Xu Yi didn't waste words. He simply told Supervisor Song to prepare the materials; tomorrow, he would send the Dragon Flower Hall's accountants to take up posts at the Imperial Observatory.
Dragon Flower Hall was where the Ministry of Revenue's headquarters was located, and it managed the resources of the world.
Only then did Supervisor Song remember that Xu Yi had a whole slew of impressive titles to his name. His face immediately fell. He accused Xu Yi of using his position to settle a personal score and indignantly declared that the Imperial Observatory had nothing to hide.
Xu Yi left without another word. When he got up early the next morning, Supervisor Song was already waiting outside his cave abode, his face long as he asked Xu Yi to come to the Imperial Observatory and provide guidance.
It was because, just before leaving the previous day, Xu Yi had tossed out one parting remark: "These days, even if you're upright, your shadow isn't necessarily straight."
Supervisor Song hadn't risen to his current position by sheer luck. Faced with such an unmistakable threat, he was furious and went around rallying people, hoping to build up a groundswell of support.
But as soon as the word got out, everyone who heard "Elder Xu" went from pounding their chests and promising to help to trembling and stuttering like a Ruyi Pearl that had lost its connection.
In the end, only Gong Zhongcheng, who was on fairly good terms with him, said something that finally snuffed out his desire to make trouble.
Gong Zhongcheng said, "I'll tell you just one thing. Demon Lord Xie is due for a shift, and he plans to go into seclusion. He wanted Xu Yi to temporarily take charge of the Imperial Court's affairs, but Xu Yi refused."