Chapter 525: He Heng and Kang Chong

Early November, today is a special day for the Ministry of Revenue.

Because the young Ministry of Revenue Ministerial Attendant is to assume office today.

In fact, two days ago, it wasn't only Li Lizhi and her group making preparations; the Ministry of Revenue was as well.

After all, that's the Ministry of Revenue Ministerial Attendant, the second‑in‑command of the Ministry, with an unassailable background, so Ministry officials had to take it seriously.

Especially since many of the current senior officials of the Ministry have already been taken over by Chen Yan's people.

Du Gou and Fang Yizhi are to assume office before Chen Yan, and Ma Zhou was transferred here not long ago.

After the morning court today, Ministry officials rushed without pause to the hall of the Revenue Department Office, preparing to welcome the soon‑to‑be‑appointed Ministry of Revenue Ministerial Attendant.

On the way back, He Heng of the Storage Department, hands clasped, lowered his voice and asked the man beside him, Han Zhongliang, "Sir Han, what do you think of the Minister Chen who is to take office today?"

"I have heard that his background is immensely deep; not to mention His Majesty and the Empress, even the highest‑ranking officials lavishly praise him."

"Moreover, those officials even placed their own eldest sons under his command: when they went to Weinan County, they sent their eldest sons along; upon returning to Chang'an to join the Ministry of Revenue, they likewise arranged for their eldest sons to enter early."

"They are among the ministers who took office a few days ago."

Han Zhongliang paused, glanced sideways, "How can I look? I sit and watch, bending over and raising my eyes cautiously."

He Heng scoffed, "Sir Han, you jest. Who in the Ministry doesn't know your diligent work, repeatedly assisting Lord Dai in implementing reforms, your hard‑earned merits. Before that Minister Chen arrived, he carried out a great purge of the Ministry, squeezing many former colleagues out."

"The former Minister Liu, who has already left officialdom due to health reasons, is one thing, but the other ministers before were either brushed aside or transferred elsewhere."

"He is a descending tiger! Aren't you worried that his youthful vigor will make him seize power?"

By now, everyone is well aware that Dai Zhou is about to leave the Ministry of Revenue.

But who will succeed as Minister of Revenue remains uncertain.

He Heng's words undoubtedly hinted to Han Zhongliang that Chen Yan is a huge variable, urging early planning.

Han Zhongliang let out a slight sigh.

He is fully aware of He Heng's intentions.

He Heng cannot become Minister of Revenue, yet he is an elder of the Ministry, having served in this position for many years.

In terms of seniority and achievements, he is not lacking.

If the Minister of Revenue is not transferred from elsewhere but promoted from within the Ministry, Han Zhongliang is undoubtedly the most likely candidate.

Should Han Zhongliang be promoted, would He Heng also have a chance to advance further and occupy Han's current position?

The reason Han Zhongliang sighs is that he has been hinting to He Heng from the start.

He now thinks Chen Yan can be watched while seated, but in the future he must lower his head and raise his eyes cautiously.

Unfortunately, He Heng does not understand.

"Sigh~"

Han Zhongliang thought for a moment, and, considering their many years as colleagues, warned plainly, "I advise you not to entertain any crooked thoughts; you yourself just called Minister Chen a descending tiger."

"Don't you know what a descending tiger signifies?"

"A fierce tiger descending the mountain is unstoppable!"

"From now on, I advise you to attend to your own duties, do what should be done well, and never touch what should not be. If you still intend to play clever tricks, keep your distance from me starting now."

"I fear that when the fire on you ignites, it will scorch me!"

He Heng: "......"

He stared blankly for a long while, watching Han Zhongliang's sleeve‑waving retreat, and frowned.

Recalling each of Han Zhongliang's words meticulously, he suddenly understood, and cold sweat immediately broke out on his forehead.

He Heng instantly realized he now owed Han Zhongliang a great favor.

"......"

The hall of the Revenue Department Office is the important place where the Ministry of Revenue Ministerial Attendant and other ministers handle official business and receive subordinate officials.

Before Du Gou and the others left the court, Chen Yan arrived here early, sat on a chair, and sipped tea lightly.

Below, many Ministry of Revenue officials lowered their brows and bowed, daring not to draw a breath.

Before the Ministry's main figures returned, these junior officials, facing the new Ministry of Revenue Ministerial Attendant, dared not speak much.

Chen Yan paid them no mind; the only person who piqued his interest was a man in his early forties below, whose hair was already half white.

"What is your name?"

Chen Yan asked.

At first the man did not react, thinking Chen Yan was speaking to someone else, and kept his head bowed.

Until a colleague beside him elbowed him, he snapped out of his reverie, hurriedly glanced, saw Chen Yan's smiling mouth looking at him, and hastily said:

"Sir, I am surnamed Kang, given name Chong, courtesy name Shouyi..."

"Kang Shouyi!" Chen Yan praised, "What a fine name!"

Kang Chong, flustered, "No, no, it was a haphazard choice by my elders; you overpraise it, Sir."

"Is that so?" Chen Yan, neither confirming nor denying, asked, "I've read your biography: you were born in a small northern county, your family was poor, and two younger brothers were sent to work on the Grand Canal and never returned."

"Yet you, through your parents' hard work, your wife's day‑and‑night weaving, and your own studies, entered officialdom at twenty‑five via the Imperial Examination, and were favored by the Grand Emperor, who placed you in the Ministry of Revenue."

"But after all these years, why are you still merely an External Officer of the Department of Finance? Is it because your talent was exhausted in youth?"

Kang Chong remained silent, clasped his hands and said, "As you say, I… have exhausted my talent, cannot match those rapidly promoted colleagues, and can at most hold this position."

"It is I… who have disappointed you and the Grand Emperor."

Chen Yan turned his head, "But I heard you have been constantly suppressed by the former Minister Liu."

"I heard you rose to fame young, full of vigor, exceptionally handsome, and that Minister Liu admired you and wanted to marry his daughter to you."

"Tsk!"

"I can already picture how outstanding you were then: entering officialdom through the Imperial Examination, catching the attention of the reigning Holy Emperor, and being praised by your superiors..."

Chen Yan shook his head, sighing, "One could say the chance to soar to the clouds is right before you; the road ahead is a smooth plain."

Kang Chong fell silent again, but this time he couldn't utter a word.

Chen Yan no longer brought up the matter, pinched the teacup lid, and said offhandedly, "Everyone says, a new official burns three fires upon taking office, to establish authority."

"Before taking office, someone told me this is a very important matter, especially for me!"

"Because I'm young!"

"As the saying goes, 'No hair on the lips, work not solid,' so I must make the fire burn bigger to establish authority, so that my subordinates will be convinced; otherwise, if you all defy me outwardly while obeying inwardly, I'll have a hard time."

After those words were spoken, everyone's faces turned white!

Especially Kang Chong, his face was ashen at this moment!

"......"