The Third Department Serves Chapter 23: Overturned

  Cutting Void Recommendation: "The Legend of the Cultivation Magician", author Li Bai (A strong book with over a million clicks still needs to be advertised, despicable)

  The next day, at Chen time, Cai Jing was in his study.

  After listening to Ye Mengde's account, Cai Jing stroked his beard and laughed loudly: "Good! Indeed, the younger generation is formidable. With a turn of the wrist, he turned the situation around in an instant, and those people like Yishangzi probably didn't expect that their good fortune would be ruined by a songstress! Marvelous, marvelous!"

  Cai You and Ye Mengde, who were standing by, seeing Cai Jing in such a good mood, immediately chimed in with a few dry laughs. Cai You then said: "Father is indeed wise in recognizing people, even someone like this young master can be put to use, I admire you."

  Cai Jing smiled: "Yu'er, do you still dislike this future son-in-law? Even if you went to the Jinming Pond's Imperial Examination announcement wall to pick a son-in-law, would you find one as excellent as him?"

  Originally, at that time, literature was valued over military affairs, officials were valued over scholars, and the imperial examination of the Song Dynasty granted official positions as soon as one passed. Therefore, every year when the exam results were announced, Jinming Pool was crowded with people from all over, including not only the scholars who stretched their necks waiting for the announcement but also high-ranking officials and wealthy families from Bianjing and other places who sent people to wait there to find sons-in-law. As soon as someone's name appeared on the list, the first ones to rush up were often not relatives or classmates coming to congratulate him, but rather officials or their guests holding colored ribbons like chains, who would catch hold of him on the spot and settle the engagement. There were even cases where people bid for the groom on the spot, with a successful candidate's price reaching over 1,000 yuan, which was truly the best footnote to "In books there are golden houses, in books there are fair maidens".

  It's just that the daughter-in-law is often forced into marriage, and the woman has no choice but to be used as a pawn by her own family to win over a promising young talent. The man also has his own beloved, but is coerced into marrying up due to the power of the wealthy and influential family. Every year, countless tragic comedies are played out, with the most famous being Chen Shimei during the reign of Emperor Renzong. It's really unfair to blame Bao Longtu, as he was a poor scholar who dared not resist the pressure from the imperial princess.

  Cai You heard this and was worried, hastily asking Ye Mengde: "Shao Yun brother, did Gao Qiang mention when he would come to propose and pay the betrothal gifts?" With only one precious daughter, Cai You couldn't let her suffer any grievances. The idea of proposing marriage was also his, thinking that with Cai Jing's cunning and depth, how could he be so petty about such a small matter.

  Ye Mengde hastily told Cai You what Gao Qiu had said before, and only then did Cai You feel at ease. As the two were chatting, Cai Jing suddenly asked: "Shao Yun, do the father and son of the Gao family have any other words to entrust you to tell me?"

  This was a wake-up call for Ye Mengde, who hastily took out the letter from his bosom and presented it to Cai Jing. Cai Jing took it over, opened it, and shook his head while reading the beginning of the letter. However, as he read on, his brow furrowed, and he looked up at Ye Mengde, asking: "Shaoyun, did Gao Qiang ever tell you what was written in this letter?"

  Ye Mengde was taken aback, what exactly did this letter say, and why did Chancellor Cai look somewhat surprised after reading it? He hastily denied it, and Chancellor Cai handed over the letter in his hand. He took it over and quickly scanned it, seeing that they were all matters that had been discussed beforehand, only now with some additional details, such as Chancellor Cai's subordinates should prioritize speaking out on governance issues when submitting memorials, and temporarily not mentioning other things, etc. Scanning to the end of the letter, he saw that there were seven big characters written: "Appointed to take charge of the Eastern and Southern Tribute Bureau".

  Ye Mengde raised his head, secretly observing Cai Jing's expression, but couldn't see any joy or worry, so he carefully considered the words in his heart and cautiously said: "Sir, this strong intention seems to be that he wants to take on the position of Ti Ju of Dongnan Ying Feng Bureau?"

