Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 124 Chen Dadan!
Normally, for someone of Chen Qing's status to even be here in this kind of setting would be considered a stroke of luck.

If anyone else came here, even someone like Commander Yan Hu or Garrison Commander Tang Can, they would mostly just answer whatever was asked and wouldn't likely express their own opinions.

It's even more impossible for someone like Chen Qing to go against several cabinet ministers at this time.

But Chen Qing did exactly that.

Firstly, because he didn't have much capital to begin with, if he lost the bet, so be it; at worst, he would just slink away from the capital.

Moreover, choosing a side between the emperor and the civil officials was a no-brainer. Normally, someone like Chen Qing wouldn't even have the right to choose a side. Now that he had finally encountered such an opportunity, he naturally had to roll up his sleeves and step forward.

More importantly, Chen Qing felt that the young emperor was too fussy and indecisive.

Through this period of time, Chen Qing knew very well that this emperor was not stupid; in fact, he could be considered quite intelligent. However, he also had his problems, namely, indecisiveness.

The approach was too lenient.

For example, in a situation like this, if Chen Qing were in the emperor's position, he wouldn't even discuss such matters with these ministers.

I appointed my own cousin to a position in my personal guard. What business is it of yours, the outer court?

Is it any of your business?
However, the current emperor clearly does not have the same heart as Chen Qing. He is too lenient with these cabinet ministers, which is why this matter has escalated to this point.

Upon hearing Chen Qing's words, the prime ministers froze on the spot.

Little Fatty Jiang Chu also had a blank stare.

Even His Majesty the Emperor was stunned for a moment before he came to his senses. After he came to his senses, he first glanced at Chen Qing, then did not answer, but quietly looked at Yang Yuanfu and Wang Han.

As the emperor's tutor, Wang Han was still related to the emperor. Although he frowned deeply and strongly disagreed with Chen Qing's words, he was not the first to speak.

Grand Secretary Yang Yuanfu took a deep breath and turned to Chen Qing, rebuking him: "We made this matter clear to His Majesty at the last court meeting. We, the officials of the outer court, will never interfere with the duties of the Yi Luan Division. His Majesty may appoint anyone to serve in the Yi Luan Division."

"But members of the imperial family cannot be appointed to official positions!"

He looked at Chen Qing, frowned, and said, "You young upstart, you don't know anything. Do you think you have the right to speak in front of His Majesty?"

Chen Qing, however, was not afraid of him. He raised his head slightly and said, "The old man said he would not interfere in the affairs of the Imperial Ceremonial Office, but preventing His Majesty from appointing the Prince of Zhou's heir is actually interfering in the affairs of the Imperial Ceremonial Office."

"Your Excellency is a learned man; you should know what the word 'interference' means, right?"

Chen Qing said in a deep voice, "Today the officials said that members of the imperial family are not allowed to enter the Yi Luan Division. What if they say in the future that merchants and farmers are not allowed to enter the Yi Luan Division?"

Yang Yuanfu was about to argue, but after glancing at Chen Qing, he knew that arguing with Chen Qing would only lead him astray, and arguing with a young upstart like Chen Qing would only make him lose face.

He snorted: "You're just being obsequious, I'm not going to talk to you."

To say that Chen Qing was a sycophant is essentially to say that Chen Qing was a treacherous minister.

However, Chen Qing didn't care about his insults. He silently took a step back, stood behind Prince Jiang, and stopped talking.

His Majesty the Emperor on the throne finally smiled. He coughed and said with a laugh, "Alright, it's nothing serious. Don't let it ruin the harmony. Prime Minister Yang still has his teacher, so don't get angry over this."

That's all for today.

The emperor waved his hand and said with a smile, "Disperse for now."

This is the emperor's comfort zone. The emperor is naturally suited to be a referee, not a player.

Previously, since no one could rival these prime ministers, His Majesty the Emperor had no choice but to step in and compete with them himself.

Now, someone like Chen Qing has emerged. Although his position is insignificant, at least in this situation, he has indeed become a contender on the field, competing with the civil officials.

And the emperor has once again become the referee.

With the prime ministers already at a disadvantage, the emperor, as the referee, naturally had to save them some face and allow them to leave with dignity.

Before Imperial Tutor Wang Han could speak, Yang Yuanfu shook his head slightly, tugged at his sleeve, and together they bowed to the Emperor.

