What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 227 The Empress is dumbfounded! Su Mo scolds the examiner until he faints!

Before Su Mo could click the exclamation mark, Chi Wulei glanced at him expressionlessly and took the initiative to speak: "You are the Martial Envoy Su Mo?"

"Where is the military governor's token?"

Su Mo had many titles, and naturally, he also had many ivory tokens.

The tokens included those of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Phoenix Cry Bureau, the Phoenix Cry Secret Order, the Chief Attendant of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and the Clerk, among others.

The official's identification card must be carried at all times, as it serves as proof of official identity and is always in use.

"Lord Chi, please wait a moment!"

Su Mo responded and began rummaging through the pouch.

The pouch was filled with a lot of random things.

Only when Chi Wulei's pretty face darkened and the other examiners' expressions became strange did Su Mo pull out a small ivory token from his pouch and hand it to Chi Wulei with both hands: "Please take a look, sir!"

Chi Wulei took the ivory token, looked at it, and then handed it back to Su Mo, pointing to the last seat on the right: "Please go and sit down."

Su Mo turned her head and looked.

There were twelve examiners in the main hall, and I must have been the last one to arrive, as there was only one empty seat in the hall.

However, Su Mo was not surprised.

The Immortal Martial Arts Grand Examination was one of the most important systems for the imperial court to select talents.

Those who can serve as examiners naturally hold high-ranking official positions and have powerful backgrounds.

These officials generally lived in the inner city or in the market area near the Zhuque Gate of the outer city.

It's even possible that after the list was read out in the imperial court, everyone would come directly to the Temple of King Wu.

The Su residence was located in Chang Le Fang, which was far from the Zhuque Gate, so the soldiers responsible for picking him up and dropping him off were the last to notify him.

After Su Mo sat down, she saw that the desk in front of her was furnished with the Four Treasures of the Study, which were very simple.

The other examiners did the same.

Without further hesitation, he clicked on the exclamation mark above Chi Wulei's head to see what kind of tasks this new target could issue.

The mission is a regular mission; the hidden missions like the Empress's are rare and highly sought after.

Upon seeing the task details, Su Mo was taken aback.

I thought that the mission was issued the first time I met Chi Wulei, and since it happened during the Immortal Martial Arts Trial, it must be related to the Immortal Martial Arts Trial.

The result was completely different.

[Chi Wulei]: Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel (15%)

[Task]: My seriously ill younger sister

[Requirement]: Help Chi Wulei treat her seriously ill younger sister until she recovers.

[Hint]: It is said that a miracle doctor came to Datong Temple, claiming to be able to cure all kinds of difficult diseases, but he was extremely greedy and charged exorbitant fees, refusing to treat those who couldn't afford it.

[Note]: If you do not have ten thousand taels of silver, do not overestimate your abilities.

[Note]: Chi Wulei is gentle on the outside but tough on the inside. She is extremely averse to backdoor dealings. Giving her money directly may backfire.

[Reward]: 10%-20% increase in favorability; ten years of cultivation; official appointment as an eighth-rank official!
……

Su Mo was taken aback.

Finally, I've encountered another reward that increases my cultivation level, and this time it's ten years' worth of cultivation level!
During this time, Su Mo diligently cultivated with Lord Qianhu, and it wasn't for nothing.

They've all advanced to the late stage of the Soul Stabilizing Realm.

After completing this task, I'm afraid I can directly advance to the Divine Realm!
To Su Mo's surprise, there was even a reward like being granted an official appointment.

It means that as long as you complete the task, you can get an eighth-rank official position and let the people below you also become officials.

This reward of official appointment is quite fitting for the Ministry of Personnel, which controls the promotion of officials.

Su Mo looked at the mission prompt again.

The task is simple.

Just give Chi Wulei ten thousand taels of silver.

This amount of money would be an astronomical figure for others, but for Su Mo, it was something he could easily come up with.

There were only three silver gourds in the cellar.

The problem lies in the third hint!
Chi Wulei was extremely disgusted by using back channels!

Obviously, they wouldn't easily accept their own money.

The key to completing the mission is to deliver the silver to Chi Wulei in a reasonable way without arousing her resentment.

However, starting with 15 points of favorability is unprecedented.

Although Su Mo didn't know why, he felt that completing the task shouldn't be too difficult.

Just as Su Mo was pondering how to reasonably bribe the official in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, Chi Wulei glanced at everyone and said coldly, "I am Chi Wulei, and I am honored by His Majesty's trust to serve as the chief examiner for this Immortal Martial Arts Grand Examination!"

"The Immortal Martial Arts Grand Examination will be held the day after tomorrow, and all the examiners who will supervise the examination have arrived."

