"Qingzhou is located in a remote corner, and the local tyrants and officials are definitely colluding with each other. Moreover, the Dragon Head of the Dragon Sect was recently killed in Chang 'an, so the situation in Qingzhou is definitely complicated and treacherous. This marquis needs a sufficiently capable and trustworthy person to go to Qingzhou and stabilize the situation for the time being. Brother Ma, whether in terms of talent or intelligence, you completely meet the requirements. It all depends on whether Brother Ma is willing to lend this marquis a hand ~!"
In the principal's office of Yanhuang College, Li Zexuan stood up and solemnly clasped his hands at Ma Zhou.
In history, Ma Zhou had come from a humble background, but in the end, he had climbed step by step to the position of Prime Minister and become Li Er's right-hand man. His talent, strategy, and political skills were beyond doubt. Although the current situation in Qingzhou was complicated, Li Zexuan was confident that it would not be a problem for Ma Zhou. Wouldn't the future Prime Minister of the Great Tang be able to easily govern a province?
Of course, Li Zexuan had never thought of 'tying' Ma Zhou to his side forever. This would be too much of a waste of talent. Ma Zhou had the talent to become Prime Minister, so he shouldn't just be a minor official! As long as the time was right, even if Ma Zhou didn't want to enter the court as an official, Li Zexuan would recommend Ma Zhou to Li Er! In the end, Qingzhou was just a small hurdle that Li Zexuan had set up for Ma Zhou to 'grind experience and level up'!
Once Ma Zhou had accumulated a certain amount of experience as an official, it would be time for him to start the 'Main Storyline of the Imperial Court'!
In the face of Li Zexuan's solemn expression, Ma Zhou couldn't help but turn solemn. To tell the truth, he was very conflicted. On one hand, he had lived in Yanhuang College and Datang Daily for more than a year, and he was already used to the people and things here. He had long been deeply infatuated with everything here, and he was naturally reluctant to leave. After all, humans were not plants and could not be emotionless.
But if he had to stay in Yunshan for the rest of his life, in the editorial department of Datang Daily, Ma Zhou would feel that his life was lacking something, and it would be somewhat dull and tasteless!
After a long silence, Ma Zhou's originally unfocused gaze gradually became resolute. He solemnly bowed to Li Zexuan and said,
"Many thanks for Marquis's appreciation. This Ma is willing to serve Marquis faithfully!"
"… Hahahaha! Good! Good! Good! Brother Ma, I was right about you ~! "
Li Zexuan looked deeply at Ma Zhou, then stepped forward and helped Ma Zhou up with both hands. He then laughed loudly and said, "With Brother Ma's help, the people of Qingzhou will live a good life in the near future ~!"
"Marquis is too kind! In terms of governing the people, this Ma's insignificant ability can't compare to Marquis's! "
Ma Zhou shook his head and cupped his hands.
This was not a deliberate compliment to Li Zexuan, but a fact. Back then, the Han Family Manor and Plum Village were the same as the other villages. The people didn't know what to eat, and it was estimated that they wouldn't be able to eat meat for a whole year. But in just over a year, the Han Family Manor and Plum Village had become one of the wealthiest villages around Chang 'an. Not only did the villagers live better, but their food and clothing were also several times better than before. Almost every family had saved up a lot of money!
Anyone with a discerning eye would know who the credit was!
So Li Zexuan's ability to revitalize the people's lives was something that even Ma Zhou couldn't help but admire!
"Haha! Let's stop flattering each other and get back to the main topic. The situation in Qingzhou is urgent. This Marquis will personally write a letter of appointment after returning home in the afternoon, officially appointing Brother Ma as the Chief Steward of the Qingzhou Provincial Governor's Office. Chief Steward Ma, after you pack up and prepare, immediately set off for Qingzhou ~! "
Li Zexuan first smiled, then looked at Ma Zhou seriously.
The Chief Steward Ma was only a subordinate of the Provincial Governor, so the appointment of the Chief Steward Ma didn't need to be reported to the imperial court, nor did it need Li Zexuan's approval. Li Zexuan alone could make the decision.
Hearing the words "Chief Steward Ma" from Li Zexuan's mouth, Ma Zhou couldn't help but feel a little emotional. The poor kid who came to Chang 'an alone from Bo Province and had nothing, was now the Chief Steward of the Provincial Governor's Office? This made Ma Zhou feel a little dreamy and unreal!
"Of course there's no problem on my side. But after I leave, what about the Academy's Economics Department and the Datang Daily's editorial department?"
Ma Zhou recovered from his absent-mindedness and frowned as he asked hesitantly.
Li Zexuan thought for a while and said, "This is easy. For the Academy, let Mr. Kong Gui be the head of the Economics Department. With Old Mister's knowledge, there shouldn't be a problem. As for the Datang Daily's editorial department, let Little Fishy be there first! If I have time, I'll go and take a look! "
"Then I'm relieved! I'll be able to leave in the next two days! "
Ma Zhou heard and nodded. Then he suddenly thought of something. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Since I came back from the north, Little Fishy seems to have become a little quiet. I've asked a few times, but I didn't get anything! This girl worships Marquis very much. If you have time, Marquis, you should go and take a look! "
Li Zexuan's heart skipped a beat. He suddenly remembered Li Yu's strange behavior at the Longmen Pass. After a while, he nodded and said, "Okay! I'll find time to talk to her! "
Ma Zhou heard and heaved a sigh of relief. He said, "That's good! That's good! "
Although he often bickered with Li Yu, Ma Zhou liked this clever girl very much. He treated Li Yu as his own little sister. Last time, Li Yu went to the north alone without a word. After that, she came back in low spirits. Naturally, Ma Zhou saw all of this. However, there were some things that Li Yu didn't want to tell him. He couldn't do anything about it!
