22nd of the 5th month, Xia Palace.
Ouyang Shuo gently put down the matter of Handan City, because it was already within his expectations.
In the royal study, Ouyang Shuo was discussing the arrangements for Ouyang Xiu, Lu Xiufu and Wen Tianxiang. As for Yue Fei and Zhang Shijie, according to the rules, they will first train in the military for a month before being assigned to the Imperial Guards. The next time the army is reorganized, they will be assigned to suitable positions.
Last year, in the annual evaluation organized by the Bureau of Personnel, there were 5 governors who barely passed the evaluation and were put on the list of replacements by Ouyang Shuo.
Unfortunately, because there was no suitable successor, it had been delayed.
Jiang Shang meant to arrange for 3 people to take over as governors. Ouyang Shuo thought for a while and did not fully accept Jiang Shang's suggestion. He only agreed to release Lu Xiufu and Wen Tianxiang.
"Let's put Ouyang Xiu in the court. He can make use of his influence in the Song Dynasty." Ouyang Shuo said.
Jiang Shang was stunned. He did not think so much and said shamefully, "Your Majesty is very thoughtful. I am ashamed."
Ouyang Shuo waved his hand. "Which position does the minister think is suitable for Ouyang Xiu? This person may be famous but he is not up to the task. We need to choose a suitable position. "
This was a secret discussion between the emperor and his official. If it was outside, Ouyang Shuo would not be so direct.
Jiang Shang's control of the court was already very good and he knew all kinds of people. He thought for a while and said, "May I be so bold as to give Ouyang Xiu the position of the director of education, culture and defense."
Ouyang Shuo thought for a moment and nodded his head in satisfaction. Under the leadership of Su Zhe, the dynasty's scientific, educational, and cultural work had already stepped onto the right track. There was no need for bold and decisive reforms. It was just right for Ouyang Xiu, the leader of the literary world.
Jiang Shang was indeed good at using people.
"What should we do with Su Zhe?" Ouyang Shuo asked.
Su Zhe was in charge of education, culture and defense and he worked hard. He could not just kick him away like this. If Su Zhe was demoted to a place, with Su Zhe's rank as a third-rank, other than the governor, he would be demoted.
This was a problem.
Jiang Shang, on the other hand, had already calculated it clearly. He replied, "This old official suggests that Su Zhe be transferred to the Pavilion of Secret Texts and become a scholar of the Pavilion of Secret Texts. Even though his rank will drop by half a rank, he will still be considered to be in the central administration. In reality, it is a demotion on the surface but a hidden promotion."
Ouyang Shuo's eyes lit up. Jiang Shang's suggestion was in line with his thoughts.
As the affairs of the dynasty became increasingly heavy, the burden on Qingyi, the scholar of the Pavilion of Secret Texts, also became heavier and heavier. Although the Pavilion of Secret Texts had added four secretaries to assist Qingyi, they were still too busy.
Transferring Su Zhe into the Secret Texts Pavilion was undoubtedly a clever move.
Although Su Zhe's literary talent was not as good as his older brother Su Shi's, he had a keen insight and pragmatic approach to politics. He was very suitable for the Secret Texts Pavilion.
With Su Zhe's help, Qingyi could relax a lot.
After thinking for a while, Ouyang Shuo suddenly asked, "How was Feng Qingyue's performance in the Shu Province?"
It had already been more than half a year since Feng Qingyue assisted the Governor of Shu Prefecture, Tian Wenjing, in eliminating the hidden dangers in Shu Prefecture. Ouyang Shuo thought that it was about time for Feng Qingyue's test to come to an end.
Ouyang Shuo didn't want to break the connection with the Feng Family just like that.
Jiang Shang replied, "According to the Governor of Shu Prefecture, Tian Wenjing's monthly court bulletin, he is very satisfied with Feng Qingyue. His words are full of praises. Some time ago, Tian Wenjing also requested the imperial court to officially appoint Feng Qingyue as a subordinate of the Governor's yamen."
"Oh?"
Ouyang Shuo was a little surprised.
