Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5233 Policy Program
At the age of blossoming youth, and having been celibate for a long time, she was naturally like dry wood meeting a raging fire, as sweet as honey. Lying on the bed, she let him caress her gently, and after a long while, she finally exhaled a long breath from her daze and came to her senses...

She nestled against her lover's chest, her body still brimming with lingering pleasure, her voice soft and gentle: "To have won your favor, I would have no regrets even if I were to die."

Women are always attracted to strength; once conquered both physically and mentally, they will naturally become gentle, submissive, and devoted.

Conversely, feigned affection and harmony will eventually fade away like thin ice in spring, flowing eastward with the river and never to return.

Fang Jun felt completely relaxed, inhaling the fragrance of his hair, and said with a smile, "Since I am satisfied and comfortable, then this is a good life. It should last a long time and be filled with happiness and joy. If I were to die now, wouldn't I never be able to taste this again?"

Wu Shunniang was so embarrassed that she couldn't speak. Her cheeks were burning hot. She stretched out her arms and hugged her husband tightly, inhaling the strong scent and becoming intoxicated.

Even without a title or status, and even without any sense of shame, what woman wouldn't be immersed in such happiness?

Let the world's slander, insults, ridicule, and mockery go.

*****
Last night, heavy snow fell, and the capital city was covered in a blanket of white.

As dawn broke and the gates of the neighborhoods opened, squads of soldiers and constables, led by officials from Chang'an and Wannian counties, took to the streets. They helped the neighborhood guards clear the snow from the roads and transport it out of the city, while also visiting various neighborhoods to check if any houses had collapsed under the weight of the snow or if any widows or orphans were suffering from hunger or cold. Once they found any such cases, they immediately applied for funds to provide relief.

Although the "Emergency Relief Office" established by Fang Jun, the then Prefect of Jingzhao, was difficult to spread throughout the country for various reasons, it continued in Jingzhao. It was always at the forefront during emergency rescue and disaster relief, and countless people received relief and assistance as a result, earning praise from the court and the public.

Ma Zhou succeeded as the Prefect of Jingzhao, and "followed the established rules," retaining and implementing all the policies formulated during Fang Jun's reign.

Fang Jun left Jingshanfang and rode his horse along the long street into the imperial city, heading straight for the Ministry of Personnel.

The officials, both high and low, who had just started their shifts and had not yet officially begun their work, all stood respectfully on either side of the Grand Commandant upon his arrival.

Fang Jun, dressed in a cotton coat and wearing a mink hat, nodded slightly as he arrived at the office of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

……

Du Zhengyi put down his teacup, looking slightly troubled: "Logically speaking, since Erlang has come in person, I should give you face no matter what. However, Guo Xiaoshen has never been selected by the Ministry of Personnel. It's fine for him to hold an official position below the ninth rank, but it would be unreasonable for him to hold a higher rank. The Guo family is a family of military merit, so why not find him an official position in the army?"

Although the appointment and removal of officials in the Ministry of Personnel require a selection process, how could there not be room for maneuver when a Grand Commandant wants an official position?

Upon hearing that Fang Jun was working to secure an official position for Guo Xiaoshen, Du Zhengyi was in a difficult position.

After all, Guo Xiaoshen was Fang Jun's brother-in-law. If he could help Fang Jun get an official position, how could his rank be too low?

Some were puzzled. The Ministry of War was Fang Jun's territory, and his word was law. It was only a matter of a word to arrange a military position for Guo Xiaoshen. Why did he have to come to the Ministry of Personnel and make things difficult for him, the Left Vice Minister?
Fang Jun chuckled and said, "Uncle, you misunderstand. I am not here to help Guo Xiaoshen get an official position, but to report the Ministry of Personnel for dereliction of duty as a relative."

Du Zhengyi raised an eyebrow, greatly surprised: "What do you mean by that, Erlang?"

