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Chapter 1044 – Changes in the Secret Document Pavilion

5th month, 22nd day, Xia Palace.

The Handan City matter was moved aside by Ouyang Shuo, as that was something he had expected.

Within the Imperial Reading Room, Ouyang Shuo was discussing with the Grand Council Grand Secretary about the appointments of the seven new people. As for Yuefei and Zhang Shijie, they would enter the Army Military Academy for a month before working at the Guards Legion Corps. They would then be given a suitable appointment during the next military reorganization.

Before the New Year, in the year end evaluation by the Official Ruling Department, there were five Prefecture Governors who barely passed and listed as people who might be demoted at any moment.

Helplessly, there were not any people he could promote, which was why the matter was left hanging.

Jiang Shang suggested that he could arrange three of them to become governors. Thinking about it, Ouyang Shuo did not totally accept Jiang Shang’s view, only agreeing to place down Lu Xiufu and Wen Tianxiang.

“Let’s put Ouyang Xiu in the court. He could use his Song Dynasty influence,” Ouyang Shuo said.

Jiang Shang was enlightened, as he truly did not think about it so much. He said in an ashamed manner, “The king has thought it through, I’m ashamed.”

Ouyang Shuo waved him off, “Which appointment do you think is suitable for him? Although he is famous, he is not really skilled, so we must choose the right appointment.”

This was a secret conversation between a ruler and his man. If he were in public, Ouyang Shuo would not have put it so bluntly.

Jiang Shang had a really exquisite grasp of the Imperial Court. After a short pause, he spoke, “I boldly suggest that we can place him as the science, education, culture and health director.”

Ouyang Shuo thought about it and nodded his head in satisfaction. The work of the department had already gotten on the right path thanks to the hard work of Su Zhu and did not need much revolution. As such, it was suitable position for Ouyang Xiu to take over.

Jiang Shang was really skilled at appointing people.

“What about Su Zhe?” Ouyang Shuo asked.

Su Zhe took charge of the Science, Education, Culture, and Health Department and had contributed so much. Naturally, they could not just kick him away like that. If they placed Su Zhe down to the territory, based on his current rank, apart from Provincial Governor, the other positions would be a downgrade.

This was a difficult problem.

Jiang Shang, however, had thought about it, “I suggest we move Su Zhe into the Secret Document Pavilion and appoint him as the advisor. Although his rank will drop by half a rank, he would be entering the core region, and his power would increase.”

Ouyang Shuo’s eyes lit up, as this suggestion was exactly what he wanted.

Along with dynasty matters getting more and more busy, the burden on Tsing Yi’s shoulders were getting heavier and heavier. Although there were four secretaries added to help her, it still was not enough.

Moving Su Zhe in was a great move.

Although Su Zhe was not as skilled as his brother, Su Shi, in the literary field, in terms of politics and administrative work, he had a really sharp observation skill and was really suitable for the Secret Document Pavilion.

With Su Zhe helping, Tsing Yi would have a much simpler time.

Thinking about it, Ouyang Shuo suddenly asked, “How is the performance of Feng Qingyue in the Shu Lands?”

Half a year had passed since Feng Qingyue went to the Shu Lands to assist Provincial Governor Tian Wenjing. Ouyang Shuo was thinking that his test for her should come to an end.

Ouyang Shuo did not want to break the relationship with the Feng Family.

Jiang Shang replied, “Based on the monthly report from Tian Wenjing, he’s really satisfied with her, using many words to praise her. He has also recommended for the Imperial Court to officially promote her to an official in the Provincial Governor office.”

“Oh?”

Ouyang Shuo was really surprised.

Tian Wenjing, the cold faced Provincial Governor, had actually taken the initiative to raise up this matter. This was enough to prove that Feng Qingyue’s hard work had obtained his recognition.

Speaking of which, Feng Qingyue really could bear hardship. During this half a year, Ouyang Shuo pretty much did not bother about her, and she just took it, quietly doing her duties.

What a special girl.

Ouyang Shuo smiled happily, “It seems like he’s just cold on the outside but warm on the inside.”

Jiang Shang gave a stiff smile. He did not know whether the king was praising or insulting Tian Wenjing, so he did not dare to answer. Instead, he asked carefully, “What the king means is?”

Ouyang Shuo kept his smile and said expressionlessly, “Since she has obtained the recognition of her superior, we should give her an actual position. Send the decree to move her into the Secret Document Pavilion and temporarily be a secretary.”

Regarding Feng Qingyue, Ouyang Shuo was still prepared to monitor her for a while and not come to conclusions so quickly. After all, she came from one of the six big families. When dealing with such a person that had a sensitive background, one had to be careful.

Of course, the moment they gave her a huge appointment, it would be a milestone matter to Great Xia.

“Yes, my king!”

Jiang Shang nodded; it was at this point he understood why Ouyang Shuo had asked about Feng Qingyue.

