July of the first year of the Fuxing era.

The weather was scorching hot; Changsui City was like an oven.

Despite Zhao Cheng's financial support, which ensured a steady stream of ice and refreshing fruits were transported to the palace through the Eastern Chamber of Commerce, all the civil and military officials were still drenched in sweat during court assemblies.

The young emperor, sitting on the dragon throne, was being fanned by eunuchs and appeared quite calm.

Although Yuan Wushang was only twelve years old, his already mature personality had become even more composed than before he ascended the throne.

He announced in a clear voice, "My esteemed ministers, do you have anything to report?"

The officials gently twisted their necks, and at that moment a man with a stern expression stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present!"

"It's Minister Zeng. Bring it here." Yuan Wushang smiled faintly and instructed Jin Hu to fetch the memorial.

This Zeng Peng, the Minister of Personnel, is now the Minister of Personnel in Dongjing.

He was originally the Assistant Prefect of Jiangyang County, Deng Fugui's deputy.

After Chen Changyun was imprisoned, the position of Minister of Personnel remained vacant, and the position was temporarily filled by a Vice Minister.

Logically, the Vice Minister should have taken over, but no one brought it up.

In the end, it was the emperor himself who spoke up, asking Zhao Huan how he should be appointed as the head of the Six Ministries. Zhao Huan then replied that the position was too important and that it was entirely up to His Majesty to decide.

Yuan Wushang had only been in the palace for a few days. He didn't have his own faction at all, but he couldn't offend Zhao Huan, so he chose someone who had nothing to do with Zhao Huan to take over.

After much deliberation, Yuan Wushang's gaze settled on Zeng Peng.

Deng Fugui, the prefect of Jiangyang, was Zhao Huan's relative by marriage and was among the first to respond to Zhao Huan's uprising, making him a staunch supporter of Zhao Huan.

But Zeng Peng was different. After Zhao Cheng brought down Qi Bainian, he had to use coercion and enticement to get Zeng Peng to compromise.

In fact, he is a person who does not discriminate based on personal relationships, but prioritizes reason. This is also why he directly opposed Qi Bainian's defection to Southern Zhou.

Yuan Wushang felt that such a person was worth trying to win over.

While Yuan Wushang was reviewing the document, Zeng Peng said, "Since Your Majesty gave the order last time, I have visited more than ten officials in the capital and asked others to investigate more than twenty local officials before I finally decided on these ten positions, with the Grand Secretary at the top."

"His hobbies, personality traits, past achievements, and even his strengths and weaknesses are recorded accurately and concisely. Very good, Minister Zeng, you have put a lot of thought into this." Yuan Wushang nodded repeatedly, expressing his satisfaction with the list.

But at that moment, a voice of doubt arose from beneath the dragon throne, before all the officials.

"The Grand Chancellor?"

"Minister Zeng, who did you appoint?"

Zeng Peng looked at the figure standing at the bottom of the steps and said, "Reporting to Vice Minister Zhao, the provisional candidate for the position of Grand Secretary was originally a government official in the capital."

Zhao Huan appointed Zhao Zhan to assist the state and gave him an official position of the third rank, Censor-in-Chief.

Zhao Zhan said sternly, "I'm asking, who is this person?"

Zeng Peng looked displeased. Zhao Zhan's interruption of the emperor was already a great disrespect. Besides, the list was submitted to His Majesty for review, and the final decision on who would be chosen should be made by His Majesty.

Zeng Peng glanced at Yuan Wushang, but Yuan Wushang laughed and said, "Fourth Uncle is the Minister of State. Just answer whatever he asks."

Zeng Peng then said, "Zhongsan Dafu, Bei Xiu."

Zhao Zhan said, "Then I don't understand. Minister Zeng, what was the basis for your decision to promote an official from the fourth rank directly to the third rank?"

Zeng Peng said solemnly, "His abilities and character are all worthy of praise, and he has no history of misconduct."

Zhao Cheng nodded and said, "Of course I believe your work will be flawless. So, can I now understand it this way: as long as one has the ability and character, it doesn't matter what official position he held before?"

Zeng Peng thought for a moment, then looked up and said, "I don't know how others are appointed Minister of Personnel, but this is certainly my standard!"

"good!"

Zhao Zhan clapped his hands, walked in front of Zeng Peng and faced Yuan Wushang, and said, "Now that Minister Zeng has set the standard, I also want to recommend someone."

"I can't control the other nine positions, I only need the position of Grand Secretary!"

Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials looked at each other in bewilderment.

Zhao Zhan's first sentence was a recommendation, but his second sentence changed to a request.

This is a slap in the face to the emperor and Zeng Peng!

Yuan Wushang, however, appeared calm and asked, "Fourth Uncle, who did you recommend?"

Miao Donglin.

Miao Donglin?

Who is this person?

A discussion immediately broke out inside the hall.

At this moment, He Yin stepped forward and asked, "Vice Minister Zhao, what rank is this Miao Donglin?"

Zhao Zhan smiled slightly: "No class."

The murmurs inside the hall grew louder. Zhao Zhan raised his hands to quell the noise and said, "Didn't Minister Zeng say that we only consider ability and character, and that it doesn't matter how high a position one held in the past? If that's the case, then those who have never held an official position will also be acceptable, right?"

Zeng Peng said, "I know Miao Donglin. He is the brother-in-law of Qi Bainian, the former governor of Jiangyang County."

The brother-in-law of the traitor Qi Bainian?

The officials were immediately in an uproar.

To appoint the brother-in-law of a rebel as the Grand Secretary in the imperial court—this is outrageous!

Zhao Zhan, what are you thinking?

But Zhao Zhan persisted and asked, "Minister Zeng, since you know this person, tell me, is he related to Qi Bainian's affairs?"

Zeng Peng shook his head and said, "No."

"Is he involved in Miao Shang's matter?"

“After the massacre of the village, we conducted a detailed investigation of the Miao people. This Miao Donglin had left the Miao family a long time ago and traveled around. He had not participated in the events in Jiangyang County.”

Zhao Zhan faced the officials, spread his arms wide, and said, “Listen, this man himself has no bad deeds. We cannot pin the evil deeds of Qi Bainian and Miao Shang on him. He sent people to find him, and after my repeated investigations, I have determined that he is a great talent, a hidden gem of the Great Jing Dynasty. Our Eastern Jing cannot afford to miss out on such a talent!”

Zeng Peng looked at Yuan Wushang, who lowered his head slightly, seemingly deep in thought.

Upon seeing this, the officials fell silent.

Everyone knew exactly what was going on.

What imperial treasures? It's nothing more than promoting one's own people.

However, Zhao Zhan's approach was too forceful; daring to directly slap the emperor in the face in the palace, the officials dared not say anything more.

After all, the Zhao family is now extremely powerful, and the old one is no longer alive, nor is the eldest one.

In this hall, who else can control the fourth prince who bears the heavy responsibility of assisting the country?

Yuan Wushang said, "Then let's do as Fourth Uncle says and let Miao Donglin be the Grand Secretary. Let's see if he's up to the task. Minister Zeng, do you think there's a better position for the one you recommended?"

"yes……"

"Is there anything else? If not, please leave..."

"Your Majesty!" Zhao Zhan suddenly exclaimed, "I have a memorial to present!"

As he spoke, Zhao Zhan stepped onto the steps and personally handed the memorial from his sleeve to Yuan Wushang before slowly retreating a few steps, but not completely back down the steps.

As Yuan Wushang looked at the memorial, unlike before, his hands trembled as he read it, and he looked terrified.

"Fourth...Fourth Uncle, is this alright?"