Chapter 2564 - 2538: Recommendation

Bai Erlang’s guess was correct; the Emperor had indeed already chosen a position for him, discussing the matter with Li Maoyue before the Ministry of Personnel exam results were announced.

The position was excellent, an Academic Editor at the Hanlin Academy.

This time, the appointment went smoothly. Not only did Li Maoyue not object, but even Wei Zhi and other ministers did not express any opposition, leaving the Emperor, who had prepared for a fierce battle, unexpectedly without resistance.

Li Maoyue did not oppose because he considered Bai Cheng to be a scholar with skills not lacking, and the Emperor’s action was clearly not intended to give Bai Cheng power in the future, but to keep the princess and her husband in the capital.

Since that’s the case, he agreed.

While Wei Zhi and others did not oppose because Bai Erlang had written a book, which was a bestseller.

The Biography of Xiang Mingxue was naturally not just read by his own children; the adults also secretly collected a copy.

Given his decent narrative ability, placing him in the Hanlin Academy to compile books was acceptable.

Thus, the Emperor, driven by his personal desires, found Bai Cheng to be somewhat capable, and agreed.

If he were incompetent, even if the Emperor was angry, they could not agree.

They considered it merit-based promotion.

However, since Bai Family’s two brothers were scholars, if Bai Cheng was to stay in the capital, then Bai Zhi could not stay in the capital.

This is the most basic policy to avoid suspicion.

Just as Bai Erlang handed in his application, Li Maoyue promptly learned of it, instructing his subordinate, "Hold it for two days before giving it to him, to avoid rumors."

The subordinate agreed.

Li Maoyue then picked up the memorial he had just written today and went into the palace, today was the day to discuss the fourth batch of appointments, and the positions were quite important.

Although a county magistrate is only fifth or sixth rank, the Emperor is very concerned with this, as are the ministers in court.

After all, Great Jin is composed of counties, and county magistrates, called parental officials, must be well chosen.

Basically, every year the Emperor personally interviews and evaluates the magistrates selected for local office to ensure there are no issues before allowing them to be appointed.

This time, there were also several important counties needing magistrates appointed.

Li Maoyue, with his hands in his sleeves, entered the palace and met Zhou Man on the long steps of Taiji Hall.

Lately, Li Maoyue had been entering the palace at roughly the same time, and inquiries from the guards at the palace gate and the attendants showed this.

They had particularly good memories, and because their work was very singular, they could remember such trivial matters.

Manbao certainly wouldn’t inquire with the guards; she listened to the attendants. Such little information is something they are willing to share with her for good standing.

Therefore, she learned that Li Maoyue had been entering the palace between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. in the past four or five days, while the time he exited varied—sometimes around lunchtime, sometimes he stayed to dine in the palace or took a nap inside until the afternoon.

This depended on how busy palace affairs were. When the Emperor was particularly busy and couldn’t meet him, he left the palace late.

Hence, Manbao didn’t wait for the latter part but blocked him ahead.

She made it to Taiji Hall just before 9:30 a.m., first admiring the scenery.

Though there wasn’t much scenic beauty here.

Taiji Hall was austere, with a massive square in front paved with blue stones, and stone bridges and alleys of white marble all around.

If anything could be called a scenery, it would be the large stone pots placed beside the stone steps, containing pines and lotuses.

Now the lotuses weren’t blooming, only the evergreen pines remained.

Manbao slowed down, drawing the attention of some passing ministers.

Fortunately, not many people were coming and going here, and aside from major court meetings, the ministers visiting Taiji Hall were few, mainly officials of fourth rank and above.

Seeing Li Maoyue approach the steps from afar, Manbao simply stood and waited.

Li Maoyue climbed up, curiously looking at Zhou Man, "What’s brought you here today, Lord Zhou?"

Manbao’s hands were in her sleeves, and upon hearing him, she took out a memorial and waved it, "The military vaccination is done, I’m here to report to His Majesty."

Li Maoyue realized and asked with a smile, "All went smoothly?"

Manbao nodded, "More or less, some people had adverse reactions, but luckily no one was in life-threatening danger."

With so many vaccinated, exceptional cases were bound to arise. The Imperial Medical Office, though tense, did not resent such cases. They showed the need for improvements in vaccinations or perhaps the development of specific treatments for particular cases...

However, that was not the main reason for Zhou Man’s visit today. She had taken on the reporting task from Director Xiao to block Li Maoyue.

Thus, Manbao asked about Li Maoyue’s work, "Minister Li still busy with appointments?"

"Indeed," Li Maoyue grumbled, "Every spring our Ministry of Personnel and Ministry of Revenue are the busiest, managing the new scholars and Ming Classic candidates and arranging repositioning for officials returning to the capital."

Some officials receive promotions, naturally leaving positions for this year’s newcomers.

"I heard a county magistrate died of a sudden illness this year?" Manbao asked curiously, "What illness?"

Li Maoyue, not sensing ulterior motives, knew Zhou Man liked unique cases, having been told she often visited Jishi Hall to look at cases, so he attributed her interest to medical curiosity and sighed, "The Tongbai County magistrate caught a cold in the early spring chill, started as a small illness and worsened unexpectedly, couldn’t pull through."

It happened swiftly, only twelve days from complication to decease, leaving him no time for proper arrangements, so the County Governmental Office had to report upward, urging the Ministry of Personnel to swiftly dispatch an official, as it’s a crucial time for spring farming, and the office needs a magistrate.

Common cold can indeed be fatal.

Manbao sighed as well, then asked Li Maoyue, "Has the replacement candidate been decided?"

Li Maoyue shook his head, "Tongbai County is considered important, decided by His Majesty."

But, as the Minister of Personnel, it’s impossible he doesn’t have recommendations. Manbao didn’t point this out, just asked with a smile, "What do you think of Bai Zhi, Minister Li?"

Li Maoyue paused and looked at Zhou Man, "Who?"

"Bai Zhi," Manbao replied directly, "I’d like to recommend Bai Zhi to you, do you remember his Ministry of Personnel exam papers?"

Before Li Maoyue could respond, Manbao pulled an article from her sleeve, "If you don’t remember, look at his usual articles; this one is on promoting farming? Tongbai County is a grain-producing county, yet Bai Zhi mentioned the stark disparity between the wealthy concentrated in the west and the poverty in the east."

Li Maoyue initially didn’t intend to take the article, but hearing Zhou Man, he reached out to accept it.

Bai Zhi, able to make such observations, had certainly done his homework, and given such preparation, why not give him a chance?