Chapter 224: Cannot bear to part with
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
What was the slyness of the old? What was understanding the Emperor's intent? Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping used his actions to tell all of the officials present that he was the person who knew the Emperor's heart best.
At this moment, Emperor Lin Mubai's expression finally seemed somewhat at ease.
This was the exact outcome he wanted. Even though Fang Zhengzhi was an ordinary citizen, his performance in the Imperial Examination, regardless of whether it was the theory examination or the combat examination, all proved that he was indeed a talent who could be nurtured.
Since that was the case.
He naturally couldn't recruit him forcefully.
The same knife cuts bread and fingers. Emperor Lin Mubai knew this very clearly. But, he needed this sword, the sword that could rebuild an awe-inspiring Great Xia Dynasty. But, he didn't wish to turn Fang Zhengzhi's heart cold because of this.
Hence, he had to grant great kindness. And, it had to be true great kindness.
Donating a sword.
And receiving unparalleled rewards in return, and also the opportunity to enter the Imperial Government. To an ordinary citizen, this was enough. Of course, he could grant Fang Zhengzhi even more benefits. However, Fang Zhengzhi was still too young.
The young had to face obstacles and difficulties. One couldn't reach the sky in a single bound.
Emperor Lin Mubai respected Fang Zhengzhi's abilities. However, Fang Zhengzhi was ultimately still an ordinary citizen. He had to strike a balance and not lose the support of the noble families.
"Council Official Qiao, are there currently any formal appointments available?" Emperor Lin Mubai finally spoke.
When they heard Emperor Lin Mubai's words, the officials present were slightly taken aback. Even though his words were very simple, the two words formal appointments expressed the Emperor's intent.
He was about to gain an appointment directly?
Entering the government at fifteen years old, and holding a formal appointment once he entered. Such kindness of the Emperor was exceedingly rare in history. It was clearly evident that Emperor Lin Mubai held Fang Zhengzhi in high regard.
As the officials were taken aback, nobody bothered to consider whether Fang Zhengzhi would be willing to surrender the sword. From their viewpoint, since the Emperor intended to obtain the sword, could the opinion and views of an ordinary citizen still be considered an opinion?
The Minister of Manpower Official 'Qiao Dean' stood out at this moment and lightly rubbed his greying beard. This expression was calm, but inside, he was rapidly considering how to reply this question.
He understood the intention of the Emperor, but Emperor Lin Mubai didn't make clear what rank he was considering. This caused him some difficulty. If he announced an appointment that was too high ranking, the officials might be against it. If he announced one that was too low, he feared that the Emperor would blame him.
"The Wen Tian County in the Wu An Capital of the Southern Nation seems to be lacking a county head…" Minister of Manpower Official Qiao Dean asked probingly. A county head was a rank seven official appointment. This was already very hard to achieve.
Furthermore, to be in charge of a county was an extremely important appointment.
"Fang Zhengzhi is still young, a county head is in charge of the lives of many citizens and require some experience. It is too chaotic and the location is a little too far. I can't bear for this to happen." When Emperor Lin Mubai heard Minister of Manpower Official Qiao Dean's words, he shook his head lightly.
When the officials heard this, they were taken aback once again. This meaning of this last sentence was very clear. Don't tell me he wishes for Fang Zhengzhi to remain in the Yan Capital?
Then, he would become a real Imperial Official.
Among the Imperial Officials, the smallest appointment was already almost rank five.
Rank five?!
An ordinary fifteen-year-old citizen who had just passed the Imperial Examination was about to be appointed as a Rank Five Official. This Emperor's kindness was something almost nobody in history could match up to.
Minister of Manpower Official Qiao Dean also wiped off the beads of sweat that formed on his forehead at this moment. He had never thought that Emperor Lin Mubai would hold Fang Zhengzhi in such high regard.
The Emperor's intent was already obvious, hence, he naturally knew how to reply.