His elder brother, Du Zhenglun, was one of the eighteen scholars of the Prince of Qin's mansion. He was not only a colleague of Fang Xuanling but also a close friend, and the two families were practically inseparable. Therefore, even if the Ministry of Personnel made a mistake, there was absolutely no reason for Fang Jun to come and report it; there must be a reason behind it.

"The reason why the Guo family was left out of the Ministry of Personnel's selection list is because Guo Xiaoke's army was defeated and wiped out in Kucha back then, is that correct?"

"That's exactly right. Guo Xiaoke lost his army and disgraced the country. His family members were not included in the list of those to be selected. This is the rule."

Fang Jun countered, "What crimes did Guo Xiaoke commit back then?"

"Ok?"

Du Zhengyi was slightly taken aback, then suddenly realized.

Although Guo Xiaoke suffered a crushing defeat in Kucha, losing his army and his country, he died a dignified death on the battlefield, which can be considered "martyrdom for the country." Therefore, the court was divided on how to deal with him after his death and did not reach a conclusion for a long time. Then Emperor Taizong led an eastern expedition, and Guo Xiaoke's matter was put aside and was never mentioned again.

For the court, Guo Xiaoke's crimes were unavoidable, but after all, he had died in battle and was already buried. If he were to be punished, his funeral regulations would be overturned, and his tomb and grave would be demolished. Any violations would be destroyed and he would be reburied... They were all officials in the same court, so who would want to offend someone to death?

For the Guo family, Guo Xiaoke's defeat of his troops and disgrace to the country was a crime he could not escape, but he was extremely fortunate to escape punishment and not be convicted due to the complex political environment at the time. Compared with this, the fact that his family members could not be included in the Ministry of Personnel's selection list and could not serve as officials was a minor matter.

If things get out of hand and cause a ruckus, it might actually lead the court to punish Guo Xiaoke and bring disaster upon his family. Wouldn't that be like weaving a cocoon around your own head and losing more than you gain?

Therefore, the matter of Guo Xiaoke's defeat was shelved; neither he was convicted nor rewarded, and everyone tacitly agreed not to mention it...

"Does the Second Prince intend to include Guo Xiaoshen in the selection list to test the court's reaction?"

Fang Jun shook his head and said, "There will be no reaction from the court. His Majesty is always lenient, especially when it comes to a famous general who died on the battlefield. He will probably offset his merits and demerits and not pursue the matter further. As long as His Majesty does not punish the Guo family, Guo Xiaoshen will naturally be qualified for selection based on his brother's title and merits."

After thinking it over, Du Zhengyi felt that things would eventually turn out this way, but the process might not be smooth. So he smiled wryly and said, "Those 'xiezhi' from the Censorate are not easy to deal with. They're bound to cause trouble."

Fang Jun said meaningfully, "Then His Majesty will have to make the decision."

Du Zhengyi looked up and met Fang Jun's gaze, immediately understanding the meaning behind it.

It seems that the rumors circulating in the palace that His Majesty intends to govern the country with "benevolence and righteousness," demonstrating his magnanimity and virtue, are not unfounded...

Du Zhengyi clapped his hands in agreement.

Who would want to encounter a tyrant like Jie or Zhou?

Whether loyal or treacherous, which minister doesn't hope that the king will be magnanimous, benevolent, and forgiving?

Emperor Taizong was a wise ruler who treated people with leniency, though he may not have been considered benevolent. Yet, he still earned the gratitude, loyalty, and respect of his subjects.

If Your Majesty can advocate "generosity and benevolence, combining both", it will be a blessing for the world.

Du Zhengyi nodded: "Then let's do it this way... Since the Guo family can be included in the selection list, the fact that so much time has been wasted in the past is due to the Ministry of Personnel's negligence. We should handle this as a special case and try to shorten the selection time as much as possible..."

He paused, pondered for a moment, and then said, "There is a vacancy in the Imperial Guard Court. What is the position of Registrar?"

As expected, it shortened the selection process to just a sentence...

