"Huh?"
Manbao peeked her head out from the room and only then noticed that County Magistrate Fu was standing under the window, looking troubled.
He had just been turned away from the Ministry of Personnel and was in a bad mood. Upon returning ho, he wanted to talk to his daughter, and coincidentally, Manbao was in the room.
Manbao was curious: "Why were you declined?"
County Magistrate Fu shook his head and sighed, "I asked the officials at the Ministry of Personnel, but they were too busy and didn’t tell ."
Having said that, he looked at Manbao.
Fu Wenyun, through the window, said to her father: "Father, have you thought about asking Grandfather to inquire?"
County Magistrate Fu frowned, "Just a few days ago, we transferred the house under your na at the County Governntal Office."
It would have been fine to ask a bit earlier or later, but now clearly isn’t a good ti.
And County Magistrate Fu was a bit worried, "Do you think it’s because our relatives offended the Empress Dowager, so..."
Manbao then said, "Impossible, the Empress Dowager is seriously ill now, she doesn’t have the energy to manage these affairs."
County Magistrate Fu’s eyes darted, "The Empress Dowager’s illness is severe?"
Manbao nodded, "At least it’s not mild."
After all, she works in Jishi Hall, and Jishi Hall also has Imperial Doctor Zheng in the palace, so she’s more inford about these matters.
Combining what Bai Shan and the others said when they ca back ho, Manbao blinked and said, "Could it be that the Ministry of Personnel wants to relocate Lord Fu?"
County Magistrate Fu’s eyes lit up imdiately, "How so?"
"Because of the case with the Prince of Yizhou, many positions have been vacated in the court, especially in Jiannan. Lord, you have previously held a position in Luojiang County, perhaps there’s a chance you’ll be transferred back there."
County Magistrate Fu felt like he was struck by thunder, "Go back to Luojiang County again?"
Fu Wenyun, hearing the tone in his voice, imdiately said through the window, "Father, Manbao ans going back to Jiannan, you’ve been promoted to chief historian, it’s unlikely you’ll go back to Luojiang County."
County Magistrate Fu sighed in relief, then his eyes darted again, his mind becoming active, "I heard that the County Magistrate of Huayang County has achieved great rits and is going to be transferred back to the capital..."
Although the County Magistrate of Huayang is also a magistrate, half a rank lower than his chief historian, but this is a magistrate of an upper county. If he performs well, his next promotion could be to marshal or chief historian of Shangzhou...
This would be far more convenient than his current position as a chief historian of a lower prefecture, and life would also be much easier.
What Manbao thought of, however, was the disposition and temperant of County Magistrate Tang. The next magistrate might not have an easy job, and County Magistrate Fu might not be able to hold sway over the many noble families in Yizhou City.
The Ministry of Personnel and the court would be blind to send County Magistrate Fu to Huayang County.
But seeing the delighted County Magistrate Fu, Manbao said nothing.
Fu Wenyun also thought it was unlikely, but she didn’t say anything either. Instead, she quietly asked Manbao to help inquire, "You know many people, help my father inquire about the reasons. If it’s a relocation, it’s fine, but if it’s because he offended the higher-ups and was intentionally sidelined, knowing this will help us respond sooner."
Manbao agreed, smiling, "Don’t worry, Second Sister Fu, I will ask Bai Shan to help inquire."
The best person to inquire about the Ministry of Personnel’s matters is Yin Huo, since the Ministry of Revenue deals most frequently with the Ministry of Personnel.
After receiving Bai Shan’s request, Yin Huo didn’t even ask his grandfather, but went straight to his elder brother Liu Yi, who is the most inford one. Even if he didn’t know, he could ask the people from the Ministry of Personnel, as he is currently working there as a clerk, which makes it very convenient.
Liu Yi found out the information the next day. Seeing his blissfully ignorant younger brother turning around to run out, he asked, "Where are you going?"
"I’m going to see Yin Huo, we are going to the horse track to see horses today."
