"The Jingguo Martial Arts Examination is still in the preparation stage, and Zhou Chuan and his sister will definitely return to Yanchuan with Zhao Cheng first."

Zuo Zhu analyzed, "Yu Beipiao is a top-notch expert, and so is Zhou Chuan. I'm afraid they don't have absolute confidence. At the state banquet, Zhou Chuan and Chen Chong were able to fight to a draw, which shows their strength."

"So Chen Chong has to go too."

Yang Qingzhi stroked the cat's neck and smiled, "Since Zhou Jinghuan is waiting for my instructions, how could he not lend a hand?"

"The young commander is wise!"

"Go."

Yang Qingzhi gently raised his head, looked at the sky, and said silently, "Zhao Cheng, the Seven Generals of the Yang Clan are waiting for you in the sky..."

...

The Imperial Palace of Dajing. (qqxδnew)

The Imperial Study.

"Prime Minister, you asked me to postpone the northward expansion and first establish the three new northern prefectures. I agree to this! You recommended General Wang Ren to serve as the governor-general of the three new northern prefectures. I agree to this as well! But you must arrange the military examinations according to my wishes!"

In the imperial study, Yuan Xiu, as usual, did not sit on the dragon throne but on the dragon desk. Lü Lu and Wei You stood behind him, while Wen Tai, Wen Hu, Chen Changyun, and Tie Ge stood in front of the dragon desk.

With Yuan Xiu's approval, Wen Tai felt relieved. For him, it was more important to promote Wang Ren to be the governor of the three northern prefectures.

As for the military examination, he originally intended to recommend Wen Hu.

Zhao Cheng intercepted the marriage proposal, and although Yuan Xiu was unaware of it beforehand, he still owed Wen Tai an explanation. Wen Tai took the opportunity to recommend Wen Hu, and Yuan Xiu couldn't refuse.

Unexpectedly, Yuan Xiu spoke first, silencing Wen Tai.

Wen Hu clenched his fists tightly, feeling displeased.

Being in charge of the military examinations, while helping the emperor recruit skilled fighters, also allows one to develop their own people if they are the chief examiner.

This is a good job.

Unexpectedly, the wedding was interrupted, and the job was cut off. Wen Hu was furious...

Wen Tai glanced at Tie Ge and thought to himself that the emperor rarely summoned Tie Ge to the imperial study. Could it be that he wanted Tie Ge to take charge?

Tie Ge is the Minister of War, so it makes sense to put him in charge. It would be a reasonable arrangement to assign the recruited experts to the army according to their respective strengths.

Since the emperor had already expressed his opinion, Wen Tai dared not delay and said, "I am a civil official and do not know anything about fighting and killing. The matter of the military examination is entirely up to Your Majesty to decide!"

"Hmm..." Yuan Xiu nodded in satisfaction.

Wen Tai then asked, "But I am very curious, has Your Majesty made a decision yet? How will the military examination be arranged?"

"Iron Spear!"

Upon hearing Yuan Xiu utter the name, Wen Tai thought to himself, "As expected," and at the same time, he began to calculate in his mind.

Tie Ge was not a member of the Left Prime Minister's office, but he belonged to the neutral faction in the court. Although such a person could not be won over, it was not impossible to make some deals by offering him benefits.

Before Yuan Xiu could finish speaking, he added, "And Chen Changyun too!"

"These two will serve as the deputy examiners for this martial arts examination!"

Wen Tai paused for a moment, then asked, "Lord Tie and Attendant Chen are only assistant examiners? Then who is the chief examiner?"

As he spoke, Wen Tai quickly glanced at Wei You behind Yuan Xiu.

I wondered if it was Wei You?

If it really is Wei You, then of the three examiners, one is a neutral party and two are the emperor's confidants.

With this arrangement, Yuan Xiu was indeed able to keep all the masters under his control.

But the problem is...

Wei You isn't qualified enough!

Although he was a favorite of the emperor, he was only a secretary!

Wen Tai saw that Yuan Xiu was indeed looking behind him.

However... he wasn't looking at Wei You.

Yuan Xiu's gaze fell on Lü Lu's face.

"Chief Examiner, I have decided that Eunuch Lü will serve as the examiner."

Buzz!

Wen Tai felt his head explode, and he and Wen Hu looked at Lü Lu at the same time.

Lü Lu was appointed as the chief examiner for the military examination!

It's not that Lü Lu lacked experience; on the contrary, as the top eunuch, he controlled almost all national affairs and court secrets. Furthermore, as the emperor's closest and most trusted confidant, his experience and influence were more than sufficient.

The problem is, he was a eunuch.

Wen Tai couldn't help but speculate that Yuan Xiu's arrangement was clearly intended to allow eunuchs to interfere in politics.

When Yuan Xiu first ascended the throne, he was bullied by the maternal relatives and deeply resented them. This is one of the reasons why he has not yet established an empress. He wants to strengthen the power of those around him, and indeed, he can only start with the eunuchs.

But who is he trying to protect himself from by doing this?

Zhao Huan has Wen Tai suppressing him...

The answer is self-evident.

Wen Tai took a deep breath, knowing that Yuan Xiu was on guard against him.

Wen Tai glanced at the others and saw that they all looked calm, clearly indicating that they already knew about this arrangement.

No wonder His Majesty didn't summon Mu Shanyue today.

If Mu Shanyue were here, he would definitely oppose Yuan Xiu's actions. Not against Lü Lu, but against the interference of eunuchs in politics.

Yuan Xiu observed Wen Tai's expression and asked, "The Left Prime Minister has no objections, does he?"

Wen Tai coughed and said, "Eunuch Lü served the late emperor for many years and is a veteran in the palace. He is capable and loyal, so he can naturally carry out His Majesty's decisions in the best way."

"So there are no objections?"

Wen Tai nodded.

Yuan Xiu jumped down from the dragon table, shook his sleeves, and said, "If that's the case, then this matter is settled."

"Lü Lu! Tie Ge! Chen Changyun!"

"Your servant is here!"

"Your subject is here!!"

The three of them knelt down in front of Yuan Xiu.

Yuan Xiu said proudly, "The military examination is not as complicated as the civil examination, but it is still a huge undertaking. The three of you must work closely together and cooperate to select truly talented individuals for our Great Jing!"

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