Xiao Guogong only narrowed his eyes. What does the emperor mean by this? Do you want to agree to King Hao's proposal and promote the Minister of Hubu? Hehe, the Minister of Hubu is not necessarily very discerning.
"Your Majesty, the person I am recommending this time is well-known in his hometown and can be said to be extremely wealthy. He must not be money-minded."
The emperor seemed quite interested.
"Oh? So, the Minister of Household Affairs recommended by the Duke this time is because of his ability in business and financial management?"
"Exactly, Your Majesty, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance recommended by King Hao is also an official in the imperial examination. His family is originally poor, so there is no guarantee that he will not be tempted by money. I learned my lesson this time and selected the most suitable candidate for the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."
Xiao Guogong glanced sideways at King Hao. He, Xiao Guogong, had been in charge of the six ministries together with the emperor for so many years. How could he allow others to snore next to his bed?
If he lets go now, it would be strange if the six ministries don't end up in a mess. Even the emperor doesn't dare to meddle in the six ministries at will. What can King Hao do?
The emperor nodded, thoughtfully.
"I think what the Duke said is true."
"Brother Royal!"
King Hao was a little anxious. The emperor's brother came to him to fight against Xiao Guogong. Isn't it to contain Xiao Guogong? How come in the end, the emperor's brother himself softened first?
"Your Majesty is wise!" Xiao Guogong had already complimented the emperor proudly. The Ministry of Household Affairs has been solved, is it still difficult for the Ministry of War?
The emperor watched the two people's reactions in his eyes, but he was unhurried.
"The Ministry of Accounts should really be handed over to people who have business and financial management acumen. In this regard, I and the Duke have the same opinion."
King Hao was very angry, thinking that he was really stupid, thinking that the emperor's brother had changed this time and saw clearly the true face of the Xiao family, so he would sincerely invite him to serve as director of the court.
In the end, he still sided with the Xiao family.
Unexpectedly, the emperor changed the subject.
"When it comes to business and financial management, it reminds me of a person."
"Who?"
At this time, neither King Hao nor Duke Xiao could guess the emperor's thoughts. Could it be that the emperor didn't agree with the proposals of both parties and there were other candidates?
"I remember that when the prince organized a donation during the drought in Licheng, I wrote a plaque on it for the business bank that had made the most donations."
As soon as the emperor said these words, King Hao was extremely surprised and rolled his eyes. Oh, he is so narrow-minded.
Why hadn't he thought of this? Since Xiao Guogong could recommend a businessman who had never taken the scientific examination, why couldn't he?
Duke Xiao Guogong frowned again. Naturally, he also remembered the boy from the Chu family who only donated one or two more silver than him and was the one who had his head on the merit monument.
"Brother Imperial, this is a first-class trading firm!"
King Hao immediately reminded him.
"Yes, a first-class trading firm. I still remember that the leader of this first-class trading firm is the youngest son of the Chu family. What is his name?"
"Chu Wenjin!"
King Hao suppressed his laughter to the point where he was almost hurt internally. With the emperor's memory, how could he not remember Chu Wenjin? However, he was happy to accompany the emperor and perform this play.
"No!"
Duke Xiao immediately spoke out to stop him.
"Your Majesty, the Chu family are relatives! General Chu already has a heavy army, and his second son Chu Wenhong is also a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy and commands the entire Hanlin Academy. If the third son Chu Wenjin is allowed to leapfrog and become the Minister of Household Affairs,
Whether the people of the world will accept it or not is another matter, isn’t it that the Chu family wants to be the only one in power and control the court?”
King Hao was really amused this time. When it comes to relatives, and when it comes to controlling the court, if he, Duke Xiao, is ranked second, who else dares to be ranked first?
"Xiao Guogong, don't forget that you are also a relative! You also hold great power, and there is a prince with half the blood of your Xiao family. According to what you said, if you recommend a branch of your Xiao family, wouldn't it be even more important?
A single family dominates the court?"
Xiao Guogong paused and found out that Concubine Xiao was dead. He had forgotten that he was once a relative who came to power, and that was why he had the glory he has today. But how could he admit it?
