Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Fengtian Hall

At this moment, outside the hall, the ministers gathered in small groups to chat, while Su Jing'an stood alone to the side, ignored by everyone.

That's understandable, since he doesn't hold any official position yet and his team is unknown, so no one would dare to rush forward. Besides, he doesn't intend to curry favor with anyone, so he can only stand in the corner by himself.

Song Mingxian was talking to his colleague when he happened to see him, so he walked over to him and called out, "Lord Su."

"Lord Song".

"Lord Su has been back for half a month now, is he getting used to it yet?"

"Very good."

"That's good. From now on, we'll be colleagues. I hope Lord Su will take good care of me."

"Lord Song is too kind. If anyone should be taking care of me, it should be Lord Song taking care of me."

Song Mingxian smiled but didn't say anything.

At this moment, Qin Lang walked over, and Song Mingxian saw him and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Duke Ming."

Upon hearing this, Su Jing'an subconsciously turned around to look, but he did not recognize the person who came.

Qin Lang spoke first, "I presume this is Lord Su?"

"I have met the Duke of Ming."

"Now that Lord Su has returned to his post, he must seize the opportunity and not let it all come to nothing," Qin Lang said meaningfully.

Su Jing'an sensed the hidden meaning in his words and understood that he wanted to win him over but was pretending not to know. "What the Duke of Ming said is true. I will definitely be loyal to the emperor and serve the country, even if it means going through fire and water," he said, thus making his stance clear.

Seeing his lack of tact, Qin Lang simply turned and left.

"If Lord Su acts this way, I fear he will become an enemy of the Duke of Ming and even Prince Min."

"The ruler treats his ministers with courtesy, and the ministers serve their ruler with loyalty."

Upon hearing this, Song Mingxian couldn't help but laugh, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "I knew I hadn't misjudged you, Brother Xian."

The term "brother" brought the two closer together.

Su Jing'an was puzzled and was about to ask when he heard the eunuch shout, "Enter the palace."

“Then I’ll go in first, my dear brother, please wait outside for a moment.”

"it is good".

Then, the ministers lined up in six rows according to their official rank and went inside.

As for Su Jing'an, he could only wait outside the hall for a summons.

"His Majesty has arrived, and the Regent has arrived."

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Regent! Long live the Regent!"

"All of you, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Mu Zexuan sat on the dragon throne, while Mu Jinchen sat beside him. After exchanging glances, Mu Zexuan spoke up: "The position of Minister of Revenue has been vacant for three months now. I wonder if any of you gentlemen have any candidates to recommend?"

Upon hearing this, the Left and Right Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Revenue were overjoyed, thinking that this day was finally coming.

King Min then gave his men a look, signaling them to speak.

Then, an official stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that Lord Qi is capable of undertaking this important task."

"I second that it is appropriate for Lord Qi to take on this role, as he is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and is very familiar with its affairs."

"I second that opinion."

"I second that opinion."

"If we follow Lord Xu's suggestion, then Lord Pei is also qualified to serve as Minister. Moreover, Lord Pei has more seniority than Lord Qi. Therefore, I believe that Lord Pei is more suitable."

“What Lord Li said is very true. Lord Pei is also the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. If Lord Qi can serve as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, then so can Lord Pei.”

"I also think that Lord Pei is more suitable."

"Your Majesty, you mustn't."

"Why not?"

"Your Majesty, I hereby report that Lord Pei has accepted bribes and committed embezzlement and other illegal acts. I urge Your Majesty and the Regent to investigate this matter thoroughly."

"Is there any evidence to support Lord Qi's claim?"

“Your Majesty, I have evidence,” he said, pulling a memorial from his sleeve and presenting it with both hands. He had been carrying this memorial in his pocket for a month, waiting for this day.

Seeing this, Leonardo DiCaprio went down from the stage to get it.

"Your Majesty, Regent, Lord Qi is framing us. I discovered that he forcibly abducted women and disregarded human life. He is guilty and is therefore trying to cover up his crimes. This is the evidence. I urge Your Majesty and Regent to investigate thoroughly." As he spoke, he also took out a memorial.

So, Xiao Li took it and presented it to Mu Jinchen.

Mu Jinchen glanced at them and said, "Good, excellent. Men, take these two away and hand them over to the Ministry of Justice for investigation."

Lord Qi and Lord Pei knelt down together, saying, "Your Majesty, we are innocent! We beg Your Majesty to investigate!"

At this moment, Mu Jingfeng finally realized that this was Mu Jinchen's deliberate act, intended to give them time to gather evidence, then let them fight it out, while he could reap the benefits. He was furious.

Similarly, Prince Qing was also furious, his eyes filled with daggers as he looked at Mu Jinchen, wishing he could tear him to pieces.

King Min gritted his teeth and said, "Regent, it is not appropriate to arrest people without any evidence."

"Based on their actions, I have already shown mercy by not executing them on the spot. If Prince Min wishes to plead for them, he should first see what they have done before speaking," he said, throwing the memorial in front of him.

Mu Jingfeng knew perfectly well what they had done, so he didn't pick up the folded paper.

"Take the person away now."

The guards then took the person away.

After this incident, the ministers finally understood that the purpose of today's morning court was not the position of Minister, but rather... The ministers couldn't help but look at Prince Min and Prince Qing, and seeing that their expressions were not good, they all lowered their heads and dared not say anything more.

A moment later, Mu Jinchen called out, "Song Rui, Li Zixuan."

Upon hearing this, Song Rui and Li Zixuan stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, we are here."

"Song Rui was appointed as the Left Vice Minister, and Li Zixuan as the Right Vice Minister."

"Your Highness, no, Lord Song and Lord Li are still young and I'm afraid they are not up to the task."

"Yes, they are still inexperienced and may lack the necessary abilities. I hope the Regent will reconsider."

"We hope the Regent will reconsider."

"My mind is made up, you need not say more."

"Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail the trust placed in me by the Prince."

"As for the position of Minister..." Mu Jinchen paused deliberately.

Song Mingxian stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, Your Highness, I have a candidate who can take on the position of Minister.”

"I don't know who it is."

"This man is Su Jing'an, the prefect of Yangzhou."

“Lord Song, who doesn’t know that Su Jing’an is your relative by marriage? I’m afraid your actions are not a case of using public office for private gain.”

"That's right, Lord Song has abused his power. I hope Your Majesty and the Regent will punish him."

“I have always kept public and private matters separate. The reason I recommend him is because he has the ability… Your Majesty, Your Highness, Yangzhou has been the country’s largest taxpayer for the past ten years, and the amount of tax revenue he pays has been increasing year by year. This shows that he is exceptionally capable. Moreover, the people of Yangzhou presented him with a 'Ten Thousand People Umbrella' on the day he returned to the capital, which shows that he is deeply loved by the people. He is a rare and excellent official. Therefore, I believe that he is qualified to serve as the Minister of Revenue.”

"You mean, the people of Yangzhou presented him with a 'Ten Thousand People's Umbrella' (a traditional umbrella symbolizing the well-being of the people)."

"Yes".

"In the more than one hundred years since the founding of our dynasty, very few officials have received the 'Ten Thousand People's Umbrella' (a symbol of popular support). I never expected that one would do so now... Xuan Sujing'an, please come in."

“Summon Su Jing’an to an audience.”