Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 572 - 408 - - Violating Principles

These words were spoken not just for Xia Qing to hear, but also for himself. He would only help this once, and in the future, Xia Qing should never expect to threaten him over this matter.

Xia Qing listened with a slight smile on his face, but in his heart, he sneered.

Even someone as upright as Zhang Hai is not above acting against principles for personal interest.

He always believed there is no one in this world who cannot be moved, whether for fame, power, or due to various unavoidable reasons.

As for Zhang Hai’s claim that this would be the only time, he did not believe it. This time was for Changsun’s life, and next time it would be for something else.

As for holding this over Zhang Hai to make him his own, that would not work. Because this matter involved Min Feng, exposing it would be disadvantageous to everyone.

"Then Mr. Zhang should know what to do. Once it’s presented to the Emperor, I will fulfill my promise."

Xia Qing planned for Zhang Hai to submit this catalog; the script on the catalog was regular script, all Hanlin Academy books needed to use regular script.

The writing style of regular script is quite similar, all with square shapes and straight lines, making it difficult to distinguish.

If it is to be said to be Min Feng’s work, then it is not appropriate for him to personally present it to the Emperor.

This matter must be done by Zhang Hai personally. After the Emperor has seen the catalog, he would then let other officials speak a few words in front of the Emperor. Lastly, he would personally say a few good words for Min Feng, believing the Emperor would not disregard his face.

After all, he was the dignified Grand Secretary, backed by numerous officials, the Emperor naturally had to consider carefully. Moreover, even if the Emperor paid no heed, surely Daoist Ji could exert some influence, right?

Thinking of this, he felt slightly angry at heart. Such a Sixth Rank minor official, why was it so troublesome before?

He sent a message to the Ministry of Personnel, and the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel would still pay him some respect, but who knew the Emperor would intervene in this matter, truly causing unexpected complications.

The past two years his power has been restrained, the Emperor’s trust in him gradually diminished, causing him to act more cautiously.

"Then please remain true to your word, my Lord Chief City. I shall take my leave!"

Zhang Hai returned to Hanlin Academy with a heavy heart. For the sake of Changsun this time, he went against his usual principles. Even lowered his head in front of Xia Qing, which made him very annoyed. Losing his authority before Xia Qing, he even became someone whose word could not be trusted.

Thinking this made his heart even more downcast. After tidying up the catalog of the annotations, he prepared to rush to the Imperial Study Room to request an audience with the Emperor.

The little eunuch guarding the Imperial Study Room watched from afar as Mr. Zhang from Hanlin Academy came, and one of them went into the Imperial Study Room to report.

As a Grand Scholar of Hanlin Academy, Zhang Hai had to request the Emperor’s instructions regarding many matters of Hanlin Academy, often coming to the Imperial Study Room to see the Emperor. The little eunuchs guarding the door were very familiar with him, and seeing him approach from afar, they went inside to report early.

As Zhang Hai walked, his heart hesitated. He had never realized the road from Hanlin Academy to the Imperial Study Room was so close. His steps stumbled as his heart was filled with uncertainty.

"Mr. Zhang! You’ve arrived, the Emperor invites you in!"

After waiting for quite a while, Zhang Hai finally approached the Imperial Study Room. The little eunuch quickly greeted him, feeling that Mr. Zhang looked somewhat strange today, seemingly burdened with heavy thoughts, walking very slowly.

If he had known, he would have entered more slowly to report. The Emperor might already be anxious from waiting; he wondered if the Grand Steward would blame him.

Without mentioning how much the little eunuch regretted, upon reaching the Imperial Study Room, Zhang Hai had no choice but to enter. He steeled himself, clutching the booklet tightly, ignoring the little eunuch’s enthusiastic greetings, and went straight into the Imperial Study Room.

"Minister Zhang Hai humbly requests for the Emperor’s well-being!"

The Emperor was reading a memorial, feeling quite displeased. Recently, because he personally reviewed memorials, the Cabinet’s old ministers became completely hands-off, even trivial matters piled up before him.

He couldn’t see several important matters, the proposal for the appointment of the Crown Prince occupied six or seven out of ten memorials.

The Emperor couldn’t see what the Cabinet officials were doing, were all he could see just these messy memorials?

The Emperor rubbed the space between his eyebrows, they were forcing him! Things couldn’t proceed like this anymore, Xia Qing, as Chief Minister of the Cabinet, held too much power and was becoming well-established.

He must quickly support someone to stand against Xia Qing. The Emperor went through the court officials in his mind but couldn’t think of anyone useful for his purpose.

The court’s relationship was complex, even the neutral officials had marital ties, making them bound in action, he couldn’t use them freely.

Those old ministers were old foxes; trying to control them would surely be exhausting. He had neither the time nor energy, his body was not as it used to be, and those ambitious plans had faded with age.

Wanting to stabilize his kingdom, he couldn’t act impulsively; he must learn the means of Zhongyong, weigh the pros and cons, and be thrice careful before acting.

Like the pile of memorials before him, despite his aversion, he had to review them entirely. What of being an Emperor? He still had moments when he couldn’t act according to his will.

After much thought, he could only select among the newly appointed officials. So far, he still held expectations for Gu Chengyu.

The Emperor steadied his mind, and so be it! Just a fledgling youngster, offering help when necessary would work. When there is balance within the court one day, he too could rest easy.

Having made up his mind, upon hearing Zhang Hai’s salutation, the Emperor called him to rise.

"Mr. Zhang, here to discuss the matter of the annotations, has the plan been drawn up?"

The Emperor calculated the days; the annotations had been arranged for five days, Zhang Hai’s audience was presumably about this matter.

"Reporting to the Emperor, I have indeed come regarding the annotations. This is the plan drafted by Hanlin Academy, please have a look."

De’an waiting at the side, quickly stepped forward, respectfully handed it over to the Emperor.

As the Emperor flipped through page by page, Zhang Hai’s expression tightened with tension.

The Emperor opened the catalog, first was a bit surprised, then praised it, and finally nodded in satisfaction after finishing.

"Did Hanlin Academy and the Six Ministries draft this? Not bad, I think there should be no gaps to fill, proceed with compilation like this!"

Zhang Hai had been watching the Emperor’s face, naturally noticing he was quite satisfied. Next, the Emperor would definitely ask who came up with this, as this catalog differed completely from what Hanlin Academy had originally drafted.

"I obey the decree!"

"This catalog is carefully listed, henceforth, any works compiled by Hanlin Academy can use this form. It’s clear at a glance, finding things later should be easier."

Thinking thus, the Emperor praised the catalog even more, giving several compliments.

"Who came up with this? You old ministers couldn’t think of such a method."

At this moment, the Emperor’s mood had improved somewhat; the veteran officials of Hanlin Academy, merely worked methodically, never considering reform or innovation.