Chapter 496: Hanlin Bachelor!

How can a person who has no experience in governing be given the position of prime minister right away?
Is it too exaggerated and too rule-breaking?

Han Xianggong looked at Gongyang Fu and found that he looked indifferent. He knew that he was not satisfied, so he frowned and said, "It's still not right. The position of Vice Minister is the position of prime minister. If an official without any experience suddenly became the prime minister, people in the world will not accept it."

Minister Wen snorted and said, "Are you not convinced? Jian Twelve, one of the four greatest masters of the day, who may even be the leader of the four, is willing to serve the court. Let alone a vice-chancellor, even if I give him my position as minister of the Secretariat, the people of the world will only cheer and rejoice, and be happy that my Dahua Dynasty has a wise man to help. Who would think it is inappropriate?
I think there is nothing inappropriate in that, so I appointed him as Vice-Chancellor. Otherwise, if people in the world knew that we treated the four wise men in this way, they would definitely accuse us of being jealous of their talents!

Mr. Han, Mr. Wang, you don't want to be stabbed in the back, right?"

Han Xianggong smiled bitterly and said, "You are a little too much, Wen Xianggong. It's not that we didn't entrust him with an important task, but there has never been such a precedent in the court. It is said that a prime minister must start from the prefectures and counties, and a brave general must start from the ranks. It is not a good thing for Xin Zhuangyuan to be promoted to the position of prime minister without any experience in governing!"

At this time, Wang Xianggong also understood, and after thinking for a while, he said: "What Han Xianggong said makes sense. It is a bit too much to add him to the position of Vice Minister of State Affairs. If he is only the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, it will not show how much we value Xin Zhuangyuan. How about this, we give Xin Zhuangyuan the title of Hanlin Bachelor and the title of Director of Imperial Edicts, what do you think?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present smiled, whether it was Minister Wen or Gongyang Fu, they all smiled.

When Han Xianggong saw this, he immediately had an idea in his mind. He thought that this old fox Wang is worthy of being called old fox Wang, as he could understand everyone's mind at once.

This title of Hanlin Bachelor is a clever one, Hanlin Bachelor is an official of two systems. If it is just Hanlin Bachelor, he is just an advisor, but with the addition of the title of Zhizhigao, he has the power to draft imperial edicts, which can be considered a real position.

Although the Hanlin Academician in charge of drafting imperial edicts has the power to draft imperial edicts, when it comes to specific matters, it is still necessary to discuss with the State Affairs Hall, the Privy Council and the Imperial Master and give general opinions before making a decision. In other words, although the Hanlin Academician can have some influence when drafting imperial edicts, it still mainly has to follow everyone's wishes.

For Gongyang Fu, the national teacher, the Hanlin Bachelor restricted Xin Zhen's real power over a certain department. After all, the Hanlin Bachelor was a noble position in the Academy of Bachelors, and was very noble, but his power was limited, making it easy to control.

However, for the civil officials, Hanlin scholars are the so-called four heads of government, together with the Chief Censor, the Three Commissioners and the Prefect of Bianliang. The so-called four heads of government means that after performing their duties, the next step is to step into the position of prime minister.

Now that Xin Zhen is already a Hanlin scholar, wouldn't it be natural for him to be promoted to the position of Vice-Chancellor in the future?
Therefore, being a Hanlin scholar and editor of imperial edicts is almost the most suitable official position.

Gong Yangfu nodded with satisfaction and said, "The ministers are indeed mature and prudent. This position is very good and very suitable for Xin Zhuangyuan. If there are no other objections, please draft the appointment documents so that Xin Zhuangyuan can take up the position as soon as possible and become familiar with the government as soon as possible."

All three gentlemen bowed in response.

Afterwards, the three ministers left, and Gong Yangfu smiled and said to Xin Zhen: "Xin Zhuangyuan, please give me more suggestions in the future. Although you have unparalleled cultivation, your talent is not only your cultivation, but also your talent in writing and government affairs.

Ten years ago, you were able to win the title of No. 1 Scholar, which means your writing was the best in the world. These mundane matters must be easy for you. I am looking forward to your future!"

Xin Zhen smiled and saluted Gong Yangfu, saying, "Thank you for your respect, Imperial Master. I will definitely serve the court well."

Gong Yangfu nodded and said, "Xin Zhuangyuan still has no place to live in Beijing, right?"

Xin Zhen shook his head and said, "Zhen is not from Huajing, nor has he served as an official in the court. He has always been in Jiangnan and has not purchased any property in Huajing."

Gong Yangfu nodded and said with a smile: "I have already prepared it for you. I heard that you lived in the original Fan Mansion for some time, so I think you are quite familiar with it.

