After three rounds of drinking, Song Huan and Cheng's father and son were both a little tipsy.
"By the way, father-in-law," Song Huan suddenly said, "Who is that Sun Shutong?"
Song Huan didn't have a deep impression of this person. He only remembered that this person was always in tit-for-tat with him, and he had a bit of a petty attitude in everything.
Cheng Xun put down the wine cup and said, "Speaking of which, Sun Shutong can be regarded as a model of a poor family."
"He has no background and no backers. He relies solely on his own efforts to reach the position of Minister of Civil Affairs step by step."
"I just don't know how to deal with the world, so my relationship with most of the courtiers is not good."
"As for the ability to do things..."
Speaking of this, Cheng Xun frowned slightly.
"I feel that he is a man of true talent and learning."
"But after achieving the position of Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, he didn't do much."
"In the past three years, I have not achieved any results. I can only say that I have achieved nothing."
"I really can't figure him out!"
Song Huan smiled, picked up the wine bottle and served it to Cheng Xunman again.
"Father-in-law, if you say this, I will understand."
"Some people are extremely talented and have climbed to high positions through unremitting efforts in order to use their talents to benefit the people and realize their ideals and ambitions."
"However, although some people have real talents and knowledge, all their life-long talents and knowledge have been taken away by them to advance their official career."
"Once they sit in a high position, they will only covet glory and wealth, and enjoy the vanity and treatment that a person in a high position deserves."
"But if you want to ask them what substantial political achievements they can make, there really is none!"
"Essentially, there is no difference from those corrupt officials!"
Hearing this, Cheng Xun couldn't help but sigh.
"Over the years, Daliang's officialdom has been eroded beyond recognition."
"Most of them just muddle along, just dawdling!"
"What's your original intention of becoming an official?"
"I'm afraid some of them have forgotten it a long time ago, and some of them are afraid that they have no such original intention at all!"
Seeing Cheng Xun's rare expression of despair, he must have been hit hard by the fact that no one volunteered today.
Song Huan was speechless and could only hold the cup and drink silently with Cheng Xun.
"Father-in-law, don't be too discouraged. There are two big cancers in the court, and the situation will gradually improve."
"I remember that Fang Wanlin, another minister of the Ministry of Personnel, is indeed a good and upright official!"
When Fang Wanlin was mentioned, Cheng Xun finally showed some relief.
"Master Fang is indeed a rare talent. Under his rectification, the official department has also reduced a lot of turmoil."
"Previously, I asked for his opinion and wanted to recommend him to be the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel in front of the Holy Emperor, but he refused."
"He said that the difference between minister and minister is just official position."
"As long as we can make the staff better and better, what does it matter what position he holds?"
After hearing this, Song Huan couldn't help but respect him!
Although there is only one level of difference between the minister and the minister, the treatment they enjoy is very different.
Not only that, the status of the two official positions in the court is also very different.
Having such a good opportunity recommended by the Prime Minister is something most people can only dream of.
But this Fang Wanlin did not want anything else. He only wanted to use his own efforts to change the turbid officialdom.
Doesn't this count as a hero in the Liang Dynasty?
Song Huan couldn't help but raise his glass, smiled at Cheng Xun and said, "I believe that there will be more and more good officials like Mr. Fang."
"The purge of officialdom is just around the corner!"
Looking at Song Huan's high-spirited look, Cheng Xun regained some confidence.
"good!"
"Your Highness, I am also willing to believe that purging the officialdom is just around the corner!"
…
"Snapped!"
"Snapped!"
"Snapped!"
"..."
Several muffled sounds suddenly sounded, and the sound of the whip hitting the flesh made people feel extremely uncomfortable.
In the dark and cramped darkroom, a middle-aged man was seen shirtless, waving the whip in his hand as if to vent his anger.
Although the cold wind was biting outside the door, the middle-aged man was sweating profusely.
The most horrifying thing was that the whip brandished in the man's hand hit the woman in front of him firmly on the back again and again.
The woman's mouth was sealed tightly and she could no longer make any sound.
But the panic in her eyes was silently accusing her of the double torture she had suffered both physically and mentally.
Finally, the man was tired of lashing and his anger was gone. Then he threw down the whip and walked out of the darkroom.
The biting cold wind outside the door made the man shiver.
This man is none other than Sun Shutong, the current Minister of Civil Affairs.
There was a woman waiting outside the door holding a cloak. When she saw the man walking out of the room, she quickly greeted him warmly.
"Sir, you are tired!"
"It's all my fault that my sister is so ignorant that she said the wrong thing to make you angry."
"She is not unjust at all when you punish her!"
"It's just that you have to do it yourself, which is really tiring for you!"
Sun Shutong glanced at the woman coldly: "Why, are you teaching me how to do something?"
"She doesn't know how to be careful with her words and actions, and you, a rich man, can't escape the blame!"
"If she dares to be so ignorant next time, I will punish you too!"
"Did you hear me?"
The smile on the woman's face froze, as if thinking of the heartbreaking pain from the whip on her back, she shrank her neck reflexively.
"Yes, sir."
"I see!"
However, it seems that the second room didn’t say anything wrong just now?
I just mentioned casually during lunch that the Zui Taiping I brought back that day was delicious.
It's just a pot of wine, how can it make adults unhappy?
The woman was too lazy to think about it, so she had to remind herself in her mind that she must be careful in her words and deeds in the future, lest she say anything wrong and be punished again!
"By the way, sir, the third prince just sent someone to deliver a letter to you."
With that said, the woman respectfully presented a letter to Sun Shutong.
Sun Shutong wiped the stains off his hands, unfolded the letter, and read it carefully.
When he read to the end, his pupils suddenly dilated and his breathing became more rapid.
"well!"
"I didn't expect that the Third Prince, who looks so humble and indifferent, is so vigorous and resolute in his work..."
"God is really helping me!"
Seeing Sun Shutong's excited look, the women around him also became happy.
"Congratulations, sir, congratulations, sir!"
Sun Shutong glanced at the woman and sneered: "What are you congratulating me for now?"
"When the day comes that I successfully become the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, it will not be too late for you to say congratulations!"
This was just the first step. Sun Shutong secretly vowed in his heart that he must unite with the third prince to get rid of the contemptuous Prince Rong.
Must...must!