Tian Wenjing was a cold-faced Governor. Since he took the initiative to mention this matter, it was enough to prove that Feng Qingyue's work in the past half a year was recognized by Tian Wenjing.
Speaking of which, Feng Qingyue was really patient. In the past half a year, Ouyang Shuo almost didn't care about her, but Feng Qingyue didn't throw a tantrum. Instead, she quietly fulfilled her duties in Shu.
She was really a strange woman.
Ouyang Shuo joked, "It seems that our cold-faced Governor is cold on the outside but warm on the inside."
Jiang Shang smiled stiffly. He couldn't tell whether the King was praising or disparaging Feng Qingyue, so he didn't dare to reply directly. He carefully asked, "Your Majesty, what do you mean?"
Ouyang Shuo stopped smiling and said faintly, "Since Feng Qingyue has been recognized by the superior, we can't just let her be. Immediately issue a decree to transfer Feng Qingyue to the Secret Texts Pavilion and temporarily take up the position of a secretary."
Ouyang Shuo still wanted to observe Feng Qingyue for a while and didn't rush to make a conclusion. After all, Feng Qingyue came from one of the Six Great Clans. He couldn't be too cautious when dealing with such a sensitive person.
Of course, if he used this person correctly, it would be a milestone for Great Xia.
"Yes!"
Jiang Shang nodded. He finally understood why the King suddenly asked about Feng Qingyue.
Taking the opportunity to add Su Zhe and Feng Qingyue, Ouyang Shuo made a small adjustment to the Secret Texts Pavilion. He officially appointed Qingyi as the Palm Seal Scholar of the Secret Texts Pavilion and made it clear that she was the head of all the scholars in the Secret Texts Pavilion.
Of course, Qingyi's rank was still Primary Rank 4.
The nature of the Secret Texts Pavilion meant that Ouyang Shuo couldn't give her a high rank.
In addition, Ouyang Shuo also issued a decree to further expand the Secret Texts Pavilion. He added six secretaries at once. Other than the Assistant Scholar of the Secret Texts Pavilion, every Inner Pavilion Elder was assigned a full-time secretary to hang in the Secret Texts Pavilion.
Different from the Four Great Academies, other than the three Inner Pavilion Elders, there weren't any clerks to handle documents in the Inner Pavilion. All the affairs of the Inner Pavilion had to be handled by the three Inner Pavilion Elders.
Unfortunately, the Inner Pavilion Elders were already old, so it was inevitable that they wouldn't have enough energy.
The reason why Ouyang Shuo assigned secretaries to the Inner Pavilion was to help the Inner Pavilion Elders deal with documents. At the same time, hanging the secretaries in the Secret Texts Pavilion was equivalent to strengthening his control over the Inner Pavilion.
It was killing two birds with one stone.
Jiang Shang naturally couldn't express any opinion on this and could only thank the King for his kindness.
… …
That afternoon, the imperial court issued a series of appointments and removals.
Ouyang Xiu was appointed as the Director of Science and Education, Lu Xiufu was appointed as the Director of Administration of the Annan Province Governor's Office, and Wen Tianxiang was appointed as the Prefectural Governor of the Fengtian County of the Northern Frontier Province.
The fact that Lu Xiufu was assigned to the Annan Province was enough to prove the importance that Ouyang Shuo attached to him.
This time, he took the opportunity of changing the Prefectural Governor to assign Wen Tianxiang to the Northern Frontier Province. Apart from his trust in Wen Tianxiang's ability, Ouyang Shuo also wanted to balance Lao Ai's influence in the Northern Frontier Province.
Ever since the incident of the Dragon Seeking Acupoints, Ouyang Shuo had deeply understood the principle that people's hearts would change. The best way to ensure that the subordinates wouldn't change their minds was to not give them a chance to change their minds.
Before the temptation even showed any signs, they had to cut it off decisively.
Take Lao Ai as an example. As the former Lord of Wanshi City, Lao Ai had been working in the Northern Frontier Province for four years, and his influence had long seeped into all aspects of the Northern Frontier Province.
