The next day, Qin Dewei went to Teacher Zhang's house, where Xu Miaoxuan now lives and where he lives with Mrs. Li.
He originally wanted to find an opportunity to talk to Miss Li alone.
As a result, I was told that Xu Miaoxuan took Mrs. Li and Mrs. Tao next door to the temple fair together, saying that she wanted to show Mrs. Li the scenery of the capital.
Qin Dewei could only return disappointed, feeling that the situation was a bit out of control.
The next day, Zeng Mian was going to the Metropolitan Procuratorate for inspection and questioning.
When he was preparing his horse in the front yard and going out, he saw his son strolling out from the east courtyard and also asked someone to prepare his horse.
"I'll go with you, master," Qin Dewei said to his stepfather.
Zeng Xian smiled and said: "Today is not about the results, it is just about asking questions according to the process. Why do you have to do this?"
Qin Dewei said: "I can't let go. I'm afraid that you won't be able to handle things well, so I'll go and have a look."
Zeng Mian was a little confused, who was the father and who was the son?
However, a seventeen-year-old who is a good scholar and editor of the sixth grade, who has only been in officialdom for half a year and has begun to think about keeping a low profile and self-destruction, cannot be treated as an ordinary son.
The father and son rode towards the west. In fact, they arrived at the location of the Sanfa Division within a few steps.
After dismounting outside the gate of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Zeng Mian could naturally enter.
Qin Dewei waved his tooth tag, which symbolized his identity, and said that he was coming with Zeng Xian, so he also went in.
Then when they arrived at the front lobby, another clerk led Zeng Mian inside, and Qin Dewei followed him.
When Wang Tingxiang was still in the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Qin Dewei came here frequently. This time it was a familiar road and he came to a courtyard he had been to before.
When Qin Dewei was about to lament that things are right and people are wrong, he inadvertently glanced at the figure sitting in the hall.
Oops, isn't this the same old acquaintance Zuo Qiandu censor Lan Hongying? Things are the same, and people are not the same.
Yes, this is the place where Qin Dewei fought Li Kaixian, one of the Eight Talents of Jiajing and the head of the Ministry of Personnel, two and a half years ago. This is the place where he showed his "quarrel strength" as evidence.
Qin Dewei remembered clearly that at that time, Lan Qianxian was instructed by some important figures and had some ill intentions towards him, but in the end he was convinced by his strength.
Zeng Mian saluted Lan Qianxian, and then saw that Lan Qianxian did not return the salute, as if he was ignoring him and only staring behind him.
Zeng's father felt helpless in his heart. This cheap son's brilliance was too dazzling for his wife. Do we have to get used to this kind of treatment in the future?
But Lan Qianxian's tone was not very kind, and asked: "Today, the Metropolitan Procuratorate sent Master Zeng to ask questions. Why did you, Qin Xiuzhan, come here?"
Qin Dewei simply replied: "Nothing else, it's just filial piety. What's so strange about a son serving his father?"
Lan Qianxian patted the case and said: "The Procuratorate is conducting official questioning here, so there is no need for personal service!"
Qin Dewei directly retorted: "When a pro-people official tries a case, he cannot allow others to watch from outside the courtroom to show his fairness and selflessness!
Could it be that Sir Qianxian is not as broad-minded as a seventh-grade county magistrate, or are you selfish in your heart and would rather prevent others from fulfilling their filial piety than ban them from watching?"
Zeng Ming watched in astonishment as his son quarreled with the Shangguan who was in charge of the inspection. Before he came, he never expected that he, the rightful owner, would become completely transparent.
Lan Qianxian learned his lesson and did not argue with Qin Dewei. He shouted directly: "No matter what you say, I am the one who makes the decision here. If you are dissatisfied, please file a complaint separately!
Get out of here quickly! Otherwise, don’t blame me for not caring about Hanlin’s dignity and letting the officers escort you out!”
Qin Dewei sneered a few times and tugged at his stepfather's official robe: "Father, why waste your time and leave!"
Zeng Hou's father shouted: "Inspection is not a child's play, you can't mess around!"
Qin Dewei responded loudly: "It stands to reason that when important ministers such as the governor and the governor return to the capital procuratorate, it is the capital censor who will come forward to preside over the inspection.
