Chapter 389: Five Prime Ministers

At the county office, after Chen Yan arrived and had just sat down, Du Gou came over.

"Brother Chen, I've already found the people you asked me to look for; they're outside now."

"Hmm?" Chen Yan, rather surprised, "Found them so quickly?"

"Then bring them in."

"Alright." Du Gou said no more, turned and left.

Not long after, Du Gou led five youths into the room; the oldest looked only about twenty, the youngest was about the same age as Chen Yan.

The acquaintances Lai Heng and Lai Ji were also among them.

Before arriving, the five already knew they were to meet the mysterious County Magistrate of Weinan County; besides the Lai brothers and a relatively silent young man, the other two were quite surprised to see Chen Yan so young.

The next moment, the five bowed in unison.

"We pay our respects to the County Magistrate."

"No need for formalities, have a seat." Chen Yan smiled, pointing to the seats below.

They were not ordinary people; they showed no particular emotion, and sat down with neither deference nor arrogance.

Chen Yan's gaze fell on a dark‑skinned, somewhat silent youth of about his own age, and said, "At first I asked Brother Du to find you; I didn't have much hope, since you're Lord Dai's nephew, your future is secure. I didn't expect you would actually come."

The person before him was indeed Dai Zhou's nephew, who would later be known as the silent pragmatist—Dai Zhide.

In the original history, he rose during Emperor Gaozong's reign to the post of Right Deputy Director of the Secretariat, a model of pragmatic officials.

"I came of my own accord, and Uncle agreed!" Dai Zhide replied succinctly.

"Why are you willing to come to Weinan County?" Chen Yan asked. "You should know why I summoned you."

"I recall you're now a thousand‑ox reserve, and you should be preparing for this year's Imperial Examination."

"I won't pass." Dai Zhide shook his head. "At my age, my learning can never match those who have studied for many years. The Emperor's supervision sounds good, but I am aware of my limits."

He was sincere; he spoke only his true thoughts.

Although his uncle was there and his future wasn't in doubt, who wouldn't want to enter the officialdom quickly to accumulate experience and connections?

Having originally received Du Gou's message, he hesitated, but Uncle Dai Zhou's words steadied him.

Now in the Tang Dynasty, Weinan County is the most eye‑catching place.

Formerly a nobody, Ma Zhou has now entered the sight of important figures.

Chen Yan was pleased with Dai Zhide's answer; after all, a person is valuable for having self‑awareness.

Being able to recognize one's shortcomings without being blinded by profit or glory already shows a glimpse of future brilliance.

Then he looked at the remaining two: one wore a constant smile, the other appeared very proper, sitting upright.

"Li Yifu, Zhang Wenguan, correct?"

"Yes, Lord, I am Li Yifu." The smiling young man rose and clasped his hands.

Zhang Wenguan said little, but also gave a brief reply like Li Yifu.

"Alright, since everyone knows each other, I'll be straightforward." Chen Yan nodded, calmly saying, "Among you, some are currently of low status, some are still striving for the Imperial Examination, and some are still serving as grassroots officials."

"Overall, though you have lofty ambitions, the road ahead remains vague."

"As Dai Zhide just said, at your age the chance of passing the Emperor‑supervised Imperial Examination is slim."

With those words, most present fell silent; the Lai brothers' eyes grew dim.

Li Yifu's smile became even more forced.

As the saying goes, lies don't hurt, but truth is a sharp blade.

At their age, competing with those in their thirties, forties, even fifties seems impossible.

Chen Yan observed their expressions, saw them fall silent, raised two fingers, and said:

"Now, I will give you two paths."

"First, the path of the Imperial Examination. I can tell you with certainty that examinations will be held regularly and will improve over time. If you are willing to study hard and hope to shine in the future, I will enlist renowned teachers to instruct you, supplemented with more efficient study methods, though the process will be arduous."

"Second, entering the county office now as officials guarantees you direct entry into service and a court salary. As for future prospects, I give no guarantees, and it will be equally hard."

With those words finished, the room fell silent; Chen Yan patiently waited for them to think, then spoke.

Du Gou wasn't particularly surprised; after seeing the people Chen Yan asked him to find, he had already guessed today's situation.

The county office needs development, so manpower is indispensable.

Currently the main figures in the county office are just the three of them, which is certainly insufficient.

The only thing that puzzled Du Gou might be what outstanding qualities these five possess that make Chen Yan value them so highly.

Little does anyone know that the five Chen Yan recruited will all become prime ministers in the future.

Li Yifu thought for a moment, and while the others were still hesitating, he resolved, "Lord, I want to join the county office!"

"Oh?" Chen Yan raised an eyebrow. "Won't you think it over a bit?"

"Actually, you can give me an answer in a couple of days; I'm not in a hurry."

Li Yifu seized the point in Chen Yan's words: not being especially urgent, or does that mean there's still some urgency now?

Having clarified that, he became even more determined, "No, Lord, I'll join the county office!"

"Fine." Chen Yan, admiring his decisiveness, "Do you have any other questions for me?"

"May I ask, Lord, when can I assume office?" Li Yifu's smile faded as he asked a question Chen Yan hadn't anticipated.

Honestly, Chen Yan had assumed Li Yifu would ask why he was helping him or what he would have to give in return, never expecting him to ask when he could start.

"Indeed, those who will become prime ministers in the future, even if young, are not simple figures," Chen Yan thought to himself.

"Today!" he turned his head to glance at Du Gou.

The latter understood and said to Li Yifu, "Follow me in a moment; I'll assign you a position and responsibilities."

"Thank you, two Lords." Li Yifu bowed deeply.

Regardless of their motives, at least they gave him a long‑desired opportunity.

After Li Yifu went first, Dai Zhide and Zhang Wenguan also chose the second.

Chen Yan had long guessed this; after letting Du Gou make the arrangements, he turned his gaze to the Lai brothers who had never spoken.

Lai Heng exhaled a cloud of foul breath, clasped his hands and said, "May I ask, sir, why you value the two of us brothers so highly?"

Finishing, he seemed afraid Chen Yan might misunderstand, and hurried to explain, "After all, the two of us are merely impoverished scholars from a fallen household; there are so many people like us, it seems there is nothing that would make a sir value us..."