Chapter 846 - 826: In a Hurry

After the Imperial Examination, Nanchu had undergone a complete transformation, with the Imperial Court revitalized by the influx of scholars, brimming with an upward vitality.

Thriving exceedingly, Nanchu could hardly be concealed from Daliang and Dawei. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

The Crown Prince of Daliang, Yan Huisheng, praised, "It is indeed her."

Grand Tutor Qin looked at the Crown Prince and ventured to ask, "Your Highness, now you..."

Yan Huisheng knew what the Grand Tutor wanted to say and smiled, candidly saying, "I have long since let go. Now, my heart is devoted to Duanhua, whom I find quite endearing."

Grand Tutor Qin sighed in relief, "That’s good then."

Never having tried to attain, perhaps it is easier to let go.

Crown Prince Yuan Zhao of Great Wei, listening to a spy’s report on Nanchu, wore a dark expression on his face.

Although Dawei, as a defeated country, had not suffered structural damage, the entire nation was shrouded in a depressive atmosphere. Even though more than half a year had passed since the conflict, Dawei was still struggling to rebound, let alone thrive.

Currently, Dawei was far from thriving; it was steeped in lifelessness.

Yuan Zhao knew that this could not continue, but the reparations and ceded territories demanded by Daliang and Nanchu had drained Dawei’s National Treasury; everything had to be approached slowly and could not be rushed.

He called Nangong Zheng to his side and handed him the confidential report, "Take a look! Your Nangong Family’s distant branch, unexpectedly held in such high regard by Su Rong for their talents. And your grandaunt Nangong Xin; she still is the Queen of Nanchu, living a very comfortable life and greatly favored by Su Rong."

Nangong Zheng took the confidential report, read it, and remained calm, "My grandaunt concealed the existence of Su Rong from my grandfather and the Nangong Family. She was disloyal to the Nangong Family long ago. It is not surprising that Su Rong would spare her and treat her well; after all, Your Highness, you also know Su Rong is a forgiving person. As for those remote branches of the Nangong Family, they were never in my grandfather’s favor, and when the Nangong Family suddenly evacuated from Nanchu, those people were not included in the evacuation managed by the Nangong Family, and were abandoned. Now that Su Rong is not targeting them but instead buying their loyalty to serve him, it’s not surprising either."

Yuan Zhao looked at him, "I naturally understand, but I do not want Nanchu to prosper."

Nangong Zheng put down the confidential report and looked back at Yuan Zhao, "So, what are you suggesting, Your Highness?"

"Do whatever it takes to plunge Nanchu into chaos," Yuan Zhao said. "Your Nangong Family has deep roots in Nanchu; you still have people there, don’t you?"

Nangong Zheng did not deny it, "Your Highness’s words need patience. Even though I still have people in Nanchu, a small spark cannot muddle Nanchu. Even if they act, it will be minor. Currently, Su Rong controls all of Nanchu, so we must plan thoroughly."

Yuan Zhao took a deep breath, admitting candidly, "Right, I was impatient."

Who could have expected Su Rong to appoint talents as kin, unreservedly employing even those with the Nangong surname? Moreover, she initiated the precedent of special exams for women, among them were women with the Nangong surname. As a result, throughout Nanchu, her prestige as Princess reached unprecedented heights, universally revered, signifying a flourishing era that truly made him, the Crown Prince of Great Wei, restless.

Su Rong did not know that her actions had started to unsettle Crown Prince Yuan Zhao of Great Wei. After the Jeweled Grove Banquet, as the Imperial Court incorporated newcomers, it significantly lightened the burden on officials. Su Rong also found herself with a bit more free time each day instead of being constantly on her feet.

She finally had some free time and took Zhou Gu for a stroll around the Ministry of Rites to see how the preparations for their Great Wedding were coming along.

