Ming Dynasty: pacifying the rebellion and defending the border, dominating the world

Chapter 347 Yue Buqun: The Chief Supervisor of the Eastern Depot, me? Really?
Late at night, the palace.

Inside the Qianqing Palace, a person stood before Zhu Jinzhen.

Someone who should have died.

"This servant, Cao Zhengchun, thanks Your Majesty the Emperor for your great kindness."

With his hair now gray and his health failing, Cao Zhengchun had lost his former vigor and the imposing manner of the head of the Eastern Depot. His hunched back made him look like an old man on his deathbed.

Cao Zhengchun, the former head of the Eastern Depot, was very polite and eloquent.

Zhu Jinzhen has always had a good impression of him.

"Hmm, not bad." Zhu Jinzhen praised, then looked away from Cao Zhengchun and instead turned to the secret guard standing respectfully to the side, not daring to raise his head. He asked indifferently, "Are you a secret guard?"

As a veteran in the palace, Cao Zhengchun was already highly skilled at reading people's expressions and moods.

Therefore, he simply lowered his head and respectfully awaited Zhu Jinzhen's judgment, without showing any anger.

However, deep down, he still had some interest in the secret guard who had brought him there.

"Yes."

The guard lowered his head and replied respectfully, "I joined the guard in the twelfth year of the Zhengde reign."

Zhu Jinzhen nodded calmly and recited the other party's identity information as if he knew it by heart, "Yue Buqun, the elder of the Qi Sect of Mount Hua, is also one of the most popular candidates to become the next leader of Mount Hua."

Suddenly, Zhu Jinzhen changed the subject and asked meaningfully, "Cao Zhengchun is crippled, Liu Xi is dead, and the remaining experts of the Eastern Depot, such as Wan Yulou and Pi Xiaotian, are of little use."

"The only one who is worthy of my attention is Cao Shaoqing."

"At present, the Eastern Depot is in disarray, and there are vacancies in both the position of director and deputy director."

"Therefore, I intend to offer you the position of Deputy Director of the Eastern Depot, Yue Buqun. What do you think?"

Deputy Director of the Eastern Depot?

Yue Buqun's body trembled violently, shaking repeatedly.

Even Cao Zhengchun, who was bowing and scraping before Zhu Jinzhen, couldn't help but secretly glance behind him with curious eyes, trying to catch a glimpse of Yue Buqun.

I want to see just how talented this person is, to be so suitable for the Eastern Depot, that His Majesty Prince Su, who has already succeeded in the Jingnan Campaign, would favor him so much.
When he was in charge of the Eastern Depot, how come he didn't realize that there were such talented people who were suitable for the Eastern Depot?

Cao Zhengchun felt a pang of regret in his heart.

Yue Buqun was now in a dilemma.

The Huashan Sect in the world of martial arts is one of the nine major sects of the Ming Dynasty. There are even Huashan Sects in other countries with the same lineage. Yue Buqun is not the sect leader, but just a minor Qi Sect elder.

There was naturally no pressure from the Songshan Sect.

But even though the world is different and people's status is different.

Despite being tempted by Zhu Jinzhen's offer, Yue Buqun was still madly moved.

By normal standards, Yue Buqun would be over sixty, though in terms of lifespan for someone at the Finger Profound Realm, he still has a long way to go. But now, he has a chance to rise to the top in one leap!
A mere inch or two was utterly insignificant compared to Yue Buqun's wildly growing ambition.

"I already have Lingshan. My junior sister and I tried many times in our early years but we never had any more children. It has been many years since we had any children..." Yue Buqun was filled with emotion as he carefully weighed the gains and losses.

He discovered that if he were ruthless enough to cut off the root of his troubles...

He could easily obtain the position of the Eastern Depot Supervisor, second only to the emperor.

It can be said that it is entirely beneficial and without any drawbacks.

Although the Huashan Sect is a martial arts sect, it is also a Taoist orthodox sect. By the time Yue Buqun was old enough to have cultivated a pure and tranquil mind, his desire for men and women was much less than before, and even almost non-existent.

