My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

As Xiao Jinxuan slowly sat down, all the civil and military officials bowed in unison.

Jiang Xiaobai was among them, and bowed respectfully.

"Hmm, my esteemed subjects, no need for such formalities!"

Xiao Jinxuan raised his hand.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, the ministers straightened up.

"Is there anything you wish to report today?"

Xiao Jinxuan glanced around and spoke calmly.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

At this moment, an official stepped forward: "The Wenxuan Bridge in the south of the city has been in disrepair for many years. A corner of the bridge collapsed a few days ago, causing great inconvenience to the people passing by!"

"We humbly request Your Majesty to grant the Ministry of Works permission to allocate funds for repairs!"

"His Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, the Minister of Works immediately stepped forward: "The Ministry of Works has already been informed of this matter, but the Wenxuan Bridge connects the three neighborhoods, and the road cannot be closed lightly!"

"However, I have already ordered the drafting of the repair plan, and construction can begin within three days!"

"Alright, in that case, get it done as soon as possible!"

Xiao Jinxuan spoke.

"yes!"

As the Minister of Works and the official withdrew, another person immediately stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, the autumn sacrifice is approaching, and the Ministry of Rites may need to prepare the ancestral worship ceremony in advance."

The official paused noticeably at this point: "But, the Ministry of Rites is currently under investigation. What should be done about this?"

Chen Zhanqiu's face twitched, but he remained silent.

"Minister Chen!"

Xiao Jinxuan glanced at Chen Zhanqiu: "The Autumn Sacrifice is a matter of great national importance and cannot be delayed!"

"Your Ministry of Rites should continue making preparations as before!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Chen Zhanqiu nodded respectfully.

Then came a constant stream of reports on court affairs, but these were mostly routine political matters.

For example, where grain warehouses need to be inspected, and where post roads need to be repaired.

There's also the matter of dispatching personnel to several government offices in the capital.

Xiao Jinxuan responded to each of these requests.

Jiang Xiaobai stood there, looking utterly bored.

He now deeply felt that he was truly unsuitable for the imperial court.

These things are enough to give me a headache.

"His Majesty!"

Just then, an old voice suddenly rang out.

Zheng Yu, the Minister of Justice, stepped forward and respectfully said, "Your subject has something to report!"

"explain!"

Xiao Jinxuan's gaze fell on Zheng Yu.

"I am sixty-seven years old this year."

Zheng Yu bowed and said, "Having served as Minister of Justice for many years, I am now exhausted and find it difficult to continue to shoulder this heavy responsibility."

"Your Majesty, I intend to retire and return to my hometown. I humbly request your permission!"

As soon as the words were spoken, many officials in the court looked at each other, their expressions a mixture of regret and understanding.

That's right. The incident at the Ministry of Justice yesterday caused quite a stir. Not only in the imperial court, but even ordinary people are talking about it.

As the Minister of Justice, Zheng Yu's reputation was completely humiliated by Jiang Xiaobai.

It's not surprising that he's resigning now and returning to his hometown to retire.

Jiang Xiaobai's expression also fluctuated slightly as he looked at Zheng Yu in surprise.

He only made a suggestion yesterday, but he didn't expect Zheng Yu to actually accept it!

This shows that Zheng Yu is only bad at using people; his character... isn't really that bad.

"Lord Zheng!"

Xiao Jinxuan gave Zheng Yu a deep look: "You have the intention to retire, and I am not in a position to force you."

"However... the position of Minister of Justice is no small matter."

Xiao Jinxuan paused, then continued, "Besides, I don't currently have a suitable candidate..."

"His Majesty!"

Before Xiao Jinxuan could finish speaking, Zheng Yu continued respectfully, "I believe that Feng Quan, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, is suitable for this position."

As Zheng Yu finished speaking, the officials below couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

That's right, Zheng Yu previously valued the Left Vice Minister Cheng Xiao, and many people in the court knew about this.

