Yuan Yun approves of Li Dai's strong abilities and the fact that he is at the prime age of thirty, a time when one should be establishing oneself and building a career.
Moreover, when the position of city prefect became vacant, Yuan Yun thought of him first, her only concern being his lack of experience.
“Your Highness, please don’t think that Li Dai is young and inexperienced. In fact, he handles most of my work.” Ma Tiezhou guessed Yuan Yun’s concerns.
Seeing that Yuan Yun remained silent, Ma Tiezhou continued, "If Your Highness is still worried, I can recommend someone to assist Li Dai."
"who?"
"Cheng Xu".
Yuan Yun was taken aback and asked doubtfully, "Cheng Xu is Zhu Shan's man, and he helped her keep so many things from you, yet you still recommended him?"
Ma Tiezhou shook his head and said, "Your Highness, as I said, I know everything about Zhu Shan."
Yuan Yun's eyes widened, and she immediately understood. She turned around and asked, "Is Cheng Xu one of your men?"
From the moment he met Yuan Yun until now, Ma Tiezhou finally showed a smile and said, "Cheng Xu is very meticulous, a good candidate for handling affairs, and quite resourceful. His betrayal this time is not a matter of his character, but rather that he was never loyal to Zhu Shan in the first place."
"Prefect Ma, the two people you recommended are crucial to the future of the people of Yanchuan."
Ma Tiezhou understood Yuan Yun's meaning, and touched his chest, saying, "I have no selfish motives. Recommending them is my final contribution to Dajing."
Yuan Yun gave Ma Tiezhou a deep look and said, "I hope you take care of yourself for the rest of your life."
Ma Tiezhou bent down and bowed deeply to Yuan Yun.
...
"Ah Yun, you're amazing! You taught Madam Ma a lesson with just a few tricks and even got the prefect to run away!"
Yuan Yun was writing a letter at her desk in her room. After learning what she was doing, Zhao Cheng paced back and forth excitedly.
"However, isn't it inappropriate to recommend Li Dai as the prefect of Yanchuan City?"
Yuan Yun continued writing, then asked, "What's wrong? Didn't he have a good relationship with you? Wasn't the Chamber of Commerce relying on him to give you preferential treatment? Now that he's given you the benefits, you're acting all coy?"
"No, no, no, that's not what I meant. I meant that he's my father's student. It's fine for him to be a minor city garrison commander, but the position of prefect... I'm afraid my brother-in-law wouldn't agree to it, would he?"
"If you thought of that, how could I not?"
Yuan Yun raised her head, beckoned to Zhao Cheng, and said, "Come here."
Zhao Cheng said, "I don't read your letter; it's a matter of privacy."
Stop pretending!
Yuan Yun rolled her eyes at Zhao Cheng, who quickly leaned closer with a grin.
Yuan Yun hesitated for a moment, then said, “If I recommend him directly like this, my brother definitely won’t agree. But I’ll make it clear to him in the letter that, first of all, Li Dai’s abilities are undeniable. He has served as Ma Tiezhou’s deputy for several years, so he has experience and qualifications, and he is most familiar with the situation in Yanchuan City. I know that Li Dai is the Right Chancellor’s student, but it is precisely because he is the Right Chancellor’s student that I want to recommend him and promote him in my own name.”
“At crucial moments, the position of Prefect of Yanchuan City is crucial. My move is to develop Li Dai into one of our own. On the surface, he is the Right Chancellor’s student, so the officials and people of Dajing will think that you and the Right Chancellor are on good terms. But in reality, Yanchuan City is in our hands.”
"Don't you agree, dear brother?"
Zhao Cheng's mouth gaped slightly as he sighed, "Ah Yun, you're truly a master of scheming!"
Yuan Yun pursed her lips and said, "Why does it feel like you're insulting me?"
"I admire you!" Zhao Cheng hugged Yuan Yun and said, "You've worked hard, navigating between my father and your brother, and even deceiving your brother."
"Don't talk nonsense. I'm not lying to my brother; I'm telling the truth. Li Dai is mine from now on, isn't he?"
"Yes, yes, yes! He is your father-in-law's student, my senior brother, and the city governor of your brother. Of course he's one of yours!"
Yuan Yun said smugly, "That's more like it..."
"You've worked so hard, I must reward you properly!" With that, Zhao Cheng picked up Yuan Yun.
"Wait a minute, I haven't finished writing my letter yet!"
"I can't wait any longer, my greatsword is itching for a fight!"
"You're so annoying..."
"Ah...it itches...no, no...no...stop..."
...
The next day.
Right Prime Minister's Residence, Fish-Viewing Pavilion.
Yuan Yun sat at the round table, Zhao Cheng stood to one side watching the fish, and Li Dai and Cheng Xu stood in front of Yuan Yun.
Li Dai remained calm and composed, while Cheng Xu seemed somewhat nervous, his eyes closed and his mind elsewhere.
Yuan Yun ignored Cheng Xu and chatted with Li Dai.
Zhao Cheng listened intently; he had deliberately followed along, hoping to learn from Yuan Yun.
Although they are husband and wife, each of them has their own strengths, and it is a great thing to be able to learn from each other.
"The news of Prefect Ma's resignation will be sent out in the next few days. You should continue with your usual practices until the Emperor's official appointment is issued, at which point you will take over the post."
Li Dai nodded heavily and said, "Thank you for your trust, Your Highness!"
"No need to thank me, or anyone else. Just do your job well and do more for the benefit of the people."
"yes!"
"Go and look at the fish with A-Cheng. I'll chat with Cheng Xu for a bit."
Upon hearing Yuan Yun call his name, Cheng Xu quickly walked over and respectfully bowed.
"Your Highness."
"Cheng Xu, Prefect Ma recommended you to me. During breakfast, I reviewed some of your records from when you were Prefect Ma's advisor. There's not much to say about your work. Once the appointment is finalized, I will have Li Dai appoint you as Chief Clerk. Assist him well."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xu's eyes lit up, and he said solemnly, "Cheng Xu will certainly not fail in his mission!"
"That's one thing. There are two other things I'd like to ask you about."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
