A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

All the servants knelt down to offer their congratulations, and the steward immediately brought out a generous reward, which was distributed to all the messengers who brought the good news and to the neighbors.

After accepting the gifts, the official announced that the Ministry of Rites had issued an edict that the banquet at Qujiang and the inscription of names at the Wild Goose Pagoda would be held in three days. The top scholar was required to lead his fellow scholars to the banquet. After saying this, he struck a gong once more and then left with his men.

Congratulations, Brother Taibai!

Everyone offered their congratulations again.

"Zhuangyuanlou Restaurant, it's my treat! We won't leave until we're drunk!"

Li Bai laughed heartily and called everyone to head to the Zhuangyuan Tower.

Zhuangyuanlou Restaurant is located right at the entrance of the Jiangnan Examination Hall, backed by a prince of the imperial family. It is extremely expensive and is one of the most prestigious restaurants in the entire capital.

When they arrived, there were already quite a few people in Zhuangyuan Tower, all of them newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations).

Upon seeing Li Bai arrive, their eyes lit up, and they all rushed forward to congratulate him.

Li Bai returned the gift with a smile. Today was a joyous day for everyone, and no one would put on airs on such an occasion.

As a fellow newly appointed scholar this year, Li Bai had no intention of separating himself from the others, so he booked an entire floor and invited all the newly appointed scholars to a banquet together.

After the banquet, Li Bai returned to the Prince of Yan's residence, wanting to ask his teacher for advice regarding joining the imperial court.

"Of the six ministries and four provinces of the imperial court, which department would you like to join?"

Wei Wen asked Li Bai.

The six ministries of Personnel, Revenue, Rites, War, Justice, and Works, along with the Secretariat, Chancellery, Department of State Affairs, and Department of Agriculture, constituted the powerful departments of the imperial court.

The Ministry of Agriculture has always been the Wei family's private domain, so Li Bai naturally had no need to go there.

"Master, I had no interest in the court before, so I only knew about the Ministry of Agriculture. I knew very little about the functions of the other three provinces and six ministries. Please enlighten me."

Li Bai did not pretend to know what he did not; instead, he frankly asked his teacher for help.

"In that case, you should first distinguish the three central government offices of the empire: the Secretariat, the Chancellery, and the Ministry of Personnel. Each of them wields a power, and none can be missing."

"The first is the Secretariat, which has the power to issue decrees. The emperor's will is drafted by the Secretariat scribes, and all documents, such as the transfer of officials and the reform of government policies, are issued from here."

"If a treacherous minister holds a position in the Secretariat, he can alter imperial edicts and deceive the emperor. Li Linfu was in charge of the Secretariat back then, and all the edicts impeaching him were rejected. This is how he was able to cover up the truth without the emperor's knowledge."

"The second department, the Secretariat, is in charge of rejecting and remonstrating with the emperor, and is the key to checking and balancing the Chancellery."

"Imperial edicts drafted by the Secretariat must first be sent to the Chancellery for review; if any decree harms the people, is unfair in the appointment of officials, or is abused by powerful officials, the Chancellery officials and remonstrance officials have the right to return the edict, refute it item by item, and can also enter the palace at any time to meet with the emperor and directly report the gains and losses of the court and the people."

"There are also remonstrating officials under the emperor, such as those who 'review the lost and fill the gaps.' Although their rank is not high, they can serve the emperor day and night and can speak out in court about anything related to extravagance in the palace, heavy taxes, or cheating in the imperial examinations."

"This is why Li Linfu targeted the remonstrating officials first, in order to control the Secretariat. If he could control both the Chancellery and the Secretariat, his power would be uncontrollable."

"He controls the issuance and review of imperial edicts, and since no one can report to His Majesty, he can naturally control everything."

"Thirdly, the Ministry of Personnel (尚书省) oversees all affairs of the realm, with all six ministries under its jurisdiction. It is only responsible for implementing policies locally and has no power to criticize the emperor or check the prime ministers."

"The Ministry of Personnel is divided into six departments, each responsible for the livelihood and administration of its respective region."

