Chapter 1205 A glimmer of hope!
Ye Mingsheng's sudden appointment caught everyone present off guard. In fact, these high-ranking officials of the Huainan Provincial Government and the Censorate had expected Sun Xiuquan to be promoted to provincial governor. After all, Sun Xiuquan had made great contributions in the Xie Wenjun incident!

Therefore, after Murong Yuliang, the governor, suffered a big setback this time, Sun Xiuquan's promotion to the governor was basically a matter of course and as it should be...

Everyone had already prepared themselves mentally for Sun Xiuquan to take the throne. Some of Sun Xiuquan's followers even felt that this was a sure thing, so they congratulated Sun Xiuquan in advance!
Ye Mingsheng did dismiss Murong Yuliang as everyone expected, and then promoted Sun Xiuquan to the position of governor. However, what no one expected was that Ye Mingsheng sent Sun Xiuquan to Jingchu to be the governor!

Just when everyone was still looking at each other in bewilderment at this sudden appointment, Huainan Deputy Governor Ma Jingui seemed to realize something and immediately winked at the somewhat plump official wearing the third-rank official robe.

Facing Ma Jingui's hint, this man, who was also a veteran in the officialdom, immediately understood what he meant, and immediately stood up and bowed to Ye Mingsheng and asked:

"General, you can't leave Huainan without someone to handle all the affairs there. Now that Lord Murong has been deposed and Lord Sun has been transferred to Jingchu, who should handle the affairs of the Huainan Provincial Administration Office and the Censorate?"

Ye Mingsheng glanced at the person who asked the question and then asked back:

"Who are you?"

"I am Niu Delu, the councillor of Huainan Provincial Government, here to see you, Marshal!"

Seeing that this fat guy was actually the Chief Secretary, Ye Mingsheng also spoke:
"The main work of the Provincial Government will be temporarily handled by the Deputy Provincial Government Envoy Ma Jingui. As for the position of Censor, let Kangyin Prefect Gao Zhenji take it first..."

As soon as these words were spoken, Ma Jingui on the side was suddenly very happy. Although Sun Xiuquan agreed to let him take over the position of Censor, but who could be the Censor when he could be the Governor? And he, Ma Jingui, had long been looking forward to the position of Governor. Even though it was only a temporary position now, it was also very good news!
Some were happy while others were sad. Just when Ma Jingui was happy that Ye Mingsheng let him temporarily serve as the governor, Sun Xiuquan's heart sank to the bottom.

Who is Gao Zhenjishi?

This guy is a direct descendant of the imperial court from the Fengwu Army, and is also an airdropped faction like Murong Yuliang. However, because Gao Zhenji had first worked in the Liaoyang Censorate, he was considered a half-student of Cui Shao, the then Liaoyang Censor. Because of this relationship, he and Murong Yuliang always kept their distance.

The Marshal has now transferred himself from Huainan and appointed Gao Zhenji as the Censor. This move is extremely dangerous for Sun Xiuquan!

As a local tyrant in Huainan, Sun Xiuquan also has a dirty bottom. Let's not talk about other things, just the hundreds of acres of fertile land of his Sun family and his nephew's gambling house, which are all full of shit. The reason why nothing has happened over the years is entirely because of Sun Xiuquan's position.

And if Sun Xiuquan left, and Gao Zhenji came to serve as the Censor, it is entirely imaginable what will happen in the next few months...

Thinking of this, Sun Xiuquan lowered his head and first glanced at Ma Jingui beside him, thinking that Ma Jingui, as an ally, could say a word for him at this critical moment. But looking at Ma Jingui's appearance, Sun Xiuquan, who had known him for many years, already understood that this guy had been bribed by Ye Mingsheng to temporarily take over the position of governor!
Seeing that Ma Jingui could no longer be relied upon, Sun Xiuquan could only let his own men take the stage. He coughed lightly, and the Censor Wu Jia who was standing behind him stepped forward and said:
"Marshal, although Prefect Gao is very talented, he has only been appointed as Prefect of Kangyin a few months ago. I am afraid he does not fully understand the situation in Kangyin. The Censor is in charge of the laws and criminal law of a province, and needs to have a sufficient understanding of the situation in Huainan. Therefore, please think twice about the selection of the Censor!"

