What did it mean to be experienced? What did it mean to know the Emperor? Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping had used his actions to tell all of the officials that he was the one who knew the Emperor the best.
Emperor Lin Mubai's expression finally showed some relief at this moment.
This was the result he wanted. Even though Fang Zhengzhi was a commoner, his performance in the Imperial Examinations, both the Theory Examinations and the Combat Examinations had proven that he was a promising talent.
Since that was the case.
He could not take it by force.
Water could carry a boat, but it could also capsize it. Emperor Lin Mubai knew this. However, he needed this sword. He needed this sword to restore the might of the Great Xia Dynasty. However, he did not want to disappoint Fang Zhengzhi because of this.
As such, he needed to give Fang Zhengzhi a favor. A true favor.
Offering a sword.
He would receive an unparalleled reward and a chance to enter the courts. To a commoner, this was more than enough. Of course, he could give Fang Zhengzhi even more. However, Fang Zhengzhi was still too young.
He had to be polished at a young age. He could not possibly reach the heavens in a single step.
Emperor Lin Mubai admired Fang Zhengzhi's talent. However, Fang Zhengzhi was a commoner. He had to strike a balance. He could not disappoint the aristocrats.
"Minister Qiao, are there any official positions open?" Emperor Lin Mubai finally spoke.
When they heard Emperor Lin Mubai's words, all of the officials were slightly shocked. Even though Emperor Lin Mubai's words were simple, the words' official position 'showed where the Emperor wanted it.
Was he going to make it an official?
Entering the courts at the age of 15. Furthermore, it was an official position the moment he took up the position. This was a rare opportunity. It was clear that Emperor Lin Mubai appreciated Fang Zhengzhi's talents.
Even though the officials were shocked, no one thought about whether Fang Zhengzhi was willing to hand over the sword. To them, since the Emperor wanted the sword. Then, could the opinion of a commoner still be an opinion?
The Minister of Manpower, Qiao Dean, stood out at this moment and gently stroked his white beard. His expression was calm, but his mind was racing to think of an answer.
He could understand where the Emperor wanted it to go. However, Emperor Lin Mubai did not specify the rank. This made him feel troubled. If he reported it too high, the officials would not be happy. He was afraid that the courtiers would be dissatisfied, but if he reported too little, he was also afraid that the Emperor would blame him.
"Nan County, there's a county called Wentian County in Wuan Prefecture, and it just so happens that there's a vacancy for a county head …" Qiao Dean, the minister of the Ministry of Appointments, replied tentatively. A county head was a seventh-rank official position, and it was already very rare.
Furthermore, being in charge of a county was an extremely important position.
"Fang Zhengzhi is still young. A county involves the livelihood of millions of people. It requires some experience and is too messy. Furthermore, the location is a little remote. I can't bear to do it. "Emperor Lin Mubai shook his head lightly after hearing Qiao Dean's words.
All the officials were shocked when they heard this. The meaning of the word 'reluctant' was clear. Was he going to stay in Flame Capital City?
That would be a real official of the capital.
Even the smallest official rank in the capital was at least a fifth-rank official.
Fifth-grade?!
A fifteen-year-old commoner who had just passed the Imperial Examinations was appointed a Rank Five official. It was likely that only a handful of people in history could hope to match up to such a heavenly grace.
Qiao Dean wiped the sweat off his forehead at this moment. He really did not expect Emperor Lin Mubai to think so highly of Fang Zhengzhi.
The Emperor's intentions were already so obvious, he naturally knew how to reply.
Just as he was about to speak.
A voice rang out from outside the door.
"Your Majesty. Xing Qingsui of the Stabilisation Constabulary, Yan Xiu of the Yan Family, and Nangong Mu of the Nangong Family request to see the Emperor! "
"Qingsui? Isn't he heavily injured? Why is he here to see me? And Yan Xiu and Nangong Mu … Nangong Mu seems to be injured too? Quick, let them in! "Emperor Lin Mubai nodded when he heard the voice outside the door.
All of the officials were slightly confused when they heard the voice outside the door. Yan Xiu's request to see the Emperor was not out of their expectations.
However, why did Xing Qingsui and Nangong Mu come to see the Emperor?
Both of them were injured in the combat examination. Why didn't they stay in their residences to recuperate? Why did they come to the palace?
Could it be that something happened to the Stabilisation Constabulary? Or did something important happen to the Nangong Family?
That shouldn't be …
If something really happened, they could just send someone to report it.
Fang Zhengzhi stood quietly in the hall. He was also somewhat confused. He did not tell Yan Xiu that he was here to see the Emperor. Furthermore, he had only met Xing Qingsui and Nangong Mu once during the combat examinations. Why would Xing Qingsui and Nangong Mu come to see the Emperor because of him?
This was something he had never thought about.
Very quickly, Xing Qingsui, Yan Xiu and Nangong Mu walked in. Xing Qingsui was carried on a stretcher by four guards. Even though he was dressed in a black official robe, there were still some blood stains on his chest.
