Late Ming Dynasty: So what if Emperor Chongzhen was inactive?!

Chapter 94 You are Lu Xiang-sheng?! Meeting you today, you truly are a hero!

The next day, the Ministry of Justice's memorial was placed on the emperor's desk. Criminal matters were hardly a major issue for the Ming Dynasty, which was currently in a precarious state. If it weren't for the fact that the convict army was so utterly incompetent, Zhu Youjian would have wanted to send all the prisoners in the country to the battlefield.

Normally, Zhu Youjian would approve Ministry of Justice documents by referring directly to the opinions of the Grand Secretariat. The reason this memorial caught his attention was because of the person mentioned in it: Lu Xiang-sheng, the Prefect of Daming Prefecture in the Ming Dynasty!

Zhu Youjian was overjoyed: "Haha, I haven't even gone to find him yet, and he's already come running over here! Brilliant!"

"Wang Banban, prepare a banquet!" Zhu Youjian announced loudly.

"Your Majesty, which official are you hosting this time?"

"Prefect Lu Xiang-sheng of Daming is currently in the capital. Send someone to find him immediately and summon him to the palace for a banquet! Invite more people this time: Duke of Yingguo, Marquis Zhongzhen, Grand Secretary Bi, Grand Secretary Zhu, Commander of the Jinwu Guard Wang Lin, Commander of the Northern Garrison Tang Yu, and Wang Zai-jin as well," Zhu Youjian said.

"Your Majesty, are there any requests regarding the wine and dishes?" Wang Chengen continued to inquire.

Yes, people get tired of eating the imperial chefs' cooking all the time. A formal banquet also feels a bit restrictive. Those who hire courtesans to perform are all bursting with a sense of righteousness; who knows how they might criticize the emperor? Modern scholar-officials aren't as uninhibited as those of the Han and Tang dynasties. They might be quite outrageous in private, but they have to put on a show in front of the emperor.

"Those deer in the Imperial Garden are constantly fighting. Order the Imperial Kitchen to select the fattest one, slaughter it, and slice it thinly. Also, take a few lambs and a few fresh fish, finely slice them, and prepare the stove and utensils. I will have roasted meat this time!" Zhu Youjian said, licking his lips.

At this moment, Lu Xiang-sheng had just been sent away by the people from the Ministry of Justice with disdain, and then he arrived at the Ministry of Revenue. Lu Xiang-sheng had previously served as the principal of the Guizhou Department and the assistant director of the Shanxi Department of the Ministry of Revenue. The Ministry of Revenue was his old employer, and he was not disliked there. On the contrary, he saw many old colleagues.

"I knew you weren't one to stay put! I never imagined that after you were sent to a local post, you would come back to the capital and cause such a huge mess! Now those people in the Ministry of Justice hate you to the core!" said Li Daiwen, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, with a smile.

Faced with his former boss's teasing, Lu Xiang-sheng showed a hint of embarrassment and repeatedly begged for mercy.

Li Daiwen continued, "What, after dealing with the Ministry of Justice, is Prefect Lu now going to take action against our Ministry of Revenue?"

“Minister Li, I have come to pay my respects to Grand Secretary Bi,” Lu Xiang-sheng said.

“Grand Secretary Bi is not here; he is in the Wenyuan Pavilion,” Li Daiwen said, shaking his head.

"May I ask, Vice Minister Li, when will Grand Secretary Bi arrive at the Ministry of Revenue? Or where is his residence located?"

Upon hearing this, Li Daiwen's expression turned somewhat strange. He said, "Grand Secretary Bi is mostly on duty in the Grand Secretariat, occasionally returning to the Ministry of Revenue to handle affairs at unpredictable times. As for his residence... it was destroyed by fire on the night of the Lantern Festival and has long been burned to the ground."

"Ah?!" Lu Xiang-sheng was shocked.

"Lu Xiang-sheng, Prefect Lu, is Lu Xiang-sheng here? Which one of you is Lu Xiang-sheng?" a young eunuch barged into the Ministry of Revenue and asked.

