Chapter 558: Zhao's First Court Visit

Civil and military officials entered the palace one after another.

Lord Zhang pulled Cheng Zhao aside and whispered, "He Hanhai loves to win over court officials. I heard that after this imperial examination, he has dozens of advisors in his household, all of whom are graduates of this year's examination. He helps these people get official positions, and these people are used by the He family. Ziyu, you have a bright future, so be sure not to get involved."

Cheng Zhao cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Lord Zhang."

He knew that Zheng Wangfeng had become a disciple of the He family. Zheng Wangfeng was a fourth-class Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), and it would have been difficult for him to obtain a proper official position in the capital. However, because he got on the He family's side and the He family helped him, Zheng Wangfeng became a minor official of the seventh rank in the Ministry of Rites. It could be said that he had a stroke of great luck.

Lord Zhang patted Cheng Zhao on the shoulder, about to speak again, when a discordant voice came from afar.

“Old Zhang, I must remind you of something.” The Minister of Personnel walked over, stroking his beard, and said, “Your Court of State Ceremonial has had no achievements for so many years, and many people are idle. It just so happens that the Emperor proposed to reduce the number of officials, so I thought I would start with the Court of State Ceremonial… If a young official like Lord Cheng were to enter the Court of State Ceremonial, wouldn’t that be a waste of his talent?”

Lord Zhang's beard stood up in anger. He had never thought of letting Cheng Zhao enter the Honglu Temple. Even if he did, it was not the Ministry of Personnel's turn to make decisions.

"The border states of the Great Yu Dynasty rely entirely on military officers to suppress them, and the more distant larger states cannot communicate with each other due to language barriers. The Honglu Temple is truly useless." The Minister of Personnel shook his head. "There are now more than twenty officials in the Honglu Temple, and they receive such high salaries every month. This is all the people's hard-earned money. Once I draw up a list of regulations, I will immediately submit a petition to the Emperor!"

After he finished speaking, he shook his head and walked forward.

"Damn it!" Lord Zhang grinned. "The Kingdom of Serso and the Kingdom of Laki send envoys to the court every year. If it weren't for the Court of State Ceremonies, who would receive these envoys? These two countries are a bit poor, but Asab is extremely wealthy. If this trade route is opened, let's see what you old codger will use to suppress the Court of State Ceremonies!"

Such things happen every day at the palace gate; verbal sparring among officials is so common that no one seems to think much of it.

The emperor arrived late only after all the civil and military officials had arrived.

The court session is the daily meeting of the Daewoo Dynasty. Whoever speaks first will follow closely behind. A subtle process has been formed and everything is in order.

After all matters have been discussed, the court can be dismissed if there is nothing else to report.

"This old minister has something to report!"

Minister Zhang of the Court of State Ceremonial stepped forward.

Generally speaking, the Honglu Temple would only be involved when foreign envoys came to Beijing. It was not even October yet, the time for all nations to pay tribute, but Lord Zhang stood up at this time, which was really beyond everyone's expectations.

The Minister of Personnel's brow twitched. Could it be that this old Zhang was planning to complain to the Emperor? He was too petty.

The Emperor sat on the dragon throne, his voice calm: "What does Minister Zhang wish to report?"

Lord Zhang lifted his robe and knelt down directly in the hall: "This old minister begs forgiveness from Your Majesty!"

He knelt on the ground and recounted the entire story of Assab: "...Assab's envoys are waiting outside the northern border for a summons. They have been waiting like this for seven or eight years. It is only due to the negligence of this sinner that they have been waiting for so many years...Assab has a large amount of jewelry, gold and silver wares, medicinal herbs and spices, fruits, vegetables, and animal skins...and they only need silk and porcelain. We in the Dayu Dynasty have too much of these things. If a stable economic trade is established, it will bring great wealth to the people of the Dayu Dynasty..."

Everyone present was smart, and everyone could see the huge benefits involved.

Some people usually have conflicts with Mr. Zhang, and now they take the opportunity to step on him.

