Chapter 316

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ming's expression sank immediately, and he felt a bit of fire in his belly.

He knew Fang Qian was deliberately making things difficult for him, but for the sake of his subordinates' futures, he suppressed his anger and said with a forced smile: "Official Fang, these people have all been strictly screened by the Ministry of Justice and are absolutely fine. Could you please show some flexibility?"

Fang Qian sneered, his tone laced with sarcasm: "Official Xiao, rules are rules. I wouldn't dare to engage in favoritism or break the law. Besides, you didn't say that when you were in Shanghe City."

Xiao Ming was choked into silence, cursing inwardly: This brat really holds a grudge!

He squeezed out an ugly smile and said in a low voice: "Official Fang, it was my fault back then. I apologize to you. Could you please show some mercy?"

Fang Qian remained unmoved, still saying with a cold face: "Official Xiao, please mind your language. This is the Ministry of Personnel, and I am merely following procedure."

Xiao Ming was itching with rage but could do nothing about it.

He knew Fang Qian was determined to block him.

If Fang Qian didn't relent, his dozen subordinates couldn't be confirmed in their positions.

How was he supposed to explain this to them?

He had boasted that he would guarantee their smooth employment.

"Fang Qian, if you have the guts, come at me! What kind of skill is it to make things difficult for my subordinates!" Xiao Ming finally couldn't hold back and pointed at Fang Qian, shouting angrily.

Fang Qian was not afraid in the slightest and responded coldly: "Official Xiao, I am just handling official business, and the Ministry of Personnel is not a place for you to cause trouble."

Xiao Ming's face turned livid. Seeing more and more people gathering around, he knew that if he caused a scene here, the trouble would be immense.

He could only leave the Ministry of Personnel in a huff and return to the Ministry of Justice to complain to the Minister, Pang Jin.

After hearing Xiao Ming's report, Pang Jin's expression also sank.

As the Minister of Justice, he had always been protective of his own; he certainly had to help his subordinate vent his anger. If he didn't help his subordinates, how could they be loyal and work hard? Moreover, Xiao Ming was his most prized subordinate.

He immediately slammed the table and stood up, shouting angrily: "A mere petty official in the Ministry of Personnel dares to make things so difficult for my people in the Ministry of Justice! Let's go, I will go to the Ministry of Personnel myself to demand an explanation!"

Pang Jin took Xiao Ming and arrived at the Ministry of Personnel aggressively. Since Pang Jin's status wouldn't allow him to target a low-level official, he went straight to find the Minister of Personnel, Luo Hui.

As soon as Pang Jin entered, he said with a cold face: "Official Luo, isn't your Ministry of Personnel going too far? My Ministry of Justice subordinates are being blocked at the review stage of their employment. What is the meaning of this?"

Luo Hui was the newly appointed Minister of Personnel. Although his seniority was not as high as Pang Jin's, he was not someone to be trifled with.

The matter had just caused quite a stir, and as the Minister of Personnel, he certainly already knew what had happened.

Luo Hui smiled faintly, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm: "Official Pang, everything must be done according to the rules. His Majesty has explicitly ordered the vetting of officials from all departments. Are you trying to take a shortcut at a time like this? Wouldn't that make our Ministry of Personnel commit an error? I, for one, think my subordinate hasn't done anything wrong."

The position of Minister of Personnel was inherently high-ranking and powerful, and many in the court looked to him for cues. Luo Hui had also spent decades in the imperial court, finally struggling his way to this position.

You, Pang Jin, dare to throw your weight around as soon as you arrive? If I were to yield, wouldn't our Ministry of Personnel be bullied by everyone from now on?

Pang Jin was choked into silence, his face livid.

He hadn't expected Luo Hui to be so unyielding, showing him absolutely no respect.

He said coldly: "Official Luo, are you trying to go against my Ministry of Justice? Our people in the Ministry of Justice have risked their lives for the May Tian Ce Dynasty. By blocking their positions, aren't you making the officials who have sacrificed for the May Tian Ce Dynasty feel cold-hearted?"

It was clear that Pang Jin was also quite skilled at rhetoric.

But Luo Hui didn't buy it, saying indifferently: "Official Pang, one cannot put it that way. I am merely following the rules. If you have any objections, you may submit a memorial to His Majesty."

