4 years later…

  For Fan Shao, the day began as usual. He rose early, folded his bedding, and donned his red official robes.

  As a court official, his career was always closely intertwined with intrigues and power struggles within the palace. Yet, among all the officials, only Fan Shao appeared exceptionally kind and approachable, even to those outside the palace.

  Fan Shao stepped out of his residence, took a deep breath of the morning breeze, and smiled at the dawn sky. Though dressed in official robes, he strolled along the muddy road, greeting everyone he encountered, whether merchants or commoners. In his right hand, he carried a heavy cloth bag filled with books, documents, and pens.

  At this time, at only 26 years old, he is the Director of the Yong dynasty’s Appointments Bureau, the youngest person in the history of that position! Fan Shao was indeed a well-known diligent person in the imperial court.

  He continued walking a long way until he reached the palace gates. The other ministers were already queuing there, waiting to enter the palace. The palace gates stood tall, their bronze decorations gleaming in the twilight… At this moment, the air was cold and still, and as the officials lined up to enter the palace, their whispers echoed in the frigid air.

  Fan Shao calmly joined the queue. He immediately looked around, as if searching for someone in the long line..

  “Director Fan…”

  A familiar man’s voice called out, soft and gentle, calling Fan Shao’s name.

  "Director Fan!" The voice rang out again, this time louder, but still in a whisper!

  Fan Shao quickly turned around and saw his friend, Liu Bao, the Director of the Merit Bureau, standing a few steps away! After Fan Shao recognized him, Liu Bao was waving to him. Liu Bao maintained a calm expression, but his eyes revealed a hint of fatigue from working for a long time…

  Fan Shao smiled. "Ah, Director Liu! You look very tired."

  "Director Fan, you have no idea. These past few days, my office has seen a real number of corruption cases!" Director Liu sighed, and the two stepped forward side-by-side, their voices lowered. "These officials are utterly corrupt and nepotistic! How could a clerk be promoted so high in just three years? It's unbelievable! Turns out he bribed my people with gold to fabricate achievements. Gold… in this world, you can buy anything with gold!"

  Fan Shao clicked his tongue, narrowed his eyes, and said, "Since the death of the late emperor, corruption has become increasingly rampant. Not to mention those martial arts sects that have begun to dominate this country and the court... I only hope that this dynasty can be at peace."

  Fan Shao sighed and looked around. He noticed something strange... Every morning, the highest-ranking officials of the court would be summoned to the palace to meet the emperor at the morning court. But today, there were far more officials than usual. If it weren't for the colors of their robes, Fan Shao wouldn't even be able to recognize some of them!

  Fan Shao adjusted the cloth bag in his hand, its heavy weight pressing down on his waist. Other officials would have their servants or slaves do it for them, but he insisted on carrying it himself. He wondered to himself, what kind of edict was inside, and why so many people had been summoned?

  As he pondered this, the drums sounded all of a sudden, and the palace gates opened.

  “Hurry, Director Fan!” called Liu Bao. Officials, including Fan Shao, hurriedly lined up and headed towards the outer court. There, the magnificent palace, halls, and towers came into view, forming a splendid sight! However, for officials like Fan Shao, the palace was just another building. A massive, elaborate building—one they encountered every day in their daily court life.

  The sun had risen, and its rays illuminated the entire court. The officials continued on their way until they reached the main hall. The palace guards immediately opened the gates, allowing the officials to enter. Once inside, the gates slammed shut with a soft but resonant thud.

  Fan Shao entrusted his cloth bag to a guard and then followed the group.

  Upon entering the main hall, the courtiers immediately lined up neatly, forming two columns on either side, leaving a passageway in the middle leading to the throne according to court protocol.

  However, after so much time, the emperor still hadn't appeared, and whispers began to circulate again!

  "The emperor is often late, at least once a week! It's really strange..." Liu Bao whispered to Fan Shao, who stood there silently, patiently waiting for the emperor's arrival.

  As everyone waited, the whispers in the hall grew louder and louder. Only Fan Shao and his colleague, director Liu Bao, remained silent, although the usually talkative Liu Bao sometimes couldn't help but comment on the situation at hand.

  Suddenly, a voice rang out from outside the hall doors, and everyone fell silent. "His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!"

