The Minister of Revenue was imprisoned in the Dali Temple prison. No one was allowed to approach him except the investigators, including his family.
As soon as he entered, the Ministry of Revenue fell into chaos, with no one in charge and it was like a headless fly.
Mu Wanqing was not affected at all. After all, she was not assigned any work.
Every day she would report to the government office and punch in, then go to inspect three stores, find a restaurant for lunch, and visit the technical school under construction in the afternoon.
The technical school has been almost completed, except for the interior decoration.
She is the most authoritative person in this area and is busy checking for deficiencies and making the final sprint.
Anyway, no one cares about her anymore.
On this day, Mu Wanqing had just arrived at the government office to report for duty and was about to sit down and make tea when her attendant reported, "County Lady, someone from the Dali Temple wants to see you."
Mu Wanqing raised her eyebrows, "Please come in."
As soon as he finished speaking, the door was pushed open and a young and handsome man walked in. "Your humble servant Jiang Yunfan meets the Princess of Qingping County... Is it you?"
Mu Wanqing raised her eyes slightly and looked at the shocked young man, "Have we met before?"
Probably not, there is no such person in her memory.
Jiang Yunfan stared at her blankly, "I saw you the day you came into the city."
That stunning glance made him fall in love with her.
However, he never expected that the fairy he was looking for was actually the Princess of Qingping County!
He was a fifth-rank official and was not qualified to attend court, so naturally he had no chance to meet Mu Wanqing.
Mu Wanqing had no impression at all, "Jiang Yunfan, what's the matter?"
Jiang Yunfan forced himself to regain his composure and said, "Oh, I just came to the Ministry of Revenue to ask about the Minister of Revenue."
Mu Wanqing understood that it was a routine investigation. "I just came to the capital and was ostracized in the Ministry of Revenue. I don't know much about his situation."
Jiang Yunfan looked at the woman who looked particularly energetic in her official uniform and couldn't help but take another look at her. She was very suitable for the uniform and looked very heroic.
"I heard that you had a quarrel with him in public?"
Having inquired thoroughly, Mu Wanqing did not evade the question, "I am a straightforward person. I will speak out when I don't like something. I am not the same type of person as the shrewd Shangshu."
Jiang Yunfan: ...Well, you are so bold.
"Do you have any grudge against the Shangshu?"
Mu Wanqing smiled and shook her head, "No, because if I had any grudges, I would always take revenge on the spot, and never overnight."
Jiang Yunfan was stunned. He was too straightforward.
But, it must be said that such people are very charismatic and leave a lasting impression on people.
"What do you think about the Minister of Revenue colluding with the enemy? I heard that you were the first to expose this matter. Do you have any evidence?"
Mu Wanqing opened her eyes innocently and said, "I can only say that he hid it very well and kept it from everyone."
"As for evidence, how could I have it? When we're arguing, I can say anything. I was so angry. Of course, it could also be a hunch. I'm naturally perceptive."
She was flawless and impeccable. Jiang Yunfan knew she was not that simple, but he just couldn't find any flaws.
"Okay, I may summon you to court next time. I hope you can attend."
Mu Wanqing was very straightforward, "Of course, cooperating with the government in handling cases is everyone's duty."
Jiang Yunfan looked at her deeply and cupped his hands, "I hope I'll have the chance to see you again."
Mu Wanqing raised her eyebrows. "But I don't really want to see anyone from the Dali Temple. Your presence means there is a case, which is not auspicious."
Jiang Yunfan: ...speechless.
After he left, Mu Wanqing tapped the table and ordered, "Check this person's background."
Soon, Jiang Yunfan's information was placed on her desk.
Jiang Yunfan, the Left Assistant Secretary of the Dali Temple and the eldest son of Marquis Zhongjing, won the third place in the imperial examination six years ago and thus entered the official career. He was promoted all the way from editor in the Hanlin Academy to the Left Assistant Secretary of the Dali Temple, jumping four levels. He can be said to be a rare young talent and the most successful example of a son of a noble who gave up military service and took up literature.
His resume is quite excellent, but to get to this point, family background and the support of superiors are indispensable.
Perhaps, this is an example that the late emperor himself set up.
Stop fighting and killing, give up martial arts and focus on literature, this is the best way out.
