Prime Minister.

Chapter 27 027 [The Overall Situation]

An odd silence fell over the room.

Anyone who has spent a few years navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom will be very familiar with Zheng Jing's tactic of stalling.

Xue Huai naturally understood the use of this soft knife.

The six officials and clerks were all waiting for his decision.

Although Xue Huai's rank was not high, he was Shen Wang's personal disciple. The temporary position of secretary was enough to prove Shen Wang's high regard for him. Furthermore, everyone was curious about whether Xue Huai was capable of the job, so no one spoke up for the time being.

Zheng Jing's eyebrows drooped, but there was no sign of agitation on her face.

Xue Huai asked calmly, "Master Zheng, is there no index or catalog in the archives of the Water Conservancy Bureau?"

Zheng Jing frankly said, "To be honest, the index has always existed, but in recent years, the number of related files has increased, and with the frequent need to consult them, the files in the archives have become increasingly disorganized. It is now difficult to find the corresponding files by relying on the index. This is a dereliction of duty on our part of the Water Conservancy Bureau, and we ask for your understanding."

He figured it was just a common problem, and as long as the files weren't lost, it would be fine. Besides, which government office doesn't do this?

Seeing that Xue Huai remained silent, Zheng Jing said again, "Editor Xue and everyone else, please wait a moment. We will find the relevant files from Yangzhou Prefecture as soon as possible."

“Master Zheng, you should know the seriousness of this case. His Majesty has ordered the investigation department to clarify the facts as soon as possible.”

Xue Huai first tried to bring the other party to their senses, then changed the subject, saying, "We are not heartless, and we know that what Steward Zheng said is true, but we are here to investigate the case on the Emperor's orders. How can we sit idly by?"

Zheng Jing asked, "I wonder if Editor Xue has any good ideas?"

"It's just a clumsy method."

Xue Huai softened his tone and said calmly, "There is a saying that many hands make light work. I, along with all the censors and clerks, can enter the document room together to assist Master Zheng in finding the files."

Zheng Jing was naturally unwilling.

These people are not only helpers but also supervisors. With them working alongside us, how can we deliberately delay?
He hesitated slightly and said, "The office is quite cramped. More people may not necessarily increase the speed, and you are not familiar with the Ministry of Works' files."

"This is very simple."

Xue Huai said simply and directly, "We can divide the archives into several areas, and arrange Zheng's subordinates and the investigation team in each area. With this division of labor and cooperation, I believe efficiency will be greatly improved."

Before Zheng Jing could speak, Ge Cunyi, a supervising secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, nodded and said, "Editor Xue is right."

Xue Huai stepped forward, emphasizing his words slightly: "Steward Zheng, the Emperor has given us three months to investigate this case. We must cherish every moment, or we will be going against His Majesty's will. If we need several days to even take the first step, we will not be able to explain ourselves. It is now about the end of Chen Shi (7-9 AM). If Steward Zheng has not finished organizing the relevant files by the end of Shen Shi (3-5 PM), I will have no choice but to report the truth to the Imperial Envoy. If the Imperial Envoy blames us then, Steward Zheng, please do not complain."

He took a step back and offered to help, then stepped forward and made the emperor's will clear in his mind, forcing the other party to submit and bow down.

Zheng Jing knew she had no choice.

Xue Huai was being polite first, then forceful, blocking all his excuses. If he still dared to refuse at this point, the other party would dare to turn on him in public, and he would be the one who ended up suffering the consequences.

"That's fine then, but thank you all for your hard work."

Zheng Jing said, feeling frustrated.

"We are all serving His Majesty and the court, so it is only right that we work hard."

Liu Chengzong, a supervising secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, naturally took over the conversation while giving Xue Huai a slight smile.

In fact, not only Zheng Jing had a strange feeling, but everyone in the investigation department felt the same way.

Over the past two years, they had often heard stories about Xue Huai. On the one hand, they admired his indomitable spirit, but on the other hand, they felt that this young scholar was careless in his work, as if he used all his intelligence on reading and writing.

But after seeing it with their own eyes today, they felt that the rumors were not true. This editor Xue was not a stubborn and reckless young man; he was quite capable.

While not exactly brilliant, he was at least much more composed than rumored.

Some people thought that when Zheng Jing clearly intended to delay and bully Xue Huai because he was incompetent in administrative affairs, Xue Huai would immediately turn on her and make a scene.

Xue Huai naturally understood the meaning in the eyes of these young officials. He responded neither humbly nor arrogantly, and then immediately worked with Zheng Jing to proceed with the next step.

He didn't think his response was particularly clever. The reason Zheng Jing lowered her head was simply because she hadn't understood something.

The inspection of the Ministry of Works' Water Conservancy Department is an imperial decree; how could a mere minor official like him delay or resist it with a few tricks?

……

On the other side, the Minister of Works was on duty.

"Imperial Envoy Shen, this is my treasured Lan Zhu Jade Dew. Please have a taste." Xue Minglun pointed to the teacup on the table beside Shen Wang, his expression slightly respectful.

This was certainly not out of respect for Shen Wang himself, but rather out of respect for his status as an imperial envoy.

Shen Wang smiled and said, "You're too kind, Minister."

The two sat facing each other, the atmosphere harmonious and peaceful, seemingly unrelated to the open and covert struggles outside, just an ordinary gathering of colleagues in officialdom.

