Chapter 14: 第14章 公子我年纪轻轻

He Qu froze. Although these guards had followed Shen Qingzhou since childhood and had completed numerous missions in various places, they rarely chose water routes.

Furthermore, Tanzhou was located within the borders of Xiang, not along the path of the Grand Canal. No one could easily say exactly how many days the journey would take.

"Young Master, please proceed to the Cabinet meeting first. I will report back later."

Shen Qingzhou gazed at the street scenery outside the window, offering no response.

To offer no response was to give consent.

He Qu signaled to the guard at the carriage driver's seat, and the carriage slightly increased its speed.

The snow on the streets had long been crushed into mud by carriages, horses, and pedestrians, turning into streaks of yellowish slush lining both sides of the road. The open space in front of the Cabinet Office, however, had been cleared clean. Several warm carriages were already parked against the nearby wall. As the three members of the Shen family stepped onto the ground one after another, officials dressed in seventh-rank robes came forward to greet them.

He Qu watched as Shen Qingzhou and the others entered the warm pavilion, then turned around and exited the main gate.

Incense burners were placed in the four corners of the hall, and the attendees had all arrived. Upon hearing the announcement, the high-ranking officials rose one after another, greeting the Grand Marshal with surprised cries of "Grand Marshal," and escorted him to his seat.

The highest-ranking person among them was the Vice Grand Secretary, Pang Zhi. He asked, "It is merely a small meeting. Had we known the Grand Marshal would grace us with his presence personally, we certainly would have welcomed you from afar."

Shen Bo took his seat in the position they had vacated, scanned the room, and gestured for everyone to sit. "My son is young and has never dealt with the affairs of the Six Ministries; I have brought him along to gain some experience. I invite all the lords to speak freely and offer your guidance without hesitation."

Pang Zhi looked at Shen Qingzhou and smiled slightly. "It seems the Young Master is doing much better."

Shen Qingzhou nodded slightly. "Thank you for your concern, Elder Pang. Since it is freezing outside and everyone is already here, let us begin."

Ever since Shen Bo took command as the frontier general, the defense of the empire had rested solely on his shoulders. The Emperor had always left all matters, large and small, to the Cabinet, with the sole exception of appointing the commanding general, a position on which he remained steadfast and unwavering.

Thus, even though the Cabinet governed the state, the Shen family remained a mountain they could not cross.

During the days when Shen Bo was away on campaign, Shen Qingzhou had become the only channel through which the court and the bureaucracy could approach the Shen family.

Shen Qingzhou had not yet reached his twentieth year and had never enjoyed social engagements; his frequent acquaintances were merely a few youths from the imperial clan. Coupled with rumors that he suffered from a chronic ailment and had many dietary restrictions, others did not dare to invite him easily, even if they wished to curry favor.

On the rare occasions they encountered him at unavoidable banquets, he was seen to be a man of few words and little expression, usually surrounded by people seeking to please and flatter him.

After Shen Bo returned, countless people lined up to request an audience, yet the members of the Shen family were consistently indifferent to everyone.

This invitation to Shen Qingzhou was made with only a sliver of hope; they had not expected that not only would Shen Qingzhou actually move, but Shen Bo would also come, and the entire family of three would attend.

The father and son remained as laconic as ever, but the moment they sat down, the Cabinet's deliberation hall felt as if it had become their family's private residence.

Pang Zhi coughed and signaled the Cabinet Grand Secretary on his right to open the scrolls. "The Emperor has repeatedly urged the Cabinet to recommend candidates for Imperial Commissioner. After repeated screening, we have finalized this list of seven."

"In terms of seniority and talent, these seven are superior to all others. They have already been presented to the Young Grand Secretary and have received his approval."

"If there are no objections from everyone after reviewing them today, I shall submit them to the Emperor for his imperial seal."

"Young Grand Secretary?" Shen Zhui looked around at this moment. "Who is the Young Grand Secretary? There is a Grand Secretary, but why is there also a Young Grand Secretary?"

The youth's voice was clear and powerful; it was impossible for those in the room not to hear him. Suddenly, a dozen pairs of eyes turned toward Shen Zhui, while only Shen Qingzhou lowered his eyes to stroke his cup, as if he had heard nothing.