Aside from needing to feel some pain, Yue Buqun couldn't imagine what he would lose.

On the contrary, we can see what he can gain.

The Deputy Director of the Eastern Depot held a position of immense power, second only to the emperor and above countless others.

As for Mount Hua? Reputation? Wife and daughters? None of those matters to Yue Buqun now.

He believed that if he became the deputy director of the Eastern Depot, and was even personally appointed by Zhu Jinzhen, the elders of Mount Hua would not only not blame or be ashamed of him, but would also support his decision.

As for reputation?

Although Yue Buqun also has the title of Gentleman Sword.

In this dog-eat-dog world of martial arts, where the strong are respected, a little bit of reputation means nothing.

The only thing to worry about is his wife and daughters...

Yue Buqun had already made up his mind.

"If I become the head of the Eastern Depot, and His Majesty selects concubines in the future, with Ling Shan's beauty and my help and support, even if I can't hope for the position of Empress, at least... the position of a concubine shouldn't be a problem, right?" Yue Buqun instantly imagined a huge future blueprint.

He became the deputy director of the Eastern Depot, reaching the highest position in the court, and was a confidant of Zhu Jinzhen.

His daughter, Yue Lingshan, entered the palace to serve the emperor through the imperial selection. If she could win the favor of Zhu Jinzhen, his status as the head of the Eastern Depot would be enhanced by the added prestige of being Zhu Jinzhen's father-in-law.

that……

The main thing is that he doesn't make stupid mistakes, doesn't choose the wrong side, and doesn't make any major errors.

His position is now as secure as Mount Tai.

He might even be able to rise further and become the true head of the Eastern Depot, thanks to his daughter's influence in the future.

As for his previous idea of ​​joining the Northern Garrison and becoming a commander or garrison commander?
Yue Buqun, who had long been blinded by the position of deputy director of the Eastern Depot, had completely forgotten about it.

"It is unreasonable to ask someone to do something against their will."

“Since you are unwilling, then, Cao Zhengchun…”

Zhu Jinzhen's voice, like a thunderclap, exploded in Yue Buqun's ears as he was lost in his fantasy, making him dizzy and almost faint. He didn't mean to refuse!
"Your Majesty, I am willing, I am willing!"

"To have gained Your Majesty's favor, this servant is deeply grateful!" Yue Buqun replied excitedly, disregarding his lack of decorum in front of the palace. He even knelt down at the end and changed his self-reference.

Yue Buqun knew very well that if he missed today's opportunity, he would never have such a world-shaking encounter that would change his future.

They probably don't even have the qualifications to meet the emperor.

He must catch him.

Cao Zhengchun, bowing deeply, had a slight twitch at the corner of his eye.

Although he had been the head of the Eastern Depot for many years and had been castrated to enter the palace since childhood, this was the first time in his life that he had seen people vying to become eunuchs, which truly broadened his horizons.

However, upon further reflection, Cao Zhengchun understood why Yue Buqun was so eager to become the eunuch.

Does this person deserve to be called a eunuch?
The Deputy Director of the Eastern Depot!

The Director of the Eastern Depot was in charge of the Imperial Seal Office. The Twelve Directorates of the Imperial Palace were basically under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Depot. In a sense, he was the most powerful official, second only to the Director of the Eastern Depot.

This is no less than an ordinary person achieving success in one step.

No less than those civil service officials, who rose from county magistrates of the seventh or eighth rank to directly enter the cabinet.

With such an opportunity presented to him, Cao Zhengchun couldn't imagine how many people could remain indifferent.

"Ambitious and decisive."

"He's a promising talent for the Eastern Depot."

Cao Zhengchun silently thought to himself that whether Yue Buqun was suitable to be the deputy director of the Eastern Depot was beyond his knowledge and judgment. The one who could truly determine whether Yue Buqun had the ability and qualifications was Zhu Jinzhen, who was currently sitting on the throne.

And the next head of the Eastern Depot.

(End of this chapter)