Prime Minister.

Chapter 25 025 [Ten Years of Drinking Ice]

If it were the Xue Huai of the past, he probably wouldn't have hesitated at all on this issue—he had impeached so many Ning Party officials in the past two years, how could he miss this opportunity to severely damage the Ning Party?
However, life is unpredictable and full of surprises.

The opportunity that Xue Huai once longed for now seems like a hot potato to him.

Xue Huai admired the original owner's indomitable spirit and decisiveness in venturing into dangerous territory, but this was not his style. In his previous life, due to the lack of family background, he was used to being cautious and careful in his official career. The time he overturned the table at the grand court meeting was only because he was forced to do so by the situation.

If there were a safer option, he wouldn't mind enduring it for a while longer.

In short, Xue Huai just wants to spend the next six months peacefully, using this time to reflect and learn, and then start taking action once the trial period is over and he enters a new environment.

This is why he didn't give Princess Yun'an a clear answer the day before yesterday. Whether it was Jiang Li using the Crown Prince's name to drag him into the mess, or the Crown Prince really intended to recruit him and test him, he didn't want to get involved in those troubles for the time being.

Returning to the present, facing Shen Wang's probing questions, Xue Huai carefully replied, "Teacher, I am merely assisting in the investigation of this case on the Emperor's orders, and it is not related to any personal grudges. Furthermore, as a mere seventh-rank compiler, what right do I have to oppose Minister Xue?"

"Although the Great Yan has always had the saying of protecting relatives, you and Minister Xue are no longer within the five degrees of kinship, so there is no need to hold back."

Shen Wang first made this clear, and then said meaningfully, "For you, the most important thing is not what you do, but whether you dare to do it."

Xue Huai immediately understood.

Shen Wang was giving him a hint: he absolutely could not deviate from his stance at this moment.

For the past two years, he has stood on the opposite side of the Ning Party. Now he finally has a chance to prove himself. Whether the emperor is moved by his perseverance over the past two years or wants to test the sharpness of his sword, he cannot treat this task with an attitude of indifference.

Being fickle is a major taboo in officialdom.

Xue Huai did not resist, and stood up to bow, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, teacher."

Shen Wang raised his hand and gestured for him to sit down, his expression becoming increasingly gentle.

Shen Wang had high hopes for his disciple Xue Huai because of his excellent background. Although it was a pity that Xue Mingzhang died young, he had left Xue Huai with a golden protective charm.

To put it bluntly, as long as the current emperor is still alive, ordinary hardships will never be able to harm Xue Huai. As for the trouble that Gu Heng stirred up this time, Shen Wang thinks he is nothing but a clown. The emperor will never believe his impeachment of Xue Mingzhang.

With such a background, coupled with his talent, diligence, and an undeniable righteousness and sharpness, Xue Huai had already caught Shen Wang's eye the moment he stepped into the imperial examination hall.

This is why he valued Xue Huai more than the top two scholars of the Gengchen imperial examination.

However, he did not expect his disciple to be so stubborn, but fortunately, that is all in the past.

"You don't need to feel any burden. I am the imperial envoy investigating the case. Whether it brings good fortune or misfortune, I will bear the consequences."

Shen Wangping calmly instructed, "Since His Majesty has decided to give you this opportunity, you must make good use of it and strive to truly enter His Majesty's sight. You must know that an official may never encounter such an opportunity in his entire life, and there are too many officials in this world who never manage to make the emperor remember their names."

Xue Huai secretly reassured himself, and said solemnly, "Please rest assured, Master, this disciple will not dare to slack off."

"So good."

Shen Wang looked pleased, then asked, "Tell me your thoughts on this case."

"I have always believed that there is a hand stirring up trouble behind the scenes. Gu Heng and Liu Pingshun are just pawns of that person. But since His Majesty has asked you to investigate, it means that we need to investigate the Ministry of Works itself. As for the person behind the scenes... I think the Jing'an Division is his real opponent."

Xue Huai calmly analyzed, "In times of peace, the Ministry of Works has always been a lucrative department, even more so than the Ministry of Revenue. After all, the latter is the court's treasury, with so many eyes watching them from top to bottom, so they have to be more restrained, no matter how unwilling they are. The Ministry of Works is different. Ordinary people can't understand their internal affairs. Take the Water Conservancy Department involved this time, for example. How much silver and manpower does a section of river work require? How can outsiders distinguish the truth? As long as they keep the accounts right, even the most capable censor can't find fault with them."

Shen Wang nodded and said, "The Ministry of Works has long suffered from deep-seated problems."

Xue Huai probed, "Does the Grand Secretary Ning not know the inside story?"

Shen Wang countered with interest, "What do you think?"

Xue Huai has never properly met the Grand Secretary Ning Hengzhi. He only caught a fleeting glimpse of him at the grand court assembly that day, and the man gave him the feeling of being in a deep abyss.

It's not that he's being pretentious; it's a composure honed by the years.

