Chapter 442: Bestowing Offices

The next morning at dawn.

The sky had just brightened, and the thin mist had not fully dispersed.

The Shufang of the Weiguo Gongfu had its window open.

The wind carried the faint fragrance of osmanthus from the courtyard corner.

Chen Yan, dressed in a moon‑white Brothel with his sleeves casually rolled, sat on the main seat, holding a white porcelain bowl and leisurely sipping warm millet porridge, while a few plates of refreshing side dishes were laid on the table.

"Greetings, Lord!"

"Greetings, Duke!"

The three entered side by side, each in neat regular attire.

Their steps were light and orderly; upon entering they bowed and saluted, their voices synchronized.

Chen Yan lifted his eyes to glance at them, raised his hand and tapped, "Please sit!"

"Drink the porridge while it's hot…"

All three replied in unison, "As you command!"

They then walked to the bench opposite, sat down, and each lifted the white porcelain bowl already set on the table.

The porridge was still warm, tinged with a faint rice aroma.

Chen Yan set down the white porcelain bowl, wiped the corner of his lips with a cloth, let his gaze sweep among the three, and said, "Let me introduce you to each other! From now on you'll have to work together…"

He raised his hand and gestured vaguely toward Lu Ming, then said to Liu Mu Zhi and Wen Run, "This is Lu Ming, a scion of the Lu family of Wu Commandery!"

After speaking, he turned his head toward Lu Ming, pointed sequentially at Liu Mu Zhi and Wen Run, and continued, "Ah Ming, this is Liu Mu Zhi, and this is Wen Run; they are both officials of my mansion!"

Is this the ten‑thousand‑strong enemy the Lord subdued in Hezhou?... Liu Mu Zhi and Wen Run sized up Lu Ming, who sat there like a solid, massive boulder—nearly two meters tall, broad‑shouldered and thick‑backed, his regular attire stretched tight, the muscle lines on his arms faintly visible even while seated, as robust as a small hill, exuding an aura that warned others to keep their distance. Lu Ming thought to himself, and the two clasped their fists together:

"Brother Lu!"

Lu Ming's face broke into a simple, hearty smile, showing two neat white teeth, instantly softening his imposing aura; though his movements bore a hint of a hulking clumsiness, he raised his hand earnestly to return the clasped fist, his voice booming like a bell, "Brother Liu, Brother Wen!"

"I hope you both will look after me in the future!"

After entering the Weiguo Gongfu yesterday, Lu Ning had already instructed Lu Ming that the State Duke Mansion harbored hidden talents, and he must cultivate good relations with everyone...

Chen Yan lifted the bowl of porridge, took a leisurely sip; the warm millet porridge dispelled the morning chill, then he raised his eyes to the three, his tone bearing a hint of solemnity, "I summoned you not only to introduce you, but also for another matter..."

He paused briefly, set down the porcelain bowl, tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, swept his gaze over the three, and said clearly, "Your Majesty has granted me, the overseer, the authority to establish a bureau; I may now appoint my own staff!"

Upon hearing the words "authority to establish a bureau," Liu Mu Zhi and Wen Run's eyes lit up instantly; they rose almost simultaneously, clasped their fists, bowed, brimming with excitement and congratulations, "Congratulations, Lord!"

"Congratulations, Lord!"

They had heard of this yesterday; their Lord not only received the ceremony to open a bureau equal to the Three Ministers, but was also ennobled as a Senior Pillar of the State...

He is the youngest Senior Pillar of Great Zhou!

At that moment the two thought their judgment was indeed sharp; they had not followed the wrong person...

Chen Yan raised his hand to signal them to sit, his gaze first landing on Liu Mu Zhi, eyes full of trust, and appointed, "Mu Zhi, you shall be the Chief Steward of the State Duke Mansion!"

Hearing this, Liu Mu Zhi rose again, clasped his hands, and solemnly replied, "As you command!"

The Chief Steward is equivalent to a "senior steward," holding the most central authority.

Responsible for overseeing all administrative affairs within the mansion.

Including drafting important documents, coordinating the work of other subordinate officials, receiving guests, and managing personnel appointments and dismissals within the mansion.

He may also act on behalf of the chief when the chief is away.

