Chapter 407 408. Dispute
All the generals present shared the same hatred for the enemy, but they were the only ones who knew better that these few short sentences could not express the sacrifices made by the border soldiers.
Xu Zhiwen also knew that there were many things wrong with what he had just said, but he had already said it and he couldn't bring himself to admit his mistake.
Yu Ligao, the Minister of History, stroked his beard and said, "Let's not talk about those irrelevant things now. The most urgent task is to quickly stabilize the border. Otherwise, it will only cause greater trouble."
Everyone knows that if a place is unstable, it means there are a lot of variables.
"Sir Yu, do you think there is a suitable candidate?" Everyone looked at the Ministry of Personnel. After all, they were responsible for selecting and assigning officials.
Yu Ligao, "Before, I didn't select and assign officials without the consent of the gentlemen. Now it's up to you to make the conclusion first!"
Xiao Liwei, "You literati are really wasting time. If you continue discussing like this, the opportunity will be lost.
If you ask me, isn't the annual evaluation announced? Just follow this point and assign the right person directly.
As we say, this is the time to sharpen the blade and not be careless."
Liu Chang, who was standing behind him, lifted up his robe and held back his laughter. This General Xiao really didn't care about worldly matters. Look at the changed faces of those adults.
If he didn't know General Xiao's character well, he would have thought that this was a mockery of the gentlemen present.
The so-called evaluation is not as simple as they understand. Otherwise, there would be no one who would serve as an official in a small border town for a lifetime.
"It's better to choose someone who can get things done, otherwise it will only cause trouble for General Zhou." Yu Ligao said gritting his teeth. When selecting officials this time, he will keep an eye on everything. The Zhou family only has this one child, and they can't let these people hold them back.
At this time, someone mentioned, "The Hanlin Academy doesn't need to compile books anymore, and there aren't as many things to do as before. They can definitely recruit some experts. Besides, this is the opportunity they've been waiting for, so they'll probably cherish it even more."
Gong Zhengping raised his head at this time, "They are no match for the talented people under you gentlemen, and they all have experience in office. The officials in our Hanlin Academy really need to be polished. Dealing with books all day long is no match for you in the way of being an official."
He tried his best to hide in the corner, but he didn't expect these people could still target him.
Although he also wanted to secure a good future for the officials under him, he really didn't want to go to such a place where one's life was at risk.
"Master Gong is being a little modest. The ancient champion from your Imperial Academy was not only a great writer, but also a master of mathematics.
To this day, I still remember the policy essay he wrote at that time. It was particularly well-reasoned and well-founded. You can’t hide such a talent.”
The person who said this was Bai Yugang, Marquis of Wu'an. He was familiar with Bai Jinglie's social circle. Since that rebellious son could not go, he would send his good friend over, which would also be considered breaking his arm.
Wu'an Hou's words reminded all the gentlemen that although they also had a desire to recruit talented people and tried many times to recruit them, they were blocked by the old man, Master Gong.
Since we can't get any benefits, we might as well just push the person out, which will also solve everyone's dilemma.
Xu Zhiwen immediately seconded the proposal, "Marquis Wu'an's proposal is very good. The number one scholar, Gu, was chosen by the emperor himself. I think he is very optimistic about his literary talent. Such a person is capable and can fully serve as the prefect."
"Yes, yes, yes. With such a talent as the top scholar, can't he govern the entire city of Lu? This is a very good suggestion."
Cao Xiangqian said, "Have you forgotten that Gu Wenheng's position and experience are not enough to take on the task? This is too much of a joke."
"Master Cao, as the saying goes, talents are selected regardless of their background. We are also giving Gu Zhuangyuan a chance..."
The quarrel here soon spread to the study, and Hua Shunming actually sat down to think about it.
"Gu Wenheng saved Zhou Aiqing's life. I heard that the two of them were very close before and started to call each other brothers?"
The palace maids and eunuchs beside him all lowered their heads, and no one dared to respond to him.
"Le San, what do you think of him?"
Seeing that he was named, Le San answered carefully, "Your Majesty, I am a eunuch and I know very little about the ministers in the court, but from the few times I met him, Lord Gu is a good person."
Hua Shunming said thoughtfully, "A good person? This person was able to bring me a large sum of money through Jinglie before he even entered the court. He is indeed a good person."
Hearing the emperor emphasize the word "good man", Le San lowered his head even more.
"But I'm not afraid of people who have ulterior motives. I'm just afraid that they won't use their ulterior motives in the right way."
He tapped the memorials piled on the desk. With just these papers, he still knew very little about the world he was in!
"Go and summon the old Prime Minister to the palace."
…
When Prime Minister Liu rushed to the palace from the outskirts of the capital, the ministers were still arguing in the side hall.
"The old man seems to be getting healthier and healthier." Hua Shunming stared at Liu Donglai, whose face was ruddy, and said casually.
Liu Donglai adjusted his hastily changed robes and said, "Thanks to Your Majesty, Luohu Village is close to the mountains and the water, and I like to do some farm work. I have unknowingly recovered my health."
Hua Shunming: "The old man is in good health, which is also a blessing for our dynasty.
I am in a dilemma right now, and I would like to ask you for advice, old man."
Liu Donglai had been mentally prepared. When His Majesty arranged for him to retire in Luohu Village, he knew that his retirement life would not be peaceful either.
"I dare not. I will tell you everything your majesty asks me."
Before coming here, he already knew why the emperor summoned him.
Hua Shunming recounted what happened in the court today, "This Lucheng is a very important checkpoint on the border. I really don't feel comfortable assigning anyone to take over. They haven't reached a conclusion on this matter yet.
But the border issue cannot be delayed, so I want to ask the old man for advice."
"This?" Liu Donglai looked embarrassed. "I have been away from the court for many days. I only have a vague understanding of the affairs of the court. I am afraid it is difficult for me to give advice to Your Majesty."
Hua Shunming: "..." The old fox is still an old fox.
"Don't be so modest, old man. I just want to know, is it so difficult for us in Rong Dynasty to find a prefect who can control a city?"
Liu Donglai, "…if the court is short of officials, we can hold an imperial examination to select more talents for the emperor."
This was also his consistent stance when he was prime minister. Unfortunately, the country had bad luck before the Rong Dynasty, with successive national disasters, which made it impossible to smoothly take the imperial examinations. Many officials in the court were recommended, so naturally they were of varying quality.
Even the imperial examinations held before could not fill such a huge hole.
(End of this chapter)
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