"Also, Officer Ma, you should pay more attention to your safety when you go to Qingzhou!"
Li Zexuan thought for a moment, then added, "When you go to Qing Province, I'll send a few guards to go with you. When you get there, you'll be able to mobilize all the provincial troops within Qing Province with my warrant and the Tiger Tally. Since Liu Ming wrote to me to ask for military authority, it means that the provincial troops in Qingzhou are not completely under his control. This is our chance! Of course, just in case, Officer Ma, you should bring a telegraph machine to Qingzhou! If there are any changes in the situation, send a telegraph to me at any time! "
Ma Zhou's trip to Qingzhou was, of course, dangerous. After all, he was going there to replace the position of Liu Ming, the Provincial Governor of Qingzhou. Li Zexuan and Liu Ming were direct enemies. Liu Ming had been an official in Qingzhou for many years and definitely had a lot of connections. If he was driven to desperation, he might really do something to Ma Zhou. Therefore, Li Zexuan had to consider everything carefully!
However, it didn't mean that Ma Zhou would die. At the very least, the provincial troops in Qingzhou were still very likely to be used by Li Zexuan and Ma Zhou. After all, with the consolidation of the Tang Dynasty's political power, and Li Er's series of ruthless methods since he ascended the throne, everyone knew that the current Imperial Court was invincible. Only death awaited those who wanted to rebel. Youzhou's Luo Yi and the Dragon Sect were examples!
Liu Ming was just a minor provincial governor. It was impossible for him to completely control all the provincial troops in Qingzhou during the period when the Provincial Governor Zheng Qingsong was captured!
As long as he could control the military power as soon as possible, Ma Zhou's safety in Qingzhou would be guaranteed. The rest was to slowly stabilize the political situation and eliminate the dregs and scum in Qingzhou's officialdom!
Ma Zhou was greatly touched by these words. He couldn't help but cup his hands and say, "Thank you for your trust, Marquis. I will do my best and not disappoint Marquis's high expectations!"
To completely hand over the military power of a province to one person, this trust couldn't be said to be small!
Li Zexuan smiled and said, "This Marquis previously said that this Marquis doesn't trust any of the officials in Qingzhou, but Brother Ma, this Marquis has complete and unreserved trust in you! Go ahead and do it! First, help this Marquis stabilize the situation in Qingzhou. When this Marquis is free, he will personally make a trip to Qingzhou! "
Ma Zhou was moved and said, "Yes! Marquis! "
The two looked at each other and smiled. Li Zexuan patted Ma Zhou's shoulder and said heroically, "Haha! Then let's do something big in Qingzhou! "
…
After discussing the matters in Qingzhou with Ma Zhou, Li Zexuan went to the offices of the various disciplines. His main purpose was to look at the situation of the examination papers from yesterday. In addition, he also gathered Yan Silu and a few other discipline team leaders for a small meeting. They discussed the situation of Ma Zhou's appointment in Qingzhou, as well as the subsequent handover of some work.
With regards to Ma Zhou's promotion, Yan Silu and the other teachers were sincerely happy for him. Some people saw from Ma Zhou that they might be able to rely on their achievements in the Academy and Li Zexuan's appreciation to become an official. This made them even more motivated in their hearts, such as Xu Hongzhi and Xiao Deyan. Some people didn't care about being an official because they were already content with the status quo, such as Wang Ji and Mo Huai!
Li Zexuan naturally didn't know what these teachers were thinking. However, even if he knew, he wouldn't say anything. Everyone had their own aspirations, and he respected everyone's aspirations. If these people wanted to enter the imperial court as an official, he would do his best to help. After all, these people represented Gong Xue, and this could be considered as expanding the influence of Gong Xue!
After all the arrangements were completed, Li Zexuan quickly returned to the mansion in Lantian County. Then, he personally wrote a letter of resignation for Ma Zhou and stamped it with the seal of the Qingzhou Provincial Governor and his own personal seal.
"Liu Feng! Immediately send this item to Yunshan and personally hand it to Mr. Ma Zhou, understand? "
Li Zexuan came to the front yard and summoned the guard Liu Feng.
The situation in Qingzhou absolutely couldn't be allowed to deteriorate any further. When Li Er handed Qingzhou over to Li Zexuan, it was mainly to let Li Zexuan pacify the influence of the Heavenly Dragon Sect on Qingzhou as soon as possible and lead the local people to live a better life. If it wasn't for the upcoming Kingdom War, Li Zexuan would have personally made a trip to Qingzhou!
"Yes! Marquis! "
Liu Feng took the package that Li Zexuan handed over. He responded and immediately turned to leave the residence.
…
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