The Heavens: From Knowing Whether You Rule the World

Chapter 85: Forming cliques!

Jiangnan East Road, Zhili Prefecture Xuzhou.

Governor Hu Kun looked at a secret letter with a serious expression.

He read the letter word by word, thinking deeply about it, and walked slowly with his hands behind his back.

After thinking for about two quarters of an hour, Hu Kun looked at his advisor and said, "Well, Li Shun, have someone call the chief officers of the General Affairs and Pacification Department, the Transportation Department, the Criminal and Prison Department, and the Grain and Grain Department immediately."

The master was immediately shocked and said, "I will do it right away."

Having said that, the lawyer immediately walked out, called on a few of his trusted followers, and asked them to go and make the arrangements.

"My Lord, the four chiefs are all high-ranking officials. They don't get together very often in a year. What happened?"

As soon as he returned to the room, the lawyer asked the governor solemnly.

Since Emperor Taizong changed the official system, the heads of the Four Departments have had extremely high powers and authority, thoroughly covering all kinds of authority along the way. Their official positions are also the prestigious third rank, and it is no exaggeration to say that they are high-ranking officials in purple robes.

With great power, one naturally acquires an extraordinary status.

Nowadays, it is not the time for annual official position adjustments and tax audits, so it is rare for the four of them to gather together.

Hu Kun handed the letter to his master, and the tightly clenched fists in his sleeves meant that he was not at ease.

He was a little excited, quite excited!
His luck is turning for the better and he will soon become rich.

The master glanced at the letter and when he saw "Lord Chu is going south to inspect the country on your behalf, starting with Jiangnan," he was immediately delighted, "Lord Chu is inspecting Jiangnan, this is a great opportunity for you!"

"That's right. Jiangnan East Road is where the old man rose to power. A few years ago, the old man also served as an official in Jiangnan, and we had quite a few contacts."

Hu Kun took a deep breath and clenched his fists tightly in his sleeves. He and his people were always cautious in their official duties and did not have any major stains.

In the past, when he saw those bureaucrats at the same level who were corrupt and committed crimes, he could not find any reason to be honest.

Now, we have it!
This is the opportunity I've been waiting for, an opportunity for a thorough inspection!

Hu Kun looked into the distance with his eyes sparkling, "This time, the new emperor ascended the throne, and the elders are inspecting the country, and it is a high-level inspection.

It seems that some people will be promoted and some will be demoted. I have been trying to show my goodwill to the elder. If the elder can see my loyalty, my official position in Beijing will be a success."

"What does your Excellency mean?"

The master had a vague guess, but he looked eager to seek advice.

"Let's mobilize all the garrisons in Jiangnan. There should be one man every hundred steps on the official road. We must ensure the safety of the Lord!"

Hu Kun looked solemn. Safety is the basis of expressing loyalty. If you don’t even care about the safety of the elder, how can you make people believe that you are a loyal and reliable person?
Of course, this is not just for show.

If the elder were to get hurt in his territory, all the nine clans would not be enough to compensate him.

"Yes!"

"Well, the elder is from Yangzhou. He once lay on the ice to catch carp and became famous all over the world. Send someone to Yangzhou and buy all the local specialties of Yangzhou one by one. Make sure they are the best."

Hu Kun is quite attentive. What kind of person is the elder?
What kind of delicacies from land and sea hasn’t he eaten?

According to gossip, Lord Chu is a frequent guest even at the government's private banquets and family gatherings.

When buying things, the price is not important, what matters is the thought behind it.

Compared with delicacies from land and sea, he believed that the elder who had not been to Yangzhou for ten years preferred the flavors of his hometown.

Didn’t you see that when Wang Ang of Yangzhou visited the elder, he also gave him a handful of Yangzhou loess?

"Yes!"

"The Lord has come all the way to Jiangnan, so you must arrange a proper place to live. You must pay attention to it. When everything is almost ready, I will go and take a look myself."

Hu Kun made detailed arrangements for every aspect, leaving no detail untouched.

After the heads of the four departments arrived, Hu Kun made detailed arrangements for accounting and other collection matters.

Compared with previous small-scale inspections, this time Lord Chu's inspection was all-encompassing and required thorough preparation.

If anyone lets down the team, don't blame him for turning against you.

Hu Kun attaches great importance to this inspection, as it is related to his future. If anyone hinders his progress, he will be fired!
The waves hit the shore, the reefs screamed, and the sand trembled.

