The entire induction banquet was filled with a harmonious atmosphere, and throughout the banquet, Xia Chen was naturally the center of attention.
Those present today were at least mid-to-low-level officials of the Hundred Households rank. Later, they mustered their courage to come forward and toast him. Xia Chen smiled and responded to each one, showing not an ounce of arrogance and thoroughly integrating into the grassroots.
This made everyone's hearts gradually relax a lot.
The reason everyone was worried was because their Lord was simply too young.
They were afraid that this Lord would be eager to achieve achievement, use crude and reckless methods, and immediately purge them, the grassroots officials, from the start.
Xia Wen and Xu Xingchen were also surrounded by many people. Everyone knew that these two were definitely Xia Chen's confidants, even though they were only retainers and scribes.
But the Prime Minister's butler was comparable to a seventh-rank official!
Especially Xia Wen, he was the legitimate son of Zhendong Marquis Manor. Although his branch did not have a noble title, his father was a Shaoqing, a dignified fourth-rank official!
Moreover, everyone now knew that Xia Wen was a Prodigy. He was only 11 years old this year and had already entered the eighth rank. It was imaginable that he would definitely be a great figure in the future.
So no one ignored Xia Wen because of his young age.
"I can't anymore, I can't drink anymore. You guys go drink with Brother Xu!"
Xia Wen's eyes were blurry from drink, but he still had some clear consciousness. He was a wily old fox and quickly pointed to Xu Xingchen beside him.
He hadn't had a chance to drink at the Marquis Manor before. Today, being surrounded by everyone, he got carried away and drank, but quickly became a bit drunk.
When Xu Xingchen heard Xia Wen's voice and saw Xia Wen pointing at him, he quickly pretended to be drunk and collapsed onto the table.
Everyone drank happily at the banquet.
On the other side, Zheng Ping, Cui Hu, and Lu Chen were sitting beside Xia Chen.
"Lord, you've spent a fortune today!"
Zheng Ping's cheeks were flushed. He had also drunk a lot, but he still raised his wine cup to Xia Chen and toasted him.
"We're all brothers, there's no such thing as spending a fortune or not!"
Xia Chen also raised his wine cup, smiling as he clinked glasses with Zheng Ping.
"It's just that, today I originally reserved the entire second floor, but I didn't expect the second floor to not even be full!"
Xia Chen sighed and said nonchalantly.
Zheng Ping, Cui Hu, and Lu Chen all showed subtle changes in their expressions when they heard this, but they were all different.
"Your Majesty ordered me to join the Lantern Bearers, actually entrusting me with a task!"
Xia Chen spoke again, quite frankly, as if he regarded the three of them as his own people.
The three's expressions changed, and even the usually calm Lu Chen looked over.
"May I ask... what task is it!"
Cui Hu couldn't help but speak. After being lectured by Xia Chen that day, for some unknown reason, he became unusually obedient and compliant.
"Your Majesty said that over the years, the Lantern Bearers have been forming factions and ganging up, and their subordinates are almost developing into their own private soldiers..."
Xia Chen stopped there and did not continue. He glanced at the three whose expressions had drastically changed, especially Lu Chen!
"So, dispersing your subordinates that day was to save you. I think highly of all three of you, and you are all intelligent people. I believe you can understand my painstaking efforts!"
Xia Chen patted Zheng Ping's shoulder, and then Cui Hu's shoulder next to him.
He then looked at Lu Chen, whose expression was the most difficult, and said,
"Your Majesty has a benevolent heart and a broad mind. Although you are Lu Li's adopted son, you are ultimately just an adopted son. As long as you don't make mistakes during this sensitive period, these issues are not significant!"
Lu Chen swallowed, cold sweat already breaking out on his back. He finally understood why Your Majesty wanted to transfer a young outsider into their Lantern Bearers.
Being young and impetuous, reckless in action, and eager to achieve achievement, he would naturally be ruthless in his methods. This was the advantage of youth!
Young people were best suited to be used as a blade!
And now this blade was to cut down the partisans of his adopted father, Lu Li!
And he, as Lu Li's adopted son, naturally should have been on this list to be purged.
"But... during this sensitive period, you are no longer suitable to be the Hall Master of Lihua Hall. Are you willing to give up your position and temporarily humble yourself to be a retainer by my side?"
Xia Chen asked calmly. Lu Chen remained silent. Xia Chen didn't use thunderous methods, nor did he accuse him of any crime. He hadn't made any mistakes. He was simply using calm words to take back all the power in his hands. This was even more serious than dispersing all his subordinates before.
But Lu Chen knew he had no choice, and he even had to be grateful to Xia Chen for keeping him.
Because originally, according to reason, he should have been the first to be targeted.
Now, merely taking back his power was already a great favor.
"Replying to Lord, I am willing. From now on, I am willing to be a retainer, following by Lord's side, to repay Lord's life-saving grace!"
Lu Chen raised his wine cup and said in a deep voice.
Whether he was sincere or not, he knew he had to thank Xia Chen, because now Xia Chen held his life and death in his hands.
They had all known about Xia Chen's absence from the yamen for these three days. Xia Chen came with the Imperial Sword, representing Your Majesty's will. This was also why they were still at loggerheads with Xia Chen that day, but today they were as docile as little daughters-in-law.
Thus, Xia Chen successfully disarmed them with a cup of wine!
"Old Zheng!"
Xia Chen turned to look at Zheng Ping again. Zheng Ping shivered and quickly said,
"Lord, this humble one is not one of Lu Li's partisans, please Lord see clearly! But I am also willing to give up the position of Hall Master and be a retainer by Lord's side!"
Zheng Ping spoke a lot, quickly clearing his name and expressing his loyalty, fearing that Xia Chen would call a deer a horse and label him as a Lu Li partisan.
Your Majesty had definitely decided to kill. Anyone who was a Lu Li partisan would be purged.
"Haha, Old Zheng, you are very interesting. You are an old hand in our Eagle Eye Division. I am new to the Eagle Eye Division and still don't know many rules. I happen to need to consult you.
You say, today I hosted a banquet for all my colleagues in the Eagle Eye Division, and all three of you honored me with your presence, but only those two didn't come, and they even brought a group of their subordinates. What does this mean!"
Xia Chen changed the subject again, nonchalantly, as if he was just asking casually.
Cui Hu and Lu Chen's expressions became extremely serious. They both knew that the real main event was coming.
"Disregarding superiors and forming factions is a major crime!"
Zheng Ping said with a serious look in his eyes.
"Then what kind of punishment is appropriate!"
"Forming factions, a death penalty, confiscation of property, male members of the Family exiled, female members sent to the Pleasure Quarter!"
Zheng Ping said without hesitation, his voice cold. When he said this, even Cui Hu and Lu Chen, who were beside him, took a deep look at Zheng Ping. Was this still the Old Zheng who usually smiled at everyone and had a gentle demeanor?
...PS: Third chapter today. Thank you 【Battlefield Reporter Jklove】 for the 【Big Health Care】 reward!