usatvline Chapter 38 Managing the Affairs of Various Departments
Chapter 38 Managing the Affairs of Various Departments
"Tian Yu of Yuyang is meticulous and knowledgeable in administrative affairs. Since taking office, he has been diligent and conscientious, and everything has been handled in an orderly manner. He is suitable to be the clerk of the Five Offices!"
"Assisting your subordinates in managing the affairs of various departments."
Liu Bei paused for a moment, then continued.
"Furthermore, I would like to recommend two more people!"
"Cheng Pu of Youbeiping is prudent, upright, and discerning. He is suitable to serve as a supervisor, responsible for inspecting subordinate counties and reporting illegal activities."
"Lingzhi Han Dang is brave, decisive, and familiar with border affairs. He can serve as the clerk in charge of apprehending thieves and maintaining peace within the territory."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Pu and Han Dang, who were standing behind Liu Bei, were startled and exchanged a glance.
They both saw shock and excitement in each other's eyes; they never expected that they would gain such trust so soon after joining their ranks.
Hou Chong had planned to cultivate Liu Bei, and he felt that his position as governor might not last long!
Now that Liu Bei has a trusted confidant to rely on, he feels much more at ease and will not obstruct him!
So he said, "What Xuande recommended is very suitable in my opinion!"
"Gentlemen, does anyone have any objections?"
Yan Gang, as the second most important figure in Liaoxi Commandery and a long-time confidant of Hou Chong, was the first to express his opinion.
"This humble general believes it is perfectly appropriate!"
"I second that!"
"I second that opinion."
......
Zou Dan and Shan Jing followed suit and expressed their opinions, while the other officials and staff had no objections whatsoever.
Thus, Liu Bei's subordinates were promoted in a reasonable manner!
This might be a big deal for Liu Bei's subordinates, but for Hou Chong, it was insignificant.
So he waved his hand and dismissed everyone, leaving only Liu Bei behind!
Hou Chong led him to an inner hall and seated him, dismissing the servants on either side before slowly speaking.
"Xuande, I have recommended you as a candidate for the Liaoxi Commandery. The official document has been sent to the prefectural government by express courier, and the prefectural government will review it and then submit it to Luoyang."
"If nothing unexpected happens, the imperial approval should be issued before the end of the year."
Liu Bei quickly rose and bowed deeply to Hou Chong: "Your Excellency's great kindness is something I will never forget!"
Hou Chong frowned and said, "There are no outsiders here, why be so formal!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei relaxed somewhat and replied, "Yes, sir!"
Hou Chong's brows relaxed, and he smiled, saying, "Sit down and let's talk!"
After Liu Bei sat down again, Hou Chong took a sip of tea before continuing, "Now that your status as a candidate for the civil service examination has been confirmed, what are your plans?"
Liu Bei pondered for a moment, then asked, "What suggestions do you have, sir?"
Hou Chong was pleased to hear Liu Bei's request for advice. He stroked his beard and said, "My idea is to wait for the approval of the candidate for the civil service examination, and then use the Hou family's connections in the court to secure you a position as a county magistrate in the border region."
"For example: Zhuoxian, Lingzhi, or Yongnu and Quanzhou in Yuyang Prefecture, etc."
He paused, then explained in detail: "The county magistrate is the deputy head of a county, in charge of documents, granaries, and prisons. He can gain experience in administration, and his position is not considered lowly or powerless."
"This perfectly matches your status as a filial and incorruptible official; it is the most suitable stepping stone for you to transition from a clerk to an official."
"These counties are all within the borders of Youzhou, close to your hometown of Zhuojun, and adjacent to the Central Plains."
"Your reputation in Youzhou is currently at its peak. Once you take office, you will be able to quickly establish yourself and then rise through the ranks in the future, which will be a natural progression."
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's heart stirred slightly.
Hou Chong's arrangement was genuinely for his benefit, taking him on the most secure path to officialdom for scholars in the Eastern Han Dynasty.
But he knew in his heart that although the counties in the border regions were stable, they offered far fewer opportunities than the border regions in western Liaoning.
Here lies the foundation he built, the people who support him, and his loyal team.
