Prime Minister

Chapter 56 056 [A Winter Gathering]

As the year draws to a close, the festive atmosphere in Beijing is gradually becoming stronger.

In accordance with the regulations of the imperial court, all departments and offices prepared for the New Year's celebrations, and the Hanlin Academy was no exception.

On the nineteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Xue Huai arrived at the Hanlin Academy to report for duty.

Tomorrow marks the end of the Hanlin Academy's term, which will last until the 20th of the first lunar month, giving the Hanlin scholars a full month of New Year's leave.

Inside the five-bay main hall, Lin Miao, the Grand Academician, was summarizing the achievements and shortcomings of the Hanlin Academy over the past year.

Readers Liu Huaide and Zhang Qian, lecturers Zhou Wen and Wang Yuxiu, and others sat at the lower end of the table. In addition, there were many other scholars, including readers, lecturers, compilers, editors, reviewers, doctors of the Five Classics, classicists, officials waiting to be summoned, and probationary scholars.

Xue Huai was among them. Only today did he realize that the number of officials in the Hanlin Academy was quite large, roughly fifty or sixty people. Usually, they would not all come together.

Fortunately, the main hall was spacious enough, otherwise it wouldn't have been able to accommodate so many people.

As Lin Miao's gentle and warm voice continued to reach his ears, Xue Huai gradually drifted into a state of mental relaxation.

He was thinking about someone.

The corruption case in the Ministry of Works has been concluded. Former Minister Xue Minglun requested to retire and return to his hometown. Everyone with discerning eyes knew that this was the last bit of dignity the emperor was giving him, so that he wouldn't lose face. Otherwise, the Minister of Works would certainly receive various rewards upon retirement, instead of embarking on his journey home empty-handed like Xue Minglun.

Gu Heng, Qi Huan, Jia Fan, and other officials were sentenced to immediate execution, and their entire property was confiscated.

Liu Pingshun, a miscellaneous servant of the Hanlin Academy, is still imprisoned in the Jing'an Division's jail. Some time ago, another person went in to keep him company, namely Chen Quan, the former lecturer.

Xue Huai couldn't help but feel regret.

Of course he knew Chen Quan had a problem. The reason he didn't take action against him wasn't because he was kind or weak, but because, judging from Chen Quan's previous behavior, he was a typical character who was all talk and no action, and whose inner thoughts were easily revealed by Xue Huai with just a few words.

Keeping him around for now might be more useful.

However, the Jing'an Division did not think that way. They learned of Chen Quan's strangeness from Lin Miao's account and immediately took action without any hesitation.

Xue Huai had no idea what secrets the Jing'an Division had managed to extract from Chen Quan, since he lacked the connections to do so.

"It seems I need to go to the Shen residence and try to finalize the matter of being sent out to work in another region with my teacher as soon as possible."

Xue Huai silently recited the words in his heart, and then he heard laughter all around him.

He looked up and saw Lin Miao stand up and smile, saying, "With the New Year approaching, I'm sure you're all eager to return home, so I won't delay you any longer. However, I must add a word of advice: you are all pillars of the court, so when you gather during the New Year, you must pay attention to etiquette and propriety, and not lose face as members of the Hanlin Academy."

Everyone said in unison, "We will obey the Dean's instructions."

Then they left one after another.

As Xue Huai arrived at the central courtyard, a voice suddenly called out from behind him, "Xue Shidu, please wait!"

A man in his thirties quickly approached.

This man was named Gao Tingbi, and he was twenty-nine years old at the time. He was from Jiangyin County, Changzhou Prefecture.

He and Xue Huai were both Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examination) in the same year, and he was the top scholar in the palace examination. He was a man of great learning and his writing was exceptionally beautiful.

Xue Huai stopped and bowed, saying, "Recorder Gao."

Gao Tingbi said kindly, "I wonder if Xue Shidu is free? May I speak with you in private?"

Xue Huai's heart stirred slightly, wondering what this top scholar was up to. So he said sincerely, "How could I refuse the invitation from the compiler?"

Gao Tingbi's smile was genuine as he led Xue Huai to his duty room.

He personally brewed the tea, while Xue Huai discreetly observed the furnishings of the duty room.

More than two years ago, when the results of the Gengchen imperial examination were announced, Gao Tingbi, Cui Yanqing, and Xue Huai ranked among the top three. However, unlike previous years, Xue Huai's reputation far surpassed that of the other two. This was mainly because he was the youngest Tan Hua (third-place scholar) in the history of the Great Yan Dynasty, and his father, Xue Mingzhang, was a renowned and upright official recognized by the emperor. Naturally, this attracted a great deal of attention.

Logically speaking, all three were disciples of Shen Wang, but Shen Wang clearly valued Xue Huai more than Gao Tingbi and Cui Yanqing.

Gao and Cui inevitably harbored resentment towards Xue Huai, and over the course of the past two years, the three drifted further and further apart in officialdom, eventually becoming mere nodding acquaintances.

When Xue Huai was in his most difficult situation, Cui Yanqing often mocked him. Although Gao Tingbi would not do the same, he still showed obvious estrangement and indifference.

What kind of show is he putting on now?
Gao Tingbi placed the teacup on the small table in front of Xue Huai and said kindly, "Brother Jingche, please try the tea I brought from Jiangnan."

"Thank you very much, Brother Kuangshi."

Xue Huai took a small sip and praised the tea as good, but in reality, he felt it was far inferior to the fragrant tea prepared by Shen Qingluan.

Looking at Xue Huai's gentle and refined demeanor, Gao Tingbi couldn't help but feel secretly amazed.

