Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Ouyang Lun smiled slightly and said firmly, "Your Majesty, I do agree. Lord Li is right. These officials have made great contributions to the court and deserve to be given important positions. Although I am in charge of rectifying the administration of officials, I also know that the court needs capable officials. As long as these officials are capable, I am naturally willing to provide them with opportunities to display their talents."

After hearing this, Zhu Biao became even more confused, but seeing Ouyang Lun's firm attitude, he stopped asking and just nodded: "In that case, this matter will be left to you to handle."

At the same time, Li Shanchang learned that Ouyang Lun readily agreed to his proposal, and he couldn't help but have a little doubt in his heart. He originally thought that Ouyang Lun would strongly oppose it, and even prepared a countermeasure. However, Ouyang Lun's reaction was completely beyond his expectations.

Li Shanchang sat in his mansion, frowning, and whispered to himself: "Ouyang Lun has always been cautious, why did he agree to my proposal so readily this time? Does he have other plans?"

The more he thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong, and he felt a little uneasy: "Could it be that he had already anticipated my plan and was even prepared to counter it? Or does he have other plans and wants to take this opportunity to further suppress our Huaixi Party?"

Li Shanchang pondered for a long time, but still couldn't figure out Ouyang Lun's intention. He could only secretly warn himself: "No matter what, this matter must be handled with caution. After the officials are transferred back, they must be arranged to take important positions as soon as possible, and Ouyang Lun must not be given an opportunity to take advantage of it."

Zhu Biao was in the imperial study, and was also curious about Ouyang Lun's reaction. He summoned his personal eunuch and whispered, "Go check if Brother-in-law Ouyang has made any other moves recently. I always feel that he agreed so readily this time, and there must be a deeper meaning behind it."

The eunuch took the order and left. Zhu Biao sat at the desk, frowning slightly, thinking to himself: "Ouyang Lun, Ouyang Lun, what are you planning? Are you really willing to let the old members of the Huaixi Party return to the court? Or do you already have a plan to deal with it?"

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that things were complicated, but he couldn't guess Ouyang Lun's intentions for the time being, so he could only wait and see.
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In fact, Ouyang Lun readily agreed to Li Shanchang's proposal not without his own plans. He had long expected that Li Shanchang would take this opportunity to transfer back the old members of the Huaixi Party, but he was not worried. On the contrary, he thought it was an opportunity to thoroughly rectify the administration of officials.

After Ouyang Lun returned to his residence, he summoned several of his confidants and whispered, "Li Shanchang proposed to transfer back the officials who built the railway, and I have agreed to this. You should immediately check the details of these officials, especially their performance during the construction of the railway. If there is any corruption or dereliction of duty, be sure to collect evidence and record it one by one."

The confidants took the order and left. Ouyang Lun sat at the desk with a slight smile on his face. He thought to himself, "Li Shanchang, Li Shanchang, do you think you can turn the situation around by transferring back the old subordinates? Little do they know that I have already targeted these people. As long as they dare to stir up trouble in the court, I can catch them all with thunder and lightning. By then, the foundation of the Huaixi Party will be completely destroyed."

He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the palace wall in the distance, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes: "The outcome of this game has been decided. Li Shanchang, your calculations were wrong after all."

Qi Tai was standing on the construction site of the Beijing-Pingcheng Railway, holding a blueprint and carefully checking the construction progress.

The sun was blazing, and sweat was dripping down his forehead, but he didn't care, his eyes focused on every detail. Since he was assigned to supervise the construction of the railway, he has spent countless days and nights on this construction site.

Although it was hard work, he was well aware of the importance of this project to the court, so he worked diligently and did not dare to slack off in the slightest.

Just as he was directing the workers to adjust a section of railroad track, a burst of hurried horse hoof sounds came from the distance.

Qi Tai looked up and saw a group of imperial envoys rushing towards him. The leading official was holding a bright yellow imperial edict with a solemn expression.

"Lord Qi, receive the order!" the messenger shouted loudly.

Qi Tai was startled, and he quickly straightened his clothes, stepped forward quickly, and knelt down to receive the imperial edict. The messenger unfolded the imperial edict and read it aloud: "The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: Qi Tai has made great contributions in supervising the construction of the Beijing-Ping Railway, and is promoted to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works. He shall return to Beijing to take up his post immediately. This is my decree!"

