The elder system in Nanyuan is actually modeled after the official system of Dongyue, and the power is equally divided among the five elders, each of whom has his own specific jurisdiction, such as Elder Yu is in charge of military power, Elder Qing is in charge of water conservancy, road repair, tuntian and other projects and repairs, Elder Hua is in charge of the appointment and assessment of officials, Elder Wei is in charge of prison affairs, and the dead Elder Dao is in charge of household registration, taxation, and financial affairs.

Now that the military power is in the hands of Long Sandao, the three elders urgently need to support an official who replaces the sword elders, and the first premise is that the substitute official must be of the same mind as them. The household department is a fat shortage, and what he holds in his hands is real money, who to choose, the three elders have their own plans in their hearts. In this world, most people are selfish and selfish, and no one can be selfless.

When Elder Qing heard the emperor's summons, he was a little surprised, but he still hurried away.

Lan Jihua met him in the study, he had always been gentle and amiable, and made a gesture with a smile, "Elder Qing, please take a seat." ”

Elder Qing saluted and sat down on the pear blossom wood chair, "I don't know what His Majesty called the ministers to do?" ”

Lan Jihua picked up the teacup of fine bone china and took a sip of tea, "I don't care much about court affairs, fortunately, thanks to the diligence of several elders, this court is calm, the five elders are indispensable, after Elder Dao left, no one has been filled, I don't know if Elder Qing has recommended someone, I have filled this vacancy earlier, I can also feel at ease." ”

Elder Qing's heart moved, although the emperor didn't care about anything, but the emperor's golden seal was very in charge, and all official appointments and dismissals needed to be stamped with the emperor's golden seal to take effect, he didn't know why the emperor summoned him alone, but this was an opportunity.

After a while, he pondered, "Your Majesty, this matter has always been in mind, but you need to be cautious when entering the cabinet, after all, you are in charge of the household department, the minister thinks about it, but I think of a person, I don't know what Your Majesty thinks?" ”

"Elder Qing, please speak."

"Your Majesty should have an impression of him," Elder Qing said with a smile, "His name is Qing Sike, although he is the same clan of the minister, but he does not shy away from the virtuous, this person is indeed talented, and one of his articles was appreciated by His Majesty back then,"

Lan Jihua let out an "oh", "I do have the impression that his name is Qing Sike, his name is good, and his article is also very well written, and his article back then was called ...... What's going on? ”

"'The Water Fu'."

"Yes, yes, yes, I remember, it's called "Shui Fu". Lan Jihua smiled and nodded, "He is indeed a talented person, what is he doing now?" ”

"He holds a deputy position under Elder Dao, and he knows a lot about the affairs of the household department, so I think it is most suitable for him to take over the position of Elder Dao."

"Well, if you are talented and familiar with household affairs, it is indeed quite suitable, if the other two elders have no disagreement, then decide him, let Elder Hua hand over the appointment letter, and I will stamp the gold seal."

"Yes, Your Majesty is wise," Elder Qing smiled from ear to ear, the emperor recognized it, this thing can be done nine times out of ten, Qing Sike is his person, if Qing Sike is promoted to elder, there will be two elders surnamed Qing in the cabinet, although the five elders are one, and they are in their own affairs, for some internal affairs, there are still differences, and there are cronies who have entered the cabinet, which is not a good thing for him to grasp an extra power in his hands.

On the second day, he brought up the matter in the council hall, and Elder Hua and Elder Wei did not say a word, but quickly exchanged glances.

Yesterday, I received the news, saying that Elder Qing went to the emperor, and discussed in the study for a long time before coming out, when he came out, Elder Qing was proud, full of smiles, and then thought of today's events, what Elder Qing said to the emperor yesterday is already very clear.

Originally, it was a matter discussed by the three elders, but now Elder Qing went to the emperor alone, which is a bit out of order.

Seeing that the two elders didn't speak, Elder Qing also knew what they were thinking, laughed, and said, "Actually, this person is not recommended by me, it is Your Majesty, he found me yesterday, speaking of this, Qing Sike's article was appreciated by His Majesty, His Majesty was very impressed with him, I heard that he was originally serving under Elder Dao, so he proposed this." Since His Majesty meant, I think the two elders should have no objection. His Majesty was concerned about this, and said that he couldn't delay it, so he asked Elder Hua to hand over the letter of appointment as soon as possible, and His Majesty could also stamp the gold seal. ”

He kept talking about the emperor, and Elder Hua glanced at Elder Wei and smiled, "I know." ”

On the second day, Elder Hua went to see the emperor, but he didn't bring a letter of appointment, but asked Lan Jihua tentatively, "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that the person who will take over the position of Elder Dao should be cautious, after all, it is in charge of money and food, if it is too casual, the person chosen cannot take on the big responsibility, which will not only cause chaos in the court, but also be criticized by others." ”

Lan Jihua nodded, "What Elder Hua said is very true, yesterday Elder Qing came to see me and recommended his clansman, called Qing Sike, I thought that although this person was talented in making articles, he might not be able to manage the affairs of the household department, besides, when Elder Dao was alive, he was not mentioned, and he was not reused, I was also worried about this matter, Elder Qing opened his mouth, I am not good not to give face, but if I really want to appoint Qing Sike, I also think it is inappropriate, I am hurting my brain, Elder Hua has a suitable candidate?" ”

When Elder Hua heard this, his heart exploded, Elder Qing was fooling them, it was all his own intention, but he said that it was the emperor's intention, it was really too insidious, fortunately he came to probe the emperor's tone today, if he really handed over the letter of appointment, the emperor saw that the elder's face was stamped with a golden seal, and there would be no room for maneuver in this matter.

He knew that the five elders were harmonious on the surface, but in fact, they all had their own little Jiujiu, and they had been cultivating their own strength in secret for more than ten years, why did Qing Sike do things under Elder Dao, of course, Elder Qing sent him over, didn't he also send people under Elder Wei? Everyone knows these things, and they don't say anything about it, but no one is a fool, someone has taken the lead, and he is naturally not far behind.

"Since Your Majesty asked, there is a suitable candidate in the minister's heart," Elder Hua rolled up his sleeves and said, "This person's name is Wu Xundian, who once served in the household department, and his talent and ability were appreciated by Elder Dao, and later Elder Dao personally recommended him to go to the Criminal Department to serve as the warden, and the minister thought that this person would definitely be able to take on the big responsibility." ”

Lan Jihua said with a smile, "Although Elder Dao has the intention of rebellion, Elder Dao still has the eye to see people, and the person who is appreciated by Elder Dao must be good, since this is the case, there is no need to rush to settle down, I will think about it carefully, and then make a decision, talented people will not be buried." ”

Hearing what the emperor meant, Elder Hua seemed to be more inclined to the person he recommended, so he was a little relieved, and he didn't stay long, and bowed and withdrew.