Wu Lanxi was indeed very happy.

Even emperors need to hear others say good things about them.

Since registering, he has mostly heard unpleasant things, which has not made him happy but has often made him angry because of the morning court sessions.

She couldn't help but glance at Tang Huan a few more times.

Such actions also caught the attention of the officials, especially Cui Renshi, who realized that the emperor cared a lot about this county magistrate named Tang Huan.

"Tang Huan, you have made great contributions to disaster relief, and in recent years you have governed Qihuai County in an orderly manner, which pleases me greatly. From today onwards, you will join the Hanlin Academy."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Tang Huan, who had already received the news, expressed his opinion.

But as soon as he said that, the crowd below immediately became noisy again.

“Your Majesty, as far as I know, Qihuai County has been developing slowly in recent years, and its annual tax revenue is negligible. It is almost one of the worst counties in the entire Yingzhou. It is unacceptable to let Tang Huan join the Hanlin Academy!” The Minister of Rites was the first to step forward.

"Tang Huan has indeed made contributions to disaster relief. If it weren't for his donation of a large amount of grain, Kuizhou would still be in dire straits. Your Majesty can reward Tang Huan and Qihuai County with some money as a sign of commendation, but the matter of joining the Hanlin Academy needs to be considered carefully."

Another minister stepped forward.

"Entering the Hanlin Academy is no small matter; it would be better to let the cabinet discuss and decide on it before making a decision," a cabinet minister also expressed his opinion.

Tang Huan was not surprised by these dissenting voices; he had guessed that things wouldn't go smoothly today.

The Minister of Rites and the second person both seem to be from Cui Renshi's faction; they won't let themselves get promoted smoothly.

As for that cabinet minister, it seems he simply wanted to consider it further, rather than trying to stop it outright.

Of course, besides those who oppose it, there are also quite a few people who support it.

Wang Tianze was the leader of this group.

For a time, the ministers argued incessantly inside the Golden Palace.

Wu Lanxi frowned.

Li Lianying immediately coughed loudly and said, "Gentlemen, please be quiet."

Everyone stopped when they noticed the Empress's expression.

"Tang Huan, what are your thoughts?"

Tang Huan glanced around and said, “Since Your Majesty believes that I am qualified to enter the Hanlin Academy, then I will naturally accept the offer. Since some people think that I am not qualified, I can offer some rebuttal.”

Want to outwit each other? Tang Huan isn't afraid of anyone.

At worst, we can have a verbal battle with the scholars.

Since they had the Empress as their backer, the matter was basically settled, and in the end, they couldn't stop it.

"If he can't even govern a small county like Qihuai, how can he enter the Hanlin Academy? He might lead His Majesty astray, disrupt the government, and cause even greater trouble."

The Minister of Rites had considerable reservations about Tang Huan.

Tang Huan retorted, "This official keeps saying that I have not governed Qihuai County well, but have you ever been to Qihuai County? Do you know that when I arrived in Qihuai County, there were only a few thousand old people, women and children left, who were dying of illness or starvation? But now I see them living in peace and prosperity. Isn't this my achievement?"

"Furthermore, you may say that Qihuai County is just average, but when faced with the famine in Kuizhou, it was the people of Qihuai County who spontaneously donated their own grain and took the initiative to follow Lord Xie to Kuizhou, which solved the immediate crisis."

"I would like to ask you gentlemen, what have you done for the famine in Kuizhou, given your high positions?"

Seeing the embarrassment on the Minister of Rites's face, Tang Huan pressed on, "Sir, have you done anything for Kuizhou?"

Minister of Rites Xiao Ming paused for a moment, “My family has too little surplus grain, and I am powerless to cope with the famine.”

"Has Lord Xiao donated any money to Kuizhou?"

"No," Xiao Ming said awkwardly.

Tang Huan immediately burst into laughter, a very unrestrained laugh.

"You have all heard this: as the Minister of Rites, you criticize the impoverished and backward Qihuai County, which is responsible for disaster relief, while turning a blind eye to the disaster in Kuizhou. According to you, I am not qualified to serve in the Hanlin Academy. Does that mean I can also say that Lord Xiao is not worthy of sitting in his current position?"

"This..." Xiao Ming's face flushed red, and he was speechless.

"Even if Qihuai County is now prosperous and Lord Tang has made enough contributions, this matter is another matter. As far as I know, Lord Tang has already taken up his post at the Imperial Academy these past few days. On the day of enrollment, he intimidated many students with his thunderous methods and even clashed with Prince Wu Zhaotian."

Hearing that someone was causing trouble again, Tang Huan immediately turned around to look.

After recognizing the man, Tang Huan cupped his hands and smiled, "So it's Lord Lei. I don't deny what you said. I do use my own methods to teach, and I do have a little grudge against the young prince."

Reading said coldly, "If you can't even teach the students of the Imperial Academy, how can you be expected to serve His Majesty like someone from the Hanlin Academy? In time, you'll turn the entire Hanlin Academy into a mess."

Despite Reading's accusations, Tang Huan continued to smile.

"Lord Lei, you say my methods of scholarship are flawed, but I'd like to ask you, how do you educate your own son?"

"I need not trouble you, Lord Tang, with my son's well-being."

Tang Huan sneered, "I don't need to repeat Lei Yan's reputation in the capital. Everyone should know it. He's just an idle scoundrel who does nothing but bully men and women."

"If a son is not taught properly, it is the father's fault. Lord Lei said that my parenting methods are problematic. I should go and discipline my own son first."

Tang Huan walked out from the back of the group, talking as she went.

"What kind of place is the Hanlin Academy? Although I am not good at rites, music, zither, and chess, I believe I am quite talented in poetry. Do I not deserve to be admitted to the Hanlin Academy?"

Tang Huan walked to the front of the main hall and looked around.

Those who met Tang Huan's gaze were momentarily embarrassed and lowered their heads.

People then remembered that the two poems that had been circulating wildly in the capital recently were Tang Huan's masterpieces, which were now being posted by many scholars on their bedside as inspiration.

If someone like that is not qualified to enter the Hanlin Academy, then everyone in the Hanlin Academy should just quit.

Tang Huan smiled and said, "I wonder which esteemed person still thinks that I am not worthy of entering the Hanlin Academy? You may step forward and speak to me about it."

No one spoke for a moment.

No one else stepped forward.

Tang Huan had just reprimanded both ministers for a long time without considering their status, so the rest of the people dared not provoke him.

They couldn't handle a sharp-tongued fellow like that.

Most importantly, everyone noticed the Empress's attitude. Despite the dispute having progressed to this point, the Empress did not intervene further.

It was also the Empress who suggested that he be admitted to the Hanlin Academy; she had always intended to do so.

To stop them further would not only be going against Tang Huan, but also against the Empress.

The group turned around to face the dragon throne.

Seeing that no one objected, Tang Huan smiled at Wu Lanxi and said, "Your Majesty, it seems that all the ministers agree to let me enter the Hanlin Academy."

Wu Lanxi glanced at the scene. "Since everyone has no objections, then this matter is settled. Do any of you ministers have anything else to say? Please speak now..."