"Prime Minister Ning is naturally aware of the problems within the Ministry of Works, but even as the Prime Minister, he cannot completely eliminate corruption from top to bottom." Shen Wang offered his answer, then patiently explained, "The problems within the Ministry of Works are extremely complex. This department is responsible for all construction projects within the Great Yan territory, such as palaces, mausoleums, government offices, cities, roads, and the construction of water conservancy facilities. It also has an inseparable relationship of interest with the Grand Canal Administration. In addition, arms manufacturing, land reclamation, mountain and lake mining, state-run textiles, ceramics, and coin minting are all within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Works."

Just hearing these names, Xue Huai could imagine how much scheming and despicable behavior was involved.

Shen Wang continued, "In other words, investigating the Ministry of Works will not only involve the Ministry of Works. For example, investigating the Water Conservancy Bureau will inevitably involve the Grand Canal and the River Conservancy Bureau, as well as local government officials. The same applies to investigating other departments. You think our opponents are officials from the Ministry of Works, at most including Minister Xue, but in reality, there may also be local officials, the Grand Canal Commissioner, the River Conservancy Commissioner, the Minister of Revenue, members of the imperial family, and nobles."

Xue Huai was not frightened. He could tell that Shen Wang's tone was not heavy, so he said frankly, "Teacher just said that this investigation is not about how much is done, but whether we dare to do it."

"You learn very quickly."

Shen Wang smiled and asked again, "You don't know how many people you'll offend while investigating a case. Aren't you afraid?"

Xue Huai calmly shook his head and asked in return, "Teacher, are you really planning to thoroughly investigate the problems within the Ministry of Works?"

This time, Shen Wang remained silent for a moment. He picked up his teacup and slowly sipped the tea.

After a moment, he put down his teacup and said solemnly, "These past two years, I've also felt a pang of emotion, seeing a reflection of my younger self in you. In my youth, I was filled with fervent passion, always striving to cleanse the world of its impurities and restore a clear and pure realm for all. Later, I realized how difficult life is, how weak an individual's power is, but—"

Shen Wang paused for a moment, then emphasized, "Temporary concessions do not mean giving up on ourselves or even going along with the corrupt practices."

Xue Huai nodded.

Shen Wang said, "Just now you asked how far His Majesty wanted to investigate this time. I can tell you clearly that His Majesty only wants the people in the Ministry of Works and the Water Conservancy Department to return the money they have embezzled over the years, and to use their lives to comfort the people of Great Yan who perished in the flood this summer, while also replenishing the gradually drying national treasury."

"That……"

Xue Huai hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Shen Wang smiled and said, "Three months ago in my study, you asked me, your face flushed, how long were we going to endure this? Were we just going to watch those corrupt officials devour the very foundation of the Great Yan Dynasty? Do you still remember how I answered you back then?"

Xue Huai replied without hesitation, "Our teacher said to wait for the right time."

Shen Wang said, "Now you should understand what the right time is."

Xue Huai pondered for a moment, then said firmly, “What you mean is, as long as His Majesty doesn’t make up his mind to investigate those people, no matter how hard we try, it will be like throwing stones into the sea. Only if His Majesty opens up a crack can we successfully pry open their ironclad defenses. In the end, it all comes down to the Emperor’s favor.”

"You are a promising student; I have not failed to live up to your high expectations."

Shen Wang revealed his sharp edge, exuding a fierce aura despite being a scholar: "The current emperor is an exceptionally intelligent man. He has never lost control of the court over the years. However, the officials in the court are not true pawns. Each of them has their own hidden thoughts. Your Majesty can decide how to start, but once the curtain is drawn, how to end it is a profound question."

Xue Huai stared at him intently.

Before today, his impression of Shen Wang was mostly based on the gentle yet profound image he remembered, and the reputation of him as a leader of the "pure stream" who had been nurtured by the world for many years.

In Xue Huai's mind, being called the leader of the reformist faction was not really a compliment.

But upon hearing Shen Wang's words, he couldn't help but feel respect.

"His Majesty has given us three months to investigate the details of corruption within the Ministry of Works' Water Conservancy Department."

Shen Wang stood up, looked at Xue Huai and said, "We'll start with the Water Conservancy Bureau, and then let this fire spread, so that all the officials can see just how much unknown corruption is hidden in the Ministry of Works of the Great Yan Dynasty."

Xue Huai solemnly replied, "I will obey your command, Master."

A faint smile appeared on Shen Wang's face as he walked to his side and said, "Tomorrow we will move into the Ministry of Works. At that time, I will personally go to see Minister Xue and talk to him about the people's livelihood and economy of Great Yan over the past ten years. As for you—"

He raised his hand and patted Xue Huai's arm lightly, saying casually, "All the officials in the investigation department are talents I selected. Although you were recommended by His Majesty, I have never been truly disappointed in you. You are all young people who are determined to save the people from their suffering."

"Go ahead and do it. If the sky falls, your teacher will hold it up."

(End of this chapter)