"May I ask, Lord Zhang, why did it take seven or eight years to learn of such an important matter?"

"If the Asab envoy goes back to his country's monarch to complain, the relationship between the two countries will deteriorate. Can Lord Zhang bear such consequences?"

"Master Zhang is in such a high position, yet he made such a huge mistake. If the war breaks out, how many people will die on the battlefield..."

"The Honglu Temple is to establish friendly relations with countries outside the Great Yu Dynasty. Lord Zhang can't even read letters from other countries. Is he worthy of the position of Honglu Temple Minister?"

"..."

Lord Zhang didn't dare to look up, his forehead resting on the ground. "I deserve death, so I resign and return home... My resignation is a minor offense, but my delay in state affairs is a major one. I implore the Emperor to summon the Assab envoy immediately..."

The Emperor sat high up, his hand touching the top of the dragon throne, and spoke slowly, "I have a question. There was an error in the translation of the letter a few years ago. Why did we only find out about it this year? Is there someone who understands the Assab language better than Lord Zhang?"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Lord Zhang said immediately, "Last time, someone from Sui'an embroidered Assab characters on the gift for Your Majesty's birthday. I have always wanted to meet with someone from Sui'an. A while ago, someone from Sui'an came to Beijing, and I asked them to read the letter. Only then did I realize that I had been wrong all these years..."

As soon as he finished speaking, someone in the hall burst into laughter.

"Master Zhang is getting old and confused. How can a peasant woman understand the Assab language?"

"We acknowledge the achievements of the people of Sui'an in agriculture, but diplomatic matters are not to be taken lightly. Lord Zhang is grasping at straws in his desperation for the sake of the Honglu Temple's political achievements."

"The Laji Xiongnu and other countries surrounding the Dayu Dynasty also need the Honglu Temple to maintain relations. Lord Zhang, please don't lose sight of one while focusing on the other."

Lord Zhang raised his head and said firmly, "The people of Sui'an are indeed proficient in the Assab language. There is no need for me to deceive the emperor on this point. As long as the emperor summons the people of Sui'an, he will naturally know that what I said is true."

His resolute expression silenced the others, preventing them from saying anything more.

Although it is ridiculous that the people of Sui'an are proficient in the Assab language, such a lie can be easily exposed. Lord Zhang is not a fool, and it is impossible for him to tell such a big lie in public in front of the emperor.

Grand Tutor Lin stepped out from the crowd, cupped his hands and said, “The people of Sui’an have rendered meritorious service to the Great Yu Dynasty, so it is only reasonable for the Emperor to summon them. If the people of Sui’an really understand the Asab language, it will be another blessing for our Great Yu Dynasty.”

These words were, in effect, a preemptive plea for mercy on the people of Sui'an. They meant that if the people of Sui'an did not understand the Assab language, the Emperor should consider their contributions to the court and not be too harsh on them.

After a moment's thought, the Emperor said, "Then let Sui'an people have an audience tomorrow morning. Eunuch Ming, you will personally escort Sui'an people into the palace tomorrow morning."

Eunuch Ming bowed his head and accepted the order: "Yes!"

"As for Minister Zhang..." the Emperor said calmly, "Until the new Minister of the Ministry of Rites takes office, you will continue to stay in this position. You can resign, but you must be punished. I will fine you three years' salary. Are you willing to accept this?"

Lord Zhang immediately kowtowed: "I, your humble servant, thank you for your great grace!"

What happens inside the hall can be heard outside.

Cheng Zhao, holding the rank of seventh grade, participated in court affairs standing on the steps outside the palace. Generally speaking, these minor officials were not qualified to submit memorials; they could simply listen to what was happening in court.

On his first visit to court, Cheng Zhao broke out in a cold sweat.

But he quickly calmed down. His second aunt was not one to speak without reason. Since she could convince Lord Zhang, she would certainly not cause any trouble in front of the Emperor.

After this incident, Second Aunt should have a place in the imperial court. He needs to work harder and advance faster to become her support...