The Prodigal Son

The next morning, Zhu Songlan went to the Qin residence to report to Qin Yu.

Qin Yu originally thought that Zhu Songlan, who had been acting as the prefect of Linhai for so long, should have gained some weight.

As a result, Zhu Songlan was now even thinner than when he first met Zhu Songlan at the salt field.

However, compared to that time, there was a bit more radiance in his eyes.

"Greetings, Lord Qin!"

Zhu Songlan, dressed in a simple blue robe, bowed to Qin Yu.

"No need for such formalities!"

Qin Yu quickly helped Zhu Songlan up and teased, "You've been acting as the prefect of Linhai for two or three months now, haven't you made yourself anything good to eat? How come you've gotten so thin?"

Faced with Qin Yu's teasing, Zhu Songlan simply smiled and said, "This humble subject is deeply entrusted with important responsibilities by Lord Qin and dares not slack off."

"A commoner?"

Qin Yu feigned surprise, "I heard yesterday that His Majesty summoned you, but he didn't give you an official position?"

"no."

Zhu Songlan gently shook his head, "His Majesty merely ordered this humble subject to serve under Marquis Qin."

Zhu Songlan was genuinely puzzled by Zhao Luan's decision.

Zhao Luan issued an edict summoning him to the capital to serve, but then surprisingly handed him over to Qin Yu.

Moreover, Zhao Luan did not mention anything about exonerating him and restoring his official status.

He is no longer acting as the prefect of Linhai County, and has no official position; he can only be considered a commoner.

That's why he referred to himself as a "commoner".

"Come and serve me?"

Qin Yu looked completely bewildered, as if he knew nothing. "What does Your Majesty mean?"

"This humble commoner also does not know."

Zhu Songlan shook her head slightly, showing no disappointment on her face. "Since His Majesty has made this arrangement, there must be a reason for it."

Qin Yu secretly sized up Zhu Songlan and tentatively asked, "His Majesty summoned you to the capital to serve, but didn't give you an official position. Are you very disappointed?"

"To be honest, I was quite disappointed yesterday."

Zhu Songlan didn't hide anything, "However, after resting for a night, I've come to a realization."

How did you come to that conclusion?

Nan Que'er, standing to the side, asked curiously.

How could you possibly understand this?

It only took one night?

Are you really that carefree?

If it were anyone else, they would probably have cursed Zhao Luan countless times in their hearts by now!

Zhu Songlan, without glancing to the side, answered Nan Que'er's question with neither servility nor arrogance: "This humble subject serves neither His Majesty nor the court! Whether one is an official or a commoner, as long as one can realize one's ambitions, it is all the same!"

If he cared so much about his official position, he wouldn't have criticized the Empress Dowager on his exam paper back then!

Hearing Zhu Songlan's words, Qin Yu couldn't help but be surprised.

This level of skill seems a bit too high!

"So what are your ambitions?"

Qin Yu asked again out of curiosity.

Zhu Songlan replied, "I will use all my knowledge to benefit the people! If I can leave my mark in history, then my life will not have been in vain!"

Qin Yu chuckled and teased, "Would you like to hear about my ambitions?"

"What are the ambitions of the Marquis of Qin?"

Zhu Songlan asked curiously.

Qin Yu gathered his emotions slightly and said arrogantly, "To establish a heart for heaven and earth, to establish a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of the past sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations."

As Qin Yu finished speaking, Zhu Songlan was immediately shocked and speechless for a long time.

Nan Que'er and Luo Qingyi, who were standing to the side, were equally surprised and looked over in disbelief.

They are Qin Yu's bedmates!

How could they not know that Qin Yu had such lofty and noble ambitions?

Shouldn't Qin Yu's ambitions be limited to romantic pursuits and unconventional activities?

Seeing the three of them like this, Qin Yu couldn't help but chuckle.

Are they surprised by their own awesomeness?

They were just joking, but they actually took it seriously?

After a long pause, Zhu Songlan finally came to his senses. "Lord Qin's ambitions are indeed lofty, but in my humble opinion, they seem a bit too unrealistic!"

"Empty is the way to go!"

Qin Yu laughed heartily, "I don't have any grand ambitions. My greatest wish is for peace throughout the world, so I can enjoy a life of luxury to my heart's content!"

"..."

Zhu Songlan's face twitched slightly, and she didn't know what to say for a moment.

He simply couldn't understand Qin Yu.