Upon hearing Shen Wang's address, Xue Minglun's brows relaxed slightly, and he sighed, "In the six years I've been in the Ministry of Works, I've only thought of sharing His Majesty's burdens, daring not to make the slightest mistake, for fear of disappointing His Majesty. Who knew that the people below me would be so greedy and reckless, and that Gu Heng was even more audacious, daring to frame my upright and honest cousin in order to cover up his own crimes. After Gu Heng's conspiracy was exposed, I simply had no face to see His Majesty again."

Shen Wang comforted him, saying, "Why blame yourself so much, Minister? Everyone in the court knows that you are loyal to His Majesty, as heaven and earth can attest. It's just that you can't see into people's hearts. Besides His Majesty, who else in this world can have such discerning eyes?"

"We are naturally no match for Your Majesty."

Xue Minglun echoed his sentiments repeatedly, and then declared, "Since the Vice Minister has been ordered to investigate this case, I, Xue, will certainly cooperate fully. Before the Vice Minister arrived, I had already ordered the staff of the Water Conservancy Bureau to prepare the river works files in advance, and strictly instructed them to tell the whole truth without reservation. If anyone dares to disobey the investigation office, I will be the first to not let him off the hook."

It is unknown what Shen Wang was thinking, but he looked very pleased: "With the minister's dedication, I believe this case will soon be solved, and we will be able to report back to His Majesty smoothly."

"hope so."

Xue Minglun said with a hint of hope, "I hope that the Vice Minister can put in a good word for me before His Majesty at that time."

Shen Wang did not refuse, and nodded, saying, "That's only right."

"actually……"

Xue Minglun paused slightly, looking at Shen Wang's calm and composed face, and said, "Gu Heng is indeed foolish, but the Water Conservancy Bureau also has its reasons."

He had not shown any attitude in front of the Ministry of Works officials before, and pretended not to see Qi Huan's pleading eyes.

Right now, he seems to be pleading for his subordinate, but in reality, he just wants to test Shen Wang's bottom line.

Shen Wang took a sip of Xue Minglun's treasured tea, put down the teacup, and said, "I would like to hear the details."

Xue Minglun said, “Your Excellency is learned and insightful, and you must know that the Ministry of Works has an inseparable relationship with many government offices. Take the Water Conservancy Bureau for example. They are responsible for the construction of water conservancy facilities, the manufacture of boats and vehicles, the construction and maintenance of official roads and bridges, and, most importantly, the overall coordination of the Grand Canal. They frequently deal with local governments, the Grand Canal Administration, and the Waterway Administration. It’s not that I’m trying to explain things to them, but many things involve the interests of various parties, and it’s really difficult to be completely transparent.”

Shen Wang hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "I understand the difficulties faced by the minister, and His Majesty is also well aware of them. It's just that this time your subordinate..."

He looked at Xue Minglun, and it wasn't hard to guess what he was implying.

Xue Minglun quickly said, "The imperial envoy is investigating the case by imperial decree. How dare I speak on their behalf? Even if you don't speak, I know that this time they will face the merciless law of the land."

Shen Wang said thoughtfully, "Is the Minister worried that this investigation will affect the normal operation of the various departments of the Ministry of Works?"

"Your Excellency is wise."

Xue Minglun frankly said, "I'm not afraid of being laughed at by the Vice Minister, but ever since I received the imperial edict, I have been feeling uneasy and restless. Not to mention the officials below, they are all in a daze. If this continues, the various affairs of the Ministry of Works will probably come to a standstill in less than a month. It is now the beginning of November, and the end of the year and the New Year will come soon. I have countless official matters piling up on my desk, and I have to rely on my subordinates to implement and get them done."

"You are overthinking it, Minister."

Shen Wang's face was as calm as a breeze as he said gently, "The imperial edict clearly states that the corruption case of the Ministry of Works' Water Conservancy Department must be thoroughly investigated. As an imperial envoy, how dare I disobey the imperial will?"

The implication is that this case will be confined to the Water Conservancy Bureau and will not affect others.

Xue Minglun certainly knew the Emperor's thoughts. After all, he had been trying to figure out what the person in the palace was thinking for the past twenty years. He understood that the Emperor did not want to completely eliminate the Ministry of Works, but simply wanted to get back enough money to replenish the national treasury.

However, he was not at ease with the seemingly kind Vice Minister of Rites in front of him.

If we're talking about the officials in the court he fears the most, Shen Wang would definitely be in the top five.

Therefore, whether it was a test or a reminder, he didn't want the other party's fire to burn too brightly.

When that time comes, Shen Wang may not be able to control the situation, because he just said it very clearly: the interests of so many people are involved in just one Water Conservancy Bureau, so you can imagine how many people are behind the entire Ministry of Works.

Which one of them wasn't a powerful and influential figure?

He only needed to say these things briefly, and he believed Shen Wang would understand.

Suppressing his thoughts, Xue Minglun sighed, "Speaking of which, I should thank the Vice Minister on behalf of Mingzhang. Xue Huai is a kind and gentle boy, but Mingzhang taught him to be too rigid. If it weren't for the Vice Minister's patient guidance over the past two years, I'm afraid he still wouldn't have learned to temper his sharpness."

Shen Wang stroked his teacup and said leisurely, "I dare not take credit for this. Xue Huai's progress is due to his own comprehension. Moreover, I have always felt that young people should have an indomitable spirit. If all the young officials in the court learn to be vague and cryptic, it will inevitably make people feel stagnant and lifeless. Minister, don't you agree?"

Looking at the other person's calm and composed demeanor, Xue Minglun suddenly had a bad feeling.

(End of this chapter)