An immortal maxim! Xu Qingxiao, a prodigy for the ages! Panic throughout the Ministry of Personnel!

The Great Wei Imperial Palace.

Xu Qingxiao walked out of the palace, his gaze calm, and headed toward the Ministry of Punishment.

Meanwhile, inside the palace.

Zhang Jing had already left the hall and met with the other ministers.

"Lord Chancellor."

"Minister Gu, Minister Wang."

"My lords."

Zhang Jing first addressed Chancellor Chen Zhengru, then greeted Gu Yan, Minister of Revenue, and Wang Xinzhi, Minister of Rites. As for the others, he passed over them with a general greeting.

Chen Zhengru was the Left Chancellor and a Fifth-Rank Grand Confucian. He had to be treated with respect.

Gu Yan was the Minister of Revenue as well as the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, and headed the Eastern Enlightenment Society.

Wang Xinzhi of the Ministry of Rites also belonged to the Eastern Enlightenment Society.

A courteous greeting was only proper. As for Zhou Yan, Minister of War, and Li Yanlong, Minister of Works, a casual greeting would suffice.

"Xu Qingxiao is so arrogant. Today, I shall see just how he intends to restore Great Wei's national fortune."

Wang Xinzhi of the Ministry of Rites spoke. His voice was calm, but his words brimmed with coldness.

He did not believe Xu Qingxiao could restore Great Wei's national fortune at all.

This was Great Wei's national fortune!

What did he think it was? Something he could restore at will? And within an hour? What a fool's dream!

"Not necessarily. Perhaps Xu Qingxiao can write an unparalleled essay."

Zhou Yan, Minister of War, spoke. He, on the contrary, had faith in Xu Qingxiao.

"An unparalleled essay?"

"You are indulging in rather fanciful notions, Minister Zhou. Even if he truly writes an unparalleled essay, it will be of no use. This concerns the Ministry of Punishment. Are you suggesting Xu Qingxiao can