  The main hall doors slowly opened, and the Emperor and an official entered. Everyone immediately knelt in obeisance. The emperor looked very young, about the same age as Fan Shao. He was dressed in a full yellow ceremonial robe and a black headwear. He walked towards the throne with slightly hurried steps, clearly late for the assembly…

  This emperor was named Yong Baizheng, the second son of the late Yong Baike Emperor. He ascended the throne four years ago.

  He sat on his throne, while the elderly official in purple robes stood to his right, holding a scroll. Judging from the intense glances exchanged among the court officials, this official’s arrival seemed to have caught them completely off guard!

  It turned out that this official was none other than the renowned Luo Chen, the Central Secretariat Director! His appearance with a scroll in hand has always been a sign that a major edict is about to be issued!

  Whispers arose again, and after a moment, the emperor raised his hand and said calmly, "I am late, I am truly sorry. There is... an urgent matter." He cleared his throat, glanced at Luo Chen, then quickly swept his gaze over Minister Kun before returning to the crowd. "Now that everyone is present, let us begin the morning assembly."

  "Yes, Your Majesty," the crowd rose and answered in unison. Fan Shao was among them; he kept his head down and stood motionless.

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  "Today, I have an important edict to issue, concerning the vacancy of the position of Grand Chancellor that has remained vacant for several months since the traitor, former Grand Chancellor Cheng Lu, was punished!"

  These words, like a sharp sword piercing through clothing, resounded throughout the court! A hush fell over the crowd; they could only whisper amongst themselves, their eyes tense.

  Among these officials were many disguised martial arts sect disciples, serving their respective masters to consolidate their positions in the imperial court. Whoever was appointed chancellor would undoubtedly benefit their faction over the court greatly!

  "A new chancellor? His Majesty knows that everyone here who could possibly rise to be chancellor is a sect agent, right?" Liu Bao whispered to Fan Shao. Fan Shao simply stood there and glared at Liu Bao before turning his gaze back to the emperor.

  "Luo Chen, announce the imperial edict!" the emperor roared.

  "Yes, Your Majesty," Luo Chen replied, then slowly opened the scroll, solemnly and fluently read:

  "The emperor decrees!"

  Upon hearing this, everyone bowed their heads in submission, awaiting the contents of Luo Chen's reading.

  "Six months ago, the traitor Grand Chancellor Cheng Lu betrayed the dynasty and the people and was sentenced to death by beheading! Since then, the position of chancellor has been vacant. In order to fulfill the duties of the government and restore order to the realm, a chancellor needs to be appointed!"

  The situation was growing increasingly tense! "Who will be the Grand Chancellor?" Everyone was pondering this question… Even mid-level official Fan Shao was deeply worried, his face equally tense! The position of "Grand Chancellor" alone was enough to completely change the leadership of the court and officials, and immediately shake the power structure of the various factions and sects within the palace!

  “The Director of the Ministry of Personnel’s Appointments Bureau, Fan Shao!”

  "What?" Liu Bao abruptly raised his head, even his beard trembling from the sudden movement! Fan Shao also raised his head almost simultaneously with Liu Bao, his face turning deathly pale upon hearing his name!

  Nevertheless, Fan Shao had no choice but to hesitantly move forward to the middle between two rows of officials, facing the throne directly on the emperor’s view. He tried to maintain his calm composure, though everyone near him knew well that he shook greatly!

  Fan Shao was just an ordinary official in a red robe, a bureau chief in a ministry! He thought to himself, there was no way he could become chancellor. This was utterly illogical; the emperor might seem childish, but he wouldn't even glance at such a modest bureaucrat!

  As Fan Shao moved forward, the young emperor was already half-smiling. Luo Chen read out the following in a loud tone:

  "Director Fan is diligent, intelligent, and dedicated, upholding justice and the people's livelihood! His benevolent and neutral character has earned him trust, and he is qualified to serve as chancellor. By the virtue of heaven, the emperor has decreed…

  …Director Fan is now the chancellor of Great Yong!"

  The words "Director Fan is now the chancellor of Great Yong" echoed in Fan Shao's mind like a thunderclap, shaking him to his core… He knew better than anyone else present that this decree would completely change his life! For those greedy old monsters, such a status was nothing short of a gift from heaven. But for Fan Shao, it was as if he had been given the burden of a mountain out of thin air, a burden that even the ancient gods could not bear!