As soon as Wu Jia finished speaking, Dou Kai, the provincial governor who was also a member of Sun Xiuquan's party, stood up, and his words were more direct than Wu Jia's.

"The Marshal Gao Zhifu is still young. If he rashly takes over the post of Censor, it will not be a blessing for Gao Zhifu or the people of Huainan!"

As Wu Jia and Dou Kai spoke one after another, the others present who were close to Sun Xiuquan also became restless.

Seeing this, Ye Mingsheng did not get angry, but just smiled slightly and said calmly:

"What you said makes sense. Then let Zhao Wentao, the commander of the Huainan Coordination Office, be the Censor. He has been working in Huainan since Xu Zhaojie's time, and it has been five years since then. He knows the situation in Huainan very well. What do you think?"

When Ye Mingsheng mentioned the name of Zhao Wentao, a captain of the Coordination Office, everyone present fell silent. Many of the Huainan officials present had served as officials during Xu Zhaojie's time, and the fact that they could appear in front of Ye Mingsheng today meant that they had all betrayed Xu Zhaojie and accepted the solicitation of the Coordination Office!

The person who represented the General Coordination Office and the Fengwu Army to win them over at that time was none other than Zhao Wentao, the then Captain of the Army. It was because of this achievement that Captain Zhao was promoted to the rank of Captain of the General Coordination Office. Therefore, everyone present was very aware of Zhao Wentao's ruthlessness and viciousness. They were also very aware that once Zhao Wentao really became the Censor of Huainan, it would definitely not be good news for all of them!

Seeing that Ye Mingsheng seemed to want everyone to choose between Zhao Wentao and Gao Zhenji, Sun Xiuquan felt disappointed. He realized that Ye Mingsheng seemed to really want to make a move on him this time!
Seeing that no one in the room was talking and the atmosphere became somewhat silent, Ye Mingsheng looked at Sun Xiuquan and asked with a smile:

"Governor Sun, you have served as the Huainan Censor and are very familiar with the situation in Huainan. You have a say in this matter, so why don't you share your thoughts and tell me who is more suitable to succeed you, the Huainan Censor, between Gao Zhenji and Zhao Wentao?"

Hearing Ye Mingsheng calling him "Sun the Governor, formerly served as", Sun Xiuquan felt bitter in his heart, but at this moment he had no choice but to take a deep breath, then raised his head to meet Ye Mingsheng's gaze and said, "Marshal, I think that although Gao Zhifu is young, he is a rare young talent. The Censorate needs such fresh blood to join, so I think Gao Zhifu is qualified for the position of Censor..."

Ye Mingsheng nodded with satisfaction and said:
"In that case, let's settle this matter. Ma Jingui will temporarily serve as the governor, and Gao Zhenji will temporarily serve as the provincial governor!"

After hearing this, Sun Xiuquan was very unwilling, but he still had to bow and say:
"The handsome and wise man!"

Seeing that Sun Xiuquan had given in, Ma Jingui, who was pretending to be fine, immediately stood up and said:

"Thank you for your cultivation, Marshal! I will definitely live up to your kindness!"

Just when Sun Xiuquan was feeling hopeless and didn't know what to do next, Ye Mingsheng spoke again:
"The post of deputy censor is still vacant in the Huainan Censorate of Sun Buzhengshi. You have been in the Censorate for several years and understand the situation well, so please list a few suitable candidates for me in the next few days!"

Ye Mingsheng's words were like a ray of light that shattered the darkness in Sun Xiuquan's heart, making Sun Xiuquan's face suddenly brighten. The next second he immediately bowed and said:

"Thank you for your trust, Marshal. I will carefully consider the candidate!"

Ye Mingsheng smiled and nodded slightly, then glanced at Murong Yuliang who was still kneeling on the ground, and then turned around and left amid a round of farewells, ending today’s meeting...
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An hour later, in the Sun Mansion Study

Sun Xiuquan leaned back in his armchair, his eyes closed, his mind constantly recalling every word and every move of Ye Mingsheng in the governor's office just now.

