Free Web NovelChapter 1233: Chapter 1213: Testing Abilities
The Little Emperor said, "With Prince Yuzhang accompanying me, it is sufficient. The family of King Langya has been weary from their journey and with the New Year approaching, they should rest first."
Zhao Hanzhang understood his intention and, with a slight smile, nodded, "Very well, the family of King Langya hasn’t returned to Luoyang for a long time, let them familiarize themselves first."
At this moment, she already had another decision in her heart, but it was not urgent to resolve. She first hosted a banquet to welcome King Langya, Wang Dao, and Zhou Qi.
It wasn’t until evening when the six of them could leave the palace. Zhao Xin personally guided King Langya, escorting their family of four back to the Langya Royal Mansion.
As for Wang Dao and Zhou Qi, arrangements were also made for them.
Zhao Hanzhang was very generous; since Wang Dao helped persuade King Langya and Zhou Qi quickly pledged allegiance, she gifted both of them houses and had them simply furnished.
An official from the Ministry of Rites accompanied them to their residence to rest.
The bestowed house was neither too large nor too small. Zhao Hanzhang merely had one courtyard tidied up and supplied with some basic necessities.
The official from the Ministry of Rites left after handing over the property deed and keys.
But regardless of Wang Dao or Zhou Qi, their previously anxious hearts finally settled down.
If Zhao Hanzhang had decorated the houses luxuriously, they would have been frightened.
Only this way could they feel her goodwill and her expression of cautious optimism for the future.
The two settled in at ease. The next day, they were invited to the palace again. This time, Zhao Hanzhang directly appointed them to positions as traveling officials of the Central Secretariat, a role she had created herself.
Originally, she wanted to create a position called "Advisor," where knowledgeable individuals could be invited to discuss state affairs. Though it held no real power, Ji Yuan and other ministers believed it might affect her and the future rulers’ decisions and wasn’t a good setup.
Therefore, citing an empty treasury and inability to add more departments, they rejected it.
Zhao Hanzhang indeed wanted to expand the Hanlin Academy, selecting advisors from its scholars, but Ji Yuan’s reasons were valid too. So, she temporarily shelved the idea and adapted it to the traveling officials of the Central Secretariat.
In this way, the salaries and other expenses for the traveling officials would be managed through the Central Secretariat, without the need to set up another department.
Only then did Ji Yuan and others agree.
Zhao Hanzhang kept the two at her side, discussing Jiangnan’s situation and future governance until noon, before dismissing them after lunch.
She said to them, "I know many scholars have come to the Capital City with the group this time. I ask for Wang Xingzou and Zhou Xingzou to convey that on the day after tomorrow, during rest day, I will host a banquet at the General’s Mansion, inviting everyone to discuss the major affairs of Jiangnan."
Zhou Qi was slightly surprised and, after exchanging a glance with Wang Dao, agreed.
Once Wang Dao and Zhou Qi left the palace, they immediately went to various inns in the Capital City seeking out those they had come with, relaying Zhao Hanzhang’s message to the family heads and scholars.
Lu Yuan frowned, "Are there no invitations? Who to invite and who not, there should be some explanation."
Wang Dao said, "There are none; any literati returning as relocated people or sons from the Jiangnan Aristocratic Family who wish to discuss major affairs of Jiangnan can go."
Zhou Qi worriedly said, "I only worry that if there are assassins mixed among them, it could bring disaster to Jiangnan."
The sons of the great families were startled upon hearing this, shivering with fear, "No, this cannot go wrong. Since there are no restrictions, we will screen carefully ourselves, allowing entry only to those we bring in."
Zhou Qi, after a glance at Wang Dao, said, "The Jiangnan Aristocratic Family is manageable, with my family, the Lu Family, and the Jiang Family here, we can ensure no mistakes. But the relocated northern literati returning from Jiangnan..."
Wang Dao immediately said, "I will screen them, ensuring that no one who enters the General’s Mansion is in collusion with Wang Dun."
Zhou Qi decided to trust Wang Dao, and the two groups parted ways, immediately spreading this news, instructing those interested in attending the banquet to register with them, and gathering together to head to the General’s Mansion.
Who wouldn’t want to meet Zhao Hanzhang?
To catch Zhao Hanzhang’s eye could certainly be a leap to prosperity.
Hence, anyone with even a slight connection to the scholars came forward.
Lu Yuan looked down upon some small aristocratic families, feeling they would only embarrass themselves if they went. Hence, even if he met them, he would cross off their names, regardless of whether they were suspected assassins.
If he treated small aristocratic families this way, even more so with those who weren’t even aristocratic, just educated commoners.
The next day, Lu Yuan’s actions somehow got out, along with Zhou Qi’s conveyed words from Zhao Hanzhang, annoying those aspiring individuals living in the various inns.
