The Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Punishment, and the Ministry of Personnel.
All three ministries had been dealt with.
Now only the military officials remained.
Xu Qingxiao had sent Li Jian and Li Kang ahead with messages to give them advance notice.
He had only just arrived outside the Duke of An's Estate when its steward hurried over to welcome him with tremendous warmth.
"Lord Xu, you're here! His Grace is waiting for you inside."
The Duke's Estate's steward approached with a smile and respectfully ushered Xu Qingxiao in.
"All right."
Xu Qingxiao followed the steward and soon reached the courtyard.
Not only the Duke of An was there, but also the Duke of Qi, the Duke of Lu, and several marquises.
"Your nephew, Xu Qingxiao, pays his respects to the three dukes."
"Your humble younger brother pays his respects to all his elder brothers."
Xu Qingxiao approached and bowed to everyone, his manner exceedingly modest.
"Nephew Shouren, it's not that your uncle wants to scold you, but tell me yourself: how long has it been since you last came to sit with me?"
"Exactly. You've spent all this time mingling with those civil officials. Which of those fellows doesn't have a filthy heart? Aren't you afraid they'll harm you if you get so close to them?"
"Stop frightening Nephew Shouren. Still, Nephew Shouren, whatever else we might say, you really haven't come to visit us old fellows."
The three dukes spoke. They were not truly angry with Xu Qingxiao, merely voicing a few complaints.
After all, Xu Qingxiao belonged to their military faction. By rights, he should have been closer to them.
"Uncles, you really can't blame me. You've seen everything that's happened lately with your own eyes. I've been exhausted too, or I'd have visited long ago."