Just a moment ago, this person spoke of his lofty ambitions, which were quite thought-provoking.

But in the blink of an eye, he described his ambitions as incredibly vulgar.

"My ambitions are for others to hear, but I hope yours aren't!"

Qin Yu patted Zhu Songlan with a smile, "I hope there are more people like you in the world, so that I can enjoy my extravagant life with peace of mind!"

Zhu Songlan's face twitched again. After groaning for a while, he shook his head and said, "Although I don't know Lord Qin well, I believe he is not that kind of person!"

"You have a terrible eye for people!"

Qin Yu shook his head and smiled. "Alright, I won't waste any more time arguing with you! Since His Majesty has ordered you to serve under me, I'll assign you some tasks! His Majesty has ordered me to select about ten people from those who passed the imperial examination but were not granted official positions. I'm too lazy to worry about that, so I'll leave it to you!"

"This...isn't this inappropriate?"

Zhu Songlan frowned and looked at Qin Yu, not expecting that he would even give her the power to choose people.

"Perfect! Absolutely perfect!"

Qin Yu smiled calmly, "As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together! I trust your judgment! Most of those people are still inside the Imperial Examination Hall. I'll give you one day; by this time tomorrow, I need the final list!"

So urgent?

Zhu Songlan lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then asked, "What are the selection criteria?"

"Your standards are my standards!"

Qin Yu gave a simple and direct answer.

Zhu Songlan was taken aback for a moment, then bowed solemnly: "Since Lord Qin trusts me so much, I will certainly not fail to live up to your expectations!"

Qin Yu entrusted him with such an important matter; wasn't that a form of trust?

After a brief chat with Zhu Songlan, Qin Yu handed over his imperial gold medal to Zhu Songlan to facilitate his work.

After seeing Zhu Songlan off, Qin Yu immediately took Qi Dachui and headed to the Confucian Temple.

Since Zhao Luan wants him to choose someone to train, then let him choose!

Zhu Songlan selected candidates from those who passed the special imperial examination, and then went to the Confucian Temple and Academy to make his own selection.

Although the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites had already selected a group of people from the Confucian Temple and Academy to serve as officials, he believed that there were still people available in the vast Confucian Temple and Academy!

Perfect timing! I can also pick out a few usable people for Tiangongfang while I'm at it!

Both issues were resolved in one go!

Moreover, his standards for hiring people may be different from those of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel!

Ugh!

Looking back to last year, around this time, he was still debating with others in the Confucian Temple debate whether to prioritize talent or virtue in personnel selection.

I never imagined I'd have to face this problem head-on today!

The boomerang ultimately struck back at him!

Qin Yu sighed and lamented all the way, finally bringing Qi Dachui to the Confucian Temple.

A year later, Qin Yu returned to the Confucian Temple.

But the people at the Confucian Temple and Academy didn't seem to welcome him very much.

As soon as they arrived at the Confucian Temple, they received many hostile stares.

Qi Dachui flexed his muscles and fiercely glared back at the hostile stares, saying in a low voice, "Thirteenth Young Master, they don't seem to welcome us."

Qin Yu smiled dismissively, "We're just following orders. What difference does it make whether they welcome us or not?"

"That's right!"

Qi Dachui grinned, then turned and glared at one of the men standing to the side, yelling, "What are you looking at? Look again and I'll hammer you to death!"

As he spoke, Qi Dachui brandished his golden mace.

Faced with the menacing Qi Dachui, the man immediately turned his head away guiltily.

Upon seeing this, Qin couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

Hmm, not bad!

Big Hammer is already showing signs of his former glory!

Upon learning of Qin Yu's arrival, the newly appointed Academic Director of the Confucian Temple and Academy, Xu Zhouke, hurriedly arrived with several people. "Your humble servant, Xu Zhouke, Academic Director of the Confucian Temple and Academy, greets Lord Qin!"

Qin Yu sized Xu Zhouke up and down, feigning ignorance, and asked, "Huh? Why is it you now? Where's Su He?"

Xu Zhouke bowed slightly: "Reporting to Lord Qin, Lord Su has been transferred to Shangzhou as an official, and I am the new educational director of the Confucian Temple and Academy."

"Oh, I see!"

Qin Yu smiled knowingly and immediately produced Zhao Luan's warrant: "I am here by imperial decree to select talents from the Confucian Temple and Academy. Gather everyone from the Confucian Temple and Academy; I am going to make a careful selection!"