Ming Dynasty: Domination of the World from the Imperial Examination

Chapter 355: Zhao Mian, the bullied one!
Sunset.

Zhao Mian finally got rid of the heavy political affairs.

He had just arrived at the Ministry of Revenue and did not dare to be negligent or slack in any way, because the Ministry of Revenue did not have a Minister of Revenue at present. All of them, the Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Revenue, reported directly to His Majesty, and therefore could not be careless or negligent. He was also treading on thin ice in the Ministry of Revenue and did not dare to be negligent in handling government affairs.

Earlier, his father-in-law asked someone to call him, but after thinking it over, he refused.

As a newly appointed official, it is not appropriate to leave early for personal reasons.

However, after finishing his affairs, Zhao Mian rushed to Liu Sanwu's residence without stopping. Zhao Mian was still very grateful to his father-in-law. After he passed the imperial examination, he not only married his daughter to him, but also made various arrangements for his career. He was able to be promoted twice in such a short time, all thanks to Liu Sanwu.

Again.

Liu Sanwu has a high reputation among the people and is highly trusted by Your Majesty.

He dared not do anything improper.

We hurried all the way and finally arrived at Liu Sanwu's residence before all the candles on the street were extinguished. Liu Sanwu's residence was not luxurious, it even seemed very simple, with a sense of quietness and elegance. However, it seemed a little cold in this winter season.

As Liu Sanwu's brother-in-law, the servants of Liu Sanwu's family naturally recognized him. When they saw their brother-in-law coming back, they hurried to report the news.

Zhao Mian asked the housekeeper to make him a cup of hot tea to warm himself up first.

Sitting on the chair, Zhao Mian shook off the snow on his shoulders and rubbed his swollen fingers, feeling a burst of pain. "Alas, the weather is getting colder and colder. If it gets colder for a while, I'm afraid my hands won't be able to move properly."

He didn't think there would be anything serious regarding his father-in-law.

He, as a father-in-law, loves reputation.

And he is particularly careful about his reputation.

He basically would not argue with others until his face turned red, and he rarely had disputes with others. After all, Liu Sanwu was already famous in the Yuan Dynasty, and was appreciated by the current emperor. There were few people in the world who would not get along with Liu Sanwu, even Fang Xiaoru. The two had some verbal disputes in the past, but they finally got along peacefully.

Just thinking about it.

A figure suddenly appeared in his mind.

After thinking about it, Zhao Mian shook his head and said, "This should be impossible."

"My father-in-law has always been aloof and likes to put on airs. He usually sorts books and gives advice to Your Majesty. He shouldn't have much in common with Xia Zhibai. Even if there is, it won't lead to a conflict."

"Maybe I'm just overthinking it."

Zhao Mian was still a little afraid of Xia Zhibai.

Even though his official position is now higher than Xia Zhibai's, he knows very well that this is only temporary. Xia Zhibai has a very high upper limit. If His Majesty had not intentionally suppressed him, I'm afraid that he would not be able to take up the position of a minister of one of the six ministries, let alone an assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

However, although Xia Zhibai is talented, it may not be a good thing for him to be an official.

Because Xia Zhibai likes to make trouble too much.

Ever since he became known, he had caused a lot of trouble. Even after he became an official in the court, there was still trouble. Therefore, most of the imperial examination candidates of their year, except Hua Lun and Lian Zining, avoided Xia Zhibai and kept their distance from him. They did not want to have too much interaction with him.

even
He had also heard about it privately.

Huang Zicheng and others were actually not very willing to have contact with Xia Zhibai, but Xia Zhibai seemed to be keeping an eye on them and would always send them there for no reason. Huang Zicheng had complained about this a lot.

He didn't know the details.

I guess it’s not false.

Just as Zhao Mian was daydreaming, heavy footsteps sounded outside the house. Zhao Mian immediately regained his composure and hurriedly stood up to greet him at the door. However, Liu Sanwu did not respond well to Zhao Mian's enthusiasm and said coldly, "I cannot accept your courtesy. You are now the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, with great power and authority. I am just a humble scholar. How dare I trouble you? I'd better go in by myself."

Zhao Mian smiled bitterly, but still reached out to help.

Liu Sanwu took a seat.

Zhao Mian offered Liu Sanwu a cup of tea and asked, "Father-in-law, I was indeed wrong about what happened today, but you also know that the court is short of people, and the Ministry of Revenue is even more so. Your son-in-law has just been promoted to the right assistant minister, so how dare I leave at this time? This is disrespectful to you."

"If my father-in-law has any grievances in his heart, he can beat and scold me, and I will never complain."

Liu Sanwu snorted coldly, and said with a slightly gentler expression: "Do I look like someone who would stir up trouble for no reason?"

Zhao Mian smiled bitterly and shook his head.

He actually knew roughly what Liu Sanwu was thinking.

He just wanted to suppress himself deliberately, because now that he had reached a high position in the government, Liu Sanwu was worried that he would be out of control and that he would not listen to his words, so he would always come to him every now and then to stir up trouble in order to highlight his status.

He knew what was going on.

I don’t really care about these things.

He came from an ordinary family and although his career was smooth, he had little influence in the court and often had to rely on his father-in-law's reputation. Otherwise, with his reputation and status, many officials in the court would not take him seriously.

Seeing Zhao Mian's honest look, a shrewd look flashed in Liu Sanwu's eyes.

He said calmly, "I am not angry with you, but I am here to see you today because I have something important to tell you. Otherwise, why would I do this? I have been in the court for so many years and have worked with so many princes and ministers. How could I not know the importance of political affairs on your shoulders?"

Zhao Mian said: "It's my son-in-law's fault."

Zhao Mian didn't talk back and just let Liu Sanwu scold him.

Liu Sanwu added: "The main reason I came to you today is to ask Xia Zhibai."

Zhao Mian frowned, and a look of concentration flashed in his eyes. Liu Sanwu had been watching his actions, so he saw it at a glance and asked in a serious tone, "Why? Is Xia Zhibai making you so afraid?"

Zhao Mian said: "It's not that we are afraid, but this person has a perverse personality. None of us, the Jinshi of this year, want to have close relations with him."

"I'm afraid that something might happen to him and he'd be implicated."

"Father-in-law, why are you suddenly asking about Xia Zhibai?"

Zhao Mian looked at Liu Sanwu in confusion.

Liu Sanwu's face froze, but he didn't know how to start. He couldn't say that he had offended Xia Zhibai and was eliminated by Xia Zhibai. He even wanted to ease the relationship, but was directly rejected. He couldn't afford to lose face.

Liu Sanwu said vaguely: "In the Hanlin Academy, Xia Zhibai was appointed to compile a book, and I also participated in the compilation of the book. However, I have recently had a conflict with Xia Zhibai over the content of the book. Recently, this conflict has become more and more serious over the book. Moreover, it is not only me, but other Hanlin scholars are also dissatisfied with Xia Zhibai's tyranny."

"Today, I am so angry that I refuse to edit any more books."

Hear the words.

Zhao Mian didn’t think it was a big deal. Isn’t it just not editing a book? What’s the big deal?
He comforted him, "Father-in-law, you are old now, and it is indeed not suitable for you to do such heavy work as editing a book. It is a good thing that you do not participate. You will have more time to rest."

However, before Zhao Mian could finish his words, Liu Sanwu exploded.

(End of this chapter)