Eunuch Chen has arrived?
All the sub-yuan candidates present were shocked.
Even for the appointment of jinshi degree holders, this important figure wouldn't necessarily show up.
Because among all the eunuchs, he was the most distinguished.
Even the Three Excellencies and the dukes had to treat him with courtesy and respect.
Beyond his role as the Emperor's proxy, able to whisper in the imperial ear from time to time, the eunuchs of Great Yu did possess some real power.
The Jinyiwei could be considered their direct "subordinates," and the massive eunuch system was also the foundation of the Emperor's control over local regions.
The eunuchs of almost every dynasty wielded tremendous power.
After all, their unique physical condition meant the Emperor trusted them more than anyone else, including the Empress and the princes.
So with his arrival, everyone immediately understood—the Emperor had sent a signal.
"Minister Ouyang."
After Eunuch Chen entered, he greeted Ouyang Ke, who actively stepped forward to welcome him.
"Is Eunuch Chen's health well?" Ouyang Ke said with a smile.
"We castrated folk have this one advantage—few desires and a tranquil heart. With proper rest and recuperation, we're largely immune to heat and cold," Chen Bao said self-mockingly.
"You jest, Eunuch. This old man is becoming increasingly useless. It seems I'll need to step aside for others sooner rather than later."
"How can Minister Ouyang speak of retirement when you're still in your prime? After you retire, who would dare take your place?"
"You flatter me, Eunuch."
After Ouyang Ke's humble self-deprecation, he supported the other man and extended his other hand: "Please."
"Please."
With that, the two entered the main hall.
At this moment, all the sub-yuan candidates had already bowed deeply in respectful greeting.
To speak bluntly, Eunuch Chen only bowed and scraped before the Emperor.
Outside the palace, he was the Emperor.
"Master Qian Sun?" Chen Bao asked.
"Replying to the Eunuch, this humble one is Sun Qian," Sun Qian quickly responded.
Smiling as he looked him over, Chen Bao said with emotion: "When this servant was young, I had old ties with the Minister. You look just like him—practically carved from the same mold. That handsome face truly captivates all of Sheng'an."
"Many thanks for the Eunuch's praise. Qian is overwhelmed with trepidation."
"Good, good, good. You placed first among the sub-yuan this time, correct?" Chen Bao said approvingly. "You have your father's style. I hope you'll also follow Minister Sun's example and become a capable minister who aids the nation, a great minister who supports the state."
Eunuch Chen's words represented the Emperor's meaning.
And these words carried significant weight.
This allowed Sun Qian to recover all the face he'd lost these past days in one stroke.
"Qian will certainly not disappoint the Eunuch's high praise and serve the nation with loyal devotion!"
"Good."
After finishing with Sun Qian, Eunuch Chen looked toward Song Shi'an, and the pleasant expression on his face immediately vanished: "You must be the jieyuan, correct?"
"Replying to the Eunuch, this humble one is Song Shi'an."
Song Shi'an answered calmly.
"You do have some talent, and your poems are fairly good."
Staring at him somewhat coldly, Eunuch Chen's tone was full of severity: "But at such a young age, you lack insight. You're not qualified to call yourself part of the righteous faction, and you shouldn't have offended Minister Sun. If you don't change this habit of acting petulant when drunk, it will eventually lead to disaster."
"Yes."
Song Shi'an responded.
Hearing these words, the others looked over carefully. Even though he was scolding Song Shi'an, whom they all wanted to scold, they couldn't help but feel alarmed.
"Your heart's gratitude toward the Emperor is admirable, but you still don't understand the principle that 'haste makes waste.'"
After this slight acknowledgment, Chen Bao offered casual advice: "Whether you're seeking wealth and status, or truly wish to serve the nation, you should properly temper yourself first before talking about it."
"Yes."
Song Shi'an remained calm in his acceptance.
"Minister Ouyang, let us proceed."
Soon after, Chen Bao's smile returned.
The two supremely noble figures walked side by side into the inner chamber.
Leaving the ten sub-yuan candidates to await the summons.
After the important figures departed, they relaxed slightly.
