Chapter 80 - 79: My Father is Appointed Minister of the Ministry of War and Enters the Cabinet!

Chapter 80: Chapter 79: My Father is Appointed Minister of the Ministry of War and Enters the Cabinet!

As Si Zhongxiao’s voice faded, the entire Imperial Study descended into absolute silence. One could clearly sense Emperor Jianhong’s hand pause slightly on the armrest upon hearing those words.

Si Zhongxiao never interrupted the emperor’s thoughts. Right now, he stood patiently and quietly in place, his face respectful, though his mind was wandering far away. It was common knowledge that even a lowly County Magistrate could not be a local native. Naturally, the position of Fengqi Road Governor could not be given to someone like Huang Yuangao, a native of Liangjiang Commandery. Otherwise, it would inevitably cause significant trouble. However, if Zeng Shilin were allowed to remain in Liangjiang Commandery, the resulting trouble would likely be even greater. With Zeng Shilin monopolizing the power of Fengqi Road, the hidden dangers were equally substantial.

In the emperor’s mind, maintaining a balance among his officials was the ultimate priority. Si Zhongxiao knew full well that his words were merely a prompt. Emperor Jianhong undoubtedly already had a plan for what to do next. At this time, a prince needed to be enfeoffed to Liangjiang Commandery. Then, by transferring Huang Yuangao over as well, Fengqi Road would remain stable. Although Huang Yuangao was a native of Liangjiang Commandery, his only son held a post in the capital. Si Zhongxiao figured the emperor must be thinking, "You want to retire to your hometown? I’ll make you go back by yourself!"

Afterward, Zeng Shilin would be summoned to the capital. He would be transferred laterally to become the Minister of the Ministry of War, granted the title of Grand Scholar, and enter the Cabinet. This move would perfectly check the power of Chief Minister Li Zhen! It was a masterstroke that achieved three, four, even five goals with a single move! Only, in this scenario, who was the true beneficiary?

Emperor Jianhong slowly raised his head, meeting Si Zhongxiao’s eyes with a half-smile. "What a brilliant strategy of driving tigers to devour wolves, Grand Companion Si."

Si Zhongxiao bowed respectfully. Without a moment’s hesitation, he fell directly to his knees. He pressed his forehead perfectly against Emperor Jianhong’s shoe, his voice meek and gentle. "In serving Your Majesty, this dog Si has no selfish motives."

"At least you remember you are Our dog." Looking down at the back of Si Zhongxiao’s head, a rare smile appeared on Emperor Jianhong’s face. He reached out and gently stroked the eunuch’s hair. "Among all the civil and military officials in the Court, I’m afraid this dog Si here is the only one truly loyal to Us, isn’t he?"

"The heavens and earth can attest to it," Si Zhongxiao said, raising his rear even higher.

Meanwhile, in Liangjiang Commandery.

In Liangjiang Commandery, the Wangxian Restaurant, which had only been open for two months, had already established itself as the undisputed leader of the catering industry. Even merchants and scholars from distant commanderies traveled far and wide just out of admiration for its reputation. The entire restaurant was packed to the brim with people, buzzing with a deafening cacophony of voices.

Inside one of the private rooms.

"So, in just two short months, I’ve made six thousand three hundred taels of silver?" Zeng Anmin stared blankly at the silver notes that Shen Jun had respectfully presented with both hands, murmuring to himself.

Six thousand three hundred taels of silver. What did that mean in practical terms? It was roughly equivalent to earning one million and eight thousand in two months back in his previous life. He had assumed it would take time to build up their reputation and was prepared for a slow trickle of income. He never expected that chicken bouillon would send such massive shockwaves through a feudal era! It was like someone who had eaten bird droppings their entire life suddenly tasting sugar for the very first time.

Shen Jun now looked at Zeng Anmin with utter worship in his eyes. He had thoroughly transformed into Zeng Anmin’s most loyal lackey.

"Quan Fu, this is only the beginning. Our reputation hasn’t even fully spread yet," Shen Jun said, his face flushed with excitement. "Give it another two months, and I’m afraid every single restaurant in Jiangnan will have to bow to Wangxian Restaurant!"

Over the past two months, Shen Jun had been relentlessly busy with the "Weijixian" seasoning. To prevent any leaks, he personally led several maids in manufacturing it at home, strictly following the methods Zeng Anmin had provided. Sometimes, they worked through the entire night. It was exhausting labor, but the results were spectacular!

