Chapter 30 Appointment as an Official of the Eastern Palace
Song Jian returned home in the twilight, with the smell of alcohol still on his clothes.
As he crossed the threshold of the front hall, He Jingyi came up to him quickly, bowed, and said, "Father-in-law, there's a rumor going around the court today that Song Qianzhao has been recommended by Song Zheng and will be appointed as the Minister of Government."
Song Jian took the teacup handed to him by the maid, took a sip slowly, and then looked up.
"I checked at the Ministry of Personnel, and his name is not on the list of vacancies to be filled."
He Jingyi was stunned, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and then he suddenly realized.
"Could it be that someone is deliberately spreading rumors to frame my father-in-law?"
Song Jian gently put down the teacup and said, "Call Qian Zhao over."
He Jingyi nodded his head, his sleeves fluttering as he turned around. Not long after, he led Song Qianzhao slowly inside.
Song Jian's face was still tinged with alcohol. Seeing the two men enter, he asked directly, "Do you know everything?"
Song Qianzhao looked normal: "I heard about it."
Song Jian's eyes wandered between the two of them: "What do you think?"
Song Qianzhao hesitated for a moment and asked, "Grandfather, how are you going to respond?"
"I have already been to the Ministry of Personnel." Song Jian's eyes flashed, "The list of vacancies to be filled will be announced tomorrow, and the rumors will be dispelled by themselves."
Song Qianzhao's brows relaxed, and he nodded, "This method is very appropriate."
"There's even better news." Song Jian's face brightened, his voice becoming a little lighter. "Although Song Zheng's recommendation of you was false, the Crown Prince did recommend you to serve as an official in the Eastern Palace."
Song Qianzhao was slightly surprised, recalling the situation when he met the prince a few days ago.
Song Jian smiled slightly, "It seems that you not only caused trouble in the teahouse, but also won the favor of the prince."
"The current emperor has only one son. The prince's appreciation is a rare opportunity for you." He glanced at the sky and said, "It's getting late. Let's all go to bed."
After the two of them left, they saw Manager Huang walk in quickly with a serious expression and whispered, "Master, the Ministry of Personnel just received news that Lu Zhong's matter... has been decided."
Song Jian's eyes darkened and a layer of gloom hung between his brows.
"Is that certain?"
Manager Huang looked solemn.
"Nine out of ten."
"Why so sudden?"
Song Jian's voice became deeper, and the veins in his temples throbbed faintly.
He had just returned from the Ministry of Personnel, and those officials were clearly quite optimistic about him.
Manager Huang frowned slightly and whispered, "There are some rumors outside that Lawrence Lu has been in contact with the Li Party."
Song Jian's eyes flashed coldly, and he snorted coldly without saying anything more. Among the Qingliu, there are quite a few who are secretly connected with the Li Party. If Lu Zhongruo is really like this, it is not surprising.
Seeing Song Jian's gloomy expression, Steward Huang said, "Master, this matter needs to be dealt with soon."
Song Jian closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "If Lu Zhong really clings to the Li Party, our chances of winning are slim."
Now the Li Party is powerful and controls the government. If Lu Zhong can get their help, the Song family will not be able to resist.
There was a moment of silence in the study. Steward Huang stood with his head bowed, unsure of what to say.
Song Jian pondered for a while, then suddenly raised his eyes and said, "Lu Zhong may not have been a member of the Li Party before, otherwise he would not have acted so restrainedly."
"I'm afraid he's been forced into a corner by us, so he's turned to the Li Party." He paused, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Since the eunuch party has intervened, a head-on confrontation is definitely not the best strategy. It's better to find a compromise."
Manager Huang's eyes flashed, "Master, what can you do?"
Song Jian's eyes were cold, with a faint smile on his lips.
“Wait for the old man to deal with it secretly. It is necessary to make it difficult for Lawrence Lu to take the position, and at the same time, we must recommend someone who will not harm my Song family to fill the vacancy.”
Manager Huang was shocked when he heard this and bowed, saying, "Master, this is a brilliant plan!"
Song Jian twirled his beard in silence, his gaze deep. He was already sixty years old, what storms had he not seen? He had been momentarily intimidated by the power of the Li Party, but now, as he calmed down, all the maneuvering tactics he had used in the past naturally came to mind.
He stood up suddenly, straightened his clothes, and said, "Prepare the sedan chair. I'm going out for a while."
Seeing his stern expression, Steward Huang felt relieved and bowed in response, "Yes, Master, go and come back soon."
Song Jian stepped out, his eyes cold as ice. After more than twenty years of ups and downs in the officialdom, achieving things might not be easy, but ruining others' affairs was all too easy!
That night, Song Jian visited the residences of seven or eight officials, including former cabinet ministers and Chongwen Pavilion assistant ministers, and did not return until dawn.
Steward Huang had already been waiting at the gate. Seeing his smiling face, he felt relieved. He handed him some hot tea and asked, "Master, is it done?"
Song Jian took the teacup and smiled slightly.
"Several adults are quite dissatisfied with Lu Zhong's joining the Li Party. They have agreed to my proposal. We will see the outcome tomorrow."
Steward Huang breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes full of admiration.
"Master, if you don't take action, it's fine. But once you take action, it's the final word!"
…
The next morning, Song Qianzhao was still asleep when the list of candidates for cabinet selection was announced.
This result caused an uproar in the court. The popular candidates Song Jian and Lu Zhong both lost the election, and it turned out that a cabinet minister who had retired for less than half a year was reinstated!
Although Lu Zhong was promoted to the position of Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, from the fourth rank to the fourth rank, it was only a small step.
