Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

"Oh? How do you intend to settle this score?" Gao Zhao crossed his arms and looked at the green-robed official in front of him with a half-smile.

He refused to believe that this official didn't know the true character of his subordinates!

The reason they're holding onto him now is simply to protect his own. He's an upright person and he detests those who confuse right and wrong and bend the law for personal gain!

Of course, this official might not know anything about the shady dealings of these petty officials, but so what? It only shows that he is incompetent and corrupt!

If you can't even manage your subordinates, what kind of official are you? Isn't this harming the country and its people?

This official dares to challenge me now, so I might as well make a big scene and bring him down. He's been an official for so many years, it's impossible that he hasn't had any problems!

He put himself in that position and believed that if he were in that position, wielding the power of the Ministry of Personnel in personnel selection, he wouldn't even need to investigate; he could just drag him out and behead him without a doubt!

Tan Shiji frowned slightly as he looked at the arrogant young master's arrogance. He thought to himself that this young master must be arrogant and domineering in his daily life. How could such a person be allowed to serve as an official and be given a post? This is not a blessing for the people!

His cool, indifferent gaze met Gao Zhao's directly, unfazed by the other's demeanor. He spoke in a deep voice, "Accounting will naturally be done according to the laws of the Great Song Dynasty and the regulations of the Ministry of Personnel, clearly separating public and private matters!"

Upon hearing the commotion, the old steward hurriedly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said with a smile, "Master Tan, it's just a small misunderstanding. There's no need to make a big fuss and damage our harmony, don't you think? Perhaps..."

Tan Shiji raised his hand to directly interrupt the old steward's persuasion. His gaze remained fixed on Gao Zhao, who stood with his arms crossed, and his tone was calm and cold, leaving no room for negotiation.

"A violent act in court is no trivial matter, not a street squabble. It cannot be tolerated or let off lightly. If we let this go today out of consideration for the Grand Commandant, then all the sons of nobles and officials in Bianjing will follow suit and frequently resort to violence in the Ministry of Personnel. The selection system will then be rendered meaningless, and I cannot bear the responsibility for that."

He paused, then pointed to the old clerk beside him who was covering his mouth and nose, and said firmly, "Although the clerk is of low rank, he is still quite old. I don't know how you could bring yourself to do that!"

Upon hearing this, the old official immediately burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably, a truly pitiful sight that saddened all who heard it.

Gao Zhao, however, looked disdainful. So what if he's old? Cai Jing was that old, and he was just as wicked!

He glanced sideways at the old official and sneered, "Why are you crying? You don't think he's helping you, do you? Have you forgotten why I hit you? I hit you because you disrespected the officials!"

The old official's sobs abruptly stopped. His tearful eyes widened in astonishment as he looked at Gao Zhao, a mixture of grievance and panic flashing in them. He hurriedly protested, "You...you're talking nonsense..."

"Who's talking nonsense! I said I had the imperial brush. What's so special about an imperial brush? If you're so capable, let the steward handle it!"

Gao Zhao spread his hands, looked at the crowd around him, and said loudly, "My Gao family is deeply favored by the Emperor. I am not talented, but I cannot tolerate others disrespecting the Emperor. That is why I angrily beat this ungrateful wretch!"

The onlookers immediately erupted in uproar and discussion, recalling Gao Zhao's earlier scathing rebuke of the Ministry of Personnel officials, and suddenly realized the truth.

Tan Shiji's expression also changed drastically. The situation had taken a new turn. He had initially thought that the old official was deliberately making things difficult for the other party, which had caused the conflict. He never expected that Gao Zhao's words would change the motive for the beating!

The old official, no longer able to lie on the ground groaning, hurriedly scrambled to his feet and repeatedly waved his hands at Tan Shiji, explaining, "Sir, please don't listen to his nonsense! How could this old man dare to utter such disrespectful words to the emperor!"

Tan Shiji glanced at him, then turned to Gao Zhao, and asked in a deep voice, "Do you have any evidence to support your claim?"

"You're not the Dali Temple, what evidence do I have to give you!" Gao Zhao scoffed, disdainfully saying, "Besides, I have the imperial decree, my appointment as an official is perfectly legitimate, and I have no grudge against him. Why would I bother coming to the Ministry of Personnel to harm a mere clerk like him?"

Tan Shiji breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, feeling that it would be easier to handle the situation if there was no concrete evidence!

The old steward looked at his expression, then suddenly laughed and said slowly, "This matter is not complicated. Just report it, and with His Majesty's wisdom, he will naturally see through everything and understand it at a glance."

A single, casual remark shattered Tan Shiji's confidence in an instant!

If such words were to reach the Emperor's ears, on one side would be a minor official who was a hundred thousand miles away from him, and on the other side would be the son of a close minister like Gao Zhao, who had even received his imperial approval. Whom would the Emperor believe? There was no need to even think about it!

At this point, is evidence still important?

This matter may seem insignificant, but if it really escalates, it could implicate the entire Ministry of Personnel!

Gao Zhao instantly understood all of this, turned to look at the old steward with a surprised expression. This old fellow usually looked unremarkable, but he turned out to be quite wicked!

No wonder people say that old people are shrewd and old horses are slippery; none of these old schemers are simple!

At the same time, I secretly reminded myself to be more careful in the future, because I am kind-hearted and easily taken advantage of in front of them!

"Young Master Gao, may I speak to you in private?" After a moment's thought, Tan Shiji quickly made a decision: this matter could not be escalated.

Gao Yanei raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, clearly able to see through the other party's intentions.

He didn't agree immediately, but turned to look at the old steward. Seeing him nod slightly, he smiled and agreed.

Tan Shiji said no more, raised his hand to signal the guards on his left and right to stay in the main hall and not allow any unauthorized people to approach, then turned and walked towards a quiet side room on the side of the main hall.

The old steward remained calm and followed Gao Zhao inside, gently closing the door behind him to block out all the probing gazes from outside.

Tan Shiji sat down behind the desk, looked up at Gao Zhao, and said in a deep voice, "Young Master, you've come today to discuss the matter of being granted a substantive post through hereditary privilege, and you surely don't want any unnecessary complications!"

Gao Zhao frowned, stared intently, and said calmly, "Is Master Tan threatening me?"

"No, I'm just stating a fact!" Tan Shiji rubbed his temples, remaining calm. "You came here today to secure a government position, not to cause trouble for the Ministry of Personnel. Making a scene like this will benefit no one!"

Gao Zhao snorted coldly, about to retort, when the old steward suddenly interjected, "Master Tan is absolutely right. We have come today only to seek official appointments. We humbly request your assistance!"

Tan Shiji glanced at Gao Zhao, nodded, took the documents, and began registering.

Gao Zhao did not object when he saw this. It was just a momentary argument based on temper. He wanted to let the other party know that he was not someone to be trifled with. If things really got out of hand, such an unforgiving attitude would only make others dislike him.

The balance here is crucial!

Tan Shiji handled the matter personally, which naturally made the process much faster. When filling out the examination documents for the Privy Council, he only asked Gao Zhao one question: "How is your martial arts skill?"

Gao Zhao smiled reservedly and replied: "Invincible with spears and clubs!"

Tan Shiji nodded and wrote a comment that the person had a rudimentary understanding of weapons.

Gao Zhao was furious and was about to attack him on the spot, but the old steward held him back and persuaded him with kind words, which calmed him down.

After receiving his official appointment certificate and salary payment document, Gao Zhao turned and left.