Chapter 70

Seeing this person's actions, Zhao Junchen was also taken aback.

And the officials sitting with Zhao Junchen, such as Zuo Lanshan and Gu Quan, all wore faces of dissatisfaction.

Among them, Zuo Lanshan and Zhan Shanchang were the most obvious in their reactions.

Leading the officials to toast Zhao Junchen seemed like a routine matter, but it also depended on seniority and rank. Among the officials present, Zuo Lanshan held the highest position, and Zhan Shanchang had been serving Zhao Junchen the longest. Such a task should have been handled by Zuo Lanshan or Zhan Shanchang.

However, before Zhao Junchen had even spoken or announced the start of the banquet, Zuo Lanshan and Zhan Shanchang, wary of each other, did not rush to speak. Unexpectedly, someone, out of envy for Jiang Qian's treatment, to curry favor with Zhao Junchen, and to stand out, took the initiative to propose a toast!

As a result, the awkwardness and anger of Zuo Lanshan and Zhan Shanchang were evident.

In the political arena, there are no trivial matters. A slight misstep could offend others without one even realizing it. Seeing this person still unaware, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but wonder how this person had managed to survive in the political arena for so many years.

"May I ask who this colleague is?" Zhao Junchen did not stand up but asked with a puzzled look, drawing out his words.

At this moment, seeing no one responding, this person was somewhat embarrassed. But upon hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, he was flattered and replied with a fawning expression, "This subordinate is Wei Ping, the Prefectural Magistrate of Shun天府. I greet Your Excellency, the Minister."

Zhao Junchen smiled and nodded, raising his wine glass and slightly nodding to Wei Ping before taking a sip, thus dealing with the situation.

Although he disliked Wei Ping's showboating and lack of propriety, Zhao Junchen did not show much reaction in front of everyone.

On the contrary, Wei Ping, seeing Zhao Junchen's response, was even more delighted. He not only drained his glass but also, after sitting down, looked around with evident satisfaction.

Seeing Wei Ping's demeanor, Zhao Junchen said to the other officials at the table with a light laugh, "This Wei Ping is quite straightforward and rather amusing."

Li Lide, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice, who had recently joined Zhao Junchen's camp and was familiar with Shun天府, also smiled and explained, "Wei Ping's father, Wei Ran, was a classmate of the Chief Minister. In a way, Wei Ping was originally one of the Chief Minister's people. The Chief Minister, remembering his old friendship with Wei Ping's father, had supported him in the past. Wei Ping has some talent, otherwise he wouldn't have risen to the position of Prefectural Magistrate of Shun天府. However, he often acts without considering the bigger picture and frequently envies his colleagues, which is why he has gradually fallen out of favor with the Chief Minister. It is said that in recent years, the Chief Minister no longer wishes to see him. Perhaps this is why Wei Ping has decided to change his ways."

Zhao Junchen frowned slightly and said slowly, "So, Wei Ping is still nominally a disciple of the Chief Minister?"

Li Lide nodded and said, "That's right. Although he is not favored by the Chief Minister, the Chief Minister, out of old friendship, has not deliberately marginalized or suppressed him. He has simply stopped promoting him. Otherwise, with his lack of tact, how could he still hold the position of Prefectural Magistrate of Shun天府?"

Hearing Li Lide's explanation, Zhao Junchen smiled and shook his head lightly.

Wei Ping's showboating had already revealed many undesirable qualities to Zhao Junchen. His lack of consideration for the bigger picture and his envy of colleagues were clearly evident, which is why he was not favored by Zhou Shangjing's faction.

Thinking this, Zhao Junchen said to the other officials at the table, "Unlike all of you, I have been focused on the Ministry of Revenue and have not been well-versed in the affairs of other officials. I hope you will all guide me today as I host this banquet."

Hearing this, Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shanchang, and others all claimed they dared not, but they understood Zhao Junchen's intentions.

Zhao Junchen's banquet today was not only to build closer ties with these newly allied high-ranking officials but also to see how many officials in the court wanted to join his camp and how many could be of use to him.

It must be understood that the current political factions in the court are stable. In such a situation, the officials who want to join Zhao Junchen are either without a patron or not valued by their own faction. The reasons are varied: some are unrecognized for their talents, some have offended others, but many are also limited by their own abilities and personalities.

For example, someone like Wei Ping, who cannot be trusted with important tasks and might even cause trouble, Zhao Junchen would never accept.

Zhao Junchen was very clear that, given his current reputation in the political arena, most of the officials who want to join him are not good officials. However, if they were merely corrupt, it would be fine, as corrupt officials have their uses. But if they are only corrupt and cannot perform their duties, causing trouble without accomplishing anything, Zhao Junchen would politely decline.

By having Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shanchang, and others help him select, Zhao Junchen not only wanted to sift through the chaff but also to show his trust in them.

……

After exchanging a few words with Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shanchang, and others, Zhao Junchen also stood up and said to the officials present, "Today, I am honored by the Emperor's trust and have been promoted to Minister of Revenue. Although this is mainly due to the Emperor's favor, it also cannot be separated from the strong support of all my colleagues. Therefore, I am hosting this banquet today. Please do not be formal, and enjoy yourselves!"

As he spoke, Zhao Junchen raised his glass and drained it.

Following Zhao Junchen's speech, the officials present also stood up, saying, "Minister, you are too kind," and raised their glasses to Zhao Junchen, also draining them.

When Zhao Junchen sat down, the banquet officially began. However, due to what had happened with Wei Ping, no one dared to seek attention. Instead, officials took turns coming to Zhao Junchen to offer toasts, either hinting at their desire to join his camp or trying to leave a good impression.

Zhao Junchen also took this opportunity to find some useful talents among these officials. He was polite to all, and although he did not like to drink much, he mostly took small sips. Given his current status, no one could say anything.

Through this interaction, Zhao Junchen found that the officials who wanted to join him were indeed of mixed quality.

However, one person caught his attention.

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