Chapter 23

Old Zhu simply didn't know.

Letting Su Qiao beat people.

Su Qiao would dare.

Letting Su Qiao kill people.

Su Qiao's courage was still a bit lacking...

Twenty-two! Did I use you to save them?!

For Zhu Yunwen, who had been raised in the deep palace since childhood.

He had long taken for granted that ten thousand people revered him and everyone risked their lives to protect him.

But Zhu Yuanzhang knew.

A person truly driven to desperation.

Would not care about hierarchy or status.

Even if there was no grudge, he would still strike to kill, dragging someone down with him as a cushion.

That Zhu Yunwen could still stand here in good health.

Was already the "greatest proof" of Su Qiao's loyalty.

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, sat back on the dragon throne, lifted a bowl of tea, and silently sized up Zhu Yunwen and Huang Zicheng below.

After pondering for a long time.

Zhu Yuanzhang set down the tea cup in his hand.

"Release Su Qiao immediately."

"First place in the top tier, appoint him as a Dongge Grand Secretary; keep him in the palace to offer us advice."

No sooner had the words left his lips.

Everyone in the hall instantly froze in place.

It wasn't that the position of Dongge Grand Secretary was so high.

But Su Qiao, regardless, was the one who openly defied ritual law and slapped the Imperial Grandson dozens of times.

Not punishing him was one thing.

But releasing him and letting him become an official?!

"Why are you standing there stunned! Our decree has already been issued!"

Even though Huang Zicheng, Zhu Yunwen, and others were unwilling in their hearts.

They ultimately had to accept Old Zhu's decree.

After drafting the decree, it was immediately sent out.

Old Zhu stared coldly at the crowd before him.

"Why are you still standing there stunned! Why not withdraw quickly!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's shout woke everyone in the hall.

"This grandson accepts the decree."

"We, your subjects, accept the decree."

The Forbidden City is the place with the most secrets under heaven.

But the people living in the Forbidden City are the ones with the fewest secrets in the world.

The moment the decree left the palace.

Many high officials in the capital heard some news.

Ru Taisu and Zhan Hui immediately ordered carriages prepared.

And hurriedly rushed to the Imperial Prison.

On the other end, inside the Imperial Prison.

When the small Eunuch from the palace finished reading the Imperial Decree.

Everyone in the entire Imperial Prison stood stunned in place.

They would never have thought, even if beaten to death.

That Su Qiao, in such a state.

Could still survive!

"My Lord Su, we servants are here to congratulate you."

"After the imperial examination, entering the Dongge directly; My Lord, you are the first in our Great Ming Dynasty!"

After all, the Hall and Pavilion Grand Secretaries at this time were not yet the Grand Secretariat after Yongle.

In the thirteenth year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang executed Hu Weiyong and abolished the position of Prime Minister.

Afterwards, he established the Hall and Pavilion Grand Secretaries to offer him strategies and advice; however, these Hall and Pavilion Grand Secretaries themselves were only minor officials of the fifth and sixth ranks.

Moreover, they only possessed the power to offer suggestions.

Therefore, they were far from having such High position and great power.

But that was compared to the Grand Secretariat of later generations!

For a newly graduated Jinshi entering the officialdom for the first time.

The starting point of a Hall and Pavilion Grand Secretary.

Was already four ranks higher than the common appointment of a seventh-rank Compiler for the Hanlin Academicians!

It was enough to show Old Zhu's importance attached to Su Qiao!

After the imperial decree was proclaimed, several young Eunuchs departed one after another.

Jiang Huan, who had been standing aside, instantly came to his senses and roared at the group of Embroidered Uniform Guard beside him:

"Why are you all standing there stunned? Hurry and unlock Su Qiao!"

Several members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard immediately rushed forward in a flurry to unlock Su Qiao.

Before long, Su Qiao was led out of the Imperial Prison.

Even as Su Qiao left the Imperial Prison,

his entire mind remained dazed!

He even looked at Jiang Huan, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with some reluctance and said,

"Commander Jiang, I can't bear to part with you!"

"No, please discuss it with Your Majesty. I am guilty, I am guilty!"

Hearing Su Qiao's request,

the corner of Jiang Huan's mouth twitched involuntarily.

Many have entered the Imperial Prison wanting to get out;

I have seen quite a few.

But how can there be someone who entered the Imperial Prison and is reluctant to leave?

Has he truly found it like home to a guest?!

Jiang Huan said nothing.

After a single glance,

two members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard stepped forward and "invited" Su Qiao out.

Shortly after Su Qiao was forcibly kicked out of the Lao Sect, he saw two old men with bright eyes running toward him from a distance.

Zhan Hui rushed to Su Qiao's side at the head of the group.

Almost fawningly, he grabbed Su Qiao's elbow and smiled at Ru Taisu, saying,

"Haha, old Mr., your esteemed disciple has come out."

Ru Taisu stroked his beard, scrutinized Su Qiao, and clicked his tongue, saying,

"You rascal, you certainly have a big life."

"If Minister Zhan had not fought for your life today, you rascal might have already lost your life in the Imperial Prison!"

Upon hearing these words, Zhan Hui, who had been standing aside, instantly came to his senses and hurriedly added,

"I merely acted beyond my authority. Today in the hall, it was your preceptor who fought for your life with his own, kneeling outside the hall for two full hours before persuading Your Majesty to change his mind!"

The two old foxes exchanged a smile.