Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 728: Conclusion, Will Go Bald - 1

Chapter 728: Chapter 728: Conclusion, Will Go Bald - 1

Rongchuan went from being baffled the first time, to guessing the second time, and now with increased frequency, his reaction was particularly calm, "Mr. Hou."

Ning Xu felt delighted looking at this serendipitous Prince of a son, the more he invested, the more he understood his father’s cunning, his dad had wagered correctly on Rongchuan’s temperament, whether he would return to the Palace in the future would still depend on Rongchuan’s wishes.

Ning Xu said, "I was coming from inside the Palace, and it just so happened to be on the way to escort you back to the residence, the situation hasn’t been finalized recently, you both should be more cautious."

Zhou Changlian’s heart skipped a beat, too many people didn’t want their father to be appointed as the Vice Minister of Personnel, he and Rongchuan in the capital were indeed targets of attacks, "Thank you, Mr. Hou, for the warning."

Ning Xu smiled, "No need to be so formal, we are all family, ah, what I mean is, the Ning Residence remembers the kindness of you two."

Zhou Changlian rolled his eyes inwardly, Marquis Ning was not someone who would slip up, with the increasing frequency, it didn’t concern him anymore, he had accepted that Rongchuan was Marquis Ning’s son.

Rongchuan’s fingertips gently curled within his palm, his lips slightly and imperceptibly lifted, he had already acknowledged Marquis Ning as his father, he wasn’t devastated by his origins, and the surprise of having a decent dad was enough for him, even though for some reasons he might not be able to acknowledge the relationship, he was satisfied.

The more Ning Xu interacted with Rongchuan, the more he understood Rongchuan’s temperament, this child was still young, Rongchuan didn’t grow up in the Palace and was raised in the untainted Zhou residence, his mind was truly pure, and Rongchuan was also someone who stuck to his principles, he felt the chances of his grandfather’s schemes succeeding were very high.

Ning Xu thought about it and was quite excited, who would want their lineage cut short? The Ning family had sacrificed their eldest brother for the royal family, their second brother’s health, and his own lifetime, his heart was becoming difficult to suppress!

The next day, early in the morning at the imperial court assembly, the Emperor had Zhou Shuren’s planning Zhezi passed around, signaling the ministers to take a look. There wasn’t enough time for everyone to review it, just a few in the front were sufficient, "You all have looked at it, what do you think?"

The court was very quiet, with no one speaking out first.

The Emperor called on a name, "Mr. Huang, what is your opinion?"

Mr. Huang couldn’t utter insincere words, as to who wrote this Zhezi, everyone saw the name with their own eyes, "Mr. Zhou possesses great talent."

The Emperor called on another, "Mr. Phang?"

Mr. Phang closed and then reopened his eyes, "Indeed Mr. Zhou has great talent, it’s just that."

The Emperor did not give him a chance to continue, and asked a few other ministers, who all provided their evaluations.

The Emperor, holding the Zhezi, declared with satisfaction, "These days, you’ve all had your reasons, however, Mr. Huang and Mr. Phang are right, Zhou Shuren being appointed as the Vice Minister of Personnel does not convince everyone."

Mr. Huang hastened to say, "Your Majesty is wise."

Mr. Phang, "Your Majesty is wise."

The Emperor then said, "Nevertheless, Zhou Shuren’s talent is outstanding, and your excellencies have seen it too, the position of the Vice Minister of Personnel should have a conclusion, the deputy minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Zhong Ji, will be appointed as the Vice Minister of Personnel, Zhong Ji completely fulfills the requirements you’ve mentioned, having both the qualifications and popular support. As for Zhou Shuren, he will be promoted to third-rank official and temporarily act as the deputy minister of the Ministry of Revenue, do any of your excellencies have further comments?"

Mr. Qi was the first to speak out, "Your Majesty is wise."

Mr. Huang and Mr. Phang looked at each other, dumbfounded, so about the position of the Vice Minister of Personnel, ah, the Emperor had already decided Zhou Shuren’s arrangement in his heart, pshaw, acting position, just wait, by next year he’ll be confirmed, The Six Ministries, and just below the Ministry of Personnel was the Ministry of Revenue!