But everyone knows that Cheng Xiao was killed by Jiang Xiaobai yesterday.

If Zheng Yu were to retire, only the Right Vice Minister could take his place.

Feng Quan was standing not far behind Zheng Yu, his head bowed respectfully, a hint of anticipation in his expression.

Xiao Jinxuan frowned, just about to speak, when Li Bingzhang stepped forward: "Your Majesty!"

"I believe that the Ministry of Justice is currently under investigation, and it is not appropriate to promote anyone at this time."

"Perhaps...we should wait until the investigation is complete before making a decision!"

"Um!"

Xiao Jinxuan nodded slightly and said, "What Prime Minister Li said makes sense!"

With that, Xiao Jinxuan looked at Zheng Yu: "Lord Zheng, you will remain in your post temporarily. If you are found to be innocent after the Ministry of Justice's investigation, I will grant your request!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zheng Yu's lips moved slightly, but he ultimately bowed and stepped back.

"Is there anything else you wish to report?"

Xiao Jinxuan spoke.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

As Meng Xiutang walked out, he glanced indifferently at Jiang Xiaobai.

Jiang Xiaobai noticed Meng Xiutang's gaze, and his brows immediately furrowed.

This is... really something, they're targeting him!

"Oh, speak!"

Xiao Jinxuan spoke.

"A message has been sent by carrier pigeon; the Northern Yu Kingdom and the Qi Kingdom are quite interested in our Great Hua's plan to open border markets."

Meng Xiutang respectfully replied, "Therefore, both countries have specially dispatched delegations to the capital to discuss border market matters with our Great Hua!"

"We will arrive in the capital in half a month!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinxuan's expression visibly shifted: "That's a good thing!"

Inside the imperial court, many officials also began to whisper among themselves.

The relationship between Beiyu and Dahua is far from peaceful.

In particular, the Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion has been fighting fiercely in the northern border and Beiyu in recent years.

At this time, why did Bei Yu suddenly send an envoy to the capital? Was it only for the sake of the border market?

"His Majesty!"

At this point, Meng Xiutang continued, "I believe that the matter of opening a border market is one of the four policies proposed by Prince Jiang."

"In that case, why not have Prince Jiang take charge of receiving the delegations from both countries?"

As soon as he finished speaking, many eyes immediately fell on Jiang Xiaobai.

Jiang Xiaobai gave Meng Xiutang a cold glance.

He had a vague feeling about it when Meng Xiutang first brought it up.

Sure enough... this matter was directed at him!

"His Majesty!"

Li Bingzhang frowned and stepped forward, saying, "Jiang Xiaobai is still young and doesn't yet understand the matters of receiving the delegation."

"This matter concerns diplomatic relations between our two countries; it would be more prudent to have the Court of State Ceremonial handle the reception!"

"Prime Minister Li is mistaken!"

Meng Xiutang said calmly, "The State of Qi is famous for its Confucianism, and now in the State of Beiyu, it is even more admirable to read and write."

"Furthermore, as far as I know, there are quite a few prominent scholars and literati from both countries among the delegations this time!"

"Young Master Jiang rose to fame in the battle at Lanting Tower and is also the newly appointed top scholar of our Great Hua. It is most appropriate for him to be the one to receive them!"

Upon hearing this, many officials in the court nodded in agreement.

"Qi is doing well!"

Li Bingzhang began, "But Beiyu has been suppressed by the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion many times over the years, and they harbor deep resentment towards the Jiang family."

"If Jiang Xiaobai is in charge of the reception, it might be dangerous!"

"No, I think it's suitable!"

Meng Xiutang, his expression unchanged, said, "Didn't Prince Jiang claim that the Ministry of Justice has connections with enemy forces in the northern border?"

"In that case, let Prince Jiang receive the Northern Yu delegation during their visit to the capital!"

"In that case... hehe, wouldn't it be better to let Prince Jiang investigate thoroughly?"