But this time when my father returned to the Metropolitan Procuratorate, he only asked a censor from Qiandu to preside over it. Isn't this a piece of cake?
So I guess that this Lan Qianxian is just cannon fodder, no matter what he does!"
It sounded quite reasonable, so Zeng Mian asked again: "What about the inspection?"
Qin Dewei said without hesitation: "This errand in Liaodong involves the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Households plays a very important role, so it is quite special.
I can use my status as a former imperial envoy to write to the cabinet and ask the cabinet to come forward and investigate my father.
If it really doesn't work, I will try my best to be punished and report directly to the Emperor in the Golden Palace!"
The biggest advantage of being a Hanlin official is that you have many opportunities to contact the emperor. If you don't take advantage of this, what's the point of being a Hanlin official?
However, the father and son had just reached the entrance of the courtyard when they were stopped by someone: "Vice-President Mao, please stay!"
Vice-President Mao was Mao Bowen, the imperial censor of the Zuo Vice-President, a fellow countryman of Xia Yan in Jiangxi, and he had a good relationship with Qin Dewei at first.
This face must be given, so Zeng Mian and Qin Dewei waited in the courtyard again.
Qin Dewei said pointedly: "It seems that Master Mao has been paying attention to this side."
Not long after, I saw Vice Chairman Mao coming over in a hurry and talking to Lan Qianxian in the hall.
Then Vice President Mao said to Zeng Xian: "I may have misunderstood just now, please continue. Qin Xiu's filial piety is commendable. If you want to listen, you can listen."
Qin Dewei didn't say anything, he just said "haha" meaningfully.
Seeing that his son had no objection, Zeng Mian nodded in agreement, and then Mao Fuxian left.
Qin Dewei walked to the steps in front of the hall, raised his head and said to Lan Qianxian: "I am a sixth-rank Ci minister. If someone blocks my father's future, I will fight to the death even if I am demoted to the sixth rank! Anyway, I am still young and can afford to wait!"
A sixth-grade Ci official is equivalent to a fourth-grade magistrate in other places. If he is demoted to a sixth grade, he is a seventh-grade county magistrate, which is still within the scope of mainstream official positions.
For most officials, this is a disaster, but Qin Dewei is only seventeen years old, so he can afford to wait.
What can a CI minister do if he tries to demote him to the sixth level?
In the name of filial piety, Qin Zhuangyuan beat Lan Qianxian in public. As long as he didn't kill anyone, this might be the punishment.
It's not that there is no precedent. Qin Dewei's predecessor, the late leader of the retro-style faction Li Mengyang, even beat a relative of the country in the street.
Lan Qianxian's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. This threat seemed childish, but it was also too outrageous and infuriating.
Just because you are young and have a high rank, can you do whatever you want?
Zeng Mian felt that this son was too outrageous. He was an official and not a street thug. He slapped Qin Dewei and said, "Don't talk nonsense!"
Qin Dewei said plausibly: "My father taught me to be aboveboard, so my son I will say it outright, so why not!"
Zeng’s stepfather: “…”
You call this kind of face-to-face threat being aboveboard? What does it mean if it's not aboveboard?
Qin Dewei sneered and said: "If you don't want to be aboveboard, then you deliberately wait until Lan Qianxian has completed his inspection.
If the result is not ideal, I will find an opportunity to meet with His Majesty and resign directly in person, asking me to use my official position to make up for my father!
Look who will die at that time! Who will be unfair and force the youngest number one scholar to resign out of filial piety."
As he spoke, Qin Dewei turned to Lan Qianxian and tortured his soul: "So, you cannon fodder, have you figured it out? Why didn't Huo Tao come out to investigate in person, but entrusted you to do it?"
Lan Qianxian was angry, and couldn't bear it anymore and shouted: "I will submit a letter of resignation today! Mr. Zeng will wait for other arrangements!"
Zeng Mian hurriedly stepped forward to stop him: "Don't be like this, Qian Xian, it won't be a problem! The reason for this kid's incomprehensible speech is because of my incompetence in teaching him. I will teach you a lesson carefully when I get home!"