fifth form

Chapter 3511 Prime Minister Xue Ze
Zhang Xuezhou's funeral was changed from real to fake, while Tian Fen's funeral was the real deal.

As an official whose rank was lower than that of the prime minister, Zhang Xuezhou went to offer condolences according to court regulations.

The former Prime Minister's residence has a new master, the new Prime Minister being Marquis Xue Ze of Guangping.

Xue Ze was chosen by the new emperor from a noble family. He was at the Divine Power Realm in strength and was also quite old, making him a highly respected elder among the nobles.

Xue Ze was able to become prime minister because of the influence of the marquis's power group. He was a beneficiary of the new emperor's strategy of appeasing many marquises after executing Dou Ying.

Tian Fen's family moved from the Prime Minister's residence to the Marquis of Wu'an's residence, and the person in charge of the funeral was the newly appointed Prime Minister.

Despite his sudden rise to prominence, Xue Ze showed no signs of arrogance and remained extremely humble in his interactions with others.

"I hope Lord Dongfang will take good care of me!"

Zhang Xuezhou stepped forward to pay his respects. As he lifted his toes to look at Tian Fen's body, Xue Ze personally stepped forward to return the greeting on behalf of the family, and then bowed and whispered a request.

This was rare in Zhang Xuezhou's official career. He had connections with several prime ministers, but he had never seen anyone as humble as Xue Ze.

"Prime Minister Xue, you're exaggerating. I'm just a minor official; I don't deserve such polite treatment from you!"

Zhang Xuezhou quickly returned the greeting after turning his gaze away from the dead Tian Fen.

"This way, Lord Dongfang!"

Xue Ze pulled Zhang Xuezhou a few steps to the side, his face slightly bitter, and then quickly took out a small box from his sleeve pocket.

The small box was opened, revealing a transparent, sharp fragment—a fragment of the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife that Daojun had created.

"this?"

"Lord Tian suffered from a persistent headache, and he asked the physician to open his head, but unfortunately he didn't survive like you did back then!"

Xue Zexu recounted the direct cause of Tian Fen's death.

Rather than risk being killed and escaping from his avatar, Tian Fen chose to have his skull opened and risk his life.

Zhang Xuezhou survived after undergoing craniotomy, while Tian Fen died after his brain was opened.

Xue Ze pursed his lips. Zhang Xuezhou had not only survived back then, but he had also survived this time. He had been promoted to prime minister and knew very well that the new emperor's trip to Maoling was not to supervise the construction of the imperial mausoleum, but to find a burial site for Zhang Xuezhou.

If Zhang Xuezhou is truly dead, the new emperor's search for a tomb in Maoling signifies a great favor from the emperor. If Zhang Xuezhou faked his death, the new emperor's lack of unusual rage after setting him up suggests that the two had a close relationship with little estrangement.

Xue Ze was a bit weak, but he wasn't stupid and could judge the situation clearly.

Zhang Xuezhou stood on tiptoe, his eyes darting around Tian Fen's corpse. Xue Ze immediately knew what Zhang Xuezhou was looking for.

This attention either relates to the Yangpo cultivation technique of Changxin Palace or to the factors that led to Tian Fen's death.

"I was young then, and my head healed well after being stitched up. But Lord Tian was too old to endure it. It's such a pity!"

"That's such a pity!"

Zhang Xuezhou sighed, and Xue Ze echoed his sentiments, which surprised Zhang Xuezhou.

"The imperial court now appears to be divided into an inner court and an outer court, and His Majesty has recently been making decisions frequently in the inner court!"

Seeing Zhang Xuezhou's surprised expression, Xue Ze had no choice but to explain.

"You are a high-ranking official in the inner court, while I am the prime minister in the outer court. It seems that my official rank is higher on the surface, but I do not have the same access to information as Lord Dongfang," Xue Ze said with a slightly bitter expression. "His Majesty has some important matters that he will not discuss in court. I hope that Lord Dongfang will provide some guidance after he learns of them!"

"I see!"

Zhang Xuezhou breathed a sigh of relief and immediately understood why Xue Ze had this attitude.

The inner court's decisions were beyond Xue Ze's comprehension. As the prime minister, he couldn't remain silent, but he worried that his outdated ideas would conflict with the new emperor's policies, ultimately leaving him humiliated and vulnerable to being used against him.