After Fan returned to Luyang, the place had been deserted and had been ravaged by a wave of wild beasts, which had originally damaged a small part of it. Later, it was taken back by the imperial court and, after a little repair, it is now habitable.

Why don't you live there, Xin Zhuangyuan? All the servants are ready, you can just move in."

Xin Zhen said gratefully: "Thank you for your concern, Imperial Master. I am very grateful."

Gong Yangfu smiled and said, "Yao Shan, you lead the way for Xin Hanlin and make sure to arrange everything properly. If Xin Hanlin is not satisfied at all, I will definitely reprimand you when I come back!"

Xiang Yaoshan smiled and said, "Don't worry, I will make sure everything is arranged properly!"

Xiang Yaoshan took Xin Zhen out of the imperial city by car and came to the original Fan Mansion. Xin Zhen looked up and found that the Fan Mansion was not much different from his memory, but after entering, he found that there was still a big difference.

The original Fan Mansion was popular, but although the current Fan Mansion is clean, it is obvious that no one has lived there for a long time. It lacks some popularity and is even a bit... eerie.

Xin Zhen shook his head and smiled slightly. If these little things were hidden here, there would be no need to worry about being caught.

Xin Zhen released some of his aura, and suddenly several rooms were filled with ghostly howling sounds. He smiled at Yao Shan and said, "Houses that have not been occupied for a long time will surely be taken advantage of by ghosts. However, they have met Jian Twelve, so they deserve to suffer."

Xin Zhen smiled and said, "With these ghosts here, we already have people to do the work, so you don't need to send anyone else."

Xiang Yaoshan exclaimed, "How can that be possible? Serving tea, cooking, cleaning, and even being a maid warming the bed, how can these be replaced by ghosts?
No, no, I won't be able to report back to the Imperial Master. Xin Hanlin, please don't make things difficult for me."

Xin Zhen smiled and said, "I have always liked quietness, and no one will come to visit me. I just want to practice in peace. It would be inconvenient if there were too many people. If you are not happy about this, I will go and tell the Imperial Master myself."

Xiang Yaoshan could only nod helplessly and said, "Okay, okay, young man, you still have to learn to enjoy yourself, you can't just focus on cultivation, right?"

Xin Zhen smiled and said, "If I didn't like practicing so much, I wouldn't be able to achieve this little achievement in ten years, right?"

Xiang Yaoshan immediately showed respect. He was also a cultivator, so he naturally knew how difficult it was to practice. In ten years, he cultivated himself from a mere scholar to one of the four greatest people in the world. In addition to his rare talent, it would probably take unimaginable efforts by ordinary people.

Seeing that there was nothing he needed help with, Xiang Yaoshan said goodbye and left. Only Xin Zhen and countless ghosts were left in the huge mansion.

Xin Zhen stomped lightly on the floor, and the whole mansion began to shake. Suddenly, cries of begging for mercy were heard everywhere: "Goddess! Goddess! Spare me, spare me!"

Xin Zhen smiled and said, "I won't kill you. Come out quickly. I have something for you to do." Immediately, a dozen green-faced, fang-toothed little ghosts timidly came out of each room. Xin Zhen frowned when he saw them and said, "Why do they all look so ugly?"

A little ghost said quickly: "If the Immortal likes, we can also transform into beautiful women, but the Immortal is angry, so we show our true appearance."

Xin Zhen shook his head and said, "No need, you just need to disguise yourself as ordinary people. What I want you to do is simple and not dangerous. Just clean these rooms on weekdays. If anyone comes when I'm not around, just remember to tell me when I come back."

More than a dozen little ghosts answered yes in unison.

Xin Zhen added: "Please don't disturb my meditation on weekdays. Let's go our separate ways."

A dozen or so little ghosts nodded and bowed repeatedly and went back to their rooms.

Xin Zhen shook his head and smiled. There was no blood on these little ghosts, so they probably didn't dare to do anything bad. After all, this was the imperial capital and there were many masters. If they dared to do anything wrong, they would probably be cleaned up in less than half a day.

On the second day, someone came to deliver the appointment document to his door. Xin Zhen opened it and took a look. Not only did it have the seals of all departments, but it was also a legal document that complied with all the rules.

The official who came to deliver the letter told Xin Zhen to report to the Hanlin Academy the next day, and handed Xin Zhen his official uniform and other things before leaving.

Xin Zhen looked at the fourth-rank official uniform and couldn't help but smile. He didn't expect that after all the twists and turns, he would become an official again.

The next day, Xin Zhen got up early and went to the Hanlin Academy to report. Unexpectedly, Minister Wen, Minister Han and Minister Wang had all come to the Hanlin Academy waiting to see him.

At this time, all the scholars in the Hanlin Academy had gathered together, waiting for him, and each of them looked at him with curiosity.

It’s no wonder they do that. After all, Xin Zhen’s story is too legendary.