"I'm waiting to retire."

After these words, the prime ministers all turned to look at Chen Qing, carefully memorizing the young man's appearance. As cabinet ministers, they naturally maintained the demeanor of cabinet ministers and left one after another.

Chen Qing also clasped his hands in a fist salute, bowed to the emperor, and took his leave.

His Majesty the Emperor, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, looked at Chen Qing and said with a smile, "You two, don't leave yet."

Chen Qing and the chubby boy obediently stayed behind.

After the prime ministers left, the emperor looked Chen Qing up and down and said with a smile, "You have quite the nerve to offend those prime ministers like that."

"Aren't you afraid they'll make things difficult for you?" Chen Qing bowed slightly and said, "I serve in the Zhenfu Division and have no connection with the outer court, so I'm not afraid they'll make things difficult for me."

The emperor stood with his hands behind his back, still smiling: "I have investigated your family background. You are the son of Chen Huan, the prefect of Yanzhou. Although you do not serve in the court, your father does."

"If I can find out about your family, those people can find out about yours too. Aren't you afraid they'll make things difficult for your father later?"

Chen Qing was secretly pleased to hear this.

He had actually considered this possibility. If those old men really did implicate his father, that would be the best thing for him.

However, he couldn't show this emotion. Chen Qing clasped his hands and said solemnly, "I am loyal to my sovereign and can no longer worry about my father."

Upon hearing this, the emperor first looked at him strangely, then clutched his stomach and burst into laughter.

The emperor laughed several times before looking at Chen Qing and saying with a smile, "You're full of cunning ideas. Jiang Chu told me about your family's affairs."

He said with a smile, "You and Chen Huan have already broken up, haven't you?"

Chen Qing turned to look at the chubby boy, then lowered his head again and remained silent.

The emperor said with a smile, "Your father was on the list submitted by the Ministry of Personnel last year. If nothing unexpected happens, he will come to the capital to fill the vacancy in a month or two."

"The cabinet can't suppress this list."

"Your father will soon be coming to the capital to serve as an official."

At this point, the emperor chuckled and said, "If he knew that you had offended five prime ministers today, I wonder what his expression would be."

Chen Qing coughed and said solemnly, "This humble subject spoke out for Your Majesty's sake, and it has nothing to do with anyone else."

The chubby boy standing to the side coughed and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, Chen Qing has made a great contribution today."

The emperor narrowed his eyes and chuckled softly, "I've got it."

He looked at Chen Qing and asked, "How's your centurion's office going?"

"Your Majesty, with Yan Cong's help, half of the manpower is already in place. In another month or so, this centurion's office will be ready."

The emperor nodded, then looked at Chen Qing and said with a smile, "You are a bold man, not afraid of offending people. Since you have already offended them, I will arrange some jobs for you after your Hundred Household Office is completed."

Chen Qing was taken aback and asked, "Does Your Majesty mean to instruct me to..."

"Are you afraid if I ask you to investigate the officials in the capital?"

With a smile on his face, the emperor said, "This is also one of the duties of the Garrison Command. If you dare to do it, I will let you start doing it once your Hundred-Household Office is built."

The chubby boy beside him frowned and said, "Brother..."

The emperor waved his hand at him, signaling him not to speak, and then quietly looked at Chen Qing.

Chen Qing thought for a moment, then bowed slightly in greeting.

"This is my duty."

"Good good."

The emperor clapped his hands and said with a smile, "Don't worry, as long as you do well, I will reward you handsomely."

…………

Meanwhile, the prime ministers had already returned to the cabinet.

Prime Minister Yang Yuanfu sat in his seat, then looked at the other prime ministers and asked, "Just who is this Chen Qing?"

The other prime ministers all shook their heads, indicating that they did not know.

After thinking for a moment, Minister Yang continued, "This man has the appearance of a favored minister."

Imperial Tutor Wang Han groaned, "More than just a favored minister, in my opinion, he already has the appearance of a treacherous minister!"

"Let's send someone to the Yiluan Division to ask around and find out where this brat came from before we talk about it."

As Yang Xiangong spoke, his gaze drifted outside the cabinet.

"Judging from today, this little guy..."

"Extraordinarily bold."

(End of this chapter)