CH 76

Chapter 76: Officials Apologize to Lin Beifan?

To be honest, the Empress really wanted to completely demote Liu Huaye.

But, the Imperial Academy cannot be without a Principal.

After demoting him, she would have to arrange for a new person to take on the job of Principal

All the civil and military officials in the court were corrupt officials and traitors, each one greedier and more cunning than the next. Who would be a good choice?

So, it’s better to let Liu Huaye continue for now.

At least, he still had some conscience and didn’t let the corruption of the officialdom affect the Imperial Academy.

“And you all!”

The Empress’s phoenix eyes scanned the officials and ministers, her expression turning stern.

“You have slandered the loyal and innocent officials and falsely accused your colleagues! If it weren’t for Sir Lin proving his innocence, I’m afraid your official positions and reputations would be ruined. What crime do you think you should be punished with?”

“We humble officials were ignorant and misled by wicked men. We beg Your Majesty’s punishment!” The officials bowed and spoke in unison.

As old hands in the court, they immediately lowered their heads to admit fault.

The law doesn’t punish a group, so what can she really do?

In the end, it would all be smoothed over and forgotten. No one would be affected.

The Empress hummed disapprovingly, clearly seeing through their tricks.

But, the Empress wasn’t a simple person herself.

“Alright, since you all know your mistakes and beg for punishment, then I will punish you…apologize to Sir Lin!” she declared.

The officials were dumbfounded!

They were being asked to apologize to that bastard Lin Beifan?

These high-ranking officials of the court were being asked to apologize to a lowly sixth-rank official?

How could they face the public like this?

Lin Beifan was also stunned!

The officials were being told to apologize to him?

This…this…

This was great!

The Empress was so kind, she loved him!

Without realizing it, Lin Beifan stood up, making it easier for the officials to apologize.

Looking at the hesitant officials, the Empress’s tone turned cold. “What’s wrong…reluctant? I only asked you to apologize to Sir Lin. Can’t you even do this little thing? Or do you not believe you are in the wrong? Are you trying to deceive the Empress?”

The officials panicked. “We dare not do so, Your Majesty!”

“Since you dare not, then hurry up and apologize. Do I need to remind you again?” the Empress barked.

“This…”

At this point, Lin Beifan coughed. “My esteemed officials, as the Empress’s faithful subjects, we should share the Empress’s worries. We should not make things difficult for the Empress! Whatever the Empress orders, we will do it. This is our duty as officials! I am ready. Are you all ready? Please apologize to me quickly!”

The officials felt extremely wronged!

Of course, you wouldn’t feel troubled. You’re not the one who needs to apologize!

You’re not the one losing face!

At this point, Lin Beifan considered their feelings. “My esteemed officials, time is running out. Are you coming one by one, or all at once? I can accept either way!”

The officials were left speechless.

You can accept it, but we can’t accept it!

You little bastard!

The officials looked at each other for a while.

Finally, led by some department heads, they bowed and apologized very reluctantly, saying, “Sorry, Sir Lin!”

“Ah~” Lin Beifan closed his eyes in rapture.

The sound of the apology was so pleasant, so beautiful, and so heartwarming!

It felt like he was enjoying a foot massage from head to toe!

It felt so good!

Finally unable to resist, he couldn’t help but ask, “My esteemed officials, I didn’t catch that. Can you say it again?”

The officials: “…”

The Empress, who was watching with a cold gaze, almost laughed.

Lin Beifan was really too wicked!

All these high-ranking officials are lowering their heads to apologize to you, and you still want to hear it again?

Are you deliberately trying to provoke them?

“Alright, Sir Lin, the officials have already apologized. Please do not trouble them further,” the Empress said, holding back her laughter.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Lin Beifan quickly backed down.

The officials breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt very indignant.

He beat our son, cheated us out of so much money, and now we have to apologize to him…

Where is the justice?

Where is the fairness?

After being officials for so many years, today they had suffered the most grievances!

Just at that moment, the Minister of Personnel, Gao Tianyao, stood up and loudly reported to the Empress, “During Lin Beifan’s tenure as the Director of the Imperial Academy, he strengthened the discipline and moral cultivation, creating a positive learning environment where students’ academic performance improved! Moreover, during this period, he led students to research and invent numerous instruments that benefited the country and the people, setting an example for all officials and being a pillar of the nation! The court cannot bury talents, so I request that Sir Lin be promoted by one level, please grant your mercy, Your Majesty!”

The officials were confused!

What had gotten into Gao Tianyao?

He actually proposed to the Empress to promote Lin Beifan?

Had he just been too stimulated and said such nonsense?