Now that they have praised Zhou Shuren, and Zhou Shuren hadn’t been abruptly promoted two levels to lead The Six Ministries, now as a third-rank official and still acting as the deputy minister of the Ministry of Revenue, this was already the Emperor making concessions, if they protested again, it would be a vexing insult to the Emperor.

Mr. Huang’s teeth hurt unbearably, "Your Majesty is wise."

Mr. Phang felt uncomfortable all over, "The Emperor is wise."

Mr. Wong’s eyes twinkled with mirth. Now that the dust had settled, all that remained was time. Moving up to the third-rank was indeed a promotion, but truly, placing Zhou Shuren in the Ministry of Revenue was the right choice. Not fully utilizing Zhou Shuren’s mind would have been a disservice to the Imperial court.

The Emperor was in good spirits; the play that had been going on for so long had finally come to an end. The position of a deputy minister in the Ministry of Personnel had stirred up quite the commotion, but he had managed to arrange a good spot for Zhou Shuren. Not bad, not bad at all.

The Crown Prince had learned quite a bit as well. From start to finish, his imperial father had only set the stage without giving anything, yet he had obtained the most desired outcome. Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Zhong Ji was the Emperor’s man indeed!

The Emperor got up and left, with the Crown Prince hastily following.

The Second Prince and his companions exchanged glances, feeling utterly depressed. All their efforts had amounted to nothing.

At the Hanlin Academy, Chang Lian was summoned to the Palace. With a nervous heart, Chang Lian pondered—after so long without such summons, he couldn’t fathom the reason for his presence at such a critical moment.

Chang Lian promptly paid his respects upon seeing the Emperor.

The Emperor signaled him to rise and pointed to a table beside him, "I command you to draft the decree."

Chang Lian felt somewhat dumbfounded. In previous years, there had been scholars helping with drafting the edicts, but he had never expected that he would be the first among his batch of scholars. His tone was somewhat excited, "Yes."

Cautiously holding his brush, Chang Lian listened to the Emperor and wrote diligently, growing more excited as he wrote. He kept telling himself to remain steady, absolutely steady. This was a test for him—oh dear, this was for his father, and he was the one writing it, the significance was different, different indeed.

After he finished writing, the Emperor took a look and was pleased. Zhou Changlian’s scholarship might not be the best, but he had a stable temperament; his handwriting didn’t show any signs of trembling, each stroke firm and certain. The Emperor appreciated this kind of temperament.

Chang Lian also drafted a decree for his mother, elevating her to the status of third-rank lady. Chang Lian was reflective; he would never catch up to his father in his lifetime, nor would he be able to request a higher title for his mother. In her lifetime, she would not get to bask in the glory brought by her son.

Chang Lian felt it was quite a pity!

In Jinzhou Province, Zhou Shuren hadn’t yet received the edict, but he already knew the outcome. Wong Ju came over as soon as he got the news, "Sir, you are to act as the Vice Minister of Revenue."

Zhou Shuren kept a stoic face. Ah, the Ministry of Revenue, huh. The Emperor really knew how to use him. The last place he wanted to go was to the Ministry of Revenue. Despite increased tax revenue and more silver in the state’s coffers making Imperial court life a bit better, that was only a bit.

Among The Six Ministries, the Ministry of Revenue saw ministers with the least hair, doing the most work, not to mention the constant worry, and even being scolded now and then. Hmm, being scolded was the least of it — behind their backs, people often cursed them to an early grave!

Wong Ju was genuinely happy for Zhou Shuren, "Sir, within The Six Ministries, the Ministry of Personnel is the chief, and the Ministry of Revenue is only second to it. I am here to congratulate you."

Zhou Shuren laughed, "Ah, you think the Ministry of Revenue is a good place?"

Wong Ju felt a chill down his spine, a bad premonition, yet he didn’t sense anything amiss and answered earnestly, "The Ministry of Revenue is certainly good. They always say the Ministry of Revenue is rich. All the silver spent in the imperial hall has to go through the Ministry of Revenue. Sir, it genuinely is a good place."

Zhou Shuren was satisfied, "If you think the Ministry of Revenue is good, then it’s good."

Wong Ju, "...."

What did the Ministry of Revenue have to do with him? He wasn’t the one becoming the Vice Minister of Revenue!