Song Jian, however, took advantage of his recent rise in prestige and was recommended by the Langzhong of the Ministry of Personnel to take on the concurrent post of Minister of Revenue. Although the rank of Minister of Revenue was lower than that of the Ming Dynasty's Zhongjian, it held real power, far exceeding the empty title of the Qing Dynasty.
One was promoted to the position of Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and the other served as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Comparing the two, Song Jian can be said to have won a great victory.
When the news reached the Lu residence, it was evening, and a gentle breeze rustled through the newly sprouted branches in the courtyard, bringing a hint of chill.
In the study.
With a crisp "crack" sound, Lu Ming threw the official kiln porcelain cup in his hand to the ground, breaking it into pieces.
His chest heaved violently, and he growled almost through gritted teeth.
"Father! That Yang guy took all that money from us, but not only did he fail to get the job done, he even let that old bastard Song Jian get into the Ministry of Revenue! Now the Qingliu are all saying that you've defected to the Li Clan and are attacking you... We're being made a fool of!"
Lawrence Lu’s face was as gloomy as water, and he was about to speak.
Suddenly, the steward rushed in hurriedly, holding a secret letter sealed with wax.
"Master, a masked man just handed the doorman a message and ran away, saying... saying it concerns the lives of the entire Lu family..."
Lu Zhong unfolded the letter and looked at it, his face turned pale in an instant.
"Puff~"
He was shaking all over, his body swayed, a mouthful of blood spurted out, and he fell straight back.
"Father!"
Lu Ming hurriedly stepped forward to support him, but was pushed away by Lu Zhongba.
"Evil creature!" There was still blood on the corner of Lu Zhong's mouth, but he stared at his son, "Did you accept the benefits of King Su?"
"Father, I..."
"Stupid!" Lu Zhong interrupted harshly, "Although Prince Su is in charge of the border troops, he is still a minister after all! He is trying to win over court officials like this, and his heart is worthy of death! People like him can neither get close to nor offend. Now that you are on good terms with Prince Su, Lord Yang of the Li Party has learned about it. If this matter is leaked..."
He suddenly laughed miserably when he said this.
"Do you know that His Majesty cannot move Prince Su, who has his own army, for the time being, but can first vent his anger on my entire Lu family?"
Lu Zhongqiang stood up.
"Steward, prepare the pair of jade ruyi given by the emperor, and fetch the box of South China Sea pearls from the storehouse. Follow me to the Yang residence immediately."
The housekeeper looked at the master's pale face and said anxiously: "Master, your body..."
"It doesn't matter," Lu Zhong's eyes were like knives. "The trouble caused by this evil boy concerns the lives of the entire family. Even if I have to crawl today, I will crawl to Lord Yang."
Lu Zhong was kneeling on the ground at this moment, his face pale. He trembled and grabbed his father's clothes: "Father, let me go for you..."
"shut up!"
Lawrence Lu shook off his son.
Looking at his father's receding back, Lu Ming collapsed on the ground.
…
That day, Fan Zhiyu was still hiding from his father in the quiet of his tent outside when he saw Wang Feng and his wife, their eyes red, crying and saying their daughter was missing. Fearing their reputation would be ruined, they didn't dare to report it to the authorities, so they hurried to him for help.
Upon hearing this, Fan Zhiyu also scratched his head. He had never had a strong opinion of his own, always looking for others to make decisions. Suddenly, he slapped his thigh.
"Got it! I'll take you to find Big Brother! He must have a lot of ideas!"
After saying this, he led the two of them straight to the Song Mansion. Unexpectedly, the doorman said that Song Qianzhao had gone to the Eastern Palace Zhanshi Mansion early in the morning. Without saying anything, Fan Zhiyu hurriedly took Wang Feng and his wife to the Eastern Palace Zhanshi Mansion. Seeing that it was Mr. Fan who often came, the doorman did not stop them.
At this time, Song Qianzhao had just paid her respects to several superiors in the Chancellery and exchanged a few pleasantries with her colleagues. She was calling for an attendant to lead the way to thank the Crown Prince for his recommendation. Just as she passed through the second ceremonial gate, she heard a chaotic sound of footsteps behind her and someone loudly called her name.
Song Qianzhao looked back and saw Fan Zhiyu running in front, panting with sweat on his forehead. Behind him followed Wang Feng and his wife, with tears still on their faces.
"Brother! Something bad has happened!"
Fan Zhiyu ran all the way here and shouted anxiously before he even caught his breath.
"Brother Wang's daughter is missing!"
Song Qianzhao's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked, "Have you reported it to the police?"
Wang Feng's voice trembled slightly. "We dare not report this to the authorities, as it would ruin our daughter's reputation... We are really at a loss, so we came to seek your help."
"My Mingfu..." Li Chun'e's tears rolled down. "I didn't see her get up yesterday afternoon, so I thought she was just sleeping in. When I called her at dinner time, she was nowhere to be found. We searched everywhere she frequented, even the homes of her close friends...but when we asked, we learned that her good friend Zhao Tinglan had also disappeared. Her husband, He Heng, had reported her to the authorities, but there has been no news since."
Song Qianzhao frowned and said thoughtfully, "Don't worry, the two of you." He bowed and apologized, "Let me go pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince first, and then we'll talk..."
"No need to be so formal."
A clear voice came from the Moon Gate.
Everyone looked back and saw Prince Xuanshu slowly approaching.
When the morning rain had just stopped, he was seen wearing a lake blue silk robe with pine and crane patterns embroidered on it, which made his figure look like a bamboo.
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