The next day.
Weiyang Palace.
All officials gathered in the court.
They each held the jade sceptre and waited patiently.
They all got the news this morning.
Ning Que has put down the rebellion of King Qi.
Tian Zhongxun was successfully captured alive.
Kill all the rebels in Zhutian!
"Your Majesty has arrived!"
"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!"
"Long live His Majesty, long live the Great Feng!"
"No need to bow, gentlemen!"
The emperor was sitting upright on the imperial couch.
His sharp eyes swept over the ministers.
"I'm sure you all know the news from the Ministry of War."
"Prince Ning has successfully put down the rebellion."
"There were many casualties in this battle, and Linzi is in ruins."
"Prince Ning is temporarily reassigning military officers to serve as county chiefs. This is definitely not acceptable. Minister Wang, you will be responsible for assigning these officials and dispatching them to the three counties of Linzi as quickly as possible. Follow Prince Ning's instructions and resume production as soon as possible. We will need the assistance of these three counties in the subsequent attack on Goguryeo."
"I obey the decree."
Wang Wu raised his hand and bowed.
Originally, the Minister of Personnel wasn't him, but a man surnamed Tian from Qi. Actually, the former Minister had no issues; although he was surnamed Tian, he was still a member of the fifth generation of mourning. He had also served the old Prince Ning and had military merit. Throughout his years in office, he remained loyal and unwavering, never overstepping his bounds, and always maintaining a proper balance with Tian Zhongxun.
However, Minister Tian was still implicated. Numerous imperial censors filed petitions, branding him a spy. They all demanded that he be handed over to the Dali Temple for questioning and conviction. Ultimately, the emperor, overruling all objections, allowed Minister Tian to retire to his homeland, citing his advanced age as a measure of respectability.
The current Minister of Personnel, Wang Wu, is no ordinary person. He was personally promoted by Emperor Feng. Originally, Wang Wu was implicated in a family scandal and sentenced to exile to the frontier. Emperor Feng had just ascended to the throne and was seeking new talent. Seeing Wang Wu's talent, he pardoned his crime and promoted him to the position of Grand Coachman, responsible for driving the Emperor's carriage.
Although the Imperial Household was only a fifth-rank official, he was in fact a trusted confidant of the Emperor. Over the years, Wang Wu spent his free time reading and studying laws and regulations. Despite his military background, he possessed excellent calligraphy.
Later, Wang Wu was promoted to General of the Central Army, gaining a firm foothold in the court. However, his extraordinary promotion to the position of Minister of Personnel by Emperor Feng still surprised many. The Ministry of Personnel was the head of the Six Ministries, commonly known as the "Heavenly Official." With the Minister of Personnel gone, the position should have been chosen from among the Vice Ministers, but Wang Wu was unexpectedly parachuted in.
In previous years, the appointment of Shangshu would often be discussed with the Prime Minister before the final decision was made. However, in these cases, Sima Changqing was bypassed and the decision was made directly by him, which was equivalent to indirectly sidelining Sima Changqing.
Emperor Feng waved his hand.
"I will review all relevant personnel."
"Qi is like water and fire, and needs capable officials."
"Minister Wang must select as quickly as possible!"
"I obey the decree!"
Yu Ji stared at Emperor Feng in a daze.
Before going to court, the emperor would discuss matters with them.
But during this period, Emperor Feng was quite resolute.
There is no intention of negotiation at all.
He issued an edict with just one sentence.
"Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate." Yu Ji walked out slowly, raised his hand and said, "This time, Langya, Linzi, and Jiaodong all need county officials. Therefore, I think we should order the Prime Minister to lead the six ministries to jointly recommend suitable officials. Otherwise, I am afraid someone will take advantage of this to gain power."
The Minister of Personnel already held immense power, and now Emperor Feng had given Wang Wu full authority to transfer officials. Even if the final decision rested with Emperor Feng, the mere fact of a recommendation was enough to tempt countless people. If Wang Wu was willing, many would owe him a favor.
That's why Yu Ji came forward to advise.
Balance in the court is important.
The King of Qi was executed and the rebellion was put down.
This is definitely a good thing.
But subsequent governance is also very important!
"Grand Tutor Yu, you're too kind." Emperor Feng's expression was grim. He waved his hand and said, "The Ministry of Personnel is responsible for the selection, assessment, and appointment and dismissal of officials. What's wrong with my arrangement?"
"His Majesty!"
"Grand Master!" Emperor Feng's eyes suddenly turned cold. "I have made up my mind. I hope Grand Master will not say anything more. I know how to make the arrangements myself!"
“You…you…”
Yu Ji stared with his eyes wide open and covered his chest.
How could Emperor Feng suddenly become so unfamiliar?
Looking around the Weiyang Palace, he had the final say.
Looking back, he didn't want to be an official.
I just want to be a teacher in Liuyi Academy.
It was the late emperor who had brought him to the Six Arts several times, hoping that he would come out of retirement to assist the Emperor. After all, the Emperor was still young and did not understand many things. At that time, the Emperor also swore an oath that from now on, he would consult Yu Ji on all matters.
As an emperor, every word and action has a great impact.
His decision affects the life and death of tens of millions of people.
But now...
Jiang Quan and others all looked at Yu Ji.
Winking at him desperately.
I hope he won't say any more.
But Yu Ji didn't care about all this.
As a scholar, he has his own pride.
If what he said is wrong, he can change it.
But what Emperor Feng did this time was wrong!
It is obvious that they want Wang Wu to become more powerful!
Of course, Emperor Feng must have his own plans.
The conflict did indeed break out in an instant.
But disappointment accumulates day by day.
Now that Tian Zhongxun's rebellion has been quelled, Emperor Feng has finally taken advantage of this opportunity to reduce the power of the feudal lords. He now holds absolute power and no longer needs to be controlled by others. All officials will become tools for him to issue orders, and no one will be able to persuade him anymore!
Thinking about what he had done in the past few days, Yu Ji knew it all. Emperor Feng was already an adult and didn't need old men like them to get in his way. If that was the case, he might as well take the initiative to retire, so that he could still leave some dignity.
Yu Ji slowly stepped forward, raised his hand, and removed the black jade crown that symbolized his Grand Master status. He bowed deeply to the Emperor and said, "I am already old. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to retire. I will return to the Six Arts and continue to teach."
Bang!
Emperor Feng suddenly stood up.
All the officials were in an uproar.
One after another stood up to give kind advice.
"Grandmaster, absolutely not!"
"Why do you... need to resign?"
"Grand Master, what do you mean?" Emperor Feng stared at him intently and said coldly, "Are you threatening me by resigning?"
"I dare not."
Yu Ji raised the black jade crown with both hands.
Place it respectfully on the ground.
Then he slowly untied the crimson clothes.
In the end, only the patched white clothes were left.
"Before the late emperor passed away, he asked this old minister to assist Your Majesty. Your Majesty has already reached adulthood and now holds absolute power. I am old and our political views do not align. Forcing myself to remain in this court would only become a hindrance to Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will consider my years of hard work and allow me to retire!"
"Okay, okay..." Emperor Feng clenched his fists and said with a cold look in his eyes, "Since the Grand Tutor wants to retire, then I will approve it!"
"Your Majesty, no!"
"Now is the time to use people, Grand Master..."
"My mind is made up!"
Emperor Feng looked around at his ministers.
All sounds disappeared.
No one expected this to be the outcome.
Everything was fine, why did the Grand Tutor resign? !
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