The Dragon Boat Festival holiday had just passed, and the officials resumed their duties once again.
The Ministry of Revenue managed all fiscal affairs of the Great Qi Dynasty, including land and household registration, taxation, salaries, and military provisions.
Positions within the Ministry, from the highest to the lowest, were highly coveted; countless officials strained to secure a post there.
Ever since a certain fifth-rank Langzhong in the Ministry of Revenue fell gravely ill and resigned in mid-April, both the capital and some local officials had begun scheming and maneuvering for the vacancy.
The current Minister of Appointments, Yang Zhiming, was also a founding contributor to the dynasty. When Emperor Xingwu was six or seven years old, his family was impoverished and could not afford a tutor’s fee.
He often climbed over walls to sneak into private schools to study.
Out of pity for his diligence, the old tutor, who happened to be Yang Zhiming’s grandfather, waived the tuition.
Yang Zhiming was gifted from a young age, known as a talented scholar in the nearby regions. He passed the provincial exam at eighteen and the imperial exam at twenty.
At twenty-one, just as he prepared to head to the capital for the spring examinations, the court was thrown into chaos and abolished the imperial exams.
Yang had no choice but to remain at home studying.
After waiting a year without the court restoring peace, he instead witnessed the Qin Brothers, Deng Chong, and Lü Huang, accompanied by a band of warriors, storm the county government office.
Watching this group of spirited, unrelated brothers, Yang Zhiming threw down his books and resolutely joined them.
Emperor Xingwu and his men excelled at gaining territory, but after securing land, civil officials were needed to govern the people and manage the treasury for military supplies. Yang Zhiming gathered a group of capable scholars he had met during his studies.
Later, whenever Emperor Xingwu planned to seize a region, it was Yang who was responsible for scouting enemy intelligence.
He also personally recruited famed civil ministers and generals like Yan Xizheng and Zhang Jiu.
In terms of statecraft, Yang Zhiming was somewhat less capable than Yan Xizheng and Dai Lun. So when Emperor Xingwu ascended the throne, Yang proactively advised him to appoint Yan and Dai as Grand Secretaries.
However, knowing Yang’s talent for recommending capable men, the emperor appointed Yang as Minister of Appointments, a position just below the two Grand Secretaries.
Yang was about ten years younger than the Grand Secretaries and still held hopes of becoming Chancellor one day.
The Minister of Appointments shared an official residence with two Assistant Ministers.
Since the Crown Prince Qin Hong began his internship at the Ministry, Yang Zhiming had arranged for an extra set of desks and chairs in the residence for him.
On the seventh day of the month, there was no court assembly. The officials’ duty hours were from dawn until late afternoon.
Given Yang Zhiming’s seniority, there was no need for him to arrive early, so he arrived punctually at dawn.
As soon as he entered, the two Assistant Ministers stood and bowed.
The young Crown Prince Qin Hong also rose. Since his investiture as Crown Prince, both the Grand Secretaries, Yang Zhiming, and the Imperial Censor Nie Man had all tutored him for a time, maintaining proper teacher-student decorum.
Yang returned their bows and said, “Since we all work together at the Ministry of Appointments day and night, there is no need for such formalities.”
The officials, busy with their duties, took their seats after exchanging greetings.
Before him lay a report on the achievements of a local official, but Qin Hong’s mind was elsewhere. He glanced at Yang Zhiming repeatedly.
After countless glances, Yang finally met the Crown Prince’s gaze.
Qin Hong immediately looked down, his expression anxious.
Yang Zhiming: “…”
By noon, the two Assistant Ministers had gone to the dining hall for their meal.
Yang Zhiming looked over at the Crown Prince, who still sat at his desk seemingly engrossed in reading official documents.
He approached quietly and spoke softly with concern: “I have observed Your Highness has been somewhat restless this morning. Is there something troubling you?”
Qin Hong’s face slowly flushed.
He knew he shouldn’t let personal feelings interfere but had promised his sister.
Yang clearly understood the Crown Prince’s temperament and encouraged him: “There is no one else here. Your Highness may speak freely.”
