Chapter 341 New official takes office
On December 30th, Li Dongyang presented a carefully written letter of thanks, expressing his gratitude for the emperor's great grace.

On the same day, the court was in turmoil. Yang Tinghe officially assumed the post of Prime Minister of the Cabinet, shouldering the heavy responsibility of helmsman of the giant ship of the Ming Empire and becoming the navigator of the new era of the empire.

The first thing he did after taking office was to solemnly recommend talented and capable people to Emperor Zhengde in order to enrich the cabinet and discuss national affairs together.

The three people recommended were Minister of War He Jian, Minister of Punishment Yang Yiqing, and Minister of Rites Tian Jingxian.

The three of them are people of real talent and knowledge, and they shine in their respective fields. No matter who Emperor Zhengde chooses, it will be a good thing for the civil and military officials in the court.

Emperor Zhengde reviewed the list of cabinet ministers nominations presented by Yang Tinghe. His eyes swept across the row of prominent names, but he failed to find the figure he was expecting. He could not help but frown slightly, feeling a little unhappy and helpless.

If Yang Tinghe had mentioned it to himself, he would have agreed to it and the matter would have been settled.

But now that the other party is unwilling to cooperate, there is nothing he can do.

Emperor Zhengde felt a little emotional. He thought, it would be great if Ou Qing could take part in the imperial examination in the early years of Zhengde!
Emperor Zhengde put down the list in his hand, pondered for a moment, and said with a smile: "Let's put the cabinet affairs aside for now. After all, Li Qing has been recuperating due to illness recently, and Yang Qing, Liang Qing, and Fei Qing are also able to take charge of their own affairs. The cabinet is still running in an orderly manner without any slackness. You three may as well take on more responsibilities."

"I obey your order." After hearing this, Yang Tinghe didn't know what to say and just agreed.

When the Prime Minister walked out of the Qianqing Palace, he saw Ou Zanghua standing at the door waiting with a memorial in his hand.

Ou Zanghua bowed first and said, "This subordinate greets Mr. Yang."

"Mr. Ou Ke, thank you for your courtesy." Yang Tinghe responded with a gentle smile, then changed the subject and asked with concern about the preparations for the heaven and ancestor worship.

Upon hearing this, Ou Zanghua calmly and clearly explained everything one by one. No matter whether it was every detail of the heaven sacrifice or the creation of a solemn atmosphere for ancestor worship, he explained them all without omission, fully demonstrating his thoroughness.

"Qing Ou Keqing is indeed a young talent. His arrangements are thorough and careful, very good." After hearing this, Yang Tinghe's eyes flashed with admiration. Being able to arrange such complicated matters as offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors in such a short time, his ability is naturally beyond doubt.

Ou Zanghua said modestly: "Mr. Yang, you are too kind. Such a major event cannot be accomplished by one person alone. It depends on the sincere cooperation and full support of colleagues from all departments to make it happen."

Yang Tinghe smiled and gave a few words of encouragement before turning and leaving. Ou Zanghua withdrew his gaze and, following the eunuch's notification, walked into the Qianqing Palace.

He came here today to discuss the procedures of offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors with Emperor Zhengde.

According to the procedures set by the Ministry of Rites, the emperor needs to take action personally. After all, offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors are very important things for the Chinese people.

The ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors was scheduled to be held on the twelfth day of the first lunar month in the eighth year of the Zhengde reign. Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhengde's expression slightly changed, and he immediately raised his hand to interrupt the detailed report that Ou Zanghua was about to give.

He said casually, "Last year, Mr. Fei went on my behalf, and the results were very good. This year, I will entrust the important task to Mr. Ou, and you will go on my behalf. How do you think?"

Ou Zanghua sighed inwardly, he knew it would be like this, and then he quickly adjusted his mindset and respectfully accepted the order.

"We've finished talking about business, come and fight with me!"

Emperor Zhengde stood up and led Ou Zanghua to the Wuying Palace. "I have recently gained some insights, so it's a good opportunity to discuss them with Lord Ou."

Seeing how interested the Emperor Zhengde was, Ou Zanghua decisively gave him some advice: "Your Majesty, tomorrow is the 31st, and there will be an early court session. Your Majesty, don't forget it."

"Well, let's not talk about anything else besides the competition, so as not to spoil the fun." Emperor Zhengde waved his hand, determined not to discuss anything else with Ou Zanghua.

The two arrived at Wuying Hall and changed into their training clothes.

Ou Zanghua held a long sword and waited solemnly, while Emperor Zhengde held a long spear and posed in a guard of honor posture, with his hand in front and the spear hidden behind his back. This meant using courtesy before force, and it also showed that Emperor Zhengde was serious this time and would not hold back.

