The Sage of Confucianism and Taoism

No one spoke anymore, and Fang Yuncai ate quietly. He found that it didn't matter that he hadn't eaten all day. He had the talent to support him, but when he really wanted to eat, the food on the table seemed not enough for him.

Every dish is almost finished, the plates disappear, and soon new dishes will appear. The wine is endless, and someone is silently maintaining this banquet.

Fang Yun knew in his heart that it was the Whale King who was helping out. The six-table banquet required at least twenty or thirty chefs or helpers to be on call at any time.

Fang Yun ate the food on the table in silence, and Li Wenying suddenly looked up, his eyes slightly bright, and said: "The imperial court's reward has come."

The others also raised their heads and listened carefully while sending replies to Hongyan's letter.

Fang Yun said: "Please let me know, sir."

Li Wenying said: "The title has been decided. The left prime minister is the first to ask for the title of Marquis of Zhou, and it is Marquis Wen who is of the same rank as the third rank."

"Congratulations to Marquis Fang Wen." Jingguo's officials and literati stood up together and bowed respectfully. Even though Fang Yun was only a young man, they did not show any signs of neglect.

From today on, Fang Yun's status will be the same as that of a third-grade official.

Other people with lower status also stood up to congratulate, while those with higher status sat down to congratulate.

Fang Yun sat firmly on the chair, with his waist straight, looking at everyone with a faint smile, nodded, and said: "Everyone, please sit down."

Almost instantly, Fang Yun seemed to have an extra layer of official authority, and even his gaze became more majestic and profound.

Many people praised him in their hearts, but it would be rude if Fang Yun was as humble or indifferent as before.

Yang Yuhuan moved slightly and was restless. She secretly observed Fang Yun and found that Fang Yun was a little strange at the moment, resembling those officials sitting in eight-carriage sedans.

When everyone sat down, Fang Yun's official authority gradually faded away. He glanced at Yang Yuhuan, gently shook her hand under the table, and then let go.

A blush flashed across Yang Yuhuan's face, and her heart was filled with emotion. Fang Yun could have explained or explained to her afterwards, but now he used this kind of behavior to tell her that she had not changed, which almost melted her heart.

The little fox was puzzled. He tilted his head slightly and looked at Yang Yuhuan's hand. Then he stretched out his paw and pressed it on Yang Yuhuan's hand. After careful observation, he found that Yang Yuhuan's expression did not change at all. He sighed and retracted his paw.

Li Wenying nodded, his eyes full of praise, and said: "In addition, your "Three Character Classic" has entered the Holy Temple, and you have been promoted to a literary officer. Lead the elites of the human race to the Comet Corridor, and the Holy Temple recommends you to be promoted. Level 1. Li Dou Xizhou, an exceptional promotion to two levels. If you have already passed the imperial examination and can enter politics, what rank will you get?"

Fang Yun recalled briefly and said, "It's the fourth grade."

Several officials almost rolled their eyes, this was so scary.

The rank of Marquis Wen from the third rank is high, but it only has a title and no real power. Although everyone here will respect him, Marquis Wen's power is not as good as that of a county magistrate.

But the fourth-grade civil servants are different. Once Fang Yun passes the palace examination, the court must arrange for him a position corresponding to the fourth-grade official. No matter whether that position is important or not, it can actually exercise the power of the fourth-grade official.

For those who aspire to the Holy Way, official positions in the country are far less important than those in the Holy Academy. However, 99% or more of the literati cannot seek positions in the Holy Academy and can only serve as officials in various countries.

Even Zeng Yuan, who was used to seeing the big world, looked at Fang Yun and was speechless. Not to mention that their Zeng family was from the Yasheng family, even the Kong family from the Saint family could not directly become the fourth grade after passing the palace examination. official.

"If I remember correctly, Chen Qingzhi, the white-robed half-sage of the Wu Kingdom, had outstanding military exploits when he was young. After becoming a Jinshi, he only served as a general of the fifth rank. He was unprecedented and unprecedented. Now, he is the number one 'common official' in the history." Fang Yun is the only one.”

Feng Zimo said: "Firstly, if Fang Yun can win the first prize, he will be promoted to an official level. Secondly, it will be at least one year before the end of the palace examination that Fang Yun participated in. If he only has to make one more contribution, it will be huge. "

Magistrate Dong exclaimed softly: "Fang Yun won't become a third-rank official after the palace examination, right? The governor of Yizhou is only a third-rank official! Jianmei Gong is only a third-rank official at this time!"

Li Wenying shook his head helplessly. Although his literary skills could reach the second level and served as six ministers, he was more than thirty years older than Fang Yun.

"Unknowingly, Fang Yun... no, Fang Wenhou turned out to be a monster. It can be said that he is just talented in Ci Chuanxia, ​​but for the 'Buyi Third Grade', only solid literary skills can do it, and there is no moisture in it." Chen Zhiling road.

"Forget it, people are so annoying when compared to each other. I worked hard until I was over 40 years old, but I can only serve as a prefect. Marquis Fang Wen is better. As long as he officially becomes an official, he will be at least four levels higher than me!"

"Master Li, say something else! It's better not to mention this kind of news that makes us sad!" Zeng Yuan said.

Everyone couldn't help but laugh, and Fang Yun himself also laughed helplessly. He would rather trade this fourth-grade official position for a direct promotion to Jinshi, but unfortunately he couldn't.

