Dugong

Chapter 76 New official takes office
The late emperor appeared to me in a dream!

This matter could be a big deal or a small one; on a grand scale, it could reach the highest levels of society, while on a small scale, it could just be idle gossip among old women in the harem.

A strange light flashed in Li Ping'an's eyes. His tireless service and filial piety had finally won over Empress Dowager Zhou.

With these words, it's hard to say outside, but there's no one who can replace Cining Palace.

After all, Empress Dowager Zhou's legitimacy and status came from the late emperor, and she wouldn't risk damaging her authority unless things escalated to the point of overturning the table and turning against him.

The performance by the master and servant brought tears to the eyes of the surrounding eunuchs and palace maids.

As Li Ping'an wiped away his tears, he glanced around and saw only the old nanny Lingxuan on duty in the corner with a gloomy face. She was not moved by such a scene, so she must have ulterior motives.

"Have Xiao Rongzi deal with it later, don't let it remain an eyesore in front of the Empress Dowager!"

What does it matter if the Marquis of Zhongyong's family has been a servant for generations? A servant is still a servant. When they are out of power, they have to obey and submit. Relying on their seniority, they are resentful and even harmed their sons and grandsons.

Seeing that the performance was almost over, Eunuch Yuan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this servant will return to report."

Empress Dowager Zhou nodded and said, "Xiao Anzi, go and see her off. Don't let Xiao Yuanzi make a wasted trip."

"According to the order."

Li Ping'an saw Eunuch Yuan out of Cining Palace and took out a South Sea pearl from his sleeve: "I would like to trouble Eunuch Yuan to say a few good words for His Majesty."

Grandpa Yuan took the South Sea pearl and examined it carefully, then asked in surprise, "Could this be our family's pearl?"

"Exactly."

Li Ping'an explained, "Before I was sent to the Cold Palace, I entrusted it to Xiao Yuzi for safekeeping. Fortunately, he did not fail in his mission and returned it to its rightful owner!"

"Fun and interesting."

Eunuch Yuan gently stroked the South Sea pearl. He was no longer the eighth-rank inspector he once was. After being promoted more than ten ranks, the South Sea pearl was no longer considered a treasure, but the profound sentiment behind it was still very touching.

"Little Anzi, you've been good at making people happy since the first day you entered the palace. Now your methods are getting more and more sophisticated, and even I've fallen for them!"

When Li Ping'an heard the address "Little Anzi," he knew that the matter had been settled.

"Little Yuanzi, our family has always relied on sincerity and honesty. Otherwise, how could we have caught the eye of the Empress Dowager and the Ancestor?"

"Therefore, it is said that great falsehood is close to truth, and extreme deception is like sincerity."

Eunuch Yuan snorted coldly, carefully put away the South Sea Pearl, and dismissed the accompanying eunuchs: "Whatever Xiao Anzi wants to ask, I will answer it selectively."

Li Ping'an took out the Empress Dowager's imperial edict and pointed to the Emperor's red-inked approval.

"I originally estimated that His Majesty would transfer me to the Imperial Seal Bureau or the Directorate of Imperial Stud, or at the very least the Imperial Supplies Bureau or the Imperial Kitchen Bureau. How come I'm being transferred to the lowest-ranking Imperial Horse Bureau?"

The phrase "taking charge of the affairs of the Inner Palace Attendants" is similar to "You should encourage the ailing prince." However, even when making grand promises, one must offer some incentives. Being transferred to the Imperial Stables to raise livestock was truly unexpected.

Eunuch Yuan said, "His Majesty originally intended to transfer you to the Imperial Seal Bureau, but after a trip to Cining Palace, you were transferred to the position of Director of the Imperial Horse Administration."

Li Ping'an pressed further, "Eunuch Leng... um, what did the Ancestor say?"

As the chief supervisor of the Inner Palace, Eunuch Leng had to maintain a respectful demeanor on the surface, regardless of his private complaints and insults, especially since he was unsure which side Eunuch Yuan was on.

Logically speaking, most of the eunuchs who served as the Director of Ceremonial Affairs were under the command of Eunuch Leng.

After a moment's thought, Eunuch Yuan replied, "Our ancestor did not obstruct His Majesty's decree; on the contrary, he approved of your appointment to the Imperial Seal Office."

"..."

Li Ping'an was not pleased but worried, and became even more wary and vigilant towards Eunuch Leng.

Leng Gonggong must know that he has inherited the legacy of Chu Gonggong. As the vanguard of the "overthrow of Chu" back then, he should obstruct everything.

Such behavior is truly perplexing.

