You have truly caused me great suffering!

The draft announcements are still going strong.

From the moment it was printed, the entire landscape began to stir with excitement.

Many high-ranking officials from remote towns also sent their families to the capital to try their luck.

It was taken as seriously as when Xue Baochai went to the capital for the imperial concubine selection.

Zhang Run originally thought that no matter how difficult this matter was, it couldn't be more difficult than stirring up Dali and subduing Nanzhao.

The result made him deeply regretful.

Various forces came to him, asking him to make an exception.

He naturally refused some requests with righteous indignation, but some were too powerful for him to refuse.

But they didn't dare actually give them special treatment and let them in.

What if His Majesty investigates in the future?

Moreover, Zhang Run was determined to do this well for His Majesty.

Many people, having heard that the Emperor unconditionally accepts any woman Chen Yuexian favors, have begun to try to find her again.

Even if they can't be sent to the emperor's side, it would be excellent if they could enter the palace to study with the princess.

In the future, becoming friends with the princess will be a kind of connection within the royal family.

His Majesty is a very sentimental person.

His royal family is small, so he will definitely take extra care of his children.

Today, after the bi-weekly small court assembly ended, Zhang Run originally wanted to hide in the lecture hall under the Zhongshu Menxia, ​​since it was the highest power center of the empire, and you couldn't very well find your way here.

As soon as Liu Jizu saw him, he immediately started to chase him away.

“Hengchen, you bear the heavy responsibility of the Selection Office. How can you abandon your post?” Liu Jizu said. “Selecting imperial concubines for His Majesty is the most important matter of our dynasty. You should leave quickly and go to handle it properly.”

"Lord Liu, it's me..."

Zhang Run sighed and could only leave dejectedly.

After he left, Liu Jizu secretly pursed his lips, thinking to himself, "You think this is a hot commodity?"

Why is no one competing with you for it?

When he was in Taiyuan, he sent his daughter to Chen Shao's side, and now she has given birth to the fourth prince, Chen Heng, for His Majesty.

He had no intention of sending another woman from his clan to the palace, lest he incur jealousy.

However, there are many people in the court who want to take this route.

This position should be given to someone who is incorruptible and never gives face to anyone.

For example, Yang Cheng, the Duke of Anguo, and Li Tangchen, the former prime minister.

If someone were to ask Yang Cheng for help and be turned away without a word, that person would at most curse Yang Cheng a few times, but would not hate him, because everyone knows that's just the kind of person he is.

Everyone knew that Yang Cheng wasn't targeting them personally; he treated his own son the same way and would never make an exception.

But if Zhang Run kicks someone out, they will really resent you.

Because you, Zhang Run, are usually so shrewd and good at flattering and fawning, if you don't do things for me or accept my gifts, isn't that a sign that you look down on me?

Liu Jizu also realized it.

Zhang Run and Zhang Hengchen are quick-witted and always come up with strange but very effective tricks at crucial moments.

However, he lacked experience. In several major events, he blindly rushed to the front, eager to show off his abilities and strategies in front of His Majesty all day long.

On the contrary, Cai Xing was very low-key, and he would only speak when His Majesty asked for his advice.

Liu Jizu sighed inwardly. Not everyone is as lucky as Cai Xing, who has been personally trained and instructed by the old Cai Jing.

Zhang Run's greatest fortune was meeting His Majesty. If it were any other emperor, he would have been banished long ago, or used as a shield.

Zhang Run stepped out of the outer imperial city, listening to the cicadas chirping in the summer, the sunlight reflecting off the eaves and brackets dazzling his eyes.

I have encountered setbacks several times, but my desire to go further has never been discouraged.

It's just a talent show!
I, Zhang Hengchen, will truly show my iron fist this time!
The selection department must strictly adhere to etiquette and regulations when visiting and verifying a woman's age, family background, and character.

Although Dream of the Red Chamber is fictional, many of its plot points are plausible and can withstand scrutiny.

Why was Xue Baochai rejected in the imperial concubine selection? She didn't even have the chance to serve the princess or noble ladies.

Because her brother killed someone.

With the power of the four major families, they could indeed handle this situation, but it became common knowledge.

Who would dare send the daughters of wicked gentry who abducted and killed innocent people to the side of nobles in the capital?
If you really dare to do that, then if someone wants to get back at you in the future, they won't need any other charges, this one alone will suffice.
-
Funing Hall.

Chen Shao and Wang Yin sat in the shade of the Imperial Garden, where a cool breeze refreshed them.

Since his heart-to-heart talk with His Majesty, Wang Yin's mindset has changed.

He started to pay attention to health and was willing to spend more time with his family.