If Ouyang Shuo didn't check and balance him, even if Lao Ai originally didn't have the intention to change his mind, over time, under the direct or indirect influence of his subordinates, relatives, and friends, he would gradually become too big to get rid of in the Northern Frontier Province.
When that time came, it wouldn't be a good thing for Great Xia, or even for Lao Ai himself.
This time, assigning Wen Tianxiang to the Northern Frontier Province was not only to check and balance Lao Ai, but also to protect him in disguise. Ouyang Shuo believed that with Lao Ai's intelligence, he would be able to figure out the meaning behind this.
Apart from the three new civil officials, the imperial court also had other appointments and removals.
Qing Yi, a scholar of the Secret Texts Pavilion, was promoted to the Palm Seal Scholar of the Secret Texts Pavilion, Su Zhe was relieved of his post as the Director of Education and Civil Guard, and was transferred to the position of a scholar of the Secret Texts Pavilion. Feng Qingyue was officially transferred to the position of Secretary of the Secret Texts Pavilion.
At the same time, according to the order of the king, the cabinet would also organize an internal selection to select six secretaries with both ability and integrity for the Secret Texts Pavilion.
As soon as the news came out, the imperial court was shocked.
As the central organization closest to the king, although the Secret Texts Pavilion's grade wasn't high, it was the ladder to the promotion of young officials. To be selected to be a secretary of the Secret Texts Pavilion meant that they had obtained the recognition of both the king and the cabinet.
In addition, with the special function of the Secret Texts Pavilion, not only could they increase their knowledge and come into contact with the core secrets of the imperial court, they would also have a lot of opportunities to interact with the ministers of the imperial court.
As long as they could gain experience in the Secret Texts Pavilion for a year or two, it wouldn't be a problem for them to be sent out as a prefectural governor.
As such, how could it not cause a sensation in the imperial court? For a moment, countless young talents displayed their abilities like the eight immortals crossing the sea. They went around to inquire about information and ask people to plead for a position.
As for this matter, Ouyang Shuo gave full authority to the cabinet and no longer asked about it.
Three o 'clock in the afternoon.
After signing the appointment and removals, Ouyang Shuo summoned Zhang Liang, the Grand Secretary of the Treasury, to the imperial study.
Following the changes in the Secret Texts Pavilion, the layout of the imperial study would also be adjusted. As an official of the Secret Texts Pavilion, Qingyi would no longer work in the imperial study. Instead, she would be assigned to a separate room next to the imperial study.
That area would also be the yamen of the Secret Texts Pavilion and would have an independent entrance.
There was a door between the two areas. Ouyang Shuo could enter the imperial study from the main door, and he could also pass through this door to enter the office area of the Secret Texts Pavilion and leave from there.
This ensured that Qingyi and the others could be summoned at any time and also guaranteed the safety of the imperial study.
At present, in the huge imperial study, besides Ouyang Shuo himself, there was only a female official who followed Ouyang Shuo and took care of his daily needs.
Outside the door stood a group of Divine Martial Guards, ready to receive orders at any time.
Originally, Guard General Xu Chu insisted on personally standing guard, but was rejected by Ouyang Shuo. Xu Chu was now a fourth-rank general, how could he stand guard every day?
Even so, the straightforward Xu Chu still set up a drill ground in the side courtyard of the imperial study and personally oversaw it. If anything happened, Xu Chu could bring the Divine Martial Guards to the imperial study within five minutes.
Because Ouyang Shuo was used to discussing matters with the ministers in the imperial study, and the matters he discussed often involved the highest secrets of the imperial court, the female official who served him, as the only "outsider" present, had to be absolutely loyal to Ouyang Shuo.
Moreover, her mouth had to be especially tight, and not a single word could be leaked to the outside.
At present, there was no suitable candidate yet, so Zisu could only personally serve in the imperial study.
Ouyang Shuo withdrew his thoughts, put down the teacup, and said to Zhang Liang who was sitting in the hall, "There are some adjustments to the Secret Texts Pavilion, and the Treasury also needs to be moved."
No one knew why Ouyang Shuo would adjust the two centers.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