Qin Hong pressed down on the corner of the document and forced himself to say, “The Qingzhou Purity Division under the Ministry of Revenue is missing a Langzhong. Has Your Excellency already selected someone?”
Yang Zhiming understood but knew the Crown Prince’s meaning: “Not yet finalized. Does Your Highness have anyone in mind to recommend?”
Having broken the ice, Qin Hong calmed down and glanced to one side: “Also from the Qingzhou Purity Division, there is the Principal Officer Fang Ji. He has served there for six years, is familiar with Qingzhou’s land and household registration affairs, and is diligent and earnest. Promoting him directly to Langzhong would allow him to take over immediately.”
Outside the capital, Great Qi had thirteen provinces, each with its own Purity Division under the Ministry of Revenue managing land tax matters.
Each Purity Division had two fifth-rank Langzhong and two sixth-rank Principal Officers.
The Crown Prince recommended Principal Officer Fang Ji, but Yang Zhiming favored the other Principal Officer, Cao Jing.
Fang Ji was indeed diligent, but not as capable as Cao Jing.
However, Fang Ji was older and had longer tenure, so promoting him would not be a major mistake.
This was the Crown Prince’s first request, and being so audacious, if Yang refused, how would the Crown Prince have the courage to enter the Ministry again in good faith?
Yang smiled: “Coincidentally, Fang Ji is indeed one of my alternatives. Since Your Highness praises his diligence, I will put his name forward as well.”
Qin Hong secretly exhaled in relief.
“But…”
The Crown Prince’s heart sank again, nervously looking at Yang.
Yang’s eyes were warm, as if looking at a child in his own family: “But, Your Highness has only recently begun participating in court affairs. I am curious—how do you know Fang Ji so well?”
Qin Hong’s eyes flickered and he hastily used an excuse he had long prepared: “Once, when I was leaving the Ministry late in the day, I ran into Fang Ji on the palace road. Later, I heard people praise his habit of coming early and leaving late. I greatly admire his diligence.”
Yang Zhiming: “Indeed. Then please forgive me for being suspicious just now. When Your Highness recommended Fang Ji, I almost thought he was taking advantage of your youth and using other means to flatter you.”
“Although Langzhong is not a high position, the emperor values merit above all and detests the corrupt and incompetent officials of the previous dynasty. I do not fear being dragged down by Fang Ji, but I worry that Your Highness might be scolded by the emperor for naively recommending someone with selfish motives. If so, it would be my fault for not warning you in time.”
The Minister of Appointments, in his forties, had gentle eyes, but during this slightly lengthy exchange, Qin Hong felt a chill deep in his bones.
Why did Master Yang say that?
Was he truly only suspicious, or had he already seen through the Crown Prince’s private motives in recommending Fang Ji and was deliberately warning him?
Just as Qin Hong struggled to endure the pangs of conscience and the shame of being found out, preparing to withdraw his recommendation, Yang smiled, stepped back a few paces, and said, “It’s getting late. Your Highness, why don’t you join me for a meal?”
Qin Hong: “Yes, yes.”
Yang Zhiming quickly tidied the desk and never mentioned Fang Ji again.
Early the next morning, during the court session at the Hall of State Affairs, the Grand Secretaries and six ministers reviewed his recommendation of Fang Ji.
Praises of his diligence were true, and how could the Grand Secretaries refuse?
Ultimately, the memorial for the personnel transfer in the Ministry of Revenue was presented to Emperor Xingwu.
The emperor usually summoned only the ministers and assistant ministers of the six ministries. He rarely dealt directly with the numerous mid- and low-ranking officials unless a specific case was involved.
Trusting the ministers and chancellors he appointed, he waved his brush approvingly.
The memorial was returned, and Yang Zhiming smiled as he ordered the formal transfer documents for Fang Ji to be drafted.
He did not inform the Crown Prince in advance, but since Qin Hong sat in the same residence, he naturally heard everything.
At that moment, the relief of the matter being settled dispelled Qin Hong’s days of guilt and anxiety.
At the same time, he resolved to speak clearly with his eldest sister, urging her never to involve him in such matters again.
With a burden lifted, on the eighteenth day of the fifth month, Qin Hong’s wedding day arrived.
