Chapter 2228 He was actually the Emperor's man
Those who disapproved of Meng Yunzheng stepped out of the queue and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, Meng Yunzheng has just passed the imperial examination with top honors, and before he has even been appointed to an official post, he has already claimed that he wants to go home to teach. He is clearly treating the imperial examination as a joke. Such behavior is tantamount to contempt for the court and disregard for the imperial examination system. He should be severely punished."
Compared to the huge reactions of others, the emperor was much calmer.
He simply looked at Meng Yunzheng, his voice flat, as if trying to say something more, "Meng Yunzheng, you are a man of great learning and have extraordinary talent. According to custom, the top scholar should be appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, a position of the sixth rank. However, you have made many contributions in the past, so it would not be unreasonable for you to be promoted two ranks. Now that the court is in need of capable people, I still hope that you can stay and assist me."
The court officials present exchanged bewildered glances. Two promotions in quick succession? They suddenly felt that the emperor had probably gone mad.
Wait, His Majesty just said that Meng Yunzheng had made many contributions in the past? What were they? Why don't they know?
As far as they know, he is best known for finding evidence of Miyauchi's crimes a few years ago, which led to his arrest.
But that happened during the reign of the late emperor. If we're talking about merit, it should be the late emperor who bestowed the reward.
Everyone was full of questions. The official who had stood up earlier to try and kick Meng Yunzheng had returned to the queue in embarrassment after hearing the emperor's words.
However, Meng Yunzheng insisted, "Your Majesty, the court is in dire need of capable people. I should return to teaching and educating, cultivating more pillars of society for the Great Su. My abilities are limited; even if I am diligent in government affairs and devote myself wholeheartedly, I am still only one person. If I were to become a teacher, I could educate countless talents for the court. This is also a way to serve the court, and for me, this way is more suitable. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request."
The emperor was very annoyed; this guy was really stubborn.
"Fine, since that's the case, I'll grant your request."
Qi Chan was startled and hurriedly stepped forward, "Your Majesty, this matter is sudden, and Scholar Meng may not have thought it through yet. Why not give him two more days to think it over, so that the court does not miss out on such a valuable minister?"
He gave him two more days and tried to persuade her.
To everyone's surprise, the emperor waved his hand and said, "He has been considering this for three years and his original intention remains unchanged. Giving him two more days will yield the same result."
Qi Chan was stunned. Three years?
Everyone else present suddenly turned to look at Meng Yunzheng. So Meng Yunzheng knew the Emperor three years ago?
Those with quick minds were even more startled, for three years ago, the one sitting on the dragon throne was still the late emperor.
Thinking deeper, three years ago was precisely when Meng Yunzheng brought down Gong Qiu. Pulling up a radish brought out the mud, exposing the Second Prince's conspiracy, leading to the Second Prince being placed under house arrest by the late emperor. The strongest and most powerful contender for the throne thus lost his chance to rise again.
At that time, the second prince and the third prince were fighting fiercely. Some well-informed people found out that it was the third prince who led people to catch Gong Qiu and the second prince's mother in adultery. Even Meng Yunzheng, who was lingering outside the palace gate, was brought in by the third prince to see the emperor.
Everyone thought that the third prince was the one who defeated the second prince, but later some insightful officials thought that it was the fifth prince who made the move, since the fifth prince's status rose and he held real power after that.
The fact that the fifth prince eventually became the new emperor is an open secret.
(End of this chapter)
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