  Cai Jing nodded and said: "It seems that's what it means, but why does this child want to be like this?"

  Ye Mengde thought to himself, "How was I supposed to know?" He silently cursed Gao Qiu for suddenly showing up. Why would he leave his official post in the capital and run off to Suzhou? Was it just for fun? Now he had become a go-between for the Cai and Gao families. Whenever Cai Jing had something on his mind, he would naturally ask Ye Mengde, but this time Gao Qiu's son had not given him any hint beforehand. This... how was Ye Shaoyan supposed to respond?

  He was sweating in his palms, his brain spinning rapidly, carefully pondering Gao's intention. On the other side, Cai You jumped up: "How can this be! This kid is about to come and propose marriage, and within a year, he will marry Ying'er and take her as his wife. Does he want Ying'er to follow him to Jiangnan? It's simply absurd!"

  Yue Mengde hadn't spoken yet, but Cai Jing had already glared at Cai You: "Nonsense! In our great Song dynasty, it's the proper way for officials to gain experience in local areas before returning to the capital. How many people are like you, constantly getting promoted in the capital? This Gao Fang doesn't even have a decent background, and if he were to be appointed as an official outside the capital, this position at the Dongnan Yingfeng Bureau would indeed be suitable for him. He can accumulate experience without delaying his career advancement, and at most, after three years, during the grand comparison, he can return, and by then, his official career will be smooth sailing, with no limits! What I find strange is how he thought of asking me for this position?"

  Cai You was glared at by his father and didn't dare to speak again. Ye Mengde hastily picked up the conversation: "Sir, I think it's because Gao Jie and his son were planning their official career path and felt that after three years in the capital, there were no more positions to be promoted to, but they might still be blamed for something. Therefore, they thought of being transferred out, knowing that the East-South Tribute Bureau was established at your suggestion, so they came to ask you to help them out."

  Cai Jing furrowed his brow and pondered for a moment, shaking his head: "I'm afraid it's not that simple, there must be another reason behind this, but I haven't figured it out yet. Never mind, even if he has some plan, with just the Eastern Southeastern Circuit Intendant, I doubt he can stir up much trouble. This matter will become clear later, for now let's just agree to it. Shao Yun, go and placate Zhu Kan, tell him to submit a memorial requesting a transfer, and make him the Hangzhou Military Affairs Supervisor."

  Ye Mengde nodded in agreement, and Cai Jing continued: "The most urgent task at present is to take advantage of the government's wavering intention and quickly submit a memorial to discuss the pros and cons of governance by people like Yi Xiangzi." He tapped his hand on the letter written by Gao Qiang and smiled slightly: "This young man from the Gao family has made all sorts of plans, which really resonate with me. Hmph, this young man is indeed formidable... Shao Yun, immediately go and call Yu Shen to come and carefully discuss it with him. Once this plan is set in motion, we must take steps that are swift and decisive, giving the other side no chance to catch their breath, and only then can we defeat them completely."

  The next day, Yu Shen presented a memorial to the emperor, saying: "When Cai Xianggong was in power, he used all the laws of the Xining and Yuanfeng eras. Now that he has received the current emperor's instructions, he does not dare to abuse his authority. But Liu Kui and others, who are in charge of the government, discuss and decide on matters every morning, and all the laws implemented by Cai Xianggong have been changed one after another. I fear that this may lose the original intention."

  The memorial was personally delivered by Liang Shicheng to the imperial study in Chongzheng Hall, where it was deliberately placed on top. When Zhao Ji reviewed government affairs, he casually picked up this memorial and, upon reading it, found it very much to his liking. He couldn't help but think of the enchanting experience from the previous night and pondered when he could go again to indulge in such pleasures. The White Elegance was unparalleled in her beauty and charm, surpassing all the women he had ever encountered. Her presence made one feel as if every single pore on their body was open, and her demeanor on stage was like that of a celestial being. It seemed that even the legendary encounter between King Xiang of Chu and the goddess couldn't compare to this delight.

