Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 46 (Please continue reading) A Confident Official

Zhao Han was startled and hurried forward, bowing and saying, "I am the newly appointed Imperial Academy Editor. I pay my respects to Scholar Hai and all the gentlemen."

Hanlin Bachelor is a third-rank official. All important imperial edicts are written by Hanlin Bachelors. They can also provide advice on confidential matters and serve as the chief examiner of the palace examinations.

Therefore, although Hanlin Bachelor is of the third rank, he can often suppress the second rank, and even the first rank officials have to give him some face when they meet him.

Hai Ning glanced at Zhao Han calmly, then continued to scold the officials below him, "Open your eyes and look at Zhao Tanhua!"

"His features are clear and his spirits are high. This is what an official from the Hanlin Academy should be like."

"Look at you all, you're all listless. How can you set a good example for the younger generation?"

Several ministers were so upset that they could not even shed tears, thinking that they were also so high-spirited when they first entered the court as officials many years ago.

Haining waved his hand to signal them to get out, and then let Zhao Han step forward to answer, narrowing his eyes and looking at him carefully.

"This third place winner's quality is really getting better every year."

"I have heard of you for a long time. The poem 'Bamboo and Rock' you wrote during the examination touched my heart deeply."

"What a man who remains strong despite thousands of blows, no matter which direction the wind blows!"

"You're not even twenty yet, yet you've already been chosen by the government as the third place in the imperial examination. Your future is limitless. Don't try to imitate their lazy habits in the future."

Zhao Han nodded hurriedly and said, "I will bear in mind your teachings, sir. From now on, I will examine myself three times a day and live up to your grace."

"Don't let down the Holy Grace."

"Well said! When I first entered the court, I was just like you!" Haining laughed heartily twice.

He narrowed his eyes again and kept looking over Zhao Han, with a hint of doubt on his face.

Zhao Han felt uncomfortable being stared at and couldn't help asking, "Sir, is there anything wrong with me today?"

"No no……"

Hai Ning suddenly came back to his senses, sighed softly, and said lightly: "When I saw you just now, I couldn't help but think of an old friend."

"When he was young, his features were about 60% similar to yours, but he worked hard all day and suffered a series of severe injuries."

"He's barely over fifty years old, and his physique isn't even as good as mine.

"Every time I look at him, I feel really bad!"

Zhao Han didn't think much of it, just thinking it was just a normal sigh. He smiled and said, "Master Hai, you are wrong."

"I see you have white hair and youthful features, and you are full of vigor. Not to mention a man in his fifties, I'm afraid even a man in his thirties can't compare to you."

Haining shook his head and smiled bitterly.

The old friend he was talking about was currently sitting on the dragon throne in the Wenhua Palace, reviewing memorials.

After listening to Haining's brief instructions, Zhao Han went to the main hall and started writing with his colleagues.

Normal Hanlin officials can leave the academy at 3:00 p.m. after completing their work for the day.

As a newcomer to the Hanlin Academy, Zhao Han did not set out on his journey home until three quarters past three in the evening today.

On the way, Chang Qing frowned and asked with a puzzled look on his face: "Brother, why do I feel that you seem to be much quieter today?"

"Could it be that the senior officials in the Hanlin Academy are difficult to get along with?"

Zhao Han raised his hand and frowned, "I'm just too tired. I'll be fine after a few days of getting used to it."

It was not until this moment that he finally understood how strong Haining's body was and how wronged the officials he had scolded today were.

"Brother, go back and have a good rest. You have to go to court early tomorrow morning." Changqing reminded in a low voice.

—

The next day, at four quarters past the hour of Yin, a layer of blue-gray mist still covered the city of Bianjing.

Zhao Han was already dressed and headed straight for Donghua Gate.

When he arrived, there was a long queue in front of the waiting courtyard, and the imperial guards on duty were verifying the identities of everyone.

Just then, Sheng Hong stepped down from the carriage. Upon seeing Zhao Han, he walked straight over, patted him on the shoulder, and chuckled softly, "You look much more dashing in this official robe than I did when I was young."

Seeing that it was Sheng Hong, Zhao Han quickly took a half step back and bowed, "Father-in-law."

Sheng Hong stroked his beard and smiled, whispering, "Today is your first time attending court, so you must be careful at all times."

"Don't let the censors at the Imperial Censorate catch any mistakes or omissions, especially this imperial sceptre must be held firmly."

Zhao Han nodded and said, "I understand, son-in-law."

Soon, all the officials lined up in two rows according to their official ranks, holding court tablets, walked along the bluestone imperial road, passed through the numerous palace gates, and headed straight for the Chuigong Hall.

With Zhao Han's current official rank, he is naturally at the bottom of the civil service ranks.

Looking at the important officials in the front wearing purple robes and holding jade scepters, a hint of envy flashed across his face.

In the Chuigong Hall, after all the officials finished their ceremony, the emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, wearing a ochre-yellow dragon robe, solemn and majestic.

"Your Majesty's complexion seems to be getting healthier day by day."

"Yes, I don't know which imperial physician treated him, but he is truly a miracle worker."

"..."

Several fifth-rank officials standing in front of Zhao Han were whispering to each other.

The successive pains of losing his sons made the official's health worse day by day.

But in the past half month, when they attended court, they found that the emperor's complexion had become rosy, and even the depressed mood between his brows had dissipated a lot.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Zhao Zhen suppressed the joy in his heart and maintained the dignity of an official on his face.

His gaze involuntarily passed through the palace full of people and looked at Zhao Han who was at the farthest point.

After a moment, he withdrew his thoughts and listened to the reports from various ministers as usual.

Before I knew it, it was almost noon.

Just as Zhao Zhen was about to announce the end of the court session, the Minister of Rites, Han Zhang, said loudly, "Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

Hearing Han Zhang's voice, Zhao Zhen couldn't help but frown, "It's getting late, don't make trouble."

"If it's something behind the scenes, you can come to Wenhua Palace and tell me about it."

Xue Pu, the Minister of Personnel, holding a jade tablet, said, "Your Majesty, this old minister has requested to see Your Majesty in the Wenhua Palace several times."

"Your Majesty is either discussing ancient history with me or discussing painting with me. Lord Han and I have no regard for our dignity today."

"It takes ten years to grow a tree, and a hundred years to cultivate a person. I, your Majesty, earnestly request that you adopt a son of the royal family as soon as possible."

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole hall fell silent.

Zhao Zhen changed his usual outburst of anger and scolding, and just stared at the two of them with deep eyes.
He has heard such words so many times over the years that his ears are almost callused.

"Your Majesty, leaving the crown prince's position undecided is truly destabilizing to the foundation of the nation."

"For the sake of the Great Zhou, this old minister has no choice but to risk his own life today and implore Your Majesty to adopt a member of the royal family and examine his character!"

After saying this, Han Zhang raised the imperial tablet high in both hands, knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily.

Upon seeing this, all the civil and military officials in the hall knelt on the ground.

Among them were some ministers who remained neutral and were not very concerned about the issue of the crown prince.

After all, at this juncture, if you just stand by and watch, it will easily make people hate you.

Zhao Zhen simply said, "Although you gentlemen have a heart of remonstration, the Spring and Autumn Annals says, 'A great official should not accomplish anything.' Are you trying to force the emperor to abdicate today?"

"I dare not!" Han Zhang and Xue Pu said in unison.

"Forget it, both of you are well-educated people. I won't argue with you." Now that he already has his own children, Zhao Zhen is full of confidence. After sneering, he directly threw the question to them.

"Which member of the royal family do you think I should adopt?"

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(End of this chapter)