Chapter 644: The Way of Being an Official >
naturally sat in the most central position, to the right of the Crown Prince's main seat. Opposite her, on the left, were some officials from the Qin Dynasty. Because it was only a banquet in the East...Chapter 644: The Way of an Official
He Kun, thirty-eight years old.
He was a top scholar during the reign of Emperor Taixing. After being assessed, he was assigned to the Suhang region and served as an inspector and county magistrate successively. In autumn of the ninth year of Emperor Taixing's reign, he was transferred to the Suhang Weaving Bureau and appointed as the fifth-rank weaving commissioner.
Upon his return to Beijing for duty, he heard about the East Palace Crown Prince's upcoming wedding and the opportunity to receive gifts in advance. He immediately hatched a plan.
He held the position of supervisor at Suhang Weaving Mill for several years. As his term was coming to an end, his patron in court offended Xu Changqing, the left minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who was immediately removed from office.
Facing a bumpy career path, with the possibility of being demoted and sidelined at any time, He Kun gritted his teeth and sent almost all the benefits he had gained over the years in this position to the Eastern Palace.
He Kun knew this was a move fraught with political risk, because Xu Changqing had the backing of the East Palace, while his own support base originally belonged to the Cabinet faction.
He doesn't know if the Crown Prince will resent his background.
After all, the first person to eat crabs may make a fortune, but they may also be poisoned.
If the Crown Prince held a grudge, then this fifth-rank weaver offering so many peerless treasures would be enough to get himself killed. There wouldn't even need to be any evidence; he'd be handing it over himself.
If the prince doesn't mind and even likes it, then I would have a greater patron to rely on, and ascending to high office would be effortless.
He Kun, who had staked his entire life on this gamble, was extremely anxious and kept pacing back and forth in the guesthouse ever since he returned from delivering gifts to the Eastern Palace.
He knew that no matter what the result was, news would arrive once the prince returned to the palace.
When evening came, he finally waited for the people from the Eastern Palace.
The Crown Prince wants to see me!
"What came wasn't a summons from the Imperial Guard, but an official document. This gave He Kun a huge sense of relief and overwhelming joy."
He knew he'd won half the bet.
The remaining half depends on whether one's performance after leaving the Eastern Palace can catch the prince's eye.
Have the messenger wait outside for a moment. Then, He Kun changed his clothes as quickly as possible and tidied his appearance. Following the eunuch's lead, He Kun arrived at the East Palace.
Thank you, father-in-law, for your hard work.
He Kun was a shrewd and sociable person. Even when communicating with an ordinary eunuch, he didn't look down on him or give him a cold shoulder. Instead, he took out a few ounces of silver from his sleeve and handed it to the young eunuch.
The eunuch was still feigning reluctance, but the moment he took hold of the gift, he realized it was no ordinary thing. His smile instantly widened, and he whispered, "My Lord, please come inside. The Prince is currently in the storeroom, and the gifts you brought are piled up there. The Prince dislikes being around people, but judging by His Highness's demeanor, you seem to have been lucky."
A few ounces of silver, in exchange for a crucial piece of information. He Kun's eyes lit up, and he said, "Thank you, father-in-law, I will definitely repay your kindness."
Grinning, the young eunuch didn't take his words to heart.
That day
What day will it be
He only sees the immediate benefits.
Led by the eunuch, He Kun arrived outside the warehouse and waited respectfully for the eunuch to go in and report. After a while, he received the message to go in.
He Kun lowered his head and dared not look around. He just stared at the road beneath his feet and quickly entered the warehouse, kneeling before Li Chen and saying: "Your humble servant, He Kun, the weaver of Suhang Weaving Bureau, pays his respects to Your Highness, the Prince. Long live Your Highness, long live, long live."to a higher position.Su Jinpa looked at him, as if he were an idiot.Without hesitation, Su Jinpa directly asked, "You said that the Crown Prince is foolish, so you say, how is the Crown Prince foolish...