Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1286: Guess What

The diplomatic mission abroad, with an extended stay overseas, includes five officials, and several supporting personnel; having five officials alone is quite a number.

Ministers who had speculated thought only one or two representatives would be necessary, but now it seems it’s not that simple. The ministers look at each other, and many plan to watch and wait for developments.

The Emperor’s intention is for the Ministry of Rites to send two officials; the remaining three may apply on their own.

Zhou Shuren thinks to himself, Chang Yi from the Ministry of Rites will be one, but as for the other, he has no idea. Yuguang sweeps the room with his gaze and locks eyes with the Minister of Rites; a mutual understanding is confirmed with that look.

After the court session ends, ministers are standing around in small clusters. Zhou Shuren and the Minister of Rites walk together.

The Minister of Rites whispers, "The Emperor revealed to me that you were aware of the mission in advance."

Zhou Shuren nods, "Hmm."

"So," the Minister of Rites says.

He brings the news back. Zhou Changyi would take the initiative, right? He just wants to confirm once more.

The Minister of Rites must confirm because it’s no trivial matter to live abroad for years, far from home. Who would prefer that over the comforts of the capital? He fears no one would volunteer. Even if Zhou Changyi steps forward, the Ministry of Rites still needs one more.

Zhou Shuren sees through the Minister of Rites’ cautious thoughts, "Rest assured."

The Minister of Rites laughs heartily, "That’s good, that’s good."

The Minister of Rites walks ahead, and at the palace gate, Wong Ju approaches, "Your second son is going on the mission?"

Zhou Shuren strokes his beard, "You’re finally smart for once."

Wong Ju rolls his eyes, he’s always been smart, "Just now, you walked with the Minister of Rites. So many eyes were watching!"

Zhou Shuren chuckles, "Wherever I go seems to be the center of attention now!"

Wong Ju, "...You’re aware, and that’s good. But seriously, your son is really going? It’s for several years!"

Zhou Shuren walks with his hands behind his back, "If my second son doesn’t give it his all, his official career will be difficult. Hardships now are for a comfortable second half of life; being comfortable in old age is a true blessing."

Youth without effort is wasted, for there may be no opportunities left when one is old.

Wong Ju initially thought Zhou Shuren was really willing to let go but now understands the reasoning. Still, it’s risky to gamble with one’s offspring; many share his concerns about potential mishaps abroad.

Wong Ju chuckles dryly, "I don’t have as many sons."

Zhou Shuren inwardly rolls his eyes, "As if having more sons makes them less valuable."

"No, that’s not what I meant."

Zhou Shuren stops walking, "Then what do you mean?"

Wong Ju is at a loss for words, indeed reluctant to part with his son, and gives a dry laugh.

Zhou Shuren squints his eyes, "You better stay out of my sight in the coming days, or I won’t be able to control my blade."

Wong Ju steps back, "Heh, I’ll be leaving first then."

The glare of a Grand Master of Writing, now sharper than ever, is more than he can withstand.

At the Ministry of Rites, the Minister of Rites recounts the morning’s court proceedings and concludes, "The Ministry of Rites has two slots available. Who amongst you wants to go?"

The Ministry of Rites officials stand silently in the courtyard, much like muted chickens. A sizable portion of these officials are merely building their credentials, planning to move to other departments once done; a smaller portion slowly climbs the ranks, and the rest stay until retirement. ƒreewebɳovel.com

Those building credentials are from influential families; these people, with their abilities, have a promising future because they have a support system. Only a fool would leave the comfort of the capital to venture abroad.

For the few who steadily work their way up without family support and rely solely on themselves, the idea of leaving the capital is even less appealing. Who knows what the situation will be upon returning after several years abroad? They’re unwilling to gamble on an uncertain future.

The ones who retire after years of service have already smoothed out their competitive edges, adopting the mentality of living one day at a time, especially unperturbed and detached.

Thus, the Minister of Rites anticipated everyone’s reaction; his heart was utterly composed.