The Ministry of Rites would escort the Crown Prince to the Duke of Chengguo Lü Family’s mansion to fetch the bride.
Qin Hong merely waited in the palace.
At dawn, Qin Ren and Qingyang, still residing in the Eastern Palace, rushed to Chongyuan Palace.
“Big Brother looks so handsome in this ceremonial robe, as if a god descended to the mortal realm,” Qingyang looked up admiringly.
Qin Ren smiled and nodded beside her.
Facing these two clear-eyed younger siblings, Qin Hong couldn’t help but laugh: “Did you have honey for breakfast?”
Qingyang: “I did. Third Brother woke up late and hasn’t eaten yet.”
Qin Hong scolded the third brother: “You’ll be leaving the mansion in a couple of years. Don’t let Sister laugh at you for sleeping in.”
Qin Ren chuckled but whether he could improve was another matter.
The Crown Prince’s wedding followed rituals far more elaborate than even his investiture ceremony.
Ministers and their wives followed the ritual officers to pay congratulations, and they were all exhausted until the banquet finally began.
That evening, Qingyang stayed beside Consort Li, accompanying the ladies of the court at the banquet.
She knew that such gatherings with the emperor and ministers were not for discussing state affairs or merit awards, so she had no interest in watching the officials feast.
The women prepared fruit wine, and as they drank and chatted, some even became tipsy.
The Dingguo Duchess, radiant with red cheeks, looked at Consort Li with regret: “It’s a pity I never bore a daughter. Otherwise, with the emperor’s favor to our families, maybe one of us could have become an imperial princess consort.”
Consort Li shuddered inwardly.
The Yong Prince Consort, younger sister to Duke Dingguo Deng Chong, was a fierce woman.
She once sent people to brutally kill one of the Yong Prince’s pregnant concubines who was returning home.
Deng Chong’s wife was also formidable.
Even if the Deng Family had a suitable daughter of marriageable age, she wouldn’t dare let her son marry her.
The Zhen’nan Duchess, mother-in-law to Grand Princess Yongkang, smiled and added to the Dingguo Duchess’s words: “Though your family lacks an imperial princess consort, you already have a prince’s consort. Perhaps it’s better to leave more chances for others to marry into the emperor’s family.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to the Yong Prince Consort, Lady Deng.
Lady Deng smiled modestly, but the Dingguo Duchess shook her head, causing a few drops of fruit wine she held to spill: “It’s different. Being the emperor’s sister-in-law is not the same as being the emperor’s son’s wife…”
“Mother, you’ve drunk too much. Please drink less,” the eldest daughter-in-law of the Deng Family, sitting nearby, caught Lady Deng’s eye and hurriedly interrupted her mother-in-law.
Disregarding her protests, she apologized on their behalf and half-supported her mother-in-law as they left early.
But the Dingguo Duchess’s drunken remarks silenced the surrounding noblewomen for a moment.
The Yong Prince Consort subtly scanned the room and teased the Pingliang Marchioness: “My sister-in-law doesn’t have such good fortune. But Sister, you do have a chance.”
She then looked fondly at Yuan Jie, who sat beside the Pingliang Marchioness.
Yuan Jie was twelve, more knowledgeable about marriage matters than the Little Princess.
The emperor only had three sons, and only the third son, Qin Ren, remained unmarried.
The Pingliang Marchioness modestly declined any lofty ambitions, but her eyes held a hidden fire as she looked at Consort Li.
Consort Li: “…”
Qingyang recalled that Yuan Zhaoxiong, the Marquis of Pingliang, had been reprimanded several times by the Censorate over recent years and still had records on file with the emperor.
Such a family was definitely not a good match for Third Brother.
Seeing everyone curiously awaiting Consort Li’s reply, Qingyang drank a mouthful of fruit wine and, savoring it, raised her cup toward her mother: “Mother, may I have another cup?”
Consort Li instinctively said, “No, children drinking too much harms their health.”
The Little Princess pouted but then looked expectantly at the Yong Prince Consort: “Auntie, when will Big Brother marry? I want to drink at Big Brother’s wedding banquet!”
All eyes turned sharply to the Yong Prince Consort’s face.
Yong Prince Consort: “…”