The waves are surging, the river is rising and falling, bright and empty.

Chu Hong was dressed in a purple robe, standing quietly on the deck, with a golden and purple fish bag hanging lightly on him. His every move and gesture was filled with the majesty of a person in power.

Looking at the vast river and sea, Chu Hong glanced at the familiar yet unfamiliar river bank.

ten years!

It’s been ten years!

Ten years ago, he traveled a thousand miles alone on a ship to take the imperial examination. Ten years later, he was escorted by five thousand elite soldiers, and his every move was full of power, and his casual words seemed like an invincible chasm.

"Did your Excellency ever pass by here by boat?"

Liu Shian saw a look of nostalgia in Chu Hong's eyes and immediately made some guesses.

"Back then, I passed by during the scientific expedition."

Chu Hong had nothing to hide. Liu Shian was also his confidant, so there was no need to hide anything.

"Is that so?" Liu Shian understood immediately, "Your Excellency has been galloping in the officialdom and court for ten years. Now you should be returning home in glory!"

"Haha! Yes, returning home in glory!"

Chu Hong nodded slightly. Jiangnan, returning home in glory!

The queen apologized in plain clothes and presented him with a phoenix crown and a pearl.

This eliminated the problem of the king's uncle favoring his concubine over his wife, and the empress dowager went to Nanjing to recuperate peacefully.

Therefore, he and King Huan inspected the country and the salt industry respectively.

This time, the first place he inspected was Jiangnan.

There are mainly two purposes: to meet officials suitable for selection and to commemorate the deceased mother.

Jiangnan is the base camp, so naturally we need to recruit a lot of people from it.

He was confident that within three years he could have many confidants throughout Jiangnan.

After ten years of presiding over the imperial examinations, his students and former officials would be spread all over the world!

It is truly all over the world, not just an exaggerated way of spreading it all over the world.

If he had the opportunity to work in the cabinet for twenty years, anyone in the world who was not his confidant would be doomed to not be promoted!
Cough
This trip to Jiangnan was naturally to meet some officials who were suitable for selection.

Compared with Jiangnan, there must be a large number of officials who need to be taken down in other areas.

At this time, officials from Jiangnan would naturally fill in the gaps.

As for paying homage to her deceased mother, at least she was given the title of princess, so she had to go and pay homage to her no matter what.

"After this inspection, Master Han will be old enough to retire!"

Chu Hong looked into the distance thoughtfully, then looked at Liu Shian.

"What do you mean, sir?"

Liu Shian was excited. It seemed that Lord Chu was planning to run for the top position among ministers at the age of 29?
Then why did you say these specifically in front of him?
Could it be?

"This is also what your majesty and Prince Huan meant." Chu Hong looked towards the river bank. "The Prime Minister is extremely powerful. If someone comes to check the imperial power, your majesty may not live in peace after ascending the throne."

"Whatever the Lord says is what it is. Liu Shian will obey the Lord's orders."

Liu Shi'an expressed his loyalty without any hesitation.

"During this inspection tour, Old Madam Wang has not yet arrived in Beijing. You must be prepared to deal with the Wang family's affairs."

Chu Hong's calm voice was particularly light amid the sound of the river waves, but its penetrating power was extremely strong.

Liu Shian was startled, then reacted, "Do you want to cut ties with the Wang family?"

He was also a man with rich experience in political struggles, and he knew that there would definitely be a fight between Lord Chu and the Wang family.

This was supposed to be a win-win situation, but Old Mrs. Wang was short-sighted and narrow-minded, and was destined not to just let it go.

Judging from what Lord Chu said, is he ready to take the initiative?
"Let's see what Old Lady Wang means and whether she will fight for it! Changbai is also my man now, but I don't think Old Lady Wang is a reasonable person and I'm afraid she will provoke a dispute."

Chu Hong shook his head slightly. Old Madam Wang was a narrow-minded person and might be trying to overthrow a tree with a gnat.

This can be seen from the fact that in the original script, Old Lady Wang dared to interfere in the dispute between the new emperor and the empress dowager instead of paving the way for Sheng Changbai.

Liu Shian also knew what kind of person Old Lady Wang was, and he immediately understood, "Don't worry, sir!"

"Well, if I go up, you will take my place."

Chu Hong spoke in a calm tone, words that made Liu Shian's blood boil.

"Thank you, sir!"

Liu Shian's eyes were firm and full of excitement.

"Ah."

Chu Hong stood quietly, watching the river flow.
(End of this chapter)