Chapter 741-Zhili Prefecture
Translator: ryangohsf
Editor: Nora
Ouyang Shuo returned to the manor, where Qing'er had been waiting for him.
"Big brother!"
Qing'er's eyes were flushed red; it looked like she had just cried.
Ouyang Shuo frowned and expressionlessly said, "Wang Feng rejected it?"
"He's just a stubborn bull!"
During these past few days, Qing'er had bumped into many walls with Wang Feng, and the outcome was unideal. Wang Feng's pride was extremely strong. No matter what Qing'er said, he would not agree to the wedding because of his arm.
"What can I do?" Ouyang Shuo asked.
Ouyang Shuo definitely could not use his identity as the Monarch to force Wang Feng into agreeing with this marriage. Not to mention it would leave a sour taste, but it would be a blow to the prestige of the Governor-General House.
As a Monarch, Ouyang Shuo had to consider the effects.
Qing'er raised a surprising proposal, "Big brother, can you temporarily remove him from his duties and send him to Dongli Sword Sect to cultivate?"
"You gave up?"
"No." Qing'er shook her head, her eyes determined, "I also found that with his temper, if he is not treated, no matter what I try will be useless. I will wait; wait for the day that he finally stands up."
"Good, that's great!"
Ouyang Shuo looked at the girl in front of him; he was filled with thoughts.
The magic of love could cloud one's mind but could also make one grow quickly.
"I'll arrange this matter." Ouyang Shuo did not hesitate.
"Thank you, big brother!"
Qing'er bowed. She noticed that Ouyang Shuo was a little tired, so she did not disturb him and left.
In the next half a month, the Battle of Lingnan proceeded smoothly.
The Battle of White Stone City shocked the entire China region. Shanhai City's lightning quick moves ended the Battle of Lingnan before other people with intentions could act.
Amongst which included King City.
Xiong Ba had already made plans to send reinforcements. However, when he learned that White Stone City had fallen, he immediately canceled that thought. Instead, he planned to turn all his attention to Xunlong Dianxue.
Caiyun City was the next one to back down. As Du Ruhui had expected, the moment they knew about what happened to White Stone City, the Alliance Army that Caiyun Zinan had gathered immediately retreated from Shaozhou Prefecture.
Following which, they strengthened the border troops.
The entire China region was respectfully looking at Shanhai City rise up once again. In less than a month, they had taken down half a province.
Along with the various powers retreating, the Guards Legion, City Protection Legion, Dragon Legion Corps 2nd legion and the two legions from the Tiger Legion, a total of 350 thousand troops started to spread out and sweep the three prefectures.
No place was left out in the three prefectures.
As the battle came to an end, the Nanjiang Governor-General was prepared to move a large number of officials to take over the city, calming down the people and reinstating order.
For this expansion, the Nanjiang Governor-General House prepared for half a year, gathering many officials to wait for this battle to end.
Shanhai City, Nanjiang Governor-General House.
Within the reading room, Ouyang Shuo gathered the four directors to discuss the arrangements of governor for the three prefectures.
The Zhenhai City City Magistrate Song Wen would become the Governor of Jiaozhou Prefecture.
No one had any objections about this personnel arrangement. First, Song Wen's achievements at Zhenhai City were there for everyone to see. Secondly, Zhenhai City was still under his name. To maintain the teleportation formation, he could not leave Zhenhai City and Jiaozhou Prefecture.
This time, Song Wen was truly lucky.
Jiaozhou Prefecture was not only the biggest prefecture in Lingnan Province. Even in the entire Shanhai Territory, it was one of the biggest prefectures, even exceeding Kunming Prefecture.
Furthermore, the geographical location of Jiaozhou Prefecture was great, connected with rivers and possessing a natural port. It had many natural resources and a dense population, truly the heart of Lingnan.
If it was not because of Zhenhai City, no matter how capable Song Wen was, he would not be promoted to such a position.
Apart from Jiaozhou Prefecture, there was also Chaozhou and Shaozhou prefectures. Based on the intel, they did not find any exceptional officials when occupying the various prefectures.
At most, they possessed a little skill and could become a prefect.
Hence, the three governors must all be provided by the Nanjiang Governor-General House.
Xiao He suffered for Taxation Director Huo Guang to become the Shaozhou Prefecture.
Huo Guang was an incredible talent so being the Taxation Director was a waste of his talents.
Ouyang Shuo had wanted to put him outside but just could not find a chance to do so. Since Xiao He had raised the suggestion, Ouyang Shuo did not stop it.
