Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

After being promoted from Prefect of Yangzhou to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Jiang Xu brought his family to the capital. After settling his family and receiving an invitation to a celebratory banquet from his uncle's disciple, he finally received a reply to his memorial requesting an audience.

His Majesty will summon him and the Minister of Personnel together to the Qianzheng Hall.

The Minister of Personnel, Jiang Xu's future superior, was nearing seventy, with white hair and beard.

Jiang Xu was led by a palace maid into a side hall to wait. When he saw the Minister of Personnel already inside, he stepped forward to greet him respectfully.

Before they even got close, the young eunuch leading the way accidentally twisted his ankle and tripped him.

Jiang Xu was caught off guard and leaned forward, almost falling flat on his face. He managed to steady himself by bracing himself against a wooden table.

Seeing the huge mess he had made, causing the newly appointed Vice Minister of Personnel to embarrass himself in front of his superiors, and glancing at Vice Minister Jiang's serious expression devoid of any smile, the little eunuch turned pale with fright and knelt down with a thud: "This servant did not mean it, please forgive me, Your Excellency."

"When you're on duty, keep your feet steady and be careful," Jiang Xu reminded him, sounding somewhat displeased.

The young eunuch cautiously glanced up at Minister Jiang's cold, devilish face, then lowered his head to the ground in fright and loudly replied, "Yes!"

Seeing this, the eunuch on duty hurriedly came in with an apologetic expression, flicked his whisk at the young eunuch's hat, and scolded, "Clumsy and clumsy, you can't even lead the way properly. If the Vice Minister or the Minister had fallen, how many heads would you have to pay for it? Get down and get your punishment."

The little eunuch's deathly pale face eased slightly. He didn't dare utter a sound and scrambled out of the room.

The eunuch on duty hurriedly apologized to Jiang Xu and the Minister of Personnel: "This lad has only been in the palace for a short time and is still learning the rules. I didn't expect him to be unable to even do such a small thing as leading the way properly. He offended you two and frightened you. It's all because I failed to discipline him properly. I will definitely punish him severely later and will not let him off lightly."

After saying that, he turned to Jiang Xu, bowed deeply, and smiled apologetically: "Sir, are you alright?"

Jiang Xu frowned as he watched the young eunuch's retreating figure. "I noticed this young eunuch walks on tiptoe, as if he's afraid to touch the ground, as if there's something wrong with his feet?"

The eunuch on duty glanced in the direction of the young eunuch and hurriedly replied, "He just entered the palace and is still learning the rules. He was careless with his steps and was punished."

"With an injury on his foot, how can he possibly do a good job leading the way?" Jiang Xu asked incisively.

The eunuch on duty froze, looking at the new vice minister's stern and unsmiling face, and felt a little uneasy, not knowing how to answer for a moment.

Fortunately, Vice Minister Jiang stopped there and did not continue the topic. Instead, he straightened his clothes and greeted the Minister of Personnel: "Your humble servant Jiang Xu greets Lord Li."

Seeing that Jiang Xu had let the matter drop and did not pursue it further, the eunuch on duty finally breathed a sigh of relief, bowed and left the side hall, and quickly sent someone to waive the punishment for the little eunuch.

The Minister of Personnel observed everything and carefully examined the Yangzhou Prefect, whom he had heard of before. He saw that the man before him had a solemn expression and was dressed neatly, showing no trace of the embarrassment or awkwardness of almost falling down in front of his superior.

He had just pointed out the root cause of the little eunuch's fall incisively, without giving the little eunuch the benefit of the doubt just because the eunuch on duty was a person in the emperor's presence. This shows that he was an upright person who could not tolerate any injustice.

However, after pointing out the problem, he did not pursue it to the end or interfere in the internal affairs of the eunuchs. Instead, he stopped short of making a point and knew how to maintain a proper balance. He was clearly not a reckless and impulsive person.

There's no need to draw such conclusions from a small matter. His achievements in Yangzhou alone demonstrate that he must be exceptionally capable and have outstanding methods.

The Minister of Personnel stroked his beard and said, "I have long heard that Lord Jiang is capable in handling affairs, acts with great method and efficiency, and has governed Yangzhou in an orderly manner during his tenure. Seeing him today, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved."

Faced with his superior's praise, Jiang Xu showed no flattery, maintaining his stern face: "You flatter me, sir. I was merely doing my duty."

The Minister of Personnel chuckled and joked, "I've long heard that you're stern and aloof, and extremely strict with your subordinates. I never expected you to have such a kind side. It seems your former colleagues have misunderstood you quite a bit."

Jiang Xu replied matter-of-factly, "I am merely stating the facts."

The Minister of Personnel stood up and patted him on the shoulder: "Do a good job. I'm getting old. Once His Majesty approves my resignation, the responsibilities of the Ministry of Personnel will be handed over to you young people in the future."

Before Jiang Xu could speak, a eunuch bowed and entered: "His Majesty summons you both to the Qianzheng Hall."

The two exchanged a glance and followed the eunuch to the Qianzheng Hall.

Upon arrival, they entered the hall one after the other and bowed to Qin Ji, saying, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."

Before his knees even touched the ground, the emperor on his throne spoke: "Both of you are my trusted ministers, there is no need for such formalities."

"Fu Lu, please offer seats to my two beloved ministers."

The two men respectfully expressed their gratitude before taking their seats.

Qin Ji's gaze swept over the Minister of Personnel and carefully examined Jiang Jibai's cousin from head to toe.

He was around forty years old, with a dignified face and upright posture.

One can vaguely discern a kinship with Jiang Jibai, but it is only a vague one.

Jiang Xu's brow and the corners of his eyes showed signs of age. His temperament was colder and harder than Jiang Jibai's, and he was not as gentle as Jiang Jibai. He also lacked the inclusive, broad-minded and unrestrained sense of tolerance, and was not as handsome as Jiang Jibai.

In short, it has two eyes, one nose, and one mouth.

Qin Jixia defined it as: a middle-aged leek that is related to Jiang Jibai.

Jiang Xu could feel that from the moment he stepped into the Qianzheng Hall, His Majesty's scrutinizing gaze had never left him.

He lowered his eyes slightly, carefully observing the proper conduct of a subject.

Finally, the Emperor spoke, saying, "I have read about your achievements in Yangzhou in the official gazette. Encouraging agriculture and sericulture, developing water conservancy, pacifying displaced people, and cracking down on bandits—any one of these achievements is commendable, and your governance is outstanding. I heard that when you left Yangzhou, the people saw you off for ten miles, reluctant to part with you. You have put your heart into serving the people in the region."

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First update delivered. Second update will be later. Love you all. I haven't finished writing the second chapter yet, I'm sleepy, I'll finish it tomorrow. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, waa ...