Then, the Minister of Household also stood up and said loudly, “What Minister Gao said is right! I also request that Sir Lin be promoted by one level, please grant your mercy, Your Majesty!”

Then, the Minister of Works also stood up and said, “I also request that Lin be promoted by one level, please grant your mercy, Your Majesty!”

The fourth Minister also stood up.

The fifth Minister also realized it.

They were all proposing to promote Lin Beifan.

The other officials gradually understood and also stood up together.

Bowing and saluting, they all said, “I also request that Lin be promoted by one level, please grant your mercy, Your Majesty!”

The scene was magnificent!

The surrounding students and teachers were all confused!

The joint voice of the officials to promote Lin Beifan by one level was such a great honor!

It could even be recorded in history!

Lin Beifan so surprised!

However, Lin Beifan was not happy at all.

These old cunning foxes!

If they couldn’t bring him down, they wanted to transfer him from the Imperial Academy.

He was currently the director of the Imperial Academy, a sixth-class official. Above his position in Imperial Academy was the Principal, his direct superior which was a fourth-class official.

If he were to be promoted by one level, he would become a fifth-class official, but there was no corresponding position in the Imperial Academy, so he could only be transferred from the Imperial Academy.

If he left the Imperial Academy, their son would naturally be relieved.

They would also be relieved and no longer be scammed by Lin Beifan.

He couldn’t leave the Imperial Academy!

He couldn’t bear to part with these experienced little baby boys!

He had to get tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of liang from them every month!

Where could he find such a stable stream of experience baby boys?

So Lin Beifan anxiously said, “Gentlemen, you are too flattering to your lowly official! Your humble official has only been in office for a little over a month and has shallow experience and limited abilities. It is really difficult to bear such a great responsibility! Therefore, your humble official thinks it is better to hone his skills in the Imperial Academy for a few more years!”

Upon hearing this, the officials became uneasy!

You want to stay in the Imperial Academy for a few more years?

We are all going to be scammed by you to bankruptcy!

Being a corrupt official is not easy, can’t you let go of us?

Although we are rich, it is also obtained through slow and hard work and sweat.

Yet they are all taken by you!

The officials thought more and more, and hurriedly urged him, “Director Lin, you are too modest, your abilities are obvious to all!”

“Being a Director at the Imperial Academy is too understated for you! You should have a broader stage, a greater prospect, a greater cause, rather than staying here!”

“Director Lin, if you really want to serve your majesty, don’t decline!”

……

Lin Beifan humbly refused again.

The Empress, standing in the middle of them all, couldn’t help but smile at the ridiculous scene.

She couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly.

Being an official was not easy at all!

When encountering someone who could scam and be as cunning as Lin Beifan, they could only promote him and send him away!

“Well, don’t argue!” said the Empress, and the officials immediately quieted down.

“You all are right!”

The Empress smiled and said, “During Director Lin’s tenure at the Imperial Academy, not only was the academy’s moral fortitude improved, but students’ academic performance significantly improved too. He also invented so many instruments that benefited the country and the people, and thus deserves to be promoted by one level!”

The officials were overjoyed and exclaimed, “Long live your Majesty!”

“But, as Director Lin himself said, he has not been an official for long, and his experience is shallow, his abilities are limited, and he should hone his skills at the Imperial Academy for some time. In addition, if not for his oversight, these instruments that benefited the country and the people are not safe!”

Lin Beifan was overjoyed and exclaimed, “Long live your Majesty!”

“So, I have been thinking hard and have finally thought of a good idea!”

The empress suppressed a smile and said, “We can first promote Lin Beifan one level to a fifth-rank official, but he will still serve as the Director at the Imperial Academy. When he is capable enough, he can be transferred to other positions. Isn’t that a win-win situation?”

The officials were confused and dismayed. They thought to themselves, “He’s getting a promotion, but that jerk still gets all the benefits by not leaving the Imperial Academy. How is this fair?”

They outwardly protested, “Your Majesty, this cannot be done! It goes against precedent!”

The empress waved her hand and replied, “Although there is no precedent, we can create one. Sir Lin’s situation is unique, and his talent is scarce. Why can’t the court make some changes? Isn’t that what you want?”

The officials continued to argue, but Lin Beifan secretly laughed.

He was getting a promotion and could continue to make money. What a great benefit! The empress was too good to him!

Suddenly, the empress decisively announced, “Enough! We have made our decision. Sir Lin, come forward and receive your new rank. We will now hear the opinions of the officials. You are promoted one level to a fifth-rank official and will continue to serve as Director at the Imperial Academy, serving the country.”

Lin Beifan gratefully thanked the officials, while they scowled in frustration.