After hearing the imperial edict, Qi Tai was surprised and delighted. He did not expect that he would be promoted suddenly, and he did not expect that his days on the railway construction site would end in this way. He respectfully accepted the imperial edict and kowtowed to express his gratitude: "Your Majesty, I kowtow to thank you for your grace!"

Qi Tai received the imperial edict, kowtowed to express his gratitude, and then slowly stood up, holding the bright yellow imperial edict tightly in his hand, with mixed feelings in his heart. He looked around and found that the officials and workers who were originally busy on the construction site had already stopped their work and gathered around him, with surprise, envy and sincere joy on their faces.

An elderly official from the Ministry of Works stepped forward first, bowed and said with a smile: "Sir Qi, congratulations! You have worked hard for the railway project over the years. Now you are appreciated by His Majesty. You deserve it!" His tone was full of admiration and his eyes were shining with sincerity.

Qi Tai smiled slightly and responded modestly: "Master Zhang, you are too kind. The progress of the railway project today is inseparable from the joint efforts of everyone. I just did my duty."

At this time, several young officials from the Ministry of Works also came over, their faces flushed with excitement. One of them said excitedly: "Master Qi, we really don't want you to leave! You always guide us carefully. Now that you have been promoted, we are happy for you, but also feel that we have lost our backbone." As he spoke, there was a hint of reluctance in his tone, and his eyes were even a little moist.

Qi Tai patted him on the shoulder and said gently: "You are all capable people. I am relieved to leave the railway project to you. If you need me in the future, feel free to come to Beijing to find me."

The workers also gathered around, their faces full of simple smiles. An old worker with a frosted face squeezed to the front, wiped his rough hands on his collar, and smiled honestly: "Master Qi, you are a good official for us workers! On weekdays, you not only care about the progress of the project, but also often ask about our food, accommodation and warmth. Now that you have been promoted, we are happy for you from the bottom of our hearts!" After he said that, the workers around him nodded in agreement, and some even shouted loudly: "Master Qi, you are our lucky star!"

Qi Tai felt a warm current in his heart when he heard these simple words. He bowed slightly and saluted the workers: "Thank you for your kindness. The railway project is the important task of the court and our common pride. Although I have left the construction site, my heart is always with you. I hope you will continue to work hard to build the railway as soon as possible to benefit the court and the people!" The workers applauded and cheered, and some even wiped their tears with excitement. A young worker squeezed to the front and said loudly: "Master Qi, don't worry! We will definitely live up to your expectations and build the railway quickly and well!" His voice was loud and full of youthful vigor, which caused laughter from the people around him.

Qi Tai looked at these familiar faces, and his heart was filled with emotion. He knew that although he had left the construction site, the days of sharing weal and woe with the workers would be forever engraved in his memory. He took a deep breath and said loudly: "Okay! With your words, I feel relieved. When the railway is opened to traffic, I will come back to celebrate with you all!"

Cheers suddenly rang out on the construction site, and the workers waved their tools with genuine joy on their faces. Qi Tai stood in the crowd, feeling this sincere emotion, and felt touched and reluctant.

After the messenger left, Qi Tai stood on the construction site, looking at the railway that had already taken shape in front of him, feeling filled with emotion.

During this period, he witnessed the process of the railway from scratch, and deeply realized the significance of this project to the court and the people. All of this was inseparable from Ouyang Lun's promotion and support.

Thinking of Ouyang Lun, Qi Tai's mood became complicated. He originally did not have much good feelings towards Ouyang Lun, thinking that he was only in power because of the emperor's favor. However, on the railway construction site, he saw with his own eyes Ouyang Lun's vigorous and pragmatic style. Whether it was allocating materials or coordinating relations between various parties, Ouyang Lun showed extraordinary ability and courage. This forced Qi Tai to re-examine his views on Ouyang Lun.

"Perhaps, Ouyang Lun is not what I imagined..." Qi Tai whispered to himself.

However, he also knew that as a member of the Huaixi Party, he belonged to a different camp from Ouyang Lun. Even if his attitude towards Ouyang Lun changed, the two could not really get together. The power struggle in the court destined them to be enemies, not allies.

