Picking up the last memorial and seeing that it was a transfer list submitted by the Ministry of Personnel, Xiao Chengjing glanced over it and was about to approve it immediately.
But when he saw the name Song Qiming, his gaze paused.
Song Qiming had not even been in the Hanlin Academy for a full three years. Why was he being transferred to be the Prefect of Suining? Was this the Ministry of Personnel's idea, or...?
Xiao Chengjing thought for a moment, then closed the memorial and set it aside.
He turned his head and instructed Zhao Yande, After tomorrow's morning assembly, summon the Minister of Personnel and the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy for an audience.
Yes. Zhao Yande bowed his head in compliance. His eyes secretly swept over the memorial, already understanding the situation in his heart.
After the morning assembly the next day, the Minister of Personnel, Zhu Hanzhi, and the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, Cai Qiong, were called to the Imperial Study.
The two had mentally prepared themselves in advance.
What should they say? How should they say it? They had rehearsed it long ago.
Your subjects greet Your Majesty.
Xiao Chengjing opened yesterday's memorial, his gaze sweeping over the calm faces of Zhu Hanzhi and Cai Qiong.
Transferring Song Qiming to be the Prefect of Suining, whose idea was this?
In Xiao Chengjing's view, it was impossible for Song Qiming to volunteer to go to the southwest to suffer; he must have been forced into the transfer.
Cai Qiong cupped his hands and answered, To answer Your Majesty, it was I who recommended him to Minister Zhu.
Since Compiler Song entered the Hanlin Academy, whether compiling history or drafting documents, he has been extremely rigorous and meticulous. However, he is still young and inexperienced. Although he has thousands of books in his heart, it is ultimately just theoretical knowledge that cannot be put into practice. Therefore, I wanted to send him out to gain some experience, so that he can take on heavy responsibilities in the future and share Your Majesty's burdens sooner.
Xiao Chengjing stared deeply at Cai Qiong.
Ye Liangyu and Fei Yanzhang had insisted on punishing Prince Qi and were demoted together. Since Song Qiming was Ye Liangyu's only student, Cai Qiong probably wanted to drive him away.
A promotion in name but a demotion in reality, not wanting to leave any evidence behind.
Beloved Subject Zhu, do you think Song Qiming can shoulder the heavy responsibility of being the Prefect of Suining?
Even though Suining Prefecture was a rotten bone that everyone despised, the official sent there could not be without talent.
It was already a place where dragons and snakes mixed; if he could not suppress them, chaos would surely erupt.
Zhu Hanzhi raised his head to answer Xiao Chengjing's question. There was no abnormality on his face; instead, he looked righteous and stern.
To answer Your Majesty, during the palace examination three years ago, when asked how the imperial court should handle the rise of the southwestern foreign tribes, Compiler Song's policy essay was graded as the best of the first class.
The current Prefect of Suining has encountered fleeing bandits multiple times while out observing the people's conditions. Since then, he has to bring hundreds of yamen runners every time he goes out. I have heard that Compiler Song knows martial arts, so he is an excellent candidate to go to the southwest.
Xiao Chengjing frowned in deep thought. Looking at it this way, Song Qiming was indeed very suitable to go to the southwest.
It was just that...
Thinking back to the many merits Song Jinzhao had achieved, would it not be somewhat inappropriate to send her younger brother to the remote southwest?
His fingers, which had developed slight calluses, tapped the desk absentmindedly. For a moment, Xiao Chengjing was a bit hesitant.
You may step down first. I will consider this matter further.
Cai Qiong and Zhu Hanzhi bowed and withdrew. Just as they stepped out the door and wanted to exchange a few words, they saw Prince Ying approaching with a box in hand.
The two cupped their hands, stepped to the sides, and bowed. Greetings, Your Highness Prince Ying.
At this moment, Xiao Rongyan was in a fairly good mood. He nodded at them and had the eunuch go in to announce his arrival.
After being brought into the Imperial Study, he smiled broadly and said to Xiao Chengjing, Imperial Father, I have recently obtained an authentic painting of River Sails and Maple Leaves by Li Sunxun, and I have specially come to admire it with you.
Hearing that it was an authentic work by Li Sunxun, Xiao Chengjing's attention was successfully piqued.
Is it really authentic? He stood up and walked down the steps.
Xiao Rongyan took the painting out of the box and showed it to Xiao Chengjing.
I have already had it appraised by multiple master painters; it is absolutely an authentic work by Li Sunxun.
After viewing the painting, Xiao Chengjing's brows were filled with smiles, and he could not suppress the corners of his mouth.
Fondling it admiringly, he placed the painting on the desk to appreciate it once more.
Seeing that the Emperor liked it so much, Xiao Rongyan took the opportunity to curry favor. This painting is a gift for Imperial Father. I will have people keep an eye out for more in the future.
The memorial on the desk was swept onto the floor by the painting scroll. Xiao Rongyan bent down to pick it up, and upon seeing its contents, his expression froze slightly.
Noticing that the dropped memorial was the one concerning Song Qiming, Xiao Chengjing, who was in an excellent mood, asked casually.
The Ministry of Personnel wants to transfer Song Qiming to be the Prefect of Suining. What do you think?
Xiao Rongyan clenched his jaw, desperately suppressing the joy that gushed forth in his heart.
I do not pay much attention to the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel, but Compiler Song is young, promising, and quite talented. I am sure he can shoulder this heavy responsibility.
Not even a dog would go to a place like the southwest. It would be best if he never came back for the rest of his life, taking Song Jinzhao with him. If they could end up with the same fate as Xiao Rongche, that would be even better.
