In the imperial court, no one would be foolish enough to offend Zhao Yan. After all, Zhao Yan had always been the apple of Emperor Deming's eye, holding a secure position for over a decade. Even though he was the youngest member of the Grand Secretariat, he wielded the most influence; not even senior veterans like Grand Secretary Cao and Grand Secretary Yang could shake his standing.
Over the years, Zhao Yan had successively proposed various moneymaking ventures that filled the coffers of the Ministry of Revenue's commercial shops to overflowing, leading Minister Zhōu to treat Zhao Yan as an honored guest.
Logic suggested that Zhao Yan's immense clout in the court would surely arouse Emperor Deming's wariness—everyone knew that the imperial household was never short on suspicion. Yet Zhao Yan happened to be the exception; through sheer capability, he had gradually dispelled the Emperor's distrust.
Chapter 706