Do you know: I am Qi Heng

Because Zhuang Xuejiu would have to wait a few more days to arrive in Bianjing, Qi Heng could not temporarily study at the Sheng family's residence, even though the Sheng family agreed.

On the other hand, Sheng Hong has officially started work today.

Sheng Hong's new official position is in the Ministry of Personnel. The Ministry of Personnel is one of the three ministries, and according to the system of the three ministries and six departments, the Ministry of Personnel has the greatest power.

The Ministry of Personnel was responsible for the implementation of the imperial decrees, and all six ministries were under its jurisdiction.

However, the Great Zhou Dynasty made significant changes to the powers of the three departments, merging the Secretariat and the Chancellery into the highest governing body of the court.

In other dynasties, the position of Minister of State was not of high rank, but it held considerable power and status.

However, he had little power in the entire Ministry of Personnel of the Great Zhou Dynasty, let alone a minor official like Sheng Hong.

Although he didn't have much power, he was still a Beijing official, and the benefits he received were incomparable to those of local officials.

In addition, one great advantage of his position as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat was that he could attend the morning court sessions.

Although he had no real power and his rank was not high, he basically didn't even have the right to speak when attending the morning court session.

But at least he can be considered to have entered the imperial court.

Drinking tea, reading books and government gazettes, and the day is almost over.

Sheng Hong was preoccupied with the matter of Princess Pingning's visit, wondering if any agreement had been reached.

"My lords!"

Just then, a eunuch from the Inner Palace entered the office of the Minister of Works and said, "His Majesty has decreed that the morning court will be held tomorrow. All officials are requested to arrive on time and not be late!"

"Guanren" does not mean husband, but refers to an official.

Later, it evolved into a term of respect. Ordinary people called those of high status "official," and wives called their husbands "official," all of which contained wishes and expectations for them to pass the imperial examinations.

"His Majesty has finally convened a court session. I wonder if he will appoint an heir!"

"The successor is a matter of national importance. Even if His Majesty does not appoint an heir tomorrow, we, as his subjects, should still offer our advice!"

"That's exactly right!"

After the eunuch who had given the notice left, a discussion broke out in the public room.

Sheng Hong lowered his head to minimize his presence; he was a tactful person and didn't want to get involved in such a sensitive topic.

Fortunately, he had just arrived at the Ministry of Personnel and was not familiar with his colleagues, so no one looked for him.

When the gong signaled the end of the shift, Sheng Hong remained seated until everyone else had left. Only then did he excitedly tidy up his desk and leave the office.

For an official, being able to participate in the morning court session already puts them ahead of most other officials.

Since the death of his prince, the Emperor has not attended court.

Sheng Hong had thought he would have to wait a few more days before he would have the opportunity to attend court. But to his surprise, the emperor held court on the very second day after he officially took office.

In high spirits, Sheng Hong returned home and first went to pay his respects to Old Madam Sheng. Upon learning that Princess Pingning had come to visit and that Qi Heng's study at the Sheng family had been confirmed, he was even happier.

While changing clothes in her room, Madam Wang kept praising the gifts sent by Princess Pingning, acting as if she had never seen anything like it before, but this did not affect Sheng Hong's good mood.

After having dinner, Sheng Hong went to Linxi Pavilion.

Sheng Hong was nearing forty, and being a scholar, he had some unspeakable difficulties.

But that night, Sheng Hong displayed his prowess twice before finally falling asleep, exhausted.

The next day, before dawn, with the help of the rosy-cheeked Lin Xiaoniang, he washed up, dressed, and rode in a carriage to the palace.

Inside the courtyard, Sheng Hong sat in a corner, keeping a close eye on everything around him, trying his best to memorize the appearances of those unapproachable executives.

Upon hearing many officials discussing the proposal to establish an heir during the morning court session, Sheng Hong knew that the morning court session was not going to be peaceful.

However, he wasn't worried. He was just a nobody, and all he had to do was go with the flow.

Even if the officials are angry and blame him, they won't be able to take their anger out on him.

After about an incense stick's time, a palace attendant came to inform the officials to line up for court.

