriefing and is assigned to a new post, I’ll take care of your matters right away."
...
In contrast to the calm here, the atmosphere in the imperial court was growing increasingly fiery.
Everyone now had their eyes on Lu City. The debate had dragged on for so long, with no one willing to concede to anyone else.
They not only wanted to seize military authority in Lu City, but also get their hands on the profitable route of sea trade.
It wasn’t that they didn’t want to replicate such a sea trade route elsewhere.
But that Mrs. Gu was simply too cunning. Before they could even react, she had already latched onto the Holy Emperor’s powerful support. She not only presented shipbuilding blueprints but also turned the sea trade into a Royal Family enterprise. How were they supposed to compete with that?
But this time was different. Mr. Gu was about to leave his post. As long as they could win the position of this region’s parents official, even if they couldn’t eat the meat, couldn’t they at least have some of the soup?
Furthermore, with General Zhou also leaving his post, how could they not be tempted by such a significant position?
As long as they could seize the two main civil and military posts, they would have nothing to worry about in the future.
Hua Shunming sat on his high throne, watching them each recommend their chosen talents.
’Truly worthy of being civil servants,’ he thought. ’Only they could praise people with such shamelessness, their claims growing more and more outrageous.’
"Is the Holy Emperor just watching a show?" Cao Xiangqian asked, turning his head to Yu Ligao who was beside him.
Yu Ligao lifted an eyelid. "You’re only just realizing that now?"
"I mean, look at them. Squabbling over this nonsense all day, and it’s been going on for days. Don’t they ever get tired of it?
All this classical prose... you can tell it’s just empty boasting. If these people were really as perfect as they claim, why have they been so obscure all these years?" Cao Xiangqian scoffed.
Yu Ligao said, "I see you’re quite composed, Mr. Cao. Why don’t you share any inside information you might have? It would save us the trouble of selecting an official internally only to have him rejected in the end. We’d lose face completely."
Cao Xiangqian replied, "It can’t be that bad, can it? For years now, haven’t you at the History Department always had the final say?"
Yu Ligao was speechless. ’...So I really shouldn’t have tried discussing the Holy Emperor’s intentions with this guy.’ Although they had now escaped the incessant meddling of the other ministers, the person the Holy Emperor appointed had already coordinated with them. They were still just a puppet department.
’It’s something everyone can see so clearly. Could Minister Cao really have been oblivious all this time?’
Then, he let out a sneer. ’They’re all a bunch of old foxes, or else they wouldn’t be standing in this court. It seems I’m actually one of the kinder ones among this lot.’
"The successor for the Prefect of Lv City hasn’t been decided yet. Among you military generals, who is going to take General Zhou’s position? Do you have any idea?"
Cao Xiangqian said, "Your History Department doesn’t even know, and you’re asking me?
I don’t even understand what these people are arguing about. They’re so focused on squeezing into someone else’s spot. Shouldn’t they be thinking about how General Zhou and Mr. Gu will be reassigned when they return?"
Yu Ligao was speechless again. ’...Is this a case of the bystander seeing more clearly than those involved?’
But his mind was already racing. ’What vacancies are there right now?’
’It seems like every post is filled. Given the merits of these two, some people will indeed have to give up their positions.’
He suddenly felt a wave of pity for those people arguing until they were red in the face. They might gain something, but they would probably lose even more.
"Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Cao."
Cao Xiangqian said, "What did I just say? You can’t just misinterpret my words. What guidance could a military general like me give you? I’m getting old. I’d rather just watch a few more shows."
Cao Xiangqian glanced at Xu Zhiwen, who was still spouting his grandiloquent nonsense. ’That old fellow has been getting a bit too full of himself ever since Noble Lady Xu in the harem gave birth to a Dragon Son.’
’I really don’t get it. What’s there to be so proud of? It’s just one illegitimate prince.’
’The Empress has two legitimate sons by her side. Whether by legitimacy or by age, it will never be his turn.’
Hua Shunming’s gaze also swept toward Xu Zhiwen. "Xu Aiqing’s words are reasonable. We are not one to dismiss talent. Since you recommend him so forcefully, let him also participate in the examination the day after tomorrow. As long as he has the ability and literary grace, We will give him a chance.
If anyone else feels they have a suitable candidate, they can all go to Le San to register. This time, We wish to hold an open selection for the official post. We shall see who comes out on top."
This was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue. After all their lengthy arguments and wasted breath, this was the result they got in the end.
This was tantamount to opening up the competition to everyone. What were the chances of their recommended candidates winning now?
Watching the shifting expressions on the faces below, Hua Shunming finally found an outlet for all the nagging he had endured these past few days. A wave of satisfaction washed over him.
"Holy Emperor, this is against convention..." Someone below tried to step forward and object, but Hua Shunming’s single, cold "Hmph" terrified him into silence.
This young emperor was known to hold a grudge. By stepping forward now as the first to object, he would essentially be making himself a pawn, the first to fall.
Understanding this in an instant, he not only shut his mouth but also immediately prostrated himself on the hall floor, repeatedly chanting, "The Holy Emperor is wise and brilliant."
