Once the edict came down, the officials were in an uproar. Although the leaders of the various departments had not changed positions, there were more young officials at their side. They couldn't help but feel a glimmer of fear. Who knew when the Emperor would raise up those young officials to replace them, these old people?
Shu the Scholar furrowed his brows and stepped out. He argued with the Emperor for a bit. He felt that such a large-scale appointment of officials without going through court deliberations or having the Ministry of Appointments and Overwatch Council examine it first was truly too rushed. However, the Emperor had made up his mind and did not even give him face. He lightly refuted it. This imperial edict became a matter that was set in stone.
A change of blood was already inevitable. Qin Heng had been moved to the Bureau of Military Affairs. His rank appeared to have increased, but in reality, he had left the vital area of the Jingdou garrison. He was somewhat stunned, but he could only step out and thank the Emperor.
Other important figures like the previous Deputy of the Bureau of Military Affairs, Qu Xiangdong, could only helplessly accept this suggestion. The Emperor did not look deeply into the matter of the attack in the valley. Otherwise, the military would certainly have to pay a greater price.
However, the gazes with which the military generals looked at Fan Xian became increasingly angry.
Everyone knew that among the civil and military factions, the Emperor had adjusted the Bureau of Military Affairs and the Jingdou garrison to support Fan Xian and vent his anger for the attack in the valley. As for what other follow-up actions there would be after the court was dismissed, they would have to wait quietly. However, the military's days were not going to be easy.
Among the civil officials, the largest number of officials had been replaced. Basically, they were all officials close to the Second Prince's faction. What was particularly terrifying was that it seemed that the 32 officials Fan Xian had captured last night would not have a chance to come out again. Fan Xian listened carefully to the edict.
It was clear that the Emperor had prepared this edict last night. After listening for a long time, he was surprised that he did not hear Yan Bingyun's name. However, thinking about it, it made sense. Even if the Emperor wanted to put Yan Bingyun in an important position, he would not move him to another department. Putting aside the fact that this was against Qing law and the Overwatch Council's rules, if the Emperor wanted to use Yan Bingyun, he would have to give Chen Pingping some face.
As for Sir Yan junior being promoted, it was also impossible. If he was promoted again, he could only take Fan Xian's Commissioner position. Fan Xian shook his head and thought to himself that unless the Emperor was prepared to single-handedly flip the Overwatch Council over, he would not do such a thing.
But Fan Xian was surprised to hear Cheng Jialin's name!
He tilted his head slightly and resisted the urge to look at the middle-aged man on the dragon chair. A strange feeling welled up in his heart. Jia Lin was his student and was now an official far away in a foreign land. How had he fallen into the Emperor's eyes? And … to the Ministry of Personnel? The department that he had been unable to interfere with … had been promoted twice in one go. This kind of promotion speed was too fast.
When the officials of the court heard Cheng Jialin's name, they couldn't help but be shocked. Everyone knew that he was one of Fan Xian's four disciples. He had only been an official for two years. Why was he being transferred back to Jingdou? Everyone turned their gazes toward Fan Xian, their gazes filled with caution and fear.
Fan Xian felt a bit uncomfortable. The favor the Emperor had given him was too great. According to his habits, after giving a sweet date, there would be a stick. He didn't know where the stick would land.
"… Shen Chongwen has been transferred to the Imperial Censorate to be an Imperial Censor. He has ordered the Imperial Censor of the Left, He Zongwei, to oversee Overwatch Council matters and assist Fan Xian in his actions. He is responsible to the internal court."
…
…
The stick came really fast!
Fan Xian abruptly raised his head. A dim light flashed through his eyes as he glanced at the young man who had stepped out to give thanks. The Imperial Censor of the Left had entered the manor? Although the Overwatch Council had always been under the supervision of the internal court in name, the Qing royal family had always strictly prohibited eunuchs from holding power. Additionally, Chen Pingping was too powerful, so the Overwatch Council was like an independent kingdom.
To have the Imperial Censor of the Left keep an eye on the Overwatch Council and report to the internal court at the same time was putting the Overwatch Council directly under the gaze of the Royal Palace.
Fan Xian's back felt a chill. The fingers on his right hand trembled slightly. He knew that because of his identity, the Emperor would not trust him as much as he trusted Chen Pingping. However, he had not thought that the Emperor would act so ruthlessly. Before the matter had even concluded, he had already put a rope around his head and pricked it until it hurt.
Who was He Zongwei? He was a Jingdou talent who had once been as famous as his student, Hou Jichang. He was one of his sister Ruoruo's pursuers. He had first been under the Crown Prince and then the Eldest Princess. Now, he had become the Emperor's student. Without going through the imperial examinations, he was directly selected into the court as an Imperial Censor. Because of his meritorious service, he had become the Imperial Censor of the Left and was responsible for investigating the Ministry of Revenue case.