This guy is interesting.
During the three-court trial, the Minister of Revenue insisted that he was framed and had nothing to do with the Prince of Jin. The letter was forged and secretly placed in his study.
But when the key witness appeared, he was so shocked that he was speechless.
It was the youngest son of his personal attendant. The ten-year-old boy glared at the Minister of Revenue hatefully, his eyes bloodshot.
His father handled some shady matters for his master, and in the end his entire family was killed. If he hadn't been lucky, he would not have been able to escape.
My father seemed to have anticipated this and had secretly kept something in reserve, but unfortunately, he still couldn't escape the disaster and his family was destroyed.
It was the appearance of this witness that completely nailed the Minister of Revenue.
This time, all the civil and military officials who supported him shut up.
No matter what, there is no way I can wade into this muddy water to avoid getting implicated.
The Minister of Revenue was beheaded at Caishikou, his property was confiscated, and his family was exiled three thousand miles away. A prominent family fell in this way.
The vacancy he left was immediately targeted by various forces, who moved up and down to try to get the position of Minister of Revenue.
The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue also had his eyes on this position, and he went around trying to win people's hearts, causing an undercurrent of unrest.
Mu Wanqing was the calmest. She still went to work at the yamen as usual, ate when she was supposed to, drank when she was supposed to, and was indifferent to her colleagues and did not interact much with them.
Amidst the chaos, she seemed exceptionally low-key.
The Chinese New Year is just a few days away. My parents are not around this year, so I can only celebrate it with my eldest brother and my clansmen.
After the New Year, my eldest brother will go for an exam, so we have to prepare a special exam basket for him. Other Xiliang candidates must also have one, so that everyone has one.
The candidates from Xiliang are naturally from her department, so the more people who pass, the better.
After that, the Royal Technical School will welcome its first batch of students, and the courses need to be arranged.
Chinese, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, arithmetic, needlework, cooking, spinning, and one martial arts are the basic courses.
Music, chess, calligraphy and painting are elective courses.
But no matter whether it is a basic course or an elective course, if you fail the assessment, you have to retake it. If you fail three times, you will be expelled.
She took a pen and paper and wrote quickly, recording her various ideas.
She personally established the school's rules and regulations and framework, and wrote the textbooks stroke by stroke.
This is a big project.
There was a knock on the door. Mu Wanqing put down the brush, blew the new ink, carefully put the book away, and then said slowly, "Come in."
The attendant pushed the door open and walked in, "Master Qiao is here."
Mu Wanqing looked at the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue who was at the door. He had been busy these days, and now it was finally her turn.
Without showing it on her face, she stood up and smiled slightly, "Please come in."
Mr. Qiao is a handsome middle-aged uncle with a beautifully trimmed beard. As soon as he walks in, he smells the fragrance of pine wood, which is the scent of a new men's perfume.
"Princess Qingping, we are going to the restaurant to drink New Year wine after we leave the government office. You should come with us."
In the past, Mu Wanqing was never invited to such gatherings, firstly because it was inconvenient, and secondly because it would exclude her.
He actually came over to invite her out now. He was being so attentive for no reason. He must be a traitor or a thief. Mu Wanqing's first reaction was this, "You guys go ahead. I have something else to do."
Lord Qiao was not surprised. He just made a verbal invitation, just to show his goodwill.
"Well, I'll have a banquet at my house on the sixth day of the New Year, and you must come."
"Okay." Mu Wanqing was just being perfunctory. She definitely wouldn't go since she wasn't familiar with the place.
His show of goodwill was just an attempt to win over Mu Wanqing to help him become the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
With Mu Wanqing's help, this position is almost certain to be secured, after all, she is the emperor's confidant.
He knew this, and Mu Wanqing knew it too.
Minister Sun from the Ministry of Works suddenly came to the Ministry of Revenue, and the Right Vice Minister ran forward to greet him. Mu Wanqing was rather indifferent, and it didn't matter who came.
These old guys are not easy to deal with. They didn't say anything about their dissatisfaction with her, but they kept making small moves in secret.
Unexpectedly, this time, Minister Sun condescended to greet her, "Princess Qingping, we are actually relatives. Your second aunt is the daughter-in-law of my Sun family. Come to my house to get acquainted when you have time."
