An elderly man with graying hair, kneeling at the edge of the second row, abruptly raised his head and stared at Lin Xiaosu in utter astonishment.
He was none other than Vice Prefect Li Yi.
His position in officialdom was much like where he knelt now: at the edge of the second row.
He had never dreamed of becoming prefect. He had no connections at court, no family wealth, and no talent for boasting or licking boots. He had muddled along in officialdom so poorly that even his wife could lecture him.
Yet today, the Chief Inspector had spoken these earthshaking words before His Majesty himself: no one but Li Yi would do as prefect of Fuyao!
The declaration was as decisive as chopping nails and cutting iron, without a trace of polite hedging or any room for retreat.
What had he ever done to deserve this?
He had only met this Lord Su today.
For a moment, this old man, who had spent most of his life worn down by officialdom and known only the cold indifference of the world, felt warmth flooding his heart.
"Where is Vice Prefect Li Yi?" His Majesty swept his gaze over the assembly.
"Your Majesty, your old servant is here!" Li Yi spoke.
His Majesty's gaze rested on him for a long time. "A vice prefect, dressed in worn robes and kneeling at the edge of the second row. That alone speaks of honest poverty and upright conduct. Indeed, you have not wallowed in the same mire as He Zhang!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Yi nearly wept.
"Effective immediately! Li Yi shall be promoted to prefect of Fuyao! By imperial decree!"
As his words fell, boundless majesty descended. The Official Seal just taken from Prefect He Zhang dropped out of thin air