People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 564, The New Official's First Move (4000 words! Requesting monthly votes!)

The following day, at the residence of Lord Zhaoming.

Even after a night of hard work, Xu Qing was still refreshed and energetic the next day, with no sign of fatigue on her face. She was still full of energy, with bright and piercing eyes, looking like she could fight three hundred rounds in a row.

"It seems spring is indeed on its way," Xu Qing remarked.

The Taoist sages had indeed not deceived him. One must personally experience the natural laws and changes of heaven and earth to truly understand them. The Tao follows nature, and this is no exception.

With the thought that he might be killed by the Taoist sages, Xu Qing put on his official robes as the prime minister, hid a jade silver needle in his belt, hung the Lingxu sword at his waist, and left home.

He has been in this world for over a year, almost two years, and will soon be a twenty-year-old young man.

At eighteen, he was timid and subservient, standing like a lackey in the Korean court. Now, at nineteen, he is the head of the three dukes of Qin, wielding the power of the prime minister to oversee the court!

The dramatic changes before and after left Xu Qing somewhat emotional.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

When Zhen Gang, who was outside the door, saw Xu Qing arrive, he cupped his hands in greeting.

"Hmm, has everything been handled with the Luo Wang organization?"

Xu Qing nodded slightly and walked towards the carriage, then asked.

"It's all taken care of. Yan Ri, together with his subordinates, has cleaned up all the assassins and high-ranking members of the Luo Wang organization who are connected with Lao Ai. Yan Ri has also handed over authority to his subordinates. His subordinates have also asked the emperor whether to select new personnel from the Jianghu, Qin, and the prisons of the six states to fill the gaps in the Luo Wang organization."

Zhen Gang, holding the Zhen Gang Sword, followed behind Xu Qing and spoke slowly.

"This matter cannot be delayed. We must quickly replenish our manpower and maintain our infiltration and espionage efforts in the six states of Shandong. However, we cannot lower our standards in the name of speed. We must thoroughly investigate their identities, backgrounds, and capabilities."

Xu Qing boarded the carriage, sat upright on the cushion, and spoke with a serious expression.

Although Xu Qing has not yet come of age and his handsome face still shows a hint of immaturity, he has already developed an imposing presence, displaying the authority of a superior without a doubt, just like a young tiger.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I understand."

Zhengang also jumped onto the carriage, took the whip and reins from the driver, and spoke as he drove the carriage.

Xu Qing nodded slightly, lowered the carriage curtain, and placed her hands flat on her knees.

It wasn't that he didn't believe in Zhen Gang's ability to select people. Apart from those trained by Luo Wang, the other assassins were all from similar backgrounds: either notorious bandits, swordsmen obsessed with swordsmanship, outstanding assassins from other assassin organizations, or death row inmates from the Seven Kingdoms' prisons.

The fact that these assassins come from different places is enough to show their skill. Not to mention, the death row in various countries is not a place that ordinary people can enter.

Therefore, Xu Qing was not worried about the abilities of the newly recruited assassins of Luo Wang, but rather about their loyalty and background. After all, in the original work, Wu Kuang, with the help of Tian Guang and Changping Jun Xiong Qi, successfully infiltrated Luo Wang and gradually became a "killer" level assassin, only one step away from becoming a core member of the "heaven" level.

He didn't know when Wu Kuang entered the Net, but news came from the Farmer's Clan that Wu Kuang had escaped from the Farmer's Clan's water dungeon and disappeared. And now the Net was short of manpower for internal purges, so it was very likely that this was the time.

Although Xiong Qi did not seize power as Right Chancellor by suppressing Lao Ai as depicted in the original story, who knows if they might still do so?

Although Wu Kuang doesn't pose much of a threat, the buzzing flies are quite annoying, so it's best to get rid of them as soon as possible.

"Zhen Gang, after you've selected the right people, give me the names and portraits of those from death row in various countries," Xu Qing said to the person outside.

"promise."

After resolving matters with the Luo Wang, Xu Qing's thoughts returned to the important matter of the day. Today was his first day as the Prime Minister, and all officials connected to the Prime Minister's office would come to pay their respects to him.

"What will the Prime Minister's residence look like today? What surprises will the imperial family, the Chu relatives, and the scholars give me?" Xu Qing chuckled, a glint in his eyes, his expression turning serious.

He actually hoped that someone would be fearless enough to cause trouble, so that he wouldn't have to actively seek trouble to establish his authority.

Soon, the carriage arrived outside the Prime Minister's residence.

After the carriage came to a stop, Xu Qing, dressed neatly and with a calm expression, stepped down from the carriage, gripped the sword at his waist, and walked towards the Prime Minister's residence.

"Greetings, Prime Minister!"

The guards at the gate and the officials who came to greet them bowed and said so.

"Hmm, is everyone here?" Xu Qing glanced at the clerk and asked in a calm voice.

