After Zhao Huan and his entourage finished handling matters in Langya County, they set out for Haizhou. They were now setting up camp to rest. Zhao Huan and his entourage were roasting musk deer meat around a fire. While they were resting, Cao Dongsheng couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, is it appropriate for you to appoint Gao Er as the acting magistrate of Langya County?"
"In Gao Er's year, Li Haoran handed Langya County over to him, and he handled it in an orderly manner. Haven't you noticed that the people of Langya County admire him very much now? I use talents who can govern the country, not nerds who only know the Four Books and Five Classics. Li Haoran is a good official, but he is not suitable to be an official." Zhao Huan put a musk deer leg on the fire to roast.
Nangong Lian'er asked curiously, "Your Majesty, why do you say that?"
"I wasn't wrong about Li Haoran. He's indeed a good official, but being a good official isn't enough. Corrupt officials must be treacherous, and honest officials must be even more treacherous. Only in this way can we deal with corrupt officials. Look at Meng Gurao, he's quite honest. But if the Song Dynasty were full of honest officials like Meng Gurao, the world would be in chaos."
Cao Dongsheng was startled: "Your Majesty, it's not that serious."
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "Meng Gu Rao was a good prefect of Kaifeng, but he couldn't be a good minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Do you know why there's a difference?"
Cao Dongsheng suddenly understood: "Your Majesty means to make the best use of things and to determine the right people for the right positions."
Zhao Huan nodded. "I believe Gao Er can do a good job as a county magistrate, even though he is not a juren and was originally just an unknown official in the government office. Consider it an exceptional promotion. I value political achievements. As long as you have the ability, I can use anyone, even peddlers and porters."
"That being said, Your Majesty, I think only scholars can serve as officials," Nangong Lian'er advised.
Zhao Huan handed her the roasted deer leg in his hand and said, "Lian'er, you have just recovered from a serious illness. Eat more to replenish your body."
In the Bianjing Imperial Palace, Li Gang and four other regent ministers came to the Renming Hall in a panic.
Zhu Lian was playing a game with the young prince Zhao Xin. Seeing the four ministers with heavy faces, he was surprised: "Li Gang, what are you doing?"
Li Gang sent a letter: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty is away from the capital. The four of us have been ordered to handle government affairs, but the matters in this memorial are too important. We dare not make a decision on our own. Please make a decision, Your Majesty."
Zhu Lian took it with surprise. "Li Gang, His Majesty once said that the imperial harem was not allowed to interfere in government affairs during the Song Dynasty. You should handle these government affairs. If you cannot handle them, please wait for His Majesty to return and make a decision."
Li Gang said solemnly, "Your Majesty, these matters of state require the final decision of Your Majesty. The Zhao Lilong ship can't wait any longer. Prince Li has sent a letter asking Your Majesty to make a decision as soon as possible so that they can leave Japan and go to North America as soon as possible."
Zhu Lian was surprised: "Is it about the dragon boat?"
Meng Gurao said from the side: "Your Majesty, please take a look for yourself."
Zhu Lian had no choice but to open the letter that Zhao Li had sent back from Japan by dragon boat. Zhu Lian was shocked after taking a look at it: "This, this..."
He Li and Duan Xiaorong exchanged glances, and He Li stepped forward and asked, "What does the Empress think?"
Zhu Lian thought for a moment before saying, "I, the Queen, cannot make the decision on such a serious matter. Where is the dragon boat that sent the letter now?"
Duan Xiaorong bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the dragon boat sent back by Prince Li is still in Jimo Town in Bohai Bay."
Zhu Lian put the letter away and said, "Then let the dragon boats wait. Inform the Privy Council and quickly send troops with this letter to Haizhou to inform His Majesty. This matter must be decided by His Majesty himself."
A servant reported that the emperor's troops were less than a hundred miles away from Haizhou, and if they were fast, they would arrive in two days. As the emperor approached, Han Tiexin became more and more uneasy.
The grain transport envoy Liu Yu was not much better than her, pacing back and forth in the room, accompanied by his attendant Su Yuanzhong.
"Sir, I don't think Han Tiexin can escape this time. The fact that he withheld the disaster relief grain alone could cost him his life."
Liu Yu stopped and said, "Han Tiexin is doomed to die. I'm afraid he'll drag us down with him."
Su Yuanzhong was surprised: "Sir, do you want us to..." and made a clicking gesture.
Liu Yu was shocked. "He's a high-ranking official at the imperial court, the governor of a prefecture after all. Even Your Majesty wouldn't dare to kill him rashly without solid evidence, let alone us."
Su Yuanzhong whispered, "We don't have to do it ourselves, we can put the blame on others."
Liu Yu's heart moved: "What do you mean?"
Su Yuanzhong chuckled: "What if a group of mysterious people, dressed as imperial guards, sneaked into the government office and killed the prefect? Hehehe..."
Liu Yu was still hesitant: "Let me think about it again."
Su Yuanzhong was very anxious: "Don't think about it, sir, the fire is burning in my butt! You and I know exactly what kind of person Han Tiexin is. He will definitely betray us both, maybe even the prince..."
"Stop talking!" Liu Yu interrupted him. "I'll leave this matter to you. Remember, you must keep it secret. Don't reveal anything."
Su Yuanzhong was overjoyed. He hurriedly bowed and whispered, "Han Tiexin has a subordinate named Qiu Tianba, who is very powerful. As long as we deal with him, killing Han Tiexin will be a piece of cake. Don't worry, sir, I will do it right away!"
"Wait a minute!" Liu Yu called out to him, "I have an idea."
In the private room of Haizhou Mingyue Restaurant, Liu Yu and Han Tiexin were toasting each other, and Liu Yu also found a few prostitutes to accompany him.
After three rounds of drinks, Han Tiexin's face flushed with the alcohol: "Liu, Sir Liu. His Majesty will be in Haizhou soon. You, you have to save me."
Liu Yu smiled and said, "Don't worry, Lord Han, you and I are old friends. I will definitely not let His Majesty catch us, so Lord Han, don't worry about that."
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