A few days ago, in this room, still sitting on this chair, he was full of confidence and led his men to defeat Murong Yuliang, who came from a prominent family and had a strong background. At that time, he was smiling and felt that the post of Huainan Governor belonged to him!
However, it turned out like this after just a few days. It's really like heaven and hell!
Thinking of this, Sun Xiuquan couldn't help but smile bitterly. At this moment, he thought of his cousin, Sun Jing'an, the former prefect of Licheng, governor of Qi and Lu, and governor of Ji and Yu, who had a very similar identity and background to him!
Just recently at the beginning of the year, Ye Mingsheng used promotion to transfer Sun Jing'an out of his old nest, Qilu. At that time, Sun Jing'an, who didn't know that a disaster was imminent, came to Qilu happily, dreaming that he could use the post of Governor of Hebei and Henan as a springboard to enter the central government!
However, after luring Sun Jing'an away from the mountain, Ye Mingsheng promoted Ma Runchuan to the position of governor, and then asked the Ministry of Justice and the General Coordination Office to conduct a joint investigation into Qi and Lu. Some darkness hidden underwater also surfaced. Some things are not important if they cannot be brought to the table, but once they are brought to the table and put under the sun, they are as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Sun Jingan also lost his life and became a lonely ghost in a foreign land.
Now the situations of Sun Xiuquan and Sun Jingan are very similar. Sun Jingan was transferred from Qi and Lu to Hebei and Henan, while he was transferred from Huainan to Jingchu!

Sun Xiuquan was well aware that he had confidants and followers in Huainan, and many people who depended on him for their livelihood. He could command the support of hundreds of people and possessed great influence and appeal. However, once he left Huainan and went to Jingchu, it would be like a big tree leaving its roots, and he, Sun Jingan, would be nothing!
Others can treat you however they want!

Thinking of this, Sun Xiuquan couldn't help but sigh. He easily controlled Murong Yuliang in Huainan, but he had missed one thing!
This matter underestimated Ye Mingsheng's will to promote reforms. At the same time, they did not clearly recognize their own position and did not realize that Marshal Ye still did not trust them!

Sun Xiuquan knew very well that Murong Yuliang came to Huainan under Ye Mingsheng's orders, and under Ye Mingsheng's will, the reform in Huainan was unstoppable!

Sun Xiuquan was able to betray Xu Zhaojie and join the Fengwu Army, so he naturally understood the importance of going with the flow. So he was not against reform. He wanted to take the lead in the reform. In this way, he could reduce the impact of the reform on his side, and at the same time gain more benefits through the reform!
It was with this idea in mind that Sun Xiuquan spared no effort and used all means to defeat Murong Yuliang. Sun Xiuquan had already thought about it. After he successfully became the governor with this achievement, he would present his reform plan to Ye Mingsheng to gain Ye Mingsheng's support...

But what disappointed him greatly was that despite his efforts to please and flatter Ye Mingsheng, he still did not trust him and even transferred him to Jingchu!

Sun Xiuquan felt very upset when he thought about his position as the governor of Jingchu. Although going to Jingchu to serve as the governor was a promotion and a significant progress in his career, it was also a trap for him!
Thinking of this, Sun Xiuquan couldn't help but have an idea in his mind, that is, to pretend to be sick or crazy, in short, he could not go to Jingchu!

After all, Ye Mingsheng couldn't let someone carry him to Jingchu, right?
However, if I do this, it would be equivalent to completely offending Marshal Ye. Obviously, no one is a fool. Marshal Ye had just transferred me to Jingchu, and then I fell ill and went crazy. No matter who it is, I'm afraid no one would find it hard to believe it.
Although Marshal Ye is not the emperor in name yet, once his true identity is exposed, he will be guilty of deceiving the emperor!

What are the consequences of the crime of deceiving the emperor?
That means the whole family will be executed as a starting point?
Thinking of this consequence, Sun Xiuquan's heart was in a mess. He was torn and didn't know what to do for a while!

The only good news for him now is that although Marshal Ye asked Gao Zhenji to temporarily take over the post of Censor, he asked him to recommend a deputy Censor.

It seems that Marshal Ye does not want to kill him completely. There is still a glimmer of hope. Thinking of this, Sun Xiuquan also carefully considered the candidate. At this time, his butler Sun Zhong walked into the study and whispered to Sun Xiuquan:

"Master, Lord Wujiawu, Lord Doukaidou is here!"

As soon as these words came out, Sun Xiuquan's eyes immediately flashed with a gleam of light. These two were his trusted followers who had followed him for many years, and their purpose of coming to him at such a time was undoubtedly self-evident...

(End of this chapter)