Chapter 1238: 23 Things About the Fake Emperor and the Powerful Officials
Shi Li felt very satisfied after successfully delivering the first reward from the private warehouse.
Little did people know that Yuan Chizhi returned to his mansion, sat on the armchair, resting one hand on his temple, groping for the precious Duan inkstone, a profound smile on his handsome face.
Few people know that during the years he fought on the battlefield, he once saved an old man with excellent medical skills, and later the old man passed on all he had learned in his life to him.
A few years ago, Mr. Xie suffered from a cough and he took the prescription he wrote. Although it could not cure the disease, it allowed Mr. Xie to live a few more years and suffer less.
Yuan Chizhi could tell the gender of a person just by taking their pulse. Today, he just took a quick test and found out a shocking secret.
Knowing this was like holding the new emperor in his hands, and he could force her to abdicate at any time. But Yuan Chizhi felt that she was doing a good job as a puppet, so it was okay for her to continue doing it.
The prerequisite is that this puppet must always be obedient and not cause trouble when he is doing things, otherwise...
Yuan Chizhi looked down at the Duan Inkstone, with a hint of cruelty in his eyes.
At the morning court meeting the next day, Shi Li encountered trouble.
The court officials were arguing endlessly over the appointment of examiners for next month's special imperial examination and were unable to decide on the candidates.
In the past, when things like this happened, Mr. Xie was in charge and he could convince everyone with just one word.
Now that Mr. Xie is gone, Yuan Chizhi didn't say anything for some reason, which finally made everyone's eyes fall on her, waiting for her to make the decision.
Shi Li was a little embarrassed.
She, the emperor, is still in the probation period, but now the situation has changed and she must be converted to a regular position ahead of schedule.
What the court officials were arguing about just now was actually between the noble families and the common people. One group recommended Cui Lang, who was from a noble family himself, while the other group tried to protect Zhang Dongcai, a student from a poor family.
The special examination, held every three years, was the beginning for half of the officials to become marquises and prime ministers.
Shi Li naturally prefers Zhang Dongcai. It's not that the children of aristocratic families are without talent, but due to their background, they always subconsciously ignore the suffering of the common people.
But Zhang Dongcai also has shortcomings. His background limits his vision and he cannot see the long-term of many things.
There are pros and cons to both candidates, but there can only be one chief examiner for the special examination.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Shi Li sighed secretly in his heart, then curled his lips and locked his eyes on Yuan Chizhi, who replaced Xie Lao as the head of the ministers.
"I think Cui Lang and Zhang Dongcai are both very good, but... I want to let Lord Yuan take the extra effort to preside over this special examination, and then Cui Lang and Zhang Dongcai will assist you. What do you think?"
The court suddenly became quiet.
Although everyone was arguing about the examiner of the special examination, some people also used this matter to test the new emperor's mind. After Xie Lao passed away, Yuan Chizhi suppressed everyone. There were always people who were dissatisfied with him because of his young age, and they also wanted to test the new emperor's mind.
As a result, after Shi Li ascended the throne and spoke for the first time, he actually gave power to Yuan Chizhi!
Half of the people in the court were disappointed, while the other half felt at peace.
Compared to the two people they nominated, Yuan Chizhi was naturally a better candidate. But he himself had never spoken, so no one knew what he was thinking, and no one dared to recommend him rashly.
Now, the meaning of Li's golden words is very different.
Everyone had different thoughts, but Yuan Chizhi looked calm. He raised his head to meet Shi Li's gaze, took a step forward, and bowed calmly.
"The minister obeys the order."
The heavy stone in Shi Li's heart finally fell. She was really worried that Yuan Chizhi would not respond, and then she would not even have a step to go down.
She felt that handing this matter over to Yuan Chizhi was the most appropriate approach.
Needless to say, Yuan Chizhi is talented. In addition, with the involvement of Cui Lang and Zhang Dongcai, two people who have nothing to do with Xie Lao's faction, it is not easy for Yuan Chizhi to do anything, and they can also serve as a check and balance.
Shi Li felt that she had done a very good job this time. She met Yuan Chizhi's gaze and seemed to vaguely see some approval in his eyes, but she didn't know if she was seeing things.
After the court session ended, everyone dispersed, but Yuan Chizhi still did not leave.
He followed Shi Li to the study and said, "Your Majesty, Mr. Xie has only one granddaughter, who has been entrusted to me. I wonder if you can allow her to enter the palace and arrange for her to be a lady-in-waiting by your Majesty's side?"
Mr. Xie’s granddaughter?
Enter the palace as a female official?
Shi Li was stunned. According to historical records, Mr. Xie’s granddaughter was Yuan Chizhi’s legal wife!