With thousands of eunuchs serving such a small number of masters, the competition was incredibly fierce. Especially for those positions in front of the Grand Empress Dowager, everyone from top to bottom was watching closely. Even though Huang Xiu already stood above all the eunuchs, he didn't dare to let his guard down.
The eunuchs' futures all depended on their masters. With just a word from the Empress Dowager, he could be Huang Xiu, the Chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or nothing at all.
Now that there are so many people available, the Empress Dowager doesn't use them. She personally picked out these five people from the list. No matter what she wants them to do, Huang Xiu should be vigilant.
However, this vigilance was restrained and he did not dare to show it in front of the Empress Dowager.
After he left the house, he ordered the eunuchs to look for the person while he continued to think about it in his mind.
Huang Xiu himself was a man of great knowledge and memory. As someone in his position, he knew by heart every eunuch in the palace by name, just in case. Now, upon closer inspection, he realized that of the five people the Grand Empress Dowager wanted to see, three were listed with him, while the identities of the other two were unknown.
Looking at these three people whose names are on the list, their commonality is that they have been in the palace for many years and are already very old.
If you think about it carefully, they entered the palace during the reign of Emperor Hui. They were once trusted and served in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, walking before the emperor. However, their positions were not high, only those of the highest rank or the highest class of internal affairs. Later, when Emperor Ling ascended the throne, they were no longer useful and were exiled to other government offices. Even now, they have only a mediocre rank.
Thinking of this, Huang Xiu couldn't help but take a deep breath as if he had a toothache.
When talking about the reign of Emperor Hui, people outside naturally praised his majesty for his wisdom and benevolence, but for the eunuchs, it was also their most glorious time.
Although Emperor Ling and Emperor Xian both had great trust in the eunuchs, they themselves did not care much about state affairs. One was obsessed with seeking immortality and the other was obsessed with all kinds of pleasures. The eunuchs who followed them were naturally good at playing with these things, but it was difficult for them to get involved in state affairs.
During Emperor Hui's reign, however, the daily workload of handling state affairs necessitated the assistance of eunuchs. Consequently, the eunuchs of the time dealt with memorials and important matters of state. The then-prefects, known as the "Inner Minister," assisted the emperor much like the ministers in the government hall.
Compared with his predecessors, Huang Xiu's position as the governor seemed a bit boring.
But no matter how much I admire him, it is absolutely impossible for him to give up his position to someone else.
Now the Empress Dowager is worried about the affairs in the court, but she does not ask those who serve her, but insists on looking for the old man from the reign of Emperor Hui. It is self-evident why.
Realizing this, Huang Xiu suddenly felt a strong sense of crisis. But in this situation, he had no other options. The Empress Dowager had directly ordered him to do this, so he didn't worry about his opinions. Even if he did, he could only suppress them.
The Imperial Palace was vast, but when it came to the Empress Dowager, the highest-ranking official, matters were handled much more efficiently. Within an hour, four of the five people on the list had arrived. The one who hadn't come was elderly and in poor health, having been granted leave of absence last year. In a hurry, they might not be able to find him.
When the Empress Dowager met these four people, she couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
She thought that someone who was once so high-spirited should still have some integrity. However, the four people before her were all gray-haired and beardless, and they looked very old, with cloudy eyes and no ambition or spirit left.
Can such a person still be used?
But she still patiently asked these four people about their experiences over the years.
The first three had clearly lived in a state of confusion, and one of them even spoke incoherently, which had chilled the Empress Dowager's heart. However, when it came to the last one, he did not recount his experiences in detail, but instead pulled out a book from his bosom and said, "My life's work is all contained in this book, and I wish to present it to the Empress Dowager for your perusal."
Not only the Empress Dowager, but everyone in the hall couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
This man looked the most destitute, the most unkempt, and the least valued of the four, which was why the Empress Dowager had ranked him last. But who knew he would act out of the ordinary and immediately capture everyone's attention.
From the book he took out, it was obvious that the paper was carefully cared for and there was not a single wrinkle on it, which was completely different from his appearance.
The Empress Dowager nodded slightly and said, "Present it."
Huang Xiu personally walked over to take the book, turned around and presented it on the table, letting the Empress Dowager take a look.
This seemingly sturdy book meticulously chronicles the lives of the emperor, his concubines, and the eunuchs and maids at court from the reign of Emperor Hui to Emperor Xian. Its breadth of coverage and comprehensiveness of content are truly remarkable. The writing is lively and the narrative is engaging. As a participant in this court life, the Empress Dowager smiled knowingly several times after reading only the opening pages, finding them quite captivating.
But now was not the time to read. She nodded slightly, closed the book for the time being, and looked up at the person kneeling below her. Her attitude was no longer as nonchalant as before, and she asked seriously, "What's your name?"
"Why shouldn't I be fair?"
"Get up." The Grand Empress Dowager waved her hand. "This book is quite interesting, showing your dedication. From now on, you will stay by my side and serve me. Huang Xiu, take him down and settle him down. You will start your duties today."
"Yes." Huang Xiu sighed inwardly and stepped out to answer. His gaze towards He Buping was extremely complicated.
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