He was essentially playing the part of someone completely immovable.

Pang Jin slammed the table in anger and shouted: "Fine! Then we shall wait for His Majesty to return and see who is right and who is wrong!"

Luo Hui sneered, not backing down in the slightest: "Official Pang, please feel free."

The standoff between the two Ministers spread quickly through the circle of court officials, instantly causing a huge uproar.

The officials discussed it one after another, guessing whether Pang Jin, the close minister by the Emperor's side, would prevail, or if Luo Hui, the newly appointed Minister, would be able to maintain the prestige of the Ministry of Personnel.

The entire imperial court was rife with undercurrents.

At this time, Lin Mo and Wei Manying also arrived at the Imperial Capital.

Although Wei Manying was a princess of the former dynasty and a wanted criminal, few people knew what the "former dynasty princess" looked like, so she could still enter the Imperial Capital freely.

Lin Mo, on the other hand, was a popular official in the Ministry of Works; he was in charge of the construction of various major projects, and many merchant families and noble families were waiting to curry favor with him to make a living.

After all, obtaining investment in some projects from Lin Mo's hands was simply a massive profit.

Lin Mo had never had the intention of forming cliques for private gain, but his circle was becoming increasingly successful, as many people had requests for him.

With his status, he was very well-connected in the Imperial Capital, even more powerful than Wu Qi had been some time ago.

It could also be said that each of them would be powerful for a certain phase.

Lin Mo judged that since Xiao Ming couldn't find substantial evidence of his collusion with the remnants of the former dynasty, he certainly wouldn't dare to report him, which was why he dared to come to the Imperial Capital.

As it turned out, his judgment seemed correct.

He returned to the Ministry of Works, where people greeted him warmly, and no untoward situations occurred.

Now it was inconvenient for him to be with Wei Manying, so the matter of setting a trap for Xiao Ming could only be handled by Wei Manying herself.

At this moment, Xiao Ming had just walked out of the Ministry of Justice, feeling very unhappy.

Mostly, he felt sorry for his subordinates.

Although the Minister had already arranged for his subordinates to be employed as non-established staff, he still had to find a way to make Fang Qian relent on the vetting process.

Just as he was pondering a strategy, he suddenly saw Wei Manying.

Wei Manying was standing on the street outside the Ministry of Justice, wearing a pale purple long dress; her features were as beautiful as a painting, and her temperament was outstanding.

As soon as Xiao Ming saw her, his mood improved significantly.

Seeing Xiao Ming's ecstatic expression, Wei Manying sneered inwardly: This brat acts so convincingly; he is indeed an expert from the Ministry of Justice.

She did not know that Xiao Ming had no idea about the Dragon Emperor's tomb and was genuinely happy because he saw her.

Xiao Ming walked quickly to Wei Manying, his tone filled with excitement: "Miss Wei, why have you come to the Imperial Capital?"

Wei Manying smiled slightly, her tone gentle: "I wanted to tell you some things."

Xiao Ming's heart raced, thinking to himself: Has this woman been moved by my persistence and started to like me? She came to find me on her own initiative after not seeing me for a few days?

He suppressed his inner excitement and said with feigned composure: "Alright, I also happen to have some things I'd like to chat with you about."

Wei Manying nodded and said softly: "Then let's go sit at a nearby teahouse."

Xiao Ming readily agreed, and the two walked side by side toward a nearby teahouse.

Along the way, Xiao Ming stole glances at Wei Manying from time to time, feeling wonderful inside.

Meanwhile, Wei Manying was secretly calculating how to test Xiao Ming's attitude.

Upon arriving at the teahouse, the two chose a quiet private room and sat down.

Wei Manying ordered a pot of fine Longjing tea; the fragrance of the tea curled in the air, and the atmosphere seemed exceptionally warm.

Xiao Ming picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked with a smile: "Miss Wei, do you have any important matters for coming to the Imperial Capital this time?"

Wei Manying set down her teacup, looked directly at Xiao Ming, and asked with a hint of probing in her tone: "Official Xiao, I came this time to ask you, have you heard any rumors lately?"

Xiao Ming was stunned, feeling somewhat puzzled: "Rumors? What rumors?"

(End of chapter)