Not including Fan Xian, He Zongwei was definitely the most popular figure in the Qing court these two years.
Yet, such a disgusting person like Fan Xian was going to become the Emperor's eyes watching the Overwatch Council. Fan Xian grew angry for no reason. He was unusually angry.
"Your Majesty!"
Fan Xian stepped out of the ranks and stood by He Zongwei's side. Facing the man on the dragon chair, he said in a low voice, "I have an objection!"
He Zongwei glanced warmly at Fan Xian beside him. Although each time he thought of being beaten by the other party in Fan manor, he felt an incomparable anger in the depths of his heart, he still hid it well. His eyes revealed just the right amount of strangeness and admiration. It was as if he was expressing his emotions to the officials in the Palace. He admired Sir Fan junior for daring to talk back to the Emperor.
The Palace was already in an uproar. The Emperor had an order, and the officials had to accept it. Other than old people like Shu Wu, who dared to talk back to the Emperor, no one had ever directly expressed their objection and resentment on the appointment of an official.
The Emperor furrowed his brows and said, "What objection do you have?"
Fan Xian raised his head and said expressionlessly, "The Overwatch Council does not need an Imperial Censor to point fingers."
…
…
"How dare you!" The Emperor slapped the dragon chair and said angrily, "The law enforcement is at the side, and the Imperial Censor is at the back. The laws of the country are clear. My decision has been made. How can I allow you to speak so much?"
Anger rose in Fan Xian's heart. He knew he could not retreat anymore. Otherwise, if the Overwatch Council really fell at his hands, how would he explain it to that woman and the old cripple in Chen Garden?
He straightened his body and straightforwardly said, "May I ask, Your Majesty, the Overwatch Council is responsible for supervising the governance of officials? It is overseen by the internal court, the Overwatch Council. Suddenly, there is an Imperial Censor. If this Imperial Censor is corrupt and breaks the law, should the Council investigate or not? If we are to investigate, how? "
The officials clamored. On the contrary, the Emperor laughed coldly and said, "You have been clever your whole life, yet you are pretending to be confused. Go back."
At Fan Xian's side, He Zongwei also insincerely tried to persuade him, but Fan Xian couldn't even be bothered to look him in the eye. He also didn't retreat. His eyes spun a few times and suddenly said in a loud voice, "I object!"
This was a bit over the line. When the Emperor decided on something, how could he, an official, object? This was not a lawsuit in court. Fan Xian, you are not Song Shiren, and the Emperor is not a little prefectural magistrate.
The Emperor's anger was not kind. The beard on his chin trembled wildly. Pointing down at Fan Xian's nose, he scolded, "I want to see how you object."
Fan Xian steeled his heart and said, "Naturally, I do not dare to object. However, I am only the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council. The Director is still in Chen Garden. Logically speaking, it is not my place to discuss this edict. However, I am the head of the Overwatch Council today. Whether I accept it or not, it is also a problem. It looks like … I … can only resign as Commissioner of the Overwatch Council. Your Majesty, directly send an edict to the Overwatch Council.
Resign as Commissioner of the Overwatch Council?
Resign?
The officials were in an uproar. They had no idea how the court conference had developed into such a situation. They had thought that the Emperor was using the Overwatch Council to clean up the court. How come, in the end, he was bullying Sir Fan junior? However, Sir Fan junior was indeed worthy of being an immortal poet. The pride in his bones was indeed not something normal people could compare to. He dared to use resignation as a threat in the court conference to not accept the edict.
Since the founding of the Qing Kingdom, these officials had never seen such daring. For a moment, the sound of discussion rose in the palace. Other than the initial fear in their gazes toward Fan Xian, who was standing in the center, they couldn't help but have a glimmer of absurdity and admiration.
Shu the Scholar and Hu the Scholar could not continue watching. They both stepped out, one playing the bad cop and the other playing the good cop. Shu the Scholar scolded Fan Xian, saying that he did not know his duty as an official and spoke nonsense. Hu the Scholar stood by Fan Xian's side and comforted him, explaining the Emperor's edict in detail.
In any case, Fan Xian just stood straight and refused to accept the edict. He also refused to do anything.
This scene looked like a kindergarten student who had lost fruit on his lunch plate and was being tricked by two teachers.
Shu and Hu the Scholars then turned to beg for forgiveness on Fan Xian's behalf, saying how Sir Fan junior was young and so on. They guessed that it was rare for the Emperor to encounter such a big nail in court. He was probably about to go crazy with anger.
On the dragon chair, the Emperor laughed angrily. A cold light shone in his eyes. Coldly, he said, "Fan Xian, are you going to use resignation to threaten me?"
"I don't dare."
"Good, good, good." The Emperor said "good" three times in a row. Faintly, he said, "You think I won't punish you just because I love you … if you want to resign, then I …"
The Emperor had not finished speaking when Fan Xian was moved and thanked him. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am willing to go back to the Imperial College to teach."
