What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 228 Su Mo was demoted by the Empress
The Empress finished reading the memorial that Chi Wulei had just handed over with a blank expression, and then had it sent to Wang Hao.

The assembled elders were naturally taken aback.

Wang Hao, in particular, opened the memorial with suspicion and his brows immediately furrowed.

Grand Secretary Xiao Yuan asked in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, what has happened?"

The Empress pointed at Wang Hao: "Let Minister Wang speak."

All eyes were on Wang Hao, who was assisting this time.

Wang Hao gave a wry smile: "Wang Zongwang, the deputy chief examiner of the Immortal Martial Arts Examination, just fainted and was sent to the rear to rest. He is still unconscious while Chi Wulei is writing a memorial."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan and the others were immediately taken aback.

Such an event is extremely rare; in fact, it has never happened during the entire reign of the Great Wu Dynasty.

There were indeed cases of invigilators getting into trouble during the imperial examinations.

The examiners selected for the Immortal Martial Arts Grand Trial are all experts in martial arts and immortality, and their physical fitness is many times stronger than that of ordinary people. How could they faint so easily?

Such a change of events occurring so close to the start of the exams left the elders looking rather grim.

Yuan Xingdao, in particular, turned pale.

This Immortal Martial Arts Grand Examination has been plagued by accidents. First, Zou Hou was arrested for his connection with the Heavenly Mother Sect, and then another Lingtai Lang suffered an accident before the exam, which is really not a good omen.

Xiao Yuan frowned as he looked at Wang Hao: "What exactly is going on?"

Wang Hao said expressionlessly, "Wang Zongwang fainted from anger."

Upon hearing this, all the senior officials were dumbfounded.

Xiao Yuan's expression was somewhat displeased, and his voice deepened slightly: "Wang Zongwang was angered into fainting? Who did it?"

Chi Wulei's memorial naturally included related matters.

With so many people watching, it's impossible to hide it from them; Su Mo can't escape responsibility.

Wang Hao handed the memorial to Xiao Yuan, but his gaze turned to the Empress: "Your Majesty, what do you think should be done about this matter?"

The Empress waved her hand, clearly indicating that she wanted to wait for Xiao Yuan and the others to finish reading the memorial before speaking.

After all the Grand Secretaries had read Chi Wulei's memorial, Xiao Yuan pondered for a moment before finally speaking: "The Immortal Martial Arts Grand Examination is a talent selection event organized by the imperial court. Wang Zongwang is unwell and is indeed not suitable to continue serving as the deputy chief examiner."

Wang Hao and Yuan Xingdao both frowned at the same time, but neither of them interrupted Xiao Yuan.

As the Grand Secretary, Xiao Yuan indeed demonstrated great responsibility at this crucial moment: "I recommend Zhu Bi, the Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, to succeed Wang Zongwang as the deputy chief examiner for this grand examination!"

Everyone was stunned upon hearing this.

But upon closer reflection, one has to admire the shrewdness of Chief Minister Xiao Yuan!

The Immortal Martial Arts Tournament has been plagued by mishaps. If further setbacks occur, it will severely damage the prestige of the imperial court.

Naturally, a powerful figure is needed to oversee the grand test.

At the same time, changing generals on the eve of battle is unusual, and a successor with enough prestige is needed to leave others with nothing to say.

The problem is that the chief examiner, Chi Wulei, is only a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Personnel, and the deputy chief examiner cannot be of a higher rank than her.

There are very few powerful figures in the imperial court who possess sufficient prestige but do not hold high official rank.

Zhu Bi happened to be one of them.

The Grand Secretary of the Dongge Pavilion held the rank of the fifth grade, which may not seem high, but his position was highly respected and he enjoyed great prestige both inside and outside the court!

The Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion was one of the Seven Grand Secretaries. The other six Grand Secretaries all served in the Grand Secretariat, but Zhu Bi was the only one who did not.

Once a Grand Secretary leaves the cabinet, Zhu Bi is most likely to join the cabinet and become a member of the Grand Secretary team!
With such a powerful figure succeeding Wang Zongwang, who would dare to object? Who would dare to doubt the authority of the Grand Examination?
Yuan Xingdao wanted to voice his opposition.

