Chapter 60: Qin Feng's ability exceeds our imagination!-Império Ming: Depois que Revelei Minha Viagem no Tempo, Velho Zhu Ficou Atordoado(Do seu lado)

Fengtian Hall.

Old Zhu sat majestically upon the dragon throne, looking down over the civil and military officials assembled in the court.

Ever since the establishment of the Brocade-Clad Guard, standing before him felt to every official as though they had been stripped completely bare.

Every word and action of theirs, down to which statements were true and which were false, was entirely transparent to Old Zhu.

The river embezzlement case had just been concluded in the capital, and the chief culprit, Wang Chunyang, had been murdered in prison, leaving the case unresolved.

Appointing a new Director of Water Conservancy was an urgent matter, and the officials in the court were presently discussing it.

The Hu faction, headed by Hu Weiyong, suddenly swarmed forward and began unanimously recommending Qin Feng to assist the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, in managing the waterways.

Holding his ivory ceremonial tablet, Hu Weiyong wore a gloomy expression and said in a deep voice, "I humbly implore Your Majesty to command Qin Feng to assist the Prince of Yan in jointly overseeing the waterways."

"I second the motion!"

That the Hu faction suddenly threw their support behind Qin Feng was entirely within Old Zhu's expectations.

This demonstrated that their espionage plan had already begun to bear initial fruit.

Old Zhu could not help but admire how fast Qin Feng's mind worked; he could even concoct such a venomous scheme, making it truly impossible for others to guard against!

With a look of bewilderment, he gazed at Hu Weiyong and asked, "Hu Weiyong, I recall that you consistently opposed Qin Feng taking charge of the waterways previously, and wanted to recommend Li Zhen instead?"

Hu Weiyong faltered slightly, feeling a profound sense of bitter unease within his heart.

He and Qin Feng had always been mortal enemies.

Yet in this world, there were no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.

Qin Feng had suddenly won the trust of the Huaixi gentry faction standing behind Hu Weiyong, transforming into a figure of intense demand overnight.

How could small fries and shrimp like them avoid going with the flow and trimming their sails alongside these big bosses in the imperial court?

Now that the Huaixi gentry had issued a strict directive demanding that Qin Feng be sent to take up the water conservancy post, how could Hu Weiyong dare do anything other than obey?

Even if he possessed a thousand reservations, the rice was already cooked, and Qin Feng was presently the darling in the hearts of the Huaixi gentry; naturally, he had to bow his head.

Violating his own conscience, Hu Weiyong replied, "Your Majesty, previously I was merely concerned that Qin Feng's abilities were insufficient to shoulder the responsibilities of the water conservancy post."

"However, the capabilities Qin Feng displayed when establishing the newspaper far exceeded our imagination."

"I believe that the drop-in-water dams proposed by Qin Feng are indeed sound strategies for governing the rivers."

"I beg Your Majesty to let bygones be bygones and invite Qin Feng to join the Prince of Yan in co-managing the waterways, praying that the Yellow River may achieve eternal peace and tranquility, free from any further catastrophic breaches."

Old Zhu smiled and nodded, saying, "Hu Weiyong, you have given me a pleasant surprise. I never imagined you would learn to be so flexible. Yet I have heard that your personal relationship with Qin Feng is far from good."

Hu Weiyong's old face flushed red. Cupping his hands, he said, "Your Majesty! I am doing this out of consideration for the great foundations of the Ming Empire; I would never dare to bend the law for personal favors. I beseech Your Majesty to discern the truth."

Old Zhu said with a beaming smile, "Hear that, everyone? Look at Prime Minister Hu's ideological awakening. He lets bygones be bygones and recommends his adversary for the water conservancy post. Do any of you possess such open-minded magnanimity?"

Old Zhu's words carried a subtle undercurrent of sarcasm, causing Hu Weiyong to flush right down to his neck.

"Prime Minister Hu, oh Prime Minister Hu, even my own breadth of mind falls short of yours by three-tenths!"

Hu Weiyong hastily dropped to his knees, kowtowing with agitation as he cried out, "How could this subject ever be compared to Your Majesty? Your Majesty is the True Dragon of Heaven, possessing an ocean-like expanse of mind that this subject can never hope to reach."

With that, cold sweat poured down Hu Weiyong's back in torrents, as he had no way of knowing whether this flattery would satisfy His Majesty.

At his side, Zhu Biao quickly cupped his hands and said, "Prime Minister Hu possesses a heart spacious enough to steer a boat. I believe that Qin Feng taking up the water conservancy post will certainly not disappoint Royal Father. I beg Royal Father to grant permission."

"I implore Your Majesty to grant permission."

Seeing rows upon rows of officials drop to their knees, Old Zhu felt as though he were about to burst with joy.

This was precisely the outcome Old Zhu had desired all along!

Yet a play had to be performed to the full extent; even if his heart was leaping with joy, he had to maintain a composed, nonchalant demeanor in the imperial court.

"I have only just demoted Qin Feng; would it be appropriate to send him off to the waterways now?" Old Zhu said, pretending to be in a difficult position.

Hu Weiyong hurriedly cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, this subject is willing to go and persuade Qin Feng to take up the post."

"Hu Weiyong, do you truly have the confidence to persuade Qin Feng?"

"Your Majesty, this subject will not fail the mission!"

"Then this matter shall be entrusted to you. Court is dismissed!"

Following the dismissal of court, the members of the Hu faction swarmed toward Hu Weiyong, many cupping their hands to heap flattery upon him.

