Chapter 68: Audience

  Sun Chengzong was originally the teacher of Emperor Taichang, but after Emperor Taichang's death, the court did not make a new appointment. His position as Hanlin compiler was just an empty title, so he had been staying at home these days.

  Yang He glanced at Sun Chengzong, and a different color flashed across his face. Although he had seen this old man several times before, he really hadn't had much contact with him. It wasn't until now, when he came to the old man's house, that Yang He discovered that he was indeed a good official. At this time, being able to remain clean and upright was already a very difficult thing to do.

  Yang He smiled and said, "Director Sun, you can't save money on this banquet, although you didn't invite us in, but you can't avoid drinking this wine."

  Yang He glanced at the house behind Sun Chengzong, such a house looked like it was inhabited by rural farmers, and it was hard to imagine that a generation of imperial teachers actually lived in such a place.

  Just as Sun Chengzong was about to ask why, another group of people came to the door that had been sparse all day, but this time the people who came were different.

  A small, unassuming young man with a greenish complexion, looking no more remarkable than the sons of rural landlords. What made people not dare to underestimate him was the group of guards standing in front of him, the Imperial Guard, the personal bodyguards of the Tianqi Emperor.

  As the curtain was lifted, a eunuch dressed in palace attire walked out slowly. When he saw the officials standing at the door, he was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said: "The gentlemen have arrived early! It seems our family has come late."

  "Elder Chen, coming early doesn't seem to be of any use! It still depends on your esteemed self!" Yang He had no prejudice against this Elder Chen, knowing that not only had he gained the favor of Emperor Tianqi, but was also a straightforward person, and was not in the same league as those treacherous and evil eunuchs.

  "Governor Yang said so, our family can't afford it. Who is Governor Sun? Come out and receive the edict!" Chen Hong slowly walked towards the crowd, scanned around, and his eyes fell on Sun Chengzong's face.

  "Your Majesty, Sun Chengzong has received the imperial edict. Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, forever and ever!" Sun Chengzong was somewhat perplexed but still knelt down to receive the edict.

  "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Sun Chengzong, a jinshi degree holder, has always been known for his talent and ability. He was once a teacher to my late father. Since I ascended to the throne, I have been cautious and fearful, deeply afraid of failing to live up to my late father's heavy trust. Specifically, I hereby appoint Sun Chengzong as the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Academy, and have him enter the inner court to attend to matters. By special decree, I confer upon him the title of Emperor's Teacher, and order him to come into the palace to instruct me in reading books." As Chen Hong read out the imperial edict, Sun Chengzong's body trembled incessantly, having finally waited for this moment after so many years.

  "I thank Your Majesty for the great kindness." With a respectful and reverent attitude, Sun Chengzong received the imperial edict, his expression somewhat agitated but with a face full of delight.

  Looking at Sun Chengzong's appearance and taking another glance at the mansion behind him, Chen Hong thought to himself: "This Lord Sun is indeed extraordinary, no wonder His Majesty values him so much."

  "Lord Sun, His Majesty knows that you live a simple life, this is a reward from His Majesty." Chen Hong said as he beckoned to the imperial guard behind him. The guard understood and brought over a wooden tray covered with a piece of red silk.

  He gently picked up the silk, and suddenly revealed the silver-white thing inside. Chen Hong smiled lightly and said slowly: "There are 500 taels of silver here, which is a reward from His Majesty to Lord Sun. I hope Lord Sun can accept it."

  Looking at the silver that dazzled people's eyes, Sun Chengzong couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It seemed that this young emperor was indeed not simple! He gently picked up a piece of silver and put it in Chen Hong's hand, smiling and saying: "Thank you, Chen Gonggong, for your hard work this time."

  With the silver in hand, Chen Hong suddenly burst out laughing. It seems that this Mr. Sun is not a stubborn old conservative who eats ancient things and does not change with the times, but also understands reason!

  "Ladies and gentlemen, I'll go change into some other clothes, please wait a moment. You all have come to congratulate me, so this round of drinks is on me." He nodded with a smile at Chen Hong, then turned his gaze towards Yang He and the others standing aside, smiling as he spoke.

  With the end of the Chief Cabinet Secretary's incident, the entire imperial court seemed to have returned to its usual atmosphere, although it was dull and depressing, but also in order. The Donglin Party people seem to have acquiesced in this result, while the Qi Zhe Chu Party is busy contacting neutral ministers, as if they are the main characters in the imperial court.

  Qianqing Palace, the imperial study, where Emperor Tianqi is receiving the new Grand Secretary of the Imperial Cabinet, Sun Chengzong.

  The two men did not speak, but looked at each other. The Tianqi Emperor kept sizing up the famous minister of the late Ming dynasty, with a joyful expression flashing in his eyes. As the Tianqi Emperor sized up Sun Chengzong, the new Grand Secretary was also sizing him up. The impression of that weak and timid youth had disappeared, replaced by a resolute face, with piercing glints flashing between his opening and closing eyes, looking quite extraordinary.

  "Sun Ai Qing, how have you been these past few days? Is there anything going on at home that you can tell me about?" The Tianqi Emperor couldn't help but secretly admire Sun Chengzong, who looked calm and composed. Just this ability to cultivate one's energy was not something ordinary people could achieve.

  "Your Majesty, everything is fine at home, thank you for your concern." Sun Chengzong slightly bowed to the Tianqi Emperor with a hint of gratitude.

  Although it was already very late, the inner palace of the Forbidden City was still brightly lit. Everyone in the palace knew that Emperor Tianqi was summoning the new Grand Secretary Sun Chengzong.

  For this newly appointed cabinet scholar, both inside and outside the palace, it was considered a deeply favored minister of the emperor. In the imperial study, Emperor Tianqi and Sun Chengzong sat facing each other, with several dishes on the table and a pot of wine.

  "Sun Ai Qing, I am very happy today, come and have a few cups with me!" The Tianqi Emperor was in a good mood, it could be seen from his face, such a smile had been rarely seen for so long. This made Li Lan standing aside even more curious, who exactly was this Sun Chengzong, why did the Tianqi Emperor value him so much?

  Compared to the Emperor's delight, Sun Chengzong looked a bit tense. In the Han and Tang dynasties, it was nothing for officials and emperors to eat together. However, in the Ming dynasty, except for grand ceremonies, few people could receive such an honor. Lightly picking up the wine cup on the table, Sun Chengzong said: "Your Majesty, this old minister has received undeserved rewards and cannot rest or eat well."

  For this veteran official who had experienced ups and downs, his life was quite bumpy. Although he passed the imperial examination as a scholar at the age of 16, it seemed that his good luck ended there. It wasn't until 16 years later, when Sun Chengzong was 32 years old, that he finally passed the provincial examination. Originally thinking that his good fortune had arrived, Sun Chengzong found that fate had played another joke on him. It wasn't until 11 years later that Sun Chengzong finally passed the imperial examination as a jinshi, at which point he was already 43 years old. Although he ranked third in the examination, it could also be said that he achieved success late in life.

  That's all for today, thank you everyone! Goodnight to all!