They even went back to their ancestral home to build tombs for their ancestors and search for close branches of the clan.

He has devoted himself to His Majesty and the Great Jing Dynasty over the years, and he has earned this family fortune, which he intends to pass on to future generations.

This is an obsession for almost every Han Chinese.

Wang Yin used to be in charge of Guangyuantang, so he couldn't afford to deal with these things at all, as he had too much intelligence to process every day.

But once I had some free time, this thought immediately came to mind.

"Your Majesty has a discerning eye for talent. Zhe Yanye and Yang Yizhong are indeed both capable individuals."

Chen Shao smiled and asked, "Who do you think should be the master and who should be the deputy?"

After a moment's hesitation, Wang Yin, without holding back, said directly, "In my humble opinion, Yang Yizhong should be chosen!"

Why?

Chen Shao did not express his opinion. In fact, he also felt that Yang Yizhong was suitable, but he wanted to hear Wang Yin's thoughts first.

"The position of Guangyuan Hall is truly His Majesty's eyes and ears, of utmost importance, and must be treated with utmost care. Zhe Yanye, backed by the Zhe family, is already one of the top noble families in our Great Jing. If he were to also take control of Guangyuan Hall, it would not be a safe course of action."

“Yang Yizhong’s father is a military officer in Linzhou, under the jurisdiction of Fugu, with a rank of no more than the seventh grade. No one in his family has ever been a duke or marquis. Moreover, he is extremely loyal to His Majesty, meticulous, and mature. He should be able to do a good job.”

Chen Shao nodded. His thoughts were basically the same as his own, but Chen Shao had an extra layer of consideration.

Yang Yizhong can only rely on himself.

In fact, someone with Wang Yin's background would be the most suitable, but such a person is rare and hard to come by.

Even if Chen Shao wanted to find one among the common people, it would be almost impossible, because he didn't have the means.

He can no longer come into contact with people like Wang Yin.

We can't really be like in the story of Emperor Kangxi's incognito visits, where the emperor, as the supreme ruler, spends his days wandering among the common people.

That's just plain crazy.

Chen Shao turned around and beckoned, and a young eunuch ran over, bowing low.

"Go and summon Yang Yizhong to see me."

A short while later, Yang Yizhong rushed over.

He straightened his robes again at the door before stepping inside.

He was very tall and looked more mature than his actual age, exuding the fierce and rugged spirit of a man from Northwest China.

But she is also very thoughtful.

Seeing his superior, Wang Yin, and His Majesty sitting on the stone bench under the tree in the distance, he sighed inwardly. If he could be like Chief Steward Wang, his life would be a glorious one, and he would not have lived in vain.

Although he came from a humble background, compared to Steward Wang, he was worlds apart.

"Zhengfu, come here quickly." Wang Yin waved with a smile. This was the future head steward of Guangyuan Hall, and as the first one, Wang Yin knew all too well the value of this position.

"Your subject Yang Yizhong greets Your Majesty and pays respects to Chief Eunuch Wang."

Chen Shao smiled and said, "Minister Wang has been following me for a long time."

“It’s been twelve years,” Wang Yin quickly said.

Chen Shao nodded and continued, "Minister Wang and I have been together since we were humble beginnings, and we have never doubted each other for twelve years. Now that he has a wife and children, I do not want to see him continue to toil. I intend to find someone to share his burdens."

Yang Yizhong felt increasingly uneasy as he listened.

What does it mean?
Should we find someone to share the burden with Manager Wang?

Could it be myself?
A shiver ran from the soles of his feet to his head, and Yang Yizhong felt as if he had been electrocuted; even the arm inside his sleeve trembled slightly.

It's no wonder he was excited; this matter was just too big.

Are you confident you can take over this business?

Countless thoughts raced through Yang Yizhong's mind, but he neither shirked his duty nor feigned modesty. Instead, he knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty, I am willing to serve you with the utmost loyalty, even unto death!"

He knew his background; if he missed this opportunity, he would never get another chance.

Therefore, he must hold on tightly.

Looking at him, Wang Yin recalled how excited he had been at the gates of Hangzhou.

Back then, just the act of joining a general with an official government post, having previously served under Fang La, was enough to ignite such fervor.

This young military commander could certainly be excited.

"Get up. You will study with Wang Qing for another two months. You must humbly ask for his guidance and treat him as your teacher from now on."

"Yang Yizhong pays his respects to the King's Army."

Wang Yin nodded, feeling a sense of loss, even though he had had enough time to adapt.

But two months later, he had to hand over power, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.

He understood all the reasons; a place like Guangyuantang could not be controlled by one person or one party for long.

