Empress: Your Majesty, please respect yourself, I don't want to be promoted

"Passing information up and down?"

Tang Wu tilted her head, her beautiful face full of confusion.

"Yes, communication between superiors and subordinates involves many shady dealings. Let me just explain some of the simpler aspects."

Lu Chen nodded, and without keeping them in suspense, said directly, "Sometimes, due to their respective positions, factions, and political purposes, officials and superiors don't always speak so clearly to each other."

"When the higher-ups want to issue orders with a specific purpose but don't want to take concrete responsibility, they will use a method similar to playing riddles."

As he spoke, he thought for a moment, organized his thoughts, and then continued, "For example, if you, Tang Wu, were transferred to a county as a magistrate and wanted to implement new policies, but the local prefect was a protégé of Yan Song, and Yan Song opposed the new policies, he would order the local prefect to obstruct you and prevent the implementation of the new policies."

"At this point, he wouldn't directly say that he opposes the new policy, because that would be resisting national policy and would certainly lead to death. Instead, he would say that the local bandits are powerful, or that there are not enough cultivators there, that there are signs of a spiritual disaster, or that the floods are serious. There are priorities, and the safety of the people should be the main concern."

"After Yan Song finishes saying all this, Tang Wu, your county will not be able to calm down. The prefect will understand your difficulties and suggest delaying the implementation of the new policy. As the saying goes, haste makes waste. The decree that could have been implemented in one year will be suggested to be implemented over three years."

"Three years later, or perhaps another three years, dragging on and on, ha..."

In the end, he left with only a meaningful smile and said nothing more, but his meaning was quite clear.

Having held a high position for two years, he has matured and is no longer a novice in officialdom. He is well-versed in these political tactics.

Perhaps he had a certain talent in this area. Back in Yuzhou, he exposed many of the local government's tricks of deceiving their superiors and subordinates. The open and covert attacks in the imperial court were more sophisticated than those in the local areas, but he adapted to them very quickly.

Given his diligence, comparable to that of the greatest workaholic in history, it wouldn't be easy for those below him to keep it from him.

He had done the same thing back in Lingyun Prefecture; he could almost spot the tricks in the files of the seven provinces at a glance and quickly analyze the situation in each region.

If it weren't for the assassination attempt, the Empress's concern for his safety, and the Empress's inability to be without the protection of the sword spirit of the Ultimate Sword, he would have already pacified the seven provinces, far more efficiently than Xiao Yun.

Although Xiao Yun was quite talented, her reputation in the local area was far inferior to his.

Upon hearing this, Tang Wu's eyes widened in surprise.

For the past two years, she has been focused on her work, thinking only about how to implement Lu Chen's teachings on helping the world, how to develop the local economy, and how to prevent the people from suffering from hunger and cold. She hadn't thought about these other things.

The main reason is that I've never encountered these kinds of things before.

After all, when Lu Chen left Yuzhou, the officialdom of all the prefectures and counties there had been thoroughly purged by Lu Chen or the Empress.

Moreover, when Lu Chen was assassinated, Fu Hua, who was undergoing her tribulation, thought that Lu Chen had died in battle to protect her. After achieving the Unity of All Things, Fu Hua went berserk.

He single-handedly slashed through the entire Yuzhou with his sword, physically exorcising almost all the major local families.

There were no powerful families or a complex bureaucratic system, and most of the local gentry were terrified. Power was virtually nonexistent, leaving Fang Yu and Tang Wu with a blank slate of land to do as they pleased.

With Lu Chen's support in the court, who staked his own future on it, Tang Wu, as the acting county magistrate, naturally didn't need to consider so much.

Ultimately, it's because the Empress, Lu Chen, or Gu Simiao protected them too well, preventing them from experiencing much of the real officialdom.

Hearing Lu Chen say this now, I suddenly felt like my worldview was collapsing.

At this moment, Lu Chen subconsciously glanced outside and realized it was getting late. So, without waiting for Fang Yu and the others to finish processing what was happening, he cut to the chase:

"Furthermore, the new policies are still in their infancy. Although there are quite a few key personnel, they are still far from enough compared to the vast territory of the three capitals and seventy-five provinces of the Great Xia. If we want to fully implement the new policies, this number of people is simply not enough, not to mention that these people are of varying quality. Therefore, sooner or later you will have to deal with ordinary officials and the real officialdom."