Then, looking down on Song Shi'an who had been "stepped on" in this display of "stepping on one to elevate another," they couldn't help but feel secretly pleased.
Han Zhongchen in particular felt so good he was about to burst.
But suddenly, Sun Qian, who had also been feeling triumphant, came to a realization.
No.
This wasn't about elevating himself by putting down Song Shi'an.
This was clearly protecting him!
Earlier, that bastard Song Shi'an had made the bold declaration "Why shouldn't a man carry a Yu saber?"
As a result, he'd become a sensation throughout all of Sheng'an.
Everyone was anticipating how this jieyuan, who placed first in both examinations, would put his words into action and unite knowledge with practice.
Elevated to such heights, he had to choose the most arduous and dangerous posting.
Otherwise he'd just be full of empty talk.
But now, the Emperor's proxy Eunuch Chen had severely criticized and lectured him, and moreover given clear instructions—properly temper yourself first before talking about it.
He had to take this way out, or else he'd be defying the sacred will. Though Eunuch Chen himself hadn't said this was "the sacred will."
In fact, even if he took this way out, others couldn't mock him for it.
Eunuch Chen told him to temper himself—who would dare sing a contrary tune?
What seemed like stepping on one to elevate another was actually clear favoritism—favoritism toward Song Shi'an!
Is this what it means to be the Emperor's man?
Fan Wuji felt Song Shi'an had taught him a profound lesson, as if he could see glory radiating from him.
As long as he followed Eunuch Chen's meaning and properly tempered himself, this jieyuan who only ranked a few places higher than them had already pulled far ahead on the path of officialdom!
"Jieyuan Song Shi'an, enter the chamber!"
Following the announcement, Song Shi'an, who had remained expressionless throughout, entered the inner chamber.
Seated above were two people: Chen Bao and Ouyang Ke.
These two mountains—simply being connected to them would allow one to act with impunity anywhere in the realm.
And these two were now plotting his future.
Song Shi'an was a clever man. He shouldn't fail to understand my meaning.
Those two essays couldn't have been written by some reckless fool.
What he needed was just an affirmation from the Emperor.
I'm willing to be a blade for the Emperor—but is the Emperor willing to wield me as that blade?
Now Eunuch Chen had told him: No rush, you are the Emperor's blade. And before you reveal your edge, he'll properly sharpen and protect you.
With this sense of security, go ahead and do it.
Looking at this handsome rising star before him with a faint smile, Ouyang Ke was even more certain his decision was correct.
Especially after the defeat at Northern Liang, military farming wasn't just something His Majesty had to do—it had to succeed.
Having weathered the ups and downs of officialdom for decades, Ouyang Ke deeply understood one principle—in a human life of several decades, if you can accomplish one thing, that's already greatness.
"Song Shi'an."
The procedures began as Yu Xiu, standing beside the two men, spoke: "The Secretariat has examined your two essays and personal record. They believe you're suitable for positions in the Ministry of Agriculture, the military, as a subordinate official to a prefect, as a chief clerk, or as a county magistrate. Of course, how you'll be appointed is proposed by the Secretariat and personally decided by His Majesty, but you may share your own thoughts."
"This official is willing to serve as county magistrate."
Song Shi'an stated firmly.
"Have you looked into which counties have vacancies, where the magistrate will soon retire, or be demoted or transferred?" Yu Xiu said. "If you don't know, I can explain in detail."
"This official is aware."
"Then do you have a county in mind where you'd like to serve?"
Yu Xiu reminded him: "For some counties where the magistrate won't retire for another half year, you can also name them. You could temporarily serve concurrently as deputy magistrate while still holding the rank of Rank 7."
"May I also ask about counties where the magistrate has no plans to retire or be transferred?" Song Shi'an asked.
Yu Xiu didn't answer, only slowly looked toward Ouyang Ke.
Ouyang Ke nodded slightly and said: "Speak."
"My lord."
Slowly raising his head to look at the two men, Song Shi'an's eyes were as calm as still water as he spoke: "I wish to serve as magistrate of Shuofeng County."