"You all surely understand the importance of the grand test."

"I hope that you all can work together with me to ensure the success of this grand examination and live up to His Majesty's expectations."

As she spoke, Chi Wulei's pretty face darkened slightly: "Let me make this clear from the start."

"If anyone harbors any intention to engage in favoritism or corruption, I urge them to pull back from the brink as soon as possible, otherwise don't blame me for being ruthless and speaking frankly before the Emperor!"

All the examiners were stern and respectful.

The Immortal Martial Arts Grand Examination and the Imperial Examination were both serious crimes.

If a candidate does not speak out, he will be publicly displayed in cangue on the spot, stripped of his status and academic honors, and forever barred from taking the exam.

The examiners will be demoted at best, and dismissed at worst, with no chance of a future official career.

After the chief examiner, Chi Wulei, gave his opening remarks, it was naturally the deputy chief examiner's turn to speak.

Wang Zongwang, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory official sitting to the lower left of Chi Wulei, actually took advantage of Zou Hou.

According to the rules, the Immortal Martial Arts Grand Examination must be conducted by two officials from the Imperial Observatory.

After Zou Hou was arrested, in order to appease Yuan Xingdao, the Empress appointed Wang Zongwang, who was also a Lingtai Lang, as the deputy chief examiner to assist Chi Wulei.

Wang Zongwang nodded slightly, glanced at everyone, and said with a forced smile, "Everyone has heard what Lord Chi said."

"I have nothing more to say. As I said before, everyone knows the importance of the Immortal Martial Arts Grand Examination. It is a system for the court to select talents and cannot be taken lightly."

"From my observation, most of you examiners have taken this seriously, but..."

As Wang Zongwang spoke, his gaze suddenly fell on Su Mo, and his face showed displeasure: "As the Military Supervisor, why is Su Mo dressed in ordinary clothes?"

Upon hearing this, many examiners showed expressions of suspicion.

Previously, when the eunuch read out the list of examiners in the imperial court, everyone was very surprised and suspicious.

Su Mo, who was last on the list, was just a minor official!

The position of clerk was not considered a high-ranking official; even the clerk of a county attached to the city was only a ninth-rank official, the lowest rank.

How can someone of such a rank command respect and be qualified to serve as a military supervisor?

Other examiners and military supervisors could be at least seventh-rank officials, such as the Director of Studies at the Imperial Academy or the Director of the Military Command.

This bizarre situation surprised everyone, and they all inquired about Su Mo's background.

There are many well-informed officials in the imperial court.

Among the examiners, someone realized that the newly bestowed title of Gufeng Shanzi was also called Su Mo.

Normally, Wang Zongwang should address Su Mo by his title, even if he doesn't call him Su Duwu.

However, Wang Zongwang addressed Su Mo with the lowest-ranking official title, "Su Dianshi," which was clearly illogical and puzzled the examiners.

Could it be that Lingtai Lang has a grudge against Su Mo?
Su Mo is currently researching how to reasonably send Chi Wulei ten thousand taels of silver.

Suddenly hearing someone say the words "Surname Su" startled me slightly.

Is Su Dianshi referring to himself?
He looked up at the crowd and found that all the examiners' eyes were on him, but he didn't know who had said "Surname Su".

Su Mo smiled somewhat awkwardly: "Uh...which lord mentioned me earlier?"

Wang Zongwang's face darkened, and he said coldly, "So, when Lord Chi reprimanded me, Registrar Su turned a deaf ear?"

"Could it be that Secretary Su has other matters that are more important than the Immortal Martial Arts Trial, and he needs to consider them at this time?"

Su Mo subconsciously sized up the guy who was speaking.

He was a slightly overweight, fair-skinned, square-faced, and very prosperous-looking middle-aged man.

However, a very noticeable black mole on the left eyebrow stood out conspicuously, adding to the man's sinister aura.

Su Mo frowned slightly, certain that he had never seen this person before, so there was no grudge between them.

Why does it seem like this is targeting me?
He had inquired about the Immortal Martial Arts Grand Examination from Lin Moyin and knew that the person who could sit in this position was the deputy chief examiner of the Grand Examination.

Wang Zongwang's face darkened further when he saw Su Mo staring at him so openly.

Su Mo is not the type to offend others for no reason.

They all immediately replied, "Please forgive me, sir, we were indeed distracted by some matters." "What did you say earlier, sir?"

Chi Wulei and the other examiners had black lines on their foreheads.

Wang Zongwang, his face dark with anger, snorted, "I'm asking you a question!"

Why are you only wearing casual clothes?