There is more room to face the grasslands and accumulate strength. Once he enters the pass, it would be equivalent to giving up everything in western Liaoning, which is by no means what he wants.
However, he couldn't very well refuse Hou Chong's kindness, so he could only bow and say, "Your Excellency's consideration is very thoughtful, and I am deeply grateful."
"However, this matter is of great importance, so please allow me to go back and think it over carefully before reporting back to you, sir."
"That's how it should be; you can think about it slowly."
Hou Chong didn't urge him, and added with a smile, "There's one more thing. Now that I've promoted you to the position of Chief Clerk of the Prefecture, you'll be in charge of all the affairs of the prefecture and will be in charge of personnel appointments and dismissals."
"In the future, if any of the officials in the various departments of the prefecture do not meet your expectations or perform their duties poorly, you may directly replace them. Just inform me afterwards."
The Gongcao Shi was the head of the officials under the prefecture, in charge of personnel and general affairs of the prefecture, and wielded great power.
Hou Chong's words were tantamount to handing over all the administrative power of Liaoxi Commandery to him.
A surge of warmth welled up in Liu Bei's heart, and he bowed again to express his gratitude: "Your son-in-law will certainly not fail in your trust."
I believe you.
Hou Chong smiled and nodded, then brought up another matter.
"By the way, now that your marriage to my daughter has been settled and the betrothal ceremony has been completed, it's time to proceed with the remaining formalities of the three letters and six betrothal gifts."
"I know you are busy with official duties and cannot get away. You can entrust these trivial matters to your uncle to handle. The two households can communicate with each other. You don't need to do everything yourself."
"It's entirely up to you, Lord Prefect."
Liu Bei bowed in agreement, a hint of warmth appearing on his face.
In his previous life, he wandered for half his life and never had a stable home. In this life, he was able to settle down in Xi'an, Liaoxi, and have a stable marriage, which put his mother in Zhuojun at ease. This is already a rare and fulfilling life.
The two chatted for a few more minutes, then Liu Bei bowed and took his leave, departing from the prefect's residence.
That evening, Liu Bei hosted a private banquet in his own courtyard, firstly to welcome Cheng Pu and Han Dang, and secondly to finalize the subsequent arrangements for Liaoxi with his confidants.
The second courtyard gate was wide open, and dozens of low tables were neatly arranged in the open space between the outer and middle courtyards.
The two hundred young men from Youzhou brought by Cheng Pu and Han Dang sat at separate tables, with wine and meat piled high on the table, and shouts and laughter rising and falling.
Inside the main hall, the lights were on, and the charcoal fire in the copper basin crackled, making the room warm and cozy.
On a large table in the center, wine cups were neatly arranged, and roasted meat, millet rice, and pickles were laid out in abundance.
Liu Bei sat in the main seat, with Xu Rong, Tian Yu, Cheng Pu, and Han Dang sitting on either side, all dressed in casual clothes, free from the formality of the daytime government office.
Once the noise outside the hall had subsided, Liu Bei slowly rose, picked up the full wine cup in front of him with both hands, and spoke in a low but clear voice, steadily drowning out the commotion in the courtyard.
"My brothers, you have traveled a long way to join Liu Bei, which shows that you trust my character."
"This kindness will be forever etched in Liu Bei's heart!"
He raised his wine cup high: "This first cup of wine is a toast from Liu Bei to everyone present, and also to the two hundred brothers in the courtyard!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Rong, Cheng Pu, and the other three stood up together and raised their cups high.
Hearing the commotion inside the hall, the brothers in the courtyard also picked up their wine bowls and stood up to join in.
The clinking of wine cups and bowls filled the air, and shouts of "To our lord!" echoed throughout the courtyard.
Liu Bei nodded and smiled, then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.
Everyone followed suit and drank to their hearts' content, and when they sat down, the room was filled with the joyful sound of tossing cups.
The charcoal crackled, and sparks danced.
Liu Bei took another cup, the smile on his face slowly fading, his expression turning solemn as he glanced at everyone at the table.
He said in a deep voice, "After a round of drinks, I, Liu, have a few unpleasant things to say beforehand."