Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

The emperor's words plunged Chu Ning into dire straits.

Even Chu Ning himself did not expect that the emperor would actually ask him to express his opinion.

Facing the threats and inducements from the prince and others, Chu Ning didn't care at all. Instead, he turned to look at Deng Hongwen.

Under everyone's gaze, Chu Ning slowly said, "What the Crown Prince and Fourth Brother said is absolutely right. If a person is promoted too quickly, it will indeed cause a lot of trouble."

The prince frowned upon hearing this, and there was no joy in his heart at all.

Saying nice things proactively is not Chu Ning's style.

When the prince was surprised, Chu Ning continued, "However, Deng Hongwen was selected from among tens of thousands of people and passed the exam step by step with his own ability.

Whether in terms of literary talent or strategy, he is an excellent choice. Such a person should indeed be promoted!

Moreover, the Ministry of Personnel only appointed Deng Hongwen as the Minister of Rites, which is not a position of real power. Even if Deng Hongwen is not familiar with the officialdom and makes mistakes, it will not have much impact. "

Compared with other government offices, the Ministry of Rites was only responsible for rituals, sacrifices, reception of foreign envoys and other matters. Relatively speaking, it was not that important.

Otherwise, the official rank of the Minister of Rites would not be lower than that of the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue!

Chu Ning's words were very clear, he did not think that Deng Hongwen's official position was too high!

As soon as these words were spoken, the prince's face changed drastically.

But before the Crown Prince could speak, the Fourth Prince could no longer sit still.

"Eighteenth brother, I don't like what you said. No matter which government office it is, it is very important to the court!"

The Fourth Prince had a cold face and said in a deep voice: "Eighteenth Brother, are you looking down on the Ministry of Rites?"

This is to push Chu Ning to the opposite side of the Ministry of Rites!

But Chu Ning laughed when he heard this: "Why are you so angry, Fourth Brother? I am just expressing my thoughts. If Fourth Brother has a different opinion, you can say it."

The Fourth Prince's mouth twitched and he stared at Chu Ning.

Although he was indignant and wanted to refute, he racked his brains for a long time and still could not think of a reason to refute Chu Ning.

The emperor pretended to be angry when he saw this: "Chu Ning, don't be rude to your brother, if you have something to say, just say it!"

Chu Ning's face darkened, and he bowed and said, "Father, what I just said is indeed from the bottom of my heart. Besides, since the Ministry of Rites has drawn up this list of official positions, I believe that Lord Zhou also feels that such an arrangement will not affect the court."

After saying that, Chu Ning turned to look at the Minister of Personnel Zhou Chengyi and said with a smile: "Lord Zhou, do you think what I said is right?"

Zhou Chengyi's mouth twitched.

Can you say it's wrong?

This list was decided by the Ministry of Personnel. If you dare to say it is wrong, you are slapping yourself in the face.

Zhou Chengyi laughed awkwardly: "Your Highness the Prince of Chu is right. The Ministry of Rites is indeed a place where people can be trained. Deng Hongwen is the most suitable person to be the Minister of Rites!"

The tenth prince made a prompt decision and seized the opportunity: "Father, since my eighteenth brother and Lord Zhou both think this is feasible, please make the decision to prevent the situation from escalating."

Although I don’t know why Chu Ning spoke for Deng Hongwen, this is a good thing for the Tenth Prince.

As long as we can seize the opportunity to support Deng Hongwen, we will have a great helper in the court in the future.

Although the Minister of Rites does not have much real power, after all, he has an official position and can have a say in the court!

The emperor naturally understood that this matter could not be delayed, and he nodded and smiled, "Since Chu Ning and Lao Shi both think it's okay, and the Ministry of Personnel has already drawn up a list, then let's execute it according to this list!"

No matter how people fight, the emperor can settle the matter with just one word.

As soon as these words came out, Deng Hongwen, Liu Yunqing, Yang Wentao, and the candidates in the second and third places all knelt on the ground and shouted:

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

The emperor nodded slightly: "Okay, the rewards are done, the banquet continues, we must eat and drink well tonight!"

As he spoke, the emperor waved to the empress and left with his maids and eunuchs.

Although it was a banquet, it was impossible for the emperor and the empress to stay here all the time.

After seeing the emperor and empress off, everyone sat down and whispered to each other.

Without the emperor present, everyone was free to speak their mind.

But the Crown Prince, the Fourth Prince and others had gloomy faces and looked extremely angry.

Even if someone comes to toast him, he won't give them a good look.

On the contrary, the Tenth Prince was very active. He took Deng Hongwen to toast the ministers and introduced the names of the ministers to Deng Hongwen, as if paving the way for Deng Hongwen to enter the court in the future.

Deng Hongwen was also very sensible, and was very decent in both his interpersonal dealings and his speech.

This also caused a lot of changes among officials who originally did not have a good impression of Deng Hongwen.

Many people have heard of Deng Hongwen's reputation and thought that he was a stubborn person. Unexpectedly, this contact made them get to know Deng Hongwen in a new light.

Of course, the Tenth Prince has not forgotten Chu Ning, the great hero of tonight!

After a round of toasts, the Tenth Prince brought Deng Hongwen to Chu Ning.

"Eighteenth brother, thanks to you tonight, otherwise it would be extremely difficult for Lord Deng to become the Minister of Rites!"

The tenth prince looked very pleased with himself. He raised his wine glass and said with a smile, "This glass of wine, this prince and Lord Deng toast to my eighteenth brother!"

Deng Hongwen also raised his glass and said seriously, "Thank you, Your Highness, the King of Chu, for your help!"

Chu Ning smiled slightly, picked up his wine glass and clinked it with the two men, then said: "I am just telling the truth, there is no intentional help.

Now that Lord Deng has become the Minister of Rites, please pay attention to the important affairs of the court in the future!"

After saying that, Chu Ning picked up the wine glass and drank it all.

The Tenth Prince and Deng Hongwen then raised their glasses and drank.

But when they put down their wine glasses, Chu Ning had already turned and left.

The reward for tonight has ended. There is no point in staying any longer. I might as well go back and accompany Shen Wanying.

The Tenth Prince looked at Chu Ning's departing back, with a hint of amusement appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Chu Ning, Chu Ning, the imperial examination that you worked so hard to organize was ultimately divided up by others. I'm sure you can't accept this now!

No matter how cunning you are, you can't escape the clutches of the public.

How could an illegitimate child possibly outshine so many princes and wealthy families!

The Tenth Prince was very proud at this moment!

With the new number one scholar, we will have the momentum and will be able to press on with our victory and recruit more talents.

Thinking of this, the Tenth Prince took the wine jug beside him and filled his own glass.

After taking a sip, the Tenth Prince asked elegantly, "Master Deng, Eighteenth Brother seems a little angry? Why don't you go and try to persuade him?"

Deng Hongwen shook his head and said expressionlessly: "Your Highness the King of Chu is not stingy."

"Hahahaha!"

The tenth prince laughed and said, "This is the first time I have heard that my eighteenth brother is not a stingy person. Well, I won't talk about him anymore.

Next, Lord Deng, what do you think I should do to improve my status in the court?"

In front of everyone, the Tenth Prince did not hide his ambition at all!

As soon as these words were spoken, the crown prince and other princes around him all looked at Deng Hongwen.

They also wanted to know how this new number one scholar would plan for the Tenth Prince!

Under the gaze of everyone, Deng Hongwen slowly said: "If you want to expand your influence, the best way is to find the murderer who assassinated the eighth prince!"