As for the two sides shaking hands and making peace, that's absolutely impossible. Even though Eunuch Chu is dead, there's still his godson, Eunuch Deng, who has forced Li Ping'an to hide in the cold palace and eat coarse bread.

Moreover, if the servants below don't fight amongst themselves, the masters above won't be able to sleep at night.

Eunuch Yuan comforted him, saying, "The Imperial Horse Administration is not bad either. You can be directly promoted to the position of Admiral, which is much better than being a deputy official in the Imperial Seal Administration. It will make it easier to be transferred in the future."

"I understand Your Majesty's good intentions, and I will do my utmost to repay you!" Li Ping'an bowed three times and nine times in the direction of the Hall of Diligent Governance. After getting up, he took out a stack of silver notes and skillfully stuffed them into Eunuch Yuan's sleeve.

"Has Your Majesty been troubled by anything lately?"

"His Majesty's benevolence is praised by the court and the people; he is a wise ruler unparalleled in a thousand years..."

Eunuch Yuan began with a string of flattery, then changed the subject, saying, "The imperial treasury and the national treasury are now empty, and it's rumored that even military pay is running out. His Majesty has taken the lead in advocating frugality, reducing the standard for imperial meals from two hundred taels to fifty taels, and ordering the Imperial Wardrobe to produce fewer new clothes, requiring only eight sets of everyday clothing for the four seasons..."

Li Ping'an suddenly realized that His Majesty was short of money.

Although a meal costs the equivalent of five acres of land, in His Majesty's eyes, it is already very frugal!
"Thank you for your guidance, Eunuch Yuan. I know what to do now."

Eunuch Yuan nodded and said, "Eunuch An, please do your job well. I have a lot of influence with His Majesty, so no one will embezzle the credit."

Li Ping'an smiled and said, "Don't worry, Eunuch Yuan, you'll definitely get your share."

"What do you mean by this or that? We're all doing this to share His Majesty's burdens!"

The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously let out a strange, piercing laugh, the sharp sound echoing around and startling several birds.

"Eunuch An, goodbye."

"See you!"

Li Ping'an bowed and said goodbye. Watching Eunuch Yuan's departing figure, he suddenly recalled the days when the four of them shared a room, where they were of low status but lived a peaceful and stable life.

Seven years have passed in the blink of an eye. Of Fang, Yuan, Zhong, and An, only two remain. They have become big figures among the eunuchs by stepping on the corpses of their peers!

……

Imperial Horse Stables.

The government office was located in the northwest corner of the palace, with three courtyards in total, and it occupied a much larger area than the Imperial Kitchen and the Imperial Seal Office.

However, being large is not necessarily a good thing. The front yard was the area where the governor worked, while the middle and rear yards housed stables, saddle warehouses, hay sheds, and other facilities.

Because of the strong smell of animals, no nobles lived in the surrounding palaces; they were mostly eunuchs' bedrooms, storerooms, or even abandoned and empty rooms.

After making the trip, Li Ping'an immediately understood why Xiao Dengzi was so eager to be transferred.

In this desolate place, let alone seeing the emperor's face, even the imperial processions of concubines and princes never pass through. They deal with beasts all day long, so how can they make progress?

"Eunuch Leng's rise from the Imperial Horse Administration to the position of the Grand Eunuch of the Inner Palace was not solely due to seizing opportunities; he likely employed other formidable methods as well!"

Li Ping'an, dressed in a brand-new bright red official robe, walked unhurriedly towards the Imperial Horse Stables.

From afar, one could see four rows of eunuchs kneeling outside the yamen, with officials in the front row and servants without official rank kneeling behind.

It's past noon now, and they've been kneeling for at least two or three hours. Which eunuch would dare to slack off or kneel less? Someone would report them afterward, which would be perfect for currying favor with Governor An.

As Li Ping'an approached, everyone bowed and shouted in unison.

"This servant greets Your Excellency!"

"Um--"

Li Ping'an's reply was squeezed out through his nose, indicating that he was in a bad mood. He glanced at the old eunuch at the head of the line and asked.

"What's your name, and what's your job?"

The old eunuch was startled. According to the custom of a new official taking office in the palace, he would first kill a monkey to establish his authority. Thinking of this, he immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, this servant has summoned Xiao Jizi, who is handling documents in the supervisory room."

"Old Ji..."

Influenced by Empress Zhou, Li Ping'an spoke in a kind and amiable voice: "How much silver do you earn in a year?"

Eunuch Ji's face turned pale. He wanted to stubbornly insist that he was honest and upright, but he didn't dare. After a quick calculation in his mind, he gave a more cautious answer.

“This servant earns three to four thousand taels of silver every year. Your Excellency, you are wise enough to know that the Imperial Horse Stables will share in the profits…”

(End of this chapter)