  He was lost in thought, a sly smile spreading across his face, and had put the proper matter aside. Suddenly, he heard someone beside him chuckle and say: "The official has thought of something delightful, and is laughing with such abandon!"

  One word woke up the spring dream, Zhao Ji was somewhat unhappy at first, but when he turned his head, all his anger disappeared. Why? It turned out that the person was none other than Zheng Guifei, who was currently the most favored. When Zhao Ji was caught by the imperial concubine while daydreaming about his romantic affairs outside, he felt a bit guilty and didn't have any temper left. He hastily smiled and said: "Imperial Concubine, I laughed because what this memorial says makes sense, and it reminded me of a joke that Yu Yushi told before. Imperial Concubine, come take a look at this memorial, does it make sense?" This was just nonsense, but with his identity as the emperor, even the most favored concubine would follow along with his meaning, so Zheng Guifei naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to ask "what joke is so funny?"

  Empress Zheng took the note and looked at it, and found that it was indeed from her brother Zheng Ju Zhong, who had sent someone to communicate with her. She smiled according to the instructions she received: "I don't know much about court affairs, but I think Minister Cai is carrying out the law in accordance with the imperial family's will, and he is also an old minister of the Xining era. I suppose he will not spare any effort in following the laws of Shao Shu."

  Zhao Ji saw that the attention of the noble consort had been diverted, and hastily followed up: "The beloved consort is right, I also feel that the edict dismissing Chancellor Cai was indeed somewhat hasty."

  Zheng Guifei smiled and stopped talking, leaning against the back of her chair to watch Zhao Ji review documents. Meanwhile, Liang Shicheng was secretly delighted in his heart, knowing that he had finally taken sides with the right team, and after this shift, he would spread the news out.

  The next day, Liu Zhengfu, the Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, who had just returned from his mission to Liao, entered the court to report on his mission. Zhao Ji asked him about the situation in the north, but suddenly changed the subject and asked about the merits and demerits of Cai Jing and Zhao Ting's governance. Zhao Ji thought that Liu Zhengfu, who had just returned from a long journey, would be impartial and fair in his words, but he didn't know that Cai Jing had already instructed his subordinates to spread rumors among trusted officials, so people related to the Cai party had some premonitions. When Liu Zhengfu heard the emperor's question, wasn't it clear that this was a comeback move by Cai Jing? He took advantage of the situation and spoke about Liu Kui's arrogant behavior in court discussions, looking down on his colleagues.

  Three days later, Yu Shen and Shi Gongbo jointly submitted a memorial to impeach Liu Qi for his arbitrary and repeated abuse of power, abolishing the good laws of Xining at will, violating the way of Shaozong, and humiliating his colleagues, citing evil parties as a major pest in the court. Originally, Liu Qi was also from Cai Jing's new party, but now he has come out to establish another faction, knowing that he is isolated and weak, so he suggested that the people involved in the party case be transferred one by one, hoping to win favor and gain support, but unexpectedly provided ready-made ammunition for his opponents. It turned out that Zhao Ji personally mentioned the names of party members, but was forced to slap himself in the face, and this heart knot has been remembered. As soon as he saw the memorial, he immediately recalled his own affairs, and had already been operated on by Gao Gang, so he immediately issued an edict, ordering Liu Qi to be dismissed as the governor of Huaizhou.

  Now that the edict has been issued, Gao Gang will soon learn that Cai Jing's reappointment is a done deal. He couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. These past few days have been spent secretly making small moves, which had left him feeling stifled. Now he can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

  It was just a moment of relaxation, and in less than half a minute, he was sucked back in. Xu Guanzhong came in to report: "Sir, the old master has invited you to discuss the marriage proposal."