As the sun sets, the afterglow shines on the arched glazed tiles of Taiji Palace, shining with dazzling golden light, casting a solemn and sacred color on this magnificent palace.
When Fang Jun arrived, he realized that His Majesty Li Er was not just "favoring" him. Almost all the officials of third rank and above in Beijing were waiting outside Taiji Palace. Fang Jun's official position was originally one level lower, but his title of "Xinfeng | County Marquis" made him a member of the noble class, and he was given special treatment to be on duty at court.
The officials in front of the palace gate were all waiting in a crowd, and those who were familiar and close gathered together, whispering, thinking about what big thing had happened when His Majesty called everyone into the palace at this time.
It was the first time that Fang Jun faced such a situation. Standing alone in front of the palace gate was very conspicuous. Many people looked at him, which made him feel a little uncomfortable...
Just as he was wondering whether he should join Cheng Yaojin's group of generals, he heard someone calling: "Yi Ai, this way!"
The voice was a bit old, and Fang Jun looked for fame, but it was his immediate superior, Tang Jian, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, who was waving to him, and Fang Jun hurried over.
There were many officials standing around Tang Jian, including those from the Ministry of Industry and the other six ministries. Originally, these people were still whispering, but when they saw Fang Jun coming, they all stopped talking and just looked at Fang Jun. It is inevitable that there will be some strangeness.
The most conspicuous one is Lu Zesong, another minister of the Ministry of Industry at the same level as him.
The old man was blowing his beard and staring, as if his wife had been harmed by Fang Jun...
Fang Jun was a little confused. He didn't know what had offended the minister, who was getting more and more angry as he got older. He first gave Tang Jian a gift: "I've seen the minister."
Tang Jian nodded slightly.
Then he bowed his hands to the others and said, "I have met you all, sir."
Everyone hummed and laughed in return.
Then Fang Jun stopped talking to anyone and looked at his nose and heart, just like an old monk in meditation, unmoved by the eight winds.
Tang Jian raised his eyelids and smiled imperceptibly.
Lu Zesong's face was a little dark. When Fang Jun was bowing and saluting just now, he missed his position. If he said it was not targeted, even a fool would not believe it.
This made Old Lu Ben's boiling anger even more uncontrollable.
Seeing his boss Tang Jian's dazed and distracted look, he knew he would not intervene, so he glared at Fang Jun and scolded: "You are irrespective of your age, you are arrogant and rude, how can you stand up?"
Fang Jun didn't even move his eyelids, completely treating him like air.
Lu Zesong felt a rush of blood rushing to the top of his head, and his face turned red. This kind of disregard made him even more angry than Fang Jun's retort!
But if people ignore you, what can you do?
So Lu Zesong changed the topic.
"Fang Jun! Don't rely on your father-in-law's name to act lawless! The Ministry of Industry is not run by your family, so why are you withholding all the funding from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, even if you don't even lend it to other departments under the Ministry of Industry? Money belongs to the people The Ministry is for the Ministry of Works, so what right do you have to make the decision without authorization? There are simply no rules!"
Although he was very angry, Lu Zesong still tried his best to keep his voice down. After all, this was outside Taiji Palace. If he made a loud noise, he would be punished by the censor for "disrespect".
Fang Jun curled his lips, it turned out that the crux was here!
Since he requested a huge amount of funding from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, this amount of money immediately became a serious source of fat for the entire Ministry of Industry. When they think about it, what do you, a small water department department, need so much money for? Blessings are shared, everyone who sees them has a share, share some with us, and everyone will help you spend it...
Ordinarily, this is not too much. Although the money comes from you, it does not mean that it is your property after all. It will still be spent on the Ministry of Industry in the end, right?
Therefore, for those who vaguely offered to "help one or two", Fang Jun declined, but also smiled. After all, they were colleagues, and he didn't sell favors, so he couldn't give them a smile?
However, Fang Jun rejected all those who blatantly came to make requests under the guise of "temporary secondment."
Just like the Minister Lu in front of him, Fang Jun was recuperating from his injuries at that time, but he just asked Ren Zhongliu to refuse sternly, without even meeting him.
This sows hatred...
In fact, Lu Zesong was willing to beg Fang Jun with a shy face?
If he is not forced to the edge of the cliff, he will lose face even if he is beaten to death...
