noffsinger Chapter 1041 Imperial Decree to Confer an Official
Chapter 1041 Imperial Decree to Confer an Official
The next day.
When Shen Zheng stood up, it was already noon.
Just after breakfast, Nanny Gu came hurriedly to report, "Sir, the imperial procession will leave the Vermillion Bird Gate at 9:00 PM and arrive at your residence at 2:30 PM at the latest. Shall I call someone to help you change your clothes?"
The team delivering the imperial decree?
What time?
Shen Zheng shook her hungover head and asked uncertainly, "Imperial edict to confer an official title?"
The official document was submitted just yesterday, and the emperor issued an imperial decree today?
Are you thinking of... sending her back to Tongan County as soon as possible?
Gu Ma Ma nodded and said, "The messenger sent a message at 1:00 AM. I have already brought people to tidy up the front yard and the main hall. I just need you..."
Glancing at Shen Zheng's casual clothes, Nanny Gu showed a rare anxiety: "This old servant will help you change clothes, okay?"
Shen Zheng looked at the sun in the sky and asked in confusion, "There's still more than an hour left, which is plenty. Why are you in such a hurry today?"
It only takes half a quarter of an hour to change into the official robe, plus the walk to the front yard, it would take at most two quarters of an hour, which should be more than enough time.
Nanny Gu was stunned when she heard this.
I subconsciously thought - fourth rank!
That's the imperial decree conferring a fourth-rank official...
Anyone would be so excited about jumping two large steps that they wouldn't be able to sleep the whole night, and would even rush to get up and get ready before the rooster crows, right?
Her family, on the other hand, was not only hungover, but also showed no sign of anxiety after hearing the news...
It was as if to her, getting promoted and making money was just as simple as eating and sleeping.
After taking a breath, Nanny Gu thought secretly that the position of the first female official... was not something that just anyone could hold.
As a housekeeper from the palace, she still needs to temper her character in front of her master and must not embarrass him at the critical moment!
"I shouldn't have..." She bowed and saluted, racking her brains to pretend to be calm: "My lord, have you had breakfast? I'll have someone bring it over."
"I used it." Shen Zheng touched her belly, "You go ahead and do your work. I'll go change clothes."
Grandma Gu nodded quickly and respectfully left Ziyiju.
Half a minute later, when Shen Zheng walked out of the room again, she had already changed into a green official robe.
On the way to Zhenliuyuan, she touched her sleeves and lapels reluctantly, feeling reluctant to leave.
This was the official robe the Empress had specially made for her... In her past life, it would have been a true couture creation. But today, this might be the last time she wore it.
......
At the hour of Si, the Vermillion Bird Gate opened wide, and everyone saw a large eunuch leading a small eunuch and a team of Yulin soldiers, walking towards Yintai Street.
Remembering the emperor's order, Eunuch Hong deliberately did not send anyone to clear the way, but allowed the common people and officials' families to watch.
His feet moved so fast that he shortened the journey of two quarters of an hour to one and a half minutes.
When the team stopped at the gate of the Shen Mansion, the onlookers were shocked: "The Shen Mansion again?"
Someone who didn't understand what was going on asked, "What do you mean by 'again'?"
"It seems you don't know yet?" Someone explained, "Yesterday afternoon, the Minister of Personnel, Lord Xu, brought his niece... Prime Minister Cui's granddaughter, to visit and ask to be Master Shen's disciple!"
"Become a disciple?!" The man nearly lost his voice. "The Prime Minister's granddaughter is becoming a disciple of Lord Shen? My God, Lord Shen is so powerful... But then again, a young lady from a wealthy family can't possibly lose her reputation by becoming a disciple of a female master... And what about today? Why is there someone else in the palace?"
Everyone shook their heads and said “I don’t know”.
For a while, there were many speculations at the entrance of Shen's house.
Seeing that the atmosphere was almost set, Eunuch Hong gave Little Comb a wink.
