TPITWOHEF

Chapter 18

In the study room of Chonghua Palace.

The two Imperial Cabinet ministers, Minister of Rites, and Privy Council Academician who were summoned looked at each other in bewilderment.

Especially Lord Fucha of the Imperial Cabinet, who had just learned that his son-in-law was punished for presenting a Daoist priest, not knowing which nerve of the Emperor he had touched.

"Is there a Privy Academician named Pan Ji?" Xiao Yunzhou, seated in the principal seat, came straight to the point.

The Privy Council Academician twitched his eyelid, "To respond to Your Majesty, there is indeed such a person, a fifth-rank Editor."

Xiao Yunzhou immediately grabbed the chair arms, it was real!

The Little Princess was right again!

"What has Pan Ji's performance been like in recent years?"

The Minister of Rites was sweating profusely.

Officials were evaluated once every three years, why was the Emperor suddenly asking about a minor fifth-rank official?

There must be an issue.

The Privy Council Academician answered on behalf of the Minister of Rites, "To respond to Your Majesty, Editor Pan Ji comes from the same Metropolitan Examination intake, mainly tasked with collating and compiling ancient texts related to the dredging of the Gui River Basin. In recent years, he has been diligently editing books, rain or shine."

However, after a moment's thought, he added, "But he does not communicate much with his colleagues, his temperament is rather eccentric, and he often comes and goes alone."

Xiao Yunzhou's gaze flickered.

This aligned with what the Princess had said - that Pan Ji worked on collating ancient texts related to dredging.

With his eccentric temperament and solitary habits, it's no wonder no one recommended him during the recent flood control efforts.

Until this minor editor gave a bribe to the Imperial Cabinet, and then received a recommendation.

Thinking about this, Xiao Yunzhou looked disapprovingly at Lord Fucha of the Imperial Cabinet.

What a family the Fuchas are!

One trying to poison him in the palace, the other taking bribes in court!

A capable person like Pan Ji, who wished to apply for dredging the Yellow River Basin after three years, still had to bribe Lord Fucha!

This was simply unacceptable.

"Appoint Pan Ji to Yang Mountain as Director-General of River Dredging," Xiao Yunzhou ordered. "He shall take up the post immediately."

The officials in the study were all greatly astonished.

Especially the two elderly Imperial Cabinet ministers and the Minister of Rites, they could not help but look up and observe Xiao Yunzhou's expression.

The Emperor ascended the throne at fifteen and learned governance under the Grand Secretariat for three years.

He only started presiding over court sessions himself at eighteen, but even after personally taking charge, he had always greatly trusted the Imperial Cabinet, especially the elderly Lord Fucha who was related to him.

The Emperor rarely intervened directly in official appointments.

Usually, the Imperial Cabinet would recommend candidates, and Xiao Yunzhou would give his approval.