“Lord Zhao said verbal promises carry no weight. Besides, the Military Selection Division currently has no vacancies, so even with the best intentions, there’s nothing he can do,” Li Quan reported with his head lowered.
Duan Mingxi wasn’t surprised; someone who had reached Zhao Xun’s position in the Military Selection Division was no simple figure.
In matters of appointments, civil officials fell under the Ministry of Personnel, while military officials were managed by the Ministry of War.
The Military Selection Division oversaw the selection, promotion, reassignment, succession, and rewards of military officials.
The Crown Prince had worked hard to plant his people in the Ministry of War, specifically targeting the low-profile yet powerful yuanwailang position. Mingxi now had her sights set on the same role.
If Second or Third Master Duan were to take the position, it would draw immediate attention and sabotage attempts. But if Duan Yu, young and holding the title of shizi, were placed in the role, others would assume the Old Master had arranged it for him.
To everyone else, Duan Yu would look like a mere figurehead.
And that was exactly what Mingxi wanted.
A “figurehead” could become a sharp blade in the right hands.
“Take this item to Lord Zhao and tell him that a vacancy in the Military Selection Division will soon appear. When the time comes, I ask for his assistance.”
Li Quan carefully took the thin sheet of paper, tucked it away, and withdrew.
***
Zhao Xun’s expression shifted repeatedly as he stared at the pawn ticket in his hand. His attitude toward Li Quan was no longer as dismissive as before.
“Who is your master, really?” Zhao Xun asked.
Li Quan smiled. “My master says names are trivial and unimportant; Lord Zhao need not concern himself.”
Realizing he wouldn’t get an answer, Zhao Xun tightened his grip on the pawn ticket, taking a deep breath. “At present, there are no vacancies in the Military Selection Division. But if a position does open up as your master claims, I will do my best.”
“Rest assured, Lord Zhao,” Li Quan replied with a beaming smile. “Once the matter is resolved, I will personally return your item to you.”
The “item” referred to the object Zhao Xun had once pawned. If it hadn’t been brought to his attention, he might have forgotten it entirely—a dangerous item, no less.
Zhao Xun left himself an out: if a vacancy arose, he would help; if not, he wouldn’t be responsible.
However, Zhao Xun could never have expected what would happen next.
The very next morning during court, an official accused the yuanwailang of the Military Selection Division, Chen Qikang, of taking bribes, abuse of power, and embezzling government funds. The evidence was irrefutable, leaving no room for denial.
The Emperor, furious, ordered the Ministry of Justice to investigate thoroughly.
Chen Qikang was done for.
The yuanwailang position was now vacant.
Cold sweat broke out over Zhao Xun as he realized this was no coincidence.
Marquis Dingyuan may have fallen from grace, but the Old Master still had considerable influence.
To secure this position for his grandson, he had acted ruthlessly.
After all, Zhao Xun had trailed Li Quan and discovered he had entered the Marquis Dingyuan’s estate. Who else but the Old Master could orchestrate such a move?
A seemingly dying beast still had venom in its bite.
Zhao Xun spent a sleepless night with bloodshot eyes and dark circles, weighing his options carefully. The next day, he officially recommended Duan Yu for the position.
The vacancy in the Military Selection Division caused a stir in the capital, with many flocking to investigate the situation.
Zhao Xun’s reasoning to the Shangshu of the Ministry of War was that offending any of the major families was unwise. Instead, it was better to choose someone with decent family background but little capability as a transitional appointee.
Such a person, appointed as an yuanwailang would be easier to control and, at the same time, silence external criticisms. Once things settled down, they could always find an excuse to remove the individual.
This was precisely Zhao Xun’s plan: once he secured what he wanted, whether Duan Yu could maintain the position was none of his concern.
If Duan Yu failed to hold on to his post, it would simply be a reflection of his incompetence.
***
The Dingyuan Marquis household was in an uproar.
Duan Yu had been promoted to yuanwailang of the Ministry of War.
The old Master summoned him to ask for an explanation. Still somewhat in disbelief, Duan Yu, his steps light and unsteady, recounted the series of events.
“You’re saying Mingxi secured this position for you?”
Duan Yu nodded. He had wanted an official position, but never in his wildest dreams did he imagine his younger sister would land him a role in the Ministry of War, and as a yuanwailang, no less.
It felt like a poor man suddenly striking it rich—a windfall so overwhelming it left him utterly dazed.
The Old Master furrowed his brows deeply. This was certainly a shocking surprise.
“Do you know how Mingxi managed it?” the old Master asked gravely.
Duan Yu shook his head.
Useless!
The old Master glared at his grandson.
Duan Yu, feeling awkward, muttered softly, “Grandfather, I’m afraid I won’t do well in this role.”
He’d hoped for a silver ingot but had been handed a golden bar—a situation more nerve-wracking than rewarding.
“This is an opportunity! Whether you can seize it depends on you. I’ll arrange for some advisors to guide you. From now on, you’re forbidden to idle around. If I find out you’re up to mischief again, I’ll break your legs!”
Duan Yu: “!”
“Now, get out.”
The old Master kicked him out of the study. Barely out the door, Duan Yu was summoned to the study by his father, who had just returned home after indulging in his usual vices.
Meanwhile, Madam Jiang was so delighted that she couldn’t stop praising her son’s success, oblivious to the means by which the position had been secured.
Only Madam Xiao quietly sought out Mingxi. After her initial excitement, she expressed some apprehension, asking, “Mingxi, this… don’t you think this appointment might be too high-profile? I’m worried your elder brother might not be able to hold on to it.”
Given her husband’s capabilities, it wasn’t a matter of “might”—he simply couldn’t.
Duan Mingxi looked at Madam Xiao and said, “Sister-in-law, since my brother has shown the desire to improve, you must support him as a good wife. If he lacks the skills, hire advisors. I believe Grandfather will help. If he still can’t manage, then what use does such an incompetent person have?”
Madam Xiao straightened her back, nodding quickly. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure my husband improves.”
She was determined. Her future honor depended on her husband’s success, and she couldn’t afford to let him remain a useless mess.
It wasn’t long before news spread throughout the Marquis household that Mingxi had secured Duan Yu’s position. While no one knew exactly how she had managed it, Duan Yu’s appointment was official.
The second and third madams were left feeling a mixture of awe and regret. Their thoughts quickly turned to the future: if Mingxi could achieve this for Duan Yu, might their own husbands be next?
As for Madam Jiang, her expression soured immediately. Duan Huirou, on the other hand, was so enraged that she smashed an entire set of teacups.
She refused to believe it!
Duan Huirou wasn’t the only one. The whole capital was abuzz over Duan Yu’s sudden appointment.
How could this have happened?
Such a coveted position, one even fought over by several Wangyes, had unexpectedly gone to the shizi of Dingyuan Marquis household.
No one had seen it coming.
The Dingyuan Marquis’ reputation soared. The once-overlooked old Marquis, now associated with this brilliant maneuver, was recognized as still formidable.
***
At Duan Wang’s household, Xiao Muchen pieced everything together.
It seemed that the item Duan Mingxi had acquired from the pawnshop was directly tied to securing the yuanwailang position.
While others attributed the success to the old Marquis, Xiao Muchen realized it was actually the young woman hiding behind him who had stirred the waters.
How intriguing.
