When he returned to the posthouse, Feng Ye had been waiting for him for a long time. As soon as he saw him, he asked, "How is it? Did Ge Zhong sign it?"

Yan Sikong replied: "He agreed to sign it."

"Really?"

“But he had demands.”

"But his son?"

"Exactly. He wants the general to promise him personally."

Feng Ye thought: "His son is not that important. If we can get him to sign the name now, we can save a lot of trouble and time on this case after we return to Beijing."

"Yes, I will go and persuade the general tomorrow. I believe he also wants to settle the case as soon as possible. Otherwise, the three judges will review it and it will inevitably cause complications."

Feng Ye nodded: "You look very tired. It must be tiring to deal with him."

Yan Sikong said meaningfully: "I'm not tired. I've always wanted to face him in person."

"But I am tired." Feng Ye took a deep breath, "It's all over at last. We have been out for almost half a year, and fortunately we have fulfilled our mission, quelled the rebellion, and captured the rebels. Otherwise, we would have no face to return to Beijing."

"You have led the troops and made many achievements this time. You will surely return to the capital in glory. How proud Prince Jingyuan will be if he knows this."

Feng Ye said proudly: "Let's see if he still dares to treat me like a child in the future."

Yan Sikong chuckled: "In your parents' eyes, you are always a child."

Feng Ye glanced at him sideways and stretched out his hand to him: "What about me in your eyes?"

Yan Sikong grabbed his hand and leaned over to kiss his lips: "He is a good man who stands tall and upright."

Feng Ye stared at him from a close distance: "Why are your eyes so red? It's like you've been crying."

"It was the strong evening wind."

——

Yan Sikong reported Ge Zhong's request truthfully to Zhao Fuyi and Liang Guang. After a brief discussion, the two decided to agree to his request.

The next morning, the army set out for Beijing.

At this point, the massive uprising and rebellion during the Zhaowu period was quelled. The significance of this war was so far-reaching that people in later generations believed it was a powerful medicine that allowed the dying Da Sheng to survive, because it violently implemented the policy of reducing the power of the feudal lords, which had been unsuccessful for generations of emperors in the Chen Sheng Dynasty.

The various stories involved are difficult to be recorded in history books with just a few words, but they are even more bloody than what the world knows.

——

As soon as Ge Zhong and others arrived in Beijing, they were taken to the imperial prison, and all the things related to their case were personally handed over to the Three Judicial Departments by Zhao Fujii.

But most of them, including Ge Zhong, had signed their names. The three judicial officials only reviewed the case files according to the emperor's order to see if there were any omissions. There was almost no possibility of overturning the verdict.

Those who have made contributions this time are waiting for rewards from the court.

As soon as he returned to the capital, Yan Sikong went to visit Yan Zilian and reported to him about the battle to quell the rebellion.

After hearing this, Yan Zilian was filled with emotion: "General Zhao and Lord Liang certainly contributed to the victory of this battle, but you and the prince also made great contributions."

"The prince is very brave, but he takes great credit for his achievements."

Yan Zilian looked at Yan Sikong with admiration: "Sikong, you did not disappoint me. You have achieved such great success in your first expedition. I have put so much effort into you."

Yan Sikong quickly stood up and bowed deeply: "Thank you very much, dear teacher. If it weren't for your teachings and guidance, I would never be where I am today."

Yan Zilian smiled and said, "Sit down."

Yan Sikong sat down again.

Yan Zilian said: "I have always wanted to transfer you to the Ministry of Personnel's Selection Department..."

Yan Sikong widened his eyes and seemed to be excited and was about to stand up and kowtow again.

Yan Zilian smiled and waved his hands: "Sit down and listen to me."

Yan Sikong's enthusiasm was not all fake. The four lucrative positions in the court were the Ministry of Personnel's Civil Selection Department, the Ministry of Merit Examination Department, the Ministry of War's Military Selection Department, and the Ministry of War's Arsenal Department. They were in charge of the promotion and appointment of civil and military officials, and their power was so great that it was coveted. If one could get a position in any of these four departments, it would be a meteoric rise.