Fang Jun laughed and said, "The Ministry of Personnel is in charge of the official appointments in the imperial court, and everything is done in accordance with the regulations. How dare I overstep my bounds? Uncle, you can make the decision."

Du Zhengyi exclaimed, "Erlang has gone to great lengths this time; your brother-in-law is so lucky."

At this point, my heart suddenly skipped a beat, and an inexplicable thought surged up uncontrollably... I have heard that the three Wu sisters are all equally beautiful and outstanding. In the past, the romantic affair between Fang Jun and his widowed sister-in-law was widely known. Could it be that he is working so hard for Guo Xiaoshen this time because of his sister-in-law?

Fang Jun was unaware of the filthy thoughts in his heart; otherwise, he would have spat in his face and insulted my character!
He shook his head and said, "This is not a matter concerning one family or one clan, but rather a matter concerning Your Majesty's governing principles."

Du Zhengyi quickly nodded: "What Erlang says is very true! His Majesty's magnanimity and benevolence are a blessing to the world!"

First came the Changsun family, then the Guo family… This means that those families who were previously convicted have a chance to be given leniency, which is a barometer of His Majesty's governing policy.

"Let's leave it at that for now. I have official business to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

"Erlang, go ahead and do your work. I know what I'm doing."

After seeing Fang Jun off, Du Zhengyi returned to his duty room, drank some tea, and thought about it carefully, but he still couldn't figure out Fang Jun's true intentions.

Is this truly in line with the palace's policy of showcasing His Majesty's governance?

Or perhaps it was to please his wife and sister that he personally stepped forward to help Guo Xiaoshen obtain an official position?

However, it didn't matter to the Ministry of Personnel. A mere seventh-rank official like the Registrar of the Imperial Guard Temple couldn't possibly cause any major trouble. At worst, they could just find a subordinate to take the blame. Testing His Majesty's mind with a small risk was a sure win.

……

The government office was never a place where secrets could be kept. As soon as Fang Jun left, rumors about his visit to help his brother-in-law get an official position quickly spread among officials and clerks.

Following the Sui dynasty's system, the Ministry of Personnel was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Personnel, one of the three ministries. Fang Jun, as the former Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, was the de facto head of the ministry. Although he had stepped down, his promotion to Grand Commandant was not a demotion, so there was no "out of sight, out of mind." On the contrary, because of this connection, they became even closer...

So when Guo Xiaoshen arrived at the yamen to see Du Zhengyi, all the officials, from top to bottom, greeted him with smiles and nodded in greeting. Even the head of the Qingli Department personally welcomed him into the yamen and escorted him to Du Zhengyi's office...

With Vice Ministers Du Zhengyi and Linghu Xiuji present, Guo Xiaoshen immediately became nervous.

As is well known, Li Xiaogong, the Minister of Personnel and Prince of Hejian, is old and sick. Unless it is an important matter, he usually stays at home to recuperate and rarely comes to the office. Therefore, the specific affairs of the Ministry of Personnel are handled by the Left and Right Vice Ministers, especially the Left Vice Minister Du Zhengyi, who holds real power and is equivalent to the Minister.

Moreover, the two vice ministers had gloomy faces and the atmosphere was tense. Guo Xiaoshen was naturally uneasy. Could it be that Fang Jun had not succeeded in getting him a position?
"I have met Vice Minister Du and Vice Minister Linghu."

"No need for formalities," Du Zhengyi said sternly, getting straight to the point: "The yamen has been negligent in the selection of Guo family members before. Now, after investigation, we have decided to reinstate the Guo family members to the Ministry of Personnel's selection list. Once the process is initiated, if there is no evidence of wrongdoing, they will be granted official positions... Now, through the selection process of the Ministry of Personnel, we have decided to grant you the official position of Registrar of the Imperial Guard. Go to the Ministry of Personnel to collect your official seal and go to your post immediately."

Guo Xiaoshen was overjoyed.