He passed the imperial examination and became the top scholar ten years ago, but then the imperial court collapsed and he had to return to his hometown. In ten years, he trained himself from a scholar into one of the four greatest masters of the time. In the battle at Yangcheng Lake, no matter it was the infamous Purple Eyed Demon King, the divine monk Ci Ning from Mount Xuedou, or even the abbot Ci'an from the Jade Pu Realm, all suffered at his hands or were directly killed.

After the brothers Ci'an and Ci'ning were beheaded, Xuedou Mountain not only did not dare to retaliate against Xin Zhen, it even closed the mountain gate for fear that Xin Zhen would come looking for them.

You should know that Xuedou Mountain is one of the top three famous Buddhist temples, and its foundation is not comparable to that of ordinary big forces. However, it was scared into this state by Xin Zhen, which shows how powerful Xin Zhen is.

Now, Xin Zhen, who is not only the top scholar but also a top master of the time, has come to the Hanlin Academy to become their colleague. How can they not feel curious?

When they saw that Xin Zhen looked like a teenager, they remembered that when Xin Zhen won the top spot in the imperial examination, he was only a fifteen-year-old boy.

When Minister Wen saw that all the Hanlin scholars had met Xin Zhen, he waved his hand and told them to go about their own business, as they still had something to say to Xin Zhen.

The Hanlin scholars were driven away by Minister Wen and immediately scattered, leaving only Xin Zhen and the three ministers and four others.

When Xin Zhen was wondering what they were doing here, he suddenly saw the three ministers straightening their clothes, then respectfully bowing to him, and said in unison: "Xin Hanlin, from now on, Huachao will ask for your support."

Xin Zhen was surprised and turned sideways to avoid the three gentlemen's force. He said, "What are you doing, three gentlemen? You are all my seniors and my superiors. Isn't it embarrassing for me to show such a great courtesy?"

The three gentlemen stood up, their faces looking very solemn.

Wen Xianggong said loudly: "Xin Hanlin, you have not been in the court for ten years, you don't know that the imperial teacher..."

"Minister Wen! Be careful, the walls may have ears!"

Han Xianggong said quickly.

Xin Zhen sighed and cast a spell to isolate the inside and outside. He knew that as long as he cast the spell and made it so that the people monitoring outside could not eavesdrop on what they were saying, Gong Yang Fu would immediately become suspicious of him.

But there was no way. The Prime Minister was so reckless. If he was not protected, he would probably be dealt with by Gong Yangfu immediately.

Now Gong Yangfu didn’t know what they were talking about. At most, he could only suspect but couldn’t take any direct action.

After Xin Zhen cast the spell, he said, "Minister Wen, please speak. I have already cast the spell, and people outside cannot hear it."

Han Xiang was shocked and said, "You can't cast a spell to isolate me, hurry up... Oh, forget it, I'm already suspicious, no matter how I explain, I'll still be suspected, so if that's the case, just speak freely."

Minister Wen sneered and said, "Prime Minister Han, look at your cowardly look. Have all your bones been broken by that traitor over the years? You are so afraid of him. Are you afraid that he will purge you?"

Han Xianggong sighed and said, "If you were afraid of death, you wouldn't be the Privy Councilor. But, Minister Wen, the Imperial Master is not as bad as you say. If there was no Imperial Master in our court, it would have been gone long ago. Although the Imperial Master is ruthless, he still respects the civil servants. The various rules and regulations haven't changed much, right?"

Wen Xianggong sneered and said, "In the past ten years, how many loyal ministers have been slaughtered by the traitor? How many of their families have been exiled, beheaded, or thrown into the Jiaofang Bureau? More than 100,000 people have been implicated. Moreover, the world now only knows about the Imperial Master, but not the Emperor. He monopolizes power and acts like a powerful minister. You still say he is not that bad. Isn't this ridiculous?"

Han Xiang sighed and said, "The country has declined to this point. If there is no strong man to take charge, how can we resist the wolves' prying eyes? Minister Wen, in the current situation, although the dignity of scholars is important, the rise and fall of the country is more important. So, I think some things should be tolerated. Tolerance is for the country."

The Minister of Literature said angrily, "Only those who are called out outside the Donghua Gate are considered good men. We are scholars elected by the country, but we have to be inferior to military men. And your Majesty, the ruler of a country, has to be imprisoned in the deep palace and not even a piece of paper can leave the deep palace. How can you let me bear it? We are deeply indebted to the country, but we have to flatter this traitor. How can you let me bear it!

I could have tolerated it before, but now that Xin Zhuangyuan is back, I will not tolerate it anymore. Xin Zhuangyuan, we all support you. You take back the power, and together we will assist His Majesty and revive the Dahua Dynasty!"

(End of this chapter)