Liu Yi frowned, "Don’t you already have a horse for traveling through snow?"
"It’s not who wants to buy, it’s Bai Shan and the others, we’re just following to have a look." After saying this, he ran off.
Liu Yi did not stop him, but shook his head and was about to leave the house to et friends for drinks and poetry. However, before he could leave, his grandfather called him to the study.
Minister Liu was very pleased with his eldest grandson, thus he did not coddle him like he did Liu Huan, and got straight to the point: "Tang Zhihe is returning to the capital."
Liu Yi blinked; so what if he returns? He’s probably joining the Ministry of Justice, what does that have to do with ?
At this thought, Liu Yi hesitated and asked, "The magistrate of Huayang County..."
Minister Liu slightly nodded and said, "I’ve spoken with Minister Li, who thinks you have potential worth testing."
Obviously, this Minister Li isn’t from the Ministry of War, but from their Ministry of Personnel.
Deep down, Liu Yi was sowhat reluctant to leave the capital, primarily because all his friends and relatives were there; if he went to Yizhou, he would be all alone.
He is not like Tang Zhihe, who also has Yang Heshu nearby.
"Grandfather, isn’t Yizhou a hot potato right now?"
Minister Liu glanced at him sideways and said, "What hot potato? It’s clearly a coveted position. The Prince of Yizhou has left, removing a great burden from you. Lord Tang and I have inquired, and Tang Zhihe is very adept at dealing with people. He and the emperor have proposed that the confiscated estates be kept under the control of the County Governnt. So far, only a part of the Prince of Yizhou’s confiscated properties has been distributed among the deserting soldiers scattered throughout Yizhou; there are still nurous displaced people who have not been settled."
Minister Liu said, "Once you take this position, you can imdiately start arranging this matter. This not only helps to win people’s hearts but also helps you establish achievents. Isn’t it a coveted position?"
"But won’t this offend many people?" Liu Yi said. "I heard that even the Ji Family’s properties have been seized in part, and once I take office, they will definitely co to pull strings to get them back. Should I give them or not by then?"
Upon hearing this, Minister Liu slightly frowned and looked disapprovingly at his grandson, "Do you want to give it back or not?"
Liu Yi paused for a mont and then said, "I don’t want to."
"Then don’t," Minister Liu’s expression improved slightly, "If you want to achieve great accomplishnts, how can you do so without paying a great price? Do you know why you entered the court only two years after Tang Zhihe and Yang Heshu, but haven’t progressed as fast as they have? It’s because you’re too cautious and restrained."
Liu Yi bowed his head and accepted the lesson.
Minister Liu said, "If you want to go, I will speak with Minister Li and recomnd you, and soon the emperor will want to see you."
With you saying that, how can I not go?
Liu Yi muttered to himself inwardly and responded softly.
Just as he was about to leave, he felt sothing was amiss, raised his head and said, "Grandfather, when did Tang Zhihe beco so understanding? To actually leave such a great achievent to his successor."
He coughed lightly and said, "Isn’t he afraid that the successor will use the seized estates to curry favor with the local gentry and wealthy?"
Minister Liu then raised his eyelids and said, "That’s why the successor needs to be carefully chosen again and again."
Liu Yi: So the trap is waiting here for .
He glared and said, "In just a few years, Tang Zhihe has beco so capable?"
Minister Liu said, "I’m afraid this isn’t Tang Zhihe’s doing. During this period, Yang Heshu has also been in Yizhou City helping with post-war affairs."
Liu Yi then understood.
He couldn’t help but grumble, "I really don’t understand why he wants to be a magistrate of a small county."
Minister Liu sighed inwardly, "That is where Yang Changbo’s cleverness lies. When he returns to the capital this ti to be rewarded for his rits, his achievents might even surpass those of Tang Zhihe. Not only in the capital, but among all the nobility’s children who are brought out for comparison, there are hardly any who can match Yang Changbo."
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