Chapter 608: Chapter 444: Unacceptable
Ren Ge didnât expect the Emperor would inquire about this matter. How could a Sixth Rank position be worth the Emperorâs attention?
As for whom itâs reserved, thereâs no need to guess; the answer is obvious. Recently, whoever is most favored by the Emperor, thatâs who it will be!
Unexpectedly, Gu Chengyu has been in the Hanlin Academy for such a short time and heâs about to be promoted to Standard Sixth Rank? But he was not convincedâwhy should Gu Chengyu cut him off halfway?
Heâs been diligent at the Hanlin Academy for over three years. Although his qualifications arenât as senior as those veteran Hanlins, he considers himself far more capable than them.
Moreover, heâs always been meticulous, never slacking in his duties for over three years. Any task given by Shangguan, heâs completed without fail.
All his energy was drained, and he leaned against the desk, his eyes became vacant.
Zhang Hai shook his head upon seeing thisâRen Ge is still too inexperienced in the officialdom. After a few years, heâll understand this doesnât count for much in the bureaucracy.
Without connections, advancing in the official world is nearly impossible. Isnât it the same for him? Although he serves as a Chief Official in the Hanlin Academy, it sounds grand as an Imperial Minister, but itâs merely a Secondary Fifth Rank position.
On the court, there are several Grand Scholars who hold important posts, thriving in the Cabinet. How could he possibly compare with them?
However, Ren Geâs disposition is still not sufficiently open-minded. He fears Ren Ge might become disheartened and less diligent in his work, so he plans to offer some comfortâhe still holds a lot of expectation for this subordinate.
"Ren Xiu Zuan, itâs not as if thereâs no chance in the future. Some veteran Hanlins have served for over a decade without promotion, yet others have endured. Youâre still young, as long as you work diligently and seize your opportunities, thereâs no fear of not being elevated."
Thatâs all Zhang Hai said before stopping. Ren Ge is just his subordinate, and although he values Ren Ge highly, heâs not his mentorâgoing too deep with someone heâs not close with is a major taboo in the bureaucracy.
Ren Ge forced a smile at these words. It wasnât easy for him to accept this! At this moment, he deeply realized that without connections, hoping for promotion is a mere illusion.
Ren Ge returned to his office in a state of despair, noticing Gu Chengyu drinking tea inside. He couldnât help but blink his eyes, feeling a mix of emotions.
"Jinyu! Lately it seems Min Feng hasnât shown up at the Hanlin Academy. Now everyone is speculating what he did to displease the Emperor." As soon as Ye Zhiqiu climbed into the carriage today after court adjourned, he started chatting with Gu Chengyu about Min Fengâs gossip.
Gu Chengyu gave a gentle smile, "It wonât take two days before he comes to the Hanlin Academy. Maybe even tomorrow."
On this matter, Gu Chengyu was quite sure. Since Xia Qing has achieved this goal, the Emperor will surely give him this bit of face.
"Huh? How are you so clear about this?" Ye Zhiqiu knew the inside story, but was curious why Gu Chengyu was so certain.
"Did you pay attention to the incident involving Chief Minister Xiaâs righteous campaign against his relatives during the previous court meeting?" Gu Chengyu deliberately revealed some details to Ye Zhiqiu, as Ye Zhiqiuâs source could only rely on himself.
"I did hear colleagues mention itâunexpectedly, Chief Minister Xia actually managed to reach such a level." Ye Zhiqiu expressed some amazement, thinking if it were him, he might not have such resolve. After all, it involved his own relatives and ultimately implicated himself.
Gu Chengyu sneered, "Do you think he volunteered for this? I suspect most of it was forced. With the National Treasury empty, this confiscated Silver Coin just barely fills the coffers. Iâve heard from my senior brother that border soldiers havenât been paid for several months."
Ye Zhiqiu was naive in some ways, but this related to his experience. Furthermore, Ye Zhiqiu didnât have as much inside information, so he naturally couldnât connect the dots.
The Emperorâs punishment for Min Feng wasnât severe, but Xia Qinghuaâs price was certainly high. The confiscated Silver Coin doesnât necessarily cover the previous border payments, but may barely suffice for a month or two.
First pacify those guarding the borders, then gradually resolve the remaining three months owed.
The Emperor used this issue to make Xia Qing lower his head, but ultimately Xia Qing will surely count this debt against him. So, he will encounter quite a few troubles in the future.
Ye Zhiqiu was dumbstruck, "Youâre saying the Emperorâs intention was to leverage this event to make Chief Minister Xia help the Ministry of Revenue solve issues? This..."
He could hardly believe itâGu Chengyu implied that the border soldier payments were overdue for months, meaning a Silver Coin amounting to millions was needed. Did Chief Minister Xiaâs relatives really loot millions of taels of Silver Coin?
"Isnât this impossible? Who would dare be so audacious? Just how much Silver Coin was embezzled?"
"Greed can blind peopleâthere were complaints about Chief Minister Xia before, but perhaps the Emperor had other plans and suppressed the matter. Who isnât aware of Xia Familyâs money-dealing affairs in the court?"
Gu Chengyu shook his headâwhat shocked Ye Zhiqiu, all those officials certainly knew deep down.
Actually, given the current situation, the Emperor might have had this planned long ago. He had to admire the Emperorâs foresight. Still, using this method to gather Silver Coin, knowing it doesnât sit right, isnât comforting.
This method isnât the proper way. The Emperor surely understands this too, hence seeking ways to replenish the National Treasury.
Yet, this is merely his speculation and itâs inappropriate to speak openlyâsuch thoughts he wonât share with Ye Zhiqiu.
"What he pushed forward was just one clan member, merely a scapegoat." The words shouldnât be too explicitâYe Zhiqiu, after all, is in the officialdom and must analyze and infer for himself, thatâs the right approach.
Ye Zhiqiu was at a loss for words, pondering for a moment before suddenly thinking of something.
"Are you suggesting that his clanâs embezzlement might be even greater than this?"
Gu Chengyu chuckled, "Only Chief Minister Xia and his clan members would know, weâre outsiders without insight, merely guessing in our own minds. Be careful not to speak out of turn in the Hanlin Academy, lest trouble comes from carelessness."
Even with Ye Zhiqiuâs somewhat shy temperament, heâd been in the Hanlin Academy for a while now, establishing some decent relationships.
The officialdom is full of pitfallsâyou know people, not their hearts, and who knows what faction those people belong to? Getting close to you might have ulterior motives.
Ye Zhiqiu hurriedly nodded, "Iâm aware of that, I certainly wouldnât dare say anything out of turn."
"Oh, by the way! Iâve recently met a veteran Hanlin who has been very considerate towards me. I am slowly getting the hang of the Hanlin Academyâs affairs, thanks to him."
Ye Zhiqiu spoke of the person with much gratitude.
"Oh? As long as you understand his character, thatâs enough. If you find yourself short on Silver Coin, just let me knowâyou can repay later as you mustnât appear stingy when someone takes good care of you."
No wonder Ye Zhiqiu had recently shifted from his previously gloomy demeanor to a more joyful mood; it turns out he found a senior to guide him.
"Donât worry, if Iâm really short on Silver Coin, Iâll certainly ask you." Ye Zhiqiu knew Gu Chengyu spoke out of goodwill, with no intention of belittling himâand he was already trying to openly accept othersâ goodwill.