Huo Guang was all rounded and truly incredible. Since he was taking charge of Shaozhou Prefecture, he could pay attention to the neighbor in the north. Shaozhou Prefecture was a live volcano that could explode at any moment.
Only with someone like Huo Guang present could Ouyang Shuo relax.
Although Xiao He's request was suitable, there might be some selfishness motives. Huo Guang was born in West Han, so he had something to do with Xiao He, this first prime minister of West Han.
Their relationship was quite close.
To Xiao He, promoting him was a win-win situation.
Ouyang Shuo saw through all this but chose to remain silent. He opposed his men abusing their power but he would not go as far as to ban any connections.
In the ancient official field, it was hard to remove relationships.
Ouyang Shuo's attitude was that officials could use their relationships but they could not abuse it.
Out of all the officials in the Governor-General House, there were many that could be appointed like Zhang Tingyu, Su Zhe, Xiahou Dun, etc.
However, these ministers were in important positions and could not leave.
Just as the meeting entered a stalemate, Financial Bureau Director Fan Li suddenly said, "Lord, I have a suggestion."
"Please speak!" Ouyang Shuo was surprised.
Apart from financial matters, Business Saint Fan Li had been keeping a low profile and had remained silent on other matters since he joined Shanhai City.
One must know that his ability was not limited to just business.
He was also an all rounded person, and his strategic thinking was better than normal strategists.
Ouyang Shuo guessed that he was playing it safe, using the university to increase his knowledge. After all, he was born in the Spring and Autumn Warring States Period. At this time, the ruling systems were the most perfected.
Regarding how to rule a territory, Fan Li had many things he needed to learn and absorb.
Secondly, he was judging both Shanhai City and the Monarch.
He was truly a careful person.
Now that he suddenly spoke during the meeting, maybe it meant that he had truly recognized Ouyang Shuo as his Lord and was ready to show his abilities here?
With that, Ouyang Shuo was excited.
Weird lights flashed in the eyes of the other three directors.
Everyone seated here was sharp and intelligent and could catch the hidden message. What kind of blow would his sudden high profile words give to the official scene in Shanhai City?
Toward this problem, they needed to think deeply about it.
Fan Li was extremely calm, "Based on what the Lord says, the territory needs to establish the country by next year and Shanhai City will become the capital city. Since that's the case, some matters need to be prepared in advance. For example, the matter of direct rule. I feel that it's time that Lianzhou Prefecture becomes directly governed by Shanhai City."
Zhili refers to a region that was directly governed by the capital city.
This term started off in the Ming Dynasty and followed to the Qing Dynasty. Even in modern day society, there were similar concepts. In the Qing Dynasty, the Zhili Viceroy was the head of all the officials governing land and was a truly important role.
Fan Li's suggestion was building on this foundation to move the entire Lianzhou Basin under the direct rule of Shanhai City and there would not be a Lianzhou Prefecture.
"I agree to list Lianzhou Prefecture as Zhili; it also makes it convenient to move the resources of Lianzhou Basin and speed up the construction of Shanhai City to reach the population upper limit quicker."
The one who spoke was Internal Affairs Director Wei Yang, who took charge of anything population related. The population migrating work regarding Shanhai City was all his responsibility.
"That's right, as the Shanhai City population increases, the agricultural needs will increase. The provisions of nearby counties are not enough. We now need to ship resources from Lianzhou Prefecture, so moving it as a Zhili would break that dividing line between the two." Xiao He agreed.
With that, only Military Affairs Director Du Ruhui did not speak.
If one said that Fan Li's low profile was to quietly look on, then Du Ruhui was the true low profile. This director with exceptional judgment pretty much would not speak up unless it affected the military. Most of the time, he took the role of listener.
Militants do not walk into the field of civil servants was the line he drew for himself.
Ouyang Shuo smiled, "Since all of you have come to a consensus, this is set. Immediately disperse Lianzhou Prefecture and any land in Lianzhou Basin will be a Zhili of Shanhai City with Zang Wenchong in charge."
Ouyang Shuo was not ready to move Shanhai Magistrate Zang Wenchong. What pleased Ouyang Shuo the most about him was his lack of involvement in any faction; he was completely unbiased.
"Monarch is wise!"
Seeing the Monarch acting so decisive, the various directors were not surprised at all.
After settling the matter of Zhili, Ouyang Shuo returned to the main question and smiled, "Fan Li is saying to let Lianzhou Governor Wei Ran become the Chaozhou Governor?"