Changfeng glanced back at the dancers, then turned to Dongfang Jun and clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying, "Your son won't stand on ceremony!"

Dongfang Jun was in a good mood, nodded, and then got up and walked into the inner room.

The old servant quickly stepped forward and asked, "Master?"

Dongfang Jun said, "Changfeng, choose two first, and have the other one bring me breakfast in the morning."

The old servant respectfully replied, "Yes!"

The next morning.

Dongfang Jun had just crawled out of bed and into the soft comfort of the room when he heard the old servant's voice outside the door.

"Your Majesty, someone from the palace has arrived."

"Tell him to wait a moment."

Dongfang Jun tidied up unhurriedly, and only after half an hour did he walk to the main hall. He said to Jin Hu, who had been waiting for a long time, "Sir, you've kept me waiting. I've known Eunuch Lü for many years and have some impression of you. Are you perhaps his most beloved adopted son, Jin Hu?"

Since serving the emperor, Jin Hu had become a completely different person, and naturally he resented the long wait. However, Dongfang Jun's flattery left him with nowhere to vent his anger, even though he knew Dongfang Jun was just being polite.

When Dongfang Jun and Lü Lu first met, did he start making more arrangements?

How could Dongfang Jun possibly remember?

Now that he's by the emperor's side, his fame has grown, and very few people don't know him anymore.

Jin Hu was quick-witted. After a moment's thought, he realized that Dongfang Jun's resurgence was no small matter. He might become a very important figure in the future. He didn't dare to be negligent and forced a smile that was not easily noticed. He said, "Grand Master, you are too kind. Although I am here to deliver the imperial decree, Grand Master is an elder. It is only right that you wait for a day."

Dongfang Jun immediately knelt down and said with a sincere expression, "This old minister obeys the decree."

Dongfang Jun's attitude made Jin Hu even less emotional. He cleared his throat and said, "In accordance with the will of Heaven and the times, and by this clear decree, Grand Master of Ceremonies Dongfang Jun has made great contributions and is full of talent. Now that the imperial examination is imminent, the empire is in need of capable people and virtuous people. Talented people cannot be left idle, and virtuous people cannot be neglected. Dongfang Jun is hereby appointed as the chief examiner of the imperial examination for the twelfth year of the reign of Emperor Dajing. It is hoped that he will use his wisdom and impartiality to select talents for the empire. This is the imperial decree!"

Dongfang Jun remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief and said solemnly, "This old minister accepts the decree and thanks you!"

Jin Hu quickly placed the imperial edict in Dongfang Jun's hand and said with a smile, "Grand Master, please rise. For every extra step you take to kneel, I will lose a year of my lifespan."

"You're too kind, Eunuch Jin." Dongfang Jun stood up with Jin Hu's help and said, "Someone, take Eunuch Jin to have some tea."

Jin Hu laughed and said, "You little rascal, you won't stand on ceremony."

Drinking tea doesn't mean actually drinking tea; it means going to receive a reward.

Although Dongfang Jun has been retired for many years, he owns numerous businesses and is very wealthy in Changsui City.

After smilingly sending the golden pot away, Dongfang Jun's expression turned cold and stern, his carefree and unrestrained demeanor gone. He then ordered the old servant to gather everyone together.

"There is still some time before the imperial examination. You should go to various places to gather information and recruit talents. You must make full preparations for the imperial examination."

"Remember this: when I return from seclusion, I will surely do something meaningful!"

"This is to select truly talented individuals for the Great Jing."

"Select capable people for Prince Xin!"

After giving his instructions, Dongfang Jun kept Changfeng behind and said, "Changfeng, you are very familiar with Gong Xue, who serves Prince Xin. Go and convey a message for me."

Changfeng said, "Father, please speak."

With a burning fighting spirit in his eyes, Dongfang Jun said, "In my eyes, the late emperor only had one son, and that was Yuan Li!"

Changfeng hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but ask, "Father, should we say this or not?"

Dongfang Jun smiled and said, "When Prince Xin was so eager to bring down the Left Prime Minister, I knew that Prince Xin needed me."

...

Before they knew it, it was May of the twelfth year of the reign of Emperor Zhishang. The weather was getting hotter and hotter. To Zhao Cheng’s surprise, he did not deliberately organize any events in Yanchuan City, nor did he put any effort into the tourism industry. But imperceptibly, from March to May, countless people from other places came to Yanchuan City for tourism.

The Heaven and Earth Red Sleeve Pavilion and Clubhouse are already famous far and wide, so we won't go into details for now. However, the newly built Medical Museum, Oriental Restaurant and Yanchuan Square, along with a series of projects that are either regional, cultural or fun, have attracted tourists from all over the country who are not short of money.

In particular, the wealthy second-generation flocked to Yanchuan City. By early May, the quantitative change had led to a qualitative change, and Yanchuan City suddenly saw an increase in countless tourists, making it resemble a tourist city.

Some of these people came specifically because of Zhao Cheng and Yuan Yun.

Some wanted to spend a lot of money to get to know Zhao Cheng, while others wanted to try their luck to catch a glimpse of the princess's stunning beauty.

Even more so, some people came because of rumors that figures like Jin Yong, Pu Songling, and the author of "Yingyingying" often lived in Yanchuan City.

Zhao Cheng thought this was a good sign. If Yan Chuan City could develop its economy to the point where it was second only to Chang Sui City, or even surpassed Chang Sui City, and become the most important economic city in Da Jing, instead of forever holding the empty title of this secondary capital, wouldn't that be better?

night.

Oriental Restaurant.

Murong Tie, accompanied by his friends and servants, booked one of the best private rooms at the Oriental Restaurant. He drank to his heart's content, but his mood was not good.

Looking out the window at the bustling night scene of Yanchuan City, he revealed envy in his eyes, but on the surface he still looked indifferent.

The Murong family was the most prominent family in the entire Jingbei Prefecture. Years ago, before the establishment of the Great Jing Dynasty, the Murong family was a royal clan in the northern part of the eastern lands. Although it was a small, isolated state, the descendants of the Murong family inherited the nobility of the imperial family. When the Great Jing Dynasty was established, the Murong family suffered a devastating defeat, and the spirit of several generations of the family and clansmen was shattered. However, as the Great Jing Dynasty continued, the descendants of the Murong family, remembering the glory of their ancestors and having never witnessed the power of the Great Jing court, developed a kind of complacency that spread like the flu to every member of the clan.

Murong Tie is one of them.

As the eldest son of the current head of the family and the future heir to the Murong family business, Murong Tie felt that the fact that he had condescended to come south to find Zhao Cheng was already giving Zhao Cheng enough face.

Unfortunately, he couldn't even book the best private room at the Oriental Restaurant.

The young masters from Jingbei County who accompanied him didn't care. After seeing the scale of the Oriental Restaurant, they all felt somewhat ashamed of themselves.

Murong Tie, however, did not feel the same way; he was filled with resentment.

After several rounds of drinks, Li Guanyu knocked on the door and entered. He raised his wine cup and smiled at Murong Tie, saying, "Young Master Murong has come from afar. I apologize for any shortcomings in my hospitality."

Murong Tie had been waiting for Li Guanyu. She snorted coldly, not even giving Li Guanyu a proper look, and said, "Now that the manager is here, things are easier. Name your price. I want to move to your best private room now. How much silver?"