Back then, when the imperial court was celebrating its officials, he, as the top scholar, should have been the focus of everyone's attention. However, Xue Huai stole all the limelight, so of course he felt resentful and indignant.

Later, Xue Huai encountered setbacks everywhere in the officialdom, turning from a favored son of heaven into a jinx that everyone avoided. Gao Tingbi felt extremely relieved. He originally thought that Xue Huai would not be able to withstand such pressure for long and might even voluntarily withdraw from the court. Who knew that in just a few months, this proud and arrogant scholar had undergone a tremendous change.

Upon closer inspection today, Gao Tingbi discovered that Xue Huai was different from before; his calm and reserved demeanor was impossible to conceal.

It seems that his accidental fall into the water did indeed change his temperament.

Gao Tingbi, his emotions complex but outwardly concealed, took out an invitation and handed it to Xue Huai, saying with a smile, "I am sorry to bother you today, but I would like to invite Brother Jing Che to the gathering of our classmates."

Xue Huai opened the invitation, glanced at it, and nodded, saying, "I'd like to hear the details."

Gao Tingbi explained, “Since the results of the Gengchen imperial examination were released, my classmates have all been busy with their own duties and have not been able to find an opportunity to get together. At most, we can only have a small gathering of three or five people. With the three-year period coming to an end next spring, everyone will surely have their own future, either being transferred or sent to other places. In the future, it will be even more difficult to get together. Therefore, I discussed with a few of my classmates and decided to seize this last opportunity to have a reunion to strengthen our friendship.”

The imperial court has always prohibited officials from forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices. However, even the emperor knows that this phenomenon is impossible to completely eradicate, and most of the time he can only turn a blind eye to it.

Those who passed the imperial examination in the same year naturally became close, and this was the first time they had met in two or three years, so Gao Tingbi was naturally not worried that this move would attract criticism.

As for inviting Xue Huai... in any case, Xue Huai is one of the top three. If he doesn't go, this winter gathering will inevitably be unworthy of its name.

Xue Huai quickly figured out the details, but he did not let his guard down. He simply praised, "This is an excellent idea. May I ask where the gathering will be held?"

Gao Tingbi smiled and said, "I have already made an agreement with the owner of Zhanxue Pavilion in Xicheng. They will not welcome guests that day and will only entertain those of us who are of the same age."

Xue Huai thought for a moment and promised, "Brother Meng Kuangshi, I will definitely keep your invitation on that day."

Gao Tingbi said happily, "I knew Brother Jingche was a straightforward person. The gathering will start at 3:45 AM on the 23rd. It is also indicated on the invitation. I hope you will not be late."

"It's natural."

Xue Huai agreed.

After chatting for a while, Xue Huai got up to take his leave.

Gao Tingbi personally escorted Xue Huai to the door. Looking at Xue Huai's tall and handsome back, a sinister glint flashed in his eyes, and he sneered silently.

……

The next day, Shen Mansion.

Xue Huai was no stranger to this mansion.

He had been here many times in his memory, but the clearer the memory, the less pleasant it was. Due to differences in political views, the original owner and Shen Wang went from an extremely harmonious relationship at the beginning to gradually increasing disputes. Those tense scenes were shocking.

Fortunately, their relationship has improved after the investigation into the Ministry of Works' corruption case, and with Shen Wang's magnanimity, he will not hold a grudge about the past.

Standing on the steps, watching Xue Huai and several attendants carrying a large pile of gifts, he couldn't help but tease, "Did the censor see you when you came?"

"It doesn't matter if you see it."

Xue Huai said confidently, "I am in the right to bring this New Year's gift to my teacher. Even if the case goes to the Emperor, I am in the right."

Shen Wang smiled and said gently, "Alright, leave these things to the butler. Come with me."

"is teacher."

Xue Huai didn't flaunt how valuable the gifts he brought were; Shen Wang didn't care about such things at all, as long as his disciple had the heart to show it.

He followed his master to meet his master's wife and several fellow disciples, and then the two went to the study.

After they sat down, Xue Huai noticed the lingering fatigue in Shen Wang's eyes and asked with concern, "Teacher, is that quagmire at the Ministry of Works very troublesome?"

"It's not too much trouble."

Shen Wang said calmly, "It's nothing more than a long-standing illness that takes time to heal, and recovery is like pulling silk from a cocoon."

Xue Huai understood.

The problems within the Ministry of Works cannot be completely solved simply by replacing officials. The bad habits that this department has cultivated over more than a decade cannot be changed overnight. Replacing officials is only the first step. Next, Shen Wang must rebuild a clean and upright atmosphere, which is a painstaking and meticulous process that requires immense patience and perseverance.

Perhaps this is another reason why the emperor appointed Shen Wang to oversee the Ministry of Works. It was not only to give Shen Wang a warning, but the emperor also did not want the Ministry of Works to remain in chaos.

"Don't worry about your teacher."

Shen Wang looked at Xue Huai with a kind expression and said, "I told you before that I would try to get you a post outside the region after the new year, but now it seems there may be some obstacles."

Xue Huai frowned slightly and asked, "Teacher, what could be the obstacle?"

Generally speaking, it is not too difficult for officials from the capital to be transferred to other places, because there are many officials who are eager to enter the central government, and it is a win-win situation for someone to vacate a position.

Xue Huai knew that he was still just a nobody, and seeking a post outside the capital would not affect anyone's interests. On the contrary, many people would probably be happy to see him, a troublemaker, leave the capital.

So... who wouldn't want this to happen?
(End of this chapter)