Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Although there were many officials in the Song Dynasty, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, only about three thousand were truly qualified to set foot in the imperial city and attend court assemblies in the Chuigong Hall.

Those who can stand here are all qualified, hold power, or hold prestigious official positions or important responsibilities. They are all outstanding individuals selected through layers of screening in the Song Dynasty's officialdom. Which ordinary official in the capital would dare to offend them easily?

In his envisioned scenario, Gao Zhao, a newcomer to the palace, was unfamiliar with the etiquette of the court assembly and the rules of the court. Now, as the sole guide for the most difficult civil officials, he was bound to make numerous mistakes.

Once questioned or challenged in public by officials of the court, a newcomer should be terrified and bow his head to apologize. Even if it is not his fault, he should first admit his mistake, acknowledge his inexperience and clumsiness, and try his best to smooth things over. He should never dare to contradict his superiors or shirk responsibility.

At that time, he would step forward at the appropriate time, sternly reprimand Gao Zhao for his negligence and dereliction of duty, and calmly correct the mistakes in the shift schedule.

This way, he could demonstrate his ability to remain calm in the face of danger while also highlighting Gao Zhao's incompetence!

But he didn't expect that Gao Zhao wouldn't act according to his script at all.

Don't panic when you make a mistake, don't be afraid when things get chaotic, don't back down when you're blamed, and most importantly, never take the blame when something goes wrong...

After making a mistake, instead of apologizing, they acted self-righteous and, after angering the other party, simply shifted the blame onto themselves.

With just a few casual words, he instantly pinned all the conflicts, all the mistakes, and all the anger of the officials on him, the Xuanzan Sheren!

This is a scholar-official of the Tianzhang Pavilion, a close advisor to the emperor!

Let alone a mere Gentleman of the Palace Gate, even high-ranking officials like the Vice Minister of State Affairs or the Deputy Chief of the Privy Council would have to be treated with respect and given some face!

Upon seeing this scene, Zhao Dunwen dared not stand there any longer. He hurriedly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and rushed forward.

"Gentlemen..."

Zhao Dunwen approached and hurriedly bowed, wanting to explain, but before he could finish speaking, Gao Zhao came forward in surprise, saying, "Oh, Lord Zhao, what brings you here! Weren't you going to greet the two prime ministers? Go and serve those nobles! Leave this to me!"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere around them froze!

The officials' faces turned ashen!

The two chief ministers are nobles who need to be served with utmost respect; while these officials from various departments and attendants in the imperial academy are insignificant idlers who can be easily fooled.

We're all subjects in the same palace, yet you've created different ranks for us?

Even if there is indeed a difference in rank between us and the two prime ministers, is that something a small gatekeeper like you can tell us what to do?

This is the imperial court, a place of public etiquette, not a place for sycophants and those in power to discriminate based on social status!

"Lord Zhao, so in your eyes, the Palace Gate Guard, we court officials who are neither prime ministers nor members of the imperial family are simply people you can dismiss at will and treat with indifference?"

Zhao Dunwen's mind went completely blank, and he almost suffocated on the spot.

He now wants to tear Gao Zhao's mouth apart!

What was originally a minor matter of scheduling has been distorted by his few words, and now it has escalated to the point where the Imperial Palace Guards are accused of disrespecting the court officials!

Gao Zhao maintained his honest and unassuming demeanor, standing with his hands clasped at his sides, seemingly unaware of the enormous mess he had just made. He even added softly, "What's wrong? Isn't this always how it is?"

"Shut up!" Zhao Dunwen's blood boiled at the sound of his voice, and he immediately shouted at him, his voice filled with barely suppressed anxiety and unease.

He now suspects that Gao Zhao did this on purpose!

However, Wang Fu, who was standing at the front of the line, looked at Gao Zhao with a smile. He had no doubt about Gao Zhao and was quite certain that the kid was doing it on purpose!

Gao Zhao was scolded, but he wasn't angry. He just awkwardly rubbed his nose, then turned to the court officials and bowed apologetically: "Gentlemen, I'm sorry. My servant, Xuanzan, is not well-educated and doesn't know proper etiquette. Please forgive him!"

Zhao Dunwen felt his vision blur and his blood rush to his head, almost unable to catch his breath.

Even the most well-mannered courtiers couldn't help but laugh out loud.

I never expected that today's ordinary morning assembly would be so wonderful; it even invigorated my spirits!

They're all seasoned veterans; what can't they see? This is clearly a power struggle between a superior and a subordinate.

They were quite interested in Gao Zhao, this lowly palace attendant.

When dealing with subordinates, superiors have an absolute advantage and are almost invincible!

But today's turn of events is quite interesting. The subordinates took the initiative and turned the tables, using their position as court officials to outmaneuver their superiors!

What a brilliant move to use someone else to do the dirty work!

That day, Zhang Ge Daizhi was a man of upright character and was naturally unhappy about being used. He was about to lash out, but before he could speak, Wang Fu reached out and stopped him.

He looked at Wang Fu with surprise, but the latter smiled slightly, raised his chin, and said to Gao Zhao, "Judging from your tone, you are also a scholar?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Zhao smiled modestly: "I once studied diligently at the Imperial Academy!"

Upon hearing this, someone immediately started shouting, "Daisei, your disciple is here!"

Liu Siming walked closer and took a look, then laughed: "I remember this boy. He is indeed a student of the Imperial Academy, named Gao Zhao. He is quite a promising talent! He once debated righteousness and profit before the Emperor and won His Majesty's praise!"

"Oh, to win in the debate between righteousness and profit, truly remarkable!" another official praised. "But with such talent, why not study diligently and pursue a proper career in the imperial examinations? Why come to serve in the Imperial Guard?"

Gao Zhao's expression turned solemn, and he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty has personally appointed me to serve in the government through the grace of hereditary privilege. I believe that such privilege is the grace of one's parents, and to abandon it would be unfilial. To abandon the great grace of Your Majesty would be disloyal! Considering loyalty and filial piety, I only started working at the Gemensi yesterday. Today, due to the different etiquette of the troop, I have offended you all. Please forgive me."

With things said to this extent, what else can the crowd say?

We can't hold a grudge against this loyal and filial junior over such a small matter! Just correct it!

Besides, they didn't do it intentionally, after all, it was just yesterday... um?

"Wait!" That day, the Imperial Attendant-in-Waiting turned his gaze from Gao Zhao to Zhao Dunwen and said, "Is your Eastern Upper Gate Guard short of manpower? You actually sent someone who's been with the company for less than a day to guide us. Is it that you truly have no one else, or are you deliberately looking down on us?"

"Uh...this..." Zhao Dunwen was speechless for a moment, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. He couldn't very well say that he did this on purpose to suppress Gao Zhao!

But even though he didn't say it, these seasoned officials knew perfectly well what was going on!

In officialdom, it is not uncommon for people to bully their subordinates, but it is rare for someone to be outmaneuvered and end up losing more than they gain!

This clearly demonstrates the other party's stupidity and clumsy tactics!

Zhao Dunwen had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "The disorderly order today is entirely my fault. I will immediately reorganize it and ensure that the court session will not be delayed again!"

"No need!" Wang Fu waved his sleeve and said indifferently, "It wouldn't be a bad thing if we went to see the Emperor like this!"

Zhao Dunwen turned pale and was sweating profusely with anxiety. Just as he was about to speak again to persuade him, the drumbeat sounded.

At the end of the fifth watch, he went to court and ascended the throne.