Then Chen Yan turned to Wen Run, with approval in his eyes, "Wen Run, you shall be the Recorder of the State Duke Mansion!"

Wen Run quickly rose to accept, his tone firm, "As you command!"

The Recorder is equivalent to a "documents and finance steward."

Responsible for drafting, reviewing, and archiving all documents in the mansion (such as memorials, edicts, correspondence).

He also manages the mansion's accounts, calculating provisions, salaries, and material incomes and expenditures, ensuring clear finances.

Chen Yan looked at Lu Ming and said, "Ah Ming, you shall be the Middle Officer of the State Duke Mansion!"

"As you command!" Lu Ming rose, replying respectfully.

The Middle Officer is equivalent to a "security and combat aide."

If the chief commands troops, he may partake in leading forces into battle and training soldiers.

In daily duties he is responsible for the chief's escort guard, mansion security, preventing assassins or accidents, and may also manage the mansion's guard detachment in certain cases.

Seeing the three still standing after receiving their orders, Chen Yan raised his hand and gave a gentle tap, his tone mildly casual, "I summoned you here and also want to ask whether you have any coveted positions..."

He paused, then added, "I will do my best to arrange them!"

Speaking, he lifted his bowl and took another sip of porridge.

After Liu Mu Zhi sat down again, his fingers lightly brushed the rim of the porridge bowl, his brows slightly furrowed as he thought.

It seemed he was weighing his words, yet also confirming his own thoughts.

A moment later, he raised his eyes to Chen Yan and spoke first, "If possible, Shuyi wishes to enter one of the two counties of Chang'an as a County Clerk!"

The County Clerk is equivalent to a "county government secretary‑general and judicial assistant."

Responsible for drafting and reviewing county office documents, organizing household registers, taxes, and other core files.

Assisting the county magistrate in adjudicating civil and criminal cases, recording trial proceedings, safeguarding judicial documents, and managing the county office seal to ensure compliant administrative processes.

These two counties belong to the Capital County, located in Chang'an; while holding the post, one can also be dispatched by the Lord at any time...

Liu Mu Zhi's motive for this choice was to accumulate experience in governmental affairs, so that he may later relieve the Lord of burdens.

"Hmm."

Chen Yan lightly tapped the table with his fingertip, nodded slowly and said, "I have noted it..."

That is indeed easy to arrange.

Those who oversee such personnel matters are all my own people...

Liu Bingzhong and the Tian Guan Fu subordinate officers will certainly give face.

Having said that, he turned his head toward Wen Run, who was sitting beside him, and asked, "And you?"

Wen Run, hearing this, set down the bowl of porridge in his hand, leaned forward slightly, his gaze firm, and solemnly said, "If permissible, Shuyi wishes to join the Summer Office!"

The Summer Office oversees military affairs, equipment, and Provisions; he wants to contribute to his lord's future campaigns.

"Sure." Chen Yan nodded and replied.

It's not really a difficult matter.....

The Grand Marshal will give this face.

When Chen Yan's gaze fell on Lu Ming, he awkwardly scratched his head and said, "Shuyi… Shuyi knows nothing, only knows how to kill!"

Then, clasping his fists, he said, "All arranged by the Duke!"

With his mind, and Lu Ning not being nearby, he couldn't think of any position suitable for himself now......

"No need to agonize, the supervisor has already arranged it for you!" Chen Yan, looking at Lu Ming's embarrassed expression, smiled calmly.

This big guy is only fit for the army.

Only the battlefield is the best stage for this humanoid colossus to shine.....

"Then the feeling is good!"

Lu Ming nodded heavily: "Shuyi obeys the Duke's orders!"

Chen Yan set down the porcelain bowl in his hand, lifted his hand to adjust the collar of his moon‑white Brothel, then slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over the three, waved his hand, and said, "Alright, everyone, go down now!"

"The supervisor should also go to the Ming Jing Si to oversee matters now....."

Just as the three rose to withdraw, the Shufang door was gently pushed open, and a figure in red clothing hurried in.

It was Hongye.

Her hair was tied high in a bun, a sword at her waist still sheathed, her expression efficient yet somewhat respectful; upon entering, she bowed and reported, "Duke, the Grand Marshal has brought the Crown Prince to visit!"