Seeing Liu Xuan, Su Juan remembered the matter of Zhongzheng determining the rank. The newly appointed Zhongzheng official would assess the talents of the world, determine the rank of the people in each state, and finally hand it over to the Ministry of Personnel, which would grant official positions to the scholars based on their rank and refer to the rank of the official position.

In the past, Song Qianfan should have taken the opportunity to cultivate a group of trusted followers at this time, after all, Mei Shangshu of the Ministry of Personnel was his man.

Although Minister Mei may not have the courage to do so, it is hard to say what means Song Qianfan will use to force him, so we must be on guard.

However... Liu Xuan's family background, character and talent are obvious to all, so why has he never entered the officialdom?

...

The spring hunt was over and everyone returned to Beijing.

Su Juan immediately found Liu Miaoqing and wanted to ask her about Zhongzheng Dingpin. After all, the Zhongshu Ling had been in the central government for so many years, and her daughter should know something about it.

But unexpectedly, the Minister of the Central Secretariat was also there. When Su Juan brought it up, he took the opportunity to explain it to the two of them.

At this time, in the mansion of Duke Ping, Marquis Pingbo was pulled into the study by Duke Ping for a secret talk.

"What does the selection of officials based on the principles of justice have to do with you and me?" Pingbo Hou drank his tea and looked at his old friend with a puzzled look.

In the past, King Han and King Heng had fought tooth and nail for the selection of the Zhongzheng official, and the selected persons, for the sake of the interests of their respective masters, were prone to corruption in private.

As Prince Heng is not here this year, the new Zhongzheng official must have been recommended by Prince Han. It seems that the court will usher in a new situation.

But the Duke Ping's Mansion has always been neutral and does not get involved in these matters.

Duke Ping pursed his lips tightly, "You and I are both in the court, and we can still protect ourselves now. Once the position of crown prince is chosen, what will happen to the Xie family and the Liu family?"

Being in a situation like this, how can you not seek a way out?

Hearing the serious tone of Duke Ping, Marquis Ping stopped smiling and said, "Brother Xie, think carefully. Once the King of Han or the King of Jing chooses a side, a bloody storm is inevitable."

Although King Han has the upper hand now, Your Majesty has always favored King Jing, who is his half-brother. It is hard to predict who will win in the end.

In this situation, remaining neutral and protecting oneself is actually the safest option.

He really couldn't understand why his old friend, who had always been neutral, suddenly wanted to take sides. The party struggles were so cruel. The King of Heng was so glorious in the past. He collected all the wealth in the world and was so extravagant. But now he was exiled to a wild land and might never be able to return to Beijing in his lifetime.

Those who were related to Prince Heng either lost their official positions and titles or their lives.

Thinking back to the time when Your Majesty was competing for the throne... Pei Lianshan, the commander of the Dingbei Army at that time, was so glorious, but in the end, he and his entire family were executed because of party struggles. Thinking about it now, I am still shocked.

How could Duke Pingguo not understand the meaning of Marquis Pingbo's words, but now he had to consider Su Juan.

The political situation is already in chaos, the King of Han holds a large army, and the King of Jing has the help of the Yu family. Will he really watch the position that is about to be obtained fall into the hands of others?

Su Juan's life experience could not be concealed after all, and she would inevitably be involved in party struggles in the future. By then, there would be no one else in the court to help her except herself. What would be the use even if she was favored by the emperor?

Once something happens to the emperor, no matter whether it is King Han or King Jing who ascends the throne, they will not let Su Juan go.

If the emperor really wanted to cultivate Su Juan to ascend the throne, there was no guarantee that no one on either side would rebel under the pretext of questioning her background.

Therefore, for the sake of his niece's granddaughter, his Xie family needs to start making plans for her and cultivate a group of loyal and capable ministers, so that no matter whether she can shoulder the responsibility of the world in the end, she can be protected in the chaos.

Looking at his old friend of several decades, Duke Ping told him that the emperor's offspring had been found.

Ping Bohou was stunned, "Are you serious?!"

This is a big deal!

Since Your Majesty already has an heir, why is it necessary to select the crown prince from among the royal family?

Duke Ping nodded solemnly, "Whether it's his background or his appearance, even the Queen's token has been verified, there is no mistake."

Pingbo Hou naturally believed what he said, "If that's the case, why don't you tell your majesty and the people of the world about this good thing?"

In this case, why should the King of Han and the King of Jing fight anymore?

Duke Ping sighed, "I won't hide it from you. The princess has passed away. The one I found is the princess's daughter who is still alive."

Pingbo Hou immediately understood what was going on. No wonder his old friend, who had always been neutral, behaved like this.

It is not that there is no precedent of a crown princess in the Jin Dynasty, but the princess has passed away, and the identity of the little princess is bound to be questioned. If her background is exposed at this time, it will only bring disaster upon herself.

If Your Majesty really wants to establish a princess as the Crown Princess in the future, how can those who have been engaged in party strife for many years be convinced?

The emperor is old, and if something happens... the little princess’ life will be in danger.

Therefore, whether out of the intention to support the little princess or to save the life of his little niece, the Xie family can no longer be the same as before.

At this moment, Pingbo Hou had a clear mind. Today, Pingguo Duke did not come to him to have a heart-to-heart talk, but to express his true feelings to him.

He sighed, "You and I have been friends for decades, and our two families have long been inseparable, but you have to let me know where the little princess is now, and is she safe?"

You have to find someone to protect you secretly first.

Duke Ping was silent for a long time, not knowing what to say.

Seeing this, Ping Bohou thought that he didn't trust him, and immediately blew his beard and glared, "Don't you even trust me?"

If that's the case, why did you come to me today?!

Duke Ping immediately explained, "That's not true! Brother Liu, please don't misunderstand me. The main reason is that this child's identity... is really hard to talk about."

Ping Bohou: “?”

He looked unhappy, thinking that Duke Ping just didn't trust him, "Why is it so difficult to say it?"

Duke Ping sighed and said, "You also know this girl."

Ping Bohou's eyes turned from puzzlement to shock, "Could it be someone in my mansion? "

Could it be a maid in my house? !

Duke Ping couldn't let him continue to guess, so he told him the truth, "This woman is Su Juan."

Pingbo Hou immediately breathed a sigh of relief and patted his chest, "Fortunately, fortunately..." It was not a servant in his house.

He was saying, how could his Earl's Mansion have such a big bottle... Wait! ?

He looked at Duke Ping in disbelief, "Are you talking about... the one I know?"

Duke Ping nodded, "He is currently serving as a sixth-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue."

The next moment, Ping Bohou stood up and was about to leave. Seeing this, Ping Guogong immediately stopped him and started to talk about friendship with him, "Brother Liu! You and I are friends for life and death!"

Ping Bohou wiped his tears and said, "You and I are friends for life and death, how can you harm me?"

Duke Ping: "How did I harm you..."

"Who is Su Juan? She can't hide her thoughts!"

"You'd rather let me and my family crash into the palace wall and die!"

"She has already offended so many ministers in the court before her background was exposed. Even when His Majesty Tianyunshan was there that day, someone still wanted to kill her. You know that clearly!"

Duke Pingguo had no way of getting a word in and could only nod his head repeatedly in response.

Ping Bohou asked angrily, "Brother Xie, I just want to ask you, how can this girl be assisted!?"