“Normally, those who can become officials are all smart people, shrewd people, and even the most shrewd group of people in the Great Xia. From the Grand Secretaries of the Three Pavilions to the Eighth-Rank County Magistrates, most officials can make the optimal solution based on the known information.”

"Their ability to govern the local area and develop the economy may not be as good as yours, but they are well-versed in the rules and methods of officialdom. Their political maneuvering, handling affairs, and scheming are absolutely superior to yours. Never treat others as fools. If you treat others as fools, you will become the real fool."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yu swallowed back the question he was about to ask and nodded solemnly.

However, he didn't respond, but continued to listen attentively.

Lu Chen continued, "With your current achievements, as long as you are sent out to govern a region, you will definitely become a high-ranking official, at least a prefect, or even a provincial governor."

"In officialdom, as a superior, there are many times when it is important for superiors to suppress subordinates, one level suppressing the next, with each level adding more pressure, so that success can be achieved quickly."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yu, Tang Wu, and the others pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly. Although the words were a bit rough, they made sense.

At this point, Lu Chen added, "But the reality is that officials at every level in the Great Xia are not stupid. They all know how to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. These shrewd people will consider issues based on their own positions, factions, and many other complex factors, and will act based on their own interests. Consequently, the strength and efficiency of the implementation of government orders will be affected."

"Therefore, the truth is that the lower levels often deceive the upper levels, one layer after another, with each layer adding water, until the matter is resolved naturally."

He paused, then his eyes suddenly sharpened.

"Do you all understand what I'm saying?"

Upon hearing this, everyone frowned and pondered for a long time, but still couldn't fully understand.

After all, it was a field I had never been exposed to before, or rather, had very little exposure to.

They weren't geniuses like Lu Chen, who could learn on their own without being taught, and their comprehension wasn't as strong as his, so they naturally couldn't easily understand what Lu Chen was saying.

"Hey"

Lu Chen sighed. Although he had expected it, he was still quite disappointed.

If they can't even understand such a simple principle, it's even harder to expect them to understand anything else.

Fortunately, he had planned ahead, so he wasn't too disappointed.

Then he reached into his robes and took out a thread-bound book that was about two fingers thick.

"Alright, I have a book here about the rules of officialdom and some logic. Take it back and study it. If you have any questions, you can contact me anytime using the new communication array."

He hesitated for a moment, then added:

"If you can't get in touch with your master, then contact Elder Xiao Yun. I will put in a word with her and ask her to teach you when she has time."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yu and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Chai Hongyu clenched her fists tightly, her expression growing increasingly solemn. Lu Chen's attitude of entrusting his affairs after his death was becoming more and more obvious, almost no longer concealing it. Only his disciples, who were not usually by his side and only had respect for him but no real understanding of him, were completely unaware.

A strange sense of urgency gradually welled up in her heart, making her feel inexplicably flustered.

After seeing Fang Yu and Tang Wu off, Lu Chen, having completely concluded his investigation of the people's conditions, returned to Luyang City with Chai Hongyu under Cang Yue's escort.

at the same time.

Sanjiang Pass, on a pavilion.

Yan Song, who had not appeared in the sight of the court for a long time, stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the military map of Luyang not far away with a complicated expression.

The detailed aerial view of Luyang above showed countless tiny blue dots marking something, and their distribution followed a peculiar pattern, resembling the markings of some kind of grand formation, which looked incredibly eerie.

Just then, an old voice suddenly rang out from behind.

"Order another attack tomorrow, and fill the spiritual energy circuits with the gold dust and immortal pearls hidden in the flesh and blood of 20,000 soldiers. The core of the [Immortal Slaughtering Formation] will then be complete."

Yan Song turned his head and saw an old man with white hair and a youthful face walking slowly toward him with his hands behind his back.

"Moreover, that lord has already made a promise that he will not only send a general from the Azure Cloud Realm to lead troops to assist in the battle, but will also personally take action. With the main forces of the five major sects, this time we will definitely be able to completely kill the Cangming Saint King, cut off the rebel emperor's claws, and restore the Central Continent to its former peace and tranquility."

Upon seeing the newcomer, Yan Song immediately bowed slightly and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Brother Headmaster."

The newcomer was none other than Yan Song's senior brother, Xuan He.

Xuanping waved his hand at Yan Song, then continued, "Junior brother, if you have nothing else to do, you should rest early. The Immortal Slaughtering Formation needs your help to conceal the secrets of heaven, otherwise the resentment of these 100,000 soldiers will inevitably lead to a very strong backlash."