Yan Sikong's original goal was to be able to enter these four departments, even if it took ten years, and to have access to the power of personnel appointment and dismissal, so that he could let go and make plans. He did not expect that Yan Zilian would actually put such a big piece of fat meat in his mouth. How could he not be secretly happy.

Of course, Yan Zilian did this not because he appreciated him too much and was eager to promote him. In fact, he did this to place eyes and hands in the Ministry of Personnel and gradually eat away at Xie Zhongren's power.

"As you know, the Ministry of Personnel was previously controlled by Xie Zhongren. The appointment, dismissal, reward and punishment of civil servants were almost entirely up to him. But after Wang Shengsheng was demoted, he could no longer control the Ministry of Personnel. Now, because of Ge Zhong's incident, the emperor is quite dissatisfied with this, so he allowed me to place officials from the gentry in the Ministry."

"But how could Xie Zhongren allow the teacher to place someone under his nose?"

"That's why I recommend you. Now one of the three chief officials of the Ministry of Personnel is vacant, and it is reasonable to transfer you from the Imperial Academy. Originally, you were too young and had little experience, so you were bound to be criticized. But you have made military achievements in the two lakes, and you are also a candidate for the crown prince's examination. Now is the perfect time."

"Thank you, dear teacher." Yan Sikong bowed and said, "I will never forget your kindness to me."

Yan Zilian said, "Don't be in a hurry to thank me. I'm not completely sure either. Moreover, even if you are really transferred to the Ministry of Literature, it won't be a good thing for you. That place is Xie Zhongren's world. He has many followers. If you go in, you will inevitably be excluded. It's easy to dodge an open spear, but it's hard to guard against an arrow from the dark. Do you understand?"

“Students understand.”

"Of course I will do my best to protect you, but you also need to be careful and cautious. The reason why I chose you instead of Hexuan is because you are smarter than him, more knowledgeable about the ways of the world, and more flexible than him. I have many students, and I can't find a more suitable candidate besides you. Sikong, I will rely on you. In the future, you must discuss everything with me and think twice before acting."

Yan Sikong stood up and knelt solemnly on the ground: "I will never let you down."

Yan Zilian nodded with satisfaction.

——

The verdict in the case of Prince Liang had not yet been announced, but the imperial edict of reward had already been issued.

Zhao Fuyi, Di Rong, Liang Guang and others were the most meritorious, and it goes without saying that they were promoted to higher positions. Feng Ye was promoted to the commander of the guards, and was promoted to the rank of fourth rank. Yan Sikong, with the strong recommendation of Yan Zilian and his faction, entered the Ministry of Personnel's Wenxuan Division and became a sixth rank official. Although the officials were the lowest-level officials in the six ministries, they were responsible for most of the work, so they had real power. Even if they were only sixth-rank officials, everyone would flatter them.

Yan Sikong took this step too far and inevitably aroused jealousy. Xie Zhongren and his faction also expressed their dissatisfaction, but it was too late.

When Yan Sikong accepted the title of conferment in the hall, in addition to seeing the delighted eyes of Yan Zilian, Feng Ye, Chen Yi and others, he also felt a cold, inquiring gaze coming from the powerful eunuch Xie Zhongren who held the seal of the Imperial Household Department.

That was the first time Xie Zhongren looked at Yan Sikong straight in the eye. It should be said that it was the first time he knew of Yan Sikong's existence.

Yan Sikong also glanced back with a calm look. He concealed it very well, so Xie Zhongren had no idea what kind of waves were surging in his heart. It was like a bottomless pool of water that was eager to drag this bastard into the abyss.

He knew that in Xie Zhongren's eyes, he was just a young, naive, slightly talented, insignificant ant. If he dared to do anything improper, he would be crushed to death at any time. But sooner or later, he would stand in front of Xie Zhongren, looking at the fear in the eyes of this old thief, unable to live or die.

Yan Sikong turned his gaze towards the Emperor on the throne room. The red rhinoceros that represented supreme power was emitting brilliant golden light, as if issuing a silent call to him.

Dad, do you see? I will go higher and farther until I step on everyone!