As he watched Pei Qian take his time working above, Lord Kang's expression grew increasingly dark as he waited below.
The officials behind him exchanged glances from time to time, their eyes filled mostly with bewilderment and panic.
A little farther away, pedestrians came and went. The sharp-eyed among them noticed what was happening and began discussing it.
"Lord Lin, surely it is inappropriate to make us wait here like this." Lord Kang's face was dark, and his tone was no longer as apprehensive as before.
"Oh? Was I the one who summoned you all?"
Lin Ke raised an eyebrow. "I was just looking through the accounts. When I came out, I found a whole crowd of you standing here. How the hell is that my problem?"
At Lin Ke's profanity, a shudder ran through the crowd as they recalled how he had verbally battled the assembled Confucian scholars during the earlier court deliberations.
"Besides..." Lin Ke shifted his tone. "The Great Wilderness Council answers only to the Sage Emperor. Even if I wanted to suspend your work for a day, what could you do about it?"
"If you want to work, work. If you don't, get lost. From what I can see, the Personnel Department is just like the Rites Department-riddled with parasites from top to bottom. Since your minister is too busy with his myriad daily duties to deal with it, I'll save him the trouble and purge the Personnel Department myself."
"Once we sift out the grain-devouring vermin, talented young people who actually work for the common folk can take their places."
Lin Ke's eyes gleamed fiercely, without the slightest trace of fear.
"Hmph." At that, Lord Kang said nothing more. He flicked his sleeves and left.
Seeing Lord Kang leave, some of the other officials were