After all, Wang Zongwang was from the Imperial Observatory and was also the deputy chief examiner. If Zhu Bi had been replaced, the Imperial Observatory would have only one examiner left, and its voice in the talent selection examination would have become extremely weak.

However, in the case of Zou Hou, he misjudged people and recommended Zou Hou.

Although personally taking down Zou Hou could be considered a way to make amends, the matter could be big or small, and it might not really be over yet, so it's not appropriate to express an opinion at this time.

Seeing that no one spoke, the Empress nodded: "What Minister Xiao said is absolutely right."

"Zhu Bi is indeed the most suitable candidate to succeed Wang Zongwang."

"I hereby issue an edict ordering Zhu Bi to proceed to the Temple of King Wu to oversee the grand examination!"

"Your Majesty!" Wang Hao stepped forward with a dark face, holding his ceremonial tablet, and said in a deep voice, "I believe that Wang Zongwang's advice to the Tianchang clerk not to supervise the examination in ordinary clothes was well-intentioned!"

“Tianchang Clerk, as a subordinate official, does not know his place and speaks disrespectfully to his superior.”

"How can such an arrogant and unruly person serve as the Grand Military Examination Supervisor, and how can he possibly convince the candidates!"

"If everyone followed his example, how could there be any rules in the imperial court!"

The other senior officials remained silent.

Wang Hao's reaction was exactly what they had expected.

Wang Zongwang was both a member of the Imperial Observatory and a member of a collateral branch of the Wang family.

Having been publicly confronted and rendered unconscious by Su Mo, he has undoubtedly become a laughingstock in the Wang family, no matter what.

If Wang Hao doesn't show any "respect" towards Su Mo, how will people view the Wang family?

The Wang family is one of the five surnames and seven prominent families in the Great Wu Dynasty. They value their reputation more than their lives!

Wang Hao could disregard Wang Zongwang's life or death, but he couldn't disregard the Wang family's reputation!
The empress immediately felt a headache coming on upon hearing this.

I quickly went through Sun Tzu's Art of War in my mind, but couldn't find a solution.

I couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Without Su Mo's advice and cunning behind the scenes, they really can't compare to old foxes like Wang Hao.

Finally, he could only frown and say, "Su Mo is the magistrate of Gufeng Mountain County, and also holds the rank of a fifth-grade official. He shouldn't be considered to be disrespecting his superior, right?"

Wang Hao said expressionlessly, "A noble title is not an official position!"

"If titles also count, if I remember correctly, Wang Zongwang is a Tongyi Dafu, a position of the fourth rank."

The Empress was speechless for a moment.

Wang Hao was absolutely right.

Court officials were only recognized for their official titles, such as Wang Zongwang, who held the fifth-rank title of Wuguan Lingtai Lang.

However, Wang Zongwang's title of Special Rank Official was a legitimate fourth-rank official, even though it was a nominal title!
At that moment, Yuan Xingdao stepped forward and said, "I agree with the Vice Minister's words."

"If a ninth-rank clerk publicly contradicts a fifth-rank official, how can the court maintain its prestige if he is not severely reprimanded?"

With Yuan Xingdao taking the lead, Cui Xuan, the Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall, also stepped forward: "I also think that what the Vice Grand Secretary said makes sense!"

Cui Xian was born into the Cui family, one of the five prominent clans.

Despite the fierce competition and open rivalry with the Wang family, especially in the paper industry, the competition was intense.

However, when faced with outsiders who dare to challenge the authority of the Five Clans and Seven Families, they will absolutely stand on the same side.

Of the six Grand Secretaries, three joined forces to force the emperor to abdicate.

Xiao Yuan, the chief minister, remained silent, but given his personal relationship with Wang Hao, he would at most remain neutral and would never side with Su Mo.

Yang Ji and Wang Hua exchanged a glance, pretending not to see the Empress's gaze, and remained silent!

The Empress's expression changed slightly.

However, the original intention of appointing Su Mo as the Military Supervisor was to promote him to a higher rank and allow him to enter the ranks of mid-level officials in the imperial court as soon as possible.

Su Mo insisted on becoming his Imperial Guard, so whether or not he became the Military Supervisor was no longer of great significance.

If we were to force a confrontation with the three elders for Su Mo's sake, we would only be creating enemies for Su Mo out of thin air, which would be unwise.

