Chapter 71

"Thank you, Sir, for your favor. I will surely serve you faithfully and follow your lead!"

The man speaking was named Jin Duode. Although he was only in his early thirties, he was already a Five Classics Doctor in the Hanlin Academy. Being able to serve in the Hanlin Academy, he was naturally quite talented, especially in his eloquence. As early as fifteen minutes ago, he had come to toast Zhao Junchen, who, seeing his Hanlin background, treated him with considerable courtesy.

However, no one expected that this man's eloquence was so good that he talked incessantly and had already chatted with Zhao Junchen for a full fifteen minutes.

Seeing Jin Duode纠缠着 Zhao Junchen, Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shanchang, Tong Huan, and others were all dissatisfied, frowning and glaring to show their displeasure. Unfortunately, although Jin Duode was eloquent, his perceptiveness was poor, and he did not notice at all.

Looking at Jin Duode, Zhan Shanchang sighed helplessly. Hadn't he noticed that Zhao Junchen's tone was gradually becoming somewhat cold?

Zhao Junchen always treated officials in the court with kindness and courtesy, but he never changed his self-reference from "this official."

This was to make the officials in the court feel that Zhao Junchen was approachable while not forgetting their status difference.

However, Jin Duode clearly did not notice this. Seeing that Zhao Junchen's demeanor and tone were friendly, he was determined to use this opportunity to get closer to Zhao Junchen, without considering whether it was appropriate to make Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shanchang, and Chen Dongxiang, high-ranking officials in the court, wait on the side.

The officials who had previously toasted Zhao Junchen all knew when to stop, but only Jin Duode seemed to have lost himself.

Helpless, Zhan Shanchang could no longer maintain his composure and coughed heavily.

Noticing Zhan Shanchang's cough, Jin Duode realized he had gone too far, his face turning awkward. He quickly excused himself and left.

Seeing Jin Duode leave, Zhao Junchen shook his head with a smile. He was about to lose his patience and show a cold face to drive him away.

"This Jin Duode is indeed a remarkable person, with excellent eloquence, but I wonder how he performs as an official."

Hearing Zhao Junchen ask this, the others at the table were slightly taken aback.

After the officials had toasted Zhao Junchen, Zuo Lanshan and the others had already discovered a pattern. If Zhao Junchen did not ask any questions after an official toasted him and continued to chat with everyone, it meant he was very dissatisfied with that official and did not intend to consider their offer of allegiance. However, if Zhao Junchen asked for details, it meant he had the intention of bringing that official into his faction. After further understanding, if he still found the official suitable, he would comment on the official, making it clear to the others at the table that they should try to win over that official in the future.

Jin Duode, among these officials, was undoubtedly the one who left the worst impression, yet unexpectedly, Zhao Junchen showed interest in him.

Seeing the puzzled expressions on everyone's faces, Zhao Junchen smiled slightly and explained, "Eloquence and the ability to speak well are also skills. They might be useful in the future."

Hearing Zhao Junchen say this, the others at the table nodded in understanding and turned their gaze to Zhan Shanchang, who was originally a Minister of the Ministry of Rites and had a good understanding of the Hanlin Academy.

After frowning and thinking for a moment, Zhan Shanchang said, "This Jin Duode is a Jinshi from the 26th year of Deqing. He has talent, but he is somewhat restless and greedy. The Hanlin Academy is a clean office, and he is unwilling to stay there. In recent years, he has been trying to find a new position."

Zhao Junchen smiled and said, "Being restless is good. If he were too compliant, we wouldn't be able to talk to him. In the coming days, we can investigate his background. If he is suitable, the Censorate would be a good place for him to use his strengths. However, I wonder if he can endure the hardships there."

Hearing Zhao Junchen say this, the officials at the table all became serious, understanding Zhao Junchen's meaning. With Li Chengru appointed as the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate and the Right Censor-in-Chief Lu Chunxiao being a supporter of the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince Zhu Heyu's influence in the Censorate would undoubtedly increase.

Once the Crown Prince Zhu Heyu controlled the Censorate, the days of the officials at the table would not be easy.

If Jin Duode went to the Censorate as one of Zhao Junchen's subordinates, he would certainly face even more pressure and suppression.

Originally, due to the presence of many people, Zhao Junchen and Zuo Lanshan and the others only talked about trivial matters and tried to build closer relationships at this banquet, without discussing politics.

But hearing Zhao Junchen suddenly bring up this matter, the topic of conversation naturally shifted.

After a moment of silence, Chen Dongxiang said first, "The Emperor's decision to transfer Li Chengru to the Censorate as the Left Censor-in-Chief is not only to make room for you, Sir, but also to protect the Crown Prince."

Zuo Lanshan also said, "The Censorate supervises all officials and is the mouthpiece of various factions. It is the most troublesome and complex. For the Crown Prince to fully control it will require a lot of effort. However, a purge seems inevitable. If he can achieve this, having the Censorate in hand will ensure his safety."

As he spoke, Zuo Lanshan looked at Gu Quan with sympathy.

Gu Quan nodded, his face full of distress. As the Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, his days would not be easy once his superiors were all supporters of the Crown Prince. He wanted to ask Zhao Junchen to help him change his position, but seeing Zhao Junchen's attitude towards Jin Duode, it was clear that Zhao Junchen valued the Censorate and would not be willing to let him leave.

Zhao Junchen naturally saw Gu Quan's worry and reassured him with a smile, "Sir Gu, you don't need to worry. Even when Grand Secretary Wen couldn't make you suffer in the Censorate, I certainly won't let that happen."

Hearing Zhao Junchen say this, Gu Quan nodded and said solemnly, "I will need your support in the future, Sir Zhao."

Just as they were talking, Tong Huan, who had been silent, suddenly noticed something. His eyes widened in disbelief, and he said, "I didn't realize he was here too!"

"Who?"

Hearing Tong Huan's surprised words, the officials at the table turned around and saw a young official with a pale face holding a wine cup, hesitating not far from them, seemingly wanting to toast Zhao Junchen but not daring to approach due to the serious conversation.

Seeing this young official, the officials at the table all showed surprise and strange expressions!

"Who is he?"

Zhao Junchen had never seen this young official before, and it was clear that he was of low rank and power. However, he could cause such surprise, which naturally piqued Zhao Junchen's curiosity, so he asked.

After all, among the officials at the table, except for Jiang Qian, they were all at least third-rank ministers, each with extensive experience and deep reserves. Who could make them so surprised?

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ps: This is the fourth update today. There will be another update around midnight. Also, while writing the second update, my computer crashed, causing some delay. The fifth update might be delayed, but not for too long. Please bear with me.

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