Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 22: The Struggle Over Recommendations
On that night, the candlelight in Song Qianhang’s study was bright, and the servant next to him was helping to grind ink, struggling to hold back laughter.
Song Qianhang was copying documents while cursing, "What kind of ’Precepts for Women’ is this? It’s all nonsense, what obsolete thoughts?!"
"How can anyone still make me write these things!?"
"That elder brother is not human, truly inhumane!"
The next day, Song Qianhang sat down for breakfast with dark circles under his eyes, yawning several times.
Prince Jing glanced at him, "It’s good you are diligent in your studies, but remember to be moderate in everything to avoid harming your eyes."
Princess Jing, feeling sorry for her son staying up all night studying, served him a bowl of hot porridge, placing it by his hand, "Rest for a while in your courtyard after breakfast, there’s no need to go to the Imperial College today."
Upon hearing this, Song Qianhang was surprised by such good fortune!?
His eyes instantly lit up, and thinking for a moment, he pretended to be unwell, "I will listen to Mother Consort."
...
In the palace, after the court session, the Chief Secretary and a few ministers were summoned to the Imperial Study.
The Emperor was reviewing the memorials submitted in recent days; they either recommended useless individuals for the Ministry of Revenue or coveted the position of Assistant Minister of Rites.
As the Ministry of Revenue oversees the nation’s finances, caution in appointing personnel is crucial, even for a Sixth Rank Official.
Several ministers repeatedly petitioned, urging the Old Emperor to promptly decide on selecting a Crown Prince.
"These memorials are worthless!"
The Emperor was furious, "I’m not dead yet, why are they so impatient!?"
Such selfish ambition! Such selfish ambition!
All the ministers were dismissed, leaving only Chief Secretary Liu Ze and Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Mei He.
The Emperor’s gaze fell upon the Chief Secretary, recalling not receiving any memorials from him and asked, "Do you have a recommended candidate for the Finance Department?"
Though the Vice Director of Finance is only a Junior Sixth Rank, it holds responsibility over fiscal management, requiring the chosen person to be meticulous, proficient in arithmetic, and honest.
The Emperor must be cautious.
The Chief Secretary hesitated for a moment, then the Minister of Personnel eagerly recommended, "Your Majesty, I have a candidate."
Emperor: "Who?"
Minister of Personnel: "The Minister of the Ministry of Justice Li Quan has a son. I’ve met him, and Li Zhan is proficient in arithmetic. I think he’s a suitable choice."
However, the Chief Secretary frowned, "Minister Mei, how do I remember Li Zhan caused trouble in the gambling house two years ago and was held in the Capital Governor Mansion for several days?"
"Recommending such a gambler, Minister Mei must be mistaken."
Minister of Personnel smiled, "That was a misunderstanding and misjudgment. I’ve seen Li Zhan; he is not a gambler..."
The Old Emperor sneered, "Capital Governor Qiu Chong is not muddle-headed; Minister Mei, I think you are somewhat confused."
At the Emperor’s anger, the Minister of Personnel broke into a cold sweat, "It was my oversight in investigation. I admit my error and hope Your Majesty forgives my mistake."
Nowadays, people can recommend against their conscience, surely with personal interests involved.
The Old Emperor’s eyes flashed with a chill as he looked at the Chief Secretary, "Minister Liu, do you have anyone to recommend?"
The Chief Secretary glanced at the Minister of Personnel; Li Zhan, a gambler, could be recommended, indicating the Minister’s career was nearing its end.
The Old Emperor awaited his words, prompting the Chief Secretary to speak boldly, "Your Majesty, I do have someone in mind, with excellent talent and character, unmatched by other officials... I fear you might find it inappropriate."
The Old Emperor squinted slightly; the Chief Secretary often spoke in circles, frustratingly cryptic, yet loyal, understanding his intentions.
He asked solemnly, "How is this person different?"
Chief Secretary: "This person is a woman."
Upon hearing this, the Old Emperor guessed who it might be, curving his lips. Liu Ze understood his mind well.
However, the Minister of Personnel was less perceptive, immediately objecting upon hearing "woman," "Minister Liu, how can a woman serve as an official in court? You must be confused!"
He felt smug, thinking Liu Ze dared recommend a woman, growing senile under imperial favor.
The Minister hoped the Old Emperor would angrily reprimand Liu Ze, avenging his recent scolding.
The Old Emperor furrowed his brow.
The Chief Secretary turned to confront the Minister of Personnel, asking sharply, "Mr. Mei, why can’t a woman serve as an official?"
Women are never inferior to men; it’s the deep-seated prejudice of this world.
The Minister of Personnel scoffed, "The court is filled with men; recommending a woman is absurd!"
The Old Emperor’s temple throbbed, tempted to order the removal of the blabbering Minister, who was too noisy.
But he maintained his composed demeanor, listening to the debate between the two.
Faced with ridicule, the Chief Secretary remained calm and asked gently, "During the Chongde period, when the Empress was in power, female officials were not uncommon, Mr. Mei, don’t forget the Ministry of Personnel then had female leadership."
The Minister of Personnel replied coldly, "You mentioned it was during the Empress’s reign; female officials were understandable then, but now is not her reign..."
The Chief Secretary immediately interrupted him, his voice raised, "Mr. Mei, are you questioning the Empress who allowed women to serve as officials?!"
The Minister of Personnel’s pupils contracted, "Why say that, Mr. Liu..."
The Old Emperor, already weary, exclaimed, "Enough!"
His icy gaze fell upon him, making the Minister of Personnel tremble.
The Old Emperor said sternly, "During the Empress’s reign, Da Jin was prosperous, wrongful cases were few, and the people lived in peace—a wise ruler indeed. Even I often sigh for not measuring up to the Empress."
"Minister Mei, be cautious with your words."
The chilling gaze and intensified tone frightened the Minister of Personnel, who didn’t dare speak further, knowing he had been outwitted by Liu Ze, suffering a significant loss.
"I wouldn’t dare to question, Your Majesty. I misspoke briefly, I apologize!"
But the Old Emperor turned to the Chief Secretary, "Minister Liu, who is your recommended person?"
The Chief Secretary replied softly, "Heir Consort of Prince Jing Mansion, Su Juan."
The Old Emperor squinted, "Oh? Why recommend the Heir Consort? Are you acquainted with her?"
Chief Secretary: "Not myself, but my daughter is acquainted with the Heir Consort, well aware of her proficiency in arithmetic and knowledge of various financial budgets. I believe she could serve as Vice Director of Finance."
The Minister of Personnel, kneeling nearby, was taken aback; the recommendation finally came to the Heir Consort.
If only he knew it was the Heir Consort earlier, he wouldn’t have bothered arguing; it’s a win-win for all!
The Heir Consort, being close to the Princely Heir, would fit better as Vice Director of Finance than Li Zhan, an outsider.
The Old Emperor glanced at him, a cold light flashing in his eyes, and asked in a deep voice, "Minister Mei, what do you think of Minister Liu’s recommendation?"
The Minister of Personnel forced a dry laugh, "Your Majesty, the Heir Consort is exceptionally wise, suitable for the position."
The Old Emperor chuckled coldly; Minister Mei’s quick change of stance was indeed extraordinary.
"Summon the Heir Consort of Prince Jing Mansion, Mrs. Su, for an audience."