"Prime Minister Hu displayed the magnanimity of a prime minister in court just now, leaving us filled with awe and admiration."

"The calm composure Prime Minister Hu maintained in the face of danger in court was truly admirable!"

"Prime Minister Hu was simply brimming with heroic spirit and unyielding might before His Majesty!"

Hu Weiyong waved his hand dismissively. "Stop spouting nonsense here and remember what our purpose is in recommending Qin Feng!"

"Prime Minister Hu, is Qin Feng truly reliable? Didn't he always oppose us in the past?"

Hu Weiyong smiled. "Circumstances alter cases. Back then he was working for His Majesty, but now he has to work for us. Can the nature of the situation be the same?"

"Bu—but matters concerning the waterways are no trivial affair!"

"Rest assured! Those above hold evidence of Qin Feng's corruption. Should he dare to step out of line, they can crush him in a split second."

"Water conservancy is of paramount importance; it concerns the heads of every single one of us. Since those above naturally ordered us to recommend Qin Feng, they certainly have their reasons."

"These are not things you ought to be worrying about. Those above have already gone to great lengths to clean up the mess for all of you, so do not let them down."

"Rest assured, Prime Minister Hu. We wouldn't dare be the slightest bit lax regarding the waterways."

"Yet now His Majesty wants Prime Minister Hu to personally invite Qin Feng to take up the water conservancy post."

"Doesn't Qin Feng have rather grandiose airs? He even requires our Prime Minister Hu to go in person?"

Hu Weiyong sneered, "What harm is there in going personally? The higher-ups even sent someone personally to win Qin Feng over."

"Now that Qin Feng is in the same boat as us, the lot of you are to speak less of him in the future."

"Qin Feng is currently a figure of immense influence with the higher-ups. If any of you dare to provoke him, see if I don't make you pay!"

Having heard Hu Weiyong's words, the officials of the Hu faction obediently shut their mouths, watching helplessly as Hu Weiyong boarded his official sedan chair and departed the imperial palace.

...

Qianqing Palace.

After the court session concluded and Old Zhu returned to the palace, followed closely by Zhu Biao, they arrived before Old Zhu under the guidance of Wang Jinghong.

"Congratulations to Father for achieving your wish!"

Old Zhu frowned and said, "Eldest son, why did you come without even giving advance notice? Aren't you afraid of arousing the suspicion of those old fellows?"

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Now that Teacher Qin has successfully penetrated the enemy's rear, our little play can be considered safely concluded."

"Eldest son, we cannot afford a single moment of laxity now. The more critical the juncture, the less we can lower our guard."

"If we let down our guard, then Qin Feng faces an extra fraction of danger."

Zhu Biao nodded. "Father, your son understands. This time, Teacher Qin turned the tide and successfully infiltrated the lair of those old foxes; his contribution is immeasurable!"

Old Zhu smiled. "This kid Qin Feng has a remarkably shrewd head on his shoulders. To win the trust of those old foxes so quickly—he truly has some ability."

"I heard Xiongying fell ill a few days ago?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao's expression changed, and he hurriedly cupped his hands. "Forgive me, your son did not mean to keep it from you."

"Qin Feng already told me everything. Besides, now that I have the Brocade-Clad Guard, your every move is entirely within my grasp."

"Brother Shen!"

"Hmm!"

As Shen Changqing walked along the path, acquaintances he met would exchange greetings or nods with him.

Yet regardless of who they were, no excess expression lingered on anyone's face, as though they were utterly indifferent to everything.

To this, Shen Changqing had long since grown accustomed.

For this was the Demon Suppression Division, an institution dedicated to maintaining stability in Great Qin. Its primary duty was to slay malevolent demons and ghosts, though it naturally handled a few other sideline tasks as well.

One might say that in the Demon Suppression Division, everyone had the blood of many staining their hands.

When a person grew accustomed to witnessing life and death, indifference naturally took root toward many things.

When he first arrived in this world, Shen Changqing had felt somewhat unaccustomed to it, but as time passed, he grew used to it.

The Demon Suppression Division was vast.

Those permitted to remain within the Demon Suppression Division were either powerhouses of formidable strength or individuals possessing the potential to become such experts.

Shen Changqing belonged to the latter category.

The Demon Suppression Division was broadly divided into two vocations: Guardian Envoys and Exorcist Envoys.

Anyone who entered the Demon Suppression Division began at the lowest rank as a probationary Exorcist Envoy, and then climbed the ranks step by step, ultimately holding the prospect of becoming a Guardian Envoy.

Shen Changqing's predecessor had been a probationary Exorcist Envoy within the Demon Suppression Division—the very lowest tier among the Exorcist Envoys.

Possessing the memories of his predecessor, he was extremely familiar with the environment of the Demon Suppression Division.

Without taking much time, Shen Changqing came to a halt before a pavilion.

Unlike other areas of the Demon Suppression Division brimming with an aura of stern slaughter, this pavilion stood out like a crane among chickens, radiating a different kind of tranquility amidst the blood-soaked Demon Suppression Division.

At this moment, the gates of the pavilion stood wide open, and people occasionally entered and exited.

Hesitating for merely a moment, Shen Changqing stepped inside.

Upon entering the pavilion, the atmosphere abruptly shifted.

A fragrance of ink mingled with a faint trace of bloody tang rushed toward him, causing his brow to furrow instinctively, though it smoothed out almost immediately.

The bloody scent clinging to everyone in the Demon Suppression Division was a smell almost impossible to wash clean completely.