After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1119 - 1101: The Palace Banquet

Ah, the law, the officials who had already prepared themselves remained composed, yet couldn’t help but feel anxious, unsure of whether Zhao Hanzhang would only amend the inheritance law and the women’s household system she mentioned, or whether other laws would be involved?

Distracted by this matter, many officials didn’t listen attentively to the Little Emperor’s speech.

The Little Emperor, who stammered through the latter part of his congratulatory speech, saw everyone bowing respectfully, seemingly not paying attention to him, and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn’t want to draw attention at all.

Ji Yuan quickly glanced upwards, then lowered his eyes to conceal his emotions. The Little Emperor lacks sharpness, which is a good thing, but even diligence is discounted; it seems he was not born to be emperor.

Ming Yu was more direct than Ji Yuan, directly observing the expressions of Xun Fan and others: with this, you still wish to return power to him? Handing the country over to this child, and letting the chaos continue?

Xun Fan lowered his eyes, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Xun Zu felt a sense of anxiety within, exchanged a glance with his fellow supporters, and decided to intensify the education of the Little Emperor. Even if it means pretending, he should appear intelligent and capable.

Otherwise, how can he win the hearts of the court where most ministers are Zhao Hanzhang’s confidants?

To win hearts, one must first make people believe that following him might lead to success.

That requires people to see his abilities, his cleverness...

Just as he was thinking that, Zhao Hanzhang suddenly mentioned his name. Xun Zu’s heart skipped a beat, fearing Zhao Hanzhang had seen through his plans, but then Zhao Hanzhang asked with a smile, "What does Master Xun think?"

Xun Zu couldn’t help but look at his brother.

Xun Fan knew his brother was distracted, lowered his eyes, barely moved his lips, but his voice slipped into Xun Zu’s ear, "Come spring, His Majesty will begin learning ’Book of Documents’ and ’Book of Rites’, the Great General asked you to focus on teaching His Majesty."

Xun Zu immediately stood up and solemnly agreed.

Sitting above, Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Xun Fan with a smile that was not quite a smile, encouraged Xun Zu with a few words, and even had the Little Emperor toast his two teachers.

At this moment, the Little Emperor only knew that after the new year, he would have two more subjects to learn. Although he felt sad and disappointed, he still forced a smile and raised his cup to toast Xun Fan and Xun Zu.

Xun Fan looked at the Little Emperor with a complex expression, clearly, he didn’t yet understand the significance of this.

After tonight, the Little Emperor would be eleven years old, yet he remained so insensitive.

Xun Zu was pleased, having not heard everything, happily raised his head and drank the wine.

After putting down the cup, Zhao Hanzhang continued her speech, which was essentially praising the achievements and merits of everyone over the past year and then rewarding them.

Previously, the palace treasures that were difficult to cash in had found a place, along with the food from the Imperial Kitchen, like the festival cake, Zhao Hanzhang rewarded it to the officials, allowing them to share it with their families, everyone felt honored and very happy.

Dining was never the main theme of palace banquets, it was political affairs, so alongside the rewards, Zhao Hanzhang would also make some adjustments to official positions or disclose upcoming plans, stating directly: "Are there any suitable candidates you can recommend to me, gentlemen?"

The crowd respectfully agreed.

Among them, Xun Zu was very interested in the position of Imperial Censor, understanding that the Imperial Censorate not only had the right to report matters heard but was also involved in some special cases and responsible for inspecting the local areas.

If he could become the head of the Imperial Censorate, it would allow him to consolidate power for the emperor.

And he currently enjoys a convenience; besides being the Crown Prince’s tutor, he also held the position of Imperial Censor. Previously, for the sake of the emperor’s safety and education, he never went on outings, staying in Luoyang to perform some work as Imperial Censor.

Xun Zu quietly addressed Xun Fan, "Brother, recommend me."

Xun Fan lowered his eyes without speaking, making Xun Zu somewhat anxious. Seizing the moment when Assistant General Pingyi stepped forward to perform a sword dance, he leaned close to Xun Fan’s ear, saying, "Brother, if I can be the head of the Imperial Censorate, then I can liaise with local officials on behalf of His Majesty."

He believed he and Xun Fan were of one mind, so after explaining his reasoning, he felt he and Xun Fan had reached a consensus and, without waiting for Xun Fan to respond, immediately grabbed a wine cup and approached other allies, quietly sharing his plan, asking them to support Xun Fan in a moment; even if they couldn’t secure the position of Imperial Censor, they should vie for Imperial Censor.

The officials he approached looked hesitant but, seeing Xun Zu’s seriousness, whispered, "But Master is no longer serving in the Imperial Censorate, you personally agreed to focus on teaching His Majesty."

Xun Zu froze, "What?"

The official gave Xun Zu a scrutinizing look, "Doesn’t Master remember? Just now, the Great General said that after the New Year, His Majesty will add ’Strategies of the Warring States’ and ’Book of Documents’ to his curriculum, learning the ways of kingship. To ensure Master and the Grand Tutor can focus on teaching His Majesty, the Great General appointed Fan Ying to replace you as an overseeing Imperial Censor."

Fan Ying was once a person beside Zhao Hanzhang, but during her time in Bingzhou, she was given the responsibility of an angel, tasked with inspecting the surroundings, actually performing the duties of an Imperial Censor. Upon returning, she mainly worked in the Imperial Censorate alongside the Ministry of Justice.

Therefore, everyone knew she was going to join the Imperial Censorate after the New Year, not expecting she would replace Xun Zu, after all, the Imperial Censorate was in dire need of Imperial Censors, so squeezing was unnecessary.

But since Zhao Hanzhang said so, Xun Zu had to hand over his work to Fan Ying and focus on teaching the emperor.

Xun Zu was shaken to his core, suddenly looking at Xun Fan.

He wasn’t surprised Zhao Hanzhang would move him away from the Imperial Censorate; if he wanted to seize power, Zhao Hanzhang would naturally want to guard against him; what alarmed him was Xun Fan’s actions.

He had been distracted and didn’t pay attention, agreeing in a daze, but what about Xun Fan?

He was watching the entire time.

Thinking about Xun Fan’s minimal involvement in their discussions lately, Xun Zu felt uneasy; he silently sat back down.

After Pingyi completed the sword dance, Xie Shi stepped forward with a smile, offering a musical performance.

Zhao Hanzhang watched with keen interest; the palace didn’t have trained entertainers, and previously Ji Yuan and others worried that the palace banquet seemed too plain and the officials and aristocratic families might criticize, Zhao Hanzhang said, "I have officials, who among them isn’t well-rounded, excelling in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? If you wish for music and dance, why not have the gentlemen dedicate their talents for the country, perhaps they might even find kindred spirits at the palace banquet."

Thus, she allowed interested scholars and officials to showcase their talents at the palace banquet.

Wei Jin scholars were fond of expressing themselves, for them, showing their talent and earning admiration and praise was as natural as eating and drinking.

So, many signed up to participate; Pingyi performed a sword dance, Xie Shi played the zither, Wang Hui Niang played a melody on the konghou, Fan Ying and Zhao Yunxin danced together, Cheng Da took off his jacket on the spot and wrestled with another general.

Even Ji Yuan and Ming Yu were coaxed into singing and dancing on the spot.

Ji Yuan and Ming Yu exchanged a glance, and just as they were about to rise with smiles, Xun Zu stood up, walked to the center of the hall, and bowed, saying, "Tonight’s joy has reached its peak, why not enhance it with the Great General selecting a queen for His Majesty?"