The next morning, Su Rong proposed to hold the Imperial Examination during the court session.
At this proposal, all the court ministers were stunned. Even Ye Xiang turned his head to look at Su Rong.
The Nanchu King was even more surprised, "Why suddenly hold the Imperial Examination? We are already overwhelmed with a myriad of affairs, the Imperial Examination is a big matter..."
Su Rong looked expressionlessly at the Nanchu King, "The Imperial Court is short-staffed. If we don’t hold the examination, can you tell me, where should I find people to fill the gaps? My fiancé served in the Ministry of Rites for two days and didn’t finish his work until the sky was completely dark. This is not enough, after consulting with Lord Ye and Uncle Xie, it was decided that he should be transferred to the Ministry of Housing which is in even more dire need of help. He didn’t finish work until midnight, too tired to even speak."
The Nanchu King was taken aback and looked at Zhou Gu, only able to say, "Well... He’d just started working in the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Housing, he is naturally busy."
Su Rong stared at him, "That’s true for him since he’s new, but what about Lord Zhang from the Ministry of Rites and Lord Sun from the Ministry of Housing? To my knowledge, they and everyone else in these two ministries have been unable to finish their work on time for quite some time."
The Nanchu King glanced at Zhang Lixin and Sun Chunwang, seeing the look of exhaustion on their faces, he was at a loss for words.
"The Ministry of Rites is busy with my Great Wedding, so it can be given some leeway, but what about the Ministry of Housing? The Ministry of War? The Ministry of Works? The Ministry of Personnel? The Ministry of Justice?" Su Rong continued, mentioning all Six Ministries, "Which one isn’t understaffed?" She turned around, her gaze meeting Guixue’s, "Lord Ye, is the Ministry of Personnel you’re in short of staff?"
Guixue sighed, "Yes."
With an exhausted look on his face, he said, "Ever since I returned to the Royal Capital, I have been getting less than two hours of sleep a day. Just yesterday, I didn’t leave the Ministry of Personnel until after midnight."
"Exactly." Su Rong turned towards all the ministers in the Imperial Court, "Can any of you step forward and tell me, who among you has been managing to finish work on time every day during this period?"
Finishing work on time signifies two things: an unbusy office where all tasks have been completed and nothing is left to do, or a person who is coasting through their position, not working seriously and just passing time.
In the past, there were naturally many such individuals in the Imperial Court, but following the purging after the rebellion, those who remained were actually dedicated to their work. Even the ministers who previously loved to hang around doing nothing, drinking and listening to music, were now too busy to indulge in their hobbies. Changes were happening in the court, and they could not afford to shirk their duties, lest they be kicked out.
Therefore, while the frontline was at war and negotiating for peace, the Imperial Court was also busy preparing for military needs and stabilizing the rear. Now that the war was over and the peace negotiations had ended, the sieve-like court, teetering on the brink of collapse, needed to be patched up urgently. So, everyone was incredibly busy, to the point they barely had time to sleep, let alone drink.
Everyone remained silent.
Su Rong snorted coldly and turned back to the Nanchu King, "Father, can you give me another reason not to hold the examination?"
The Nanchu King couldn’t find a word to say, feeling guilty, "Then, who will administer the examination?"
There was already a lack of manpower at present.
Su Rong pursed her lips, "You and Uncle Xie."
Nanchu King: "..."
He too was quite busy, and also had eye bags. He didn’t sleep until late last night and was up early this morning for court. He had to spend half of the day reading memorials, and for the remaining half, he had to spend it in the Council Hall with her, where he didn’t even have time to drink water.
Su Rong looked serious, "Father, you are still the one in charge of Nanchu."
Nanchu King: "..."
No wonder she didn’t take over the reign immediately. She was waiting for him here.
Once again, Su Rong said: "Don’t worry, with the assistance of Uncle Xie, you’ll be twice as efficient."
The Nanchu King understood her meaning. What she was suggesting was that Xie Yuan was more capable and could definitely assist him in overseeing the Imperial Examination. He hadn’t been doing his job for many years, so it was time for him to work hard.
The Nanchu King could only agree, "Alright then!"
And thus, the matter was settled.
After court, Su Rong went to the Council Hall, with Lord Ye and others following her as they had a list of things to discuss with her.
The Nanchu King could only sigh and go to find Xie Yuan, hoping that Xie wouldn’t hold a grudge or scold him.
Sun Chunwang and Zhang Lixin walked out together. Zhang Lixin sighed, "Sun, you’re quite deft. You managed to snatch the Princess’s fiancé away from me."
Sun admitted to this. If he hadn’t sought out Ye and Xie and pleaded with them, they wouldn’t have spotted the possibility of transferring Zhou Gu so quickly. Since he couldn’t hold on any longer, he said immediately: "Although I snatched the Princess’s fiancé, the Princess also sent Master Feng to you, as well as a young boy from the Qinghe Cui family. Don’t underestimate that boy. I heard that he saved the Princess at a critical juncture at Heiya Pass. Although he’s young, he’s quite capable."
Zhang Lixin replied, "I saw the boy yesterday, but he’s really too young and doesn’t know anything. I rushed him on three topics, but he couldn’t answer any of them. He’s certainly illiterate. How can one enter the Ministry of Rites without having thoroughly read the classics and understood etiquette? At the very least, one should be able to recite some standard works! But this boy could barely put a sentence together."
"I heard that several people actually petitioned against him. Did you?" Sun Chunwang was also surprised that the boy from the Qinghe Cui family really didn’t know anything. He had previously thought that the Princess brought him into the Ministry of Rites because, although he was young, he must have thoroughly studied literature, especially given his background from the Qinghe Cui family; a distinguished family with a deep understanding of poetry and code of conduct, a family that prides itself on its talents.
"Well, no. If I raised objection too, wouldn’t that be failing to appreciate the help I’m being given? After all, these new entrants are here to help. Staff is lacking everywhere, but they chose to join the Ministry of Rites. If I express dissatisfaction, it simply wouldn’t be acceptable." Zhang Lixin felt that as far as this objecting and complaining business was concerned, he would definitely not participate in it.
"The Princess wouldn’t place him in the Ministry of Rites without reason, especially when she was clearly aware that the boy is basically illiterate. Just think about it, if anyone should have taken him in, wouldn’t it be the Ministry of War?" Sun Chunwang asked.
"Absolutely, that’s what I thought as well. Perhaps the Princess considers that although he’s young, he still has the potential to become a well-rounded talent? After all, he truly is smart. Apparently, the Princess’s fiancé is planning to hire a tutor for him to study for one hour each day after work." Zhang Lixin said.
"Precisely. Since he’s in your Ministry now, you should mentor him more. He’s young and has already entered the court. That holds great potential. If he can eventually be nurtured into a talent, that will be impressive." Sun Chunwang saw the situation clearly.
"I don’t really need to tutor him much, he will be under the guidance of Master Feng." When Zhang Lixin mentioned Fen Ling, he looked appreciative, "People by the Princess’s side are indeed extraordinary. Fen Ling has quickly become familiar with the Ministry of Rites and has adapted well in just one day. His abilities are not far behind those of the Princess’s fiancé."
Sun Chunwang laughed, "So, you see, you really shouldn’t blame me for snatching him."
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