After the snow, a thin layer of ice had formed beneath the Censorate's corridors.
Wang Kan had barely entered the Duty Room when Qiu Heng hurried in after him.
At the sight of Qiu Heng, Wang Kan smiled. "Qiu Yuanlang, we've only just had the first snow. What official business has you in such a hurry?"
"Censor Wang, Vice Director Wei invites you over to his office for a talk."
"Zi'an wants to see me?" Wang Kan rubbed his hands. "Snow's falling, yet he's in a leisurely mood."
"What, is the brazier in his Selection Bureau warmer than ours at the Censorate?"
Qiu Heng smiled without answering, saying only, "Vice Director Wei said there was something he wanted your opinion on, Censor Wang."
Wang Kan paused at that, then snatched up his Fox Fur Cloak. "Let's go."
The Ministry of Personnel, the Selection Bureau's Duty Room.
Wei Nisheng stood before the window, watching the snow in the courtyard without turning around.
Wang Kan pushed the door open and entered. His first glimpse of Wei Nisheng made him falter.
His confidant, always so gentle and refined, now wore a trace of coldness Wang Kan had never seen before.
"Zi'an." Wang Kan sat down.
"What warrants summoning me through the snow?"
Wei Nisheng turned and poured him a cup of hot tea. "Zhanzheng, did you know three Department Secretaries have been added to the Shaanxi Bureau?"
"I heard." Wang Kan accepted the tea. "The Ministry of Revenue requested it, and the ministry approved."
"What, is there some trick to it?"
"The Ministry of Revenue's request bypassed the Selection Bureau," Wei Nisheng said.
"I stormed into the minister's Duty Room today. Zou Mo faced me alone, while Shen Duan avoided seeing me."
Holding his teacup, Wang Kan frowned.
"Five officials in one