But when the moment comes, it's still hard to let go; that's the allure of power.

It has attracted countless heroes to bow down!
-
Chen Shao's desk was always piled high with memorials to the emperor.

Now he is no longer the novice emperor he once was, and he doesn't even bother to read many of the memorials.

Some local officials, just to make themselves known, will report every little thing to the authorities.

For example, the weather under his rule, any strange or unusual events, a poem he wrote, or simply a greeting to the emperor.

Sending such memorials to the capital is a complete waste of transportation capacity. Chen Shao has already ordered the Ministry of Personnel to take great steps to rectify this, but it is still a common occurrence.

Chen Shao also understood a principle for the first time: not all local officials were cunning and shrewd.

Many of them are just ordinary scholars, with very simple minds.

He used to view these local officials through a very thick lens.

Chen Shao always valued the wars on the frontier the most, even though it was difficult to send news back from the current western expedition.

But whenever there is news, Chen Shao will read it repeatedly, pondering what to do next.

However, by the time he made his decision, the battle lines had already been pushed much further forward.

The inconvenience of transportation has always been a major concern for Chen Shao.

Despite the fact that the transportation in Dajing was already the best in history, especially with the simultaneous development of both land and water routes.

However, Chen Shao had high standards; he did not hold Dajing Transportation to the same standards as an ordinary ancient dynasty.

Especially in the future, the territory of Dajing will reach an unprecedented scale, so convenient and fast transportation will be even more necessary.

Having a train would be ideal, but it seems unlikely to happen in the short term.

Just as Chen Shao saw the memorial from Goryeo, someone came in and said that a Goryeo envoy was requesting an audience.

Chen Shao asked curiously, "Which Goryeo?"

The situation in Goryeo is now very complicated, with its territory essentially divided in two.

The Xijing faction, led by Yu Yingbi, occupied the northwest, while the Gaegyeong faction, led by Kim Bu-sik, occupied the southeast.

Neither side could eliminate the other, and neither was capable of unification.

The legitimate king of Goryeo, disheartened, refused to return to Goryeo.

Although neither side could gain the upper hand, they fought every day, each wanting to kill the other, and regarding each other as enemies.

In fact, they were indeed mortal enemies.

Interestingly, both sides were powerful clans, with no peasants among them.

Therefore, just in case, they all chose to send their families to Dajing.

On the streets of Nanjing, it was common to see brawls between the two groups of young men.

Chen Chong said, "Both sides have sent people."

"What a coincidence?"

Chen Shao immediately realized that there must have been a major change in the situation, otherwise the two sides would not have been so in sync.

Chen Shao thought for a moment and said, "Let them in."

For a long time, Chen Shao avoided being their referee.

Therefore, he rarely meets with people from both sides at the same time.

But Chen Shao's mindset has changed now, and the subjugation of Goryeo is just a matter of days.

He has already taken over Japan, and Liaodong and Ryukyu are now in Da Jing's hands.

In fact, Goryeo was completely surrounded, which gave it an absolute advantage in terms of terrain.

The two sides of Goryeo have been engaged in civil war for many years, and the people are extremely weary of it. They either flee to Daegeeong or hide in the deep mountains to escape the war.

The envoys on both sides were all unfamiliar faces.

In fact, in recent years, the high-ranking officials on both sides have not changed much, and there have been very few nobles who have died in battle.

No matter how fierce the fighting, only ordinary soldiers die.

The lords lived quite comfortably in Goryeo. After three hundred years of existence, Goryeo had long been hollowed out by the old aristocracy.

This civil war was also caused by unequal distribution of spoils, which aroused great dissatisfaction among the local powerful clans towards the powerful clans in Kaijing.

Despite being mortal enemies, the envoys who entered did not dare to be presumptuous in front of the Emperor of Dajing; they remained very quiet.

No heated argument occurred.

The two even bowed to Chen Shao together, their movements almost identical, as if they had practiced together.

After exchanging greetings, both envoys silently calculated what they should say next.

How should we then pin the blame on the gambling den?

At this moment, Chen Shao suddenly spoke up: "You all possess strong armies and refuse to yield to each other. What about the people of Goryeo?"

Both sides were taken aback. Although Da Jing had never expressed support for either side in their requests for help, this was the first time he had reprimanded them like this.

Moreover, the person who spoke was none other than the emperor of the Great Jing Dynasty.

"We deserve to die!"

Chen Shao said, "Since you are all unable to bring peace to Goryeo, then in my opinion, we should not entrust such a heavy responsibility to you."

"For the sake of the people of Goryeo, I have decided to send troops to Goryeo and personally rescue them from their suffering." (End of Chapter)