I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 316's main theme is that she's completely impervious to reason! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ming's face immediately darkened, and he became somewhat angry.

He knew Fang Qian was deliberately making things difficult for him, but for the sake of his subordinates' future, he suppressed his anger and said with a forced smile, "Lord Fang, these people have all undergone strict screening by the Ministry of Justice, there is absolutely no problem. Do you think it would be possible to make an exception?"

Fang Qian sneered, his tone laced with sarcasm: "Lord Xiao, rules are rules. I dare not bend the law for personal gain. Besides, you didn't say that back in Shanghe City."

Xiao Ming was speechless, cursing inwardly: This kid really holds a grudge!
He forced an awkward smile and said in a low voice, "Lord Fang, I was wrong back then. I apologize to you. Could you please be lenient?"

Fang Qian remained unmoved, his face still cold as he said, "Lord Xiao, please watch your words. This is the Ministry of Personnel; I am simply following procedure."

Xiao Ming was so angry he wanted to grind his teeth, but there was nothing he could do.

He knew that Fang Qian was determined to block him.

If Fang Qian doesn't budge, his dozen or so subordinates won't be able to get promoted.

How is he supposed to explain this to his subordinates?
He made a bold promise, guaranteeing they would be able to get the job smoothly.

"Fang Qian, if you have the guts, come at me! What kind of skill is it to make things difficult for my subordinates!" Xiao Ming finally couldn't hold back and pointed at Fang Qian angrily.

Fang Qian, however, remained unfazed and coldly replied, "Lord Xiao, I am merely handling official business, and the Ministry of Personnel is not a place for you to cause trouble."

Xiao Ming's face turned ashen with anger. Seeing the growing crowd around him, he knew that causing trouble here would lead to serious problems.

He could only leave the Ministry of Personnel in anger and return to the Ministry of Justice to complain to Minister Pang Jin.

After listening to Xiao Ming's report, Pang Jin's face also darkened.

As the Minister of Justice, he has always been protective of his own, and he would definitely help his subordinates vent their anger. If he didn't help his subordinates, how could they be loyal and work hard? Moreover, Xiao Ming was his most trusted subordinate.

He immediately slammed his fist on the table and stood up angrily, saying, "How dare a mere clerk from the Ministry of Personnel make things difficult for my Ministry of Justice! Let's go, I'll personally go to the Ministry of Personnel and demand an explanation!"

Pang Jin, accompanied by Xiao Ming, arrived at the Ministry of Personnel in a menacing manner. Given Pang Jin's status, he wouldn't target a low-ranking official, so he went directly to Luo Hui, the Minister of Personnel.

As soon as Pang Jin entered, he said coldly, "Lord Luo, aren't the people from your Ministry of Personnel going too far? My subordinates from the Ministry of Justice are being held up at the vetting stage when they start working. What does this mean?"

Luo Hui is the newly appointed Minister of Personnel. Although he is not as senior as Pang Jin, he is not someone to be trifled with.

The matter has just escalated quite a bit, and as the Minister of Personnel, he must already know what happened.

Luo Hui smiled faintly, his tone tinged with sarcasm: "Lord Pang, everything must be done according to the rules. His Majesty has clearly ordered an investigation of officials in all departments. Are you trying to make an exception at this time? Doesn't that make our Ministry of Personnel make a mistake? I don't think my subordinates have done anything wrong."

The position of Minister of Personnel is inherently high-ranking and powerful, and many people in the court have to be mindful of his feelings. Luo Hui has been working in the court for decades and finally managed to reach this position.

You dare to give me attitude just because you came in? If I tolerate this, then everyone in our Ministry of Personnel will be able to bully us.

Pang Jin was speechless, his face turning ashen.

He didn't expect Luo Hui to be so tough, showing him no respect whatsoever.

He said coldly, "Lord Luo, are you trying to make trouble for my Ministry of Justice? Our people in the Ministry of Justice risk their lives for the Tian Ce Dynasty. If your subordinates refuse to release their positions, won't that make the officials who have sacrificed for the Tian Ce Dynasty feel disheartened?"

It's clear that Pang Jin speaks eloquently and logically.

