Chapter 630: Staff Office High-Level Meeting

"I'm reassured on that front as well." Han Kuang said with a smile: "You've always shown good judgment. These past few years, though you've been in the Ministry of Revenue, you've kept a low profile and haven't been scheming around. Very good."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu smiled and said: "I've always believed that patience is a good habit."

"Well said." Han Kuang nodded in agreement: "But this matter is somewhat out of the ordinary. It's common knowledge that His Majesty has always held you Imperial Academy graduates in high regard. However, you should also understand that in recent years, those who have risen to prominence have all been on the military side."

Zhang Yu nodded.

He was well aware of this. Whether in the Imperial Guard Corps or the Staff Office, many had distinguished themselves in recent years. Figures like Lu Xiangsheng, in particular, had left everyone else far behind.

Lu Xiangsheng had already risen to the position of Regional Military Commissioner of the Imperial Guard Corps — a post that most people could never reach in a lifetime, no matter how hard they struggled. He was absolutely someone to be looked up to.

Men like Cao Wenzhao also held great power and high positions; it was said their noble titles were about to be conferred. Under such circumstances, it was impossible not to feel envious.

The military side was advancing quickly, and many wanted to choose that path. In recent years, applications to the Imperial Academy's military college had increased; every year when the Imperial Guard Corps recruited, the crowds were like a sea of people.

"This time is different." Han Kuang, seeing Zhang Yu nod, said: "His Majesty first appointed Liu Xian as prefect of Zhili Prefecture, and then promoted you — both are signs of favor. That indicates one thing: His Majesty has begun to place importance on you."

"We all know this was only a matter of time, because we old-timers are getting old and can't keep going forever. Among the more capable officials at court — Zuo Guangdou, Chen Qiyu, Chen Sihai and others — none of them are young anymore. At this point, the Emperor must begin cultivating the next generation of talent. The timing is just right. Whoever among you can distinguish himself at this moment will take the lead and go further. So you must do well this time — not just for His Majesty, but for yourself as well."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu nodded with a solemn expression.

His sensitivity in this regard was by no means dull. The moment he heard his grandfather mention that Liu Xian had been given an important post, Zhang Yu had already guessed the implications.

In recent years, Zhang Yu had felt suppressed from above — and the one suppressing them was none other than His Majesty.

For one thing, the old officials at court were still needed; replacing them now would be inappropriate. For another, certain matters still required these veterans to handle, and so far the results had been excellent.

Once this current matter was concluded, it would be time for the younger generation to spread their wings.

Zhang Yu nodded and said: "Grandfather, rest assured, I know what to do."

"Then do you know what the main mission to Joseon this time is?" Han Kuang looked at Zhang Yu and asked again.

Zhang Yu shook his head and said: "Your grandson does not know."

"To be honest, I don't know either." Han Kuang sighed and said: "The chief planner and executor of this operation is the Staff Office, so you'll need to go to the Staff Office first and hear what they have to say. Whatever they ask you to do, you don't need to come back to me. The rest will be for you to figure out on your own."

Zhang Yu rose to his feet and bowed respectfully to Han Kuang, saying: "Grandfather, rest assured, your grandson knows what to do. Grandfather, please take care of your health. When your grandson returns from Joseon, I will come and fulfill my filial duties before you."

"Oh, one more thing." Han Kuang looked at Zhang Yu and said: "His Majesty has indicated that since the journey is long and this is a long-term posting, you may bring your family along. As for how to arrange it, that's for you to decide."

This was good news, yet Zhang Yu still hesitated somewhat.

In these times, the roads were long and medical conditions were poor. Even with an official delegation, if one fell ill from not adapting to the climate in Joseon, problems could easily arise.

Bringing one's family along was a sure way to invite trouble. If someone fell ill, they might well die over there. Going on a long journey was nothing to celebrate.

Officials at this time all followed the same practice: leaving their wives at home to care for their mothers and manage the household, rather than bringing their wives along. As for when they wanted female companionship, they would typically take a concubine locally.

This practice was a fairly common pattern in officialdom. Though it was said the court was recently considering regulating this matter, no conclusion had yet been reached.

"Can I not bring them?" Zhang Yu said with a wry smile: "The journey is long, travel is exhausting, and problems can easily arise."

"No." Han Kuang's face suddenly turned stern: "Not only must you bring them, you must bring my granddaughter along. There is no room for negotiation on this matter."

"Why?" Zhang Yu asked with a furrowed brow.

Although his wife was Han Kuang's granddaughter, she was also a true daughter of a scholarly family, a proper young lady of refinement — gentle and graceful in temperament, deeply beloved by him. These past two years, the couple had been inseparable as glue and lacquer. Under such circumstances, he naturally did not wish to be separated from his wife.

