Zhang Jun could sense that the emperor loved him, but he remained calm and composed.

She did not show any pride or complacency just because the emperor was so kind to her.

At this point, the emperor no longer concealed his purpose and asked Zhang Jun directly: "I have one more question to ask. I hope you can answer me truthfully. Don't be afraid of any consequences. I will take responsibility for anything that happens!"

Zhang Jun's eyes narrowed, knowing that the highlight Zhao Ji mentioned was about to begin.

"You have worked diligently here for five years, and both people's livelihood and tax revenue have been significantly improved and increased. So why is your rating declining year after year?"

The emperor's eyes were as sharp as an eagle at this moment.

The prime minister and others behind him couldn't help but hold their breath. From an angle that others couldn't see, Zhao Ji and Zhang Jun looked at each other, and Zhao Ji nodded slightly to Zhang Jun.

Zhang Jun took a deep breath, then suddenly knelt heavily on the ground, bowed deeply, knocked his forehead heavily on the bluestone bricks, and replied loudly:

"Because I don't know how to give gifts, my annual salary is one hundred taels, and after deducting the expenses of my wife and parents, there is less than twenty taels left every year."

"However, according to the Ministry of Personnel's evaluation, if you don't use some money to smooth things over, it will basically be a C grade!"

"I do not want to accept gifts from the people. Even though the tax revenue of Huai Township has more than doubled, I have never raised my hand to collect taxes. I have been an official for five years and have never collected a single cent from the people. Therefore, I have no money!"

"Because I have no money and no connections, I have been ranked C every year. This is the fifth year. I report to Your Majesty that I can't stand it any longer."

"Plus, Mr. Zhao wants to find an official position for his son. This small Huaixiang Town is only a ninth-rank county magistrate. I really don't want to be exiled for a false charge, so I'm thinking of resigning and returning home!"

When Zhang Jun answered, everything he had done in the past five years flashed before his eyes. Every time he thought of the disappointing C rating, he couldn't help but express more and more emotion in his words.

However, the emperor did not intend to blame him. He could feel that every word Zhang Jun said was uttered with tears in his eyes.

Zhang Jun didn't say anything particularly passionate, but it was his words that were most touching.

The emperor was silent for a long time after listening to this, and finally sighed: "Talents like you really can't be buried. It's the traitors in the court who are causing trouble and muddying the waters of the officialdom!"

After Zhang Jun finished speaking, he knelt down for a long time and could not get up. It was the emperor himself who stepped forward and helped Zhang Jun up.

"Lord Zhang, I will definitely give you justice in this matter. I have already ordered people to arrest that foolish county magistrate. You can no longer be the county magistrate of Huai Town..."

Zhang Jun couldn't help feeling a little depressed when he heard this, but he was already very satisfied that he had this opportunity today to speak out the grievances in his heart, and to tell it to the emperor.

Unexpectedly, the emperor continued, "Huai Town is under the jurisdiction of Hua'an County. Now Hua'an County is also in need of reconstruction. I wonder if Mr. Zhang is willing to return to the court to serve as the governor of Hua'an County and share my worries?"

After saying this, Zhang Jun suddenly looked up, his face full of shock and emotion.

He never expected that he would be promoted after being so outspoken.

You should know that the county magistrate is a ninth-rank official, but Hua'an County is a large county, and the position of the county governor is already the fifth rank.

Such a speed of promotion was unheard of not only for Zhang Jun but even for the prime minister.

The prime minister frowned and stepped forward to speak: "If the emperor is sympathetic to talents, why not transfer Mr. Zhang to Huaibei Township, which is the level above Huaixiang Township. I'm afraid it would be inappropriate to directly promote him to a fifth-rank official!"

The emperor snorted coldly and said nothing more, obviously unhappy.

Zhao Ji took advantage of this opportunity to say, "What the Prime Minister said is wrong. We all know that the Prime Minister is considering the Emperor and is afraid that it will affect the mentality of officials who will be promoted in the future..."

"If you don't know, you might think that the Prime Minister is dissatisfied with the Emperor's decision. Could it be that the Prime Minister himself wants to be transferred?"

What Zhao Ji said was extremely tricky.

He directly and secretly accused the prime minister of treason.

The Prime Minister gritted his teeth and said, "I just think that if we jump like this, it's against the rules!"

Zhao Ji glanced at the emperor's face and said with a smile: "Prime Minister, I want to ask you if governance like this is always top-notch every year?"

The prime minister had no way of denying this, because Zhang Jun had indeed governed Huaixiang Town very well.

So the prime minister could only nod.

Zhao Ji continued, "Since you should be ranked first every year, according to the laws of the court, if you are ranked first, you need to be promoted. Then five years of being ranked first means five promotions. Now that the emperor is fair and honest, he gave Mr. Zhang a fifth-rank official position. What's wrong with this?"

The emperor nodded lightly, feeling that Zhao Ji's words touched his heart.

Officials of Zhang Junsheng's rank didn't care about this matter. The emperor just wanted everyone in the court to see his attitude.

It would also help to correct the unhealthy trends in the court.

The prime minister gritted his teeth and retreated. He knew very well that if he said more on this matter, he would only expose more.

Moreover, the situation in the capital was still unclear, and the prime minister did not dare to give more advice.

Zhang Jun was feeling elated, apparently he had not yet recovered from the fact that he had been promoted to a fifth-rank official.

It was Zhao Ji who spoke up and reminded him: "Look at how happy County Magistrate Zhang is. Why don't you kowtow and thank the emperor for his grace?"

Zhang Jun finally came back to his senses. His lips trembled and his expression was excited. "I thank the emperor for his great grace. I will work hard to govern the country and try to double the tax revenue of Hua'an County!"

The emperor was amused when he heard such honest words: "Don't panic, my dear Zhang. This is what you deserve. Hua'an County has just experienced a flood, and now is the time to rebuild. You will definitely achieve great things there!"

In fact, Zhang Jun also knew that although Hua'an County had experienced a flood, it had financial support from the court. In addition, Hua'an County itself had fertile land and was one of the best transportation hubs outside the capital, so its commercial trade was also prosperous.

It is easy to achieve results there, and the place is rich and there are no natural disasters. It is no exaggeration to say that it is extremely wealthy.

Zhang Jun looked at Zhao Ji implicitly, his eyes full of gratitude and admiration. He knew very well that if Zhao Ji had not intervened and arranged this matter, Zhang Jun would have gone back to his hometown to farm, let alone become a fifth-rank official!

Then all his achievements over the years would be in vain, and in the end, apart from a good reputation, he would not gain any benefit at all.

The emperor then remembered that Zhang Jun had said he had no money.

He turned to Zhao Ji and said, "Give Lord Zhang a reward of 100 taels of gold. I want to let everyone in the court know that if you do well, I will reward you. If you do not do well, I will also punish you!"