Luo Hui, however, was not buying it and said calmly, "Lord Pang, you can't say that. I'm just following the rules. If you have any objections, you can report me to His Majesty."

The main point is that he is indifferent to everything.

Pang Jin slammed his fist on the table in anger and roared, "Fine! Then let's wait for His Majesty to return and see who's right and who's wrong!"

Luo Hui sneered, showing no sign of backing down: "Mr. Pang, please proceed."

The confrontation between the two ministers quickly spread among the court officials, causing an uproar.

The court officials discussed and speculated whether it was Pang Jin, a close advisor to the emperor, who was gaining power, or Luo Hui, the newly appointed Minister of Personnel, who was able to maintain the prestige of the Ministry of Personnel.

The entire imperial court was in turmoil. At this time, Lin Mo and Wei Manying also arrived in the capital.

Although Wei Manying was a princess of the former dynasty and a wanted criminal, few people knew what a 'princess of the former dynasty' looked like, so she could still freely enter the capital.

Lin Mo, on the other hand, was a rising star in the Ministry of Works. He was in charge of the construction of various major projects, and many wealthy and noble families were eager to work for him.

After all, getting investment in some projects from Lin Mo would be incredibly profitable.

Lin Mo never had any intention of forming cliques or engaging in private activities, but his social circle was growing stronger, as many people needed his help.

With his status, he's quite influential in the capital, even more so than Wu Qi from a while back.

In other words, each of them will be dominant for a period of time.

Lin Mo judged that Xiao Ming couldn't find any substantial evidence of his collusion with the remnants of the previous dynasty, so he definitely wouldn't dare to report him, which was why he dared to come to the capital.

As it turned out, his judgment seemed to be correct.

When he returned to the Ministry of Works, everyone there greeted him warmly, and nothing seemed amiss.

Now that he can't be with Wei Manying, he has to let Wei Manying handle the scheme he set up for Xiao Ming.

At this moment, Xiao Ming had just walked out of the Ministry of Justice and was in a very bad mood.

The main reason is that I feel sorry for my subordinates.

Although the Minister had already arranged for his subordinates to be hired outside the official staff, they still needed to find a way to get Fang Qian to agree to the application.

Just as he was pondering a solution, he suddenly saw Wei Manying.

Wei Manying stood on the street outside the Ministry of Justice, wearing a light purple dress, with beautiful features and an outstanding temperament.

Xiao Ming's mood improved considerably as soon as he saw her.

Seeing Xiao Ming's ecstatic expression, Wei Manying sneered inwardly: This kid is really good at pretending; he truly deserves to be a master of the Ministry of Justice.

She didn't know that Xiao Ming was completely unaware of the Dragon Emperor's tomb and was genuinely happy to see her.

Xiao Ming strode up to Wei Manying, his voice tinged with excitement: "Miss Wei, what brings you to the capital?"

Wei Manying smiled slightly and said gently, "I want to talk to you about something."

Xiao Ming's heart pounded. He thought to himself: Has this woman been moved by my perseverance and started to like me? She took the initiative to come looking for me after not seeing me for a few days?
He suppressed his excitement and said calmly, "Okay, I also have some things I'd like to talk to you about."

Wei Manying nodded and said softly, "Then let's go sit in a teahouse nearby."

Xiao Ming readily agreed, and the two walked side by side toward the teahouse not far away.

Along the way, Xiao Ming would steal glances at Wei Manying from time to time, feeling secretly pleased with himself.

Meanwhile, Wei Manying was secretly plotting how to test Xiao Ming's attitude.

Upon arriving at the teahouse, the two chose a quiet private room to sit down.

Wei Manying ordered a pot of fine Longjing tea. The aroma of the tea filled the air, creating a particularly warm atmosphere.

Xiao Ming picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked with a smile, "Miss Wei, is there something important that you came to the capital this time?"

Wei Manying put down her teacup, looked directly at Xiao Ming, and asked in a tentative tone, "Lord Xiao, I came here today to ask you if you have heard any rumors lately?"

Xiao Ming was taken aback, somewhat puzzled: "The sound of wind? What sound of wind?"

(End of this chapter)