"Xishan Province has been hit hardest by the disaster in the past two years. The fields are full of hungry people. The worst part is that not even one out of ten villages are left alive. The household registration of the people in the province has been reduced by more than half. This is one of them."
"The officialdom of the entire Xishan Province can be said to be in shambles. If you go there, I won't be able to give you much help. Even the branch of Dongchang has been destroyed. It will take time to rebuild. So
You can say that you are alone and there are obstacles everywhere, and this is the second reason."
"Nowadays, in Xishan Province, it is not just a problem for the officialdom and the people. The rebellion there is serious. The rebels are more powerful than the officers and soldiers. Although I can arrange additional manpower to deal with the rebels, you, the newly arrived
Chief envoys must bear great pressure, and they may even want to get rid of you, and you may die. This is the third reason."
"Except for me, almost no one in the court wants you to succeed, so the pressure from all aspects will be great. Once there are any mistakes, it is likely to be magnified infinitely. They also hope you die because you fail.
If you do, you have to pay a price, and your price is your head, and my price is loss of prestige. This is the fourth."
With his eyes flashing slightly, Li Chen said: "These four points, any smart person will find a way to refuse this appointment, and I can also agree to it. If you refuse, I will not embarrass you, but can find someone in the capital.
I’ll do some leisurely errands for you, and you’ll have one last chance to think about it.”
Every word of Li Chen's words reached Zhao Heshan's ears, but his expression did not change at all.
After Li Chen finished speaking, he said seriously: "I have thought it through. I still want to go, but I have a request."
"Speak." Li Chen said.
"I hope that Your Highness can grant me the right to kill first and report later, as well as the right to appoint officials in the entire Xishan Province."
Generally speaking, as the provincial chief envoy, the limit of Zhao Heshan's power is to appoint magistrate-level officials within his jurisdiction and some of the staff around the chief envoy.
Once you reach the prefect level, you must be assessed, dispatched, and appointed by the imperial court. Zhao Heshan has no right to interfere.
Therefore, the power that Zhao Heshan wants is so great that it can almost be said that he has taken away all the personnel power of the entire Xishan Province.
Normally, this kind of power is not possible for people.
But now, it is an extraordinary time.
Li Chen pondered for a moment, and then said: "Have you thought clearly? If you want to pass such great power, I can give it to you, but if you can't manage Xishan Province..."
"We are willing to raise our heads to see you!" Zhao Heshan said sonorously and forcefully.
Nodding, Li Chen said: "Go down and prepare to take up your new post. We will set off in the next few days."
Zhao Heshan respectfully knocked his head on the ground and said, "Wei Chen, please retire."
After saying that, Zhao Heshan stood up, maintained his bowing posture, and slowly backed out of Xi Zheng Palace facing Li Chen.
After Zhao Heshan left, Li Chen slowly rubbed the heater in his hand and said, "He is an ambitious person."
Eunuch Sanbao came over to pour tea for Li Chen. Hearing this, he echoed: "If you don't have ambition, you probably won't be able to do anything. From what I see, Zhao Heshan does have a lot of skills."
Li Chen raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "There are not many people who can even praise you."
Sanbao bowed slightly flatteringly and said: "I don't understand this either, but if he can win His Highness's favor, he certainly has some ability."
With a sneer, Li Chen said: "Then do you know what will happen to me if he refuses this position just now?"
Sanbao was stunned for a moment and wanted to say he didn't know, but when he saw Li Chen's playful eyes, he immediately abandoned this clever choice and said: "Will Your Highness kill him? Anyway, he is a useless and irresponsible person. Since he doesn't
If you are willing to serve His Highness, there is no need to keep him."