"King Hao is careful to say that I have worked hard all my life for the sake of Yunxiao Kingdom's eternal prosperity."
The emperor played with the walnuts in his hands harder and harder, and the two walnuts made a squeaking sound due to friction.
For the eternal prosperity of Yunxiao Kingdom, huh, luckily this old guy can say it.
Collaborating with foreign enemies to force him, the emperor and future prince, was all for the eternal prosperity of the Xiao family.
"Your Majesty, in terms of financial resources, the people recommended by me will never be inferior to Chu Wenjin."
Doesn’t the emperor have to choose the Minister of Household Affairs according to this standard? Then he crushed Chu Wenjin in this aspect. He has been in business for more than 20 years, but he can’t compare with the fledgling Chu Wenjin?
"Then did he donate money to Li City?" The emperor acted out of common sense.
"He is not in the capital. Naturally, he did not participate in the fundraising."
Duke Xiao suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart. Could it be that the emperor had already made up his mind and was just waiting for him to take the bait?
"As far as I know, there are some thoughtful businessmen from various places who send food and goods to Licheng. It all depends on whether they are benevolent or not. They are only interested in profit, harmony, and benefiting the world. Naturally, they are not on the same level."
King Hao clasped his fists and saluted the emperor:
"What the emperor said is really a wise saying. After hearing about Chu Wenjin, my brother often gave alms and provided quilts to the refugees a few days ago so that they could survive until the weather got warmer and the court rescued them. This kind of love for the people is exactly what we said.
This is something that all officials in our court should learn from."
Xiao Guogong despises those hypocrites the most. Showing kindness to a group of ants is a waste of life.
"Huh, King Hao and the Chu family are now in-laws, so they naturally help the Chu family speak for themselves. How old is Chu Wenjin? As far as I know, he is only seventeen years old. How can he take on such an important task and manage the household department?"
"Don't forget, Mr. Xiao Guo, that the emperor's brother and the Chu family are also relatives. Xiao Guogong, are you saying that the emperor's brother uses power for personal gain?"
Xiao Guogong clenched his fists, yes, how could the Chu family become the emperor's in-laws, and then the in-laws of King Hao, right under his nose?
In the past, he was too underestimating the enemy and did not take a martial artist seriously. Who would have thought that the children born to a martial artist would all look like spirits.
Thinking about his Duke Xiao Guo's children again, he almost wanted to spit out a mouthful of old blood.
But if he has a few such ambitious children, why does he need to do everything himself?
But no matter how unwilling he was, he could not be accused by King Hao of slandering the emperor.
"Your Majesty, it is clear that I did not mean this. I just did it for the consideration of the Ministry of Household Affairs."
"The Duke is right. Chu Wenjin is indeed too young and lacks experience."
Before Xiao Guogong could be happy, the emperor came to a conclusion:
"In this case, let the Minister of Hubu be promoted to the position of Minister of Hubu first, and Chu Wenjin will be appointed as the Minister of Hubu to assist the director of the Secretary of Hubu."
"Your Majesty is wise! My brother, on behalf of Chu Wenjin, would like to express my gratitude to the Lord for his kindness."
King Hao immediately accepted the order and thanked him.
"emperor!"
Duke Xiao wanted to say more, but the emperor had already waved his hand.
"Ahem, I'm tired. You guys, if you still hope that I can live a few more years, please stop bothering me a few times. As for the Minister of War, let's discuss it later. I think the Minister of War can handle it for the time being.
"
After the emperor finished speaking, he already stretched out his hand towards Eunuch Fu.
"Help me come in. I have spent these few days in vain. I want to take a nap. You can arrange the matter of delivering the order to Chu Wenjin later."
"Yes, please be careful, Your Majesty."
Eunuch Fu fulfilled his duties and helped the emperor into the inner room.
No matter how unwilling Duke Xiao was, he could not break into the emperor's bedroom and could only retire with King Hao. His heart was really filled with anger. How could he not notice for a moment and fall into the emperor's words?