Lu Zesong is in charge of the Department of Government and Industry, which is the largest department under the Ministry of Industry. He has been in office for many years and has managed the Ministry of Industry as if it were iron-clad. No needle can penetrate it, no water can pour into it, and his confidants are all at the top and bottom.
But seniority also has its troubles.
The Ministry of Works is in charge of all construction tasks, including the dredging of the city, the repair of civil engineering, the procedures of craftsmen, and the measurement of longitude. There is indeed plenty of oil and water, but there are also a lot of troubles. Just one "civil repair" made Lu Zesong's hair turn gray.
What does "civil repair" mean? To put it bluntly, they are building houses!
Of course, since it is a subordinate of the Ministry of Industry, it only serves the imperial court. The construction and maintenance of palaces, gardens, palaces of various princes, government offices, yamen, imperial schools, imperial temples...the construction and maintenance of these buildings are all within the scope of its authority.
But precisely because Lu Zesong is a veteran, has many heads, and holds such power, countless people naturally find him.
What to do?
My house has collapsed. Do me a favor and send a few people to repair it... Can you say no?
My youngest son is getting married and building a new mansion. You are an expert and you need to help with this matter... Can you tell me not to go?
Anyone who could open his mouth to him, the minister, was either a prince or a duke, and he could not refuse either one. It’s okay if you send some people and worry about it. The key is to build the materials. Who told you that the Ministry of Industry and Engineering are all good things? We can’t buy them even if we have money...
Over the years, Lu Zesong has managed to create a dark hole in the Ministry of Works...
If it were normal, this wouldn't be a big deal. Isn't it true that every department is working hard to make ends meet?
But the bad thing is that a few days ago, Wei Zheng was on something called "Ten Gradually Shu", and His Majesty Li Er became very angry! Well, aren't you my squanderer, gradually becoming extravagant? Then I will show you the extravagance!
An imperial edict was sent to the Ministry of Industry, requiring the Tangquan Palace to be built in Lishan Mountain immediately!
Lu Zesong was so frightened that his face turned pale. Why?
The Ministry of Industry is out of money...
Lu Zesong went to ask Li Tai, the king of Wei, who was behind him, but Li Tai had been troubled by Fang Jun's song "The Charcoal Seller" recently, so how could he care about him?
As a last resort, just bite the bullet and go to Fang Jun.
As a result, of course, I was slapped in the face and didn't get a penny...
Fang Jun is very disdainful of this kind of people. When you ask for help, you have to have a begging attitude, and when you ask for help, you have to put on a bad face. Who owes you? If you smile with a mean face...that's not okay, but at least that's how things should be done!
By the way, this old man shamed himself on the first day he took office, but Fang Jun clearly remembered it!
Fang Jun looked at Lu Zesong, stretched out a finger, and said calmly: "First of all, I am relying on my father's name. What can you do? Are you not convinced? If not, you should find a capable father. …”
"puff"
"puff"
Two younger officials burst out laughing on the spot. After laughing, they looked embarrassed and said quickly: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I couldn't help it..."
Those who didn't laugh were actually very lucky to endure it. Fang Jun saw Tang Jian biting his back molars hard, and the flesh on his cheeks trembled...
Lu Zesong almost went crazy, but when he thought about it carefully, Fang Jun was right!
I just have a good old man, and my name is useful, so why not use it?
Fang Jun looked at Lu Zesong with a smile and stretched out his second finger: "Second, the money is from me. If it is transferred to the account of the Water Department, I won't give it to you. Do you have any objections?"
Lu Zesong's face was red and his eyes were bloodshot!
That's too much!
He gritted his teeth and said angrily: "Arrogant kid, are you still a bit dignified?"
Several officials who were watching also felt that Fang Jun's move was inappropriate. After all, Lu Zesong was older than your father, so it was indeed too much to be so disrespectful.
But then, they knew there was something even more outrageous...
Fang Jun's smile did not change and he stretched out his third finger: "If Fang beats you here, guess what the consequences will be?"
Tang Jian was taken aback, frowned and reprimanded: "How presumptuous! Is this a place where you can act recklessly?"
Fang Jun smiled slightly: "Don't worry, I know what I know..."
When he said this, his eyes were looking at Lu Zesong. The meaning was obvious. Do you want to try it?
Tang Jian was helpless, this bastard had a bad temper and no one could control it...