Using the opportunity of moving Su Zhe and Feng Qingyue in, Ouyang Shuo wanted to reorganize the Secret Document Pavilion. He officially appointed Tsing Yi as head advisor.

Of course, her rank would still be the same.

The nature of the Secret Document Pavilion meant that Ouyang Shuo could not give them too high of a rank.

Apart from that, Ouyang Shuo also ordered them to expand the pavilion, adding in six secretaries. Apart from aiding the advisors, each Cabinet elder would have one specific secretary in the Secret Document Pavilion.

Different from the four courts, in the Cabinet, none of them had people under them to deal with their documents.

Furthermore, they were all at such an old age and did not have much energy to do that.

Ouyang Shuo was arranging secretaries for them to help take the workload off the elders and to help them deal with documents. At the same time, as the secretaries were from the Secret Documents Pavilion, he was increasing his control on the Cabinet.

Killing two birds with one stone.

Naturally, Jiang Shang could not give his opinion on this matter and could only kowtow to thank the king.

…

That afternoon, a series of personnel appointments were released.

Ouyang Xiu was appointed as the director of the Science, Education, Culture, and Health Department, Lu Xiufu as the Administration Director of the Annan Province Provincial Governor office, and Wen Tianxiang as the Governor of Beijiang Province Fengtian Prefecture.

Lu Xiufu being placed in Annan was enough to prove how high the hopes Ouyang Shuo had for him.

Using this chance, moving Wen Tianxiang into the Beijiang Province, apart from trusting his talents, he also wanted to balance Wufu’s influence there.

Since the Xunlong Dianxue matter, Ouyang Shuo deeply understood a lesson, which was the human heart could always change. To make sure that did not happen, the best way would be not to give others a chance.

Before temptation breeds, he wanted to eradicate such thoughts.

With Wufu as an example, as the previous Stone City Lord, he has spent four years there. Naturally, he was really influential in that area.

If Ouyang Shuo did not curb it, even if Wufu did not have the thoughts, if this carried on, he would be directly or indirectly influenced by the friends and family under him, and he would slowly build up unshakeable control in Beijiang.

If that happened, it would not be a good thing for either Great Xia and Wufu.

Moving Wen Tianxiang there was to restrict Wufu and also to protect him. Ouyang Shuo believed that with his intellect, he would be able to understand the meaning within.

Apart from the three new officials, the Imperial Court also had other appointments.

Promoting Secret Document Pavilion advisor to head advisor, Su Zhe would become an advisor in the Secret Document Pavilion and Feng Qingyue would become a secretary.

At the same time, based on orders from the king, the Cabinet would hold an internal selection to choose six righteous secretaries for the Secret Document Pavilion.

The moment the news went out, the Imperial Court was astonished.

As the core structure closest to the king, although the Secret Document Pavilion did not have a high rank, it was a ladder to the skies for young officials. To be chosen as a secretary meant that one was recognized by both the king and the Cabinet.

Along with the special job scope there, not only could one increase their knowledge, but they would also have many chances to come into contact with heavyweights of the Imperial Court.

Anyone who spent a year or two there would at least be able to become a governor outside.

With that, the Imperial Court was obviously shaken. All of a sudden, numerous young people went all around searching for news and asking for favors to try to get a spot.

On this matter, Ouyang Shuo passed full control to the Cabinet and did not step in.

3 PM.

After signing the imperial decree, Ouyang Shuo called to meet Administrative Mentor Court advisor Zhang Liang.

Along with the Secret Document Pavilion changing, the Imperial Reading Room arrangement was adjusted too. As the head advisor, Tsing Yi could not remain here, and instead, she had to have another office right next to the reading room.

That region would be the Secret Document Pavilion’s private office that had its own door.

Between the two offices, there was a door that Ouyang Shuo could use to enter the reading room or through that door to the Secret Document Pavilion office and leave from there.

This ensured that Tsing Yi could arrive upon his request whilst also ensuring the privacy of the Imperial Reading Room.

In the huge room, apart from Ouyang Shuo, there was only the court lady in charge of his food.

Outside stood a Divine Martial Guard ready to receive orders.

Originally, Xu Chu wanted to stand guard there, but Ouyang Shuo rejected it. Xu Chu was a grade 4 general, so how could he do that?

Although that was the case, the stubborn Xu Chu made a drill courtyard near the reading room. If any situation occurred, he could arrive within five minutes.

As Ouyang Shuo was used to discussing huge matters here, the matters were often top secret. As the only court lady there, she needed to be totally loyal to him.

She must also ensure that she did not leak a single word out.

However, there were no suitable choices, so he could only let Zisu personally take charge.

Ouyang Shuo placed down his tea cup and looked at Zhang Liang, “There has been some adjustments to the Secret Document Pavilion, so there should be some for the Administrative Mentor Court.”

No one had expected that Ouyang Shuo would adjust the two core pillars.

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