Li Wenying continued: "Female the Prince's Young Master."

No one was surprised this time. Fang Yun was the prince's attendant before, but now he has made such a great contribution and became the prince's young master. He can be regarded as the prince's teacher. Although it is a false title, and Jingguo does not even have a prince, but the prince's young master is a very special kind of teacher. High honor, if there is a prince, the position of the prince's young master will be the cornerstone of future ministers.

"Seal the cabinet and walk." Li Wenying showed a faint smile on his face and scanned everyone to observe their reactions.

This time everyone was completely speechless, and Fang Yun was actually given the real power to participate in politics!

The cabinet is the highest official organization in a country. It is nominally responsible for all powers except military power, because military power belongs to the king. However, in fact, because the generalissimo is also a member of the cabinet, the cabinet already controls all the power of Jingguo.

The cabinet is divided into three levels.

The first is the four prime ministers, namely the left prime minister, the right prime minister, the assistant prime minister and the literary prime minister. They have the highest status and can change a country's national policy.

The second level is the cabinet consultation, which includes six ministers, nine ministers, several important ministers in the military, and several important officials such as Li Wenying. There are less than thirty people. Once the four prime ministers cannot reach an agreement, cabinet consultation is required. , and although the choice of cabinet counselors cannot change a country's national policy, it can affect it.

The third level is the cabinet walk. During normal cabinet meetings, the cabinet walk has no say. If something particularly important happens, officials with the cabinet walk seal can participate in the decision-making and discuss the country's affairs. Everyone has an influence on a state. ability.

Only Li Wenying in Jiangzhou is a cabinet counselor, ranking second among Jingguo officials. Ge Zhoumu and Dudu Lu are among the cabinet ministers. Except for these three, no current officials in Jiangzhou are in the cabinet. , but there are a few bachelors or Hanlin who have returned home to retire. They still have the title of cabinet minister, but they basically will not participate in political affairs.

With the title of cabinet minister, there is no doubt that Fang Yun is already the fourth person in Jiangzhou. As long as Fang Yun is willing, he can directly participate in cabinet meetings and go directly to court with all civil and military officials.

The most powerful power of the cabinet is that, whether in the military, the government or the academy, once something big happens, as long as there are no officials of the third grade, Fang Yun can take over everything and immediately become the highest official. Everyone must Listen to him and have the right to kill first and report later.

Everyone present knew the officialdom very well. Even if Fang Yun directly entered the third rank in the future, he might go to a lengyamen with not very powerful power. But now he directly obtained the title of cabinet minister, which meant that Fang Yun gained great power several years in advance.

"The Queen Mother values ​​you very much. You must not let down the Queen Mother's expectations." Magistrate Dong's tone was extremely serious. Only these officials know how important this title is. The highest expectation of most officials in Jingguo in this life is " Cabinet Walk”.

Fang Yun nodded silently. He was also surprised by this additional title. With this additional title, even if he did not have an actual official position, he still had great power. It was just a matter of words to win a county magistrate.

Fang Yun thought of the "Four Praises" made by the Queen Mother that day. She named him a model of literary men. It was definitely not just as simple as adding a literary name, but more like protecting him. This time, she directly sealed him in the cabinet and acted as a talisman. .

Although the amulet is good, it also means that there is a huge threat coming.

"I can almost imagine the quarrel in the court. The title of cabinet minister will definitely cause huge controversy." Feng Zimo shook his head.

"I didn't even dare to allow Fang Yun to be granted the title of 'Cabinet Walk' in the memorial to plead for credit for Fang Yun. However, it is enough for Wenhou Wen to suppress the Qing Kingdom and gain this real power. After all... his ambition is not in the Jing Kingdom." Magistrate Dong said .

Everyone knew in their hearts that there was no room for dragons in Jingguo, and the Holy Court was the final place for Fang Yun.

"It's a good thing. With the canonization of Marquis Wen and the seal of cabinet walking, Fang Yun has been able to recruit a private team, and his future safety is greatly guaranteed. I am curious about the attitude of the left prime minister at this court meeting. "

Li Wenying said: "He rarely spoke, but every word he said was to help Fang Yun. Only when the Queen Mother promoted him to serve as a cabinet minister, the left prime minister was reluctant to make a decision, and finally agreed reluctantly."

"Could it be that the left prime minister has changed his temper?"

"It seems that Zuo Xiang couldn't do anything and had to agree. As before, he sent his lackeys to oppose the proposal, and he made the final decision based on the debate on the spot."

"That's what I expected."

"Fang Yun should find a way to deal with the private soldiers. It is extremely important and affects your life. If you don't have it now, I can help you connect and select some docile monsters from the saints' families to be your private soldiers." Zeng Yuan road.

Fang Yun thought of what he had seen in Kongcheng, where the demons and barbarians had been completely tamed, and it was best to be a private soldier.

"Thank you, Brother Zeng. I will slowly look for private soldiers. Maybe I will trouble you soon." Fang Yun said.

"No trouble. Master Li, please continue." Zeng Yuan said.

Li Wenying said: "Not only did Fang Yun and his children and descendants receive titles, but his parents also received posthumous titles. And Yang Yuhuan was valued by the Queen Mother. He was first granted the title of Sixth Grade, and was also granted the title of Walking in the Palace. Later, he went to the capital. , you can enter the palace and listen to the Queen Mother’s teachings.”

"Thank you, Queen Mother." Yang Yuhuan said hurriedly.