Shen Bo said calmly, "Zhui'er grew up at the frontier and knows little of the situation in the capital. The only son of the Chief Grand Secretary, Lord Yan Shu, is exceptionally talented. Although he has not entered the Cabinet, he is the Cabinet's strategist, having helped the Emperor and the court resolve many troubles over the years. Thus, he is known as the 'Young Grand Secretary'."

Shen Zhui let out an "Oh," his round eyes scanning the assembled Cabinet officials before he pursed his lips and fell silent.

There was a wildness in the boy's eyes; even as he sat silently scanning the room, it felt like he was throwing soft thorns that pricked those he looked at.

Pang Zhi smiled. "I hear the Second Young Master has inherited the Grand Marshal's true mastery of horsemanship. One day, I shall invite the Second Young Master to gather with us, so that my own useless sons may open their eyes and accompany the Young Master through the capital. By then, the Young Master will gradually become familiar with it."

Shen Zhui pursed his lips and glanced at Shen Bo, but still said nothing.

Shen Bo picked up the list presented to him. "Let us get to business. Since these are the Cabinet's pre-selected candidates, I have no objections."

Having said that, he looked at Shen Qingzhou.

Shen Qingzhou said, "If the Young Grand Secretary approves of them, there will naturally be no problem."

"Very well," Pang Zhi said, as if he had been waiting for those words. He stood up immediately. "I have had some tea and refreshments prepared—"

"Report—"

Before Pang Zhi could fully stand, a loud announcement came from outside the door.

Everyone looked toward the sound, only to see a follower of the Pang family leading in a Director of the Ministry of Personnel.

Once Pang Zhi granted permission to enter, the Director of the Ministry of Personnel said, "Reporting to the Grand Secretary, one of the seven proposed Imperial Commissioners—Zhang He, who has previously served as the Censor for Water Transport—suffered a sudden accident this morning and broke his leg. He will be unable to make the journey."

The officials present immediately exchanged looks. For a matter that had been considered settled to suddenly encounter such a variable undoubtedly created trouble for the decision-makers.

Pang Zhi frowned as he flipped through the scrolls. "Zhang He was responsible for the waterways within the two provinces of Hunan and Hubei. In recent years, rice production in those provinces has been abundant and water transport highly developed; their annual grain transport accounts for more than half of the empire's total. This cannot be neglected."

"Indeed, how could such an incident happen at this critical moment?..."

The officials present began to sigh in dismay.

"If he cannot go, then replace him." Shen Qingzhou looked at them. "The Grand Secretaries must surely have many other suitable candidates at hand. It is better to decide early so as not to delay important national policy."

Pang Zhi slowly placed the scrolls on the table. "Candidates are not lacking, but in this moment, we do not know who would be more suitable. Young Master—oh, I wonder if Lord Shen has any insights?"

Shen Qingzhou curled his lips. "I also wish to be of some use, but unfortunately, I have not yet taken up my post at the Ministry of Revenue, and I am a layman regarding these matters. I am truly powerless to help."

Pang Zhi stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "Lord Shen jokes. You have been well-versed in books since childhood; you only lack the trial of the imperial examinations. The future of the court will rely on young talents such as yourself; why must you be so modest?"

Shen Qingzhou replied, "Since Elder Pang is so complimentary, I shall overstep my bounds and offer a suggestion. The Minister of Rites, Lu Jie, has been inspecting the provinces for several years; he must surely have suitable candidates for Imperial Commissioner in his hands."

"I heard that Minister Lu's wife is the adopted daughter of Grand Secretary Yan. If this person is recommended by Minister Lu, would there not be a greater chance of receiving Grand Secretary Yan's approval?"

Pang Zhi's expression suddenly turned serious. "Does Lord Shen not have his own candidate?"

"I am young and newly arrived; how could I interfere in such a vital matter? It is only that I see Elder Pang is troubled by this. I suspect that if this matter is not completed on schedule, Grand Secretary Yan might also impose punishment."

"I am merely meddling; whether it succeeds or not, I cannot know. I ask for Elder Pang's forgiveness."

Shen Qingzhou's voice remained leisurely, as if saying, *take it or leave it.*

Pang Zhi withdrew his gaze and, after a moment, nodded slowly. "Someone, go and consult Minister Lu for his opinion."