Just as he prepared to speak.
A voice sounded out from outside the door.
"Your Majesty, outside the room, Xing Qingsui of the Stabilisation Constabulary, Yan Xiu of the Yan family and Nangong Mu of the Nangong Nobles wishes to meet Your Majesty.
"Qingsui? Isn't he heavily injured? Why would he meet me? Yan Xiu and Nangong Mu… Isn't Nangong Mu injured as well? Quick, welcome them in!" When Emperor Lin Mubai heard the voices from outside, he nodded his head.
A look of doubt and suspicion formed on the faces of the officials when they heard the voices outside. Yan Xiu requesting to meet the Emperor wasn't something that they hadn't expected.
However, what was the reason Xing Qingsui and Nangong Mu requested to meet the Emperor?
Both of them were injured in the combat examination. Why did they come all the way to the palace instead of resting their injuries?
Could it be that something happened to the Stabilisation Constabulary? Or, there was an important matter from the Nangong Nobles?
That's not probable…
If something really happened, it was sufficient to send somebody to report it.
Fang Zhengzhi stood quietly within the room. He was also somewhat confused. He didn't tell Yan Xiu that he was going to meet the Emperor. Furthermore, he had only met with Xing Qingsui and Nangong Mu once in the combat examination. Xing Qingsui and Nangong Mu had specially requested to meet the Emperor just because of him?
He had truly never imagined this.
Very quickly, Xing Qingsui, Yan Xiu and Nangong Mu walked in. Xing Qingsui was carried on a stretcher by four guards. Even though he was wearing a black official robe, there were still bloodstains visible on his chest.
"Subject Xing Qingsui hails Your Majesty." Once he entered the Throne Room, Xing Qingsui crawled up from the stretch and kowtowed onto the floor. His body trembled as he bit his lips tightly. He was evidently in extreme pain.
"Subject Yan Xiu hails Your Majesty."
"Subject Nangong Mu hails Your Majesty."
Today, Yan Xiu didn't wear a brocade robe. Instead, he wore a black official robe with a Mountain River illustration sewn onto it. It seemed somewhat solemn. Nangong Mu also wore an official robe similar to that of Yan Xiu.
However, a sword was sewn onto it instead.
This was the first time Fang Zhengzhi had seen Yan Xiu in such an attire.
Then, recalling Yan Xiu addressing himself as subject when he greeted the Emperor, a thought suddenly flashed across his mind. Could Yan Xiu have had an official position or title of nobility all along?
How could he never have mentioned it before…
However, after a brief moment of consideration, he realised that it was normal. Yan Xiu was the descendent of the Yan family. Furthermore, he was a direct descendent. Hence, it was normal for him to have inherited a title of nobility.
"Rise!"
"Thank you Your Majesty!"
"Somebody come, Qingsui is injured, give him a seat!"
"Thank you Your Majesty, but, I can stand."
"The Stabilisation Constabulary is indeed the land of heroes. I never thought that Qingsui's attitude would be similar to that of Xing Hou. However, Qingsui, what important matter do you have to talk to me about instead of resting your injuries at home?" Emperor Lin Mubai looked at Xing Qingsui in a rather confused manner. The relationship between Xing Hou and himself were as close as brothers, hence, he would naturally treat Xing Qingsui like his own son.
"I am here because of the sword."
"Sword?"
"I heard that there were some high-ranking officials in the government who wished to snatch Fang Zhengzhi's sword. However, I had personally witnessed Fang Zhengzhi killing the demon with the sword. If it wasn't for Fang Zhengzhi, the sword would never be revealed and remain buried deep within the World of the Sage. Even though I know that I have no say in the Imperial Government, but I don't agree with this move." Xing Qingsui's tone was very determined, staring at the officials like a tiger eyeing its prey.
When the officials heard Xing Qingsui's words, they were taken aback.
Xing Qingsui was actually here to help Fang Zhengzhi keep the sword?