"Mhm." Zeng Anmin looked down at the pristine silver notes in his hand, feeling thoroughly refreshed. He suddenly recalled the scene of his old man refusing to give him any money. He thought, "Tsk. You won’t give me money, huh? I can make my own! Not only can I make my own, I’ll become even richer than you!"

Exhaling deeply, he was just about to pat Shen Jun on the shoulder as a sign of encouragement when he heard Dachun’s urgent voice from outside.

"Young Master, an imperial decree has arrived at the mansion! You need to return immediately to hear it!"

An imperial decree? Zeng Anmin’s eyes lit up. It seemed the treason case involving King Jiang had concluded, and the Court’s rewards had finally trickled down!

"Let’s go!" Zeng Anmin didn’t even bother saying goodbye to Shen Jun as he stood up and strode out of the private room. Naturally, Shen Jun understood Anmin’s eagerness and respectfully watched him leave.

Shortly after.

"YAH!"

All the way back, Zeng Anmin relentlessly swung his Horse Whip with full force. The steed beneath him galloped so hard it was nearly frothing at the mouth. Finally, the Governor’s Mansion came into view.

"WHOA!"

Reining in his steed to a halt, Zeng Anmin led Dachun and marched toward the mansion with confident, forceful strides. Then, right in front of the main hall, he saw a travel-worn Eunuch in red robes standing beside his father. This was the first time he had seen a Eunuch since his transmigration, so he couldn’t help but take a few extra glances out of curiosity.

"Go back to your room, bathe, and change your clothes first. Wait until the Master finishes speaking with the imperial envoy before receiving the decree," Ms. Lin said with a warm smile, reminding Zeng Anmin of the rules. If there was one thing the feudal era had in abundance, it was overly complex etiquette.

"Understood." Zeng Anmin smiled and rubbed Hu Zi’s little head before heading into the house.

Later, in the main hall.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Zeng Shilin, Governor of Fengqi Road, has rendered meritorious service in handling the recent case. He is hereby promoted to Minister of the Ministry of War, granted the title of Grand Scholar of the Martial Hero Hall, and ordered to enter the Cabinet.

"Zeng Anmin, Left Chief Clerk of the Liangjiang Commandery Observation Department, possesses unparalleled talent in the Confucian Dao, bringing immense comfort to Our heart. He is hereby appointed as the Crown Prince’s Tutor.

"Respect this."

After the eunuch envoy finished reading the decree, the family bowed in gratitude and rose to their feet. Zeng Shilin remained entirely expressionless. Upon receiving the imperial decree, he did not speak immediately but stood there in silence, lost in unknown thoughts.

Zeng Anmin’s heart, however, was pounding wildly. He thought, "Father is already a Capital Official? And the Minister of the Ministry of War at that?! Holding the title of Grand Scholar and entering the Cabinet?! All he needs to do is build up a few years of seniority in the capital to be granted titles like Grandmaster, Grand Protector, or Grand Preceptor, and he’ll become one of the Three Excellencies! If he plays his cards right, won’t this be infinitely better than rotting away in Liangjiang Commandery as some Governor?!"

But when Zeng Anmin shifted his gaze to his old man’s slightly darkened face, he frowned slightly. He wondered why his father didn’t look happy at all and whether there was some hidden complication behind this.

Just as he was silently speculating, his father’s expression suddenly softened into an amicable smile. Looking at the eunuch, Zeng Shilin asked, "May I ask who will assume the post of Governor once this official departs for the capital?"

Holy crap?! Seeing that smile on his father’s face, Zeng Anmin felt his vision blur in disbelief. In his impression, his old man always gave off the aura of a master strategist with bottomless depths, someone who never smiled at anyone. He had originally worried that with such a temperament, his father might struggle after being promoted into the central Court. Who would have thought the old man actually had a side like this?! He thought, "Dad, to think that after all this time, I still underestimated you!"

Sure enough, the eunuch looked extremely flattered upon seeing his father’s expression. He quickly leaned in close to Zeng Shilin and whispered a few words into his ear. Zeng Anmin couldn’t hear exactly what was said. All he saw was his old man’s face seemingly growing even gloomier by the second...