Therefore, the Empress said calmly, "In that case, Su Mo shall be relieved of his post as Military Supervisor."

"Uh... Meng Yuankai, the Assistant Minister of Rites, will take over the post of Military Supervisor!"

Wang Hao said in a deep voice, "Simply removing him from the post of Military Supervisor is, in my opinion, insufficient to demonstrate the majesty of the court!"

The Empress's pretty face turned slightly cold: "Then I will also confiscate his salary for another six months!"

Wang Hao: "In my opinion..."

Before he could finish speaking, the Empress finally couldn't hold back any longer!

I've already conceded so much, yet Wang Hao still won't let it go! Is he the emperor, or am I the emperor?!
Leng Liuxi's face suddenly darkened, and she snorted heavily, "I don't want Minister Wang to think this way!"

"I believe this is enough of a warning!"

"The imperial court has no law requiring officials to wear official robes to supervise examinations. Su Mo is arguing based on reason. What is wrong with that?"

"Could it be that if the superior is wrong, the subordinate has no right to speak frankly and correct him?"

Wang Hao's expression immediately changed: "Your subject dares not!"

The Empress snorted again: "In the past, when I was wrong, my beloved ministers would point out my mistakes and argue with me based on reason!"

She gave Wang Hao and the others a deep look: "Why doesn't it work when it comes to Wang Zongwang?"

"besides!"

"As a high-ranking official in the court and a Grand Secretary, how could Minister Wang not tolerate even a lowly clerk in his inner circle?"

Wang Hao's face paled slightly, and he knelt on the ground: "Your subject dares not!"

The Empress didn't even glance at them. With a furious expression on her face, she rose and left, leaving the group of elders looking at each other in bewilderment!
Finally, Xiao Yuan looked at Wang Hao, shook his head and sighed slightly: "Let's draft the memorial submitted by Chi Wulei!"

With time running out, the Grand Secretaries decided to remove Wang Zongwang and Su Mo from their positions in the Grand Examination and replace them with Zhu Bi and Meng Yuankai, respectively.

Then, Ning Jing, the Director of Ceremonial Affairs, was asked to present the document to the Emperor for his imperial approval.

Fortunately, although the Empress left in anger, she did not delay important matters, and the cabinet's draft was quickly approved by imperial decree.

……

Inside the Wu King's Hall, all was silent.

Chi Wulei returned to the inner palace to check on Wang Zongwang's condition, lest he actually die of anger in the Wu King's Palace.

Most of the examiners were grinding ink and wielding their brushes to pass the time, while secretly observing Su Mo as they wrote.

Seeing his calm and composed demeanor, one can't help but sigh in admiration.

This guy is really carefree, as if he's not worried at all.

I wonder what kind of background this guy has that he was able to snatch a military commander position while holding the position of a minor official.

However, no one was jealous of Su Mo.

He offended the Wang family!

No matter how powerful one's connections or background, could they be greater than those of the Wang family or the Second Grand Secretary?

Moreover, Wang Zongwang not only had the Wang family background, but he was also a member of the Imperial Observatory!
The fate of the magistrate of Tianchang County after that was predictable; at best, he would lose his post and be dismissed, and at worst, he might lose his life!
Those powerful and influential families are all ruthless people who will devour others without spitting out the bones. Which of them didn't rise to power with blood on their hands?
They appear to be a prestigious family that values ​​reputation in the court and among the people, but in reality, they are extremely ruthless!
Show no mercy to the enemy!
Su Mo didn't think as much as they did.

He always considered himself the Empress's henchman, and the position of Registrar of Tianchang County was also forced upon him by the Empress.

He was just a low-ranking clerk, so he could quit.

Could court officials really extend their reach to the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Phoenix Cry Division?

As long as he can still make money for the Empress, the Empress will never abandon him!

The most important thing right now is not getting promoted or making money.

It involves completing system tasks and increasing the favorability of your target.

If I receive more cultivation rewards, who will dare to look down on me once I advance to the Golden Core Realm?

Just as Su Mo was pondering how to complete Chi Wulei's task.

Suddenly, an angel arrived bearing a holy decree!