Everyone was stunned. Is this really true?
Mu Wanqing was surprised and said, "Minister Sun, you must be wrong. I don't have an aunt."
Minister Sun's expression froze. "Is your father Mu Zhongping? Is your uncle Mu Zhongde? If so, then..."
Mu Wanqing recalled the face of Second Aunt Mu when they left the city, and felt disgusted from the bottom of her heart, "Mu Zhongde? His whole family escaped on the way to exile. I expelled them from the Mu clan a long time ago. They are no longer my Mu family."
Those girls from the Mu family didn't come forward to help when the Mu family was in trouble, so now they can forget about getting any help. They should just go their separate ways and not interfere with each other's business.
"As for the married daughters of the Mu family, those who are not included in the family tree will be ignored."
She doesn't want to have several women under her head. Isn't that crazy?
Minister Sun really didn't know this. He was unhappy. He had taken the initiative to show his goodwill, so why didn't she accept it? Didn't she know that this was a great opportunity to make peace with these big guys? "You expel me?"
Mu Wanqing asked confidently, "I am the patriarch of the Mu family. Is there any problem?"
Everyone's mouths twitched. A female clan leader? However, with the first female official, the female clan leader did not seem to be unacceptable.
Minister Sun laughed and said, "Even if she is married, she is still a relative."
This happened at the right time, and everyone knew what he was planning.
Mu Wanqing didn't want to get involved with them. "I dare not. In the past, Madam Sun didn't recognize us as the second wife of a concubine. It's ok that she didn't prepare anything for us, but she even wanted to beat me to death. What's the point of having such a relative? It's better to bury him and use him as fertilizer for the flowers."
The angry Minister Sun stormed out.
The closer it gets to the end of the year, more and more people come to Mu Wanqing to show their presence, all wanting her vote.
As the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, she did not have the power to decide on the appointment and dismissal of her superiors, but she did have the power to make suggestions. The emperor also valued her very much, so her words carried some weight.
However, Mu Wanqing was puzzled. Why didn't these people regard her as a competitor? This was too much of a contempt for her, huh.
On the last day before the Emperor puts down his pen before the Spring Festival, all civil and military officials are ready to make trouble at the last grand court meeting at the end of the year.
When the quarrel was almost over, the Prime Minister cleared his throat and stepped out, "Your Majesty, the position of Minister of Revenue has been vacant for many days. This is one of the six ministers, in charge of major national affairs, and it cannot be vacant for too long. The New Year is coming soon, and this year's affairs should be completed this year. I implore Your Majesty to choose someone to take the position."
Other ministers stood up one after another and said, "I second the motion."
"I recommend the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites for this position."
"I recommend the Censor of the Supervisory Office to take the position."
Everyone nominated officials from their own side to occupy the post of Minister of the Six Ministries, as this position was too important.
The Prime Minister cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I suggest that we bring up someone from the Ministry of Revenue. He is familiar with the Ministry of Revenue and can take over this area quickly."
The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue could not hide his joy. Mu Wanqing saw it and was a little surprised. Oh, are they in the same group? You can't tell at other times.
The deputy assistant minister objected on the spot, "I object. The six ministers are such important positions. They are based on ability and character, not just filling in the numbers."
The Prime Minister frowned slightly, "Who are you talking about? Huh? You obviously have selfish motives."
"You are the one who has selfish motives..."
The big guys quarreled, and countless officials were involved as helpers.
After arguing for a long time without any result, the emperor became impatient. "That's enough."
"I want to hear the opinions of the officials of the Ministry of Revenue. Right Minister Qiao, which one do you think is more suitable?"
The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue had his heart pounding like thunder, and his palms were sweating with nervousness. "I dare not speculate rashly. Your Majesty is wise and powerful. It is all up to Your Majesty to make the decision."
He clearly wanted it, but he pretended to be noble.
The emperor saw it all, but remained silent. "Princess Qingping, what do you think?"
Mu Wanqing brushed her sleeves and stepped out of the line, cupping her hands and saying, "Your Majesty, I recommend myself. I will accept the position of Minister of Revenue without hesitation."
She acted like a domineering person, which formed a sharp contrast with the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
The whole audience was shocked.
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