The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 1230

Xu Tian nodded and said, "You did very well. You are like a lotus rising from the mud, unstained by its filth, and pure and unblemished by its clear waters. That is my opinion of you."

Entering officialdom is like entering a huge quagmire; with every step you take, you feel like you're being pulled down. Unless you have a firm belief or a powerful family background, few people can be like Shen Qing.

"Today, Your Excellency is willing to protect me with your own reputation. I have already made up my mind to follow you for all eternity, unless one day Your Excellency no longer needs me."

Xu Tian nodded slightly and said, "It is my honor."

Xu Tian welcomes anyone willing to become his advisor; the more people there are, the stronger he is, and the more diverse voices he can offer when problems arise.

"Thank you, Your Excellency." Shen Qing made a move to kneel down again, but Xu Tian stopped him.

After talking with Shen Qing, Xu Tian roughly knew that Shen Qing was capable, and besides, he was the second-place scholar in the imperial examination back then.

However, for these reasons, Shen Qing is still only a fifth-rank official, a position that truly does not do justice to his talent.

"Shen Qing, you're not just limited to your current position; I'm promoting you." Xu Tian didn't want any talented person to be disrespected.

Unexpectedly, Shen Qing was so frightened that he quickly shook his head and refused, saying, "Lord Gao, it is said that one should not accept rewards without merit. I have not done anything, and it would be against the rules for me to be promoted suddenly."

"My word is law. If I were to promote you, it would be a piece of cake. You'd easily be promoted to the second rank, and no one would dare say a word." Xu Tian said, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

Shen Qing still insisted on his own idea, saying, "My lord, if I were to be promoted without any merit, I'm afraid outsiders would say that it would negatively affect your reputation."

Xu Tian's opinion of Shen Qing changed again. Normal people would be eager to get promoted, but Shen Qing was an exception.

"Very good, I admire you." Xu Tian made no attempt to hide his praise for Shen Qing.

Shen Qing, however, always felt that this was something he should do and couldn't accept such a big promotion and praise.

"My lord, what I'm more worried about now is the matter of opening the national treasury to distribute grain." Shen Qing said, expressing the thoughts he had been pondering in his residence.

This matter was originally opposed by important court officials, and with Prince Lan Ying also eyeing it covetously, the task has now been entrusted to him, and it concerns Xu Tian's reputation.

Those who originally disliked Xu Tian are definitely waiting for this opportunity to seize on Xu Tian's weaknesses, which means Shen Qing needs to be even more careful.

"It's alright. You just need to do your job well. As long as you don't make any mistakes, it will be difficult for those people to find anything against you." Xu Tian didn't believe they could find anything out of this.

Having seen the dark side of officialdom, Shen Qing sighed and said, "My lord, the people I know best over the years are those who are most adept at fabricating stories and making people suffer for no reason."

For some unknown reason, Xu Tian vaguely noticed the white hair at the temples of this young man. A young man with white hair—how many things must he have gone through to become like this?

"It's nothing. After today's court affairs, they understand that I am the one behind you now. Before they provoke this matter, they must think carefully about whether they have the strength to do so," Xu Tian said, a ruthless glint in his eyes.

Shen Qing felt a lump in his throat; this was a scene he had longed to see for many years.