The next morning, Ning Chen woke up and called all the ministers who had followed him from Kyoto.
After everyone paid their respects, they sat down, and for a moment they didn't know what the emperor was going to do.
"You all followed me on my southern tour, but those who stayed in Kyoto should know more about the situation in the south. Lanzhou is a large continent and has just survived a disaster. I think the position of governor should not be left vacant for a long time. Today I want to hear your opinions."
Such a big thing happened suddenly, catching everyone off guard.
But it was only a moment. After all, this piece of fat was hanging there and everyone had been eyeing it for a long time, so they would not be completely unprepared.
"I have always been indifferent to state affairs. This time I accompanied the emperor only to protect him. I will not interfere in government affairs." Prince Ping said very bluntly.
When Ning Hao came, he and the princess had already made an agreement that the couple were of one mind and would just live as idle nobles.
"Second brother is always lazy." Ning Chen smiled and patted his shoulder. "Well, since second brother doesn't want to get involved, we two brothers will just listen to what they have to say."
After he finished speaking, he pointed to He Xinyan first.
"I think that the south has always been prosperous, with no shortage of tea, silk, rice, and aquatic products. It is self-sufficient and has a surplus. We should find a way to turn this surplus into silver. We should choose someone who is familiar with agriculture, mulberry, and commerce to hold this position."
He Xinyan only talked about what kind of person should be chosen, but did not recommend anyone specifically, and was very cautious.
He said this because he had not yet figured out the emperor's thoughts and was afraid of saying something wrong.
Today, the He family is headed by his father, Academician He, and they are wholeheartedly devoted to being royalists. Since they are on the emperor's side, they have to follow the emperor's wishes and not make any mistakes.
"Well, what my brother-in-law said makes sense. Do you have any other opinions? Tell me about them." Ning Chen waved his hand casually.
He looked like he was just chatting, very easy-going.
He Xinyan was even more flustered when he was called brother-in-law.
The emperor has become more calm and composed over the years since he ascended the throne. He is no longer as immature as when he first ascended the throne. Now, even a few words from him can make people feel frightened.
"I think that since Lanzhou has just recovered from a disaster, we should choose an honest and careful person to govern it. We must not have another Han Xingke!"
An old minister stepped forward and mentioned the audacious Han Xingke, still full of indignation.
With his start, the other ministers gradually became active.
"We must choose someone who knows us well. We cannot let him expire."
"To be in charge of a state, one must have sufficient experience and qualifications, otherwise how can one convince the public?"
"But what Lord He said about understanding agriculture, mulberry and commerce is also very reasonable. We need to take both into account."
Everyone talked a lot, and finally gradually came up with a candidate, the Duke of England's cousin from a branch family, Chen Libai.
This man is quite capable. He is now the third-rank Chief Censor in Kyoto, and is on par with Yi Xiurong's father.
Chen Lisong is forty years old this year, in the prime of his life. He entered the officialdom in his twenties and has more than ten years of experience now. He is indeed qualified in all aspects.
Of course, there were also people who nominated other people, such as the queen's third uncle.
Apart from these two, the other candidates are similar.
Ning Chen was not in a hurry and just sat there drinking tea.
These people argued for a while and finally realized that something was wrong.
After recommending candidates for such a long time, what does it mean that the emperor hasn't said anything? Maybe he is not satisfied with any of them
"Your Majesty, what do you think?" An older minister asked tentatively.
Ning Chen raised his eyebrows, put down his teacup and looked at Ning Hao, "Second brother, what do you think after listening to all this?"
Ning Hao was speechless when he was named.
There's no way to avoid this.
Fortunately, he had been sitting there for half a day and had not completely ignored the instructions. He tried to figure out the emperor's intention and thought for a moment before speaking.
"It seems that some people have not spoken. Those young people have also been listening for a while. Your Majesty, why don't you ask them?"
An old minister glanced at the young ministers standing behind him and bowed slightly, "Your Majesty, although these young men are talented, they don't have enough experience, so I'm afraid it's difficult for them to give good advice."
"It seems that Lord Zhang has been over fifty years old since he was born and has never been young." He Xinyan snorted.
After being choked, Lord Zhang's face suddenly turned red, and he also became a little angry, "The prince consort may not be too nosy. There has never been such a person like you in history."
He called He Xinyan the Prince Consort instead of Lord He, which was quite insulting.
"Whether I am lenient or not is not something Lord Zhang can comment on. I enter the court under the orders of the emperor. Could it be that Lord Zhang is dissatisfied with the emperor's will?!" He Xinyan was also not to be outdone.
No man likes to have his nepotism pointed out by others, not to mention that the He family does not rely on Princess Jiahe at all.
"You, stop talking nonsense!" Lord Zhang was so angry that he pointed at him and glared at him.
The atmosphere became a little tense for a moment.
But suddenly Ning Chen chuckled. The officials didn't understand what he meant, but they all lowered their heads and didn't dare to look.
"Lord Chu, if you have any opinions, please tell me."
His eyes swept across everyone and finally landed on Chu Yunhuai. Looking at that face that was three-quarters similar to Ye Jun, Ning Chen found it quite interesting.
Chu Yunhuai, who was called out, had some sweat in his palms, but he was not too nervous and bowed slightly.
"I think Qi Yao, the son of Qi Taifu, can take on this important task."
"Lord Xiao Qi is good friends with Lord Chu, and you two have a bit of a master-disciple relationship. Aren't you being too selfish?" Lord Zhang snorted.
Last year, Mr. He wanted to accept Chu Yunhuai as his disciple, but Ning Chen did not agree because of Ye Jun's words.
However, Chu Yunhuai and Taifu's son Qi Yao became close friends regardless of age difference. Young Lord Qi was old enough to be Chu Yunhuai's father, so the court tacitly assumed that the two were master and disciple.
Ning Chen naturally knew about this, but he didn't interfere.
He wanted to train Chu Yunhuai. Qi Yao was a talented person, so it would be a good thing if he could guide Chu Yunhuai more.
"Master Zhang, please don't assume what I am thinking just because of what you think." Chu Yunhuai said indifferently, "I am just discussing the matter and recommending the right person. It is up to the emperor whether to use him or not. Why are you so anxious?"
It was just a casual question, but Chu Yunhuai unexpectedly hit the nail on the head on what Ning Chen was thinking, which made him admire him even more.
He smiled and nodded, "I think Lord Chu's suggestion is good. I know Qi Yao inside and out. He has enough talent and experience. Let's appoint him as the governor of Lanzhou for now. I will decide on the specific matters after I return to Beijing."
Lord Zhang, who was standing below, frowned and hurriedly bowed, "But Your Majesty, the position of prefect is an important position. It would be a bit hasty for Your Majesty to make the decision. It would be better to discuss it with a few old ministers after returning to Beijing..."
"Master Zhang, do you think that what I say is not counted, and that it is those old guys in Kyoto who have the final say?"
Ning Chen's eyes flashed, and the air around him suddenly turned cold.
Zhang Qun has always been on good terms with Duke Ying. It was Duke Ying who recommended him to join them on the southern tour this time. He really lived up to Duke Ying's trust and gave a lot of advice along the way.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. I dare not do that!" Zhang Qun felt a chill on his back and knelt down in a hurry.
Ning Chen retracted his gaze, gently turned the ring on his hand, and said in a cold voice, "If Master Zhang wants to work for the Chen family, I will not keep you here. Come on, set off immediately and send Master Zhang back to Kyoto and hand him over to the Duke of Ying to deal with him."