"The officials from the Prime Minister's residence and all the other government offices have arrived and are waiting for you inside. Right Prime Minister Changping Jun and the Nine Ministers, including the royal family member Weiyang Jun..."

The clerk glanced at Xu Qing, then looked at Xu Qing's young face and hair that was not yet covered by a crown. He lowered his head nervously and answered with his hands clasped.

Although Xu Qing was too young, even a year or two younger than his son, he dared not underestimate him at all.

It wasn't just because the other party was the Prime Minister, but also because Xu Qing's reputation in Qin was already widely known. His legendary deeds were like a mountain, causing others to bow down and submit.

As Xu Qing listened to the officials' reports, he walked towards the Prime Minister's residence. The number of people present was as he had expected; almost a third of the Qin court had come.

As for the remaining two-thirds, it wasn't that they looked down on Xu Qing, but rather that they simply weren't qualified to pay their respects to him.

As Xu Qing entered the Prime Minister's residence, the clerks responsible for carrying official documents bowed respectfully with apprehension upon seeing him, and Xu Qing nodded to each of them in return.

After passing through two courtyards, Xu Qing arrived at the place where the officials were gathered. As soon as he reached the gate, he saw the officials inside.

"The factions are clearly divided and irreconcilable," Xu Qing thought to himself as he looked at the situation in the courtyard.

In the courtyard, the scholar-official faction, led by the Minister of Agriculture, Yao Jia, and the Imperial Censor, stood on the left; the Chu foreign relatives, led by Xiong Qi, stood in the middle; the royal family, led by Lord Weiyang, stood on the right; and some neutral people stood with Li Si on the far right.

"The Prime Minister has arrived!"

When the minor official in the courtyard saw Xu Qing arrive, he immediately shouted loudly.

The assembled officials all turned to look at Xu Qing as he approached them. Despite their complex emotions, they maintained a calm demeanor and respectfully bowed.

"We pay our respects to the Prime Minister!"

"My colleagues, there's no need for such formalities. We all serve in the same court, and in terms of age and when we joined the court, you are all my seniors. Why should we be so polite?"

Xu Qing smiled and raised his hand to the crowd.

Faced with Xu Qing's modest words, everyone present knew that it was just polite talk, and anyone who dared to take it seriously would be a fool. "Propriety cannot be disregarded. The Prime Minister is the head of our Great Qin court. Although we are older, we are still subjects and dare not overstep our bounds," the Minister of Agriculture said to Xu Qing first.

"We dare not overstep our bounds."

Those who wanted to show their loyalty could only regretfully echo the sentiments of others who had taken the lead.

"My colleagues, you are too kind. His Majesty has appointed me as Prime Minister in the hope that I can work together with you to assist His Majesty in handling state affairs and leading our Great Qin to greater peace, prosperity, and flourishing."

Seeing that everyone still maintained a respectful expression, Xu Qing knew that such simple fishing wouldn't yield anything, so he resumed his serious expression and began to deliver his inaugural speech.

“I know that you may all be dissatisfied and think that I, Xu Qing, am just a young boy who has not yet come of age. I have been appointed as prime minister because of the king’s favor and have no experience. This is a detriment to the country and the people.”

"We dare not, and have absolutely no intention of criticizing the Prime Minister," the crowd immediately replied.

What favor? You didn't mention anything else. Any one of your achievements—presenting books and medical knowledge, persuading Nanyang to surrender, bringing the Hundred Schools of Thought into Qin, the method of iron smelting, and the reform of the Grand Assessment—would be enough to make you a high-ranking official and allow you to serve in the Prime Minister's office.

The position of Chancellor is the leader of their ministers, and is the one who directly confronts and restrains the monarch's power. If Xu Qing did not have these merits and extremely high prestige to win people's support, it would not be enough for Ying Zheng's favor and the grand plan of reform to gain their approval.

"Whether you have it or not, it doesn't matter. But I hope you all remember that we ministers are all appointed by the King and supported by the people of Great Qin. The responsibility lies with the King and the people of Great Qin."

"Your Majesty is a wise and ambitious ruler who strives to govern well. We, your ministers, are extremely fortunate to have such a wise ruler. Now, as the general trend of the world begins to emerge, among the seven kingdoms, only our Qin Kingdom stands out."

Looking at Xu Qing, who was still talking eloquently, Xiong Qi thought of his guess yesterday and his heart sank. Only after feeling the bamboo slip in his arms did he feel a little better.

"Therefore, I hope that you can put aside your prejudices and work together with me to strive for the unification of the world by the Great Qin, and assist the King in creating a country that has never existed before, a country where the people live in peace and prosperity, in harmony and stability, and where the people can have enough to eat, wear warm clothes, and receive an education!"

"Would you all like to come with me?"

Xu Qing looked at the assembled officials and spoke in a strong, rhythmic voice.

"We are willing!"

Upon hearing Xu Qing's words, ambitious officials such as Li Si, Yao Jia, and Lord Weiyang couldn't help but become excited and spoke loudly.

"We are willing!" The others followed suit.

