Chapter 2810

Chapter 2810: The Emperor’s Thoughts

“You must consider the consequences of such actions,” the Emperor reminded him.

“I only provide ideas. Deciding whether to act is your responsibility, isn’t it?” Yun Xi sometimes acted shamelessly.

The Emperor paused. “If we do everything, what do you do?”

“Take a holiday,” Yun Xi said directly. “My cultivation has become unstable recently. I plan to focus on training.”

Although Yun Xi’s words seemed irresponsible, everyone knew that as a Confucian scholar, one needed not only talent but also high scholarly aura. Hearing that his cultivation was unstable, the Emperor said, “This is a very important matter. Which stage of scholarly aura do you intend to break through to?”

“I won’t hide it from you, but are you sure you won’t be shocked?” Yun Xi looked at the Emperor.

Wang Lanxuan said, “Last time I saw your aura was orange. Are you entering the red stage this time?”

“Last time, I didn’t reveal my true cultivation to avoid frightening Li Gang.” Yun Xi extended his hand, and a dense red scholarly aura appeared. “This time, I plan to break through to purple.”

“Cough, cough.” Wang Lanxuan nearly choked on his saliva. “You’re not trying to scare us, are you?”

Yun Xi gave Wang Lanxuan a disdainful look. “What use is it to scare you?” he said calmly. “I never believed that cultivating scholarly aura is the end of cultivation. If I have time, I might even aim for gold.”

“Alright.” After his initial surprise, the Emperor felt relieved. The higher Yun Xi’s cultivation, the stronger his self-defense capabilities. Naturally, this was the best outcome for Wang Lanxuan. Therefore, regardless of anything else, the Emperor would give him time. “Then, while you cultivate in the Hanlin Academy, also identify those who should be dismissed.”

Yun Xi glanced at the Emperor. “So I’m supposed to take the blame?”

“Absolutely,” the Emperor said directly. “Besides, the Hanlin Academy is under my control. I don’t need to worry too much about the scholars’ affairs.”

“Fine.” It had to be admitted that the Emperor was telling the truth. Fortunately, Yun Xi was a practical person who disliked seeing incompetent people occupying positions without contributing.

Yun Xi returned to the Hanlin Academy and became low-key again.

This behavior left the officials in the Hanlin Academy confused, unable to figure out what Yun Xi was planning.

Apart from reading books and compiling some documents, Yun Xi did nothing else. However, six months later, things changed.

The Emperor immediately transferred all the idle and useless officials in the Hanlin Academy to other posts. Instantly, more than half of the positions in the Hanlin Academy became vacant.

At this moment, Yun Xi was directly promoted to the Ministry of Personnel by the Emperor, rising from a subordinate fifth-rank official to a regular fifth-rank official. Subsequently, the official assessment began. Only then did everyone realize that Yun Xi had a close relationship with the Emperor. It made sense, considering Yun Xi was a six-element top scholar; how could he be neglected?

Those who had hoped to see Yun Xi fail were now full of envy. There was no way to predict that within half a year, Yun Xi had risen from a subordinate fifth-rank to a regular fifth-rank official, and moreover, he was working in the crucial Ministry of Personnel.

After entering the Ministry of Personnel, almost all assessment responsibilities fell on Yun Xi. Fortunately, Yun Xi did not feel bored with this task. After all, he had proposed the idea, so it was only right for him to take responsibility.

In just three years, Yun Xi rose from a regular fifth-rank to a regular fourth-rank Vice Minister of Personnel. Meanwhile, thanks to Yun Xi’s influence, Li Gang was sent to a place that seemed poor but had potential for development if one put in effort. During these three years, Yun Xu also passed the provincial examination and became the top scholar. It could be said that Yun Xu was now following Yun Xi’s path, preparing for the metropolitan examination next.

“Lord Yun, I heard your younger brother is also participating in this year’s metropolitan examination, is that true?” The Minister of Personnel, who had kept the ministry clean and authoritative thanks to Yun Xi, highly valued Yun Xi.

“Yes, indeed,” Yun Xi smiled. “He is taking the metropolitan examination this year.”

“I heard he has been first in every stage. If he becomes the top scholar this time, he will have five first places. Perhaps he will become another six-element top scholar,” the Minister smiled.

Yun Xi smiled helplessly. “I don’t have high expectations for my brother. Even if he doesn’t become the top scholar or a six-element top scholar, it doesn’t matter. As long as he serves well as an official, that’s enough.”

“With a brother like you guiding him, it would be hard for him to do poorly,” the Minister laughed heartily.

Yun Xi also smiled. Only he knew that after three years in the Ministry of Personnel, the ministry was now running smoothly. He suspected he would be transferred soon.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a transfer to a remote post. Yun Xi knew the Emperor would not send him away unless absolutely necessary. However, if he reached the second-rank, he might be sent out once as part of the process from second-rank to first-rank.

Naturally, he couldn’t stay in the Ministry of Personnel forever. Next, he would go to another department. But which one? Honestly, Yun Xi was curious.

Actually, while Yun Xi was curious, the Emperor was discussing this very issue with Wang Lanxuan.

“Where do you think we should place this child next?”

Wang Lanxuan thought for a moment and then said, “In my opinion, how about the Ministry of Revenue?”

“The Ministry of Revenue?” The Emperor thought for a moment and then said, “Yes, the Ministry of Revenue is good. Now that the Ministry of Personnel is clean, the economy in the Ministry of Revenue should also develop. Let’s go with the Ministry of Revenue.”

Wang Lanxuan said, “Isn’t Yan Zhong, the Vice Minister of Revenue, retiring next month? We can transfer Yun Wangzhi there then.”

“Is a lateral transfer appropriate? I feel it might be a bit unfair to this child,” the Emperor said.

“Yun Wangzhi was promoted to regular fourth-rank only in March this year. You can’t promote him again within a year. It’s better to wait until he achieves some results in the Ministry of Revenue before promoting him. That way, no one will accuse you of favoritism,” Wang Lanxuan reminded him.

“When have I ever shown favoritism?” The Emperor insisted he was very fair and never favored anyone.

Seeing Wang Lanxuan’s expression, he helplessly said, “Alright, I admit I favor Yun Wangzhi a little. But Yun Wangzhi’s abilities are there. My favoritism is justified.”

“I’m not saying it’s unjustified. I just think we should wait a bit longer,” Wang Lanxuan said. How could he not hope for Yun Xi’s rise? As the only master of golden scholarly aura among the Great Confucians, with him present, the Great Confucians had nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, this news had to be kept secret for now to prevent other nations coveting the Great Confucians from being on guard.

Yun Xi could be considered the Great Confucians’ trump card.

Generally, this would not be revealed to the outside world. However, this did not prevent the Emperor from favoring Yun Xi.