After looking at each other, they rushed towards each other at the same time.

Emperor Zhengde's spear skills are exquisite. With one move, he flips over and shoots with the spear over his back, followed by a whirlwind sweep. These are all common moves in martial arts, but he uses them in a different way.

Ou Zanghua's swordsmanship was superb, and his body movements were agile, like a swimming dragon, either standing upright or swinging, avoiding the sharp edge invisibly. Emperor Zhengde suddenly used a leaping spear to chop, which was so powerful that Ou Zanghua had to raise his sword to resist.

Unexpectedly, he immediately used the move of flipping over like a python, which was even more powerful.

However, Ou Zanghua swung his sword, and the sword light was like a weave, and he actually took this sudden move steadily.

The body shape of Emperor Zhengde suddenly changed, as if a dragon soared into the sky. After an incredible flying flip, his spear was like a dragon, piercing through the clouds and splitting the rocks. With the sound of whistling wind, he tore open Ou Zanghua's sword net defense.

This attack was as fast as lightning and as fierce as thunder, making people dazzled.

Ou Zanghua subconsciously raised his sword to block, but heard a crisp "ding" sound. He felt an overwhelming force coming from the tip of the gun, which made his arm numb. The sword slipped out of his hand involuntarily and fell far away.

"Ou Qing, how is it?"

Seeing Ou Zanghua's shocked expression, Emperor Zhengde felt an indescribable joy in his heart, just like sitting around a stove in the severe winter, enjoying a pot of steaming hot pot, the warmth went straight to his heart and he was extremely happy.

The last time he heard Yu Huatian describe the battle between his own Ou Qing and Dongfang Sheng, he realized a problem. Ou Qing's progress was a bit too fast. Even for himself, it would be difficult to defeat him within 200 moves.

How could Emperor Zhengde tolerate such a situation?
So he sought out masters from Yu Huatian, Dongchang, and Jinyiwei, and after more than half a month of hard thinking and repeated deliberation, he finally found a flaw in Ou Zanghua's swordsmanship, and then defeated him with this unexpected move.

Only in this way can he maintain his supreme dignity as an emperor.

Ou Zanghua quickly recovered from his shock, smiled bitterly, and then bowed his hands and said, "Your Majesty is an outstanding martial artist. I am ashamed to be inferior to you. I am still far behind."

Upon hearing this, the corners of Emperor Zhengde's mouth slightly raised, and he nodded with satisfaction. He warned with the bearing of a great master: "It's good to know. Don't be complacent just because others say you are the best swordsman in the world. You don't know that there are always people better than you."

Ou Zanghua thought about it and felt that what Emperor Zhengde said made sense. The strongest living swordsman in the world should be Senior Feng Qingyang from Huashan, who was as graceful as the wind and had a sword spirit that was divine.

In the lost legend, Dugu Qiubai's swordsmanship even reached the level of being without a sword, which is admirable.

His so-called 'best swordsmanship in the world' can only be justified after he defeats Feng Qingyang!

"Thank you Your Majesty for your advice. Ou Zanghua bowed to Emperor Zhengde and thanked him sincerely.

"Yes, you have this understanding. You are a teachable kid."

After Ou Zanghua respectfully left, Emperor Zhengde turned his gaze to Yu Huatian who was standing silently at the side, and called softly: "Yu Huatian, come here."

Upon hearing the voice, Yu Huatian quickly stepped forward and bowed, "I am here."

Emperor Zhengde smiled slightly, with a sly look in his eyes: "Did you watch carefully the duel between me and Lord Ou just now?"

Yu Huatian quickly replied: "Your Majesty, I witnessed the entire process and have memorized every move."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhengde nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile, "Very good. When you go back, carefully analyze those sword techniques and find out the flaws and countermeasures. I believe in your ability, and it may come in handy in the next battle."

Yu Huatian was speechless, but who could blame him for being the emperor?
He could only bow and accept the order, saying, "As you wish! I will do my best to live up to your majesty's high expectations."

Ou Zanghua didn’t know that Emperor Zhengde had also started using cheats. After he left the Qianqing Palace, he saw that it was getting late, so he went straight home.

As soon as he entered the door, Hua An walked over quickly, bowed and said, "Master, today I received an invitation from Mr. Yang, the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Rites. He hopes that you will go to Yang's house on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to attend the full moon banquet for his grandson."

Ou Zanghua's movements froze, and he thought to himself, the Shaoqing of Taichang Temple is a fourth-rank official and has nothing to do with him, so why would he suddenly think of inviting him?

He thought about it carefully and remembered that the Shaoqing of the Taichang Temple was named Yang Tingyi. From the name, he knew that he was Yang Tinghe's younger brother.
(End of this chapter)