“Covering up the secrets of heaven is extremely taxing on your spirit. Junior brother, you should take care of your spirit in advance.”

Yan Song nodded and said, "What you say is right, Senior Brother. I'll watch for a while longer and then go back to my room to rest."

Xuanhe glanced at the military strategy map, shook his head, and said nothing more.

That night, Lu Chen, who had just returned to Luyang, originally wanted to go to Tian Ce Mansion to talk to Jiang Chengdao, but was told that Jiang Chengdao was out on patrol. So he had to give up and go back home.

On the way back, Chai Hongyu remained silent, her brows furrowed as she pondered something.

On the other side, Cang Yue, who had been silently following behind Lu Chen, suddenly took a deep breath, then clenched her fists to cheer herself up before quickly stepping forward to Lu Chen's side.

"Lord Lu."

Lu Chen turned his head and looked at her with some confusion.

"What's wrong? General Cangyue, is something the matter?"

Cang Yue shook her head, then inexplicably pursed her lips and said softly, "No, no, this humble servant. I just wanted to ask, Lord Lu, are you free tomorrow?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen became even more puzzled.

Although he knew Cang Yue and that she had been Gu Simiao's trusted confidante and a talented woman, he was only acquainted with her and not particularly close to her.

For no apparent reason, the girl asked herself if she had any free time to do something.

Despite his confusion, he thought about it carefully for a moment before replying, "I have something to discuss with His Highness the Holy King tomorrow morning, but I should be free in the afternoon. Why is General Cangyue asking this? Is there anything I can help you with?"

Fang Yu and the others took his knowledge with them, and the new policies and ways of saving the world have been passed on. He is much more relaxed now, and since he is a dying man, there is nothing urgent for him to do.

The endless administrative tasks we used to handle can now be put aside for a while, allowing us to cherish these last few days on earth.

So he rarely said he was "free," and if Cang Yue needed his help with anything, he wouldn't refuse as long as he could.

He had a pretty good impression of Cang Yue.

This girl is very ambitious. She had already been promoted to a high-ranking officer in the Imperial Guard because she helped Gu Simiao wipe out the remaining forces of Empress Dowager Zhao during the Huangzhou Incident.

Even if she does nothing in her life, she can still live off her achievements and enjoy life.

However, instead of enjoying a life of luxury in the capital, she resolutely participated in the selection process when she learned that the court had established a new army. She then followed him south to Yuzhou and established Lingyun Prefecture.

She was diligent and conscientious when she was in Lingyun Prefecture, and she was extremely supportive of him, the governor of seven provinces. She would do her best to fulfill any of his orders.

Under her training, the new army demonstrated extremely strong combat skills in just a few months. Afterwards, she would often take the troops out to suppress bandits, making the new army bleed and forging them into an elite force.

They are far more powerful than the Qingning Army.

He naturally admired such a heroic and outstanding female general, and if Cang Yue was willing to befriend her, he would certainly not mind having another friend.

Just as he was saying this, Chai Hongyu suddenly came to her senses, then gave Cang Yue a deep look, her heart filled with alarm.

The way this woman looked at Lu Chen seemed a bit off.
Cang Yue didn't notice Chai Hongyu's gaze, and immediately laughed when she heard Lu Chen say that.

"It's nothing important, but I've noticed that you've been traveling a lot lately and are often exhausted. I think you need to rest well after you've returned. I recently discovered a very nice natural hot spring. If you have time, you can come with me for a bath and relax."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen was somewhat bewildered.

"Huh? Taking a bath? Together?"

Not
Girl, are you really that fierce?
Although the separation of men and women in this world is not as extreme as in ancient times on Earth, it is not that open either, right?
Besides, we're not that close!
Are you sure you're not messing with me by suddenly saying something that could be easily misunderstood?

And
Lu Chen subconsciously turned his head and glanced at Chai Hongyu. He immediately noticed that Chai Hongyu's eyes no longer had their usual gentleness, but had become extremely sharp, even to him, it felt a slight sting.

Cang Yue seemed to realize that her words were somewhat inappropriate, and quickly added:
"My lord, you misunderstand. What I meant by bathing together is not in the same pool. There are several hot springs there, and the area is quite large. We can bathe separately without disturbing each other."

Lu Chen: "." (End of Chapter)