"The Ministry of Personnel is in charge of selecting officials, granting official positions through examinations, and promoting officials based on performance evaluations. If you join the Ministry of Personnel, you can reform the rules for selecting officials and eliminate the practice of powerful and wealthy people giving favors to each other. However, the personnel in the Ministry of Personnel are deeply entrenched, with powerful families and old factions intertwined. It will be difficult for you alone to shake these interest groups."

"The officialdom has its own rules, and you can only use those rules to restrain them. The power of the Wei family cannot be easily challenged, and you cannot overturn the table at the drop of a hat, or you will incur public wrath."

Wei Wen gave instructions.

"The Ministry of Revenue is in charge of household registration, land, rent, taxes, grain transport, and storage. In your proposal, you vehemently criticized land annexation and the burden of tribute on the people. The Ministry of Revenue is precisely the place to harmonize the rich and poor and reduce taxes and levies. If you join the Ministry of Revenue, you can do some practical things for the people."

"The Ministry of Rites is in charge of rites, music, sacrifices, the regular imperial examinations, and diplomacy with other countries. This year's imperial examinations will fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites. If you join the Ministry of Rites, you can revise the examination regulations and protect scholars from humble backgrounds. However, the Ministry of Rites is mostly involved in etiquette and social interactions, so it is difficult for you to interfere in major political and military affairs outside of the imperial examinations."

"The Ministry of War is in charge of the local militia, border generals, and garrison horse administration. Gao Shi and Cen Shen are quite familiar with border military strategy, so they are suitable for the Ministry of War. It would be fine for you to join the Ministry of War as well. However, your entry into the court has already aroused His Majesty's suspicion. If you join the Ministry of War, I'm afraid you will be hindered by His Majesty at every turn."

"The Ministry of Justice is in charge of criminal law and the Ministry of Works is in charge of river and canal construction. Both are local affairs and far removed from central decision-making, which does not align with your original intention of reshaping the court."

The Prince of Yan looked at Li Bai, "The three provinces and six ministries are all here; you can choose for yourself."

Li Bai tapped his fingers lightly on the table, lost in thought.

The Three Departments and Six Ministries each had their own advantages and disadvantages. His purpose in entering the court was to eliminate long-standing problems and reshape the court.

Logically speaking, the Secretariat would be the most suitable place for him. He could serve as an advisor there, directly remonstrating with the emperor to eliminate the long-standing problems in the court.

However, he also understood the underlying meaning in his master's words: His Majesty is not the same as before. In his old age, he values ​​power too much and has become somewhat muddle-headed.

His entry into the court will surely arouse his suspicion.

An official who offers advice that is not heeded by the emperor seems to be a mere figurehead, utterly meaningless.

Stepping outside the framework of the remonstrating official, Li Bai turned his attention to his subordinates, specifically the remonstrating official (谏议大夫).

The head of the core remonstrance officials of the Secretariat, in charge of the censors and the remonstrance officials, can accompany the prime minister to the cabinet for discussions, and is responsible for refuting, advising, recommending, and hearing lawsuits from all sides.

What Li Bai valued most was the right to reject proposals and the right to accompany the prime minister to the cabinet for discussions.

With this power, he could stop all unreasonable edicts.

"The position of Imperial Advisor is indeed a good one."

"The position of Grand Counselor is a fifth-rank official. It is not an insult for someone of your status to enter the court and assume a fifth-rank official position."

"However, the court has regulations that require candidates to have experience working in one of the Six Ministries in order to become an advisor."

"Although you could skip this given your status, it would still give people something to say and have some impact on you."

Wei Wen was also satisfied with Li Bai's choice, but Li Bai was destined to become a high-ranking official, and any blemish on his record would be a pity.

"Unless the emperor appoints him personally, future troubles can be avoided."

"Does the teacher mean the Qujiang Banquet?"

Li Bai seemed to be deep in thought.

Wei Wen nodded. Out of respect for the Wei family, Li Longji would definitely ask Li Bai about his intentions at the Qujiang Banquet.

"Does the teacher mean that I should volunteer for a minor official position at the Qujiang Banquet?"

"That's right. The position of Buque is only a seventh-rank official post, which is already an extraordinary favor for ordinary Jinshi or even Zhuangyuan."

"But this would be a humiliation for you. You have already indicated your desire to serve in the Secretariat, so His Majesty will surely seek a suitable position from the Chancellery."