"My name is Lu Xiang-sheng. May I ask what your orders are, sir?" Lu Xiang-sheng asked, his brows slightly furrowed. "I wouldn't presume to give orders, Lord Lu. His Majesty has invited you to a banquet at the palace. Please follow me."

"Hiss," Li Daiwen gasped, "This is His Majesty's Qingyun Banquet! Lu Jiandou, you are destined for great success, so don't forget me when you become rich and powerful!"

"What is the Qingyun Banquet?" Lu Xiang-sheng was completely baffled.

On the shore of Taiye Pond, the spring sunshine is bright, and carp leap out of the water, breaking the tranquility of the lake; under the shade of green trees, a row of copper ovens are set up, and yellow wine is bubbling and steaming with the aroma of wine.

Among those invited, the Duke of Yingguo, having been invited to meals by the emperor so often, had become immune. However, Wang Lin, Tang Yu, and Lu Xiangshan, who were attending for the first time, were flattered and overwhelmed. Wang Zaijin, on the other hand, felt somewhat strange. He believed he was disliked by the emperor and wondered why he had been invited this time.

Following the eunuch's instructions, everyone took their seats. To their surprise, the person seated at the lower left was a young man with an unfamiliar face.

All eyes turned to Lu Xiang-sheng. Even if the others weren't familiar with each other, they knew each other. Lu Xiang-sheng was the exception. Feeling somewhat uncomfortable under their gazes, he repeatedly bowed and greeted them, saying, "I am Lu Xiang-sheng, the prefect of Daming Prefecture. Greetings, everyone."

The others, however, didn't presume to be arrogant and rose to announce their official titles. Lu Xiang-sheng hadn't expected that the Grand Secretary Bi, whom he was looking for, was also present. The official ranks of everyone present were increasingly intimidating, except for Lu himself...

Lu Xiang Sheng held the lowest official rank. Lu Xiang Sheng trembled slightly, unaware that the others were also muttering: Why was Lu Xiang Sheng, a prefect, arranged to sit in the second seat? They all felt that this banquet was entirely set up for this kid, and that the rest of them were just there to make up the numbers.

Bi Ziyan, who was in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, was aware of Lu Xiang-sheng. After all, Lu was diligent in paying taxes, ensuring the full amount was paid to the imperial court, while also maintaining an exceptionally good reputation, earning him the nickname "Lu the Upright Official"—it was simply outrageous. In every local post he held, he consistently received top marks, standing out among all local officials; it was impossible for Bi Ziyan not to notice him.

He thought he must have a talk with this young man after the banquet. He vaguely remembered that the young man was from the Ministry of Revenue, and he planned to ask him if he wanted to be transferred back to the Ministry. Although he held the positions of Grand Secretary and Minister, he was indeed quite busy and wanted to find someone to share the burden.

To avoid embarrassing others, Zhu Youjian waited until everyone had arrived before attending. Upon seeing the emperor, everyone bowed in greeting.

Lu Xiang-sheng felt as if he were facing a formidable enemy, his mind filled with doubt. He was not familiar with the emperor, and had never even submitted a memorial to him alone. He wondered why the emperor had chosen him. Usually, when the emperor summoned his ministers, they would present a memorial to him. He had already mentally prepared several drafts.

"So you are Lu Xiang-sheng?! I've heard that you practice martial arts at home every day carrying that 140-pound broadsword. Seeing you today, you truly are a hero!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed. Lu Xiang-sheng himself was not happy. He said sullenly, "I only practice some martial arts to strengthen my body. I was a second-class Jinshi in the second year of the Tianqi reign, and my literary skills are not bad either."

Zhu Youjian chuckled and said, "You, you, I know you are a great talent with both literary and military skills. The reason I invited you to this banquet is because of your effective management of the fields in Daming Prefecture."

"We, sitting high in the imperial court, cannot fathom the affairs of the common people as deeply as you. At this year's banquet, I request that you recount your practical experiences in your tenure in Daming Prefecture. If you see any shortcomings in the court's laws, please speak frankly without hesitation."

(End of this chapter)