In principle, when Shuntian Prefecture investigated a case, there was no reason for the Ministry of Works to send someone to supervise it.
But when a dignified Minister spoke up, and the appointed man was Second Master of Rongguo Mansion, Jia Yucun and Sun Shaozong had no way to refuse.
So, after seeing Wang Yan off, the two men welcomed Jia Zheng into the temporarily requisitioned small courtyard in the eastern wing as if escorting the moon amid a host of stars. They respectfully presented the case files and evidence, adopting an attitude of complete deference to his lead.
Fortunately, though Jia Zheng was lacking in both intelligence and emotional intelligence, he at least knew his own limitations. Seeing this, he hurriedly demurred. "There is no need for you two Virtuous Nephews to treat me this way. Minister Wang only sent me here to put on a show and go through the motions. How would I dare meddle in your official business?"
Jia Yucun and Sun Shaozong both secretly breathed sighs of relief. What they feared most was Jia Zheng pretending to understand what he did not and recklessly interfering.
Still, Jia Zheng's role as supervisor was not entirely useless. At the very least, Sun Shaozong wanted to know what Vice Minister Ge's reputation was like at the Ministry of Works.
Jia Zheng's position in the Ministry of Works was much like a clay Bodhisattva in a temple. Everyone respected and worshipped him; he appeared immensely prestigious, but in truth held no real power and could only handle perfunctory duties such as receiving guests and seeing them off.
Though Jia Zheng was unwilling in his heart and wanted to earn some merit to display his abilities, he was, after all, merely a fifth-rank Assistant Minister. What right did he have