The Emperor choked on his quick response and said angrily, "I will not let you resign!"
…
…
For a moment, the Palace sank into a shocked silence. No one had thought that they would be able to see such an exciting show at the court conference. Everyone knew that the Emperor's favor toward Fan Xian had not decreased at all. He probably would not give Fan Xian any substantial punishment. However, they didn't know how this stalemate could be broken.
The officials did not understand why Fan Xian would be so angry and impulsive toward the Imperial Censorate asking about the Overwatch Council. If it was to maintain the Overwatch Council's power, given Fan Xian's methods, he had plenty of ways to do so in the future. Furthermore, the Overwatch Council still had an ancestor that had not made an appearance.
It was clear that the Emperor also did not know what Fan Xian was thinking. He furrowed his brows and said to Fan Xian, "Get over here!"
Fan Xian did not get out. He ran over with a jolt and moved closer to the dragon chair. His face was full of stubbornness and ruthlessness.
The Emperor lowered his voice and asked, "Are you going to accept the edict or not?"
"No."
The Emperor furrowed his brows and said, "Why?"
Fan Xian said straightforwardly, "I don't like He Zongwei."
The Emperor angrily said, "Last night, you already made the court lose face. Do you want me to lose face again today? Get back here! "
Fan Xian sighed and retreated.
Eunuch Yao stood to the side with a pained expression. Holding his horsetail whisk, he suppressed a smile. It was very uncomfortable.
…
…
Fan Xian retreated into the Palace. The officials on both sides looked at him with strange gazes. He was actually whispering to the Emperor in court. This favor … was truly … cough cough.
The Emperor did not give Fan Xian any chance to speak. He also did not care if he accepted the edict or not. He directly nodded his head to Eunuch Yao. Eunuch Yao immediately used a duck's voice that was different from Eunuch Dai's and called out, "Jiangnan Road Plenipotentiary Imperial Envoy Fan Xian, come forward to hear the edict."
Fan Xian paused. He lifted the front of his robe and knelt down.
The edict spoke slowly. It did not mention the matter of the Imperial Censorate entering the Overwatch Council. Instead, it gave a general list of what Fan Xian had done this year in Jiangnan, placing particular emphasis on the matter of the palace treasury transport company. It praised Fan Xian's contributions to the national treasury and also mentioned the matter of Fan Xian helping Governor Xue Qing investigate the governance of Jiangnan officials.
The Emperor opened his mouth and said, "I think that Sir Fan Xian is loyal to the country and should be heavily rewarded."
The officials were silent. Although no one liked Fan Xian receiving another reward, the over 10 million liang of silver the palace treasury had shipped back to Jingdou was real. Such a large and solid contribution was worthy of an enemy's contribution. If it was not heavily rewarded, the court did not know how to explain it to the people of the world.
Xue Qing stepped out and added to Fan Xian's Jiangnan affairs. He was full of praise. Scholar Hu stepped out and also thought that Sir Fan junior should be heavily rewarded.
Shu Wu's eyes spun a few times and then glanced at Fan Xian. Finally, he couldn't resist stepping out and saying, "Your Majesty … half a year ago, the Hall of Governmental Affairs had a discussion. Given Sir Fan junior's reputation, knowledge, and achievements, it was truly enough for him to enter the Hall of Governmental Affairs to discuss matters. However, Overwatch Council officials are never allowed to become court officials. The court had set the precedent. However, earlier, Sir Fan junior had intended to resign as Commissioner of the Overwatch Council …"
The Emperor coughed.
Hu the Scholar also couldn't resist glancing at Shu Wu with a strange gaze, thinking that this old man was indeed stubborn. He clearly knew that the Emperor would not allow Fan Xian to enter the pavilion, much less allow Fan Xian to leave the Overwatch Council. Yet, he still held on to the idea the two of them had half a year ago.
However, Shu Wu had already spoken, so he could only express the same wish and recommend Fan Xian to enter the pavilion.
Fan Xian had heard of this matter in the Council reports, but seeing it with his own eyes, he couldn't help feeling surprised. He was not even 20 years old, yet he wanted to enter the pavilion. This was a bit too absurd.
As expected, the Emperor still did not allow it. He only had Eunuch Yao finish announcing the edict. After listening to the edict, Fan Xian froze where he was. A moment later, he remembered to give thanks. He thought that it was indeed absurd for him to be a scholar, but the reward the Emperor gave was also absurd.
The Duke of Danbo!
The hall was filled with cries of surprise and praise. Fan Xian stood there in a daze, wondering how he had suddenly been made a Duke. Wasn't this even higher than the old man's? The Emperor's stick was ruthless, but the size of the sweets he gave was also not small. He was only one step away from becoming a Prince, an incomparably noble title. He tilted his head to glance at the awkward He Zongwei and wondered if he could casually beat him up in the future.
…
…
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