CHAPTER 529: CHAPTER 226: THE WATER DEMON EMERGES, YELLOW RIVER BREACHED

"Reporting to Your Majesty, if we speak of ability, among the entire civil and military body of the Court, only one person can support the great reform agenda of the present."

"Oh, you wouldn’t happen to be saying it’s you, Xu Gongming, would you?"

"Your Majesty is wise."

"Pfft." Chen Zhong couldn’t help but laugh from the side.

He was acting as a sidekick.

Serving as the atmosphere group.

This also helped Xu Qing alleviate pressure in an invisible way.

"Chen Zhong, what are you laughing at?"

Chen Zhong hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, this minister just passed gas and couldn’t hold it in. Please punish me."

In the Great Yu Dynasty, eunuchs with high positions are called Ministers or Inner Ministers and can refer to themselves as "minister" in front of the Emperor. In contrast, a low-ranking eunuch like Zhang Kun would refer to himself as "the little one" or "humble servant," similar to how common people would.

The old Emperor let out an "oh," and said, "I see, you mean Xu Qing just passed gas."

Chen Zhong: "Your Majesty is wise."

The old Emperor looked at Xu Qing again and asked, "Xu Qing, what do you think?"

Xu Qing: "Your Majesty, I did not exaggerate. If it is for reform, truly there is no one more suitable than I am to host the overall situation on the Court today. Moreover, there are no grade requirements for Cabinet Ministers, why couldn’t I serve as Grand Secretary?"

Xu Qing spoke the truth; indeed, the Cabinet has no grade requirements for its Ministers.

With a sly smile, the old Emperor said, "Don’t make yourself out to be so great. Can reforms not proceed without you?"

"I dare not say they can’t, but certainly, I am the one who executes the best, this is plainly visible."

The old Emperor: "Oh, so if I don’t think you’re the best, then I must be blind?"

Xu Qing: "This..."

"What, there are things even you, Xu Gongming, dare not say?"

"I can only say, it’s hard to say..."

The old Emperor laughed angrily, "Are you trying to test the court’s rod today?"

Xu Qing: "If Your Majesty asks, I can only answer truthfully, I dare not deceive you."

The old Emperor waved his hand, "You want to be Grand Secretary; I may agree, but the entire civil and military officials may not. Say something useful."

Xu Qing frankly replied, "Then it could only be Elder Liang."

"Do you think Elder Liang can handle the great matter of reforms?"

"No, mainly because Elder Liang listens to me."

The old Emperor’s face darkened, but he did not get angry. This kid might deserve a beating, but he had a point. Reform benefits the nation’s strength, which in turn helps with his cultivation of the All Heaven Treasure. After his cultivation advances, his life can be extended...

Had Xu Qing vaguely recommended Elder Liang, the old Emperor would actually be displeased. But now that Xu Qing stated the truth directly, the old Emperor found it acceptable.

Moreover, if Elder Liang became Grand Secretary, it would help dilute Xu Qing’s authority within the Southern Zhili Party. Currently, Wang Gong from Southern Zhili is at odds with Xu Qing, so there’s less concern of Xu Qing gaining too much power at a young age.

In terms of the Cabinet sequence, Elder Liang taking over as Grand Secretary would also be procedurally unproblematic.

Once convinced by Xu Qing, the old Emperor slowly nodded: "Your reasoning indeed has some merit. Then, draft an edict for me, allowing the Grand Secretary to remain in office despite mourning duties."

Even if it’s inevitable for the Grand Secretary to leave because of mourning, the Emperor must issue an edict to keep face, or it seems too harsh.

Xu Qing, without further ado, set to work.

Not long after, an edict allowing the Grand Secretary to remain came into being. The entire article was based on the principles of loyalty and filial piety, emphasizing that loyalty comes before filial piety. Keeping the Grand Secretary in office benefits the world and aligns with the wishes of the late elder...

It was essentially the antithesis of the Chenqing Form.

Upon seeing this edict, even Chen Zhong felt that the Grand Secretary should stay.

The article even sharply pointed out that if the Grand Secretary returned to mourn, it would be a petty act, losing sight of the grand righteousness of the world, akin to common pedants.

Not the great man he should be!

Chen Zhong thought to himself that this was too committed.

The old Emperor, after reading the document, was greatly pleased. Although sparing the Grand Secretary the duty of mourning shows compassion, it still slightly burdens the monarch.

Through Xu Qing’s writing, it fully reflects the old Emperor’s vast perspective covering the Nine Provinces, elevating him from a moral low ground to a moral high ground.

Such satisfaction.

"Many Ministers are detrimental to the nation, only you, Xu Qing, know my heart." The old Emperor, after reading the edict, felt that he was the wisest monarch in three generations.

"Chen Zhong, after affixing the seal, deliver it to the Cabinet."

"As you command."

"The millet is plentiful, the rice grows in the fields. The way is long and tedious, yet the heart wanders like a wave. Those who know me, say I am worried; those who don’t, ask what I seek. Under the vast heavens, what kind of people are they..."

Under the old Emperor’s parting poem, Xu Qing left the West Garden.

The old Emperor even acted as a sage king here!

Xu Qing, while complaining, left.

Soon, the Emperor issued an edict allowing the Grand Secretary to remain despite mourning.

Moreover, the news traveled fast within the Inner Court; many court officials were aware that the mastermind behind this outstanding prose was Xu Qing.

...

...

"Truly deserving of the title of Literary Master of this era!" Huo Jing, Left Imperial Censor of the Inspection Bureau, announced the edict to the Pure Stream group.

He couldn’t help but admit that Xu Qing’s skill with words was absolutely the most formidable of the era. Huo Jing was very excited.

This time it was a big show!

The Pure Stream group also brimmed with fighting spirit.

The stronger the enemy, the more it demonstrates their own capability.

The more the enemy supports, the more they oppose!

The Grand Secretary shall not remain despite mourning!

To refute Xu Qing’s formidable pro-remaining article was the Inspection Bureau’s most pressing task, sidelining other matters.

Moreover, to defeat the Literary Master of the era, what great honor would that be.

It could almost compare to a martial artist defeating Xiong Chan now, even if by a group fight.

A group of 40 to 50-year-old Censors were roused, as if returning to their youth.

...

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