Chapter 35: Human Affairs Are Politics!

Jin Wang Fu.

Shufang.

"May I have an audience with the Grand Tomb Steward!"

"I, your servant, have luckily completed the task and come to report!"

Chen Yan, guided by the manor's steward, arrived at Yuwen Hu's desk and performed a reverent bow.

Since the Grand Tomb Steward is on leave today, the audience place shifted from Tian Guan Fu to the manor.

This is also Chen Yan's first time entering the Grand Tomb Steward's private residence.

"No need for formalities!"

Yuwen Hu, holding a brush and practicing calligraphy on the rice paper before him, said without looking up.

He paused, then continued, "From now on in this manor, treat it as if it were your own home..."

"Understood."

Chen Yan blinked and replied.

The Grand Tomb Steward said so, but he dared not act that way....

When a superior makes small talk, taking it seriously would be foolish; a hired hand should know his place.

"A Yan, you youngster are impressive!"

Yuwen Hu set down his brush, looked up at Chen Yan, his eyes full of praise, and asked with a smile, "How exactly did you come up with these ideas?"

Although on leave at home, the Mingjing Office promptly delivered the news to the Grand Tomb Steward's desk.

The shipwreck sank, and the Deposed Emperor was dispatched in a legitimate manner, perfectly solving all problems while averting every risk.

The young man's mind is lively, pioneering a new precedent.

Copycat! No wonder Lao Zhu could start a war with just a bowl... Chen Yan muttered inwardly, plastered a grin, and flattered, "It is entirely thanks to the Grand Tomb Steward's guidance that I had a flash of brilliance!"

"Hahaha!"

Yuwen Hu heard this, laughed heartily, raised a finger at Chen Yan, "You still speak as eloquently as ever!"

Yuwen Hu has never favored slick‑tongued people.

But this smooth‑talking, efficient youngster he truly likes from the bottom of his heart.

Chen Yan nodded, shifted his tone, and said, "However, I have only completed the first half..."

"The remaining part still requires you, Grand Tomb Steward!"

He said, a slight curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

His words were laden with implication.

"Oh?"

Yuwen Hu restrained his smile, twirled the Jade Ring, looked at Chen Yan with interest, and asked, "The Deposed Emperor has collapsed, the entire crew perished, what more does this king need to do?"

Normally, with Murong Hao dead, everything could be concluded with a period.

The Deposed Emperor's treason case would be completely closed.

But he knows this youngster is far from aimless....

"Crying Spirit!"

Chen Yan lifted his head, his gaze sharp, and intoned with measured cadence.

He paused, then added, "I have ordered men at the Wei River to set up the stage..."

"I request the Grand Tomb Steward and Your Majesty to lead the officials in mourning!"

Yuwen Hu was startled, thought briefly, as if realizing something, and laughed, "Truly your style!"

"A Yan, you are indeed thorough in your actions!"

"Even this aspect has been considered...."

With the words 'Crying Spirit' spoken, how could Yuwen Hu not see Chen Yan's intention?

Having staged a political show and won the people's hearts, the key is also to deter the remaining loyalists.

"Grand Tomb Steward, you overpraise!"

Chen Yan smiled calmly, cupped his hands, and said, "I merely think that using death to give Great Zhou a final contribution is the Deposed Emperor's honor!"

No one understands how to make use of waste better than Chen Yan!

Even the last drop of residual value is squeezed out....

"Good, very good!"

Yuwen Hu lightly tapped the desk, very satisfied, teasing, "As you say, those positions must not be absent!"

The three characters for 'position' are emphasized heavily.

Who it refers to is obvious without saying.

Naturally it is Grand Minister of Justice Zhao Qian, one of the Eight Pillar Nations, and Grand Minister of Education Dugu Zhao.

It conveniently uses the legitimate and proper 'strike the mountain to intimidate the tiger' tactic.

"Grand Tomb Steward, wise!"

Chen Yan flattered.

He paused, then continued, "I have an immature strategy I wish to propose to you...."

"You still have an immature one?"

Yuwen Hu laughed, teased, and said, "Tell me, tell me...."

He looked genuinely intrigued.

Given the previous methods, it must be another wild idea.

"May I ask, Grand Tomb Steward, how many officials in the court are not corrupt?"

"Not corrupt?"

"Not exploiting the common folk?"

"Not pocketing the Court's silver into your own purse?"

After receiving permission, Chen Yan adjusted his wording slightly and fired four rapid questions at once.

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

Yuwen Hu, who had originally thought it was something new, suddenly grew pale, furrowed his brows, and his sharp gaze scrutinized Chen Yan; without answering, he asked back.

No matter how much one paints a rosy picture, even a person with lofty ideals will be quickly corrupted once they touch power; this is an indisputable fact.

Although Great Zhou has not existed long, there are nonetheless many who line their pockets, embezzle, seize private gains, and misuse public assets.

This is also the issue that Yuwen Hu will focus on rectifying when implementing the new policies…

But he did not expect that this kid would draw it out like this, and it seemed to carry great significance.

Chen Yan did not hold back; his gaze hardened, and in a serious tone he said, "Grand Chancellor, we can fully use the pretext of anti‑corruption to unite the party against dissent and purge traitors…"

"That way we not only have a noble justification, but also win the people's hearts and political prestige!"

Having spent many years by that top boss's side, Chen Yan deeply understands the underlying logic of power:

Corrupt officials aren't frightening, nor is corruption itself; the danger is when you're not in one's own camp.

Wrapping the suppression of dissent in a noble cause, even if opponents know your intent, they cannot find any flaw.

And now that the Grand Chancellor first wields great power, it's precisely the time to establish authority and consolidate power!

Chen Yan could then seize the opportunity to amass wealth, using those high officials' human heads to pave a soaring path upward…

"He really never stops saying things that shock people!"

"But that is indeed a good method for removing obstacles…"

Yuwen Hu narrowed his eyes, his pupils contracting, remained silent, and stared intently at the advising Chen Yan, murmuring to himself.

Having spent many years beside his uncle Yuwen Xin, Yuwen Hu naturally knows that personnel matters are politics!

Weighing personnel is the highest wisdom of power structuring, the clearest display of one's political foundation.

There are three levels to personnel arrangements.

Top level: using personnel arrangements to keep oneself advancing while preventing enemies from advancing.

Second level: using personnel arrangements to expand one's reach of power.

Lowest level: using personnel arrangements to obtain compensation in one's economic and physiological aspects.

What Chen Yan said precisely reflects this understanding.

He still has time; he can use the soft knife of personnel to continuously cut those two great pillar‑states.

Silence fell in the Shufang.

Chen Yan read the room and quickly knelt, breaking the awkwardness: "It is my fault for speaking out of turn!"

"Please, Grand Chancellor, punish me!"

His attitude of admitting fault was very proactive.

"No!"

Yuwen Hu exhaled a breath of foul air, steadied his mood, rose, lifted Chen Yan, and laughed: "You speak very well!"

He paused, shifted tone, and continued: "But now is not the optimal moment; Great Zhou currently needs stability and cannot endure internal turmoil…"

It is undeniable that Chen Yan's strategy truly struck a chord with him.

Yet after repeated deliberation, Yuwen Hu displayed the restraint of a mature ruler.

The new emperor of Great Zhou has been on the throne for barely a month, and the Qi State looms menacingly to the east.

Everything must not be rushed.

"Grand Chancellor, you are absolutely right; I have not considered enough!" Chen Yan couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

Yuwen Hu lightly patted Chen Yan's shoulder, gave a warm smile, and said: "A Yan, since this is your first time at the residence, I will introduce you to someone…"