"Well, since you are all willing, then I will have to trouble you to help me in the future," Xu Qing said, glancing at the assembled officials.

"We dare not, we are willing to be at the Prime Minister's beck and call!" the crowd said in unison once again.

After making the polite remarks, Xu Qing knew that the time was right and it was time to make his first move as prime minister.

"At the court meeting the day before yesterday, His Majesty asked me to arrange for the appointment of officials to fill vacant positions in the court. Yesterday, I submitted a memorial of recommendation, which His Majesty has already reviewed." As Xu Qing spoke, he took out a thick silk book from his bosom and slowly opened it in front of everyone.

Everyone looked at the imperial edict in Xu Qing's hand, a hint of tension in their eyes.

After Ying Zheng's coming-of-age ceremony, his first task was to seize power, taking over the military and political authority of Qin from Lü Buwei. His second task was to divide the country into factions and place his trusted confidants within them.

The saying "a new emperor, a new court" means exactly this.

Now that Lü Buwei has relinquished power, the next step is to divide the factions and install trusted confidants.

"Li Si, the Attendant-in-Ordinary, was quick-witted and intelligent. He was promoted to Assistant Minister of Justice, then became a Guest Minister, and was granted the title of Left Grand Master. Yao Jia, the former Assistant Minister of Justice, became the Director of Cereals and Sacrifices, then the Grand Minister, and entered the Prime Minister's office. Lady Changwen, Mi Dian, and Lady Weiyang."

"Wang Wan, the Director of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs, was appointed as the Director of the Bureau of Grain Supply."

As Xu Qing read out Ying Zheng's edict, the anxious hearts of everyone present calmed down.

Although the changes in officials were significant, they were still within reason. Scholars who originally belonged to Lü Buwei's faction were either transferred or promoted in name only, while Li Si of the King of Qin's party, the native Qin faction, and those recommended by Xu Qing were all placed in important positions in various departments.

Although Xiong Qi's face was calm, a glint of light flickered in his eyes, and he was not feeling well inside.

Just as he suspected, Xu Qing was indeed intentionally or unintentionally suppressing the Chu foreign relatives. These Chu foreign relatives were also meritorious officials in suppressing the rebellion. Apart from him and Lord Changwen, although the rest of them were promoted, they were almost all insignificant positions, and very few had real power.

On the other hand, although the scholar faction was weakened and most of them were assigned to sinecure positions, wasn't this also a form of protection?

The members of the royal family, led by Lord Weiyang, looked somewhat somber. They had been uneasy about Xu Qing's visit to Lü Buwei the day before, fearing that Xu Qing would protect the scholar faction.

Even if today's changes in official positions only weaken the scholar-official faction, they still see it as too conservative and believe that all of these people should be demoted.

Lord Jingyang and the others couldn't help but look at Lord Weiyang, nodding slightly to him, indicating that their clan's plan to expel the scholar faction could proceed as normal.

Now they have another handle on the scholar faction: Zheng Guo, who is in charge of building the Guanzhong Canal, is ostensibly building the canal for Qin, but in reality he is a spy, secretly using the canal construction to weaken Qin's national strength and provide Qin intelligence to Han.

First there were Lao Ai and Lü Buwei, and now there's Zheng Guo, whom Ying Zheng once heavily relied on despite opposition. These three are enough to seal the fate of the scholar-official faction.

"Gentlemen, His Majesty's decree has been read. Whether it is a promotion or a demotion, the handover with the successor must be completed today. Are there any problems?" Xu Qing asked in a deep voice.

"I will take your orders!"

Despite their reluctance, everyone had no choice but to accept their fate, since Ying Zheng now held both military and political power.

Xu Qing glanced at everyone, noticing the rather unpleasant expressions of the imperial family members and relatives of Chu, and after giving them a few more instructions, he dismissed the officials and told them to return to their posts to handle government affairs.

After lighting the first fire, Xu Qing himself began to familiarize himself with the Prime Minister's residence under the guidance of a minor official.

It wasn't until noon that Xu Qing had gotten familiar with the huge Prime Minister's Mansion. Because of Lü Buwei, more than half of Lü Buwei's people in the Prime Minister's Mansion had been transferred away, and the rest were neutral people and scholars who were close to Xu Qing and selected by the Minister of Agriculture.

When Lü Buwei was in power, other factions couldn't place their people in his service.

However, this also saved Xu Qing a lot of trouble. There were no subordinates making things difficult for him, and no one dared to set traps for him or do anything ridiculous. Everyone was doing their job to help him get familiar with the Prime Minister's residence and strive to get this core power institution of the court running again as soon as possible.

"Go and bring me the list of officials."

Xu Qing sat in his seat and looked at the minor official below him.

Handling government affairs is not Xu Qing's forte. He is still being assessed by the Imperial Academy and needs a certain amount of training before he can take charge. Therefore, he must now select a few people from the existing officials of Qin to form his own team.

"promise."

(End of this chapter)