I was given the contraceptive soup and became the emperor's white moonlight

As soon as the cocks crowed in the morning, a bustling crowd gathered in front of the Zhengde Hall. The people waiting at the door were wearing blue official robes, with the occasional people in purple robes mixed in, and they were always surrounded by people in groups of three or four.

The late autumn wind had long lost its function of bringing coolness, and the cold wind raged without paying any attention to the white-haired old men among the crowd, and it came with unstoppable force to make everyone look at it with new eyes.

"Taifu's birthday is going to be celebrated in a grand manner this year! I have prepared birthday gifts long ago and am waiting to present them to you!" A man in a crimson official robe took a few steps toward the old man beside him and bowed respectfully.

The old man was wearing a purple official robe and had white hair. He stroked his long beard with his hands and was serious. He was upright but also had a scholarly air. He glanced at him and nodded as a response. When he spoke, his tone was full of arrogance: "It's just a birthday. Lord Ge is thoughtful."

Lord Ge seemed not to notice the contempt in his tone, and the smile on his face became even more overflowing: "Taifu, what you said is wrong. I know that you don't like extravagance and waste, but this birthday party is not only for you, but also for God!"

"What's more, Lord Sun is well-known for his filial piety, so he will surely make your birthday a glorious one." Lord Ge said nice things while moving closer to him. "This year, your virtuous grandson is on the list. I wonder what position Your Majesty will arrange for him?"

Grand Tutor Sun was flattered by his flattery. Even though he disdained to be associated with him, he felt relieved and his tone became much softer. However, his words were still condescending. "My reputation is not worth mentioning. Your Majesty will decide how to arrange it. How can I say more?"

"Your Majesty's reputation for virtue is known to the world, and he is also your student. Moreover, your virtuous grandson is talented and will surely be used by Your Majesty!" Lord Ge's smile grew wider, and he felt quite proud: "Then you will have three generations ruling under the same rule!"

"It is his blessing to be employed by Your Majesty. He should be happy with any position he holds." Taifu Sun spoke modestly, but his eyes were filled with pride.

"The time has come. Please come to the court, gentlemen!" A young eunuch walked out quickly and spoke loudly while standing at the top of the stairs. After he finished speaking, he pushed himself aside and bowed to greet his important ministers.

The ministers set off one after another. Lord Ge stopped talking and bowed before following Grand Tutor Sun inside. After all the ministers had stood aside, Xiao Heng appeared in front of everyone, led by Xiao Xizi.

"Your Majesty, I bow to you. Long live the Emperor!"

Xiao Heng looked at the officials kneeling on the ground and shouting "Long live the emperor". He immediately spotted the figure standing with his head bowed among the crowd and said slowly, "My dear ministers, please stand up."

Before the others could stand firm, Xiao Heng spoke first: "Yesterday, I inspected the work of several new students and met several talented and virtuous people who really pleased me. Yesterday, I specially invited them to the palace for a banquet and we had a great time talking."

"Everyone has lofty ambitions, and their sincere aspirations have caused me to ponder deeply. I originally planned to distribute fiefs to everyone after the new year, but now I can't wait any longer."

Xiao Heng glanced at the silent crowd below and continued, "Let's just settle this matter today. My dear ministers, please help me make a decision."

Xiao Heng finished speaking, but no one responded. He raised his eyebrows and was about to speak when he saw the Minister of Literature stepped forward first, "Your Majesty, according to the old calendar, the top three candidates in the new imperial examinations will be appointed to the Imperial Academy, and the other students will be given fiefs in various places."

"The Prime Minister also said that it is the old calendar!" Lord Ge stood up and bowed to the Minister of Literature. "Now that several students are highly appreciated by His Majesty, why not keep them in the court directly?"

"No!" The Minister frowned and looked at Xiao Heng righteously and said, "Your Majesty, officials in various prefectures and counties are promoted in an orderly manner. If the new students are left in the court, there will inevitably be vacancies in various places."

"It's just that the officials of each government stay in their posts for a few more years. It's not a difficult task." Another official stood up and refuted.

"It's not just the personnel changes that are a problem. Historically, the term of office in a local government cannot exceed three years. This is to prevent officials from establishing their own forces and bullying the local people. Although three years is a short period of time, if this continues it is inevitable that some people will stick to one place. If they are corrupt and break the law, the people will suffer!" An official on the other side took the initiative to stand up and refute, standing with Minister Wen.

Old Master Su stood in the crowd in silence. The Su family did not have any new officials this year, so no matter how they argued, it had nothing to do with him. Although several of those students had already handed him their letters of allegiance, he had been in the court for many years and might not think much of those young boys.

"Your Majesty, I think..."

Before Wen Xiang finished speaking, Xiao Heng frowned and stopped him. He looked at Grand Tutor Sun who had been silent the whole time and asked, "What do you think, Grand Tutor?"

Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Sun stepped forward and saluted. When Minister Wen saw him step out of the line, he stepped back and made way. Grand Tutor Sun nodded slightly at him and turned to look at Xiao Heng: "Your Majesty, I think what Minister Wen said is right. There is an order for officials to be promoted. The rules should not be broken for one or two people. This is unfair to others."

Several officials who had just stood up to speak were all stunned. They had dared to stand up and refute Prime Minister Wen with the intention of currying favor with the Grand Tutor, but the Grand Tutor now felt that Prime Minister Wen was right, making them look like a joke.

Lord Ge's face darkened and he retreated back into the crowd silently. He was the first to speak just now, but he was just flattering the Sun family because they had a runner-up in the imperial examination. In this case, he would have been better off keeping silent.

"Does the Grand Tutor think so too?" Xiao Heng raised his eyebrows, but he also understood his teacher. The teacher was a person who attached great importance to rules, so it was not an exaggeration for him to say such things. However, he wanted to keep a few people. Although what the Minister of Literature said made sense, he just wanted to try to break the rules. What was wrong with that?

"Although the old calendar has some truth to it, it has been a tradition since ancient times to destroy before to build. Now the court is in need of talents, and I do intend to keep a few more." Xiao Heng said as he glanced at the crowd. After he spoke, the people below did not dare to express any opinions. Only the Minister of Literature frowned and looked quite disapproving.

Xiao Heng couldn't help but frown when he saw this. Ever since he registered, it was the Minister of Literature who made the most objections in the court. If it weren't for him obstructing him everywhere, he would have accomplished several great things long ago.

Wen Xiang frowned and was about to persuade him again, but was stopped by a hand reaching out from behind. He turned around and saw his son shaking his head at him.