With mixed feelings, Qi Tai packed up and set off on the journey back to Beijing. Along the way, he repeatedly thought about what path to take in the future. He knew that after returning to the capital, he would inevitably be involved in the struggle between the Huaixi Party and Ouyang Lun. And this time, he was no longer just a bystander, but became an important chess piece in the chess game.

After returning to the capital, Qi Tai reported to the Ministry of Personnel as usual, and then went to meet Li Shanchang. Li Shanchang warmly welcomed his return and encouraged him to continue to work for the Huaixi Party in his position as the Minister of Works.

"Qi Tai, it's not easy for you to be promoted this time. You must seize the opportunity and strive for more benefits for our Huaixi faction." Li Shanchang said earnestly.

Qi Tai nodded respectfully: "Don't worry, Lord Li, I will do my best to live up to your expectations."

However, when he walked out of Li Shanchang's mansion, he felt heavy in his heart. He knew that every step he took would be treading on thin ice. On the one hand, he had to fulfill his duties as a member of the Huaixi Party and fight against Ouyang Lun; on the other hand, he could not completely ignore his changed opinion of Ouyang Lun.

With the promotion of Qi Tai and a group of other Huaixi Party officials, the morale of the entire Huaixi Party was boosted. After the news spread, the Huaixi Party officials rushed to tell each other, with long-lost smiles on their faces. The haze that had been suppressed in their hearts for a long time seemed to be swept away, replaced by expectations and confidence in the future.

That night, the mansion of Hanguogong Li Shanchang was brightly lit, and the core officials of the Huaixi Party gathered together. In the hall of the mansion, the atmosphere was warm and cheerful, and the officials gathered in twos and threes, talking in low voices, with excitement on their faces.

Li Shanchang sat in the main seat, holding a cup of tea in his hand, with a faint smile on his face. He looked around at everyone in the hall, secretly satisfied. Among the officials promoted this time, in addition to Qi Tai, there were several capable people from the Huaixi Party, such as Chen Wenyuan, a doctor from the Ministry of Works, and Zhao Deming, a director from the Ministry of Revenue. These people were the backbone of the Huaixi Party, and their promotion undoubtedly injected new vitality into the Huaixi Party.

"Everyone, we are all gathered here today, I believe everyone has understood it." Li Shanchang spoke slowly, his voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty. The hall suddenly became quiet, and everyone looked at Li Shanchang, their eyes full of expectation.

Li Shanchang smiled slightly and continued, "The promotion of Qi Tai, Chen Wenyuan, Zhao Deming and other colleagues is a great joy for our Huaixi faction. This is not only a recognition of them personally, but also an affirmation of our Huaixi Party."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a warm applause in the hall. Qi Tai and others stood up, bowed to everyone, and smiled modestly. Chen Wenyuan said excitedly: "Mr. Li, thank you for the praise. This promotion is entirely due to the support of Mr. Li and all the colleagues. We will live up to everyone's expectations and bring honor to the Huaixi clan!"

Zhao Deming also echoed, "Yes, we will never forget the kindness of Lord Li in supporting us! We will do our best to serve the Huaixi Party in the future!"

The atmosphere in the hall became increasingly heated, and officials raised their glasses to congratulate Qi Tai and others. An elderly official stood up and said with a flushed face, "Master Qi, Master Chen, Master Zhao, your promotion this time is a blessing for our Huaixi family! Come, I toast you a glass and wish you a bright future and continued promotion!"

Qi Tai and others raised their glasses in a hurry to respond. Qi Tai smiled and said, "Thank you, Lord Liu! We can't be where we are today without your support. I'll need your care in the future!"

The hall was filled with laughter, and everyone raised their glasses. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious. A young official said excitedly, "This promotion is really a great relief! Ouyang Lun has been very arrogant recently. Now that our Huaixi faction has regained its strength, let's see how long he can be so proud!"

His words resonated with everyone, and everyone nodded in agreement. A middle-aged official sneered, "Ouyang Lun is just a clown, relying on the favor of His Majesty to look down on others. Now that our Huaixi faction has regained power, we must let him know that he is not the only one who has the final say in the court!"

Li Shanchang listened to the discussion, still with a faint smile on his face. He took a sip of tea and slowly said: "Everyone, please be patient. Although this promotion is a great joy, we must not get carried away. Ouyang Lun is a man of deep scheming and ruthless means, so we need to act with caution." (End of this chapter)