If these words came from Yan Xiu, they would definitely not be as stunned. However, they seemed to never have heard that Xing Qingsui was now on Fang Zhengzhi's side.
What actually happened in the World of the Sage that spurred the direct descendent of the Stabilisation Constabulary to plea for Fang Zhengzhi? This indeed exceeded their imaginations.
"Ha ha… don't tell me you are all here because of the sword?" A glimmer of shock flashed across Emperor Lin Mubai's eyes. The reason he asked Xing Qingsui instead of Yan Xiu was actually very simple.
Because he didn't want anybody to mention the sword.
Xing Qingsui had followed Xing Hou for many years in the Stabilisation Constabulary, hence he could naturally infer this intention. However, this didn't deter him from voicing it out. This represented the determination in his heart.
"I am here for the sword!"
"Me too!"
After Yan Xiu and Nangong Mu heard Emperor Lin Mubai's words, they replied respectfully.
This scene instantly caused the officials to be somewhat taken aback. Fang Zhengzhi was just an ordinary citizen. The fact that he was close to Yan Xiu was already something unthinkable.
However, even more unexpected was that after this combat examination.
He had actually spurred Xing Qingsui of the Stabilisation Constabulary and Nangong Mu of the Nangong Nobles, a family which isolated themselves from the people thousands of miles away, to plea for him in front of the Emperor?!
The three of them seemed to have no power to speak regardless of whether it was in the Yan Capital or the Imperial Government. However, the three of them represented three powerful forces in the Great Xia Dynasty.
The Stabilisation Constabulary, leader of the Thirteen Constabularies.
The Yan family of the Western Liang.
The Nangong Nobles hidden away in the world!
Furthermore, other than Nangong Mu, the other two were almost undisputed successors. This also meant that these two people would become forces of immeasurable power in the future of the Great Xia Dynasty.
Emperor Lin Mubai wanted for Fang Zhengzhi to surrender the sword.
The officials could understand this. Hence, the officials knew very clearly that the three people in front of them understood this as well. However, this didn't deter them from entering the palace to plea in front of the Emperor.
Fang Zhengzhi…
What traits did he have that caused the three of them to enter the palace for him?!
A glimmer of light flashed across Emperor Lin Mubai's eyes. It was naturally impossible for him to instantly change his mind because of Xing Qingsui, Yan Xiu and Nangong Mu's words.
However, he was still rather shocked by the behaviour of these three people.
Emperor Lin Mubai respected talents. He admired and valued Fang Zhengzhi's talent. However, he had also heard of Fang Zhengzhi's behaviour outside and hence wasn't very satisfied with his way of dealing with things.
He had always felt that Fang Zhengzhi's personality required some tuning. Furthermore, his mentality was too leisurely, lacking pressure and motivation.
He didn't really understand how the cold Yan Xiu could walk together with Fang Zhengzhi.
But, he never expected someone with a frank and straightforward personality like Xing Qingsui to have any form of relation with Fang Zhengzhi. Furthermore, Nangong Mu had a lonely personality ever since young. How could such a person click with someone with a personality like Fang Zhengzhi's?
Could it be that my views of Fang Zhengzhi had been… wrong?
This thought rose in Emperor Lin Mubai's mind. As the Emperor of the Dynasty, he had unparalleled self-confidence. It was simply impossible for him to admit his mistakes easily. Even if any doubts arose in his heart, it would quickly be suppressed and rejected.
"The Imperial Officials had already made a decision on this matter. Fang Zhengzhi's contribution of the sword would be rewarded by gold, and taking a post in the Yan Capital! Qingsui, you are injured. You should go back and rest. Yan Xiu and Nangong Mu, please stay. After the morning assembly, accompany me to walk the Imperial Garden and chat with me. Ha ha… It is very rare for the two of you to visit me, I have been thinking of you!" Emperor Lin Mubai smiled softly and waved his hands lightly at the three of them.