Three days later, there will be the imperial examination.
Emperor Beichen appointed Shen Huaiting as the number one scholar and Shen Chi as the second in the court.
In the main hall, Emperor Beichen appointed Shen Huaiting as the Prime Minister of the country and Shen Chi as the Minister of Dali Temple. There was a sensation in the court.
The courtiers were startled for a while. It was only after Shen Huaiting received the order and thanked him that someone came to their senses and shouted: "Your Majesty, there has never been a precedent for a champion to rise to the top in one step.
Although Shen Huaiting is talented, he is young and has no experience. How can he command hundreds of officials and convince the courtiers? I hope your Majesty will think twice!"
Emperor Beichen glanced at the person who stood up. It was Zhang Wenyuan, the Minister of Personnel.
He said: "Zhang Aiqing thinks, who in the DPRK can shoulder the position of Prime Minister?"
Zhang Wenyuan was stunned for a moment. After the entire Han Prime Minister family was wiped out, this position was vacant. Several of their ministers who were lucky enough not to be implicated were all waiting for this opportunity.
Who would have thought that His Majesty would actually give such an important position to a fledgling boy? How could they be convinced by this?
He lowered his head and said: "The position of Prime Minister is the head of all ministers, so you should be careful when choosing one."
Yuan Chen stood up and said: "It was Gu's suggestion that my father choose Shen Huaiting as prime minister.
If you ministers have any dissatisfaction, please tell me."
Zhang Wenyuan woke up and said: "Aren't you afraid of criticism from the courtiers and the people for your Highness's move? The new champion has reached the top in one step. Once this precedent is set, how will we veterans who have served Beichen conscientiously for more than ten years feel?"
Other officials of the second rank and above nodded their heads. It was clear that they were only one step away from reaching the peak of power, but they didn't expect that His Highness the Crown Prince would show up like this.
Shen Chi's official position was okay, and there was no conflict with them, but Shen Huaiting was different. Who didn't covet the chancellor of a country, so why should he take advantage of a boy who didn't even have a full head of hair?
Yuan Chen said: "Don't you guys should reflect on it? Why would I rather choose a new scholar to be the prime minister than consider you old ministers?
Do you think that because you have not participated in the rebellion of Prime Minister Han and Yuan Hao, you are sincere to Beichen?
Ask yourself, do you want to sit on the position of Prime Minister to gain higher rights, or do you want to share the worries of the emperor and the people?
You have been immersed in official circles for decades and have long forgotten your original intentions. All you care about is your own and your family's interests.
If you are allowed to sit in this position, you will only become another Korean Prime Minister.
If you are not convinced, I can give you a chance, as long as you dare to stand up today and say that you have no trace of evil, a breeze on your sleeves, and a whole body of righteousness.
In the decades since I have been an official, I have never used my power for personal gain, and I have never felt ashamed of my heart or the people.
As long as you dare to recognize it, I will give you the position of prime minister!
But if there is even half a lie, it will be a capital crime for deceiving the emperor."
As he spoke, he glanced at the ministers and said, "Come on, who will stand up first?
Don’t you, Mr. Zhang, have the most opinions? Why don’t you come first?”
Zhang Wenyuan trembled with fright, his heart was in a state of confusion. They were in high positions, how could their hands be clean?
When Yuan Chen saw that he didn't speak, he snorted and said, "Master Zhang, why don't you speak? How did you get that concubine? Do you need me to have a good chat with you?"
When he mentioned his concubine, Zhang Wenyuan's expression changed. His legs softened and he knelt on the ground with a thud and said: "Your Majesty... Your Highness, I... I know I was wrong!"
Yuan Chen curled his lips, looked at the other people and said, "There are also good things you have done. Do you need to tell you one by one?"
Everyone was terrified, and everyone was frightened out of their wits. Does His Highness the Crown Prince hold a handle on them?