Seeing the other party's unfriendly tone, Su Mo's expression also darkened. He said calmly, "May I ask, sir, does the imperial court stipulate that examiners must wear official robes to supervise the examination?"

Wang Zongwang was stunned, as if he couldn't believe that Su Mo would dare to speak to him like that.

He took a deep breath and said coldly, "Such an important selection of talents by the imperial court is a matter of the court's reputation. How can it be treated with ordinary clothes?"

Su Mo nodded: "From what you've said, sir, there is no such rule?"

Wang Zongwang's expression froze for a moment.

The other examiners also stared at Su Mo in disbelief.

To everyone's surprise, Su Mo dared to retort to Wang Zongwang in this way.

What does it matter if one is a county magistrate or a marquis?

The marquises of the Great Wu Dynasty mostly went to the sea.

It's just a solitary mountain, not the kind of powerful feudal lord who commands tens of thousands of soldiers and controls hundreds of miles of territory.

Wang Zongwang was not only the deputy chief examiner of this grand examination and a fifth-rank official in the Imperial Observatory, but also came from the Prince of Yi family, one of the five prominent families and seven prestigious clans.

Even though it's only a collateral branch, it's still quite remarkable.

The Wang and Cui families are giants in the paper industry, with immense wealth, power, and influence. They are deeply rooted families and are among the best of the five surnames and seven noble families!
Wang Hao, the Grand Secretary of the Jianji Hall and concurrently Minister of Revenue, was a member of the Prince of Yi's family.

It can be said that Wang Zongwang had the support of the second-in-command, as well as a very close clan relationship!

Just as everyone was in shock, Chi Wulei suddenly said calmly, "We all came directly from the court. County Magistrate Su did not attend court and was urgently summoned here. It is normal that he is not wearing official robes."

Wang Zongwang snorted heavily: "Since Lord Chi speaks up for him, I will not bother with him."

"This has caused the court to lose face, and if the Emperor blames us, don't say I didn't remind him!"

Chi Wulei nodded slightly, thinking the matter was over.

Unexpectedly, Su Mo suddenly smiled and said, "So the deputy examiner was thinking of me. I misunderstood you, sir."

He emphasized the word "deputy": "However, I only have one set of official robes for a minor official, which just happened to be washed and not yet dry last night."

Su Mo looked at Wang Zongwang with a serious expression: "May I ask, Deputy Chief Examiner, is it possible to replace the official robes of the Registrar with the imperial-bestowed flying fish robe?"

"If possible, I will have the soldiers from the examination hall return home and fetch it for me?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zongwang's face immediately turned as black as if it were about to drip water.

The examiners secretly swallowed hard.

Such a petty clerk, yet he's so vindictive!
Even though Lord Chi Wulei tried to smooth things over, he still wouldn't let it go!

Just who is this guy?
They dare to provoke people from the five surnames and seven noble families?

Chi Wulei spoke again, his gaze falling on Su Mo, and said calmly, "The imperial bestowal of the flying fish robe will further demonstrate the majesty of the court."

Su Mo turned his gaze to Chi Wulei, smiled and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Chief Examiner."

"I thought that even if the emperor bestowed upon me a flying fish robe, it would not be enough to show how much importance I attach to the imperial examination, so I sent the tiger robe along with it."

As he spoke, he turned to Wang Zongwang and asked, "Deputy Chief Examiner, do you think it would be better for me to wear a flying fish robe or a tiger robe?"

"It seems the grand examination will take several days. Send the flying fish robe and tiger robe along with it as replacements."

“Uh…” Su Mo paused, then suddenly remembered something and quickly stared at Wang Zongwang with wide eyes: “By the way, where is your bestowed robe, Deputy Chief Examiner?”

"Could it be that there's only one set, and it's only put on during the major test?"

Wang Zongwang was so angry that he trembled all over, pointing his finger at Su Mo: "You...you..."

Su Mo stared at Wang Zongwang in surprise, her eyes wide: "Sir, what's wrong?"

"Is it because you're getting old and your health isn't good?"

"At your age, most people have high blood pressure. If you're not careful, you could easily suffer a sudden blood vessel rupture and die!"

Su Mo looked at Wang Zongwang very seriously, with an expression that seemed to be thinking on Wang Zongwang's behalf: "Please forgive my rudeness. As you said before, the Immortal Martial Arts Grand Examination is an important event for the imperial court to select talents, and it cannot be taken lightly!"

"If Your Excellency is old and frail, and unwell, please inform His Majesty immediately and abdicate in favor of a more worthy successor. It should still be in time to avoid any unforeseen circumstances!"

“When officials reach the age of rank, even if they are not dead, they would have retired to their hometown long ago.”