The examiner in the hall subconsciously swallowed, staring blankly at Zhu Bi, who had arrived with the angel, and Meng Yuankai, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Upon hearing the announcement, Chi Wulei immediately came out to receive the imperial decree.

After the angel finished reading the imperial edict, everyone, including Chi Wulei, was dumbfounded.

This angered Wang Zongwang, a collateral relative of the Wang family and a fifth-rank official in the Imperial Observatory, to the point that the court had no choice but to bring in Zhu Bi, a Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, to save the day.

The imperial court actually only dismissed Su Mo from his post as military supervisor?

However, the punishment of forfeiting half a year's salary is quite severe.

Most mid- to low-ranking officials in the capital had no other source of income, relying mainly on their salaries from the imperial court and the year-end bonuses.

Losing half a year's income all at once can really force low- and middle-ranking officials in Beijing, especially those upright officials in the Hanlin Academy, to borrow money from all sides to make ends meet!

Su Mo was also somewhat surprised.

Even with the Empress as his backer, he was forced to lose his position as Military Supervisor.

It seems the guy who got so angry he fainted is no ordinary person; even the Empress was forced to back down!
I had promised Lin Moyin that I would take care of the candidates from Su Nu Palace during the exam.

It seems I have no choice but to break my promise.

However, the empress still favored herself.

Meng Yuankai has taken his place!
Others might not know about her relationship with Meng Yuankai, but how could Leng Liuxi not know?

Meng Danying is currently diligently writing her book at the Su residence!

Su Mo only had time to exchange a glance with Meng Yuankai before being escorted out of the Martial King's Hall by soldiers responsible for the safety and order of the examination hall.

Wang Zongwang also came out with Su Mo.

The guy did wake up, but he seemed to have had a stroke and couldn't move. He was carried out on a stretcher.

Seeing how hard he turned his head, staring intently at Su Mo as if he wanted to devour her, you could tell how much he hated Su Mo!
Unfortunately, he couldn't speak.

Su Mo felt that this guy was 99% likely to have suffered a cerebral infarction.

Even Taoist sorcerers cannot avoid such brain ailments!

After leaving the Wu King's Palace, Su Mo looked at Wang Zongwang and sighed, "This humble official doesn't understand."

"I have no grudge against you, sir, so why are you constantly causing me trouble?"

"Now look what's happened, I can't even be an examiner anymore."

"I am but a lowly military supervisor, and I would rather not accept the position. But you, sir, are the chief and deputy examiners! After the grand examination, you will be promoted to a fourth-rank official!"

"Pity!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zongwang coughed up a mouthful of blood!

Cerebral infarction severity +100!

Su Mo didn't feel ashamed at all about being stripped of his title as Military Supervisor. He shook his head, sighed, and strode away.

Su Mo was naturally very annoyed that he had inadvertently made an enemy of someone who seemed to have a powerful background.

But there was nothing he could do; he was acting like a madman, biting him relentlessly.

I had no connections or background before, so I could only endure it.

Now everyone's starting to build up their favorability with the Empress, and they're even sleeping with her!

If you continue to play it safe like before, all that effort spent on building goodwill will be for nothing, and all that time spent on you will be for nothing.

However, once we get back, we need to ask Lord Qianhu and Nangong Sheyue to help us find out more about that guy!
I need to see what's going on that made him chase and bite me like a mad dog!
Return to Su's house.

Upon entering the main hall, they saw Wang Xiuzhi and Ding Yu drinking wine.

When Wang Xiuzhi and Ding Yu saw Su Mo return, they were naturally surprised and looked at Su Mo.

"Su Mo/Dong Weng, didn't you go to supervise the Immortal Martial Arts Grand Examination?" The two asked at the same time.

Su Mo sighed, "Don't even mention it!"

"The matter of supervising the military has fallen through!"

Wang Xiuzhi and Ding Yu stared wide-eyed, exclaiming, "How did it turn yellow?"

Su Mo said irritably, "If you argue with the deputy chief examiner of the Grand Examination and make him so angry that he vomits blood, how can the military supervisor not be dismissed?"

He paused, then added, "Of course, he didn't gain anything either; he lost his job as deputy chief examiner as well. It must have infuriated him!"

Wang Xiuzhi...

Ding Yu...

(End of this chapter)