Grand Master of the Palace

The world transforms so rapidly from night to day.

As if waking from a dream, Zhang Xuezhou opened his eyes and it was already past.

But the world doesn't stop turning just because Zhang Xuezhou is absent. Zhang Xuezhou is absolutely certain that Zuo Quan gang will find out about the research institute and try to sabotage him.

This left him feeling somewhat depressed, as he realized that many things were beyond his control and everything was left to fate.

For ordinary people, placing their hopes on fate would be highly unreliable, but for Zhang Xuezhou, who cultivates Fortune Technique, this has indeed provided the greatest possible protection.

He stole a bit of luck from the mausoleum of Emperor Luo Yan. As long as this luck takes effect, he won't be too unlucky.

With his mindset shifting rapidly, Zhang Xuezhou quickly returned to his original train of thought.

Having done everything to the best of his ability, Zhang Xuezhou didn't ask for anything more and simply waited twelve days before conducting the examination.

As long as he wasn't killed, Zhang Xuezhou felt he could accept anything.

No matter what tricks Zuo Quan and the others used on him, he will return to normal once these alien creatures are finally eliminated.

"Once I've mastered my divine skills..."

Just as Zhang Xuezhou's wild thoughts began to rage in his mind, he quickly remembered his own situation, and those wild thoughts vanished without a trace.

He really didn't have any way to counter Fortune Technique, strange techniques, or other such methods.

"While I'm back in Western Kunlun, I need to ask my master. He's more familiar with the creatures from other realms, so he must know some solutions!"

Zhang Xuezhou was now fully awake and quickly got into the mindset to get things done.

Once he has eaten and drunk his fill and stored up his energy, he will leave Chang'an City and fly towards Western Kunlun.

He reached behind his head and grabbed Cai Ma's map, stuffing it into his pocket.

"Mom, Dad?"

Zhang Xuezhou called out a few times, and the courtyard suddenly became noisier.

"What's wrong?"

When Zhang Xuezhou pushed open the door, he saw twelve officials standing in the courtyard.

Lady Yourong and others were entertaining these officials.

Upon hearing Zhang Xuezhou call for people, the expressions of these officials in red robes changed drastically.

"Greetings, Your Excellency!"

"Greetings, Your Excellency!"

"Greetings, Lord Dongfang!"

"This humble servant greets the Grand Master of the Palace!"

Many of the officials in red robes looked ashen-faced, but they still quickly bowed.

While waiting for Zhang Xuezhou to regain consciousness in the mansion, everyone enjoyed the service provided by the Zhang family, relying on their official status. Little did they know that Zhang Xuezhou's parents were among them.

Paying a visit to a new official is supposed to be a way for superiors and subordinates to get closer, but everyone felt that entering the door meant offending this newly risen official.

"Grand Master of the Palace?"

"Appointed?"

"Am I now a Grand Physician?"

The new emperor was unable to interfere with the official titles of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, which involved the first, second, and third ranks, so he gave Zhang Xuezhou the position of Grand Master of the Palace, which was Subordinate Fourth Rank official.

For those outside the imperial faction, official titles were confusing and difficult to distinguish.

However, the key point is that when Shen Peigong was invited to Chang'an City, the person he was invited to hold the position of Grand Master of the Palace, which pleased Shen Peigong and showed him the importance of the position.

Tian Fen was once promoted directly from Grand Master of the Palace to Grand Commandant, one of the Three Dukes.

This official title was not high, but it involved the power to revise the Hall of Light of Brightness), correct the calendar, change the colors of clothing, and conduct imperial tours and sacrifices.

In other words, once Zhang Xuezhou became an official, he had the power to decide what kind of clothes everyone should wear as formal attire, as well as the color of their clothes. He could also create the calendar for the Great Han Dynasty and revise various etiquette rules and regulations.

The absurdity of this position lies in the fact that as long as the emperor's approval is obtained, even if Zhang Xuezhou advocates that the totem of the Great Han Dynasty is a dog and everyone should worship the dog god, then many people have no choice but to go and worship.

Simply put, his job involves writing documents and regulations; he doesn't have much real power, but he can easily shape social customs.

In modern society, he would be considered half a Minister of Education.

Zhang Xuezhou was momentarily stunned.

The new emperor meant that Zhang Xuezhou should work hard, and as a reward, he found him the highest official position within his authority to appoint him as a "Censor".

But to the surprise of both Zhang Xuezhou and the new emperor, Palace of Peace and Happiness actually agreed to let Zhang Xuezhou take up this position.

Not to mention the new emperor might be stunned, Zhang Xuezhou was also stunned at this moment.

"My lord, you have been appointed Grand Master of the Palace. His Majesty specifically mentioned that you can work anywhere—at the Office of the Jingzhao Intendant in the capital, at home, or even at the Imperial Palace!" an old official in a red robe said.

The Grand Master of Ceremonies had the final say on etiquette; he could arrange it however he pleased.

Zhang Xuezhou Zhang Xuezhou working from home is good, so he can follow this etiquette without anyone criticizing him. However, his encouragement for everyone to learn from him is a different matter.

"Your Majesty's kindness to me, Dongfang Shuo, is immeasurable. I will strive to repay Your Majesty! Ah... you should all return to where you came from!"

As usual, Zhang Xuezhou made a show of gratitude and shed tears before starting to send people away.

He doesn't need to cultivate good relationships with these colleagues; once they meet today, it won't be easy to see each other again.

Normally speaking, the position of Taizhong Taifu is worth Struggle Zhang Xuezhou, and this title is even extremely suitable for Zhang Xuezhou.

But this requires the new emperor to hold absolute power and the country to be stable before he can act as a good official in a carefree manner.

Even Shen Peigong couldn't withstand the pressure of this position, resulting in him achieving nothing. Zhang Xuezhou also lacked the brains to persevere.

It was probably just a formality, and then he should be dismissed from his post for dereliction of duty.

Of course, the Grand Master of the Palace is not the point; the point is that Zhang Xuezhou wants to go on a long trip today, so he doesn't care about so many other things.

If he's delayed here for a day, and delayed there for a day, he won't be able to go anywhere.

"I will first meet His Majesty before visiting your residences to further our relationship," Zhang Xuezhou said to the officials.

"My lord should see His Majesty first!"

"Shouldn't we also pay a visit to Palace of Peace and Happiness?"

"They should all go!"

"Then I will not disturb you any longer, sir!"

Zhang Xuezhou dismissed everyone from the house.

Some officials only realized what was happening after they had boarded the carriage.

"Everyone, we haven't told Lord Dongfang our names and where we live yet, have we?"

"Absolutely!"

How will you find us, sir?

"The lord should be checking the register at the Office of the Jingzhao Intendant in the capital!"

After a few hushed discussions, the officials couldn't help but feel worried, as their hard-won superior seemed very unreliable.

The other party didn't even bother to ask about their official titles or job responsibilities, and simply used the excuse of paying a visit to His Majesty to avoid asking about them.

Of course, no one thought Zhang Xuezhou was wrong, after all, meeting the new emperor was far more important than their own.

However, the officials felt that Zhang Xuezhou's rise to power was too suspicious. He had gone from being a scholar waiting to be summoned to an important department of the court in one fell swoop, which could be described as a meteoric rise.

Without sufficient support from the imperial court and the influence of academic schools, such officials would find it difficult to maintain their positions.

Strangely, both the new emperor and the Empress Dowager of Palace of Peace and Happiness seemed to maintain a supportive attitude, which meant that even a young man like Zhang Xuezhou had no objections to being appointed as the Grand Master of the Palace.