Bringing his wife along was indeed the better option, but Zhang Yu was truly afraid — what if something happened to his wife on the road?

If that happened, being separated from his wife would be unbearable. Rather than take such a risk, it would be better not to go at all.

Though going to Joseon meant separation for several years, his wife staying at home was ultimately far safer. Zhang Yu could not understand his grandfather's reasoning. Why must he bring his wife?

Besides, she was his own granddaughter — was he willing to let her take such a risk?

"This matter is not for us to decide." Han Kuang glanced at Zhang Yu, and his gaze suddenly softened.

He sighed, somewhat helplessly, and said: "You should go to the Staff Office first. We'll discuss some things when you return."

"I understand." Zhang Yu nodded and said: "Then your grandson will take his leave."

Seeing Han Kuang nod, Zhang Yu quickly bowed and walked out.

By the time Zhang Yu arrived at the Staff Office, he was still somewhat dazed.

Taking a breath of fresh air and forcing himself to rally, Zhang Yu walked inside.

After verifying his identity at the gate, someone inside received Zhang Yu and led him in.

The Staff Office had a guard at every step — quite a novelty for Zhang Yu.

He also knew that the Great Ming's Staff Office was no ordinary government bureau. In recent years, its power and influence had grown heavier and heavier.

Soon, someone came out from within.

This was a young man in his twenties. Seeing Zhang Yu, he quickly smiled and came forward to greet him, saying: "Are you Senior Zhang Yu?"

"Yes." Zhang Yu nodded and said: "Are you also from the Imperial Academy?"

"Same school as you. I'm from the third cohort." The newcomer said with a smile: "You're someone many of us admire greatly. Oh, by the way, my name is Li Jianzhong, staff officer at the Staff Office. Please come in this way, follow me."

"Alright." Zhang Yu nodded and followed Li Jianzhong inside.

After winding through several corridors, the two came directly to a place deep within the Staff Office.

Zhang Yu clearly sensed something different here — there were actually guards, and the guards were from the Imperial Guard Corps.

Looking around further, every position had been carefully designed; both observation posts and hidden sentries were present. There were many places he couldn't see, but Zhang Yu was certain there were many, many more surveillance points.

After all, he too was an Imperial Academy graduate. Though his military aptitude was poor, that didn't mean he hadn't learned anything.

These simple things he understood at a glance. According to the Imperial Academy's teachings, this was a place for concealing military secrets.

Zhang Yu's heart sank.

What was going on?

Did the Great Ming have military secrets?

Of course it did — and many of them. In the past two years, the Staff Office had issued new military secrecy regulations every year, springing up like bamboo shoots after rain, and enforcement was strict.

But he wasn't a military man. Even with this mission to Joseon, did it warrant all this?

"Senior Zhang Yu, they're waiting for you inside." Li Jianzhong said with a smile.

"Aren't you coming in?" Zhang Yu asked hesitantly.

"Senior is joking—someone at my level can't get into a place like this." As he spoke, Li Jianzhong made a gesture of invitation and said, "Senior, please go on in. The various lords are still waiting for you inside."

Zhang Yu nodded, said nothing more, and stepped inside.

From what Li Jianzhong had said, it wasn't just one person waiting for him in there, but several lords. It seemed this matter was no small thing.

His heart sank a little. Keeping his mind clear, Zhang Yu walked deeper in, step by step.

He went further inside, passed through a corridor, and only then arrived at the rear.

A circle of people was already seated here.

Zhang Yu looked over and saw that there were only four or five people.

His heart sank again.

A careful sweep told him that everyone seated here was a Staff Council minister—their current status equivalent to a Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat. In other words, everyone sitting here was among the top brass of the Great Ming Staff Council.

As for the man at the head, there was no need to guess—it was naturally the Great Ming's Chief Staff Minister, Duke of Ying, Zhang Weixian. In recent years, these men were figures who could make the Great Ming military tremble with a single stomp of their feet.

Aside from His Majesty's attention to the military, more of it came from these men's own development. After all, the Emperor had given them authority, and with the backing of their families, the speed of their rise could be said to exceed ordinary imagination.

"Zhang Yu pays his respects to the various lords." Though shocked inwardly, proper courtesy could not be omitted. Zhang Yu bowed respectfully.

"No need for ceremony." Zhang Weixian said with a smile: "We're here today to discuss matters—these empty formalities aren't needed. We've prepared a chair for you. Have a seat. Let's get down to business."

"Yes, Duke of Ying." Zhang Yu acknowledged, then sat down in the chair they had prepared for him.

Only after Zhang Yu had taken his seat did Duke of Ying Zhang Weixian speak: "I imagine Grand Secretary Han has already told you—you've now been promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Rites and concurrently Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial."

"To answer Your Grace, yes, I have indeed been informed." Zhang Yu nodded and said.