Chang Yi tugged at the corner of his mouth; had he not been given a heads-up, he too would’ve hesitated. Feeling the Grand Master of Writing’s gaze, he stepped forward and said, "This official is willing to serve the country as a diplomat."

The Minister of Rites was silent for a few seconds. The words were well spoken, serving the country as a diplomat, tsk-tsk. Zhou Changyi may look simple but is quite shrewd underneath—truly a fox’s son, Zhou Shuren. Those weren’t words Hanhan could have come up with. "Good, a good ’serving the country as a diplomat,’ Chang Yi is very righteous indeed."

The other Ministry of Rites officials all looked at Zhou Changyi with a majority displaying disbelief—ah, in the eyes of those just biding their time, isn’t everyone just biding their time? Damn, with such a powerful father, what are you fussing about?

For another group without influential backgrounds, their feelings were complicated. Having a good father is indeed quite capricious; a few years abroad wouldn’t hurt at all.

Reflecting with a detached mind, don’t assume their minds are idle just because they repeat mundane tasks daily. They looked at the Grand Master of Writing, then at Zhou Changyi, and gained enlightenment.

Gu Zhuomin was the most surprised, feeling a small stir in his heart but eventually suppressed it, bowing his head deep in thought.

Residing overseas required diplomatic officials; this matter, following the morning session, spread throughout the entire capital.

Zhou Shuren returned to the Ministry of Revenue. Qiu Yan didn’t attend the morning session and asked upon learning of it, "Does the Ministry of Revenue need to dispatch someone?"

Zhou Shuren, "Why would the Ministry of Revenue join the hustle? Do you feel your workload is too light?"

The Ministry of Revenue was already short-staffed; he had even asked Chang Zhi to keep an extra eye on this group of Scholars. And now Qiu Yan wanted to send more people out!

Seeing that Zhou Shuren was not interested, Qiu Yan said, "It’s just that the Retired Emperor often visits the Ministry of Revenue. I was wondering whether you might want to respond."

Zhou Shuren waved his hand, "Unnecessary, and besides, no one from the Ministry of Revenue wants to go."

Qiu Yan fell silent; indeed, not many officials in the whole capital were willing to go.

In the afternoon, Zhou Shuren looked at Zhang Jinghong who seemed hesitant to speak, and narrowed his eyes, "Don’t even think about it."

Zhang Jinghong, "..."

Zhou Shuren, "Have you forgotten where you come from?"

This label guarantees that he wouldn’t be leaving the capital for several generations.

Zhang Jinghong, "If no one goes and the personnel are insufficient, could I possibly give it a try?"

Zhou Shuren smiled, "What do you think?"

He had finally cultivated a reliable assistant; he’d be mad to let someone go. And even if there weren’t enough people, the Emperor would ensure the numbers were met. Zhang Jinghong had no chance.

There might be benefits for volunteers now, but wait until the Emperor takes matters into his own hands, heh.

Zhang Jinghong swallowed hard, "No need to guess, consider that I was never here, and never said what I just said."

His instinct told him, had his reaction been any slower, he wouldn’t be in for anything good.

Zhou Shuren grunted, "Get back to work."

After Zhang Jinghong ran off, Zhou Shuren squinted his eyes, noting mentally that some tasks were still lacking.

The next day at the Hanlin Academy, Chang Zhi had just walked in when he overheard several Scholars discussing the diplomatic officials. Those in the know had already heard about Zhou Changyi volunteering.

A few Scholars jostling each other, eager to gather more information.

Chang Zhi looked at these young Scholars, one of whom was younger than himself, and smiled, "What would you like to know?"

The youngest among the Scholars spoke up, "We want to know which country is being visited and who is part of the diplomatic envoy besides the officials?"

Chang Zhi indeed knew some details, all from what his second brother had told him last night, "The country has not been decided yet, but I am aware of some of the entourage, including four doctors, five chefs, among others."

The members of this mission were indeed well-appointed.