Chapter 0201: The Clear Yet Foolish Gaze, Xie Chengze’s Empty Pockets

Gaining support from ministers was never as simple as mere persuasion.

Just as in business and officialdom, shared interests were essential to foster cooperation and achieve mutual benefit.

Without them, one should not show mercy but eliminate obstacles decisively.

“To implement the Technological Imperial Examination, we first need the Ministry of Rites’ support.” Sheng Shihai pointed at the name on the list. “The Minister of Rites, Hou Yuanzhen, is conservative, stubborn, and a staunch advocate of humanistic thought—the biggest obstacle opposing the Technological Imperial Examination. To win his approval, one must either out-argue his rigid rhetoric or…Sheng Shihai picked up a brush and drew a line through the characters “Hou Yuanzhen.”” “Remove him and promote someone willing to support Your Highness. Coincidentally, Minister Hou has only one year left before retirement. We can find any pretext to have him retire to his hometown, demonstrating Your Highness’s resolve and ruthlessness to other officials.”

“What pretext should we use?” Xie Chengze’s clear yet foolish gaze brimmed with confusion, resembling a naive simpleton who needed everything chewed and fed to him.

Sheng Shihai showed no annoyance and patiently explained, “Hou Yuanzhen’s eldest grandson, Hou Wende, recently passed the imperial examination and married Qiu Ziqin, daughter of Hanlin Academy Grand Secretary Qiu Wenqi—a double celebration. Hou Wende famously vowed to remain devoted to one wife and never take a concubine, earning him widespread praise in Jingcheng and even personal commendation from the Emperor. Your Highness must be aware of this.”

Xie Chengze nodded.

“Yet within a year, Hou Wende took a mistress and even fathered two sons. Meanwhile, Qiu Ziqin has borne no children in three years, suffering verbal abuse from her in-laws and physical threats from Hou Wende. She has endured in silence, and Qiu Wenqi remains unaware.”

Sheng Shihai smiled faintly. “If Your Highness reveals this to Qiu Wenqi, he will surely seek justice. To preserve their reputation, the Hou family will likely divorce her. Your Highness can encourage Qiu Wenqi to bring the matter to court and rule in his favor. Out of love for his grandson, Hou Yuanzhen will resign to beg for leniency. Once the divorce is finalized, Your Highness will also gain an ally in the Hanlin Academy.”

He then leaned closer and whispered a secret to Xie Chengze.

Xie Chengze stared at him in shock. “I never imagined you’d know such secrets, Commissioner Sheng.”

Sheng Shihai smiled faintly. “It so happens that an official under my command has long admired the Qiu family’s daughter and accidentally learned of this.”

Xie Chengze frowned. “Why didn’t he inform Qiu Wenqi?”

Sheng Shihai smiled without answering.

There was no such official infatuated with the Qiu daughter—it was merely his intelligence network at work. As for why he hadn’t informed Qiu Wenqi…

He was never one to meddle unnecessarily. With so much suffering in the world, how could he possibly intervene in everything? Moreover, if he had, he wouldn’t have this leverage to offer the Second Prince now.

Rash interference brought him no benefit; it was better to utilize resources fully.

He continued, “After Hou Yuanzhen resigns, the Vice Minister of Rites should naturally fill the vacancy. This man is relatively shrewd—if Your Highness grants him the minister position, he will undoubtedly work diligently to support the implementation of the Technological Imperial Examination.”

Xie Chengze nodded. The Vice Minister of Rites was Sheng Yiren’s father, who had long been his ally.

“As for the Hanlin Academy…” Sheng Shihai crossed out the words “Hanlin Academy” on the list once more. “The Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy is my father. I will persuade him to support Your Highness. As for the Su Family, I presume Your Highness already has a strategy?”

Naturally, he had also heard about Su Qinghe. The other party was indeed a promising talent. If not for Xie Chengze’s sharp discernment, he might have truly overlooked such a capable individual.

