The usually composed Xu Shouli suddenly changed color and roared angrily, "This is a foolish move that will shake the foundation of the empire!"
Chen Changyun sneered, "Lord Qingdong, have you lost your composure? Do you think your decision is beneficial to the country and its people, while our decision is a foolish one?"
Xu Shouli shouted, "Have you considered that even if we consider the worst-case scenario, we can still recover the lost hearts of the people in Guliang County, but in a border region like Tianyong County, once the hearts of the people are lost, it is difficult to regain them! You say that Dayue Kingdom has no money, but what about Jinran? What about Terentu? What about Abilie? They are all close to Tianyong County. If I were them, I would never miss this opportunity!"
Wen Hu's vote has been cast, and the matter is settled. No matter what Xu Shouli says, it's meaningless. Yuan Li said with a smile, "Lord Qingdong is too kind. Even if the situation you described occurs, we can have General Wang teach them a lesson. We can take this opportunity to make them behave themselves."
"Lord Qingdong, the last time you lost your composure like this was when someone in the court falsely accused your son of causing trouble in Yanchuan City, wasn't it?"
Wen Hu said something, walked up to Xu Shouli, bowed to him, and continued, "His Majesty has given the five of us the power to vote, hoping that we can pool our wisdom and express our opinions. My reason is simple: if chaos is to break out, it can only start from the periphery of the empire, not from the heartland."
"The matter is settled, there's no point in me saying anything more, please go ahead!" Xu Shouli didn't argue with Wen Hu and walked back to his chair to sit down.
Yuan Li also took his seat and said, "There is another matter to be decided today. The Ministry of Rites has submitted a memorial stating that the imperial examinations are imminent and asking us to decide on the chief examiners."
"What are your opinions on this?" Yuan Li looked at everyone in turn.
"Minister Chen, you are the Minister of Personnel, what do you say?"
Chen Changyun said, "Your Highness, please allow me a moment to think."
Yuan Li then looked at Xu Shouli and asked, "Where is Marquis Qingdong?"
Xu Shouli said indifferently, "Disaster relief is a matter for my Ministry of Revenue, and I can't even make decisions on that. What use is my opinion on matters concerning the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel?"
Yuan Li was not annoyed and smiled, "Lord Marquis, you are a senior, so please don't hold a grudge against us juniors."
"I wouldn't dare!"
Xu Shouli snorted, then changed the subject, saying, "But if I really had to recommend someone, I do have someone in mind."
"who?"
"Li Shu, Minister of Rites"
“How can this be allowed?!” Chen Changyun immediately interjected.
Xu Shouli frowned and asked, "Why can't it work?"
Chen Changyun said, "According to the court's custom, the imperial examinations have always been presided over by the Vice Minister of Rites. Now that the Minister of Rites has been chosen as the chief examiner, doesn't that mean the entire imperial examination system is being controlled by the Ministry of Rites?"
Xu Shouli countered, "Even so, what's wrong with that?"
Chen Changyun said unhappily, "Lord Qingdong, Li Shu is someone you promoted. Making him the chief examiner will quickly enhance his strength and prestige. But he has only been in Changsui for a short time. Aren't you being a little too impatient?"
This time, Xu Shouli wasn't angry. He calmly said, "I promoted Li Shu? If I remember correctly, His Majesty appointed him as Minister of Rites, didn't he?"
Chen Changyun choked.
Yuan Li said, “Li Shu was indeed appointed by His Majesty, and his status is sufficient, but he has only been in Changsui for a short time, and I am afraid he will not be able to win over the people. I do have someone else in mind.”
Xu Shouli said, "I would like to hear the details."
Yuan Li said, "Dongfang Jun."
Chen Changyun and He Yin exchanged a glance, both looking puzzled, as if they had never heard of this name before.
Xu Shouli asked doubtfully, "Is Your Highness referring to the Grand Master Dongfang Jun?"
Yuan Li laughed and said, "Exactly!"
“The Marquis of Qingdong is more familiar with the personnel in the court. Minister Chen, you should learn more from him.” Yuan Li reprimanded Chen Changyun and then looked at Wen Hu and said, “Marquis of Shaxian, do you have any candidates? You can give your opinion.”
Wen Hu sat upright and said, "You all discuss this. I'll wait here and participate when needed by voting."
“I remember now.” At this moment, He Yin said, “Dongfang Jun is Elder Mu Shanyue’s eldest disciple!”
Yuan Li nodded and said, "Not only that, he also served as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat during the reign of the late emperor, and he was very close to the late emperor. When the late emperor interacted with him in private, he called him his elder brother. Before the late emperor passed away, he appointed him as the Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan, in charge of all matters concerning the imperial family."
"His qualifications are unmatched!"
Xu Shouli thought about it seriously for a moment and said, "Judging from his identity and past, Mr. Dongfang Jun is indeed a suitable candidate, but I think Li Shu is still more suitable."
Yuan Li narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "Why?"
Xu Shouli said, “Dongfang Jun has served as Grand Master of the Imperial Clan for thirteen years, but since the late emperor’s death, all matters concerning the imperial family have been handled by the Vice Grand Master of the Imperial Clan, and he himself has actually retired. As far as I know, since then, he has been living a life of debauchery and indulging in the pleasures of nature and poetry. Such a person may have sufficient qualifications, but things like official duties and scholarship can be made up for in a few days if neglected even for a short time, let alone the fact that he has neglected them for thirteen years?”
Yuan Li said, "Dongfang Jun made that choice at the time in order to avoid persecution by the Hou Party and the Quan Party."
Xu Shouli asked, "What will happen after His Majesty assumes personal rule?"
Yuan Li was speechless for a moment.
Xu Shouli continued, "Once people get used to a life of leisure and play, it's hard to rekindle their fighting spirit. On the other hand, Li Shu is at the peak of his fighting spirit and is full of talent. I still admire Li Shu more."
Yuan Li said indifferently, "If that's the case, then let's vote."
Chen Changyun immediately said, "Dongfang Jun was someone the late emperor trusted. The late emperor even privately called him his elder brother, which is why he entrusted him with the affairs of the Yuan family of the imperial clan. Regardless of whether his studies have been neglected, a person like him as the chief examiner will certainly be impartial and sincerely select talents for the court. I have only served as the Minister of Personnel for a short time and my mind is still lacking. I cannot think of a better candidate for the time being. I support Prince Xin's choice and invite Dongfang Jun to serve as the chief examiner of the imperial examination."
Upon hearing this, Xu Shouli glanced at Chen Changyun and Yuan Li alternately.
He was now certain that Chen Changyun had secretly joined the Xinwang faction.
"Minister He, and what about you?" Yuan Li asked He Yin.
He Yin remained calm and said seriously, "I think Minister Chen's words are inappropriate."
Chen Changyun asked suspiciously, "What's wrong with it?"
He Yin said, "Minister Chen said that since Dongfang Jun is the chief examiner, he must be impartial and sincerely select talents for the court. Then I would like to ask, are all the officials of the Great Jing court, except for Dongfang Jun, treacherous ministers who line their own pockets and only select their own protégés?"
Chen Changyun exclaimed in surprise, "Minister He, I didn't mean that at all!"
"Since that's not the intention, then the examiner, besides character, should most importantly be knowledgeable!"
He Yin shouted sharply. He was usually very taciturn when the central council held meetings.
But this time, he couldn't take it anymore!
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