Chapter 600: A Dignified Exit

"Your Majesty, I have a matter to report."

Chen Yan rose and performed a bow, looking rather solemn.

Li Shimin was actually a bit surprised this time; logically, after he announced that the banquet had begun, no one else should have spoken.

When the banquet ended and many officials and successful examinees left, that would be the time to discuss serious matters.

Now Chen Yan suddenly leapt forward, causing Li Shimin to pause in surprise.

He seriously suspected that Chen Yan was up to mischief again.

Li Shimin thought to himself, gave a slight nod, and said, "Minister Chen, feel free to speak."

"Your Majesty, there is an official in the Ministry of Revenue named Kang Chong, of humble origin. During the Wude era he survived on his wife's weaving, and at twenty‑five he passed the Imperial Examination." Chen Yan narrated slowly, "Because of his outstanding performance, even the Retired Emperor cast a few attentive glances his way."

"But due to certain special reasons… ha, he has remained obscure for many years, stuck at the position of External Officer of the Treasury Bureau, unable to advance."

"Since I took office, Kang Chong has shown extraordinary ability. I wish to promote him, but the Ministry of Revenue has no vacant posts."

"Therefore, I ask Your Majesty to consider Kang Chong; he has been delayed for many years, has contributed much to the Tang Dynasty, and should not continue to waste his years."

With those words, many people darkened their faces.

If serving as an External Officer of the Ministry of Revenue's Treasury Bureau counts as wasting one's years, then what are they?

Have they become dogs?

On the other side, because today was a special day, officials from Chang'an and the surrounding areas attended the banquet, and Kang Chong was naturally present.

Yet Kang Chong truly did not expect Chen Yan to bring him up on such a day.

This made him feel a moment of panic.

"Oh?" Li Shimin asked in surprise, "From humble origins, he entered officialdom at twenty‑five; where is Kang Chong?"

"I… Kang Chong, I bow to Your Majesty."

Hearing Li Shimin mention him, Kang Chong rose and gave a sincere bow.

Li Shimin examined him a few times; from his age and his half‑gray hair, he guessed that Kang Chong must have offended someone.

Otherwise, with such a résumé, he should not have remained an External Officer of the Treasury Bureau for so many years.

Li Shimin chuckled, "He seems vigorous. Minister Chen, how would you like me to arrange him?"

"Perhaps… also transfer him to the Ministry of Works?" Chen Yan hesitated, then smiled as he spoke.

Yet his smile, in the eyes of the Ministry of Works officials, was no different from the King of Hell laughing and Lady Meng waving!

Li Shimin was startled, and fully understood Chen Yan's intention.

First, Kang Chong truly has ability, and the Ministry of Revenue lacks a suitable post.

After all, they could not possibly push Du Gou and Fang Yizhi aside, could they?

Pushing Ma Zhou and Han Zhongliang aside would be even more unrealistic.

Since Li Ji has already opened a purge of the Ministry of Works, they might as well send another high‑ranking person there to prepare for the forthcoming great cleansing and major reshuffling of posts.

However…

The only thing that puzzled Li Shimin was that this matter could have been discussed privately and arranged directly; why raise it publicly?

The Ministry of Works actually has no spare positions now; they would need to create and fill one on the spot.

"Your Majesty!"

At this moment, to everyone's surprise, Minister of Works Hua Jinyan stepped forward himself, "Two years ago I was ill, but because I held a high office, I never dared to make a sound of it."

"Now my health deteriorates daily, I often feel weak, and can no longer bear heavy responsibilities."

"Therefore… I humbly request Your Majesty to permit me to resign from the Ministerial Attendant post of the Ministry of Works and return home to recuperate."

As his words fell, the hall was first dead silent, then a suppressed clamor erupted.

Several officials of the Ministry of Works turned pale instantly.

This was not a resignation due to illness, Hua Jinyan thought.

It was clearly that he had read the wind, knowing that Your Majesty and Chen Yan intended to move against the Ministry of Works, and he voluntarily stepped forward, using a still‑respectable posture to vacate his position!

After all, Hua Jinyan had not participated in corruption, though he was aware of it and chose to look away.

If Li Shimin's sword were to fall at that moment, it was uncertain whether Hua Jinyan could escape.

But now he himself petitions to resign, the subtext being to free a spot for Kang Chong, preserving his own dignity while reducing his risk of being implicated.

Yet… if Hua Jinyan can step down, what about the others?

Li Shimin looked deeply at Hua Jinyan and at that moment understood Chen Yan's meaning.

He was not targeting corrupt officials of the Ministry of Works, but Hua Jinyan himself—giving him a respectable chance while securing a good post for Kang Chong.

More importantly, it would completely nail down the rest of the Ministry of Works!

Who does not know the current state of the Ministry of Works?

Minister of Works Wang Gui does not manage affairs; beneath him the highest rank is the Ministerial Attendant.

Except for Hua Jinyan, another Ministerial Attendant, Wang Chongli, has been involved in corruption; he lives in constant fear each year—how can he still speak out?

Li Shimin gave a slight nod, "Minister Hua, you have labored diligently for the court for many years. Since you feel unwell, my heart truly cannot bear it, nor can I keep you here against your will."

"But you have already devoted many years to the court and the state; I cannot selfishly keep a sick you at court."

"Your request, I… approve."

"Effective immediately, you are relieved of the Ministerial Attendant post of the Ministry of Works; return home to rest and recover."

"I thank Your Majesty!" Hua Jinyan bowed, realizing Li Shimin had spared him, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

In an instant, the dust settled.

A fourth‑rank substantive Ministerial Attendant position became vacant right before everyone's eyes.

Everyone's gaze involuntarily shifted back to Kang Chong, who still stood there.

Chen Yan smiled faintly, "Your Majesty, the Ministerial Attendant of the Ministry of Works oversees all state engineering, colonization, and mountain‑and‑river administration; the responsibility is great!"

"Kang Cong is proficient in mathematics, with deep experience, and also many years of practice, steady and capable. I think that, with him taking up the position of Ministerial Attendant of the Ministry of Works, he will surely be able to assist Minister Wang and manage the Ministry's affairs in perfect order."

Wang Gui's face was expressionless.

"Just go ahead and act!"

"And still help me keep the Ministry of Works in perfect order."

"I don't even manage it myself, I'm waiting to retire, and I still need your damn help."

Li Shimin cast a sidelong glance at Chen Yan, then his gaze fell on Kang Cong, "Kang Cong."

"I am here!"

"Because Hua Qing resigned due to illness, the Ministerial Attendant position in the Ministry of Works is vacant, and Chen Aiqing recommended you. You made the list at twenty‑five, and have served in a key post in the Ministry of Revenue for many years; indeed you have extraordinary merit."

"However, the Ministerial Attendant position is not ordinary; do you have the confidence to shoulder this heavy responsibility and relieve me of my worries?"

Kang Cong took a deep breath, suppressing the tumultuous turmoil in his heart.

He knew that this moment was his only chance after years of silence, and also the moment he was thrust into the eye of the storm.

"......"