“But, Third Young Master.” The official said with a bitter smile. “Now there’s the Grand Tutor.”
The Grand Tutor was very willing to support people who had grudges against the Xie clan. This time, the Liang father and son had only achieved minor military merit, but if the Grand Tutor intended to support them, he could help them rise swiftly, becoming the Grand Tutor’s lackeys, opposing the Xie clan at every turn. Very troublesome indeed.
For this kind of matter, one must prevent problems before they arose. Directly cut off the Liang clan’s lifeline. The Liang clan could forget about getting military merit.
Xie Yanfang looked at the official and nodded: “I know your intentions, but if this matter were done, it would instead lose the greater for the lesser. In this critical time of warfare, suppressing military merit and not approving it would give others a handle. The Grand Tutor could pursue it as the crime of shaking military morale. The Xie clan would also offend the entire border commandery army—”
He picked up the document, paused, then smiled.
“Better to let the Grand Tutor make the decision himself. Then it has nothing to do with me.”
The official seemed not to understand. Xie Yanfang gestured to him. The official hurried closer and listened to Xie Yanfang whisper a few sentences. A smile appeared on his face.
“This subordinate understands.” The official said with a smile, accepting the military report and bowing in farewell.
Where the Grand Tutor was located was the busiest place in the imperial city. Before the officials on this side finished their requests, those on the other side were already pushing forward. Finally when they had all finished, the clerks beside the Grand Tutor raised their hands to block the remaining people.
“Stop, all of you. Take turns, take turns eating. The Grand Tutor hasn’t eaten yet.” They said sternly.
The clerks before the Grand Tutor also couldn’t be underestimated. Though they all held insignificant scattered positions, they were all Deng Yi’s own people—his own people who had paid him money.
The money wasn’t small amounts, nor could ordinary families afford it. They were all from powerful aristocratic families. They sent money, Deng Yi arranged positions, and thus everyone became his own people.
The powerful aristocratic families gained opportunities, while Deng Yi gained supporters and assistance. Each took what they needed, everyone happy.
These clerks had considerable family backgrounds. The officials couldn’t look down on them and had to curry favor with the clerks to see Deng Yi.
Hearing the clerks’ words now, they could only withdraw.
“Remember to call me first after the Grand Tutor finishes eating.” Another official said quietly to a clerk while simultaneously using the pretense of adjusting his sleeve to slip a jade pendant to that clerk.
The clerk calmly and impassively accepted it.
This scene was seen by many. Someone shook his head helplessly: “How is this any different from when the Crown Prince governed before?”
Back then, the former Emperor didn’t handle court affairs, the Crown Prince was obsessed with archery and riding, the Yang clan was tyrannical, and the archery and riding officials ran rampant, amassing wealth just like this—
They had hoped that with the new Emperor and new Grand Tutor there would be a new atmosphere.
But looking now, they had thought too much. The former Emperor had absurdly found such a low-born clerk to be regent Grand Tutor. This Great Xia court would only become more absurd.
“We can’t say it like that.” Another official said quietly. “No matter what, the Grand Tutor hasn’t neglected court affairs. He handles them extremely quickly, accurately, steadily, and well—”
Yet another official nodded: “Let him collect money. Let him dominate power. As long as he does the work, let’s just endure these few years.”
Great Xia truly had disasters and difficulties.
Look at now—a little Emperor, an empress without propriety, a Grand Tutor intent on amassing wealth and dominating power. Well, fortunately, there was still Third Young Master Xie.
The officials withdrew to the corridor outside the hall, each with their own thoughts. But one official who had just arrived refused to withdraw and kept charging inside.
“Grand Tutor, this is urgent from the border commandery. General Chu said military merit must be rewarded immediately and cannot be delayed.” He shouted, holding up the documents in his hands.
Deng Yi, who had just sat down at the eating table with two clerks wiping his hands, raised his eyes slightly.
“What words are these?” He said. “Besides fighting wars, does General Chu now want to dominate the court as well?”
Hearing his words, the clerks standing at the door no longer hesitated and reached out to restrain the official trying to charge inside.
“Get out!” They shouted.
The official, being scholarly and weak, was pushed and staggered backward holding his documents.
The hall doors slammed shut with a bang.