Little Comb took a deep breath and shouted: "I am here——"
Shen Zheng had already been waiting for the imperial edict in the mansion. She was a little confused when she heard it - the mansion door was clearly wide open, why didn't the team delivering the edict come in and shout?
Suppressing her doubts, she led everyone out of the house.
When he looked up, he saw Eunuch Hong: "Hong..."
When Eunuch Hong saw her, it was as if a switch had been pressed. Without even waiting for her to ask him to come in, he shouted, "The imperial edict has arrived—"
Shen Zheng was puzzled and turned to look at Grandma Gu.
Isn’t it said that welcoming the imperial edict of appointing an official requires a sense of ceremony?
Do you have to invite the person in first, exchange a few pleasantries, then ask them to sit in the main hall, and finally announce the decree in front of the desk?
Why is Eunuch Hong so impatient today? He doesn't even bother to go through the formalities.
"The imperial edict arrives——"
Just as he was thinking about it, Eunuch Hong shouted again.
Outside the mansion gate, everyone knelt down like rice being harvested by a sickle.
Shen Zheng also led everyone in the Shen Mansion to kneel down.
Fang Ziyan was standing behind her, trembling with excitement. "Zhao, Zhao Qi, you must remember this scene today carefully. Write it down with a pen and paper, and show it to Master when you get back!"
It's such a big event, and it's a pity that the master and his friends are not here...
Xiao Yuan behind him also swallowed his saliva.
Mother, my son has really made it big. He can kneel down at the foot of the imperial city and wait for the eunuch to announce the decree...
"Ministry of Works Inspector and Tongan County Magistrate Shen Zheng received the order—"
Upon hearing this, Shen Zheng leaned forward, resting her forehead on the warm stone slab, and waited quietly for Eunuch Hong to announce the decree.
In this brief moment, her heart, which had been calm for a long time, became unconsciously excited, and she finally felt the reality of "being promoted soon".
A fourth-rank official...
It seems really high.
When she first came to this world, her mind was full of thoughts about how to avoid being demoted. Unexpectedly, after the sun rose and set hundreds of times, she had actually risen several levels.
"The Emperor, by the Will of Heaven, proclaims—"
Eunuch Hong's voice rang out: "Shen Zheng, the magistrate of Tongan County and the inspector of the Ministry of Works, has a heart for the people and has made outstanding achievements. While in Tongan County, he cultivated high-yield rice to alleviate famine, invented textile machines to benefit the people, and created movable type printing to promote literary style. After entering the capital, he repeatedly proposed innovative methods and improved dam construction methods, all of which benefited the country."
"I consider him both talented and virtuous, and worthy of the important task. I have specially promoted him to the position of Assistant Director of the Six Ministries, a rank of Fourth Rank. This position allows him to attend the meetings of the six ministries, offer frank advice, and his proposals will be given priority for implementation by the six ministries. In addition, I grant him the 'Assistant Director Seal', which allows him to report directly to the emperor if he shirks responsibility!"
"Positive fourth grade!"
Before the imperial edict was finished, the people outside the palace began to boil.
"Wasn't Lord Shen a sixth-rank official before? How did he suddenly become a fourth-rank official? How many ranks did he jump?"
"Fiveth rank, fifth rank, fourth rank, and then...sixth rank."
"Oh my God! Is Lord Shen going back to Tongan County?"
"You're not going back, are you? How can you manage the six ministries if you're not in the capital?"
"What do you think... can the six ministries be managed? They are all veteran officials in the court. It's a bit embarrassing to be managed by a female official..."
"cough--"
Hearing this, Eunuch Hong coughed heavily and interrupted them.
"Since you care about Tong'an County, I will return to Liuyang Prefecture to perform your duties. When your three-year term is complete, you will return to the capital. I agree to your request. During this period, your responsibilities as assistants to the six ministries will not be reduced, and you may discuss government affairs from afar."