"My abilities are inferior to those of Marquis Wu'an, and I shouldn't be in such a high position, but I was forced to be promoted," Xue Ze said with distress. "I hope Lord Dongfang can help us out. If you have any needs, we will definitely cooperate!" "Are you trying to form a faction with me?" Zhang Xuezhou asked in a low voice.

"Factions...? No, no, no, I never form factions. All my relationships are just friendships," Xue Ze waved his hands repeatedly in denial.

Xue Ze looked slightly embarrassed; Zhang Xuezhou's question was too direct.

He really wanted to form a clique with Zhang Xuezhou, but if he dared to do so, it meant that Xue Ze and others would do the same. Once Zhang Xuezhou reported it, the disaster of wiping them all out could very well follow.

This is something Xue Ze wants to achieve, but it's also something he doesn't dare to do.

"I don't form cliques!"

Zhang Xuezhou sighed.

Xue Ze spoke very politely, but he would still be involved in 99% of the affairs of the Han Dynasty, and even have direct decision-making power, serving as the direct superior of many departments of the court.

The new emperor's inner court only participated in one percent of the matters, but even such a small part of things made Xue Ze worry about it as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

Compared to the high and mighty attitude of Tian Fen and others back then, Xue Ze's posture was so humble that it was hard to imagine.

This was indeed an easy-going prime minister, which prompted Zhang Xuezhou to grant his request on the spot.

"No problem. As long as your wife doesn't enroll in the Imperial Academy, she can directly enter the Imperial Academy to study today. Your son is already receiving early childhood education in the royal family, so transferring him to the Imperial Academy won't be a problem at all. In fact, His Majesty also intends to allow royal children to study in the Imperial Academy and wants to expand the number of official schools. This matter will definitely work out!"

Zhang Xuezhou originally wanted to pull some strings with the new emperor, and seeing an opportunity, he directly used his connections with Xue Ze.

Xue Ze quickly agreed.

Xue Ze wasn't afraid of Zhang Xuezhou speaking up; he was afraid of Zhang Xuezhou not speaking up.

Let alone sending one lady to audit the class, even if you sent ten or eight, Xue Ze would have to bite the bullet and agree.

Moreover, the current imperial court is indeed vigorously promoting the Imperial Academy and wants to set an example. For example, sending the current princess to the Imperial Academy for education is one of its steps, thereby guiding aristocratic families and powerful clans in various regions to send their children to local official schools for education.

Xue Ze happened to be in charge of this matter, and he also had the corresponding authority, so Zhang Xuezhou's request was not difficult to fulfill.

"Since you agreed so readily, my wife will come to listen to the lecture today!"

Zhang Xuezhou nodded in agreement, while Xue Ze, who had flattered him, felt a chill in his heart. However, he quickly recovered, which even allowed him to quickly discern Zhang Xuezhou's style of doing things.

The other party is serious about what they are asking for and is serious about what they are saying. If they are careless, negligent, or procrastinate, trouble may result.

"I'll give the order right away!"

Xue Ze nodded, then waved to a spot not far away, and a clerk quickly ran over.

After giving a few instructions, the clerk repeatedly agreed and then followed Zhang Xuezhou with a token in hand.

"Fan Kun is my steward, and now he serves as my assistant to the Prime Minister. He is reliable, and Lord Dongfang can trust him to do his job!"

"Prime Minister Xue is efficient and capable; His Majesty will surely like him very much!"

Zhang Xuezhou praised him, and Xue Ze's old face immediately lit up with joy.

However, Xue Ze also had his worries. The Han Dynasty and the Xiong Kingdom were constantly at war, and war was the most likely to break out and change. He could be promoted today and demoted tomorrow.

It's difficult for officials to rise to power, but it's even more difficult to step down.

Throughout the past, regardless of their level of cultivation, many prime ministers were involved in scandals and none of them met a good end.

Xue Ze felt like he was being roasted over a fire; he never imagined he would be promoted to the position of prime minister.

To be honest, he still needs to go to the Empress Dowager today for a hearing to see if there is any possibility of him entering the Realm of Sovereignty. Otherwise, he will become the weakest prime minister in the Han Dynasty in decades.