Wang Zongwang was so angry that his beard trembled. He pointed at Su Mo and couldn't speak for a long time.

Even Chi Wulei's eyebrows twitched, and he almost couldn't recognize him and burst out laughing!

What does it mean to step down and yield the throne to a more capable person?
Does this mean that Wang Zongwang is not virtuous?
Not a virtuous minister? Then he must be a treacherous minister? And you add "old codger" to that?
Chi Wulei was both amused and exasperated. He never expected that Su Mo could curse people without using any foul language, yet still be so infuriating!
Wang Zongwang pointed at Su Mo for a long time, but seeing that everyone else was staring at him with strange expressions, looking like they wanted to laugh but didn't dare to, and no one came out to smooth things over, he didn't know how to end the situation. He was so anxious that he felt dizzy.

He collapsed to the ground, his vision going black.

Everyone was instantly stunned.

Seeing everyone staring at him in shock, Su Mo was also a little bewildered.

Could this guy really have some hidden illness?

Judging by her age, she doesn't seem to be at the stage where she should have high blood pressure.

It's best not to blame yourself.

He quickly spread his hands, looking completely innocent, and said, "Everyone saw it."

"I told him he was unwell."

"His fainting has absolutely nothing to do with me!"

Su Mo turned his gaze to Chi Wulei: "Lord Chi, please testify that I did not touch the deputy chief examiner at all."

Chi Wulei was also somewhat bewildered.

She hadn't been in office for long; she was quickly promoted by the Empress and had never encountered such a situation before.

The deputy chief examiner fainted from anger at Su Mo. Will he still be able to continue serving as the deputy chief examiner?

He couldn't help but feel disgusted with Wang Zongwang.

With that kind of mentality, you shouldn't have provoked them. You ended up making a fool of yourself and embarrassing yourself!

He even claims to be a great sorcerer at the Divine Transcendence Realm?

Are there any powerful sorcerers in the Divine Realm who are so easily angered that they faint?

Chi Wulei glanced at Su Mo with a sense of frustration, but did not check on Wang Zongwang's condition. Instead, he summoned soldiers to take Wang Zongwang to the rear of the palace to rest, and then frowned as he looked at everyone.

"Deputy Chief Examiner Wang is unwell. What do you all think should be done about this?"

The other examiners exchanged bewildered glances.

They're all seasoned veterans of officialdom; they certainly wouldn't easily voice their opinions.

They all said to Chi Wulei, "We will leave it to you, sir."

Chi Wulei could only turn her gaze to Su Mo, the instigator.

Su Mo replied without hesitation, "In my opinion, this matter should be reported to His Majesty and await His Majesty's judgment!"

Chi Wulei nodded slightly. Although Su Mo was vindictive, he was a responsible person.

Since that's the case, she didn't want Su Mo to bear all the responsibility, so she said calmly, "Let's vote."

"Raise your hand if you disagree with reporting this matter to His Majesty!"

The examiners immediately cursed under their breath.

What does "raise your hand if you disagree" mean?

Shouldn't it be a raise of the hand for those who agree?

Who would be willing to be the first to speak out? What if they disagreed and reported to the Emperor, and Su Mo's jinx came true and Wang Zongwang died suddenly while proctoring and grading the exams? Who would take responsibility for that?
Seeing that the examiners were looking at each other without making a move, Chi Wulei said calmly, "Since everyone agrees to report this matter to His Majesty, I will report to His Majesty according to the results of everyone's vote!"

After saying this, he picked up his pen and wrote a memorial, which he then sent back to the palace by the soldiers in charge of guarding the examination hall!

Su Mo looked at the beautiful female official from the Ministry of Personnel, who was writing rapidly, with some surprise.

My favorability rating actually increased a little?
Having angered Wang Zongwang to the point of fainting, causing him countless troubles in his life, shouldn't his favorability rating have decreased?

Could it be that Chi Wulei has a grudge against Wang Zongwang?
Previously, Chi Wulei had asked him how to handle this matter.

Su Mo didn't think too much about it; her mind was very simple.

Since it was Wang Zongwang's crazy behavior targeting him, Su Mo went to find the Empress, who was his backer, to vent his anger.

I never expected that this would actually increase Chi Wulei's favorability!

Inside the Lizheng Hall, the Empress was discussing the upcoming Immortal Martial Arts Trial with her six cabinet ministers when she suddenly received an urgent report from the Martial King Temple.

Then the Empress was dumbfounded.

What exactly happened?

Before the Immortal Martial Arts Grand Trial even started, Su Mo had already verbally abused the deputy chief examiner until he was dizzy?
(End of this chapter)