Ao Huang's words were like a great hammer striking heavily upon the hearts of Ning'an County's officials. Shen Ming in particular was so furious that his heart ached and his lips turned purple.
Shen Ming looked at Deputy Magistrate Tao Dingnian, then at the other officials who knew the inside story, his gaze lost and bewildered.
How was he supposed to answer to Ji Zhibai? How was he supposed to answer to the Left Prime Minister? Was he to say that everyone had exhausted every means to make things difficult, only to end up making Fang Yun instead?
One of Fang Yun's private soldiers took out an Official Seal and said, "So many strange things happened today. First, a horse kicked a Hanlin Academician; then, the Admonition Stele was inscribed; and after that came a Ten-Breath Lyric Transformation! On the very first day of assuming office, Void Sage Fang accomplished three extraordinary feats. It is truly rare. I will immediately send these three strange events to the Editorial Review Institute of the Sacred Academy's Literary Gazette. By the tenth day of the second month, this matter will surely be published and spread throughout the realm!"
Fang Yingwu sneered. "We have Ning'an County's officials to thank for their assistance. Otherwise, how could Void Sage Fang have become so famous? You should know that if Metropolitan Graduates of the Palace Examination gain fame in the Literary Gazette and Sacred Way, it greatly benefits some of their subjects! For example, this Literary Assembly will certainly boost Void Sage Fang's 'literary achievements' subject!"
"Everyone in Ning'an County naturally wishes to help Void Sage Fang. We cannot let those petty scoundrels have their way!" Yu Bachi said sarcastically, mocking the Left Prime Minister's faction.
The few clerks who had just pledged themselves to Fang Yun