Sheng Hong straightened his official robes, held his tablet in both hands, and lined up with his colleagues before walking toward the Daqing Hall.

After waiting a moment outside the hall, the eunuch announced, "All officials, enter the hall!"

Only then did the civil and military officials line up and enter the hall.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects! May Your Majesty be well!" the officials bowed and shouted in unison.

The Emperor ascended the imperial platform, turned and sat down before the dragon throne, raising his hand and saying, "My beloved ministers, rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The officials straightened up after expressing their gratitude, maintaining a slight bow.

The normal procedure for the morning court session was for the eunuchs to announce, "If you have something to report, do so now!" This signaled the start of the morning court session, and officials could then step forward to present their reports.

Knowing that if the officials spoke first, they would surely urge him to establish an heir, the Emperor, without waiting for the eunuchs to speak, said weakly, "I have heard that the locusts in Jiangzhe this year are worse than in previous years, and I fear there may be a locust plague. Are there any officials from Jiangzhe?"

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong's heart tightened. After waiting for a while and seeing that no one stepped forward, he had no choice but to step forward and bow, saying, "Your subject is Cheng Zhilang, Sheng Hong, from the Ministry of Personnel. I have just arrived in the capital from Yangzhou."

The Emperor glanced at Sheng Hong and smiled, "I know you; you have beautiful handwriting. Since you come from Yangzhou, you should know about the situation in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Tell me about it."

Just as Sheng Hong was about to respond, Grand Chancellor Han Zhang, seeing that the Emperor was trying to stall for time, immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I humbly request that you select a member of the imperial clan, examine his character, and establish him as your successor!"

A flash of annoyance crossed the official's eyes. He pointed at Han Zhang and said, "Today we will only discuss the locust plague in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Don't create any more trouble!"

"Your Majesty, locust plagues have existed since ancient times, and there are already ways to deal with them. We only need to raise more chickens, ducks, and egrets, which will eat the locusts when they are still larvae."

Compared to the locust plague, the heir apparent is a matter of national importance. Your Majesty, please prioritize the well-being of the country and appoint an adopted son as soon as possible to reassure the hearts of your subjects!

As Han Zhang spoke, he knelt down.

"Your Majesty, please prioritize the well-being of the nation and the people, and promptly appoint an adopted son to reassure the hearts of your subjects!"

All the officials knelt down and echoed in unison.

Sheng Hong secretly groaned. At this moment, he was facing the emperor directly, and he was caught in a dilemma: whether to kneel or not.

Just as Sheng Hong gritted his teeth and prepared to kneel, the Emperor roared, "Are you trying to force me to abdicate?"

Although the official's tone was calm, it sounded like a thunderclap to Sheng Hong.

He had just bent his knees when he suddenly felt his legs go weak, and he knelt down with a thud, dropping the ceremonial tablet from his hands.

He didn't bother to pick it up; he pressed his forehead against the back of his hand, lay prone on the ground, and didn't dare to breathe.

The hall was silent; the officials expressed their resolve through silence.

Seeing no movement, Sheng Hong quietly looked up and saw the imperial tablet not far away. He reached out to take it, but the emperor shouted angrily, which frightened him so much that he quickly withdrew his hand.

"I have lost my son, and I am ill enough to attend court, yet you all are here in this great hall, forcing me... cough cough..."

"His Majesty!"

The eunuch hurriedly stepped forward to pat the emperor's back, saying urgently, "Quickly, bring the ginseng soup!"

A young eunuch hurriedly brought out ginseng soup, but the Emperor angrily swept it to the ground, stood up, and said, "Didn't you all want me to establish an heir? Then go ahead and choose. Report your choice to me after you're done. Court adjourned!"

After saying that, he stepped down from the imperial platform and walked towards the rear hall.

…………

Qi State Duke's Mansion

When Qi Heng learned that the Emperor was going to court, he knew that a coup by the officials was about to occur.

Upon learning that her father had returned, she hurried to the backyard.

Upon hearing Qi Xuan's account, Qi Heng exclaimed in surprise, "The Emperor has agreed to establish an heir?"