  All eyes immediately fell on Fan Shao. Whispers from those around him filled his ears, and anxieties began to build in his heart. He tried to convince himself it was his responsibility, but no matter how hard he tried, a voice inside him kept telling him that even before the emperor, he must shout "No!"

  Nevertheless, Fan Shao clasped his hands together, bowed respectfully, and said, "Y-Your Majesty, I thank you for your boundless kindness. I will sincerely accept this duty."

  The young emperor merely glanced back at Fan Shao, who then stepped back to his original position. However, just as Fan Shao was about to return to his ranks, another official appeared and bowed to the emperor. This man was dressed in a purple robe, indicating his high status!

  “Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, I oppose this appointment,” the man said firmly, his hands still clenched. Before Fan Shao could even get back to his position in the back row, he encountered a new problem! He hesitated for a moment, slowed his pace, and tried to remain calm.

  This old man is a highly respected senior official in the imperial court, having served since the early years of the previous emperor's reign. He had a thick gray beard and half of his hair was fully gray. This man was none other than Kun Changsheng, the patriarch of the Kun family and the Minister of Works!

  With this big of an enemy, the entire hall knew well that Fan Shao would likely experience difficulties from now on..

  "Why is that, Minister Kun?" The young emperor narrowed his eyes as he sat on his throne and asked the old man.

  Kun Changsheng glared at Fan Shao, who simply stood there watching. Kun Changsheng continued, “Your Majesty, although Director Fan is diligent and virtuous, he is young and inexperienced, which may lead to unforeseen problems. Under his leadership, the court may find it difficult to adapt to his arrangements. Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

  “Your Majesty, please reconsider!” Kun Changsheng’s group suddenly clasped their hands together and voiced their opposition in unison! Fan Shao then realized that half the people in the hall already posed a threat to him. But he continued to observe, while Liu Bao kept saying, "Chancellor Fan, you're finished! That's the old monster Kun Changsheng; you're no match for him!"

  However, suddenly, another official dressed in a red robe stepped forward, clasped his hands together, and said, “Your Majesty, in my opinion, Chancellor Fan is indeed worthy of the title. He is upright and selfless, deeply loved by the people, and highly respected by scholars. Your Majesty, I oppose Minister Kun’s opinion on this matter!”

  The person who said these words was Yuan Yi, the Dean of the Imperial Academy and a well-known scholarly leader in the court!

  After Yuan Yi spoke, dozens of officials immediately clasped their hands together and said in unison, "Your Majesty, we agree!"

  Although the number of officials supporting Yuan Yi was less than that of Kun Changsheng's supporters, Yuan Yi wielded immense influence among the court scholars, and his reputation spread throughout major academies across the country. Kun Changsheng felt caught in a dilemma!

  Kun Changsheng immediately pointed at Yuan Yi and roared, "You treacherous villain! You keep talking about virtue, but where were you four years ago when the late emperor passed away?! Do you intend to further corrupt the court?!"

  Yuan Yi didn't respond, but an official behind him pointed at Kun Changsheng and shouted, "Dean Yuan's actions have nothing to do with the late emperor's death! You feign loyalty, yet oppose His Majesty's appointment of a capable chancellor!"

  An official in a red robe beside Kun Changsheng, enraged, retorted, "Shut up! You scholars are all talk; we are the ones who truly govern the country!"

  More and more officials surged in from all directions, shouting at each other, and the hall descended into chaos!

  Fan Shao and Liu Bao simply glared at each other silently, while most of the officials in the room were busy arguing. At this moment, the emperor sighed and signaled to Luo Chao to quell the situation.

  Luo Chen nodded. The old man stepped forward and said loudly, "Enough, everyone!"

  The hall fell silent again, but the atmosphere remained tense. Luo Chen then bowed and presented the scroll to the emperor. Without uttering a word, the emperor immediately opened the scroll and stamped it with the imperial seal—which astonished everyone!

  The emperor calmly declared, "I am the emperor of this country, and I have the right to decide which officials are competent and which are incompetent!"

  As soon as the emperor finished speaking, a tense exchange of glances erupted among the officials, who remained with their hands clasped tightly together. Amidst these silent arguments, one could even hear some helpless sighs, but no one dared to shamelessly oppose the decree any further, not even the hot-tempered Kun Changsheng!

  The emperor continued, "I hope everyone can work together to revive this nation and assist Chancellor Fan in handling his current affairs. Is that alright?"

  The crowd reluctantly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."