Xie Chengze rubbed his nose. “Indeed. I intend to appoint Su Qinghe as the Vice Chancellor and Instructor of the Imperial Academy—that is, as Deputy Head and teaching scholar. Given the Su Family’s ambitions, they would naturally be willing to oversee both the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Academy.”

“Then only these three remain.” Sheng Shihai didn’t inquire further about his relationship with Su Qinghe. In his eyes, Su Qinghe was gentle-natured and easy to control, requiring no extra effort. He pointed at the last three officials on the list. “These three require no persuasion. Simply cater to their preferences with lavish gifts, and they will certainly be willing to support Your Highness.”

Upon hearing that lavish gifts were needed, Xie Chengze couldn’t help but lower his head in embarrassment. “But… my resources are limited…”

The items in Cheng Huan Palace belonged to Emperor Jian. Using them for the people was one thing, but if used to bribe officials—even if only for superficial faction-building—Emperor Jian would undoubtedly harbor reservations.

“Then I shall take charge of this matter.” Sheng Shihai nodded indifferently, never having expected Xie Chengze to provide the funds.

If he wanted to win over the Second Prince for his own purposes, this small investment was necessary. He had to ensure that Xie Chengze perceived his value as greater than Shen Yuan’s. Only then, when Xie Chengze ascended the throne in the future, would he listen to him rather than Shen Yuan.

Just before Sheng Shihai departed, Xie Chengze suddenly asked, “Why is Chief Sheng willing to support my promotion of the Technological Imperial Examination?”

Sheng Shihai paused mid-step, glanced back at him with an inscrutable flicker in his eyes, and replied with a smile, “Naturally, for the prosperity and strength of the nation.”

Beneath his smile lay a barely detectable ambition and arrogance.

—

Sheng Shihai’s suggestion indeed proved effective.

When Qiu Wenqi learned that his daughter was suffering mistreatment at the hands of the Hou Family, he immediately seized the mistress and illegitimate child, stormed into the Hou residence, and demanded an explanation. The Hou Family, however, was no pushover. They cited Qiu Ziqin’s failure to bear a child in three years and her inability to care for her in-laws as reasons to divorce her.

Qiu Wenqi naturally refused. The next day, he brought the dispute to the imperial court, loudly condemning Hou Yuanzhen for failing to discipline his son and pleading with Xie Chengze to deliver justice for his unfortunate daughter.

Some ministers argued that such domestic matters should not be brought to court, deeming it frivolous. Yet, Xie Chengze adopted the demeanor of an intrigued spectator and declared righteously, “You are mistaken! All esteemed ministers should know that I have always held deep concern for my officials. If even a single strand of your hair falls, I feel profound distress—wishing I could shed that hair in your stead!”

“Moreover, Minister Qiu is so heartbroken that it will inevitably hinder his official duties! To help Minister Qiu resolve his grievances and restore his former diligence, I must certainly deliver justice to ease his heart and renew his determination!” Xie Chengze proclaimed with resounding conviction.

The assembled officials fell into a speechless stupor.

Why did this feel like sophistry, yet somehow seem so reasonable?

And although the Second Prince was quick to confiscate properties and order executions, he genuinely cared for his ministers… Otherwise, why had he been the only one willing to rescue Lord Shen when he was trapped in the bandits’ den?

For loyal ministers, as long as the ruler was willing to admit mistakes, rehabilitate wronged officials, and not abandon those imprisoned, it was worth their utmost dedication until death.

Thus, the court officials no longer pursued Qiu Wenqi’s act of bringing family matters to the imperial court.

They even began to relish the drama with amusement.

“Minister Hou, your son and grandson have committed such inhuman acts—not only refusing to admit their faults but also attempting to shift all blame onto my daughter. You owe me an explanation!” Qiu Wenqi shouted sternly at Hou Yuanzhen.

“This…” Hou Yuanzhen frowned. Nearing sixty, his hair had long turned white, yet his expression still bore a stubborn and unyielding air, making it impossible to associate him with the term “senile.”

No wonder he had managed to hold his position until retirement age, still unwilling to step down.