Chapter 440: Candidates for Inspector of the Four Provinces

"Someone come!"

After closing the Attribute Panel, Liu Bian called out into the empty Imperial Study.

"Your Majesty!"

The moment Liu Bian's words fell, Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng came before Liu Bian at the sound and said respectfully.

"Go summon the Cabinet Ministers, the Six Ministers, and the Vice Ministers of the Six Ministries. The Emperor has business with them."

"Right, also call for Kong Zhou and Kong Rong."

Looking at the respectful Li Liangcheng before him, Liu Bian said to him with authority.

"This servant obeys the decree!"

Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng bowed and replied to Liu Bian, then withdrew from the Imperial Study.

"Who should be appointed as Inspector of these Four Provinces after all? There still aren't quite enough talented people!"

"It seems the matter of establishing the Royal Academy must also be put on the agenda. I had originally planned to wait until after the New Year when the Yinghun Shrine was completed, but it looks like we can't wait that long!"

After Li Liangcheng left, Liu Bian sat upon the Dragon Throne in the Imperial Study and could not help but ponder.

……

Soon, Li Liangcheng invited everyone into the palace. After the group arrived at the Imperial Study, they cupped their fists respectfully toward Liu Bian and saluted:

"We ministers pay our respects to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

"Your Ministers may rise. Please, be seated and speak."

Liu Bian gave a slight wave of his hand to the group and said to them with a smile.

"We ministers thank Your Majesty greatly!"

After everyone was seated, they all looked at Liu Bian with some puzzlement, wondering what matter His Majesty had summoned them for this time—could it be about the Heavenly Phenomenon from earlier?

Just as everyone sat there guessing, Liu Bian's authoritative voice rang out.

"Your Ministers, this time I have summoned you here for three matters."

After Liu Bian spoke, everyone immediately sat up straighter and listened attentively to his words.

Seeing the expressions on their faces, Liu Bian nodded in satisfaction and continued:

"The first matter concerns the Heavenly Phenomenon from earlier. This Heavenly Phenomenon was triggered by the Empress's Constitution Awakening. After you return, you must properly reassure the citizens of the city."

Upon hearing Liu Bian's words, Cao Cao, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, and the others all revealed looks of understanding.

It seems this Heavenly Phenomenon really was triggered by the Empress's Constitution Awakening. They just didn't know what method His Majesty had used to help the Empress awaken her constitution.

Although everyone wore expressions of curiosity and puzzlement, none of them spoke up to ask.

They knew that as qualified ministers, some things were better left unknown.

They all spoke to Liu Bian in unison, offering their congratulations:

"We ministers congratulate the Empress on her Constitution Awakening. May her Martial Dao path from now on be smooth, and may she live ten thousand years without bound!"

Hearing this, Liu Bian also showed a smile and said to everyone with a laugh:

"Hahaha, Your Ministers need not be anxious. For those of you who have not yet had your constitutions awakened, I already have a method here. In less than a year, I will be able to awaken your constitutions for you!"

After hearing Liu Bian's words of confirmation, everyone was overjoyed, especially those whose constitution grade had reached Divine Grade or above.

People like Cao Cao, Guo Jia, and Xun Yu were all beaming with joy and loudly thanked Liu Bian in unison:

"We ministers thank Your Majesty greatly!"

Previously, Liu Bian had only told them that he would find a way to awaken their constitutions in the future.

Now, they finally knew the definite timeline. Was it merely a year? They could certainly wait that long.

"The second matter concerns the appointment of officials for the Four Provinces of Youzhou, Xuzhou, Yuzhou, and Jizhou."

"Now, the four ministers are all serving in central positions within the Imperial Court, so the Inspector positions of these Four Provinces have been left vacant. Do any of you have suitable talents to recommend?"

After Liu Bian finished speaking to the group, he quietly watched them.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression grew solemn, and none of them spoke first.

One must know, these were Inspector positions—Official Rank from Third Grade, governing an entire State, truly frontier officials of great authority.

Such people, they did not dare recommend carelessly. Those who could hold such positions were without exception Liu Bian's trusted and important ministers.

After waiting for a while and still hearing no one speak, Liu Bian turned his gaze to Xun Yu, who sat below with his head lowered in thought, and asked him with authority:

"Wenruo, as Minister of Personnel, do you have suitable candidates?"

Upon hearing this, Xun Yu, who had been pondering with his head lowered, raised his head, cupped his hands toward Liu Bian, and replied:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the various ministers of the Imperial Court currently hold important posts concurrently, so they cannot serve. This minister does have personnel who could serve as Inspector, but I fear their seniority is still shallow and they may not be equal to the task!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bian became somewhat interested in the person he mentioned and immediately asked:

"Oh, what great talent is Wenruo recommending to me?"

"Your Majesty, this minister recommends Xu Shu and Ju Shou to serve as Inspector of two of the States. As for the remaining two States, I truly cannot think of suitable candidates at this moment."

Xun Yu immediately respectfully informed Liu Bian of the talents he believed could serve as Inspector of a State.

After hearing the two men Xun Yu mentioned, Liu Bian also nodded slightly.

Of these two, Xu Shu's current official post is Henan Governor, a Fourth Rank position.

As for Ju Shou, his current official post is Jingzhao Governor, also a Fourth Rank position like Xu Shu.

However, these two were indeed, as Xun Yu said, of too shallow seniority.

But what of it? So long as Liu Bian deemed them capable, who would dare oppose it?

"What do you all think? Can Xu Shu and Ju Shou, whom Wenruo has recommended, be equal to the post of Inspector of a State?"

After Liu Bian finished pondering, he asked the group below.

"Your Majesty, this minister believes Minister Xun speaks most reasonably. Given the talents of Xu Shu and Ju Shou, they are more than sufficient to serve as Inspector of a State!"

The moment Liu Bian's words fell, Guo Jia immediately spoke up in agreement.

As for the abilities of these two, he also knew a little about them. Although he had not interacted deeply with the two, he could clearly tell that these two were men of real talent and learning.

"Your Majesty, this humble official also agrees with Minister Xun and Military Advisor Guo!"

Just as Guo Jia's words fell, Cao Cao, as the Minister of War, also chimed in and said.

"Your Majesty, this humble official also agrees that Xu Shu and Ju Shou should serve as Inspectors of a State."

At this moment, even Jia Xu, who had always been an old hard coin that considered matters none of his business, also said solemnly to Liu Bian.

"Your ministers second the motion!"

Just after Jia Xu finished speaking, the others also agreed that Xu Shu and Ju Shou should serve as Inspectors of a State.

Seeing this, Liu Bian also breathed a sigh of relief. Such an outcome was undoubtedly the best.

Seeing that everyone agreed, Liu Bian also said to them in a solemn voice:

"Since all of you agree, the Emperor hereby announces that Xu Shu shall serve as Inspector of Yuzhou, with an official rank of Official Rank from Third Grade, a salary of eight hundred shi, and shall assume office from this day forth!"

"Ju Shou is appointed Inspector of Jizhou, with an official rank of Official Rank from Third Grade, a salary of eight hundred shi, and shall assume office from this day forth!"