Chapter 10: His Majesty’s Decision

The officials knelt for a long time before the emperor finally spoke slowly, “If there are still good strategies, do not hesitate to speak.”

Qu Yuan, kneeling on the ground, was the first to respond. “Your Majesty, your humble servant has the following solutions for your consideration!”

“First, officials across the provinces have repeatedly reported a shortage of clerks. Many government offices have vacant rooms that could be used to house impoverished scholars, providing them with food, clothing, and shelter. At the same time, we can assign them duties, such as teaching at private academies or assisting with basic administrative tasks. This will not only cultivate a future cadre of officials for the state but also address the shortage of personnel. Furthermore, to make the best use of talent, we can employ systems of recommendation, appraisal, and the imperial examination to select and appoint capable individuals. Appointment and dismissal powers can be delegated to county magistrates, who in turn can be appointed by the central government. Supervisory censors will oversee and impeach misconduct, and all decisions will be recorded annually and submitted for central review.”

“Afterward, specific measures shall be formulated, with each official performing their duties in unity to promptly finalize the plan. I await Your Majesty’s decision!”

The emperor remained seated on the dragon throne, propping his head with one hand and gazing at his fingernails. “Rise, all ministers! This plan is excellent! The Left Tutor will take charge of the arrangements, and all ministers shall lend their utmost support to fulfill my trust!”

“Long live the emperor! Your wisdom is unmatched!”

Li Xing accompanied Yue Rou and Yue E home to pack their belongings before taking them to the rooms allocated by the government. They then left the government office and headed east of the county.

Chen Fan also returned to the office to find their new residence. Upon entering, he saw Yue Rou and Yue E carefully examining the official uniforms delivered by the county magistrate’s men.

“These official uniforms are truly beautiful, made of silk satin, and in the traditional blue color, complete with hats!”

Seeing his two wives so delighted, Chen Fan did not want to disturb them and quietly watched from the doorway.

“Ah! The master is back!”

“Come quickly, let us help you change!”

With that, Yue E began undressing while Yue Rou helped him dress.

Chen Fan found it very unfamiliar. Back in the army on Earth, they had to be self-sufficient in everything. Being waited on was something he wasn’t used to, but he felt very happy.

“To have such wives, what more could a husband ask for!”

“Master, you look truly handsome in these clothes!” Yue Rou smiled brightly at Chen Fan.

Chen Fan’s heart skipped a beat just as it did when he first met Yue Rou.

He grabbed her shoulders and kissed her deeply.

Yue Rou’s face, which had never lost its blush since their first night together, grew even redder.

Yue E stood aside and brought out the official documents and writing materials sent by the county magistrate.

“Master, these were delivered by the officials. Do you need to review them?”

Chen Fan released Yue Rou and went to the desk to flip through the documents.

The script of the Great Zhou dynasty differed somewhat from Earth’s characters, but for some reason, Chen Fan could recall them after reading.

“It seems I must finish reading these texts tonight; otherwise, I won’t be able to write tomorrow.”

“By the way, Yue E and Yue Rou, our trap caught two wild chickens. You can prepare them today.”

“What! Master! We have meat to eat!”

“How about cooking one and selling the other at the Eastern Market tomorrow?”

“No need! Cook both! One for ourselves, the other to share with Li Xing and the others.”

“But Master, we don’t have a stove or seasonings!”

“You can wrap the cleaned chicken in leaves, then cover it with yellow mud. Bury it in firewood and when the mud dries, burn it again. Then it will be ready to eat.”

“Master, what kind of cooking method is this? What is this dish called?”

“Beggar’s Chicken!”

“Hahaha, indeed! It’s very fitting for such people to prepare it this way.”

“Master, if you hadn’t changed things, we would’ve long since been destitute on the streets.”

“I was wrong to you all before. It will never happen again.”

Yue Rou and Yue E lowered their heads, silently wiping away tears.

Li Xing stood in the yard outside their room and called to them.

“Brother Chen Fan! May I come in?”

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan put down the documents, stood up, and went to greet him.

In the yard, Chen Fan saluted Li Xing with the same respect that Li Xing had shown the county magistrate earlier.

“Thank you, Brother Li, for escorting my wives back here. Please, have a seat. We are about to prepare the wild chicken as a token of our gratitude.”

“Hahaha! Brother Chen Fan, you are too kind. I just came from the Western Market with some supplies, sent by Magistrate Cao as an advance on your salary. Brother Chen Fan, you can dine at the government canteen from now on, but your wives cannot.”

“Yes, I understand.”

While they spoke, Yue E and Yue Rou had already arranged the tables and chairs they moved from the old house into the yard. The two then hurried off to cook.

Li Xing and Chen Fan sat at the table and began to chat.

“Brother Chen Fan, hearing your words in the courtroom today was truly enlightening. May I ask who your master was? I imagine your talents are not inferior to Magistrate Cao’s.”

“Such a virtuous talent is exactly what the court desperately seeks!”

“My master passed away long ago. When I was a child playing in the mountains, I met him—he was already white-haired. He taught me many principles and left me books to study before vanishing. I believe he has passed on. However, as I grew older without his guidance, I spent my days idling with ruffians. Recently, I accidentally fell into a ravine near the place I met him as a child and was unconscious for several days. In my dreams, I recalled his teachings and awoke with a clear resolve to change.”

“It seems your master was a reclusive sage. Do you still remember his writings? If you can recount them, it would surely earn the admiration of the world. If recognized by the Shexia Academy, you would undoubtedly receive an invitation. Studying there would enable you to achieve great things.”

“Shexia Academy?”

“Brother Chen Fan, you don’t know of it? I studied there for two years. Let me tell you all about it.”

Meanwhile, Yue Rou and Yue E finished preparing the Beggar’s Chicken and placed it in a bowl.

“Sister! Even without seasonings, it smells wonderful!”

“Master always surprises us with his creativity!”

“Sister, shall we bring all these dishes to the table?”

“Yes, bring them all!”

After serving the food, Yue E and Yue Rou withdrew to their room, waiting for them to finish eating.

Chen Fan glanced back at the room, then said to Li Xing, “Brother Li, I will dine with my wives. Will that be acceptable to you?”

“Brother Chen Fan, you have the demeanor of a Left Tutor. I admire that greatly, but I worry it might harm their reputations.”

“Brother Li, you worry too much. Since you have achieved a third-rate ranking at Shexia Academy, you must be a man of high principle. There is no need to heed the opinions of the world.”

“Very well! I will follow whatever Brother Chen Fan says!”

Then Li Xing took out a notebook and jotted down: "High principle, worldly opinions."