Upon seeing the Princess and her husband visiting the Ministry of Rites in person, Minister Zhang Lixin thought that they had finally remembered to concern themselves with their wedding. Therefore, he took the opportunity to complain to Su Rong, "Princess, at the Jeweled Grove Banquet, you assigned staff to all the departments, but the least to the Ministry of Rites. Now, with only a few months left until the final month, if we are to do a detailed job, you will need to assign two more people here."

Su Rong smiled, "Yesterday, Jiang Zhu requested four people for the Ministry of Rites. Elder, if you still think that’s not enough, how about I come help out at the Ministry of Rites myself?"

Zhang Lixin immediately gave a dry laugh, "Princess, you are busy with important affairs, how could I trouble you? The new juniors are clumsy... but they will improve after some training."

Su Rong reminded him with a good memory, "Not all are men; yesterday I sent Liao Zhuxi to the Ministry of Rites. Elder, don’t overlook her just because she is a woman; she is very meticulous and suitable for the Ministry of Rites."

Zhang Lixin quickly agreed, "Yes, Princess, rest assured, Miss Liao is indeed meticulous, and I have already arranged a very important position for her."

Su Rong nodded, then deliberately asked, "So, does your Ministry of Rites still lack people?"

Zhang Lixin wiped his sweat, "I dare not say we are lacking."

He mainly didn’t dare to have the Princess come to help.

Su Rong smiled, "If you really lack people, let your granddaughter Zhang Xiyun come to help at the Ministry of Rites! I think Miss Zhang has discernment and brilliant talents, and is malleable. I’ll break the norm and appoint her a Ninth Grade assistant. You can ask her back home if she is interested in this position."

Because the Imperial Court was short on personnel, scholars who remained in the capital during the Imperial Examination in the golden autumn at least received an eighth grade position during the Jeweled Grove Banquet. Zhang Xiyun failed the examination and received an exceptional appointment; the best Su Rong could offer was a ninth grade.

This special appointment was naturally in consideration of the old minister’s age and his great efforts in managing her and Zhou Gu’s wedding matters, especially when Su Rong and Zhou Gu first returned to court and, in their haste to organize the Great Wedding, received a strict mandate from the Nanchu King, making the Minister of Rites extremely busy to the point of developing blisters at the corners of his mouth; although he was nearly driven to tears during that period, he bore no grudges, persevering despite his age—this was his reward.

Zhang Lixin was shocked and quickly thanked her, "Thank you, Princess, this old servant thanks on behalf of my granddaughter. During the golden autumn examinations, she did not achieve any distinction. If she is offered your special promotion, why would she refuse? She will indeed be very willing, and I accept on her behalf."

Su Rong nodded and smiled reaching out to support him, "I remember she and Sun Keyi from the Ministry of Revenue’s Old Minister Sun’s family are sworn sisters? If one person is not enough for you, perhaps you could ask Old Minister Sun and Miss Sun too, the same ninth grade. If she also joins the Ministry of Revenue, then your Ministry wouldn’t be lacking people, right?"

Zhang Lixin quickly bowed deeply, very touched, "Thank you, Princess. I also thank you on behalf of Old Sun and his granddaughter for your generous treatment."

He was just accustomed to complaining to the Princess, a common malady among officials, and he hadn’t expected the Princess to be so easy-going and actually solve his problem of lacking two people.

He suddenly felt somewhat ashamed, "This old servant is old now. After your and the Imperial Husband’s Great Wedding, this old servant will retire. You should consider arranging a successor for this old servant in advance."

Su Rong looked at him, "Elder, you can still serve the Imperial Court for another year or two, can’t you? Are you that eager to retire?"

"Anxious indeed, this old servant wants to rest, enjoy his declining years, and indulge in playing with his grandchildren. This old servant’s arms and legs aren’t as functional anymore, and I can’t keep standing in my position forever, not giving the young ones a chance," Zhang Lixin explained.

Su Rong looked at his weary face and nodded, "Alright."

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