"Xing Qingsui greets the Emperor." Once he entered the golden hall, Xing Qingsui climbed up from the stretcher and trembled as he kowtowed to the ground. He bit his lips tightly, evidently in extreme pain.
"Yan Xiu greets the Emperor."
"Nangong Mu greets the Emperor."
Yan Xiu did not wear a luxurious robe today. Instead, he wore a black official robe embroidered with a landscape painting. He looked somewhat stern. Nangong Mu wore an official robe similar to Yan Xiu's.
However, there was a sword embroidered on it.
This was the first time Fang Zhengzhi had seen Yan Xiu dressed like this.
Then, he thought back to how Yan Xiu addressed himself as an official. He suddenly thought of something. Could it be that Yan Xiu had always been an official or a noble?
He had never mentioned it before...
However, thinking about it, it was normal. Yan Xiu was a disciple of the Yan Family. Furthermore, he was the legitimate son. As such, it was normal for him to have a noble title.
"Rise!"
"Thank you, Emperor!"
"Men, Qingsui is injured. Give him a seat!"
"Thank you, but I can stand."
"The Stabilization Constabulary is a place of heroes. I did not expect Qingsui to be so similar to Xing Hou. However, why is Qingsui not recuperating in the constabulary? What important matter does he have to see me for?" Emperor Lin Mubai looked at Xing Qingsui in confusion. He and Xing Yuanguo were like brothers. Naturally, he treated Xing Qingsui like his own son.
"I am here for the sword."
"Sword?"
"I heard that there are officials in the court who want Fang Zhengzhi's sword. However, I saw Fang Zhengzhi slay the demons in the World of the Sage. If not for Fang Zhengzhi, the sword will not be used. It will be buried in the World of the Sage. Even though I know that I have no say in the court, I do not agree with this." Xing Qingsui's tone was firm. He looked at the officials with a ferocious aura.
All of the officials were shocked when they heard Xing Qingsui's words.
Xing Qingsui came to see the Emperor to ask for the sword for Fang Zhengzhi?
If this had come from Yan Xiu, they would not have been too shocked. However, they had never heard of Xing Qingsui and Fang Zhengzhi being together.
What happened in the World of the Sage for the legitimate son of the Stabilization Constabulary to ask for the sword? This was truly out of their expectations.
"Haha... don't tell me you are here for the sword too?" Emperor Lin Mubai's eyes flashed with shock. The reason why he asked Xing Qingsui and not Yan Xiu was simple.
He did not want anyone to bring up the sword.
Xing Qingsui had followed Xing Hou for many years. He could understand this. However, he still said it. This showed that Xing Qingsui was determined.
"I am also here for the sword!"
"Me too!"
Yan Xiu and Nangong Mu replied respectfully when they heard Emperor Lin Mubai's words.
This scene shocked all of the officials. Fang Zhengzhi was just a commoner. It was unbelievable for him to be so close to Yan Xiu.
However, what was even more unbelievable was that the combat examinations.
Xing Qingsui of the Stabilization Constabulary and Nangong Mu of the Nangong Family entered the palace together to meet the Emperor?!
These three people did not seem to have much say in the Flame Capital City or in the Imperial Court. However, these three people represented the three most powerful forces in the Great Xia Dynasty.
The leader of the 13 Constabularies, the Stabilization Constabulary.
The Yan Family of Western Liang.
The hidden Nangong Family!
Furthermore, among the three of them, other than Nangong Mu, two of them were almost certain to be the successor. This also meant that the two of them would become immeasurably powerful forces in the future of the Great Xia Dynasty.
Emperor Lin Mubai wanted Fang Zhengzhi to bring up the sword.
If the civil and military officials could see it, then the civil and military officials knew very well that the three people in front of them could also see it, but they still entered the palace to meet the Emperor.
Fang Zhengzhi...
What kind of charisma did he have to make these three people enter the palace for him?!
Emperor Lin Mubai's eyes glimmered. He would not change his mind just because of Xing Qingsui, Yan Xiu and Nangong Mu.
However, he was more or less surprised by the performance of the three people in front of him.
Emperor Lin Mubai valued talent. He valued Fang Zhengzhi's talents. However, he had heard of Fang Zhengzhi's exploits. He was not satisfied with Fang Zhengzhi's way of doing things.
He felt that Fang Zhengzhi's character needed to be polished. Furthermore, he was too relaxed and lacked motivation.
He did not know how the aloof Yan Xiu got together with Fang Zhengzhi.
However, he did not think that the straightforward Xing Qingsui would have anything to do with Fang Zhengzhi. Furthermore, Nangong Mu had always been a loner. How could such a person get along with Fang Zhengzhi?
Could it be that his opinion of Fang Zhengzhi... was wrong?
Emperor Lin Mubai had this thought in his mind. As an emperor, he was extremely confident and would never admit his mistakes easily. Even if he had doubts in his heart, he would immediately deny it.
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