Hua Jinrong's sudden move immediately drew countless curious gazes.
The civil and military officials felt that this Tenth Prince had no foundation in the court. If they could become his aides, not only would they be incorporated into his faction, but they could even become his confidants and rise to prominence.
Especially the remnants of Prime Minister Shangguan's former subordinates, they urgently needed to attach themselves to a new master to change their current awkward and precarious situation.
The Tenth Prince, who was specially promoted to Right Prime Minister, was undoubtedly the best choice.
In a corner.
Yan Tinghao transferred all the legs of the imperial concubine chicken, newly served by the maid, into his lord's bowl, and asked with some confusion:
"My lord, doesn't Master Hua have many people working under him?
Why does he still need to select assistants in the court?
What if he selects spies who are not on his side, or subordinates who are superficially obedient but disobedient?"
"Tsk, that fellow with eight hundred tricks up his sleeve probably already had suitable candidates in mind when he learned he would be appointed Prime Minister."
"Suitable candidates? Could it be you, my lord?"
Lin Qingge retorted without thinking:
"How could that be?"
"Why not?"
"Officer Yan, if you think I, an official, work with Master Hua, who gives orders to whom?"
"Of course, it's you, my lord, who orders Master Hua!"
"Then that settles it.
Besides, it's no problem for me to solve cases or punish corrupt officials, but when it comes to 'governance,' I'm as clueless as a sieve with seven holes already open and one remaining."
After speaking, Lin Qingge, who had finished eating, adhering to the ancestral teaching of 'cherish every grain of rice,' pushed the two chicken legs in his bowl, along with the remaining imperial concubine chicken and other food, to Yan Tinghao.
!!!
Yan Tinghao, surprised that his lord would share his beloved chicken legs with him, ate three large bowls in one go.
At the same time.
The new Emperor on the stage nodded slightly and said:
"Granted."
"Thank you, Your Majesty~"
"Does Your Highness have a preferred candidate?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, I naturally have a preferred candidate~"
Hua Jinrong said while scanning the room. His gaze swept past the table in the corner, finally landing on the new top scholar, and he curved his lips into a smile:
"I am so handsome and extraordinary. My deputy, even if not as handsome as me, must be pleasing to the eye.
Therefore, compared to those old men with wrinkled faces, Scholar Xu fits my preference better.
Of course, Lord Lin, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, is an exception~"
Lin Qingge, whose name was suddenly called, rolled his eyes to the sky.
The Empress, beside the new Emperor, subtly picked up a peanut from the table and then slightly bent her fingers.
The peanut shot out like a bullet, accurately hitting Hua Jinrong's back knee pit.
Hua Jinrong stumbled immediately, but fortunately, his reaction was quick enough that he stabilized himself, thus avoiding becoming the first Prime Minister in the history of Great Xia to fall face-first immediately after his appointment.
Not daring to be arrogant any longer, he straightened his not-so-messy clothes, and his expression became more serious:
"Well, that was my attempt to liven up the banquet atmosphere, a harmless joke with everyone.
In truth, I am impressed by Scholar Xu's learning and talent, believing him to be a person of potential, and I wish to keep him close to nurture him.
As I said, sending Scholar Xu to the Hanlin Academy might not fully utilize the prestige of being the top scholar.
Scholar Xu, I wish to appoint you as a Censor, though it is only a seventh-rank position, it allows you to plead for the common people. What do you think, Scholar Xu?"
...
What was said to be a choice turned out to be a premeditated trap. Even though Xu Siyun saw through it, he could only cup his hands and bow, saying:
"This student is willing!"
"Excellent~"
Having achieved his goal, Hua Jinrong turned around, took out a document from his embrace, and handed it to the eunuch waiting nearby.
During this time, he briefly reiterated the content of the document:
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I have just received an urgent dispatch of eight hundred li.
There has been a flood in the south, the dikes have collapsed, countless fertile fields and homes have been destroyed, and the people are displaced."
The new Emperor took the document from the eunuch, read it at a glance, his brows furrowed tightly, and asked with a solemn tone:
"What are your opinions, my esteemed ministers?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, I believe the priority tasks are to repair the dikes as quickly as possible to minimize the losses.
Secondly, to raise disaster relief supplies and money, and send people to the disaster-stricken areas with all haste.
For repairing the dikes, the army stationed nearby can be dispatched. They have high obedience and save money.
It's just the disaster relief funds..."
The first to speak was Feng Qingchen, the Left Prime Minister. He analyzed without reservation:
"During the former Emperor's reign, the national treasury's silver reserves were not substantial. Coupled with frequent natural disasters in recent years, and Your Majesty's general amnesty upon ascending the throne, which exempted this year's exorbitant taxes and levies, the current national treasury is basically insufficient to meet expenses.
Forgive my incompetence, but I fear I cannot raise such a large sum for disaster relief in a short period."
After Feng Qingchen finished speaking, his gaze, without being obvious, drifted towards an inconspicuous corner of the banquet.
"Your Majesty, regarding the matter of disaster relief funds, not only is Prime Minister Feng incompetent, but I am also powerless~"
Hua Jinrong sighed incessantly while brazenly glancing towards that corner.
Coincidentally, the two Prime Ministers not only looked in the same direction but also at the same person.
!!!
No, it's fine if you two are incompetent, after all, Hua Jinrong's incompetence is a well-known secret in the entire prefectural yamen.
But why are you two heartless ones, despite being Prime Ministers, dragging this little Prefect into this?
Complaining aside.
Lin Qingge still stood up reluctantly under Yan Tinghao's astonished gaze:
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this minister has two heartfelt words. May I speak them!"
...
The new Emperor's upper eyelids twitched, having been psychologically traumatized by someone. Although he knew that a dog's mouth could not spit out ivory, he still nodded and agreed with a single word:
"Granted."
Having gained the right to speak, Lin Qingge immediately put on a sorrowful and compassionate expression, muttering:
"As the saying goes, the rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen.
In the face of natural disasters, I imagine everyone present is extremely worried, to the point where they have lost the desire to partake in the delicious dishes and fine wines before them."
As Lin Qingge finished speaking, Yan Tinghao, who had swept all the dishes on the table clean, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and let out a loud burp.
Everyone: ...
In stark contrast to their table, the dishes on all other tables, including those of the new Emperor and Empress, remained untouched.
However, adhering to the principle of "If I am not awkward, then others are awkward," Lin Qingge's expression remained unchanged, and he continued his impassioned speech:
"The national treasury is empty. Your Majesty has set an example, not only greatly reducing the expenses for food and clothing in the palace but even rejecting the suggestion to recruit many concubines to expand the royal lineage.
Such patriotism, such noble sentiments!
It is enough to make the listener grieve and the hearer weep!
This minister is moved by Your Majesty's sincerity and has decided to donate all the salary I have received since entering officialdom, hoping to contribute a little effort for the disaster victims in the south!"